PARP-1/PARP-2 double deficiency in mouse T cells results in faulty immune responses and T lymphomas.

The maintenance of T-cell homeostasis must be tightly regulated. Here, we have identified a coordinated role of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and PARP-2 in maintaining T-lymphocyte number and function. Mice bearing a T-cell specific deficiency of PARP-2 in a PARP-1-deficient background showed defective thymocyte maturation and diminished numbers of peripheral CD4 and CD8 T-cells.

Antagonistic effect of TNF-alpha and insulin on uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) expression and vascular damage.

Background: It has been reported that increased expression of UCP-2 in the vasculature may prevent the development of atherosclerosis in patients with increased production of reactive oxygen species, as in the diabetes, obesity or hypertension. Thus, a greater understanding in the modulation of UCP-2 could improve the atherosclerotic process. However, the effect of TNF-α or insulin modulating UCP-2 in the vascular wall is completely unknown.

Human MR1 expression on the cell surface is acid sensitive, proteasome independent and increases after culturing at 26°C.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a population of non-conventional T-lymphocytes which are restricted by the MHC-related 1 (MR1) molecule. MR1 is a non-classical member of the MHC class I family of proteins, it is unknown if MR1 presents any kind of antigens to MAIT cells. In the present manuscript we describe that detection of MR1 on the cell surface by conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies is enhanced upon culture the cells at 26°C; we also show that detection of MR1 on the cell surface is lost after treating the cells at pH 3.

The MHC-related protein 1 (MR1) is expressed by a subpopulation of CD38+, IgA+ cells in the human intestinal mucosa.

MHC-related 1 (MR1) molecule is a non-classical member of the MHC class I family of proteins. The sequence homology between classical MHC class I molecules and MR1 is very high, although the MR1 gene is not polymorphic and is highly conserved between species. MR1 is the restriction molecule of a sub-population of T lymphocytes, which are CD4-,CD8- and display conserved TCR alpha chain.

A role for DNA polymerase mu in the emerging DJH rearrangements of the postgastrulation mouse embryo.

The molecular complexes involved in the nonhomologous end-joining process that resolves recombination-activating gene (RAG)-induced double-strand breaks and results in V(D)J gene rearrangements vary during mammalian ontogeny. In the mouse, the first immunoglobulin gene rearrangements emerge during midgestation periods, but their repertoires have not been analyzed in detail. We decided to study the postgastrulation DJ(H) joints and compare them with those present in later life.

Immature human dendritic cells infected with Leishmania infantum are resistant to NK-mediated cytolysis but are efficiently recognized by NKT cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) play an important role in innate and adaptive immunity, interacting with T cells, NK, and NKT cells. A critical step in the interaction of the parasitic protozoa Leishmania with their host is the evasion of both innate and adaptive immunity, producing a long-lasting chronic infection. There is growing evidence that these parasites can modify the Ag-presenting and immunoregulatory functions of DCs.

Expression of human CD1d molecules protects target cells from NK cell-mediated cytolysis.

The cytotoxic activity of NK cells can be inhibited by classical and nonclassical MHC molecules. The CD1 system is formed by a family of glycoproteins that are related to classical MHC. CD1a, b, and c molecules present lipids or glycolipids to T cells and are involved in defense against microbial infections, especially mycobacteria.