We have studied the mechanisms by which human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) contribute to immune suppression. Unlike infection of immature moDCs, infection of mature moDCs is not lytic and results in minimally decreased surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and costimulatory molecule expression. The presence of a small percentage of CMV-in...

Objective—Synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for nitric oxide synthases, is strongly induced on immunostimulation in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), the first enzyme in BH4 biosynthesis, is regulated by cytokines and considered rate-limiting. Herein we investigated the molecular mechanism and relevance of cytokine-depende...

Bacillus species (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus pumilus) carried in five commercial probiotic products consisting of bacterial spores were characterized for potential attributes (colonization, immunostimulation, and antimicrobial activity) that could account for their claimed probiotic properties. Three B. cereus strains were shown to persist in the mouse gastrointestinal tract fo...

Background: The cerebellum is the most important portion of the brain, which audits our acts and establishes balance. Symptoms from a cerebellar stroke happen suddenly. In addition to specific cerebellar signs and symptoms, other common symptoms of a cerebral stroke include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, double vision, tremor, and vertigo. These symptoms can be confused with other situa...

OBJECTIVE Synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for nitric oxide synthases, is strongly induced on immunostimulation in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), the first enzyme in BH4 biosynthesis, is regulated by cytokines and considered rate-limiting. Herein we investigated the molecular mechanism and relevance of cytokine-depende...

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of activation of mu-opioid receptors (mu-OR) on the immune response under blockade of postsynaptic D1and D2-receptors in mice of the C57BL/6J strain displaying either aggressive or depressive-like behaviors in the social conflict model. It is shown that activation of activation of mu-OR with a highly selective agonist DAGO (100 μg/kg) i...