Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides induce MAP kinases activation in murine TIB-73 hepatocytes.

Aims: In this work we aimed to investigate the expression of TLR9 protein in the murine hepatocyte cell line TIB-73, compared to macrophage-like J774 cells, by Western blot analysis, and the role played by ERK 1/2 MAP kinase in the intracellular signals triggered by stimulation with CpG and non-CpG phosphodiester-ODN, and their more stable phosphorothioate-modified analogues.

Results: TIB-73 hepatocytes express TLR9 protein. CpG and non-CpG ODN stimulation activated ERK 1/2 MAPK signal pathway in both hepatocytes and J774 murine macrophages.

Implication of CpG-ODN and reactive oxygen species in the inhibition of intracellular growth of Salmonella typhimurium in hepatocytes.

Bacterial DNA acts as an alert signal for eukaryotic cells through immunostimulatory CpG motifs. These sequences have therapeutic properties promoting protective immune TH1 responses and are recognized by a membrane protein belonging to the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, named TLR-9. The aim of this study was to test the capability of murine hepatocytes to sense bacterial DNA and to develop antibacterial mechanisms against Salmonella typhimurium.

Beta1 integrin triggering affects leukemic cell line sensitivity to natural killer cells.

The role of beta1 (CD29) integrins in natural killer (NK) cell-target cell conjugation and cytotoxicity has not been clearly established. Ligation of beta1 integrins in NK cells can modulate the lytic capacity in both a positive and a negative manner; however, the contribution of the beta1 integrins present on target cells remains to be evaluated. Here, we analyzed the effect of beta1 integrins expressed by potential tumor target cells on conjugation and cytotoxicity.