CD39 is highly involved in mediating the suppression activity of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T regulatory lymphocytes
CD39 is an ectoenzyme, present on different immune cell subsets, which mediates immunosuppressive functions catalyzing ATP degradation. It is not known whether CD39 is expressed and implicated in the activity of CD8+ regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg). In this study, CD39 expression and function was analyzed in both CD8+ and CD4+CD25hi Treg from the peripheral blood of healthy donors as well as from tumor specimens. CD39 was found expressed by both CD8+ (from the majority of healthy donors and tumor patients) and CD4+CD25 hi Treg, and CD39 expression correlated with suppression activity mediated by CD8+ Treg. Importantly, CD39 counteraction remarkably inhibited the suppression activity of CD8+…
The impact of antibiotic resistance on the efficacy of three 7-day regimens againstHelicobacter pylori
Background: Antibiotic resistance affects the success of anti-Helicobacter pylori therapies and varies greatly from country to country. Aim: To compare the efficacy of three short-term triple regimens in relation to H. pylori primary resistance in our region. Methods: We enrolled 210 H. pylori-positive dyspeptic patients for this randomized, open, parallel-group study. Three arms of 70 patients each received the following 1-week regimens: (1) ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. + clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. + metronidazole 500 mg b.d. (RCM); (2) bismuth subcitrate 240 mg b.d. + amoxycillin 1000 mg b.d. + metronidazole 500 mg b.d. (BAM); (3) omeprazole 20 mg o.d. + clarithromycin 250 mg b.…