Multiple solvent, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, acts as a novel adjuvant for enhancing cutaneous immune responses.

N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is known for its multi-solvent properties. However, its biological, especially immunological significance still remains to be elucidated. In this study, we show for the first time that NMP stimulates the skin immune system by activating epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs).

Stimulation of human butyrophilin 3 molecules results in negative regulation of cellular immunity.

The BTN molecule consists of three subfamilies, BTN1, BTN2. and BTN3, and possesses interesting properties for biological regulation. Although the biological significance of BTN1 and BTN2 has been progressively clarified, the receptor function of BTN3 remains to be elucidated as a result of the absence of appropriate agonists.

A novel strategy of cancer gene therapy by transcriptional targeting of an allogeneic histocompatibility transgene.

Background: A drawback of cancer gene therapy is the failure of toxic gene introduction into a proportion of the tumor cells, resulting in re-progression of the disease. Cancer cell-specificity of the gene introduction has also been problematic.

Materials And Methods: Previously defined promoter/enhancer DNA of Q5 tumor antigen gene was used for the purpose of transcriptional targeting.

Anti-infective and anti-tumor agents based on the depletion of immune suppressive effects.

Aggressive immunity characterized by the motion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), T helper (Th) 1 cells, and natural killer (NK) cells is the first line of defense against intracellular microorganism invasion and tumor formation. In patients with infectious diseases and tumors, aggressive immunity is often attenuated by immune suppressive effects provided by regulatory T (Treg) cells including CD4(+) CD25(+) forkhead-box (fox) p3(+) T cells, T regulatory (Tr) 1, Th3, and a subpopulation of gammadelta-type of T cell receptor-expressing T (gammadelta T) cells. It has been demonstrated that Treg cells down-regulate aggressive immunity by direct cell interactions and suppressive cytokines (e.

Hierarchical signaling thresholds determine the fates of naíve T cells: partial priming leads nai;ve T cells to unresponsiveness.

Differing conditions of antigen priming varying either the concentration or affinity of T cell receptor (TCR) ligands greatly alter T cell responses. Here, we demonstrate that antigen-specific CD4(+) nai;ve T cells primed with either altered peptide ligands (APLs) or a minimal concentration of antigen peptide become anergic without observable cell divisions. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression was induced 24h following in these stimulation conditions producing anergic cells.

Development of CD25(+) T cells secreting transforming growth factor-beta1 by altered peptide ligands expressed as self-antigens.

This study demonstrates that CD4(+) T cells specific for an altered self-antigen differentiate to T cells secreting transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. In this study, we utilized mice expressing an altered peptide ligand containing a single amino acid substitution of moth cytochrome c 88-103 peptide. In these mice, antigen-specific T cells escaping thymic negative selection differentiated into T cells with an effector/memory phenotype, CD44(high), CD45RB(low), CD62L(-) and CD25(intermediate).