Search results for "Immunologic"
showing 10 items of 1115 documents
The Role of Interleukin 10 in the Regulation of Allergic Immune Responses
2001
Several clinical studies and animal models have shown that Th2 lymphocytes play a key role in the pathophysiology of IgE-mediated allergic immune responses like allergic rhinitis and asthma or venom anaphylaxis. Classical specific immunotherapy (SIT) that has been proven to be clinically effective can serve as a role model for immunological changes that are associated with amelioration of allergic diseases. During SIT, the Th2-dominated immune response is modified towards a Th1 response leading to a decline in allergen-specific IgE and an increase in allergen-specific IgG production. Most importantly, however, production of the immunosuppressive/-regulatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) i…
Inhibition of murine IgE and immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity responses to ovalbumin by the immunomodulatory agent leflunomide
1999
SUMMARYLeflunomide has been identified as an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory compound. Allergic disease is characterized by elevated serum IgE levels, production of allergen-specific IgE and the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells and granulocytes. Here we demonstrate, using an in vivo murine model, the ability of leflunomide to down-regulate levels of total and allergen-specific serum IgE production. Mice receiving leflunomide (45 mg/kg) orally at the time of primary immunization with ovalbumin adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide adjuvant, showed a reduction in total serum IgE levels of 95%, 41% and 32% following primary, secondary and tertiary immunizations, respectively …
Hyperlactacidaemia in isolated hyperthermic perfusion of tumour bearing rat limbs: a study of feasibility using a novel infusion solution.
1999
In a methodological study the applicability of hyperlactacidaemia in isolated hyperthermic perfusion of tumour-bearing rat limbs was investigated.In 50 Sprague Dawley rats, DS-sarcoma growth was initiated on the right food dorsum by subcutaneous injection of 0.5 ml ascites cells. In the anaesthetized animals isolated limb perfusion was performed under steady state conditions for 60min using a miniature equipment. Thereafter tumour volume was measured daily. (a) Investigation of feasability: 40 rats were allocated to four groups. Group I: Normothermic perfusion at 38 degrees C, n = 10; Group II: Hyperthermic perfusion at 40-41 degrees C, n = 10; Group III: Normothermic perfusion at 38 degree…
Hyperthermia Enhances CD95-Ligand Gene Expression in T Lymphocytes
2004
Abstract Hyperthermia represents an interesting therapeutic strategy for the treatment of tumors. Moreover, it is able to regulate several aspects of the immune response. Fas (APO-1/CD95) and its ligand (FasL) are cell surface proteins whose interaction activates apoptosis of Fas-expressing targets. In T cells, the Fas-Fas-L system regulates activation-induced cell death, is implicated in diseases in which lymphocyte homeostasis is compromised, and plays an important role during cytotoxic and regulatory actions mediated by these cells. In this study we describe the effect of hyperthermia on activation of the fas-L gene in T lymphocytes. We show that hyperthermic treatment enhances Fas-L-med…
Oral CorticoSteroid sparing with biologics in severe asthma: A remark of the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI)
2020
According to the data derived from several national and international registries, including SANI (Severe Asthma Network Italy), and considering the strong impact that frequent or regular use of oral corticosteroid has on quality of life (QoL) of severe asthmatics, as well as on the costs for managing corticosteroid-related diseases, oral corticosteroid sparing up to withdrawal should be considered a primary outcome in the management of severe asthma. New biologics have clearly demonstrated that this effect is possible, with concomitant reduction in the rate of exacerbations and in symptom control. Then, there is no reason for using so frequently oral corticosteroid before having explored al…
T-T cell collaboration during in vivo responses to antigens coded by the peripheral and central region of the MHC.
1976
MIXED lymphocyte culture (MLC)1 has been used extensively as an in vitro model to analyse the reactivity of T cells to antigens coded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). When murine T responder cells are exposed in vitro to allogeneic lymphoid cells (stimulator cells) they proliferate and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are generated2,3. Antigens coded by the central I region of the MHC are chiefly responsible for triggering proliferation4,5, whereas the target antigen of the CTL generated is either a H–2K or H–2D region or a I–A subregion gene product5–8. This dichotomy in the antigenic requirement of a MLC seems to be reflected at the level of the responding T lymphocytes. Two di…
Revisiting Current Concepts on the Tolerogenicity of Steady-State Dendritic Cell Subsets and Their Maturation Stages
2021
Abstract The original concept stated that immature dendritic cells (DC) act tolerogenically whereas mature DC behave strictly immunogenically. Meanwhile, it is also accepted that phenotypically mature stages of all conventional DC subsets can promote tolerance as steady-state migratory DC by transporting self-antigens to lymph nodes to exert unique functions on regulatory T cells. We propose that in vivo 1) there is little evidence for a tolerogenic function of immature DC during steady state such as CD4 T cell anergy induction, 2) all tolerance as steady-state migratory DC undergo common as well as subset-specific molecular changes, and 3) these changes differ by quantitative and qualitati…
Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH): a biomedical review
1999
In this review we present a broad survey of fundamental scientific and medically applied studies on keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Commencing with the biochemistry of KLH, information on the biosynthesis and biological role of this copper-containing respiratory protein in the marine gastropod Megathura crenulata is provided. The established methods for the purification of the two isoforms of KLH (KLH1 and KLH2) are then covered, followed by detailed accounts of the molecular mass determination, functional unit (FU) structure, carbohydrate content, immunological analysis and recent aspects of the molecular genetics of KLH. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) has contributed signific…
Cytoskeletal stabilization of inhibitory interactions in immunologic synapses of mature human dendritic cells with natural killer cells
2011
Abstract Human mature dendritic cells (DCs) can efficiently stimulate natural killer (NK)–cell responses without being targeted by their cytotoxicity. To understand this important regulatory crosstalk, we characterized the development of the immunologic synapse between mature DCs and resting NK cells. Conjugates between these 2 innate leukocyte populations formed rapidly, persisted for prolonged time periods and matured with DC-derived f-actin polymerization at the synapse. Polarization of IL-12 and IL-12R to the synapse coincided with f-actin polymerization, while other activating and inhibitory molecules were enriched at the interface between DCs and NK cells earlier. Functional assays re…
SARS-CoV-2 in patients with cancer: possible role of mimicry of human molecules by viral proteins and the resulting anti-cancer immunity
2021
AbstractA few reports suggest that molecular mimicry can have a role in determining the more severe and deadly forms of COVID-19, inducing endothelial damage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan failure. Heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones can be involved in these molecular mimicry phenomena. However, tumor cells can display on their surface heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones that are mimicked by SARS-CoV-2 molecules (including the Spike protein), similarly to what happens in other bacterial or viral infections. Since molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and tumoral proteins can elicit an immune reaction in which antibodies or cytotoxic cells produced against t…