Pneumocystis infection alters the activation state of pulmonary macrophages.

Recent studies show a substantial incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization and infection in patients with chronic inflammatory lung conditions. However, little is known about the impact of Pneumocystis upon the regulation of pulmonary immunity. We demonstrate here that Pneumocystis polarizes macrophages towards an alternatively activated macrophage-like phenotype.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits early B cell development in vivo.

Recent in vitro studies suggest that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibits early B cell differentiation; however, there is no evidence in the intact animal for a role for CGRP in B cell development. Here, we show that in vivo treatment of mice with CGRP reduces the number of IL-7 responsive B cell progenitors in bone marrow. A single CGRP treatment reduces IL-7-responsive B cell progenitors by up to 40% for up to 72 h.

Plasmin deficiency does not alter endogenous murine amyloid beta levels in mice.

Deposition of amyloid beta (A beta) into extracellular plaques is a pathologic characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Plasmin, neprilysin, endothelin-converting enzyme and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) have each been implicated in A beta degradation; data supporting the role of the latter three enzymes have included increased levels of endogenous murine A beta in mice genetically deficient for the respective enzyme. In this study, we sought to determine if plasminogen deficiency increases endogenous A beta.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide indirectly inhibits IL-7 responses in pre-B cells by induction of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in bone marrow.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. CGRP directly inhibits IL-7 induced proliferation in developing B cells and also induces soluble factors that inhibit IL-7 responses. We identified 2 cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, induced by CGRP, that inhibit IL-7 pre-B cell responses.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide induces AP-1 activity by a PKA and c-fos-dependent mechanism in pre-B cells.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a sensory neuropeptide with regulatory influences on immune and inflammatory responses and early B lymphocyte differentiation. Little is known about its cellular mechanisms. These studies examined whether CGRP induces c-fos.