Basal constriction during midbrain-hindbrain boundary morphogenesis is mediated by Wnt5b and focal adhesion kinase.

Basal constriction occurs at the zebrafish midbrain-hindbrain boundary constriction (MHBC) and is likely a widespread morphogenetic mechanism. 3D reconstruction demonstrates that MHBC cells are wedge-shaped, and initially constrict basally, with subsequent apical expansion. is expressed in the MHB and is required for basal constriction.

Organotypic slice culture of GFP-expressing mouse embryos for real-time imaging of peripheral nerve outgrowth.

For many purposes, the cultivation of mouse embryos ex vivo as organotypic slices is desirable. For example, we employ a transgenic mouse line (tauGFP) in which the enhanced version of the green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is exclusively expressed in all neurons of the developing central and peripheral nervous system(1), allowing the possibility to both film the innervation of the forelimb and to manipulate this process with pharmacological and genetic techniques(2). The most critical parameter in the successful cultivation of such slice cultures is the method by which the slices are prepared.

A simple slice culture system for the imaging of nerve development in embryonic mouse.

Newborn neurons elaborate an axon that undertakes a complicated journey to find its ultimate target in the brain or periphery. Although major progress in the study of this process has been made by analysis of dissociated neurons in vitro, one would like to observe and manipulate axonal outgrowth and pathfinding as it occurs in situ, as fasciculated nerves growing within the tissue itself. Here, we present a simple technique to do this, through cultivation of embryonic mouse slices expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) specifically in newborn neurons.

Omalizumab decreased IgE-release and induced changes in cellular immunity in patients with allergic asthma.

Background: Omalizumab, a recombinant monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, shows proven efficacy in the treatment of allergic diseases. A little is known about the immunological pathways affected by the decrease of circulating free IgE during omalizumab treatment.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the immunological consequence of IgE withdrawal, we studied the influence of omalizumab on stimulated IgE-release of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and on the relative number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (cellular immune status) in patients with allergic asthma.

Effect of omalizumab treatment on peripheral eosinophil and T-lymphocyte function in patients with allergic asthma.

Background: Omalizumab is a recombinant monoclonal anti-IgE antibody with proven efficacy in allergic diseases and further anti-inflammatory potency in the treatment of asthma.

Objectives: To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of omalizumab, we investigated the induction of immunologic changes leading to eosinophil apoptosis and examined T-lymphocyte cytokine profiles in patients with allergic asthma.

Methods: Nineteen patients with allergic asthma were enrolled and received omalizumab at a dose of at least 0.