B cell-specific protein FCRLA is expressed by plasmacytoid dendritic cells in humans.

Background: Fc receptor-like A (FCRLA) is a unique member of a family of Fc receptor like-molecules that lacks a transmembrane region and is an ER-resident protein. In mice and humans, FCRLA has been known as a B cell specific protein. We report here that, in humans, FCRLA is also expressed in a subpopulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).

Visualising the membrane viscosity of porcine eye lens cells using molecular rotors.

The plasma membranes of cells within the eye lens play an important role in metabolite transport within the avascular tissue of the lens, maintaining its transparency over the entire lifespan of an individual. Here we use viscosity-sensitive 'molecular rotors' to map the microscopic viscosity within these unusual cell membranes, establishing that they are characterised by an unprecedentedly high degree of lipid organisation.

Development and characterization of domain-specific monoclonal antibodies produced against human SLAMF9.

SLAMF9 is a member of the signaling lymphocyte-activating molecule (SLAM) immunoreceptor family. The SLAM family receptors are expressed in a broad range of immune cells and play an important role in immunity. To date, SLAMF9 is the least studied member of this family.

Characterization of human FCRLA isoforms.

FCRLA is an ER-resident B-cell specific protein. The exact function of this protein remains unclear although human FCRLA has been recently shown to interact with IgM, IgG and IgA. The retention of FCRLA in ER is mediated by the N-terminal domain.

Differential expression of FCRLA in naïve and activated mouse B cells.

FCRLA is an intracellular B cell protein that belongs to the FcR-like family. Using newly generated FCRLA-specific antibodies, we studied the constitutive expression pattern of mouse FCRLA and monitored changes during an immune response and following in vitro B cell activation. All B cell subpopulations examined expressed FCRLA.

FCRL6 receptor: expression and associated proteins.

FCRL6 receptor is a more recently identified representative of the FCRL family. We generated a panel of mouse mAbs to baculovirus-derived recombinant FCRL6 protein. The clone 7B2 was found to specifically recognize a 63kDa protein expressed preferentially on the surface of CD8 T and CD56 NK cells in human peripheral blood and spleen.

The amphibians Xenopus laevis and Silurana tropicalis possess a family of activating KIR-related Immunoglobulin-like receptors.

In this study, we searched the amphibian species Xenopus laevis and Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis for the presence of genes homologous to mammalian KIRs and avian CHIRs (KRIR family). By experimental and computational procedures, we identified four related ILR (Ig-like Receptors) genes in S. tropicalis and three in X.