Search results for "Allergy"

The immunosuppressive enzyme IL4I1 promotes FoxP3+regulatory T lymphocyte differentiation

2015

Abstract IL4I1 (interleukin-4-induced gene 1) is a phenylalanine oxidase produced mainly by APCs of myeloid origin, and converts phenylalanine (Phe) to phenylpyruvate, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia. We have previously shown that IL4I1 is highly expressed by tumor-associated macrophages from various human cancers and facilitates immune evasion from the cytotoxic response in a murine tumor model. Indeed, IL4I1 inhibits T-cell proliferation via hydrogen peroxide toxicity on effector/memory T cells. Here, we explored the effect of IL4I1 on naive CD4(+) T-cell differentiation. We show that IL4I1 stimulates the generation of Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells in vitro from human and mouse T cell…

Chemical Approach to Functional Artificial Opals

2007

Artificial opals are self-assembled colloidal crystals, which consist of a cubic dense packing (fcc) of hard (not film-forming) colloids with diameters ranging from 200 to 900 nm. Because of their periodic nanostructure the assemblies are able to reflect light that matches their periodicity, i.e., UV- to IR-radiation depending on the size of the colloids. Thus, they present a subgroup of 'photonic crystals'. While, originally, the chemistry inside the colloids and the resulting opals was of minor significance, nowadays the chemical variation of opals is becoming more and more important for the preparation of functional and patterned opals. The search for functional opals is, therefore, espe…

Characterization of HLA-DR- and TCR-binding residues of an immunodominant and genetically permissive peptide of the 16-kDa protein of Mycobacterium t…

2004

The 16-kDa protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis represents an important antigenic target during bacillary latency and, consequently, should be considered as candidate subunit vaccine component. In this study, we have used CD4 T cell clones that recognize the peptide p91-110, an immunodominant and genetically permissive epitope, in the context of five different HLA-DR molecules and truncated and substituted variants of this peptide, to identify the minimal binding sequence (HLA-DR-binding core) and the minimal stimulatory sequence (TCR-binding core), as well as the residues that contact HLA-DR molecules and the TCR. We have found a common 9-mer sequence, spanning amino acids 93-101, as the …

Reactive oxygen species mediate angiotensin II-induced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vivo

2001

Abstract Chronically elevated angiotensin II (Ang-II)-induced hypertension is partly mediated by superoxide production. In this study, we have investigated whether the leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions elicited by Ang-II involve reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Intravital microscopy within the rat mesenteric microvessels was used. Superfusion (60 min) with Ang-II (1 nM) induced significant increases in leukocyte rolling flux, adhesion, and emigration, which were inhibited by pretreatment with superoxide dismutase or catalase. Dihydrorhodamine-123 oxidation indicated that ROS are primarily produced by the vessel wall. Administration of dimethylthiourea, desferrioxamine, or N-a…

Epidemiology and pathogenesis of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten (wheat) sensitivity

2021

Abstract While in the past, celiac disease (CD) was considered the only clinical entity caused by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains, now there is evidence that a spectrum of gluten-related disorders, including also wheat allergy and non-celiac gluten (wheat) sensitivity (NCGS/NCWS), exists. The prevalence of gluten-related disorders is rising, and increasing numbers of individuals are empirically trying a gluten-free diet for a variety of signs and symptoms. CD is a gluten-induced immune-mediated enteropathy characterized by a specific genetic genotype [human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes] and autoantibodies (antitissue transglutaminase and antiendomysial). NCGS/NCWS…

Response to Comment on “Characterizing the N-Terminal Processing Motif of MHC Class I Ligands”

2008

The possibility that ERAAP plays a role in limiting the presentation of peptides derived from signal peptides may be tempting from an immunologist’s view. In eukaryotic cells, signal peptides have a mean length of 22 amino acids and are removed by signal peptide peptidases from the N terminus of

Tolerance induction by a forced expression of MOG-peptide in the context of EAE

2014

Formation and function of a complement-activating enzyme generated from factors of guinea pig serum and cobra venom

1971

An enzymatic complex can be formed by factors from guinea pig serum and cobra venom, which is able to activate C3 bypassing C1, C4 and C2. Formation and action of the enzyme are described. The action on C3 results in an activation of the terminal complement components and in membrane destruction provided suitable membrane receptors are available.

Erratum to: “Identification of a peptide mimicking the binding pattern of an antiphospholipid antibody”

2006

Confocal Endomicroscopy Shows Food-Associated Changes in the Intestinal Mucosa of Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2014

Background & Aims We investigated suspected food intolerances in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) for real-time visualization of structural/functional changes in the intestinal mucosa after food challenge. Patients with functional changes after food challenge (CLE+) were placed on personalized exclusion diets and followed up for long-term symptom relief. Methods Thirty-six IBS patients with suspected food intolerance and 10 patients with Barrett's esophagus (controls) without IBS symptoms were examined by CLE at University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (Kiel, Germany). Diluted food antigens were administered directly to the duodenal mucosa…