The protective role of immunoglobulins in fungal infections and inflammation.

Increased incidence of fungal infections in the immunocompromised individuals and fungi-mediated allergy and inflammatory conditions in immunocompetent individuals is a cause of concern. Consequently, there is a need for efficient therapeutic alternatives to treat fungal infections and inflammation. Several studies have demonstrated that antibodies or immunoglobulins have a role in restricting the fungal burden and their clearance.

Regulation of human dendritic cell functions by natural anti-CD40 antibodies.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells that play a pivotal role in the initiation of immune responses. DCs ingest antigens and then present these antigens to T cells to initiate T cell activation and polarization. DCs receive signals both from environment and from endogenous molecules.

PE_PGRS antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis induce maturation and activation of human dendritic cells.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of pulmonary tuberculosis, infects one-third of the world's population. Activation of host immune responses for containment of mycobacterial infections involves participation of innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are sentinels of the immune system and are important for eliciting both primary and secondary immune responses to pathogens.

Surface hydrophobin prevents immune recognition of airborne fungal spores.

The air we breathe is filled with thousands of fungal spores (conidia) per cubic metre, which in certain composting environments can easily exceed 10(9) per cubic metre. They originate from more than a hundred fungal species belonging mainly to the genera Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus. Although these conidia contain many antigens and allergens, it is not known why airborne fungal microflora do not activate the host innate immune cells continuously and do not induce detrimental inflammatory responses following their inhalation.

Antiangiogenic properties of viscum album extracts are associated with endothelial cytotoxicity.

Background: Viscum album (VA) extracts are widely used in cancer therapy and are known to be cytotoxic to tumors and endothelial cells. Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth, sustenance and metastasis of tumors. Inhibition of angiogenesis is now being explored as a new therapeutic avenue for cancer.

Modulation of human dendritic cell maturation and function by natural IgG antibodies.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells, which have a central role in the initiation of primary immune responses and in maintaining immune tolerance. The functions of DCs can be regulated both by environmental signals as well as signals delivered by endogenous molecules. Recently we have examined regulation of human DCs by B cells via natural IgG antibodies.

Induction of maturation and activation of human dendritic cells: a mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of Viscum album as complimentary therapy in cancer.

Background: Viscum album (VA) preparations have been used as a complimentary therapy in cancer. In addition to their cytotoxic properties, they have also been shown to have immunostimulatory properties. In the present study, we examine the hypothesis that the VA preparations induce activation of human DC that facilitates effective tumor regression.

Intravenous immunoglobulin in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: more than mere transfer of antibodies.

Initially used for the treatment of immunodeficiencies, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has increasingly been used as an immunomodulatory agent in immune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune neuropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Kawasaki disease. Although IVIg benefits have been reported in many autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases, its mechanisms of immunomodulation are not fully understood and probably involve Fc-dependent and/or F(ab')(2)-dependent mutually non-exclusive effects. These mechanisms of action of IVIg reflect the importance of natural antibodies in the maintenance of immune homeostasis.