[A case of a solitary Mycobacterium avium complex lesion of the liver].

A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital on suspicion of liver tumor on regular abdominal ultrasonography. The abdominal ultrasonography identified a solitary, low-echoic lesion measuring 17mm in diameter in S7. This lesion was not enhanced in any phase of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and thus we performed a liver biopsy.

Human blood dendritic cell antigen 3 (BDCA3)(+) dendritic cells are a potent producer of interferon-λ in response to hepatitis C virus.

Unlabelled: The polymorphisms in the interleukin (IL)-28B (interferon-lambda [IFN]-λ3) gene are strongly associated with the efficacy of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance. Dendritic cells (DCs) sense HCV and produce IFNs, thereby playing some cooperative roles with HCV-infected hepatocytes in the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Blood dendritic cell antigen 3 (BDCA3)(+) DCs were discovered as a producer of IFN-λ upon Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) stimulation.

Association of enhanced activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in dendritic cells with the induction of regulatory T cells in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Background: Altered functions of dendritic cells (DCs) and/or increases of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), is reported to be an inducer of immune tolerance. Our aim was to clarify whether or not IDO is activated in chronic hepatitis C patients and its role in immune responses.

TIE2-expressing monocytes as a diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma correlates with angiogenesis.

Unlabelled: Angiogenesis is a critical step in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Myeloid lineage cells, such as macrophages and monocytes, have been reported to regulate angiogenesis in mouse tumor models. TIE2, a receptor of angiopoietins, conveys pro-angiogenic signals and identifies a monocyte/macrophage subset with pro-angiogenic activity.

Comparative analyses of regulatory T cell subsets in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a crucial role of CD25(-) FOXP3(-) T cells.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play pivotal role in cancer-induced immunoediting. Increment of CD25(high+) FOXP3+ natural Tregs has been reported in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the involvement of other type of Tregs remain elusive. We aimed to clarify whether FOXP3- Tregs are increased and functionally suppressive or not in patients with HCC.

Dynamics of regulatory T cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells as immune markers for virological response in pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background: For the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, a combination of pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFNα) and ribavirin has been widely used as a standard of care. Enhancement of immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known to be involved in the efficacy of the combination therapy. Our aim was to elucidate whether or not the frequency or function of blood cells is related to the outcome of the therapy.

Comprehensive immunological analyses of colorectal cancer patients in the phase I/II study of quickly matured dendritic cell vaccine pulsed with carcinoembryonic antigen peptide.

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccine has been used to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The results of vaccine-induced clinical responses have not always been satisfactory partially because of DC incompetence. In order to evaluate the feasibility of novel mature DCs for therapeutic adjuvants against CRC, we conducted clinical trials with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) peptide-loaded DC quickly generated with a combination of OK432 (Streptococcuspyogenes preparation), prostanoid, and interferon-α (OPA-DC).