We have previously shown that the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) activated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. In this study, we identified another viral protein, the spike of SARS-CoV, which played an important role in virus-stimulated COX-2 expression after screening all genes from the SARS-CoV genome. We found that an upstream calcium-dependent PKC isozyme PK...

We have investigated the capacity of polymorphonuclear phagocytes (PMN) to lyse malignant B-cell lines using antibodies and antibody derivates to a range of different B-cell antigens. PMN were found to mediate lysis of all tested B-cell lines in the presence of HLA class II antibodies L227, L243, F3.3, and CR3/43. Target cell lysis was significantly enhanced when PMN isolated during granulocyte...

This study was performed to elucidate the relation between in vivo measurements of two-dimensional principal strains and the progression of left ventricle (LV) wall thinning during development of dilated cardiomyopathy in the protein kinase C-epsilon (PKC-epsilon) transgenic (TG) overexpressing mouse heart. Principal two-dimensional strains, E1 and E2, were determined in the LV wall of the anes...

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and IFN-gamma regulate gene expression by tyrosine phosphorylation of several transcription factors that have the 91-kilodalton (p91) protein of interferon-stimulated gene factor-3 (ISGF-3) as a common component. Interferon-activated protein complexes bind enhancers present in the promoters of early response genes such as the high-affinity Fc gamma receptor gene (Fc...

A family of chimeric immunoglobulins (Igs) bearing the murine variable region directed against the hapten dansyl linked to human IgG1, -2, -3, and -4 has been characterized with respect to binding to the human high affinity Fc gamma receptor, Fc gamma RI. Chimeric IgG1 and -3 have the highest affinity association (Ka = 10(9) M-1), IgG4 is 10-fold reduced from this level, and IgG2 displays no de...

An immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibody, My43, specific for IgA Fc receptor (Fc alpha R) on human monocytes, bound to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and inhibited their ability to bind IgA but not IgG. It was observed that the PMN oxidative burst was induced by both polymeric IgA and aggregated IgG, whereas IgM was without effect. The IgG-mediated oxidative burst was inhibited...

Naturally acquired antibody reactivity to two major Plasmodium vivax vaccine candidates was investigated in 294 donors from three malaria-endemic communities of Rondônia state, Brazil. Antibody recognition of recombinantly expressed antigens covering five different regions of P. vivax reticulocyte binding protein 1 (PvRBP1) and region II of P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP-RII) were compar...

Epsilon-aminocaproic acid (epsilon-ACA) is administered to cardiac surgery patients to reduce blood transfusions. Highly water-soluble drugs, such as epsilon-ACA, often have larger distribution volumes in males than in females. We hypothesized that epsilon-ACA concentrations using this dosing scheme would differ by gender because of differences in body composition and weight-adjusted volumes of...

Engagement of the mast cell high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE), Fc«RI, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, that has been demonstrated as critical for degranulation. Herein we describe a synthetic compound, ER-27319, as a potent and selective inhibitor of antigen or anti-IgE-mediated degranulation of rodent and human mast cells. ER-27319 affect...