T cells need to migrate to and accumulate inside tumors before mediating rejection of the tumor. The number of specific T cells inside tumors may depend on the efficiency of priming in the draining lymph node (DLN), intratumor deletion, suppressive phenomena, or both. We used monoclonal anti-male antigen CD4 (Marilyn) T cells and tumor cell lines expressing or not the corresponding antigen (Dby...

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally used to reduce pain in different diseases acting as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. Paracetamol is a nonprescription drug extremely used for antipyresis and analgesia. In spite of their beneficial effects, NSAIDs have been notified to be linked with some adverse effects. The present study was conducted to elu...

We hypothesized that spleen microarray gene expression profiles analyzed with contemporary pathway analysis software would provide molecular pathways of interest and target genes that might help explain the effect of bcl-2 on improving survival during sepsis. Two mouse models of sepsis, cecal ligation and puncture and tracheal instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were tested in both wild-typ...

The isoflavone genistein (4,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a phytoestrogen found in high levels in soy products that has been associated with decreased incidences of breast and prostate cancers. The potential effects of genistein on the immune system were evaluated in adult female B6C3F1 mice. Groups of mice were exposed to vehicle or genistein by gavage for 28 d. The doses of genistein used wer...

Unlike adults, neonates are unable to respond to polysaccharide Ags, making them especially vulnerable to pathogenic encapsulated bacteria. Since the Ab response to polysaccharides in adult mice requires certain cytokines, it was hypothesized that neonatal murine B cells may be competent to respond to such Ags, but may fail to do so due to a deficiency of cytokines. Neonatal splenocyte cultures...

To enhance the ef f ic iency of DNA vaccines to HIV-1, we immunized BALB/c mice sequential ly with a gp120 DNA vector and a recombinant vaccinia virus (VV). We have also evaluated the effect of granulocyte macrophage colony st imulation factor (GM-CSF) expression by a DNA vector on both cellular and humoral immune responses when coadministered with the gp120-encoding DNA at priming. Our results...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, which mimics a surgical intervention, on the immune status of obstructive jaundiced (OJ) and sham-operated control rats. Rats were given 20 microgram LPS intraperitoneally on day 13 following bile duct ligation or sham surgery. We determined serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and in...

OBJECTIVE Macrophages influence their environment and surrounding immune cells as soon as stimulators affect them. Different sources of macrophages induce different reactions in their neighboring immune cells,which result in non-uniform immunologic outcomes. In this experimental research, we compare the behavior of peritoneal macrophages to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation from BALB/cmice a...

Type 1 T-cell responses against intracellular pathogens play a crucial role in mediating protection. We examined whether the induction of a strong type 1 T-cell response during a chronic bacterial infection influences responses to superantigens capable of inducing acute shock. Intravenous infection of mice with Mycobacterium bovis BCG appeared to induce a progressive anergy towards staphylococc...

BACKGROUND In ayurvedic traditional medicine Gentiana kurroo Royle (family; Gentianaceae) is used to treat several metabolic diseases. This plant is rich in various compounds belonging to flavonoids and glycosides. Till now little work has been carried out on immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential of this plant. This study confirms the presence of bioactive compounds and evaluates the...