Search results for "unity"
showing 10 items of 3852 documents
The matricellular protein SPARC supports follicular dendritic cell networking toward Th17 responses.
2011
Abstract Lymphnode swelling during immune responses is a transient, finely regulated tissue rearrangement, accomplished with the participation of the extracellular matrix. Here we show that murine and human reactive lymph nodes express SPARC in the germinal centres. Defective follicular dendritic cell networking in SPARC-deficient mice is accompanied by a severe delay in the arrangement of germinal centres and development of humoral autoimmunity, events that are linked to Th17 development. SPARC is required for the optimal and rapid differentiation of Th17 cells, accordingly we show delayed development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis whose pathogenesis involves Th17. Not only h…
The importance of the interactions between KIRs and HLA ligands in the development of human autoimmune and viral diseases
2017
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the activation of natural killer cells through their interaction with human leucocyte antigens (HLA). KIR and HLA loci are highly polymorphic, and certain KIR/HLA combinations have been found to protect against viral infections or to predispose to autoimmune disorders. In particular, some activating KIR profiles may be detrimental in autoimmune pathogenesis, and specific KIR genes may be particularly aggressive in the clearance of different microorganisms, protecting individuals in the control of a given pathogen. Here we reviewed a growing body of evidence purporting the influence of KIR polymorphism and KIR-HLA interaction in the develo…
Preliminary results of the project A.I.D.A. (Auto Immunity: Diagnosis Assisted by computer)
2014
In this paper, are presented the preliminary results of the A.I.D.A. (Auto Immunity: Diagnosis Assisted by computer) project which is developed in the frame of the cross-border cooperation Italy-Tunisia. According to the main objectives of this project, a database of interpreted Indirect ImmunoFluorescence (IIF) images on HEp 2 cells is being collected thanks to the contribution of Italian and Tunisian experts involved in routine diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Through exchanging images and double reporting; a Gold Standard database, containing around 1000 double reported IIF images with different patterns including negative tests, has been settled. This Gold Standard database has been us…
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.
Cross-reactivity of a pathogenic autoantibody to a tumor antigen in GABA(A) receptor encephalitis
2021
Encephalitis associated with antibodies against the neuronal gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA A -R) is a rare form of autoimmune encephalitis. The pathogenesis is still unknown but autoimmune mechanisms were surmised. Here we identified a strongly expanded B cell clone in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with GABA A -R encephalitis. We expressed the antibody produced by it and showed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry that it recognizes the GABA A -R. Patch-clamp recordings revealed that it tones down inhibitory synaptic transmission and causes increased excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Thus, the antibody likely contributed to…
Septins 2, 7 and 9 and MAP4 colocalize along the axoneme in the primary cilium and control ciliary length
2013
International audience; Septins are a large, evolutionarily conserved family of GTPases that form hetero-oligomers and interact with the actin-based cytoskeleton and microtubules. They are involved in scaffolding functions, and form diffusion barriers in budding yeast, the sperm flagellum and the base of primary cilia of kidney epithelial cells. We investigated the role of septins in the primary cilium of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells, and found that SEPT2 forms a 1:1:1 complex with SEPT7 and SEPT9 and that the three members of this complex colocalize along the length of the axoneme. Similar to observations in kidney epithelial cells, depletion of cilium-localized septins by siRN…
Autoimmunity seen through the SEREX-scope.
2003
Autoantibodies can be detected in autoimmune diseases with a long prodromal phase and may serve as early indicators of disease activity. Autoantibody-based screening methods are therefore potent tools for the identification of target antigens. The SEREX method (serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning) has been developed for the serological definition of immunogenic tumor antigens. Recent studies indicate that the SEREX approach may also be utilized for the analysis of complex immune responses involved in autoimmune diseases.
Disentangling the rhizosphere effect on nitrate reducers and denitrifiers: insight into the role of root exudates.
2008
International audience; To determine to which extent root-derived carbon contributes to the effects of plants on nitrate reducers and denitrifiers, four solutions containing different proportions of sugar, organic acids and amino acids mimicking maize root exudates were added daily to soil microcosms at a concentration of 150 μg C g−1 of soil. Water-amended soils were used as controls. After 1 month, the size and structure of the nitrate reducer and denitrifier communities were analysed using the narG and napA, and the nirK, nirS and nosZ genes as molecular markers respectively. Addition of artificial root exudates (ARE) did not strongly affect the structure or the density of nitrate reduce…
Ex-ante and ex-post measurement of equality of opportunity in health: a normative decomposition.
2011
This paper proposes and discusses two different approaches to the definition of inequality in health: the ex-ante and the ex-post approach. It proposes strategies for measuring inequality of opportunity in health based on the path-independent Atkinson equality index. The proposed methodology is illustrated using data from the British Household Panel Survey; the results suggest that in the period 2000–2005, at least one-third of the observed health equalities in the UK were equalities of opportunity.
Response of the PCB-contaminated soil bacterial community to applied bioremediation treatments
2011
For full field implementation of the bioremediation as a strategy for cleaning PCB-contaminated soils, the impact of the applied treatment on the microbial community needs to be clarified. An ideal bioremediation should have positive effects on PCB-removal but should pose no treats to the health of the soil ecosystem. Microbes, playing an essential role in maintenance of the soil ecosystem, are the first indicators of a negative impact of soil manipulation to ecosystem. A small-scale bioremediation experiment was conducted in order to get insight into behavior of the microbial community during bioremediation of PCB-contaminated soil, targeting both functional PCB-degrading community (by bph…