Long-term antibody and immune memory response induced by pulmonary delivery of the influenza Iscomatrix vaccine.

Pulmonary delivery of an influenza Iscomatrix adjuvant vaccine induces a strong systemic and mucosal antibody response. Since an influenza vaccine needs to induce immunological memory that lasts at least 1 year for utility in humans, we examined the longevity of the immune response induced by such a pulmonary vaccination, with and without antigen challenge. Sheep were vaccinated in the deep lung with an influenza Iscomatrix vaccine, and serum and lung antibody levels were quantified for up to 1 year.

Inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α regulate lymphocyte trafficking through the local lymph node.

Lymphocyte trafficking from blood to lymph and back is a tightly regulated process. Given appropriate stimuli, trafficking of cells through the lymph node changes from a 'steady-state' to a bimodal flow. Initially, a 'shutdown' phase occurs, leading to a dramatic reduction in efferent cell output.

Did transmission of Helicobacter pylori from humans cause a disease outbreak in a colony of Stripe-faced Dunnarts (Sminthopsis macroura)?

Since the discovery that Helicobacter pylori causes a range of pathologies in the stomachs of infected humans, it has become apparent that Helicobacters are found in a diverse range of animal species where they are frequently associated with disease. In 2003 and 2004, there were two outbreaks of increased mortality associated with gastric bleeding and weight-loss in a captive colony of the Australian marsupial, the Stripe-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura). The presence of gastric pathology led to an investigation of potential Helicobacter pathogenesis in these animals.

Combined mucosal and systemic immunity following pulmonary delivery of ISCOMATRIX adjuvanted recombinant antigens.

Deep pulmonary delivery of an influenza ISCOMATRIX vaccine has previously been shown to induce a combined mucosal and systemic antibody response. To explore whether this combined response is influenced by intrinsic properties of the component antigen, we examined the efficacy of deep pulmonary delivery of ISCOMATRIX vaccines containing different recombinant antigens, specifically gB glycoprotein from cytomegalovirus and a fragment of catalase from Helicobacter pylori. Both these vaccines induced antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immunity, as well as antigen-specific proliferative cellular responses.

Protease-activated receptor-1 down-regulates the murine inflammatory and humoral response to Helicobacter pylori.

Background & Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection results in a diversity of pathologies, from asymptomatic gastritis to adenocarcinoma. The reason for these diverse outcomes is multifactorial and includes host factors that regulate severity of Helicobacter-induced gastritis. Protease-activated receptors (PAR) are environmental sensors that can detect tissue damage and pathogens.

M-cell targeting of whole killed bacteria induces protective immunity against gastrointestinal pathogens.

As the majority of human pathogens infect via a mucosal surface, delivery of killed vaccines by mucosal routes could potentially improve protection against many such organisms. Our ability to develop effective killed mucosal vaccines is inhibited by a lack of adjuvants that are safe and effective in humans. The Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) lectin specifically binds M cells lining the murine gastrointestinal tract.

Thoracic duct cannulation without thoracotomy in sheep: a method for accessing efferent lymph from the lung.

We have developed and validated a novel method to access efferent lymph draining the lung and gut of sheep. In this model, efferent lymph derived from the lung could be collected via cannulation of the thoracic duct just prior the thoracic duct-jugular vein junction. The thoracic duct was accessed in the neck region without needing to broach the thoracic cavity, thus avoiding extensive tissue damage to the animal and need for ventilation during surgery.

Phosphotyrosine signaling in platelets: lessons for vascular thrombosis.

Platelet activation is crucial for normal hemostasis to arrest bleeding following vascular injury. However, excessive platelet activation in narrowed atherosclerotic blood vessels that are subject to high shear forces may initiate the onset of arterial thrombosis. When platelets come into contact with, and adhere to collagen exposed by damaged endothelium, they undergo morphological and functional changes necessary to generate a platelet-rich thrombus.