EVOLUTION, Issue 11 2009
Michael Simone
Diverse animals have evolved an ability to collect antimicrobial compounds from the environment as a means of reducing infection risk. Honey bees battle an extensive assemblage of pathogens with both individual and "social" defenses. We determined if the collection of resins, complex plant secretions with diverse antimicrobial properties, acts as a colony-level immune defense by honey bees. Exposure to extracts from two sources of honey bee propolis (a mixture of resins and wax) led to a significantly lowered expression of two honey bee immune-related genes (hymenoptaecin and AmEater in Brazilian and Minnesota propolis, respectively) and to lowered bacterial loads in the Minnesota (MN) propolis treated colonies. Differences in immune expression were also found across age groups (third-instar larvae, 1-day-old and 7-day-old adults) irrespective of resin treatment. The finding that resins within the nest decrease investment in immune function of 7-day-old bees may have implications for colony health and productivity. This is the first direct evidence that the honey bee nest environment affects immune-gene expression. [source]

CIVILIAN IMMUNITY IN WAR

PHILOSOPHICAL FORUM, Issue 1 2005
IGOR PRIMORATZ
First page of article [source]

Joseph P. Bradley's Journey: The Meaning of Privileges and Immunities

JOURNAL OF SUPREME COURT HISTORY, Issue 2 2009
CHRISTOPHER WALDREP
Justice Joseph P. Bradley of New Jersey will forever be remembered as the judge who in 1883 cruelly scorned black rights in the Civil Rights Cases.1 Yet Bradley's position that year marked the end of a journey that had started in a quite different place. Thirteen years before, when he first joined the Court, Bradley had read Fourteenth Amendment protections of citizens' rights expansively, believing that "it is possible that those who framed the [Fourteenth Amendment] were not themselves aware of the far reaching character of its terms." In 1870 and 1871, Bradley wrote that the Fourteenth Amendment's Privileges and Immunities Clause reached "social evils , never before prohibited" and represented a commitment to "fundamental" or "sacred" rights of citizenship that stood outside the political process and "cannot be abridged by any state."2 By 1883, however, Bradley had turned away from such views. In the Civil Rights Cases, he wrote that nothing in the Thirteenth or Fourteenth Amendments countenanced a law against segregation. Blacks, he said, must take "the rank of mere citizen" and cease "to be the special favorite of the laws."3 [source]

P04 Inflammation, Host response, Immunity, Animal Models, and Vaccines

HELICOBACTER, Issue 4 2009
Article first published online: 23 JUL 200
First page of article [source]

Harnessing human dendritic cell subsets for medicine

IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2010
Hideki Ueno
Summary:, Immunity results from a complex interplay between the antigen-non-specific innate immune system and the antigen-specific adaptive immune system. The cells and molecules of the innate system employ non-clonal recognition receptors including lectins, Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, and helicases. B and T lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system employ clonal receptors recognizing antigens or their derived peptides in a highly specific manner. An essential link between innate and adaptive immunity is provided by dendritic cells (DCs). DCs can induce such contrasting states as immunity and tolerance. The recent years have brought a wealth of information on the biology of DCs revealing the complexity of this cell system. Indeed, DC plasticity and subsets are prominent determinants of the type and quality of elicited immune responses. In this article, we summarize our recent studies aimed at a better understanding of the DC system to unravel the pathophysiology of human diseases and design novel human vaccines. [source]

Interleukin-13 in the skin and interferon-, in the liver are key players in immune protection in human schistosomiasis

IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2004
Alain Dessein
Summary:, Immunity against schistosomes includes anti-infection immunity, which is mainly active against invading larvae in the skin, and anti-disease immunity, which controls abnormal fibrosis in tissues invaded by schistosome eggs. Anti-infection immunity is T-helper 2 (Th2) cell-dependent and is controlled by a major genetic locus that is located near the Th2 cytokine locus on chromosome 5q31-q33. Mutations in the gene encoding interleukin (IL)-13 that decrease or increase IL-13 production account, at least in part, for that genetic control. In contrast, protection against hepatic fibrosis is dependent on interferon (IFN)-, and is controlled by a major genetic locus that is located on 6q23, near the gene encoding the IFN-, receptor , chain. Mutations that modulate IFN-, gene transcription are associated with different susceptibility to disease. These data indicate that IL-13 in the skin and IFN-, in the liver are key players in protective immunity against schistosomes. These roles relate to the high anti-fibrogenic activities of IFN-, and to the unique ability of IL-13 in Th2 priming in the skin and in the mobilization of eosinophils in tissues. The coexistence of strong IFN-, and IL-13-mediated immune responses in the same subject may involve the compartmentalization of the anti-schistosome immune response between the skin and the liver. [source]

Regulation, FoxP3, Suppression and Immunity

IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Daniel M. Altmann
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection in Southern Africa: Prevalence, Immunity, and Vaccine Prospects

IUBMB LIFE, Issue 4-5 2002
Anna-Lise Williamson
Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers are more prevalent in developing countries compared to developed countries. The major cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer. The humoral immune response to HPV can be a marker of past infection but may also reflect persistent infection and cervical disease. IgA antibodies to HPV in oral fluid were also found to be markers of cervical disease. Cell mediated immunity is important in clearing HPV infection and for regression of the associated lesions: this means that women infected with HIV have a high prevalence of co-infection with HPV. Good cervical screening programmes can control HPV associated cervical neoplasia. However, in countries such as South Africa, where these programmes are inadequate, there is a need for an HPV vaccine. The development of HPV vaccines is reviewed. There is a call for an inexpensive vaccine that will be accessible to the women that do not have access to adequate screening programmes and are therefore at the greatest risk of cervical cancer. [source]

Carotenoid and protein supplementation have differential effects on pheasant ornamentation and immunity

JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
H. G. SMITH
Abstract A currently popular hypothesis states that the expression of carotenoid-dependent sexual ornaments and immune function may be correlated because both traits are positively affected by carotenoids. However, such a correlation may arise for another reason: it is well known that immune function is dependent on nutritional condition. A recent study has suggested that the expression of ornaments may too depend on nutritional condition, as males in good nutritional condition are better at assimilating and/or modulating carotenoids. Thus, carotenoid-dependent ornaments and immune function may be correlated because both are dependent on nutritional condition. To elucidate if, and how, ornamentation and immune function are linked, pheasant diets were supplemented with carotenoid and/or protein in a fully factorial experiment. Carotenoid treatment affected wattle coloration and tail growth, but not cellular or humoral immunity. Immunity was unrelated to males' initial ornamentation including wattle colour. Males in better body condition, measured as residual mass, increased their wattle coloration more when carotenoid supplemented. Protein positively affected humoral but not cellular immunity, but had no effect on ornaments. Cellular, but not humoral, immunity increased with male body condition. Thus, there was no evidence that an immune-stimulatory effect of carotenoids resulted in wattle coloration honestly signalling immune function, but wattle coloration may still signal male body condition. [source]

In-vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer and Cellular Immunity: Study on Cytokines and T Lymphocyte subpopulations in IVF-ET Cycles

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2002
Mitsutaka Murakami
Objectives: To determine whether peripheral T lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokines change during in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles and to evaluate them with regard to pregnancy status and types of infertility. Methods: Peripheral T lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokines in 33 consecutive cycles of IVF-ET were examined. All the women were stimulated with purified FSH and hCG after pituitary suppression with GnRH agonist. Peripheral blood samples were collected before FSH administration, on the day of hCG administration, the day of ET (day 2), day 6 and day 15. We measured plasma estradiol and progesterone levels and plasma interferon-,, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10 and IL-12 levels. Peripheral T lymphocyte subpopulations, T helper type 1 and 2 cells (Th1 and Th2) and T cytotoxic type 1 and 2 cells (Tc1 and Tc2), were analyzed with three-color flowcytometry. Results: There were no changes in the plasma levels of the cytokines or in the proportions of Th1 and Th2 and the proportions of Tc1 and Tc2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes during the IVF-ET cycles. In women with endometriosis, the ratios of Tc1 to CD8+ lymphocytes and the Tc1 to Tc2 ratios before FSH administration were much higher than in women without endometriosis. The ratios of Tc1 to CD8+ lymphocytes were significantly lower in the patients with endometriosis who became pregnant. Conclusions: Peripheral cellular immunity does not change during IVF-ET cycles. In women with endometriosis, the peripheral Tc1 subpopulation is more predominant before ovarian stimulation, suggest- ing that the ratio of Tc1 before ovarian stimulation could be an indicator of fecundity for women with endometriosis. [source]

A Recent Perspective on Alcohol, Immunity, and Host Defense

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2009
Gyongyi Szabo
Background:, Multiple line of clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that both acute, moderate, and chronic, excessive alcohol use result in various abnormalities in the functions of the immune system. Methods:, Medline and Pubmed databases were used to identify published reports with particular interest in the period of 2000,2008 in the subject of alcohol use, infection, inflammation, innate, and adaptive immunity. Results:, This review article summarizes recent findings relevant to acute or chronic alcohol use-induced immunomodulation and its consequences on host defense against microbial pathogens and tissue injury. Studies with in vivo and in vitro alcohol administration are both discussed. The effects of alcohol on lung infections, trauma and burn injury, liver, pancreas, and cardiovascular diseases are evaluated with respect to the role of immune cells. Specific changes in innate immune response and abnormalities in adaptive immunity caused by alcohol intake are detailed. Conclusion:, Altered inflammatory cell and adaptive immune responses after alcohol consumption result in increased incidence and poor outcome of infections and other organ-specific immune-mediated effects. [source]

The Effect of Acute Ethanol Intoxication on Salivary Proteins of Innate and Adaptive Immunity

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2008
Napoleon Waszkiewicz
Background:, Human salivary proteins: peroxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and IgA, participate in the protection of oral tissues, as well as upper digestive and respiratory tracts, against a number of microbial pathogens. In the current study, we investigated the effect of acute consumption of a large dose of ethanol on representative human salivary proteins of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Methods:, Eight healthy male volunteers drank an average of 2.0 g (1.4 to 2.5 g/kg) body weight of ethanol, in the form of vodka, in the 6-hour period. Samples of resting whole saliva were collected 12 hours before, then 36 and 108 hours after, the alcohol consumption. The levels of total protein, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme and lactoferrin as well as peroxidase activity were determined in saliva. Results:, At 36 hours after alcohol consumption, salivary protein and lysozyme concentrations as well as peroxidase activity were significantly decreased (p = 0.002, p = 0.043, and p = 0.003, respectively), in comparison to the values obtained at 12 hours before drinking. Between 36 and 108 hours after alcohol consumption, the salivary protein and lysozyme concentrations, as well as peroxidase activity showed a tendency to increase, although at 108 hours after the drinking session, the concentration of protein and peroxidase activity were still significantly lower than before drinking. There was no significant change in the level of lactoferrin, after the drinking session. The salivary concentration of IgA tended to increase at 36 hours after alcohol consumption, and at 108 hours it was significantly higher (p = 0.028), when compared to IgA concentration in the saliva collected before drinking (from 8% to 26% and 32% of total protein content, respectively). Conclusion:, Our report is the first to show that acute ingestion of relatively large, yet tolerable dose of alcohol, significantly disturbs salivary antimicrobial defense system. Reduced lysozyme level and decreased peroxidase activity may contribute to increased susceptibility to infections, when acute alcohol intake coincides with exposure to pathogens. [source]

Leptin and Cellular and Innate Immunity in Abstinent Alcoholics and Controls

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2003
Sarosh J. Motivala
Background: Basic studies indicate that in vitro and in vivo doses of leptin modulate cellular immune responses. Given evidence that concentrations of leptin are altered in alcoholics who also show immune abnormalities, this study examined the relationships between circulating levels of leptin and markers of cellular and innate immunity. Methods: Circulating levels of leptin, natural killer cell (NK) activity, interleukin-2 (IL-2),stimulated NK activity, and concanavalin A,stimulated production of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 were compared between abstinent DSM-IV alcohol-dependent men (n= 27) and age- and gender-matched controls (n= 34). Results: As compared with controls, alcoholics showed lower NK activity (p < 0.01) and a trend for lower levels of leptin (p= 0.055). In the total sample, leptin predicted NK activity (,= 0.33; p < 0.05) after controlling for the confounding influence of body mass index, alcohol intake, and smoking. Leptin was not correlated with any of the cytokine measures. To examine whether the effects of leptin were mediated by its direct action on NK, additional studies examined in vitro effects of leptin on NK activity in healthy volunteers (n= 10); leptin doses (0.1, 1, and 10 nM) yielded levels of NK activity comparable to those with media alone. Conclusions: These data show that circulating levels of leptin are associated with NK activity in humans and suggest that abnormal in vivo concentrations of leptin may contribute to the declines of NK activity in alcoholics who are at risk for infectious diseases. [source]

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices With Regard to Adult Pertussis Vaccine Booster in Travelers

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007
Annelies Wilder-Smith MD, FAMS
Introduction Pertussis is a worldwide, highly communicable, vaccine-preventable respiratory disease and is a frequent but often underestimated cause of prolonged cough illness in adults. Immunity from childhood pertussis immunization is thought to last only up to 10 years. The incidence of adult pertussis has been estimated to be 200 to 500 per 100,000 persons-years. Acellular pertussis vaccines have been evaluated in adults and confer safe and effective protection and now exist as combination vaccine together with tetanus and diphtheria. Methods We did a questionnaire survey to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward pertussis in adult travelers. We consecutively enrolled all travelers who presented at the Travellers' Health & Vaccination Centre in Singapore in 1 month. Results Of 218 consecutively enrolled travelers, 184 (84.4%) completed the questionnaire; of which 80% were Singaporeans. Seventy persons (38%) did not know or gave a wrong answer for the mode of transmission of pertussis, 147 (83%) had never heard of a pertussis vaccine for adults, and almost none had received an adult pertussis vaccine booster. Travelers from Western countries were seven times [95% confidence interval (CI): 2,27] more likely than Asians to have knowledge about pertussis; women were 4.27 times (95% CI: 1.59,11.53) more likely than men to be aware of the booster vaccine, after adjusting for nationality ( p= 0.004). Conclusions Knowledge about pertussis was poor among adult travelers. Although pertussis was viewed as a serious illness by the majority of participants, and 38% expressed the desire to be vaccinated, almost no one had received the pertussis vaccine booster. Awareness about pertussis, its risks, and prevention via vaccination need to be increased among adult travelers. Studies are needed to quantify the risk of pertussis in adult travelers. [source]

Duration of Immunity: An Anamnestic Response 14 Years After Rabies Vaccination With Purified Chick Embryo Cell Rabies Vaccine

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007
Claudius Malerczyk MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

High Level of Immunity against Poliomyelitis in Albanian Refugees in Southern Italy

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2000
P.L. Lopalco
Background: The Apulia region (Southern Italy) may be considered a "border region" which, due to its position, has to face daily arrivals of refugees, especially from Albania. When the exodus of Albanians took place in 1991, a seroepidemiologic study revealed a low seroimmunity to poliomyelitis. In 1996, a large outbreak of paralytic poliomyelitis occurred in Albania. The aim of the study was to evaluate the poliomyelitis immunization level in a sample of Albanian refugees who arrived in the Apulia region between April and May 1997. Methods: Blood samples were obtained, after informed consent and on a voluntary basis, from 667 subjects housed in seven refugee camps in the Apulia region. Titration of neutralizing antibodies to the three polioviruses was carried out. Results: The findings showed that Albanian refugees had adequate levels of immunity to all polioviruses (95%for poliovirus type 1, 98.6%for poliovirus type 2 and 91.4%for poliovirus type 3). Moreover, a high immunization rate was found in all age groups irrespective of the areas of origin of the refugees and their socioeconomic conditions. Conclusions: Our findings show that Albanian refugees in Apulia region have adequate levels of immunity against polioviruses and confirm the effectiveness of mass vaccination campaigns with OPV conducted by WHO in Albania following an outbreak of poliomyelitis in 1996. [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]

Transmission-reducing immunity is inversely related to age in Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriers

PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
C. J. DRAKELEY
SUMMARY Immunity to the sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum is induced during natural infections and can significantly reduce the transmission of parasites to mosquitoes (transmission reducing activity; TRA) but little is known about how these responses develop with increasing age/exposure to malaria. Routinely TRA is measured in the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA). Sera were collected from a total of 199 gametocyte carriers (median age 4 years, quartiles 2 and 9 years) near Ifakara, Tanzania; 128 samples were tested in the SMFA and generated TRA data classified as a reduction of > 50% and > 90% of transmission. TRA of > 50% was highest in young children (aged 1,2) with a significant decline with age (,2 trend = 5·79, P = 0·016) and in logistic regression was associated with prevalence of antibodies to both Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 (OR 4·03, P = 0·011 and OR 2·43 P = 0·059, respectively). A TRA of > 90% reduction in transmission was not age related but was associated with antibodies to Pfs48/45 (OR 2·36, P = 0·055). Our data confirm that antibodies are an important component of naturally induced TRA. However, whilst a similar but small proportion of individuals at all ages have TRA > 90%, the gradual deterioration of TRA > 50% with age suggests decreased antibody concentration or affinity. This may be due to decreased exposure to gametocytes, probably as a result of increased asexual and/or gametocyte specific immunity. [source]

The Law: Presidential Aides: Immunity from Congressional Process?

PRESIDENTIAL STUDIES QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2009
TODD B. TATELMAN
The congressional investigation into the forced resignations of several U.S. attorneys and the subsequent civil lawsuit by Congress against the president has heightened interest in the doctrine of separation of powers. When the involvement of high-ranking presidential aides became apparent, the White House responded not only by claiming executive privilege, but also by asserting that the aides were immune from compulsory process and were not required to comply with congressional subpoenas. The declaration represents an attempt to expand the notion of executive privilege from qualified to absolute. Such an expansion is not consistent with either historical practice or the prevailing judicial understanding of executive privilege and the separation of powers. [source]

State of Immunity: The Politics of Vaccination in Twentieth-Century America , By James Colgrove

THE HISTORIAN, Issue 3 2008
David Herzberg
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Malpractice: Ruling on State-Agent Immunity Overturned in Alabama

THE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 2001
Neeta Toprani
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

REVIEW ARTICLE: Sex Hormone Regulation of Innate Immunity in the Female Reproductive Tract: The Role of Epithelial Cells in Balancing Reproductive Potential with Protection against Sexually Transmitted Pathogens

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Charles R. Wira
Citation Wira CR, Fahey JV, Ghosh M, Patel MV, Hickey DK, Ochiel DO. Sex hormone regulation of innate immunity in the female reproductive tract: the role of epithelial cells in balancing reproductive potential with protection against sexually transmitted pathogens. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010 The immune system in the female reproductive tract (FRT) does not mount an attack against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STI) with a single endogenously produced microbicide or with a single arm of the immune system. Instead, the body deploys dozens of innate antimicrobials to the secretions of the female reproductive tract. Working together, these antimicrobials along with mucosal antibodies attack many different viral, bacterial and fungal targets. Within the FRT, the unique challenges of protection against sexually transmitted pathogens coupled with the need to sustain the development of an allogeneic fetus have evolved in such a way that sex hormones precisely regulate immune function to accomplish both tasks. The studies presented in this review demonstrate that estradiol and progesterone secreted during the menstrual cycle act both directly and indirectly on epithelial cells and other immune cells in the reproductive tract to modify immune function in a way that is unique to specific sites throughout the FRT. As presented in this review, studies from our laboratory and others demonstrate that the innate immune response is under hormonal control, varies with the stage of the menstrual cycle, and as such is suppressed at mid-cycle to optimize conditions for successful fertilization and pregnancy. In doing so, a window of STI vulnerability is created during which potential pathogens including HIV enter the reproductive tract to infect host targets. [source]

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Enhanced Maternal Anti-Fetal Immunity Contributes to the Severity of Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
Li-Ping Liu
Citation Liu L-P, Huang W, Lu Y-C, Liao A-H. Enhanced maternal anti-fetal immunity contributes to the severity of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010 Problem, The aim of this study was to evaluate how fetal monocyte activation and maternal anti-fetal antigen-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) affect the severity of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP). Method of study, Forty-six healthy third-trimester pregnant women and 20 patients with gestational hypertension, 20 with mild pre-ecalmpsia and another 20 with severe pre-eclampsia were included in the study. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from cord blood monocytes was examined by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometric analysis. Moreover, the maternal anti-fetal antigen-specific ASC were detected by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Results, A significantly increased percentage of IL-6-positive monocytes were detected in the cord blood of study groups compared with the controls (P < 0.01). The percentage of IL-6-positive monocytes was increased as the disease progressed (P < 0.05). There were more anti-fetal antigen-specific ASC in the study groups than those in the controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the anti-fetal antigen-specific ASC showed difference in gestational hypertensive and severe pre-eclamptic groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion, We conclude that the fetal monocyte activation and the increase in maternal anti-fetal antigen-specific ASC were related to the incidence and severity of HDCP. These results provide both indirect and direct evidence for the occurrence of exaggerated maternal humoral immunity against the fetal antigens in HDCP. [source]

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A Multi-Subunit Chlamydial Vaccine Induces Antibody and Cell-Mediated Immunity in Immunized Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): Comparison of Three Different Adjuvants

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
Alison J. Carey
Citation Carey AJ, Timms P, Rawlinson G, Brumm J, Nilsson K, Harris JM, Beagley KW. A multi-subunit chlamydial vaccine induces antibody and cell-mediated immunity in immunized koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): comparison of three different adjuvants. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 161,172 Problem, Chlamydial infections represent a major threat to the survival of the koala. Infections caused by Chlamydia pecorum cause blindness, infertility, pneumonia and urinary tract infections and represent a threat to the survival of the species. Little is known about the immune response in koalas, or the safety of commonly used adjuvants for induction of protective systemic and mucosal immunity. Method of study, In the present study, we immunized 18 healthy female koalas subcutaneously with a combination of three chlamydial antigens [major outer membrane protein (MOMP), NrdB and TC0512 (Omp85)] mixed with one of three different adjuvants [Alhydrogel, Immunostimulating Complex (ISC) and TiterMax Gold]. Results, All adjuvants induced strong neutralizing IgG responses in plasma against the three antigens with prolonged responses lasting more than 270 days seen in Alhydrogel and ISC immunized animals. Cloacal IgG responses lasting >270 days were also induced in ISC-immunized animals. Chlamydia -specific peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferative responses were elicited by both Alhydrogel and ISC, and these lasted >270 days in the ISC group. Conclusion, The data show that a multi-subunit chlamydial vaccine, given subcutaneously, can elicit Chlamydia -specific cell-mediated and antibody responses in the koala demonstrating that the development of a protective vaccine is feasible. [source]

Parliamentary Immunity: Protecting Democracy or Protecting Corruption?

THE JOURNAL OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, Issue 1 2003
Simon Wigley
First page of article [source]

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Safety Analysis of the Diaphragm in Combination with Lubricant or Acidifying Microbicide Gels: Effects on Markers of Inflammation and Innate Immunity in Cervicovaginal Fluid

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Deborah J. Anderson
Objective, Diaphragms are being considered for use with vaginal microbicide gels to provide enhanced protection against sexually transmitted pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of a diaphragm with microbicide or placebo gel causes cervicovaginal inflammation or perturbations in cervicovaginal immune defense. Method of study, Eighty-one non-pregnant women were randomized into three groups and instructed to use Milex® (CooperSurgical, Inc., Trumbull, CT, USA)diaphragms overnight for 14 days in combination with one of the two acid-buffering microbicide gels [ACIDFORMÔ (Instead Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA) or BufferGelÔ (BG; ReProtect Inc., Baltimore, Maryland)] or placebo gel (K-Y Jelly®; Personal Products Inc., Raritan, NJ, USA). Cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) were performed prior to study entry and on days 8 and 16. Nine soluble mediators of vaginal inflammation or immune defense were measured in CVLs by Bio-Plex or ELISA. Results, Use of diaphragms with placebo or microbicide gel was not associated with increased levels of inflammation markers. Concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were markedly reduced in the BG group. Conclusion, Daily use of a diaphragm with placebo or acidifying microbicide gel did not cause cervicovaginal inflammation. However, diaphragm/BG use was associated with markedly reduced levels of SLPI, an important mediator of innate immune defense. Further studies are warranted to establish the safety of diaphragm/microbicide gel combinations. [source]

Influence of the Murine Oestrous Cycle on the Induction of Mucosal Immunity

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2003
Christine M. Gockel
Problem: To determine if the stage of oestrous cycle, at the time of immunization, affects the magnitude of mucosal and systemic immunity. Method of study: Female BALB/c mice were immunized with tetanus toxoid and cholera toxin by the oral, intranasal and transcutaneous routes. Groups of mice were immunized at proestrus, oestrus, postestrus and diestrus. Antibodies in serum and mucosal secretions were determined by ELISA and T cell responses by lymphocyte proliferation assay. Results: Oral immunization at the oestradiol dominant stage of cycle (oestrus and proestrus) significantly enhanced TT-specific IgG and IgA levels in female reproductive tract (FRT) secretions and TT-specific IgA levels in faecal extracts. Transcutaneous immunization at diestrus enhanced TT-specific IgG in faecal extracts. TT-specific T cell proliferation is greatest following intranasal immunization at proestrus and transcutaneous immunization at diestrus, particularly in the caudal and lumbar lymph nodes draining the FRT and colon. Conclusions: Reproductive cycle-associated changes in the endogenous sex hormones oestradiol and progesterone influence the levels of vaccine-induced immunity in the FRT and distal colon following oral and transcutaneous immunization. [source]

Vaccinations With Dendritic Cells Primed With Apoptotic Tumor Cells Can Elicit Preventive Antitumor Immunity in a Poorly Immunogenic Animal Model of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2007
Han-Sin Jeong MD
Abstract Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) can effectively mediate the prevention and regression of a variety of solid tumors. However, not much has been determined about their efficacy for the prevention of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), partly because there are no known tumor-specific antigens or low immunogenicity for this tumor. The authors aimed to determine the preventive effect of DC-based immunotherapy in a SCC animal model. Methods: Bone marrow derived DCs of C3H/He mice were pulsed with ultraviolet,B-irradiated apoptotic SCCVII cells, which are known as a poorly immunogenic SCC cell line. After the animals were vaccinated with these DCs, a tumorigenic dosage of SCCVII cells was subcutaneously injected and the tumor growth assessed. Results: Animals pretreated with apoptotic SCCVII cell-pulsed DCs showed tumor extinction within 2 weeks after forming a small tumor, or there was no tumor formation at all, as seen in 81% of the mice; in the remaining 19% of the mice, tumor growth was significantly retarded compared with the control groups (P = .0029). The SCCVII cell-specific T-cell response was observed in the immunized mice. Conclusion: The adoptive transfer of DCs primed with apoptotic tumor cells can hopefully serve as an effective preventive vaccine, even in poorly immunogenic SCC. [source]

Denying Foreign State Immunity on the Grounds of the Unavailability of Alternative Means

THE MODERN LAW REVIEW, Issue 5 2008
Article first published online: 21 AUG 200, Mizushima Tomonori
Granting immunity from suit to a foreign state or an international organisation, deprives the plaintiff of access to court and appears incompatible with the rule of law. Since the European Court of Human Rights judgment in Waite v Germany (1999), the availability of alternative means for dispute settlement has been emphasised in the context of international organisation immunity. However in the case of foreign state immunity, this approach was not taken by the European Court of Human Rights in Al-Adsani v United Kingdom (2001) nor by the House of Lords in Jones v Ministry of the Interior of Saudi Arabia (2006). Likewise, foreign state immunity would be granted under the UN State Immunity Convention of 2004, regardless of whether there are alternative means. This Convention, rather than enhancing the rule of law, could lead to its attenuation. That several of these cases involve immunity in cases of torture sharpens their sensitivity. [source]

Absence of Donor-Specific Anti-HLA Antibodies After ABO-Incompatible Heart Transplantation in Infancy: Altered Immunity or Age?

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2010
S. Urschel
Specific B-cell tolerance toward donor blood group antigens develops in infants after ABO-incompatible heart transplantation, whereas their immune response toward protein antigens such as HLA has not been investigated. We assessed de novo HLA-antibodies in 122 patients after pediatric thoracic transplantation (28 ABO-incompatible) and 36 controls. Median age at transplantation was 1.7 years (1 day to 17.8 year) and samples were collected at median 3.48 years after transplantation. Antibodies were detected against HLA-class I in 21 patients (17.2%), class II in 18 (14.8%) and against both classes in 10 (8.2%). Using single-antigen beads, donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) were identified in six patients (all class II, one additional class I). Patients with DSAs were significantly older at time of transplantation. In patients who had undergone pretransplant cardiac surgeries, class II antibodies were more frequent, although use of homografts or mechanical heart support had no influence. DSAs were absent in ABO-incompatible recipients and class II antibodies were significantly less frequent than in children with ABO-compatible transplants. This difference was present also when comparing only children transplanted below 2 years of age. Therefore, tolerance toward the donor blood group appears to be associated with an altered response to HLA beyond age-related effects. [source]