Blood transfusion during radical chemo-radiotherapy does not reduce tumour hypoxia in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

Background: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing radical chemo-radiation (CRT) frequently receive transfusion with packed red cells (PRCT) during radiotherapy on the basis that PRCT increases tumour oxygenation and overcomes hypoxia-induced radio-resistance. This is likely to be a significant oversimplification given the fact that tumour hypoxia is the result of several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including many that are not directly related to serum haemoglobin (Hb). Therefore, we have studied the effect of PRCT on tumour oxygenation in a prospective cohort of patients who developed low Hb during radical CRT for HNSCC.

The Effect of Cellular Stress on T and B Cell Memory Pathways in Immunized and Unimmunized BALB/c Mice.

Immunological memory is a fundamental function of vaccination. The antigenic breakdown products of the vaccine may not persist, and undefined tonic stimulation has been proposed to maintain the specific memory. We have suggested that cellular stress agents to which the immune cells are constantly exposed may be responsible for tonic stimulation.

Effect of vaginal immunization with HIVgp140 and HSP70 on HIV-1 replication and innate and T cell adaptive immunity in women.

The international effort to prevent HIV-1 infection by vaccination has failed to develop an effective vaccine. The aim of this vaccine trial in women was to administer by the vaginal mucosal route a vaccine consisting of HIV-1 gp140 linked to the chaperone 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70). The primary objective was to determine the safety of the vaccine.

The role of innate APOBEC3G and adaptive AID immune responses in HLA-HIV/SIV immunized SHIV infected macaques.

The AID/APOBEC family (activation induced deaminase/apolipoprotein B mRNA editing cytokine deaminase) in B cells play important roles in adaptive and innate immunity. Whereas APOBEC3G has been studied in CD4+ T cells and myeloid cells its functional potential in B cells has received little attention. AID combines two critical functions of antibodies, class switching and affinity maturation and may serve as a functional surrogate of protection.

Immunization with recombinant macaque major histocompatibility complex class I and II and human immunodeficiency virus gp140 inhibits simian-human immunodeficiency virus infection in macaques.

Genetic, epidemiological and experimental evidence suggest that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is critical in controlling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The objectives of this study were to determine whether novel recombinant Mamu MHC constructs would elicit protection against rectal challenge with heterologous simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) strain SF162.P4 in rhesus macaques.

A comparative study of stress-mediated immunological functions with the adjuvanticity of alum.

The efficacy of a vaccine is generally dependent on an adjuvant, which enhances the immune functions and alum has been widely used in human immunization. Alum activates the intracellular stress sensors inflammasomes, but whether these are responsible for the adjuvanticity is controversial. The objectives of this investigation were to examine the hypothesis that alum-mediated adjuvanticity is a function of stress and conversely that stress agents will elicit adjuvanticity.

Murine model of concurrent oral and vaginal Candida albicans colonisation.

Investigations into the complex interaction between the fungal pathogen Candida albicans and its human host require the use of animals as in vivo models. A major advance is the creation of a low-oestrogen murine model of concurrent oral and vaginal C. albicans colonisation that resembles human candidal carriage at both mucosal sites.

A recombinant human HLA-class I antigen linked to dextran elicits innate and adaptive immune responses.

The objective of this study was to produce and evaluate the immunogenic potential of a recombinant HLA-class I antigen linked to dextran. The HLA-A*0201 heavy chain and beta2 microglobulin were cloned by PCR amplification of overlapping oligonucleotides and produced in E. coli.

Heterosexual and homosexual partners practising unprotected sex may develop allogeneic immunity and to a lesser extent tolerance.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that allogeneic immunity may inhibit HIV-1 transmission from mother to baby and is less frequent in multiparous than uniparous women. Alloimmune responses may also be elicited during unprotected heterosexual intercourse, which is associated ex vivo with resistance to HIV infection.

Methodology/principal Findings: The investigation was carried out in well-defined heterosexual and homosexual monogamous partners, practising unprotected sex and a heterosexual cohort practising protected sex.

Murine model of concurrent oral and vaginal Candida albicans colonization to study epithelial host-pathogen interactions.

We report the creation of a new low-estrogen murine model of concurrent oral and vaginal C. albicans colonization that resembles human candidal carriage at both mucosal sites. Weekly estrogen administration of 5 microg intramuscular and subcutaneously was optimal for enhancement of oral colonization and was essential for vaginal colonization.

Serum and saliva antibodies do not inhibit Candida albicans Sap2 proteinase activity using a BSA hydrolysis assay.

The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans possesses 10 members of a secreted aspartyl proteinase (Sap) family, which are associated with fungal virulence. The C. albicans proteinases are known to induce antibody responses in humans, but the direct inhibition of Sap activity by antibody has not yet been demonstrated.