Morphological characteristics of the unique periodontal structure in dolphins.

Although toothed whales have dentition peculiar to mammals, little attention has been paid to the periodontal tissues that support these characteristic teeth. In this study, we clarified the anatomical characteristics of the periodontal tissue in several species of Delphinidae through three-dimensional observation using micro-computed tomography, histological observations using decalcified sections, and immunohistochemical analysis. The results indicated that the teeth and the periodontal tissues of dolphins are morphologically unique among mammals.

Immunological parameters associated with the development of allergic rhinitis: a preliminary prospective study.

Background: Many subjects are sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen but do not develop allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to examine the immunologic parameters related to the development of AR in sensitized subjects.

Methods: The subjects were 33 adults who were sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen, but had not developed as of 2007.

A role for endogenous IL-12 in tumor immunity: IL-12 is required for the acquisition of tumor-migratory capacity by T cells and the development of T cell-accepting capacity in tumor masses.

Interleukin (IL)-12 plays a central role in the initiation and regulation of T cell-mediated immune responses. The present study investigated how IL-12, endogenously produced during tumor vaccination, functions for anti-tumor immune responses. Mice were given anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody during immunization with attenuated syngeneic tumor cells.

A pivotal role for CC chemokine receptor 5 in T-cell migration to tumor sites induced by interleukin 12 treatment in tumor-bearing mice.

Interleukin (IL) 12 treatment in the CSA1M and OV-HM, but not in Meth A tumor models,induces tumor regression that is associated with T-cell migration to tumor sites.Here, we investigated the role of the CC chemokine receptor (CCR)5 in T-cell migration induced after IL-12 treatment. In the two IL-12-responsive tumor models (CSA1M and OV-HM), IL-12 treatment up-regulated the mRNA expression of CCR5 in splenic T cells as well as ligands for CCR5, such as macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 1alpha and MIP-1beta in tumor masses.