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Immunity System (immunity + system)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%
Chemistry	50%

Selected Abstracts

REVIEW ARTICLE: The Unique Properties of Uterine NK Cells

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Irit Manaster
Citation Manaster I, Mandelboim O. The unique properties of uterine NK cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2009 Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immunity system that are able to kill various hazardous pathogens and tumors. However, it is now widely accepted that NK cells also possess non-destructive functions, as has been demonstrated for uterine NK cells. Here, we review the unique properties of the NK cells in the uterine mucosa, prior to and during pregnancy. We discuss the phenotype and function of mouse and human endometrial and decidual NK cells and suggest that the major function of decidual NK cells is to assist in fetal development. We further discuss the origin of decidual NK cells and suggest several possibilities that might explain their accumulation in the decidua during pregnancy. [source]

Synthesis and structural investigations on R2 Sn(IV)- D -aldonic acid complexes (R = methyl; butyl).

APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2008
Liza saliens (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae): a histological study, Their effect on a new toxicity test organism
Abstract Eight R2Sn(IV)- D - aldonate complexes [(R = Me, Bu; D - aldonate = D - galactonate2, (Galn), D - Gluconate2, (Glun), D - Gulonate2, (Guln), D - Ribonate2, (Ribn)], five of which are new derivatives, have been synthesized and structurally characterized both in solid and solution state by IR, 119Sn Mössbauer and 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR spectroscopies, showing that ligands act as dianonic chelating agents. In solution phase, NMR data suggest that the bidentate chelation is attained by the O1 carboxylate and the vicinal O2 alkoxide atoms, which can be dynamically extended to a third binding site (O4) competing with O2. In Me2Sn(IV)- D - gluconate complex the occurrence of a self-association process leading to a dimeric species was also observed. Histopathological studies on different organs of Liza saliens showed that the dibutyltin(IV)- D - aldonate complexes, although preserving the defense immunity system, exhibit a specific toxicity on some target cells and organs. The toxicity of such complexes has been compared with respect to the effects of a previous study with tributyltin(IV) chloride solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Overexpression, purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of human M-ficolin fibrinogen-like domain

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F (ELECTRONIC), Issue 7 2006
Michikazu Tanio
Ficolins, which are comprised of a collagen-like domain and a fibrinogen-like domain, are a kind of pattern-recognition molecule for pathogens in the innate immunity system. To investigate the molecular mechanism of the discrimination between self and non-self by ficolins, human M-ficolin fibrinogen-like domain (FD1), which contains the ligand-binding site, was overexpressed in Pichia pastoris, purified and crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method at 293,K. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 55.16, b = 117.45, c = 55.19,Å, , = 99.88°, and contain three molecules per asymmetric unit. An X-ray data set was collected to 1.9,Å resolution using synchrotron radiation at beamline BL24XU at the SPring-8 facility in Japan. [source]

Signaling pathways in innate immunity

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2008
A SALMINEN
Inflammation has a key role in the pathogenesis of AMD. This lecture will review the recent progress in understanding the different host-defence mechanisms against pathogens and self-based danger signals involved in the activation of innate immunity. The innate defence system utilizes pattern recognition receptors (PRR) to respond to a variety of pathogen-associated (PAMP) and danger-associated (DAMP) molecular structures. Along with the well-known complement and scavenger receptor systems, Toll-like receptors (TLR) and NOD-like receptors (NLR) have also a crucial part in host-defence and these receptor systems can be activated both by PAMPs and DAMPs. Pattern recognition receptors are located either in cell surface, such as TLR2 and TLR4, or in intracellular locations, e.g. TLR3, TLR9 and all NLRs. PRRs show some specificity to ligands and also in downstream they activate different signaling pathways, most common of which are NF-kB and IRF-dependent pathways inducing inflammatory responses. Retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) have an important role in eye host-defence, both at apical and basolateral surfaces. Most of the TLRs are expressed in RPE cells, especially TLR3 and TLR4, and they can participate in photoreceptor outer segment recognition. TLR3 can also suppress angiogenesis. The functions of NLRs, e.g. those forming inflammasomes, are still unknown, although the danger-type of activation signals, such as oxidative stress and potassium efflux, are present in retinal pigment epithelium. It seems that the activation of innate immunity system via DAMPs and PRRs may have a central role in the pathogenesis of AMD. [source]