“
“Citation Tang Z, Tadesse S, Norwitz E, Mor G, Abrahams VM., selleck compound Guller S. Isolation of Hofbauer cells from human term placentas with high yield and purity. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 336–348 Problem  Placental villus macrophages (i.e., Hofbauer cells, HBCs)

were identified more than 100 years ago. Alterations in their numbers and characteristics are associated with several complications of pregnancy. Although HBCs have previously been isolated and cultured, there is no consensus methodology to obtain these cells with high yield and purity for in vitro studies. Method of study  Hofbauer cells were isolated from human term placentas using protocols in which cytotrophoblasts (CTs) and fibroblasts (FIBs), other major villous cell types, were isolated in parallel. Enzymatic digestion, Percoll gradients, and immunoselection were used to isolate the three cell types. Purity was assessed by morphology, flow cytometry, and phagocytosis

assays. Results  Hofbauer cells were isolated with 98–99% purity and a yield of 130–200 × 106 cells/80–100 g of tissue. HBCs exhibited a pleiomorphic and vacuolated appearance for at least 5 days in culture medium with and without serum. High levels of phagocytosis in HBCs, but not Selleck Wnt inhibitor in CTs or FIBs, confirmed macrophage function in HBCs. Phagocytotic activity was maintained across several days in culture. Conclusion  Hofbauer cells were isolated from term placenta with high yield and purity using protocols in which CTs and FIBs were also obtained. This methodology will foster future

studies that examine the role of HBCs in regulating villus function. “
“The commensal microbiota, most of which resides in the gut, is an environmental regulator of mucosal and systemic immune maturation. Epidemiological studies suggest that changes in the microbiota may represent a link between a modern lifestyle and risk of certain immuno-allergic diseases. This suggests that the microbiota is an appropriate target for therapy or prophylaxis, the rationale for which is addressed here using inflammatory bowel disease as an example. Erastin molecular weight It is also evident from comparative studies of germ-free and conventionally colonized animals that the microbiota is a source of regulatory signals for full development of the host. In some instances these signals have been defined molecularly, and may be suitable for exploitation in novel drug discovery. Most of the versatile drugs in common usage today were derived originally from living matter in the wider environment; could it be time to mine new drugs from microbial-derived signalling molecules in the inner environment of the gut? Several examples illustrate the potential of the gut microbiota as a rich repository from which bioactives with immunological impact can be mined, and translated to human health care or to animal husbandry.