The dynamics of cell surface membrane proteins plays an important role in cell-cell interactions. The onset of the interaction is typically not precisely controlled by current techniques, making especially difficult the visualization of early-stage dynamics. We have developed a novel method where optical tweezers are used to trap cells and precisely control in space and time the initiation of i...

Gram-positive bacteria cause a broad spectrum of infection-related diseases in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts, ranging from localized infections to severe systemic conditions such as septic and toxic shock syndromes. This situation has been aggravated by the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, thus stressing the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. One suc...

We identified a novel T cell Ag in the South African clawed toad (Xenopus laevis) by a mAb designated 2B1. This Ag is present in relatively high levels on most thymocytes, approximately 65% of splenocytes, 55% of PBL, and 65% of intestinal lymphocytes, but is rarely seen on IgM+ B cells in any of these tissues. Lymphocytes bearing the 2B1 Ag proliferate in response to stimulation with Con A or ...

To explore the genetic diversity, host specificity, and zoonotic potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, feces from 348 stray and pet dogs and 96 pet cats from different locations in China were examined by internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR. E. bieneusi was detected in 15.5% of the dogs, including 20.5% of stray dogs and 11.7% of pet dogs, and in 11.5% of the pet cats. Higher infection r...

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are key players in tissue homeostasis and the regulation of local immunity barrier organs such as skin. The functional properties ILC reflected by their protein expression, proteins being end-stage products active genes. To characterize proteome human skin ILC, we performed in-depth proteomic analyses (mass spectrometry-based) on ILC2 ILC3 purified from healthy (N=10...

Deletions in chromosome bands 11q22-q23 were recently shown to be one of the most frequent chromosome aberrations in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Patients suffering from B-CLL with 11q deletion are characterized by extensive lymphadenopathy, rapid disease progression, and short survival times. Phenotypic and functional characteristics of B-CLL cells with 11q deletion that may he...

The Emt/Itk/Tsk tyrosine kinase is involved in intracellular signaling events induced by several lymphocyte surface receptors. Modulation of TCR/CD3-induced phospholipase-C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) activity by the tyrosine kinase Emt/Itk/Tsk has been demonstrated based on studies of Itk-deficient murine T lymphocytes. Here we report a TCR/CD3-regulated association between Emt and PLC gamma 1 in bo...