IL-33 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of hay fever and reduced regulatory T cells in a birth cohort.

Background: IL-33 polymorphisms influence the susceptibility to asthma. IL-33 indirectly induces Th2-immune responses via dendritic cell activation, being important for development of atopic diseases. Furthermore, IL-33 upregulates regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are critical for healthy immune homeostasis.

JNK2 regulates the functional plasticity of naturally occurring T regulatory cells and the enhancement of lung allergic responses.

Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related protein (GITR)-mediated activation of JNK was shown to regulate the suppressive activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) naturally occurring T regulatory cells (nTregs) in wild-type (WT) hosts. In this study, CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells were shown to be capable of becoming pathogenic effector cells in sensitized and challenged CD8(-/-) recipient mice. Only GITR-expressing CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, but neither GITR knocked-in CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells nor GITR-silenced CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, enhanced development of lung allergic responses.

Regulation of TH17 markers early in life through maternal farm exposure.

Background: Previous studies suggested that maternal farm exposure during pregnancy modulates early immune development toward an allergy-protective status potentially mediated by TH1 or regulatory T (Treg) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms might involve immune modulation of additional T-cell populations, such as TH17 cells, influenced by genetic predisposition.

Objective: We examined the role of maternal farm exposure and genetic predisposition on TH17 cell responses to innate and adaptive immune stimulation in cord blood.

Novel statistical approaches for non-normal censored immunological data: analysis of cytokine and gene expression data.

Background: For several immune-mediated diseases, immunological analysis will become more complex in the future with datasets in which cytokine and gene expression data play a major role. These data have certain characteristics that require sophisticated statistical analysis such as strategies for non-normal distribution and censoring. Additionally, complex and multiple immunological relationships need to be adjusted for potential confounding and interaction effects.

Lesson from the farm environment.

Purpose Of Review: Several population-based studies have replicated the finding that exposure to a farm environment is protective against the development of atopic diseases. From these studies, novel insights into potential allergy-protective mechanisms were retrieved. This review focuses on consistent and novel findings of immune mechanisms involved in the 'farm effect'.

Asthma-associated polymorphisms in 17q21 influence cord blood ORMDL3 and GSDMA gene expression and IL-17 secretion.

Background: In a genome-wide association study, genetic variants on chromosome 17q21 were strongly associated with childhood asthma and orosomucoid 1-like 3 (ORMDL3) gene expression. Regulation of the 17q21 locus and its immunologic relevance early in life have not been well characterized.

Objective: We investigated the relation between polymorphisms and mRNA expression of 17q21 locus genes and their influence on T-cell subsets in cord blood.

Isolated tears of the gracilis muscle.

Background: Although posterior thigh muscle strains are common in athletes, there are no reports regarding isolated gracilis muscle injuries. The authors present a case series of 7 elite athletes with isolated gracilis muscle ruptures.

Purpose: To present the injury pattern, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and outcome of gracilis muscle ruptures.

T regulatory cells in cord blood--FOXP3 demethylation as reliable quantitative marker.

Background: Regulatory T-cells (Tregs), characterized as CD4+CD25(hi) T-cells expressing FOXP3, play a crucial role in controlling healthy immune development during early immune maturation. Recently, FOXP3 demethylation was suggested to be a novel marker for natural Tregs in adults. In cord blood, the role and function of Tregs and its demethylation is poorly understood.

Impairment of T-regulatory cells in cord blood of atopic mothers.

Background: Maternal atopy is a strong predictor for the development of childhood allergic diseases. The underlying mechanisms are ill defined, yet regulatory T (Treg) and T(H)17 cells may play a key role potentially shaping the early immune system toward a proallergic or antiallergic immune regulation.

Objective: We examined T(H)1/T(H)2, Treg, and T(H)17 cell responses to innate (lipid A/peptidoglycan) and mitogen/adaptive (phytohemagglutinin/Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 1) immune stimulation in cord blood from offspring of atopic/nonatopic mothers.