After washing twice with PBS-T as above, 105 MNCs from either EAM

After washing twice with PBS-T as above, 105 MNCs from either EAMG or CFA control rats were added for 24 h at 37°C. Wells were then emptied and incubated with a rabbit antirat IgG (1:400) overnight at 4°C followed by an incubation with a biotinylated antirabbit IgG (1:500; Dakopatts, Copenhagen, Denmark) for 2 h at

RT followed by an incubation with an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (1:200) for 1 h at RT. After peroxidase staining, the red-brown immunospots corresponding to cells secreting nAChR–IgG antibodies were counted in a blinded fashion using a dissection microscope. The numbers of antibody-secreting cells per 105 MNCs are shown. Lymphocytes from either EAMG or CFA LBH589 in vivo control rats were plated in 96-well round-bottom microtiter plates (Nunc, Copenhagen, Denmark) in triplicate (200 μL containing 4 × 105 cells). The AChR R97–116 peptide (10 μg/mL), myelin basic protein (MBP) 68–86 peptide (10 μg/mL, YGSLPQKSQRSQDENPV, Sangon Ltd, China), Con A (5 μg/mL), or CGS21680 (30 nM, Tocris, UK) were added in triplicate to respective wells. Wells used as negative controls received PBS only. Cells were incubated for 72 h followed by the

addition of 0.5 μCi 3H-thymidine (China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, PR China) during the last 12 h of culture. Cells were harvested onto glass-fiber filters to assay incorporation of radioactivity using a liquid β-scintillation counter (Perkin-Elmer, Wellesley, Nutlin-3a mouse MA, USA). The results were expressed as mean counts per minute

± SD. Rat splenocytes from either EAMG or CFA control rats were harvested and B cells separated using magnetic beads as instructed by the manufacturer (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) or irradiated (750 cGy). Negatively selected cells consisted on average of greater than 90% B cells determined by FACS. A total of 400,000 B cells were cultured in U-bottom 96-well plates wells with 100,000 irradiated splenocytes, AChR R97-116 (10 μg/mL), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 μg/mL, as positive control) in the presence or absence of CGS21680 (30 nM) for 72 h. Supernatants were collected to detect anti-AChR IgG secretion or 0.5μ Ci/well HAS1 3H-thymidine was added to each well during the last 12 h to measure proliferation as described above. FACS analysis was carried out as described previously [[12]] to detect intracellular cytokines synthesis with some modifications. Lymphocytes from either EAMG or CFA control rats were incubated with AChR R97-116 (10 μg/mL) for 72 h, and during the last 4–5 h, cells were incubated with 50 ng/mL phorbol myristate acetate, 500 ng/mL ionomycin, and Brefeldin A (1:1000). Cells were then stained with antirat CD3 to set the gate and then incubated with FITC-conjugated antirat-CD4 or with PerCP-eFluor710-conjugated anti-rat-CD25 for 20 min at 4 °C.

RCTs aims to avoid biased assessment of clinical interventions th

RCTs aims to avoid biased assessment of clinical interventions through the even distribution of both known and unknown factors that may influence outcomes. However, not all RCTs are well designed, conducted or reported. As such, the clinician needs to critically appraise RCTs in order to determine their strengths and weaknesses. This paper aims to explain how to approach critical appraisal, by highlighting and illustrating important check details questions that help determine the

reliability of results from randomized trials. In previous papers in this series we have discussed how to formulate an answerable question and how to search the literature effectively to find answers. In this paper we outline a framework for critical appraisal of literature that investigates the effects of a healthcare intervention. Randomized

controlled trials (RCTs), along with systematic reviews and meta-analyses that combine the results of several randomized trials, offer the strongest scientific design for investigating the effects of an intervention. When well conducted and reported RCTs will give Daporinad the least biased estimates of both benefits and harms of a treatment. Non-randomized studies can produce results that can be wrong in terms of both the magnitude of effect (i.e. exaggerating potential benefits), but more importantly also the direction of effect for an intervention (suggesting a benefit when in truth either no benefit exists, or worse, the intervention is harmful). In recognition of this, guideline bodies are Bumetanide increasingly providing

treatment recommendations solely based on RCTs, or systematic reviews and meta-analyses of these trials. However, not all randomized trials are well designed and even when well designed, not all are well reported. Appropriately incorporating the results of a RCT into ones clinical practice requires an understanding of the strength of evidence provided by the trial and its relevance to an individual patient. It is thus essential for clinicians to be able to read RCT reports critically. Below, we explore ways in which this can be done. A 53-year-old man on haemodialysis with an elevated serum phosphate (1.8 mmol/L) returns to you, his nephrologist, for review. You are concerned about his elevated phosphate level and plan to control it using phosphate binders. The patient has done some research on the Internet and asks whether sevelamer would provide better long-term outcomes than a calcium-based phosphate binder. You search the literature for relevant trials and discover a RCT assessing the effects of sevelamer, compared with calcium-based phosphate binders, on mortality in haemodialysis patients.1 You wonder if the results of this study should impact your recommendations, so you proceed to read the report asking a few simple but important questions about the trial.

The aims of the WG were to form

a European registry, coll

The aims of the WG were to form

a European registry, collecting cases of mucormycosis from various European countries. During the period 2005–2007, 230 cases were submitted from 13 countries.[6] While this study and others studies have characterised risk factors DAPT in vitro for mortality in mucormycosis, there is no reported contemporary, international, case–controlled study of the epidemiological, metabolic and immunological risk factors for mucormycosis that would facilitate early clinical diagnosis. The newly configured ZWG2 markedly expands the number of participating centres and countries and is now known as the ECMM/ISHAM WG. The database will be migrated to the auspices of the Infection Control Program at ELPIDA in Athens, Greece. The portal for remote data entry will remain http://www.zygomyco.net/. For the first time, infected patients and two contemporaneous case–controls will be included prospectively. Prognostic variables will also be built into the new database for infected patients and non-infected controls. The database will now include multiple expanded and risk variables with high levels of quantitative refinements summarised in Table 1. The new database will establish for the first time an international profile for the epidemiology,

clinical manifestations, risk factors and outcome of mucormycosis. Denominators will be established for select groups of underlying conditions, particularly leukaemia and allogeneic HSCT Lepirudin in order to provide a marker for incidence. NVP-LDE225 cell line These two populations are most readily tracked in institutions. All participating investigators will enrol infected patients and two contemporaneous controls who will be followed through the duration of treatment and for 6 month follow-up for a total duration of 1 year, whichever

is shorter. All cases of mucormycosis entered through Fungiscope (http://www.fungiquest.net/) will be shared with the ZWG2 study. Concurrent untreated controls will be identified for these cases by the investigator enrolling the patient with mucormycosis. Early identification of host factors is an important strategy for assessment of the Bayesian prior probability of a patient’s risk for invasive mucormycosis. The classic host factors for mucormycosis are diabetic ketoacidosis and profound and persistent neutropenia. However, not all patients with diabetic ketoacidosis or profound and persistent neutropenia develop mucormycosis. Additional data are required to understand risk factors in these populations. Moreover, other host groups, including those with allogeneic HSCT, type 2 diabetes, low birth weight infants, burns and trauma, solid organ transplantation, autoimmune disorders and illicit intravenous drug use are also at risk (Table 2). Identification of certain clinical manifestations in association with risk factors may further refine early diagnostic accuracy and predictive power.

2A However, the expanded Th17 clones did not exhibit significant

2A. However, the expanded Th17 clones did not exhibit significant alterations of FOXP3 expression and IFN-γ production when the expansion system only included PBMCs but not OKT3. We extended these experiments to the other human Th17 clones and obtained similar results (data not shown). These results indicate a critical role for TCR engagement in IFN-γ-production and FOXP3 expression,

but not IL-17 reduction, in expanded Th17 cells. To further confirm the contribution of TCR stimulation to an unstable lineage phenotype and differentiation plasticity of Th17 cells, E1-Th17 cells were directly stimulated with or without plate-bound OKT3 in the presence or absence of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-23) critical for human Th17 cell development and function, for 7 days, followed Ixazomib price by repeated stimulation for another 7 days. We subsequently determined the proportion of IL-17 and IFN-γ-producing cell populations and FOXP3 expression in different cultures of these E1-Th17 cells following two rounds of stimulation. As shown in Fig. 4B and Supporting Information Fig. 3, the percentages of IL-17-producing cell populations decreased dramatically in E1-Th17 cells after in vitro culture with different stimulations, but there was no difference of percentages between the groups stimulated GSI-IX with or without OKT3. The addition of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-23 to cultures could not

maintain the stability of Th17 cells and did not prevent the reduction of IL-17-producing cells in vitro. We also observed significantly decreased numbers of IL-17-producing cell populations in Th17 clones when cultured with medium only (low IL-2). The combined addition of cytokines did not alter percentages of IFN-γ-producing cells

during the first 7 days of culture, whereas these were increased in the day 14 cultures. However, the addition of these cytokines did not promote FOXP3 expression in Th17 cells in either day 7 or day 14 cultures. When E1-Th17 cells were stimulated with plate-bound OKT3, the percentages of IFN-γ-producing cell populations were not significantly induced during the first 7-day culture but were dramatically increased in day 14 cultures following the eltoprazine second round of stimulation. Furthermore, the percentages of FOXP3+ cell populations in E1-Th17 cells stimulated with plate-bound OKT3 were significantly induced in both 7-day (first stimulation) and 14-day (second stimulation) cultures (Fig. 4B and Supporting Information Fig. 3). However, further combination of the cytokines with OKT3 did not significantly alter IFN-γ-producing cell populations and FOXP3 expression in either day 7 or day 14 cultures, compared with cultures stimulated with OKT3 alone. Interestingly, the combination of these cytokines with OKT3 promoted a reduction in the proportion of IL-17-producing cell populations in Th17 clones compared with those in Th17 cell cultures stimulated with OKT3 only (Fig. 4B and Supporting Information Fig. 3).

In the hypoglossal nucleus, BBs and TDP-43 inclusions were found

In the hypoglossal nucleus, BBs and TDP-43 inclusions were found in 31.1% and 41.8% of total neurons, respectively, and 29.2% contained both BBs and TDP-43 inclusions (Table 2). In the facial nucleus, BBs and TDP-43 inclusions were found in 21.5% and 24.4% of total neurons, respectively, and 17.3% contained both BBs and TDP-43 inclusions (Table 2). In the present study, the virtual slide system using sequential staining of the same sections with HE and anti-TDP-43 antibody effectively revealed co-localization of BBs and TDP-43 selleck kinase inhibitor inclusions in the same neurons. TDP-43-immunoreactive wisp-like and skein-like inclusions were closely associated

with BBs (Fig. 1a–d). BBs were also located in the peripheral portion of TDP-43-immunoreactive see more round inclusions (Fig. 1e,f). In the spinal cord, 30.5% of anterior horn cells with TDP-43 inclusions contained BBs and 89.8% of anterior horn cells with BBs contained TDP-43 inclusions. In the hypoglossal nucleus, 61.0% of neurons with TDP-43 inclusions contained BBs and 97.2% of neurons with BBs contained TDP-43 inclusions. In the facial nucleus, 76.1% of neurons with TDP-43 inclusions contained BBs and 76.7% of neurons

with BBs contained TDP-43 inclusions. Murayama et al.[7] reported that ubiquitin-positive, ill-defined structures were closely associated with BBs in lower motor neurons in 15 out of 23 cases of sporadic ALS. van Welsem et al.[11] immunohistochemically examined the lower motor neurons (spinal anterior horn and hypoglossal nucleus) in patients with ALS, using antibodies against cystatin C and ubiquitin, and reported that the incidence

of BBs and skein-like inclusions in the lower motor neurons was 15.3% and 5.3%, respectively. The latter authors have also described that BB-containing neurons were devoid of skein-like inclusions, whereas skein-containing neurons always exhibited BBs.[11] We demonstrated that the incidence of co-localization of BBs and TDP-43 inclusions was 15.2% of total neurons in the anterior horn, 29.2% in the hypoglossal nucleus and 17.3% in the facial nucleus. Thus, the incidence of co-localization of these two inclusions is much higher than was previously thought. The frequency of TDP-43 inclusions Cyclin-dependent kinase 3 was significantly higher in neurons with BBs than in those without BBs in the anterior horn (Fig. 2a), hypoglossal nucleus (Fig. 2b) and facial nucleus (Fig. 2c) in patients with ALS by statistical analysis (Chi-square for independence test and Fisher’s exact probability test). Mantel-Haenszel chi-square analysis showed that the frequency of TDP-43 inclusions in the spinal cord and brainstem motor neurons with BBs was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in those without. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated co-existence of TDP-43-immunoreactive structures and BBs in the cytoplasm of anterior horn cells (Fig. 3a). TDP-43-immunoreactive granulofilametous structures were found within and around moderately electron-dense amorphous BBs, surrounded by vesicular structures (Fig.

No matter what the aims of the application are, the antibody’s bi

No matter what the aims of the application are, the antibody’s binding characteristics will still be the main features determining

the assay’s reliability. Here, we describe a protocol for determination of antibody-binding epitopes using an antigen-focused, library-based approach where library members are generated by fragmentation of antigen DNA Selleck Alpelisib and presented as cloned peptides on the cell surface of the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus carnosus. The rigid cell structure of this organism allows for multivalent expression and permits rapid library analysis and sorting of antibody-binding cells using flow-sorting devices. Epitopes are determined by DNA sequencing of the sorted cells and alignment back to the antigen sequence. The protocol described here has been shown useful for mapping of both monoclonal and polyclonal binders with varying epitope lengths. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 90:9.9.1-9.9.17. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. “
“Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden Depletion of Foxp3+CD4+

regulatory T cells (Treg) in adults results in chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease. However, the impact of transient Treg-cell depletion on self-reactive responses is poorly defined. Here, we studied the effect of transient depletion of Treg cells on CD4+ T-cell responses to endogenous self-antigens. Erlotinib Short-term ablation of Treg cells in mice resulted in rapid activation of CD4+ T cells, increased percentage of IFN-γ+ and Th17 cells in lymphoid organs, and development of autoimmune gastritis. To track self-reactive responses, we analyzed the activation of naïve gastric-specific CD4+ T cells. There was a dramatic increase in proliferation and acquisition of effector function of gastric-specific T cells in the stomach draining LNs of Treg-cell-depleted

mice, compared with untreated mice, either during Treg-cell depletion or after Treg-cell reconstitution. Moreover, the hyperproliferation of gastric-specific T cells in the dipyridamole Treg-cell-ablated mice was predominantly antigen-dependent. Transient depletion of Treg cells resulted in a shift in the ratio of peripheral:thymic Treg cells in the reemerged Treg-cell population, indicating an altered composition of Treg cells. These findings indicate that transient Treg-cell depletion results in ongoing antigen-driven self-reactive T-cell responses and emphasize the continual requirement for an intact Treg-cell population. “
“IL-2 plays a critical role in the induction and maintenance of FoxP3-expressing regulatory T cells (FoxP3+Tregs). Reduced expression of IL-2 is linked to T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D), in which an imbalance between FoxP3+Tregs and pathogenic T effectors exists.

[4] It has been demonstrated that allergens in the presence of

[4] It has been demonstrated that allergens in the presence of

endotoxins trigger a substantially stronger allergic inflammation, compared with that evoked in the absence of endotoxins.[5-7] After inhalation, endotoxins, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), encounter and activate alveolar macrophages, leading to the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and other mediators.[8] Nasal and lung lavage samples of allergic subjects show increased levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β),[9] primarily produced by activated macrophages.[10] Production Navitoclax supplier of mature IL-1β requires distinct signals, some of which induce gene expression in the so called ‘priming step’, whereas other signals trigger the maturation of pro-IL-1β to IL-1β by a multiprotein complex called inflammasome. The NLRP3 inflammasome complex consists of NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3) sensor, caspase-1 and ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain) adaptor.[11, 12] NLRP3 inflammasomes play a crucial role in the detection and sensing of exogenous danger signals like pathogen-associated molecular patterns and toxins of microbes, asbestos or silica, as well as endogenous danger signals like monosodium urate and amyloid.[13, 14] Most NLRP3 activators have been shown to induce ROS selleck chemicals generation,[15]

and ROS1 inhibitors of ROS production or ROS scavengers attenuate NLRP3 inflammasome activation[16] implying an essential role for ROS in NLRP3 function. As pollen NADPH oxidases are able to generate ROS, and ROS have been implicated in the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production, we hypothesized that exposure to pollen extract may influence inflammatory responses and IL-1β production of macrophages via NLRP3 inflammasome. Here we report for the first time that ragweed

pollen extract (RWE), typically used as a model for pollen action,[3] significantly elevates LPS-induced IL-1β production of THP-1 or primary macrophages and dendritic cells in an NADPH-dependent manner. We also demonstrate that a caspase-1 inhibitor or NLRP3 silencing abolish this enhancing effect together with the original LPS-triggered inductions. We also show that RWE in the presence of NADPH enhances LPS-induced p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling pathways resulting in the activation of AP-1 transcription factors and the subsequent gene transcription/expression of pro-IL-1β and key components of the inflammasome. This effect is mediated by a ROS-dependent mechanism. The THP-1 cell line (ATCC TIB-202) was a generous gift from Professor Laszlo Nagy. THP-1 monocytes were cultured in RPMI-1640 (Gibco BRL Inc., Grand Island, NY) containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum, penicillin-streptomycin and glutamine, and maintained at 37° under 5% CO2.

Thus,

Thus, MG-132 in vivo the TCR-defined subsets express CD27 differentially, and their functional development might be determined accordingly, presumably by a combination of TCR and CD27-derived signals. Interestingly, although this is not discussed at length, Supporting Information Fig. 6 in the current paper 8 also shows a substantial difference in CD27 expression by Vδ2+ versus Vδ1+ human γδ T cells. Here, although CD27 expression in the Vδ1+ subset is more heterogeneous, a large fraction of these cells

express the molecule at nearly 10-fold higher levels than Vδ2+ cells. Because functional differences between human Vδ1+ and Vδ2+γδ T cells have been reported 15, perhaps combined influences of TCR and CD27 signaling determine functional differentiation here also (Fig. 1). In addition to the TNF-receptor family member CD27, which is also expressed by other lymphocyte types 3, mouse and human γδ T cells are known

to express TNF-R2 17, which is not normally expressed Selumetinib in vitro by αβ T cells, as well as Fas 18, and CD30 19. As is the case with CD27, several TNF receptor family members, including HVEM, OX40, 4-1BB and CD30, are recognized as important costimulators in initiating and sustaining the T-cell response and in promoting long-lived immunity 20. Perhaps certain other TNF-receptors expressed by γδ T cells, e.g. CD30, might function as costimulators on γδ T cells as well. However, it remains to be seen whether any of those are also capable of influencing γδ T-cell functional bias, this website as is shown here with CD27 8. The authors thank the National Institutes

of Health (1R56A1 077594) and National Jewish Health for their support. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no financial or commercial conflict of interest. See accompanying article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.201040905 “
“In recent years, it has become apparent that the removal of apoptotic cells by macrophages and DC is not only noninflammatory, but also immune-inhibitory, in most although not all circumstances. Complement may be involved in the uptake of apoptotic cells via direct binding of bridging factors in some physiological circumstances, by opsonization and engagement of the complement receptors. In the current study, we use a complement-dependent system of apoptotic cell clearance by human-derived macrophages and DC. Using a luciferase reporter gene and measuring immune response to non-opsonic zymosan, we show that iC3b-apoptotic cells induce NF-κB inhibition in response to zymosan and LPS at the nuclear translocation, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, leading to profound inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, interaction with iC3b-opsonized apoptotic cells is characterized by macrophage secretion of IL-10 and lack of TGF-β secretion. In conclusion, in cells with iC3b receptors, opsonized apoptotic cells mediate a distinct anti-inflammatory response and transcriptional NF-κB-dependent blockage.

We report two cases of non-adherent patients, and initiate a begi

We report two cases of non-adherent patients, and initiate a beginning ethical analysis for ongoing deliberation that

moves beyond the well known principle of autonomy, to consider the broader issues of “just” use of this limited, life-sustaining health resource. Our two cases involve non-adherent selleck screening library patients on haemodialysis whose behaviours compromise their ongoing health, and use additional scarce resources. This includes reporting to the emergency department out of hours as a consequence of non-adherence. One of the patients has intellectually impairment and a difficult social situation which impact negatively on his adherence whilst the other is blatantly demanding of treatment to fit in with his lifestyle. The ethics of the allocation of scarce resources to treat patients who willingly exacerbate their disease is explored via a framework that combines the medical

ethics principles, a harms analysis and a “test of reasonableness.” This analysis provides the structure to consider not only the current patient before the renal physician but those trying to get into the waiting room. 247 PRESTERNAL PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETERS: A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE LW CHAN, K RABINDRANATH, A WONG, P SIZELAND, E TAN Midland Regional Renal Services, New Zealand Aim: Analysis of survival and complication rates of presternal Romidepsin cost peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters. Background: Catheter-related complications, including infection, dialysate leak and malfunction are the principal causes of PD failure. The Swan neck presternal catheter with its exit site located on the parasternal chest was designed to reduce catheter-associated complications. Methods: A single-centre, non-randomised retrospective analysis over

10 years Methamphetamine of all Swan neck presternal PD catheter inserted at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand from January 1st 2002 to December 31st 2012 was carried out, using electronic and hardcopy records as data collection means. Results: A total of 43 presternal catheters were inserted in 39 patients. Mean patient age was 59.6 ± 6.1 years. Mean patient BMI was 36.4 ± 3.7. 76% patients were Maori and predominant cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) was diabetic nephropathy (82%). Major indication for presternal PD catheters was obesity (90%). Presternal catheter survival was 75% and 63.2% at 1 and 2 years respectively. During the first year, 10 catheters were removed: tunnel/exit site infections (3), peritonitis (3), poor drainage (3) and wound dehiscence (1). The peritonitis rate was 1 episode per 29 patient-months. The mean observation period was 22.7 ± 19.3 months and the longest catheter survival was 96.3 months. Conclusions: Overall presternal PD catheter survival was slightly worse in comparison to current reported literature. A cluster of catheter related infections and malfunction adversely affected our outcome for presternal catheters.

brasiliensis might cause bystander activation of naive CD4 T cell

brasiliensis might cause bystander activation of naive CD4 T cells in vivo.38 However, despite the strong induction of cytokines with mitogenic potential for T cells, we found no evidence for bystander activation of T cells by N. brasiliensis. This observation leads us to conclude that the Th2 response is antigen-specific whereas the B-cell response can be unspecific, as shown by unspecific IgE and IgG1 responses in helminth-infected mice.22 Interleukin-4 released locally from antigen-specific Th2 cells may be sufficient to induce class switch recombination in unspecific B cells. Interestingly, IL-4-expressing cells of the innate immune system like basophils or eosinophils are not sufficient

to increase IgE levels in N. brasiliensis-infected mice.29 At present we cannot Everolimus exclude the possibility selleck compound that expansion of memory Th2 cells with unrelated specificity was induced after infection. Bystander activation of memory CD8 T cells has been shown by Sprent and colleagues39–41 to occur by high levels of IL-15, which are induced during viral infection or injection of Toll-like receptor agonists. Furthermore, recruitment of bystander T cells into granulomas of S. mansoni-infected mice has been reported.42 About 1–3% of CD4 T cells are IL-4/eGFP+ in naive 4get mice and these cells display a memory phenotype (CD62Llo CD44hi) suggesting that they had been activated

by environmental antigens. Importantly, this population is missing in DO11/4get/Rag−/− where T cells can only recognize the model antigen OVA. Therefore, we can exclude the possibility that the low frequency of IL-4/eGFP+ CD4 T cells in naive mice reflects leaky expression

of the construct. The pool of Th2 cells in the lung of N. brasiliensis-infected mice might consist of newly generated N. brasiliensis-specific Th2 cells and pre-existing Th2 cells with unrelated specificities that were recruited by inflammation-induced chemotactic signals including CCL17 and leukotriene B4. This assumption is based on the observation that LCMV-specific memory CD8 T cells are recruited in a bystander fashion to the lung during infection with an unrelated virus.43 Interestingly, Rebamipide IL-25 has recently been shown to induce bystander proliferation of human memory Th2 cells44 and this cytokine is also highly expressed in mice during N. brasiliensis infection.45 Further studies will have to be performed to determine whether memory Th2 cells are activated and recruited by bystander activation during N. brasiliensis infection. Protective immunity against N. brasiliensis depends on CD4 T cells. Normal BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice can expel the worms by day 9 after infection. However, worm expulsion is affected in mice with a reduced repertoire of TCR-specificities and reconstitution of TCR-tg mice with polyclonal CD4 T cells was sufficient to partially restore protective immunity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the strong Th2 response against N.