TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage with a context and an answer, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.
PROBLEM: Context: Environmental conditions (eg, latitude) play a critical role in the susceptibility and severity of many autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of immune regulatory processes induced in the skin by moderate ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity.', 'Effects of UVB light were analyzed in a murine model of CNS autoimmunity (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis). Additionally, patients with relapsing-remitting MS were treated with narrowband UVB phototherapy. Immunomodulatory effects were examined in skin biopsies, serum samples, and immune cells of the peripheral blood.', 'Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are induced locally in the skin-draining lymph nodes in response to UVB exposure, connect the cutaneous immune response to CNS immunity by migration to the sites of inflammation (blood, spleen, CNS). Here, they attenuate the inflammatory response and ameliorate disease symptoms. Treg-inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) were further necessary for induction of this systemic immune regulation by UVB radiation, because ablation of Langerhans cells abolished the UVB-induced phenotype. MS patients treated with UVB phototherapy showed an increase in induced Tregs and tolerogenic DCs accompanied by the downregulation of the T-cell effector cytokine interleukin 21. The treatment further induced elevated serum levels of vitamin D.
Answer: Local UVB radiation of the skin influences systemic immune reactions and attenuates systemic autoimmunity via the induction of skin-derived tolerogenic DCs and Tregs. Our data could have implications for the understanding or therapeutic modulation of environmental factors that influence immune tolerance.

SOLUTION: Does ultraviolet B light attenuate the systemic immune response in central nervous system autoimmunity?

PROBLEM: Context: To investigate the effect of the X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) B cell defect on the response to the cockroach allergen in mice.', 'Two cockroach allergen immunization and challenge protocols were employed to sensitize CBA/J wild-type and CBA/CaHN-btk(-/-)xid/J (Xid) mice. Blood and tissue samples were collected 24 and 48 hrs after the last intratracheal antigen challenge and were analyzed for several parameters of allergic inflammation.', 'Nearly equivalent amounts of serum IgE were detected in Xid and CBA/J mice after short-term antigen challenge despite the B cell deficiency in Xid mice. A decreased concentration of IgE was detected in CBA/J mice after repeated allergen challenges but not in the Xid mice. Correlating with the discrepancy in serum IgE levels, higher levels of IL-13, IL-5, IL-10 and CCL5 were measured in whole lung homogenates from allergen-challenged Xid mice compared to CBA/J mice. In addition, draining lymph node cells from Xid mice expressed elevated levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFNgamma mRNA compared to cells from CBA/J mice after in vitro culture with cockroach antigen. An increase in lung inflammation, interstitial eosinophilia and mucus production was also observed in allergen-challenged Xid mice. CD95L expression increased on B-1a cells following allergen challenge, which was accompanied by an increase in lung CD4(+) Th cell apoptosis in wild-type CBA/J mice. In contrast, Xid mice did not have an increase in CD4(+) T cell apoptosis following allergen challenge.
Answer: These data suggest a regulatory role for B-1a cells in reducing cytokine production, pulmonary inflammation, and CD4(+) T cell survival during cockroach allergen-induced airway inflammation.

SOLUTION: Does deficiency of regulatory B cells increase allergic airway inflammation?

PROBLEM: Context: Microchimerism may play a part in transfusion complications. The aim of this study was to examine whether establishment of post-transfusion microchimerism was related to leukocyte content.', 'Twenty non-pregnant female patients, without known malignant or immunological diseases, mean age 68 years, receiving 2-4 units of red blood cell concentrates during elective surgery, were included. One or two of the units were from male donors. Ten patients received buffy-coat depleted red blood cell concentrates, leukocyte count 108-109 per unit, and 10 patients received red blood cells leukoreduced by prestorage leukocyte filtration, with a leukocyte count of <106 per unit. EDTA samples were collected in vacuum tubes before and after 1 week and 6 months after transfusion. The tubes were frozen and stored at -400 degrees C. Genomic DNA was isolated and PCR performed using four primer sets amplifying markers on the Y-chromosome.', 'Microchimerism was detected in a total of eight out of the 20 patients. In three patients microchimerism was detected only before transfusion. These patients had given birth to one or two boys each, and had no history of previous transfusion. Two patients receiving buffy-coat depleted red blood cell concentrates and two patients receiving leukoreduced red blood cell concentrates had detectable microchimerism 1 week after transfusion. The age of the transfused red blood cell concentrates was 6, 24, 8 and 7 days, respectively. One patient receiving leukoreduced red blood cell concentrates had detectable microchimerism after 6 months. The age of this concentrate was 22 days.
Answer: This study demonstrates that microchimerism after transfusion does not seem to be dose dependent, and can be induced even by a >3 week old leukoreduced red blood cell concentrate with a very low leukocyte content.

SOLUTION:
Does microchimerism in immune competent patients related to the leukocyte content of transfused red blood cell concentrate?