| 1. |
- Bolad, Ahmed, et al.
(författare)
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Distinct interethnic differences in IgG class/subclass and IgM antibody responses to malaria antigens but not in IgG responses to non-malarial antigens in sympatric tribes living in West Africa
- 2005
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 61:4, s. 380-386
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The well-established relative resistance to malaria observed in the Fulani ascompared with other sympatric tribes in West Africa has been attributed totheir higher levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to malarialantigens. In this study, we confirm and extend the previous findings by analysesof the levels of IgM, IgG and IgG subclasses of anti-malarial antibodies inasymptomatic individuals of different sympatric tribes in Burkina Faso(Fulani/Mossi) and Mali (Fulani/Dogon). The Fulani showed significantlyhigher median concentrations of anti-malarial IgG and IgM antibodies thanthe sympatric tribes at both locations. Although the overall subclass pattern ofantibodies did not differ between the tribes, with IgG1 and IgG3 as dominant,the Fulani showed consistently significantly higher levels of these subclasses ascompared with those of the non-Fulani individuals. No significant differenceswere seen in the levels of total IgG between the tribes, but the Fulani showedsignificantly higher levels of total IgM than their neighbours in both countries.While the antibody levels to some nonmalarial antigens showed the same patternof differences seen for antibody levels to malaria antigens, no significant suchdifferences were seen with antibodies to other nonmalarial antigens. In conclusion,our results show that the Fulani in two different countries show higherlevels of anti-malarial antibodies than sympatric tribes, and this appears not tobe a reflection of a general hyper-reactivity in the Fulani.
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| 2. |
- Calla-Magariños, Jacqueline, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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An alkaloid extract of Evanta, traditionally used as anti-Leishmania agent in Bolivia, inhibits cellular proliferation and interferon-g production in polyclonally activated cells
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 69:3, s. 251-258
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Traditional medicine and scientific studies have shown that the raw extract ofEvanta [Galipea longiflora, Angostura longiflora (Krause) Kallunki] exhibits antileishmanialactivity. We hypothesized that the healing observed when usingthis plant might not only be due to the direct action on the parasite, but possiblyto a parallel effect on the host immune response to the parasite involvedin the healing process. We show here that an alkaloid extract of Evanta (AEE)directly killed the parasite already at a dose of 10 lg ⁄ ml, but at this low concentration,AEE did not have a major effect on viability and proliferation ofeukaryotic cells. The whole extract was also found to be stronger than 2-phenylquinoline,the most prominent alkaloid in AEE. AEE was not directlystimulating B or T cells or J774 macrophages. However, it interfered with theactivation of both mouse and human T cells, as revealed by a reduction of invitro cellular proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-c) production. The effectwas more evident when the cells were pretreated with AEE and subsequentlystimulated with the polyclonal T-cell activators Concanavalin A and anti-CD3.Taken together, our results suggest that Evanta have a direct leishmanicidaleffect and due to the effect on IFN-c production it might contribute to controlthe chronic inflammatory reaction that characterize Leishmania infectionpathology, but in vivo studies are necessary to corroborate this finding.
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| 3. |
- Cherif, M. K., et al.
(författare)
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Fc gamma RIIa Polymorphism and Anti-Malaria-Specific IgG and IgG Subclass Responses in Populations Differing in Susceptibility to Malaria in Burkina Faso
- 2012
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 75:6, s. 606-613
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fc?RIIa is known to be polymorphic; and certain variants are associated with different susceptibilities to malaria. Studies involving the Fulani ethnic group reported an ethnic difference in Fc?RIIa-R131H genotype frequencies between the Fulani and other sympatric groups. No previous studies have addressed these questions in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to assess the influence of Fc?RIIa-R131H polymorphism on anti-falciparum malaria IgG and IgG subclass responses in the Fulani and the Mossi ethnic groups living in Burkina Faso. Healthy adults more than 20 years old belonging to the Mossi or the Fulani ethnic groups were enrolled for the assessment of selected parasitological, immunological and genetic variables in relation to their susceptibility to malaria. The prevalence of the Plasmodium falciparum infection frequency was relatively low in the Fulani ethnic group compared to the Mossi ethnic group. For all tested antigens, the Fulani had higher antibody levels than the Mossi group. In both ethnic groups, a similar distribution of Fc?RIIa R131H polymorphism was found. Individuals with the R allele of Fc?RIIa had higher antibody levels than those with the H allele. This study confirmed that malaria infection affected less the Fulani group than the Mossi group. Fc?RIIa-R131H allele distribution is similar in both ethnic groups, and higher antibody levels are associated with the Fc?RIIa R allele compared to the H allele.
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| 4. |
- Djerbi, M., et al.
(författare)
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Participation of FLIP, RIP and Bcl-x(L) in fas-mediated T-cell death
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 66:4, s. 410-421
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Apart from the conventional Fas signalling pathway, alternative pathways including the mitochondrial caspase-dependent and RIP-mediated cell death routes have been proposed to operate during Fas-mediated cell death. To evaluate the contribution of different Fas signalling pathways, mice overexpressing FLIPL, Bcl-x(L), a kinase-deficient form of RIP (RIP Delta kin) or combinations thereof were generated by retroviral gene transfer of haematopoietic stem cells. Such mice did not show overt abnormalities in haematopoietic development, defects in thymic deletion, accumulation of double-negative T cells or signs of autoimmunity. Fas-mediated death of mitogen-activated T cells was caspase dependent and could be blocked by FLIPL overexpression only with the minor involvement of Bcl-x(L) or RIP Delta kin inhibitable pathways. Fas-mediated death of resting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells was mainly caspase dependent but could only partly be blocked by FLIPL overexpression. Both Bcl-x(L) or RIP Delta kin expression resulted in partial protection of CD8(+) T cells against Fas-mediated cell death. These results indicate that yet uncharacterized signalling pathways from the Fas receptor are critically involved in lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disease observed in lpr mice and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome patients.
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| 5. |
- Fernández Mastache, Elena, et al.
(författare)
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Somatic hypermutation of Ig genes is affected differently by failures in apoptosis caused by disruption of Fas (lpr mutation) or by over-expression of Bcl-2
- 2006
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 63:6, s. 420-429
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effects of the two main apoptotic pathways on the somatic hypermutation process were analysed. Transgenic mice carrying the V(kappa)Ox1-J(kappa)5 rat transgene were crossed with Fas-deficient lpr mice or with mice overexpressing the Bcl-2 protein. The transgenic V(kappa)Ox1 segment and the endogenous J(H)4-C-mu Ig intron from Peyer's patches germinal centre B cells were sequenced to study the intrinsic somatic hypermutation process without the skewing effects of specific antigen selection. The lpr/ox mice displayed, in both regions, a high level of mutations with a normal pattern of substitutions. On the contrary, the bcl-2/ox mice displayed a lower level of mutations with an altered pattern, showing a decreased mutational rate in the intrinsic hotspots of the V(kappa)Ox1 gene. Our results suggest that the lpr mutation does not have a direct effect on the somatic hypermutation process, but rather on the negative selection of B cells in the germinal centres, leading to the accumulation of recurrent mutations. In contrast, Bcl-2 overexpression might influence the somatic hypermutational process either by altering the incorporation of mutations or by enhancing the repair mechanism(s). The present work supports the hypothesis that both apoptotic pathways, Fas and Bcl-2, play distinct roles in the germinal centre reactions.
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| 6. |
- Nasr, A., et al.
(författare)
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Pattern of Pre-existing IgG Subclass Responses to a Panel of Asexual Stage Malaria Antigens Reported During the Lengthy Dry Season in Daraweesh, Sudan
- 2011
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 74:4, s. 390-396
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The anti-malarial IgG immune response during the lengthy and dry season in areas of low malaria transmission as in Eastern Sudan is largely unknown. In this study, ELISA was used for the measurement of pre-existing total IgG and IgG subclasses to a panel of malaria antigens, MSP2-3D7, MSP2-FC27, AMA-1 and Pf332-C231. The results showed that the antibody responses were predominantly age dependent, antigen specific, and their lifespan was at least 5-6 month long. Generally, the IgG3 was most abundant IgG subclass, and the most recognized antigen was Pf332-C231. Furthermore, the correlation between the levels of IgG subclasses was strongest between IgG1 and IgG3, which were more predictive to the total IgG levels. Finally, the response pattern of each of the IgG subclasses to the different test antigens that were spanning the dry season and the correlation between these responses were described in details for the first time.
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| 7. |
- Nyakeriga, Alice, et al.
(författare)
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Cytokine mRNA expression and iron status in children in a malaria endemic area
- 2005
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 61:4, s. 370-375
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Iron deficiency has been reported to affect both malaria pathogenesis and cell-mediated immune responses; however, it is unclear whether the protection afforded by iron deficiency is mediated through direct effects on the parasite, through immune effector functions or through both. We have determined cytokine mRNA expression levels in 59 children living in a malaria endemic area on the coast of Kenya who we selected on the basis of their biochemical iron status. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of cytokine mRNA levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from these children showed an association between interleukin-4 (IL-4) mRNA levels and all the biochemical indices of iron that we measured. Furthermore, IL-10 mRNA was higher in parasite blood smear-positive children than in blood smear-negative children irrespective of their iron status. This study suggests that IL-4 expression by PBMC may be affected by iron status.
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| 8. |
- Qazi, Mousumi Rahman, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of the Hepatic and Splenic Immune Status and Immunoglobulin Synthesis in Aged Male Mice Lacking the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Alpha (PPAR alpha)
- 2011
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 73:3, s. 198-207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is now well established that the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha) is expressed in different types of immune cells and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of age-related production of inflammatory cytokines. However, the role(s) of this receptor in the regulation of immune cell homoeostasis in ageing non-lymphoid and lymphoid organs has not yet been resolved. We examine this issue here by evaluating the hepatic and splenic immune status and immunoglobulin (Ig) production in male PPAR alpha-null mice and their wild-type littermates at one and 2 years of age. In comparison with the age-matched control animals, PPAR alpha-null mice exhibited age-related elevations in the numbers of total, as well as of phenotypically distinct subpopulations of intrahepatic immune cells (IHIC) and splenocytes. Moreover, at 2 years of age, these alterations in hepatic immune cells were accompanied by significant increases in hepatic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), in combination with the development of hepatic inflammatory loci containing mixtures of leucocytes. Alterations in splenocytes of old PPAR alpha-null mice were also accompanied by increases in cellularity of both white and red pulps of the spleen. Furthermore, these same animals exhibited pronounced increases in the numbers of splenic plasma cells and enhanced production of Ig of different isotypes, including IgG1, IgG2a and IgE. Thus, our findings indicate that upon ageing, PPAR alpha plays a crucial role in regulating the total numbers, compositions and functions of immune cells in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid immune organs of mice.
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| 9. |
- Nasr, Amre, et al.
(författare)
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Fc gamma receptor IIa (CD32) polymorphism and antibody responses to asexual blood-stage antigens of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sudanese patients
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - Oxford : Blackwell Science. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 66:1, s. 87-96
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In a prospective clinical study in New Halfa Teaching Hospital, the possible association between FcRIIa-R/H131 polymorphism and anti-malarial antibody responses with clinical outcome of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among Sudanese patients was investigated. A total of 256 individuals were consecutively enrolled, comprising 115 patients with severe malaria, 85 with mild malaria and 56 malaria-free controls. Genotyping of FcRIIa-R/H131 dimorphism was performed using gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with allele-specific restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR product. The antibody responses to asexual blood-stage antigens were assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The frequency of the FcRIIa-R/R131 genotype was significantly higher in those with severe malaria when compared with patients with mild malaria, while the FcRIIa-H/H131 genotype showed a significant association with mild malaria. A reduced risk of severe malaria with IgG3 antibodies in combination with the H/H131 genotype was observed. Furthermore, low levels of IgG2 antibodies reactive with the Pf332-C231 antigen were also associated with lower risk of severe malaria in individuals carrying the H131 allele. The levels of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies were statistically significantly higher in the mild malaria patients when compared with the severe malaria patients. Taken together, our study revealed that the FcRIIa-R/R131 genotype is associated with the development of severe malaria, while the H/H131 genotype is more likely to be associated with mild malaria. Our results also revealed that the natural acquisition of immunity against clinical malaria appeared to be more associated with IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies, signifying their roles in parasite-neutralizing immune mechanisms.
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| 10. |
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