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Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis is a cause of infections related to peritoneal dialysis (PD). We have used a PD catheter flow-cell model in combination with confocal scanning laser microscopy and atomic force microscopy to study biofilm formation by S. epidermidis. Adherence to serum-coated catheters was four times greater than to uncoated ones, suggesting that S. epidermidis binds

Moraxella IgD-binding protein (MID) is a well characterized trimeric autotransporter that specifically targets the IgD of B cells. We fused the membrane anchor of the meningococcal autotransporter NhhA with the IgD-binding region of MID (aa 962-1200) to create a chimeric protein designated as NID. The aim was to use this specific targeting to provide a better vaccine candidate against meningococci

Increasing resistance to antibiotics makes antimicrobial peptides interesting as novel therapeutics. Here, we report on studies of the peptide NLF20 (NLFRKLTHRLFRRNFGYTLR), corresponding to an epitope of the D helix of heparin cofactor II (HCII), a plasma protein mediating bacterial clearance.

As high resolution instruments are becoming standard in proteomics laboratories, label-free quantification using precursor measurements is becoming a viable option, and is consequently rapidly gaining popularity. Several software solutions have been presented for label-free analysis, but to our knowledge no conclusive studies regarding the sensitivity and reliability of each step of the analysis p

The intestinal mucosa is exposed to large amounts of foreign antigen (Ag) derived from commensal bacteria, dietary Ags, and intestinal pathogens. Dendritic cells (DCs) are believed to be involved in the induction of tolerance to harmless Ags and in mounting protective immune responses to pathogens and, as such, to play key roles in regulating intestinal immune homeostasis. The characterization of

beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) was found to interact with many group A streptococcal strains. The interaction appeared to require multipoint attachment, since monomeric beta 2m in solution showed no binding, whereas both beta 2m monomers bound to liposomes, and beta 2m in aggregates showed affinity for the bacteria. Aggregated HLA antigens (-A, -B and -C) and aggregated beta 2m exhibited the same

Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were determined in Chinese blood donors from the city of Wuhan by ELISA screening tests and confirmatory recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). 281 and 222 sera were sampled under similar conditions in 1989 and 1990, respectively. The first collection of sera was sent to Sweden in lyophilized form, the second directly as fresh, unfrozen sera. A high proport

The pneumococcus is the principle cause of bacterial pneumonia and also a major cause of bacterial meningitis. The mechanisms and sites of pneumococcal adherence and invasion of the respiratory tract in vivo are not clear however. We have made pneumococci expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and used it to trace pneumococcal adherence and invasion in vivo. By using GFP pneumococci we have sh

The nonobese diabetic mouse is highly susceptible not only to diabetes but to several autoimmune diseases, and one might suspect that these are controlled by a shared set of genes. However, based on various gene-segregation experiments, it seems that only a few loci are shared and that each disorder is influenced also by a unique set of genes.

Objective: Oligoclonal bands (OBs) in electrophoresis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are present in multiple sclerosis and here is investigated whether these also occur in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Material and methods: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced in 42 DA rats after immunization with rat spinal chord homogenate and the occurrence of OBs were detecte

Escherichia coli TolA is a cytoplasmic membrane protein required for outer membrane integrity and the translocation of F-specific filamentous (Ff) bacteriophage DNA. Both phage infection and membrane integrity depend on several TolA interactions, e.g. those of the TolA C-terminal domain (TolAIII). Membrane integrity involves interaction with two host proteins and phage translocation requires direc

Gm allotypes are genetic variants of the immunoglobulin heavy G chains (IGHG) of IgG molecules, coded from chromosome 14q32, characterized by differences in amino acid epitopes of the constant heavy G chains and inherited in the Mendelian manner. Gm allotypes have influence on IgG subclass levels, and serum Gm allotype levels have been given for different Gm genotypes in adults. Four hundred and t

Relapsing polychondritis is an autoimmune disease in which an inappropriate immune response destroys cartilage. Cartilage of the ears, larynx and nose rather than spine and joint cartilage is affected by a chronic relapsing and erosive inflammation. Several animal models for relapsing polychondritis have been published in which immunization with various cartilage proteins induces a variety of chon

Deficiency of complement components within the classical pathway is associated with increased risk for immune complex disease. However, C2-deficient individuals often have a mild disease and about 50% are healthy. To study the importance of the different components for immune complex clearance, bovine serum albumin (BSA)/anti-BSA complexes were opsonized in human serum and the binding to erythrocy

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains recognize phosphotyrosine (pY)-containing sequences and thereby mediate their association to ligands. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase, in which mutations cause a hereditary immunodeficiency disease, X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). Mutations have been found in all Btk domains, including SH2, We have analyzed the structural and

Epitopes found on Mucin-1 are differentially expressed on tumour versus normal tissue. Such epitopes have also been shown to have a potential in immunotherapy and tumour detection. The major epitope explored in this context is located within the variable number of tandem repeats. It has however recently been demonstrated that this epitope exists in several sequence variants. The standard sequence