Context matters: The importance of dimerization-induced conformation of the LukGH leukocidin of Staphylococcus aureus for the generation of neutralizing antibodies.

LukGH (LukAB) is a potent leukocidin of Staphylococcus aureus that lyses human phagocytic cells and is thought to contribute to immune evasion. Unlike the other bi-component leukocidins of S. aureus, LukGH forms a heterodimer before binding to its receptor, CD11b expressed on professional phagocytic cells, and displays significant sequence variation.

Bactericidal monoclonal antibodies specific to the lipopolysaccharide O antigen from multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli clone ST131-O25b:H4 elicit protection in mice.

The Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131)-O25b:H4 clone has spread worldwide and become responsible for a significant proportion of multidrug-resistant extraintestinal infections. We generated humanized monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that target the lipopolysaccharide O25b antigen conserved within this lineage. These MAbs bound to the surface of live bacterial cells irrespective of the capsular type expressed.

Influence of microvascular endothelial cells on transcriptional regulation of proximal tubular epithelial cells.

In the renal cortex the peritubular capillary network and the proximal tubular epithelium cooperate in solute and water reabsorption, secretion, and inflammation. However, the mechanisms by which these two cell types coordinate such diverse functions remain to be characterized. Here we investigated the influence of microvascular endothelial cells on proximal tubule cells, using a filter-based, noncontact, close-proximity coculture of the human microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC-1 and the human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2.

Gene expression and biomarkers in renal transplant ischemia reperfusion injury.

The incidence of postischemic acute renal allograft failure (ARF) occurs in roughly 25% of cadaveric donor kidney recipients. This high rate remained virtually unchanged over the last decades despite modification in recipient management and modern immunosuppressive strategies. It has recently been shown that among other reasons, the systemic inflammation in the brain death cadaveric organ donor contributes to subsequent ARF in the recipient.