CD8 + T cell memory is sustained in mice by hepatic stellate cells.

Background And Aims: Long-lasting immunological memory is the ultimate goal of vaccination. Homeostatic maintenance of memory CD8 + cytotoxic T cells (MemCD8TCs) is thought to be mediated by IL-15/IL-15R heterodimer (15HD)-expressing myeloid cells. Nonmyeloid hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) also express 15HD, but their role in maintaining MemCD8TC homeostasis is unknown.

Constitutive expression of a plant ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) enhances capacity of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in rice (Oryza sativa).

The plant ferredoxin-like protein (PFLP) gene, cloned from sweet peppers predicted as an electron carrier in photosynthesis, shows high homology to the Fd-I sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana, Lycopersicon esculentum, Oryza sativa and Spinacia oleracea. Most of pflp related studies focused on anti-pathogenic effects, while less understanding for the effects in photosynthesis with physiological aspects, such as photosynthesis rate, and levels of carbohydrate metabolites. This project focuses on the effects of pflp overexpression on photosynthesis by physiological evaluations of carbon assimilation with significant higher levels of carbohydrates with higher photosynthesis efficiency.

Protective effect of Monascus-fermented red mold rice against alcoholic liver disease by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Monascus purpureus NTU 568 fermented rice is reported to exhibit a wide variety of biological effects, including antitumor, antihypertriglyceridemia, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease remains obscure. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of Monascus-fermented red mold rice (RMR) was evaluated in vivo using chronic alcohol-induced mice as an experimental model.