Identification of cells expressing IL-17A and IL-17F in the lungs of patients with COPD.

Background: Lymphocytes secrete IL-17A and IL-17F, which enhance innate immune responses. IL-17 expression has not been studied in COPD small airways. The aim of this study was to quantify IL-17A and IL-17F expression in the peripheral lung tissue of patients with COPD compared with control subjects and to identify inflammatory cells that express IL-17.

Increased airway T regulatory cells in asthmatic subjects.

Background: T regulatory cells (Tregs) may play a role in the suppression of effector lymphocyte activity in asthma. We hypothesized that Treg numbers would be increased in patients with more severe asthma. We also investigated the regulatory function of CD4 cells by expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), and the number of these cells that are intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing CD103.

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease macrophage inflammatory gene expression by dexamethasone and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor N-cyano-N'-(2-{[8-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)-7-oxo-7,8-dihydropyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidin-2-yl]amino}ethyl)guanidine (SB706504).

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is known to be increased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) macrophages. We have studied the effects of the p38 MAPK inhibitor N-cyano-N'-(2-{[8-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)-7-oxo-7,8-dihydropyrido[2,3-d]-pyrimidin-2-yl]amino}ethyl)guanidine (SB706504) and dexamethasone on COPD macrophage inflammatory gene expression and protein secretion. We also studied the effects of combined SB706504 and dexamethasone treatment.

CD4-regulatory cells in COPD patients.

Background: The numbers of airway CD8 and B lymphocytes are increased in COPD patients, suggesting an autoimmune process. CD4-regulatory T cells control autoimmunity but have not been studied in patients with COPD.

Objective: To compare T-regulatory cell numbers in the BAL from COPD patients, smokers with normal lung function, and healthy nonsmokers (HNS).

CD8 T-cell recognition of human 5T4 oncofetal antigen.

The 5T4 oncofetal antigen is expressed by a wide variety of human carcinomas, including colorectal, ovarian and gastric carcinomas. The restricted expression of 5T4 on tumor tissues as well as its implication in tumor progression and bad prognosis makes 5T4 a promising new candidate for immunotherapy. An MVA vaccine encoding 5T4 antigen has been successfully evaluated in preclinical studies in a murine tumor model.

Immunological responses in women with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16)-associated anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia induced by heterologous prime-boost HPV-16 oncogene vaccination.

Purpose: The purpose is to study the immunogenicity of heterologous prime-boost human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogene vaccination in patients with anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia (AGIN).

Experimental Design: Twenty-nine women with high-grade AGIN received three i.m.