The safety of food is a matter of global concern today. Continuous monitoring of canned tuna and canned sardines quality is essential regarding metal, nonmetal, and metalloid content. In this article, we present the data on the elemental content obtained in canned tuna and canned sardines by using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP OES), as well as the data on Pollution Index (PI) and Health Risk Index (HRI).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe preferential expression of the non-polymorphic human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) on invading extravillous cytotrophoblast cells that are, with the exception of HLA-C and -E, HLA class I negative led to the hypothesis that HLA-G plays a major role in controlling the effector functions of the large granular leukocytes (LGL), a specialized natural killer (NK) cell population present in large numbers in the decidua. Transcription of the HLA-G gene is characterized by extensive alternative splicing producing at least seven potentially membrane bound or secreted isoforms. Except for HLA-G1 and its soluble variant (HLA-G1s), there is still dispute as to whether any of the other isoforms displays a major immunological function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman cytomegalovirus has evolved multiple strategies to interfere with immune recognition by the host. A variety of mechanisms affect antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules resulting in a reduced class I cell-surface expression. This downregulation is expected to trigger natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity, requiring counteraction by the virus to establish long-term infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interaction of HLA-E with CD94/NKG2A is dependant on the binding of HLA class I signal sequence derived peptides to HLA-E. In the caucasoid population two HLA-E alleles are observed at equal frequencies. Here we study the functional differences between the two HLA-E molecules with regard to cell surface expression, peptide binding, and potential to inhibit lytic activity of a CD94/NKG2A(+) NK cell line.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe generation of discriminative, monospecific anti-HLA antibodies used to be a difficult endeavor. Phage display technology, using single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) offers a powerful alternative obtaining target-specific, genetically stable reagents. Most of scFv obtained to date have been enriched by panning phage libraries to solid-phase coupled antigens.
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