The pro‐Th2 cytokine IL‐33 directly interacts with invariant NKT and NK cells to induce IFN‐γ production

IL‐33 has recently been identified as a cytokine endowed with pro‐Th2 functions, raising the question of its effect on invariant natural killer T cell (iNKT), which are potent IL‐4 producers. Here, we report a two‐fold increase of iNKT‐cell counts in spleen and liver after a 7‐day treatment of mice with IL‐33, which results from a direct effect, given that purified iNKT cells express the T1/ST2 receptor constitutively and respond to IL‐33 by in vitro expansion and functional activation. Conversely to the expected pro‐Th2 effect, IL‐33 induced a preferential increase in IFN‐γ rather than IL‐4 production upon TCR engagement that depended on endogenous IL‐12. Moreover, in combination with the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐12, IL‐33 enhanced IFN‐γ production by both iNKT and NK cells. Taken together these data support the conclusion that IL‐33 can contribute as a co‐stimulatory factor to innate cellular immune responses.     

Verruciform xanthoma of the vulva: case report.

A rare case of verruciform xanthoma of the vulva is reported. Diagnosis was made possible by histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. Verruciform xanthomas generally occur in the oral cavity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third reported case of the tumour located on the genital mucosa. Immunohistochemical study supported the histiocytic origin of the lesion. Clinically, verruciform xanthomas may mimic other verrucous lesions of the vulva, such as seborrhoeic keratosis, verruca simplex, condyloma acuminatum, verrucous carcinoma, or erythropasia of Queyrat, or conditions such as histiocytosis, cutaneous lipidosis, or granular cell myoblastoma. The characteristics that differentiate those conditions from verruciform xanthoma, which can be seen only on histology, are given.     

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus antibodies

The actiopathogenesis of leucocytoclastic vasculitis is still unknown, but recently hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been suggested as trigger of autoimmunity. We report a case of a 26-yr-old patient with purpura due to leucocytoclastic vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus infection. Laboratory findings showed AST, ALT, gamma GT within normal limits, positive antibodies to HCV (IIF and Riba II) and polymerase chain reaction for HCV RNA. Anti-nuclear antibodies, IgG and IgM anti- cardiolipin antibodies, anti-platelet antibodies and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with perinuclear pattern were also present. A skin biopsy specimen of a purpuric lesion showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis with small vessel thrombosis and perivascular deposition of IgM and fibrinogen on immunofluorescence study. This case shows a role of HCV in leucocytoclastic vasculitis; it is possible that this HCV can induce autoimmunity independently of cryoglobulins and liver involvement.      

慢性化脓性中耳炎与对侧迟发性膜迷路积水

梅尼埃病 (ｍ啨ｎｉ埁ｒｅ’ｓｄｉｓｅａｓｅ,ＭＤ)的治疗目前仍然是耳科临床上的难题之一 ,主要是因为其病因尚未完全弄清。近年来的耳免疫学研究显示免疫病理学因素在ＭＤ的发病中可能起着重要的作用 ,部分患者的发病可能与内耳自身免疫性病变有关。最近 ,我们对 7例 (耳 )慢性化脓性中耳乳突炎(ＣＳＯＭ)伴对侧ＭＤ患者行免疫学检查并与 1 0例(耳 )ＣＳＯＭ不伴ＭＤ患者进行对照 (对照组 ) ,借以探讨ＭＤ发病的免疫学因素。报告如下。1　资料与方法1 .1 　 临床资料ＣＳＯＭ伴ＭＤ组 :7例ＣＳＯＭ伴对侧ＭＤ患者 ,男 2例 ,女 5例 ;平均…     

Immunogenicity of a new gorilla adenovirus vaccine candidate for COVID-19

1. Download : Download high-res image (166KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Nuclear RNA sequences coding for alpha and beta globins in erythroid cells: evidence for multiple intermediate molecules

The poly (A)-containing nuclear RNA from dimethylsulfoxide-induced Friend leukemia cells was fractionated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in denaturing conditions and analyzed for alpha and beta globin RNA sequences. The results indicate that nuclear RNA contains one species of large-size RNA (0.6 X 10(6) daltons), which is the putative precursor for beta globin mRNA only. In addition, it was shown by electrophoretic analysis that the complex of RNA molecules not resolved by sucrose gradient centrifugation (11S) comprises sequences of decreasing size (0.34, 0.28, and 0.26 X 10(6) daltons), which might be the precursors of alpha and beta globin mRNA.