Publications by authors named "Cesar A Terrazas"

CXCR3, an X-linked gene, is subject to X chromosome inactivation (XCI), but it is unclear whether CXCR3 escapes XCI in immune cells. We determined whether CXCR3 escapes XCI in vivo, evaluated the contribution of allelic CXCR3 expression to the phenotypic properties of T cells during experimental infection with and examined the potential implications to sex differences in immune responses. We used a bicistronic CXCR3 dual-reporter mouse, with each CXCR3 allele linked to a green or red fluorescent reporter without affecting endogenous CXCR3 expression.

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Chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa is characteristic of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Helminth parasites have developed immunomodulatory strategies that may impact the outcome of several inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we investigated whether Taenia crassiceps infection is able to decrease the inflammatory effects of dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced ulcerative colitis in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.

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Three phenylpropanoid dimers (1-3) including two new metabolites were isolated from the extract of the twigs of Nectandra leucantha using antileishmanial bioassay-guided fractionation. The in vitro antiparasitic activity of the isolated compounds against Leishmania donovani parasites and mammalian cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory effects were evaluated. Compounds 1-3 were effective against the intracellular amastigotes within macrophages, with IC50 values of 26.

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C-type lectins are multifunctional sugar-binding molecules expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages that internalize antigens for processing and presentation. Macrophage galactose-type lectin 1 (MGL1) recognizes glycoconjugates expressing Lewis X structures which contain galactose residues, and it is selectively expressed on immature DCs and macrophages. Helminth parasites contain large amounts of glycosylated components, which play a role in the immune regulation induced by such infections.

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Innate CD8(+) T cells are a heterogeneous population with developmental pathways distinct from conventional CD8(+) T cells. However, their biology, classification, and functions remain incompletely understood. We recently demonstrated the existence of a novel population of chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3)-positive innate CD8(+) T cells.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the role of STAT4 in immune response against the parasite Leishmania donovani, which causes visceral leishmaniasis, using STAT4 knockout mice.
  • Findings reveal that mice lacking STAT4 displayed increased susceptibility to the infection and reduced Th1 immune responses during later stages of the disease.
  • However, despite the immune deficiencies, STAT4 knockout mice responded similarly to antimonial therapy as wild-type mice, indicating that STAT4 is not necessary for the effectiveness of this treatment.
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Dendritic cells (DCs) recognize pathogens and initiate the T-cell response. The DC-helminth interaction induces an immature phenotype in DCs; as a result, these DCs display impaired responses to TLR stimulation and prime Th2-type responses. However, the DC receptors and intracellular pathways targeted by helminth molecules and their importance in the initiation of the Th2 response are poorly understood.

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CXCR3, expressed mainly on activated T and NK cells, is implicated in a host of immunological conditions and can contribute either to disease resolution or pathology. We report the generation and characterization of a novel CXCR3 internal ribosome entry site bicistronic enhanced GFP reporter (CIBER) mouse in which enhanced GFP expression correlates with surface levels of CXCR3. Using CIBER mice, we identified two distinct populations of innate CD8(+) T cells based on constitutive expression of CXCR3.

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Pathogens have developed strategies to modify Dendritic Cells (DCs) phenotypes and impair their functions in order to create a safer environment for their survival. DCs responses to helminths and their derivatives vary among different studies. Here we show that excretory/secretory products of the cestode Taenia crassiceps (TcES) do not induce the maturation of human DCs judged by a lack of increment in the expression of CD83, HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86 molecules but enhanced the production of IL-10 and positively modulated the expression of the C-type lectin receptor MGL and negatively modulated the expression of DC-SIGN.

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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been found to be involved in host resistance to several parasitic infections. To determine the mechanisms of the MIF-dependent responses to Trypanosoma cruzi, we investigated host resistance in MIF⁻/⁻ mice (on the BALB/c background) during an intraperitoneal infection. We focused on the potential involvement of MIF in dendritic cell (DC) maturation and cytokine production.

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Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a fungus-derived molecule with potent immunosuppressive activity that has been largely used to downregulate cell-mediated immune responses during transplantation. However, previous data have indicated that CsA shows immunomodulatory activity that relays on the antigen concentration and the dose of CsA used. To test the hypothesis that minimal doses of CsA may show different outcomes on grafts, we used an experimental model for skin transplants in mice.

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In cysticercosis, a parasitic disease caused by cestodes, the details of early interactions between parasite antigens and innate cells from the host are not well understood. In this study, the role of cestode-conditioned dendritic cells (DCs) in priming Th1 versus Th2 responses to bystander antigen was examined by using CD11c(+) DCs as antigen-presenting cells and naive CD4(+) DO11.10 lymphocytes specific to ovalbumin (OVA) as responding cells.

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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been found to be involved in host resistance to several parasitic infections. To determine the mechanisms of MIF-dependent responses to Toxoplasma gondii, we investigated host resistance in MIF-/- mice (BALB/c background) during natural oral infection. We focused on the potential involvement of MIF in Dendritic Cell (DC) maturation and IL-12 production.

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Parasitic infections are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in our planet and the immune responses triggered by these organisms are critical to determine their outcome. Dendritic cells are key elements for the development of immunity against parasites; they control the responses required to eliminate these pathogens while maintaining host homeostasis. However, there is evidence showing that parasites can influence and regulate dendritic cell function in order to promote a more permissive environment for their survival.

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To determine the role of alternatively activated macrophages in modulating the outcome of experimental cysticercosis caused by Taenia crassiceps, we investigated the effect of removal of alternatively activated macrophage by injecting clodronate-loaded liposomes into susceptible BALB/c mice. Following T. crassiceps infection, mice receiving PBS-loaded liposomes developed a dominant Th2-type response associated with the presence of alternatively activated macrophages together with antigen-specific hyporesponsiveness and high parasite burden.

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Antigen presenting cells (APCs) are critically involved in the interaction between pathogens and the host immune system. Here, we examined two different populations of APCs in mice that are susceptible (BALB/c) or resistant (C57BL/6) to Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from both strains of mice were exposed to T.

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We characterised a population of macrophages potentially involved in the immunoregulation induced by experimental cysticercosis. Following Taenia crassiceps infection, macrophages recruited in the peritoneal cavity were isolated and co-cultured at different ratios with T cells from naïve mice previously stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies; these macrophages inhibited naïve T cell proliferation. This suppressive effect was Interleukin (IL)-10, Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and nitric oxide (NO) independent.

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