Patulin influences the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines by activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T cells through depletion of intracellular glutathione.

Patulin is a mold toxin secreted mainly by fungi of the Penicillium species. Exposure generally results from consumption of moldy fruits and fruit products. Since recent studies identified mold exposure as a risk factor for allergic diseases, we examined the effects of patulin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) prepared from buffy coats of healthy donors.

Helix 8 of the viral chemokine receptor ORF74 directs chemokine binding.

The constitutively active G-protein-coupled receptor and viral oncogene ORF74, encoded by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8), binds a broad range of chemokines, including CXCL1 (agonist), CXCL8 (neutral ligand), and CXCL10 (inverse agonist). Although chemokines interact with the extracellular N terminus and loops of the receptor, we demonstrate that helix 8 (Hx8) in the intracellular carboxyl tail (C-tail) of ORF74 directs chemokine binding. Partial deletion of the C-tail resulted in a phenotype with reduced constitutive activity but intact regulation by ligands.

Nitration enhances the allergenic potential of proteins.

Background: Recent investigations have shown that proteins, including Bet v 1a, are nitrated by exposure to polluted urban air. We have investigated immunogenic and allergenic properties of in vitro nitrated allergens in in vivo models.

Methods: Untreated and nitrated samples of ovalbumin or Bet v 1a were compared for their ability to stimulate proliferation and cytokine secretion in splenocytes from DO11.

The Epstein-Barr virus BILF1 gene encodes a G protein-coupled receptor that inhibits phosphorylation of RNA-dependent protein kinase.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with many lymphoproliferative diseases, such as infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt's lymphoma. Consequently, EBV is one of the most extensively studied herpesviruses. Surprisingly, a putative G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) gene of EBV, BILF1, has hitherto escaped attention, yet BILF1-like genes are conserved among all known lymphocryptovirus species, suggesting that they play a pivotal role in viral infection.

The r131 gene of rat cytomegalovirus encodes a proinflammatory CC chemokine homolog which is essential for the production of infectious virus in the salivary glands.

Rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) possesses two adjacent genes, r131 and r129, which have the potential to encode CC chemokine homologs. Interestingly, the amino acid sequences encoded by both genes show similarity to the sequence of the murine CMV (MCMV) MCK-2 protein, which is encoded by the m131/129 gene. In order to study the significance of the r131 gene in the pathogenesis of RCMV infection, we generated two different virus strains in which the r131 open reading frame is disrupted.