Publications by authors named "Anna Napolitano"

IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) 15 is a ubiquitin-like protein induced after type I IFN stimulation. There is a dearth of in vivo models to study free unconjugated ISG15 function. We found that free ISG15 enhances the production of IFN-γ and IL-1β during murine infection with In our model, ISG15 is induced in a type I IFN-dependent fashion and released into the serum.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Interferon gamma (IFNγ) plays a critical role in fighting the intracellular pathogen Toxoplasma gondii by targeting and destroying the pathogen's vacuole.
  • Researchers found that TRIM21, an IFNγ-activated E3 ubiquitin ligase, is essential for mounting an immune response against Toxoplasma, as TRIM21 knockout mice showed increased susceptibility to the infection.
  • The study highlights TRIM21's role in promoting the recruitment of immune responses and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, identifying it as a significant factor in the innate immune defense against eukaryotic pathogens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To investigate the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between affective disorders and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) for adolescents and young adults with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: A quantitative methodology was adopted. Fifty-three adolescents and young adults were interviewed to assess resilience as a personality trait (Ego-Resiliency Scale) and resilience as an interactive competence (CYRM-28), Health-Related Quality of Life (PedsQL 4.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells play key roles in host defense by recognizing lipid Ags presented by CD1d. iNKT cells are activated by bacterial-derived lipids and are also strongly autoreactive toward self-lipids. iNKT cell responsiveness must be regulated to maintain effective host defense while preventing uncontrolled stimulation and potential autoimmunity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

B cells require MHC class II (MHC II)-restricted cognate help and CD40 engagement by CD4(+) T follicular helper (T(FH)) cells to form germinal centers and long-lasting Ab responses. Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are innate-like lymphocytes that jumpstart the adaptive immune response when activated by the CD1d-restricted lipid α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer). We previously observed that immunization of mice lacking CD4(+) T cells (MHC II(-/-)) elicits specific IgG responses only when protein Ags are mixed with αGalCer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes endowed with innate effector functions that aid in the establishment of adaptive T and B cell immune responses. iNKT cells have been shown to play a spontaneous protective role against experimental tumors. Yet, the interplay between iNKT and tumor-specific T cells in cancer immune surveillance/editing has never been addressed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are a separate lineage of T lymphocytes with innate effector functions. They express an invariant TCR specific for lipids presented by CD1d and their development and effector differentiation rely on a unique gene expression program. We asked whether this program includes microRNAs, small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally and play a key role in the control of cellular differentiation programs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF