title: First demonstration of antigen induced cytokine expression by CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes in a poikilotherm: Studies in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

authors: Yoon, Sohye

abstract: Adaptive immunity in homeotherms depends greatly on CD4+ Th cells which release cytokines in response to specific antigen stimulation. Whilst bony fish and poikilothermic tetrapods possess cells that express TcR and CD4-related genes (that exist in two forms in teleost fish; termed CD4-1 and CD4-2), to date there is no unequivocal demonstration that cells equivalent to Th exist. Thus, in this study we determined whether CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes can express cytokines typical of Th cells following antigen specific stimulation, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Initially, we analyzed the CD4 locus in zebrafish and found three CD4 homologues, a CD4-1 molecule and two CD4-2 molecules. The zfCD4-1 and zfCD4-2 transcripts were detected in immune organs and were most highly expressed in lymphocytes. A polyclonal antibody to zfCD4-1 was developed and used with an antibody to ZAP70 and revealed double positive cells by immunohistochemistry, and in the Mycobacterium marinum disease model CD4-1⁺ cells were apparent surrounding the granulomas typical of the infection. Next a prime-boost experiment, using human gamma globulin as antigen, was performed and revealed for the first time in fish that zfCD4-1⁺ lymphocytes increase the expression of cytokines and master transcription factors relevant to Th1/Th2- type responses as a consequence of boosting with specific antigen.

text: First demonstration of antigen induced cytokine expression by CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes in a poikilotherm: Studies in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Adaptive immunity in homeotherms depends greatly on CD4+ Th cells which release cytokines in response to specific antigen stimulation. Whilst bony fish and poikilothermic tetrapods possess cells that express TcR and CD4-related genes (that exist in two forms in teleost fish; termed CD4-1 and CD4-2), to date there is no unequivocal demonstration that cells equivalent to Th exist. Thus, in this study we determined whether CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes can express cytokines typical of Th cells following antigen specific stimulation, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Initially, we analyzed the CD4 locus in zebrafish and found three CD4 homologues, a CD4-1 molecule and two CD4-2 molecules. The zfCD4-1 and zfCD4-2 transcripts were detected in immune organs and were most highly expressed in lymphocytes. A polyclonal antibody to zfCD4-1 was developed and used with an antibody to ZAP70 and revealed double positive cells by immunohistochemistry, and in the Mycobacterium marinum disease model CD4-1⁺ cells were apparent surrounding the granulomas typical of the infection. Next a prime-boost experiment, using human gamma globulin as antigen, was performed and revealed for the first time in fish that zfCD4-1⁺ lymphocytes increase the expression of cytokines and master transcription factors relevant to Th1/Th2- type responses as a consequence of boosting with specific antigen.

year: 2015-06-17

title: Resilience in Practice

authors: White, Iain

abstract: What is our research focus? -Many ‘pathways’ to resilience in practice –some deficit related (e.g. science, data, policy, or examples), others require systemic change and innovation –this is what we are interested in.
There is also a plurality of resilience ‘problems’-some do not fit politics, institutions and professional cultures as well as others –these difficult decisions are what we are interested in. Complement other RPM work.
What is our intellectual Focus?–Science & Technology Studies(STS). A relatively newish field, it is focused on analysingthe ways that social contexts (e.g. legal, governmental, political, commercial, civil, cultural) produce, mediate, and co-constitute scientific knowledge. Shift away from ‘barriers’ or ‘translation’ approaches.

text: Resilience in Practice What is our research focus? -Many ‘pathways’ to resilience in practice –some deficit related (e.g. science, data, policy, or examples), others require systemic change and innovation –this is what we are interested in.
There is also a plurality of resilience ‘problems’-some do not fit politics, institutions and professional cultures as well as others –these difficult decisions are what we are interested in. Complement other RPM work.
What is our intellectual Focus?–Science & Technology Studies(STS). A relatively newish field, it is focused on analysingthe ways that social contexts (e.g. legal, governmental, political, commercial, civil, cultural) produce, mediate, and co-constitute scientific knowledge. Shift away from ‘barriers’ or ‘translation’ approaches.

year: 2019

title: Research note: Empirical analysis of ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand

authors: Cochrane, William

abstract: This research note explores the factors contributing to ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand. The emphasis here is on description, as a causal analysis is beyond the capability of the methods used. The gaps between the average (as well as median) hourly wages for the European workforce relative to Māori and Pacific workers are substantial. A statistical analysis by Treasury in 2018 also showed that the ratio in average hourly wages (based on published survey estimates by Stats NZ) for both ethnic groups relative to European had stayed at a similar level for the last decade; as they state “there has been movement from year to year but no consistent upward or downward trend” (Treasury, 2018, p.1).

text: Research note: Empirical analysis of ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand This research note explores the factors contributing to ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand. The emphasis here is on description, as a causal analysis is beyond the capability of the methods used. The gaps between the average (as well as median) hourly wages for the European workforce relative to Māori and Pacific workers are substantial. A statistical analysis by Treasury in 2018 also showed that the ratio in average hourly wages (based on published survey estimates by Stats NZ) for both ethnic groups relative to European had stayed at a similar level for the last decade; as they state “there has been movement from year to year but no consistent upward or downward trend” (Treasury, 2018, p.1).

year: 2023-10-19