Immunological role syntheses

Angeli, V., Faveeuw, C., Delerive, P., Fontaine, J., Barriera, Y., Franchimont, N., Staels, B., Capron, M. and Trottein, F. (2001) Schistosoma mansoni induces the synthesis of IF-6 in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells role of IF-6 in the control of lung eosinophilia during infection. European Journal of Immunology 31,2751-2761. 

Increased IFNy production is associated with food-sensitive atopic dermatitis, Crohn s disease (local mucosal synthesis), RA synovial tissue (suggesting a role for this cytokine in the ongoing immunological reaction of the... 

In Chapter 1, the structure, synthesis and toxicity of ricin, a protein present in the endosperm cells of the seeds of the castor oil plant, are described and possible uses of this toxic agent in immunology as conjugates with antibodies are discussed. The biochemical and pharmacological evidence for the presence of functional histamine receptors in the mammalian central nervous system is set out in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 covers the chemical properties of molybdenum-containing enzymes such as aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase, although their physiological roles are by no means clear. 

Neuropeptides constitute the largest and most diverse class of signaling substances known in metazoans. Over the last 20 yr it has become apparent that neuropeptides have important roles as neurohormones, neuromodulators, cytokines, morphogenetic factors, and possibly in some cases, as true neurotransmitters. Each neuropeptide may even be multifimctional and exist in several isoforms in a given animal species. In the search for functions of neuropeptides, it has been critical to be able to localize sites of synthesis and release. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) has been instrumental in the accurate mapping of the cellular and subcellular distribution of neuropeptides in tissue. Other immunological assays, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immxmo-enzymatic assay (ELISA) provide powerful complements for quantification of neuropeptides. Several important discoveries related to neuropeptides have relied on ICC, for example Different neuropeptides have very specific distributions in small populations of neurons (1—3), neuropeptides are commonly colocalized with low-mol-wt neurotransmitters or other neuropeptides (4), the chemical diversity of neurons is far greater than previously suspected (2,3), and neuropeptide synthesis and release can be episodic (5). 

Histamine plays a central role in immunologic and anti-inflammatory responses, particularly in the immediate hypersensitivity response. Three subclasses of histamine receptors have been identified Hj, Hj, and Hj receptors. Hj receptors are involved in mediating increased vascular permeability, pruritus, coutraction of smooth muscle in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, release of mediators of inflammation, and recruitment of inflammatory cells. Among other effects, Hj receptors mediate the negative feedback control of histamine synthesis and release and may play some defensive role against excess bronchoconstriction. H, and Hj receptors are both found primarily in bronchial smooth muscle in the human respiratory tract (40). 

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