Immunology and immunogenetics

The “immune privilege” that inhibits immune defense mechanisms that could lead to damage to sensitive ocular tissue is based on the expression of immunosuppressive factors on ocular tissue and in ocular fluids. In addition to this environmental protection, the injection of antigen into the anterior chamber or infection in the...

Aim: To assess serum Anti-Neutrophil cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA—PR3 and MPO) and Anti-Saccharomyces Cerevisiæ Antibody (ASCA) levels in autistic children with severe gastrointestinal (GI) disease and to test the hypothesis that there is generalized autoimmunity in a subpopulation of autistic children with severe GI disease and that this autoimmunity is associated...

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies offer a unique model to develop T cell-based immune therapies, targeting viral antigens expressed on tumor cells. Throughout the last 15 years, EBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) have been successfully employed for the prophylaxis and treatment of EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) in immunocompromised hosts, particularly after hematopoietic...

Objective: To better understand the effects of simvastatin (SS) on the expression and secretion of two chemokines, CXCL10 and CX3CL1, by osteoblasts, and to test whether inhibition of isoprenoid intermediates of cholesterol biosynthesis were involved in the effects of SS. Methods: Human osteoblasts were incubated in the presence or absence of...

Aim: To assess both ant-PR3 and anti-MPO IgG anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), in autistic children with gastrointestinal symptoms and controls, and to test the hypothesis that there is an association between the presence of these antibodies and inflammatory GI disease seen in many autistic children. Subjects and Methods: ELISA’s were used...

Background: Microbial translocation has been recognized as an important factor in monocyte activation and contributing to AIDS pathogenesis with elevated plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels, as a marker for microbial translocation, seen in advanced HIV disease. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to assess monocyte activation in vitro by LPS...

It is now broadly accepted that white adipose tissue disorders, such as obesity, are associated with a chronic low-grade inflammation predisposing to the development of insulin-resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications. In obesity, accumulation of visceral adipose tissue, rather than subcutaneous adipose tissue, is regarded as the most critical...

Introductory Editorial by Dr John Barrett, Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.

Amal K Halder1,2 and M Kabir1 1Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh. 2ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. Abstract Background: Although, health status of Bangladeshis has improved, levels of child mortality in Bangladesh remain unacceptably high. This paper reviews household wealth inequalities in immunization coverage in Bangladesh. The objective...

Amy G. Clark, Katherine M. Mackin and Mary H. Foster Departments of Medicine and Research Service, Duke University and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A. Abstract Background: Anergy is a key mechanism controlling expression of autoreactive B cells and a major site for failed...

Megumi Maeda1, Yoshie Miura1, Yasumitsu Nishimura1, Shuko Murakami1, Hiroaki Hayashi1, Naoko Kumagai1, Tamayo Hatayama1, Minako Katoh1, Naomi Miyahara1, Shoko Yamamoto1, Kazuya Fukuoka2, Takumi Kishimoto3, Takashi Nakano2 and Takemi Otsuki1 1Department of Hygiene, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki 7010192, Japan. 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hyogo Medical College of Medicine,...

Introductory Editorial by Dr Darren R Flower, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, U.K.