Ethylenecarbodiimide-treated splenocytes carrying male CD4 epitopes confer histocompatibility Y chromosome antigen transplant protection by inhibiting CD154 upregulation.

In humans and certain strains of laboratory mice, male tissue is recognized as nonself and destroyed by the female immune system via recognition of histocompatibility Y chromosome Ag (Hya). Male tissue destruction is thought to be accomplished by CTLs in a helper-dependent manner. We show that graft protection induced with the immunodominant Hya-encoded CD4 epitope (Dby) attached to female splenic leukocytes (Dby-SPs) with the chemical cross-linker ethylenecarbodiimide significantly, and often indefinitely, prolongs the survival of male skin graft transplants in an Ag-specific manner.

Ethanol consumption modifies dendritic cell antigen presentation in mice.

Background: Alcohol consumption impairs type 1 cell-mediated adaptive immune responses both in vivo and in vitro. The present study investigated the effect of alcohol consumption on antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations and cytokine production.

Methods: BALB/c were fed ethanol-containing, pair-fed isocaloric liquid control, or solid diets for 11 days.

Antigen-specific responses accelerate bacterial clearance in the bladder.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause patient morbidity and have a substantial economic impact. Half of all women will suffer a UTI at least once, and 25% of these women will have recurrent infections. That 75% of previously infected women do not become reinfected strongly suggests a role for an adaptive immune response.

Restoration of ethanol-compromised T(h)1 responses by sodium orthovanadate.

Alcohol consumption often diminishes antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity. In alcohol-consuming mice IFN-gamma and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses are blunted, although antigen-specific T cell proliferation and IL-2 responses are largely unaffected, suggesting that alcohol differentially affects signal transduction pathways. In the present report we explore the use of the phosphatase inhibitor, Na3 VO4 to restore IFN-gamma secretion in the presence of ethanol both in vivo and in vitro.

Differential effects of T-cell activation on gastric and small bowel permeability in alcohol-consuming mice.

Background: A number of variables influence the effect(s) of alcohol on distinct segments of the intestine. In these studies, we examined the effect of T-cell activation on gastric and small bowel permeability in alcohol-fed mice.

Methods: Gastric permeability was assessed using sucrose absorption, whereas small bowel permeability was followed using the ratio of lactulose to mannitol absorption and inulin absorption.