Search results for "Cell activation"
showing 10 items of 43 documents
Transcriptome-based repurposing of apigenin as a potential anti-fibrotic agent targeting hepatic stellate cells
2017
AbstractWe have used a computational approach to identify anti-fibrotic therapies by querying a transcriptome. A transcriptome signature of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the primary collagen-secreting cell in liver, and queried against a transcriptomic database that quantifies changes in gene expression in response to 1,309 FDA-approved drugs and bioactives (CMap). The flavonoid apigenin was among 9 top-ranked compounds predicted to have anti-fibrotic activity; indeed, apigenin dose-dependently reduced collagen I in the human HSC line, TWNT-4. To identify proteins mediating apigenin’s effect, we next overlapped a 122-gene signature unique to HSCs with a list of 160 genes encoding…
Nuclear Translocation of RELB Is Increased in Diseased Human Liver and Promotes Ductular Reaction and Biliary Fibrosis in Mice.
2019
Background & Aims Cholangiocyte proliferation and ductular reaction contribute to the onset and progression of liver diseases. Little is known about the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in this process. We investigated the activities of the RELB proto-oncogene NF-κB subunit in human cholangiocytes and in mouse models of liver disease characterized by a ductular reaction. Methods We obtained liver tissue samples from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, hepatitis B or C virus infection, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, or without these diseases (controls) from a tissue bank in Germany. Tissues were analyzed by immu…
Visualizing Leukocyte Rolling and Adhesion in Angiotensin II-Infused Mice: Techniques and Pitfalls
2018
Epifluorescence intravital video microscopy (IVM) of blood vessels is an established method to evaluate the activation of immune cells and their ability to role and adhere to the endothelial layer. Visualization of circulating cells by injection of fluorescent dyes or fluorophore-coupled antibodies is commonly used. Alternatively, fluorescent reporter mice can be used. Interactions of leukocytes, in particular lysozyme M+ (LysM+) monocytes, with the vessel wall play pivotal roles in promoting vascular dysfunction and arterial hypertension. We here present the technique to visualize and quantify leukocyte rolling and adhesion in carotid arteries in angiotensin II (AngII)-induced hypertension…
Intracellular fluoride influences TASK mediated currents in human T cells.
2019
The expression of Kv1.3 and KCa channels in human T cells is essential for maintaining cell activation, proliferation and migration during an inflammatory response. Recently, an additional residual current, sensitive to anandamide and A293, compounds specifically inhibiting currents mediated by TASK channels, was observed after complete pharmacological blockade of Kv1.3 and KCa channels. This finding was not consistently observed throughout different studies and, an in-depth review of the different recording conditions used for the electrophysiological analysis of K+ currents in T cells revealed fluoride as major anionic component of the pipette intracellular solutions in the initial studie…
Gut germinal center regeneration and enhanced antiviral immunity by mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in SIV infection.
2021
Although antiretroviral therapy suppresses HIV replication, it does not eliminate viral reservoirs or restore damaged lymphoid tissue, posing obstacles to HIV eradication. Using the SIV model of AIDS, we investigated the effect of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) infusions on gut mucosal recovery, antiviral immunity, and viral suppression and determined associated molecular/metabolic signatures. MSC administration to SIV-infected macaques resulted in viral reduction and heightened virus-specific responses. Marked clearance of SIV-positive cells from gut mucosal effector sites was correlated with robust regeneration of germinal centers, restoration of follicular B cells and T follicular h…
The impact of two whole blood inline filters on markers of coagulation, complement and cell activation
2005
Background and Objectives There exists a current lack of information about the impact of different inline filters, used for the leucoreduction of whole blood (WB), on the levels of clotting factors and markers of coagulation, complement and cell activation in plasma. Only a few small comparisons of different types of WB inline filters have been published to date. Materials and Methods This study compared two plasma types of 200 units each. Both study groups were derived from WB, inline-filtered and held for 2 h at 20° between donation and filtration. Then, 200 units (Group A) were filtered using a positively charged polyester filter (Baxter RZ2000) and the other 200 units (Group B) were f…
Modification of Peripheral Blood T-Lymphocyte Surface Receptors and Langerhans Cell Numbers in Hereditary Angioedema
1986
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a disease related to a complement disorder, namely a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor. Complement-split products are implicated in the regulation of the immune response, and we have compared some immunologic parameters between HAE and normal individuals. T-lymphocytes with receptors for IgG were increased in HAE, but no difference in T-cell suppressor activity for B-cells was detected. Furthermore, increased IgG receptor expression was not accompanied by any significant changes in the ratios of OKT4- and OKT8-defined antigens. Numbers of peripheral mononuclear cells (MNC) detected by alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining positivity were not signif…
The Interaction of Buccal Mucosal Epithelial Cells with E. coli Bacteria Enhances the Intraepithelial Calcium Flux and the Release of Prostaglandin E…
1999
Mucosal epithelial cells contribute significantly to host defense mechanisms. Uroepithelial cells (UEC) from healthy donors suppress bacterial growth in vitro. Bacterial adherence to UEC has been shown to be a prerequisite. Similar results have been shown for buccal epithelial cells (BEC). The host response triggered by the host-parasite interaction seems to involve signal transduction and intracellular activation of second messengers. In this study the intraepithelial calcium flux was analyzed in individual BEC after bacterial contact. BEC were derived from scrapes of the buccal mucosa and labelled with fluo-3 (a calcium indicator). Thereafter the cells were analyzed immediately with a FAC…
Soluble CD14 monocyte antigen in suction blister fluid and serum of patients with psoriasis.
1993
The purpose of this study was to measure soluble CD14 (sCD14) molecules in the skin and in serum of patients with psoriasis. CD14 is a newly discovered cell surface marker on monocytes that is shed after cell activation. The following procedures were used: suction blisters were raised over the abdominal skin of 9 healthy control individuals and 8 patients with psoriasis. Serum of 17 healthy controls and 17 patients with psoriasis was collected. sCD14 was determined in suction blister fluid and serum by the ELISA technique. The clinical status of psoriasis was rated by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI score). We found that sCD14 levels in suction blisters of healthy skin (1,050 +/…
IL-15 in human visceral leishmaniasis caused byLeishmania infantum
2002
SummaryInterleukin (IL)-15 is a recently discovered cytokine with the ability to stimulate the proliferation activity of Th1 and/or Th2 lymphocytes. Here, we investigated the involvement of IL-15 in the immune response to Leishmania infantum infection by studying patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We found that IL-15 is produced by leishmanial antigen (LAg)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from active VL patients at a significantly higher level than those produced by cells from healed VL subjects or healthy controls. A significant increase in IL-15 serum blood levels was also observed in acute VL patients compared with healed ones. Furthermore, recombinant IL-15 …