Recent studies have revealed that cytokines, including TNFα and IL-6 play key roles in the priming phase of liver regeneration. However, further knowledge of molecular events in the priming phase is needed for more comprehensively understanding the initiation of liver regeneration. In the present study, we attempted to identify additional genes involved in an early phase (2-6 h post partial hep...

We show here, by using surface biotinylation, followed by Western blotting or surface plasmon resonance analysis, that very low levels of S100A8 and/or S100A9 can be detected on the surface of THP-1 cells or freshly isolated human monocytes. This was supported by immune-electron microscopy where we observed membrane-associated expression of the proteins restricted to small patches. By using con...

The molecular immune response of the pulpal tissue during chronic carious infection is poorly characterized. Our objective was to examine the expression of potential molecular mediators of pulpal inflammation, correlate their levels with disease severity, and determine the cellular localization of key molecules. Results indicated that there was significantly increased transcriptional activity i...

Persistent genus β-HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is a major co-factor for non-melanoma skin cancer in patients suffering from the inherited skin disease epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Malignant EV lesions are particularly associated with HPV type 5 or 8. There is clinical and molecular evidence that HPV8 actively suppresses epithelial immunosurveillance by interfering with the rec...

The S100a8 and S100a9 genes encode a pro-inflammatory protein (calgranulin) that has been implicated in multiple diseases. However, involvement of S100a8/a9 in the basic mechanisms of intrinsic aging has not been established. In this study, we show that shifts in the abundance of S100a8 and S100a9 mRNA are a robust feature of aging in mammalian tissues, involving a range of cell types including...

Bovine paratuberculosis (PTB) is a chronic enteric inflammatory disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) that causes large economic losses in the dairy industry. Spread of PTB is mainly provoked by a long subclinical stage during which MAP is shed into the environment with feces; accordingly, detection of subclinical animals is very important to its contr...

BACKGROUND Lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is dominated by chronic inflammation with an early and inappropriate influx of neutrophils causing airway destruction. Congenic C57BL/6 CF mice develop lung inflammatory disease similar to that of patients. In contrast, lungs of congenic BALB/c CF mice remain unaffected. The basis of the neutrophil influx to the airways of CF patients and...

We recently showed that a class of novel carboxylated N:-glycans was constitutively expressed on endothelial cells. Activated, but not resting, neutrophils expressed binding sites for the novel glycans. We also showed that a mAb against these novel glycans (mAbGB3.1) inhibited leukocyte extravasation in a murine model of peritoneal inflammation. To identify molecules that mediated these interac...

Chronic low-grade inflammation of adipose tissue plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of obesity. Immunohistological microscopic analysis in obese fat tissue has demonstrated the infiltration of several immune cells such as macrophages, but dynamics of immune cells have not been fully elucidated and clarified. Here, by using intravital multiphoton imaging technique, to our knowledge for ...

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a very frequent reason for urgent outpatient consultation and otolaryngological hospital admission. Early, correct diagnosis and therapy of peritonsillar abscess are important to prevent possible life-threatening complications. Based on physical examinations, a reliable differentiation between peritonsillar cellulitis and peritonsillar abscess is restricted. A het...