Developing subunit immunogens using B and T cell epitopes and their constructs derived from the F1 antigen of Yersinia pestis using novel delivery vehicles.

Yersinia pestis is the etiological agent of pneumonic and bubonic plague. As the currently licensed vaccines for plague have their own limitations, there is a need for a rational and more effective form of a subunit vaccine to combat both forms of the disease. Newer methods of antigen delivery coupled with adjuvant offer an alternative approach toward a plague vaccine.

Interleukin-10 induces macrophage apoptosis and expression of CD16 (FcgammaRIII) whose engagement blocks the cell death programme and facilitates differentiation.

The development of monocytes into macrophages is regulated by helper T cells (Th) cells and, vice versa, the differentiation of Th cells into Th1 and Th2 is regulated by macrophages. Herein we examined the role of the Th2 cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), on the development of macrophages. IL-10 is known to block the expression of antigen-presenting major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II and of costimulatory B7 molecules but it induces the expression of FcRs, especially the FcgammaRIII (CD16).

Singular anti-RNA virus-directed proteins.

Aims: To additionally purify and characterise the anti-RNA virus-directed protein termed p14.

Materials And Methods: Antiviral assays of p14 against RNA and DNA viruses were carried out and its antigenic similarities with chicken interferon (CIFN) were studied. HPLC-Reverse Phase of p14 was performed to further purify p14.

Polyspecific self-reactive antibodies in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus facilitate T cell deletion and inhibit costimulatory accessory cell function.

Self-reactive polyspecific IgG antibodies (PSAs) arise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive subjects before they develop AIDS. Self-reactive PSA levels correlate with the destruction of CD8 T cells in HIV-infected individuals and mediate the antibody-dependent cellular toxicity-based destruction of human T cells in tissue culture. PSAs react across the species barrier and bind to T cell antigens in mice.

Regulation of IL-6 signaling by p53: STAT3- and STAT5-masking in p53-Val135-containing human hepatoma Hep3B cell lines.

The influence of p53 on cytokine-triggered Janus kinase-STAT signaling was investigated in human hepatoma Hep3B cell lines engineered to constitutively express the temperature-sensitive Val135 mutant of p53. In comparison to the parental p53-free Hep3B cells, these p53-Val135-containing Hep3B cell lines displayed a reduced response to IL-6 at the wild-type-like p53 temperature (32.5 degrees C).