T helper cell 1 (Th1)-dependent delayed hypersensitivity reactions are an important part of host defenses against intracellular infections. Yet, more than two centuries after Jenner's successful inoculation against smallpox, we still do not know exactly how to produce safe vaccines that stimulate Th1 immunity. Specialized bone marrow–derived an-tigen-presenting cells normally are required to in...

Immunostimulatory effect of aqueous extract of Leucas aspera was evaluated in cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressive mice. The results clearly show that the aqueous extract of this plant significantly increase the Neutrophil and DTH activity. The extract also elevates the levels of RBC, WBC and Hemoglobin remarkably in immunosuppressive mice(p<0.05). This indicates that Leucas aspera provok...

Platinum-based anticancer drugs enhance the immunostimulatory potential of DCs and decrease the immunosuppressive capacity of tumor cells. This immunomodulatory ability is based on the inhibition of STAT6-mediated expression of co-inhibitory molecule PD-L2 and opens up the possibility of using these drugs in combination with other immunostimulatory compounds.

Arabino-mycolates are components of the cell-wall skeleton of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG-CWS). It is known that synthesized arabinomycolates induce the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in murine macrophage cell lines at an intensity similar to that of BCG-CWS. However the immunological activity of natural arabino-mycolates isolated from BCG has not been investigated, probably...

Modulating the activity of miRNAs provides opportunities for novel cancer interventions. However, low bioavailability and poor cellular uptake aremajor challenges for deliveringmiRNAmimetics specifically to tumor cells. Here, we took advantage of the spontaneous enhanced endocytic activity of ovarian cancer-associated dendritic cells (DC) to selectively supplement the immunostimulatory miRNA mi...

Modulating the activity of miRNAs provides opportunities for novel cancer interventions. However, low bioavailability and poor cellular uptake are major challenges for delivering miRNA mimetics specifically to tumor cells. Here, we took advantage of the spontaneous enhanced endocytic activity of ovarian cancer-associated dendritic cells (DC) to selectively supplement the immunostimulatory miRNA...

Magnusson, M. 2003. Reactivity of human and porcine natural interferon-a producing cells to immunostimulatory DNA. Doctor’s dissertation. ISSN 1401-6257, ISBN 91-576-6389-0 The interferon-a (IFN-a) inducing capacity of various forms of immunostimulatory DNA and the identity of the IFN-a producing cells (IPC) were studied in human and porcine leukocytes. The DNA vaccine vector pcDNA3 induced pro...