Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is a signaling protein in long-term tolerance by dendritic cells

Regulation of tryptophan metabolism by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in dendritic cells (DCs) is a highly versatile modulator of immunity. In inflammation, interferon-γ is the main inducer of IDO for the prevention of hyperinflammatory responses, yet IDO is also responsible for self-tolerance effects in the longer term. Here we show that treatment of mouse plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) conferred regulatory effects on IDO that were mechanistically separable from its enzymic activity. We found that IDO was involved in intracellular signaling events responsible for the self-amplification and maintenance of a stably regulatory phenotype in pDCs. Thus, IDO has a tonic, nonenzymic function that contributes to TGF-β-driven tolerance in noninflammatory contexts.     

Supercritical methane adsorption measurement on shale using the isotherm modelling aspect

In shale gas reservoirs, adsorbed gas accounts for 85% of the total shale gas in place (GIP). The adsorption isotherms of shale samples are significant for understanding the mechanisms of shale gas storage, primarily for assessing the GIP and developing an accurate gas flow behaviour. Isothermal adsorption experiments primarily determine the adsorption capacity of methane in shale gas reservoirs. However, experimental data is limited due to the heterogeneous properties of shale and extreme reservoir conditions at high pressures and temperatures. This work discusses the effect of total carbon (TOC), pore size distributions, and mineralogical properties on adsorption capacity. In this study, the gravimetric adsorption isotherm measurement method was applied to obtain the adsorption isotherms of methane on four shale core samples from Eagle Ford reservoirs. Four shale core samples with TOC of 9.67% to 14.4% were used. Adsorption experiments were conducted at a temperature of 120 °C and to a maximum pressure of 10 MPa. The data obtained experimentally were compared with adsorption isotherm models to assess each model''s applicability in describing the shale adsorption behaviour. A comparison of these models was performed using fitting and error analysis. It was observed that the calculated absolute adsorption of supercritical methane is higher than the excess adsorption. The percentage of differences between the absolute and excess adsorption is more significant at a pressure higher than the critical methane pressure of 9.6%. Sample EF C has the highest adsorption capacity of 1.308 mg g⁻¹, followed by EF D 1.194 mg g⁻¹, EF B 0.546 mg g⁻¹, and EF A 0.455 mg g⁻¹. Three statistical error analyses, average relative error (ARE), the Pearson chi-square (χ²) test and root mean square error (RMSE) deviation were used to assess the applicability of each model in describing the adsorption behaviour of shale samples. The order of adsorption isotherm fitting with experimental data is Toth > D–R = Freundlich > Langmuir. Error analysis shows that the Toth model has the lowest values compared to other models, 0.6% for EF B, 2.5% for EF C, and 2.2% for EF A and EF D, respectively.

Adsorption isotherm can be used to depict the adsorption in shale.     

Cyclic and Torsional Fatigue Resistance of XP-endo Shaper and TRUShape Instruments

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance of the XP-endo Shaper (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and TRUShape (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) instruments.

Effects of IL-12 and IL-23 on antigen-presenting cells at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity

Recent evidence from different experimental systems has demonstrated that autocrine activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) may be important at the initiation of an immune response, and that a specific set of cytokines may meet the dual needs of activating APCs and priming and/or maintaining the antigen-specific T-cell response. Composite factors with p40, including IL-12 (p40/p35) and IL-23 (p40/p19), may be two such immunoregulatory cytokines, their effects encompassing actions on both myeloid APCs and T cells. However, although both cytokines enhance the Th1 costimulatory functions of APCs, and IL-23 does induce IL-12 from APCs, their effects, which in part overlap, can be differentiated from one another. This review summarizes recent data on the actions of IL-12 and IL-23 on dendritic cells and macrophages at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity.     

Modulation of tryptophan catabolism by regulatory T cells

Regulatory T (T(R)) cells manifest constitutive expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), but the function of CTLA-4 in mediating the regulatory function of T(R) cells is unclear. We show here that mouse CD4+CD25+ cells, either resting or induced to overexpress CTLA-4 by treatment with antibody to CD3, initiated tryptophan catabolism in dendritic cells through a CTLA-4-dependent mechanism. This process required B7 expression and cytokine production by the dendritic cells. In contrast, T(R) cells cultured in the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide induced tryptophan catabolism by dendritic cells in a CTLA-4-independent but cytokine-dependent way. Thus, regulation of immunosuppressive tryptophan catabolism in dendritic cells might represent a major mechanism of action of T(R) cells.