TGF-beta is considered a negative regulator of hemopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We have previously shown that one TGF-beta isoform, TGF-beta2, is, in fact, a positive regulator of murine hemopoietic stem cell function in vivo. In vitro, TGF-beta2, but not TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3, had a biphasic dose response on the proliferation of purified lin-Sca1(++)kit(+) (LSK) cells, with a stimulato...

The hippocampus, a key structure in learning and memory processes, receives a powerful cholinergic innervation from the septum and contains nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Early in postnatal development, activation of nAChRs by nicotine or endogenous acetylcholine contributes to enhance synaptic signalling. Here, the patch-clamp technique was used to assess the contribution of alpha...

BACKGROUND Airway epithelial cells are critical in host defense against bacteria including Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. beta2-agonists are mainstay of COPD and asthma therapy, but whether beta2-agonists directly affect airway epithelial host defense functions is unclear. METHODS Epithelial cells from bronchial brushings of normal (n = ...

Within 1 day of infection with Leishmania major, susceptible BALB/c mice produce a burst of IL-4 in their draining lymph nodes, resulting in a state of unresponsiveness to IL-12 in parasite-specific CD4+ T cells within 48 h. In this report we examined the molecular mechanism underlying this IL-12 unresponsiveness. Extinction of IL-12 signaling in BALB/c mice is due to a rapid down-regulation of...

Integrins are transmembrane proteins involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular-matrix interactions. The affinity and avidity of integrins for their ligands change in response to cytoplasmic signals. This 'inside-out' activation has been reported to occur also with beta2 integrins (CD18). The beta2 integrin subunit has previously been shown to become phosphorylated in T lymphocytes on cytopla...

Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane receptors that mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Beta2-integrins are expressed exclusively in leukocytes and mediate many important functions in the immune system. Beta2-integrin genes are important in the pathologies of several diseases and genetic syndromes. These include Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD) and Systemic Lup...

The aim of this study was to systematically compare the interaction of the long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists formoterol and salmeterol with short-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists in contracted human bronchi. Human bronchi were obtained at thoracotomy from patients with lung cancer. Formoterol or salmeterol at concentrations inducing up to 92 and 94% of their maximal relaxant effect, res...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with oxidative stress, elevation of inflammatory markers and other mechanisms, which may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to determine prominent factors of these pathogenic processes in patients with DM, to examine their relationship in serum, and to find out the differences between DM1 and DM2. Advanced oxidation protein p...

A sensitive single measure of diminishing renal function is ofimportance in attempts to modify the progression of diabetic nephropathy. In 12 insulin-dependent diabetics with proteinuria plasma concentrations of beta2-microglobulin were found to correlate more closely than plasma creatinine concentrations or creatinine clearance with glomerular function as measured by clearance of 5'Cr-EDTA. Th...