As shown in Fig. 4c, the P-values determined by two-way anova were both < 0·001. In addition, we analysed the phosphorylation levels of STAT-3 and STAT-1 after rhIL-10 stimulation in six LN patients, seven non-LN patients and seven healthy controls. As shown in Fig. 4d, the phosphorylation levels of STAT-3 after rhIL-10 stimulation in LN patients were significantly lower than in non-LN patients and healthy controls, P < 0·05. Figure 4d also shows the average phosphorylation levels of STAT-3 in the subdivided groups according

to the SLEDAI and LN. Although the patients with selleck simultaneously active SLE and LN disease manifested the lowest phosphorylation levels of STAT-3, the sample number was too small to perform a statistical analysis. There were no

differences in the phosphorylation levels of STAT-3 in newly diagnosed SLE patients, treated patients and healthy controls. For STAT-1, we also observed delayed phosphorylation in SLE patients; however, the phosphorylation levels were similar among controls, active patients, inactive patients, LN patients PD0332991 and non-LN patients. In summary, our data suggest that IL-10 signalling is defective in patients with LN and in active SLE patients. We observed significantly higher plasma IL-6 and lower plasma IL-2 levels in all SLE patients than in healthy controls, but observed similar levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in LN and non-LN patients. Plasma IL-10 levels were significantly higher in LN patients than in controls, but not in non-LN patients. The plasma IFN-γ concentrations of patients and controls were all close to the lowest detection limit of the assay, and were not taken into consideration. The results are displayed in Table 2. There was a negative correlation between plasma IL-10 levels and IL-10R1 levels on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, indicating that IL-10 and its receptor on T cells Tryptophan synthase may have some regulatory effect on each other.

Plasma IL-6 and IL-2 levels were not correlated with IL-10R1 expression. Plasma IL-10, IL-6 and IL-2 levels were not correlated with SLEDAI. SLE is clinically heterogeneous, and individual cytokine patterns will be more or less important to different disease manifestations and subtypes of patients [24]. In this study we investigated the expression and signalling of IL-10R1 in SLE patients to elucidate the role of the IL-10 signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of SLE. We found that the patients with LN expressed lower levels of IL-10R1 on CD4+ cells than controls and non-LN patients. The patients with LN also expressed lower levels of IL-10R1 on CD8+ cells than non-LN patients, but not lower than controls. Moreover, the expression levels of IL-10R1 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were correlated negatively with SLE disease activity.

We also employed immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy analyses with an anti-polyglutamine antibody. The mean sensory nerve action potentials of the SCA3 patients were half of the normal values. The motor conduction velocities were decreased, and the distal latencies were also significantly prolonged in the nerves studied relative to the those in normal controls. Histopathological analyses detected axonal sprouting and myelin thinning in all cases. Ataxin-3 aggregates were found in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells in all of the SCA3 patients examined but not

in control subjects. In addition to the previously reported neuronopathy, the results of the present study phosphatase inhibitor library indicate that Schwann cells are involved in the formation of the pathogenic intracytoplasmic ataxin-3 protein aggregates in patients with SCA3-associated neuropathy. “
“We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of substance P (SP) in the brainstems of 56 subjects aged from 17 gestational weeks to 10 post natal GS-1101 order months, who died of unknown (sudden unexplained fetal deaths and SIDS) and known causes (controls). The goals of this study were: (i) to obtain basic information about the expression of SP during the first phases of human nervous system development; (ii) to evaluate whether there are alterations of this neuromodulator in victims of sudden death; and (iii) to verify any correlation with maternal cigarette smoking. Immunohistochemistry

demonstrated SP immunoreactivity in the caudal trigeminal nucleus area, with a progressive increase in the density of SP-positive fibers of the corresponding tract during normal development from fetal life to the first post natal months. Delineation of the structure of the human trigeminal Amine dehydrogenase nucleus, little investigated so far, provided essential data on its morphologic and functional development. Instead, a negative or low SP expression was detectable in the fibers of this tract in a wide subset of SIDS victims and, conversely, a high SP-expression in a wide subset of sudden fetal

deaths. We postulate, on the basis of these results, that SP has a functional importance in the early phases of central nervous system development and in the regulation of autonomic functions. In addition, the observation of a significant correlation between sudden unexplained death, altered SP staining and maternal smoking leads us to suggest a close relation between the absorption of cigarette smoke in utero and a decreased functional activity of the trigeminal nucleus, that can trigger sudden death of the fetus during pregnancy or of the infant in the first months of life. “
“MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant group of small non-coding RNAs that have been implicated in tumorigenesis. They regulate expression of target genes by complementary base pairing. The purposes of this study were to delineate miR-106b expression in medulloblastoma (MB) and to explore its functional contributions to MB pathogenesis.

Among them, the most significant inhibition was observed in DC-FcγRIIb (Fig. 5B). Similarly, natural IC/Ig pretreatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced TNF-α secretion from the three types of DCs. Among them, the most significant inhibition was observed in DC-FcγRIIb (Fig. 5B). Therefore, the results indicated that DC-FcγRIIb display more potent tolerogenic properties once stimulated with IC/Ig. Since IC could inhibit the maturation of FcγRIIb-overexpressing immature DCs, we further observed the effect of IC on DC-mediated T-cell proliferation. IC-stimulated DCs or GFP-expressing DCs (DC-GFP) significantly induced the proliferation of antigen-specific

T cells; in contrast, IC-stimulated DC-FcγRIIb significantly inhibited the proliferation of antigen-specific T cells (Fig. 6A). Furthermore, IC stimulation could promote DC-FcγRIIb to www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html produce more PGE2 than DCs or DC-GFP (Fig. 6B). Interestingly, the hyporesponsiveness of CD4+ T cells disappeared when IC-stimulated DC-FcγRIIb were pretreated by celecoxib. Addition of exogenous PGE2 together with celecoxib PD-0332991 concentration significantly restored the response of CD4+KJ1.26+ T cells in this system (Fig. 6C). Thus, IC-stimulated DC-FcγRIIb induce T-cell hyporesponsiveness more significantly via more induction of PGE2. Considering that

high level of circulating IC are present in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice, we wondered whether in vivo infusion with DC-FcγRIIb could attenuate lupus progression. We observed that adoptively transferred DCs had a rapid reduction after 2 wk of injection, then decreased slowly, and could be detectable even after 4 wk in B6/lpr mice (Supporting Information Fig. 4). MRL/lpr mice (4-wk-old) were i.p. administered with a single dose of 2×106 DCs, DC-GFP or DC-FcγRIIb respectively. At the age of 12 wk, serum autoantibodies, including ANAs, anti-DNA, and anti-chromatin

histones, were evaluated. MRL/lpr mice that received DC-GFP or DCs had significant increases in serum ANA, anti-dsDNA, Cyclin-dependent kinase 3 anti-ssDNA, anti-chromatin histone 1, 2A and 2B than MRL/lpr mice that received DC-FcγRIIb (Fig. 7A and B). We also measured the levels of Ig subclasses in these mice, however, no significant differences of serum IgG1, IgG2a and IgM were found (data not shown). Thus, infusion with DC-FcγRIIb markedly inhibited production of autoantibodies in MRL/lpr mice. The mortality caused by lupus is a result of renal failure caused by IC deposition. The kidney sections were prepared from MRL/lpr mice at the age of 30 wk for measurement of IC deposition and histological evaluation. MRL/lpr mice received DC-GFP or DCs had obviously IC deposition in the kidneys, whereas MRL/lpr mice received DC-FcγRIIb had minimal IC deposition (Fig. 7C).

The prevalence of IgE sensitisation to A. simplex was 2.0%, 2.2% and 6.6% in blood donors, the unsorted and Phadiatop® positive serum groups respectively. A considerable degree of cross-sensitisation to shrimp and HDM is further suggested. Unspecific binding due to high total IgE or by binding to CCDs seemed to play a minor role. The prevalence of IgE sensitisation to A. simplex appears to be lower in a Norwegian population than in other high fish consuming countries, but might still be overestimated LBH589 chemical structure due to cross-sensitisation.

“
“Macrophages respond to their microenvironment and develop polarized functions critical for orchestrating appropriate inflammatory responses. Classical (M1) activation eliminates pathogens while alternative

(M2) activation promotes regulation and repair. M1 macrophage activation is strongly associated with suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) expression in vitro, but the functional consequences of this are unclear and the role of SOCS3 in M1-macrophage polarization in vivo remains controversial. To address these questions, we defined the characteristics and function of SOCS3-expressing macrophages in vivo and identified potential mechanisms of SOCS3 action. Macrophages infiltrating inflamed glomeruli in a TAM Receptor inhibitor model of acute nephritis show significant up-regulation of SOCS3 that co-localizes with the M1-activation marker, inducible nitric oxide synthase. Numbers of SOCS3hi-expressing, but not SOCS1hi-expressing, macrophages correlate strongly with the severity of renal injury, supporting Dichloromethane dehalogenase their inflammatory role in vivo. Adoptive transfer of SOCS3-short interfering RNA-silenced macrophages into a peritonitis model demonstrated the importance of SOCS3 in driving production

of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and nitric oxide, while curtailing expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and SOCS1. SOCS3-induced pro-inflammatory effects were due, at least in part, to its role in controlling activation and nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor-κB and activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. We show for the first time that SOCS3 also directs the functions of human monocyte-derived macrophages, including efficient M1-induced cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, IL-12), attenuated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activity and ability of antigen-loaded macrophages to drive T-cell responses. Hence, M1-associated SOCS3 was a positive regulator of pro-inflammatory responses in our rodent models and up-regulated SOCS3 is essential for effective M1-macrophage activation and function in human macrophages. “
“Collectins contribute to host defence through interactions with glycoconjugates on pathogen surfaces.

However, these purification techniques can lead to a loss of specific subsets or result in some activation due to the reagents used and hence introduce artefacts. Recently, a whole blood (WB) stimulation

assay was developed to study TLR-mediated activation of human peripheral blood DC [29]. Subsequent staining with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to discriminate the pDC and mDC subsets in combination with either CD83, CD80 maturation markers or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-12, IFN-α intracellular cytokines allowed for simultaneous Dabrafenib purchase analysis of the response in these defined subsets upon stimulation [29]. In this study we performed this assay to study DC function in peripheral blood of rhesus macaques in a direct comparison with whole blood samples of human volunteers. Surprisingly, we observed that pDC in macaques express IL-12p40 upon TLR-7/8 stimulation, in contrast to human pDC exposed to the same ligand. Similar results were obtained following TLR-9 [cytosine–phosphate–guanosine (CpG-C)] stimulation, while TLR-4 [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] did not induce IL-12p40 expression in pDC, in agreement with reported TLR

expression profiles [25]. Induction of IL-12p40 expression was confirmed further by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using purified fluorescence activated cell sorted (FACS) pDC. Our results show that in rhesus macaques pDC in peripheral blood express

Ku-0059436 in vivo IL-12p40 upon TLR-7/8 and TLR-9 stimulation, which could potentially affect their response to vaccination and viral infection. This study was performed in mature captive-bred Indian origin rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) that were housed at the Biomedical Primate Research Center, Rijswijk, the Netherlands. All procedures were in accordance with the Smoothened international guidelines for non-human primate care and use (The European Council Directive 2010/63/EU and Convention ETS 123, including the revised Appendix A). The Institutional Animals Care and Use Committee (DEC-BPRC) approved the study protocols developed according to strict international ethical and scientific standards and guidelines. Human peripheral blood was obtained from informed healthy volunteer donors via the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Bank. The following mAb were used; CD20V450 (clone L27), CD45V500 (clone TU116), CD3FITC (clone SP34), CD16FITC (clone 3G8), CD80PE (clone L307·4), anti-IL12p40/70PE (clone C11·5), anti-TNF-αPE (clone Mab11), CD123PerCP-Cy5 (clone 7G3), CD11cAPC (clone S-HCL3), anti-TNF-αPE-Cy7 (clone Mab11) and HLA-DRAPC-CY7 (clone L243), all from Becton Dickinson (San Jose, CA, USA), CD8FITC (clone DK25; Dako, Glostrup, Denmark), CD14PE-TxRed (clone RM052; Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA), IL-12p40/70PE (clone C8·6; Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) and CD83PE (clone HB15a; Beckman Coulter).

aureus produced amplimers of the expected molecular weight, for both the GAPDH and the hutH genes (Fig. 1). When no RT enzyme was added, the only reactions selleck screening library that produced amplimers were the non-DNase controls. The absence of amplimers from the DNase-treated clinical specimens when reverse transcriptase

was omitted, together with positive RT-PCR results from DNase-treated clinical specimens, demonstrated that S. aureus mRNA was present and that (ipso facto) the cells of this organism were intact and viable when sampled. These results directly confirm the Ibis observation of S. aureus DNA in these samples. After immersion in agar media, colonies grew out all around the tibial component, suggesting that the infection was not localized to a particular site on the hardware. There were approximately 1000 CFU in total. The colonies were initially grossly indistinguishable, but streaking on sheep blood agar revealed a hemolytic and a nonhemolytic colony type. The hemolytic organism was subsequently identified MLN0128 cost as MRSA by culture, and DiversiLab fingerprinting found that this strain had a >91.0% (data from four colonies) similarity to strain MRSA 25 and >95.0% similarity to USA100. MRSA

was also recovered from the intraoperative sample by routine clinical microbiology diagnostics and DiversiLab confirmed that both strains were the same (similarity>99%) The nonhemolytic strain was identified as methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (S. epidermidis), corroborating

the Ibis data. Subsequent direct PCR assay for S. epidermidis nucleic acids in tissue specimens [using primers Sepi1216/Sepi1684 (Stoodley et al., 2005)] confirmed that S. epidermidis was also a likely participant in this infection. Live/Dead viability staining revealed the presence of ‘live’ (based on cell wall permeability) cocci ranging from single cells to aggregates of biofilm clusters on the reactive tissue, the outside edge of the talar Avelestat (AZD9668) component, and the polyethylene surface that ‘mated’ with the metal tibial component (Fig. 2). The largest clusters were approximately 80 μm in diameter, up to 20 μm in thickness, and contained on the order of a hundred bacterial cells. The cell clusters were surrounded by large amounts of extracellular polymeric substance. The distribution of the biofilm was patchy, however, and in some places, consisted of only a sparse distribution of single cells, while some areas were altogether devoid of cells. It is also likely, however, that some adherent bacteria were detached by the force typically required to explant a prosthesis. FISH revealed that the majority of the cocci were S. aureus; however, other rare cocci were observed (Fig. 3), consistent with the concomitant, but relatively minor presence of S. epidermidis already noted by Ibis, although the presence of dead cocci could not be ruled out by the Syto59 stain alone.

Plates were incubated at the following temperatures: 15 °C, 21 °C, 27 °C, 30 °C, 36 °C, 40 °C, and 45 °C in the dark. Diameters were measured twice a day for 3 days. The growth rate, measured in millimeters

per hour, was calculated for each strain and each temperature. In order to test a possible connection between the identified taxon and its ecology and geographic distribution our results were evaluated by a Chi-square test available online (http://math.hws.edu/javamath/ryan/ChiSquare.html) with one degree freedom (df = 1). check details Alpha level of significance was considered as 0.05 from 2 × 2 contingency table. Values higher than P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant and the null hypotheses were rejected. Strains CBS 346.36 (+; arrhizus) and CBS 127.08 (−; arrhizus) according to Schipper [15] and CBS 128.08 (+; arrhizus), CBS 372.63 (−; arrhizus), CBS 111718 (+; arrhizus) and CBS 389.34 (+; delemar) were chosen as tester strains. Each of these tester strains was contrasted with a high number of strains (CBS 127.08 with 48 strains, Antiinfection Compound Library solubility dmso CBS 128.08 with 12 strains, CBS 346.36 with 48 strains, CBS 372.63 with 42 strains, CBS 389.34 with 16 strains, and CBS 111718 with 12 strains)

belonging to arrhizus (28 strains in total) and delemar (23 strains in total) and including the ex-type of R. delemar CBS 120.12. Numerous conditions were tried to obtain zygospores: (i) contrasts were inoculated with small blocks of mycelium in about 5 mm distance on MEA and yeast extract medium (YEA) according to Schipper, [15] i.e. containing

4 g yeast extract (Bacto, Le Pont de Claix, France), 10 g malt extract (Oxoid), 4 g glucose (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), and 15 g agar (Bacto) per litre (pH = 7.3). Cultures were incubated at 30 °C and checked Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II for zygospores after 3 and 10 days. (ii) Contrasts were incubated on the same medium and at the same temperature but in 12 h light/12 h darkness intervals for 10 days. (iii) Pre-cultures were grown on synthetic nutrient agar’ (SNA)[29] in culture plates at room temperature. Sporangiospore suspensions were prepared from these cultures by adding roughly 2 mL of sterile distilled water and by sucking the water several times into a pipette. One or two drops of the suspension were placed at a distance of approximately 1 to 2 cm from the drop(s) of the second strain on YEA media and incubated at 30 °C in the dark for 3 weeks. (iv) Sporangiospores were collected from stripes of sterile filter paper and kept in the fridge for 1 week. Then the spores were suspended in 2 mL of sterile distilled water and the spore suspension was used to inoculated the contrasts on YEA that were kept at 30 °C in the dark for 3 weeks.

In agreement with this, IL-1β-secretion by modified tumor cells leads to the enhanced accumulation of splenic MDSC that potently suppress T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion 10–12, 16. MDSC enhance tumor growth by several mechanisms including the suppression of the anti-tumor immune response. Mechanisms involving ROS, NO, L-arginine metabolism, nitrotyrosine, secretion of IL-10 and sequestration of cystine/cysteine 14, 16, 17 are involved in mediating

the suppression of T cells, while TGF-β1 is involved in the suppression of NK cells 18. Notably, the expression of ROS by MDSC Ku-0059436 solubility dmso has been correlated with the level of tumor-secreted IL-1β 11. Recent attention focused on the identification of tumor-associated MDSC subpopulations in different tumor models leading to the identification of a granulocytic polymorphonuclear www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html neutrophil leukocyte (PMN-MDSC) subset as Ly6GhighLy6C+SCChigh and a mononuclear subset characterized as Ly6G−Ly6ChighSCClow (Mon-MDSC 11, 19, 20. Data from Bronte’s group suggest that the immunosuppressive

potential of MDSC cell subsets is sensitive to tumor-derived cytokines such as GM-CSF 21. Together, these studies underscore the heterogeneity within the MDSC-pool with regard to their phenotype and immunosuppressive capacities and that the composition of this pool appears to be dynamically regulated by the tumor microenvironment. NK cells play a major role in tumor immunosurveillance 22, 23. The selleck chemical majority of NK cells are generated in the

bone marrow and after maturation seed peripheral organs. In mice, mature NK cells are defined as CD3−NKp46+ cells expressing CD49b (DX5), CD122 (IL-2 receptor β), NKG2D and Ly49 molecules. CD27, CD11b and KLRG-1 expression divides peripheral NK cells into subsets and available data suggest that cells expressing only CD27+ to be less differentiated than CD27+CD11b+ NK cells, and cells expressing CD11b and KLRG1, but not CD27, may represent the most differentiated NK cells (reviewed in 24, 25). Patients with diverse types of cancer (such as myelogenous leukemia and lung carcinoma) present with NK cell defects, including reduced NK cell numbers, reduced NK cell activity or reduced expression of activating receptors by NK cells 26, 27. Although clinical studies and reports using mouse tumor models have described MDSC suppressing NK cell activities 18, 28, 29, the role of specific MDSC subsets on NK cell suppression remains unclear. In this study, we identify a novel subset of MDSC induced by IL-1β, which lack Ly6C expression and demonstrate enhanced capacity to inhibit NK cell function in vitro and in vivo.

B6Idd3 mice (data not shown). Differences in the proliferative status of CD62Lhi- versus CD62Llo-expressing find more FoxP3+Tregs could explain

the distinct FoxP3+Tregs profiles seen in the islets of NOD and NOD.B6Idd3 mice. To investigate this possibility, proliferation of CD62LhiCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ and CD62LloCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells was assessed via Ki67 staining in the islets of 12-wk-old NOD and NOD.B6Idd3 female mice. Regardless of the genotype, the frequency of proliferating CD62LloCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells was elevated relative to CD62LhiCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells (Fig. 4B). Importantly, however, the frequency of proliferating CD62LhiCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells (Fig. 4B) and the ratio of Ki67-staining CD62LhiCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ to CD62LloCD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells (Fig. 4C) were increased in the islets of NOD.B6Idd3 versus NOD female mice.

Together, these results indicate that within the pool of FoxP3+Tregs a significant shift from CD62LhiFoxP3+Tregs to CD62LloFoxP3+Tregs occurs in the PaLN and islets of NOD but to a lesser extent in NOD.B6Idd3 female mice, which correlates with a decreased proliferative status of CD62LhiFoxP3+Tregs in NOD NOD.B6Idd3 mice. Elevated numbers of CD62LhiFoxP3+Tregs in NOD.B6Idd3 mice would be expected to enhance suppression of pathogenic T effectors in the respective tissues. Indeed, at 16 wk of age the frequency of insulitis is reduced in 16-wk-old NOD.B6Idd3 versus NOD female mice (Fig. 1B). Consistent with the latter, the ratio of CD62LhiFoxP3+Tregs versus IFN-γ-secreting https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html CD4+ T cells in the islets and PaLN was significantly increased in 16-wk-old NOD.B6Idd3 versus NOD female mice (Fig. 5A). The overall frequency of proliferating T cells was reduced in the islets of 16-wk-old NOD.B6Idd3 versus NOD female mice (Fig. 5B). To directly

assess the in vivo suppressor activity of NOD and NOD.B6Idd3 FoxP3+Tregs, co-adoptive transfer experiments were carried out. CD4+CD25+ Sirolimus solubility dmso T cells were prepared from PaLN of 16-wk-old NOD.B6Idd3 or NOD female mice, co-injected with splenocytes from diabetic NOD donors into NOD.scid mice, and diabetes monitored. Importantly, the frequency of FoxP3-expressing cells in the pool of sorted CD4+CD25+ T cells was similar between NOD and NOD.B6Idd3 donors (72±5% and 75±3, respectively; average of 3 separate experiments). As expected all NOD.scid mice receiving diabetogenic splenocytes alone developed diabetes (Fig. 5C). Similarly, the entire group of NOD.scid mice injected with a mixture of diabetogenic splenocytes plus NOD CD4+CD25+ T cells developed diabetes albeit with delayed kinetics (Fig. 5C). In contrast, NOD.scid mice receiving NOD.B6Idd3 CD4+CD25+ T cells plus diabetogenic splenocytes exhibited a significantly delayed onset and reduced frequency of diabetes relative to recipients of the cell mixture containing NOD CD4+CD25+ T cells (Fig. 5C).

19 In conclusion, our data support a role for LAMP-2 in the MHC class II-mediated presentation of exogenous antigens and peptides in human B

cells. Peptide-binding to MHC class II on LAMP-2-deficient B cells was reduced at the cell surface yet could be restored by incubation at acidic pH. Restoration of MHC class II function in Danon B-LCL upon incubation at low pH buffer may facilitate the removal of endogenous ligands from the peptide-binding groove of MHC class II molecules or stabilize class II molecules in a conformation more receptive to peptide loading. Efficient loading of exogenous epitopes by MHC class II molecules is therefore dependent upon LAMP-2 expression in B cells. LAMP-2-deficient B cells displayed slightly selleck kinase inhibitor enhanced presentation of an ITF2357 solubility dmso epitope derived from an endogenous transmembrane protein suggesting that LAMP-2 may control the overall repertoire of peptides displayed by MHC class II molecules on B cells and subsequently, CD4+ T-cell activation. This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health to V.L.C (T32DK007519) and J.S.B. (AI49589), from the Melanoma Research Foundation to V.L.C., and from the American Heart Association to D.Z. The authors have no financial conflict of interest. “
“German

Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany Dysregulation of apoptosis caused by an imbalance of pro- and anti-apoptotic protein expression can lead to cancer, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune diseases. Cellular-FLIP (c-FLIP) proteins inhibit apoptosis directly at the death-inducing signaling

complex of death receptors, such as CD95, and have been linked to apoptosis regulation during immune responses. While the isoforms c-FLIPL and c-FLIPS are well characterized, the function of c-FLIPR remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate the induction of endogenous murine c-FLIPR in activated lymphocytes for the first time. To analyze c-FLIPR function in vivo, we generated transgenic mice expressing murine c-FLIPR specifically in hematopoietic cells. As expected, lymphocytes from c-FLIPR transgenic Aspartate mice were protected against CD95-induced apoptosis in vitro. In the steady state, transgenic mice had normal cell numbers and unaltered frequencies of B cells and T-cell subsets in lymphoid organs. However, when challenged with Listeria monocytogenes, c-FLIPR transgenic mice showed less liver necrosis and better bacterial clearance compared with infected wild-type mice. We conclude that c-FLIPR expression in hematopoietic cells supports an efficient immune response against bacterial infections. CD95 (Fas/APO-1)-induced apoptosis is an essential control mechanism of the immune system that protects the host against cancer and autoimmunity [1]. CD95 is a transmembrane receptor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily [2].