bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversal of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protein-Induced Inhibition of Natural Killer Cell Activity by Alpha Interferon and Interleukin-2
Authors: Nair Madhavan P. N. , Schwartz Stanley A. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTA recombinant fusion peptide, Env-Gag, derived from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome corresponding to a defined portion of the envelope (Env) and internal core (Gag) proteins was examined for immunoregulatory effects on the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cell-enriched, large granular lymphocytes (LGL) from healthy donors. Percoll-separated, NK cell-enriched LGL precultured for 24 h with Env-Gag at 10- and 50-ng/ml concentrations, which significantly stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, caused significant suppression of NK cell activity. Denatured Env-Gag did not cause any effect on the NK cell activity of LGL. Two other control peptides, one derived from theEscherichia colivector used to clone the HIV Env-Gag fusion peptide and the other derived from a non-HIV-1 viral antigen (rubeola virus), did not produce any observable effect on the NK cell activity of LGL, demonstrating the specificity of the effect produced by Env-Gag. Subsequent treatment of LGL with alpha interferon (IFN-α) or interleukin 2 (IL-2) alone partially reversed the Env-Gag-induced suppression of NK cell activity. However, LGL treated with both IFN-α and IL-2 completely reversed the suppression of NK cell cytotoxicity by Env-Gag. The combined effect of IFN-α and IL-2 in enhancing NK cell activity may provide a novel therapeutic approach to the restoration of depressed NK cell activity observed in HIV-infected patients.
Sex-Associated Differences in the Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Antibody Response to Measles Vaccines
Authors: Atabani Sowsan , Landucci Gary , Steward Michael W. , Whittle Hilton , Tilles Jeremiah G. , Forthal Donald N. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

In some countries, excessive non-measles-related mortality has been observed among female recipients of high-titer measles vaccines. We determined if differences in the immune response to measles vaccines underlie the excessive female mortality by measuring the measles virus (MV)-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) antibody response in 65 3-year-old Gambian children immunized with Edmonston-Zagreb medium-titer (EZ) or Schwarz standard vaccines during infancy. Among the 20 females and 22 males with undetectable anti-MV antibodies at the time of immunization, females had significantly lower ADCC than males (median cytotoxicities of 1/100 serum dilutions = 8.4 and 12%, respectively;
P
= 0.04). This sex-associated difference was present only among the six female and seven male recipients of EZ vaccine (median cytotoxicities = 5.1 and 19.0%, respectively;
P
= 0.02). There were no significant sex-associated differences in neutralizing antibody activity. Decreased ADCC antibody activity may contribute to the lower survival rate observed in females receiving high-titer measles vaccination.
Characterization of Specific Immune Responses of Mice Inoculated with Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Expressing an 18-Kilodalton Outer Membrane Protein ofBrucella abortus
Authors: Vemulapalli Ramesh , Cravero Silvio , Calvert Christine L. , Toth Thomas E. , Sriranganathan Nammalwar , Boyle Stephen M. , Rossetti Osvaldo L. , Schurig Gerhardt G. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTUsing the shuttle vector pMCO2 and the vaccinia virus wild-type WR strain, we constructed a recombinant virus expressing an 18-kDa outer membrane protein ofBrucella abortus. BALB/c mice inoculated with this virus produced 18-kDa protein-specific antibodies, mostly of immunoglobulin G2a isotype, and in vitro stimulation of splenocytes from these mice with purified maltose binding protein–18-kDa protein fusion resulted in lymphocyte proliferation and gamma interferon production. However, these mice were not protected against a challenge with the virulent strainB. abortus2308. Disruption of the 18-kDa protein's gene in vaccine strainB. abortusRB51 did not affect either the strain's protective capabilities or its in vivo attenuation characteristics. These observations suggest that the 18-kDa protein plays no role in protective immunity.
Homocysteine and Laminin Are Not Prognostic Markers in Patients with Septic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Authors: Stoiser B. , Thalhammer F. , El-Menyawi I. , Wilfing A. , Daxböck F. , Locker G. J. , Burgmann H. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to measure plasma homocysteine and laminin concentrations in patients with nonbacteremic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and to compare them with those of a healthy control group. Concerning laminin, significant increased concentrations could be observed in the SIRS group compared to the control group, but for homocysteine, no significance could be observed. In summary, homocysteine and laminin levels are not useful in the prediction of a patient's outcome.
Antibody Responses in Patients with Staphylococcal Septicemia against Two
Staphylococcus aureus
Fibrinogen Binding Proteins: Clumping Factor and an Extracellular Fibrinogen Binding Protein
Authors: Colque-Navarro Patricia , Palma Marco , Söderquist Bo , Flock Jan-Ingmar , Möllby Roland 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the serum antibody responses against two
Staphylococcus aureus
fibrinogen binding proteins, the cell-bound clumping factor (Clf) and an extracellular fibrinogen binding protein (Efb). The material consisted of 105 consecutive serum samples from 41 patients suffering from
S. aureus
septicemia and 72 serum samples from healthy individuals. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. Healthy individuals showed variable levels of antibodies against the studied antigens, and cutoff levels (upper 95th percentile) against these antigens were determined. No correlation was seen between serum antibody levels against Clf and Efb. In acute-phase samples 27% of patients showed positive antibody levels against Clf and 10% showed positive levels against Efb, while in convalescent-phase samples 63% (26 of 41) showed a positive serology against Clf and 49% (20 of 41) showed a positive serology against Efb. Antibody levels against Efb were significantly lower in the acute-phase sera than in sera from healthy individuals (
P
= 0.002). An antibody response against Clf was most frequent in patients suffering from osteitis plus septic arthritis and from endocarditis (80% positive). The antibody response against Efb appeared to develop later in the course of disease. A possible biological effect of measured antibodies was demonstrated with the help of an inhibition ELISA, in which both high-titer and low-titer sera inhibited the binding of bacteria to fibrinogen. In conclusion, we have demonstrated in vivo production of
S. aureus
fibrinogen binding proteins during deep
S. aureus
infections and a possible diagnostic and prophylactic role of the corresponding serum antibodies in such infections.
Immune Response to
Haemophilus parainfluenzae
in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Authors: Mitchell Joanne L. , Hill Susan L. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Haemophilus parainfluenzae
is often isolated from the sputa of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. We have investigated the immune response to this organism in patients with chronic bronchitis (
n
= 3) and bronchiectasis (
n
= 10) and in healthy controls (
n
= 9). Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of
H. parainfluenzae
were purified for use in enzyme-linked immunosorbent and immunoblot assays. Whole-cell
H. parainfluenzae
preparations were used to adsorb antibodies from serum samples, which were subsequently immunoblot assayed to investigate the antibody response to surface-exposed epitopes. Levels of
H. parainfluenzae
-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), but not IgA or IgM, were increased in the sera of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease compared to levels in control subjects. The species specificity of the antibody response was confirmed, although a degree of cross-reactivity with
H. influenzae
antigens was observed. IgA and IgG specific for OMPs of
H. parainfluenzae
were demonstrated to be present in the sputa and sera of five patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Variation in the pattern and intensity of antigen recognition was observed among patients and among immunoglobulin classes. OMPs of approximately 36, 22, and 15 kDa were confirmed to possess epitopes exposed on the surface of intact
H. parainfluenzae
. We have demonstrated the presence of a species-specific systemic immune response to
H. parainfluenzae
in colonized patients. A specific antibody response was also observed in sputum, and the antigen specificity of these responses in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease was investigated for the first time. The presence of a specific immune response suggests that
H. parainfluenzae
may have a pathogenic role in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.
Immunoglobulins in Nasal Secretions of Healthy Humans: Structural Integrity of Secretory Immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) and Occurrence of Neutralizing Antibodies to IgA1 Proteases of Nasal Bacteria
Authors: Kirkeby Line , Rasmussen Trine Tang , Reinholdt Jesper , Kilian Mogens 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTCertain bacteria, including overt pathogens as well as commensals, produce immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases. By cleaving IgA1, including secretory IgA1, in the hinge region, these enzymes may interfere with the barrier functions of mucosal IgA antibodies, as indicated by experiments in vitro. Previous studies have suggested that cleavage of IgA1 in nasal secretions may be associated with the development and perpetuation of atopic disease. To clarify the potential effect of IgA1 protease-producing bacteria in the nasal cavity, we have analyzed immunoglobulin isotypes in nasal secretions of 11 healthy humans, with a focus on IgA, and at the same time have characterized and quantified IgA1 protease-producing bacteria in the nasal flora of the subjects. Samples in the form of nasal wash were collected by using a washing liquid that contained lithium as an internal reference. Dilution factors and, subsequently, concentrations in undiluted secretions could thereby be calculated. IgA, mainly in the secretory form, was found by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to be the dominant isotype in all subjects, and the vast majority of IgA (median, 91%) was of the A1 subclass, corroborating results of previous analyses at the level of immunoglobulin-producing cells. Levels of serum-type immunoglobulins were low, except for four subjects in whom levels of IgG corresponded to 20 to 66% of total IgA. Cumulative levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM in undiluted secretions ranged from 260 to 2,494 (median, 777) μg ml−1. IgA1 protease-producing bacteria (Haemophilus influenzae,Streptococcus pneumoniae, orStreptococcus mitisbiovar 1) were isolated from the nasal cavities of seven subjects at 2.1 × 103to 7.2 × 106CFU per ml of undiluted secretion, corresponding to 0.2 to 99.6% of the flora. Nevertheless, α-chain fragments characteristic of IgA1 protease activity were not detected in secretions from any subject by immunoblotting. Neutralizing antibodies to IgA1 proteases of autologous isolates were detected in secretions from five of the seven subjects but not in those from two subjects harboring IgA1 protease-producingS. mitisbiovar 1. α-chain fragments different from Fcαand Fdαwere detected in some samples, possibly reflecting nonspecific proteolytic activity of microbial or host origin. These results add to previous evidence for a role of secretory immunity in the defense of the nasal mucosa but do not help identify conditions under which bacterial IgA1 proteases may interfere with this defense.
Antibody Responses to Antigenic Sites 1 and 3 of Serotype 3 Poliovirus after Vaccination with Oral Live Attenuated or Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine and after Natural Exposure
Authors: Herremans T. , Reimerink J. H. J. , Kimman T. G. , van der Avoort H. G. A. M. , Koopmans M. P. G. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThree important antigenic sites involved in virus neutralization on polioviruses in mouse experiments have been identified. These sites are located at the surface of the virion and have been designated antigenic sites 1, 2, and 3. In mice, the antibody response to antigenic site 1 of serotype 3 poliovirus is considered to be immunodominant, but little is known about the immunogenicity of these sites in humans. In the present study, we developed inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays specific for antigenic sites 1 and 3 to measure antibody responses to these sites in fully vaccinated inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) (n= 63) and oral live attenuated poliovirus vaccine (OPV) (n= 63) recipients and in naturally infected persons (n= 25). Similar levels of antibodies to site 1 in IPV and OPV vaccinees were detected. However, significantly more OPV recipients (88.7%) had detectable antibodies to antigenic site 3 (P< 0.01) than did IPV-vaccinated persons (63.1%). After an IPV booster vaccination, both previously IPV- and OPV-vaccinated persons responded with a significant increase in antibodies to sites 1 and 3 (P< 0.01). We conclude that the immune response to serotype 3 poliovirus in humans consists of both site 1- and site 3-specific antibodies and that these responses can be induced by either OPV or recent IPV vaccination.
Optimization of the Weck-Cel Collection Method for Quantitation of Cytokines in Mucosal Secretions
Authors: Rohan Lisa Cencia , Edwards Robert P. , Kelly Lori A. , Colenello Kelly A. , Bowman Frederick P. , Crowley-Nowick Peggy A. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT
Measurement of immune components in mucosal secretions is important for the evaluation of local immunity at the mucosal surfaces. The Weck-Cel ophthalmic sponge provides a method for the collection of these secretions. The sponge absorbs a relatively large volume of material, therefore allowing for quantitation of multiple immune components. Additionally, it provides a method in which the same device may be used to collect specimens from different mucosal sites, such as the genital tract and oral cavity. This sampling technique has successfully been applied for collection and measurement of antibody in oral and genital tract secretions. The purpose of this work was to optimize the extraction of protein from the sponge matrix. Of particular interest was the recovery of cytokines from the sponge. Satisfactory recovery of the cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-5, IL-12, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was obtained. However, IL-4 and gamma interferon recovery rates remained low. Using an alteration of the published extraction method, cytokine concentrations were measured in cervical secretions from women using oral contraceptives. The data revealed detectable concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, and IL-12 on cycle days 9 and 20. The proposed technique provides an easy, practical, and consistent method for collection of nonconventional body fluids, such as cervicovaginal fluids and saliva, for the assay of immunoglobulins and several cytokines.
An In Vitro Microbial-Caries Model Used to Study the Efficacy of Antibodies toStreptococcus mutansSurface Proteins in Preventing Dental Caries
Authors: Fontana Margherita , Buller Tiffany L. , Dunipace Ann J. , Stookey George K. , Gregory Richard L. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThe first step for a pathogenic bacterium to initiate infection is via attachment (i.e., through surface determinants) to a suitable receptor. An in vitro microbial artificial-mouth model was used to test the efficacy of polyclonal antibodies toStreptococcus mutanscell surface proteins (CsAb) and a cell surface 59-kDa protein (59Ab) in preventingS. mutanscolonization and carious lesion formation. In study 1, groups of 12 human teeth specimens were inoculated withS. mutans, which were incubated with different concentrations of CsAb (A1 [positive control], sterile saline, no antibody; A2, 0.007 mg of antibody protein/ml; and A3, 0.7 mg of antibody protein/ml) for 1 h at 37°C. The negative control group (B1) was not infected and was incubated with Trypticase soy broth (TSB) without dextrose supplemented with 5% sucrose (TSBS). In study 2, the same study design was used except that 59Ab was used instead of CsAb, normal rabbit serum was used in the positive control group (A1), and TSB supplemented with 1% glucose was used as the nutrient to control for sucrose-dependent colonization. All groups were exposed for 4 days to circulating cycles of TSBS and TSB (study 1 and study 2, respectively; 30 min each, three times per day) and a mineral washing solution (21 h per day). Prior to each nutrient cycle, 1 ml of the appropriate CsAb or 59Ab solution was administered to each group and allowed to mix for 30 min before cycling was resumed. Data obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated the presence of a significantly smaller (P< 0.05) lesion area and a smaller total lesion fluorescence in group A3 than in group A1 for both studies. In study 1, group A2 had significantly smaller values than A1 for lesion depth and area. There were no significant differences between groups A2 and A3 for lesion area or between groups A1 and A2 for total lesion fluorescence. In study 2, there were no significant differences among groups A1 and A2 for lesion depth or between groups A2 and A3 for all of the parameters studied. In both studies, there were no significant differences betweenS. mutansplaque CFU numbers among any of the groups. These studies demonstrated the efficacy of CsAb and 59Ab in reducing primary caries development in this model, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Using an Immunoglobulin E-Based Assay
Authors: Fletcher MaryAnn , Miguez-Burbano Maria J. , Shor-Posner Gail , Lopez Viola , Lai Hong , Baum Marianna K. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT
Immunoglobulin assays that are sensitive and specific for detecting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection are especially important in developing countries where PCR and viral culture may not be readily available. Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is elevated in HIV-1 infection, is the only antibody that does not cross the placenta, making it potentially valuable for viral detection in both children and adults. This study developed an assay for detection of HIV specific IgE antibodies in adults. A total of 170 serum samples from 170 adults (116 HIV positive and 54 HIV negative) were analyzed. Serum or plasma samples were treated by using the protein G affinity method. The HIV status was determined by using two IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and one Western blot evaluation. The IgE enzyme immunoassay test for HIV-1 correctly identified the HIV status in 98.8% of the samples (168 of 170). One false-positive and one false-negative test occurred with the IgE ELISA, as well as with the IgG ELISA test but were correctly identified by the IgE test. Analysis of the data demonstrated a high specificity (99%) and sensitivity (99%) of the IgE test, with 95% confidence intervals. The IgE assay appears to be sensitive and specific, suggesting that IgE-specific antibodies offer an effective method to detect HIV-1 infection in adults.
Validation of Immune-Complex Enzyme Immunoassays for Diagnosis of Pneumococcal Pneumonia among Adults in Kenya
Authors: Scott J. A. G. , Hall A. J. , Leinonen M. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines in protecting against pneumococcal pneumonia can feasibly be measured only with a diagnostic technique that has a high specificity (0.98 to 1.00) and a sensitivity greatly exceeding that of blood cultures (>0.2 to 0.3). In this context immune-complex enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) offer a novel, convenient diagnostic method, and we have investigated three such assays with appropriate study populations in Kenya. Sera from 129 Kenyan adults with pneumococcal pneumonia and 97 ill controls from the same clinics, but without pneumococcal disease syndromes, were assayed with immune-complex EIAs for pneumolysin, C-polysaccharide, and mixed capsular polysaccharides (Pneumovax II). At an optical density (OD) threshold yielding a specificity of 0.95, the sensitivities (95% confidence intervals) of the assays were 0.22 (0.15 to 0.30), 0.26 (0.19 to 0.34), and 0.22 (0.15 to 0.29), respectively. For pneumolysin immune complexes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients had a higher mean OD than HIV-negative patients (639 versus 321;
P
< 0.0001), but stratification by HIV infection status did not alter the performance of this test. Combining the results of all three EIAs did not enhance the diagnostic performances of the individual assays. In Kenyan adults the sensitivities of the immune-complex EIAs could exceed that of blood cultures only at levels of specificity that were insufficient for the performance of vaccine efficacy studies.
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Agent Infection in a Pony Vaccinated with aBorrelia burgdorferiRecombinant OspA Vaccine and Challenged by Exposure to Naturally Infected Ticks
Authors: Chang Yung-Fu , McDonough Sean P. , Chang Chao-Fu , Shin Kwang-Soon , Yen William , Divers Thomas 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTA pony was vaccinated with recombinant OspA vaccine (rOspA) and then exposed 3 months later toBorrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks (Ixodes scapularis) collected in Westchester County, N.Y. At 2 weeks after tick exposure, the pony developed a high fever (105°F). Buffy coat smears showed that 20% of neutrophils contained ehrlichial inclusion bodies (morulae). Flunixin Meglumine (1 g daily) was given for 2 days, and the body temperature returned to normal. PCR for ehrlichial DNA was performed on blood samples for 10 consecutive days beginning when the pony was first febrile. This pony was monitored for another 3.5 months but developed no further clinical signs. The 44-kDa immunodominant human granulocytic ehrlichiosis antigen gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a pCR2.1 vector. DNA sequence analysis of this gene showed it was only 8 bp different (99% identity) from the results reported by others (J.W. Ijdo et al., Infect. Immun. 66:3264–3269, 1998). Western blot analysis, growth inhibition assays, and repeated attempts to isolateB. burgdorferiall demonstrated the pony was protected againstB. burgdorferiinfection. These results highlight the potential for ticks to harbor and transmit several pathogens simultaneously, which further complicates the diagnosis and vaccination of these emerging tick-borne diseases.
Opsonization and Phagocytosis ofPlasmodium falciparumMerozoites Measured by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Kumaratilake Lakshmi M. , Ferrante Antonio 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTA flow cytometric phagocytosis assay was established to investigate the role of anti-merozoite antibody, complement, and cytokines on the phagocytosis ofPlasmodium falciparummerozoites by human neutrophils. This assay involved allowing fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled merozoites to interact with phagocytes and analysis of the cells on a FACScan with Lysis II software. To differentiate the proportion of neutrophil surface-bound merozoites from the merozoites ingested by neutrophils, the fluorescence of bound merozoites was quenched by adding trypan blue. The data showed that sera from malaria-immune individuals in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea promoted merozoite engulfment by neutrophils. The cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin-1β significantly increased the amount and the rate of merozoite phagocytosis by neutrophils. Optimum merozoite phagocytosis occurred when both cytokines and anti-malarial antibody were present.