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Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes systemic infection resulting in severe and often fatal disease in a large spectrum of animal host species. The virus is closely related to measles virus and targets myeloid, lymphoid, and epithelial cells, but CDV is more virulent and the infection spreads more rapidly within the infected host. Here, we aimed to study the pathogenesis of wild-type CDV infection by experimentally inoculating ferrets with recombinant CDV (rCDV) based on an isolate directly obtained from a naturally infected raccoon. The recombinant virus was engineered to express a fluorescent reporter protein, facilitating assessment of viral tropism and virulence. In ferrets, this wild type-based rCDV infected myeloid, lymphoid, and epithelial cells, and the infection resulted in systemic dissemination to multiple tissues and organs, especially those of the lymphatic system. High infection percentages in immune cells resulted in depletion of these cells both from circulation and from lymphoid tissues. The majority of CDV-infected ferrets reached their humane endpoints within 20 d and had to be euthanized. In that period, the virus also reached the central nervous system in several ferrets, but we did not observe the development of neurological complications during the study period of 23 d. Two out of 14 ferrets survived CDV infection and developed neutralizing antibodies. We show for the first time the pathogenesis of a non-adapted wild type-based rCDV in ferrets. IMPORTANCE Infection of ferrets with recombinant canine distemper virus (rCDV) expressing a fluorescent reporter protein has been used as proxy to understand measles pathogenesis and immune suppression in humans. CDV and measles virus use the same cellular receptors, but CDV is more virulent, and infection is often associated with neurological complications. rCDV strains in current use have complicated passage histories, which may have affected their pathogenesis. Here, we studied the pathogenesis of the

The immune response to invading pathogens is characterized by the rapid establishment of a complex network of cellular interactions and soluble signals. The correct balancing of activating and regulating pathways and tissue-homing signals determines its effectiveness and persistence over time. Emerging viral pathogens have always represented a great challenge to the immune system and an often uncontrolled/imbalanced immune response has been described (e.g. cytokine storm, immune paralysis), contributing to the severity of the disease. Several immune biomarkers and cell subsets have been identified as major players in the cascade of events leading to severe diseases, highlighting the rationale for host-directed intervention strategy. There are millions of immunocompromised pediatric and adult patients worldwide (e.g. transplant recipients, hematologic patients, subjects with primary immune-deficiencies), experiencing an impaired immune reactivity, due to diseases and/or to the medical treatments. The reduced immune reactivity could have two paradoxical non-exclusive effects: a weak protective immunity on one hand, and a reduced contribution to immune-mediated pathogenetic processes on the other hand. In these sensitive contexts, the impact of emerging infections represents a still open issue to be explored with several challenges for immunologists, virologists, physicians and epidemiologists. In this review, we will address emerging infections in immunocompromised hosts, to summarize the available data concerning the immune response profile, its influence on the clinical presentation, the possible contribution of persistent viral shedding in generating new viral variants with improved immune escape features, and the key role of vaccination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has represented an unprecedented challenge for the humanity, and scientists around the world provided a huge effort to elucidate critical aspects in the fight against the pathogen, useful in designing public health strategies, vaccines and therapeutic approaches. One of the first pieces of evidence characterizing the SARS-CoV-2 infection has been its breadth of clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic to severe/deadly disease, and the indication of the key role played by the immune response in influencing disease severity. This review is aimed at summarizing what the SARS-CoV-2 infection taught us about the immune response, highlighting its features of a double-edged sword mediating both protective and pathogenic processes. We will discuss the protective role of soluble and cellular innate immunity and the detrimental power of a hyper-inflammation-shaped immune response, resulting in tissue injury and immunothrombotic events. We will review the importance of B- and T-cell immunity in reducing the clinical severity and their ability to cross-recognize viral variants.

Children are unique in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 has a lower medical impact in children as compared to adults. A higher proportion of children than adults remain asymptomatic following SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease and death are also less common. This relative resistance contrasts with the high susceptibility of children to other respiratory tract infections. The mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood but could include the rapid development of a robust innate immune response. On the other hand, children develop a unique and severe complication, named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, several weeks after the onset of symptoms. Although children play an important role in the transmission of many pathogens, their contribution to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 appears lower than that of adults. These unique aspects of COVID-19 in children must be considered in the benefit–risk analysis of vaccination. Several COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use in adolescents and clinical studies are ongoing in children. As the vaccination of adolescents is rolled out in several countries, we shall learn about the impact of this strategy on the health of children and on transmission within communities., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), a monogenic disorder caused by AIRE mutations, presents with several autoimmune diseases. Among these, endocrine organ failure is widely recognized, but the prevalence, immunopathogenesis, and treatment of non-endocrine manifestations such as pneumonitis remain poorly characterized. We enrolled 50 patients with APECED in a prospective observational study and comprehensively examined their clinical and radiographic findings, performed pulmonary function tests, and analyzed immunological characteristics in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and endobronchial and lung biopsies. Pneumonitis was found in >40% of our patients, presented early in life, was misdiagnosed despite chronic respiratory symptoms and accompanying radiographic and pulmonary function abnormalities, and caused hypoxemic respiratory failure and death. Autoantibodies against BPIFB1 and KCNRG and the homozygous c.967-979del13 AIRE mutation are associated with pneumonitis development. APECED pneumonitis features compartmentalized immunopathology, with accumulation of activated neutrophils in the airways and lymphocytic infiltration in intraepithelial, submucosal, peribronchiolar, and interstitial areas. Beyond APECED, we extend these observations to lung disease seen in other conditions with secondary AIRE deficiency (thymoma and RAG deficiency). Aire-deficient mice had similar compartmentalized cellular immune responses in the airways and lung tissue, which was ameliorated by deficiency of T and B lymphocytes. Accordingly, T and B lymphocyte-directed immunomodulation controlled symptoms and radiographic abnormalities and improved pulmonary function in patients with APECED pneumonitis. Collectively, our findings unveil lung autoimmunity as a common, early, and unrecognized manifestation of APECED and provide insights into the immunopathogenesis and treatment of pulmonary autoimmunity associated with impaired central immune toleran

The interrelationship of the IL-6 polymorphism (-174C/G) and susceptibility to brucellosis is well known.The aim: to determine the polymorphism of IL-6 (-174C/G) in patients with acute brucellosisMaterials and methods. The article presents the results of a survey of 120 patients with acute brucellosis. The control group consisted of 30 healthy individuals. Patients of both groups are ethnic Azerbaijani who permanently reside in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The diagnosis of brucellosis was made on the basis of complaints, anamnesis, epidemiological and clinical data and the results of a specific study. Specific research methods were carried out by ELISA with the detection of IgM and IgG for brucella. In addition to the specific diagnostic data, the diagnosis of acute brucellosis took into account the duration of clinical symptoms up to 3 months after the first complaints appeared. All patients were tested for IL-6 polymorphism (-174C/G). The exclusion criteria for the study were age up to 18 years, confirmation of the diagnosis of subacute or chronic brucellosis, the presence of severe chronic comorbidity, which could significantly affect the reliability of the results. A detailed description of patients with brucellosis is presented. Among the surveyed individuals, men of young working age dominated. The criterion of severity was the following symptoms: fever, sweating, chills, headache, insomnia, low blood pressure, tachycardia, hepatosplenomegaly, levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Results. Mild disease was established in 74 (61.7 %) people, while severe - only in 11 (9.1 %) patients. There were no statistically significant differences between different IL-6 genotypes between patients with brucellosis and healthy individuals. It was established that allele G was detected almost 3 times more often in patients with acute brucellosis compared to allele C.Conclusions. No statistically significant difference between different IL-6 genotypes (-174, Известно о взаимосвязи полиморфизма IL-6 (-174С/G) и восприимчивостью к бруцеллезу.Цель исследования: определить полиморфизм IL-6 (-174С/G) у пациентов с острым бруцеллезомМатериалы и методы. В статье представлены результаты обследования 120 больных с острым бруцеллезом. Контрольную группу составили 30 практически здоровых лиц. Пациенты обеих групп являются этническими азербайджанцами, которые постоянно проживают в республике Азербайджан. Диагноз бруцеллеза выставлялся на основании жалоб, анамнеза, эпидемиологических и клинических данных и результатов специфического исследования. Специфические методы исследования проводились методом ИФА с выявлением IgM и IgG к бруцеллам. Кроме, данных специфической диагностики, при установлении диагноза острый бруцеллез учитывалась длительность клинических симптомов до 3 месяцев с момента появления первых жалоб. Всем пациентам было проведено определение полиморфизма IL-6 (-174С/G). Критериями исключения из исследования были возраст до 18 лет, подтверждение диагноза подострого или хронического бруцеллеза, наличие тяжелой хронической сопутствующей патологии, которая существенно могла повлиять на достоверность полученных результатов. Представлена подробная характеристика пациентов с бруцеллезом. Среди обследованных лиц преобладали мужчины, лица молодого трудоспособного возраста. Критерием тяжести служили следующие симптомы: лихорадка, потливость, озноб, головная боль, бессонница, снижение артериального давления, тахикардия, гепатоспленомегалия, уровни провоспалительных и противовоспалительных цитокинов.Результаты. Легкая степень заболевания была установлена у 74 (61,7 %) человек, тогда как тяжелая - только у 11 (9,1 %) пациентов. Не было выявлено статистически достоверных различий между разными генотипами IL-6 между больными бруцеллезом и здоровыми лицами. Установлено, что почти в 3 раза чаще у больных острым бруцеллезом выявлялась аллель G в сравнении с аллелям С.Выводы. Статистически достоверной разницы между разными генотипами IL-6, Відомо про взаємозв’язок поліморфізму IL-6(-174 С/G) та сприйнятливістю до бруцельозу.Мета дослідження: визначити поліморфізм IL-6(-174С/G) у пацієнтів з гострим бруцельозом.Матеріали та методи. В статті представлені результати обстеження 120 хворих з гострим бруцельозом. Контрольну групу склали 30 практично здорових осіб. Пацієнти обох груп є етнічними азербайджанцями, які постійно проживають в республіці Азербайджан. Діагноз бруцельозу виставлявся на основі скарг, анамнезу, епідеміологічних і клінічних даних та результатів специфічного дослідження. Специфічні методи дослідження проводилися методом ІФА з виявленням IgM та IgG до бруцел. Окрім, даних специфічної діагностики, при встановлені діагнозу гострий бруцельоз враховувалася тривалість клінічних симптомів до 3 місяців від моменту появи перших скарг. Всім пацієнтам було проведено визначення поліморфізму IL-6(-174С/G). Критеріями виключення з дослідження були вік до 18 років, підтвердження діагнозу підгострого чи хронічного бруцельозу, наявність важкої хронічної супутньої патології, яка б суттєво могла вплинути на достовірність отриманих результатів. Представлена детальна характеристика пацієнтів з бруцельозом. Серед обстежених осіб переважали чоловіки, особи молодого працездатного віку. Критерієм важкості слугували наступні симптоми: лихоманка, пітливість, озноб, головний біль, безсоння, зниження артеріального тиску, тахікардія, гепатоспленомегалія, рівні прозапальних та протизапальних цитокінів.Результати. Легкий ступінь захворювання був встановлений у 74 (61,7 %) осіб, тоді як важкий - лише у 11 (9,1 %) пацієнтів. Не було виявлено статистично достовірних відмінностей між різними генотипами IL-6 між хворими на бруцельоз та здоровими особами. Встановлено, що майже в 3 рази частіше у хворих на гострий бруцельоз виявлявся алель G в порівняні з алелем С.Висновки. Статистично достовірної різниці між різними генотипами IL-6(-174 С/G) у пацієнтів з бруцельозом та здоровими особами виявлено не було. Генотип GC IL-6 до

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune condition, characterised by the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and either thrombosis or obstetric morbidity. The cornerstone of therapy is long-term anticoagulation to reduce morbidity and mortality; however, better understanding of the immunological pathways may direct us to develop future therapeutic strategies. We provide an overview of the current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of this perplexing condition and its associated morbidities and current evidence for some of the immunotherapeutic strategies.Copyright © 2017 Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Full Text, Thesis (PhD Doctorate), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Institute for Glycomics, Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology, Group A Streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) is a Gram-­‐positive bacterial pathogen exhibiting human host exclusivity. GAS is responsible for a wide array of non-­‐ invasive suppurative infections of the throat and skin, such as pharyngitis and pyoderma respectively. GAS is also capable of causing severe invasive diseases and post-­‐streptococcal complications, each with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of pyoderma in tropical regions such as in northern Australia. Streptococcal skin infections are thought to be a significant risk factor for the development of rheumatic fever in Indigenous Australians within these tropical regions. The skin is also a common portal of entry for invasive GAS disease. The ability of GAS to cause these invasive diseases relies upon the timely expression of specific virulence factors enabling the bacteria to evade host immune responses. Several important virulence factors are under the transcriptional control of the CovR/S operon. GAS strains possessing a mutation within their CovR/S regulatory system are particularly adept at evading host immunity resulting in hypervirulence and an increased capacity for invasive disease. CovR/S wild-­‐type (WT) and mutant (MT) GAS pairs were identified from a panel of clinical and laboratory isolates. Each CovR/S MT assessed possessed a different mutation within their CovR or CovS gene. It was observed that mice immunised with the M protein-­‐derived vaccine candidate J8-­‐DT/Alum were protected from local and systemic infections by the CovR/S WT strains; however, protection was significantly compromised for all mice infected with the CovR/S MT strains. Analysis of gene expression via RT-­‐PCR revealed that each of the CovR/S MT isolates were up-­‐regulating specific virulence factors, namely streptolysin O (SLO), SpyCEP, and the hyaluronic acid capsule, that enhanced their immune evasion capabilities. The increased gene expressi

This project primarily focused on the development of a novel, non-invasive peptide-based ELISA to diagnose C. trachomatis-related infertility in women. In this study, an in silico approach was applied to identify and design novel peptide antigens that are specific to women with C. trachomatis-related infertility. The serological assay was developed such that it could potentially replace invasive techniques for early infertility investigation. The thesis further investigated the sero-prevalence of chlamydial infertility in women from a low-resource, high prevalence setting. In addition, the thesis also identified immune markers that were associated with the C. trachomatis-related infertility in women.

Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) results from many pathological processes and is found in many different diseases. However, in most situations, the pathological processes inducing vasculitis are unknown. The discovery of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCAs) in the 1980s opened the door for studies that eventually led to the description of a new previously undescribed disease, ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Unravelling the immunopathogenesis of this new disease resulted largely from the development of animal models. The major breakthroughs were the description of ANCA, its association with small vessel vasculitis and the discovery of its target autoantigens (myeloperoxidase and Proteinase 3). Three major disease syndromes comprise the AAVs, microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Recent human studies suggest that proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase associated vasculitis are two separate but related diseases. The ability to induce murine autoimmunity to myeloperoxidase including ANCA (with the same immune staining patterns as human ANCA) and the capacity of this anti-myeloperoxidase autoimmunity to induce disease with many of the characteristic features of human AAV are well developed. However, the development of animal models of anti-proteinase 3 ANCA and EGPA is much less well developed. Animal models are important in understanding the human disease and in particular in defining potential therapeutic targets and in early stage therapeutic testing of potential drugs. Clearly the relevance of animal models depends on how closely they mimic human diseases. The current status of animal models of vasculitis will be described in detail with reference to these criteria.Copyright © 2015 Bentham Science Publishers.

Objective Myeloperoxidase (MPO) locally contributes to organ damage in various chronic inflammatory conditions by generating reactive intermediates. The contribution of MPO in the development of experimental lupus is unknown. The aim of this study was to define the role of MPO in murine lupus nephritis (LN). Methods LN was induced in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and MPO knockout (MPO-/-) mice by intraperitoneal injection of pristane. Autoimmunity and glomerulonephritis were assessed 20 and 40 weeks after pristane administration. Cell apoptosis, leukocyte accumulation, and cytokine levels in the peritoneal cavity of WT and MPO-/- mice were assessed 3 or 6 days after pristane injection. Results MPO-/- mice developed more severe nephritis than did WT mice 20 and 40 weeks after pristane injection, despite having reduced glomerular deposition of antibody and complement and diminished levels of markers of oxidative stress (oxidized DNA and glutathione sulfonamide). Enhancement of renal disease in MPO-deficient mice correlated with increased accumulation of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in glomeruli, which, in turn, was associated with augmented generation of CD4+ T cell responses and increased activation and migration of dendritic cells in secondary lymphoid organs. In addition, the enhanced renal injury in MPO-/- mice was associated with increased glomerular accumulation of neutrophils and deposition of neutrophil extracellular traps. MPO deficiency also increased early cell apoptosis, leukocyte accumulation, and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the peritoneum. Conclusion MPO attenuates pristane-induced LN by inhibiting early inflammatory responses in the peritoneum and limiting the generation of CD4+ T cell autoimmunity in secondary lymphoid organs.Copyright © 2015, American College of Rheumatology.

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes annual seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics resulting in significant levels of mortality and socio-economic costs worldwide. PB1-F2 is a small non-structural protein encoded by an alternate +1 open reading frame in the PB1 gene. PB1-F2 is considered to play important roles in primary influenza virus infection and post-influenza secondary bacterial pneumonia in mice. It is a multifunctional and enigmatic protein with diverse functions attributed to it and the precise contribution of PB1-F2 to the IAV life cycle in avian and mammalian hosts remains largely unknown. In the triple-reassortant H3N2 (TR H3N2) swine influenza virus (SIV) background, we found that PB1-F2 expression did not affect nasal shedding, lung viral load, immunophenotypes, and lung pathology in pigs. On the other hand, in turkeys, deletion of PB1-F2 resulted in early induction of clinical disease and effective transmission among the turkey poults. Interestingly, the virulence associated 66S mutation in PB1-F2 abolished the ability of the IAV to successfully infect turkeys and transmit to in-contacts. These results highlight the strain- and species-specific role of PB1-F2 protein. We also demonstrated that specific amino acid residues in the C-terminal of PB1-F2 determine the pathogenicity of 2009 swine-origin pandemic H1N1 virus in a mouse model. The C-terminal residues 73K, 75R, and 79R together with 66S increased virus replication, decreased type I interferon response, increased infiltration of neutrophils and myeloperoxidase production in lungs resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in mice with characteristic clinical and pathological features of acute lung injury (ALI). Further, we found that PB1-F2 induces mitochondrial superoxide production and mitochondrial damage in a sequence dependent manner in IAV-infected lung epithelial cells. PB1-F2-mediated mitochondrial damage promotes Parkin-mediated mitophagy but suppresses the autophagic degra

Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease worldwide resulting in 4–5 million new cases of Chlamydia annually and an estimated 100 million cases per annum. Infections of the lower female genital tract (FGT) frequently are asymptomatic so they often remain undiagnosed or untreated. If infections are either not resolved, or are left untreated, chlamydia can ascend to the upper FGT and infect the fallopian tubes (FTs) causing salpingitis that may lead to functional damage of the FTs and tubal factor infertility (TFI). Clinical observations and experimental data have indicated a role for antibodies against C. trachomatis proteins such as the 60 kDa heat-shock protein 60 (cHSP60) in the immunopathogenesis of TFI. When released from infected cells cHSP60 can induce pro-inflammatory immune responses that may functionally impair the FTs leading to fibrosis and luminal occlusion. Chlamydial pathogenesis of irreversible and permanent tubal damage is a consequence of innate and adaptive host immune responses to ongoing or repeated infections. The extracellular matrix (ECM) that is regulated by metalloproteinases (MMPs) may also be modified by chlamydial infections of the FGT. This review will highlight protective and pathogenic immune responses to ongoing and repeated chlamydial infections of the FGT. It will also present two recent hypotheses to explain mechanisms that may contribute to FT damage during a C. trachomatis infection. If Chlamydia immunopathology can be controlled it might yield a method of inducing fibrosis and thus provide a means of non-surgical permanent contraception for women.

The skin, the largest animal body organ, constitutes a barrier against tissue damage from pathogens, resident microbiota, chemicals and environmental factors. In veterinary medical clinic, the main complaint in dogs and cats involves skin diseases, ranging from infections by pathogens to immune-mediated diseases. The exaggerated immune response to components of cutaneous system involves mechanisms associated with humoral and cellular factors, known as biomarkers. Among such conditions, there are the bullous diseases, including pemphigus foliaceus, vulgar, erythematosus and bullous pemphigoid, lupus erythematosus discoid and systemic, and dermatomyositis. The diagnosis of diseases is a medical responsibility and must rely on the medical history of the animal, laboratory tests including hematology, biochemistry, cytology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. In this context, this review aims to review the pathogenic mechanisms, including mediators and cells, clinical signs, diagnostic tests and therapy used in the treatment protocol of the main autoimmune skin diseases in dogs and cats. With these informations, it is expected to contribute with updates about immunotherapies that are being used in humans and that eventually can be applied to Veterinary Medicine, A pele, o maior órgão do corpo do animal, constitui uma barreira contra a agressão tecidual proveniente de patógenos, microbiota residente, substâncias químicas e fatores ambientais. Na clínica médica veterinária, a principal queixa em cães e gatos envolve a casuística das dermatopatias, que variam desde infecções por patógenos até doenças imunomediadas. A resposta exacerbada do sistema imunológico contra componentes do tecido cutâneo envolve mecanismos associados a fatores humorais e celulares, conhecidos como biomarcadores. Dentre tais patologias, destacam-se as doenças bolhosas, que incluem pênfigo foliáceo, vulgar, eritematoso e penfigoide bolhoso, o lúpus eritematoso discoide e sistêmico, e a dermatomiosite. O diagnóstico de tais doenças é de responsabilidade médica, e deve levar em conta o histórico clínico do animal, exames laboratoriais, incluindo hematologia, bioquímica, citologia, histopatologia e imunohistoquímica. Neste contexto, essa revisão tem como objetivo descrever os mecanismos imunopatológicos, incluindo mediadores e células, os sinais clínicos, os testes diagnósticos e a terapêutica utilizados no protocolo de tratamento das principais dermatopatias autoimunes em cães e gatos. Com essas informações, espera-se contribuir com atualizações sobre imunoterapias que estão sendo utilizadas em humanos e que, eventualmente, possam ser aplicadas à medicina veterinária.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play critical roles in restricting T cell-mediated inflammation. In the skin, this is dependent on expression of selectin ligands required for leukocyte rolling in dermal microvessels. However, whether there are differences in the molecules used by Tregs and proinflammatory T cells to undergo rolling in the skin remains unclear. In this study, we used spinning disk confocal microscopy in Foxp3-GFP mice to visualize rolling of endogenous Tregs in dermal postcapillary venules. Tregs underwent consistent but low-frequency rolling interactions under resting and inflamed conditions. At the early stage of the response, Treg adhesion was minimal. However, at the peak of inflammation, Tregs made up 40% of the adherent CD4+ T cell population. In a multiple challenge model of contact hypersensitivity, rolling of Tregs and conventional CD4+ T cells was mostly dependent on overlapping contributions of P- and E-selectin. However, after a second challenge, rolling of Tregs but not conventional CD4+ T cells became P-selectin independent, and Tregs showed reduced capacity to bind P-selectin. Moreover, inhibition of E-selectin at this time point resulted in exacerbation of inflammation. These findings demonstrate that in this multiple challenge model of inflammation, Treg selectin binding capacity and the molecular basis of Treg rolling can be regulated dynamically.Copyright © 2014 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) continues to be one of the most researched infectious diseases of cats. The relatively high mortality of FIP, especially for younger cats from catteries and shelters, should be reason enough to stimulate such intense interest. However, it is the complexity of the disease and the grudging manner in which it yields its secrets that most fascinate researchers. Feline leukemia virus infection was conquered in less than two decades and the mysteries of feline immunodeficiency virus were largely unraveled in several years. After a half century, FIP remains one of the last important infections of cats for which we have no single diagnostic test, no vaccine and no definitive explanations for how virus and host interact to cause disease. How can a ubiquitous and largely non-pathogenic enteric coronavirus transform into a highly lethal pathogen? What are the interactions between host and virus that determine both disease form (wet or dry) and outcome (death or resistance)? Why is it so difficult, and perhaps impossible, to develop a vaccine for FIP? What role do genetics play in disease susceptibility? This review will explore research conducted over the last 5 years that attempts to answer these and other questions. Although much has been learned about FIP in the last 5 years, the ultimate answers remain for yet more studies.

The tolerogenicity of the liver renders it vulnerable to hepatotrophic pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Both viruses have successfully co-evolved within the human host by evading and counteracting immune control. Inadequate cell culture and animal models have limited definitive characterization of the immunological mechanisms arbitrating virus and host co-existence. The clinical sequelae of chronic viral hepatitis such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are not directly mediated by the viruses but rather by hepatotoxic immunological mediators and cytokines. The pro-fibrotic T helper 2 (Th2) response promoted by this altered cytokine milieu is associated with viral persistence. In this chapter, the innate and adaptive immune response to acute and chronic HBV and HCV is reviewed with particular focus on its clinical implications. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012.

We examined the functional role of interleukin (IL)-1 in mesangial cell proliferation during rat anti-Thy-1 nephritis by blocking its action with IL- 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Anti-Thy-1 nephritis was induced by intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg OX-7 IgG (day 0) into inbred Wistar rats. Groups of animals (n = 9) were implanted with a micro-osmotic pump on day - 1, which delivered 25 mug hour human recombinant IL-1ra or saline continuously until the rats were killed at day 6, the peak of mesangial cell proliferation. Immunostaining showed that IL-1 was expressed by mesangial cells during disease. IL-1ra treatment did not affect the mild, but significant, proteinuria seen after OX-7 injection. Compared with saline treatment, IL-1ra treatment reduced mesangial cell proliferation ( 249%; P < 0.05), glomerular hypercellularity ( 29%; P < 0.05), and glomerular macrophage accumulation ( 20%; P < 0.05). However, IL-1ra treatment had no effect on glomerular IL-1 beta mRNA expression and caused only a small reduction in the high levels of glomerular expression of platelet-derived growth factor-beta protein ( 6%; P < 0.05). IL-1ra caused a modest reduction in the marked up-regulation of glomerular transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA expression on day 6 ( 26%; P < 0.05), although urinary, excretion of this factor was unaffected. Interestingly, IL-1ra treatment had relatively little effect upon glomerular deposition of laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type IV seen in this acute disease. In conclusion, this study has 1) demonstrated that IL-1 is expressed by mesangial cells in vivo, 2) demonstrated that IL-1 is a mesangial cell growth factor in experimental mesangioproliferative nephritis, and 3) suggests that IL-1 has little or no fibrogenic activity in mesangial matrix deposition.

This study is investigating the role of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the development of inflammation and joint damage in the mouse K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model. LIF knock-out (LIF-/-) mice were generated by mating heterozygote females (LIF+/-) with heterozygote males. Arthritis was induced in 8-20-week-old LIF knock-out mice (LIF-/-) by intraperitoneal injection of pooled K/BxN sera (50mul) on days 0 and 2. Clinical disease was scored daily for 6 days. Safranin-O and haematoxylin-stained sections were scored for synovitis, joint space exudate, cartilage degradation and bone damage. RNA was extracted from ankle joints and used to investigate gene expression levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, LIF, LIF receptor, oncostatin M (OSM), OSM receptor, IL-6 and their common receptor subunit gp130 by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results show that wild-type mice developed severe clinically overt polyarthritis. In contrast, LIF-/- mice showed a more than 50% reduction in clinical arthritis severity. Significantly lower histological scores were observed in LIF-/- mice compared to wild-type disease controls. LIF-/- mice had histopathological scores that were similar to normal healthy mice. IL-6 subfamily cytokine and receptor subunit expression remained unchanged. The expression levels for IL-6 were reduced significantly in all the diseased mice, whether wild-type or LIF-/- mice (P<0.001), compared to healthy wild-type mice. We conclude that LIF contributes to the development of disease in the K/BxN serum transfer model of arthritis. These results provide further evidence for the role of LIF in inflammation and cartilage bone resorption and provide impetus to test the effects of LIF blockade as a therapeutic strategy in rheumatoid arthritis. © 2012 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Immunology © 2012 British Society for Immunology.

Crescentic glomerulonephritis provides an important therapeutic challenge because of its rapidly progressive course and poor outcome. Studies in animal models have elucidated some of the pivotal pathogenetic mechanisms and human studies increasingly support the clinical relevance of these animal data. Accumulating evidence suggests that crescentic glomerulonephritis results from a complex cell-mediated nephritogenic immune response. Interruption of a number of immune and inflammatory mediators can improve the outcome of this disease.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in immunocompetent adults usually results in a self-limited, transient liver disease and viral clearance, with only a small percentage (5 to 10%) developing chronic hepatitis associated with viral persistence. In contrast, when neonates are infected, more than 90% become persistently infected, suffering differing degrees of chronic liver disease. Activation of immunity plays a central role in host-virus interactions, greatly influencing viral replication and the clinical outcome of infection. Although all of the specific mechanisms and consequences of this interaction have not been elucidated, the purpose of this article is to describe the basic arms of the immune system as they interact with the HBV and describe the present state of knowledge in this area. These arms may be divided broadly into innate and specific immune responses, and they have different roles and responses in acute and chronic infection. Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Initial phenotypic studies in a mouse containing mutations in both toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and RNA-dependent protein kinase R (PKR) revealed comparable spleen and bone marrow cell populations in tlr3-/-, pkr-/-, and tlr3-/-pkr-/- mice to wild-type controls. Splenomegaly developing between 8 and 10 weeks of age was observed in tlr3-/- and tlr3-/-pkr-/- mice but not in wild-type or pkr-/- mice. Palpably enlarged cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymph nodes accompanied by enlarged spleens were observed in 12-18-week-old tlr3-/- mice at a higher frequency compared with other genotypes. The enlarged spleens and lymph nodes observed in tlr3-/- mice were accompanied by destruction of organ architecture and lymphocyte infiltration. However, the enlargement of these organs was not the result of clonal proliferation of one lymphocyte subset. It is likely this phenotype is a result of TLR3 deficiency in combination with an additional, uncharacterized genetic defect or the presence of an infectious agent. These data also suggest that PKR may have a role in preventing progression from splenomegaly to lymphadenopathy in these mice. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Proliferative glomerulonephritis in humans is characterized by the presence of leukocytes in glomeruli. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can potentially stimulate or affect T cell, macrophage, and neutrophil function. To define the roles of GM-CSF and G-CSF in leukocyte-mediated glomerulonephritis, glomerular injury was studied in mice genetically deficient in either GM-CSF (GM-CSF -/-mice) or G-CSF (G-CSF -/- mice). Two models of glomerulonephritis were studied: neutrophil-mediated heterologous-phase anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis and T cell/macrophage-mediated crescentic autologous-phase anti-GBM glomerulonephritis. Both GM-CSF -/- and G-CSF -/- mice were protected from heterologous-phase anti-GBM glomerulonephritis compared with genetically normal (CSF WT) mice, with reduced proteinuria and glomerular neutrophil numbers. However, only GM-CSF -/- mice were protected from crescentic glomerular injury in the autologous phase, whereas G-CSF -/- mice were not protected and in fact had increased numbers of T cells in glomeruli. Humoral responses to the nephritogenic antigen were unaltered by deficiency of either GM-CSF or G-CSF, but glomerular T cell and macrophage numbers, as well as dermal delayed-type hypersensitivity to the nephritogenic antigen, were reduced in GM-CSF -/- mice. These studies demonstrate that endogenous GM-CSF plays a role in experimental glomerulonephritis in both the autologous and heterologous phases of injury.

Recent studies have identified a key role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in a number of immune cell-mediated diseases. The current study investigated the potential role of MIF in acute allograft rejection. Lewis rats underwent bilateral nephrectomy and then received an orthotopic DA renal allograft or an orthotopic Lewis renal isograft. Groups of six animals were killed at day 1 or 5 after transplantation. No immunosuppression was used. Animals receiving a renal allograft exhibited severe rejection on day 5, as shown by high levels of serum creatinine, very low rates of creatinine clearance, and severe tubulitis with a dense macrophage and T cell infiltrate. In contrast, isografts had normal renal function on day 5 with no histological evidence of rejection. Northern blotting showed that renal MIF mRNA expression was unchanged at day 1, but was increased 3.5-fold on day 5. In situ hybridization showed a marked increase in MIF mRNA expression by tubular cells and MIF mRNA expression by many infiltrating mononuclear cells in day 5 allografts. Immunostaining confirmed an increase in tubular MIF protein expression, particularly in areas of severe tubular damage with prominent leucocytic infiltration. Double staining showed that many infiltrating macrophages and T cells expressed the MIF protein in day 5 allografts. There was only a minor increase in MIF expression in day 5 isografts, demonstrating that neither surgical injury nor stress cause significant up-regulation of MIF expression in allograft rejection. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that local MIF production is specifically increased in acute renal allograft rejection. These results suggest that MIF may play an important role in the cellular immune response mediating acute allograft rejection.

CD100, a member of the semaphorin family, is a costimulatory molecule in adaptive immune responses by switching off CD72's negative signals. However, CD100's potential pathogenetic effects in damaging immune responses remain largely unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that CD100 plays a pathogenetic role in experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis. Daily injection of horse apoferritin for 14 days induced immune complex formation, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and proteinuria in CD100-intact (CD100 +/+) BALB/c mice. CD100-deflcient (CD100-/-) mice were protected from histological and functional glomerular injury. They exhibited reduced deposition of Igs and C3 in glomeruli, reduced MCP-1 and MIP-2 intrarenal mRNA expression, and diminished glomerular macrophage accumulation. Attenuated glomerular injury was associated with decreased Ag-specific Ig production, reduced CD4+ cell activation and cytokine production. Following Ag injection, CD4+ cell CD100 expression was enhanced and dendritic cell CD86 expression was up-regulated. However, in CD100-/- mice, dendritic cell CD86 (but not CD80) up-regulation was significantly attenuated. Following i.p. immunization, CD86, but not CD80, promotes early Ag-specific TCR-transgenic DO11.10 CD4+ cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production, suggesting that CD100 expression enables full expression of CD86 and consequent CD4+ cell activation. Transfer of CD100 +/+ DO11.10 cells into CD100-/- mice resulted in decreased proliferation demonstrating that CD100 from other sources in addition to CD100 from Ag-specific CD4+ cells plays a role in initial T cell proliferation. Although T cell-B cell interactions also may be relevant, these studies demonstrate that CD100 enhances pathogenetic humoral immune responses and promotes the activation of APCs by up-regulating CD86 expression. Copyright © 2006 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Acute and chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with an increased risk of developing liver disease including cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical presentation and natural history of HBV infection is mediated through complex interactions between the virus and the host immune response. HBV is not directly cytopathic to heptocytes; however, the interaction between the virus and the host immune response plays a central role in the pathogenesis of necroinflammation and liver fibrosis. Emerging data from immunopathogenesis studies in animal models and in vitro studies of liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis B demonstrate a potentially important interaction between hepatitis B e antigen, HBV, and components of the innate immune response including Toll-like receptors, Kupffer cells, natural killer T-cells, and dendritic cells. These findings suggest that the innate immune response has an important role in influencing the outcome of acute and chronic HBV infection. The current knowledge regarding the interaction between HBV and components of the innate immune response during acute and chronic HBV infection is reviewed. © Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver 2008.

Chronic activation of the gastric mucosal adaptive immune response is a characteristic trait of gastric cancer. It has recently emerged that a new class of T helper (Th) cells, defined by their ability to produce interleukin (IL)-17A (Th17), is associated with a host of inflammatory responses, including gastritis. However, the role of these Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer is less clear. To formally address this, we employed gp130F/F mice, which spontaneously develop gastric inflammation-associated tumours akin to human intestinal-type gastric cancer. At the molecular level, these tumours demonstrate hyper-activation of the latent transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 via the IL-6 cytokine family member, IL-11. In gp130F/F mice, the generation of Th17 cells, as well as the gastric expression of IL-17a and other Th17-related factors (Rorgammat, IL-23), were augmented compared to wild-type gp130+/+ mice. Consistent with a role for IL-6 and STAT3 in regulating IL-17A, increased Th17 generation and gastric expression of Th17-related factors in gp130 F/F mice were reduced to wild-type levels in gp130 F/F:Stat3-/+ mice displaying normalized STAT3 activity, and also in gp130F/F:IL-6-/- mice. Importantly, genetic ablation of IL-17A in gp130F/F:IL-17a-/- mice did not suppress the initiation and growth of gastric tumours. Furthermore, IL-17A and RORC gene expression was strongly increased in human gastric biopsies from patients with gastritis, but not gastric cancer. Collectively, our data suggest that increased expression of Th17-related factors does not correlate with the molecular pathogenesis of gastric tumourigenesis. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Ets-1 is a transcription factor with restricted expression in lymphocytes, and it has been implicated in the regulation of T cell genes such as TCRalpha, TCRbeta, CD4, IL-2, and TNF-alpha. We show in this study that Ets- 1 is also expressed in some mast cells constitutively and can be induced in primary mast cells with stimuli that activate mast cells. We also show that Ets-1 plays a role in the regulation of granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), a cytokine expressed by activated mast cells. We have characterized a murine growth factor-independent mast cell line, FMP6-, derived from a factor- dependent civil line, FMP1.6. FMP6- has acquired a distinct connective tissue mast cell-like phenotype, as characterized by the expression of mast cell proteases MMCP-4 and MMCP-6, expression of IL-12, and the down-regulation of IL-4. The parental FMP1.6 cell line displays a mucosal mast cell-like phenotype. FMP6- cells have increased Ets-1 expression and achieve growth- factor independence by the autocrine production of GM-CSF and IL-3. Transient transfection of an Ets-1 expression construct in FMP6- cells results in transactivation of a GM-CSF reporter, while a point mutation in the consensus Ets binding site in the conserved lymphokine element, CLE0, abolishes Ets-1 transactivation. Importantly, antisense Ets-1 demonstrates an ability to repress the activity of the GM-CSF reporter. These data suggest a role for Ets-1 in mast cell growth regulation and activation, and because of the central role of mast cells in inflammatory processes, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, they identify Ets-1 as potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of such diseases.

Abnormal prion protein (PrP Sc) generated from the cellular isoform of PrP (PrP C) is assumed to be the main or sole component of the pathogen, called prion, of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). Because PrP is a host-encoded protein, acquired immune responses are not induced in TSE. Meanwhile, activation of the innate immune system has been suggested to partially block the progression of TSE; however, the mechanism is not well understood. To further elucidate the role of the innate immune system in prion infection, we investigated the function of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a key transcription factor of the MyD88-independent type I interferon (IFN) production pathway. We found that IRF3-deficient mice exhibited significantly earlier onset with three murine TSE strains, namely, 22L, FK-1, and murine bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mBSE), following intraperitoneal transmission, than with wild-type controls. Moreover, overexpression of IRF3 attenuated prion infection in the cell culture system, while PrP Sc was increased in prion-infected cells treated with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against IRF3, suggesting that IRF3 negatively regulates PrP Sc formation. Our findings provide new insight into the role of the host innate immune system in the pathogenesis of prion diseases., Journal of Virology, 86(9), pp.4947-4955; 2012

[no abstract]

Hypomorphic RAG mutations, leading to limited V(D)J rearrangements, cause Omenn syndrome (OS), a peculiar severe combined immunodeficiency associated with autoimmune-like manifestations. Whether B cells play a role in OS pathogenesis is so far unexplored. Here we report the detection of plasma cells in lymphoid organs of OS patients, in which circulating B cells are undetectable. Hypomorphic Rag2R229Q knock-in mice, which recapitulate OS, revealed, beyond severe B cell developmental arrest, a normal or even enlarged compartment of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC). The size of this ISC compartment correlated with increased expression of Blimp1 and Xbp1, and these ISC were sustained by elevated levels of T cell derived homeostatic and effector cytokines. The detection of high affinity pathogenic autoantibodies toward target organs indicated defaults in B cell selection and tolerance induction. We hypothesize that impaired B cell receptor (BCR) editing and a serum B cell activating factor (BAFF) abundance might contribute toward the development of a pathogenic B cell repertoire in hypomorphic Rag2R229Q knock-in mice. BAFF-R blockade reduced serum levels of nucleic acid-specific autoantibodies and significantly ameliorated inflammatory tissue damage. These findings highlight a role for B cells in OS pathogenesis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with a genetic component, caused at least in part by aberrant lymphocyte activity. The whole blood mRNA transcriptome was measured for 99 untreated MS patients: 43 primary progressive MS, 20 secondary progressive MS, 36 relapsing remitting MS and 45 age-matched healthy controls. The ANZgene Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium genotyped more than 300 000 SNPs for 115 of these samples. Transcription from genes on translational regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, immune synapse and antigen presentation pathways was markedly increased in all forms of MS. Expression of genes tagging T cells was also upregulated (P < 10-12) in MS. A T cell gene signature predicts disease state with a concordance index of 0.79 with age and gender as co-variables, but the signature is not associated with clinical course or disability. The ANZgene genome wide association screen identified two novel regions with genome wide significance: one encoding the T cell co-stimulatory molecule, CD40; the other a region on chromosome 12q13-14. The CD40 haplotype associated with increased MS susceptibility has decreased gene expression in MS (P < 0.0007). The second MS susceptibility region includes 17 genes on 12q13-14 in tight linkage disequilibrium. Of these, only 13 are expressed in leukocytes, and of these the expression of one, FAM119B, is much lower in the susceptibility haplotype (P tdthomlt; 10-14). Overall, these data indicate dysregulation of T cells can be detected in the whole blood of untreated MS patients, and supports targeting of activated T cells in therapy for all forms of MS.

Purpose of Review Over the past 3 years, several new genes and gene deserts have been identified that are associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this review is to discuss the major findings of these studies, and the answers they provide and questions they raise about the pathogenesis of this common condition. Recent Findings: Five genes/genetic regions have now definitively been associated with AS [the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), IL23R, ERAP1, 2p15 and 21q22]. Strong evidence to support association with the disease has been demonstrated for the genes IL1R2, ANTXR2, TNFSF15, TNFR1 and a region on chromosome 16q including the gene TRADD. There is an overrepresentation of genes involved in Th17 lymphocyte differentiation/activation among genes associated with AS and the related diseases inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis, pointing strongly to this pathway as playing a major causative role in the disease. Increasing information about differential association of HLA-B27 subtypes with disease suggests a hierarchy of strength of association of those alleles with AS, providing a useful test as to the validity of different potential mechanisms of association of HLA-B27 with AS. The mechanism underlying the association of the gene deserts, 2p15 and 21q22, suggests the involvement of noncoding RNA in AS etiopathogenesis. Summary: The increasing list of genes identified as being definitely involved in AS provides a useful platform for hypothesis-driven research in the field, providing a potential alternative route to determining the underlying mechanisms involved in the disease to research focusing on HLA-B27 alone.

Hantaviren sind einzelsträngige RNA-Viren, die zur Familie der Bunyaviridae gehören. In den letzten Jahren haben sie immer mehr Aufmerksamkeit als “emerging viruses” auf sich gezogen, welche zunehmend Relevanz als humanpathogene Erreger gewinnen. Sie verursachen, abhängig vom Hantavirustyp, zwei verschiedene Krankheitsbilder: das hämorrhagische Fieber mit renalem Syndrom (HFRS) und das kardiopulmonale Syndrom (HCPS). Beide Syndrome sind mit Veränderungen in der vaskulären Permeabilität, akutem Abfall der Blutplättchen (Thrombozytopenie) und Koagulationsdefekten verbunden. Die zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen sind noch immer kaum verstanden. Hantaviren infizieren zwar Endothelzellen, bisher aber konnte kein zytopathischer Effekt nachgewiesen werden. Diese Doktorarbeit untersucht in vitro, ob und auf welche Weise Hantaviren mit Zellen des hämostatischen Systems interagieren. Zu diesen gehören insbesondere Megakaryozyten, die Thrombozyten generieren und die Thrombozyten selbst. Wir zeigen, dass das pathogene Hantaan Virus (HTNV), im Gegensatz zu dem weniger pathogenen Tula Virus (TULV) und Prospect Hill Virus (PHV), megakaryozytäre Zellen infiziert. Interessanterweise erhöht sich nach Induktion der Differenzierung in den infizierten megakaryozytären Zellen die Virusrepliaktion drastisch. Das Überleben der Zellen und der Verlauf der Differenzierung wird dadurch jedoch nicht beeinflusst. Ähnlich, wie bereits früher für Endothelzellen gezeigt, haben demnach pathogene Hantaviren keinen direkten zytopathischen Effekt auf Megakaryozyten. Weiterhin verdeutlicht die vorliegende Doktorarbeit, dass HTNV mit humanen Thrombozyten interagiert. Dies resultiert in einer Herunterregulation von essentiellen Oberflächenmarkern, die wichtig für die Aggregation und das Signalling sind., Hantaviruses are single stranded (ss) RNA viruses belonging to the family Bunyaviridae. Over the past years they attracted more and more attention as “emerging viruses”, increasingly gaining relevance as human pathogens. Depending on the hantavirus type they cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Both syndromes are associated with changes in vascular permeability, acute thrombocytopenia, and defects in platelet function. The underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Although hantaviruses infect endothelial cells, no viral cytopathic effect after infection was observed. This thesis investigates in vitro whether and how hantaviruses target cells of the haemostatic system. In particular megakaryocytes (MKs), which generate platelets, and platelets themselves. We show that pathogenic Hantaan virus (HTNV), in contrast to less pathogenic Tula virus (TULV) and Prospect Hill virus (PHV), infects megakaryocytic cells. Intriguingly, after induction of differentiation megakaryocytic cells switch from low-level to high-level HTNV production without reduction in cell survival or alteration in differentiation. Thus, there is no direct viral pathogenic effect on megakaryocytic cells as previously observed for endothelial cells. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that HTNV interacts with human platelets, resulting in downregulation of essential adhesion markers, which are important for platelet aggregation and signalling.

Behçet's disease is a complex vasculitis of unknown etiology. Abundant neutrophils suggest the involvement of innate immunity. Cytokines are skewed to the T-helper-1 pattern. Few sterile organs are easily accessible for analysis in Behçet's disease. Cañete and coworkers identify inflamed joints as a feasible model and suggest the involvement of innate immunity in Behçet's disease.

The clinical efficacy of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy indicates a central role for IgE in perpetuation of allergic inflammatory diseases. Omalizumab is now uti- lized in treatment of a wide variety of allergic conditions including severe asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermati- tis, food allergy and urticaria either alone or adjunct with other therapies such as steroid administration or allergen- specific immunotherapy [1, 2]. Current research activity is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which IgE influences the immunopathogenesis of allergic disease [3]. Increased knowledge of how IgE exerts its effects will underpin effective clinical use of anti-IgE treatment. In this issue Kerzel et al. [4] investigate the effects of altered antibo dy repertoire on the outcomes of an experimental model of allergic asthma.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematopoetic stem cell disorder characterized by proliferation of cells expressing BCR-ABL fusion protein. In the BCR-ABL+ leukemia murine model, 12B1, we explored the therapeutic applicability of chaperone-rich cell lysate (CRCL) in the context of syngeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) to treat pre-existing leukemia. Our results demonstrate that tumor growth is significantly delayed in mice receiving syngeneic HCT from 12B1 tumor CRCL immunized donors compared to animals receiving HCT from non-immunized donors. CRCL immunization post-immune HCT further hindered tumor growth when compared to immune HCT without post-transplant vaccination. The magnitude of the immune response was consistent with the anti-tumor effects observed in vivo. We also demonstrated that cured mice had developed long-term tumor specific immunity against 12B1 tumor cells. In addition, we documented that both T cells and NK cells contributed to the anti-tumor effect of CRCL vaccination as depletion of either subset hampered tumor growth delay. Thus, our results suggest that CRCL represents a promising vaccine capable of generating specific immune responses. This anti-tumor immunity can be effectively transferred to a host via HCT and further enhanced post-HCT with additional tumor CRCL immunizations.CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) play a central role in the prevention of autoimmunity and in the control of immune responses by down-regulating the function of effector CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. The role of Treg in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and persistence is inadequately documented. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine whether CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells may modulate immunity against human tuberculosis (TB). Ourresults indicate that the number of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg increases in the blood or at the site of infection in active TB patients. The frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg in pleural fluid inversely c

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine with two distinct isoforms (IL-1alpha and IL-1beta) that signal through the same IL-1 type I receptor (IL-1RI). Contributions of IL-1beta have been demonstrated in human and experimental proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN), but the involvement of IL-1alpha received little attention. To determine the combined contribution of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta and to dissect the specific contribution of IL-1beta, the development of anti-glomerular basement membrane globulin-induced crescentic GN was studied in mice genetically deficient in either the IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI-/-), which are unresponsive to both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta, or IL-1beta alone (IL-1beta-/-). IL-1beta-/- mice showed significant reductions in crescent formation and glomerular T cell and macrophage recruitment compared with strain matched controls (WT). No additional reductions of these indices of injury were observed in IL-1RI-/- mice. However, IL-1RI-/- mice showed greater functional renal protection with significantly less proteinuria and reduced serum creatinine compared with IL-1beta-/- mice, suggesting a significant contribution of IL-1alpha to these parameters of injury. IL-1RI-/- mice had lower serum titers of antibody to the nephritogenic antigen (sheep globulin) and reduced glomerular deposition of complement compared with either IL-1beta-/- or WT mice. This suggests that in the absence of responses to both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta, attenuation of humoral mediators provides additional functional protection from renal injury that is not seen in the absence of IL-1beta alone. These studies indicate that IL-1beta but not IL-1alpha contributes to crescent formation and inflammatory cell recruitment, whereas IL-1alpha but not IL-1beta contributes to humoral mechanisms of glomerular injury.

The myelin-associated stress protein αB-crystallin triggers strong proliferative responses and IFN-γ production by human T cells and it is considered a candidate autoantigen in multiple sclerosis. In this study we examined the capacity of αB-crystallin or peptides derived thereof to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice. Despite extensive efforts to induce EAE using active immunization with whole αB-crystallin, using adoptive transfer of lymphocytes or using peptide immunizations, no clinical or histological signs of EAE could be induced. SJL mice were unable to mount proliferative T-cell responses in vitro or delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in vivo to self-αB-crystallin. Also, immunization with self-αB-crystallin did not lead to any antibody response in SJL mice while bovine αB-crystallin triggered clear antibody responses within 1 week. Immunizations with αB-crystallin-derived peptides led to the activation of IL-4-producing Th2 cells and only a few IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells. Peptide-specific T cells showed no cross-reactivity against whole αB-crystallin. The inability of SJL mice to mount proinflammatory T-cell responses against self-αB-crystallin readily explains the lack of EAE induction by immunization with whole protein or peptides derived from it. T- and B-cell nonresponsiveness is associated with constitutive expression of full-length αB-crystallin in both primary and secondary lymphoid organs in SJL mice, which is seen in other mammals as well, but not in humans. (C) 2000 Academic Press. Chemicals/CAS: Crystallins; H-2 Antigens; Interferon Type II, 82115-62-6; Interleukin-4, 207137-56-2; Nerve Tissue Proteins

The causes of autoimmune diseases have yet to be fully elucidated. Autoantibodies, autoreactive T cell responses, the presence of a predisposing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype and responsiveness to corticosteroids are features, and some are possibly contributory causes of autoimmune disease. The most challenging question is how autoimmune diseases are triggered. Molecular mimicry of host cell determinants by epitopes of infectious agents with ensuing cross-reactivity is one of the most popular yet still controversial theories for the initiation of autoimmune diseases [1]. Throughout the 1990s, hundreds of research articles focusing to various extents on epitope mimicry, as it is more accurately described in an immunological context, were published annually. Many of these articles presented data that were consistent with the hypothesis of mimicry but that did not actually prove the theory. Other equally convincing reports indicated that epitope mimicry was not the cause of the autoimmune disease despite sequence similarity between molecules of infectious agents and the host. Some 20 years ago, Rothman [2] proposed a model for disease causation and I have used this as a framework to examine the role of epitope mimicry in the development of autoimmune disease. The thesis of Rothman’s model is that an effect, in this instance autoimmune disease, arises as a result of a cause. In most cases, multiple-component causes contribute synergistically to yield the effect, and each of these components alone is insufficient as a cause. Logically, some component causes, such as the presence of a particular autoimmune response, are also necessary causes.

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a widespread infectious disease with unfavorable outcomes and life-threatening consequences for patients, in spite of modern vaccination and antiviral treatment modalities. Cutting-edge experimental approaches have demonstrated key pathways that involve cross-talk between viral particles and host immune cells. All events, including penetration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles into host cells, establishing persistence, and chronization of CHB infection, and possibility of complete elimination of HBV particles are controlled by the immune system. Researchers have paid special attention to the replication capacity of HBV in host cells, which is associated with cellular changes that reflect presentation of viral antigens and variability of HBV antigen features. In addition, specific HBV proteins have an immune-modulating ability to initiate molecular mechanisms that "avoid" control by the immune system. The relationship between immunological shifts and chronic infection stages has been intensively studied since it was recognized that the immune system is a direct participant in the recurrent (cyclic) nature of CHB. Understanding the wide diversity of molecular pathways and the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune system components will provide fresh insight into CHB immune pathogenesis and the possibilities of developing new treatment strategies for this disease. © 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá způsoby stanovení a léčbou celiakie. Teoretická část zahrnuje základní seznámení s celiakií, její historií, prevalencí, etiopatogenezí a imunopatogenezí. Rozebírá možnosti diagnostiky. Dále se věnuje možnostem léčby, tedy bezlepkové dietě. Zmiňuje legislativu České republiky a Evropské unie. Srovnává finanční nákladnost bezlepkové diety a běžné stravy. V experimentální části byly srovnány metody PCR, ELISA a nepřímou imunofluorescenci pro stanovení genetické predispozice a protilátek při celiakii (hlavně byl kladen důraz na srovnání protilátek proti gliadinu a deamidovanému gliadinu ve třídách IgA a IgG)., This diploma thesis deals with methods of determining and treatment of coeliac disease. In the theoretical part of the work sums up informations about coeliac disease - history, prevalence, etiopathogenesis, immunopathogenesis, possibilities of diagnosis, discusses about gluten-free diet, mentions legislation of the Czech Republic and the European Union and compares expensiveness of gluten-free diet and normal diet. The experimental part of this thesis compares PCR, ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence methods for assesment of determination of genetic predisposition and antibodies in coeliac disease (greatest emphasis was placed on the comparison of antibodies against gliadin and deamidated gliadin antibodies in IgA and IgG).

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá způsoby stanovení a léčbou celiakie. Teoretická část zahrnuje základní seznámení s celiakií, její historií, prevalencí, etiopatogenezí a imunopatogenezí. Rozebírá možnosti diagnostiky. Dále se věnuje možnostem léčby, tedy bezlepkové dietě. Zmiňuje legislativu České republiky a Evropské unie. Srovnává finanční nákladnost bezlepkové diety a běžné stravy. V experimentální části byly srovnány metody PCR, ELISA a nepřímou imunofluorescenci pro stanovení genetické predispozice a protilátek při celiakii (hlavně byl kladen důraz na srovnání protilátek proti gliadinu a deamidovanému gliadinu ve třídách IgA a IgG)., This diploma thesis deals with methods of determining and treatment of coeliac disease. In the theoretical part of the work sums up informations about coeliac disease - history, prevalence, etiopathogenesis, immunopathogenesis, possibilities of diagnosis, discusses about gluten-free diet, mentions legislation of the Czech Republic and the European Union and compares expensiveness of gluten-free diet and normal diet. The experimental part of this thesis compares PCR, ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence methods for assesment of determination of genetic predisposition and antibodies in coeliac disease (greatest emphasis was placed on the comparison of antibodies against gliadin and deamidated gliadin antibodies in IgA and IgG).