Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are a relatively new class of innate immune cells. Lung ILC2 are early responders that secrete type 2 cytokines in response to danger 'alarmin' signals such as interleukin (IL)-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. Being an early source of type 2 cytokines, ILC2 are a critical regulator of type 2 immune cells of both innate and adaptive immune responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInterleukin-33 (IL-33) is a multifunctional cytokine that mediates type 2-dominated immune responses. In contrast, the role of IL-33 during viral vaccination, which often aims to induce type 1 immunity, has not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the effects of IL-33 on influenza vaccine responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAsthma is a global problem that affects millions of individuals. An increased risk of respiratory viral and bacterial infections is one of the complications of asthma. We recently reported that mice with ovalbumin-induced allergic airway disease (AAD) are protected against influenza- co-infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring the previous influenza seasons, between 2010 and 2016, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) provided variable efficacy against influenza in the U.S., causing the recommendation against the use of the LAIV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe efficacy of the intranasally (i.n.) delivered live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is variable and, in some seasons, suboptimal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSecondary bacterial pneumonia is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality during seasonal and pandemic influenza. Due to the unpredictability of influenza A virus evolution and the time-consuming process of manufacturing strain-specific influenza vaccines, recent efforts have been focused on developing anti- immunity to prevent influenza-related illness and death. Bacterial vaccination to prevent viral-bacterial synergistic interaction during co-infection is a promising concept that needs further investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFatal outcomes following influenza infection are often associated with secondary bacterial infections. Allergic airway disease (AAD) is known to influence severe complications from respiratory infections, and yet the mechanistic effect of AAD on influenza virus- coinfection has not been investigated previously. We examined the impact of AAD on host susceptibility to viral-bacterial coinfections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn 'incipient' spreading centre east of (and orthogonal to) the East Pacific Rise at 2 degrees 40' N has been identified as forming a portion of the northern boundary of the Galapagos microplate. This spreading centre was described as a slowly diverging, westward propagating rift, tapering towards the East Pacific Rise. Here we present evidence that the 'incipient rift' has also rifted towards the east and opens anticlockwise about a pivot at its eastern end.
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