Mast cell–derived IL-13 downregulates IL-12 production by skin dendritic cells to inhibit the TH1 cell response to cutaneous antigen exposure

1. Download : Download high-res image (242KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Renal glomerulogenesis in medaka fish, Oryzias latipes

We provide an overview of glomerulogenesis in medaka from the embryo to the adult by means of in situ hybridization with the wt1 gene as a marker as well as histology and three-dimensional images. The pronephric glomus starts to develop in the intermediate mesoderm during early somitogenesis, is completed before hatching, and persists throughout the lifetime of the fish. Within 5 days after hatching, mesonephric glomerulus formation begins in the caudomedial end of the pronephric sinus and duct area. The number of glomeruli reaches approximately 200-300 in each kidney within 2 months after hatching. wt1 expression during nephron maturation served as a marker for the formation of the mesenchymal condensate and the nephrogenic body. Existence of mesenchymal condensates and persistence of wt1 expression in the adult kidney suggest that the mesonephros retains precursor cells that may be capable of contributing to neoglomerulogenesis during adulthood. Developmental Dynamics 237:2342-2352, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Masking,De Lange curves and integration time as revealed by the electroretinogram of a tree shrew (Tupaia chinensis)

In order to elucidate the effects of angiotensin II on renal function, angiotensin II (AII; 1 ng/kg per min) and the AII antagonist 1-sar-8-ala-angiotensin II (AIIA; 200 ng/kg per min) were infused into the renal artery of anesthetized dogs (pentobarbital), on either a high (8 mmol/kg per day for seven days) or a low sodium intake (0.5 mmol/kg). In sodium replete dogs AII produced renal vasoconstriction with decreased RBF (–28%;P<0.001), but with less decrease of GFR (–14%;P<0.001), leading to an increase of FF (+19%;P<0.01),andantidiuresis(–39%;P<0.001); the antinatriuresis (–58%;P<0.001) exceeded the antidiuresis (P<0.001). RBF (–10%;P<0.001) was less pronounced (P<0.001) during AII in sodium deplete dogs, GFR remained unchanged, but FF increased to the same extent (+16%;P<0.05); diuresis and urinary electrolyte excretion were however not affected. AIIA did not affect RBF, GFR, FF, nor diuresis in sodium replete dogs suggesting that endogenous AII has no tonic influence on renal function in these conditions. In sodium deplete animals AIIA produced an 11% (P<0.001) increase of RBF, without changes of GFR; FF decreased by 12% (P<0.01), but diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis were not affected.     

Axonal trajectory of single group Ia and Ib fibers in the cat spinal cord

Intracellular staining with HRP of physiologically identified group Ia and Ib afferent fibers in the adult cat lumbosacral cord revealed that group Ia and Ib fibers take a similar course in the dorsal funiculus, but the collaterals emerging from them show a different topographical distribution and a different mode of branching in the gray matter. Ia collaterals terminate in laminae VI, VII, IX, and sometimes VIII, whereas Ib collaterals terminate only in lamina VI, or both VI and IX. In lamina IX, two large motor-type neurons received terminations of both Ia and Ib fibers at the same time.     

Placentally derived prostaglandin E2 acts via the EP4 receptor to inhibit IL-2-dependent proliferation of CTLL-2 T cells

A number of immunomodulatory molecules are present in the placenta, including cytokines, prostaglandins, progesterone and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. An undefined factor capable of down-regulating T-cell activity has recently been reported [1] as being produced by short-term cultures of placental fragments. By careful repetition of these studies we have confirmed that chorionic villi isolated from term placenta produce a low molecular weight, heat stable factor capable of inhibiting the IL-2-dependent proliferation of mouse CTLL-2 cells. This activity was not due, however, to a previously unknown immunosuppressive molecule, but rather to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was detected in the syncytiotrophoblast of chorionic villi explants using immunohistochemistry. Culture of the explants in the presence of the COX-1/COX--2 inhibitors indomethacin and diclofenac, or with the COX-2-selective inhibitor DFP, blocked the production of the immunosuppressive factor. The immunosuppressive activity was restored by adding PGE2 to the supernatants obtained from diclofenac-inhibited explants. A number of different receptors are involved in mediating the biological effects of prostaglandins. By utilizing selective antagonists of individual receptors, we have established that the immunosuppressive effect of PGE2 on CTLL-2 cells is exerted via the EP4 receptor. Thus, addition of an EP4-selective antagonist, but not of EP1 or EP3 antagonists, abolished the immunosuppressive effect of PGE2 on CTLL-2 cells. This may have implications for attempts to selectively manipulate T-cell responses.     

Origin and filiation of human plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells represent a rare population of leukocytes which produce high amounts of type I interferon in response to certain viruses. Although those cells were first described in 1958, there are still unsolved issues related to their origin and function. Recently, a leukemic counterpart of plasmacytoid dendritic cells was identified. Molecular approaches using either normal or leukemic plasmacytoid dendritic cells provide some new insights into the controversial lymphoid origin of those cells. The need for specific markers is still a critical aspect for the identification of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, whatever stage of differentiation, in normal as well as in pathological conditions. Hopefully, novel markers will allow delineation of the relationships between dendritic cells at different stages of differentiation/maturation along the myeloid and lymphoid lineages.     

Dimebon improves learning in animals with experimental Alzheimer's disease

Systemic administration of antihistamine drug dimebon improves active avoidance conditioning in rats with chronic partial deprivation of cerebral cholinergic functions caused by intracerebroventricular injections of AF64A. The effects of dimebon on learning are similar to those of tacrine used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 6, pp 640–642, June, 2000     

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1): a multifunctional role in the human female reproductive tract

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGFBP-1) is particularly important in human female reproductive physiology, where it is involved with other factors in a complex system which regulates menstrual cycles, puberty, ovulation, decidualization, implantation and fetal growth. This has implications for clinical obstetrics and gynaecology, where there is evidence for a pathophysiological role for IGFBP-1 in pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, polycystic ovarian syndrome and trophoblast and endometrial neoplasms.