Search results for "thymus"
showing 10 items of 105 documents
Phytochemical, ecological and antioxidant evaluation of wild Sicilian thyme: Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav.
2016
In a broad survey conducted throughout the Sicily region, 45 different sites were identified where thyme grows wild. All the biotypes collected were classified as Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. (syn. Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link). Cluster analysis based on the main morphological characteristics of the plant led to the division of the biotypes into 3 major groups. All samples were analyzed for their secondary phytochemical metabolites identified in the extracts and the essential oils. LC-UV-DAD/ESI-MS and GC-FID/GC-MS have been applied to characterize the extracts and the essential oils, respectively. In the extracts, 15 flavonoid derivatives with taxifolin-di-O-glucoside and thymusin…
TGF-β signalling is required for CD4⁺ T cell homeostasis but dispensable for regulatory T cell function.
2013
Signalling by the cytokine TGF-β regulates mature CD4+ T cell populations but is not involved in the survival and function of regulatory T cells.
Essential Oils as Natural Biocides in Conservation of Cultural Heritage
2020
Essential oils (EOs) have been known for a long time, and they are used in several fields such as medicine and aromatherapy, as well as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In the last decade, EOs have also been applied to contrast the biodeterioration of cultural heritage, representing a powerful resource in green conservation strategies. In this study, an integrated approach based on microscopic observation, in vitro culture, and molecular investigation was preliminarily employed to identify biological systems colonizing wooden artworks. In order to contrast the biodeterioration processes induced by fungal colonization (Aspergillus flavus) or insect infestation (Anobium punctatum), …
The Application of the Essential Oils of Thymus vulgaris L. and Crithmum maritimum L. as Biocidal on Two Tholu Bommalu Indian Leather Puppets
2021
The chemical profile of the Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae) essential oil (EO) was investigated in order to evaluate its biological properties against microorganisms affecting two Tholu Bommalu, typical Indian leather puppets stored at the International Puppets Museum “Antonio Pasqualino” of Palermo, Italy. A GC–MS analysis, using both polar and apolar columns, was used to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of the Thymus vulgaris and Crithmum maritimum essential oils in vapor phase to disinfect heritage leather puppets. Pieces of leather artifacts that were affected by different bacterial colonies were e…
The Essential Oil of Thymbra capitata and its Application as A Biocide on Stone and Derived Surfaces
2019
Many chemicals used nowadays for the preservation of cultural heritage pose a risk to both human health and the environment. Thus, it is desirable to find new and eco-friendly biocides that can replace the synthetic ones. In this regard, plant essential oils represent effective alternatives to synthetic substances for the preservation of historical monuments. Thymbra capitata (syn. Thymus capitatus) is a medicinal and aromatic plant growing in the Mediterranean area and endowed with important pharmacological properties related to its essential oil. Among them, the antimicrobial ones make the T. capitata essential oil an ideal candidate for industrial applications
Inhibition of T cell activityin vivo: a test model for quantitative evaluation
1976
A test model is presented which, in comparison with the conventional models of skin transplantation or graft-versus-host (GvH) reaction in mice, permits a more sensitive quantitative evaluation of T cell inhibition in vivo. Prospective donors (type AA) are immunized with prospective recipient material (type AB); the resulting T cell reaction of A versus B is inhibited by consecutive treatment. Extent of inhibition can be evaluated after transfer of the pretreated AA material onto AB recipients by calculation of remaining GvH reactivity, if compared to adequate control tranfers. In this model the target animal for T cell reactivity (the AB recipient) remains untouched from immunosuppressive …
Exclusive transduction of human CD4+ T Cells upon systemic delivery of CD4-targeted lentiviral vectors
2015
Abstract Playing a central role in both innate and adaptive immunity, CD4+ T cells are a key target for genetic modifications in basic research and immunotherapy. In this article, we describe novel lentiviral vectors (CD4-LV) that have been rendered selective for human or simian CD4+ cells by surface engineering. When applied to PBMCs, CD4-LV transduced CD4+ but not CD4− cells. Notably, also unstimulated T cells were stably genetically modified. Upon systemic or intrasplenic administration into mice reconstituted with human PBMCs or hematopoietic stem cells, reporter gene expression was predominantly detected in lymphoid organs. Evaluation of GFP expression in organ-derived cells and blood …
B cells participate in thymic negative selection of murine auto-reactive CD4+ T cells.
2010
It is well documented that thymic epithelial cells participate in the process of negative selection in the thymus. In recent years it was reported that also dendritic cells enter the thymus and contribute to this process, thus allowing for the depletion of thymocytes that are specific to peripherally expressed self-antigens. Here we report that also B cells may take part in the elimination of auto-reactive thymocytes. Using a unique mouse model we show that B cells induce negative selection of self-reactive thymocytes in a process that leads to the deletion of these cells whereas regulatory T cells are spared. These findings have direct implication in autoimmunity, as expression of a myelin…
Cutting Edge: TGF-β Induces a Regulatory Phenotype in CD4+CD25− T Cells through Foxp3 Induction and Down-Regulation of Smad7
2004
Abstract CD4+CD25+ regulatory cells are a subpopulation of T lymphocytes of thymic origin. However, recent data suggest an alternative commitment of regulatory T cells in the periphery, although the precise mechanism is unknown. In the present work, we demonstrate that TGF-β is able to induce Foxp3 expression and subsequently a regulatory phenotype in CD4+CD25− peripheral murine T cells. Similarly, TGF-β induced Foxp3 in human CD4+CD25− T cells. Moreover, we show that the inhibitory Smad7 protein that is normally induced by TGF-β and limits TGF-β signaling, is strongly down-regulated by Foxp3 at the transcriptional level. Foxp3-mediated down-regulation of Smad7 subsequently rendered CD4+CD2…
Expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors in murine thymocytes and thymic stromal cells
2000
RT-PCR combined with immunoblotting showed the expression of group-I (mGlu1 and 5) and group-II (mGlu2 and 3) metabotropic glutamate receptors in whole mouse thymus, isolated thymocytes and TC-1S thymic stromal cell line. Cytofluorimetric analysis showed that mGlu-5 receptors were absent in CD4(-)/CD8(-) but present in more mature CD4(+) CD8(+) and CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes. mGlu-1a receptors showed an opposite pattern of expression with respect to mGlu5, whereas mGlu2/3 receptor expression did not differ between double negative and double positive cells. mGlu receptors expressed in both thymic cell components were functional, as indicated by measurements of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis or…