2), and suspended in 150 μL of the same buffer The suspension wa

2), and suspended in 150 μL of the same buffer. The suspension was then heated to 50°C, and 150 μL of embedding agarose added from the kit at the same temperature. The suspension was then allowed to solidify in molds. Thereafter, the agarose suspension was incubated at 4°C for 20 min. The

agarose blocks were then incubated overnight at 37°C in 540 μL of lysis buffer I (Bio-Rad) containing 20 μL of lysozyme/lysostaphin solution (lysozyme 25 AZD6738 mg/mL, lysostaphin 2 mg/mL; Bio-Rad) and 20 μL of N-acetylmuramidase solution (N-acetylmuramidase SG 5 mg/mL, Dainippon Pharmaceutical, Osaka, Japan). The agarose blocks were washed once with wash buffer (Bio-Rad) and then incubated overnight at 50°C in 520 μL of proteinase K solution (> 23 U/mL). Then, they were then washed five times with wash buffer (1 hr per wash; Bio-Rad). Before restriction enzyme digestion, the agarose blocks were washed twice (1 hr per wash) with 0.1 × wash buffer, and then balanced for 1 hr in an appropriate restriction enzyme buffer. Restriction enzyme digestion with SmaI (TaKaRa) was performed overnight at 30°C. Restriction enzyme digestion with ApeI (TaKaRa) Palbociclib manufacturer and SacII (TaKaRa)

was performed overnight at 37°C. Electrophoresis was carried out using a CHEF DR III System (Bio-Rad) in 1% PFGE certified agarose (Bio-Rad) with 0.5 × tris/borate/EDTA buffer. The pulse time was 1–12 s, current 6 V/cm, temperature 14°C, and running time 22.5 hr. The agarose gel was stained with ethidium bromide (0.5 μg/mL) and visualized under UV light. The PFGE profiles of the strains were then visually compared. TMC0356 genomic DNA was digested with 11 restriction enzymes (Fig. 1). Banding patterns were obtained by digestion with all restriction enzymes except DraI and RsaI. ApaI, SacII, and SmaI were selected because the bands obtained after digesting the DNA with those enzymes were widely separated (from 24 kb to 290 kb). Ten different macrorestriction 4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase patterns were

obtained after digestion of genomic DNA of 15 L. gasseri strains with SmaI and separation by PFGE (Fig. 2). Similar banding patterns were obtained for TMC0356, JCM 1031, and JCM 1131; however, a thick band of 42.9 kb was confirmed for TMC0356 but not for JCM1031 and JCM 1131. No other strain showed a banding pattern similar to that of TMC0356. The genomic DNA profiles of the 15 L. gasseri strains digested with SacII are shown in Figure 3. The banding patterns were similar for TMC0356, JCM1031 and JCM 1131; however, a thick band of 42.9 kb was confirmed for TMC0356 but not for JCM1031, JCM 1131. No other strain showed a banding pattern similar to that of TMC0356. The genomic DNA profiles of the 15 L. gasseri strains digested with Apa I are shown in Figure 4. TMC0356, JCM1031 and JCM 1131 showed identical banding patterns, and hence could not be distinguished. A strain (TMC0356F-100) obtained after subculturing TMC0356 in skim milk 100 times was also analyzed by PFGE.

Methods: 72 pre-dialysis patients were enrolled from a single med

Methods: 72 pre-dialysis patients were enrolled from a single medical center. Serum biochemistry data and p-cresyl sulfate were measured. The clinical outcomes including cardiovascular event, all-cause mortality and dialysis event were recorded during a 3 years follow-up. Results: After adjusting other independent variables, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed age (HR:1.12, p = 0.01), cardiovascular disease history (HR:6.28, p = 0.02) and PCS (HR:1.12, p = 0.02) were independently associated with cardiovascular event; age (HR:0.91,

p < 0.01), serum albumin (HR:0.03, p < 0.01) click here and PCS level (HR:1.17, p < 0.01) reached significant correlation with dialysis event. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with higher serum p-cresyl sulfate (>6 mg/L) was significantly associated with cardiovascular and dialysis event find more (Log rank p = 0.03, Log rank p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Our study shows serum PCS could be a useful marker to predict cardiovascular event and renal function progression in CKD patients without dialysis. WATATANI HIROYUKI1, MAESHIMA YOHEI2, HINAMOTO NORIKAZU1, UJIKE HARUYO1, TANABE KATSUYUKI1, MASUDA KANA1, SUGIYAMA HITOSHI3, SAKAI YOSHIKI4, MAKINO HIROFUMI1 1Dept. of Medicine and Clinical Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan; 2Dept. of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular disease, Okayama Univ. Graduate School

of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan; 3Center for Chronic Kidney Disease and Peritoneal Dialysis, Okayama Univ. Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan; 4ONO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan Protirelin Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in patients with CKD, and vascular calcification serves as a key modifier of disease progression. ONO-1301 (ONO) is a novel sustained-release prostacyclin analog possessing thromboxane (TX) synthase inhibitory activity. We recently reported the renoprotective effects of ONO in experimental models of diabetic

nephropathy and obstructive uropathy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacies of ONO on progressive CKD and vascular calcification in a rat model of adenine-induced CKD. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats at 13 weeks of age were fed with the diet containing either 0.75% (CKD) or 0% (control) adenine along with 2.5% protein. After 3 weeks, serum creatinine levels were measured and animals were divided into one of two treatment groups with equivalent kidney dysfunction. For the following 5 weeks, animals were fed with standard rat chow, and ONO (6 mg/kg/day) or vehicle buffer was orally administered. Urine, serum, kidneys and thoracic aorta were obtained and subjected to evaluation. Results: Treatment with ONO did not significantly improve adenine-induced renal functional deterioration (BUN and S-Cr) and renal histological alterations.

In addition we used a polyclonal antibody against penaeidin (25)

In addition we used a polyclonal antibody against penaeidin (25) and a commercial immunohistochemistry kit (DiagXotics) to detect WSSV. We present evidence of the role of the three hemocyte subpopulations SGH, LGH, and HH, as well as peneidins and α2-macroglobulin in immune processes that occur in the LO. Immunostaining of other shrimp tissues with antibodies against

hemocytes is described. Hemocyte subpopulations in tissue sections were studied in animals from a full-sib family of L. vannamei shrimp. After induced infection with WSSV performed per os, these animals exhibited strong hemocyte infiltration and spheroids formation by histological observations (24). Briefly, WSSV inoculates were prepared following the protocol of Melena et al. (26). Gills were collected from shrimps with severe WSD lesions, as detected by histology, and were Bortezomib supplier homogenized in buffer TN (Tris HCL 20 mM, NaCl 0,4 M, pH 7.2). After centrifugation at 1200 g for 5 min, the supernatant was recovered and filtered through a 0.45 μm membrane and stored at –80°C until needed. 3 g shrimp were infected by intramuscular injection with 50 μL of the viral solution in the second abdominal segment. After 48 hr, moribund shrimp were removed and stored at –80°C. Severity of infection was verified by histology. These shrimp were

used as infected material in the induced infection. Eighty animals from the full-sib family of L. vannamei shrimp distributed in 16 tanks were starved one day before infection. The infected material was given twice a day at a total dose of 8% of the biomass. A water exchange of 100% PRKD3 was performed 3 hr after each application Akt activator of the infected material. Animals were sampled before infection and 24, 48 and 72 hr after infection (20 animals per sample) for histopathology analysis. Davidson’s AFA (alcohol, formalin, glacial acetic acid) fixative was used to preserve samples. Shrimp tissue was processed according to procedures outlined in Bell and Lightner (27). Sections were cut into 5 μm slices and stained with Mayer Bennet hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).

Tissues were carefully examined paying special attention to LO traits (WSSV lesions, hemocyte presence, spheroids formation). Immunohistochemistry of hemocyte subpopulations was performed on 20 animals (five per sample) following Destoumieux et al. (25) procedures. Briefly, the tissue sections were fixed on positively charged slides (Fisher Scientific, Loughborough, UK), and after rehidratation, they were incubated for 20 min at room temperature in TBS (100 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.5), and then for 1 hr in the same solution supplemented with 0,5 (w:v) skim milk. One hour of incubation at 25°C was further performed with the specific antibodies (see below). Alkaline phosphatase-labeled anti-rabbit IgG or anti-mouse IgG (depending on the specific antibody) were used according to manufacturer’s instructions (Sigma-Aldrich, St.

We intravitally measured mesenteric lymphatic diameter and contra

We intravitally measured mesenteric lymphatic diameter and contraction frequency, as well as lymphocyte velocity and density before, during, and after infusion. A 10-fold increase in lymphocyte velocity (0.1–1 mm/s) and a sixfold increase in flow rate (0.1–0.6 μL/min), were observed

post infusion, respectively. There were also increases in contraction frequency and fractional pump flow one minute post infusion. Time-averaged wall shear stress increased 10 fold post infusion to nearly 1.5 dynes/cm2. Similarly, this website maximum shear stress rose from 5 to 40 dynes/cm2. Lymphatic vessels adapted to edemagenic stress by increasing lymph transport. Specifically, the increases in lymphatic contraction frequency, lymphocyte velocity, and shear stress were significant. Lymph pumping increased post infusion, though changes in lymphatic diameter were not statistically significant. These results indicate that edemagenic conditions stimulate lymph transport via increases in lymphatic contraction frequency, lymphocyte velocity, and Enzalutamide concentration flow. These changes, consequently, resulted in large increases in wall shear stress, which could then activate NO pathways and modulate lymphatic transport function. “
“The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of AP on LPS-induced PMD and ALI. Male SD rats were continuously infused with LPS (5 mg/kg/h) for one hour to induce PMD and ALI. AP was administrated orally one hour

before LPS exposure. Arterial blood pressure and HR were monitored. Blood gas analysis, histological observation, cytokines in plasma, leukocyte recruitment, pulmonary oxidative stress, microvessel permeability, edema, and related proteins were evaluated six hours after LPS challenge. Rats receiving LPS exhibited significant alterations, including hypotension, tachycardia, increase in cytokines, neutrophil adhesion

and infiltration, oxidative stress, and microvessel hyperpermeability, resulting in pulmonary injury and dysfunction. AP (0.18 g/kg or 1.8 g/kg) improved rat survival rate, and significantly attenuated all aforementioned see more insults, and inhibited LPS-induced increase in adhesion molecules, up-regulation of Cav-1 and Src kinase and NADPH oxidase subunits (p47phox and p67phox) membrane translocation in lung tissue, and preserved JAM-1 and claudin-5. The results demonstrated the protective effect of AP on LPS-induced PMD and ALI, suggesting the potential of AP as a prophylactic strategy for LPS-induced ALI. “
“Please cite this paper as: Drummond and Vowler (2011). Show the Data, Don’t Conceal Them. Microcirculation 18(4), 313–315. “
“Please cite this paper as Dietrich HH. Cell-to-cell communication and vascular dementia. Microcirculation 19: 461–467, 2012. Objective:  VaD is the second-most common form of dementia, second only to that caused by AD. As the name indicates, VaD is predominantly considered a disease caused by vascular phenomena.

Histamine-mediated signals affect the ability of DC to induce the

Histamine-mediated signals affect the ability of DC to induce the maturation of T cells along Th1 or Th2 pathways. Histamine appears to be involved in the Th-switch: Th1 cells express H1R, while H2R is found on both Th1 and Th2 cells, as well as DC. H2R also appears to play a critical role in the induction of immune tolerance. Histamine has many important, but still poorly understood immune-related functions, highlighting the need for additional animal models, including histamine receptor gene knockout

mice. Mast cells play critical, but undefined, immunoprotective roles in bacterial and helminth ABT-263 datasheet infections. Studies from the laboratory of Richard Stevens (Boston, MA) led to the identification of two major serine mast cell tryptases, mouse mast cell protease (mMCP)-6 and mMCP-7, that are critical factors in protection from bacterial and helminth infection. Dr. Stevens and colleagues demonstrated that mast cell-deficient

W/Wv mice can successfully combat a Klebsiella pneumoniae pulmonary infection when pre-treated with physiologic amounts of recombinant mMCP-6 or its human ortholog hTryptase-β 17. Dr. Stevens and Dr. Adachi created transgenic mice that lack both mMCP-6 and mMCP-7 18. They then showed that these tryptase-deficient animals have a markedly reduced ability to combat K. pneumoniae infection of the peritoneal cavity and an impaired ability to combat Trichinella spiralis infections. The mechanisms by which mast cell-restricted tryptases CHIR-99021 are beneficial in varied infections remain to be determined at the molecular level, but it appears that they play important roles in orchestrating the accumulation of granulocytes in tissues. K. Frank Austen (Boston, MA) addressed an unexpected

role of mast cell proteases in the response to ischemia reperfusion injury. In mouse models of ischemia reperfusion injury, the heightened exposure of self-Ag leads to Ag recognition by natural IgM and subsequent complement activation. This results in immune mediated injury that depends on specific mast cell-derived proteases, as evidenced by the fact that mast cell-deficient mice are protected from injury. In hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury, mice Idoxuridine lacking the elastase mMCP-5 are significantly protected. The same mechanistic principles apply to a second-degree burn model in which mice deficient in mast cell chymase/elastase (mMCP-4/5), but not tryptase (mMCP-6/7), are protected from ulceration and scarring. Dr. Austen proposes that mast cell-derived proteases such as mMCP-4/5 play a critical role in the tissue damage following injury. Stephan C. Bischoff (Stuttgart, Germany) observed that much of the mast cell literature is based on data obtained in animal species that, in nature, do not suffer from mast cell-mediated allergic diseases.

837 On behalf of the British Neuropathological Society, the edit

837. On behalf of the British Neuropathological Society, the editorial team and our publishers, Wiley-Blackwell, I would like to thank Dr Wharton for all of his hard work leading to these achievements. We both appreciate the vital role that the editorial team and reviewers have played in this success and extend our gratitude to all those who have contributed to these activities. The constant professional support of our publishers, selleckchem Wiley-Blackwell; in particular, Ms Elizabeth Whelan and her team, has been invaluable. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, the Journal of the British Neuropathological Society, was established in 1975, 25 years after

the founding of the Society, under the editorship of Professor John Cavanagh who served in this position until 1989. The Journal was subsequently under the energetic leadership of Professors Roy Weller and James Lowe who have

continued to play an active part in recent years. The influence and work of Professor Cavanagh has been honoured by the Society with the foundation of the Cavanagh Prize, awarded every two years to a young neuroscientist who has made a significant contribution to the field of neuropathology. In his opening editorial Professor Cavanagh commented that the discussions of the Society ‘are in the forum of the world’. I believe that this message remains as important today as it was 38 years ago; that the goal of Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology is to further our understanding of neuropathology Natural Product Library chemical structure and underlying disease mechanisms by publishing high quality scientific research check details and to be in the forefront of scientific discussion in this field. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology plays an important role in the British Neuropathological Society, of which I have been an active member for many years. I look forward to working with the President, Professor Seth Love, and his successors to maintain the mutual

support between the Society and the Journal. Together we aim to continue the approach of sponsoring lectures at meetings including the International Society of Neuropathology and the European Confederation of Neuropathological Societies, to promote neuropathology on the international stage. Looking forward I will continue to develop the international profile of Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology. The readily available measure of the impact factor is clearly important for all authors and journals but I believe that there are other markers of quality. Service to our authors and adherence to ethical standards in publishing should be paramount. For authors it is important to have an efficient and fair review process with rapid indexing and availability on-line after acceptance. I will work with the editorial team and publishers to facilitate this.

Freshly isolated T

lymphocytes were perfused over a TNF-α

Freshly isolated T

lymphocytes were perfused over a TNF-α-treated HUVEC monolayer as described in the Materials and methods. There were no detectable changes in AJ morphology (Supporting Information Fig. 1) or in the distribution of PECAM-1, Jam-1, and CD99 (Supporting Information Fig. 2 and data not shown) of either IQGAP1 knockdown or control endothelium after TNF-α treatment and shear stress. Under these conditions, 50–70% of adherent lymphocytes transmigrated across the monolayer by the paracellular route. Consistent with previous reports, we saw little transcellular migration across the activated HUVEC monolayer 37, 38. EC IQGAP1 knockdown decreased lymphocyte TEM to about 70% of control (Fig. 3A), while the fraction of lymphocytes that locomoted on the surface of EC monolayer was not affected by IQGAP1 knockdown (Fig. 3A). We hypothesized that EC IQGAP1 deficiency might alter lymphocyte locomotion selleck chemicals to favored sites of diapedesis. We evaluated lymphocyte movement buy Lumacaftor toward

interendothelial junctions by two methods. First, analysis of videomicrographs indicated a similar fraction of lymphocytes encounter at least one interendothelial junction during locomotion on the surface of the EC monolayer between IQGAP1-knockdown EC and EC transfected by non-silencing siRNA (83±4% versus 85±3% (mean±SEM); p=NS, n=6 independent experiments). Second, immunofluorescence microscopy studies of co-cultures of lymphocytes adherent to EC monolayers, fixed after 10 min of applied shear (pooled from four independent experiments including more than 200 lymphocytes) did not show any difference in the fraction of adherent lymphocytes in contact with VE-cadherin-stained junctions between

control and IQGAP1 knockdown monolayers (84% versus 72%; p=NS). These observations suggest that EC IQGAP1 might regulate the diapedesis stage. To assess diapedesis in more detail, TEM through the EC monolayer was evaluated by confocal microscopy. After 10 min Sorafenib of interaction under shear stress conditions, the flow chamber was disassembled, and the co-culture of EC and pre-labeled lymphocytes was fixed and stained for VE-cadherin. Lymphocytes were classed in three groups according to the position of the lymphocyte to EC VE-cadherin: lymphocytes that were in contact with VE-cadherin were considered above the junction if no part of lymphocyte was lower than VE-cadherin staining in the z dimension (Fig. 3B); lymphocytes that extended through a transmigration channel but still had a uropod above VE-cadherin staining were considered to be within the junction (Fig. 3C); lymphocytes completed diapedesis if the whole lymphocyte was below the level of VE-cadherin (Fig. 3D). Results of four independent experiments evaluating more than 200 lymphocytes associated with EC AJ were pooled for analysis.

However, we still demonstrated that the IFN-γ

mRNA expres

However, we still demonstrated that the IFN-γ

mRNA expression levels were increased in AS T cells. Therefore, we propose that the increased let-7i expression in AS T cells activate the Th1 immune responses upon LPS stimulation. Although we showed that increased let-7i expression in T cells could suppress TLR-4 expression, it is premature to conclude that decreased TLR-4 expression on AS T cells contributed directly to this phenomenon. Instead, PD-1 inhibiton other molecule(s) involving the T cell signalling pathway targeted by let-7i might play an essential role. Selbach et al. demonstrated [49] that one miRNA can translationally repress hundreds of target genes. Nevertheless, the downstream molecular mechanism of increased let-7i expression stimulating a T helper type 1 (Th1)

(IFN-γ) immune response requires more detailed studies. O’Hara et al. [50] demonstrated that let-7i expression was suppressed by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and many medications used for AS treatment have the potential to suppress NF-κB activity [51]. However, AS is a chronic inflammatory disease; the elevation of NF-κB DNA binding activity in lymphocytes could persist even after several months of adequate therapy [52]. In addition, we observed two newly diagnosed AS patients in this study who had not yet been treated with immunosuppressant. Their T cell let-7i expression levels appeared to be no different from those of the treated AS patients. Therefore, we consider that the increased expression of let-7i was irrelevant to treatment Selleck VX809 with immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, the increased let-7i expression is a direct effect from AS disease per se and is involved in AS pathogenesis. In contrast, the expression of Bcl-2 targeted by miR-16 remained unchanged in AS T cells compared with normal T cells (Fig. 3b). This is because other molecules and signalling pathways may compensate Bcl-2 expression that was suppressed by miR-16. In http://www.selleck.co.jp/products/azd9291.html T cell lineage, the expression of

c-kit target by miR-221 is limited to the progenitor T cells, and lost gradually upon differentiation [53]. Thus the expression of c-kit could not be detected in T cells from peripheral blood in our study (Fig. 4b). In addition to AS T cells, over-expression of miR-16 was also found in peripheral mononuclear cells from RA patients [16] and activated normal T cells [54]. It is possible that the increased expression of miR-16 and miR-221 in AS patients may trigger inflammatory reactions. The inter-relationships among these three miRNAs and their respective target molecules require further investigation. Recently, the expression of miRNAs was under the control of epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation.

Women who continued using the pessary had a greater that 70% impr

Women who continued using the pessary had a greater that 70% improvement in their symptom questionnaire scores. Few studies have compared QOL outcomes of RG-7388 mw surgery to pessary use in women with POP. One recent study reported that improvements

in QOL as well as urinary, bowel and sexual function were similar in both surgery and pessary treatment group.[50] Barber et al. found that responses to PFDI and PFIQ questionnaires suggested that surgery (such as vaginal hysterectomy, anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, vaginal vault suspension sling procedure, anal sphincteroplasty and copocleisis) was associated with greater QOL improvements when compared to pessary use.[57] In the pessary treated group, the prolapse and urinary scales of the PFDI showed significant improvement with no change in the colorectal scale or the PFIQ. In the surgery group, there was significant improvement in all scales of the PFDI and PFIQ. Further, compared to the pessary group, women who underwent surgery had significant improvement in each scale of the PFDI as well as the prolapse and urinary scale of the PFIQ. Physiotherapy is another non-surgical intervention for POP that has been shown to significantly improve

urogenital symptoms, QOL and objective physical findings in women with POP,[58-60] though therapy may be less effective Pifithrin-�� order in women with POP-Q stage > II.[61] The aims of physiotherapy are to improve pelvic floor muscle strength and function.[62] Therapists utilize a combination of treatment modalities, including exercise, biofeedback, electrical stimulation and behavioral therapy. In a Norwegian randomized control trial, women with POP-Q stage < IV with no previous surgery and who could demonstrate the ability to contract pelvic floor muscles, were randomized to an intervention group that received weekly

physiotherapy visits for 3 months, then fortnightly visits Clomifene for a further 3 months, or to a control group with no intervention.[60] The women were given a four-point scale questionnaire that assessed the frequency and bother of prolapse symptoms such as feelings of vaginal bulging and heaviness. At 6 months, women in the intervention group demonstrated improved POP-Q staging compared to the control group (11.2% vs. 4.3%), greater elevation of the bladder (by ultrasound assessment) and reduced frequency and bother of prolapse symptoms. Physiotherapy has also been shown to be effective in improving sexual function and QOL in women with SUI. Sexual dysfunction is commonly associated with POP and is reported by nearly one-third of women.[35, 63] Simple guidelines have been proposed for the evaluation of sexual function in women with POP that can easily be administered during a routine office visit.

5% BSA and 0 05% Tween20) Blots were washed repeatedly in washin

5% BSA and 0.05% Tween20). Blots were washed repeatedly in washing learn more buffer (15 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.05% Tween20; pH 7.6) and incubated for 1 h at room temperature with 0.1 μg/mL peroxidase-conjugated donkey anti-mouse IgG in blocking buffer. Peroxidase activity was detected using chemiluminescence substrate (Pierce) and recorded with a chemiluminescence detector

(Vilber Lourmat). Mouse anti-MEK1/2 (phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated), mouse anti-JNK (phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated) and mouse anti-p38 (phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated) were obtained from Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, USA For TransAm analysis, primary human keratinocytes were stimulated for 2 h with recombinant cytokines. Nuclear

extracts were generated with the Nuclear Extract Kit (Active Motif) and analyzed for activated transcription factors using TransAm Kits (Active Motif) according to the manufacturer’s protocols. For dual luciferase assays, primary human keratinocytes were grown to 70% confluence and transfected with two plasmids, www.selleckchem.com/products/Staurosporine.html one containing the “Firefly Luciferase” under control of an AP-1-dependent promoter and a control plasmid expressing the “Renilla Luciferase” under the CMV promoter. The transfection was performed in presence of DMRIE-C (1, 2 -Dimyristyloxypropy l-3 – Dimethyl – Hydroxy – Ethyl–Ammoniumbromide plus Cholesterol) (Dual-Luciferase-Reporter Assay System, Promega). Eighteen hours after transfection, keratinocytes were stimulated for 48 h with recombinant cytokines. Concentration of CXCL-10, CXCL-11 and HBD-2 in cell-free supernatant of primary

human keratinocytes stimulated with 50 ng/mL IL-22, 50 ng/mL TNF-α or a combination of both were measured using commercially available sandwich ELISA kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions (CXCL-10, CXCL-11: R&D Systems, HBD-2: Phoenix Pharmaceuticals). C. albicans wild-type strain SC5314 was used for the infection of human oral keratinocytes (TR146, buccal carcinoma cell line) as described previously 33. C. albicans was grown on Sabouraud’s Adenosine triphosphate dextrose agar (Difco) followed by two pre-cultures in 10 mL YPG (1% yeast extract, 2% peptone, 2% glucose) medium (Difco), first for 16 h at 25°C and then for 24 h at 37°C through orbital shaking. Human oral keratinocytes were cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 0.1% gentamicin solution (50 mg/mL) at 37°C and 5% CO2. For two-dimensional skin infection models, 30 000 human oral keratinocytes (TR146) were plated per well in 96-well plates in antibiotic and antimycotic free culture medium. Twenty-four hours after plating, cells were treated with 50 ng/mL TNF-α and IL-22 or Th22 supernatant. Each treatment was performed in triplicate. Keratinocytes were infected 30 min after treatment with a total amount of 3000 yeast cells (MOI 0.1).