IFN-γ production by CD27⁺ NK cells exacerbates Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice by inhibiting granulocyte mobilization.

Natural killer (NK) cells are key components of the immune system involved in several immune reactions, including the clearance of intracellular pathogens. When activated, NK cells rapidly secrete particular cytokines that activate innate immunity and facilitate development of adaptive responses. Conflicting reports on the role of NK cells during infection by Listeria monocytogenes can be found in the literature.

Pathogenicity of different PR8 influenza A virus variants in mice is determined by both viral and host factors.

Experimental mouse models were used to compare virulence and reproduction rate of three mouse-adapted variants of the PR8 influenza A virus strain. We observed large differences in pathogenicity in two mouse strains. The PR8M variant was lethal in DBA/2J mice but not in C57BL/6J mice, whereas PR8F and hvPR8 variants were lethal in both mouse strains.

[Subjective quality of life profile in patients with multiple sclerosis].

Objectives: This study aimed to assess subjective quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis regarding the criteria of satisfaction and importance attached to various domains of life.

Method: Sixty-one subjects took part in this study. The psychological evaluation consisted of a clinical interview and three questionnaires: subjective quality of life profile (PQVS), State-Trait anxiety inventory (STAI), Beck depression inventory (BDI).

Gene expression changes in the host response between resistant and susceptible inbred mouse strains after influenza A infection.

Inbred mouse strains exhibit differences in susceptibility to influenza A infections. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences are unknown. Therefore, we infected a highly susceptible mouse strain (DBA/2J) and a resistant strain (C57BL/6J) with influenza A H1N1 (PR8) and performed genome-wide expression analysis.

Tumor invasion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is accompanied by strong hemorrhage promoted by TNF-alpha.

Background: Several facultative anaerobic bacteria with potential therapeutic abilities are known to preferentially colonize solid tumors after systemic administration. How they efficiently find and invade the tumors is still unclear. However, this is an important issue to be clarified when bacteria should be tailored for application in cancer therapy.

GARP: a key receptor controlling FOXP3 in human regulatory T cells.

Recent evidence suggests that regulatory pathways might control sustained high levels of FOXP3 in regulatory CD4(+)CD25(hi) T (T(reg)) cells. Based on transcriptional profiling of ex vivo activated T(reg) and helper CD4(+)CD25(-) T (T(h)) cells we have identified GARP (glycoprotein-A repetitions predominant), LGALS3 (lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 3) and LGMN (legumain) as novel genes implicated in human T(reg) cell function, which are induced upon T-cell receptor stimulation. Retroviral overexpression of GARP in antigen-specific T(h) cells leads to an efficient and stable re-programming of an effector T cell towards a regulatory T cell, which involves up-regulation of FOXP3, LGALS3, LGMN and other T(reg)-associated markers.

Somatic hypermutation in peritoneal B1b cells.

Murine B1 cells have been shown to be able to switch to IgA in vitro. In agreement, we could demonstrate in the peritoneum of mice the presence of IgA producing B1 cells. Interestingly, enzyme-linked immunospot assays of lipopolysaccharide stimulated cultures revealed that only the B1b cell subpopulation contained high numbers of such cells while IgA producing B cells were rare amongst the B2 and B1a cell populations.

[Alexithymia and links with depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis].

Objectives: This study evaluates the prevalence of alexithymia in multiple sclerosis and examines the links between alexithymia, depression and anxiety.

Method: Sixty-one subjects aged between 18 and 60 years and suffering from multiple sclerosis took part in the study. The psychological assessment consisted of an interview with a psychologist and three questionnaires: the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Listeria monocytogenes desensitizes immune cells to subsequent Ca2+ signaling via listeriolysin O-induced depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores.

Listeriolysin O (LLO), the pore-forming toxin of Listeria monocytogenes, is a prototype of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) secreted by several pathogenic and nonpathogenic gram-positive bacteria. In addition to mediating the escape of the bacterium into the cytosol, this toxin is generally believed to be a central player in host-pathogen interactions during L. monocytogenes infection.