Objective(s): Protosappanin A (PrA) is an effective and major ingredient of Caesalpinia sappan L. The current study was aimed to explore the effect of PrA on atherosclerosis (AS). Materials and Methods: Firstly, the experimental model of AS was established in rabbits by two-month feeding of high fat diet. Then, the rabbits were randomly divided into five groups and treated with continuous high ...

We describe a computer-based protocol to design protein mutations increasing binding affinity between ligand and its receptor. The method was applied to mutate interferon-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γ-Rx) to increase its affinity to natural ligand IFN-γ, protein important for innate immunity. We analyzed all four available crystal structures of the IFN-γ-Rx/IFN-γ complex to identify 40 receptor residues ...

Noroviruses (NVs) cause the majority of cases of epidemic nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and contribute to endemic enteric disease. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for immune control of their replication are not completely understood. Here we report that the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) is required for control of murine NV (MNV) replication a...

Our aim was to identify conformational epitopes, recognized by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) made against human (h) interferon (IFN)-γ. Based on the mAbs' (n = 12) ability to simultaneously bind hIFN-γ in ELISA, 2 epitope clusters with 5 mAbs in each were defined; 2 mAbs recognized unique epitopes. Utilizing the mAbs' lack of reactivity with bovine (b) IFN-γ, epitopes were identified using 7 h/b...

Abstract Immune defenses are triggered by cytokines like interferon-α (IFN-α) and IFN-γ in diverse cells. Both IFNs induce a class of factors termed IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Many ISG proteins have antiviral functions. There is growing appreciation that repertoires cell-type specific this bias impacts infection outcomes. However, the cues mechanisms driving these variable responses ill-defin...

The present study was designed to assess the antiarthritic potential of ECF in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods. In vitro, lymphocyte proliferation assay was measured by CCK-8 kit. In vivo, the therapeutic potential of ECF on CIA was investigated; surface marker, Treg cell, and intracellular cytokines (IL-17A and IFN-γ) were detected by flow cytomet...