A proviral role for CpG in cytomegalovirus infection.

TLR9-dependent signaling in plasmacytoid dendritic cells is a key contributor to innate immune defense to mouse CMV infection. We aimed to study the expression and potential contribution of TLR9 signaling in human CMV (HCMV) infection of primary fibroblasts. HCMV infection strongly induced TLR9 expression in two of three fibroblast types tested.

IL-10 enhances MD-2 and CD14 expression in monocytes and the proteins are increased and correlated in HIV-infected patients.

Soluble proteins that bind LPS, like myeloid differentiation-2 (MD-2) and CD14, have essential roles in regulating LPS signaling through TLR4. During a gram-negative bacterial infection, the host may control the response by adjusting the levels of soluble MD-2 and CD14. To address the surface expression of MD-2 on human leukocytes, we developed a mAb, IIC1, that recognized MD-2 both free and when bound to TLR4.

Toll-like receptors mediate proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma cells.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable B-cell malignancy characterized by accumulation of malignant plasma cells in bone marrow (BM) and recurrent or persistent infections. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential in the host defense against infections and today 10 human TLRs (TLR1-TLR10) and one TLR-homolog (RP105) have been characterized. B cells express several TLRs (mainly TLR1, 6, 7, 9, 10 and RP105) and TLR-initiated responses in B cells include proliferation, anti-apoptosis effect and plasma cell (PC) differentiation.

Immune-mediated fever in the dog. Occurrence of antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in serum.

Contents of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in serum from 20 dogs with immune-mediated fever. Seven out of 20 patients were ANA positive, 1 out of 20 was positive to antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), 1 out of 20 was positive to antibodies against deoxynucleoproteins (DNP), 2 out of 13 were RF positive and none out of 20 patients had antibodies against native DNA in the serum. TNF-alpha was not detected in any serum of 15 dogs with immune-mediated fever, while 10 out of 13 presented with elevated IL-6.

Abnormal B cell differentiation in primary Sjögren's syndrome results in a depressed percentage of circulating memory B cells and elevated levels of soluble CD27 that correlate with Serum IgG concentration.

The percentage of CD27(+) B cells in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is significantly decreased compared to normals. In contrast, serum levels of the soluble form of CD27 (sCD27) are significantly higher in pSS patients, with a strong positive correlation between sCD27 and serum IgG levels. In vitro experiments demonstrate that normal B cells cultured under conditions driving plasma cell differentiation result in the production of substantial amounts of sCD27.