Development of reagents to study the turkey's immune response: cloning and characterisation of two turkey cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13.

The cDNAs of two turkey cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13, were cloned using oligonucleotide primers designed from their chicken orthologues. The coding regions of the chicken and turkey genes are highly conserved, with IL-10 and IL-13 exhibiting 94.1% and 90% nucleotide and 92% and 79.

Tuberculin-specific T cells are reduced in active pulmonary tuberculosis compared to LTBI or status post BCG vaccination.

Functional characteristics of tuberculosis (TB)-specific CD4 T cells were studied in clinically active pulmonary TB (n = 21) and high TB exposure including LTBI (n = 17). Following tuberculin stimulation, activated CD4 T cells were identified by flow-cytometry (CD154 up-regulation, degranulation, interferon γ [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], and interleukin 2 [IL-2\ production). Interestingly, CD154 up-regulation accounted for ∼80% of activated CD4 T cells in the active TB group but just 40% in the controls, whereas IFN-γ accounted for only ∼50% of activated cells in each group.

The polo-like kinase inhibitor BI 2536 exhibits potent activity against malignant plasma cells and represents a novel therapy in multiple myeloma.

Objective: Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a regulator of the cell cycle that has been implicated in the pathology of many cancers. We have investigated whether this kinase plays a role in multiple myeloma (MM) using the Plk1 inhibitor BI 2536.

Materials And Methods: We have used six MM cell lines and six patient-derived samples to determine the effects of the Plk1 inhibitor, BI 2536, on cell viability, apoptosis, and cytokinesis.

Development of reagents to study the turkey's immune response: Identification and molecular cloning of turkey CD4, CD8alpha and CD28.

The cDNAs of three turkey CD markers, CD4, CD8alpha and CD28, were identified by screening a turkey cDNA library. The coding regions of the chicken and turkey genes are highly conserved, with 91.3-96.