Th2 Polarization (th2 + polarization)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Polymorphisms in the STAT6 gene and their association with carcass traits in feedlot cattle

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2009
G. Rincon
Summary Identification of the genes and polymorphisms underlying quantitative traits, and understanding how these genes and polymorphisms affect economic traits, are important for successful marker-assisted selection and more efficient management strategies in commercial cattle populations. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) gene is tightly connected to IL-4 and IL-13 signalling and plays a key role in TH2 polarization of the immune system. In addition, STAT6 acts as a mediator of leptin signalling and has been associated with body weight regulation. The objective of this study was to determine if SNPs within the bovine STAT6 gene are associated with economically important traits in feedlot cattle. The approach consisted of resequencing STAT6 using a panel of DNA from unrelated animals of different beef breeds. Specifically, 16 kb of STAT6 was resequenced in 47 animals and the process revealed 39 SNPs. From the 39 SNPs, a panel of 15 tag SNPs was genotyped in 1500 beef cattle samples with phenotypes to perform a marker-trait association analysis. Among the 15 tag SNPs, five and six were polymorphic in Bos taurus and Bos indicus respectively. An association analysis was performed between the 15 tag SNPs and 14 performance and production traits. SNP ss115492459:C > A, ss115492461:A > G and ss115492458:G > C were significantly associated with back fat, calculated yield grade, cutability, hot carcass weight, dry matter intake, days on feed, back fat rate and average daily gain. These three SNPs were present in all Bos taurus beef breeds examined. Our results provide evidence that polymorphisms in STAT6 are associated with carcass and growth efficiency traits, and may be used for marker-assisted selection and management in feedlot cattle. [source]


Chitin induces upregulation of B7-H1 on macrophages and inhibits T-cell proliferation

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 10 2010
Claudia J. Wagner
Abstract Chitin is a highly abundant glycopolymer, which serves as structural component in fungi, arthropods and crustaceans but is not synthesized by vertebrates. However, vertebrates express chitinases and chitinase-like proteins, some of which are induced by infection with helminths suggesting that chitinous structures may be targets of the immune system. The chitin-induced modulations of the innate and adaptive immune responses are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that intranasal administration of OVA and chitin resulted in diminished T-cell expansion and Th2 polarization as compared with OVA administration alone. Chitin did not promote nor attenuate Th2 polarization in vitro. Chitin-exposed macrophages inhibited proliferation of CD4+ T cells in a cell,cell contact-dependent manner. Chitin induced upregulation of the inhibitory ligand B7-H1 (PD-L1) on macrophages independently of MyD88, TRIF, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and Stat6. Inhibition of T-cell proliferation was largely dependent on B7-H1, as the effect was not observed in cocultures with cells from B7-H1-deficient mice. [source]


Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (CCL2) in Inflammatory Disease and Adaptive Immunity: Therapeutic Opportunities and Controversies

MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 3-4 2003
CHRISTINE DALY
ABSTRACT Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (CCL2) specifically attracts monocytes and memory T cells. Its expression occurs in a variety of diseases characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration, and there is substantial biological and genetic evidence for its essential role in atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Despite intensive screening, there are as yet no small-molecule antagonists of the receptor of MCP-1/CCL2, CCR2. However, biological agents, including antibodies and inhibitory peptides, have been developed and may be useful for these indications. Recent evidence from genetically modified mice indicates that MCP-1 and CCR2 have unanticipated effects on T helper (Th) cell development. However, unlike the identical phenotypes of MCP-1/CCL2,/, and CCR2,/, mice in inflammatory diseases, the phenotypes of these mice are disparate in adaptive immunity: MCP-1 stimulates Th2 polarization, whereas CCR2 activation stimulates Th1 polarization. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeting the MCP-1/CCL2/CCR2 axis in disease. [source]


Th2 polarization of the immune response of BALB/c mice to Ixodes ricinus instars, importance of several antigens in activation of specific Th2 subpopulations

PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2001
Naceur Mejri
BALB/c mice were infested with Ixodes ricinus larvae, nymphs or adults. Expression of IL-4 and IFN-, mRNA in axillary and brachial draining lymph node cells were measured by competitive quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction 9 days after the beginning of primary-infestation. IL-4 mRNA was always higher than that of IFN-, mRNA for all tick instars. Moreover, IL-4 mRNA expression progressively increased during nymphal primary-infestation with a high burst of expression 7 days after the beginning of infestation. No evolution of IFN-, mRNA expression was detected. Draining lymph node cells of infested BALB/c produced higher level of IL-4 than IFN-, following in vitro restimulation with adult tick saliva, salivary gland extract (SGE) or with five selected different chromatographic fractions of SGE. Anti-tick IgG1 antibodies but no IgG2a were detected in BALB/c pluri-infested with I. ricinus nymphs, which confirmed the Th2 polarization of the immune response. [source]


Peritoneal T Cell Responses Can Be Polarized Toward Th1 or Th2 in Children on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 8 2004
Sabrina Chiesa
Abstract:, Peritoneal T cell responses can be polarized toward Th1 or Th2 in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis. Previous studies on the peritoneal immune system described the presence of activated T lymphocytes in peritoneal effluents from subjects on chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD). Since Th1/Th2 polarized response can influence the outcome of specific infectious diseases, we investigated if activated Th1/Th2 cells can be detected in peritoneal effluents during peritoneal dialysis, in order to better understand the role of T cells in the mechanisms of peritoneal defense. We have studied 8 children (4 males, 4 females, mean age 5.8 ± 5.7 years, range 0.3,13.4) on CPD. Peritoneal cells have been isolated from peritoneal effluents by centrifugation. Immunofluorescent staining of intracellular cytokines for flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the percentage of T cells producing either IFN-, (Th1) or IL-4 (Th2). In the initial study 3 months after CPD initiation, high percentages of IFN-, positive peritoneal T cells (38% and 63%) were detected in two subjects; this finding is consistent with a Th1 polarization of peritoneal T cells. In another subject, high percentages of IL-4 positive T cells (31%) were detected, suggesting a Th2 polarization of peritoneal T cell response. Small amounts of either Th1 or Th2 T cells (2,4%) were also detected in the other subjects. At the 1 year follow-up, Th1 polarization persisted in one subject (18% IFN-, positive peritoneal T cells), in another a shift from Th1 to Th2 was observed, and in the other subject a down regulation of both T cell subsets occurred. The finding that a predominance of T cells producing either IFN-, or IL-4 was found in 3 out of 8 children strongly suggests that peritoneal T cell responses can be polarized toward Th1 or Th2. The decrease of Th1 and/or Th2 polarized T cells in the peritoneum of 4 out of 6 subjects (after 1 year) suggests that CPD can play an immunosuppressive role on T cell peritoneal responses. Further studies are needed in order to define whether different T helper activation patterns are associated with a higher risk of peritoneal infection or of peritoneal damage. [source]


Association of neuropeptides with Th1/Th2 balance and allergic sensitization in children

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 11 2006
G. Herberth
Summary Background Among neurogenic factors, the neuropeptides have an important regulatory influence on immune system activity and may lead to allergic sensitization. Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM) and substance P (SP) on modulation of Th1/Th2 balance and allergic sensitization in children. Methods Within the LISAplus (Life style,Immune system,Allergy) study, blood samples of 321 six-year-old children were analysed for concentration of neuropeptides, Th1 and Th2 cytokines, transcription factors for T cell regulation and suppressors of cytokine signalling. In addition, samples were screened for specific IgE against inhalant and food allergens. Results Children with high SOM values showed a Th2 polarization and a reduced expression of FOXP3, the marker for regulatory T cells. High (VIP) levels correlated inversely with the expression of T cell transcription factors (Tbet and SOCS3). In contrast, elevated levels of SP were associated with reduced GATA3 and SOCS3 expression and with increased IFN-, concentrations. Allergic sensitization was more prevalent in children with higher SOM and VIP concentrations but not associated with SP levels. Conclusion Our data reveal an association between neuropeptides and modulatory effects on immune cells in vivo, especially on Th1/Th2 balance with a correlation to allergic sensitization in children. We suggest that elevated SOM and VIP concentrations and the inducing factors should be considered as allergy risk factors. [source]