BACKGROUND: DNA immunization and protein immunization with CpG motifs as adjuvants represent promising approaches in allergen-specific immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of coinjection or prepriming with CpG-ODN on Th2-type responses induced by gene gun and protein immunization. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with the gene gun using plasmid DNA containing the cDNAs coding for the genes of Bet v 1a, Phl p 2 and beta-galactosidase or with the purified Al(OH)(3)-adsorbed proteins. In addition, CpG-ODN were applied by coinjection or by prepriming treatment. Antibody and cytokine responses were measured by ELISA, proliferative and cytotoxic responses were determined by standard labeling procedures. Furthermore, the allergenic activity of sera was measured by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Gene gun immunization and protein immunization induced a clear Th2-type response for all antigens. The Th1-promoting effect of CpG-ODN coinjection together with gene gun immunization was restricted to beta-galactosidase as indicated by the increase of IgG2a and a marked expression of IFN-gamma. CpG motifs also increased the specific cytotoxic response against beta-galactosidase. Prepriming with CpG-ODN and gene gun or protein immunization with Bet v 1a exhibited no significant difference to the non-CpG control group. However, sera from mice preprimed with CpG-ODN induced no anaphylaxis with gene gun immunization, but with protein immunization. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of CpG motifs in vivo depends on a variety of parameters like the nature of the antigen and the immunization modality. Furthermore, our studies indicate that a combination of CpG + DNA immunization may be more effective in antagonizing Th2 responses than the combination of CpG + protein immunization.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The acute response of indium-111 labelled platelets to arteriotomy closure.

A standard 40 mm arteriotomy was created in canine iliac and carotid arteries and then closed by either direct suture without a patch, with a vein patch or with a polytetrafluoroethylene patch (PTFE). The uptake of 111-Indium oxine labelled platelets at 2 hours after operation was compared between the groups. Arteriotomies closed with a PTFE patch demonstrated significantly greater platelet aggregation than those closed with a vein patch. Primary closure without a patch was associated with the least platelet uptake of all (PTFE versus vein patch, P less than 0.01; PTFE versus no patch, P less than 0.01; vein patch versus no patch, P less than 0.05). Light and electron microscopy confirmed the radioisotopic findings.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A beginner's lead into ECG's.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Electrocardiography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bone loss after heart transplantation: a prospective study.

Osteoporotic fractures result in substantial morbidity after heart transplantation. To measure the acute effects of corticosteroids on bone after heart transplantation, we measured bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and biochemical indexes of bone turnover in 25 patients (21 male, 4 female) at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after transplantation. Two patients sustained vertebral fractures. Bone loss was rapid in the first 6 months, occurred in 24 of 25 (96%) patients, and was most marked from the lumbar spine (mean +/- SD, -7.4% +/- 4.5%). In the second 6 months little further bone loss was evident (lumbar spine, -7.8% total over 12 months) despite continuing moderate maintenance doses of corticosteroids. Serum osteocalcin and testosterone levels rose and urinary hydroxyproline:creatinine level ratio fell significantly by 6 months. Bone loss from the lumbar spine correlated inversely with serum osteocalcin level at 6 months. Serum osteocalcin level was the only significant predictor of lumbar spine bone loss by multiple regression analysis that included age, corticosteroid dose, cyclosporine dose, lean body mass, and body mass index. These data suggest that prophylactic therapy to prevent bone loss may only be necessary in the first 6 to 12 months after heart transplantation.

Adolescent↗