Interleukin-17-producing decidual CD4+ T cells are not deleterious for human pregnancy when they also produce interleukin-4.

Background: Trophoblast expressing paternal HLA-C antigens resemble a semiallograft, and could be rejected by maternal CD4+ T lymphocytes. We examined the possible role in human pregnancy of Th17 cells, known to be involved in allograft rejection and reported for this reason to be responsible for miscarriages. We also studied Th17/Th1 and Th17/Th2 cells never investigated before.

Neurons are MHC class I-dependent targets for CD8 T cells upon neurotropic viral infection.

Following infection of the central nervous system (CNS), the immune system is faced with the challenge of eliminating the pathogen without causing significant damage to neurons, which have limited capacities of renewal. In particular, it was thought that neurons were protected from direct attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) because they do not express major histocompatibility class I (MHC I) molecules, at least at steady state. To date, most of our current knowledge on the specifics of neuron-CTL interaction is based on studies artificially inducing MHC I expression on neurons, loading them with exogenous peptide and applying CTL clones or lines often differentiated in culture.

Specific immobilization of influenza A virus on GaAs (001) surface.

In the quest for the development of an all-optical biosensor for rapid detection and typing of viral pathogens, we investigate biosensing architectures that take advantage of strong photoluminescence emission from III-V quantum semiconductors (QS). One of the key elements in the development of such a biosensor is the ability to attach various analytes to GaAs--a material of choice for capping III-V QS of our interest. We report on the study of biofunctionalization of GaAs (001) with polyethylene-glycol (PEG) thiols and the successful immobilization of influenza A virus.

Tracking antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the rat using MHC class I multimers.

Studies of the quantitative and qualitative aspects of anti-microbial, anti-tumoral or autoreactive immune responses have been greatly facilitated by the possibility to stain antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells using fluorescently labeled multimeric major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I/peptide complexes. So far, this technology has been developed for human and mouse, but not yet in the rat. Here, we describe the generation of the first rat MHC multimer.

LF 15-0195 treatment protects against central nervous system autoimmunity by favoring the development of Foxp3-expressing regulatory CD4 T cells.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an instructive model for the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. Lewis (LEW) rats immunized with myelin-basic protein (MBP) develop EAE characterized by a single episode of paralysis, from which they recover spontaneously and become refractory to a second induction of disease. LF 15-0195 is a novel molecule that has potent immunosuppressive effects in several immune-mediated pathological manifestations, including EAE.

LF 15-0195 inhibits the development of rat central nervous system autoimmunity by inducing long-lasting tolerance in autoreactive CD4 T cells.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T cell-dependent autoimmune disease induced in susceptible animals by a single immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP). LF 15-0195 is a novel immunosuppressor that has been shown to have a potent immunosuppressive effect in several pathological manifestations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of this drug on the induction and progression of established rat EAE and to dissect the mechanisms involved.

LF 15-0195 prevents from the development and inhibits the progression of rat experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis.

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) is a T cell-dependent antibody-mediated neuromuscular autoimmune disease induced in susceptible rats by a single immunisation with torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Here, we report that subcutaneous administration of a novel immunosuppressant, LF 15-0195, is effective in inhibiting the induction and the progression of rat EAMG-suggesting that this drug may be used for preventive and curative treatment. The beneficial effect of LF 15-0195 is accompanied by decreased production of pathogenic autoantibodies and inhibition of the differentiation of antigen specific T cells into effector lymphocytes.