Rotavirus epidemiology 5-6 years after universal rotavirus vaccination: persistent rotavirus activity in older children and elderly.

Background: Rotavirus (RV) vaccination using RotaTeq vaccine exclusively was introduced into Finnish National Immunization Program (NIP) in 2009, and soon reached high (≥90%) coverage. Since mid-2013, all stool samples from laboratory diagnosed cases of RV gastroenteritis in the entire country have been typed.

Methods: 364 RV positive stool samples collected from clinical laboratories over a 2-year period were G- and P-typed using RT-PCR, and the results were confirmed by sequencing.

Nonpathogenic Lactobacillus rhamnosus activates the inflammasome and antiviral responses in human macrophages.

In this study, we have utilized global gene expression profiling to compare the responses of human primary macrophages to two closely related, well-characterized Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains GG and LC705, since our understanding of the responses elicited by nonpathogenic bacteria in human innate immune system is limited. Macrophages are phagocytic cells of the innate immune system that perform sentinel functions to initiate appropriate responses to surrounding stimuli. Macrophages that reside on gut mucosa encounter ingested and intestinal bacteria.

Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus induces weak cytokine responses in human macrophages and dendritic cells and is highly sensitive to the antiviral actions of interferons.

In less than 3 months after the first cases of swine origin 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infections were reported from Mexico, WHO declared a pandemic. The pandemic virus is antigenically distinct from seasonal influenza viruses, and the majority of human population lacks immunity against this virus. We have studied the activation of innate immune responses in pandemic virus-infected human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages.

IFN-alpha regulates Toll-like receptor-mediated IL-27 gene expression in human macrophages.

IL-27 is a novel member of the IL-12 cytokine family. IL-27 has pro- and anti-inflammatory properties, and it controls the responses of adaptive immunity. It promotes the differentiation of naïve Th cells and suppresses the effector functions of Th17 cells.

Interleukin 23 in acute inflammatory demyelination of the peripheral nerve.

Background: Interleukin (IL) 23, a newly identified heterodimeric proinflammatory cytokine and a novel IL-12 family member comprising the p40 subunit of IL-12 but a different p19 subunit, has been reported to preferentially act on memory T cells and play an important role during cellular immune responses. Recent evidence suggests that IL-23 rather than IL-12 is critically involved in the pathogenesis of various immune-mediated disorders.

Objective: To determine the role of IL-23p19 during the course of acute immune-mediated demyelinating diseases of the peripheral nervous system.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha enhances influenza A virus-induced expression of antiviral cytokines by activating RIG-I gene expression.

Epithelial cells of the lung are the primary targets for respiratory viruses. Virus-carried single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) can activate Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 8, whereas dsRNA is bound by TLR3 and a cytoplasmic RNA helicase, retinoic acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I). This recognition leads to the activation of host cell cytokine gene expression.

Role of IL-17A, IL-17F, and the IL-17 receptor in regulating growth-related oncogene-alpha and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in bronchial epithelium: implications for airway inflammation in cystic fibrosis.

IL-17R signaling is critical for pulmonary neutrophil recruitment and host defense against Gram-negative bacteria through the coordinated release of G-CSF and CXC chemokine elaboration. In this study, we show that IL-17R is localized to basal airway cells in human lung tissue, and functional IL-17R signaling occurs on the basolateral surface of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. IL-17A and IL-17F were potent inducers of growth-related oncogene-alpha and G-CSF in HBE cells, and significant synergism was observed with TNF-alpha largely due to signaling via TNFRI.

IFN-alpha regulates TLR-dependent gene expression of IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IL-28, and IL-29.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate host cell activation by various microbial components. TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 are the receptors that have been associated with virus-induced immune response. We have previously reported that all these TLRs, except TLR9, are expressed at mRNA levels in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Cytokine and contact-dependent activation of natural killer cells by influenza A or Sendai virus-infected macrophages.

NK cells participate in innate immune responses by secreting gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and by destroying virus-infected cells. Here the interaction between influenza A or Sendai virus-infected macrophages and NK cells has been studied. A rapid, cell-cell contact-dependent production of IFN-gamma from NK cells cultured with virus-infected macrophages was observed.

Streptococcus pyogenes and Lactobacillus rhamnosus differentially induce maturation and production of Th1-type cytokines and chemokines in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most efficient antigen-presenting cells and thus, have a major role in regulating host immune responses. In the present study, we have analyzed the ability of Gram-positive, pathogenic Streptococcus pyogenes and nonpathogenic Lactobacillus rhamnosus to induce the maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs. Stimulation of DCs with S.

Constitutive p40 promoter activation and IL-23 production in the terminal ileum mediated by dendritic cells.

IL-12 p40-related cytokines such as IL-12 p35/p40 heterodimer and IL-23 (p19/p40) are potent regulators of adaptive immune responses. Little is known, however, about the transcriptional regulation of the p40 gene in vivo. In an attempt toward this goal, we have generated transgenic mice expressing firefly luciferase under the control of the IL-12 p40 promoter.

Regulation of virus-induced IL-12 and IL-23 expression in human macrophages.

IL-23 is a novel cytokine that promotes the proliferation of naive and memory T cells and stimulates their IFN-gamma production. Besides functional similarities, IL-23 bears structural resemblance to IL-12. Biologically active IL-23 is a heterodimer whose p40 subunit is identical to IL-12p40 while its p19 subunit is distantly related to IL-12p35.