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Reichhardt M, Loimaranta V, Thiel S, Meri S, Jarva H. The complement regulating properties of gp340 – A new inhibitor of the lectin pathway. Mol Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.06.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Zacho R, Jensen L, Jensenius J, Thiel S. Purification and characterisation of H-ficolin. Mol Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.06.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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53
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Boldt A, Luz P, Grisbach C, Steffensen R, Thiel S, Kun J, Jensenius J, Messias-Reason I. Association of Chagas disease with functional MASP2 polymorphisms identified with multiplex sequence-specific PCR. Mol Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.06.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Thiel S, Kjaer T, Hansen A, Sørensen U, Jensenius J. Investigations on the pattern recognition molecule M-ficolin: Specificity towards bacteria. Mol Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.06.335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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55
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Helmig D, Bottenheim J, Galbally IE, Lewis A, Milton MJT, Penkett S, Plass-Duelmer C, Reimann S, Tans P, Thiel S. Volatile Organic Compounds in the Global Atmosphere. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1029/2009eo520001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Brinkmann C, Thiel S, Larsen M, Petersen T, Jensenius J, Heegaard C. Preparation and comparison of cytotoxic complexes formed between oleic acid and either bovine or human α-lactalbumin. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:2159-70. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2010-3622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ytting H, Christensen IJ, Steffensen R, Alsner J, Thiel S, Jensenius JC, Hansen U, Nielsen HJ. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) genotypes in colorectal cancer. Scand J Immunol 2011; 73:122-7. [PMID: 21198752 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2010.02480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) are key factors of the lectin pathway of complement activation. Polymorphisms of the MBL2 and MASP-2 genes affect serum levels of MBL and MASP-2. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), the MBL and MASP-2 serum levels are increased and high MASP-2 levels are associated with recurrence and poor survival, whereas low MBL levels predict post-operative pneumonia. It is not known whether these associations are genetically based. In this study, the MBL and MASP-2 genotypes are investigated in 593 patients with CRC and 348 healthy controls. The potential association between genetic profile and infections, recurrence and survival is evaluated. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MBL2 were analysed using TaqMan assays, with characterization of MBL2 wildtype A, variants B, C and D and alleles H/L, Y/X and P/Q. The SNP D120G for MASP-2 was determined. Serum levels of MBL and MASP-2 were measured. The MBL2 and MASP-2 genotype distribution was similar among patients with CRC and healthy controls and MBL2 genotype significantly associated with MBL concentration in serum (P<0.0001). No significant association between MBL2/MASP-2 genotype and post-operative infectious complications (P=0.33 and 0.22), recurrent cancer or survival (P=0.74 and P=0.61 respectively) was found. Thus, the increased serum levels of MBL and MASP-2 found in patients with CRC are not explained for by genetic profiles. In contrast to what has been demonstrated for serum levels of MBL and MASP-2, the genotypes do not predict disease course of the CRC patients.
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Schlapbach L, Thiel S, Mattmann M, Nelle M, Wagner B, Ammann R, Aebi C, Jensenius J. M-ficolin serum concentrations are related to early-onset neonatal sepsis and circulating phagocytes. Mol Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2010.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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59
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Schlapbach L, Thiel S, Aebi C, Hirt A, Leibundgut K, Jensenius J, Ammann R. Serum M-ficolin in children with cancer. Mol Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2010.05.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Dubroka A, Rössle M, Kim KW, Malik VK, Schultz L, Thiel S, Schneider CW, Mannhart J, Herranz G, Copie O, Bibes M, Barthélémy A, Bernhard C. Dynamical response and confinement of the electrons at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 104:156807. [PMID: 20482010 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.104.156807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
With infrared ellipsometry and transport measurements we investigated the electrons at the interface between LaAlO3 and SrTiO3. We obtained a sheet carrier concentration of N(s) approximately = 5-9x10(13) cm(-2), an effective mass of m*=3.2+/-0.4m(e), and a strongly frequency dependent mobility. The latter are similar as in bulk SrTi(1-x)Nb(x)O3 and therefore suggestive of polaronic correlations. We also determined the vertical concentration profile which has a strongly asymmetric shape with a rapid initial decay over the first 2 nm and a pronounced tail that extends to about 11 nm.
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Degn S, Jensenius J, Thiel S, Andersen S. A quantitative assay for MAp19, the alternative splice product of the MASP-2 gene. Mol Immunol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.05.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Sing M, Berner G, Goss K, Müller A, Ruff A, Wetscherek A, Thiel S, Mannhart J, Pauli SA, Schneider CW, Willmott PR, Gorgoi M, Schäfers F, Claessen R. Profiling the interface electron gas of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures with hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:176805. [PMID: 19518810 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.176805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The conducting interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures has been studied by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. From the Ti 2p signal and its angle dependence we derive that the thickness of the electron gas is much smaller than the probing depth of 4 nm and that the carrier densities vary with increasing number of LaAlO3 overlayers. Our results point to an electronic reconstruction in the LaAlO3 overlayer as the driving mechanism for the conducting interface and corroborate the recent interpretation of the superconducting ground state as being of the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless type.
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Salluzzo M, Cezar JC, Brookes NB, Bisogni V, De Luca GM, Richter C, Thiel S, Mannhart J, Huijben M, Brinkman A, Rijnders G, Ghiringhelli G. Orbital reconstruction and the two-dimensional electron gas at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:166804. [PMID: 19518739 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.166804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In 2004, Ohtomo and Hwang discovered that an electron gas is created at the interface between insulating LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 compounds. Here we show that the generation of a conducting electron gas is related to an orbital reconstruction occurring at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. Our results are based on extensive investigations of the electronic properties and of the orbital structure of the interface using x-ray absorption spectroscopy. In particular, we find that the degeneracy of the Ti 3d states is fully removed and that the Ti 3d xy levels become the first available states for conducting electrons.
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Thiel S, van Ingen J, Turaev L, Uzakova G, van Soolingen D, Hoffmann H. Mechanisms of Heteroresistance to Isoniazid and Rifampin of M. tuberculosis in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Pneumologie 2009. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1213940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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65
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Hoffmann H, Thiel S, Stoiber L, Häußinger K, Neher A. Lessons learned from a prolonged outbreak of Clostridium difficile diarrhoea among patients with tuberculosis. Pneumologie 2009. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1213875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Thiel S, Schneider CW, Kourkoutis LF, Muller DA, Reyren N, Caviglia AD, Gariglio S, Triscone JM, Mannhart J. Electron scattering at dislocations in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:046809. [PMID: 19257462 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.046809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We report experimental investigations of the effects of microstructural defects and of disorder on the properties of 2D electron gases at oxide interfaces. The cross section for scattering of electrons at dislocations in LaAlO(3)/SrTiO(3) interfaces has been measured and found to equal approximately 5 nm. Our experiments reveal that the transport properties of these electron gases are strongly influenced by scattering at dislocation cores.
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Sørensen R, Gadjeva M, Thiel S, Jensenius JC. Studies on the Influence of a Mutation of MASP-2 on the Binding to MBL and Ficolins. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169501 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423ao.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The complement system is an important part of the innate immune system. The activation of complement proceeds through three different pathways that converge in the generation of C3‐activating enzyme complexes. Complement activation via the lectin pathway is initiated when recognition molecules, mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) or ficolin, bind to carbohydrate structures characteristic for microbial surfaces. In the circulation, MBL and ficolins are found in association with three structurally related MBL‐associated serine proteases (MASP)‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 and a small, nonenzymatic component, MAp19. MASP‐2 has been shown to elicit complement activation through the sequential proteolytic cleavage of C4 and C2 upon binding of MBL/MASP‐2 complexes to microbial surfaces. We have recently uncovered a polymorphism in the MASP‐2/MAp19 gene in a patient shown to be deficient in the lectin pathway of complement activation. The polymorphism results in a single amino acid substitution in the N‐terminal part of the MASP‐2 protein. Recombinant wildtype MASP‐2 and MASP‐2 containing the amino acid substitution in question was produced, and the ability to activate complement was studied. The mutation had a profound impact on MASP‐2 function, resulting in the lack of complement activation through the lectin pathway. ELISA‐based experiments showed that the mutation leads to the impairment of complement activation through influencing the binding of MASP‐2 to MBL or ficolins. Deficiencies in the lectin pathway of complement activation have so far been accounted for only by lack of functional MBL. The mutation described above is the first defect described affecting both activation through MBL and the ficolins.
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Ytting H, Christensen IJ, Thiel S, Jensenius JC, Nielsen HJ. Preoperative Mannan-Binding Lectin Pathway and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169498 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423bn.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Deficiency of the mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) pathway of innate immunity leads to increased susceptibility to infections. In patients with colorectal cancer, postoperative infection is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate (1) the relation between the MBL pathway and postoperative infectious complications and survival of patients resected for colorectal cancer and (2) the role of MBL as acute phase reactant compared to CRP. Methods: Preoperative MBL concentration, MBL/MBL‐associated serine protease (MASP) activity and CRP were determined in serum from 611 patients and 150 healthy controls. The patients were observed for 8 years. Postoperative infections, recurrence and survival were recorded. Results: The MBL pathway components were increased in the patients (P < 0.0001) compared to healthy controls. Low MBL levels were predictive of pneumonia (P = 0.01), and pneumonia (n = 87) was associated with poor survival (P = 0.003, HR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–1.9). MBL and MBL/MASP activity could not predict postoperative overall infections. MBL showed no correlation (spearman's ρ = 0.02, 95% CI −0.06–0.10) with CRP. Conclusions: Low preoperative MBL levels are predictive of pneumonia, which is associated with poorer survival. MBL concentration and MBL/MASP activity was not predictive of other postoperative infections or long‐term prognosis. MBL apparently is not a surrogate measure of CRP.
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Krarup A, Sørensen U, Matsushita M, Jensenius JC, Thiel S. Mannan-Binding Lectin, L-Ficolin and H-Ficolin Selectively Binds to Different Bacteria. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169518 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423al.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), L‐ficolin and H‐ficolin are pattern recognition molecules of the innate immune system. We investigated the ability of these molecules to bind to different serotypes and noncapsulated variants of Streptococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus. We found that MBL binds to noncapsulated S. aureus strain (Wood) but not any of the examined S. pneumoniae serotypes. L‐ficolin binds to some capsulated S. pneumoniae serotypes (11A, 11D and 11F) as well as some capsulated S. aureus serotypes (Type‐1, ‐8, ‐9, ‐11 and ‐12). H‐ficolin does not bind to any of the examined S. pneumoniae and S. aureus serotypes included in this study but did bind to a strain of Aerococcus viridans. When bound to bacteria, MBL and H‐ficolin initiated activation of complement factor C4, whereas L‐ficolin did not. During this study, quantitative assays for the three proteins were developed and the concentration in 97 plasma samples were determined and the median values were estimated at 0.8 μg of MBL/ml, 3.3 μg of L‐ficolin/ml and 18.4 μg of H‐ficolin/ml, respectively.
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Hansen TK, Tarnow L, Thiel S, Steffensen R, Parving H, Flyvbjerg A. Association between Mannose-Binding Lectin and Vascular Complications in Type 1 Diabetes. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169517 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423i.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Complement activation and inflammation have been suggested in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular lesions. We investigated serum mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) levels and polymorphisms in the MBL gene in type 1 diabetic (T1DM) patients with and without diabetic nephropathy and associated macrovascular complications. Polymorphisms in the MBL gene and serum MBL levels were determined in 199 T1DM patients with overt nephropathy and 192 T1DM patients with persistent normoalbuminuria matched for age, sex and duration of diabetes as well as in 100 healthy control subjects. The frequencies of high and low expression MBL genotypes were similar in patients with T1DM and healthy controls. High MBL genotypes were significantly more frequent in diabetic patients with nephropathy than in the normoalbuminuric group, and the risk of having nephropathy, given a high MBL genotype, assessed by odds ratio was 1.52 (1.02–2.27), P = 0.04. Median serum MBL concentrations were significantly higher in patients with nephropathy than in patients with normoalbuminuria [2306 µg/l (IQR 753–4867 µg/l) versus 1491 µg/l (IQR 577–2944), P = 0.0003], and even when comparing patients with identical genotypes, serum MBL levels were higher in the nephropathy group than in the normoalbuminuric group. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease had significantly elevated MBL levels independently of nephropathy status [3178 µg/l (IQR 636–5231 µg/l) versus 1741 µg/l (IQR 656–3149 µg/l), P = 0.02]. The differences in MBL levels between patients with and without vascular complications were driven primarily by pronounced differences among carriers of high MBL genotypes (P < 0.0001). Our findings suggest that MBL may be involved in the pathogenesis of microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 1 diabetes and that determination of MBL status might be used to identify patients at increased risk of developing these complications.
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Holmvad SH, Dahl M, Jensenius JC, Thiel S. An Assay for Mannan-Binding Lectin-Associated Serine Protease 3, MASP-3. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169594 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423ay.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) pathway is part of the innate immune system providing a first line of defence against infections. MBL and ficolins circulate in complexes with MBL‐associated serine proteases (MASP‐1, ‐2 and ‐3). After recognition of a microorganism by MBL, activation of the complement system occurs. MASP‐1 and MASP‐3 share five domains (making up the so‐called A‐chain), whereas they have unique protease domains (B‐chains). Before the identification of MASP‐3, an assay for MASP was presented, based on antibodies against the A‐chain of MASP‐1. With the new knowledge of the three MASPs, and the sharing of domains by MASP‐1 and MASP‐3, assays specific for the protease domains have to be constructed, if one wishes to measure the proteins individually. We present an assay for quantifying total MASP‐3 in plasma and serum samples. The assay is a sandwich‐type assay using as catching antibody a monoclonal antibody against the common A‐chain of MASP‐1/3 and a developing secondary antibody against the C‐terminal part of the protease domain of MASP‐3. We have used this assay for estimating the normal concentration of the protein as well as the concentration in patients and also for characterizing by gel permeation chromatography the MASP‐3 protein in serum.
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Ruseva M, Gajdeva M, Takahashi K, Ezekowitz A, Thiel S, Jensenius JC. Mannan-Binding Lectin Inhibits Humoural Responses. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169581 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423an.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects about 200–400 million people worldwide and represents one of the leading causes for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Control over the HBV infection is achieved mainly by vaccination with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBsAg contains N‐linked glycosylation side and is recognized by both MBL‐A and MBL‐C in a Ca‐dependent manner. HbsAg–MBL complexes activate complement and may thus affect humoural immunity. To investigate the role of MBL in humoural responses to HBsAg, we immununized mice that lack both MBL‐A and MBL‐C proteins with soluble HBsAg. It has been shown that deficiencies in other complement components like C1q, C4 and C3 result in decreased antibody responses. However, MBL double KO animals mounted dramatically increased humoural responses. After priming, MBL double KOs mounted HbsAg‐specific IgM responses, which were threefold higher than WT controls. After boosting the HBsAg, total IgG was 10‐fold higher in MBL KO than in WT control animals. Similar to the response to HbsAg, other glycosylated soluble antigens (e.g. invertase) induced better humoural responses in MBL double KO animals, suggesting that MBL plays an important role in a negative feedback regulation of adaptive immunity. Reconstitution experiments with rMBL partially rescued the KO phenotype. We propose that the clearance of glycoprotein antigens in MBL KO is handled differently from the WT, resulting in better stimulation of humoural responses. Alternatively, glycoprotein‐Ag‐MBL‐rich complexes inhibit B‐cell responsiveness via putative MBL receptors.
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Sukhija S, Gupta VK, Shah A, Thiel S, Sarma PU, Madan T. Levels, Complement Activity and Polymorphisms of Mannan-Binding Lectin in Patients of Bronchial Asthma with Allergic Rhinitis. Scand J Immunol 2008. [PMCID: PMC7169489 DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01423ai.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Activation of complement pathways, leading to production of C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins, has been postulated in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic airway inflammation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), an initiator of the lectin pathway of complement, in asthma and allergic rhinitis. MBL levels and MBL‐induced complement activity were determined in 19 patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis and 20 unrelated, age‐matched controls of Indian origin. MBL levels and activity were correlated with percent eosinophilia and percent predicted FEV1 values of the patients. Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 1 and intron 1 of the MBL with the disease, clinical markers, MBL levels and MBL‐induced complement activity was analysed using standard statistical tools. Significantly higher MBL levels and activity were observed in patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis as compared to the controls. We identified five SNPs, of which two, A816G in exon 1 and G1011A in intron 1 of the MBL, were novel. SNP G1011A was significantly associated with the disease (P = 0.0024, OR = 5.8696, 95% CI: 1.7316 < OR < 19.8963). Individuals with ‘A’ allele at position 1011 showed increased MBL levels, activity and disease severity. Our results suggest that ‘A’ allele at position 1011 leading to high MBL levels and complement activity may be contributing to the severity of bronchial asthma and allergic airway inflammation.
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Cen C, Thiel S, Hammerl G, Schneider CW, Andersen KE, Hellberg CS, Mannhart J, Levy J. Nanoscale control of an interfacial metal-insulator transition at room temperature. NATURE MATERIALS 2008; 7:298-302. [PMID: 18311143 DOI: 10.1038/nmat2136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2007] [Accepted: 01/30/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Experimental and theoretical investigations have demonstrated that a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas (q-2DEG) can form at the interface between two insulators: non-polar SrTiO3 and polar LaTiO3 (ref. 2), LaAlO3 (refs 3-5), KTaO3 (ref. 7) or LaVO3 (ref. 6). Electronically, the situation is analogous to the q-2DEGs formed in semiconductor heterostructures by modulation doping. LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures have recently been shown to exhibit a hysteretic electric-field-induced metal-insulator quantum phase transition for LaAlO3 thicknesses of 3 unit cells. Here, we report the creation and erasure of nanoscale conducting regions at the interface between two insulating oxides, LaAlO3 and SrTiO3. Using voltages applied by a conducting atomic force microscope (AFM) probe, the buried LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface is locally and reversibly switched between insulating and conducting states. Persistent field effects are observed using the AFM probe as a gate. Patterning of conducting lines with widths of approximately 3 nm, as well as arrays of conducting islands with densities >10(14) inch(-2), is demonstrated. The patterned structures are stable for >24 h at room temperature.
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