21 CFR 866.5210 - Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5210 Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A ceruloplasmin immunological test system is a... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system. 866.5210...

Comparison of deferasirox and deferoxamine effects on iron overload and immunological changes in patients with blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia

PubMed Central

Al-Kuraishy, Hayder M.; Al-Gareeb, Ali I.

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION: Beta-thalassemias are a cluster of inherited (autosomal recessive) hematological disorders prevalent in the Mediterranean area due to defects in synthesis of β chains of hemoglobin. The aim of present study was to compare the effects of deferasirox and deferoxamine on iron overload and immunological changes in patients with blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major and intermedia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 64 patients with known cases of β-thalassemia major or intermedia that has been treated with blood transfusion and iron chelators. Serum ferritin, serum iron, serum total iron binding, unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and immunological parameters were assessed in deferoxamine and deferasirox-treated patients. RESULTS: In deferoxamine-treated patients, serum ferritin levels were high (8160.33 ± 233.75 ng/dL) compared to deferasirox-treated patients (3000.62 ± 188.23 ng/dL; P < 0.0001), also there were significant differences in serum iron, total iron-binding capacity and UIBC (P < 0.0001) in deferasirox-treated patients compared to deferoxamine-treated patients. Immunological changes between two treated groups showed insignificant differences in levels of complements (C3 and C4) and immunoglobulin levels (IgM, IgG, and IgA) P > 0.05. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that deferasirox is more effective than deferoxamine regarding the iron overload but not in the immunological profile in patients with blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. PMID:28316434

Intestinal lymphangiectasia: an undescribed cause of malabsorption and incomplete immunological recovery in HIV-infected patients.

PubMed

Marco-Lattur, Maria D; Payeras, Antoni; Campins, Antoni A; Pons, Jaume; Cifuentes, Carmen; Riera, Melcior

2011-02-01

Although paradoxical virological and immunological response after HAART has been well studied, intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) in HIV-1 infected patients has not previously described. To describe HIV patients who developed IL. Clinical Case series. 4 patients with HIV and IL diagnosis based on clinical, endoscopic and pathological findings. All four cases had prior mycobacterial infections with abdominal lymph node involvement and a very low CD4 cell count nadir. They developed intestinal lymphangiectasia despite appropriate virological suppression with HAART and repeatedly negative mycobacterial cultures. Two patients were clinically symptomatic with oedemas, ascites, diarrhoea, asthenia, weight loss; but the other two were diagnosed with malabsorption as a result of laboratory findings, with hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Three of them were diagnosed by video capsule endoscopy. IL should be considered in HIV-1 infected patients who present with clinical or biochemical malabsorption parameters when there is no immunological recovery while on HAART. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.

Comparison of deferasirox and deferoxamine effects on iron overload and immunological changes in patients with blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.

PubMed

Al-Kuraishy, Hayder M; Al-Gareeb, Ali I

2017-01-01

Beta-thalassemias are a cluster of inherited (autosomal recessive) hematological disorders prevalent in the Mediterranean area due to defects in synthesis of β chains of hemoglobin. The aim of present study was to compare the effects of deferasirox and deferoxamine on iron overload and immunological changes in patients with blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major and intermedia. This study involved 64 patients with known cases of β-thalassemia major or intermedia that has been treated with blood transfusion and iron chelators. Serum ferritin, serum iron, serum total iron binding, unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and immunological parameters were assessed in deferoxamine and deferasirox-treated patients. In deferoxamine-treated patients, serum ferritin levels were high (8160.33 ± 233.75 ng/dL) compared to deferasirox-treated patients (3000.62 ± 188.23 ng/dL; P < 0.0001), also there were significant differences in serum iron, total iron-binding capacity and UIBC ( P < 0.0001) in deferasirox-treated patients compared to deferoxamine-treated patients. Immunological changes between two treated groups showed insignificant differences in levels of complements (C3 and C4) and immunoglobulin levels (IgM, IgG, and IgA) P > 0.05. This study indicated that deferasirox is more effective than deferoxamine regarding the iron overload but not in the immunological profile in patients with blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Turkey.

PubMed

Celik, Gülfem; Bakirtas, Arzu; Sackesen, Cansin; Reisli, Ismail; Tuncer, Ayfer

2011-06-01

Allergic diseases constitute a significant health problem in Turkey. According to a recent multicenter study, which used the ISAAC questionnaire, the mean prevalence of wheezing, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in 10-yr-old school children during the past year was 15.8%, 23.5%, and 8.1%, respectively. A healthcare level system, regulated by Ministry of Health, is available in Turkey. Pediatric allergists and pediatric immunologists provide patient care at the tertiary level. Currently, 48 centers deliver care for allergic and immunologic diseases in children. There are 136 pediatric and 61 adult allergists/immunologists. Although the number of allergy/clinical immunology specialists is limited, these centers are capable of delivering many of the procedures required for the proper management and diagnosis of allergy/immunology. Pediatric allergy and/or immunology is a subspecialty lasting 3 yr and follows a 4-yr pediatric specialist training. Fellow training involves gaining knowledge in basic and clinical allergy and immunology as well as the performance and interpretation of laboratory procedures in the field of allergy and clinical immunology. The Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (TNSACI) was officially established in 1989 and currently has 356 members. The society organizes a national congress annually and winter schools for fellowship training as well as training courses for patients and their relatives. TNSACI also has a strong representation in European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) through its participation in the executive committee, consensus reports, and initiatives in the diagnosis of allergic and immunologic diseases of children. The 30th Congress of the EAACI is also due to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, between June 11 and 15, 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

21 CFR 866.5160 - Beta-globulin immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5160 Beta-globulin immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A beta-globulin immunological test system is a... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Beta-globulin immunolog-ical test system. 866.5160...

Atypical immunologic response in a patient with CRIM-negative Pompe disease

PubMed Central

Abbott, Mary-Alice; Prater, Sean N.; Banugaria, Suhrad G.; Richards, Susan M.; Young, Sarah P.; Rosenberg, Amy S.; Kishnani, Priya S.

2013-01-01

We report the clinical course of a patient with severe infantile onset Pompe disease [cross-reactive immunologic material (CRIM) negative, R854X/R854X] who was diagnosed prenatally and received standard dosing of alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme®) enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) from day 10 of life until she passed away at the age of 3 years 9 months. In the immediate neonatal period there was cardiomegaly on chest X-ray, cardiac hypertrophy by echocardiogram, and development of a wide complex tachycardia. CRIM negative (CN) status was suspected based on her family history, and the available data at the time indicated that CN patients had limited survival even with ERT. However, given the opportunity for very early treatment, the treating provider and family elected to initiate treatment with ERT, without immune modulation. By 9 months of age echocardiogram was normal. Early motor development was within normal limits but by 2 years of age her developmental progress had slowed. She seroconverted by the 4th month of ERT, and anti-rhGAA antibody titers peaked at 25,600 in the 27th month. Immunomodulatory therapy was considered but declined by family. She acquired Influenza A at 2 years 6 months, which led to a prolonged hospitalization with invasive respiratory support, and placement of tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube. Her developmental progress ceased, and she died suddenly at home from a presumed cardiac event at age 3 years 9 months. The poor outcomes observed in CN patients have been attributed to the development of high sustained antibody titers. Although this CN patient’s anti-rhGAA response was elevated and sustained, it is unlike any of the 3 patterns that have been previously described: high titer CN, high titer CRIM positive (HTCP), and low titer CP (LTCP) patients. This patient’s clinical course, with achievement of 24 months of motor gains, 30 months of ventilator-free survival and 45 month survival, is like that of only a fraction of ERT treated CN

Immunologic reconstitution during PEG-ADA therapy in an unusual mosaic ADA-deficient patient

PubMed Central

Liu, Ping; Santisteban, Ines; Burroughs, Laurie M.; Ochs, Hans D.; Torgerson, Troy R.; Hershfield, Michael S.; Rawlings, David J.; Scharenberg, Andrew M.

2009-01-01

We report detailed genetic and immunologic studies in a patient diagnosed with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency and combined immune deficiency at age 5 years. At the time of diagnosis, although all other lymphocyte subsets were depleted, circulating CD8+ T cells with a terminally differentiated phenotype were abundant and expressed normal ADA activity due to a reversion mutation in a CD8+ T cell or precursor. Over the first 9 months of replacement therapy with PEG-ADA, the patient steadily accumulated mature naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as CD4+/FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, consistent with restoration of a functional cellular immune system. While CD19+ naïve B cells also accumulated in response to PEG-ADA therapy, a high proportion of these B cells exhibited an immature surface marker phenotype even after 9 months, and immunization with neoantigen bacteriophage φX174 demonstrated a markedly subnormal humoral immune response. Our observations in this single patient have important implications for gene therapy of human ADA deficiency, as they indicate that ADA expression within even a large circulating lymphocyte population may not be sufficient to support adequate immune reconstitution. They also suggest that an immature surface marker phenotype of the peripheral B cell compartment may be a useful surrogate marker for incomplete humoral immune reconstitution during enzyme replacement, and possibly other forms of hematopoietic cell therapies. PMID:18952502

Immunologic reconstitution during PEG-ADA therapy in an unusual mosaic ADA deficient patient.

PubMed

Liu, Ping; Santisteban, Ines; Burroughs, Lauri M; Ochs, Hans D; Torgerson, Troy R; Hershfield, Michael S; Rawlings, David J; Scharenberg, Andrew M

2009-02-01

We report detailed genetic and immunologic studies in a patient diagnosed with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency and combined immune deficiency at age 5 years. At the time of diagnosis, although all other lymphocyte subsets were depleted, circulating CD8(+) T cells with a terminally differentiated phenotype were abundant and expressed normal ADA activity due to a reversion mutation in a CD8(+) T cell or precursor. Over the first 9 months of replacement therapy with PEG-ADA, the patient steadily accumulated mature naïve CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, as well as CD4(+)/FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells, consistent with restoration of a functional cellular immune system. While CD19(+) naïve B cells also accumulated in response to PEG-ADA therapy, a high proportion of these B cells exhibited an immature surface marker phenotype even after 9 months, and immunization with neoantigen bacteriophage varphiX174 demonstrated a markedly subnormal humoral immune response. Our observations in this single patient have important implications for gene therapy of human ADA deficiency, as they indicate that ADA expression within even a large circulating lymphocyte population may not be sufficient to support adequate immune reconstitution. They also suggest that an immature surface marker phenotype of the peripheral B cell compartment may be a useful surrogate marker for incomplete humoral immune reconstitution during enzyme replacement, and possibly other forms of hematopoietic cell therapies.

Lessons from reproductive immunology for other fields of immunology and clinical approaches.

PubMed

Markert, Udo R; Fitzgerald, Justine S; Seyfarth, Lydia; Heinzelmann, Joana; Varosi, Frauke; Voigt, Sandra; Schleussner, Ekkehard; Seewald, Hans-Joachim

2005-01-01

Reproduction is indispensable to evolution and, thus, life. Nonetheless, it overcomes common rules known to established life. Immunology of reproduction, and especially the tolerance of two genetically distinct organisms and their fruitful symbiosis, is one of the most imposing paradox of life. Mechanisms, which are physiologically used for induction of said tolerance, are frequently abused by pathogens or tumors intending to escape the host's immune response. Understanding the regulation of immune responses in pregnancy and the invasion of allogeneic fetus-derived trophoblast cells into the decidua may lead to new therapeutic concepts. In transplantation, knowledge concerning local physiological immunotolerance may be useful for the development of new therapies, which do not require a general immune suppression of the patient. In immunological disorders, such as autoimmune diseases or allergies, immune deviations occur which are either prevented during pregnancy or have parallels to pregnancy. Vice versa, lessons from other fields of immunology may also offer new notions for the comprehension of reproductive immunology and may lead to new therapies for the treatment of pregnancy-related problems.

Clinical Immunology Review Series: An approach too the patient with anaphylaxi

PubMed Central

El-Shanawany, T; Williams, P E; Jolles, S

2008-01-01

ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THIS CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY REVIEW SERIESallergy in childhood, allergy diagnosis by use of the clinical immunology laboratory, anaphylaxis, angioedema, management of pulmonary disease in primary antibody deficiency, recurrent infections in childhood, recurrent infections in adulthood, recurrent oro-genital ulceration, recurrent superficial abscesses, urticaria, vasculitis/CTD Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. While there is agreement as to this definition of anaphylaxis, the clinical presentation is often variable and it is not uncommon for there to be debate after the event as to whether anaphylaxis had actually occurred. The management of anaphylaxis falls into two distinct phases: (1) emergency treatment and resuscitation of a patient with acute anaphylaxis and (2) the search for a cause for the event and the formulation of a plan to prevent and treat possible further episodes of anaphylaxis. Both aspects are important in preventing death from anaphylaxis and are covered in this review. PMID:18577027

Immunological impression cytology of the conjunctival epithelium in patients with thyroid orbitopathy-related dry eye.

PubMed

Hsu, S L; Lee, P Y; Chang, C H; Chen, C H

2016-08-30

Thyroid orbitopathy (TO) is an autoimmune disease that is complicated by ocular surface disorders, leading to discomfort. Dry eye is very prevalent in patients with TO. Recent studies on the pathogenesis of dry eye have focused on the inflammatory process, and some supporting evidence has been discovered. Because TO is a disorder of autoimmune origin, we assumed that the association between TO and dry eye is related to inflammation. Inflammation of the ocular surface in TO-related dry eye has not been well studied. In this study, we assessed cellular inflammation of the ocular surface and the cytokine profiles in patients with TO-related dry eye. Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) was assessed with an immunofluorescent assay. TO-related dry eye was diagnosed by using the Schirmer test, tear break-up time, thyroid function, and clinical signs. CIC was combined with immunological staining of interleukin-1a (IL-1a), IL-1b, and IL- 6. The immunological impression cytology (IC) grade was compared to the clinical activity score of TO. All TO patients with dry eye were positive for IL-1a, IL-1b, and IL-6. However, the normal controls were also positive for IL-1a. A trend was observed between the clinical inflammatory score and immunological IC grade. This study was the first to delineate the immunological IC of TO-related dry eye. Our study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of dry eye in TO. Our findings suggest that the conjunctival cytokines IL-1a, IL-1b, and IL-6 may play a role. The results of this study will be useful for future studies of additional inflammatory cytokines, and the levels of these cytokines could be used as an outcome to assess the efficacy of treatment, such as anti-cytokine or immunosuppression therapy, in patients with TO-related dry eye or other ocular surface inflammatory disorders.

[Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy in the clinical, immunological and virological response from AIDS patients].

PubMed

Reyes Corcho, Andrés; Mosquera Fernández, Miguel A; Bouza Jiménez, Yanelka; Pérez Avila, Jorge; Hernández, Vivian; Jam Morales, Blas; Alvarez Amador, Gustavo; Bouza Jiménez, Yadira

2007-01-01

A longitudinal prospective study was made to evaluate the clinical, immunological and virological response of a cohort of 34 AIDS patients in Cienfuegos provinces, who had been treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Males comprised 67.6% of the total number and average age was 32 years. Sexual infection path was identified in 91.2% of cases. The CD4+ T counting under 200 cells defined AIDS in 79.4% of individuals. Twenty six patients suffered minor opportunistic infections (76.5%) whereas 32.4% got sick due to some major opportunistic disease prior to the therapy. After this therapy, these frequencies lowered to 20.6% and 11.8% respectively. Average CD4+ counting at the starting of HAART was 196 cell/mm3 and exceeded 400 cells in the rest of further countings. From a PVC average of 15 251 copies/mL one year after therapy, this figure reduced to 8 048 copies at 2 years. Only 10 cases required hospitalization after a HAART (29.4%). Treatment adherence reached over 80% and was correlated to immunological restoration. Survival after one year was 100% and only 2 patients died in the following 4 years. The positive impact of HAART on the frequency of opportunistic infections, immunological restoration and survival was proved.

Virtual immunology: software for teaching basic immunology.

PubMed

Berçot, Filipe Faria; Fidalgo-Neto, Antônio Augusto; Lopes, Renato Matos; Faggioni, Thais; Alves, Luiz Anastácio

2013-01-01

As immunology continues to evolve, many educational methods have found difficulty in conveying the degree of complexity inherent in its basic principles. Today, the teaching-learning process in such areas has been improved with tools such as educational software. This article introduces "Virtual Immunology," a software program available free of charge in Portuguese and English, which can be used by teachers and students in physiology, immunology, and cellular biology classes. We discuss the development of the initial two modules: "Organs and Lymphoid Tissues" and "Inflammation" and the use of interactive activities to provide microscopic and macroscopic understanding in immunology. Students, both graduate and undergraduate, were questioned along with university level professors about the quality of the software and intuitiveness of use, facility of navigation, and aesthetic organization using a Likert scale. An overwhelmingly satisfactory result was obtained with both students and immunology teachers. Programs such as "Virtual Immunology" are offering more interactive, multimedia approaches to complex scientific principles that increase student motivation, interest, and comprehension. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

21 CFR 866.5590 - Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. 866.5590... Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A lipoprotein X immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques lipoprotein X (a high...

21 CFR 866.5590 - Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. 866.5590... Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A lipoprotein X immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques lipoprotein X (a high...

21 CFR 866.5590 - Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. 866.5590... Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A lipoprotein X immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques lipoprotein X (a high...

21 CFR 866.5590 - Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. 866.5590... Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A lipoprotein X immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques lipoprotein X (a high...

21 CFR 866.5590 - Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. 866.5590... Lipoprotein X immunolog-ical test system. (a) Identification. A lipoprotein X immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques lipoprotein X (a high...

Immunology Timeline | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

CCR: A History of Advancing the Field of Immunology The Center for Cancer Research has been at the forefront in the field of immunology and immunotherapy for decades. Our scientists have made seminal findings that have opened doors to new research areas and treatment approaches for cancer patients. Explore our rich history at the cutting edge of research towards understanding

Long-term enteral immunonutrition containing lactoferrin in tube-fed bedridden patients: immunological and nutritional status.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Yoshiaki; Yamamura, Takuya; Takahashi, Seiichiro; Katayose, Kozo; Kohga, Shin; Takase, Mitsunori; Imawari, Michio

2012-06-01

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of a novel immune-enhancing enteral formula, Prem-8, which contains lactoferrin as an immunonutrient. A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 5 hospitals in Japan, and 71 tube-fed bedridden patients with serum albumin concentrations between 2.5 and 3.5 g/dL were allocated to Prem-8 (n = 38) or control formula (n = 33) groups for an observation period of 12 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing immunological (natural killer cell activity, neutrophil-phagocytic activity, neutrophil-sterilizing activity, and C-reactive protein), and nutritional (anthropometric measurements and serum levels of nutritional assessment proteins and total cholesterol) variables. Safety was assessed by comparing the incidence of adverse events. In a secondary analysis, patients were subgrouped according to the amount of protein supplemented (1 g/kg/d) so that immunological and nutritional variables and safety could be further compared. Natural killer activity and neutrophil functions were normal for both groups throughout the study period, without significant between-group differences at any point. Nutritional status was stably maintained in both groups, although the body mass index at 12 weeks was marginally lower in the Prem-8 group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The incidence of adverse events were comparable between both groups, but the incidence of fever in the Prem-8 group (7/14) was significantly lower than in the control group (10/11) in a subgroup of patients whose supplemented protein was less than 1 g/kg/d (p < 0.05). Prem-8 did not demonstrate superiority to the control formula with respect to immunological and nutritional variables, whereas the body mass index of patients in the Prem-8 group marginally decreased. However, Prem-8 had a favorable effect on the incidence of fever in a subgroup of patients with low protein intake.

Performance of immunological response in predicting virological failure.

PubMed

Ingole, Nayana; Mehta, Preeti; Pazare, Amar; Paranjpe, Supriya; Sarkate, Purva

2013-03-01

In HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), the decision on when to switch from first-line to second-line therapy is dictated by treatment failure, and this can be measured in three ways: clinically, immunologically, and virologically. While viral load (VL) decreases and CD4 cell increases typically occur together after starting ART, discordant responses may be seen. Hence the current study was designed to determine the immunological and virological response to ART and to evaluate the utility of immunological response to predict virological failure. All treatment-naive HIV-positive individuals aged >18 years who were eligible for ART were enrolled and assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months clinically and by CD4 cell count and viral load estimations. The patients were categorized as showing concordant favorable (CF), immunological only (IO), virological only (VO), and concordant unfavorable responses (CU). The efficiency of immunological failure to predict virological failure was analyzed across various levels of virological failure (VL>50, >500, and >5,000 copies/ml). At 6 months, 87(79.81%), 7(5.5%), 13 (11.92%), and 2 (1.83%) patients and at 12 months 61(69.3%), 9(10.2%), 16 (18.2%), and 2 (2.3%) patients had CF, IO, VO, and CU responses, respectively. Immunological failure criteria had a very low sensitivity (11.1-40%) and positive predictive value (8.3-25%) to predict virological failure. Immunological criteria do not accurately predict virological failure resulting in significant misclassification of therapeutic responses. There is an urgent need for inclusion of viral load testing in the initiation and monitoring of ART.

Ocular diseases: immunological and molecular mechanisms.

PubMed

Song, Jing; Huang, Yi-Fei; Zhang, Wen-Jing; Chen, Xiao-Fei; Guo, Yu-Mian

2016-01-01

Many factors, such as environmental, microbial and endogenous stress, antigen localization, can trigger the immunological events that affect the ending of the diverse spectrum of ocular disorders. Significant advances in understanding of immunological and molecular mechanisms have been researched to improve the diagnosis and therapy for patients with ocular inflammatory diseases. Some kinds of ocular diseases are inadequately responsive to current medications; therefore, immunotherapy may be a potential choice as an alternative or adjunctive treatment, even in the prophylactic setting. This article first provides an overview of the immunological and molecular mechanisms concerning several typical and common ocular diseases; second, the functions of immunological roles in some of systemic autoimmunity will be discussed; third, we will provide a summary of the mechanisms that dictate immune cell trafficking to ocular local microenvironment in response to inflammation.

Crusted scabies: clinical and immunological findings in seventy-eight patients and a review of the literature.

PubMed

Roberts, L J; Huffam, S E; Walton, S F; Currie, B J

2005-06-01

To describe the clinical and immunological features of crusted scabies in a prospectively ascertained cohort of 78 patients. All patients requiring inpatient treatment for crusted scabies in the 'top end' of the northern territory of Australia over a 10 year period were prospectively identified. Demographics, risk factors, and immunological parameters were retrospectively compiled from their medical records and pathology databases. More than half the patients with crusted scabies had identifiable immunosuppressive risk factors. Eosinophilia and elevated IgE levels occurred in 58% and 96% of patients, respectively, with median IgE levels 17 times the upper limit of normal. Seventeen percent had a history of leprosy but 42% had no identifiable risk factors. There was a decrease in mortality after the introduction of a treatment protocol consisting of multiple doses of ivermectin combined with topical scabicides and keratolytic therapy. Crusted scabies often occurs in patients with identifiable immunosuppressive risk factors. In patients without such risk factors, it is possible that the crusted response to infection results from a tendency to preferentially mount a Th2 response. The treatment regime described was associated with a reduction in mortality. This is the largest reported case series of crusted scabies.

Clinical Immunology Review Series: An approach to the patient with angio-oedema

PubMed Central

Grigoriadou, S; Longhurst, H J

2009-01-01

Angio-oedema is a common reason for attendance at the accident and emergency department and for referral to immunology/allergy clinics. Causative factors should always be sought, but a large proportion of patients have the idiopathic form of the disease. A minority of patients represent a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Failure to identify the more unusual causes of angio-oedema may result in life-threatening situations. Common and rare causes of angio-oedema will be discussed in this article, as well as the diagnostic and treatment pathways for the management of these patients. A comprehensive history and close monitoring of response to treatment are the most cost-effective diagnostic and treatment tools. PMID:19220828

Ocular diseases: immunological and molecular mechanisms

PubMed Central

Song, Jing; Huang, Yi-Fei; Zhang, Wen-Jing; Chen, Xiao-Fei; Guo, Yu-Mian

2016-01-01

Many factors, such as environmental, microbial and endogenous stress, antigen localization, can trigger the immunological events that affect the ending of the diverse spectrum of ocular disorders. Significant advances in understanding of immunological and molecular mechanisms have been researched to improve the diagnosis and therapy for patients with ocular inflammatory diseases. Some kinds of ocular diseases are inadequately responsive to current medications; therefore, immunotherapy may be a potential choice as an alternative or adjunctive treatment, even in the prophylactic setting. This article first provides an overview of the immunological and molecular mechanisms concerning several typical and common ocular diseases; second, the functions of immunological roles in some of systemic autoimmunity will be discussed; third, we will provide a summary of the mechanisms that dictate immune cell trafficking to ocular local microenvironment in response to inflammation. PMID:27275439

Immunological classification of high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in children.

PubMed

Pituch-Noworolska, A; Miezyński, W

1994-01-01

The immunological classification of 28 high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in children was shown. The morphological classification was based on Working Formulation, the immunological classification--on acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtypes. The phenotypes were assayed cytofluorometrically with monoclonal antibodies and compared to ontogenic stages in B and T cell development. Small non-cleaved cell lymphoma (Burkitt's type) was seen in 13 patients, lymphoblastic lymphoma in 12 patients, low differentiated in 3 patients. Immunological classification showed B-lymphocyte origin of blast cells in 15 patients including 11 small non-cleaved Burkitt's lymphoma (mature B and cALL phenotype), 3 undifferentiated cases (pro-B and mature B cell) and 1 case of lymphoblastic lymphoma (cALL type). T-cell origin of blast cells was demonstrated in 13 patients. The immunological classification used routinely was helpful in selection of patients with unfavourable prognosis. The more precise description of blast cells was valuable for better adjustment of therapy and better prognosis.

A single-center experience of overseas kidney transplant for immunologically high-risk patients.

PubMed

Jung, Cheol Woong; Park, Kwan Tae; Jun, Heungman; Kim, Su Yeon; Kim, Su Jin; Kim, Myung-Gyu; Jo, Sang-Kyung; Cho, Wonyong; Kim, Hyoung Kyu

2015-04-01

We report our experience in treating Mongolian patients transferred to our center in Korea to undergo kidney transplants, including immunologically high-risk patients. Between September 2009 and February 2013, thirty-three Mongolian patients underwent kidney transplants at our center with the approval of the Korean Network for Organ Sharing. Their clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The mean age of the transplant recipients was 38.8 ± 10.5 years, and the causes of end-stage renal disease were glomerulonephritis (5), diabetes mellitus (2), hypertension (3), and unknown (25). These cases included ABO incompatibility, high levels of sensitization, and retransplant, at frequencies of 9, 12, and 9. Basiliximab (30) or antithymocyte globulin (2) was administered as the induction therapy, and combination regimens of plasmapheresis with or without intravenous immunoglobulins and/or rituximab were used in some high-risk patients. The mean follow-up after kidney transplant was 12.87 ± 11.7 months. During the follow-up, antibody-mediated rejection and graft failure occurred in 2 patients. In addition, cytomegalovirus infection, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, and BK viremia developed in 1 patient each. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rates at 1, 6, and 12 months after kidney transplant were 88.2 ± 26.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, 67.5 ± 14.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 63.9 ± 21.1 mL/min/1.73 m2. In addition, subgroup analysis revealed that ABOincompatible and immunologically high-risk recipients had comparable renal function status during the follow-up. We found that an overseas kidney transplant program in Korea could be conducted safely, even in high-risk patients. Therefore, a proper cooperation and transfer system for these high-risk patients between neighboring countries might help in providing improved medical care in this setting.

The research on the influences of hyperthermal perfusion chemotherapy combined with immunologic therapy on the immunologic function and levels of circulating tumor cells of the advanced colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis.

PubMed

Sun, J-J; Fan, G-L; Wang, X-G; Xu, K

2017-07-01

To investigated the influence of hyperthermal perfusion chemotherapy combined with immunologic therapy on the immunologic function and levels of circulating tumor cells of the advanced colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis. We enrolled 98 advanced colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis that were admitted to this hospital for treatment and were randomly divided into two groups, the observation group (n = 49) and the control group (n = 49). We administered systemic vein chemotherapy for patients in the control group, and hyperthermal perfusion chemotherapy for the patients in the observation group in order to compare the subgroup levels of T lymphocytes, NK cells and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) in the immune system of patients in both groups. We also assayed the circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the peripheral blood of patients in both groups using the cell search method, and compared the efficacy using response evaluation criteria in solid tumors and the survival rates of patients in both groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. After two treatment courses, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ of the patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, but the levels of CD8+ of patients in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (p< 0.05). The levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) in the observation group were higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The levels of NK cell cells were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The objective response rate, as well as the disease control rate of the observation group, were remarkably higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the observation group enjoyed a prolonged survival time, higher survival rate and significantly lower positive rate of CTC (p < 0.05). Better efficacy and tolerance, fewer toxic and side effects, improvement in the immunologic functions of patients for

Immunological network signatures of cancer progression and survival

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The immune contribution to cancer progression is complex and difficult to characterize. For example in tumors, immune gene expression is detected from the combination of normal, tumor and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Profiling the immune component of tumors may facilitate the characterization of the poorly understood roles immunity plays in cancer progression. However, the current approaches to analyze the immune component of a tumor rely on incomplete identification of immune factors. Methods To facilitate a more comprehensive approach, we created a ranked immunological relevance score for all human genes, developed using a novel strategy that combines text mining and information theory. We used this score to assign an immunological grade to gene expression profiles, and thereby quantify the immunological component of tumors. This immunological relevance score was benchmarked against existing manually curated immune resources as well as high-throughput studies. To further characterize immunological relevance for genes, the relevance score was charted against both the human interactome and cancer information, forming an expanded interactome landscape of tumor immunity. We applied this approach to expression profiles in melanomas, thus identifying and grading their immunological components, followed by identification of their associated protein interactions. Results The power of this strategy was demonstrated by the observation of early activation of the adaptive immune response and the diversity of the immune component during melanoma progression. Furthermore, the genome-wide immunological relevance score classified melanoma patient groups, whose immunological grade correlated with clinical features, such as immune phenotypes and survival. Conclusions The assignment of a ranked immunological relevance score to all human genes extends the content of existing immune gene resources and enriches our understanding of immune involvement in

Immunological disorders in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients.

PubMed

Shaker, M K; Fahmy, H M

1997-01-01

It is known that hepatitis C virus (HCV) related to chronic liver disease may be associated with various immunological disorders, among these disorders are mixed cryoglobulinemia, serum antinuclear antibodies, antismooth muscle antibodies and liver/kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (LKM1). However, the actual prevalence and pathogenic role of these disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis C are unclear. It was our aim to estimate the prevalence of different autoimmune antibodies in cases of hepatitis C chronic liver disease and to assess if such changes have any clinical significance. A total of 30 chronic hepatitis C patients (22 males and 8 females) with a mean age of 43.5 +/- 6.7 years, all patients were ELISA II positive, HCV RNA PCR positive and HbsAg negative, with elevated ALT more than 2 folds of the normal, in addition to 20 healthy controls of matched age and sex were tested for rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulin, antinuclear antibody, antismooth muscle antibody, antimitochondrial antibody and LKM1. The rheumatoid factor was present in 18 (60%) of the HCV Ab +ve patients and in 1 (5%) of the controls (p < 0.0002), cryoglobulins were present in 4 (13.3%) of the patients and not detected in the controls (p > 0.24), antinuclear antibody was positive in 4 (13.3%) of the patients and in 1 (5%) of the controls (p > 0.6), antismooth muscle antibody was positive in 1 (3.3%) of the patients and not detected in any of the controls, the antimitochondrial antibody and LKM1 were not detected in both the patients and the controls. In conclusion, we can see that chronic hepatitis C patients show prevalence of some autoimmune antibodies and their presence is not associated with any implication on the clinical presentation.

Cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis: Consensus report of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology.

PubMed

Hartmann, Karin; Escribano, Luis; Grattan, Clive; Brockow, Knut; Carter, Melody C; Alvarez-Twose, Ivan; Matito, Almudena; Broesby-Olsen, Sigurd; Siebenhaar, Frank; Lange, Magdalena; Niedoszytko, Marek; Castells, Mariana; Oude Elberink, Joanna N G; Bonadonna, Patrizia; Zanotti, Roberta; Hornick, Jason L; Torrelo, Antonio; Grabbe, Jürgen; Rabenhorst, Anja; Nedoszytko, Boguslaw; Butterfield, Joseph H; Gotlib, Jason; Reiter, Andreas; Radia, Deepti; Hermine, Olivier; Sotlar, Karl; George, Tracy I; Kristensen, Thomas K; Kluin-Nelemans, Hanneke C; Yavuz, Selim; Hägglund, Hans; Sperr, Wolfgang R; Schwartz, Lawrence B; Triggiani, Massimo; Maurer, Marcus; Nilsson, Gunnar; Horny, Hans-Peter; Arock, Michel; Orfao, Alberto; Metcalfe, Dean D; Akin, Cem; Valent, Peter

2016-01-01

Cutaneous lesions in patients with mastocytosis are highly heterogeneous and encompass localized and disseminated forms. Although a classification and criteria for cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) have been proposed, there remains a need to better define subforms of cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis. To address this unmet need, an international task force involving experts from different organizations (including the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology) met several times between 2010 and 2014 to discuss the classification and criteria for diagnosis of cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis. This article provides the major outcomes of these meetings and a proposal for a revised definition and criteria. In particular, we recommend that the typical maculopapular cutaneous lesions (urticaria pigmentosa) should be subdivided into 2 variants, namely a monomorphic variant with small maculopapular lesions, which is typically seen in adult patients, and a polymorphic variant with larger lesions of variable size and shape, which is typically seen in pediatric patients. Clinical observations suggest that the monomorphic variant, if it develops in children, often persists into adulthood, whereas the polymorphic variant may resolve around puberty. This delineation might have important prognostic implications, and its implementation in diagnostic algorithms and future mastocytosis classifications is recommended. Refinements are also suggested for the diagnostic criteria of CM, removal of telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans from the current classification of CM, and removal of the adjunct solitary from the term solitary mastocytoma. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of setarud on the immunological status of HIV-positive patients: Efficacy of a novel multi-herbal drug.

PubMed

Gholamzadeh Baeis, Mehdi; Amiri, Ghasem; Miladinia, Mojtaba

2017-01-01

This study examines the effect of the addition of IMOD, a novel multi-herbal drug to the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) regimen, on the immunological status of HIV-positive patients. A randomized two-parallel-group (HAART group versus HAART+IMOD group), pretest-posttest design was used.Sixty patients with indications for treatment with the HAART regimen participated. One week before and 2 days after the treatments, immunological parameters including total lymphocyte count (TLC) and CD4 cell count were assessed.The intervention group received the HAART regimen plus IMOD every day for 3 months. The control group received only the HAART regimen every day for 3 months. In the intervention group, a significant difference was observed in CD4between before and after drug therapy (CD4 was increased). However, in the control group, the difference in CD4 was not significant before and after drug therapy. The difference in TLC was not significantly different between the two groups before and after therapy. Nevertheless, TLC was higher in the intervention group. IMOD (as a herbal drug) has been successfully added to the HAART regimen to improve the immunological status of HIV-positive patients.

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Israel.

PubMed

Geller-Bernstein, Carmi; Etzioni, Amos

2013-03-01

After the geographic and sociodemographic settings as well as the health care in Israel are briefly described, the scope of pediatric allergy and immunology in Israel is presented. This includes specific disorders commonly encountered, the environment that induces symptoms, the specialists who treat them, and the common challenges of patients, parents, doctors, and allied health personnel who collaborate to manage the maladies and patient care. Allergies usually affect some overall 15-20% of the pediatric population. The main allergens are inhaled, ingested, or injected (insects stings). Generally, the incidence of the various allergens affecting children in Israel, is similar to other parts of the Western world. Owing to the high consanguinity rate in the Israeli population, the prevalence of the various immunodeficiency conditions (in the adaptive as well as the innate system) is higher than that reported worldwide. Pediatric allergists/immunologists also treat autoimmune disorders affecting the pediatric group. Pediatric allergy and clinical immunology are not separate specialties. The 25 specialists who treat children with allergic/immunologic diseases have undergone a basic training in Pediatrics. They also received an additional 2-yr training in allergy and clinical immunology and then have to pass the board examinations. They work mainly in pediatric allergy units, in several hospitals that are affiliated to the five medical schools in the country. Aside from clinical work, most of the centers are also heavily involved in clinical and basic research in allergy and immunology. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

A baseline metabolomic signature is associated with immunological CD4+ T-cell recovery after 36 months of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Gallego, Esther; Gómez, Josep; Pacheco, Yolanda M; Peraire, Joaquim; Viladés, Consuelo; Beltrán-Debón, Raúl; Mallol, Roger; López-Dupla, Miguel; Veloso, Sergi; Alba, Verónica; Blanco, Julià; Cañellas, Nicolau; Rull, Anna; Leal, Manuel; Correig, Xavier; Domingo, Pere; Vidal, Francesc

2018-03-13

Poor immunological recovery in treated HIV-infected patients is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. To date, predictive biomarkers of this incomplete immune reconstitution have not been established. We aimed to identify a baseline metabolomic signature associated with a poor immunological recovery after antiretroviral therapy (ART) to envisage the underlying mechanistic pathways that influence the treatment response. This was a multicentre, prospective cohort study in ART-naive and a pre-ART low nadir (<200 cells/μl) HIV-infected patients (n = 64). We obtained clinical data and metabolomic profiles for each individual, in which low molecular weight metabolites, lipids and lipoproteins (including particle concentrations and sizes) were measured by NMR spectroscopy. Immunological recovery was defined as reaching CD4 T-cell count at least 250 cells/μl after 36 months of virologically successful ART. We used univariate comparisons, Random Forest test and receiver-operating characteristic curves to identify and evaluate the predictive factors of immunological recovery after treatment. HIV-infected patients with a baseline metabolic pattern characterized by high levels of large high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, HDL cholesterol and larger sizes of low density lipoprotein particles had a better immunological recovery after treatment. Conversely, patients with high ratios of non-HDL lipoprotein particles did not experience this full recovery. Medium very-low-density lipoprotein particles and glucose increased the classification power of the multivariate model despite not showing any significant differences between the two groups. In HIV-infected patients, a baseline healthier metabolomic profile is related to a better response to ART where the lipoprotein profile, mainly large HDL particles, may play a key role.

[Immunological monitoring in kidney transplantation: 13 years experience of a Moroccan histocompatibility laboratory].

PubMed

Brick, C; Atouf, O; Essakalli, M

2016-05-01

The quality of the immunological monitoring is crucial because it determines the success of the kidney transplantation. The scope of this work is to describe the experience of the department of immunological unity of the Ibn Sina university hospital in Rabat regarding the immunological monitoring of patients transplanted between 2001 and 2014. Patient samples were collected from nephrology services of different public and private hospitals of Morocco. The tests conducted in the context of immunological monitoring are ABO typing, HLA-A, B, DR, DQ typing, anti-HLA antibodies detection and identification and cross-match. One hundred and fourteen benefited from a pre- and post-transplant immunological monitoring in our laboratory. The percentage of recipients having between 2 and 5 stored sera is 60.5 before transplantation and 56.1 after transplantation. Immunized patients account for 22.8% before the transplant and 17.6% after transplantation. Ninety-seven patients still have a functional graft, while 4 of them had DSA of low intensity before transplantation. Five immunological rejections were reported while the cross-match were negative and no DSA was identified before transplantation. Patient survival and graft at 1 year was 98.2% and 92.7% respectively. Conducting regular immunological monitoring is sometimes difficult in our context, however, the results are satisfactory in terms of graft and patients survival. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Use of bDNA testing in the immunologically nonresponding patient who has a low or undetectable viral load by RT-PCR testing.

PubMed

Grimes, Richard M; Lewis, Stanley T; Visnegarwala, Fehmida; Goodly, Joseph; Sutton, Richard; Rodriguez-Barradas, Maria

2003-01-01

Studies have shown that reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology underquantifies viral loads in patients with non-B clades of HIV-1. Testing with bDNA technology gave higher viral loads in these subtypes. A study was conducted to determine whether virologically responding patients on HAART who were not immunologically responding would have higher viral loads using bDNA technology and whether these differences were due to non-B clades. Forty-eight patients receiving HAART for more than 6 months who were having inappropriate immunologic responses in spite of undetectable or very low viral loads determined by RT-PCR (<3000 copies by Roche Amplicor 1.0) were studied. These patients had bDNA viral loads performed. All patients who had bDNA viral loads equivalent to >3000 by RT-PCR had clade and genotypic studies performed. Fifteen patients had viral loads by bDNA that were equivalent to >3000 copies by RT-PCR. Four of these were found to have non-B clades (one D clade and three AG clade). The D clade patient had multidrug resistance; none of the AG clade patients had resistance. Of the remaining 11 patients, virus could not be recovered from 2 and 9 had a B clade. Six of these nine had genotypic resistance to HAART drugs. bDNA testing may be useful in the immunologically nonresponding patient.

The Basel Institute for Immunology.

PubMed

Melchers, Fritz

2012-01-01

At the Centennial Exhibition of the Nobel Prize, the Nobel Foundation called it one of the ten cradles of creativity. The journal Nature likened its ideals to those of the French revolution--Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité--and called it a paradise devoted to the science of immune systems: the Basel Institute for Immunology (BII). Founded by Roche in 1968, inaugurated in 1971, and closed in 2000, it was home to almost 450 scientific members, over 1,000 scientific visitors, and nearly 100 scientific advisors from more than 30 countries who worked in complete academic freedom and without commercial motives on over 3,500 projects, publishing more than 3,200 scientific papers, almost all of them on the structure and functions of immune systems of different species. This review contains a first collection of historical facts and dates that describe the background of the exceptionally successful performance and the strong scientific impact of the institute on the field of immunology.

Need for immunologic stimulators during immunosuppression produced by major cancer surgery.

PubMed Central

Cole, W H; Humphrey, L

1985-01-01

Although surgery, radiology, and anticancer chemicals have been effective in the treatment of cancer, the immunologic phase of therapy deserves more effort and thought, because the possibilities are considerable. However, the immunologic phase is so complicated that, without the advances made during the past few years, little could be expected from immunology. The focus of this paper is on the immunosuppression produced by major cancer operations, at which time the patient needs immunologic help. PMID:3893336

Immunoparalysis: Clinical and immunological associations in SIRS and severe sepsis patients.

PubMed

Papadopoulos, Panagiotis; Pistiki, Aikaterini; Theodorakopoulou, Maria; Christodoulopoulou, Theodora; Damoraki, Georgia; Goukos, Dimitris; Briassouli, Efrossini; Dimopoulou, Ioanna; Armaganidis, Apostolos; Nanas, Serafim; Briassoulis, George; Tsiodras, Sotirios

2017-04-01

This study was designed to identify changes in the monocytic membrane marker HLA-DR and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in relation to T-regulatory cells (T-regs) and other immunological marker changes in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis/septic shock. Healthy volunteers, intensive care unit (ICU) patients with SIRS due to head injury and ICU patients with severe sepsis/septic shock were enrolled in the current study. Determination of CD14+/HLA-DR+ cells, intracellular heat-shock proteins and other immunological parameters were performed by flow cytometry and RT-PCR techniques as appropriate. Univariate and multivariate analysis examined associations of CD14/HLA-DR, HSPs, T-regs and suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins with SIRS, sepsis and outcome. Fifty patients (37 with severe sepsis and 13 with SIRS) were enrolled, together with 20 healthy volunteers used as a control group. Compared to healthy individuals, patients with SIRS and severe sepsis showed progressive decline of their CD14/HLA-DR expression (0% to 7.7% to 50% within each study subpopulation, p<0.001). Mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) levels of HSP70 and HSP90 on monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells were significantly higher in SIRS patients compared to controls and fell significantly in severe sepsis/septic shock patients (p<0.05 for all comparisons). There was no statistically significant difference between subgroups for levels of T-regulatory cells or relative copies of Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling 3 (SOCS3) proteins. In univariate models percent of CD14/HLA-DR was associated with mortality (OR: 1.8 95%CI 1.02-3.2, p=0.05), while in multivariate models after adjusting for CD14/HLA-DR only younger age and lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores were associated with increased chances of survival (beta -0.05, OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9-0.99, p=0.038 for age and beta -0.11, OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.8-0.99, p=0.037 for APACHE II

Virtual Immunology: Software for Teaching Basic Immunology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berçot, Filipe Faria; Fidalgo-Neto, Antônio Augusto; Lopes, Renato Matos; Faggioni, Thais; Alves, Luiz Anastácio

2013-01-01

As immunology continues to evolve, many educational methods have found difficulty in conveying the degree of complexity inherent in its basic principles. Today, the teaching-learning process in such areas has been improved with tools such as educational software. This article introduces "Virtual Immunology," a software program available…

[Impact of various millimeter-range electromagnetic radiation schedules on immunological parameters in patients with respiratory sarcoidosis].

PubMed

Borisov, S B; Shpykov, A S; Terent'eva, N A

2007-01-01

The paper analyzes the impact of various millimeter-range electromagnetic radiation schedules on immunological parameters in 152 patients with new-onset respiratory sarcoidosis. It shows that the immunomodulatory effect of millimeter-range therapy depends on the treatment regimen chosen. There is evidence for the advantages of millimeter-range noise electromagnetic radiation.

Outcomes of allergy/immunology follow-up after an emergency department evaluation for anaphylaxis.

PubMed

Campbell, Ronna L; Park, Miguel A; Kueber, Michael A; Lee, Sangil; Hagan, John B

2015-01-01

Anaphylaxis guidelines currently recommend referring patients with anaphylaxis seen in the emergency department (ED) to an allergist for follow up. The objective of our study was to evaluate outcomes of allergy/immunology follow-up after an ED visit for anaphylaxis. A retrospective health records review was conducted from April 2008 to August 2012. Charts were reviewed independently by 2 allergists to determine outcomes. Descriptive statistics with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated. Among 573 patients seen in the ED who met anaphylaxis diagnostic criteria, 217 (38%) had a documented allergy/immunology follow-up. After allergy/immunology evaluation, 16 patients (7% [95% CI, 5%-12%]) had anaphylaxis ruled out. Among those with an unknown ED trigger (n = 74), 24 (32% [95% CI, 23%-44%]) had a trigger identified; and, among those who had a specific suspected ED trigger (n = 143), 9 (6% [95% CI, 3%-12%]) had a trigger identified in a category other than the one suspected in the ED, and 28 (20% [95% CI, 14%-27%]) had an unknown trigger. Thus, there were a total of 77 patients (35% [95% CI, 29%-42%]) who had an alteration in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis or trigger after allergy/immunology evaluation. Four patients (2% [95% CI, 0.7%-4.6%]) were diagnosed with a mast cell activation disorder, and 13 patients (6% [95% CI, 4%-10%]) underwent immunotherapy or desensitization. Overall, 35% of the patients with suspected anaphylaxis in the ED had an alteration in the diagnosis or suspected trigger after allergy/immunology evaluation. These results underscore the importance of allergy/immunology follow-up after an ED visit for anaphylaxis. Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The immunological response of HIV-positive patients initiating HAART at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.

PubMed

Annison, L; Dompreh, A; Adu-Sarkodie, Y

2013-12-01

The study sought to document the experience of immunological improvement among Ghanaian PLHIV on HAART comparing different categories of patients. Serology Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. The study comprised a convenient sample of 303 treatment naïve HIV patients due to start HAART. Questionnaires were used to collect patient demographic and clinical data. Four CD4 counts were measured at six-monthly intervals to determine rates of CD4 change. These were pre-therapy, 1(st) post-therapy, 2(nd) post-therapy, and 3(rd) post-therapy counts. The rates of CD4 change among the different categories of patients were also compared. At baseline, women had higher CD4 count (mean of 77.4 cells/μl), and mean age of participants was 40 years. The CD4 count increased from a mean baseline of 70.2 cells/μl to 229.2, 270.0, and 297.6 cells/μl at 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment respectively (P < 0.0001 at each time point). There were no gender (P=0.46) and age (P=0.96) differences in treatment response. There was no difference (P=0.18) in treatment response comparing those with CD4 <250 cells/μl and those whose CD4 count was between 250 and 350 cells/μl at baseline although patients with baseline CD4 count <250 cells/μl showed larger increases after 12 months of treatment. Out of 282 patients with pre-therapy CD4 count ≤250 cells/μl, 241 (85.5%) and 41 (14.5%) were adherents and nonadherents respectively. Mean rate of increase was 15.2 and 8.4 cells/μl/month in adherent and non-adherent patients respectively (p=0.2). The study suggests that a sustained CD4 increase could be achieved in adherent patients commencing therapy with baseline CD4 count ≤250 cells/μl, and that these patients have greater ability for immunological recovery during 12 months of treatment The study, therefore, concludes that significant immunological improvement is possible among Ghanaian PLHIV on HAART as long as a high level of treatment adherence is observed.

[Nonspecific adaptation reactions and immunological status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

PubMed

Beliakova, N A; Mikhaĭlova, D G; Egorova, E N; Gogina, E D; Gorshkova, M A

2010-03-01

The clinical laboratory study of 75 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) has shown that most of them have elevated immunoglobulin A and G levels, the diminished activity of neutrophiles, and higher C-reactive protein and 30% of the patients show non-physiological adaptation reactions: reactivation and stress. During these reactions, there are the most pronounced changes in the immunological status and in the level of acute phase protein. The rate of nonphysiological reactions increases, immunity deteriorates, and the activity of an inflammatory process is enhanced with the longer duration of T2D, grades 2 and 3 arterial hypertension, micro- and macroangiopathies, as well as with more evident hyperglycemia and triglyceridemia.

Characterization of clinical and immunological features in patients coinfected with dengue virus and HIV.

PubMed

Torrentes-Carvalho, Amanda; Hottz, Eugênio Damaceno; Marinho, Cintia Ferreira; da Silva, Jéssica Badolato-Corrêa; Pinto, Luzia Maria de Oliveira; Fialho, Luciana Gomes; Bozza, Fernando Augusto; Cunha, Rivaldo Venâncio; Damasco, Paulo Vieira; Kubelka, Claire Fernandes; de Azeredo, Elzinandes Leal

2016-03-01

The pathogenesis of dengue in subjects coinfected with HIV remains largely unknown. We investigate clinical and immunological parameters in coinfected DENV/HIV patients. According to the new dengue classification, most coinfected DENV/HIV patients presented mild clinical manifestations of dengue infection. Herein, we show that DENV/HIV coinfected patients had higher CD8 T cells percentages reflected as a lower CD4/CD8 ratio. Furthermore, CCR5 expression on CD4 T cells and CD107a expression on both T subsets were significantly higher in coinfected patients when compared with monoinfected DENV and HIV individuals respectively. Increased inflammatory response was observed in treated HAART coinfected patients despite undetectable HIV load. These data indicate that DENV infection may influence the clinical profile and immune response in individuals concomitantly infected with HIV. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cellular Profile and Expression of Immunologic Markers in Chronic Apical Periodontitis from HIV-infected Patients Undergoing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

PubMed

Gama, Túlio Gustavo Veiga; Pires, Fabio Ramoa; Armada, Luciana; Gonçalves, Lucio Souza

2016-06-01

This study tested the hypothesis that the inflammatory cell profile (CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, CD20-, and CD68-positive cells) and the expression of immunologic markers (tumor necrosis factor α, interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and interleukin-18) in chronic apical periodontitis are the same between non-HIV-infected patients and HIV-infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Thirty-four surgically excised chronic apical periodontitis lesions were sampled from 34 patients (17 HIV-infected and 17 non-HIV-infected). The lesions were extracted from teeth with no previous endodontic treatment. All HIV-infected patients were undergoing HAART. The specimens were submitted to histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses by using an optical microscope. Immunoexpression was graded into 2 levels, focal to weak and moderate to strong. The χ(2), Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze all significant differences between groups. Periapical cysts represented 70.6% and 52.9% of the lesions in the HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected groups, respectively; however, no statistically significant difference was observed (P = .481). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for the inflammatory cell profile and for any of the immunologic markers (P > .05). There are no statistically significant differences of the cellular profile and expression of immunologic markers in chronic apical periodontitis between non-HIV-infected patients and HIV-infected patients undergoing HAART. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utilizing social networks, blogging and YouTube in allergy and immunology practices.

PubMed

Dimov, Ves; Eidelman, Frank

2015-01-01

Online social networks are used to connect with friends and family members, and increasingly, to stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments in allergy and immunology. As communication is a central part of healthcare delivery, the utilization of such networking channels in allergy and immunology will continue to grow. There are inherent risks to online social networks related to breaches of patient confidentiality, professionalism and privacy. Malpractice and liability risks should also be considered. There is a paucity of information in the literature on how social network interventions affect patient outcomes. The allergy and immunology community should direct future studies towards investigating how the use of social networks and other technology tools and services can improve patient care.

Practical immunology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hudson, L.; Hay, F.C.

1989-01-01

This book covers the advances in contemporary molecular and cellular immunology which have provided the experimentalist with tools of unparalleled reproducibility and precision. Techniques for the propagation and manipulation of cells, genes and gene products have a central place in the new edition, reflecting their role in modern immunology.

Consortium biology in immunology: the perspective from the Immunological Genome Project.

PubMed

Benoist, Christophe; Lanier, Lewis; Merad, Miriam; Mathis, Diane

2012-10-01

Although the field has a long collaborative tradition, immunology has made less use than genetics of 'consortium biology', wherein groups of investigators together tackle large integrated questions or problems. However, immunology is naturally suited to large-scale integrative and systems-level approaches, owing to the multicellular and adaptive nature of the cells it encompasses. Here, we discuss the value and drawbacks of this organization of research, in the context of the long-running 'big science' debate, and consider the opportunities that may exist for the immunology community. We position this analysis in light of our own experience, both positive and negative, as participants of the Immunological Genome Project.

Advances in asthma, allergy and immunology series 2004: basic and clinical immunology.

PubMed

Chinen, Javier; Shearer, William T

2004-08-01

This review highlights some of the most significant advances in basic and clinical immunology that were published from August 2002 to December 2003, focusing on manuscripts that appeared in the Journal. Articles selected were those considered most relevant to Journal readers. With regard to basic immunology, this report includes articles describing FcepsilonRI expression in mucosal Langerhans cells and type II dendritic cells, mechanisms of TH1 and TH2 regulation, the role of Foxp3 in the development of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, and the increasing importance of Toll receptors in immunity. Articles related to clinical immunology that were selected include the first report of lymphocyte subsets values from a large cohort of normal children; the description of new genetic defects in primary immunodeficiencies; a description of the complications of gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency; a report of 79 patients with hyper-IgM syndrome; a report of the mechanism of action and complications of intravenous immunoglobulin; a report of new approaches for immunotherapy; and an article on advances in HIV infection and management, including a report of defensins, small molecules with anti-HIV properties. Also summarized is an article that studied the immune system during a prolonged stay in the Antarctic, a model for human studies on the effect of environmental conditions similar to space expeditions.

The effect of incident tuberculosis on immunological response of HIV patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy at the university of Gondar hospital, northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study.

PubMed

Assefa, Abate; Gelaw, Baye; Getnet, Gebeyaw; Yitayew, Gashaw

2014-08-27

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is usually complicated by high rates of tuberculosis (TB) co-infection. Impaired immune response has been reported during HIV/TB co-infection and may have significant effect on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). TB/HIV co - infection is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the effect of TB incidence on immunological response of HIV patients during ART. A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among adult HIV patients who started ART at the University of Gondar Hospital. Changes in CD4+ T - lymphocyte count and incident TB episodes occurring during 42 months of follow up on ART were assessed. Life table was used to estimate the cumulative immunologic failure. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare survival curves between the different categories. Cox-proportional hazard model was employed to examine predictors of immunological failure. Among 400 HIV patients, 89(22.2%) were found to have immunological failure with a rate of 8.5 per 100 person-years (PY) of follow-up. Incident TB developed in 26(6.5%) of patients, with an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 PY. The immunological failure rate was high (20.1/100PY) at the first year of treatment. At multivariate analysis, Cox regression analysis showed that baseline CD4+ T - cell count <100 cells/mm3 (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.8; 95%CI: 1.10 - 2.92, p = 0.023) and being male sex (AHR 1.6; 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.68, p = 0.046) were found to be significant predictors of immunological failure. There was borderline significant association with incident TB (AHR 2.2; 95%CI: 0.94 - 5.09, p = 0.06). The risk of immunological failure was significantly higher (38.5%) among those with incident TB compared with TB - free (21.1%) (Log rank p = 0.036). High incidence of immunological failure occurred within the first year of initiating ART. The proportions of patients with impaired immune restoration were higher among patients with

21 CFR 866.5210 - Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... (copper-transporting serum protein) in serum, other body fluids, or tissues. Measurements of ceruloplasmin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system. 866.5210 Section 866.5210 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

21 CFR 866.5210 - Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (copper-transporting serum protein) in serum, other body fluids, or tissues. Measurements of ceruloplasmin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system. 866.5210 Section 866.5210 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

21 CFR 866.5210 - Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... (copper-transporting serum protein) in serum, other body fluids, or tissues. Measurements of ceruloplasmin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system. 866.5210 Section 866.5210 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

21 CFR 866.5210 - Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... (copper-transporting serum protein) in serum, other body fluids, or tissues. Measurements of ceruloplasmin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Ceruloplasmin immunolog-ical test system. 866.5210 Section 866.5210 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

Rapid reduction of hepatitis C virus-Core protein in the peripheral blood improve the immunological response in chronic hepatitis C patients.

PubMed

Kondo, Yasuteru; Ueno, Yoshiyuki; Wakui, Yuta; Ninomiya, Masashi; Kakazu, Eiji; Inoue, Jun; Kobayashi, Koju; Obara, Noriyuki; Shimosegawa, Tooru

2011-12-01

  The extracellular hepatitis C virus (HCV)-antigen, including HCV-Core protein, can suppress immune cells. Recently, the efficacy of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was reported. However, the mechanism of efficacy of DFPP might not be only the reduction of HCV but also the effect of immune cells via direct and/or indirect mechanisms. The aim of this study is to analyze the virological and immunological parameters of difficult-to-treat HCV patients treated with DFPP combined with Peg-interferon and RBV (DFPP/Peg-IFN/RBV) therapy.   Twelve CHC patients were enrolled and treated with DFPP/Peg-IFN/RBV therapy. The immunological, virological and genetic parameters were studied.   All patients (4/4) treated with the major IL28B allele (T/T) could achieve complete early virological response (EVR). The amounts of HCV-Core antigen in the peripheral blood of EVR patients treated with DFPP/Peg-IFN/RBV rapidly declined in comparison to those of late virological response (LVR) patients treated with DFPP/Peg-IFN/RBV and EVR patients treated with Peg-IFN and RBV (Peg-IFN/RBV). The amount of IFN-γ produced from peripheral blood gradually increased. On the other hand, the amount of IL10 gradually decreased in the EVR patients. The frequencies of HCV-Core binding on CD3+ T cells rapidly declined in EVR patients treated with DFPP/Peg-IFN/RBV therapy. Moreover, the distributions of activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and CD16-CD56 high natural killer cells were significantly changed between before and after DFPP.   The rapid reduction of HCV-Core antigens and changes in the distribution of lymphoid cells could contribute to the favorable immunological response during DFPP/Peg-IFN/RBV therapy. © 2011 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

A very low geno2pheno false positive rate is associated with poor viro-immunological response in drug-naïve patients starting a first-line HAART.

PubMed

Armenia, Daniele; Soulie, Cathia; Di Carlo, Domenico; Fabeni, Lavinia; Gori, Caterina; Forbici, Federica; Svicher, Valentina; Bertoli, Ada; Sarmati, Loredana; Giuliani, Massimo; Latini, Alessandra; Boumis, Evangelo; Zaccarelli, Mauro; Bellagamba, Rita; Andreoni, Massimo; Marcelin, Anne-Geneviève; Calvez, Vincent; Antinori, Andrea; Ceccherini-Silberstein, Francesca; Perno, Carlo-Federico; Santoro, Maria Mercedes

2014-01-01

We previously found that a very low geno2pheno false positive rate (FPR ≤ 2%) defines a viral population associated with low CD4 cell count and the highest amount of X4-quasispecies. In this study, we aimed at evaluating whether FPR ≤ 2% might impact on the viro-immunological response in HIV-1 infected patients starting a first-line HAART. The analysis was performed on 305 HIV-1 B subtype infected drug-naïve patients who started their first-line HAART. Baseline FPR (%) values were stratified according to the following ranges: ≤ 2; 2-5; 5-10; 10-20; 20-60; >60. The impact of genotypically-inferred tropism on the time to achieve immunological reconstitution (a CD4 cell count gain from HAART initiation ≥ 150 cells/mm(3)) and on the time to achieve virological success (the first HIV-RNA measurement <50 copies/mL from HAART initiation) was evaluated by survival analyses. Overall, at therapy start, 27% of patients had FPR ≤ 10 (6%, FPR ≤ 2; 7%, FPR 2-5; 14%, FPR 5-10). By 12 months of therapy the rate of immunological reconstitution was overall 75.5%, and it was significantly lower for FPR ≤ 2 (54.1%) in comparison to other FPR ranks (78.8%, FPR 2-5; 77.5%, FPR 5-10; 71.7%, FPR 10-20; 81.8%, FPR 20-60; 75.1%, FPR >60; p = 0.008). The overall proportion of patients achieving virological success was 95.5% by 12 months of therapy. Multivariable Cox analyses showed that patients having pre-HAART FPR ≤ 2% had a significant lower relative adjusted hazard [95% C.I.] both to achieve immunological reconstitution (0.37 [0.20-0.71], p = 0.003) and to achieve virological success (0.50 [0.26-0.94], p = 0.031) than those with pre-HAART FPR >60%. Beyond the genotypically-inferred tropism determination, FPR ≤ 2% predicts both a poor immunological reconstitution and a lower virological response in drug-naïve patients who started their first-line therapy. This parameter could be useful to identify patients potentially with less chance of achieving adequate

Failure to achieve immunological recovery in HIV-infected patients with clinical and virological success after 10 years of combined ART: role of treatment course.

PubMed

Raffi, François; Le Moing, Vincent; Assuied, Alex; Habak, Sofiane; Spire, Bruno; Cazanave, Charles; Billaud, Eric; Dellamonica, Pierre; Ferry, Tristan; Fagard, Catherine; Leport, Catherine

2017-01-01

We assessed factors, including treatment course, associated with failure to obtain a 10 year immunological response after starting first-generation PI-containing combined ART (cART). In the prospective COPILOTE cohort of HIV-infected patients started on a first-generation PI-containing regimen in 1997-99, the impact of cART history on the failure to achieve immunological response measured at 10 years was assessed by multivariate logistic regression models in the 399 patients with clinical and virological success of cART. Failure of CD4 response (CD4 >500/mm 3 ) was associated with age ≥40 years at baseline (P < 0.001), CD4 cell counts ≤500/mm 3 at month 4 (P = 0.016) or month 12 (P < 0.001) and ≥3 months of cART interruption (P = 0.016). Factors associated with failure to achieve complete immunological response (CD4 >500/mm 3 and CD4:CD8 ratio >1) were CD4:CD8 ratio ≤0.8 at month 8 (P < 0.001) or month 12 (P < 0.001), ≥3 months of cumulative cART interruption (P = 0.011), ≥3 antiretroviral regimens (P = 0.009) and ≤4 treatment lines (P = 0.015). Baseline CD4 and CD4:CD8 ratio were not predictors of the 10 year immunological outcomes. In this therapeutic cohort of patients starting first-generation PI-containing cART in 1997-99, poor initial immunological response had a negative impact on 10 year CD4 and CD4 plus CD4:CD8 ratio response, despite prolonged virological success. Lack of treatment interruption may improve long-term immunological outcome in HIV infection. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Immunology of Bee Venom.

PubMed

Elieh Ali Komi, Daniel; Shafaghat, Farzaneh; Zwiener, Ricardo D

2018-06-01

Bee venom is a blend of biochemicals ranging from small peptides and enzymes to biogenic amines. It is capable of triggering severe immunologic reactions owing to its allergenic fraction. Venom components are presented to the T cells by antigen-presenting cells within the skin. These Th2 type T cells then release IL-4 and IL-13 which subsequently direct B cells to class switch to production of IgE. Generating venom-specific IgE and crosslinking FcεR1(s) on the surface of mast cells complete the sensitizing stage in allergic individuals who are most likely to experience severe and even fatal allergic reactions after being stung. Specific IgE for bee venom is a double-edged sword as it is a powerful mediator in triggering allergic events but is also applied successfully in diagnosis of the venom allergic patient. The healing capacity of bee venom has been rediscovered under laboratory-controlled conditions using animal models and cell cultures. The potential role of enzymatic fraction of bee venom including phospholipase A2 in the initiation and development of immune responses also has been studied in numerous research settings. Undoubtedly, having insights into immunologic interactions between bee venom components and innate/specific immune cells both locally and systematically will contribute to the development of immunologic strategies in specific and epitope-based immunotherapy especially in individuals with Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Depletion of autoreactive immunologic memory followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with refractory SLE induces long-term remission through de novo generation of a juvenile and tolerant immune system.

PubMed

Alexander, Tobias; Thiel, Andreas; Rosen, Oliver; Massenkeil, Gero; Sattler, Arne; Kohler, Siegfried; Mei, Henrik; Radtke, Hartmut; Gromnica-Ihle, Erika; Burmester, Gerd-Rüdiger; Arnold, Renate; Radbruch, Andreas; Hiepe, Falk

2009-01-01

Clinical trials have indicated that immunoablation followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has the potential to induce clinical remission in patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the mechanisms have remained unclear. We now report the results of a single-center prospective study of long-term immune reconstitution after ASCT in 7 patients with SLE. The clinical remissions observed in these patients are accompanied by the depletion of autoreactive immunologic memory, reflected by the disappearance of pathogenic anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies and protective antibodies in serum and a fundamental resetting of the adaptive immune system. The latter comprises recurrence of CD31(+)CD45RA(+)CD4(+) T cells (recent thymic emigrants) with a doubling in absolute numbers compared with age-matched healthy controls at the 3-year follow-up (P = .016), the regeneration of thymic-derived FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells, and normalization of peripheral T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire usage. Likewise, responders exhibited normalization of the previously disturbed B-cell homeostasis with numeric recovery of the naive B-cell compartment within 1 year after ASCT. These data are the first to demonstrate that both depletion of the autoreactive immunologic memory and a profound resetting of the adaptive immune system are required to reestablish self-tolerance in SLE.

Impact of HIV drug resistance on virologic and immunologic failure and mortality in a cohort of patients on antiretroviral therapy in China

PubMed Central

Liao, Lingjie; Xing, Hui; Su, Bin; Wang, Zhe; Ruan, Yuhua; Wang, Xia; Liu, Zhendong; Lu, Yanan; Yang, Shimei; Zhao, Quanbi; Vermund, Sten H.; Chen, Ray Y.; Shao, Yiming

2013-01-01

Objectives: To study the dynamics of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) and its association with virologic and immunologic failure as well as mortality among patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in China. Design: We recruited 365 patients on cART in two rural Chinese counties in 2003–2004 and followed them every 6 months until May 2010. Methods: Virologic failure, HIVDR, immunologic failure and death were documented. We used Kaplan–Meier and the proportional hazards models to identify the timing of the events, and risk factors for mortality. Results: At the end of study, patients had been followed for 1974.3 person-years, a median of 6.1 years. HIVDR mutations were found in 235 (64.4%) patients and 75 died (20.5%, 3.8/100 person-years). Median time from cART to detection of virologic failure was 17.5 months, to HIVDR 36.6 months and to immunologic failure 55.2 months (≈18-month median interval between each adverse milestone). Being male, having a baseline CD4+ cell count of less than 50 cells/μl and HIVDR were associated with higher mortality. Patients who developed HIVDR in the first year of treatment had higher mortality than those developing HIVDR later (adjusted hazard ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.01–3.48). Conclusion: HIVDR was common and was associated with higher mortality among Chinese patients on cART, particular when HIVDR was detected early in therapy. Our study reinforces the importance of improving patient adherence to cART in order to delay the emergence of HIVDR and obviate the need to switch to costly second-line drug regimens too early. PMID:23803794

Clinical, immunologic, and genetic spectrum of 696 patients with combined immunodeficiency.

PubMed

Abolhassani, Hassan; Chou, Janet; Bainter, Wayne; Platt, Craig D; Tavassoli, Mahmood; Momen, Tooba; Tavakol, Marzieh; Eslamian, Mohammad Hossein; Gharagozlou, Mohammad; Movahedi, Masoud; Ghadami, Mohsen; Hamidieh, Amir Ali; Azizi, Gholamreza; Yazdani, Reza; Afarideh, Mohsen; Ghajar, Alireza; Havaei, Arash; Chavoshzadeh, Zahra; Mahdaviani, Seyed Alireza; Cheraghi, Taher; Behniafard, Nasrin; Amin, Reza; Aleyasin, Soheila; Faridhosseini, Reza; Jabbari-Azad, Farahzad; Nabavi, Mohammamd; Bemanian, Mohammad Hassan; Arshi, Saba; Molatefi, Rasol; Sherkat, Roya; Mansouri, Mahboubeh; Mesdaghi, Mehrnaz; Babaie, Delara; Mohammadzadeh, Iraj; Ghaffari, Javad; Shafiei, Alireza; Kalantari, Najmeddin; Ahanchian, Hamid; Khoshkhui, Maryam; Soheili, Habib; Dabbaghzadeh, Abbas; Shirkani, Afshin; Nasiri Kalmarzi, Rasoul; Mortazavi, Seyed Hamidreza; Tafaroji, Javad; Khalili, Abbas; Mohammadi, Javad; Negahdari, Babak; Joghataei, Mohammad-Taghi; Al-Ramadi, Basel K; Picard, Capucine; Parvaneh, Nima; Rezaei, Nima; Chatila, Talal A; Massaad, Michel J; Keles, Sevgi; Hammarström, Lennart; Geha, Raif S; Aghamohammadi, Asghar

2018-04-01

Combined immunodeficiencies (CIDs) are diseases of defective adaptive immunity with diverse clinical phenotypes. Although CIDs are more prevalent in the Middle East than Western countries, the resources for genetic diagnosis are limited. This study aims to characterize the categories of patients with CIDs in Iran clinically and genetically. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from 696 patients with CIDs. Patients were subdivided into those with syndromic (344 patients) and nonsyndromic (352 patients) CIDs. Targeted DNA sequencing was performed on 243 (34.9%) patients. The overall diagnostic yield of the 243 sequenced patients was 77.8% (189 patients). The clinical diagnosis of hyper-IgE syndrome (P < .001), onset of disease at greater than 5 years (P = .02), and absence of multiple affected family members (P = .04) were significantly more frequent in the patients without a genetic diagnosis. An autosomal recessive disease was found in 62.9% of patients, reflecting the high rate of consanguinity in this cohort. Mutations impairing VDJ recombination and DNA repair were the most common underlying causes of CIDs. However, in patients with syndromic CIDs, autosomal recessive mutations in ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), autosomal dominant mutations in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and microdeletions in 22q11.21 were the most commonly affected genomic loci. Patients with syndromic CIDs had a significantly lower 5-year survival rate rather than those with nonsyndromic CIDs. This study provides proof of principle for the application of targeted next-generation sequencing panels in countries with limited diagnostic resources. The effect of genetic diagnosis on clinical care requires continued improvements in therapeutic resources for these patients. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. All rights reserved.

The Effect of Immunologically Safe Plasma Rich in Growth Factor Eye Drops in Patients with Sjögren Syndrome.

PubMed

Sanchez-Avila, Ronald Mauricio; Merayo-Lloves, Jesus; Riestra, Ana Cristina; Anitua, Eduardo; Muruzabal, Francisco; Orive, Gorka; Fernández-Vega, Luis

2017-06-01

The objective was to provide preliminary information about the efficacy and safety of immunologically safe plasma rich in growth factor (immunosafe PRGF) eye drops in the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye in patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to analyze the influence of several variables on treatment outcomes. This retrospective study included patients with SS. All patients were treated with previously immunosafe PRGF eye drops to reduce the immunologic component contents. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scale, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual analog scale (VAS) frequency, and VAS severity outcome measures were evaluated before and after treatment with immunosafe PRGF. The potential influence of some patient clinical variables on results was also assessed. Safety assessment was also performed reporting all adverse events. Twenty-six patients (12 patients with primary SS, and 14 patients suffering secondary SS) with a total of 52 affected eyes were included and evaluated. Immunosafe PRGF treatment showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in OSDI scale (41.86%), in BCVA (62.97%), in VAS frequency (34.75%), and in VAS severity (41.50%). BCVA and VAS frequency scores improved significantly (P < 0.05) after concomitant treatment of PRGF with corticosteroids. Only 2 adverse events were reported in 2 patients (7.7% of patients). Signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome in patients with SS were reduced after treatment with PRGF-Endoret eye drops. Immunosafe PRGF-Endoret is safe and effective for treating patients with primary and secondary SS.

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Italy.

PubMed

Tozzi, Alberto E; Armenio, Lucio; Bernardini, Roberto; Boner, Attilio; Calvani, Mauro; Cardinale, Fabio; Cavagni, Giovanni; Dondi, Arianna; Duse, Marzia; Fiocchi, Alessandro; Marseglia, Gian L; del Giudice, Michele Miraglia; Muraro, Antonella; Pajno, Giovanni B; Paravati, Francesco; Peroni, Diego; Tripodi, Salvatore; Ugazio, Alberto G; Indinnimeo, Luciana

2011-05-01

In Italy, according to the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study, the prevalence of current asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema in 2006 was 7.9%, 6.5%, and 10.1% among children aged 6-7 and 8.4%, 15.5%, and 7.75% among children aged 13-14 yr. University education in this field is provided by the Postgraduate Schools of Pediatrics and those of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, as well as several annual Master courses. The Italian Society of Pediatric Allergology and Immunology (SIAIP) was founded in 1996 and counts about 1000 members. SIAIP promotes evidence-based management of allergic children and disseminates information to patients and their families through a quite innovative website and the National Journal 'Rivista Italiana di Allergologia Pediatrica'. In the last decade, four major regional, inter-regional, and national web-based networks have been created to link pediatric allergy centers and to share their clinical protocols and epidemiologic data. In addition, National Registers of Primary Immune-deficiencies and on Pediatric HIV link all clinical excellence centers. Research projects in the field of pediatric allergy and immunology are founded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) and by the National Research Council (CNR), but the overall investments in this research area are quite low. Only a handful Italian excellence centers participate in European Projects on Pediatric Allergy and Immunology within the 7th Framework Program. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology currently hosts two Italians in its Executive Committee (EC) and one in the EC of the Pediatric Section; moreover, major European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology meetings and courses in the area of pediatrics (e.g., PAAM, Venice, 2009) have been held in Italy in the last 3 yr. Italian hallmarks in the management of allergic diseases in childhood are a quite alive and spread interest in

A Very Low Geno2pheno False Positive Rate Is Associated with Poor Viro-Immunological Response in Drug-Naïve Patients Starting a First-Line HAART

PubMed Central

Armenia, Daniele; Soulie, Cathia; Di Carlo, Domenico; Fabeni, Lavinia; Gori, Caterina; Forbici, Federica; Svicher, Valentina; Bertoli, Ada; Sarmati, Loredana; Giuliani, Massimo; Latini, Alessandra; Boumis, Evangelo; Zaccarelli, Mauro; Bellagamba, Rita; Andreoni, Massimo; Marcelin, Anne-Geneviève; Calvez, Vincent; Antinori, Andrea; Ceccherini-Silberstein, Francesca; Perno, Carlo-Federico; Santoro, Maria Mercedes

2014-01-01

Background We previously found that a very low geno2pheno false positive rate (FPR ≤2%) defines a viral population associated with low CD4 cell count and the highest amount of X4-quasispecies. In this study, we aimed at evaluating whether FPR ≤2% might impact on the viro-immunological response in HIV-1 infected patients starting a first-line HAART. Methods The analysis was performed on 305 HIV-1 B subtype infected drug-naïve patients who started their first-line HAART. Baseline FPR (%) values were stratified according to the following ranges: ≤2; 2–5; 5–10; 10–20; 20–60; >60. The impact of genotypically-inferred tropism on the time to achieve immunological reconstitution (a CD4 cell count gain from HAART initiation ≥150 cells/mm3) and on the time to achieve virological success (the first HIV-RNA measurement <50 copies/mL from HAART initiation) was evaluated by survival analyses. Results Overall, at therapy start, 27% of patients had FPR ≤10 (6%, FPR ≤2; 7%, FPR 2–5; 14%, FPR 5–10). By 12 months of therapy the rate of immunological reconstitution was overall 75.5%, and it was significantly lower for FPR ≤2 (54.1%) in comparison to other FPR ranks (78.8%, FPR 2–5; 77.5%, FPR 5–10; 71.7%, FPR 10–20; 81.8%, FPR 20–60; 75.1%, FPR >60; p = 0.008). The overall proportion of patients achieving virological success was 95.5% by 12 months of therapy. Multivariable Cox analyses showed that patients having pre-HAART FPR ≤2% had a significant lower relative adjusted hazard [95% C.I.] both to achieve immunological reconstitution (0.37 [0.20–0.71], p = 0.003) and to achieve virological success (0.50 [0.26–0.94], p = 0.031) than those with pre-HAART FPR >60%. Conclusions Beyond the genotypically-inferred tropism determination, FPR ≤2% predicts both a poor immunological reconstitution and a lower virological response in drug-naïve patients who started their first-line therapy. This parameter could be useful to identify patients

Advances in basic and clinical immunology in 2016.

PubMed

Chinen, Javier; Badran, Yousef R; Geha, Raif S; Chou, Janet S; Fried, Ari J

2017-10-01

Advances in basic immunology in 2016 included studies that further characterized the role of different proteins in the differentiation of effector T and B cells, including cytokines and proteins involved in the actin cytoskeleton. Regulation of granule formation and secretion in cytotoxic cells was also further described by examining patients with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The role of prenylation in patients with mevalonate kinase deficiency leading to inflammation has been established. We reviewed advances in clinical immunology, as well as new approaches of whole-genome sequencing and genes newly reported to be associated with immunodeficiency, such as linker of activation of T cells (LAT); B-cell CLL/lymphoma 11B (BCL11B); RGD, leucine-rich repeat, tropomodulin domain, and proline-rich domain-containing protein (RLTPR); moesin; and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1). Trials of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy for primary immunodeficiency have had relative success; the use of autologous virus-specific cytotoxic T cells has proved effective as well. New medications are being explored, such as pioglitazone, which is under study for its role in enhancing the oxidative burst in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. Development of vaccines for HIV infection continues to provide insight into the immune response against a virus with an extraordinary mutation rate. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Immunological responses induced by the combination of phototherapy and immunotherapy in the treatment of metastatic tumors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wei R.; Naylor, Mark F.; Nordquist, Robert E.; Teague, T. Kent; Liu, Hong

2008-02-01

Combination therapy using laser photothermal interaction and immunological stimulation has demonstrated its ability to induce immunological responses. Glycated chitosan (GC), an immunological stimulant, and imiquimod, a new type of immune response modifier (IRM), when used in conjunction with laser phototherapy, have shown to have a great immunological stimulation function. Specifically, imiquimod can help release cytokines from immunocompetent cells, stimulate TH1 lymphocyte responses (CD8+ T-cells), and recruit additional dendritic cells. To study the effects of immunoadjuvnats in combination of laser photo-irradiation, we treated animal tumors with laser-ICG-GC combination and late-stage melanoma patients with laser-ICG-imiquimod combination. At designated times, tumors, blood, and spleens in both treated and untreated animals were colleted for analysis. The major immunological indicators, such as IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma, CD4, and CD8 were analyzed. The same immunological analysis was also performed for melanoma patients treated by the laser-imiquimod combination.

Adherence to Drug-Refill Is a Useful Early Warning Indicator of Virologic and Immunologic Failure among HIV Patients on First-Line ART in South Africa

PubMed Central

El-Khatib, Ziad; Katzenstein, David; Marrone, Gaetano; Laher, Fatima; Mohapi, Lerato; Petzold, Max; Morris, Lynn; Ekström, Anna Mia

2011-01-01

Background Affordable strategies to prevent treatment failure on first-line regimens among HIV patients are essential for the long-term success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO recommends using routinely collected data such as adherence to drug-refill visits as early warning indicators. We examined the association between adherence to drug-refill visits and long-term virologic and immunologic failure among non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) recipients in South Africa. Methods In 2008, 456 patients on NNRTI-based ART for a median of 44 months (range 12–99 months; 1,510 person-years) were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study in Soweto. Charts were reviewed for clinical characteristics before and during ART. Multivariable logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis assessed associations with virologic (two repeated VL>50 copies/ml) and immunologic failure (as defined by WHO). Results After a median of 15 months on ART, 19% (n = 88) and 19% (n = 87) had failed virologically and immunologically respectively. A cumulative adherence of <95% to drug-refill visits was significantly associated with both virologic and immunologic failure (p<0.01). In the final multivariable model, risk factors for virologic failure were incomplete adherence (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.2–6.7), and previous exposure to single-dose nevirapine or any other antiretrovirals (adj. OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.2–3.9), adjusted for age and sex. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the virologic failure rate by month 48 was 19% vs. 37% among adherent and non-adherent patients respectively (logrank p value = 0.02). Conclusion One in five failed virologically after a median of 15 months on ART. Adherence to drug-refill visits works as an early warning indicator for both virologic and immunologic failure. PMID:21408071

Regenerative immunology: the immunological reaction to biomaterials.

PubMed

Cravedi, Paolo; Farouk, Samira; Angeletti, Andrea; Edgar, Lauren; Tamburrini, Riccardo; Duisit, Jerome; Perin, Laura; Orlando, Giuseppe

2017-12-01

Regenerative medicine promises to meet two of the most urgent needs of modern organ transplantation, namely immunosuppression-free transplantation and an inexhaustible source of organs. Ideally, bioengineered organs would be manufactured from a patient's own biomaterials-both cells and the supporting scaffolding materials in which cells would be embedded and allowed to mature to eventually regenerate the organ in question. While some groups are focusing on the feasibility of this approach, few are focusing on the immunogenicity of the scaffolds that are being developed for organ bioengineering purposes. This review will succinctly discuss progress in the understanding of immunological characteristics and behavior of different scaffolds currently under development, with emphasis on the extracellular matrix scaffolds obtained decellularized animal or human organs which seem to provide the ideal template for bioengineering purposes. © 2017 Steunstichting ESOT.

[Inflammatory bowel diseases: an immunological approach].

PubMed

Sepúlveda, Sofía E; Beltrán, Caroll J; Peralta, Alexis; Rivas, Paola; Rojas, Néstor; Figueroa, Carolina; Quera, Rodrigo; Hermoso, Marcela A

2008-03-01

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are inflammatory diseases with a multifactorial component that involve the intestinal tract. The two relevant IBD syndromes are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). One factor involved in IBD development is a genetic predisposition, associated to NOD2/CARD15 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphisms that might favor infectious enterocolitis that is possibly associated to the development of IBD. The identification of specific immunologic alterations in IBD and their relationship to the etiology of the disease is a relevant research topic. The role of intra and extracellular molecules, such as transcription factors and cytokines that are involved in the inflammatory response, needs to be understood. The relevance of immunologic molecules that might drive the immune response to a T helper (Th) 1, Th 2 or the recently described Th 17 phenotype, has been demonstrated in animal models and clinical studies with IBD patients. CD and UC predominantly behave with a Th 1 and Th 2 immune phenotype, respectively. Recently, an association between CD and Th 17 has been reported. The knowledge acquired from immunologic and molecular research will help to develop accurate diagnostic methods and efficient therapies.

The immunological synapse

PubMed Central

Dustin, Michael L.

2015-01-01

The molecular interactions underlying regulation of the immune response take place in a nano-scale gap between T cells and antigen presenting cells, termed the immunological synapse. If these interactions are regulated appropriately, the host is defended against a wide range of pathogens and deranged host cells. If these interactions are dis-regulated, the host is susceptible to pathogens or tumor escape at one extreme and autoimmunity at the other. Treatments targeting the synapse have helped to establish immunotherapy as a mainstream element in cancer treatment. This Masters primer will cover the basics of the immunological synapse and some of the applications to tumor immunology. PMID:25367977

Effect of vitamin D replacement on immunological biomarkers in patients with multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Mrad, May F; El Ayoubi, Nabil K; Esmerian, Maria O; Kazan, Jalal M; Khoury, Samia J

2017-08-01

We aimed to investigate the immunologic effects of vitamin D replacement in RRMS patients. In a controlled single center study, patients deficient in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (serum level<25ng/ml) received 10,000IU/week cholecalciferol for 3months. Sufficient vitamin D patients (serum level>35ng/ml) were followed for the same period. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 3months. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels increased significantly from baseline to month-3 in the deficient group after treatment and remained stable in the sufficient group. We observed a decreased interferon-γ (IFNγ) secretion by CD4 + T cells in vitamin D deficient group but not in the sufficient group, and a negative correlation between baseline serum vitamin D and IFNγ production. There was no change in the frequency of T helper or regulatory T cell subsets in either group. Increasing serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with decreased production of IFNγ by CD4 + T cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tumor immunology.

PubMed

Mocellin, Simone; Lise, Mario; Nitti, Donato

2007-01-01

Advances in tumor immunology are supporting the clinical implementation of several immunological approaches to cancer in the clinical setting. However, the alternate success of current immunotherapeutic regimens underscores the fact that the molecular mechanisms underlying immune-mediated tumor rejection are still poorly understood. Given the complexity of the immune system network and the multidimensionality of tumor/host interactions, the comprehension of tumor immunology might greatly benefit from high-throughput microarray analysis, which can portrait the molecular kinetics of immune response on a genome-wide scale, thus accelerating the discovery pace and ultimately catalyzing the development of new hypotheses in cell biology. Although in its infancy, the implementation of microarray technology in tumor immunology studies has already provided investigators with novel data and intriguing new hypotheses on the molecular cascade leading to an effective immune response against cancer. Although the general principles of microarray-based gene profiling have rapidly spread in the scientific community, the need for mastering this technique to produce meaningful data and correctly interpret the enormous output of information generated by this technology is critical and represents a tremendous challenge for investigators, as outlined in the first section of this book. In the present Chapter, we report on some of the most significant results obtained with the application of DNA microarray in this oncology field.

The immunological response and post-treatment survival of DC-vaccinated melanoma patients are associated with increased Th1/Th17 and reduced Th3 cytokine responses.

PubMed

Durán-Aniotz, Claudia; Segal, Gabriela; Salazar, Lorena; Pereda, Cristián; Falcón, Cristián; Tempio, Fabián; Aguilera, Raquel; González, Rodrigo; Pérez, Claudio; Tittarelli, Andrés; Catalán, Diego; Nervi, Bruno; Larrondo, Milton; Salazar-Onfray, Flavio; López, Mercedes N

2013-04-01

Immunization with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with a heat shock-conditioned allogeneic melanoma cell lysate caused lysate-specific delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions in a number of patients. These responses correlated with a threefold prolonged long-term survival of DTH(+) with respect to DTH(-) unresponsive patients. Herein, we investigated whether the immunological reactions associated with prolonged survival were related to dissimilar cellular and cytokine responses in blood. Healthy donors and melanoma patient's lymphocytes obtained from blood before and after vaccinations and from DTH biopsies were analyzed for T cell population distribution and cytokine release. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from melanoma patients have an increased proportion of Th3 (CD4(+) TGF-β(+)) regulatory T lymphocytes compared with healthy donors. Notably, DTH(+) patients showed a threefold reduction of Th3 cells compared with DTH(-) patients after DCs vaccine treatment. Furthermore, DCs vaccination resulted in a threefold augment of the proportion of IFN-γ releasing Th1 cells and in a twofold increase of the IL-17-producing Th17 population in DTH(+) with respect to DTH(-) patients. Increased Th1 and Th17 cell populations in both blood and DTH-derived tissues suggest that these profiles may be related to a more effective anti-melanoma response. Our results indicate that increased proinflammatory cytokine profiles are related to detectable immunological responses in vivo (DTH) and to prolonged patient survival. Our study contributes to the understanding of immunological responses produced by DCs vaccines and to the identification of follow-up markers for patient outcome that may allow a closer individual monitoring of patients.

Relationship Between Clinical and Immunological Features with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Female Patients with Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

PubMed Central

Wang, Hai-Peng; Wang, Cui-Yan; Pan, Zheng-Lun; Zhao, Jun-Yu; Zhao, Bin

2016-01-01

Background: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred neuroimaging method in the evaluation of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between clinical and immunological features with MRI abnormalities in female patients with NPSLE, to screen for the value of conventional MRI in NPSLE. Methods: A total of 59 female NPSLE patients with conventional MRI examinations were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients were classified into different groups according to MRI abnormalities. Both clinical and immunological features were compared between MRI abnormal and normal groups. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score for MRI abnormalities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis investigated the correlation between immunological features, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and MRI abnormalities. Results: Thirty-six NPSLE patients (61%) showed a variety of MRI abnormalities. There were statistically significant differences in SLEDAI scores (P < 0.001), incidence of neurologic disorders (P = 0.001), levels of 24-h proteinuria (P = 0.001) and immunoglobulin M (P = 0.004), and incidence of acute confusional state (P = 0.002), cerebrovascular disease (P = 0.004), and seizure disorder (P = 0.028) between MRI abnormal and normal groups. In the MRI abnormal group, SLEDAI scores for cerebral atrophy (CA), cortex involvement, and restricted diffusion (RD) were much higher than in the MRI normal group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.038, respectively). Statistically significant positive correlations between seizure disorder and cortex involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 14.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50–151.70; P = 0.023) and cerebrovascular disease and infratentorial involvement (OR = 10.00; 95% CI, 1.70–60.00; P = 0.012) were found. Conclusions: MRI abnormalities in NPSLE, especially CA

Immunologic prediction of relapse in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) in clinical remission.

PubMed

Daneshpazhooh, Maryam; Zafarmand Sedigh, Vahid; Balighi, Kamran; Hosseini, S Hamed; Ramezani, Ali; Kalantari, Mohammad-Sadegh; Ghandi, Narges; Ghiasi, Maryam; Nikoo, Azita; Chams-Davatchi, Cheyda

2016-06-01

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is characterized by multiple relapses, occurring especially in patients on minimal therapy or off therapy. To identify immunologic predictors (anti-desmoglein [Dsg] 1 and 3 antibodies; direct immunofluorescence [DIF]) for relapse in PV patients. Eighty-nine patients in complete clinical remission for at least 6 months and receiving less than or equal to 10 mg prednisolone daily and no immunosuppressive drugs were evaluated using DIF (n=89) and Dsg ELISA (n=46). They were followed until relapse or for at least 18 months. DIF was positive in 44 of 89 patients (49.5%); anti-Dsg 3 antibodies were detected in 18 of 46 patients (39.1%) and anti-Dsg 1 antibodies were detected in 4 of 46 patients (8.7%). Relapse occurred in 38 patients (42.7%). Mean relapse-free time was significantly shorter in anti-Dsg 3-positive patients compared to anti-Dsg 3- negative patients (P = .015) and in DIF-positive patients compared to DIF-negative patients (P = .047), but not in anti-Dsg 1- positive patients compared to anti-Dsg 1-negative patients (P = .501). Sensitivity and predictive values of neither of these tests were high. Small number of anti-Dsg 1-positive patients and use of conventional ELISA. Positive anti-Dsg 3 ELISA and, to a lesser degree, positive DIF are predictors of relapse in PV patients in clinical remission. Decision on discontinuing treatment should be based on the results of these tests as well as on clinical findings. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Immunological Responses to Total Hip Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Man, Kenny; Jiang, Lin-Hua; Foster, Richard; Yang, Xuebin B

2017-08-01

The use of total hip arthroplasties (THA) has been continuously rising to meet the demands of the increasingly ageing population. To date, this procedure has been highly successful in relieving pain and restoring the functionality of patients' joints, and has significantly improved their quality of life. However, these implants are expected to eventually fail after 15-25 years in situ due to slow progressive inflammatory responses at the bone-implant interface. Such inflammatory responses are primarily mediated by immune cells such as macrophages, triggered by implant wear particles. As a result, aseptic loosening is the main cause for revision surgery over the mid and long-term and is responsible for more than 70% of hip revisions. In some patients with a metal-on-metal (MoM) implant, metallic implant wear particles can give rise to metal sensitivity. Therefore, engineering biomaterials, which are immunologically inert or support the healing process, require an in-depth understanding of the host inflammatory and wound-healing response to implanted materials. This review discusses the immunological response initiated by biomaterials extensively used in THA, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), cobalt chromium (CoCr), and alumina ceramics. The biological responses of these biomaterials in bulk and particulate forms are also discussed. In conclusion, the immunological responses to bulk and particulate biomaterials vary greatly depending on the implant material types, the size of particulate and its volume, and where the response to bulk forms of differing biomaterials are relatively acute and similar, while wear particles can initiate a variety of responses such as osteolysis, metal sensitivity, and so on.

Immunology proves a great success for treating systemic autoimmune diseases - a perspective on immunopharmacology: IUPHAR Review 23.

PubMed

Ishii, Masaru

2017-07-01

Recent advances in the bioengineering of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized the treatment of several immunological and rheumatic diseases. mAbs exhibit high specificity and affinity, and are very effective targeting agents, associated with minimal off-target adverse effects. Of several relevant immunological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis was the condition initially treated with mAbs, with great success. Currently, many immunological disorders are targeted and successfully treated using such novel approaches; these include inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis, lupus and psoriasis. Today, the efforts of researchers in basic immunology (with a long history) have borne fruit; bioengineered mAbs are employed in clinical practice. In this brief review, I will describe the current and emerging therapeutic mAbs and molecular targeted agents, and discuss the future of the field, especially from the viewpoint of pharmacology. © 2017 The British Pharmacological Society.

An Investigation of Immunological Tolerance Based on Chimaera Analysis

PubMed Central

Michie, Donald; Woodruff, M. F. A.; Zeiss, Irmgard M.

1961-01-01

Newborn mice of strain A were injected intravenously at birth with 9–15 million spleen cells from adult CBA donors. The recipients exhibited splenomegaly and other signs of graft-versus-host reaction during the first 3 weeks of life. Adult survivors were uniformly tolerant of CBA skin. They showed no sign of a continuing graft-versus-host reaction. The spleens of the treated mice were tested for the presence of immunologically competent donor and host cells by Simonsen's discriminant spleen assay. From the age of 7 days onwards the spleens were found to contain a small percentage of donor cells which were immunologically active against antigens of a third strain. In spleens from adult survivors activity, attributable to the host component, against third-party antigens was undiminished as compared with that of untreated A-strain mice. But activity against the CBA donor strain was absent. PMID:14473459

Clinical and immunological manifestations in 151 SLE patients living in Dubai.

PubMed

AlSaleh, J; Jassim, V; ElSayed, M; Saleh, N; Harb, D

2008-01-01

To gain better understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Dubai we studied the clinical and immunological manifestations in a cohort of 151 patients attended Rheumatology Clinic in Dubai Hospital between January 2002 and January 2007. We found that the female to male ratio was 20.5:1, with a mean age of 35.5 years (0.9). The mean age at disease onset was 28.9 years (0.8) and mean disease duration 6.7 years (0.4). Five-year survival rate in our cohort was 94%. The commonest clinical manifestations in this cohort were arthritis (88%), haematological abnormalities (61.6%), and malar rash (60.3%). Leucopenia, fever, hair loss and proteinuria were observed in approximately half of the patients. Anaemia was found in 44.3% but only 9.9% had haemolytic anaemia. Photosensitive rash was seen in 43% of patients. Approximately one-third of the patients had serositis and mouth ulcers, 30.5 and 27.2% respectively. Vasculitis was observed in 19.2% of patients. Neuropsychiatric manifestations (15.9%), discoid lupus lesions (12.6%), and brain infarcts (13.2%) were infrequent. Subacute cutaneous lupus (6%) was also uncommon. Anti-nuclear antibodies were detected in 98%, anti-double stranded DNA antibodies in 88.7%, anti-Sm antibodies in 19.7%, anti-RNP in 40.4%, anti-Ro antibodies in 52.3% and anti-La antibodies in 19.8%. Anti-cardiolipin IgM and IgG were detected in 25.3 and 22.4%, respectively. This study suggests that Arabs with SLE residing in Dubai have comparable clinical features to their counterparts in other Arab countries and Western countries. The high prevalence of positive anti-Ro antibodies among our Arab patients probably reflects a character, that is, commonly seen in SLE patients of Middle East origin.

Immunology of malignant diseases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Byers, V.S.; Baldwin, R.W.

1987-01-01

This book contains 11 chapters. Some of the chapter titles are: Immunoscintigraphy: tumor detection with radiolabelled antitumor monoclonal antibodies; Bone marrow transplantation; Immunomodulating agents; Immunology in bowel cancer; Melanoma; and Immunological features of human bladder cancer.

Immunological dynamics associated with rapid virological response during the early phase of type I interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

PubMed

Lee, Jae-Won; Kim, Won; Kwon, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Yuri; Shin, Hyun Mu; Kim, Dong-Hyun; Min, Chan-Ki; Choi, Ji-Yeob; Lee, Won-Woo; Choi, Myung-Sik; Kim, Byeong Gwan; Cho, Nam-Hyuk

2017-01-01

Type I interferons (IFNs) play an important role in antiviral immunity as well as immunopathogenesis of diverse chronic viral infections. However, the precise mechanisms regulating the multifaceted effects of type I IFNs on the immune system and pathological inflammation still remain unclear. In order to assess the immunological dynamics associated with rapid viral clearance in chronic hepatitis C patients during the acute phase of type I IFN therapy, we analyzed multiple parameters of virological and immunological responses in a cohort of 59 Korean hepatitis C patients who received pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin (IFN/RBV). Most of the Korean patients had favorable alleles in the IFN-λ loci for responsiveness to IFN/RBV (i.e., C/C in rs12979860, T/T in rs8099917, and TT/TT in rs368234815). Rapid virological response (RVR) was determined mainly by the hepatitis C virus genotype. Among the cytokines analyzed, higher plasma levels of IL-17A and FGF were observed in non-RVR patients infected with viral genotype 1 and IP-10 was consistently elevated in RVR group infected with genotype 2 during the early phase of antiviral therapy. In addition, these three cytokines were correlated each other, suggesting a functional linkage of the cytokines in antiviral responses during IFN/RBV therapy. A low baseline frequencies of regulatory T cells and γδ T cells, but high level of group 2 innate lymphoid cells, in peripheral bloods were also significantly associated with the RVR group, implicating a potential role of the cellular immunity during the early phase of IFN/RBV therapy. Therefore, the immunological programs established by chronic hepatitis C and rapid disruption of the delicate balance by exogenous type I IFN might be associated with the subsequent virological outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Immunological dynamics associated with rapid virological response during the early phase of type I interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

PubMed Central

Lee, Jae-Won; Kim, Won; Kwon, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Yuri; Shin, Hyun Mu; Kim, Dong-Hyun; Min, Chan-Ki; Choi, Ji-Yeob; Lee, Won-Woo; Choi, Myung-Sik; Kim, Byeong Gwan

2017-01-01

Type I interferons (IFNs) play an important role in antiviral immunity as well as immunopathogenesis of diverse chronic viral infections. However, the precise mechanisms regulating the multifaceted effects of type I IFNs on the immune system and pathological inflammation still remain unclear. In order to assess the immunological dynamics associated with rapid viral clearance in chronic hepatitis C patients during the acute phase of type I IFN therapy, we analyzed multiple parameters of virological and immunological responses in a cohort of 59 Korean hepatitis C patients who received pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin (IFN/RBV). Most of the Korean patients had favorable alleles in the IFN-λ loci for responsiveness to IFN/RBV (i.e., C/C in rs12979860, T/T in rs8099917, and TT/TT in rs368234815). Rapid virological response (RVR) was determined mainly by the hepatitis C virus genotype. Among the cytokines analyzed, higher plasma levels of IL-17A and FGF were observed in non-RVR patients infected with viral genotype 1 and IP-10 was consistently elevated in RVR group infected with genotype 2 during the early phase of antiviral therapy. In addition, these three cytokines were correlated each other, suggesting a functional linkage of the cytokines in antiviral responses during IFN/RBV therapy. A low baseline frequencies of regulatory T cells and γδ T cells, but high level of group 2 innate lymphoid cells, in peripheral bloods were also significantly associated with the RVR group, implicating a potential role of the cellular immunity during the early phase of IFN/RBV therapy. Therefore, the immunological programs established by chronic hepatitis C and rapid disruption of the delicate balance by exogenous type I IFN might be associated with the subsequent virological outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients. PMID:28614389

Immunological metagene signatures derived from immunogenic cancer cell death associate with improved survival of patients with lung, breast or ovarian malignancies: A large-scale meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Garg, Abhishek D.; De Ruysscher, Dirk; Agostinis, Patrizia

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The emerging role of the cancer cell-immune cell interface in shaping tumorigenesis/anticancer immunotherapy has increased the need to identify prognostic biomarkers. Henceforth, our primary aim was to identify the immunogenic cell death (ICD)-derived metagene signatures in breast, lung and ovarian cancer that associate with improved patient survival. To this end, we analyzed the prognostic impact of differential gene-expression of 33 pre-clinically-validated ICD-parameters through a large-scale meta-analysis involving 3,983 patients (‘discovery’ dataset) across lung (1,432), breast (1,115) and ovarian (1,436) malignancies. The main results were also substantiated in ‘validation’ datasets consisting of 818 patients of same cancer-types (i.e. 285 breast/274 lung/259 ovarian). The ICD-associated parameters exhibited a highly-clustered and largely cancer type-specific prognostic impact. Interestingly, we delineated ICD-derived consensus-metagene signatures that exhibited a positive prognostic impact that was either cancer type-independent or specific. Importantly, most of these ICD-derived consensus-metagenes (acted as attractor-metagenes and thereby) ‘attracted’ highly co-expressing sets of genes or convergent-metagenes. These convergent-metagenes also exhibited positive prognostic impact in respective cancer types. Remarkably, we found that the cancer type-independent consensus-metagene acted as an ‘attractor’ for cancer-specific convergent-metagenes. This reaffirms that the immunological prognostic landscape of cancer tends to segregate between cancer-independent and cancer-type specific gene signatures. Moreover, this prognostic landscape was largely dominated by the classical T cell activity/infiltration/function-related biomarkers. Interestingly, each cancer type tended to associate with biomarkers representing a specific T cell activity or function rather than pan-T cell biomarkers. Thus, our analysis confirms that ICD can serve as a

Paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis: immunological and clinical aspects.

PubMed

Skeie, G O; Romi, F

2008-10-01

Paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis (MG) is accompanied by a neoplasm, usually thymoma. In patients with thymoma and a specific genetic make-up, the paraneoplastic immune response develops further in thymic remnant or peripheral lymphatic tissue. Paraneoplastic MG and late-onset MG (age >or= 50 years) share a similar immunological profile with high titin and ryanodine receptor (RyR) antibody prevalence. This profile is the most important predictor of clinical outcome in paraneoplastic MG. The presence of a thymoma per se does not cause more severe MG. MG severity is linked to the patient's immunological profile. Paraneoplastic MG causes a distinctive non-limb symptom profile at MG onset, characterized by bulbar, ocular, neck, and respiratory symptoms. When the diagnosis of paraneoplastic MG is established, the neoplasm should be removed surgically. Pre-thymectomy plasmapheresis or iv-IgG should be considered in these patients to minimize post-thymectomy MG exacerbation risk. Paraneoplastic MG usually continues after thymectomy. The pharmacological treatment of paraneoplastic MG does not differ from non-paraneoplastic MG, except for tacrolimus that should be considered in difficult cases. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant acting specifically in RyR antibody positive patients through enhancing RyR-related sarcoplasmic calcium release that in theory might be blocked by RyR antibodies, causing symptomatic relief in paraneoplastic MG.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology membership experience with allergen immunotherapy safety in patients with specific medical conditions.

PubMed

Larenas-Linnemann, Désirée E S; Hauswirth, David W; Calabria, Christopher W; Sher, Lawrence D; Rank, Matthew A

2016-09-01

Little data in the literature exist concerning patients with certain underlying medical conditions who receive allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). To survey allergists' experience with SCIT in patients with medical conditions considered to impose an elevated risk for untoward outcomes. A Web-based survey was conducted among members of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to query about their experience with SCIT in patients with certain medical conditions. There were 1085 replies (21% response), of whom, 86% were U.S. based, 51% were suburban, 31% were academic, 42% were medium-sized practices, and 54% had >15 years' experience. In responders' opinion, SCIT was "contraindicated" in patients with the following: acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (48%), cancer (and still receiving active treatment) (33%), severe asthma (32%), and a history of transplantation (30%). Even so, survey responders collectively gave SCIT to >2400 patients for each of these conditions: severe asthma, coronary artery disease, cancer in remission, and autoimmune disorders; and to ≥5400 patients with hypertension and ≥4100 women who became pregnant. The experience of colleagues with these patients rarely resulted in major problems (i.e., activation of underlying disease, systemic reactions to SCIT, or SCIT discontinuation), with the exception of severe asthma (12.5%), initiation of SCIT during pregnancy (5.4%), and AIDS (4.2%). For most other conditions, it was ≤1.5% (e.g., continue during pregnancy, cancer in remission, history of transplantation, positive human immunodeficiency virus and no AIDS). According to the experience of a large group of practicing allergists, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology members, few medical conditions seemed to pose an elevated risk for untoward outcomes from SCIT. Because these are survey results, prospective research might yield even more solid data.

SPECIAL ISSUE VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOPATHOLOGY: PROCEEDINGS 8TH INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This is the Special Issue of Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. that summarizes the 8th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (8 th IVIS) held August 15th-19th, 2007, in Ouro Preto, Brazil. The 8 th IVIS highlighted the importance of veterinary immunology for animal health, vaccinology, reproducti...

Immunology.

PubMed

Toskala, Elina

2014-09-01

Knowledge of our immune system functions is critical for understanding allergic airway disease development as well as for selection of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients with respiratory allergies. This review explains the current understanding of the basic immunology of the upper airways and the pathophysiology of allergic responses, including the mechanisms behind allergic rhinitis. The immune system can be divided to 2 main defense systems that function differently-innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity includes several defensive mechanisms such as anatomic or physical barriers, physiological barriers, phagocytosis, and inflammation. The adaptive immune response is activated in an antigen-specific way to provide for the elimination of antigen and induce lasting protection. Hypersensitivity reactions occur when an exaggerated adaptive immune response is activated. Allergic rhinitis is an example of a type I, immunoglobulin E, mediated hypersensitivity reaction. Today we have several immunomodulatory treatment options for patients with allergic airway diseases, such as subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy. An understanding of the basics of our immune system and its method of functions is key for using these therapies appropriately. © 2014 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Immunological mechanisms of vaccination

PubMed Central

Pulendran, Bali; Ahmed, Rafi

2011-01-01

Vaccines represent one of the greatest triumphs of modern medicine. Despite the common origins of vaccinology and immunology more than 200 years ago, the two disciplines have evolved along such different trajectories that most of the highly successful vaccines have been made empirically, with little or no immunological insight. Recent advances in innate immunity have offered new insights about the mechanisms of vaccine-induced immunity and have facilitated a more rational approach to vaccine design. Here we will discuss these advances and emerging themes on the immunology of vaccination. PMID:21739679

Histological and immunological features of appendix in patients with ulcerative colitis.

PubMed

Jo, Yukihiko; Matsumoto, Takayuki; Yada, Shinichiro; Nakamura, Shotaro; Yao, Takashi; Hotokezaka, Masayuki; Mibu, Ryuichi; Iida, Mitsuo

2003-01-01

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have a less frequent prior history of appendectomy than the general population. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate histological and immunological characteristics of the appendix in UC and to assess the effect of appendectomy on the disease. Nine subjects with mildly active UC were treated by surgical appendectomy. In four subjects, the histological findings of the appendix were compatible with ulcerative appendicitis. CD3+CD4+CD25+, CD3+CD4+CD45RO+, and CD3+CD8+CD45RO+ appendiceal mononuclear cells were significantly higher in UC than in acute appendicitis and in normal appendix. There was a trend towards higher mRNA transcripts of IFN-gamma in the appendix of UC than those in other two groups. Clinical activity index decreased significantly four weeks after the appendectomy, although the effect was transient. The appendix is a site of involvement in UC, where mononuclear cells are presumed to be at a state of basal activation.

Comparison of biochemical and immunological profile of pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia in relation to healthy individuals.

PubMed

Sanches, Fabiane L F Z; Nitsch, Taís M; Vilela, Maria Marluce S; Sgarbieri, Valdemiro C

2015-01-01

To compare the biochemical and immunological profiles of pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with healthy children and adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study in which 21 therapy-naïve patients with AML were compared with a group of 24 healthy individuals. The following data were analyzed: serum proteins, leucocytes and subgroups, erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelets, cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultures under spontaneous and BCG- or PHA-stimulated conditions, immunoglobulin A, and erythrocytic glutathione. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, considering as significant p-values<0.05. Serum albumin levels were higher (p<0.0001) in the control group, as well as all the parameters related to red blood cells (p<0.0001). For leucocytes and subgroups, no statistical difference was found between the AML and the control groups. For cytokines, the concentrations were significantly higher under spontaneous and BCG-stimulated conditions for TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the control group. Under PHA-stimulated conditions, the concentration was higher (p=0.002) only for IL-6. No difference was found between the two groups for the other cytokines and for IgA in the saliva. Erythrocytic glutathione was higher (p<0.0001) in AML patients. It was possible to characterize the biochemical and immunological profile of pediatric patients with AML, as well as highlight some significant differences in these parameters when comparing with healthy children and adolescents. Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Clinical and Immunological Changes of Immunotherapy in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Sánchez Caraballo, Jorge Mario; Cardona Villa, Ricardo

2012-01-01

Background. Immunotherapy has proven to be an useful tool in the management of allergic respiratory diseases; however, little has been studied in atopic dermatitis. Objective. To evaluate the clinical and immunological impact of immunotherapy with mites allergen extracts in atopic dermatitis. Methods. Patients with atopic dermatitis were assigned with computer-generated randomization to either of the following groups: (a) controls received only topical treatment with steroids and/or tacrolimus and (b) actively treated patients received topical treatment plus immunotherapy. Levels of serum total IgE, mites-specific IgE and IgG4 were assessed at study start and after one year of immunotherapy. Results. 31 patients in the active group and 29 in the control group completed the study. Symptoms and medication scores were significantly reduced in the active group after six months. Three patients in the control group showed new sensitizations to mites, while 3 patients in the active group showed neosensitization to shrimp with negative oral food challenge. We observed significant increase of mites-specific IgG4 levels in active group. Conclusion. Specific allergen immunotherapy induced a tolerogenic IgG4 response to mite allergens associated with favorable clinical effects in atopic dermatitis patients. PMID:23724240

Qualitative Immune Modulation by Interleukin-2 (IL-2) Adjuvant Therapy in Immunological Non Responder HIV-Infected Patients

PubMed Central

Sabbatini, Francesca; Bandera, Alessandra; Ferrario, Giulio; Trabattoni, Daria; Marchetti, Giulia; Franzetti, Fabio; Clerici, Mario; Gori, Andrea

2010-01-01

Background Treatment of HIV-infected patients with interleukin-2 (IL-2) produces significant increases in CD4 T cell counts; however an associated qualitative improvement in cells function has yet to be conclusively demonstrated. By measuring mycobacterial killing activity, we evaluated IL-2-mediated functional immune enhancement ex vivo in immunological non-responders (INRs). Methods and Findings PBMC from 12 immunological non-responders (INRs) (CD4+<200/µl, HIV-RNA<50 cp/ml) on combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) were collected at baseline, and after 3 IL-2 cycles. Eight INRs receiving only cART were studied as controls. After 21 days of PBMC incubation with a virulent M. avium suspension, counts of residual colony forming units (CFUs) and concentrations of TNF-α, IL-10 and IFN-γ were determined. In IL-2 treated patients, a significant reduction in mean residual CFUs of PBMC cultures was observed (p<0.01). Moreover, following IL-2 treatment, significant increases in PBMC's IFNγ production (p = 0.02) and substantial reductions in IL-10 levels were observed. Conclusions IL-2 therapy restores the ability of the lympho-monocyte system in eliciting an effective response against mycobacterial infections. Our data indicate the possibility of a clinical role held by IL-2 in enhancing the immune function of subjects unable to achieve immune competence through cART alone. PMID:21124762

The New Cellular Immunology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Claman, Henry N.

1973-01-01

Discusses the nature of the immune response and traces many of the discoveries that have led to the present state of knowledge in immunology. The new cellular immunology is directing its efforts toward improving health by proper manipulation of the immune mechanisms of the body. (JR)

21 CFR 866.5230 - Colostrum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5230 Colostrum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A colostrum immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Colostrum immunological test system. 866.5230...

21 CFR 866.5570 - Lactoferrin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5570 Lactoferrin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A lactoferrin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Lactoferrin immunological test system. 866.5570...

21 CFR 866.5340 - Ferritin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5340 Ferritin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A ferritin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Ferritin immunological test system. 866.5340...

21 CFR 866.5735 - Prothrombin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5735 Prothrombin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A prothrombin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Prothrombin immunological test system. 866.5735...

21 CFR 866.5680 - Myoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5680 Myoglobin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A myoglobin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Myoglobin immunological test system. 866.5680...

21 CFR 866.5715 - Plasminogen immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5715 Plasminogen immunological test system. (a) Identification. A plasminogen immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Plasminogen immunological test system. 866.5715...

21 CFR 866.5470 - Hemoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5470 Hemoglobin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemoglobin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Hemoglobin immunological test system. 866.5470...

21 CFR 866.5880 - Transferrin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5880 Transferrin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A transferrin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Transferrin immunological test system. 866.5880...

21 CFR 866.5060 - Prealbumin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5060 Prealbumin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A prealbumin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Prealbumin immunological test system. 866.5060...

21 CFR 866.5460 - Haptoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5460 Haptoglobin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A haptoglobin immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Haptoglobin immunological test system. 866.5460...

[Immunologic parameters in pericholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis with and without ulcerative colitis].

PubMed

Hopf, U; Riecken, E O; Zeitz, M; Eckhardt, R; Lobeck, H; Malchus, R; Möller, B

1983-10-07

Immunological parameters and histocompatibility antigens (HLA) were determined in seven patients with non-bacterial cholangitis. Four patients had pericholangitis and ulcerative colitis, three had primary sclerosing cholangitis, one of these with ulcerative colitis. All 7 patients had antinuclear antibodies; however, there were no antibodies against DNA, against mitochondria or liver membrane antigens. One patient had low-titre rheuma factors. Immunoglobulins G, A and M and complement components C3 and C4 were mostly in the normal range. HLA constellation was positive for B8 in 6 patients. These were male patients with disease manifestations between the 12th and 45th year of life. The results support the concept that pericholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis with or without ulcerative colitis are related hepatological disease entities with an immunological pathogenesis and an underlying genetical determination.

Defining immunological dysfunction in sepsis: A requisite tool for precision medicine.

PubMed

Bermejo-Martin, Jesús F; Andaluz-Ojeda, David; Almansa, Raquel; Gandía, Francisco; Gómez-Herreras, Jose Ignacio; Gomez-Sanchez, Esther; Heredia-Rodríguez, María; Eiros, Jose Maria; Kelvin, David J; Tamayo, Eduardo

2016-05-01

Immunological dysregulation is now recognised as a major pathogenic event in sepsis. Stimulation of immune response and immuno-modulation are emerging approaches for the treatment of this disease. Defining the underlying immunological alterations in sepsis is important for the design of future therapies with immuno-modulatory drugs. Clinical studies evaluating the immunological response in adult patients with Sepsis and published in PubMed were reviewed to identify features of immunological dysfunction. For this study we used key words related with innate and adaptive immunity. Ten major features of immunological dysfunction (FID) were identified involving quantitative and qualitative alterations of [antigen presentation](FID1), [T and B lymphocytes] (FID2), [natural killer cells] (FID3), [relative increase in T regulatory cells] (FID4), [increased expression of PD-1 and PD-ligand1](FID5), [low levels of immunoglobulins](FID6), [low circulating counts of neutrophils and/or increased immature forms in non survivors](FID7), [hyper-cytokinemia] (FID8), [complement consumption] (FID9), [defective bacterial killing by neutrophil extracellular traps](FID10). This review article identified ten major features associated with immunosuppression and immunological dysregulation in sepsis. Assessment of these features could help in utilizing precision medicine for the treatment of sepsis with immuno-modulatory drugs. Copyright © 2016 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

HIV Molecular Immunology 2015

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yusim, Karina; Korber, Bette Tina; Brander, Christian

The scope and purpose of the HIV molecular immunology database: HIV Molecular Immunology is a companion volume to HIV Sequence Compendium. This publication, the 2015 edition, is the PDF version of the web-based HIV Immunology Database (http://www.hiv.lanl.gov/ content/immunology/). The web interface for this relational database has many search options, as well as interactive tools to help immunologists design reagents and interpret their results. In the HIV Immunology Database, HIV-specific B-cell and T-cell responses are summarized and annotated. Immunological responses are divided into three parts, CTL, T helper, and antibody. Within these parts, defined epitopes are organized by protein and bindingmore » sites within each protein, moving from left to right through the coding regions spanning the HIV genome. We include human responses to natural HIV infections, as well as vaccine studies in a range of animal models and human trials. Responses that are not specifically defined, such as responses to whole proteins or monoclonal antibody responses to discontinuous epitopes, are summarized at the end of each protein section. Studies describing general HIV responses to the virus, but not to any specific protein, are included at the end of each part. The annotation includes information such as cross-reactivity, escape mutations, antibody sequence, TCR usage, functional domains that overlap with an epitope, immune response associations with rates of progression and therapy, and how specific epitopes were experimentally defined. Basic information such as HLA specificities for T-cell epitopes, isotypes of monoclonal antibodies, and epitope sequences are included whenever possible. All studies that we can find that incorporate the use of a specific monoclonal antibody are included in the entry for that antibody. A single T-cell epitope can have multiple entries, generally one entry per study. Finally, maps of all defined linear epitopes relative to the HXB2 reference

Immunologic Approaches for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

PubMed Central

Rasche, Leo; Weinhold, Niels; Morgan, Gareth J; van Rhee, Frits; Davies, Faith E

2017-01-01

The FDA approval of two monoclonal antibodies in 2015 has heralded a new era of targeted immunotherapies for multiple myeloma (MM). In this review we discuss the recent approaches using different immunological components to treat MM. In particular, we review current monoclonal antibody based therapies, engineered T- and NK cell products, ‘off-target’ immunomodulation, and strategies utilizing allogeneic cell transplantation in MM. We discuss how an immunologic approach offers promise for the treatment of this genetically heterogeneous disease, and how patients with acquired drug resistance may particularly benefit from these therapies. We also describe some of the limitations of the current strategies and speculate on the future of personalized immunotherapies for MM. PMID:28431262

Hepatitis C virus and the immunological response to hepatitis B virus vaccine in dialysis patients: meta-analysis of clinical studies.

PubMed

Fabrizi, F; Dixit, V; Martin, P; Messa, P

2011-12-01

It is well known that the seroconversion rate of patients following hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is lower in uraemic than healthy subjects. A variety of inherited or acquired factors have been implicated in this diminished response, and the high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients on maintenance dialysis has been suggested to play a role. However, the impact of HCV on the immune response to HB vaccine in patients receiving long-term dialysis is not entirely understood. Here, we evaluate the influence of HCV infection on the immunological response to HBV vaccine in dialysis population by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical studies.We used the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. The end-point of interest was the rate of patients showing seroprotective anti-hepatitis B titres at completion of HBV vaccine schedule among HCV-positive versus HCV-negative patients on chronic dialysis. We identified eight studies involving 520 unique patients on long-term dialysis. Aggregation of study results did not show a significant decrease in response rates among HCV-infected versus noninfected patients [pooled odds ratio = 0.621 (95% CI, 0.285; 1.353)]. The P-value was 0.007 for our test of study heterogeneity. Stratified analysis in various subgroups of interest did not meaningfully change our results. Our meta-analysis showed no association between immunological response to hepatitis B vaccine and HCV infection in individuals on long-term dialysis. These results support the use of recombinant vaccine against hepatitis B in patients on regular dialysis with HCV infection. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

A global "imaging'' view on systems approaches in immunology.

PubMed

Ludewig, Burkhard; Stein, Jens V; Sharpe, James; Cervantes-Barragan, Luisa; Thiel, Volker; Bocharov, Gennady

2012-12-01

The immune system exhibits an enormous complexity. High throughput methods such as the "-omic'' technologies generate vast amounts of data that facilitate dissection of immunological processes at ever finer resolution. Using high-resolution data-driven systems analysis, causal relationships between complex molecular processes and particular immunological phenotypes can be constructed. However, processes in tissues, organs, and the organism itself (so-called higher level processes) also control and regulate the molecular (lower level) processes. Reverse systems engineering approaches, which focus on the examination of the structure, dynamics and control of the immune system, can help to understand the construction principles of the immune system. Such integrative mechanistic models can properly describe, explain, and predict the behavior of the immune system in health and disease by combining both higher and lower level processes. Moving from molecular and cellular levels to a multiscale systems understanding requires the development of methodologies that integrate data from different biological levels into multiscale mechanistic models. In particular, 3D imaging techniques and 4D modeling of the spatiotemporal dynamics of immune processes within lymphoid tissues are central for such integrative approaches. Both dynamic and global organ imaging technologies will be instrumental in facilitating comprehensive multiscale systems immunology analyses as discussed in this review. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of endosulfan on immunological competence of layer birds.

PubMed

Singh, P P; Kumar, Ashok; Chauhan, R S; Pankaj, P K

2016-07-01

The present study was aimed to investigate the immunological competence of endosulfan insecticide after limited oral administration in White Leghorn layer chickens. A total of 20 White Leghorn birds were given endosulfan in drinking water at 30 ppm/bird/day (no observable effect level dose) for a period of 3-months. Immune competence status of layer birds and chicks hatched from endosulfan offered birds were estimated at 15-day interval in layer birds and at monthly interval in chicks using immunological, biochemical parameters, and teratological estimates. There was a significant decrease in levels of total leukocytes count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute heterophil count, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, and serum gamma globulin in the birds fed with endosulfan as compared to control. Similarly, immune competence tests such as lymphocyte stimulation test, oxidative burst assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests indicated lower immunity in birds treated with endosulfan as compared to control. Subsequently, chicks produced from endosulfan-treated birds were also examined for immune competence, but no significant difference was observed between chicks of both the groups. The exposure to endosulfan in limited oral dosage was able to exhibit hemo-biochemical and other changes that could be correlated with changes in the immunological profile of layer chickens suggesting cautious usage of endosulfan insecticide in poultry sheds.

21 CFR 866.5040 - Albumin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5040 Albumin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An albumin immunological test system is a device that consists of... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Albumin immunological test system. 866.5040...

42 CFR 493.921 - Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Diagnostic immunology. 493.921 Section 493.921... Testing Proficiency Testing Programs by Specialty and Subspecialty § 493.921 Diagnostic immunology. The subspecialties under the specialty of immunology for which a program may offer proficiency testing are syphilis...

42 CFR 493.921 - Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Diagnostic immunology. 493.921 Section 493.921... Testing Proficiency Testing Programs by Specialty and Subspecialty § 493.921 Diagnostic immunology. The subspecialties under the specialty of immunology for which a program may offer proficiency testing are syphilis...

42 CFR 493.921 - Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Diagnostic immunology. 493.921 Section 493.921... Testing Proficiency Testing Programs by Specialty and Subspecialty § 493.921 Diagnostic immunology. The subspecialties under the specialty of immunology for which a program may offer proficiency testing are syphilis...

42 CFR 493.921 - Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Diagnostic immunology. 493.921 Section 493.921... Testing Proficiency Testing Programs by Specialty and Subspecialty § 493.921 Diagnostic immunology. The subspecialties under the specialty of immunology for which a program may offer proficiency testing are syphilis...

42 CFR 493.921 - Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Diagnostic immunology. 493.921 Section 493.921... Testing Proficiency Testing Programs by Specialty and Subspecialty § 493.921 Diagnostic immunology. The subspecialties under the specialty of immunology for which a program may offer proficiency testing are syphilis...

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Position Paper on the Use of Telemedicine for Allergists.

PubMed

Elliott, Tania; Shih, Jennifer; Dinakar, Chitra; Portnoy, Jay; Fineman, Stanley

2017-12-01

The integration of telecommunications and information systems in health care first began 4 decades ago with 500 patient consultations performed via interactive television. The use of telemedicine services and technology to deliver health care at a distance is increasing exponentially. Concomitant with this rapid expansion is the exciting ability to provide enhancements in quality and safety of care. Telemedicine enables increased access to care, improvement in health outcomes, reduction in medical costs, better resource use, expanded educational opportunities, and enhanced collaboration between patients and physicians. These potential benefits should be weighed against the risks and challenges of using telemedicine. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology advocates for incorporation of meaningful and sustained use of telemedicine in allergy and immunology practice. This article serves to offer policy and position statements of the use of telemedicine pertinent to the allergy and immunology subspecialty. Copyright © 2017 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dermal necrosis following coumarin: is it immunologically induced?

PubMed

Hislop, I G; Zilko, P J; Petersen, M; Ahmed, N

1980-02-01

Two patients with dermal necrosis due to anticoagulation therapy with warfarin are reported. Both patients demonstrated some disturbance in immunological function. It appears possible that warfarin may act as a hapten in the induction of hypersensitivity to the drug. It is recommended that future cases should be studied to determine whether there is a defect in immunoregulation, and whether circulating immune complexes are responsible for the typical skin lesions.

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Brazil.

PubMed

Rosario-Filho, Nelson A; Jacob, Cristina M; Sole, Dirceu; Condino-Neto, Antonio; Arruda, Luisa K; Costa-Carvalho, Beatriz; Cocco, Renata R; Camelo-Nunes, Inês; Chong-Neto, Herberto J; Wandalsen, Gustavo F; Castro, Ana P M; Yang, Ariana C; Pastorino, Antonio C; Sarinho, Emanuel S

2013-06-01

The subspecialty of pediatric allergy and immunology in Brazil is in its early years and progressing steadily. This review highlights the research developed in the past years aiming to show the characteristics of allergic and immunologic diseases in this vast country. Epidemiologic studies demonstrated the high prevalence of asthma in infants, children, and adolescents. Mortality rates and average annual variation of asthma hospitalization have reduced in all pediatric age groups. Indoor aeroallergen exposure is excessively high and contributes to the high rates of allergy sensitization. Prevalence of food allergy has increased to epidemic levels. Foods (35%), insect stings (30%), and drugs (23%) are the main etiological agents of anaphylaxis in children and adolescents. Molecular diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) showed a high incidence of fungal infections including paracoccidioidomycosis in X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome, and the occurrence of BCG adverse reactions or other mycobacterial infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. Education in pediatric allergy and immunology is deficient for medical students, but residency programs are effective in training internists and pediatricians for the practice of allergy. The field of PID requires further training. Last, this review is a tribute to Prof. Dr. Charles Naspitz, one of the pioneers of our specialty in Brazil. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Anti-tumor response with immunologically modified carbon nanotubes and phototherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acquaviva, Joseph T.; Zhou, Feifan; Boarman, Ellen; Chen, Wei R.

2013-02-01

While successes of different cancer therapies have been achieved in various degrees a systemic immune response is needed to effectively treat late-stage, metastatic cancers, and to establish long-term tumor resistance in the patients. A novel method for combating metastatic cancers has been developed using immunologically modified carbon nanotubes in conjunction with phototherapy. Glycated chitosan (GC) is a potent immunological adjuvant capable of increasing host immune responses, including antigen presentation by activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and causing T cell proliferation. GC is also an effective surfactant for nanomaterials. By combining single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and GC, immunologically modified carbon nanotubes (SWNT-GC) were constructed. The SWNT-GC suspension retains the enhanced light absorption properties in the near infrared (NIR) region and the ability to enter cells, which are characteristic of SWNTs. The SWNT-GC also retains the immunological properties of GC. Cellular SWNT-GC treatments increased macrophage activity, DC activation and T cell proliferation. When cellular SWNT-GC was irradiated with a laser of an appropriate wavelength, these immune activities could be enhanced. The combination of laser irradiation and SWNT-GC induced cellular toxicity in targeted tumor cells, leading to a systemic antitumor response. Immunologically modified carbon nanotubes in conjunction with phototherapy is a novel and promising method to produce a systemic immune response for the treatment of metastatic cancers.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology/American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Joint Task Force Report on omalizumab-associated anaphylaxis.

PubMed

Cox, Linda; Platts-Mills, Thomas A E; Finegold, Ira; Schwartz, Lawrence B; Simons, F Estelle R; Wallace, Dana V

2007-12-01

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Executive Committees formed the Omalizumab Joint Task Force with the purpose of reviewing the Genentech Xolair (omalizumab) clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance data on anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions. Using the definition of anaphylaxis proposed at a 2005 multidisciplinary symposia, the Omalizumab Joint Task Force concluded that 35 patients had 41 episodes of anaphylaxis associated with Xolair (omalizumab) administration between June 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005. With 39,510 patients receiving Xolair (omalizumab) during the same period of time, this would correspond to an anaphylaxis-reporting rate of 0.09% of patients. Of those 36 events for which the time of reaction was known, 22 (61%) reactions occurred in the first 2 hours after one of the first 3 doses. Five (14%) of the events after the fourth or later doses occurred within 30 minutes. Considering the timing of these 36 events, an observation period of 2 hours for the first 3 injections and 30 minutes for subsequent injections would have captured 75% of the anaphylactic reactions. The OJTF report provides recommendations for physicians who prescribe Xolair (omalizumab) on (1) the suggested wait periods after administration and (2) patient education regarding anaphylaxis.

Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization: IV. effect of protamine on the immunological behavior of beta glucuronidase in mice and patients with hay fever.

PubMed

McEwen, L M; Nicholson, M; Kitchen, I; O'Gorman, J; White, S

1975-05-01

The ability of beta glucuronidase and a small dose of antigen to modify the anaphylactic reaction of previously sensitized mice has been further investigated. Protamine has an important effect on the immunological behavior of the enzyme. A trial on hay fever patients shows that the results in mice are relevant and that the method can produce significant clinical hyposensitization.

Impact of Early Enteral Nutrition on Nutritional and Immunological Outcomes of Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrostomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Nikniaz, Zeinab; Somi, Mohammad Hossein; Nagashi, Shahnaz; Nikniaz, Leila

2017-07-01

The present systematic review and meta-analysis study evaluated the impact of early enteral nutrition (EN) on postoperative nutritional and immunological outcomes of gastric cancer (GC) patients. The databases of PubMed, Embase, Springer, and Cochrane library were searched till September 2016 to identify studies which evaluated the effects of EN compared with parenteral nutrition (PN) on postoperative immunological and nutritional status and hospitalization time in GC patients. Mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD) was calculated and I-square statistic test was used for heterogeneity analysis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis have consisted of seven trials, containing 835 GC patients. According to the result of meta-analysis, compared with PN, EN significantly resulted in more increase in the level of albumin [MD = 2.07 (0.49, 3.64)], prealbumin [MD = 9.41 (049, 33.55)], weight [MD = 1.52 (0.32, 2.72)], CD3+ [SMD = 1.96 (1.50, 2.43)], CD4+ [SMD = 2.45 (1.97, 2.93)], natural killers [MD = 5.80 (3.75, 7.85)], and also a decrease in the hospitalization time [MD=-2.39 (-2.74, -2.03)]. The results demonstrated that early administration of EN is more effective in improving postsurgical nutrition status and immune index in GC patients. So, based on these results, postoperative early administration of EN is recommended for GC patients where possible.

Alemtuzumab-induced thyroid dysfunction exhibits distinctive clinical and immunological features.

PubMed

Pariani, Nadia; Willis, Mark; Muller, Ilaria; Healy, Sarah; Nasser, Taha; McGowan, Anne; Lyons, Greta; Jones, Joanne; Chatterjee, Krishna; Dayan, Colin; Robertson, Neil; Coles, Alasdair; Moran, Carla

2018-06-06

Alemtuzumab, a highly effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), predisposes to Graves' disease (GD) with a reportedly indolent course. To determine the type, frequency and course of thyroid dysfunction (TD) in a cohort of alemtuzumab-treated MS patients in the UK. Case records of alemtuzumab-treated patients who developed TD were reviewed. 41.1% (102/248; 80F, 22M) of patients developed TD, principally GD (71.6%). Median onset was 17 months (range 2-107) following last dose; the majority (89%) within 3 years. Follow-up data (range 6-251 months) was available in 71 cases, of whom 52 (73.2%) developed GD: 10 of these (19.2%) had fluctuating TD. All 52 GD patients commenced anti-thyroid drugs (ATD): 3 required radioiodine (RAI) due to ATD side-effects, drug therapy is ongoing in 2; of those who completed a course, 16 are in remission, 1 developed spontaneous hypothyroidism, and 30 (64%) required definitive or long-term treatment (RAI n=17, thyroidectomy n=5, long-term ATDs n=8). 3 cases of thyroiditis and 16 cases of hypothyroidism were documented; 5 with anti-TPO antibody positivity only, 10 with positive TRAb, 1 hypothyroidism (uncertain aetiology). Bioassay confirmed both stimulating and blocking TRAb in a subset of fluctuating GD cases. Contrary to published literature, we have recorded frequent occurrence of GD that required definitive or prolonged antithyroid drug treatment. Furthermore, fluctuating thyroid status in GD and unexpectedly high frequency of TRAb-positive hypothyroidism suggested changing activity of TRAb in this clinical context; we have documented the existence of both blocking and stimulating TRAb in these patients.

Immunological and biological changes during ipilimumab treatment and their potential correlation with clinical response and survival in patients with advanced melanoma.

PubMed

Simeone, Ester; Gentilcore, Giusy; Giannarelli, Diana; Grimaldi, Antonio M; Caracò, Corrado; Curvietto, Marcello; Esposito, Assunta; Paone, Miriam; Palla, Marco; Cavalcanti, Ernesta; Sandomenico, Fabio; Petrillo, Antonella; Botti, Gerardo; Fulciniti, Franco; Palmieri, Giuseppe; Queirolo, Paola; Marchetti, Paolo; Ferraresi, Virginia; Rinaldi, Gaetana; Pistillo, Maria Pia; Ciliberto, Gennaro; Mozzillo, Nicola; Ascierto, Paolo A

2014-07-01

Ipilimumab can induce durable disease control and long-term survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. Identification of a biomarker that correlates with clinical benefit and potentially provides an early marker of response is an active area of research. Ipilimumab was available upon physician request for patients aged ≥16 years with stage III (unresectable) or IV cutaneous, ocular or mucosal melanoma, who had failed or did not tolerate previous treatments and had no other therapeutic option available. Patients received ipilimumab 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses. Tumour assessments were conducted at baseline, Week 12 and Week 24 using immune-related response criteria. Patients were monitored continuously for adverse events (AEs), including immune-related AEs. Candidate immunological markers were evaluated in peripheral blood and sera samples collected at baseline and Weeks 4, 7, 10 and 12. Among 95 patients treated with ipilimumab 3 mg/kg, the immune-related disease control rate at Week 24 was 38 %. With a median follow-up of 24 months, median overall survival was 9.6 months. Both disease control and survival were significantly associated with decreasing levels of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein and FoxP3/regulatory T cells, and increasing absolute lymphocyte count, between baseline and the end of dosing (Week 12). Ipilimumab is a feasible treatment option for heavily pretreated patients with metastatic melanoma. Changes in some immunological markers between baseline and the fourth ipilimumab infusion appear to be associated with disease control and survival, but verification in prospective clinical trials is required.

Immunological memory is associative

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, D.J.; Forrest, S.; Perelson, A.S.

1996-12-31

The purpose of this paper is to show that immunological memory is an associative and robust memory that belongs to the class of sparse distributed memories. This class of memories derives its associative and robust nature by sparsely sampling the input space and distributing the data among many independent agents. Other members of this class include a model of the cerebellar cortex and Sparse Distributed Memory (SDM). First we present a simplified account of the immune response and immunological memory. Next we present SDM, and then we show the correlations between immunological memory and SDM. Finally, we show how associativemore » recall in the immune response can be both beneficial and detrimental to the fitness of an individual.« less

WASp-dependent actin cytoskeleton stability at the dendritic cell immunological synapse is required for extensive, functional T cell contacts.

PubMed

Malinova, Dessislava; Fritzsche, Marco; Nowosad, Carla R; Armer, Hannah; Munro, Peter M G; Blundell, Michael P; Charras, Guillaume; Tolar, Pavel; Bouma, Gerben; Thrasher, Adrian J

2016-05-01

The immunological synapse is a highly structured and molecularly dynamic interface between communicating immune cells. Although the immunological synapse promotes T cell activation by dendritic cells, the specific organization of the immunological synapse on the dendritic cell side in response to T cell engagement is largely unknown. In this study, confocal and electron microscopy techniques were used to investigate the role of dendritic cell actin regulation in immunological synapse formation, stabilization, and function. In the dendritic cell-restricted absence of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein, an important regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in hematopoietic cells, the immunological synapse contact with T cells occupied a significantly reduced surface area. At a molecular level, the actin network localized to the immunological synapse exhibited reduced stability, in particular, of the actin-related protein-2/3-dependent, short-filament network. This was associated with decreased polarization of dendritic cell-associated ICAM-1 and MHC class II, which was partially dependent on Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein phosphorylation. With the use of supported planar lipid bilayers incorporating anti-ICAM-1 and anti-MHC class II antibodies, the dendritic cell actin cytoskeleton organized into recognizable synaptic structures but interestingly, formed Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein-dependent podosomes within this area. These findings demonstrate that intrinsic dendritic cell cytoskeletal remodeling is a key regulatory component of normal immunological synapse formation, likely through consolidation of adhesive interaction and modulation of immunological synapse stability. © The Author(s).

Predictors of immunological failure of antiretroviral therapy among HIV infected patients in Ethiopia: a matched case-control study.

PubMed

Teshome, Wondu; Asefa, Anteneh; Assefa, Anteneh

2014-01-01

In resource constrained settings, immunological assessment through CD4 count is used to assess response to first line Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). In this study, we aim to investigate factors associated with immunological treatment failure. A matched case-control study design was used. Cases were subjects who already experienced immunological treatment failure and controls were those without immunological failure after an exactly or approximately equivalent duration of first line treatment with cases. Data were analyzed using SPSS v16.0. Conditional logistic regression was carried out. A total of 134 cases and 134 controls were included in the study. At baseline, the mean age ± 1 SD of cases was 37.5 ± 9.7 years whereas it was 36.9 ± 9.2 years among controls. The median baseline CD4 counts of cases and controls were 121.0 cells/µl (IQR: 47-183 cells/µl) and 122.0 cells/µl (IQR: 80.0-189.8 cells/µl), respectively. The median rate of CD4 cells increase was comparable for the two groups in the first six months of commencing HAART (P = 0.442). However, the median rate of CD4 increase was significantly different for the two groups in the next 6 months period (M6 to M12). The rate of increment was 8.8 (IQR: 0.5, 14.6) and 1.8 (IQR: 8.8, 11.3) cells/µl/month for controls and cases, respectively (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.003). In conditional logistic regressions grouped baseline CD4 count (P = 0.028), old age group and higher educational status (P<0.001) were significant predictors of immunological treatment failure. Subjects with immunological treatment failure have an optimal rate of immunological recovery in the first 6 months of treatment with first line HAART, but relative to the non-failing group the rate declines at a later period, notably between 6 and 12 months. Low baseline CD4 count, old age and higher educational status were associated with immunological treatment failure.

The Immunologic Revolution: Photoimmunology

PubMed Central

Ullrich, Stephen E.; Byrne, Scott N.

2011-01-01

UV radiation targets the skin and is a primary cause of skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer). Exposure to UV also suppresses the immune response, and UV-induced immune suppression is a major risk factor for skin cancer induction. The efforts of Dermatologists and Cancer Biologists to understand how UV exposure suppresses the immune response and contributes to skin cancer induction led to the development of the sub-discipline we call photoimmunology. Advances in photoimmunology have generally paralleled advances in immunology. However, there are a number of examples where investigations into the mechanisms underlying UV-induced immune suppression reshaped our understanding of basic immunological concepts. Unconventional immune regulatory roles for Langerhans cells, mast cells, and NKT cells as well as the immune suppressive function of lipid mediators of inflammation and alarmins, are just some examples of how advances in immunodermatology have altered our understanding of basic immunology. In this anniversary issue celebrating 75 years of Cutaneous Science, we will provide examples of how concepts that grew out of efforts by Immunologists and Dermatologists to understand immune regulation by UV radiation impacted on immunology in general. PMID:22170491

Birth of the science of immunology.

PubMed

Schmalstieg, Frank C; Goldman, Armond S

2010-05-01

The science of immunology emerged in the last of the 19th and the first of the 20th century. Substantial progress in physics, chemistry and microbiology was essential for its development. Indeed, microorganisms became one of the principal investigative tools of the major founders of that science - Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, Ilya Ilich Metchnikoff, Paul Ehrlich and Jules Bordet. It is pertinent that these pioneering scientists were born when questioning and exploration were encouraged because of the legacies of the previous century of enlightenment. Mentors greatly aided their development. Their discoveries were shaped by their individual personalities. In turn they developed other contributors to the nascent field. Their discoveries included the types of leukocytes, the roles of neutrophils in inflammation and defence, cellular lysis due to complement, the principles of humoral and cellular immunology, passive and active immunization, tissue antigens, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions and autoimmunity. Their work formed the basis of modern immunology that developed many decades later. Immunology has enormously impacted our understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of infections, immune-mediated disorders and inflammation. Burgeoning advances forecast further important clinical applications of immunology. Yet, their applications will be problematic because few physicians sufficiently understand the science. We propose that understanding modern immunology requires a grasp of how that science developed - who made the discoveries, how they were made, their successes and failures, their interactions and debates all reveal the foundation of modern immunology.

21 CFR 866.5170 - Breast milk immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5170 Breast milk immunological test system. (a) Identification. A breast milk immunological test system is a device... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Breast milk immunological test system. 866.5170...

42 CFR 493.833 - Condition: Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Condition: Diagnostic immunology. 493.833 Section..., Or Any Combination of These Tests § 493.833 Condition: Diagnostic immunology. The specialty of diagnostic immunology includes for purposes of proficiency testing the subspecialties of syphilis serology...

42 CFR 493.833 - Condition: Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Condition: Diagnostic immunology. 493.833 Section..., Or Any Combination of These Tests § 493.833 Condition: Diagnostic immunology. The specialty of diagnostic immunology includes for purposes of proficiency testing the subspecialties of syphilis serology...

42 CFR 493.833 - Condition: Diagnostic immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Condition: Diagnostic immunology. 493.833 Section..., Or Any Combination of These Tests § 493.833 Condition: Diagnostic immunology. The specialty of diagnostic immunology includes for purposes of proficiency testing the subspecialties of syphilis serology...

Systems immunology: just getting started.

PubMed

Davis, Mark M; Tato, Cristina M; Furman, David

2017-06-20

Systems-biology approaches in immunology take various forms, but here we review strategies for measuring a broad swath of immunological functions as a means of discovering previously unknown relationships and phenomena and as a powerful way of understanding the immune system as a whole. This approach has rejuvenated the field of vaccine development and has fostered hope that new ways will be found to combat infectious diseases that have proven refractory to classical approaches. Systems immunology also presents an important new strategy for understanding human immunity directly, taking advantage of the many ways the immune system of humans can be manipulated.

Systems immunology: just getting started

PubMed Central

Davis, Mark M; Tato, Cristina M; Furman, David

2018-01-01

Systems-biology approaches in immunology take various forms, but here we review strategies for measuring a broad swath of immunological functions as a means of discovering previously unknown relationships and phenomena and as a powerful way of understanding the immune system as a whole. This approach has rejuvenated the field of vaccine development and has fostered hope that new ways will be found to combat infectious diseases that have proven refractory to classical approaches. Systems immunology also presents an important new strategy for understanding human immunity directly, taking advantage of the many ways the immune system of humans can be manipulated. PMID:28632713

Food avoidance and restriction in adults: a cross-sectional pilot study comparing patients from an immunology clinic to a general practice.

PubMed

Fitzgerald, Michael; Frankum, Brad

2017-01-01

With the introduction of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - fifth edition, there is an increased need to understand the prevalence and pattern of food avoidance and restriction in adults. High rates of food allergy and intolerance in immunology clinic populations, and subsequent high rates of elimination diets, place these individuals at a greater risk of developing pathological eating behaviours. This descriptive cross sectional pilot study aims to provide preliminary data on the prevalence and nature of food avoidance and restriction in an adult population, and to explore the reasons for this behaviour. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed to adults presenting to an immunology clinic and a general practice over the course of 6 months to describe the prevalence and nature of avoidant and restrictive eating behaviours in this population. Pearson's chi square test was used to examine the strength of a potential link to a formal diagnosis of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder in these patients. A total of 102 completed questionnaires were used for data analysis. Food avoidance or restriction was detected in 81 respondents (79%), with rates not significantly higher in the immunology clinic group compared to the general practice group ( p  = .242). Food allergy and intolerance were the most common reasons for disturbed eating patterns. Life impact secondary to food avoidance and restriction was reported by 26% of respondents, with significantly higher rates observed in the immunology clinic cohort compared to the general practice ( p  = .011). Eating disturbances similar to those characteristic of ARFID are very common in adults. Food avoidance and restriction due to perceived food allergy and intolerance are significant reasons for such disordered eating patterns, particularly in an immunology clinic population. Further investigation is needed to determine if such eating

Modeling-Enabled Systems Nutritional Immunology

PubMed Central

Verma, Meghna; Hontecillas, Raquel; Abedi, Vida; Leber, Andrew; Tubau-Juni, Nuria; Philipson, Casandra; Carbo, Adria; Bassaganya-Riera, Josep

2016-01-01

This review highlights the fundamental role of nutrition in the maintenance of health, the immune response, and disease prevention. Emerging global mechanistic insights in the field of nutritional immunology cannot be gained through reductionist methods alone or by analyzing a single nutrient at a time. We propose to investigate nutritional immunology as a massively interacting system of interconnected multistage and multiscale networks that encompass hidden mechanisms by which nutrition, microbiome, metabolism, genetic predisposition, and the immune system interact to delineate health and disease. The review sets an unconventional path to apply complex science methodologies to nutritional immunology research, discovery, and development through “use cases” centered around the impact of nutrition on the gut microbiome and immune responses. Our systems nutritional immunology analyses, which include modeling and informatics methodologies in combination with pre-clinical and clinical studies, have the potential to discover emerging systems-wide properties at the interface of the immune system, nutrition, microbiome, and metabolism. PMID:26909350

Actin Engine in Immunological Synapse

PubMed Central

Piragyte, Indre

2012-01-01

T cell activation and function require physical contact with antigen presenting cells at a specialized junctional structure known as the immunological synapse. Once formed, the immunological synapse leads to sustained T cell receptor-mediated signalling and stabilized adhesion. High resolution microscopy indeed had a great impact in understanding the function and dynamic structure of immunological synapse. Trends of recent research are now moving towards understanding the mechanical part of immune system, expanding our knowledge in mechanosensitivity, force generation, and biophysics of cell-cell interaction. Actin cytoskeleton plays inevitable role in adaptive immune system, allowing it to bear dynamic and precise characteristics at the same time. The regulation of mechanical engine seems very complicated and overlapping, but it enables cells to be very sensitive to external signals such as surface rigidity. In this review, we focus on actin regulators and how immune cells regulate dynamic actin rearrangement process to drive the formation of immunological synapse. PMID:22916042

The microbiome in allergic disease: Current understanding and future opportunities—2017 PRACTALL document of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

PubMed Central

Huang, Yvonne J.; Marsland, Benjamin J.; Bunyavanich, Supinda; O’Mahony, Liam; Leung, Donald Y. M.; Muraro, Antonella; Fleisher, Thomas A.

2018-01-01

PRACTALL is a joint initiative of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology to provide shared evidence-based recommendations on cutting-edge topics in the field of allergy and immunology. PRACTALL 2017 is focused on what has been established regarding the role of the microbiome in patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy. This is complemented by outlining important knowledge gaps regarding its role in allergic disease and delineating strategies necessary to fill these gaps. In addition, a review of progress in approaches used to manipulate the microbiome will be addressed, identifying what has and has not worked to serve as a baseline for future directions to intervene in allergic disease development, progression, or both. PMID:28257972

Advances in cancer immunology and cancer immunotherapy.

PubMed

Voena, Claudia; Chiarle, Roberto

2016-02-01

After decades of setbacks, cancer immunology is living its Golden Age. Recent advances in cancer immunology have provided new therapeutic approaches to treat cancer. The objective clinical response observed in patients treated with antibodies that block the immune checkpoints, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell-death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathways, has led to their FDA approval for the treatment of melanoma in 2011 and in 2014, respectively. The anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab has received the FDA-approval in March 2015 for squamous lung cancer treatment. In addition, antibodies targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 have demonstrated their efficacy and safety in additional tumors, including non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), bladder cancer, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Almost at the same time, the field of adoptive cell transfer has exploded. The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T technology has provided strong evidence of efficacy in the treatment of B cell malignancies, and different T cell based treatments are currently under investigation for different types of tumors. In this review we will discuss the latest advances in cancer immunology and immunotherapy as well as new treatments now under development in the clinic and potential strategies that have shown promising results in preclinical models.

The Clinical and Immunologic Features of Patients With Combined Anti-GBM Disease and Castleman Disease.

PubMed

Gu, Qiu-Hua; Jia, Xiao-Yu; Hu, Shui-Yi; Wang, Su-Xia; Zou, Wan-Zhong; Cui, Zhao; Zhao, Ming-Hui

2018-06-01

Patients with both anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease and Castleman disease have been rarely reported. In this study, we report 3 patients with this combination. They had immunologic features similar to patients with classic anti-GBM disease. Sera from the 3 patients recognized the noncollagenous (NC) domain of the α3 chain of type IV collagen (α3(IV)NC1) and its 2 major epitopes, EA and EB. All 4 immunogloblin G (IgG) subclasses against α3(IV)NC1 were detectable, with predominance of IgG1. In one patient with lymph node biopsy specimens available, sporadic plasma cells producing α3(IV)NC1-IgG were found, suggesting a causal relationship between the 2 diseases. One patient, who achieved remission with antibody clearance and normalization of serum creatinine and interleukin 6 concentrations after plasma exchange and 3 cycles of chemotherapy, experienced recurrence of anti-GBM antibodies and an increase in interleukin 6 concentration after chemotherapy discontinuation because of adverse effects, but both returned to normal after another cycle of chemotherapy. This clinical course and the pathologic findings support the hypothesis that the Castleman disease-associated tumor cells are the source of the anti-GBM autoantibodies. Copyright © 2018 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Association between discordant immunological response to highly active anti-retroviral therapy, regulatory T cell percentage, immune cell activation and very low-level viraemia in HIV-infected patients.

PubMed

Saison, J; Ferry, T; Demaret, J; Maucort Boulch, D; Venet, F; Perpoint, T; Ader, F; Icard, V; Chidiac, C; Monneret, G

2014-06-01

The mechanisms sustaining the absence of complete immune recovery in HIV-infected patients upon long-term effective highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) remain elusive. Immune activation, regulatory T cells (T(regs)) or very low-level viraemia (VLLV) have been alternatively suspected, but rarely investigated simultaneously. We performed a cross-sectional study in HIV-infected aviraemic subjects (mean duration of HAART: 12 years) to concomitantly assess parameters associated independently with inadequate immunological response. Patients were classified as complete immunological responders (cIR, n = 48) and inadequate immunological responders (iIR, n = 39), depending on the CD4(+) T cell count (> or < 500/mm(3)). Clinical and virological data (including very low-level viraemia) were collected. In parallel, immunophenotyping of CD4(+) lymphocytes, including T(reg) subsets, and CD8(+) T cells was performed. Percentages of activated CD4(+) T cells, T(regs), effector T(regs) and terminal effector T(regs) were found to be significantly elevated in iIR. Neither the percentage of activated CD8(+) T cells nor VLLV were found to be associated with iIR. In the multivariate analysis, nadir of CD4(+) T cell count and percentage of T(regs) were the only two parameters associated independently with iIR [odds ratio (OR) = 2·339, P = 0·001, and OR = 0·803, P = 0·041]. We present here the largest study investigating simultaneously the immune response to long-term HAART, activation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, T(reg) percentages and very low-level viraemia. Causative interactions between T(regs) and CD4(+) T cells should now be explored prospectively in a large patients cohort. © 2014 British Society for Immunology.

42 CFR 493.1208 - Condition: General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Condition: General immunology. 493.1208 Section 493....1208 Condition: General immunology. If the laboratory provides services in the subspecialty of General immunology, the laboratory must meet the requirements specified in §§ 493.1230 through 493.1256, and §§ 493...

42 CFR 493.1208 - Condition: General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Condition: General immunology. 493.1208 Section 493....1208 Condition: General immunology. If the laboratory provides services in the subspecialty of General immunology, the laboratory must meet the requirements specified in §§ 493.1230 through 493.1256, and §§ 493...

42 CFR 493.1208 - Condition: General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Condition: General immunology. 493.1208 Section 493....1208 Condition: General immunology. If the laboratory provides services in the subspecialty of General immunology, the laboratory must meet the requirements specified in §§ 493.1230 through 493.1256, and §§ 493...

42 CFR 493.1208 - Condition: General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Condition: General immunology. 493.1208 Section 493....1208 Condition: General immunology. If the laboratory provides services in the subspecialty of General immunology, the laboratory must meet the requirements specified in §§ 493.1230 through 493.1256, and §§ 493...

42 CFR 493.1208 - Condition: General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Condition: General immunology. 493.1208 Section 493....1208 Condition: General immunology. If the laboratory provides services in the subspecialty of General immunology, the laboratory must meet the requirements specified in §§ 493.1230 through 493.1256, and §§ 493...

Solving Immunology?

PubMed Central

Vodovotz, Yoram; Xia, Ashley; Read, Elizabeth L.; Bassaganya-Riera, Josep; Hafler, David A.; Sontag, Eduardo; Wang, Jin; Tsang, John S.; Day, Judy D.; Kleinstein, Steven; Butte, Atul J.; Altman, Matthew C; Hammond, Ross; Sealfon, Stuart C.

2016-01-01

Emergent responses of the immune system result from integration of molecular and cellular networks over time and across multiple organs. High-content and high-throughput analysis technologies, concomitantly with data-driven and mechanistic modeling, hold promise for systematic interrogation of these complex pathways. However, connecting genetic variation and molecular mechanisms to individual phenotypes and health outcomes has proven elusive. Gaps remain in data, and disagreements persist about the value of mechanistic modeling for immunology. Here, we present the perspectives that emerged from the NIAID workshop “Complex Systems Science, Modeling and Immunity” and subsequent discussions regarding the potential synergy of high-throughput data acquisition, data-driven modeling and mechanistic modeling to define new mechanisms of immunological disease and to accelerate the translation of these insights into therapies. PMID:27986392

Immunologically active biomaterials for cancer therapy.

PubMed

Ali, Omar A; Mooney, David J

2011-01-01

Our understanding of immunological regulation has progressed tremendously alongside the development of materials science, and at their intersection emerges the possibility to employ immunologically active biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy. Strong and sustained anticancer, immune responses are required to clear large tumor burdens in patients, but current approaches for immunotherapy are formulated as products for delivery in bolus, which may be indiscriminate and/or shortlived. Multifunctional biomaterial particles are now being developed to target and sustain antigen and adjuvant delivery to dendritic cells in vivo, and these have the potential to direct and prolong antigen-specific T cell responses. Three-dimensional immune cell niches are also being developed to regulate the recruitment, activation and deployment of immune cells in situ to promote potent antitumor responses. Recent studies demonstrate that materials with immune targeting and stimulatory capabilities can enhance the magnitude and duration of immune responses to cancer antigens, and preclinical results utilizing material-based immunotherapy in tumor models show a strong therapeutic benefit, justifying translation to and future testing in the clinic.

Essentials of clinical immunology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chapel, M.A.; Haeney, M.

1988-01-01

The authors demonstrate that clinical immunology is a subject which is useful for the diagnosis and management of a great number and variety of human diseases. The book makes use of illustrative case histories and flow charts to demonstrate the usefulness of clinical immunology in the diagnosis and management of a great number and variety of human diseases. The authors discuss the relevance of new DNA technology and the role of bone marrow transplantation.

Introduction: Immunology and assisted reproductive technology in the 21st century.

PubMed

Garcia-Velasco, Juan A

2017-06-01

In the past few years we have witnessed reproductive immunology taking a leading role after repeated implantation failure. We still face the problem of even euploid embryos that either fail to implant or are miscarried. These focused articles present the attending clinician with the most recent evidence to understand how immunology contributes to human reproduction, what can be done at the clinical level, and what is still an area for research and should not be offered to patients outside of a clinical research scenario. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 866.5090 - Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5090 Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. An... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test...

21 CFR 866.5750 - Radioallergosorbent (RAST) immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5750 Radioallergosorbent (RAST) immunological test system. (a) Identification. A... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Radioallergosorbent (RAST) immunological test...

21 CFR 866.5500 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5500 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system. (a) Identification. A... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test...

Basophil FcεRI Expression in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Potential Immunological Predictor of Response to Omalizumab Therapy.

PubMed

Deza, Gustavo; Bertolín-Colilla, Marta; Pujol, Ramon M; Curto-Barredo, Laia; Soto, Dulce; García, Maribel; Hernández, Pilar; Gimeno, Ramon; Giménez-Arnau, Ana M

2017-06-09

Although the efficacy of omalizumab has been clearly demonstrated in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), its mechanism of action, which results in improvement in CSU symptoms, is not entirely understood. This study investigated the effect of omalizumab on expression of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on blood basophils from patients with active CSU, and its association with the clinical response. Patients exhibiting significant clinical improvement showed a sharp reduction in the levels of basophil FcεRI after 4 weeks, which was maintained throughout the total duration of the treatment. Such evolution was not observed in non-responder patients. Furthermore, non-responders showed significantly lower baseline levels of FcεRI than responders. Baseline basophil FcεRI expression was found to be a potential immunological predictor of response to omalizumab (100% sensitivity and 73.2% specificity). The results of this study contribute to our knowledge of the therapeutic benefit and mechanism of action of anti-IgE therapy in CSU.

21 CFR 866.5560 - Lactic dehydrogenase immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5560 Lactic dehydrogenase immunological test system. (a) Identification. A lactic dehydrogenase... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Lactic dehydrogenase immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5660 - Multiple autoantibodies immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5660 Multiple autoantibodies immunological test system. (a) Identification. A multiple autoantibodies... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Multiple autoantibodies immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5870 - Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5870 Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. A thyroid autoantibody... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5110 - Antiparietal antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5110 Antiparietal antibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. An antiparietal antibody... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Antiparietal antibody immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5100 - Antinuclear antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5100 Antinuclear antibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. An antinuclear antibody... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Antinuclear antibody immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5240 - Complement components immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5240 Complement components immunological test system. (a) Identification. A complement components... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Complement components immunological test system...

The status of US allergy/immunology physicians in the 21st century: a report from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Workforce Committee.

PubMed

Marshall, Gailen D

2007-04-01

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has tracked the US allergy/immunology physician workforce (AIPW) over the past 3 decades by funding 2 workforce surveys (1999, 2004). Results have demonstrated both accomplishments of and challenges for the US AIPW. Accomplishments include increases in diversity (25% women in 2004, 20% in 1999, 10% in 1989; 6% underrepresented minorities in 2004, 5% in 1999), 95% of AIPW has completed an allergy/immunology (A/I) training program, and 91% are American Board of Allergy and Immunology (a conjoint board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics)-certified (90% in 1999). Training positions and program numbers are slowly increasing, and numbers of new graduates from accredited A/I programs have also increased. We are seeing patients with more complex allergic and immune diseases and giving less allergen immunotherapy. Personal, professional, and economic satisfaction is increasing. Challenges relate primarily to diminishing practitioner supply (4245 in 2004 vs 4356 in 1999) amid growing US population demand. The AIPW is gradually aging (the average age is 53 years in 2004, compared with 51 years in 1999) and working longer before retiring. The combination of job satisfaction, the high demand for A/I services, and the large number of fellowship applicants all support expanding the supply of trained allergists/immunologists.

21 CFR 866.5180 - Fecal calprotectin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5180 Fecal calprotectin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A fecal calprotectin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Fecal calprotectin immunological test system. 866...

Effects of Radiation Therapy on Immunological and Virological Status in HIV-Infected Cancer Patients in Thailand: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

PubMed

Siraprapasiri, Pathomphorn; Tharavichitkul, Ekkasit; Suntornpong, Nan; Tovanabutra, Chowkaew; Meennuch, Ekapop; Panboon, Phimphun; Swangsilpa, Thiti; Siraprapasiri, Taweesap

2016-02-01

Radiation therapy (RT) is the core part of cancer multidisciplinary management which causes myelosuppression. The current standard or RT among HIV-positive cancer patients who are immuno-compromised does not differ from that of HIV-negative ones. To determine the effects of radiation therapy on immunological and virological status among HIV-infected cancer patients. A prospective observational study was conducted of HIV-infected cancer patients who received definitive RT in seven hospitals in Thailand. Blood samples were taken to determine immune status using CD4%, and virological status was identified using plasma HIV-RNA viral load (HIV-VL) assay: at baseline before RT at the last week of RT completion; and at the 6-month follow-up visit. Additional CD4% test was performed at the 3-month follow-up visit. Ninety HIV-infected cancer patients from seven hospitals in Thailand were included in the analysis. The median age was 40 years old (range 19-61). Seventy-six patients (84.4%) were female and 65 (72.2%) were cases of invasive cervical cancers. Eighty-seven percent of patients had been receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) before RT The mean CD4% at baseline, RT completion, 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits, were 18.7%, 20.1%, 16.8% and 17.1%, respectively. The proportion of CD4% reduction in the non-ART group was higher than that of the ART group throughout the period, particularly at the 3-month follow-up visit (100% vs. 29.7%, p = 0.0004). Six cases had a HIV-VL increase of more than 10 times (1-log₁₀) at completion of RT: 3 of these were non-ART and 3 were ART-uncontrolled viral suppression. RT had a suppressive effect on immunological status in HIV-infected cancer patients, particularly in the subacute period among those who were not on ART HIV-disease progression was observed during radiation treatment in HIV-infected cancer patients without ART and those with ART-uncontrolled viral suppression.

HIV Molecular Immunology 2014

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yusim, Karina; Korber, Bette Tina Marie; Barouch, Dan

HIV Molecular Immunology is a companion volume to HIV Sequence Compendium. This publication, the 2014 edition, is the PDF version of the web-based HIV Immunology Database (http://www.hiv.lanl.gov/content/immunology/). The web interface for this relational database has many search options, as well as interactive tools to help immunologists design reagents and interpret their results. In the HIV Immunology Database, HIV-specific B-cell and T-cell responses are summarized and annotated. Immunological responses are divided into three parts, CTL, T helper, and antibody. Within these parts, defined epitopes are organized by protein and binding sites within each protein, moving from left to right through themore » coding regions spanning the HIV genome. We include human responses to natural HIV infections, as well as vaccine studies in a range of animal models and human trials. Responses that are not specifically defined, such as responses to whole proteins or monoclonal antibody responses to discontinuous epitopes, are summarized at the end of each protein section. Studies describing general HIV responses to the virus, but not to any specific protein, are included at the end of each part. The annotation includes information such as crossreactivity, escape mutations, antibody sequence, TCR usage, functional domains that overlap with an epitope, immune response associations with rates of progression and therapy, and how specific epitopes were experimentally defined. Basic information such as HLA specificities for T-cell epitopes, isotypes of monoclonal antibodies, and epitope sequences are included whenever possible. All studies that we can find that incorporate the use of a specific monoclonal antibody are included in the entry for that antibody. A single T-cell epitope can have multiple entries, generally one entry per study. Finally, maps of all defined linear epitopes relative to the HXB2 reference proteins are provided.« less

Effects of Different Palliative Jaundice Reducing Methods on Immunologic Functions in Patients with Advanced Malignant Obstructive Jaundice.

PubMed

Tang, Kun; Sui, Lu-Lu; Xu, Gang; Zhang, Tong; Liu, Qiang; Liu, Xiao-Fang

2017-08-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of three treatment methods on the immunological function of patients with advanced malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). Patients with advanced MOJ were randomly divided into three groups according to biliary drainage methods. Detection of levels of multi-indices were investigated in different time periods. After drainage, the levels of complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4) were increased. Forteen days post-operation, the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the group undergoing palliative surgery decreased significantly compared to those in both percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage (PTCD) and endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) groups. The level of serum endotoxin in the group undergoing palliative surgery decreased gradually. Palliative surgery for reducing jaundice is superior to PTCD and ERBD in improving immune function of patients with MOJ. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Renal transplant immunology in the last 20 years: A revolution towards graft and patient survival improvement.

PubMed

Sá, Helena; Leal, Rita; Rosa, Manuel Santos

2017-05-04

To deride the hope of progress is the ultimate fatuity, the last word in poverty of spirit and meanness of mind. There is no need to be dismayed by the fact that we cannot yet envisage a definitive solution of our problems, a resting-place beyond which we need not try to go. -P.B. Medawar, 1969 * Thomas E. Starlz, also known as the Father of Clinical Transplantation, once said that organ transplantation was the supreme exception to the rule that most major advances in medicine spring from discoveries in basic science [Starzl T. The mystique of organ transplantation. J Am Coll Surg 2005 Aug;201(2):160-170]. In fact, the first successful identical-twin kidney transplantation performed by Murray's team in December 1954 (Murray J et al. Renal homotransplantations in identical twins. Surg Forum 1955;6:432-436) was the example of an upside down translation medicine: Human clinical transplantation began and researchers tried to understand the underlying immune response and how to control the powerful rejection pathways through experimental models. In the last 20 years, we have witnessed an amazing progress in the knowledge of immunological mechanisms regarding alloimmune response and an outstanding evolution on the identification and characterization of major and minor histocompatibility antigens. This review presents an historical and clinical perspective of those important advances in kidney transplantation immunology in the last 20 years, which contributed to the improvement in patients' quality of life and the survival of end-stage renal patients. In spite of these significant progresses, some areas still need substantial progress, such as the definition of non-invasive biomarkers for acute rejection; the continuous reduction of immunosuppression; the extension of graft survival, and finally the achievement of real graft tolerance extended to HLA mismatch donor: recipient pairs.

21 CFR 866.5400 - Alpha-globulin immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5400 Alpha-globulin immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-globulin immunological... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Alpha-globulin immuno-logical test system. 866...

21 CFR 866.5350 - Fibrinopeptide A immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5350 Fibrinopeptide A immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A fibrinopeptide A immunological... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Fibrinopeptide A immuno-logical test system. 866...

The microbiome in allergic disease: Current understanding and future opportunities-2017 PRACTALL document of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

PubMed

Huang, Yvonne J; Marsland, Benjamin J; Bunyavanich, Supinda; O'Mahony, Liam; Leung, Donald Y M; Muraro, Antonella; Fleisher, Thomas A

2017-04-01

PRACTALL is a joint initiative of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology to provide shared evidence-based recommendations on cutting-edge topics in the field of allergy and immunology. PRACTALL 2017 is focused on what has been established regarding the role of the microbiome in patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy. This is complemented by outlining important knowledge gaps regarding its role in allergic disease and delineating strategies necessary to fill these gaps. In addition, a review of progress in approaches used to manipulate the microbiome will be addressed, identifying what has and has not worked to serve as a baseline for future directions to intervene in allergic disease development, progression, or both. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Solving Immunology?

PubMed

Vodovotz, Yoram; Xia, Ashley; Read, Elizabeth L; Bassaganya-Riera, Josep; Hafler, David A; Sontag, Eduardo; Wang, Jin; Tsang, John S; Day, Judy D; Kleinstein, Steven H; Butte, Atul J; Altman, Matthew C; Hammond, Ross; Sealfon, Stuart C

2017-02-01

Emergent responses of the immune system result from the integration of molecular and cellular networks over time and across multiple organs. High-content and high-throughput analysis technologies, concomitantly with data-driven and mechanistic modeling, hold promise for the systematic interrogation of these complex pathways. However, connecting genetic variation and molecular mechanisms to individual phenotypes and health outcomes has proven elusive. Gaps remain in data, and disagreements persist about the value of mechanistic modeling for immunology. Here, we present the perspectives that emerged from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) workshop 'Complex Systems Science, Modeling and Immunity' and subsequent discussions regarding the potential synergy of high-throughput data acquisition, data-driven modeling, and mechanistic modeling to define new mechanisms of immunological disease and to accelerate the translation of these insights into therapies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Basic and clinical immunology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chinen, Javier; Shearer, William T.

2003-01-01

Progress in immunology continues to grow exponentially every year. New applications of this knowledge are being developed for a broad range of clinical conditions. Conversely, the study of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies is helping to elucidate the intricate mechanisms of the immune system. We have selected a few of the most significant contributions to the fields of basic and clinical immunology published between October 2001 and October 2002. Our choice of topics in basic immunology included the description of T-bet as a determinant factor for T(H)1 differentiation, the role of the activation-induced cytosine deaminase gene in B-cell development, the characterization of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, and the use of dynamic imaging to study MHC class II transport and T-cell and dendritic cell membrane interactions. Articles related to clinical immunology that were selected for review include the description of immunodeficiency caused by caspase 8 deficiency; a case series report on X-linked agammaglobulinemia; the mechanism of action, efficacy, and complications of intravenous immunoglobulin; mechanisms of autoimmunity diseases; and advances in HIV pathogenesis and vaccine development. We also reviewed two articles that explore the possible alterations of the immune system caused by spaceflights, a new field with increasing importance as human space expeditions become a reality in the 21st century.

Initial immunological changes as predictors for house dust mite immunotherapy response.

PubMed

Gómez, E; Fernández, T D; Doña, I; Rondon, C; Campo, P; Gomez, F; Salas, M; Gonzalez, M; Perkins, J R; Palomares, F; Blanca, M; Torres, M J; Mayorga, C

2015-10-01

Although specific immunotherapy is the only aetiological treatment for allergic disorders, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Specific immunotherapy induces changes in lymphocyte Th subsets from Th2 to Th1/Treg. Whether differences in immunological patterns underlie patient response to immunotherapy has not yet been established. We studied the immunological changes occurring during a 1-year period of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) immunotherapy and their relation with clinical outcome. We included 34 patients with DP allergy who received subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) for 1 year. Following treatment, patients were classified as responders or non-responders. Fourteen allergic subjects who did not receive SCIT were included as controls. Peripheral blood was obtained at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and cultured with nDer p 1. Phenotypic changes, cytokine production and basophil response were analysed by flow cytometry; transcription factors were measured by mRNA quantification. Serum immunoglobulin levels were also measured. After 1 year of SCIT, 82% of cases showed improved symptoms (responders). Although increases in sIgG4 were observed, BAT reactivity was not modified in these patients. Increases in T-BET/FOXP3 as well as nDer p 1-specific Th1/Treg frequencies were also observed, along with a decrease in Th2, Th9 and Th17. These changes corresponded to changes in cytokine levels. Patients who respond well to DP-SCIT show immunological differences compared to non-responders. In responders, basal differences include a lower frequency of Th1 and higher frequencies of Th2, Th9 and Th17 cells. After 1 year of treatment, an increased production of sIgG4 was observed in responders, along with a change in Th2 response towards Th1/Treg. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Qualitative features of the HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell response associated with immunologic control.

PubMed

Hersperger, Adam R; Migueles, Stephen A; Betts, Michael R; Connors, Mark

2011-05-01

Over the past 2 years, a clearer picture has emerged regarding the properties of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells associated with immunologic control of HIV replication. These properties represent a potential mechanism by which rare patients might control HIV replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. This review addresses the background and recent findings that have lead to our current understanding of these mechanism(s). Patients with immunologic control of HIV are not distinguished by targeted specificities, or greater numbers or breadth of their HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell response. For this reason, recent work has focused greater attention on qualitative features of this response. The qualitative features most closely associated with immunologic control of HIV are related to the granule-exocytosis-mediated elimination of HIV-infected CD4 T cells. The ability of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells to increase their contents of proteins known to mediate cytotoxicity, such as granzyme B and perforin, appears to be a critical means by which HIV-specific cytotoxic capacity is regulated. Investigation from multiple groups has now focused upon HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell granule-exocytosis-mediated cytotoxicity as a correlate of immunologic control of HIV. In the near future, a more detailed understanding of the qualities associated with immunologic control may provide critical insights regarding the necessary features of a response that should be stimulated by immunotherapies or T-cell-based vaccines.

Update on allergy immunotherapy: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology/European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology/PRACTALL consensus report.

PubMed

Burks, A Wesley; Calderon, Moises A; Casale, Thomas; Cox, Linda; Demoly, Pascal; Jutel, Marek; Nelson, Harold; Akdis, Cezmi A

2013-05-01

Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is an effective treatment for allergic asthma and rhinitis, as well as venom-induced anaphylaxis. In addition to reducing symptoms, AIT can change the course of allergic disease and induce allergen-specific immune tolerance. In current clinical practice immunotherapy is delivered either subcutaneously or sublingually; some allergens, such as grass pollen, can be delivered through either route, whereas others, such as venoms, are only delivered subcutaneously. Both subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy appear to have a duration of efficacy of up to 12 years, and both can prevent the development of asthma and new allergen sensitivities. In spite of the advances with AIT, safer and more effective AIT strategies are needed, especially for patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis, or food allergy. Novel approaches to improve AIT include use of adjuvants or recombinant allergens and alternate routes of administration. As part of the PRACTALL initiatives, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology nominated an expert team to develop a comprehensive consensus report on the mechanisms of AIT and its use in clinical practice, as well as unmet needs and ongoing developments in AIT. This resulting report is endorsed by both academies. Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Approaches to the immunological problems of leukocyte transfusions].

PubMed

Gualde, N; Malinvaud, G; Gaillard, S

1975-01-01

51 leukocyte transfusions from healthy donors and 3 from chronic myelogenous leukemia were given to 16 patients with acute leukemia and 4 with aplasia. During 14 transfusions we have observed clinicals reactions which are of immunological origin. The part of the transfusions and of the pregnancies in the presence of antibodies is argued. The necessity of utilisation of HL-A compatible donors during leukocyte transfusions is asserted.

Evaluating immunologic response and clinical deterioration in treatment-naïve patients initiating first-line therapies infected with HIV-1 CRF01_AE and subtype B

PubMed Central

Oyomopito, Rebecca A.; Li, Patrick CK.; Sungkanuparph, Somnuek; Phanuphak, Praphan; Tee, Kok Keng; Sirisanthana, Thira; Kantipong, Pacharee; Oka, Shinichi; Lee, Chris KC.; Kamarulzaman, Adeeba; Choi, Jun Yong; Sohn, Annette H.; Law, Matthew; Chen, Yi-Ming A.

2012-01-01

Background HIV-1 group M viruses diverge 25%–35% in envelope, important for viral attachment during infection, and 10–15% in the pol region, under selection pressure from common antiretrovirals. In Asia, subtypes B and CRF01_AE are common genotypes. Our objectives were to determine whether clinical, immunologic or virologic treatment responses differed by genotype in treatment-naïve patients initiating first-line therapy. Methods Prospectively collected, longitudinal data from patients in Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea were provided for analysis. Covariates included demographics, hepatitis B and C coinfections, baseline CD4 T lymphocyte count and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. Clinical deterioration (a new diagnosis of CDC category B/AIDS-defining illness or death) was assessed by proportional hazards models. Surrogate endpoints were 12-month change in CD4 cell count and virologic suppression post-therapy, evaluated by linear and logistic regression, respectively. Results Of 1105 patients, 1036 (93.8%) infected with CRF01_AE or subtype B were eligible for inclusion in clinical deterioration analyses and contributed 1546.7 person-years of follow-up (median:413 days, IQR:169–672 days). Patients >40 years demonstrated smaller immunological increases (p=0.002) and higher risk of clinical deterioration (HR=2.17; p=0.008). Patients with baseline CD4 cell counts >200 cells/μL had lower risk of clinical deterioration (HR=0.373; p=0.003). A total of 532 patients (48.1% of eligible) had CD4 counts available at baseline and 12 months post-therapy for inclusion in immunolgic analyses. Patients infected with subtype B had larger increases in CD4 counts at 12 months (p=0.024). A total of 530 patients (48.0% of eligible) were included in virologic analyses with no differences in response found between genotypes. Conclusions Results suggest that patients infected with CRF01_AE have reduced immunologic response to therapy at 12 months, compared to

The ninth international veterinary immunology symposium

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This Introduction to the special issue of Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology summarizes the Proceedings of the 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (9th IVIS) held August, 2010, in Tokyo, Japan. Over 340 delegates from 30 countries discussed research progress analyzing the immune...

Pathogen evolution and the immunological niche

PubMed Central

Cobey, Sarah

2014-01-01

Host immunity is a major driver of pathogen evolution and thus a major determinant of pathogen diversity. Explanations for pathogen diversity traditionally assume simple interactions between pathogens and the immune system, a view encapsulated by the susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) model. However, there is growing evidence that the complexity of many host–pathogen interactions is dynamically important. This revised perspective requires broadening the definition of a pathogen's immunological phenotype, or what can be thought of as its immunological niche. After reviewing evidence that interactions between pathogens and host immunity drive much of pathogen evolution, I introduce the concept of a pathogen's immunological phenotype. Models that depart from the SIR paradigm demonstrate the utility of this perspective and show that it is particularly useful in understanding vaccine-induced evolution. This paper highlights questions in immunology, evolution, and ecology that must be answered to advance theories of pathogen diversity. PMID:25040161

Profile of the patients who present to immunology outpatient clinics because of frequent infections

PubMed Central

Aldırmaz, Sonay; Yücel, Esra; Kıykım, Ayça; Çokuğraş, Haluk; Akçakaya, Necla; Camcıoğlu, Yıldız

2014-01-01

Aim: We aimed to determine the rate of primary immune deficiency (PID) among children presenting to our immunology outpatient clinic with a history of frequent infections and with warning signs of primary immune deficiency. Material and Methods: The files of 232 children aged between 1 and 18 years with warning signs of primary immune deficiency who were referred to our pediatric immunology outpatient clinic with a complaint of frequent infections were selected and evaluated retrospectively. Results: Thirty-six percent of the subjects were female (n=84) and 64% were male (n=148). PID was found in 72.4% (n=164). The most common diagnosis was selective IgA deficiency (26.3%, n=61). The most common diseases other than primary immune deficiency included reactive airway disease and/or atopy (34.4%, n=22), adenoid vegetation (12.3%, n=8), chronic disease (6.3%, n=4) and periodic fever, aphtous stomatitis and adenopathy (4.6%, n=3). The majortiy of the subjects (90.5%, n=210) presented with a complaint of recurrent upper respiratory tract infection. PID was found in all subjects who had bronchiectasis. The rates of the diagnoses of variable immune deficiency and Bruton agammaglubulinemia (XLA) were found to be significantly higher in the subjects who had lower respiratory tract infection, who were hospitalized because of infection and who had a history of severe infection compared to the subjects who did not have these properties (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Growth and developmental failure was found with a significantly higher rate in the patients who had a diagnosis of severe combined immune deficiency or hyper IgM compared to the other subjects (p<0.01). No difference was found in the rates of PID between the age groups, but the diagnosis of XLA increased as the age of presentation increased and this was considered an indicator which showed that patients with XLA were being diagnosed in a late period. Conclusions: It was found that the rate of diagnosis was

Radiotherapy as an immunological booster in patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma treated with high-dose Interleukin-2: evaluation of biomarkers of immunologic and therapeutic response.

PubMed

Ridolfi, Laura; de Rosa, Francesco; Ridolfi, Ruggero; Gentili, Giorgia; Valmorri, Linda; Scarpi, Emanuela; Parisi, Elisabetta; Romeo, Antonino; Guidoboni, Massimo

2014-09-23

Tumor cells killed by radiation therapy (RT) are a potentially good source of antigens for dendritic cell (DC) uptake and presentation to T-cells. RT upregulates cell death receptors such as Fas/CD95 and MHC-I, induces the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on tumor cells, and promotes production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. High-dose interleukin-2 (HD-IL-2) bolus has been shown to obtain objective response rates ranging from 15% to 17% in patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with 6% to 8% of cases experiencing a durable complete response. However, HD-IL-2 is also associated with severe side-effects; if it is to remain a component of the curative treatment strategy in patients with metastatic melanoma or RCC, its therapeutic efficacy must be improved and patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment must be identified a priori. We designed a clinical study combining immunomodulating RT and HD-IL-2 to evaluate their clinical and immunological efficacy and to explore the predictive and prognostic value of 1) tumor-specific immune response and 2) serum levels of proangiogenic cytokines. The primary endpoint of this proof-of-principle phase II study is immune response. Secondary endpoints are the identification of biomarkers potentially predictive of response, toxicity, response rate and overall survival. Three daily doses of booster radiotherapy (XRT) at 6-12 Gy will be administered to at least one metastatic field on days -3 to -1 before the first and third cycle. Treatment with IL-2 (dose 18 MIU/m2/day by continuous IV infusion for 72 hours) will start on day +1 and will be repeated every 3 weeks for up to 4 cycles and then every 4 weeks for a further 2 cycles. Immune response against tumor antigens expressed by melanoma and/or RCC will be evaluated during treatment. Circulating immune effectors and regulators, e.g. cytotoxic T lymphocytes and regulatory T cells, as well as serum levels of proangiogenic

21 CFR 866.5230 - Colostrum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Colostrum immunological test system. 866.5230... Colostrum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A colostrum immunological test system is a device... colostrum. Colostrum is a substance excreted by the mammary glands during pregnancy and until production of...

Immunology in Pittsburgh.

PubMed

Finn, Olivera J; Salter, Russell D

2006-01-01

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has a long tradition of excellence in immunology research and training. Faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellows walk through hallways that are pictorial reminders of the days when Dr. Jonas Salk worked here to develop the polio vaccine, or when Dr. Niels Jerne chaired the Microbiology Department and worked on perfecting the Jerne Plaque Assay for antibody-producing cells. Colleagues and postdoctoral fellows of Professor Salk are still on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Medical School as are graduate students of Professor Jerne. A modern research building, the 17 story high Biomedical Science Tower, is a vivid reminder of the day when Dr. Thomas Starzl arrived in Pittsburgh and started building the most prominent solid-organ-transplant program in the world. The immunology research that developed around the problem of graft rejection and tolerance induction trained numerous outstanding students and fellows. Almost 20 yr ago, the University of Pittsburgh founded the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) with the renowned immunologist Dr. Ronald Herberman at its helm. This started a number of new research initiatives in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. A large number of outstanding young investigators, as well as several well-established tumor immunologists, were recruited to Pittsburgh at that time.

Chapter 29: Unproved and controversial methods and theories in allergy-immunology.

PubMed

Shah, Rachna; Greenberger, Paul A

2012-01-01

Unproved methods and controversial theories in the diagnosis and management of allergy-immunology are those that lack scientific credibility. Some definitions are provided for perspective because in chronic medical conditions, frequently, nonscientifically based treatments are developed that can have a very positive psychological effect on the patients in the absence of objective physical benefit. Standard practice can be described as "the methods of diagnosis and treatment used by reputable physicians in a particular subspecialty or primary care practice" with the understanding that diagnosis and treatment options are consistent with established mechanisms of conditions or diseases.(3) Conventional medicine (Western or allopathic medicine) is that which is practiced by the majority of MDs, DOs, psychologists, RNs, and physical therapists. Complementary medicine uses the practice of conventional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine such as using acupuncture for pain relief in addition to opioids. Alternative medicine implies use of complementary and alternative practices in place of conventional medicine. Unproved and controversial methods and theories do not have supporting data, validation, and sufficient scientific scrutiny, and they should not be used in the practice of allergy-immunology. Some examples of unproven theories about allergic immunologic conditions include allergic toxemia, idiopathic environmental intolerance, association with childhood vaccinations, and adrenal fatigue. Unconventional (unproved) diagnostic methods for allergic-immunologic conditions include cytotoxic tests, provocation-neutralization, electrodermal diagnosis, applied kinesiology assessments, and serum IgG or IgG(4) testing. Unproven treatments and intervention methods for allergic-immunologic conditions include acupuncture, homeopathy ("likes cure likes"), halotherapy, and autologous urine injections.

Local immunological mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy.

PubMed

Allam, Jean-Pierre; Novak, Natalija

2011-12-01

To summarize novel insights into the immunological mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Within the recent decades, several alternative noninvasive allergen application strategies have been investigated in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), of which intra-oral allergen application to sublingual mucosa has been proven to be well tolerated and effective. To date, SLIT is widely accepted by most allergists as an alternative option to conventional subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Although detailed immunological mechanisms remain to be elucidated, much scientific effort has been made to shed some light on local and systemic immunological responses to SLIT in mice as well as humans. Only a few studies focused on the detailed mechanisms following allergen application to the oral mucosa as part of the sophisticated mucosal immunological network. Within this network, the pro-tolerogenic properties of local antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells - which are able to enforce tolerogenic mechanisms and to induce T-cell immune responses - play a central role. Further on, basic research focused not only on the immune response in nasal and bronchial mucosa but also on the systemic T-cell immune response. Thus, much exiting data have been published providing a better understanding of immunological features of SLIT but far more investigations are necessary to uncover further exciting details on the key mechanisms of SLIT.

The 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium.

PubMed

Lunney, Joan K; Kai, Chieko; Inumaru, Shigeki; Onodera, Takashi

2012-07-15

This special issue of Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology summarizes the Proceedings of the 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (9th IVIS) held August 2010, in Tokyo, Japan. Over 340 delegates from 30 countries discussed research progress analyzing the immune systems of numerous food animals and wildlife, probing basic immunity and the influence of stress, genetics, nutrition, endocrinology and reproduction. Major presentations addressed defense against pathogens and alternative control and prevention strategies including vaccines, adjuvants and novel biotherapeutics. A special Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Co-operative Research Programme Sponsored Conference on "Vaccination and Diagnosis for Food Safety in Agriculture" highlighted the particular issue of "Immunology in Bovine Paratuberculosis". In April 2010 there was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the southern part of Japan. This stimulated a special 9th IVIS session on FMD, sponsored by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, to discuss improvements of FMD vaccines, their use in FMD control, and risk assessment for decision management. The 9th IVIS was supported by the Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) and included workshops for its MHC and Toolkit Committees. Finally VIC IUIS presented its 2010 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Kazuya Yamanouchi for "outstanding contributions to the veterinary immunology community" and its 2010 Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist Award to Dr. Douglas F. Antczak for "outstanding research on equine immunology". Published by Elsevier B.V.

AZT Impairs Immunological Recovery on First-line ART: Collaborative analysis of cohort studies in Southern Africa

PubMed Central

WANDELER, Gilles; GSPONER, Thomas; MULENGA, Lloyd; GARONE, Daniela; WOOD, Robin; MASKEW, Mhairi; PROZESKY, Hans; HOFFMANN, Christopher; EHMER, Jochen; DICKINSON, Diana; DAVIES, Mary-Ann; EGGER, Matthias; KEISER, Olivia

2013-01-01

Objectives Zidovudine (AZT) is recommended for first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource limited settings. AZT may, however, lead to anemia and impaired immunological response. We compared CD4 counts over 5 years between patients starting ART with and without AZT in Southern Africa. Design Cohort study Methods Patients aged ≥16 years who started first-line ART in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia or Lesotho were included. We used linear mixed-effect models to compare CD4 cell count trajectories between patients on AZT-containing regimens and patients on other regimens, censoring follow-up at first treatment change. Impaired immunological recovery, defined as a CD4 count below 100 cells/μl at 1 year, was assessed in logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for baseline CD4 count and haemoglobin level, age, gender, type of regimen, viral load monitoring and calendar year. Results 72,597 patients starting ART, including 19,758 (27.2%) on AZT, were analysed. Patients on AZT had higher CD4 cell counts (150 vs.128 cells/μl) and haemoglobin level (12.0 vs. 11.0 g/dl) at baseline, and were less likely to be female than those on other regimens. Adjusted differences in CD4 counts between regimens containing and not containing AZT were −16 cells/μl (95% CI −18 to −14) at 1 year and −56 cells/μl (95% CI −59 to −52) at 5 years. Impaired immunological recovery was more likely with AZT compared to other regimens (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.22–1.61). Conclusions In Southern Africa AZT is associated with inferior immunological recovery compared to other backbones. Replacing AZT with another NRTI could avoid unnecessary switches to second-line ART. PMID:23660577

Multiscale modelling in immunology: a review.

PubMed

Cappuccio, Antonio; Tieri, Paolo; Castiglione, Filippo

2016-05-01

One of the greatest challenges in biomedicine is to get a unified view of observations made from the molecular up to the organism scale. Towards this goal, multiscale models have been highly instrumental in contexts such as the cardiovascular field, angiogenesis, neurosciences and tumour biology. More recently, such models are becoming an increasingly important resource to address immunological questions as well. Systematic mining of the literature in multiscale modelling led us to identify three main fields of immunological applications: host-virus interactions, inflammatory diseases and their treatment and development of multiscale simulation platforms for immunological research and for educational purposes. Here, we review the current developments in these directions, which illustrate that multiscale models can consistently integrate immunological data generated at several scales, and can be used to describe and optimize therapeutic treatments of complex immune diseases. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

21 CFR 866.5080 - Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5080 Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5120 - Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5120 Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. An antismooth... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test...

Cosmos-1989 immunology studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sonnenfeld, Gerald

1991-01-01

Evidence from both human and rodent studies has indicated that alterations in immunological parameters occur after space flight. The number of flight experiments has been small, and the full breadth of immunological alterations occurring after space flight remains to be established. Among the major effects on immune responses after space flight that have been reported are: alterations in lymphocyte blastogenesis and natural killer cell activity, alterations in production of cytokines, changes in leukocyte sub-population distribution, and decreases in the ability in the ability of bone marrow cells to respond to colony stimulating factors. Changes have been reported in immunological parameters of both humans and rodents. The significance of these alterations in relation to resistance to infection remains to be established. The current study involved a determination of the effects of flight on Cosmos mission 2044 on leukocyte subset distribution and the sensitivity of bone marrow cells to colony stimulating factor-GM. A parallel study with antiorthostatic suspension was also carried out. The study involved repetition and expansion of studies carried out on Cosmos 1887.

Intensive educational course in allergy and immunology.

PubMed

Elizalde, A; Perez, E E; Sriaroon, P; Nguyen, D; Lockey, R F; Dorsey, M J

2012-09-01

A one-day intensive educational course on allergy and immunology theory and diagnostic procedure significantly increased the competency of allergy and immunology fellows-in-training. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

21 CFR 866.5630 - Beta-2-microglobulin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5630 Beta-2-microglobulin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A beta-2-microglobulin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Beta-2-microglobulin immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5620 - Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5620 Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-2-macroglobulin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5130 - Alpha-1-antitrypsin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5130 Alpha-1-antitrypsin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1-antitrypsin... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Alpha-1-antitrypsin immunological test system. 866...

21 CFR 866.5800 - Seminal fluid (sperm) immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5800 Seminal fluid (sperm) immunological test system. (a) Identification. A seminal fluid (sperm... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Seminal fluid (sperm) immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5600 - Low-density lipoprotein immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5600 Low-density lipoprotein immunological test system. (a) Identification. A low-density lipoprotein... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Low-density lipoprotein immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5065 - Human allotypic marker immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5065 Human allotypic marker immunological test system. (a) Identification. A human allotypic marker... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Human allotypic marker immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5765 - Retinol-binding protein immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5765 Retinol-binding protein immunological test system. (a) Identification. A retinol-binding protein... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Retinol-binding protein immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.6010 - Tumor-associated antigen immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Tumor-associated antigen immunological test system... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Tumor Associated Antigen immunological Test Systems § 866.6010 Tumor-associated antigen immunological test system. (a) Identification. A...

Clinical and immunological characteristics of 150 systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Jamaica: a comparative analysis.

PubMed

Maloney, K C; Ferguson, T S; Stewart, H D; Myers, A A; De Ceulaer, K

2017-11-01

Background Epidemiological studies in systemic lupus erythematosus have been reported in the literature in many countries and ethnic groups. Although systemic lupus erythematosus in Jamaica has been described in the past, there has not been a detailed evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in urban Jamaica, a largely Afro-Caribbean population. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical features, particularly disease activity, damage index and immunological features, of 150 systemic lupus erythematosus subjects. Methods 150 adult patients (≥18 years) followed in rheumatology clinic at a tertiary rheumatology hospital centre (one of two of the major public referral centres in Jamaica) and the private rheumatology offices in urban Jamaica who fulfilled Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria were included. Data were collected by detailed clinical interview and examination and laboratory investigations. Hence demographics, SLICC criteria, immunological profile, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and SLICC/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) damage index (SDI) were documented. Results Of the 150 patients, 145 (96.7%) were female and five (3.3%) were male. The mean age at systemic lupus erythematosus onset was 33.2 ± 10.9. Mean disease duration was 11.3 ± 8.6 years. The most prevalent clinical SLICC criteria were musculoskeletal, with 141 (94%) of subjects experiencing arthralgia/arthritis, followed by mucocutaneous manifestations of alopecia 103 (68.7%) and malar rash 46 (30.7%), discoid rash 45 (30%) and photosensitivity 40 (26.7%). Lupus nephritis (biopsy proven) occurred in 42 (28%) subjects and 25 (16.7%) met SLICC diagnostic criteria with only positive antinuclear antibodies/dsDNA antibodies and lupus nephritis on renal biopsy. The most common laboratory SLICC criteria were positive antinuclear antibodies 136 (90.7%) followed by anti-dsDNA antibodies 95 (63.3%) and

Immunological Characteristics of Schizophrenia.

PubMed

Rubesa, Gordana; Gudelj, Lea; Makovac, Dolores

2018-06-01

There are many theories about the etiology of schizophrenia. This paper presents the assumptions and latest findings about many immunological characteristics of schizophrenia. According to the neuroimunological theory, this disorder is due to neuroimunological disbalance, increased microglial activity and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Studies have found that intrauterine infections in pregnant women have an effect on the fetal brain development, and that infections with rubella, measles, herpes virus, and toxoplasma are associeted with schizophrenia onset in adult life. In the first episode of schizophrenia and during exacerbation in the serum of the patient, an increased level of proinflammatory cytokines was found. Increased levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, Il-10. Interleukin 6 levels increase in the psychotic phase of the disease and normalize after the antipsychotic drug treatment. Increased level of IL-6 is associated with severe cognitive impairment and it is more common with patients who had been without adequate treatment for a long time and patients with therapeutic-resistant schizophrenia. Treatment of schizophrenia could be improved by the introduction of anti-inflammatory drug in the therapy.

Clinical and immunological characteristics of Polish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Tomczyk-Socha, Martyna; Sikorska-Szaflik, Hanna; Frankowski, Marek; Andrzejewska, Karolina; Odziomek, Agnieszka; Szmyrka, Magdalena

2018-01-01

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with varied clinical manifestations, which creates difficulties and delays in establishing a diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and nature of the clinical symptoms of SLE, both at the onset of the disease and in its further course. An attempt to assess the immunological characteristics of the patients and to analyze autoantibodies variability over time was also made. This retrospective study included 71 Caucasian patients, 63 women and 8 men, meeting the criteria for diagnosis of SLE according to ACR. The ratio of women to men was approximately 7.9:1. The average age of the onset of SLE was 31.5 years. The average time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 5 years. The most common first manifestation of SLE were joint and muscles symptoms - 71.8%, skin lesions - 69.0%, fever - 57.7%. The main symptoms in the further course of the disease were neurological disorders - 69.0%, joint and muscle changes - 67.7%, and general symptoms - 59.2%. There was an increase in the incidence of renal involvement and neurological symptoms throughout the disease course. The most commonly detected antibodies were anti-dsDNA - 47.9%, anti-Ro/SSA - 40.8%, anti-nucleosomal antibodies - 29.6%, and lupus anticoagulant - 22.5%. A panel of antibodies typically did not change. There is no typical clinical picture of SLE, the population suffering from this disease is very various. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis can be a big challenge for any clinician, which justifies the need for this type of study to better characterize the disease.

21 CFR 866.5360 - Cohn fraction IV immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5360 Cohn fraction IV immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A Cohn fraction IV immunological... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Cohn fraction IV immuno-logical test system. 866...

Long-term clinical and immunological effects of p53-SLP® vaccine in patients with ovarian cancer.

PubMed

Leffers, Ninke; Vermeij, Renee; Hoogeboom, Baukje-Nynke; Schulze, Ute R; Wolf, Rinze; Hamming, Ineke E; van der Zee, Ate G; Melief, Kees J; van der Burg, Sjoerd H; Daemen, Toos; Nijman, Hans W

2012-01-01

Vaccine-induced p53-specific immune responses were previously reported to be associated with improved response to secondary chemotherapy in patients with small cell lung cancer. We investigated long-term clinical and immunological effects of the p53-synthetic long peptide (p53-SLP®) vaccine in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Twenty patients were immunized with the p53-SLP® vaccine between July 2006 and August 2007. Follow-up information on patients was obtained. Clinical responses to secondary chemotherapy after p53-SLP® immunizations were determined by computerized tomography and/or tumor marker levels (CA125). Disease-specific survival was compared to a matched historical control group. Immune responses were analyzed by flow cytometry, proliferation assay, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) ELISPOT and/or cytokine bead array. Lymphocytes cultured from skin biopsy were analyzed by flow cytometry and proliferation assay. Of 20 patients treated with the p53-SLP® vaccine, 17 were subsequently treated with chemotherapy. Eight of these patients volunteered another blood sample. No differences in clinical response rates to secondary chemotherapy or disease-specific survival were observed between immunized patients and historical controls (p = 0.925, resp. p = 0.601). p53-specific proliferative responses were observed in 5/8 patients and IFN-γ production in 2/7 patients. Lymphocytes cultured from a prior injection site showing inflammation during chemotherapy did not recognize p53-SLP®. Thus, treatment with the p53-SLP® vaccine does not affect responses to secondary chemotherapy or survival, although p53-specific T-cells do survive chemotherapy. Copyright © 2011 UICC.

Immunology for rheumatology residents: working toward a Canadian national curriculum consensus.

PubMed

Chow, Shirley L; Herman-Kideckel, Sari; Mahendira, Dharini; McDonald-Blumer, Heather

2015-01-01

Immunologic mechanisms play an integral role in understanding the pathogenesis and management of rheumatic conditions. Currently, there is limited access to formal instruction in immunology for rheumatology trainees across Canada. The aims of this study were (1) to describe current immunology curricula among adult rheumatology training programs across Canada and (2) to compare the perceived learning needs of rheumatology trainees from the perspective of program directors and trainees to help develop a focused nationwide immunology curriculum. Rheumatology trainees and program directors from adult rheumatology programs across Canada completed an online questionnaire and were asked to rank a comprehensive list of immunology topics. A modified Delphi approach was implemented to obtain consensus on immunology topics. Only 42% of program directors and 31% of trainees felt the current method of teaching immunology was effective. Results illustrate concordance between program directors and trainees for the highest-ranked immunology topics including innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and cells and tissues of the immune system. However, there was discordance among other topics, such as diagnostic laboratory immunology and therapeutics. There is a need to improve immunology teaching in rheumatology training programs. Results show high concordance between the basic immunology topics. This study provides the groundwork for development of future immunology curricula.

Associations between immunological function and memory recall in healthy adults.

PubMed

Wang, Grace Y; Taylor, Tamasin; Sumich, Alexander; Merien, Fabrice; Borotkanics, Robert; Wrapson, Wendy; Krägeloh, Chris; Siegert, Richard J

2017-12-01

Studies in clinical and aging populations support associations between immunological function, cognition and mood, although these are not always in line with animal models. Moreover, very little is known about the relationship between immunological measures and cognition in healthy young adults. The present study tested associations between the state of immune system and memory recall in a group of relatively healthy adults. Immediate and delayed memory recall was assessed in 30 participants using the computerised cognitive battery. CD4, CD8 and CD69 subpopulations of lymphocytes, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol were assessed with blood assays. Correlation analysis showed significant negative relationships between CD4 and the short and long delay memory measures. IL-6 showed a significant positive correlation with long-delay recall. Generalized linear models found associations between differences in all recall challenges and CD4. A multivariate generalized linear model including CD4 and IL-6 exhibited a stronger association. Results highlight the interactions between CD4 and IL-6 in relation to memory function. Further study is necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms of the associations between the state of immune system and cognitive performance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Virological and immunological response to antiretroviral regimens containing maraviroc in HIV type 1-infected patients in clinical practice: role of different tropism testing results and of concomitant treatments.

PubMed

Rossetti, Barbara; Bianco, Claudia; Bellazzi, Lara Ines; Bruzzone, Bianca; Colao, Grazia; Corsi, Paola; Monno, Laura; Pagano, Gabriella; Paolucci, Stefania; Punzi, Grazia; Setti, Maurizio; Zazzi, Maurizio; De Luca, Andrea

2014-01-01

We assessed the immunovirological response to antiretroviral regimens containing maraviroc in HIV-infected viremic patients with viral tropism predicted by different assays. We selected antiretroviral treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients initiating regimens containing maraviroc after different phenotypic or genotypic viral tropism assays, with at least one HIV-1 RNA determination during follow-up. Survival analysis was employed to assess the virological response as time to HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml and immunological response as time to a CD4 cell count increase of ≥ 100/μl from baseline. Predictors of these outcomes were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression models. In 191 treatments with maraviroc, virological response was achieved in 65.4% and the response was modestly influenced by the baseline viral load and concomitant drug activity but not influenced by the type of tropism assay employed. Immunological response was achieved in 58.1%; independent predictors were baseline HIV-1 RNA (per log10 higher: HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.60) and concomitant therapy with enfuvirtide (HR 2.05, 0.96-4.39) but not tropism assay results. Of 17 patients with baseline R5-tropic virus and available tropism results while viremic during follow-up on maraviroc, seven (41%) showed a tropism switch to non-R5 virus. A significant proportion of experienced patients treated with regimens containing maraviroc achieved virological response. The tropism test type used was not associated with immunovirological response and concomitant treatment with enfuvirtide increased the chance of immunological response. More than half of virological failures with maraviroc were not accompanied by tropism switch.

Association of serum ferritin levels with immunological status and clinical staging of HIV patients: a retrospective study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saragih, R. H.; Mardia, A. I.; Purba, G. C. F.; Syahrini, H.

2018-03-01

Serum ferritin has long known as an acute phase reactant during inflammation. It works as an oxidative stress marker beside its role in the storage of intracellular iron. The increase of serum ferritin levels (SFL) has been reported found in HIV patients. It remains unclear though whether it causes, or is the cause, to the progressivity of the disease. The purpose of this study was to find the association between the SFL and the progressivity of the HIV disease. A retrospective study of 91 patients was carried out at the Haji Adam Malik Central General Hospital. All of the study population were HIV positive inpatients admitted from January to December 2016. The data needed to be all obtained from the patient’s medical records. The WHO Clinical Staging System was used to assess the HIV clinical staging. An inverse relationship was found between the SFL with the immunological status of the HIV patients (r=-0.213) based on their CD4+ count. There was no association found between the SFL with the clinical staging of the HIV patients (p=0.953). The elevated SFL is a feature found in HIV-diagnosed patients with the low CD4+ count, and it affects the progressivity of the disease.

Pathogen evolution and the immunological niche.

PubMed

Cobey, Sarah

2014-07-01

Host immunity is a major driver of pathogen evolution and thus a major determinant of pathogen diversity. Explanations for pathogen diversity traditionally assume simple interactions between pathogens and the immune system, a view encapsulated by the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model. However, there is growing evidence that the complexity of many host-pathogen interactions is dynamically important. This revised perspective requires broadening the definition of a pathogen's immunological phenotype, or what can be thought of as its immunological niche. After reviewing evidence that interactions between pathogens and host immunity drive much of pathogen evolution, I introduce the concept of a pathogen's immunological phenotype. Models that depart from the SIR paradigm demonstrate the utility of this perspective and show that it is particularly useful in understanding vaccine-induced evolution. This paper highlights questions in immunology, evolution, and ecology that must be answered to advance theories of pathogen diversity. © 2014 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of The New York Academy of Sciences.

Immunologically mediated ocular disease in the horse.

PubMed

Hines, M T

1984-11-01

The continued study of immunology and its relationship to diseases of the eye will hopefully give some insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of certain ocular diseases of many species, including the horse. It may lead to a better understanding of equine recurrent uveitis, a disease that has remained an enigma for years and that now appears to be an immunologic hypersensitivity response to a number of varied antigens. The precise mechanism of the inflammation is still unclear, and the immunologic response may be variable or mixed depending upon the inciting antigen. Other ophthalmic diseases in the horse, such as conjunctivitis, chorioretinitis, and less well-defined entities such as superficial punctate keratitis, may also have an immunologic component in their pathogenesis. An appreciation of immunopathologic mechanisms may thus enhance the veterinarian's understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of equine ocular disease.

21 CFR 866.6030 - AFP-L3% immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false AFP-L3% immunological test system. 866.6030 Section 866.6030 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Tumor Associated Antigen immunological Test Systems § 866.6030 AFP-L3% immunological test...

Opsoclonus: clinical and immunological features.

PubMed

Jen, Joanna C; Lopez, Ivan; Baloh, Robert W

2012-09-15

Opsoclonus is felt to be a saccadic oscillation disorder but the neuroanatomical substrate for generating the abnormal eye movements is poorly understood. We recorded eye movements and studied serum samples from 7 patients who presented with opsoclonus and with either myoclonus or generalized tremor. Anti neuronal antibodies were detected by immunohistochemestry using rat and human cerebellar sections. In all patients but one the opsoclonus resolved within 2weeks (after immunosuppression in 4, resection of the underlying neoplasm in 1 and spontaneously in 1). Opsoclonus was arrhythmic and multidirectional with a wide frequency range (4-10Hz). No known paraneoplastic antibodies were found in the initial commercial screen. Three patients had antiPurkinje cell antibodies with a characteristic punctate staining in the molecular layer. The clinical and immunological findings are consistent with the hypothesis, that in some patients, opsoclonus results from antibodies directed at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse. The antibodies block parallel fiber input to Purkinje cells allowing spontaneous oscillating activity generated in the inferior olives to be passed on to the oculomotor nuclei via the flocculus. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinico-immunological aspects of vernal catarrh in hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh.

PubMed

Bisht, R; Goyal, A; Thakur; Singh, T; Sharma; Vijay; Goyal, B K

1992-01-01

Very few immunological studies in vernal catarrh have been conducted in India and abroad, but none in Himachal Pradesh in spite of its high incidence in the State. In the present study 25 patients of vernal catarrh residing at a height ranging between 1000 to 2500 meters above mean sea level have been evaluated. Their immunological status of serum and tears after detailed clinical assessment was studied by single radial immunodiffusion technique of Mancini et al. The values of serum IgA and IgM were significantly higher in patients than in controls. The serum IgE level had no significant difference. The IgG was significantly lower in patients with vernal catarrh. The values of tear IgM, IgE and IgA in these patients were significantly higher than in controls. However, in no case or control group C3C and C4 were detected in tears. The limbal type of vernal catarrh was found to be the most common in this part of the country. No mixed case was seen. Derangement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of vernal catarrh is suggested.

Immunology update: topics in basic and clinically applied reproductive immunology.

PubMed

Hunt, J S

1996-05-01

A postgraduate course covering basic and clinical reproductive immunology was held in Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A., on March 19, 1996, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Society for Gynecological Investigation. The course was organized and chaired by Joseph A. Hill.

Immunological Applications of Stem Cells in Type 1 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Voltarelli, Julio; Zavazava, Nicholas

2011-01-01

Current approaches aiming to cure type 1 diabetes (T1D) have made a negligible number of patients insulin-independent. In this review, we revisit the role of stem cell (SC)-based applications in curing T1D. The optimal therapeutic approach for T1D should ideally preserve the remaining β-cells, restore β-cell function, and protect the replaced insulin-producing cells from autoimmunity. SCs possess immunological and regenerative properties that could be harnessed to improve the treatment of T1D; indeed, SCs may reestablish peripheral tolerance toward β-cells through reshaping of the immune response and inhibition of autoreactive T-cell function. Furthermore, SC-derived insulin-producing cells are capable of engrafting and reversing hyperglycemia in mice. Bone marrow mesenchymal SCs display a hypoimmunogenic phenotype as well as a broad range of immunomodulatory capabilities, they have been shown to cure newly diabetic nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, and they are currently undergoing evaluation in two clinical trials. Cord blood SCs have been shown to facilitate the generation of regulatory T cells, thereby reverting hyperglycemia in NOD mice. T1D patients treated with cord blood SCs also did not show any adverse reaction in the absence of major effects on glycometabolic control. Although hematopoietic SCs rarely revert hyperglycemia in NOD mice, they exhibit profound immunomodulatory properties in humans; newly hyperglycemic T1D patients have been successfully reverted to normoglycemia with autologous nonmyeloablative hematopoietic SC transplantation. Finally, embryonic SCs also offer exciting prospects because they are able to generate glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells. Easy enthusiasm should be mitigated mainly because of the potential oncogenicity of SCs. PMID:21862682

Graduate Students' Interest in Immunology as a Discipline

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kwarteng, Alexander; Frimpong, Michael; Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; Arthur, Yarhands D.; Ahuno, Samuel T.; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis

2017-01-01

Interest and motivation significantly influence achievement; however, interest in immunology remains to be determined. Using a structured questionnaire, the current study assessed for the first time interest in immunology among biomedical graduate students in Ghana after a one-week introduction to immunology course. Our results revealed that…

The effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the humoral and cellular immune systems in patients with breast cancer.

PubMed Central

Minton, J P; Rossio, J L; Dixon, B; Dodd, M C

1976-01-01

Corynebacterium parvum, a Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus thought to be a strong immunological stimulant, has been shown to decrease tumour growth and prolong survival in patients with metastatic disease. Study of the effect of a single injection of a strain of C. parvum (CN. 6134) in six patients with stage IV metastatic breast cancer is reported. Results of laboratory tests to judge the physical and immunological effects of the drug infusion 24 hr post-treatment and weekly thereafter for 3 weeks are evaluated. Within 24 hr after C. parvum administration, most patients experienced fever and nausea. Blood counts and differential counts exhibited increased values 24 hr after treatment with a strong shift to the left. Lymphocyte and monocyte counts were greatly depressed at 24 hr. T-cell numbers in peripheral blood did not appear to be altered, but the picture with regard to B cells was less clear. Normal count was recovered by day 8. It appears that intravenous administration of C. parvum produces a temporary marked immunological depression which returns to essentially normal values in 8 days. The return to normal may be accompanied by resolution of the endotoxin-like syndrome of side-effects. Further study of patients receiving this therapeutic agent is important to detect enhancement of the anti-tumour immunological response precipitated. PMID:1084821

Infectious diseases and immunological markers associated with patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with rituximab.

PubMed

de Souza, Kleber Jordão; Ferro, Rodrigo Sala; Prestes-Carneiro, Luiz Euribel; Carrilho, Paula Andreia Martins; Vasconcelos, Dewton de Moraes

2018-02-01

The use of rituximab (RTX) is increasing, even in developing countries. It has become the first-line therapy or adjuvant to chemotherapy (CHOP; cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone) for various diseases, including B cell lymphoma and autoimmune diseases. We describe the infectious diseases and immunological markers associated with RTX treatment of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Serum immunoglobulins were determined before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) administration. Pneumo-23IgG-specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies were evaluated before and after vaccination. Immunophenotyping and lymphocyte proliferation were determined in the course of the treatment. Seven patients were followed and median age was 56.0 ± 5.0 years (range, 41.9-71.6 years). At baseline, the mean level of IgG was 333.7 ± 40.8 and IgM 40.9 ± 11.3 mg/dL, respectively; immunoglobulin A and E (IgA and IgE) were under the limit of detection. Two patients had reduced or absent B cells and T cell subsets were at normal levels in five patients. All patients failed to mount an efficient post-vaccination immune response against hepatitis B virus, tetanus, diphtheria and against the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. During RTX/CHOP treatment, human-IgG-immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy was introduced in six patients after recurrent infections, including community-acquired pneumonia (85.7%), chronic sinusitis (85.7%) and gastroenteritis (42.9%). Poor response against pneumococcal vaccines increases the susceptibility of respiratory diseases in these patients. In patients with NHL treated with RTX, the benefits achieved with IVIg replacement for the control of recurrent infectious diseases is of paramount importance. Clinicians dealing with monoclonal antibodies against cancer therapy, especially RTX, should be aware of the increasing risks for symptomatic induced hypogammaglobulinemia and respiratory infections.

How understanding immunology contributes to managing CMV disease in immunosuppressed patients: now and in future.

PubMed

Sissons, J G Patrick; Wills, Mark R

2015-06-01

Several decades of research on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and the principal mammalian cytomegaloviruses which to varying degrees act as models of HCMV infection, particularly murine, guinea pig and rhesus CMV, have led to the recognition of the CMVs as interesting models of persistent infection with a large and complex DNA virus, which have been highly informative of the immunology and molecular pathogenesis of the virus-host relationship in the normal host. However, it is appropriate to ask how this relative wealth of knowledge has influenced the understanding and management of clinical disease due to HCMV. This article considers the immunology of cytomegalovirus in the normal human host, and the interrelated issue of the sites of HCMV latency and mechanisms of reactivation in the myeloid cell lineage, and in related in vitro model systems. The way in which this site of latency conditions the immune response, and emerging information on the special features of the adaptive immune response to HCMV during latency are also considered. Examples of HCMV disease associated with acquired immunosuppression, principally in the context of transplantation, but also as a consequence of HIV/AIDS and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, are then discussed, with a particular emphasis on how understanding the immunology of persistent infection may contribute to managing CMV disease now and in future.

21 CFR 866.5170 - Breast milk immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Breast milk immunological test system. 866.5170... milk immunological test system. (a) Identification. A breast milk immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques the breast milk proteins. (b...

21 CFR 866.5170 - Breast milk immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Breast milk immunological test system. 866.5170... milk immunological test system. (a) Identification. A breast milk immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques the breast milk proteins. (b...

21 CFR 866.5170 - Breast milk immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Breast milk immunological test system. 866.5170... milk immunological test system. (a) Identification. A breast milk immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques the breast milk proteins. (b...

21 CFR 866.5170 - Breast milk immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Breast milk immunological test system. 866.5170... milk immunological test system. (a) Identification. A breast milk immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by immunochemical techniques the breast milk proteins. (b...

A trial of patient-oriented problem-solving system for immunology teaching in China: a comparison with dialectic lectures

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The most common teaching method used in China is lecturing, but recently, efforts have been widely undertaken to promote the transition from teacher-centered to student-centered education. The patient-oriented problem-solving (POPS) system is an innovative teaching-learning method that permits students to work in small groups to solve clinical problems, promotes self-learning, encourages clinical reasoning and develops long-lasting memory. To our best knowledge, however, POPS has never been applied in teaching immunology in China. The aim of this study was to develop POPS in teaching immunology and assess students’ and teachers’ perception to POPS. Methods 321 second-year medical students were divided into two groups: I and II. Group I, comprising 110 students, was taught by POPS, and 16 immunology teachers witnessed the whole teaching process. Group II including the remaining 211 students was taught through traditional lectures. The results of the pre- and post-test of both groups were compared. Group I students and teachers then completed a self-structured feedback questionnaire for analysis before a discussion meeting attended only by the teachers was held. Results Significant improvement in the mean difference between the pre- and post-test scores of those in Groups I and II was seen, demonstrating the effectiveness of POPS teaching. Most students responded that POPS facilitates self-learning, helps them to understand topics and creates interest, and 88.12% of students favored POPS over simple lectures. Moreover, while they responded that POPS facilitated student learning better than lectures, teachers pointed out that limited teaching resources would make it difficult for wide POPS application in China. Conclusions While POPS can break up the monotony of dialectic lectures and serve as a better teaching method, it may not be feasible for the current educational environment in China. The main reason for this is the relative shortage of teaching

A trial of patient-oriented problem-solving system for immunology teaching in China: a comparison with dialectic lectures.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhiren; Liu, Wei; Han, Junfeng; Guo, Sheng; Wu, Yuzhang

2013-01-28

The most common teaching method used in China is lecturing, but recently, efforts have been widely undertaken to promote the transition from teacher-centered to student-centered education. The patient-oriented problem-solving (POPS) system is an innovative teaching-learning method that permits students to work in small groups to solve clinical problems, promotes self-learning, encourages clinical reasoning and develops long-lasting memory. To our best knowledge, however, POPS has never been applied in teaching immunology in China. The aim of this study was to develop POPS in teaching immunology and assess students' and teachers' perception to POPS. 321 second-year medical students were divided into two groups: I and II. Group I, comprising 110 students, was taught by POPS, and 16 immunology teachers witnessed the whole teaching process. Group II including the remaining 211 students was taught through traditional lectures. The results of the pre- and post-test of both groups were compared. Group I students and teachers then completed a self-structured feedback questionnaire for analysis before a discussion meeting attended only by the teachers was held. Significant improvement in the mean difference between the pre- and post-test scores of those in Groups I and II was seen, demonstrating the effectiveness of POPS teaching. Most students responded that POPS facilitates self-learning, helps them to understand topics and creates interest, and 88.12% of students favored POPS over simple lectures. Moreover, while they responded that POPS facilitated student learning better than lectures, teachers pointed out that limited teaching resources would make it difficult for wide POPS application in China. While POPS can break up the monotony of dialectic lectures and serve as a better teaching method, it may not be feasible for the current educational environment in China. The main reason for this is the relative shortage of teaching resources such as space, library facilities

The SLE transcriptome exhibits evidence of chronic endotoxin exposure and has widespread dysregulation of non-coding and coding RNAs.

PubMed

Shi, Lihua; Zhang, Zhe; Yu, Angela M; Wang, Wei; Wei, Zhi; Akhter, Ehtisham; Maurer, Kelly; Costa Reis, Patrícia; Song, Li; Petri, Michelle; Sullivan, Kathleen E

2014-01-01

Gene expression studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have demonstrated a type I interferon signature and increased expression of inflammatory cytokine genes. Studies of patients with Aicardi Goutières syndrome, commonly cited as a single gene model for SLE, have suggested that accumulation of non-coding RNAs may drive some of the pathologic gene expression, however, no RNA sequencing studies of SLE patients have been performed. This study was designed to define altered expression of coding and non-coding RNAs and to detect globally altered RNA processing in SLE. Purified monocytes from eight healthy age/gender matched controls and nine SLE patients (with low-moderate disease activity and lack of biologic drug use or immune suppressive treatment) were studied using RNA-seq. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate findings. Serum levels of endotoxin were measured by ELISA. We found that SLE patients had diminished expression of most endogenous retroviruses and small nucleolar RNAs, but exhibited increased expression of pri-miRNAs. Splicing patterns and polyadenylation were significantly altered. In addition, SLE monocytes expressed novel transcripts, an effect that was replicated by LPS treatment of control monocytes. We further identified increased circulating endotoxin in SLE patients. Monocytes from SLE patients exhibit globally dysregulated gene expression. The transcriptome is not simply altered by the transcriptional activation of a set of genes, but is qualitatively different in SLE. The identification of novel loci, inducible by LPS, suggests that chronic microbial translocation could contribute to the immunologic dysregulation in SLE, a new potential disease mechanism.

Association between discordant immunological response to highly active anti-retroviral therapy, regulatory T cell percentage, immune cell activation and very low-level viraemia in HIV-infected patients

PubMed Central

Saison, J; Ferry, T; Demaret, J; Maucort Boulch, D; Venet, F; Perpoint, T; Ader, F; Icard, V; Chidiac, C; Monneret, G

2014-01-01

The mechanisms sustaining the absence of complete immune recovery in HIV-infected patients upon long-term effective highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) remain elusive. Immune activation, regulatory T cells (Tregs) or very low-level viraemia (VLLV) have been alternatively suspected, but rarely investigated simultaneously. We performed a cross-sectional study in HIV-infected aviraemic subjects (mean duration of HAART: 12 years) to concomitantly assess parameters associated independently with inadequate immunological response. Patients were classified as complete immunological responders (cIR, n = 48) and inadequate immunological responders (iIR, n = 39), depending on the CD4+ T cell count (> or < 500/mm3). Clinical and virological data (including very low-level viraemia) were collected. In parallel, immunophenotyping of CD4+ lymphocytes, including Treg subsets, and CD8+ T cells was performed. Percentages of activated CD4+ T cells, Tregs, effector Tregs and terminal effector Tregs were found to be significantly elevated in iIR. Neither the percentage of activated CD8+ T cells nor VLLV were found to be associated with iIR. In the multivariate analysis, nadir of CD4+ T cell count and percentage of Tregs were the only two parameters associated independently with iIR [odds ratio (OR) = 2·339, P = 0·001, and OR = 0·803, P = 0·041]. We present here the largest study investigating simultaneously the immune response to long-term HAART, activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, Treg percentages and very low-level viraemia. Causative interactions between Tregs and CD4+ T cells should now be explored prospectively in a large patients cohort. PMID:24460818

Anisakis allergy component-resolved diagnosis: clinical and immunologic differences between patients from Italy and Spain.

PubMed

Caballero, Maria Luisa; Asero, Riccardo; Antonicelli, Leonardo; Kamberi, Erilda; Colangelo, Caterina; Fazii, Paolo; de Burgos, Carmen; Rodriguez-Perez, Rosa

2013-01-01

Anisakissimplex is the main organism responsible for the zoonotic disease anisakiasis which follows the ingestion of live larvae present in raw or undercooked marine fish. Clinical features include severe epigastric pain, frequently accompanied by severe allergic reactions. We investigated the prevalence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific for 5 Anisakis allergens in Italian patients sensitized or allergic to the parasite. The results were compared with those obtained previously in a similar Spanish population. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional validation study. Asymptomatic Anisakis-sensitized subjects (15 Italian and 17 Spanish) and Anisakis allergic-patients (42 Italian and 35 Spanish) were studied by ImmunoCAP, Western-blotting with nAni s 4 and dot-blotting with rAni s 1, rAni s 5, rAni s 9 and rAni s 10. Anisakis IgE CAP classes 1 or 2 were associated with a high probability of asymptomatic sensitization (66.7%) while CAP classes 4 or above, were associated with a very high probability of allergy to Anisakis (95.2%). The most frequently detected allergen among Italian and Spanish allergic patients was Ani s 1. All of the Spanish patients versus 76.2% of the Italian patients recognized at least one of the allergens tested. Patients suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms only were significantly more frequent among the Italians whereas the Spanish presented more frequently with urticaria, angioedema or anaphylaxis. Anisakis hypersensitivity shows different immunological patterns in different European countries. Allergen component diagnosis might help us to better understand this complex entity. Anisakis-specific IgE levels may have moderate prognostic significance. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Behavioural and immunological responses to an immune challenge in Octopus vulgaris.

PubMed

Locatello, Lisa; Fiorito, Graziano; Finos, Livio; Rasotto, Maria B

2013-10-02

Behavioural and immunological changes consequent to stress and infection are largely unexplored in cephalopods, despite the wide employment of species such as Octopus vulgaris in studies that require their manipulation and prolonged maintenance in captivity. Here we explore O. vulgaris behavioural and immunological (i.e. haemocyte number and serum lysozyme activity) responses to an in vivo immune challenge with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Behavioural changes of immune-treated and sham-injected animals were observed in both sight-allowed and isolated conditions, i.e. visually interacting or not with a conspecific. Immune stimulation primarily caused a significant increase in the number of circulating haemocytes 4h after the treatment, while serum lysozyme activity showed a less clear response. However, the effect of LPS on the circulating haemocytes begins to vanish 24h after injection. Our observations indicate a significant change in behaviour consequent to LPS administration, with treated octopuses exhibiting a decrease of general activity pattern when kept in the isolated condition. A similar decrease was not observed in the sight-allowed condition, where we noticed a specific significant reduction only in the time spent to visually interact with the conspecific. Overall, significant, but lower, behavioural and immunological effects of injection were detected also in sham-injected animals, suggesting a non-trivial susceptibility to manipulation and haemolymph sampling. Our results gain importance in light of changes of the regulations for the use of cephalopods in scientific procedures that call for the prompt development of guidelines, covering many aspects of cephalopod provision, maintenance and welfare. © 2013.

Immunology of the gastrointestinal tract and liver

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heyworth, M.F.; Jones, A.L.

1988-01-01

This book contains 11 chapters. Some of the chapter titles are: T cells and Other Non-B Lymphocytes; Mucosal Mast Cells and IgE; Genetic Aspects of Gastrointestinal Immunology; Immunological Functions of the Liver; Lymphocyte Migration and Mucosal Immunity; and Immunoglobulin Circulation and Secretion.

Clinical, virologic, and immunologic outcomes in lymphoma survivors and in cancer-free, HIV-1-infected patients: a matched cohort study.

PubMed

Spagnuolo, Vincenzo; Travi, Giovanna; Galli, Laura; Cossarini, Francesca; Guffanti, Monica; Gianotti, Nicola; Salpietro, Stefania; Lazzarin, Adriano; Castagna, Antonella

2013-08-01

The objective of this study was to compare immunologic, virologic, and clinical outcomes between living human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals who had a diagnosis of lymphoma versus outcomes in a control group of cancer-free, HIV-infected patients. In this matched cohort study, patients in the case group were survivors of incident lymphomas that occurred between 1997 and June 2010. Controls were living, cancer-free, HIV-infected patients who were matched to cases at a 4:1 ratio by age, sex, nadir CD4 cell count, and year of HIV diagnosis. The date of lymphoma diagnosis served as the baseline in cases and in the corresponding controls. In total, 62 patients (cases) who had lymphoma (20 with Hodgkin disease [HD] and 42 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL]) were compared with 211 controls. The overall median follow-up was 4.8 years (interquartile range, 2.0-7.9 years). The CD4 cell count at baseline was 278 cells/mm³ (interquartile range, 122-419 cells/mm³) in cases versus 421 cells/mm³ (interquartile range, 222-574 cells/mm³) in controls (P = .003). At the last available visit, the CD4 cell count was 412 cells/mm³ (range, 269-694 cells/mm³) in cases versus 518 cells/mm³ (interquartile range, 350-661 cells/mm³) in controls (P = .087). The proportion of patients who achieved virologic success increased from 30% at baseline to 74% at the last available visit in cases (P = .008) and from 51% to 81% in controls (P = .0286). Patients with HD reached higher CD4 cell counts at their last visit than patients with NHL (589 cells/mm³ [range, 400-841 cells/mm³] vs 332 cells/mm³ [interquartile range, 220-530 cells/mm³], respectively; P = .003). Virologic success was similar between patients with HD and patients with NHL at the last visit. Forty cases (65%) and 76 controls (36%) experienced at least 1 clinical event after baseline (P < .0001); cases were associated with a shorter time to occurrence of the first clinical event compared with controls (P

A roadmap towards personalized immunology.

PubMed

Delhalle, Sylvie; Bode, Sebastian F N; Balling, Rudi; Ollert, Markus; He, Feng Q

2018-01-01

Big data generation and computational processing will enable medicine to evolve from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to precise patient stratification and treatment. Significant achievements using "Omics" data have been made especially in personalized oncology. However, immune cells relative to tumor cells show a much higher degree of complexity in heterogeneity, dynamics, memory-capability, plasticity and "social" interactions. There is still a long way ahead on translating our capability to identify potentially targetable personalized biomarkers into effective personalized therapy in immune-centralized diseases. Here, we discuss the recent advances and successful applications in "Omics" data utilization and network analysis on patients' samples of clinical trials and studies, as well as the major challenges and strategies towards personalized stratification and treatment for infectious or non-communicable inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune diseases or allergies. We provide a roadmap and highlight experimental, clinical, computational analysis, data management, ethical and regulatory issues to accelerate the implementation of personalized immunology.

21 CFR 866.5880 - Transferrin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... transferrin levels aids in the diagnosis of malnutrition, acute inflammation, infection, and red blood cell... Transferrin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A transferrin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5880 - Transferrin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... transferrin levels aids in the diagnosis of malnutrition, acute inflammation, infection, and red blood cell... Transferrin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A transferrin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5880 - Transferrin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... transferrin levels aids in the diagnosis of malnutrition, acute inflammation, infection, and red blood cell... Transferrin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A transferrin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5880 - Transferrin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... transferrin levels aids in the diagnosis of malnutrition, acute inflammation, infection, and red blood cell... Transferrin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A transferrin immunological test system is a device...

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice - 2016 Year in Review.

PubMed

Schatz, Michael; Sicherer, Scott H; Zeiger, Robert S

As editors, we concluded that it would be helpful to our readers to write a Year in Review article that highlights the Review, Original, and Clinical Communication articles published in 2016 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. We summarized articles on the topics of asthma, rhinitis/rhinosinusitis, food allergy, anaphylaxis, drug allergy, urticarial/angioedema, eosinophilic disorders, and immunodeficiency. Within each topic, epidemiologic findings are presented, relevant aspects of prevention are described, and diagnostic and therapeutic advances are enumerated. Diagnostic tools described include history, skin tests, and in vitro tests. Treatments discussed include behavioral therapy, allergen avoidance therapy, positive and negative effects of pharmacologic therapy, and various forms of immunologic and desensitization management. We hope this review will help you, our readers, consolidate and use this extensive and practical knowledge for the benefit of your patients. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Immunological strain specificity within type 1 poliovirus*

PubMed Central

Gard, Sven

1960-01-01

The demonstration of immunological differences between poliovirus strains of any one type is a valuable procedure in epidemiological research as it may allow a virus strain to be identified as derived from or unrelated to a given possible source of infection. It is obviously of particular importance in connexion with live poliovirus vaccination campaigns. Both kinetic tests and conventional neutralization and complement-fixation techniques have been used to this end, the former involving a more complicated test procedure and the latter demanding greater nicety in the pre-standardization of reagents. The present paper reports on attempts to establish a simplified technique. Neutralization titres of sera obtained by immunization of guinea-pigs with three strains of type 1 poliovirus (including one isolated from a patient in the 1958-59 epidemic in Léopoldville described in the two preceding papers) indicated a degree of strain specificity sufficient to permit the design of a simple screening method for the purpose of a rough immunological classification. Preliminary observations on isolates from persons fed attenuated virus indicate that antigenic changes may occur in the course of multiplication of the virus in the human intestinal tract. PMID:13826481

21 CFR 866.5890 - Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5890 Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test system. (a) Identification. An inter... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test...

21 CFR 866.5380 - Free secretory component immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5380 Free secretory component immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A free... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Free secretory component immuno-logical test...

Immunological characteristics of patients infected with common intestinal helminths: results of a study based on reverse-transcriptase PCR.

PubMed

Lertanekawattana, S; Wichatrong, T; Chaisari, K; Uchikawa, R; Arizono, N

2005-01-01

To determine whether common helminth infections could modify the intestinal immunopathological status of the host, the expression in the human duodenal mucosa of cytokines, eosinophil- and mast-cell-specific molecules and monosaccharide transporters of the glucose-transporter (GLUT) family was explored. The 31 subjects were all patients at the gastro-intestinal disease unit of Nongkhai Hospital, Thailand. Four of the 10 patients who presented with eosinophilia (> or = 6.0% of their leucocytes were eosinophils), and five of the other 21 patients, had intestinal infections with helminths when they presented or within the previous 3 months. Studies based on semi-quantitative, reverse-transcriptase PCR revealed that the interleukin-5/interferon-gamma ratio was significantly higher in the noneosinophilic, helminth-infected patients than in the non-eosinophilic, uninfected patients, whereas the IgE receptor type I (Fc epsilon RI)/mast-cell tryptase ratio was significantly higher in the eosinophilic, helminth-infected patients than in the eosinophilic, uninfected patients. Expression of Charcot-Leyden-crystal protein, GLUT-1 and GLUT-5, however, showed no significant inter-group differences. Principal-components analysis of the data on eosinophils, interleukin-5, interferon-gamma, Fc epsilon RI and mast-cell tryptase revealed that one principal component could discriminate the patients who had helminth infection from the non-eosinophilic, uninfected patients, but not from the eosinophilic, uninfected patients. These results indicate that, whatever the intestinal pathology, patients infected with common intestinal helminths tend to develop a mucosal immunological response of the Th2 type.

In vivo and in vitro studies into the immunological changes following iodine 131 therapy for Graves' disease.

PubMed

Wilson, R; McKillop, J H; Jenkins, C; Thomson, J A

1991-01-01

Radio-iodine therapy for Graves' disease is followed by immunological changes in addition to effects on thyroid hormone production. The present study examined these changes and the mechanisms responsible for them. Of the 15 patients enrolled in the study, 10 became hypothyroid in the first year after iodine 131 therapy. Patients who became hypothyroid had a tendency to show a rise in serum thyrotropin receptor antibody levels (30 +/- 14 to 40 +/- 9 units; NS) and a significant rise in immunoglobulin production (324 +/- 153 to 740 +/- 200 ng/ml; P less than 0.0005) from mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (a measure of B-cell activity) 2 months after iodine 131 therapy. The increases were not seen in the patients who remained euthyroid at 1 year. In vitro studies suggested that the rise in B-cell activity is due to a fall in suppressor T cell numbers, a change shown to occur following iodine 131 therapy in previous studies. Our results indicate that immunological changes do arise after iodine 131 therapy for Graves' disease but appear to be confined to patients who subsequently became hypothyroid. It is not possible from this study to determine whether the immunological changes appear as a consequence of thyroidal destruction leading to hypothyroidism or whether they contribute directly to it.

21 CFR 866.5270 - C-reactive protein immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5270 C-reactive protein immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A C-reactive protein... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false C-reactive protein immuno-logical test system. 866...

21 CFR 866.5440 - Beta-2-glycoprotein III immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5440 Beta-2-glycoprotein III immunological test system. (a) Identification. A beta-2-glycoprotein III... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Beta-2-glycoprotein III immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5430 - Beta-2-glycoprotein I immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5430 Beta-2-glycoprotein I immunological test system. (a) Identification. A beta-2-glycoprotein I... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Beta-2-glycoprotein I immunological test system...

21 CFR 866.5580 - Alpha-1-lipoprotein immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5580 Alpha-1-lipoprotein immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1-lipoprotein... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Alpha-1-lipoprotein immuno-logical test system...

Hematology and immunology studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimzey, S. L.; Fischer, C. L.; Johnson, P. C.; Ritzmann, S. E.; Mengel, C. E.

1975-01-01

The hematology and immunology program conducted in support of the Apollo missions was designed to acquire specific laboratory data relative to the assessment of the health status of the astronauts prior to their commitment to space flight. A second objective was to detect and identify any alterations in the normal functions of the immunohematologic systems which could be attributed to space flight exposure, and to evaluate the significance of these changes relative to man's continuing participation in space flight missions. Specific changes observed during the Gemini Program formed the basis for the major portion of the hematology-immunology test schedule. Additional measurements were included when their contribution to the overall interpretation of the flight data base became apparent.

Immunological Demyelination Triggers Macrophage/Microglial Cells Activation without Inducing Astrogliosis

PubMed Central

Sears-Kraxberger, Ilse; Keirstead, Hans S.

2013-01-01

The glial scar formed by reactive astrocytes and axon growth inhibitors associated with myelin play important roles in the failure of axonal regeneration following central nervous system (CNS) injury. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that immunological demyelination of the CNS facilitates regeneration of severed axons following spinal cord injury. In the present study, we evaluate whether immunological demyelination is accompanied with astrogliosis. We compared the astrogliosis and macrophage/microglial cell responses 7 days after either immunological demyelination or a stab injury to the dorsal funiculus. Both lesions induced a strong activated macrophage/microglial cells response which was significantly higher within regions of immunological demyelination. However, immunological demyelination regions were not accompanied by astrogliosis compared to stab injury that induced astrogliosis which extended several millimeters above and below the lesions, evidenced by astroglial hypertrophy, formation of a glial scar, and upregulation of intermediate filaments glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Moreover, a stab or a hemisection lesion directly within immunological demyelination regions did not induced astrogliosis within the immunological demyelination region. These results suggest that immunological demyelination creates a unique environment in which astrocytes do not form a glial scar and provides a unique model to understand the putative interaction between astrocytes and activated macrophage/microglial cells. PMID:24319469

[Integral indices of peripheral blood leukogram in the estimation of non-specific immunological reactivity in patients with ischemic heart disease].

PubMed

Zhukhorov, L S; Voronaia, Iu L

2002-12-01

With the help of differential blood count analysis and velocity of erythrocyte sedimentation (VES), 30 healthy persons (donors), 30 patients with chronic ischemic hearty disease (IHD) and 34 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) underwent the procedure of calculation for leukocyte index (LI), leukocyte intoxication index (LII), leukocyte shift index (LSI), leukocyte and VES ratio (LVESR), leukocytic and granulocytic index (LGI), general index (GI), neurophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neurophil-monocyte ratio (NMR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and lymphocyte-eosinophil ratio (LER). Unlike healthy people, patients with chronic IHD had higher indices of LVESR, GI and LER while patients with AMI had increasing indices of LII, LSI, NLR, LER and decreasing indices of LI, LGI, GI, LMI. In case of AMI compared with chronic IHD, average indices of LII, LSI, NLR were higher and indices of LI, LGI, LVESR, GI, LMR were lower. The obtained results show expansion of possibilities to get information about the state of non-specific immunologic reactivity in patients with various IHD forms with the help of integral indices in blood leukogram.

Current trends of reproductive immunology practices in in vitro fertilization (IVF) - a first world survey using IVF-Worldwide.com.

PubMed

Kwak-Kim, Joanne; Han, Ae Ra; Gilman-Sachs, Alice; Fishel, Simon; Leong, Milton; Shoham, Zeev

2013-01-01

Reproductive immunology has evolved from basic research studies to clinical applications. In this study, we aim to investigate the actual application of reproductive immunology concepts and findings in clinical reproductive medicine such as recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL), repeated implantation failures (RIF), and failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. A web-based survey was performed on IVF-Worldwide.com. Collected data were analyzed by the computerized software. A significant proportion of physicians recommend thrombophilia workups (86%), parental genetic study (79%), and immunologic evaluations (69%) to IVF candidates who have a history of RPL or chemical pregnancy losses. IVF physicians consider an immunologic workup when patients have two (30%) or three (21%) failed IVF cycles. Assays for anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant, thyroid peroxidase antibody, and antinuclear antibody are the four most commonly ordered immunologic tests for RPL (88, 84, 50, 47% each) and RIF (68, 63, 38, 38% each). Cellular immune evaluations, such as NK assay, human leukocyte antigen study, Th1/Th2 study or immunophenotype assay, are less commonly ordered. Reproductive immunology principles have been applied to the clinical management of RPL, RIF, and failed IVF cycles, and a significant proportion of IVF physicians acknowledge the importance of immunologic alterations with reproductive outcomes. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

42 CFR 493.837 - Standard; General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Standard; General immunology. 493.837 Section 493.837 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... These Tests § 493.837 Standard; General immunology. (a) Failure to attain a score of at least 80 percent...

42 CFR 493.837 - Standard; General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Standard; General immunology. 493.837 Section 493.837 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... These Tests § 493.837 Standard; General immunology. (a) Failure to attain a score of at least 80 percent...

42 CFR 493.837 - Standard; General immunology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Standard; General immunology. 493.837 Section 493.837 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES... These Tests § 493.837 Standard; General immunology. (a) Failure to attain a score of at least 80 percent...

50 years of Dutch immunology--founders, institutions, highlights.

PubMed

Gmelig-Meyling, Frits H J; Meyaard, Linde; Mebius, Reina E

2014-12-01

At the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dutch Society for Immunology (DSI, de Nederlandse Vereniging voor Immunologie), this contribution deals with some highlights of 50 years of Immunology in the Netherlands. It narrates about the founders and first board members of the DSI, their institutes, progeny and patrimony, describes major centers of immunological activities, mentions key persons in the field, and touches upon some events dear to the Society and its members. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel immunological strategies for islet transplantation.

PubMed

Tezza, Sara; Ben Nasr, Moufida; Vergani, Andrea; Valderrama Vasquez, Alessandro; Maestroni, Anna; Abdi, Reza; Secchi, Antonio; Fiorina, Paolo

2015-08-01

Islet transplantation has been demonstrated to improve glycometabolic control, to reduce hypoglycemic episodes and to halt the progression of diabetic complications. However, the exhaustion of islet function and the side effects related to chronic immunosuppression limit the spread of this technique. Consequently, new immunoregulatory protocols have been developed, with the aim to avoid the use of a life-time immunosuppression. Several approaches have been tested in preclinical models, and some are now under clinical evaluation. The development of new small molecules and new monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies is continuous and raises the possibility of targeting new costimulatory pathways or depleting particular cell types. The use of stem cells and regulatory T cells is underway to take advantage of their immunological properties and to induce tolerance. Xenograft islet transplantation, although having severe problems in terms of immunological compatibility, could theoretically provide an unlimited source of donors; using pigs carrying human immune antigens has showed indeed promising results. A completely different approach, the use of encapsulated islets, has been developed; synthetic structures are used to hide islet alloantigen from the immune system, thus preserving islet endocrine function. Once one of these strategies is demonstrated safe and effective, it will be possible to establish clinical islet transplantation as a treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes long before the onset of diabetic-related complications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Maternal immunomodulation of the offspring's immunological system.

PubMed

Campos, Sylvia M N; de Oliveira, Vivian L; Lessa, Leonardo; Vita, Melissa; Conceição, Marcia; Andrade, Luiz Antonio Botelho; Teixeira, Gerlinde Agate Platais Brasil

2014-11-01

The mother's and the offspring's immunological system are closely related thus one can influence the other. This hypothesis drove our aim to study the impact of the mother's immunological status over the immunological response of their offspring. For this, female mice tolerant or allergic to peanuts were exposed or not to a challenge diet containing peanuts during the gestation-lactation period (TEP/AEP; TNEP/ANEP, respectively). After weaning the offspring was submitted to the peanut allergy or peanut tolerization protocol and then challenged with a peanut diet. Our results showed that when the offspring is submitted to the allergy induction protocol, they behave differently depending on their mother's immunological status. Offspring born to TEP mothers produced the lowest antibody titters while those born to AEP mothers produced the highest antibody titters compared to mice born to TNEP and ANEP. On the other hand when the offspring was submitted to the tolerization protocol all groups presented low antibody titers with no significant difference between groups, independent of the mothers immunological status and/or contact with peanuts during the gestation-lactation period. The analysis of the histological profile of the offspring correlates well to the serological response. In other words, offspring born to TEP mothers and submitted to the allergy induction protocol presented a normal histological profile, while the offspring born to AEP mothers produced the worst gut inflammation. These results indicate that mothers, exposed to the antigen (by the oral route) during gestation, actively influence the immune response of their offspring. This work sheds some light on the importance of the immunomodulation induced by dietary antigens during gestation and their influence on the immunological response of their offspring. However, more work is needed to elucidate the molecular and cellular components of this regulatory phenomenon. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All

[Immunological surrogate endpoints to evaluate vaccine efficacy].

PubMed

Jin, Pengfei; Li, Jingxin; Zhou, Yang; Zhu, Fengcai

2015-12-01

An immunological surrogate endpoints is a vaccine-induced immune response (either humoral or cellular immune) that predicts protection against clinical endpoints (infection or disease), and can be used to evaluate vaccine efficacy in clinical vaccine trials. Compared with field efficacy trials observing clinical endpoints, immunological vaccine trials could reduce the sample size or shorten the duration of a trial, which promote the license and development of new candidate vaccines. For these reasons, establishing immunological surrogate endpoints is one of 14 Grand Challenges of Global Health of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. From two parts of definition and statistical methods for evaluation of surrogate endpoints, this review provides a more comprehensive description.

Immunological research in clinical psychiatry: report on the consensus debate during the 7th Expert Meeting on Psychiatry and Immunology.

PubMed

Arolt, V; Rothermundt, M; Peters, M; Leonard, B

2002-01-01

There is convincing evidence that cytokines are involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of brain function and interact with different neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine pathways. The possible involvement of the immune system in the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie psychiatric disorders has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Thus in the last decade, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated dysregulated immune functions in patients with psychiatric disorders. Such findings formed the basis of the 7th Expert Meeting on Psychiatry and Immunology in Muenster, Germany, where a consensus symposium was held to consider the strengths and weaknesses of current research in psychoneuroimmunology. Following a general overview of the field, the following topics were discussed: (1) methodological problems in laboratory procedures and recruitment of clinical samples; (2) the importance of pre-clinical research and animal models in psychiatric research; (3) the problem of statistical vs biological relevance. It was concluded that, despite a fruitful proliferation of research activities throughout the last decade, the continuous elaboration of methodological standards including the implementation of hypothesis-driven research represents a task that is likely to prove crucial for the future development of immunology research in clinical psychiatry.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice 2017 Year in Review.

PubMed

Schatz, Michael; Sicherer, Scott H; Zeiger, Robert S

An impressive number of clinically impactful studies and reviews were published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice in 2017. As a service to our readers, the editors provide this Year in Review article to highlight and contextualize the advances published over the past year. We include information from articles on asthma, allergic rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, immunotherapy, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, food allergy, anaphylaxis, drug hypersensitivity, urticarial/angioedema, eosinophilic disorders, and immunodeficiency. Within each topic, epidemiologic findings are presented, relevant aspects of prevention are described, and diagnostic and therapeutic advances are enumerated. Treatments discussed include behavioral therapy, allergen avoidance therapy, positive and negative effects of pharmacologic therapy, and various forms of immunologic and desensitization management. We hope this review will help readers consolidate and use this extensive and practical knowledge for the benefit of patients. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hypersensitivity to aeroallergens in adult patients with atopic dermatitis develops due to the different immunological mechanisms.

PubMed

Samochocki, Zbigniew; Owczarek, Witold; Rujna, Paweł; Raczka, Alicja

2007-01-01

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease with a complex pathomechanism, it is very difficult to establish the exact factors which can either trigger or exacerbate the disease. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in AD development can be increased by, among others, applying new diagnostic tests and careful assessment of the results obtained. The aim of this study was to determine the allergic mechanisms of hypersensitivity to selected aeroallergens in patients with AD. The study comprised 109 AD patients. In all the patients the total IgE level was measured and atopy patch tests and skin prick tests were performed. We also assessed the presence of specific IgE against house dust mite, birch-tree, mixed grass pollen and cat dander. The highest incidence of positive results was found for house dust mite allergens, irrespective of the test employed. Analysing hypersensitivity to all the examined allergens we revealed the presence of allergic mechanisms in 85.3% of the patients. In 30.2% of the examined individuals we proved a type I immunological response, in 45.9% -- both types I and IV in 9.2% -- only type IV in one patient. In 14.7% of the patients the results of all the tests performed were negative. Analysing hypersensitivity to particular aeroallergens, negative test results to house dust mite were observed in 25.8% of the patients. The percentage of positive results for birch pollen, grass pollen and cat dander were 45.0, 44.1 and 53.2, respectively. Analysis of the results showed that allergic reactions to the same aeroallergens may develop via different mechanisms. We also revealed that the coexistence of various mechanisms involved in the development of hypersensitivity to a particular aeroallergen may occur in individual patients.

21 CFR 866.5530 - Immunoglobulin G (Fc fragment specific) immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) immunological test system. 866.5530 Section 866.5530 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5530 Immunoglobulin G (Fc fragment specific) immunological test system. (a...

21 CFR 866.5540 - Immunoglobulin G (Fd fragment specific) immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) immunological test system. 866.5540 Section 866.5540 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5540 Immunoglobulin G (Fd fragment specific) immunological test system. (a...

Buffalo's Center for Immunology: A New Answer to an Old Dilemma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rose, Noel R.; Bogazzi, Pierluigi E.

1972-01-01

The Center for Immunology at the University of Buffalo provides a viable resource for educating medical students in immunology until a department of immunology can be developed within the medical school. (HS)

Essential Neuroscience in Immunology

PubMed Central

Chavan, Sangeeta S.; Tracey, Kevin J.

2017-01-01

The field of immunology is principally focused on the molecular mechanisms by which hematopoetic cells initiate and maintain innate and adaptive immunity. That cornerstone of attention has been expanded by recent discoveries that neuronal signals occupy a critical regulatory niche in immunity. The discovery is that neuronal circuits operating reflexively regulate innate and adaptive immunity. One particularly well-characterized circuit regulating innate immunity, the inflammatory reflex, is dependent upon action potentials transmitted to the reticuloendothelial system via the vagus and splenic nerves. This field has grown significantly with identification of several other reflexes regulating discrete immune functions. As reviewed here, the delineation of these mechanisms revealed a new understanding of immunity, enabled a first in class clinical trial using bioelectronic devices to inhibit cytokines and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and provided a mosaic view of immunity as the integration of hematopoetic and neural responses to infection and injury. PMID:28416717

Temporal Trends in Epinephrine Dispensing and Allergy/Immunology Follow-up Among Emergency Department Anaphylaxis Patients in the United States, 2005-2014.

PubMed

Motosue, Megan S; Bellolio, M Fernanda; Van Houten, Holly K; Shah, Nilay D; Bellamkonda, Venkatesh R; Nestler, David M; Campbell, Ronna L

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction; measures including prescription of an epinephrine autoinjector (EAI) and allergy/immunology (A/I) follow-up may prevent future morbidity. The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in outpatient management of anaphylaxis by studying EAI dispensing and A/I follow-up among patients seen in the emergency department (ED) for anaphylaxis from 2005 through 2014. We analyzed administrative claims data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse database using an expanded International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code algorithm. The study cohort comprised 18,279 patients with a mean age of 39 years; 58% were female, and 86% were discharged from an ED. Within 1 year after discharge, 46% had filled an EAI prescription and 29% had A/I follow-up. Overall, from 2005 to 2014, annual rates of filled EAI prescriptions and A/I follow-up did not change. Among children (aged <18 years), rates increased for filled EAI prescriptions (16.1% increase; P = .02 for trend) and A/I follow-up (18.8% increase; P = .048 for trend). Rates decreased for A/I follow-up among adults (15.4% decrease; P = .002 for trend). Overall rates of filled EAI prescriptions were highest in those with venom-induced (73.9 per 100 ED visits) and food-induced anaphylaxis (69.4 per 100 ED visits); the lowest rates were among those with medication-related anaphylaxis (18.2 per 100 ED visits). Over the past decade, rates of EAI dispensing and A/I follow-up after an ED visit for anaphylaxis have remained low, suggesting that patients may not be prepared to manage future episodes. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[The efficacy of polychromatic visible and infrared radiation used for the postoperative immunological rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer].

PubMed

zhevago, N A; Samoĭlova, K A; Davydova, N I; Bychkova, N V; Glazanova, T V; Chubukina, Zh V; Buĭniakova, A I; Zimin, A A

2012-01-01

The immunological rehabilitation of the patients with oncological problems after the completion of standard anti-tumour therapy remains a topical problem in modern medicine. The up-to-date phototherapeutic methods find the increasingly wider application for the treatment of such patients including the use of monochromatic visible (VIS) and near infrared (nIR) radiation emitted from lasers and photodiodes. The objective of the present study was to substantiate the expediency of postoperative immune rehabilitation of the patients with breast cancer (BC) by means of irradiation of the body surface with polychromatic visible (pVIS) in combination with polychromatic infrared (pIR) light similar to the natural solar radiation without its minor UV component. The study included 19 patients with stage I--II BC at the mean age of 54.0 +/- 4.28 years having the infiltrative-ductal form of the tumour who had undergone mastectomy. These patients were randomly allocated to two groups, one given the standard course of postoperative rehabilitation (control), the other (study group) additionally treated with pVIS + pIR radiation applied to the lumbar-sacral region from days 1 to 7 after surgery. A Bioptron-2 phototherapeutic device, Switzerland, was used for the purpose (480-3400 nm, 40 mW/cm2, 12 J/cm2, with the light spot diameter of 15 cm). The modern standard immunological methods were employed. It was found that mastectomy induced changes of many characteristics of cellular and humoral immunity; many of them in different patients were oppositely directed. These changes were apparent within the first 7 days postoperatively. The course of phototherapy (PT) was shown to prevent the postoperative decrease in the counts of monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, the total amount of CD3+ -T-lymphocytes (LPC), CD4+ -T-helpers, activated T-lymphocytes (CD3+ HLA-DR+ cells) and IgA levels as well as intracellular digestion rate of neutrophil-phagocyted bacteria. Moreover PT promoted

21 CFR 866.5200 - Carbonic anhydrase B and C immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5200 Carbonic anhydrase B and C immunological test system. (a) Identification. A carbonic... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Carbonic anhydrase B and C immunological test...

21 CFR 866.5260 - Complement C3b inactivator immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5260 Complement C3b inactivator immunological test system. (a) Identification. A complement... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Complement C3b inactivator immunological test...

[The bacteriological and immunological efficacy of biosporin in nonspecific ulcerative colitis].

PubMed

Cherniakova, V I; Bereza, N M; Selezneva, S I; Chaplinskiĭ, V Ia; Kudriavtseva, V E; Mosalova, N M; Shevtsova, Z I; Tropko, L V; Boĭko, T I

1993-01-01

The results from examination of intestinal microflora and immune status in 75 patients with nonspecific ulcerative colitis with different degree of disease seriousness are presented. The deviations in the composition of normal microflora were primarily expressed in a decrease of the number of bifidobacteria. In 64.9% of patients the disease proceeded against the background of deficit of T-cellular immunity link. The sufficiently expressed bacteriological and immunological efficiency of complex therapy including preparation from spore-forming bacteria as a normalizer of microflora is shown.

Immunology & Human Health.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dawson, Jeffrey R.; And Others

This monograph was designed for the high school biology curriculum. The first section reviews the major areas of importance in immunology. Section three contains six instructional activities for the high school classroom and the second section contains teacher's materials for those activities. The activities address for students some of the major…

A role for Waldeyer's ring in immunological response to allergens.

PubMed

Masieri, Simonetta; Trabattoni, Daria; Incorvaia, Cristoforo; De Luca, Maria Cristina; Dell'Albani, Ilaria; Leo, Gualtiero; Frati, Franco

2014-02-01

Adenoids, tubal tonsil, palatine tonsil, and lingual tonsil are immunological organs included in the Waldeyer's ring, the basic function of which is the antibody production to common environmental antigens. Adenoidal hypertrophy (AH) is a major medical issue in children, and adenoidectomy is still the most used treatment worldwide. The response of adenoids to allergens is a good model to evaluate their immunological function. This report assessed the immunological changes in adenoid tissues from children with allergic rhinitis (AR) undergoing sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Adenoid samples from 16 children (seven males, nine females, mean age 7.12 years) with AH and clinical indication to adenoidectomy were collected. Of them, five children were not allergic and 11 had house dust mite and grass pollen-induced AR. Among allergic children, in four AR was treated by antihistamines while in seven AR was treated by high-dose SLIT during 4-6 months. The evaluation addressed the T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th3 cells by performing a PCR array on mRNA extracted from adenoid samples. In non-allergic children, a typical Th1 pattern was found. SLIT induced a strong down-regulation of genes involved in Th2 and Th1 activation and function. In particular, in SLIT-treated allergic children IL-4, CCR2, CCR3, and PTGDR2 (Th2 related genes) and CD28, IL-2, and INHA (Th1 related genes) expression was reduced, compared with children treated with antihistamines. These preliminary findings warrant investigation in trials including larger numbers of patients, but indicate that hypertrophic adenoids of allergic children have the typical response to the specific allergen administered by SLIT. This should suggest that one should reconsider the immunological role of adenoids.

Face-offs in reproductive immunology: the Montreal forum meeting report.

PubMed

Croy, B Anne; Baines, Malcolm G

2004-10-01

The combined 12th International Congress of Immunology (ICI) and the 4th Annual Conference of the Federation of Clinical Immunological Societies (FOCIS) was held in Montreal, Canada July 18-23, 2004 and attracted over 6000 immunologists and almost 4000 abstracts. The host society, the Canadian Society for Immunology (CSI) spent many years in preparation for this large meeting and encouraged its members to propose topics for symposia and mini-symposia and to sponsor satellite meetings. With sponsorship of CSI; the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; the University of Guelph, Guelph, ON; Queen's University, Kingston, ON; McGill University, Montreal, QU, Canada; and the American Society for Reproductive Immunology, a focused, highly successful, one day satellite meeting on human uterine immunology was held. The highlights of the presentations and discussions are reported.

Comparative Anatomy of Phagocytic and Immunological Synapses

PubMed Central

Niedergang, Florence; Di Bartolo, Vincenzo; Alcover, Andrés

2016-01-01

The generation of phagocytic cups and immunological synapses are crucial events of the innate and adaptive immune responses, respectively. They are triggered by distinct immune receptors and performed by different cell types. However, growing experimental evidence shows that a very close series of molecular and cellular events control these two processes. Thus, the tight and dynamic interplay between receptor signaling, actin and microtubule cytoskeleton, and targeted vesicle traffic are all critical features to build functional phagosomes and immunological synapses. Interestingly, both phagocytic cups and immunological synapses display particular spatial and temporal patterns of receptors and signaling molecules, leading to the notion of “phagocytic synapse.” Here, we discuss both types of structures, their organization, and the mechanisms by which they are generated and regulated. PMID:26858721

21 CFR 866.5470 - Hemoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in blood, urine, plasma, or other body fluids... Hemoglobin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemoglobin immunological test system is a device... blood cells), and leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming organs). (b) Classification. Class II...

21 CFR 866.5470 - Hemoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in blood, urine, plasma, or other body fluids... Hemoglobin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemoglobin immunological test system is a device... blood cells), and leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming organs). (b) Classification. Class II...

21 CFR 866.5470 - Hemoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in blood, urine, plasma, or other body fluids... Hemoglobin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemoglobin immunological test system is a device... blood cells), and leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming organs). (b) Classification. Class II...

21 CFR 866.5470 - Hemoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in blood, urine, plasma, or other body fluids... Hemoglobin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemoglobin immunological test system is a device... blood cells), and leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming organs). (b) Classification. Class II...

Value And Limitations Of Current Laser Immunology Instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, John A.

1982-12-01

Laser instrumentation for the study of immunologic disease and the immune response, as well as for therapy in immunologic associated diseases is still a very new field. The laser nephelometer is the most standard of the instruments now used, because of its ability to exactly measure and quantitate various materials. Fluorescent techniques to help identify various materials including various subsets of lymphocyte population in concert with monoclonal antibodies is a field for further study and development. The therapeutic use of laser, in immunologic and rheumatic diseases, will depend upon in vitro, and in vivo animal and human design studies.

Platelet Immunology in China: Research and Clinical Applications.

PubMed

Wu, Guoguang; Zhou, Yan; Li, Lilan; Zhong, Zhoulin; Li, Hengchong; Li, Haiyan; Yu, Mei; Shen, Weidong; Ni, Heyu

2017-04-01

Immunization against human platelet alloantigens (HPAs) is associated with a number of clinical complications. The detection and identification of clinically relevant platelet antibodies are important for the diagnosis and management of patients affected with immune-mediated thrombocytopenias. Human platelet alloantigen frequencies and the characteristics of antiplatelet antibodies vary widely between ethnic groups. Since 2008, the importance of platelet immunology in the field of transfusion medicine has gained greater recognition by clinical laboratories in China. Laboratories in China have established and improved methods for platelet antibody detection and HPA genotyping techniques, which are used for the diagnosis of alloimmune platelet disorders in clinic and research environments. Research has revealed the frequencies of HPA alleles in different Chinese ethnic groups and compared the differences in HPA gene frequencies between the Chinese Han and other ethnic groups of the world. Production of anti-CD36 isoantibodies is an important risk factor for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in the Chinese population. Advances in research and clinical application of platelet immunology have significantly improved the clinical diagnosis, treatment including transfusion support, and prevention of alloimmune platelet disorders in the Chinese population. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Immunological thought in the mainstream of cancer research

PubMed Central

Prendergast, George C.

2012-01-01

Immunological thought is exerting a growing effect in cancer research, correcting a divorce that occurred in the mainstream of the field decades ago just as cancer genetics began to emerge as a dominant movement. Today, with a general consensus on the significance of epigenetics, the inflammatory cancer microenvironment and the immune response in determining cancer pathophysiology, a new synthesis of thought is being spurred by a remarriage with cancer immunology, with great implications for the future of the field. This perspective offers a view on how this synthesis is impacting both the understanding and treatment of cancer using adjuvant immunomodulatory modalities in the context of surgical, radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic interventions which are present standards of care. With the revolutions in immunochemotherapy and immunoradiotherapy coming this decade, the next great challenge faced by the field will be how to identify simple, cost effective and broadly applicable solutions that do not rely deeply on personalized characters, in an effort to minimize the daunting complexity and costs of a problem that challenges not only physicians and patients but also health care systems and insurers caring for aging populations in the developed world. PMID:23162746

In situ vaccine, immunological memory and cancer cure.

PubMed

Tsung, Kangla; Norton, Jeffrey A

2016-01-01

As surgery is able to remove primary tumors and limit metastases, the major challenge in cancer management is the prevention of post-resection recurrence and metastases. From the immune point of view, tumor resection removes the supply of tumor antigens that maintain an active concomitant antitumor immunity elicited by the primary tumor, and may also signal for deposition of immunological memory against future metastases. However, the natural course of this antitumor immunity in many cancer patients following complete tumor resection may not be favorable because protection is often lost after 1-3 years. Recent studies suggest that chemotherapy is able to activate this pre-existing antitumor immunity, and tumor resection following immune activation may lead to higher levels of immunological memory against future tumor antigens (in the form of metastases). Interleukin-12 added to chemotherapy mimics the function of a vaccine adjuvant in that it helps to enhance the antitumor immunity activated by chemotherapy and leaves a much stronger antitumor immune memory. This finding, when applied to cancer management, may help to maintain a strong and long lasting antitumor immunity following complete tumor resection, thus eliminating post-surgery recurrence and metastases.

21 CFR 866.5330 - Factor XIII, A, S, immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5330 Factor XIII, A, S, immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A factor XIII, A, S... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Factor XIII, A, S, immuno-logical test system. 866...

FOCIS goes south: advances in translational and clinical immunology.

PubMed

Kalergis, Alexis M; Anegon, Ignacio; González, Pablo A

2017-09-01

FOCIS goes South: Advances in Translational and Clinical Immunology was the first Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) ( www.focisnet.org ) meeting held in Latin America (May 15-17, 2017, Santiago de Chile, Chile). The meeting was organized as a 3-day workshop and was fostered by the Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, a recently nominated FOCIS Center of Excellence. The workshop brought together FOCIS associates, such as members of the FOCIS Board of Directors, Directors of different Centers of Excellence, regional speakers and 350 attendees. The Meeting covered aspects of immune regulation and modulation, as well as immunotherapy in areas of autoimmunity, transplantation, cancer and infectious diseases, among others. The activity also had a full-day immunology course and a day-long flow cytometry course.

Citizens unite for computational immunology!

PubMed

Belden, Orrin S; Baker, Sarah Catherine; Baker, Brian M

2015-07-01

Recruiting volunteers who can provide computational time, programming expertise, or puzzle-solving talent has emerged as a powerful tool for biomedical research. Recent projects demonstrate the potential for such 'crowdsourcing' efforts in immunology. Tools for developing applications, new funding opportunities, and an eager public make crowdsourcing a serious option for creative solutions for computationally-challenging problems. Expanded uses of crowdsourcing in immunology will allow for more efficient large-scale data collection and analysis. It will also involve, inspire, educate, and engage the public in a variety of meaningful ways. The benefits are real - it is time to jump in! Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunologic Regulation in Pregnancy: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Strategy for Immunomodulation

PubMed Central

Chen, Shyi-Jou; Liu, Yung-Liang; Sytwu, Huey-Kang

2012-01-01

The immunologic interaction between the fetus and the mother is a paradoxical communication that is regulated by fetal antigen presentation and/or by recognition of and reaction to these antigens by the maternal immune system. There have been significant advances in understanding of abnormalities in the maternal-fetal immunologic relationship in the placental bed that can lead to pregnancy disorders. Moreover, immunologic recognition of pregnancy is vital for the maintenance of gestation, and inadequate recognition of fetal antigens may cause abortion. In this paper, we illustrate the complex immunologic aspects of human reproduction in terms of the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), immune cells, cytokines and chemokines, and the balance of immunity in pregnancy. In addition, we review the immunologic processes of human reproduction and the current immunologic therapeutic strategies for pathological disorders of pregnancy. PMID:22110530

Evaluation of soluble CD30 as an immunologic marker in heart transplant recipients.

PubMed

Spiridon, C; Hunt, J; Mack, M; Rosenthal, J; Anderson, A; Eichhorn, E; Magee, M; Dewey, T; Currier, M; Nikaein, A

2006-12-01

CD30 is an immunologic molecule that belongs to the TNF-R superfamily. CD30 serves as a T-cell signal transducing molecule that is expressed by a subset of activated T lymphocytes, CD45RO+ memory T cells. Augmentation of soluble CD30 during kidney transplant rejection has been reported. Our study sought to determine whether the level of sCD30 prior to heart transplant could categorize patients into high versus low immunologic risk for a poor outcome. A significant correlation was observed between high levels of soluble CD30 and a reduced incidence of infection. None of the 35 patients with high pretransplant levels of sCD30 level (>90 U/mL) developed infections posttransplantation. However, 9 of 65 patients who had low levels of sCD30 (<90 U/mL) developed infections posttransplantation (P < .02). No remarkable differences were noted among the other clinical parameters. The results also showed that the high-definition flow-bead (HDB) assay detected both weak and strong class I and class II HLA antibodies, some of which (weak class II HLA Abs) were undetectable by the anti-human globulin cytotoxicity method. In addition, more antibody specificities were detected by HDB. In conclusion, we have observed that high levels of sCD30 prior to heart transplant may be associated with greater immunologic ability and therefore produce a protective effect on the development of infection post heart transplant. We have also shown that the HDB assay is superior to the visual cytotoxicity method to detect HLA antibodies, especially those to class II HLA antigens.

21 CFR 866.5460 - Haptoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... that binds hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in serum. Measurement of haptoglobin may aid in the diagnosis of hemolytic diseases (diseases in which the red blood cells rupture and... Haptoglobin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A haptoglobin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5490 - Hemopexin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... survival of mature red blood cells and inability of the bone marrow to compensate for their decreased life span) and sickle cell anemia. (b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The device is exempt... Hemopexin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemopexin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5460 - Haptoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... that binds hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in serum. Measurement of haptoglobin may aid in the diagnosis of hemolytic diseases (diseases in which the red blood cells rupture and... Haptoglobin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A haptoglobin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5490 - Hemopexin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... survival of mature red blood cells and inability of the bone marrow to compensate for their decreased life span) and sickle cell anemia. (b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The device is exempt... Hemopexin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemopexin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5490 - Hemopexin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... survival of mature red blood cells and inability of the bone marrow to compensate for their decreased life span) and sickle cell anemia. (b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The device is exempt... Hemopexin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemopexin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5490 - Hemopexin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... survival of mature red blood cells and inability of the bone marrow to compensate for their decreased life span) and sickle cell anemia. (b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The device is exempt... Hemopexin immunological test system. (a) Indentification. A hemopexin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5460 - Haptoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... that binds hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in serum. Measurement of haptoglobin may aid in the diagnosis of hemolytic diseases (diseases in which the red blood cells rupture and... Haptoglobin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A haptoglobin immunological test system is a device...

21 CFR 866.5460 - Haptoglobin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... that binds hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) in serum. Measurement of haptoglobin may aid in the diagnosis of hemolytic diseases (diseases in which the red blood cells rupture and... Haptoglobin immunological test system. (a) Identification. A haptoglobin immunological test system is a device...

Association of Immunological Cell Profiles with Specific Clinical Phenotypes of Scleroderma Disease

PubMed Central

Calzada, David; Mayayo, Teodoro; González-Rodríguez, María Luisa; Rabasco, Antonio María; Lahoz, Carlos

2014-01-01

This study aimed to search the correlation among immunological profiles and clinical phenotypes of scleroderma in well-characterized groups of scleroderma patients, comparing forty-nine scleroderma patients stratified according to specific clinical phenotypes with forty-nine healthy controls. Five immunological cell subpopulations (B, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, NK, and monocytes) and their respective stages of apoptosis and activation were analyzed by flow cytometry, in samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Analyses of results were stratified according to disease stage, time since the diagnosis, and visceral damage (pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac affliction) and by time of treatment with corticosteroids. An increase in the percentages of monocytes and a decrease in the B cells were mainly related to the disease progression. A general apoptosis decrease was found in all phenotypes studied, except in localized scleroderma. An increase of B and NK cells activation was found in patients diagnosed more than 10 years ago. Specific cell populations like monocytes, NK, and B cells were associated with the type of affected organ. This study shows how, in a heterogeneous disease, proper patient's stratification according to clinical phenotypes allows finding specific cellular profiles. Our data may lead to improvements in the knowledge of prognosis factors and to aid in the analysis of future specific therapies. PMID:24818126

Patients with IgA nephropathy exhibit high systemic PDGF-DD levels.

PubMed

Boor, Peter; Eitner, Frank; Cohen, Clemens D; Lindenmeyer, Maja T; Mertens, Peter R; Ostendorf, Tammo; Floege, Jürgen

2009-09-01

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a central mediator of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). In experimental mesangioproliferative GN, PDGF-DD serum levels, unlike PDGF-BB, increased up to 1000-fold. We assessed disease activity in 72 patients with GN, established a novel PDGF-D ELISA and then determined their PDGF-DD levels. In parallel, we studied renal PDGF-DD mRNA expression by RT-PCR. PDGF-DD serum levels in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) were significantly higher (1.67 +/- 0.45 ng/ml) and in patients with lupus nephritis significantly lower (0.66 +/- 0.86 ng/ml) compared to healthy controls (1.17 +/- 0.46 ng/ml), while patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous GN and ANCA-positive vasculitis did not differ from controls. The subgroup of IgAN patients with elevated PDGF-DD levels (27% of samples) did not differ in their clinical features from those with normal PDGF-DD levels. In IgAN patients with repetitive PDGF-DD determinations, most exhibited only minor fluctuations of serum levels over time. Intrarenal PDGF-DD mRNA expression did not differ between controls and patients, suggesting an extrarenal source of the elevated PDGF-DD in IgAN. Serum PDGF-DD levels were specifically elevated in patients with IgAN, in particular in those with early disease, i.e. preserved renal function. Our data support the rationale for anti-PDGF-DD therapy in mesangioproliferative GN.

Essential Neuroscience in Immunology.

PubMed

Chavan, Sangeeta S; Tracey, Kevin J

2017-05-01

The field of immunology is principally focused on the molecular mechanisms by which hematopoietic cells initiate and maintain innate and adaptive immunity. That cornerstone of attention has been expanded by recent discoveries that neuronal signals occupy a critical regulatory niche in immunity. The discovery is that neuronal circuits operating reflexively regulate innate and adaptive immunity. One particularly well-characterized circuit regulating innate immunity, the inflammatory reflex, is dependent upon action potentials transmitted to the reticuloendothelial system via the vagus and splenic nerves. This field has grown significantly with the identification of several other reflexes regulating discrete immune functions. As outlined in this review, the delineation of these mechanisms revealed a new understanding of immunity, enabled a first-in-class clinical trial using bioelectronic devices to inhibit cytokines and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and provided a mosaic view of immunity as the integration of hematopoietic and neural responses to infection and injury. Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Single Cell Genomics: Approaches and Utility in Immunology

PubMed Central

Neu, Karlynn E; Tang, Qingming; Wilson, Patrick C; Khan, Aly A

2017-01-01

Single cell genomics offers powerful tools for studying lymphocytes, which make it possible to observe rare and intermediate cell states that cannot be resolved at the population-level. Advances in computer science and single cell sequencing technology have created a data-driven revolution in immunology. The challenge for immunologists is to harness computing and turn an avalanche of quantitative data into meaningful discovery of immunological principles, predictive models, and strategies for therapeutics. Here, we review the current literature on computational analysis of single cell RNA-seq data and discuss underlying assumptions, methods, and applications in immunology, and highlight important directions for future research. PMID:28094102

Recent advances in the field of nutritional immunology.

PubMed

Monk, Jennifer M; Hou, Tim Y; Chapkin, Robert S

2011-11-01

Every 4 years, researchers in the cross-disciplinary field of nutritional immunology convene for a FASEB-sponsored meeting entitled, "Nutritional Immunology: Role in Health and Disease", which was held this summer in Carefree, AZ, USA. The scope of the conference encompassed a diverse list of research topics, including, but not restricted to, obesity and immune dysfunction, nutrient-gene interactions, mucosal immunity and a discussion of future directions for the field. Here, we summarize some of the findings shared at the conference, specifically focusing on obesity, immunological function of dietary components (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and flavanoids), gut immunity and the microbiota, and relevant emerging technologies and databases.

Food allergy: opportunities and challenges in the clinical practice of allergy and immunology.

PubMed

James, John M

2004-10-01

Food allergy offers numerous opportunities and challenges for the allergy and clinical immunology specialist. Physicians with board certification in allergy and clinical immunology should be the main source of reliable clinical information to educate patients with food-related disorders. There has been a wealth of reliable information published related to food allergy that can be utilized by health care providers in clinical practice. This includes information about the cross-reactivity of food allergens, the evaluation of potential new therapies, and the practical application of new diagnostic methods and management strategies. This article addresses some of the new developments in food allergy, with an emphasis on cross-reactvity of food allergens, recombinant food allergens, and potential future therapies for food allergy.

Excessive expression of miR-27 impairs Treg-mediated immunological tolerance

PubMed Central

Cruz, Leilani O.; Hashemifar, Somaye Sadat; Wu, Cheng-Jang; Cho, Sunglim; Nguyen, Duc T.; Lin, Ling-Li; Khan, Aly Azeem

2017-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRs) are tightly regulated in the immune system, and aberrant expression of miRs often results in hematopoietic malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Previously, it was suggested that elevated levels of miR-27 in T cells isolated from patients with multiple sclerosis facilitate disease progression by inhibiting Th2 immunity and promoting pathogenic Th1 responses. Here we have demonstrated that, although mice with T cell–specific overexpression of miR-27 harbor dysregulated Th1 responses and develop autoimmune pathology, these disease phenotypes are not driven by miR-27 in effector T cells in a cell-autonomous manner. Rather, dysregulation of Th1 responses and autoimmunity resulted from a perturbed Treg compartment. Excessive miR-27 expression in murine T cells severely impaired Treg differentiation. Moreover, Tregs with exaggerated miR-27–mediated gene regulation exhibited diminished homeostasis and suppressor function in vivo. Mechanistically, we determined that miR-27 represses several known as well as previously uncharacterized targets that play critical roles in controlling multiple aspects of Treg biology. Collectively, our data show that miR-27 functions as a key regulator in Treg development and function and suggest that proper regulation of miR-27 is pivotal to safeguarding Treg-mediated immunological tolerance. PMID:28067667

10 workshops on Immunology of preeclampsia.

PubMed

Gerard, Chaouat

2017-09-01

For the 10th issue of the « island workshops », now the Reunion Workshops, organised by Pierre Yves Robillard since the first one in Tahiti challenging the "vascular disease only" theory of pre eclampsia and introducing the primipaternity concept, we examined the reasons for considering an Immunological approach to the disease. This (brief) overview thus examines several important topics in an Immunological framework. I have chosen to present here the evolution of the main themes rather than a purely chronological vision. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Update on Gender Equity in Immunology, 2001 to 2016.

PubMed

Shapiro, Virginia Smith; Kovats, Susan; Parent, Michelle A; Gaffen, Sarah L; Hedrick, Catherine C; Jain, Pooja; Denzin, Lisa K; Raghavan, Malini; Stephens, Robin

2016-11-15

In 2001, The American Association of Immunologists Committee on the Status of Women conducted a survey examining the percentage of women faculty members within immunology departments or women in immunology graduate programs across 27 institutions in the United States, comparing it to the percentage of women receiving a Ph.D. Here, we examine the representation of women across these same 27 immunology departments and programs to examine changes in gender equity over the last 15 years. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

21 CFR 866.5860 - Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. (b) Classification. Class I... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system. 866... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866...

21 CFR 866.5860 - Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. (b) Classification. Class I... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system. 866... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866...

21 CFR 866.5860 - Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. (b) Classification. Class I... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system. 866... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866...

21 CFR 866.5860 - Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. (b) Classification. Class I... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system. 866... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866...

21 CFR 866.5860 - Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. (b) Classification. Class I... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Total spinal fluid immuno-logical test system. 866... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866...

21 CFR 866.5820 - Systemic lupus erythema-tosus immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Systemic lupus erythema-tosus immunological test... Systems § 866.5820 Systemic lupus erythema-tosus immunological test system. (a) Identification. A systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to...

The immunologic considerations in human head transplantation.

PubMed

Hardy, Mark A; Furr, Allen; Barret, Juan P; Barker, John H

2017-05-01

The idea of head transplantation appears at first as unrealistic, unethical, and futile. Here we discuss immunological considerations in human head transplantation. In a separate accompanying article we discuss surgical, ethical, and psychosocial issues concerned in body-to-head transplantation (BHT) [1]. The success of such an unusual allograft, where the donor and the recipient can reject each other, depends on prevention of complex immunologic reactions, especially rejection of the head by the body (graft-vs-host) or probably less likely, the possibility of the head rejecting the total body allograft (host-vs-graft). The technical and immunologic difficulties are enormous, especially since rapid nerve and cord connections and regeneration have not yet been possible to achieve. In this article we begin by briefly reviewing neuro-immunologic issues that may favor BHT such as the blood brain barrier (BBB) and point out its shortcomings. And we touch on the cellular and humoral elements in the brain proper that differ in some respects from those in other organs and in the periphery. Based on recent successes in vascular composite allografts (VCAs), we will elaborate on potential specific advantages and difficulties in BHT of various available immunosuppressive medications already utilized in VCAs. The risk/benefit ratio of these drugs will be emphasized in relation to direct brain toxicity such as seizure disorders, interference, or promotion of nerve regeneration, and potentiation of cerebral viral infections. The final portion of this article will focus on pre-transplant immunologic manipulation of the deceased donor body along with pretreatment of the recipient. Copyright © 2017 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contributions of basic immunology to human health.

PubMed

Albright, J F; Oppenheim, J J

1991-03-01

The sixth symposium in the series "Contemporary Topics in Immunology" was held in New Orleans on June 3, 1990, at the joint meeting of The American Association of Immunologists and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The symposium was sponsored jointly by The American Association of Immunologists, the Clinical Immunology Society, and and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and was titled "The Contributions of Basic Immunology to Human Health." Five speakers, whose research has clear relevance to the treatment and prevention of major human diseases, discussed topics of great current interest: hematopoietic stem cells, cell adhesion and lymphocyte homing; the complexities of autoimmunity and approaches to diverting or depressing autoaggressive immunity; structure and functions of the interferons and the construction of designer and chimeric interferons; the varied functions of transforming growth factors and molecular events that regulate the synthesis of TGF beta; and the roles of cytokines in the expression of human immunodeficiency virus and the prospects for controlling HIV infections by regulating selected cytokines. This symposium will be remembered for the exceptional clarity with which each speaker illustrated how fundamental knowledge in immunology fuels advances in the treatment and prevention of those human disorders that involve the immune system.

21 CFR 866.5640 - Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system....5640 Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system. (a) Identification. An infectious... immunochemical techniques heterophile antibodies frequently associated with infectious mononucleosis in serum...

21 CFR 866.5640 - Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system....5640 Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system. (a) Identification. An infectious... immunochemical techniques heterophile antibodies frequently associated with infectious mononucleosis in serum...

21 CFR 866.5640 - Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system....5640 Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system. (a) Identification. An infectious... immunochemical techniques heterophile antibodies frequently associated with infectious mononucleosis in serum...

21 CFR 866.5640 - Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system....5640 Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system. (a) Identification. An infectious... immunochemical techniques heterophile antibodies frequently associated with infectious mononucleosis in serum...

21 CFR 866.5640 - Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system....5640 Infectious mononucleosis immunological test system. (a) Identification. An infectious... immunochemical techniques heterophile antibodies frequently associated with infectious mononucleosis in serum...

Characteristics of patients with severe heart failure exhibiting exercise oscillatory ventilation.

PubMed

Matsuki, Ryosuke; Kisaka, Tomohiko; Ozono, Ryoji; Kinoshita, Hiroki; Sada, Yoshiharu; Oda, Noboru; Hidaka, Takayuki; Tashiro, Naonori; Takahashi, Makoto; Sekikawa, Kiyokazu; Ito, Yoshihiro; Kimura, Hiroaki; Hamada, Hironobu; Kihara, Yasuki

2013-01-01

This study aims to elucidate the characteristics of patients with severe nonischemic heart failure exhibiting exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) and the association of these characteristics with the subjective dyspnea. Forty-six patients with nonischemic heart failure who were classified into the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of EOV. We evaluated the patients by using the Specific Activity Scale (SAS), biochemical examination, echocardiographic evaluation, results of CPX and symptoms during CPX (Borg scale), and reasons for exercise termination. EOV was observed in 20 of 46 patients. The following characteristics were observed in patients with EOV as compared with those without EOV with statistically significant differences: more patients complaining dyspnea as the reason for exercise termination, lower SAS score, higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level, larger left atrial dimension and volume, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, higher Borg scale score at rest and at the anerobic threshold, higher respiratory rate at rest and at peak exercise, and higher slope of the minute ventilation-to-CO₂ output ratio, and lower end-tidal CO₂ pressure at peak exercise. Among the subjects with NYHA III nonischemic heart failure, more patients with EOV had a stronger feeling of dyspnea during exercise as compared with those without EOV, and the subjective dyspnea was an exercise-limiting factor in many cases.

Immunological parameters, including CXCL8 (IL-8) characterize cerebro- and cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral artery diseases.

PubMed

Szomjak, E; Der, H; Kerekes, G; Veres, K; Csiba, L; Toth, J; Peter, M; Soltesz, P; Szodoray, P

2010-04-01

The most commonly occurring atherosclerotic manifestations are peripheral artery diseases (PAD). Immune-mediated processes contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, and affect the diseases outcome. The aim of the present study was to assess various immune-competent cells, cytokines and chemokines in patients with PAD and to evaluate whether the base immunological values reflect the subsequent development of cardio/cerebrovascular symptoms. One hundred sixty patients with PAD were followed-up for 42 months. At the time of enrolment, we determined blood lymphocyte subpopulations, both T-helper (Th)1/Th2-type intracytoplasmic cytokines and soluble cytokines, chemokines. Intracellular cytokines were measured on phorbol-myristate-acetate- and ionomycine- stimulated cells. Lymphocyte subgroups were quantified by flow cytometry, soluble cytokines by ELISA and intracellular cytokine levels were measured by flow cytometry. The ankle-brachial index (ABI), indicator of atherosclerosis, was also evaluated. The clinical results were correlated with the immune-parameters to assess the input of immune-inflammatory events in the propagation of vascular manifestation. CD4(+) T-cell proportions in patients with PAD with cerebro- cardio-vascular manifestations were decreased, which further reduced in patients with fatal outcome. Of circulating chemokines, IL-8 (CXCL-8) was increased in patients with subsequent cerebro- cardio-vascular manifestations, compared to those without the symptoms, and further raised in patients with fatal outcome. The percentage of interferon (IFN)-gamma positive cells showed clear negative correlation with ABI. We conclude that altered peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokine/chemokine imbalance play important roles in the proinflammatory cascade and reflect disease severity in patients with PAD.

What vaccination studies tell us about immunological memory within the innate immune system of cultured shrimp and crayfish.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Hsuan; Kumar, Ramya; Ng, Tze Hann; Wang, Han-Ching

2018-03-01

The possibility of immunological memory in invertebrates is a topic that has recently attracted a lot of attention. Today, even vertebrates are known to exhibit innate immune responses that show memory-like properties, and since these responses are triggered by cells that are involved in the innate immune system, it seems that immune specificity and immune memory do not necessarily require the presence of B cells and T cells after all. This kind of immune response has been called "immune priming" or "trained immunity". In this report, we review recent observations and our current understanding of immunological memory within the innate immune system in cultured shrimp and crayfish after vaccination with live vaccine, killed vaccine and subunit vaccines. We also discuss the possible mechanisms involved in this immune response. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Affective immunology: where emotions and the immune response converge.

PubMed

D'Acquisto, Fulvio

2017-03-01

Affect and emotion are defined as "an essential part of the process of an organism's interaction with stimuli." Similar to affect, the immune response is the "tool" the body uses to interact with the external environment. Thanks to the emotional and immunological response, we learn to distinguish between what we like and what we do not like, to counteract a broad range of challenges, and to adjust to the environment we are living in. Recent compelling evidence has shown that the emotional and immunological systems share more than a similarity of functions. This review article will discuss the crosstalk between these two systems and the need for a new scientific area of research called affective immunology. Research in this field will allow a better understanding and appreciation of the immunological basis of mental disorders and the emotional side of immune diseases.

Success Rates and Immunologic Responses of Autogenic, Allogenic, and Xenogenic Treatments to Repair Articular Cartilage Defects

PubMed Central

Revell, Christopher M.

2009-01-01

This review examines current approaches available for articular cartilage repair, not only in terms of their regeneration potential, but also as a function of immunologic response. Autogenic repair techniques, including osteochondral plug transplantation, chondrocyte implantation, and microfracture, are the most widely accepted clinical treatment options due to the lack of immunogenic reactions, but only moderate graft success rates have been reported. Although suspended allogenic chondrocytes are shown to evoke an immune response upon implantation, allogenic osteochondral plugs and tissue-engineered grafts using allogenic chondrocytes exhibit a tolerable immunogenic response. Additionally, these repair techniques produce neotissue with success rates approaching those of currently available autogenic repair techniques, while simultaneously obviating their major hindrance of donor tissue scarcity. To date, limited research has been performed with xenogenic tissue, although several studies demonstrate the potential for its long-term success. This article focuses on the various treatment options for cartilage repair and their associated success rates and immunologic responses. PMID:19063664

Updating the immunology curriculum in clinical laboratory science.

PubMed

Stevens, C D

2000-01-01

To determine essential content areas of immunology/serology courses at the clinical laboratory technician (CLT) and clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) levels. A questionnaire was designed which listed all major topics in immunology and serology. Participants were asked to place a check beside each topic covered. For an additional list of serological and immunological laboratory testing, participants were asked to indicate if each test was performed in either the didactic or clinical setting, or not performed at all. A national survey of 593 NAACLS approved CLT and CLS programs was conducted by mail under the auspices of ASCLS. Responses were obtained from 158 programs. Respondents from all across the United States included 60 CLT programs, 48 hospital-based CLS programs, 45 university-based CLS programs, and 5 university-based combined CLT and CLS programs. The survey was designed to enumerate major topics included in immunology and serology courses by a majority of participants at two distinct educational levels, CLT and CLS. Laboratory testing routinely performed in student laboratories as well as in the clinical setting was also determined for these two levels of practitioners. Certain key topics were common to most immunology and serology courses. There were some notable differences in the depth of courses at the CLT and CLS levels. Laboratory testing associated with these courses also differed at the two levels. Testing requiring more detailed interpretation, such as antinuclear antibody patterns (ANAs), was mainly performed by CLS students only. There are certain key topics as well as specific laboratory tests that should be included in immunology/serology courses at each of the two different educational levels to best prepare students for the workplace. Educators can use this information as a guide to plan a curriculum for such courses.

Regulation of immunity and inflammation by hypoxia in immunological niches.

PubMed

Taylor, Cormac T; Colgan, Sean P

2017-12-01

Immunological niches are focal sites of immune activity that can have varying microenvironmental features. Hypoxia is a feature of physiological and pathological immunological niches. The impact of hypoxia on immunity and inflammation can vary depending on the microenvironment and immune processes occurring in a given niche. In physiological immunological niches, such as the bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, placenta and intestinal mucosa, physiological hypoxia controls innate and adaptive immunity by modulating immune cell proliferation, development and effector function, largely via transcriptional changes driven by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). By contrast, in pathological immunological niches, such as tumours and chronically inflamed, infected or ischaemic tissues, pathological hypoxia can drive tissue dysfunction and disease development through immune cell dysregulation. Here, we differentiate between the effects of physiological and pathological hypoxia on immune cells and the consequences for immunity and inflammation in different immunological niches. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility of targeting hypoxia-sensitive pathways in immune cells for the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Relationship between Immunological Abnormalities in Rat Models of Diabetes Mellitus and the Amplification Circuits for Diabetes.

PubMed

Takeda, Yuji; Shimomura, Tomoko; Asao, Hironobu; Wakabayashi, Ichiro

2017-01-01

A better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms is required in order to treat diseases. However, the mechanisms of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications are extremely complex. Immune reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, while diabetes influences immune reactions. Furthermore, both diabetes and immune reactions are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. To address these issues, animal models are useful tools. So far, various animal models of diabetes have been developed in rats, which have advantages over mice models in terms of the larger volume of tissue samples and the variety of type 2 diabetes models. In this review, we introduce rat models of diabetes and summarize the immune reactions in diabetic rat models. Finally, we speculate on the relationship between immune reactions and diabetic episodes. For example, diabetes-prone Biobreeding rats, type 1 diabetes model rats, exhibit increased autoreactive cellular and inflammatory immune reactions, while Goto-Kakizaki rats, type 2 diabetes model rats, exhibit increased Th2 reactions and attenuation of phagocytic activity. Investigation of immunological abnormalities in various diabetic rat models is useful for elucidating complicated mechanisms in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Studying immunological alterations, such as predominance of Th1/17 or Th2 cells, humoral immunity, and innate immune reactions, may improve understanding the structure of amplification circuits for diabetes in future studies.

21 CFR 866.5090 - Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... immunochemical techniques the antimitochondrial antibodies in human serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of diseases that produce a spectrum of autoantibodies (antibodies produced against the body's own... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

21 CFR 866.5090 - Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... immunochemical techniques the antimitochondrial antibodies in human serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of diseases that produce a spectrum of autoantibodies (antibodies produced against the body's own... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

21 CFR 866.5090 - Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... immunochemical techniques the antimitochondrial antibodies in human serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of diseases that produce a spectrum of autoantibodies (antibodies produced against the body's own... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

Cutting edge issues in allergy and clinical immunology.

PubMed

Matthias, Torsten; Shoenfeld, Yehuda

2007-02-01

Approximately every 5 yr, Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology deviates from its usual practice of publishing volumes devoted to one theme to including papers that cover a range of subjects. This issue is one such exception and arose following a symposium at the International Institute for Research in Autoimmune Diseases named AESKU.KIPP Institute at their Wendelsheim facility. The AESKU.KIPP Institute was a particularly venue because it was initially established by a German diagnostic company and a Swiss benefactor, Karl- Heinz Kipp. The goal of the Institute was to develop a unique atmosphere to encourage original research in the field of autoimmunity and clinical immunology. The thought was to create an institute where young scientists from throughout the world could come for short periods of time to learn newer methodologies in both clinical immunology and also molecular biology. This theme contains several of the papers presented at the opening of the Institute and are incorporated herein because they focus on several unique aspects of clinical immunology, often referred to as the mosaic of autoimmunity.

Comparison of Immunological Characteristics of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Bone Marrow

PubMed Central

Fu, Xin; Chen, Yao; Xie, Fang-Nan; Dong, Ping; Liu, Wen-bo; Cao, Yilin

2015-01-01

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has great potential for both regenerative medicine and immunotherapy due to its multipotency and immunomodulatory property. The derivation of MSCs from human tissues involves an invasive procedure and the obtained MSCs often suffer from inconsistent quality. To overcome these issues, the approaches of deriving a highly potent and replenishable population of MSCs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were established. However, few studies compared the immunological characteristics of MSCs derived from hESCs with tissue-derived MSCs or demonstrated differences and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we differentiated H9 hESCs into MSC-like cells (H9-MSCs) through an embryoid body outgrowth method and compared the immunological characteristics of H9-MSCs with bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs). Both sources of derived cells exhibited typical MSC morphologies and surface marker expressions, as well as multipotency to differentiate into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. A immunological characterization study showed that H9-MSCs and BMSCs had similar immunoprivileged properties without triggering allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation as well as equivalent immunosuppressive effects on T-cell proliferation induced by either cellular or mitogenic stimuli. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a lower expression of human major histocompatability complex class II molecule human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and a higher expression of coinhibitory molecule B7-H1 in H9-MSCs than in BMSCs. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is a proinflammatory cytokine that can induce the expression of HLA class II molecules in many cell types. Our results showed that pretreatment of H9-MSCs and BMSCs with IFN-γ did not change their immunogenicity and immunosuppressive abilities, but increased the difference between H9-MSCs and BMSCs for their expression of HLA-DR. Further detection of expression of molecules involved in IFN-γ signaling pathways suggested that the lower expression of

Virological and immunological failure of HAART and associated risk factors among adults and adolescents in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia.

PubMed

Hailu, Genet Gebrehiwet; Hagos, Dawit Gebregziabher; Hagos, Amlsha Kahsay; Wasihun, Araya Gebreyesus; Dejene, Tsehaye Asmelash

2018-01-01

Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome associated morbidity and mortality has reduced significantly since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. As a result of increasing access to highly active antiretroviral therapy, the survival and quality of life of the patients has significantly improved globally. Despite this promising result, regular monitoring of people on antiretroviral therapy is recommended to ensure whether there is an effective treatment response or not. This study was designed to assess virological and immunological failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy users among adults and adolescents in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia, where scanty data are available. A retrospective follow up study was conducted from September 1 to December 30, 2016 to assess the magnitude and factors associated with virological and immunological failure among 260 adults and adolescents highly active antiretroviral therapy users who started first line ART between January 1, 2008 to March 1, 2016. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. SPSS Version21 statistical software was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated to virological and immunological failure. Statistical association was declared significant if p-value was ≤ 0.05. A total of 30 (11.5%) and 17 (6.5%) participants experienced virological and immunological failure respectively in a median time of 36 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Virological failure was associated with non-adherence to medications, aged < 40 years old, having CD4+ T-cells count < 250 cells/μL and male gender. Similarly, immunological failure was associated with non-adherence, tuberculosis co-infection and Human immunodeficiency virus RNA ≥1000 copies/mL. The current result shows that immunological and virological failure is a problem in a setting

Single-Cell Genomics: Approaches and Utility in Immunology.

PubMed

Neu, Karlynn E; Tang, Qingming; Wilson, Patrick C; Khan, Aly A

2017-02-01

Single-cell genomics offers powerful tools for studying immune cells, which make it possible to observe rare and intermediate cell states that cannot be resolved at the population level. Advances in computer science and single-cell sequencing technology have created a data-driven revolution in immunology. The challenge for immunologists is to harness computing and turn an avalanche of quantitative data into meaningful discovery of immunological principles, predictive models, and strategies for therapeutics. Here, we review the current literature on computational analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data and discuss underlying assumptions, methods, and applications in immunology, and highlight important directions for future research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunological Characteristics of Recurrent Echinococcosis-Induced Anaphylactic Shock

PubMed Central

Ye, Jianrong; Zhang, Qin; Ma, Long; Zheng, Hong

2016-01-01

Anaphylactic shock represents a serious complication of echinococcosis as up to 4.6% of patients die as a result of its severity and improper handling. Once a definite diagnosis is made, effective treatments need to be immediately initiated. Here, we report the immunological characteristics and management of two patients with recurrent anaphylactic shock concurrent with the surgical removal of hydatid cysts. Both patients had systemic echinococcosis classified as cystic echinococcosis type 2 (CE2) with multiple, immature cysts (absence of calcification and necrosis). In addition, both patients had increased eosinophils and basophils before surgery, as well as elevated crude hydatid cyst fluid antigen (anti-EgCF) and hydatid cyst fluid native antigen B (anti-EgB) antibodies and high IgG levels. Although we cannot definitively predict which patients are at risk for cyst fluid leakage or anaphylactic shock at present, clinicians may consider taking precautions before surgery on encountering patients with a similar profile to prevent the occurrence of anaphylactic shock and the likelihood of a second incident. However, these observations need to be confirmed in further studies with a larger number of patients. PMID:26711523

Immunological Characteristics of Recurrent Echinococcosis-Induced Anaphylactic Shock.

PubMed

Ye, Jianrong; Zhang, Qin; Ma, Long; Zheng, Hong

2016-02-01

Anaphylactic shock represents a serious complication of echinococcosis as up to 4.6% of patients die as a result of its severity and improper handling. Once a definite diagnosis is made, effective treatments need to be immediately initiated. Here, we report the immunological characteristics and management of two patients with recurrent anaphylactic shock concurrent with the surgical removal of hydatid cysts. Both patients had systemic echinococcosis classified as cystic echinococcosis type 2 (CE2) with multiple, immature cysts (absence of calcification and necrosis). In addition, both patients had increased eosinophils and basophils before surgery, as well as elevated crude hydatid cyst fluid antigen (anti-EgCF) and hydatid cyst fluid native antigen B (anti-EgB) antibodies and high IgG levels. Although we cannot definitively predict which patients are at risk for cyst fluid leakage or anaphylactic shock at present, clinicians may consider taking precautions before surgery on encountering patients with a similar profile to prevent the occurrence of anaphylactic shock and the likelihood of a second incident. However, these observations need to be confirmed in further studies with a larger number of patients. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Mucosal immunology

PubMed Central

Bienenstock, J.; Befus, A. D.

1980-01-01

In this review, we shall highlight some recent advances in mucosal immunology and also those concepts which seem to us to merit more attention than they normally receive. Since we cannot hope to be all inclusive, we recommend the following articles and books to the reader (Tomasi & Bienenstock, 1968; Tomasi & Grey, 1972; Bienenstock, 1974; Heremans, 1974; Mestecky & Lawton, 1974; Lamm, 1976; Tomasi, 1976; Waksman & Ozer, 1976; Porter & Knight, 1977; McGhee, Mestecky & Babb, 1978; Ogra & Dayton, 1979; Befus & Bienenstock, 1980). PMID:7002769

[Epidemiological characteristics of patients with food allergy assisted at Regional Center of Allergies and Clinical Immunology of Monterrey].

PubMed

Rodríguez-Ortiz, Pablo Gabriel; Muñoz-Mendoza, Diana; Arias-Cruz, Alfredo; González-Díaz, Sandra Nora; Herrera-Castro, Dayanara; Vidaurri-Ojeda, Alma Catalina

2009-01-01

Food allergy is an abnormal immunologic response to food allergens. Prevalence varies between 2% and 8%, although it could vary according to age and ethnicity. Clinical manifestations are diverse among systems. There is few information about this issue. To know epidemiologic features in patients with food allergy attended at Monterrey University Hospital. An observational, transversal and retrospective study was done, identifying 60 patients with food allergy diagnosis attended in our service from June 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008. Epidemiologic and clinical data were registered. Data was processed with statistical program SPSS v16.0 for windows with descriptive statistic. The frequency of food allergy reported in first time medical consultation was 2.67%, 51% of the patients were under 5 years of age. Most frequent foods were: dairy products, egg, fish, shrimp, beans, soy, chili, mango, cacao, and strawberry. Main symptoms were cutaneous in 58% of the patients, followed by gastrointestinal and respiratory. Most common concomitant diseases were: urticarial angioedema (38%), allergic rhinitis (20%), atopic dermatitis (15%), and asthma (6.6%). Average time for diagnosis was 1.45 years. Most common foods with positive Prick test results were dairy products, egg and fish. Despite the variability of the clinical manifestations, cutaneous and gastrointestinal manifestations are the most frequent; however, the diagnosis depends on the suspicion as well.

Veterinary Immunology Committee Toolkit Workshop 2010: Progress and plans

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Third Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) Toolkit Workshop took place at the Ninth International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (IVIS) in Tokyo, Japan on August 18, 2020. The Workshop built on previous Toolkit Workshops and covered various aspects of reagent development, commercialisation an...

An assessment of false positive rates for malaria rapid diagnostic tests caused by non-Plasmodium infectious agents and immunological factors.

PubMed

Gatton, Michelle L; Ciketic, Sadmir; Barnwell, John W; Cheng, Qin; Chiodini, Peter L; Incardona, Sandra; Bell, David; Cunningham, Jane; González, Iveth J

2018-01-01

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) can produce false positive (FP) results in patients with human African trypanosomiasis and rheumatoid factor (RF), but specificity against other infectious agents and immunological factors is largely unknown. Low diagnostic specificity caused by cross-reactivity may lead to over-estimates of the number of malaria cases and over-use of antimalarial drugs, at the cost of not diagnosing and treating the true underlying condition. Data from the WHO Malaria RDT Product Testing Programme was analysed to assess FP rates of 221 RDTs against four infectious agents (Chagas, dengue, Leishmaniasis and Schistosomiasis) and four immunological factors (anti-nuclear antibody, human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA), RF and rapid plasma regain). Only RDTs with a FP rate against clean negative samples less than 10% were included. Paired t-tests were used to compare product-specific FP rates on clean negative samples and samples containing non-Plasmodium infectious agents and immunological factors. Forty (18%) RDTs showed no FP results against any tested infectious agent or immunological factor. In the remaining RDTs significant and clinically relevant increases in FP rates were observed for samples containing HAMA and RF (P<0.001). There were significant correlations between product-matched FP rates for RF and HAMA on all RDT test bands (P<0.001), and FP rates for each infectious agent and immunological factor were also correlated between test bands of combination RDTs (P≤0.002). False positive results against non-Plasmodium infectious agents and immunological factors does not appear to be a universal property of malaria RDTs. However, since many malaria RDTs have elevated FP rates against HAMA and RF positive samples practitioners may need to consider the possibility of false positive results for malaria in patients with conditions that stimulate HAMA or RF.

[The significance of pedigree genetic screening and rapid immunological parameters in the diagnosis of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis].

PubMed

Zhang, J; Wang, Y N; Wang, J S; Wu, L; Wei, N; Fu, L; Gao, Z; Chen, J H; Pei, R J; Wang, Z

2016-07-01

To investigate the significance of pedigree genetic screening and rapid immunological parameters in the diagnosis of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Four cases of primary HLH patients with PRF1, UNC13D and SH2D1A gene mutations were conducted pedigree investigation, including family genetic screening and detections of immunological parameters (NK cell activity, CD107a degranulation and expression of HLH related defective protein), to evaluate the significance of these different indicators in the diagnosis of primary HLH and explore their correlations. The DNA mutations of the four families included missense mutation c.T172C (p.S58P) and non- frameshift deletions c.1083_1094del (p.361_365del), missense mutation c.C1349T (p.T450M) and frameshift mutation c.1090_1091delCT (p.T364fsX93) in PRF1 gene, missense mutation c.G2588A (p.G863D) in UNC13D gene and hemizygous mutation c.32T>G (p.I11S) in SH2D1A gene. The patients and their family members presented decreased NK cell activities. Individuals who carried mutations of PRF1 gene and SH2D1A gene showed low expression of perforin (PRF1) and signaling lymphocytic activation molecule associated protein (SAP). And the patient with UNC13D gene mutation and his family member with identical mutation showed significant reducing cytotoxic degranulation function (expression of CD107a). Pedigree genetic screening and rapid detection of immunological parameters might play an important role in the diagnosis of primary HLH, and both of them had good consistency. As an efficient detection means, the rapid immunological detection indicators would provide reliable basis for the early diagnosis of the primary HLH.

Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder exhibit an altered phenotype of regulatory T cells

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in immune homeostasis in vivo. Tregs have a critical role in preventing the development of autoimmune diseases and defects in Treg function are implicated in various autoimmune disorders. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders than the general population. We hypothesized that war veterans with PTSD would exhibit a decreased number and/or altered phenotype of Tregs. Methods We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with PTSD (N = 21) (mean age = 45.9) and age-matched healthy controls (N = 23) (mean age = 45.7) to determine the proportion of Tregs and their phenotype according to the expression of CD127 and HLA-DR markers which describe the differentiation stages of Tregs. In addition, we analyzed the expression of membrane ectoenzyme CD39 on Tregs of the study groups, an important component of the suppressive machinery of Tregs. Results We found no differences in the proportion of Tregs between PTSD patients and controls, but PTSD patients had a higher percentage of CD127-HLA-DR- Tregs and a lower percentage of CD127loHLA-DR+ Tregs compared to controls. There was no difference in expression of CD39 on Tregs of the study groups. Conclusions Although the proportions of Tregs in PTSD patients were unchanged, we found that they exhibit a different phenotype of Tregs that might be less suppressive. Impaired differentiation and function of Tregs is likely involved in disruption of immune homeostasis in PTSD. PMID:25670936

A novel pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease from the perspective of glyco-immunology.

PubMed

Shinzaki, Shinichiro; Iijima, Hideki; Fujii, Hironobu; Kamada, Yoshihiro; Naka, Tetsuji; Takehara, Tetsuo; Miyoshi, Eiji

2017-05-01

Oligosaccharide modifications play an essential role in various inflammatory diseases and cancers, but their pathophysiologic roles, especially in inflammation, are not clear. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an intractable chronic inflammatory disorder with an unknown aetiology, and the number of patients with IBD is increasing throughout the world. Certain types of immunosuppressant drugs, such as corticosteroids, are effective for IBD, suggesting that immune function is closely associated with the pathophysiology of IBD. Recent progress in the analysis of oligosaccharides revealed a role for oligosaccharides in intestinal inflammation based on both experimental models and human samples from IBD patients. Moreover, changes in the oligosaccharide structures on glycoproteins in the sera and tissue samples may serve as biomarkers of IBD. Here, we present current studies of IBD with regard to the immunologic aspects of glycobiology, suggesting a novel concept for IBD pathogenesis and the function of oligosaccharides on immune cells, termed "glyco-immunology". © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Japanese Biochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Immunological comorbity in coeliac disease: associations, risk factors and clinical implications.

PubMed

Elli, Luca; Bonura, Antonella; Garavaglia, Daniela; Rulli, Eliana; Floriani, Irene; Tagliabue, Giovanna; Contiero, Paolo; Bardella, Maria Teresa

2012-10-01

Coeliac disease is frequently associated with other immunomediated diseases. Our aim was to identify immunological comorbidities and possible risk factors for their development in coeliac patients. We recruited a cohort of 1,015 coeliac patients followed from 0 to 46 years in a single tertiary referral centre. Data were collected from the yearly scheduled clinical and serological evaluations. Possible risk factors such as demographic parameters, type of symptomatic presentation, gluten exposure, gluten-free diet compliance and family history were all evaluated. Subjects (848,606) from the regional health registry were investigated as controls. The prevalence of immunomediated diseases was higher in patients with coeliac disease compared to the registry population (23 % vs 0.4 %, p < 0.001). Diagnosis during paediatric age represented a risk factor for the presence of at least an immunomediated disease (hazard ratio = 1.62, 95 % confidence interval 1.15-2.29, p = 0.0061). Type of presentation and dietetic compliance did not represent risk factors. Long-standing gluten exposure reduced the risk of developing immunomediated diseases in coeliac subjects (hazard ratio for 1 year longer exposure 0.23, 95 % confidence interval 0.16-0.33, p < 0.0001). A familiar background characterized by the presence of immunological disorders was not a risk factor, although 419 (13 %) first degree relatives of coeliac patients out of 3,195 had an immunomediated disease. Our study suggests the need to investigate coeliac patients for other associated immunomediated diseases, independently of sex, gluten exposure and compliance to therapy; also subjects diagnosed in paediatric age should be carefully screened during follow up.

21 CFR 866.5090 - Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Systems § 866.5090 Antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. An antimitochondrial antibody immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by... of diseases that produce a spectrum of autoantibodies (antibodies produced against the body's own...

Engineering antigen-specific immunological tolerance.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kontos, Stephan; Grimm, Alizee J.; Hubbell, Jeffrey A.

2015-05-01

Unwanted immunity develops in response to many protein drugs, in autoimmunity, in allergy, and in transplantation. Approaches to induce immunological tolerance aim to either prevent these responses or reverse them after they have already taken place. We present here recent developments in approaches, based on engineered peptides, proteins and biomaterials, that harness mechanisms of peripheral tolerance both prophylactically and therapeutically to induce antigenspecific immunological tolerance. These mechanisms are based on responses of B and T lymphocytes to other cells in their immune environment that result in cellular deletion or ignorance to particular antigens, or in development of active immune regulatorymore » responses. Several of these approaches are moving toward clinical development, and some are already in early stages of clinical testing.« less

Clinical and immunological pattern and outcome of Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a single center experience.

PubMed

Mahmoud, G A; Shahin, A A; Zayed, H S; Moghazy, A; Eissa, B M

2018-01-01

Objective The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and immunological pattern and disease outcome in Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Patients and methods The medical records of 770 systemic lupus erythematosus patients who were followed from 2002-2015 at Kasr Alainy Hospital, Cairo University, were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 707 (91.8%) females. The mean age at disease onset was 22.1 ± 8.6 and the disease duration was 6.1 ± 4.5 years. The main clinical manifestations were mucocutaneous (90.8% with oral ulcers affecting 52.5%), arthritis (80.3%), nephritis (67.8%), hematologic involvement (64.9%), serositis (55.2%) and neuropsychiatric manifestations (44.3%). The frequencies of antinuclear antibodies were 94.3%, anti-dsDNA 74.8%, anti-Smith 11%, anticardiolipin antibodies 29.5% and lupus anticoagulant 19.8%. Infections, predominantly bacterial, affected 337 (43.8%) patients. Thirty-three (4.3%) patients died. The main causes of death were sepsis and disease activity. The five- and 10-year survival rates for the total cohort were 97.4% and 96.3%, respectively, and were 96% and 92%, respectively for those with nephritis ( p = 0.008). Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated serum creatinine, a higher damage index, infections, a higher glucocorticoid dose and cyclophosphamide use ≥ six months were associated with an increased risk of mortality with odds ratios of 3.69, p < 0.01; 4.12, p < 0.001; 1.54, p < 0.001; 1.43, p < 0.001; 5.08, p < 0.001; 5.04, p < 0.001 and 2.25, p = 0.03, respectively. Conclusion Compared to other cohorts, a relatively lower mean age at systemic lupus erythematosus onset and higher frequencies of oral ulcers, serositis and nephritis were found.

Simultaneous detection of circulating immunological parameters and tumor biomarkers in early stage breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy.

PubMed

Rovati, B; Mariucci, S; Delfanti, S; Grasso, D; Tinelli, C; Torre, C; De Amici, M; Pedrazzoli, P

2016-06-01

Chemotherapy-induced immune suppression has mainly been studied in patients with advanced cancer, but the influence of chemotherapy on the immune system in early stage cancer patients has so far not been studied systematically. The aim of the present study was to monitor the immune system during anthracycline- and taxane-based adjuvant chemotherapy in early stage breast cancer patients, to assess the impact of circulating tumor cells on selected immune parameters and to reveal putative angiogenic effects of circulating endothelial cells. Peripheral blood samples from 20 early stage breast cancer patients were analyzed using a flow cytometric multi-color of antibodies to enumerate lymphocyte and dendritic cell subsets, as well as endothelial and tumor cells. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of various serological factors. During chemotherapy, all immunological parameters and angiogenesis surrogate biomarkers showed significant decreases. The numbers of circulating tumor cells showed significant inverse correlations with the numbers of T helper cells, a lymphocyte subset directly related to effective anti-tumor responses. Reduced T helper cell numbers may contribute to systemic immunosuppression and, as such, the activation of dormant tumor cells. From our results we conclude that adjuvant chemotherapy suppresses immune function in early stage breast cancer patients. In addition, we conclude that the presence of circulating tumor cells, defined as pan-cytokeratin(+), CD326(+), CD45(-) cells, may serve as an important indicator of a patient's immune status. Further investigations are needed to firmly define circulating tumor cells as a predictor for the success of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy.

21 CFR 866.5870 - Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... (enlargement of the thyroid gland with protrusion of the eyeballs), and cancer of the thyroid. (b... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system....5870 Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. A thyroid autoantibody...

21 CFR 866.5870 - Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (enlargement of the thyroid gland with protrusion of the eyeballs), and cancer of the thyroid. (b... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system....5870 Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. A thyroid autoantibody...

21 CFR 866.5870 - Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... (enlargement of the thyroid gland with protrusion of the eyeballs), and cancer of the thyroid. (b... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system....5870 Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. A thyroid autoantibody...

21 CFR 866.5870 - Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... (enlargement of the thyroid gland with protrusion of the eyeballs), and cancer of the thyroid. (b... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system....5870 Thyroid autoantibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. A thyroid autoantibody...

Cysteine, histidine and glycine exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in human coronary arterial endothelial cells.

PubMed

Hasegawa, S; Ichiyama, T; Sonaka, I; Ohsaki, A; Okada, S; Wakiguchi, H; Kudo, K; Kittaka, S; Hara, M; Furukawa, S

2012-02-01

The activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in vascular endothelial cells may be involved in vascular pathogeneses such as vasculitis or atherosclerosis. Recently, it has been reported that some amino acids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the inhibitory effects of a panel of amino acids on cytokine production or expression of adhesion molecules that are involved in inflammatory diseases in various cell types. The activation of NF-κB was determined in human coronary arterial endothelial cells (HCAECs) because NF-κB modulates the production of many cytokines and the expression of adhesion molecules. We examined the inhibitory effects of the amino acids cysteine, histidine and glycine on the induction of NF-κB activation, expression of CD62E (E-selectin) and the production of interleukin (IL)-6 in HCAECs stimulated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cysteine, histidine and glycine significantly reduced NF-κB activation and inhibitor κBα (IκBα) degradation in HCAECs stimulated with TNF-α. Additionally, all the amino acids inhibited the expression of E-selectin and the production of IL-6 in HCAECs, and the effects of cysteine were the most significant. Our results show that glycine, histidine and cysteine can inhibit NF-κB activation, IκBα degradation, CD62E expression and IL-6 production in HCAECs, suggesting that these amino acids may exhibit anti-inflammatory effects during endothelial inflammation. © 2012 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Immunology © 2012 British Society for Immunology.

Immunological and molecular epidemiological characteristics of acute and fulminant viral hepatitis A.

PubMed

Hussain, Zahid; Husain, Syed A; Almajhdi, Fahad N; Kar, Premashis

2011-05-23

Hepatitis A virus is an infection of liver; it is hyperendemic in vast areas of the world including India. In most cases it causes an acute self limited illness but rarely fulminant. There is growing concern about change in pattern from asymptomatic childhood infection to an increased incidence of symptomatic disease in the adult population. In-depth analysis of immunological, viral quantification and genotype of acute and fulminant hepatitis A virus. Serum samples obtained from 1009 cases of suspected acute viral hepatitis was employed for different biochemical and serological examination. RNA was extracted from blood serum, reverse transcribed into cDNA and amplified using nested PCR for viral quantification, sequencing and genotyping. Immunological cell count from freshly collected whole blood was carried out by fluorescence activated cell sorter. Fulminant hepatitis A was mostly detected with other hepatic viruses. CD8+ T cells count increases in fulminant hepatitis to a significantly high level (P = 0.005) compared to normal healthy control. The immunological helper/suppressor (CD4+/CD8+) ratio of fulminant hepatitis was significantly lower compared to acute cases. The serologically positive patients were confirmed by RT-PCR and total of 72 (69.2%) were quantified and sequenced. The average quantitative viral load of fulminant cases was significantly higher (P < 0.05). There was similar genotypic distribution in both acute and fulminant category, with predominance of genotype IIIA (70%) compared to IA (30%). Immunological factors in combination with viral load defines the severity of the fulminant hepatitis A. Phylogenetic analysis of acute and fulminant hepatitis A confirmed genotypes IIIA as predominant against IA with no preference of disease severity.

Immunological and molecular epidemiological characteristics of acute and fulminant viral hepatitis A

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Hepatitis A virus is an infection of liver; it is hyperendemic in vast areas of the world including India. In most cases it causes an acute self limited illness but rarely fulminant. There is growing concern about change in pattern from asymptomatic childhood infection to an increased incidence of symptomatic disease in the adult population. Objective In-depth analysis of immunological, viral quantification and genotype of acute and fulminant hepatitis A virus. Methods Serum samples obtained from 1009 cases of suspected acute viral hepatitis was employed for different biochemical and serological examination. RNA was extracted from blood serum, reverse transcribed into cDNA and amplified using nested PCR for viral quantification, sequencing and genotyping. Immunological cell count from freshly collected whole blood was carried out by fluorescence activated cell sorter. Results Fulminant hepatitis A was mostly detected with other hepatic viruses. CD8+ T cells count increases in fulminant hepatitis to a significantly high level (P = 0.005) compared to normal healthy control. The immunological helper/suppressor (CD4+/CD8+) ratio of fulminant hepatitis was significantly lower compared to acute cases. The serologically positive patients were confirmed by RT-PCR and total of 72 (69.2%) were quantified and sequenced. The average quantitative viral load of fulminant cases was significantly higher (P < 0.05). There was similar genotypic distribution in both acute and fulminant category, with predominance of genotype IIIA (70%) compared to IA (30%). Conclusions Immunological factors in combination with viral load defines the severity of the fulminant hepatitis A. Phylogenetic analysis of acute and fulminant hepatitis A confirmed genotypes IIIA as predominant against IA with no preference of disease severity. PMID:21605420

Immunological Treatments for Autism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gupta, Sudhir

2000-01-01

This article discusses research findings that indicate immunological abnormalities in children with autism, including the dysregulation of the immune system, and concludes that there are sufficient data to suggest a role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of autism. Various biological therapies are analyzed, including intravenous…

Desensitization: Overcoming the Immunologic Barriers to Transplantation

PubMed Central

Choi, Jua; Vo, Ashley; Peng, Alice; Jordan, Stanley C.

2017-01-01

HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) sensitization is a significant barrier to successful kidney transplantation. It often translates into difficult crossmatch before transplant and increased risk of acute and chronic antibody mediated rejection after transplant. Over the last decade, several immunomodulatory therapies have emerged allowing for increased access to kidney transplantation for the immunologically disadvantaged group of HLA sensitized end stage kidney disease patients. These include IgG inactivating agents, anti-cytokine antibodies, costimulatory molecule blockers, complement inhibitors, and agents targeting plasma cells. In this review, we discuss currently available agents for desensitization and provide a brief analysis of data on novel biologics, which will likely improve desensitization outcomes, and have potential implications in treatment of antibody mediated rejection. PMID:28127571

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Spain.

PubMed

Nieto, Antonio; Mazon, Angel; Martin-Mateos, Maria Anunciacion; Plaza, Ana-Maria; Garde, Jesus; Alonso, Elena; Martorell, Antonio; Boquete, Manuel; Lorente, Felix; Ibero, Marcel; Bone, Javier; Pamies, Rafael; Garcia, Juan Miguel; Echeverria, Luis; Nevot, Santiago; Martinez-Cañavate, Ana; Fernandez-Benitez, Margarita; Garcia-Marcos, Luis

2011-11-01

The data of the ISAAC project in Spain show a prevalence of childhood asthma ranging from 7.1% to 15.3%, with regional differences; a higher prevalence, 22.6% to 35.8%, is described for rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis is found in 4.1% to 7.6% of children. The prevalence of food allergy is 3%. All children in Spain have the right to be visited in the National Health System. The medical care at the primary level is provided by pediatricians, who have obtained their titles through a 4-yr medical residency training program. The education on pediatric allergy during that period is not compulsory and thus very variable. There are currently 112 certified European pediatric allergists in Spain, who have obtained the accreditation of the European Union of Medical Specialist for proven skills and experience in pediatric allergy. Future specialists in pediatric allergy should obtain their titles through a specific education program to be developed in one of the four accredited training units on pediatric allergy, after obtaining the title on pediatrics. The Spanish Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEICAP) gathers over 350 pediatric allergists and pediatricians working in this field. SEICAP has a growing activity including yearly congresses, continued education courses, elaboration of technical clinical documents and protocols, education of patients, and collaboration with other scientific societies and associations of patients. The official journal of SEICAP is Allergologia et Immunophatologia, published every 2 months since 1972. The web site of SEICAP, http://www.seicap.es, open since 2004, offers information for professionals and extensive information on pediatric allergic and immunologic disorders for the lay public; the web site is receiving 750 daily visits during 2011. The pediatric allergy units are very active in clinical work, procedures as immunotherapy or induction of oral tolerance in food allergy, contribution to scientific literature, and

German Society for Immunology and Australasian Society for Immunology joint Workshop 3(rd) -4(th) December 2015 - Meeting report.

PubMed

Kurts, Christian; Gottschalk, Catherine; Bedoui, Sammy; Heinzel, Susanne; Godfrey, Dale; Enders, Anselm

2016-02-01

The German Society for Immunology (DGfI) and the Australasian Society for Immunology (ASI) hosted the first DGfI-ASI joint workshop from December 3-4, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. A delegation of 15 distinguished German immunologists discussed the workshop topic "immune regulation in infections and immune mediated diseases" with the aim to establish new German-Australasian collaborations, discuss new concepts in the field of immune regulation and build a scientific network to create more utilizable resources for excellent (trans-border) immunological research. The workshop was associated with the 45(th) Annual Scientific Meeting of the ASI held from Nov 29-Dec 3, 2015, opening up even more opportunities for finding new collaboration partners. A return meeting will be linked to the annual DGfI meeting that will take place in 2017 in Erlangen. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cancer immunotherapy and immunological memory.

PubMed

Murata, Kenji; Tsukahara, Tomohide; Torigoe, Toshihiko

2016-01-01

Human immunological memory is the key distinguishing hallmark of the adaptive immune system and plays an important role in the prevention of morbidity and the severity of infection. The differentiation system of T cell memory has been clarified using mouse models. However, the human T cell memory system has great diversity induced by natural antigens derived from many pathogens and tumor cells throughout life, and profoundly differs from the mouse memory system constructed using artificial antigens and transgenic T cells. We believe that only human studies can elucidate the human immune system. The importance of immunological memory in cancer immunotherapy has been pointed out, and the trafficking properties and long-lasting anti-tumor capacity of memory T cells play a crucial role in the control of malignant tumors. Adoptive cell transfer of less differentiated T cells has consistently demonstrated superior anti-tumor capacity relative to more differentiated T cells. Therefore, a human T cell population with the characteristics of stem cell memory is thought to be attractive for peptide vaccination and adoptive cell transfer. A novel human memory T cell population that we have identified is closer to the naive state than previous memory T cells in the T cell differentiation lineage, and has the characteristics of stem-like chemoresistance. Here we introduce this novel population and describe the fundamentals of immunological memory in cancer immunotherapy.

Immunology of Gut Mucosal Vaccines

PubMed Central

Pasetti, Marcela F.; Simon, Jakub K.; Sztein, Marcelo B.; Levine, Myron M.

2011-01-01

Summary Understanding the mechanisms underlying the induction of immunity in the gastrointestinal mucosa following oral immunization and the cross-talk between mucosal and systemic immunity should expedite the development of vaccines to diminish the global burden caused by enteric pathogens. Identifying an immunological correlate of protection in the course of field trials of efficacy, animal models (when available), or human challenge studies is also invaluable. In industrialized country populations, live attenuated vaccines (e.g. polio, typhoid, and rotavirus) mimic natural infection and generate robust protective immune responses. In contrast, a major challenge is to understand and overcome the barriers responsible for the diminished immunogenicity and efficacy of the same enteric vaccines in underprivileged populations in developing countries. Success in developing vaccines against some enteric pathogens has heretofore been elusive (e.g. Shigella). Different types of oral vaccines can selectively or inclusively elicit mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A and serum immunoglobulin G antibodies and a variety of cell-mediated immune responses. Areas of research that require acceleration include interaction between the gut innate immune system and the stimulation of adaptive immunity, development of safe yet effective mucosal adjuvants, better understanding of homing to the mucosa of immunologically relevant cells, and elicitation of mucosal immunologic memory. This review dissects the immune responses elicited in humans by enteric vaccines. PMID:21198669

21 CFR 866.5500 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... system. 866.5500 Section 866.5500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND... Systems § 866.5500 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system. (a) Identification. A hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5500 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... system. 866.5500 Section 866.5500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND... Systems § 866.5500 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system. (a) Identification. A hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5500 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... system. 866.5500 Section 866.5500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND... Systems § 866.5500 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system. (a) Identification. A hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5500 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... system. 866.5500 Section 866.5500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND... Systems § 866.5500 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system. (a) Identification. A hypersensitivity pneumonitis immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by...

Prevalence of Pulmonary tuberculosis and immunological profile of HIV co-infected patients in Northwest Ethiopia

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, as high as 2/3 of tuberculosis patients are HIV/AIDS co-infected and tuberculosis is the most common cause of death among HIV/AIDS patients worldwide. Tuberculosis and HIV co-infections are associated with special diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and constitute an immense burden on healthcare systems of heavily infected countries like Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and their immunologic profiles among HIV positive patients. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among adult HIV-positive patients attending HIV/AIDS clinic of Gondar University Hospital. Clinical and laboratory investigations including chest x-ray and acid fast staining were used to identify tuberculosis cases. Blood samples were collected to determine CD4+ lymphocyte count. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of study subjects. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Results A total of 400 HIV positive study participants were enrolled. Thirty (7.5%, 95%CI: 5.2-10.6%) of the study participants were found to have pulmonary tuberculosis. In multivariate analysis, only CD4+ lymphocyte count (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.002-8.368) was found to be independently associated with tuberculosis-HIV co-infection. Individuals who had advanced WHO clinical stage were also statistically significant for co-infection. The mean CD4+ lymphocyte count of HIV mono-infected participants were 296 ± 192 Cells/mm3 and tuberculosis-HIV co-infected patients had mean CD4+ lymphocyte count of 199 ± 149 Cells/mm3 with p value of 0.007. Conclusions We found high prevalence of tuberculosis-HIV co-infection. Lower CD4+ lymphocyte count was found to be the only predicting factor for co-infection. Early detection of co-infection is very necessary to prolong their ART initiation time and by then strengthening their immune status. PMID:22738361

Immunologic Aging in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: Does Infant Sternotomy Matter?

PubMed

Elder, Robert W; George, Roshan P; McCabe, Nancy M; Rodriguez, Fred H; Book, Wendy M; Mahle, William T; Kirk, Allan D

2015-10-01

Thymectomy is performed routinely in infants undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. Children post-sternotomy have decreased numbers of T lymphocytes, although the mechanisms involved and long-term consequences of this have not been defined. We hypothesized that lymphopenia in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) would be reflective of premature T cell maturation and exhaustion. Adults with ACHD who had sternotomy to repair congenital heart disease as infants (<1 year) and age-matched ACHD patients without prior sternotomy were studied using polychromatic flow cytometry interrogating markers of lymphocyte maturation, exhaustion and senescence. Group differences were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests. Eighteen ACHD patients aged 21-40 years participated: 10 cases and 8 controls. Median age at sternotomy for cases was 52 days. Cases and controls were matched for age (28.9 vs. 29.1 years; p = 0.83), gender (p = 0.15) and race (p = 0.62) and had similar case complexity. Cases had a lower mean percentage of cytotoxic CD8 lymphocytes compared to controls (26.8 vs. 33.9 %; p = 0.016), with fewer naive, undifferentiated CD8 T cells (31.0 vs. 53.6 %; p = 0.027). CD8 cells expressing PD1, a marker of immune exhaustion, trended higher in cases versus controls (25.6 vs. 19.0 %; p = 0.083). Mean percentage of CD4 cells was higher in cases versus controls (65.6 vs. 59.6 %; p = 0.027), without differences in CD4 T cell maturation subtype. In summary, ACHD patients who undergo sternotomy as infants exhibit differences in T lymphocyte composition compared to ACHD controls, suggesting accelerated immunologic exhaustion. Investigation is warranted to assess the progressive nature and clinical impact of this immune phenotypic change.

Theoretical immunology, Part 2: Proceedings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Perelson, A.S.

1988-01-01

This document contains 43 papers on current topics in immunology. Topics include cell chemotaxis, killer cells, AIDS, antigen reactivity, t-cells, crosslinking, cell-cell adhesion, immune response, and the regulation of lymphocyte proliferation. (TEM)

Immunological characterization of pulmonary intravascular macrophages

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chitko-McKown, C. G.; Reddy, D. N.; Chapes, S. K.; McKown, R. D.; Blecha, F.; Spooner, B. S. (Principal Investigator)

1992-01-01

Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) are lung macrophages found apposed to the endothelium of pulmonary capillaries. In many species, they are responsible for the clearance of blood-borne particulates and pathogens; however, little else is known about their roles as immunologic effector cells. We compared PIMs with pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) to determine the relative immunological activities of these two cell populations. Our results suggested that both populations possess similar phagocytic and bactericidal activities. In assays measuring cytotoxicity, PIMs were more cytotoxic than PAMs against virally infected target cells; however, differences between these macrophage populations were not as marked when noninfected targets were used. LPS-stimulated PIMs produced more T-cell proliferative cytokines than PAMs, and both populations of nonstimulated macrophages produced similar amounts of the cytokines. In contrast, PAMs produced more TNF alpha and NO2- than PIMs when both populations were stimulated with LPS; however, nonstimulated PAMs and PIMs produced similar amounts of TNF alpha and NO2. These data suggest that bovine PIMs are immunologically active. Differences between the degrees of activity of PIMs and PAMs indicate that these macrophage populations may have different roles in lung surveillance.

50 years of pediatric immunology: progress and future, a clinical perspective.

PubMed

Singh, Surjit; Gupta, Anju; Rawat, Amit

2013-01-08

Rapidly evolving advances in the field of immunology over the last few decades have impacted the practice of clinical medicine in many ways. In fact, understanding the immunological basis of disease has been pivotal in deciphering the pathogenesis of several disease processes, infective or otherwise. As of today, there is hardly any specialty of medicine which is not influenced by immunology. Pediatric rheumatological disorders, vasculitides, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs) and autoimmune disorders fall under the domain of clinical immunology. This specialty is poised to emerge as a major clinical specialty in our country. The gulf between bench and bedside is narrowing down as our understanding of the complex immunological mechanisms gets better. However, a lot still needs to be done in this field as the morbidity and mortality of some of these conditions is unacceptably high in the Indian setup. A number of medical schools and institutes in the country now have the resources and the wherewithal to develop into specialized centres of clinical immunology. We need to concentrate on training more physicians and pediatricians in this field. The future is bright and the prospects exciting.

21 CFR 866.5380 - Free secretory component immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... body fluids. Measurement of free secretory component (protein molecules) aids in the diagnosis or... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

21 CFR 866.5380 - Free secretory component immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... body fluids. Measurement of free secretory component (protein molecules) aids in the diagnosis or... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

21 CFR 866.5380 - Free secretory component immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... body fluids. Measurement of free secretory component (protein molecules) aids in the diagnosis or... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

21 CFR 866.5380 - Free secretory component immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... body fluids. Measurement of free secretory component (protein molecules) aids in the diagnosis or... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test...

21 CFR 866.5700 - Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Whole human plasma or serum immunological test... Systems § 866.5700 Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A whole human plasma or serum immunological test system is a device that consists of reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5700 - Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Whole human plasma or serum immunological test... Systems § 866.5700 Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A whole human plasma or serum immunological test system is a device that consists of reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5700 - Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Whole human plasma or serum immunological test... Systems § 866.5700 Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A whole human plasma or serum immunological test system is a device that consists of reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5700 - Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Whole human plasma or serum immunological test... Systems § 866.5700 Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A whole human plasma or serum immunological test system is a device that consists of reagents used to measure by...

21 CFR 866.5700 - Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Whole human plasma or serum immunological test... Systems § 866.5700 Whole human plasma or serum immunological test system. (a) Identification. A whole human plasma or serum immunological test system is a device that consists of reagents used to measure by...

Methods for microbiological and immunological studies of space flight crews

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, G. R. (Editor); Zaloguev, S. N. (Editor)

1978-01-01

Systematic laboratory procedures compiled as an outgrowth of a joint U.S./U.S.S.R. microbiological-immunological experiment performed during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project space flight are presented. Included are mutually compatible methods for the identification of aerobic and microaerophilic bacteria, yeast and yeastlike microorganisms, and filamentous fungi; methods for the bacteriophage typing of Staphylococcus aureus; and methods for determining the sensitivity of S. aureus to antibiotics. Immunological methods using blood and immunological and biochemical methods using salivary parotid fluid are also described. Formulas for media and laboratory reagents used are listed.

21 CFR 866.5120 - Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and autoimmune connective tissue diseases (diseases resulting from antibodies produced against the body's own...

21 CFR 866.5120 - Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and autoimmune connective tissue diseases (diseases resulting from antibodies produced against the body's own...

21 CFR 866.5120 - Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and autoimmune connective tissue diseases (diseases resulting from antibodies produced against the body's own...

Virological and immunological failure of HAART and associated risk factors among adults and adolescents in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia

PubMed Central

Hailu, Genet Gebrehiwet; Hagos, Dawit Gebregziabher; Hagos, Amlsha Kahsay; Dejene, Tsehaye Asmelash

2018-01-01

Background Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome associated morbidity and mortality has reduced significantly since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. As a result of increasing access to highly active antiretroviral therapy, the survival and quality of life of the patients has significantly improved globally. Despite this promising result, regular monitoring of people on antiretroviral therapy is recommended to ensure whether there is an effective treatment response or not. This study was designed to assess virological and immunological failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy users among adults and adolescents in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia, where scanty data are available. Methods A retrospective follow up study was conducted from September 1 to December 30, 2016 to assess the magnitude and factors associated with virological and immunological failure among 260 adults and adolescents highly active antiretroviral therapy users who started first line ART between January 1, 2008 to March 1, 2016. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. SPSS Version21 statistical software was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated to virological and immunological failure. Statistical association was declared significant if p-value was ≤ 0.05. Result A total of 30 (11.5%) and 17 (6.5%) participants experienced virological and immunological failure respectively in a median time of 36 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Virological failure was associated with non-adherence to medications, aged < 40 years old, having CD4+ T-cells count < 250 cells/μL and male gender. Similarly, immunological failure was associated with non-adherence, tuberculosis co-infection and Human immunodeficiency virus RNA ≥1000 copies/mL. Conclusions The current result shows that immunological and

Regulation of immunological and inflammatory functions by biotin.

PubMed

Kuroishi, Toshinobu

2015-12-01

Biotin is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin and is well-known as a co-factor for 5 indispensable carboxylases. Holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) catalyzes the biotinylation of carboxylases and other proteins, whereas biotinidase catalyzes the release of biotin from biotinylated peptides. Previous studies have reported that nutritional biotin deficiency and genetic defects in either HLCS or biotinidase induces cutaneous inflammation and immunological disorders. Since biotin-dependent carboxylases involve various cellular metabolic pathways including gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids and odd-chain fatty acids, metabolic abnormalities may play important roles in immunological and inflammatory disorders caused by biotin deficiency. Transcriptional factors, including NF-κB and Sp1/3, are also affected by the status of biotin, indicating that biotin regulates immunological and inflammatory functions independently of biotin-dependent carboxylases. An in-vivo analysis with a murine model revealed the therapeutic effects of biotin supplementation on metal allergies. The novel roles of biotinylated proteins and their related enzymes have recently been reported. Non-carboxylase biotinylated proteins induce chemokine production. HLCS is a nuclear protein involved in epigenetic and chromatin regulation. In this review, comprehensive knowledge on the regulation of immunological and inflammatory functions by biotin and its potential as a therapeutic agent is discussed.

[Value of immunologic phenotyping of acute leukemias in children].

PubMed

Vannier, J P; Bene, M C

1989-10-01

Immunologic typing has demonstrated considerable heterogeneity among the acute leukemias. The most significant recent advance has been development of monoclonal antibody techniques. Some markers identified using these techniques seem to be specific for a given stage of maturation of one lymphoid or myeloid cell line. Most acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) are malignant proliferations whose differentiation appears to have become 'stuck' at one stage of maturation. Results of immunologic typing correlate well with the other clinical and biological data. For prognostic purposes, several patterns can be identified. Among B line ALLs, four varieties have been differentiated, i.e., CD10 negative ALLs, common ALLs, pre-B ALLs, and B ALLs. T ALLs include a broad spectrum of heterogeneous proliferations whose immunologic classification is made difficult by the large number of phenotypes encountered. Among acute myeloblastic leukemias (AMLs), some highly undifferentiated forms have been recognized, by means of immunologic typing, as originating in one of the myeloid cell lines. However, the nosologic and prognostic significance of these studies is less obvious than in ALLs.

Veterinary Immunology Committee Toolkit Workshop 2010: progress and plans.

PubMed

Entrican, Gary; Lunney, Joan K

2012-07-15

The 3rd Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) Toolkit Workshop took place at the 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (IVIS) in Tokyo, Japan on 18th August 2010. The Workshop built on previous Toolkit Workshops and covered various aspects of reagent development, commercialization and provision to the veterinary immunology research community. The emphasis was on open communication about current progress and future plans to avoid duplication of effort and to update priorities for reagent development. There were presentations on the major reagent development and networking projects such as the BBSRC/RERAD Immunological Toolbox (2004-2009), US Veterinary Immune Reagent Network (VIRN 2006-2010) that has just received renewal funding for 2010-2014, and EU Network for Animal Diseases Infectiology Research Facilities project (NADIR 2009-2013). There were also presentations and discussions on the use of reagents for assay development, particularly multiplexing, and how these new technologies will underpin basic research developments. Mechanisms for improved information exchange, especially though websites with VIC playing a central role, were identified. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical and immunological characteristics in 552 systemic lupus erythematosus patients in a southern province of China.

PubMed

Li, Wen-Gen; Ye, Zhi-Zhong; Yin, Zhi-Hua; Zhang, Ke

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Hakka populations. We studied the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics in a cohort of 552 SLE patients diagnosed at the Rheumatology Department in MeiZhou People's Hospital from January 2008 to December 2012. There were 495 women and 57 men (8.7 : 1) with a mean age of 35.3 years (range 12-78 years). The mean age at disease onset and the mean disease duration were 31.8 ± 14.4 years and 3.3 ± 2.8 years, respectively. The most common clinical manifestations were arthritis (61.6%), followed by malar rash (52.7%), photosensitivity (22.8%), mouth ulcers (17.0%) and discoid lupus (14.7%). The prevalence was 46.7% for nephritis (by biopsy), 18.3% for pleuritis, 15.6% for pericarditis and 4.9% for neuropsychiatric manifestations. The most common hematological manifestations were anemia (63.8%), followed by leucopenia (29.0%) and thrombocytopenia (14.9%). Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 99.8% of patients, followed by anti-double-stranded DNA (81.3%), anti-SSA (Sjögren's syndrome antigen A)/Ro (58.7%), anti-ribonucleoprotein (36.8%), anti-Sm (35.7%), and anti-SSB/La (15.0%). Anti-cardiolipin immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM were detected in 18.3% and 14.1% of patients, respectively. Active disease and infections were the two major causes of death. The clinical and immunological characteristics of the SLE patients in our study place our population in the middle of the spectrum between other Asian and Caucasian populations. © 2015 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Molecular Characteristics, Clinical and Immunologic Manifestations of 11 Children with Omenn Syndrome in East Slavs (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine).

PubMed

Sharapova, Svetlana O; Guryanova, Irina E; Pashchenko, Olga E; Kondratenko, Irina V; Kostyuchenko, Larisa V; Rodina, Yulia A; Varlamova, Tatjana V; Bondarenko, Anastasiia V; Chernyshova, Liudmyla I; Gyseva, Marina N; Belevtsev, Mikhail V; Minakovskaya, Nina V; Aleinikova, Olga V

2016-01-01

Omenn syndrome [Mendelian Inheritance (OMIM 603554)] is a genetic disease of the immune system, characterized by the presence of fatal generalized severe erythroderma, lymphoadenopathy, eosinophilia and profound immunodeficiency. We studied clinical and immunologic presentation of the disease manifestation among East Slavs population with genetically confirmed Omenn syndrome. We collected clinical and immunologic data of 11 patients (1 from Belarus, 5--Ukraine, 5--Russia): 6 females, 5 males. The age of Omenn syndrome manifestation varied from the 1st day of life to 1 year and 1 month, the age of diagnosis--20 days to 1 year and 10 months. Nine out of 11 patients had classic immunologic phenotype T(+/-)B-NK+, 1 pt had TlowB + NK+ with CD3 + TCRgd + expansion and 1 had TlowB+/-NK+ phenotype. Eight out of 11 pts had mutation in RAG1 gene, 4 out of 8 had c.368-369delAA (p.K86fsX118) in homozygous state or heterozygous compound. In our cohort of patients, we also described two new mutations in RAG genes (p.E722Q in RAG1 and p.M459R in RAG2). At present, 7/11 were transplanted and 5 out of the transplanted are alive. This study demonstrates that the most popular genetic abnormality in East Slavs children with Omenn syndrome is c.368-369delAA (p.K86fs118) in RAG1 gene, which may be connected with more favorable prognosis because 4/4 patients survived after hematopoietic stem cells transplantation.

Effect of age on immunological response in the first year of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected adults in West Africa.

PubMed

Balestre, Eric; Eholié, Serge P; Lokossue, Amani; Sow, Papa Salif; Charurat, Man; Minga, Albert; Drabo, Joseph; Dabis, François; Ekouevi, Didier K; Thiébaut, Rodolphe

2012-05-15

To assess the effect of aging on the immunological response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the West African context. The change in CD4 T-cell count was analysed according to age at the time of ART initiation among HIV-infected patients enrolled in the International epidemiological Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Collaboration in the West African region. CD4 gain over 12 months of ART was estimated using linear mixed models. Models were adjusted for baseline CD4 cell count, sex, baseline clinical stage, calendar period and ART regimen. The total number of patients included was 24,107, contributing for 50,893 measures of CD4 cell count in the first year of ART. The baseline median CD4 cell count was 144 cells/μl [interquartile range (IQR) 61-235]; median CD4 cell count reached 310 cells/μl (IQR 204-443) after 1 year of ART. The median age at treatment initiation was 36.3 years (10th-90th percentiles = 26.5-50.1). In adjusted analysis, the mean CD4 gain was significantly higher in younger patients (P < 0.0001). At 12 months, patients below 30 years recovered an additional 22 cells/μl on average [95% confidence interval (CI) 2-43] compared to patients at least 50 years. Among HIV-infected adults in West Africa, the immunological response after 12 months of ART was significantly poorer in elderly patients. As the population of treated patients is likely to get older, the impact of this age effect on immunological response to ART may increase over time.

Immunological effects of ayahuasca in humans.

PubMed

dos Santos, Rafael Guimarães

2014-01-01

Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogen traditionally used by indigenous groups of the northwest Amazon. In the last decade, the use of ayahuasca has spread from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite acute and long-term evidence of good tolerability and safety for ayahuasca administered in the laboratory or ritually consumed in religious contexts, little is known about the immunological impact of ayahuasca on humans. Since ayahuasca is used by an increasing number of consumers, and considering its therapeutic potential, more information is needed regarding ayahuasca potential risks. This article presents a brief overview of the available data regarding the immunological impact of ayahuasca in humans.

Immunological implications of pregnancy-induced microchimerism

PubMed Central

Kinder, Jeremy M.; Stelzer, Ina A.; Arck, Petra C.; Way, Sing Sing

2017-01-01

Immunological identity is traditionally defined by genetically encoded antigens, with equal maternal and paternal contributions as a result of Mendelian inheritance. However, vertically transferred maternal cells also persist in individuals at very low levels throughout postnatal development. Reciprocally, mothers are seeded during pregnancy with genetically foreign fetal cells that persist long after parturition. Recent findings suggest that these microchimeric cells expressing noninherited familially relevant antigenic traits are not accidental souvenirs of pregnancy, but are purposefully retained within mothers and their offspring to promote genetic fitness by improving the outcome of future pregnancies. Here, we discuss the immunological implications, benefits and potential consequences of individuals being constitutively chimeric with a biologically active ‘microchiome’ of genetically foreign cells. PMID:28480895

Remembrance of immunology past: conversations with Herman Eisen.

PubMed

Eisen, Herman N; Schlesinger, Sondra

2015-01-01

Herman Eisen and Sondra Schlesinger spent several days together in September 2007 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, talking about immunology, focusing on his remembrances of the field over the more than 60 years of his involvement. This article is an abridged version of those discussions (the full version is available on the Annual Reviews website). It is both an oral history and a written memory of some important but selected areas of immunology.

The Immunological Genome Project: networks of gene expression in immune cells.

PubMed

Heng, Tracy S P; Painter, Michio W

2008-10-01

The Immunological Genome Project combines immunology and computational biology laboratories in an effort to establish a complete 'road map' of gene-expression and regulatory networks in all immune cells.

Adipose tissue as an immunological organ

PubMed Central

Grant, Ryan W.; Dixit, Vishwa Deep

2014-01-01

Objective This review will focus on the immunological aspects of adipose tissue and its potential role in development of chronic inflammation that instigates obesity-associated co-morbidities. Design and Methods The review utilized PubMed searches of current literature to examine adipose tissue leukocytosis. Results The adipose tissue of obese subjects becomes inflamed and contributes to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Numerous immune cells including B cells, T cells, macrophages and neutrophils have been identified in adipose tissue, and obesity influences both the quantity and the nature of immune cell subtypes which emerges as an active immunological organ capable of modifying whole body metabolism through paracrine and endocrine mechanisms. Conclusion Adipose tissue is a large immunologically active organ during obesity that displays hallmarks of both and innate and adaptive immune response. Despite the presence of hematopoietic lineage cells in adipose tissue, it is presently unclear whether the adipose compartment has a direct role in immune-surveillance or host defense. Understanding the interactions between leukocytes and adipocytes may reveal the clinically relevant pathways that control adipose tissue inflammation and is likely to reveal mechanism by which obesity contributes to increased susceptibility to both metabolic and certain infectious disease. PMID:25612251

From Immunologically Archaic to Neoteric Glycovaccines

PubMed Central

Cavallari, Marco; De Libero, Gennaro

2017-01-01

Polysaccharides (PS) are present in the outermost surface of bacteria and readily come in contact with immune cells. They interact with specific antibodies, which in turn confer protection from infections. Vaccines with PS from pneumococci, meningococci, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Salmonella typhi may be protective, although with the important constraint of failing to generate permanent immunological memory. This limitation has in part been circumvented by conjugating glycovaccines to proteins that stimulate T helper cells and facilitate the establishment of immunological memory. Currently, protection evoked by conjugated PS vaccines lasts for a few years. The same approach failed with PS from staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Klebsiella. All those germs cause severe infections in humans and often develop resistance to antibiotic therapy. Thereby, prevention is of increasing importance to better control outbreaks. As only 23 of more than 90 pneumococcal serotypes and 4 of 13 clinically relevant Neisseria meningitidis serogroups are covered by available vaccines there is still tremendous clinical need for PS vaccines. This review focuses on glycovaccines and the immunological mechanisms for their success or failure. We discuss recent advances that may facilitate generation of high affinity anti-PS antibodies and confer specific immunity and long-lasting protection. PMID:28134792

Principles of immunology and its nuances in the central nervous system.

PubMed

Dunn, Gavin P; Okada, Hideho

2015-11-01

Cancer immunotherapy represents the biggest change in the cancer treatment landscape in the last several years. Indeed, the clinical successes in several cancer types have generated widespread enthusiasm that immune-based treatments may influence the management of patients with malignant brain tumors as well. A number of promising clinical trials in this area are currently ongoing in neuro-oncology, and a wave of additional efforts are sure to follow. However, the basic immunology underlying immunotherapy-and the nuances unique to the immunobiology in the central nervous system-is often not in the daily lexicon of the practicing neuro-oncologist and neurosurgeon. To this end, here we provide a timely and working overview of key principles of fundamental immunology as a pragmatic context for understanding where therapeutic efforts may act in the cellular dynamics of the immune response. Moreover, we review the issues of lymphatic drainage, antigen presentation, and the blood-brain barrier as considerations that are germane to thinking about immunity to tumors arising in the brain. Together, these topics will provide a foundation for the exciting efforts in immune-based treatments that will hopefully provide real benefit to brain tumor patients. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The immunological response created by interstitial and non-invasive laser immunotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahavar, Cody F.; Zhou, Feifan; Hasanjee, Aamr M.; West, Connor L.; Nordquist, Robert E.; Hode, Tomas; Liu, Hong; Chen, Wei R.

2015-03-01

Laser immunotherapy (LIT) is an innovative cancer modality that uses laser irradiation and immunological stimulation to treat late-stage, metastatic cancers. LIT can be performed through either interstitial or non-invasive laser irradiation. Although LIT is still in development, recent clinical trials have shown that it can be used to successfully treat patients with late-stage breast cancer and melanoma. The development of LIT has been focused on creating an optimal immune response created by irradiating the tumor. One important factor that could enhance the immune response is the duration of laser irradiation. Irradiating the tumor for a shorter or longer amount of time could weaken the immune response created by LIT. Another factor that could weaken this immune response is the proliferation of regulatory T cells (TRegs) in response to the laser irradiation. However, low dose cyclophosphamide (CY) can help suppress the proliferation of TRegs and help create a more optimal immune response. An additional factor that could weaken the effectiveness of LIT is the selectivity of the laser. If LIT is performed non-invasively, then deeply embedded tumors and highly pigmented skin could cause an uneven temperature distribution inside the tumor. To solve this problem, an immunologically modified carbon nanotube system was created by using an immunoadjuvant known as glycated chitosan (GC) as a surfactant for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to immunologically modify SWNTs. SWNT-GC retains the optical properties of SWNTs and the immunological functions of GC to help increase the selectivity of the laser and create a more optimal immune response. In this preliminary study, tumor-bearing rats were treated with LIT either interstitially by an 805-nm laser with GC and low-dose CY, or non-invasively by a 980-nm laser with SWNT-GC. The goal was to observe the effects of CY on the immune response induced by LIT and to also determine the effect of irradiation duration for

Research and clinical aspects of immunology in Africa.

PubMed

Sibanda, E N

2001-10-01

There are few immunologists in Africa. Researchers predominantly study the immunology of infectious diseases (HIV, malaria and tuberculosis), HLA genotypes and cytokine secretion patterns. Lack of research funding is the problem; continued, equitable international collaboration is a short-term answer. Sustainable development will come when African countries find ways of training and retaining scientists who will produce research and diagnostic tests. The Internet should be utilized to improve communication and as a conduit for online, virtual immunology courses.

Ecological Immunology through the Lens of Exercise Immunology: New Perspective on the Links between Physical Activity and Immune Function and Disease Susceptibility in Wild Animals.

PubMed

van Dijk, Jacintha G B; Matson, Kevin D

2016-08-01

Locomotion and other physical activities by free-living animals may influence immune function and disease susceptibility. This influence may be a consequence of energetic trade-offs or other mechanisms that are often, but not always, inseparably linked to an animal's life history (e.g., flight and migration). Ecological immunology has mainly focused on these life-history trade-offs, overlooking the possible effects of physical activity per se on immune function and disease susceptibility. In this review, we explore the field of exercise immunology, which examines the impact of exercise on immune function and disease susceptibility in humans, with the aim of presenting new perspectives that might be transferable to ecological immunology. First, we explore key concepts in exercise immunology that could be extended to animals. Next, we investigate the concept "exercise" in animals, and propose the use of "physical activity" instead. We briefly discuss methods used in animals to quantify physical activity in terms of energy expenditure and summarize several examples of animals engaging in physical activity. Then, we highlight potential consequences of physical activity on immune function and disease susceptibility in animals, together with an overview of animal studies that examine these links. Finally, we explore and discuss the potential for incorporating perspectives from exercise immunology into ecological immunology. Such integration could help advance our understanding of human and animal health and contribute new ideas to budding "One Health" initiatives. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Passage from India: the first European Veterinary Immunology Workshop.

PubMed

Steinbach, Falko; Carter, Stuart; Charley, Bernard; Fossum, Caroline

2004-07-01

The European Veterinary Immunology Group (EVIG) was founded under the auspices of the European Federation of Immunologic Societies (EFIS) in 2001, and held its first meeting in autumn 2003 in Berlin. Here, we summarize the short history of this group, report on the workshop in Berlin and outline some future perspectives up to the next meeting scheduled for 2006 in Paris.

Dissecting the human immunologic memory for pathogens.

PubMed

Zielinski, Christina E; Corti, Davide; Mele, Federico; Pinto, Dora; Lanzavecchia, Antonio; Sallusto, Federica

2011-03-01

Studies on immunologic memory in animal models and especially in the human system are instrumental to identify mechanisms and correlates of protection necessary for vaccine development. In this article, we provide an overview of the cellular basis of immunologic memory. We also describe experimental approaches based on high throughput cell cultures, which we have developed to interrogate human memory T cells, B cells, and plasma cells. We discuss how these approaches can provide new tools and information for vaccine design, in a process that we define as 'analytic vaccinology'. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

21 CFR 866.5765 - Retinol-binding protein immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Retinol-binding protein immunological test system....5765 Retinol-binding protein immunological test system. (a) Identification. A retinol-binding protein... the retinol-binding protein that binds and transports vitamin A in serum and urine. Measurement of...

21 CFR 866.5120 - Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Systems § 866.5120 Antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system. (a) Identification. An antismooth muscle antibody immunological test system is a device that consists of the reagents used to measure by... serum. The measurements aid in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and...

21 CFR 866.5080 - Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system....5080 Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1... immunochemical techniques alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (a protein) in serum, other body fluids, and tissues. Alpha-1...

21 CFR 866.5080 - Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system....5080 Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1... immunochemical techniques alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (a protein) in serum, other body fluids, and tissues. Alpha-1...

21 CFR 866.5080 - Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system....5080 Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1... immunochemical techniques alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (a protein) in serum, other body fluids, and tissues. Alpha-1...

21 CFR 866.5775 - Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

.... Measurement of rheumatoid factor may aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. (b) Classification. Class... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. 866....5775 Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A rheumatoid factor...

21 CFR 866.5775 - Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

.... Measurement of rheumatoid factor may aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. (b) Classification. Class... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. 866....5775 Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A rheumatoid factor...

21 CFR 866.5775 - Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

.... Measurement of rheumatoid factor may aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. (b) Classification. Class... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. 866....5775 Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A rheumatoid factor...

21 CFR 866.5775 - Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

.... Measurement of rheumatoid factor may aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. (b) Classification. Class... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. 866....5775 Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A rheumatoid factor...

21 CFR 866.5775 - Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

.... Measurement of rheumatoid factor may aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. (b) Classification. Class... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. 866....5775 Rheumatoid factor immuno-logical test system. (a) Identification. A rheumatoid factor...

21 CFR 866.5765 - Retinol-binding protein immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Retinol-binding protein immunological test system....5765 Retinol-binding protein immunological test system. (a) Identification. A retinol-binding protein... the retinol-binding protein that binds and transports vitamin A in serum and urine. Measurement of...

21 CFR 866.5765 - Retinol-binding protein immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Retinol-binding protein immunological test system....5765 Retinol-binding protein immunological test system. (a) Identification. A retinol-binding protein... the retinol-binding protein that binds and transports vitamin A in serum and urine. Measurement of...

21 CFR 866.5765 - Retinol-binding protein immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Retinol-binding protein immunological test system....5765 Retinol-binding protein immunological test system. (a) Identification. A retinol-binding protein... the retinol-binding protein that binds and transports vitamin A in serum and urine. Measurement of...

Artificial neural networks for the diagnosis of aggressive periodontitis trained by immunologic parameters.

PubMed

Papantonopoulos, Georgios; Takahashi, Keiso; Bountis, Tasos; Loos, Bruno G

2014-01-01

There is neither a single clinical, microbiological, histopathological or genetic test, nor combinations of them, to discriminate aggressive periodontitis (AgP) from chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. We aimed to estimate probability density functions of clinical and immunologic datasets derived from periodontitis patients and construct artificial neural networks (ANNs) to correctly classify patients into AgP or CP class. The fit of probability distributions on the datasets was tested by the Akaike information criterion (AIC). ANNs were trained by cross entropy (CE) values estimated between probabilities of showing certain levels of immunologic parameters and a reference mode probability proposed by kernel density estimation (KDE). The weight decay regularization parameter of the ANNs was determined by 10-fold cross-validation. Possible evidence for 2 clusters of patients on cross-sectional and longitudinal bone loss measurements were revealed by KDE. Two to 7 clusters were shown on datasets of CD4/CD8 ratio, CD3, monocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ and TNF-α level from monocytes, antibody levels against A. actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.) and P.gingivalis (P.g.). ANNs gave 90%-98% accuracy in classifying patients into either AgP or CP. The best overall prediction was given by an ANN with CE of monocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil counts and CD4/CD8 ratio as inputs. ANNs can be powerful in classifying periodontitis patients into AgP or CP, when fed by CE values based on KDE. Therefore ANNs can be employed for accurate diagnosis of AgP or CP by using relatively simple and conveniently obtained parameters, like leukocyte counts in peripheral blood. This will allow clinicians to better adapt specific treatment protocols for their AgP and CP patients.

[Clinical and immunological study of the relationship of the digestive system chronic diseases and atherosclerosis in the basin of the abdominal aorta in elderly patients].

PubMed

Dolgushina, A I; Shaposhnik, I I; Volchegorskiĭ, I A

2014-01-01

Paper describes clinical and immunological study about the relationship between chronic diseases of the digestive system and atherosclerosis in the basin of the abdominal aorta in patients of elderly and senile age. There were revealed the structural and clinical features of the gastrointestinal tract diseases, depending on the extent of atherosclerosis in the basin of the abdominal aorta. Evaluation of the immune status included the determination of lymphocyte subpopulation composition, the functional state of neutrophils and cytokine levels. It is found that the progression of atherosclerosis in the basin of the abdominal aorta in patients of elderly and senile age with chronic diseases of the digestive system was accompanied by the activation of pro-inflammatory mechanisms of the immune system and the accompanying intensification of oxidative stress.

Panel 5: Immunology.

PubMed

Kyd, Jennelle M; Hotomi, Muneki; Kono, Masamitsu; Kurabi, Arwa; Pichichero, Michael; Ryan, Allen; Swords, W Edward; Thornton, Ruth

2017-04-01

Objective To perform a state-of-the-art review of the literature from January 2012 through May 2015 on studies that advanced our knowledge of the innate and adaptive immunology related to otitis media. This review also proposes future directions for research in this area. Data Sources PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine. Review Methods Three subpanels comprising experts in the field focused on sections relevant to cytokines, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity. The review focused on animal, cell line, and human studies and was critical in relation to the recommendations from the previous publication and for determination of the proposed goals and priorities. The panel met at the 18th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media in June 2015 to consolidate its prior search results and discuss, plan, and refine the review. The panel approved the final draft. Conclusion From 2012 to 2014, tremendous progresses in immunology of otitis media were established-especially in the areas of innate immunity associated with the pathogenesis of otitis media. Implications for Practice The advances of the past 4 years formed the basis for a series of short- and long-term research goals in an effort to guide the field. Accomplishing these goals will provide opportunities for the development of novel interventions, including new ways to better treat and prevent otitis media, especially for recurrent otitis media.

Insect venom hypersensitivity: experience in a clinical immunology/allergy service in Singapore.

PubMed

Thong, B Y H; Leong, K P; Chng, H H

2005-10-01

To study the profile of patients with allergy to the venom of insect stings. 31 consecutive cases referred to our clinical immunology/allergy outpatient service from June 1, 1998 to June 30, 2002 were reviewed. These patients comprised 3.5 percent of 889 cases referred during the study period. Their mean age was 28.8 +/- 10.5 (range 19-57) years and the majority were males (90.3 percent). Of these, 20 (64.5 percent) were Chinese, four (12.9 percent) were Malays and seven (22.6 percent) were of other races. 19 patients (61.3 percent) were men from the uniformed services including 12 (63.2 percent) full-time National Servicemen. 71 percent (22 patients) were stung for the first time. Urticaria (22 cases, 71.0 percent), dyspnoea (13, 41.9 percent), angioedema (12, 38.7 percent) and syncope (ten, 32.3 percent) were the most common manifestations of insect allergy. Anaphylaxis occurred in 22 (71.0 percent) cases, constituting 30.1 percent of all cases of anaphylaxis referred to our service during the study period. Although the causative insect was identified as honeybee (12, 38.7 percent), ant (four, 12.9 percent), wasp (three, 9.7 percent), and fire ant (two, 6.5 percent) by the majority of patients, ten (32.2 percent) patients were unable to identify the causative insect. The two patients stung by fire ants were Americans working in Singapore who had been stung while in the United States. Among those with anaphylaxis, honeybee, wasp and fire ant venom, for which specific immunotherapy is available, were identified as the cause in 40.9 percent, 4.5 percent, and 4.5 percent, respectively. Insect venom hypersensitivity made up 3.5 percent of allergy/immunology referrals and 32.8 percent of cases of anaphylaxis referred to our institution. The majority were military servicemen who developed allergic reactions during the course of duty. The inability to identify the causative insect in 50 percent with sting anaphylaxis limits the role of specific immunotherapy in our

21 CFR 866.5620 - Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system....5620 Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-2-macroglobulin... the alpha-2-macroglobulin (a serum protein) in plasma. Measurement of alpha-2-macroglobulin may aid in...

21 CFR 866.5620 - Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system....5620 Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-2-macroglobulin... the alpha-2-macroglobulin (a serum protein) in plasma. Measurement of alpha-2-macroglobulin may aid in...

21 CFR 866.5620 - Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system....5620 Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-2-macroglobulin... the alpha-2-macroglobulin (a serum protein) in plasma. Measurement of alpha-2-macroglobulin may aid in...

21 CFR 866.5620 - Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system....5620 Alpha-2-macroglobulin immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-2-macroglobulin... the alpha-2-macroglobulin (a serum protein) in plasma. Measurement of alpha-2-macroglobulin may aid in...

21 CFR 866.5065 - Human allotypic marker immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Human allotypic marker immunological test system. 866.5065 Section 866.5065 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN....5065 Human allotypic marker immunological test system. (a) Identification. A human allotypic marker...

21 CFR 866.5065 - Human allotypic marker immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Human allotypic marker immunological test system. 866.5065 Section 866.5065 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN....5065 Human allotypic marker immunological test system. (a) Identification. A human allotypic marker...

21 CFR 866.5065 - Human allotypic marker immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Human allotypic marker immunological test system. 866.5065 Section 866.5065 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN....5065 Human allotypic marker immunological test system. (a) Identification. A human allotypic marker...

21 CFR 866.5065 - Human allotypic marker immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Human allotypic marker immunological test system. 866.5065 Section 866.5065 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN....5065 Human allotypic marker immunological test system. (a) Identification. A human allotypic marker...

21 CFR 866.5420 - Alpha-1-glycoproteins immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Alpha-1-glycoproteins immunological test system....5420 Alpha-1-glycoproteins immunological test system. (a) Identification. An alpha-1-glycoproteins... alpha-1-glycoproteins (a group of plasma proteins found in the alpha-1 group when subjected to...

Extended Evaluation of Virological, Immunological and Pharmacokinetic Endpoints of CELADEN: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Celgosivir in Dengue Fever Patients.

PubMed

Sung, Cynthia; Wei, Yuan; Watanabe, Satoru; Lee, How Sung; Khoo, Yok Moi; Fan, Lu; Rathore, Abhay P S; Chan, Kitti Wing-Ki; Choy, Milly M; Kamaraj, Uma S; Sessions, October M; Aw, Pauline; de Sessions, Paola F; Lee, Bernett; Connolly, John E; Hibberd, Martin L; Vijaykrishna, Dhanasekaran; Wijaya, Limin; Ooi, Eng Eong; Low, Jenny Guek-Hong; Vasudevan, Subhash G

2016-08-01

CELADEN was a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 50 patients with confirmed dengue fever to evaluate the efficacy and safety of celgosivir (A study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01619969). Celgosivir was given as a 400 mg loading dose and 200 mg bid (twice a day) over 5 days. Replication competent virus was measured by plaque assay and compared to reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qPCR) of viral RNA. Pharmacokinetics (PK) correlations with viremia, immunological profiling, next generation sequence (NGS) analysis and hematological data were evaluated as exploratory endpoints here to identify possible signals of pharmacological activity. Viremia by plaque assay strongly correlated with qPCR during the first four days. Immunological profiling demonstrated a qualitative shift in T helper cell profile during the course of infection. NGS analysis did not reveal any prominent signature that could be associated with drug treatment; however the phylogenetic spread of patients' isolates underlines the importance of strain variability that may potentially confound interpretation of dengue drug trials conducted during different outbreaks and in different countries. Celgosivir rapidly converted to castanospermine (Cast) with mean peak and trough concentrations of 5727 ng/mL (30.2 μM) and 430 ng/mL (2.3 μM), respectively and cleared with a half-life of 2.5 (± 0.6) hr. Mean viral log reduction between day 2 and 4 (VLR2-4) was significantly greater in secondary dengue than primary dengue (p = 0.002). VLR2-4 did not correlate with drug AUC but showed a trend of greater response with increasing Cmin. PK modeling identified dosing regimens predicted to achieve 2.4 to 4.5 times higher Cmin. than in the CELADEN trial for only 13% to 33% increase in overall dose. A small, non-statistical trend towards better outcome on platelet nadir and difference between maximum and minimum hematocrit was observed in celgosivir-treated patients with secondary dengue

Antiglioma Immunological Memory in Response to Conditional Cytotoxic/Immune-Stimulatory Gene Therapy: Humoral and Cellular Immunity Lead to Tumor Regression

PubMed Central

Muhammad, A.K.M. Ghulam; Candolfi, Marianela; King, Gwendalyn D.; Yagiz, Kader; Foulad, David; Mineharu, Yohei; Kroeger, Kurt M.; Treuer, Katherine A.; Nichols, W. Stephen; Sanderson, Nicholas S.; Yang, Jieping; Khayznikov, Maksim; Van Rooijen, Nico; Lowenstein, Pedro R.; Castro, Maria G.

2009-01-01

Purpose Glioblastoma multiforme is a deadly primary brain cancer. Because the tumor kills due to recurrences, we tested the hypothesis that a new treatment would lead to immunological memory in a rat model of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Experimental Design We developed a combined treatment using an adenovirus (Ad) expressing fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (Flt3L), which induces the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment, and an Ad expressing herpes simplex virus-1–thymidine kinase (TK), which kills proliferating tumor cells in the presence of ganciclovir. Results This treatment induced immunological memory that led to rejection of a second glioblastoma multiforme implanted in the contralateral hemisphere and of an extracranial glioblastoma multiforme implanted intradermally. Rechallenged long-term survivors exhibited anti-glioblastoma multiforme–specific T cells and displayed specific delayed-type hypersensitivity. Using depleting antibodies, we showed that rejection of the second tumor was dependent on CD8+ T cells. Circulating anti-glioma antibodies were observed when glioblastoma multiforme cells were implanted intradermally in naïve rats or in long-term survivors. However, rats bearing intracranial glioblastoma multiforme only exhibited circulating antitumoral antibodies upon treatment with Ad-Flt3L + Ad-TK. This combined treatment induced tumor regression and release of the chromatin-binding protein high mobility group box 1 in two further intracranial glioblastoma multiforme models, that is, Fisher rats bearing intracranial 9L and F98 glioblastoma multiforme cells. Conclusions Treatment with Ad-Flt3L + Ad-TK triggered systemic anti–glioblastoma multiforme cellular and humoral immune responses, and anti–glioblastoma multiforme immunological memory. Release of the chromatin-binding protein high mobility group box 1 could be used as a noninvasive biomarker of therapeutic efficacy for glioblastoma multiforme. The robust

Difference in clinical presentation, immunology profile and treatment response of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis between United Kingdom and Singapore patients.

PubMed

Than, Nwe Ni; Ching, Doreen Koay Siew; Hodson, James; McDowell, Patrick; Mann, Jake; Gupta, Ravi; Salazar, Ennaliza; Ngu, Jing Hieng; Oo, Ye Htun

2016-07-01

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver disease of unknown etiology. Increasing incidence of AIH in Asian patients has been reported. However, the phenotypic difference of Asian patients in Europe and Asia has still not been explored. To evaluate the clinical presentation, biochemical and immunological profiles, treatment response and survival outcome of type 1 AIH from two tertiary liver transplant centres (United Kingdom and Singapore). Patients who fulfilled the simplified diagnostic scoring criteria of AIH were included in the study. Patients with overlap syndrome were excluded. Totals of 40 Asian patients and 159 Caucasian patients from the University Hospital of Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust, UK, were compared with 57 Asian patients from Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. Asian patients from Singapore present significantly much later (median 55 vs. 32 years, p < 0.001), had higher MELD (p < 0.001) with lower albumin (p < 0.001) and higher bilirubin (p < 0.001) and lower ASMA positivity (p < 0.001) at diagnosis compared to UK Asian. Jaundice at presentation was much higher in Singapore Asian patients compared to UK Asian (53 vs. 30 %) but cirrhosis at diagnosis was more common in UK patients. Associated autoimmune conditions were less commonly seen in Singapore Asians. Comparing between UK cohorts, Asian patients present at younger age and have higher IgG level compared to Caucasian. Overall, 5-year transplant-free survival in all three cohorts was similar (p = 0.846). We demonstrate that AIH patients from Singapore present at older age with jaundice and have a low positivity of SMA. Despite these differences, transplant-free survival is similar in the two groups.

Immunological characterization of plant ornithine transcarbamylases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slocum, R. D.; Williamson, C. L.; Poggenburg, C. A.; Lynes, M. A.

1990-01-01

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) antisera were used to investigate the immunological relatedness of several plant and animal OTC enzymes. The antisera immunoprecipitated OTC activity in all monocot and dicot species tested, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of immunoprecipitated protein revealed monomeric proteins ranging from 35,200 to 36,800 daltons in size. Pea OTC antisera did not recognize mammalian OTC protein. OTC activity and protein levels detected on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblots from homogenates of green leaf, etiolated epicotyl and cotyledon, and root tissues of pea were poorly correlated. This might result from differences in amounts of enzymatically active OTC protein in the homogenates. Alternatively, the antisera may fail to recognize different isozyme forms of OTC, which have been reported for some plant species. A putative cytosolic precursor OTC (pOTC) polypeptide exhibiting and Mr = 39,500 to 40,000 daltons was immunoprecipitated from in vitro translation mixtures of total pea leaf poly(A)+ RNA. The size of the pOTC polypeptide, as compared with mature OTC monomer (36,000 daltons), suggests that a 4 kilodalton N-terminal leader sequence, like that responsible for mitochondrial targeting of the mammalian enzyme, may be involved in organellar import of the plant enzyme.

Immunological consequences of kidney cell death.

PubMed

Sarhan, Maysa; von Mässenhausen, Anne; Hugo, Christian; Oberbauer, Rainer; Linkermann, Andreas

2018-01-25

Death of renal cells is central to the pathophysiology of acute tubular necrosis, autoimmunity, necrotizing glomerulonephritis, cystic kidney disease, urosepsis, delayed graft function and transplant rejection. By means of regulated necrosis, immunogenic damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and highly reactive organelles such as lysosomes, peroxisomes and mitochondria are released from the dying cells, thereby causing an overwhelming immunologic response. The rupture of the plasma membrane exhibits the "point of no return" for the immunogenicity of regulated cell death, explaining why apoptosis, a highly organized cell death subroutine with long-lasting plasma membrane integrity, elicits hardly any immune response. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent necrotic type cell death, results in the release of DAMPs and large amounts of lipid peroxides. In contrast, anti-inflammatory cytokines are actively released from cells that die by necroptosis, limiting the DAMP-induced immune response to a surrounding microenvironment, whereas at the same time, inflammasome-associated caspases drive maturation of intracellularly expressed interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In a distinct setting, additionally interleukin-18 (IL-18) is expressed during pyroptosis, initiated by gasdermin-mediated plasma membrane rupture. As all of these pathways are druggable, we provide an overview of regulated necrosis in kidney diseases with a focus on immunogenicity and potential therapeutic interventions.

Breaking immunological tolerance through OX40 (CD134).

PubMed

Bansal-Pakala, P; Croft, M

2001-11-06

Immunological tolerance represents a mechanism by which cells of the host remain protected from the immune system. Breaking of immunological tolerance can result in a variety of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. The reasons for tolerance breaking down and autoimmune processes arising are largely unknown but of obvious interest for therapeutic intervention of these diseases. Although reversal of the tolerant state is generally unwanted, there are instances where this may be of benefit to the host. In particular, one way a cancerous cell escapes being targeted by the immune system is through tolerance mechanisms that in effect turn off the reactivity of T lymphocytes that can respond to tumor-associated peptides. Thus tolerance represents a major obstacle in developing effective immunotherapy against tumors. The molecules that are involved in regulating immunological tolerance are then of interest as they may be great targets for positively or negatively manipulating the tolerance process.

Panel 5: Microbiology and Immunology Panel

PubMed Central

Murphy, Timothy F.; Chonmaitree, Tasnee; Barenkamp, Stephen; Kyd, Jennelle; Nokso-Koivisto, Johanna; Patel, Janak A.; Heikkinen, Terho; Yamanaka, Noboru; Ogra, Pearay; Swords, W. Edward; Sih, Tania; Pettigrew, Melinda M.

2014-01-01

Objective The objective is to perform a comprehensive review of the literature from January 2007 through June 2011 on the virology, bacteriology, and immunology related to otitis media. Data Sources PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine. Review Methods Three subpanels with co-chairs comprising experts in the virology, bacteriology, and immunology of otitis media were formed. Each of the panels reviewed the literature in their respective fields and wrote draft reviews. The reviews were shared with all panel members, and a second draft was created. The entire panel met at the 10th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media in June 2011 and discussed the review and refined the content further. A final draft was created, circulated, and approved by the panel. Conclusion Excellent progress has been made in the past 4 years in advancing an understanding of the microbiology and immunology of otitis media. Advances include laboratory-based basic studies, cell-based assays, work in animal models, and clinical studies. Implications for Practice The advances of the past 4 years formed the basis of a series of short-term and long-term research goals in an effort to guide the field. Accomplishing these goals will provide opportunities for the development of novel interventions, including new ways to better treat and prevent otitis media. PMID:23536533

Modulation of Human Allogeneic and Syngeneic Pluripotent Stem Cells and Immunological Implications for Transplantation

PubMed Central

Sackett, S.D.; Brown, M.E.; Tremmel, D.M.; Ellis, T.; Burlingham, W.J.; Odorico, J.S.

2016-01-01

Tissues derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising source of cells for building various regenerative medicine therapies; from simply transplanting cells to reseeding decellularized organs to reconstructing multicellular tissues. Although reprogramming strategies for producing iPSCs have improved, the clinical use of iPSCs is limited by the presence of unique human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, the main immunologic barrier to transplantation. In order to overcome the immunological hurdles associated with allogeneic tissues and organs, the generation of patient-histocompatible iPSCs (autologous or HLA-matched cells) provides an attractive platform for personalized medicine. However, concerns have been raised as to the fitness, safety and immunogenicity of iPSC derivatives because of variable differentiation potential of different lines and the identification of genetic and epigenetic aberrations that can occur during the reprogramming process. In addition, significant cost and regulatory barriers may deter commercialization of patient specific therapies in the short-term. Nonetheless, recent studies provide some evidence of immunological benefit for using autologous iPSCs. Yet, more studies are needed to evaluate the immunogenicity of various autologous and allogeneic human iPSC-derived cell types as well as test various methods to abrogate rejection. Here, we present perspectives of using allogeneic vs autologous iPSCs for transplantation therapies and the advantages and disadvantages of each related to differentiation potential, immunogenicity, genetic stability and tumorigenicity. We also review the current literature on the immunogenicity of syngeneic iPSCs and discuss evidence that questions the feasibility of HLA-matched iPSC banks. Finally, we will discuss emerging methods of abrogating or reducing host immune responses to PSC derivatives. PMID:26970668

Modulation of human allogeneic and syngeneic pluripotent stem cells and immunological implications for transplantation.

PubMed

Sackett, S D; Brown, M E; Tremmel, D M; Ellis, T; Burlingham, W J; Odorico, J S

2016-04-01

Tissues derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising source of cells for building various regenerative medicine therapies; from simply transplanting cells to reseeding decellularized organs to reconstructing multicellular tissues. Although reprogramming strategies for producing iPSCs have improved, the clinical use of iPSCs is limited by the presence of unique human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, the main immunologic barrier to transplantation. In order to overcome the immunological hurdles associated with allogeneic tissues and organs, the generation of patient-histocompatible iPSCs (autologous or HLA-matched cells) provides an attractive platform for personalized medicine. However, concerns have been raised as to the fitness, safety and immunogenicity of iPSC derivatives because of variable differentiation potential of different lines and the identification of genetic and epigenetic aberrations that can occur during the reprogramming process. In addition, significant cost and regulatory barriers may deter commercialization of patient specific therapies in the short-term. Nonetheless, recent studies provide some evidence of immunological benefit for using autologous iPSCs. Yet, more studies are needed to evaluate the immunogenicity of various autologous and allogeneic human iPSC-derived cell types as well as test various methods to abrogate rejection. Here, we present perspectives of using allogeneic vs. autologous iPSCs for transplantation therapies and the advantages and disadvantages of each related to differentiation potential, immunogenicity, genetic stability and tumorigenicity. We also review the current literature on the immunogenicity of syngeneic iPSCs and discuss evidence that questions the feasibility of HLA-matched iPSC banks. Finally, we will discuss emerging methods of abrogating or reducing host immune responses to PSC derivatives. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diversity in immunological synapse structure

PubMed Central

Thauland, Timothy J; Parker, David C

2010-01-01

Immunological synapses (ISs) are formed at the T cell–antigen-presenting cell (APC) interface during antigen recognition, and play a central role in T-cell activation and in the delivery of effector functions. ISs were originally described as a peripheral ring of adhesion molecules surrounding a central accumulation of T-cell receptor (TCR)–peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) interactions. Although the structure of these ‘classical’ ISs has been the subject of intense study, non-classical ISs have also been observed under a variety of conditions. Multifocal ISs, characterized by adhesion molecules dispersed among numerous small accumulations of TCR–pMHC, and motile ‘immunological kinapses’ have both been described. In this review, we discuss the conditions under which non-classical ISs are formed. Specifically, we explore the profound effect that the phenotypes of both T cells and APCs have on IS structure. We also comment on the role that IS structure may play in T-cell function. PMID:21039474

Immunology of breast milk.

PubMed

Palmeira, Patricia; Carneiro-Sampaio, Magda

2016-09-01

In the critical phase of immunological immaturity of the newborn, particularly for the immune system of mucous membranes, infants receive large amounts of bioactive components through colostrum and breast milk. Colostrum is the most potent natural immune booster known to science. Breastfeeding protects infants against infections mainly via secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies, but also via other various bioactive factors. It is striking that the defense factors of human milk function without causing inflammation; some components are even anti-inflammatory. Protection against infections has been well evidenced during lactation against, e.g., acute and prolonged diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, including otitis media, urinary tract infection, neonatal septicemia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The milk's immunity content changes over time. In the early stages of lactation, IgA, anti-inflammatory factors and, more likely, immunologically active cells provide additional support for the immature immune system of the neonate. After this period, breast milk continues to adapt extraordinarily to the infant's ontogeny and needs regarding immune protection and nutrition. The need to encourage breastfeeding is therefore justifiable, at least during the first 6 months of life, when the infant's secretory IgA production is insignificant.

The influence of sublingual immunotherapy on several parameters of immunological response in children suffering from atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis depending on asthma features.

PubMed

Ciepiela, Olga; Zawadzka-Krajewska, Anna; Kotuła, Iwona; Demkow, Urszula

2014-01-01

The clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has already been proven and is known to be high. Its influence on the immunological system of patients suffering from bronchial asthma was also examined. However, it is still unclear how the polysensitisation, coexistence of other atopic disease and asthma treatment step influence the response to treatment with specific immunotherapy. Herein we evaluate the impact of one-year SLIT on selected markers of immunological response depending on different individual and clinical factors of children suffering from atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis. Twenty-five patients aged 8.1 ± 3.1 years (range 5-15 years), 21 boys and 4 girls, suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis with polysensitisation to seasonal and non-seasonal allergens, shortlisted for SLIT, were included in the study. Th1 cell and Th2 cell percentages, Bcl-2 expression in T cells, and basophil activation after allergen challenge (house dust mite and/or grass pollen antigen in solution used for skin prick tests) in peripheral blood were measured using flow cytometry. The association between clinical features of asthma and the influence of SLIT on immunological parameters was evaluated with exact Fisher test. No association between the influence of one-year sublingual immunotherapy on immunological system and patients' age, polysensitisation, asthma treatment step, or coexistence of any other atopic diseases was observed. However, an increase of the Th1 percentage in children sensitised against more than three allergens was found more often (at the limit of statistical significance) than in the group of children sensitised against three or less allergens. Based on our results, we cannot point to any subgroup isolated in the study, in which the response of the immunological system to sublingual immunotherapy is more satisfactory than any other. Nevertheless, the increase of Th1 cells may be more specific for polysensitised children.

[Immunological background and pathomechanisms of food allergies].

PubMed

Schülke, Stefan; Scheurer, Stephan

2016-06-01

Recent advances in immunology have greatly improved our understanding of the pathomechanisms of food allergies. Food allergies are caused and maintained by complex interactions of the innate and adaptive immune system involving antigen-presenting cells (APC), T cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), epithelial cells (EC) and effectors cells. Additionally, epigenetic factors, the intestinal microbiome and nutritional factors modulating the gastrointestinal lymphatic tissue probably have a significant impact on allergy development. However, why certain individuals develop tolerance while others mount allergic responses, the factors defining the allergenicity of food proteins, as well as the immunological mechanisms triggering allergy development have yet to be analyzed in detail.

An e-learning course in medical immunology: does it improve learning outcome?

PubMed

Boye, Sondre; Moen, Torolf; Vik, Torstein

2012-01-01

E-learning is used by most medical students almost daily and several studies have shown e-learning to improve learning outcome in small-scale interventions. However, few studies have explored the effects of e-learning in immunology. To study the effect of an e-learning package in immunology on learning outcomes in a written integrated examination and to examine student satisfaction with the e-learning package. All second-year students at a Norwegian medical school were offered an animated e-learning package in basic immunology as a supplement to the regular teaching. Each student's log-on-time was recorded and linked with the student's score on multiple choice questions included in an integrated end-of-the-year written examination. Student satisfaction was assessed through a questionnaire. The intermediate-range students (interquartile range) on average scored 3.6% better on the immunology part of the examination per hour they had used the e-learning package (p = 0.0046) and log-on-time explained 17% of the variance in immunology score. The best and the less skilled students' examination outcomes were not affected by the e-learning. The e-learning was well appreciated among the students. Use of an e-learning package in immunology in addition to regular teaching improved learning outcomes for intermediate-range students.

Immunologically-related or incidental coexistence of diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease; discrimination by anti-GAD antibody measurement.

PubMed

Kusaka, I; Nagasaka, S; Fujibayashi, K; Hayashi, H; Kawakami, A; Nakamura, T; Rokkaku, K; Saito, T; Higashiyama, M; Honda, K; Ishikawa, S; Saito, T

1999-12-01

Coexistence of diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease may be classified into either an immunologically-related or an incidental phenomenon. It has been reported that anti-GAD antibody (GAD-Ab) persists at high levels for longer duration in subjects with type 1 diabetes and Graves' disease, whereas the prevalence of positive GAD-Ab (1.5%) in 131 non-diabetic subjects with Graves' disease was comparable to that in normal subjects (0.3%, P=0.2012). Thus, GAD-Ab might be a marker of the immunologically-related coexistence of the two diseases. To test this hypothesis, we investigated characteristics of Japanese subjects having both diseases according to the presence or absence of GAD-Ab. Sixty-one patients having diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease (24 men, 37 women, aged 53+/-2 years old, mean +/- SE) were consecutively registered between 1993-1997. The patients were divided into two groups of 14 GAD-Ab positive and 47 negative subjects. In the GAD-Ab positive subjects, earlier (32+/-3 years old) and abrupt onset (86%) of diabetes and insulin dependency (64%) were documented, as would be expected from the features of type 1 diabetes. Graves' disease often preceded diabetes (57%), presenting typical manifestations (79%). In contrast, older (45+/-2 years old, P=0.0031) and gradual onset (87%, P<0.0001) of diabetes, non-insulin dependency (74%, P<0.0001), and masked manifestations of Graves' disease (57%, P=0.0214) were common in the negative subjects. Precedence of diabetes dominated in these subjects (43%, P=0.0109). Immunological studies showed less frequent HLA-DR 2 locus (0%, P<0.02) in the GAD-Ab positive subjects. There was also a trend of higher frequency of HLA-DQA1*03 allele and of lower frequency of DQA1*01 allele in these subjects. Allelic frequency of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) differed between the positive and negative subjects (P=0.0432). There were distinct clinical and immunological differences between the GAD-Ab positive and negative

Big data analytics in immunology: a knowledge-based approach.

PubMed

Zhang, Guang Lan; Sun, Jing; Chitkushev, Lou; Brusic, Vladimir

2014-01-01

With the vast amount of immunological data available, immunology research is entering the big data era. These data vary in granularity, quality, and complexity and are stored in various formats, including publications, technical reports, and databases. The challenge is to make the transition from data to actionable knowledge and wisdom and bridge the knowledge gap and application gap. We report a knowledge-based approach based on a framework called KB-builder that facilitates data mining by enabling fast development and deployment of web-accessible immunological data knowledge warehouses. Immunological knowledge discovery relies heavily on both the availability of accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized data and the proper analytics tools. We propose the use of knowledge-based approaches by developing knowledgebases combining well-annotated data with specialized analytical tools and integrating them into analytical workflow. A set of well-defined workflow types with rich summarization and visualization capacity facilitates the transformation from data to critical information and knowledge. By using KB-builder, we enabled streamlining of normally time-consuming processes of database development. The knowledgebases built using KB-builder will speed up rational vaccine design by providing accurate and well-annotated data coupled with tailored computational analysis tools and workflow.

Non-inflammatory destructive periodontal disease: a clinical, microbiological, immunological and genetic investigation

PubMed Central

REPEKE, Carlos Eduardo; CARDOSO, Cristina Ribeiro; CLAUDINO, Marcela; SILVEIRA, Elcia Maria; TROMBONE, Ana Paula Favaro; CAMPANELLI, Ana Paula; SILVA, João Santana; MARTINS JÚNIOR, Walter; GARLET, Gustavo Pompermaier

2012-01-01

Periodontitis comprises a group of multifactorial diseases in which periodontopathogens accumulate in dental plaque and trigger host chronic inflammatory and immune responses against periodontal structures, which are determinant to the disease outcome. Although unusual cases of non-inflammatory destructive periodontal disease (NIDPD) are described, their pathogenesis remains unknown. A unique NIDPD case was investigated by clinical, microbiological, immunological and genetic tools. The patient, a non-smoking dental surgeon with excessive oral hygiene practice, presented a generalized bone resorption and tooth mobility, but not gingival inflammation or occlusion problems. No hematological, immunological or endocrine alterations were found. No periodontopathogens (A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum and T. denticola) or viruses (HCMV, EBV-1 and HSV-1) were detected, along with levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in GCF compatible with healthy tissues. Conversely ALP, ACP and RANKL GCF levels were similar to diseased periodontal sites. Genetic investigation demonstrated that the patient carried some SNPs, as well HLA-DR4 (*0404) and HLA-B27 alleles, considered risk factors for bone loss. Then, a less vigorous and diminished frequency of toothbrushing was recommended to the patient, resulting in the arrest of alveolar bone loss, associated with the return of ALP, ACP and RANKL in GCF to normality levels. In conclusion, the unusual case presented here is compatible with the previous description of NIDPD, and the results that a possible combination of excessive force and frequency of mechanical stimulation with a potentially bone loss prone genotype could result in the alveolar bone loss seen in NIDPD. PMID:22437688

21 CFR 866.5890 - Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... measure by immunochemical techniques the inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor (a protein) in serum and other body fluids. Measurement of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor may aid in the diagnosis of acute bacterial...

21 CFR 866.5890 - Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... measure by immunochemical techniques the inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor (a protein) in serum and other body fluids. Measurement of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor may aid in the diagnosis of acute bacterial...

21 CFR 866.5890 - Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... measure by immunochemical techniques the inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor (a protein) in serum and other body fluids. Measurement of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor may aid in the diagnosis of acute bacterial...

21 CFR 866.5890 - Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor immunological test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test... measure by immunochemical techniques the inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor (a protein) in serum and other body fluids. Measurement of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor may aid in the diagnosis of acute bacterial...