Anti-CD28 Antibody-Initiated Cytokine Storm in Canines.

Background: CD28 signal blockade following T cell receptor activation is under intense investigation as a tolerance-inducing therapy for transplantation. Our goal is to produce a CD28-specific reagent as a therapy for the prevention of graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease in the canine model of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).

Methods: We infused a monoclonal mouse anti-canine CD28 antibody (1C6 mAb) into four dogs and a fragment of antigen-binding (1C6 Fab) into two dogs.

A novel macroporous polyvinyl alcohol scaffold promotes chondrocyte migration and interface formation in an in vitro cartilage defect model.

Scaffold-cartilage integration is critical for the clinical success of a scaffold used for the repair of a focal cartilage defect. In this study, a macroporous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) scaffold was found to facilitate chondrocyte infiltration and interfacial matrix formation in a juvenile bovine in vitro cartilage defect model. These results were found to depend on the press-fit between the scaffold and the cartilage, pretreatment of the cartilage with collagenase prior to scaffold insertion, and chondrocyte preseeding of the scaffold.

Differential cross-linking and radio-protective effects of genipin on mature bovine and human patella tendons.

Gamma irradiation is a proven sterilization method, but is not widely used on allografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (e.g., patella tendon) due to radiation-induced decreases in mechanical strength.

A novel monoclonal antibody specific for canine CD25 (P4A10): selection and evaluation of canine Tregs.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb), P4A10, was made to the canine interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (IL-2Ralpha; p55; Tac antigen; CD25) to facilitate studies of canine regulatory T-cells (Treg). By non-reduced Western blot, P4A10 bound to a 55kDa protein, the size of human IL-2Ralpha. In flow cytometry assays, it reacted with a minor population of circulating dog CD3(+)CD4(+) T-cells and the majority (>60%) of in vitro PMA-Ionomycin (PMA-IO)-activated canine CD3(+) T-cells.

Evaluation of different methods of leukoreduction of donor platelets to prevent alloimmune platelet refractoriness and induce tolerance in a canine transfusion model.

The effectiveness of different methods of leukoreduction in preventing alloimmune platelet refractoriness was evaluated in a canine model. Platelets from a random donor dog were administered for up to 8 weeks or until platelet refractoriness. Standard (STD; unmodified) platelets were accepted by 14% of recipients (n = 7) compared with 14% for centrifuge leukoreduced (C-LR) platelets (n = 21) and 31% for filter leukoreduced (F-LR) platelets (n = 13; no significant differences).

Enterococcus faecalis produces extracellular superoxide and hydrogen peroxide that damages colonic epithelial cell DNA.

Enterococcus faecalis is a commensal microorganism of the human intestinal tract that produces substantial extracellular superoxide (O(-)(2)), and derivative reactive oxygen species such as H(2)O(2) and hydroxyl radical, through autoxidation of membrane-associated demethylmenaquinone. Because these oxidants may be important as a cause of chromosomal instability (CIN) associated with sporadic adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer, the ability of E.faecalis to damage eukaryotic cell DNA was examined using the alkaline lysis single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay.

Enteral human serum immunoglobulin treatment of cryptosporidiosis in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.

The anti-cryptosporidial immunoglobulin G antibodies in two commercially available human serum immunoglobulin (HSIG) products were quantified and characterized. The mean level of Cryptosporidium parvum-specific immunoglobulin G in HSIG was eightfold higher than the antibody level found in the sera of three immunocompetent individuals convalescing from cryptosporidiosis. However, HSIG products displayed no reactivity to cryptosporidial antigens in immunoblot analyses, while convalescent-phase sera demonstrated characteristic banding patterns.

Riboflavin-deficient chicken embryos: hypoglycemia without dicarboxylic aciduria.

Chicken embryos in eggs laid by hens that are genetically unable to deposit riboflavin into their eggs die on or about the 13th day of incubation. We show that these riboflavin-deficient embryos grow normally until the day of death and that their heart rate is normal to within an hour of death. The embryos have symptoms of impaired fatty acid oxidation, including decreased activity of FAD-dependent medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase in liver and heart along with a significant accumulation of intermediates of fatty acid oxidation (C10, C12, and C14 acids).

Inability of interferon-gamma and aminoguanidine to alter Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mice have been useful in identifying specific host defense systems responsible for containing and eradicating Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Adult scid mice were given C. parvum oocysts and treated weekly with monoclonal antimurine interferon-gamma (anti-IFN-gamma).

Effect of abrogation of natural killer cell activity on the course of candidiasis induced by intraperitoneal administration and gastrointestinal candidiasis in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Candida albicans CFU per gram of tissue recovered from livers, spleens, and kidneys of 12 severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) and 12 BALB/c mice 5 days after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 10(7) C.

Riboflavin-binding protein from reptiles: a comparison with avian riboflavin-binding proteins.

1. Riboflavin-binding protein (RBP) has been isolated for the first time from reptilian sources. 2.