The Early Dendritic Cell Signaling Induced by Virulent Strain Occurs in Phases and Involves the Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases (ERKs) and p38 In the Later Stage.

Dendritic cells (DCs) infected by are poorly activated and do not undergo classical maturation process. Although reasons of such unresponsiveness are not fully understood, their impact on the priming of immunity is well appreciated. Previous attempts to explain the behavior of -infected DCs were hypothesis-driven and focused on events at later stages of infection.

Subversion of innate immune responses by Francisella involves the disruption of TRAF3 and TRAF6 signalling complexes.

The success of pathogens depends on their ability to circumvent immune defences. Francisella tularensis is one of the most infectious bacteria known. The remarkable virulence of Francisella is believed to be due to its capacity to evade or subvert the immune system, but how remains obscure.

Tularemia vaccines.

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of the potentially lethal disease tularemia. Due to a low infectious dose and ease of airborne transmission, Francisella is classified as a category A biological agent. Despite the possible risk to public health, there is no safe and fully licensed vaccine.

Francisella tularensis type B ΔdsbA mutant protects against type A strain and induces strong inflammatory cytokine and Th1-like antibody response in vivo.

Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis is a highly virulent intracellular bacterial pathogen, causing the disease tularemia. However, a safe and effective vaccine for routine application against F. tularensis has not yet been developed.

Characterization of tetratricopeptide repeat-like proteins in Francisella tularensis and identification of a novel locus required for virulence.

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious bacterium that causes the potentially lethal disease tularemia. This extremely virulent bacterium is able to replicate in the cytosolic compartments of infected macrophages. To invade macrophages and to cope with their intracellular environment, Francisella requires multiple virulence factors, which are still being identified.

[The importance of DNA analysis of C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations in the HFE gene].

Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis is a relatively common genetic disease characterized by increased iron absorption and deposition in major organs of the body. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations in the HFE gene in patients suspected of hereditary hemochromatosis and to compare it with healthy subjects (control group).

Material And Methods: The group of patients consisted of 95 males and 45 females (median age 55 years, range 20 to 83 years).