\n\nConclusion:\n\nThese results demonstrate a unique regulatory

role of gamma delta T cells, suggesting that targeting gamma delta T cells in the intestine may contribute to strategies to prevent and possibly treat food allergy.”
“Poole JA, Thiele GM, Alexis NE, Burrell AM, Parks C, Romberger DJ. Organic dust exposure alters monocyte-derived dendritic cell differentiation and maturation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 297: L767-L776, Selleck DMH1 2009. First published July 31, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00107.2009.-Organic dust exposure in agricultural animal environments results in airway diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) orchestrate inflammatory immune response in the airways, but little is known about how organic dust affects differentiation β-Nicotinamide mouse and maturation of monocyte-derived immature and mature DCs (iDCs, mDCs). Peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated in vitro into iDCs with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor + IL-4 ( 6 days) with and without swine facility organic dust extract ( ODE, 0.1%). Unlike control iDCs, ODE-conditioned iDCs maintained

key monocyte properties ( increased mCD14, increased phagocytic ability) while expressing DC features [ increased mCD83, HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, diminished cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6) responsiveness]. At day 6, iDCs were cultured for an additional 48 h ( days 7 and 8) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce mDCs. ODE-conditioned mDCs maintained high expression of mCD14(+) and elevated phagocytosis while their DC features weakened as evidenced by decreased CD11c, CD83, HLA-DR, CD86, and CCR7 expression and reduced lymphocyte-stimulating capacity. Similar results were observed when monocytes were exposed to ODE for

only the first 48 h and with ODE depleted of endotoxin. Control iDCs exposed to ODE during the final 2 days of iDC maturation ( days 7 and 8) did not differ from control ( no ODE) iDCs in surface marker expression and phagocytic ability, but exhibited enhanced lymphocyte-stimulating capacity. Dust exposure alters monocyte differentiation to iDCs and prevents maturation of iDC to mDCs. The first 48 h of monocyte differentiation appears to be the susceptible period to exposure. Environmental exposures selleckchem present during early monocyte differentiation may impact the critical balance of DCs in the lung.”
“Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of cirrhosis that requires careful appraisal of the clinical manifestations, evaluation of the underlying neurological disorders, and assessment of liver function and the portal-systemic circulation. This article reviews recent developments in the assessment of HE and discusses the controversy regarding the use of a categorical or a continuous approach in measuring the severity of this condition. New scales facilitate effective monitoring and assessment of episodic HE.