Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an innate immune sensor for microbial DNA that erroneously responds to self DNA in autoimmune disease. To prevent autoimmune responses, Toll-like receptor 9 is excluded from the cell surface and silenced until the N-terminal half of the ectodomain (TLR9N) is cleaved off in the endolysosome. Truncated Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9C) senses ingested microbial DNA, alth...

We have studied the role of CD21/35, which bind derivatives of complement factors C3 and C4, in extraneural prion replication and neuroinvasion. Upon administration of small prion inocula, CD21/35(-/-) mice experienced lower attack rates and delayed disease over both wild-type (WT) mice and mice with combined C3 and C4 deficiencies. Early after inoculation, CD21/35(-/-) spleens were devoid of i...

Activation of innate immune cells through TLR triggers immunomodulating events that enhance cell-mediated immunity, raising the possibility that ligands to these receptors might act as adjuvants in conjunction with T cell activating vaccines. In this report, topical imiquimod, a synthetic TLR7 agonist, significantly enhanced the protective antitumor effects of a live, recombinant listeria vacci...

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematodermic myeloid malignancy that is known to be derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells which are characterized by expression of CD4, CD56, and more specific markers such as CD123. Here, the authors present three cases of BPDCN diagnosed in the past two years and address different available diagnostic modalities such as morpho...

Signaling through Notch receptors and their transcriptional effector RBP-J is essential for lymphocyte development and function, whereas its role in other immune cell types is unclear. We tested the function of the canonical Notch-RBP-J pathway in dendritic cell (DC) development and maintenance in vivo. Genetic inactivation of RBP-J in the bone marrow did not preclude DC lineage commitment but ...

human peripheral blood monocytes (hpbm) were cultured in the absence of human serum and were converted into a state exhibiting a high accessory function expressed by their ability of supporting lymphocyte proliferation. after a prolonged culture in serum free media the monocyte derived cells were highly viable, increased in size and developed veils and dendritiform elongatio'l1s. paralleli...

Positive links have been found between periodontitis and numerous diseases in humans via persistent inflammation throughout the body. However, the main factors responsible for maintaining this pro-inflammatory condition are poorly understood. The spleen, the largest secondary immune organ, is a central hub regulating the immune response/inflammation due to the dendritic cell (DC) response to CD...

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT)-like follicular dendritic cell (FDC) tumor is a rare disease with distinct clinicopathological features. We report a case of so-called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)associated IPT-like FDC tumor of the spleen. We found a splenic mass lesion during his annual checkup. After recognizing the growing mass, splenectomy was performed. Histopathological and immunohistological ...

Prion replication in spleen and neuroinvasion after i.p. inoculation of mice is impaired in forms of immunodeficiency where mature B lymphocytes are lacking. In spleens of wild-type mice, infectivity is associated with B and T lymphocytes and stroma but not with circulating lymphocytes. We generated transgenic prion protein knockout mice overexpressing prion protein in B lymphocytes and found t...

Human peripheral blood monocytes (HPBM) were cultured in the absence of human serum and were converted into a state exhibiting a high accessory function expressed by their ability of supporting lymphocyte proliferation. After a prolonged culture in serum free media the monocyte derived cells were highly viable, increased in size and developed veils and dendritiform elongatio'l1s. Paralleli...