Chlamydia muridarum has been used to study chlamydial pathogenesis because it induces mice to develop hydrosalpinx, a pathology observed in C. trachomatis-infected women. We identified a C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFhas been used to study chlamydial pathogenesis since it induces mice to develop hydrosalpinx, a pathology observed in -infected women. We identified a mutant that is no longer able to induce hydrosalpinx. In the current study, we evaluated the mutant as an attenuated vaccine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGM-CSF is an important cytokine that regulates the proliferation of monocytes/macrophages and its various functions during health and disease. Although growing evidences support the notion that GM-CSF could play a major role in immunity against tuberculosis (TB) infection, the mechanism of GM-CSF mediated protective effect against TB remains largely unknown. Here in this study we examined the secreted levels of GM-CSF by human macrophages from different donors along with the GM-CSF dependent cellular processes that are critical for control of infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaginal mucosal surfaces naturally offer some protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1, however topical preventative medications or vaccine designed to boost local immune responses can further enhance this protection. We previously developed a novel mucosal vaccine strategy using viral vectors integrated into mouse dermal epithelium to induce virus-specific humoral and cellular immune responses at the site of exposure. Since vaccine integration occurs at the site of cell replication (basal layer 100-400 micrometers below the surface), temporal epithelial thinning during vaccine application, confirmed with high resolution imaging, is desirable.
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