IL-23 is required for long-term control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and B cell follicle formation in the infected lung.

IL-23 is required for the IL-17 response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but is not required for the early control of bacterial growth. However, mice deficient for the p19 component of IL-23 (Il23a(-/-)) exhibit increased bacterial growth late in infection that is temporally associated with smaller B cell follicles in the lungs. Cxcl13 is required for B cell follicle formation and immunity during tuberculosis.

Normative data and psychometric properties of short form 36 health survey (SF-36, version 1.0) in the population of north Jordan.

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the short form 36 health survey (SF-36, version 1.0) and to establish SF-36 population norms among the general population of north Jordan. A systematic sample of 157 households was selected from 6 districts in Irbid governorate in north Jordan.

Francisella tularensis LVS-induced Interleukin-12 p40 cytokine production mediates dendritic cell migration through IL-12 Receptor β1.

Three cytokines use the IL-12p40 cytokine subunit namely: IL-12p70 (IL-12-comprised of IL-12p40 and IL-12p35), IL-23 (comprised of the IL-12p40 and IL-23p19 subunits) and homodimeric IL-12p40 (IL-12(p40)(2)). Following activation, immature dendritic cells (DCs) upregulate the chemokine receptor Chemokine-C-Receptor 7 (CCR7), and migrate in response to homeostatic chemokines such as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19). Induction of the cytokine IL-12p40 in response to pathogen-exposure, likely in its homodimeric form, is one of the primary events that mediates migration of DCs in response to CCL19.

The development of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue depends on IL-17.

Ectopic or tertiary lymphoid tissues, such as inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT), form in nonlymphoid organs after local infection or inflammation. However, the initial events that promote this process remain unknown. Here we show that iBALT formed in mouse lungs as a consequence of pulmonary inflammation during the neonatal period.

Profiling early lung immune responses in the mouse model of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the intracellular bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and kills more than 1.5 million people every year worldwide. Immunity to TB is associated with the accumulation of IFNγ-producing T helper cell type 1 (Th1) in the lungs, activation of M.

IL-17 in protective immunity to intracellular pathogens.

The identification of a new T cell subset referred to as T helper 17 (Th17) cells and its role in protective immunity against extracellular bacterial infections is well established. In contrast, initial studies suggested that the IL-23-IL-17 pathway was not required for protection against intracellular pathogens such as mycobacterial infections. However, recent studies demonstrate that Th17-IL-23 pathway may play a crucial role in protective immunity against other intracellular pathogens by regulating the innate and adaptive immune responses.

Influenza A inhibits Th17-mediated host defense against bacterial pneumonia in mice.

Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of hospital and community acquired pneumonia and causes secondary infection after influenza A. Recently, patients with hyper-IgE syndrome, who often present with S. aureus infections of the lung and skin, were found to have mutations in STAT3, required for Th17 immunity, suggesting a potential critical role for Th17 cells in S.

Conserved natural IgM antibodies mediate innate and adaptive immunity against the opportunistic fungus Pneumocystis murina.

Host defense against opportunistic fungi requires coordination between innate and adaptive immunity for resolution of infection. Antibodies generated in mice vaccinated with the fungus Pneumocystis prevent growth of Pneumocystis organisms within the lungs, but the mechanisms whereby antibodies enhance antifungal host defense are poorly defined. Nearly all species of fungi contain the conserved carbohydrates β-glucan and chitin within their cell walls, which may be targets of innate and adaptive immunity.

The role of Th17 cytokines in primary mucosal immunity.

The T helper type 17 (Th17) lineage of CD4+ T-cells produce several effector molecules including IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22. In addition to CD4+, αβ T-cells, these cytokines can be produced by natural killer and γδ T-cells. These effector cytokines can be produced rapidly upon infection at mucosal sites and evidence to date strongly implicates that this arm of the immune system plays a critical role in mucosal immunity to many extracellular pathogens.

Fine needle aspiration of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in an HIV-positive man: a case report.

Background: Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is an uncommon neoplasm occurring not only in lymph nodes but also in extranodal sites. Because of an increasing number of case reports, awareness of this tumor has grown. The nature of the disease and its relation to other diseases, treatment, prognosis and immunochemistry findings are being actively studied.

APTIMA assay on SurePath liquid-based cervical samples compared to endocervical swab samples facilitated by a real time database.

Background: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) cervical samples are increasingly being used to test for pathogens, including: HPV, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) using nucleic acid amplification tests. Several reports have shown the accuracy of such testing on ThinPrep (TP) LBC samples. Fewer studies have evaluated SurePath (SP) LBC samples, which utilize a different specimen preservative.

Th17 cytokines in mucosal immunity and inflammation.

Purpose Of Review: Compelling evidence suggests that the Th17 lineage and other IL-17-producing cells play critical roles in host defense against pathogens at mucosal sites. However, IL-17 can also contribute to inflammatory responses at mucosal sites. In this review, we will discuss the recent progress in our understanding of the role of Th17 and other IL-17-producing cells in defining the fine balance between immunity and inflammation at different mucosal sites.

Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology: follicular lesions and the gray zone.

Objective: To identifiy categories of potentially neoplastic, nonpapillary follicular lesions of the thyroid that would reduce the number of lobectomies for nonneoplastic disease.

Study Design: The literature regarding fine needle aspiration (FNA) of follicular lesions is difficult to interpret largely due to the poor standardization of diagnostic categories. Based on our categorization scheme, which is directly comparable to the new system proposed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we quantitatively evaluated the cytomorphologic features of 99 "atypical" cases.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection induces il12rb1 splicing to generate a novel IL-12Rbeta1 isoform that enhances DC migration.

RNA splicing is an increasingly recognized regulator of immunity. Here, we demonstrate that after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (mRNA) il12rb1 is spliced by dendritic cells (DCs) to form an alternative (mRNA) il12rb1Deltatm that encodes the protein IL-12Rbeta1DeltaTM. Compared with IL-12Rbeta1, IL-12Rbeta1DeltaTM contains an altered C-terminal sequence and lacks a transmembrane domain.

Th17 cytokines and vaccine-induced immunity.

T helper type 17 (Th17) cells are a distinct lineage of T cells that produce the effector molecules IL-17, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22. Although the role of Th17 cells in primary immune responses against infections is well documented, there is growing evidence that the Th17 lineage maybe critical for vaccine-induced memory immune responses against infectious diseases. Here, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the role of IL-17 in vaccine-induced immunity.

In a murine tuberculosis model, the absence of homeostatic chemokines delays granuloma formation and protective immunity.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (Mtb) results in the generation of protective cellular immunity and formation of granulomatous structures in the lung. CXCL13, CCL21, and CCL19 are constitutively expressed in the secondary lymphoid organs and play a dominant role in the homing of lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Although it is known that dendritic cell transport of Mtb from the lung to the draining lymph node is dependent on CCL19/CCL21, we show in this study that CCL19/CCL21 is also important for the accumulation of Ag-specific IFN-gamma-producing T cells in the lung, development of the granuloma, and control of mycobacteria.

Interleukin-17 is required for T helper 1 cell immunity and host resistance to the intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis.

The importance of T helper type 1 (Th1) cell immunity in host resistance to the intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis is well established. However, the relative roles of interleukin (IL)-12-Th1 and IL-23-Th17 cell responses in immunity to F. tularensis have not been studied.

Th17 cells at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity against infectious diseases at the mucosa.

T helper type 17 (Th17) cells are a distinct lineage of T cells that produce the effector molecules IL-17, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22. Although the role of Th17 cells in autoimmunity is well documented, there is growing evidence that the Th17 lineage and other interleukin (IL)-17-producing cells are critical for host defense against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections at mucosal surfaces. Here we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the function of IL-17-producing cells as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity against infectious diseases at the mucosa.

The role of cytokines in the initiation, expansion, and control of cellular immunity to tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) results from an interaction between a potent immune response and a chronically persistent pathogen. The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to induce a strong immune response while being able to resist the ability of the host to clear bacteria provides an excellent tool with which to investigate the role of specific cytokine pathways on the induction, expansion, and control of the effector T-cell response. In this review, the role of interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40), IL-12p70, IL-23, and IL-27 in the immune response to Mtb are described.

Prevalence-correlates-awareness-treatment and control of hypertension in kumarakom, kerala: baseline results of a community-based intervention program.

BACKGROUND, Hypertension is one of the major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension remain major challenges worldwide. In this article, we present the baseline prevalence of hypertension from an ongoing intervention program for its control in a community-based sample in Kerala, Southern India.

Yersinia pestis evades TLR4-dependent induction of IL-12(p40)2 by dendritic cells and subsequent cell migration.

At the temperature of its flea vector (approximately 20-30 degrees C), the causative agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, expresses a profile of genes distinct from those expressed in a mammalian host (37 degrees C). When dendritic cells (DC) are exposed to Y. pestis grown at 26 degrees C (Y.

Benthic foraminifera from polluted marine environment of Sulaibikhat Bay (Kuwait).

Quantitative analyses of recent benthic foraminiferal assemblages (living and dead) were carried out on the surface sediments of Sulaibikhat Bay. Marked contrast in foraminiferal assemblages between the shallow tidal mudflats and the deep tidal channel and their relation to the extent of pollution were observed. Cluster analysis of quantitative data on the distribution of foraminiferal tests revealed three assemblages that depend mainly on the intensity of pollution; (1) a highly polluted tidal flat assemblage, (2) normal (or less polluted) mud flat assemblage and, (3) tidal channel and subtidal assemblage.

Fine needle aspiration of urethral recurrence of urothelial carcinoma after radical cystectomy presenting as a perineal mass: a case report.

Background: Recurrence of urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma in the urethra after cystectomy for invasive urothelial carcinoma is relatively uncommon. It is also uncommon for the recurring urethral tumor to present as a painful perineal mass. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) can be used to evaluate such perineal lesions and confirm tumor recurrence.

IL-23 and IL-17 in tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a chronic disease requiring the constant expression of cellular immunity to limit bacterial growth. The constant expression of immunity also results in chronic inflammation, which requires regulation. While IFN-gamma-producing CD4+ T helper cells (Th1) are required for control of bacterial growth they also initiate and maintain a mononuclear inflammatory response.