Immune characterized

Allergic reactions are characterized by the production of allergen-specific IgE with a predominant Th2 response [25-26]. Helper T cells can be divided largely into two subgroups, Thl and Th2, on the basis of their cytokine production patterns. Thl cells, which produce IL-2 and IFNy, induce cell-mediated immunity characterized by macrophage activation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) induction, while Th2 cells, which produce IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10, help for antibody production. 

Up to now only incomplete and provisional data have been obtained on the modification of host resistance against tumours and infections. Nevertheless, we shall report some examples illustrating the usefulness of the two lines of mice for the study of the mechanisms of host resistance The dissociation of humoral and cell mediated immunity characterizing the two lines would permit evaluation of the relative importance of each type of response in the resistance against experimentally induced diseases. 

Allergic contact dermatitis Skin condition that occurs in response to exposure to sensitizing material. It is characterized by redness, swelling and cracking and, sometimes more severe reactions involving the entire immune system. 

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final stage of disease caused by infection with HIV. In this stage, the vims infection has severely affected the immune system, causing a depletion of CD4+ T-helper cells. AIDS is characterized by the manifestation of typical diseases caused by opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, CMV retinitis, candidiasis of the esophagus, cerebral toxoplasmosis), neurological manifestations, cachexia, or certain tumors (Kaposi sarcoma of the skin, B-cell lymphoma). 

Cole et al. (1995) reported on knock-out mice with a germ line deletion of GR. They demonstrated that lack of GR leads to perinatal death, atelectasis of the lung, and lack of adrenalin synthesis. To circumvent perinatal lethality, Tranche et al. (1999) and Brewer et al. (2003) generated tissue-specific somatic deletions of GR. This allowed to characterize GR function in the CNS, the immune system, and the liver in more detail. In particular, these approaches revealed novel aspects of organ-specific glucocorticoid physiology such as anxiety-like behavior, growth control, and polyclonal T cell activation. 

Dead or live bacteria may be effective to stimulate inflammatory reactions of phagocytic cells against tumor cells. The best-characterized treatment is the use of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) in the case of bladder cancer where activation of the immune response is capable of controlling tumor growth. 

Mechanism of peripheral immune tolerance characterized by a state of functional unresponsiveness induced in T cells by suboptimal or partial stimulation. Engagement of the antigen receptor in the absence of costimulation signaling induces anergy in T cells, which become unable to respond to new stimulations. 

Chemokines are small chemotactic cytokines that act as important messenger molecules between cells of the immune system. Chemokines produce their effects by activating a family of G-protein-coupled receptors. Chemokine receptors are all seven-transmembrane glycoproteins that are structurally related. They may be characterized into those that bind to specific ligands, or those that bind several chemokine ligands. There are also virally encoded (viral) chemokine receptors that represent shared receptors that have been transduced into the viral genome during evolutionary history (Premack and SchaU 1996). 

A limited study in animals also presents evidence for increased susceptibility to Streptococcus zooepidomicus (Aran d et al. 1986). Immune system effects observed in mice exposed orally to trichloroethylene included inhibition of cell-mediated immunity, delayed type hypersensitivity, and inhibition of antibody-mediated immunity (Sanders et al. 1982). Female mice appeared to be more sensitive than male mice. A study in which a susceptible strain of mice was treated with intraperitoneal injections of trichloroethylene suggests that trichloroethylene can accelerate the autoimmune response (Khan et al. 1995). The immune system may be a sensitive end point for toxic effects from low-level exposure to trichloroethylene however, no firm conclusions can be drawn from the available information. Additional human and animal studies are needed to better characterize this end point and determine the potential for immunological effects for people exposed to trichloroethylene at hazardous waste sites. 

Primary biliary cirrhosis is characterized by progressive inflammatory destruction of the bile ducts. Immune-mediated inflammation of intrahepatic bile ducts results in remodeling and scarring, causing retention of bile within the liver and subsequent hepatocellular damage and cirrhosis. The number of patients affected with primary biliary cirrhosis is difficult to estimate because many people are asymptomatic and incidental diagnosis during routine health care visits is common. 

Immune reconstitution syndrome A syndrome characterized by fever and worsening of clinical symptoms of opportunistic infections or new symptoms occurring within weeks after starting antiretroviral therapy. This has been described for mycobacterial infections (Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis), Pneumocystis proved pneumonia, toxoplasmosis,... 

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