Amebiasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the tropical world. Entamoeba histolytica is now recognized as a separate species from the morphologically identical E. dispar, which cannot invade. Cysteine proteinases are a key virulence factor of E. histolytica and play a role in intestinal invasion by degrading the extracellular matrix and circumventing the host immune respon...

The concept of a common mucosal immune system in man was tested by examining the concurrent presence of specific-secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies in human milk and saliva from three groups of subjects: 64 Sri Lankan women living in Sri Lanka; 20 immigrant Asian women living in Birmingham (median duration of residence in the United Kingdom five years); and 75 Caucasian women living in Birmingham ...

The oral mucosal pellicle is a layer of absorbed salivary proteins, including secretory IgA (SIgA), bound onto the surface of oral epithelial cells and is a useful model for all mucosal surfaces. The mechanism by which SIgA concentrates on mucosal surfaces is examined here using a tissue culture model with real saliva. Salivary mucins may initiate the formation of the mucosal pellicle through i...

A semiquantitative indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect coproantibody secretory IgA (SIgA) was established to investigate the human intestinal immune response to Yersinia species. This assay was based on microagglutination of SIgA in fecal specimens with the patient's homologous organism. Two populations of patients were defined, those who produced an agglutinating (2+) SIgA response and...

The surface of mucosal sites, such as the intestinal tract, are covered by epithelial cells. To protect the intestinal environment from invading pathogens and maintain homeostasis, the human body developed an exquisite acquired immune system, referred to as the mucosal immune system, in which epithelial cells and lymphocytes function cooperatively. The main player in this immune system is the p...

Both circulating and mucosal antibodies are considered important for protection against infection by influenza virus in humans and animals. However, current inactivated vaccines administered by intramuscular injection using a syringe and needle elicit primarily circulating antibodies. In this study, we report that epidermal powder immunization (EPI) via a unique powder delivery system elicits b...

The identity of glycoproteins in stimulated normal human tears was investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of tears onto minigels, blotting, and subsequent incubation with different biotinylated lectins (concanavalin A [Con A], peanut agglutinin [PNA], glycine max agglutinin [SBA], Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin [WGA, native for...

Prolonged night shift is associated with high burnout rate, but the physiological effects of a 16 h shift remain undetermined. Here we evaluated fatigue and stress via salivary assays to determine the correlation between stress and fatigue and prolonged night shifts. Twenty-five nurses (9 men, 16 women; 16 h night shift (n = 13), 8 h day shift (n = 12)) from Juntendo University Koshigaya Hospit...

Intestinal microfold (M) cells possess a high transcytosis capacity and are able to transport a broad range of materials including particulate antigens, soluble macromolecules, and pathogens from the intestinal lumen to inductive sites of the mucosal immune system. M cells are also the primary pathway for delivery of secretory IgA (SIgA) to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. However, although ...

Recent studies investigating the impacts on human internal physiological states of the psychological intervention have revealed close relationship and sensitive interaction between human body and mind. For example, various human secretory immune and endocrine substances, such as immunoglobulin A and cortisol, are temporary enhanced by acute stressful tasks or stressful events in daily life (e.g...