While it has been known for some time that CD93 regulates several processes involved in innate immunity and inflammation including phagocytosis and adhesion, the function of CD93 in disease progression is only now being elucidated. Recent in vivo studies in mice, and genome wide studies in mice and humans, have ...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease involving airways restriction, alveolar destruction, and loss of lung function, primarily due to cigarette smoke (CS) exposure. The inducible stress protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been implicated in cytoprotection against the toxic action of many xenobiotics, including CS. HO-1 also protects against ...

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome in which an uncontrolled and ineffective immune response, triggered in most cases by infectious agents, leads to severe hyperinflammation. Familial forms of HLH (FHL), which are increasingly found also in adolescents and adults, are due to genetic defects leading to impaired function of ...

Two human gamma-herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8 display oncogenic potential, causing benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders in genetically susceptible or immunosuppressed individuals. As a family of viruses that establish persistent life-long infections, herpesviruses have evolved strategies to limit innate antiviral responses and evade host immune ...

Plant-derived natural products such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides have received considerable attention in recent years due to their diverse pharmacological properties such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, cancer chemopreventive effects, and so on. 10-Methoxycanthin-6-one, a β-carboline alkaloid from the medicinal plant Aerva lanata, was assessed for immunomodulatory activity in ...

OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses. SUMMARY: Despite complex genomic and epigenetic abnormalities, many cancers are irrevocably dependent on an initiating oncogenic lesion whose restoration to a normal physiological activation can elicit a ...

OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses. Mononuclear phagocytes are cells of the innate immunity that defend the host against harmful pathogens and heal tissues after injury. Contrary to expectations, in malignancies, tumour-associated macrophages ...

The immunomodulatory effects of probiotics were assessed following exposure of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), cord blood cells and the spleen-derived monocyte/macrophage cell line CRL-9850 to Lactobacillus acidophilus LAVRI-A1, Lb. rhamnosus GG, exopolysaccharides (EPS)-producing Streptococcus thermophilus St1275, Bifidobacteriun longum BL536, B. lactis B94 and Escherichia coli TG1 strains. The ...

In this study, we investigated the role and expression of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells and Th17 cytokines in human tuberculosis. We show that the basal proportion of interferon (IFN)-γ-, interleukin (IL)-17- and IL-22-expressing CD4(+) T cells and IL-22-expressing granulocytes in peripheral blood were significantly lower in latently infected ...

Introduction: HLA-DQ8 transgenic mice develop ocular myasthenia gravis (oMG), which then progresses to generalized MG (gMG) when immunized with the human acetylcholine receptor (H-AChR) α subunit. Because the fetal AChR γ subunit is expressed in adult extraocular muscles, we anticipated that γ subunit immunization would generate an immune response to ...

To the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of data showing effect of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the corpus luteum (CL), a mini-endocrine gland responsible for a normal estrous cycle and the maintenance of pregnancy. Luteal cells obtained from corpora lutea (8-10 days after ovulation) were exposed ...

Chronic inflammation in the lung has long been linked to the pathogenesis of asthma. Central to this airway inflammation is a T-cell response to allergens, with Th2 cytokines driving the differentiation, survival and function of the major inflammatory cells involved in the allergic cascade. PI3Kδ (phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ) is a ...

Natural IgM Abs are the constitutively secreted products of B1 cells (CD5(+) in mice and CD20(+)CD27(+)CD43(+)CD70(-) in humans) that have important and diverse roles in health and disease. Whereas the role of natural IgM as the first line of defense for protection against invading microbes has been extensively investigated, more ...

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the immune system mounting a response against self. The exact etiology of autoimmune diseases and autoimmunity remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Δ133p53, an isoform of the tumor suppressor protein p53, is involved in the development of autoimmunity. We have previously generated a mouse model ...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease appears to occur slowly and progressively over many years, with both genetic factors and environmental modifiers contributing to its pathogenesis. Although the c-Jun/activator protein 1 transcriptional factor regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses, its role in lung pathogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we ...

COVER IMAGE: The cover is based on a spinal cord histology section taken from a TNFR2(-/-) mouse adoptively transferred with TNFR2(-/-) Treg cells prior to immunization with MOG(35-55) to induce EAE. The section is stained with Luxol Fast blue to detect demyelination; Luxol Fast Red, which detects inflammatory infiltration, is ...

In an immune system, dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) as well as powerful sensors of danger signals. When DCs receive signals from infection and tissue stress, they immediately activate and instruct the initiation of appropriate immune responses to T cells. However, it has remained unclear how the ...

Neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are susceptible to decreases in cellular immunity. In recent years, a growing body of evidence indicates that Hsp70 may serve as a danger signal to the innate immune system and promote receptor-mediated apoptosis. Using neonatal pigs with IUGR, we investigated immune function of pigs ...

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are widely used to alleviate a number of psychic disorders and may have immunomodulatory effects. However, the previous studies of cytokine and immune regulation in APDs are quite inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro effects of different ADPs on cytokine production ...

This study aims to evaluate if cord blood stem cells (CBSCs) can be new source of dendritic cells (DCs) which can generate more potent antigen-specific immune responses and anti-tumor effects. The CBSCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected, cultured and differentiated into DCs. Surface markers, secreting cytokines, antigen ...

Macrophages altered by various Th2-associated and anti-inflammatory mediators - including IL-4 and IL-13 (inducing alternatively activated macrophages [AAMs]), IL-10 and TGF-β - were generically termed M2. However, markers which discriminate between AAMs and other M2 remain scarce. We previously described E-cadherin as a marker for AAMs, permitting these macrophages to ...

Cadmium, one of various environmental toxicants, is known to suppress systemic immunity and to injure the testicular capillary endothelia with resultant necrosis of testicular tissues in mice and rats treated with high doses. Recently, it also became evident that cadmium can affect the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), the ...

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Uveitis, or intraocular inflammatory disease, is a frequent extra-articular manifestation of several forms of arthritis. Despite the frequent co-occurrence of uveitis and arthritis, little is understood of the eye's predisposition to this disease. We recently described a previously unreported uveitis in a murine model of spondyloarthropathy triggered by ...

BACKGROUND: Arginine deficiency and chronic inflammation may cause immune dysfunction. The authors previously showed that a pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine facilitates ornithine rather than nitric oxide production in subacute peritonitis. Herein, they investigated the effects of different doses of parenteral arginine supplementation on immunocytic subpopulation distribution and function. Materials: ...

In mice, seminal fluid elicits an inflammation-like response in the female genital tract that activates immune adaptations to advance the likelihood of conception and pregnancy. In this study, we examined whether similar changes in leukocyte and cytokine parameters occur in the human cervix in response to the male partner's seminal ...

Since its initial description as a Th2-cytokine antagonistic to interferon-alpha and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, many studies have shown various anti-inflammatory actions of interleukin-10 (IL-10), and its role in infection as a key regulator of innate immunity. Studies have shown that IL-10 induced in response to microbes and their products ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Epithelial cells of the urinary tract recognize pathogenic bacteria through pattern recognition receptors on their surface, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), and mount an immune response through the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway. Some uropathogenic bacteria can subvert these cellular responses, creating problems with how the host eliminates ...

To investigate the inhibitory effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) on apoptosis caused by Herpes Simplex Virus-1(HSV-1) in Human Glioma Cells (U251), U251 cells were infected by HSV-1 at a multiplicity of infection of 5 and GRb1, GRb1+HSV-1, HSV-1 and control groups. MTT and cell apoptosis assays were used to detect ...

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether oxidative stress and immune dysfunction could be attenuated by Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide (PSG-1) in D-galactose-induced aging mice, and provide evidence for its effects. The results showed that PSG-1 significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in liver, brain and spleen, but concomitantly increased ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Two active compounds, baicalein and its glycoside baicalin were found in the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and reported to be neuroprotective in vitro and in vivo. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of baicalein on the rotenone-induced apoptosis in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells related to ...

Some cell-mediated immune responses are altered in hypobaric hypoxic (HH) condition in rats. Prostaglandins (PGs) are increased in hypobaric hypoxia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to facilitate acclimatization in high altitude by inhibiting PGs. The present study explores the role of PGs in hypobaric hypoxia-induced immune responses by inhibiting ...

The airway epithelium is the initial barrier against airborne pathogens, and it plays many roles in host airway defense. Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular pathogen that causes rapidly advancing pneumonia and is sometimes life-threatening. Here, we evaluated the role of the airway epithelial cells in the defense against L. pneumophila by ...

The immunostimulatory activities of garlic extract using a cell line or animal models have been reported; however, no previous studies have evaluated individual differences in regards to the immunostimulatory activities. The immunostimulatory activities such as cell proliferation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and nitric oxides (NO) production of raw garlic and ...

Apoptotic cell death is a fundamental process in the development and physiological homeostasis of multicellular organisms. It is associated with control of cell numbers in tissues and organs during development, with cell turnover, and with response to infection. Molecules that trigger this process in continuously proliferating cancer cells can be ...

Skeletal myoblast (SKM) transplantation is a promising approach to regenerate tissue and improve the function of the injured heart. However, the number of survival cells transplanted to host myocardium is quite poor due to high rate of apoptosis; diazoxide (DZ) is a highly selective mito-KATP channel opener that may reduce ...

ABSTRACT: The NF-kappaB/REL-family of transcription factors plays a central role in coordinating the expression of a wide variety of genes controlling immune responses including autoimmunity of the central nervous system (CNS). The inactive form of NF-kappaB consists of a heterodimer which is complexed with its inhibitor, IkappaB. Conditional knockout-mice for ...

Background and purpose.  Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are inflammatory demyelinating diseases that develop as a result of deregulated immune responses causing glia activation and CNS tissues destruction. Oleanolic acid and erythrodiol are natural triterpenes that display strong antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. We recently ...

RATIONALE: Sepsis, a leading cause of death worldwide, involves widespread activation of inflammation, massive activation of coagulation and lymphocyte apoptosis. Calpains, calcium-activated cysteine proteases, have been shown to increase inflammatory reactions and lymphocyte apoptosis. Moreover, calpain plays an essential role in microparticle release. OBJECTIVE: we investigated the contribution of calpain ...

In asthma, airway smooth muscle (ASM) chemokine secretion can induce mast cell recruitment into the airways. The functions of the mast cell chemoattractant CXCL10, and other chemokines, are regulated by binding to heparan sulphates such as syndecan-4. This study is the first demonstration that airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) from ...

One of the major therapeutic challenges in the arena of interventional cardiology is to design strategies aimed at reducing myocardial tissue damage after myocardial infarction. In response to tissue injury, an innate immune response is initiated that orchestrates homeostatic responses and is a prerequisite for subsequent wound healing. An exaggerated ...

Abstract This study examines dose effects of cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) from two commercial sources on model macrophages (J774A.1) and colonic epithelial cells (HT29). Effects on cellular immune signalling responses were measured following sequential exposure to QDs and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA01. At CdTe-QD concentrations between 10(-2) and 10 ...

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis induced by Fas/FasL system has been proposed as a gene therapy methold for various cancers. METHODS: We used adeno-associated virus-expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-human FasL (AAV-EGFP-hFasL) to deliver FasL into Hep-2 cells, cytotoxicity was detected by MTS assay , apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry. We also ...

CD4 Th differentiation is influenced by costimulatory molecules expressed on conventional dendritic cells (DCs) in regional lymph nodes and results in specific patterns of cytokine production. However, the function of costimulatory molecules on inflammatory (CD11b(+)) DCs in the lung during recall responses is not fully understood, but it is important ...

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical inflammation-associated cancer, but may also provoke antitumour immune responses whose significance and underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood.ObjectiveTo characterise immune responses in the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-liver cancer mouse model.DesignTumour development and immune cell functions upon DEN treatment were compared between C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), chemokine scavenging receptor ...

Oral bacterial biofilms trigger chronic inflammatory responses in the host that can result in the tissue destructive events of periodontitis. However, the characteristics of the capacity of specific host cell types to respond to these biofilms remain ill-defined. This report describes the use of a novel model of bacterial biofilms ...

INTRODUCTION: The prognosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been significantly improved by the use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). However, the utility of these drugs is limited by resistance to ATRA and the side effects of ATO. It has been reported that Tanshinone IIA (Tan ...

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Sodium caseinate (CasNa) induces differentiation and M-CSF production in mouse band granulocytes in vitro; however, it is not yet known if this molecule can also induce the proliferation and activation of the granulocyte lineage in vivo. In this work we evaluated the induction in vivo of granulopoiesis ...

Numerous studies have indicated that inflammatory cytokines play a major role in osteoclastogenesis, leading to the bone resorption that is frequently associated with osteoporosis. d-pinitol, a 3-methoxy analogue of d-chiroinositol, was identified as an active principle in soy foods and legumes. Here we found that d-pinitol markedly inhibited the receptor ...

Proinflammatory cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease (ACD), which is a common cause of anemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anemia in RA is associated with increased apoptosis of erythroid cells. However, there is unclear information on the mechanism of ACD in the disease. The ...

Sensitive sensory mechanisms are instrumental in affording Pseudomonas aeruginosa the capacity to establish diverse yet severe human infections, which can manifest in long term untreatable disease. The ability of P. aeruginosa to tightly regulate gene expression and virulence factor production, in response to activation of these sensory components, enables the ...