bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of High Fat Diet on NKT Cell Function and NKT Cell‐mediated Regulation of Th1 Responses
Authors: Miyazaki Y. , Iwabuchi K. , Iwata D. , Miyazaki A. , Kon Y. , Niino M. , Kikuchi S. , Yanagawa Y. , Kaer L. Van , Sasaki H. , Onoé K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDiet is one of the important factors that modulate immune responses. In the present study, we have examined the capacity of dietary lipids to modify immune responses in mice and we have investigated the contribution of glycolipid‐reactive natural killer T (NKT) cells in this process. Mice fed, high fat diet (HFD; 21.2% fat, 0.20% cholesterol) for 3 weeks, as compared with mice fed standard fat diet (SFD; 4.3% fat, 0.03% cholesterol), showed significantly reduced interferon‐γ production in sera at 6 or 12 h after intraperitoneal injection of an NKT cell ligand, α‐galactosylceramide. In contrast, production of interleukin‐13 was significantly higher at 2 and 6 h in HFD fed mice compared with mice on SFD. No difference was detected in the serum interleukin‐4 levels between these two groups of animals. The proportion of NKT cells in spleen and liver was reduced in mice fed HFD compared with those on SFD. In addition, activation of NKT cells assessed by up‐regulation of CD69 was suppressed specifically in liver from mice fed HFD. Recall responses of conventional T cells and delayed‐type hypersensitivity (Th1 type) against ovalbumin were significantly suppressed in mice fed HFD in comparison with those fed SFD. This suppression was not observed in CD1d−/− mice, suggesting that NKT cells in mice fed HFD played a role in suppressing Th1 responses. Taken together, our findings suggest a critical link between NKT cells, dietary lipid and adaptive immune responses.
An Optimized Immunomagnetic Bead‐based Negative Selection Protocol for CD4 T‐cell Isolation from Mouse Lymph Nodes and Spleen
Authors: Kamala T. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis study describes an immunomagnetic bead‐based methodology for optimal purification of mouse CD4+ T cells. It reproducibly yields highly pure CD4+ T cells from mouse lymph nodes (95–99%) and spleen (93–96%) with no residual antigen‐presenting cell (APC) function in the purified population. The recovery of the starting CD4+ T‐cell population is consistently high (>70%) and many samples can be simultaneously processed in a short period of time. The key factors responsible for improved purity are combinations of monoclonal antibodies that were found, through trial and error, to yield T cells of maximal purity achievable by non‐flow sort‐based negative selection. These cocktails efficiently target unwanted cell subsets with antibodies against multiple surface markers expressed by non‐CD4+ T cells. Because immunomagnetic bead‐based protocols do not require the expensive and cumbersome processes required by flow sort‐based purification, the methodology described here should find widespread use.
Synergistic Immune Responses Induced by Endogenous Retrovirus and Herpesvirus Antigens Result in Increased Production of Inflammatory Cytokines in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Brudek T. , Christensen T. , Hansen H. J. , Petersen T. , Møller‐Larsen A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHuman endogenous retroviruses (HERV) and herpesviruses are increasingly associated with the pathogenesis of the neurological inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Herpesviruses are capable of HERV activation and simultaneous presence of HERV and herpesvirus antigens have a synergistic effect on cell‐mediated immune responses, which tend to be higher in MS patients in comparison with healthy individuals. Here, we investigate whether these synergistic immune responses are reflected in changes in the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), we have performed a comparative study between MS patients and healthy controls to investigate the production of interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL) 2, or IL‐10 as well as the balance between Th1 and Th2 responses in supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with HERV and herpes antigen combinations. We have found a significant disproportion in Th1/Th2 responses in PBMCs from MS patients caused by the joint presence of HERV and herpes antigens. The results also showed a significantly higher IFN‐γ production in cells from MS patients; additionally, this production correlated with the synergistic cell proliferations whereas we did not find such a correlation in healthy controls. Our findings suggest that the increased production of IFN‐γ and the induced imbalance in Th1/Th2 responses favouring the inflammatory reactions in MS patients may lead to progression of the disease.
Complement Activation by Neutrophil Granulocytes
Authors: Åsberg A. E. , Mollnes T. E. , Videm V. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractComplement plays a vital role in the body’s defence systems. Cardiopulmonary bypass induces a detrimental inflammatory reaction in which the complement system is known to participate through direct effects as well as through activation of neutrophils, platelets and endothelial cells. On the other hand, it has been suggested that in the setting of cardiopulmonary bypass, complement may be activated by neutrophils, perhaps due to fragmentation caused by the heart–lung machine. We therefore investigated whether intact or fragmented neutrophils were able to activate the complement system, and whether neutrophil–platelet interaction could influence such complement activation. Lepirudin‐anticoagulated plasma was incubated at 37 °C with resting or activated intact neutrophils or neutrophils combined with platelets, or increasing amounts of fragmented neutrophils. Complement activation was evaluated by measurement of C1rs‐C1 inhibitor complexes, C4bc, C3bBbP, C3bc, C5a and sC5b‐9. We found significant activation of complement only by unphysiological doses of fragmented neutrophils or supernatant from fragmented neutrophils, consistent with a limited clinical significance related to neutrophil destruction during cardiopulmonary bypass. Unstimulated neutrophils induced C3bPBb formation but little formation of other activation products, indicating an increased C3 hydrolysis which was kept under control by regulatory mechanisms. Neutrophils and platelets combined increased classical activation and decreased alternative activation, similar to the findings with platelets alone. Our data confirm that in the setting of acute neutrophil fragmentation or activation, complement activation is much more important in the inflammatory network as an event upstream to neutrophil activation than vice versa.
HLA‐A*0201‐restricted Cytotoxic T‐cell Epitopes in Three PE/PPE Family Proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Chaitra M. G. , Shaila M. S. , Chandra N. R. , Nayak R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCD8+ T cells are thought to play an important role in protective immunity against tuberculosis. We report the identification of three peptides derived from Rv1818c, Rv3812 and Rv3018c proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that bound to HLA‐A*0201 molecules and their ability to induce in vitro T‐cell response in peripheral blood lymphocytes from HLA‐A*0201‐positive healthy individuals (PPD+) and patients with TB. The peptide‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generated were capable of recognizing peptide pulsed targets. Three 9‐mer peptides bound with high affinity to HLA‐A*0201 and displayed low dissociation rates of the bound peptide from HLA. Epitope‐specific recognition was demonstrated by the release of perforin and γ‐interferon. Overall, our results demonstrate the presence of HLA class I‐restricted CD8+ CTL against proteins from PE and PPE proteins of M. tuberculosis and identify epitopes that are strongly recognized by HLA‐A*0201‐restricted CD8+ T cells in humans. These epitopes thus represent potential subunit components for the design of vaccines against tuberculosis.
Allele and extended haplotype polymorphism of HLA‐A, ‐C, ‐B, ‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 loci in Polish population and genetic affinities to other populations
Authors: Nowak J. , Mika‐Witkowska R. , Polak M. , Zajko M. , Rogatko‐Koroś M. , Graczyk‐Pol E. , Lange A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A, ‐C, ‐B, ‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 alleles were typed in 200 Polish healthy volunteers recruited for stem cell donor registry, using sequence‐specific primer (SSP) and direct sequencing‐based methods. Enhanced Bayesian approach of expectation maximization algorithm provided by phase platform was used for extended HLA haplotype inferences. The numbers of identified alleles (four‐digit resolution) were 23, 23, 44, 27 and 18 alleles in HLA‐A, ‐C, ‐B, ‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 loci, respectively, of both northern and southern European frequency characteristics. The most frequent extended haplotypes were Cw*0701‐B*0801‐DRB1*0301‐DQB1*0201 and Cw*0702‐B*0702‐DRB1*1501‐DQB1*0602, found in 25 and 23 copies, respectively, in 400 tested chromosomes. The extended haplotype found in the Polish population with higher frequency than in other European population was A*2501‐Cw*1203‐B*1801‐DRB1*1501‐DQB1*0602 (six copies) and especially its class I fragment (14 copies). The neighbour‐joining and correspondence analyses showed Central and northern European genetic affinities of Polish population. In most cases, the observed European allele and haplotype gradients display smooth topography around Polish population. Poles along with Western Slavs have their specific contribution in the demographic history of Europe. Our results will intensify the use of population data in stem cell donor search and can potentially improve current algorithms, facilitating selection of acceptable donors for patients in need of stem cell transplant.
Genetic analysis of autoimmune regulator haplotypes in alopecia areata
Authors: Wengraf D. A. , McDonagh A. J. G. , Lovewell T. R. J. , Vasilopoulos Y. , Macdonald‐Hull S. P. , Cork M. J. , Messenger A. G. , Tazi‐Ahnini R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAlopecia areata is an immune‐mediated disorder, occurring with the highest observed frequency in the rare recessive autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) syndrome caused by mutations of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene on chromosome 21q22.3. We have previously detected association between alopecia areata and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the AIRE gene in patients without APECED, and we now report the findings of an extended examination of the association of alopecia areata with haplotype analysis including six SNPs in the AIRE gene: C‐103T, C4144G, T5238C, G6528A, T7215C and T11787C. In Caucasian groups of 295 patients and 363 controls, we found strong association between the AIRE 7215C allele and AA [P = 3.8 × 10−8, OR (95% CI): 2.69 (1.8–4.0)]. The previously reported association between AA and the AIRE 4144G allele was no longer significant on correction for multiple testing. The AIRE haplotypes CCTGCT and CGTGCC showed a highly significant association with AA [P = 6.05 × 10−6, 9.47 (2.91–30.8) and P = 0.001, 3.51 (1.55–7.95), respectively]. To select the haplotypes most informative for analysis, we tagged the polymorphisms using SNPTag software. Employing AIRE C‐103T, G6528A, T7215C and T11787C as tag SNPs, two haplotypes were associated with AA; AIRE CGCT and AIRE CGCC [P = 3.84 × 10−7, 11.40 (3.53–36.9) and P = 3.94 × 10−4, 2.13 (1.39–3.24) respectively]. The AIRE risk haplotypes identified in this study potentially account for a major component of the genetic risk of developing alopecia areata.
An overview of the GAGE cancer/testis antigen family with the inclusion of newly identified members
Authors: Gjerstorff M. F. , Ditzel H. J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractGAGE cancer/testis antigens are frequently expressed in many different types of cancer, whereas their expression in normal tissues is limited to the germ cells of the immune‐privileged organs, testis and ovary. Thus, GAGE proteins may be attractive candidates for immunotherapy of cancer. This review describes the structure and phylogeny of the GAGE family members and presents a revised nomenclature, which will enable a more clear distinction of genes and gene products. The GAGE gene locus at chromosome X p11.23 consists of at least 16 genes, each of which is located in one of an equal number of highly conserved tandem repeats, and more genes remain to be identified. These genes are likely the creation of unequal replication under positive selection after the divergence of primates from other mammals. The encoded products are predicted to be highly similar small acidic proteins involved in germ cell biology. When expressed in tumor cells, GAGE proteins can elicit both cellular and humoral immune responses, indicating that they are appropriate targets for cancer immunotherapy. The potential use of GAGE proteins in cancer immunotherapy, including possible limitations, is also discussed.
Simple genotyping of functional polymorphisms of the human immunoglobulin G receptors CD16A and CD32A: a reference cell panel
Authors: Vilches C. , Castaño J. , Muñoz P. , Peñalver J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe Fcγ receptors CD16A and CD32A connect the innate and the adaptive immune responses by transmitting activating signals to natural killer lymphocytes and myeloid cells upon recognition of antigen–immunoglobulin G (IgG) complexes. Two allelic dimorphisms of these receptors, valine/phenylalanine‐158 of CD16A and histidine/arginine‐131 of CD32A, modulate their affinity for certain human IgG subclasses. Furthermore, these polymorphisms are clinically relevant because they modify the susceptibility, the clinical course and the response to therapy of several human diseases. Genotyping of CD16A and CD32A alleles, encoded by FCGR3A and FCGR2A, respectively, is complicated by the fact that they both belong to families of highly homologous genes. In this study, we present an original method for genotyping the FCGR3A and FCGR2A dimorphisms based on the technique of polymerase chain reaction with confronting two‐pair primers. The new method simplifies the analysis of FCGR3A and FCGR2A because the two alleles of each gene are detected simultaneously in a single reaction and separated, with no further manipulations, by their different electrophoretic mobilities in regular agarose gels. We also present the CD16A and CD32A genotypes of cells from the Tenth International Histocompatibility Workshop, which can serve as a reference cell panel for investigating the influence of CD16A and CD32A polymorphisms on human health.
Effects of High Temperature on Key Enzymes Involved in Starch and Protein Formation in Grains of Two Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Zhao H. , Dai T. , Jiang D. , Cao W. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHigh temperature is a major determinant of grain growth and yield formation in wheat. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of high temperature regimes on the activities of key regulatory enzymes involved in starch and protein accumulation in grains of two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Yangmai 9 and Xuzhou 26 with different protein contents. Four day/night temperature regimes of 34 °C/22 °C, 32 °C/24 °C, 26 °C/14 °C and 24 °C/16 °C were established after anthesis, resulting in two daily temperature levels of 28 °C and 20 °C and two diurnal temperature differences of 12 °C and 8 °C. The activities of glutamine synthase (GS) in flag leaves and glutamate pyruvic aminotransferase (GPT), sucrose synthase (SS), soluble starch synthase (SSS) and granule‐bound starch synthase (GBSS) in grains were measured during the periods of grain filling. High temperature reduced both content and yield of starch in grains, while enhanced protein content and reduced protein yield in grains. High temperature significantly enhanced the activities of SS and GBSS on 14 days after anthesis (DAA). High temperature affected SSS slightly in Yangmai 9, but reduced SSS activity markedly in Xuzhou 26 on 14 DAA. However, at the middle and late stages of grain filling, high temperature reduced the activities of SS, GBSS and SSS significantly in the two wheat cultivars. High temperature reduced GPT activity in grains in the two wheat cultivars, but reduced GS activity in flag leaves of Yangmai 9 and enhanced GS activity of Xuzhou 26 on 14 DAA. In addition, under the same high temperature level, SS activity was higher at 34 °C/22 °C, whereas the activities of SSS and GBSS were higher at 32 °C/24 °C. Also, diurnal temperature differences affected GPT and GS activities differently between the two cultivars. Under optimum temperature level, the activities of key enzymes for starch and protein synthesis were higher at 26 °C/14 °C. The activities of SS, SSS and GBSS significantly correlated with starch accumulation in grains, except for GBSS activity to starch content on 14 DAA. GPT activity was positively correlated with protein yield, and GS activity was negatively correlated with protein yield on 14 DAA, while the activities of both GPT and GS were negatively related to protein content in grains.
Compensative Effects of Chemical Regulation with Uniconazole on Physiological Damages Caused by Water Deficiency during the Grain Filling Stage of Wheat
Authors: Duan L. , Guan C. , Li J. , Eneji A. E. , Li Z. , Zhai Z. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractChemical regulation using plant growth regulators has proved to be potentially beneficial in water‐saving agriculture. This experiment was conducted with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Jingdong 6’) to study the effect of chemical regulation on alleviation of water deficit stress during the grain filling stage. Uniconazole, a plant growth regulator, was foliar sprayed at 85 % (adequate irrigation) and 60 % (deficit irrigation) field capacity. Results showed that the distribution of 3H‐H2O in roots and flag leaf, characteristics of vascular bundle in primary roots and internode below spike, roots activity, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of flag leaf were negatively affected by deficit irrigation after flowering. Foliar spraying at the early jointing stage with 13.5 gha−1 uniconazole was able to relieve and compensate for the harmful effects of deficit irrigation. Both the area of vascular bundle in primary roots and internode below the ear were increased by uniconazole, while root viability and their ability to absorb and transport water were increased. In the flag leaf, stomatal conductance was reduced to maintain the transpiration rate and water use efficiency (WUE) measured for a single wheat plant was higher. Uniconazole increased WUE by 25.0 % under adequate and 22 % under deficit irrigations. Under adequate irrigations, the 14C‐assimilates export rate from flag leaf in 12 h (E12h) was increased by 65 % and 36 % in early and late filling stages, while under deficit irrigations, the E12h of uniconazole‐treated plants exceeded that of control plants by 5 % and 34 % respectively. Physiological damages caused by water deficiency during the grain filling stage of wheat was alleviated by foliar spraying with uniconazole.
Relationship between Biomass Production and Nitrogen Fixation under Drought‐Stress Conditions in Peanut Genotypes with Different Levels of Drought Resistance
Authors: Pimratch S. , Jogloy S. , Vorasoot N. , Toomsan B. , Patanothai A. , Holbrook C. C. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe relationship between biomass production and N2 fixation under drought‐stress conditions in peanut genotypes with different levels of drought resistance is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drought on biomass production and N2 fixation by evaluating the relative values of these two traits under well watered and water‐stress conditions. Twelve peanut genotypes were tested under field conditions in the dry seasons of 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 in north‐east Thailand. A split‐plot design with four replications was used. Main‐plot treatments were three water regimes [field capacity (FC), 2/3 available soil water (AW) and 1/3 AW], and sub‐plot treatments were 12 peanut lines. Data were recorded on biomass production and N2 fixation under well watered and water‐stress conditions. Genotypic variations in biomass production and N2 fixation were found at all water regimes. Biomass production and N2 fixation decreased with increasing levels of drought stress. Genotypes did not significantly differ in reductions for biomass production, but did differ for reductions in N2 fixation. High biomass production under both mild and severe drought‐stress conditions was due largely to high potential biomass production under well‐watered conditions and, to a lesser extent, the ability to maintain high biomass production under drought‐stress conditions. High N2 fixation under drought stress also was due largely to high N2 fixation under well‐watered conditions with significant but lower contributions from the ability to maintain high nitrogen fixation under drought stress. N2 fixation at FC was not correlated with the reduction in N2 fixation at 2/3 AW and 1/3 AW. Positive relationships between N2 fixed and biomass production of the tested peanut genotypes were found at both levels of drought stress, and the relationship was stronger the more severe the drought stress. These results suggested that the ability to maintain high N2 fixation under drought stress could aid peanut genotypes in maintaining high yield under water‐limited conditions.
Further Evidence for Limited Genetic Diversity among East African Isolates of Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus
Authors: Aritua V. , Barg E. , Adipala E. , Gibson R. W. , Vetten H. J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn Africa, the crinivirus Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) exists in two serologically and genetically distinct strains, geographically distinguished as a West African (SPCSVWA) and an East African (SPCSVEA) strain. To obtain a better understanding of the genetic diversity among SPCSVEA isolates, the major coat protein (CP) and heat shock protein 70 homologue (Hsp70h) gene sequences of 24 further isolates of SPCSVEA were determined and compared. SPCSVEA diversity was also examined using available monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to SPCSVEA but there was no apparent coincidence between CP and partial Hsp70h gene nucleotide sequences and the subdivision of SPCSVEA isolates by the mAbs into two serotypes, suggesting this latter may not be of great biological significance. The nucleotide (nt) sequences of isolates of SPCSVEA displayed a high degree of conservation and the only variation observed consisted of a few base exchanges. Pairwise alignments of CP nucleotide sequences revealed differences of <4% between SPCSVEA isolates. Comparisons with published SPCSV sequences confirmed a more distant relationship (up to 34.6% nt; 12% amino acid divergence) between the Hsp70h sequences of isolates of SPCSVEA and SPCSVWA and indicated that SPCSVEA in East and Southern Africa is the more homogeneous than SPCSVWA isolates from West Africa, North and South America, which were up to 12.4% nt divergent among themselves.