JAG1-NOTCH4 mechanosensing drives atherosclerosis.

Endothelial cell (EC) sensing of disturbed blood flow triggers atherosclerosis, a disease of arteries that causes heart attack and stroke, through poorly defined mechanisms. The Notch pathway plays a central role in blood vessel growth and homeostasis, but its potential role in sensing of disturbed flow has not been previously studied. Here, we show using porcine and murine arteries and cultured human coronary artery EC that disturbed flow activates the JAG1-NOTCH4 signaling pathway.

Neutrophil microvesicles drive atherosclerosis by delivering miR-155 to atheroprone endothelium.

Neutrophils are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis but are seldom detected in atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated whether neutrophil-derived microvesicles may influence arterial pathophysiology. Here we report that levels of circulating neutrophil microvesicles are enhanced by exposure to a high fat diet, a known risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Angiopoietin-1 enhances neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro and migration in vivo through interaction with CD18 and release of CCL4.

Angiopoietins are a family of growth factors that are ligands for the tyrosine kinase receptor, Tie2. Angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) is agonistic for Tie2, plays a key role in blood vessel maturation and stability and has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, Tie2 expression has been demonstrated on human neutrophils and the observation that neutrophils migrate in response to Ang-1 in vitro has confounded research into its exact role in inflammation as well as its potential use as a therapeutic agent.

Temporal interleukin-1beta secretion from primary human peripheral blood monocytes by P2X7-independent and P2X7-dependent mechanisms.

The processing and regulated secretion of IL-1beta are critical points of control of the biological activity of this important pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-1beta is produced by both monocytes and macrophages, but the rate and mechanism of release differ according to the differentiation status and the origin of these cells. We aimed to study the control of processing and release in human blood monocytes and human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Constriction of rat extra-splenic veins to lipopolysaccharide involves endothelin-1.

The spleen has an important role in blood volume regulation and increased resistance of post-capillary hilar veins (in mesentery adjoining the spleen) can regulate this. This study investigated whether venular constriction to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) involved endothelin-1 (ET-1). Pressure myography was used to study isolated extra-splenic (hilar) vessels from male Wistar rats (n = 111).

Infectious Bronchitis Virus induces acute interferon-gamma production through polyclonal stimulation of chicken leukocytes.

Infectious Bronchitis Virus, a member of the Coronaviridae, is a respiratory pathogen in poultry. We found that in vitro stimulation with IBV resulted in ChIFN-gamma production in splenocytes of both infected birds and uninfected birds. The non-specific stimulation did not occur when other avian viruses or other coronaviruses were used or when mammalian cells were stimulated with IBV.

Course of infection and immune responses in the respiratory tract of IBV infected broilers after superinfection with E. coli.

Colibacillosis results from infection with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria. Healthy broilers are resistant to inhaled E. coli, but previous infection with vaccine or virulent strains of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) predisposes birds for severe colibacillosis.

The role of phagocytic cells in enhanced susceptibility of broilers to colibacillosis after Infectious Bronchitis Virus infection.

Colibacillosis results from infection with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria. Healthy broilers are resistant to inhaled E. coli, but previous infection with vaccine or virulent strains of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) predisposes birds for severe colibacillosis.

Fast track selection of immunogens for novel vaccines through visualisation of the early onset of the B-cell response.

A most essential step in vaccine research and development, ie vaccine studies in animals, seriously suffer from long timespans needed to arrive at effective immunogens. In this report we show how almost immediately after vaccination the antibody inducing potential of low immunogenic 'self' antigens can be accurately assessed. (We expect that this timespan can be reduced even more when 'non self' antigens are used, since such responses should be stronger.