Search results for " NK"

RUOLO DELL'INTERAZIONE KIRs/HLA NEI PAZIENTI CON INFEZIONE CRONICA DA HBV

Background: The Natural Killer (NK) cells provide a major defense against several infections and their activity is regulated partially through inhibitory and activating killer cell immunoglobulin - like receptors (KIRs) interacting with human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I molecules. The aim of this study is to assess whether the KIR and HLA repertoire may influence the course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: Till now, twenty – four patients with chronic HBV infection have been genotyped for KIRs and their HLA ligands, along with non-exposed subjects (HBsAg negative, anti - HBcAb positive with or without anti - HBsAb) as controls. Results: All the KIR haplotypes are represen…

Dacarbazine-mediated upregulation of NKG2D ligands on tumor cells activates NK and CD8 T cells and restrains melanoma growth.

2013

International audience; Dacarbazine (DTIC) is a cytotoxic drug widely used for melanoma treatment. However, the putative contribution of anticancer immune responses in the efficacy of DTIC has not been evaluated. By testing how DTIC affects host immune responses to cancer in a mouse model of melanoma, we unexpectedly found that both natural killer (NK) and CD8(+) T cells were indispensable for DTIC therapeutic effect. Although DTIC did not directly affect immune cells, it triggered the upregulation of NKG2D ligands on tumor cells, leading to NK cell activation and IFNγ secretion in mice and humans. NK cell-derived IFNγ subsequently favored upregulation of major histocompatibility complex cl…

In silico characterization of an Iroquois family-related homeodomain protein.

2005

Homeobox genes have been demonstrated to play important roles during cancer differentiation and embryonic development. The subset of Iroquois-related homeobox genes (IRXs) have furthermore been. demonstrated to be involved in several embryonic developmental processes such as patterning of the anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral axis, as well as specific regions of the central nervous system, and differentiation of the otic vesicle, branchial epithelium, and limbs. We have characterized a novel homeodomain protein and corresponding gene by means of computational biology. Since the protein sequence displayed high similarity to the human IRX proteins, the newly identified homeodomain protein …

Immunotherapy targeting colon cancer stem cells

2010

In the last 10 years, cancer stem cells have interested the scientific community because this small tumorigenic population is also associated with tumor progression in human patients and specific targeting of cancer stem cells could be a strategy to eradicate cancers currently resistant to conventional therapy. Clinical studies have recently demonstrated that adding immune therapy to chemotherapy has survival benefits in comparison with chemotherapy alone that can sensitize tumors to immune cell-mediated killing (e.g., increasing sensitivity of tumor cells to subsequent cytotoxicity by T cells via upregulation of death receptors DR5 and Fas). However, loss of MHC molecules is often observe…

Impacto de la alorreactividad NK en el trasplante haploidéntico de progenitores hematopoyéticos asociado al uso de ciclofosfamida postrasplante

2022

Introducción: El trasplante haploidéntico de progenitores hematopoyéticos (haplo-TPH) es una opción terapéutica, cuando no se dispone de donante HLA-idéntico. Sin embargo, existe controversia sobre qué factores son los que tienen implicación pronóstica en la selección del donante. Objetivos: Identificar factores relevantes para escoger el mejor donante haploidéntico. Para ello se analizaron aspectos clínicos e inmunológicos. Dentro de los distintos modelos de predicción de la alorreactividad NK, este estudio pretende conocer cuál aporta mayor información. Material y método: Estudio prospectivo multicéntrico de 113 parejas donante-receptor (D/R). Los pacientes, con diversas patologías, tras …

Multipotential nestin and Isl-1 positive mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human pancreatic islets.

2006

Mesenchymal cells in the developing pancreas express the neural stem cell marker nestin and the transcription factor islet-1 (Isl-1). Using defined culture conditions we isolated on a single cell basis nestin producing cells from human pancreatic islets. These cells were immortalized with lentiviral vectors coding for telomerase and mBmi. They are positive for Isl-1 and nestin and have the potential to adopt a pancreatic endocrine phenotype with expression of critical transcription factors including Ipf-1, Isl-1, Ngn-3, Pax4, Pax6, Nkx2.2, and Nkx6.1 as well as the islet hormones insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. In addition, they can be differentiated into human albumin producing cells …

Tetralogy of Fallot as a Model to Study Cardiac Progenitor Cell Migration and Differentiation During Heart Development

2009

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) has long been considered a congenital disorder that occurs due to environmental alterations during gestation. Recently, several mutated genes have been discovered that are thought to be responsible for the malformations observed in ToF. These genetic mutations, which are microdeletions, are sporadic and are frequently also present in trisomy 21 patients. The ToF malformations can be lethal, but for the last 50 years, surgical repairs that place an artificial patch to repair the four features of ToF have improved the survival of patients with ToF. However, 0.5% to 6% of patients who survive after surgical repair of ToF die of sudden cardiac death caused by ventricul…

Mutations in the NKX2.5 Gene and the PAX8 Promoter in a Girl with Thyroid Dysgenesis

2011

Screening of the known candidate genes involved in thyroid organogenesis has revealed mutations in a small subset of patients with congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid dysgenesis (TD).We studied a girl with TD who had mutations in two transcription factors involved in thyroid development.Sequencing analysis of candidate genes involved in thyroid gland development revealed a new paternally inherited heterozygous mutation in the NKX2.5 gene (S265R) and a new maternally inherited heterozygous mutation in the PAX8 promoter region (-456CT). Both parents and a brother, who was also heterozygous for both mutations, were phenotypically normal. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed a correct nucl…