Tulane University

About: Tulane University is a education organization based out in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Blood pressure. The organization has 24478 authors who have published 47205 publications receiving 1944993 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Louisiana.

Lactobacilli activate human dendritic cells that skew T cells toward T helper 1 polarization

Abstract: Professional antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) are critical in regulating T cell immune responses at both systemic and mucosal sites. Many Lactobacillus species are normal members of the human gut microflora and most are regarded as safe when administered as probiotics. Because DCs can naturally or therapeutically encounter lactobacilli, we investigated the effects of several well defined strains, representing three species of Lactobacillus on human myeloid DCs (MDCs) and found that they modulated the phenotype and functions of human MDCs. Lactobacillus-exposed MDCs up-regulated HLA-DR, CD83, CD40, CD80, and CD86 and secreted high levels of IL-12 and IL-18, but not IL-10. IL-12 was sustained in MDCs exposed to all three Lactobacillus species in the presence of LPS from Escherichia coli, whereas LPS-induced IL-10 was greatly inhibited. MDCs activated with lactobacilli clearly skewed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to T helper 1 and Tc1 polarization, as evidenced by secretion of IFN-γ, but not IL-4 or IL-13. These results emphasize a potentially important role for lactobacilli in modulating immunological functions of DCs and suggest that certain strains could be particularly advantageous as vaccine adjuvants, by promoting DCs to regulate T cell responses toward T helper 1 and Tc1 pathways.

One strategy for cell and gene therapy: harnessing the power of adult stem cells to repair tissues.

Abstract: Most recent evidence suggests that the process of tissue repair is driven by stem-like cells that reside in multiple tissues but are replenished by precursor cells from bone marrow. Among the candidates for the reparative cells are the adult stem cells from bone marrow referred to as either mesenchymal stem cells or marrow stromal cells (MSCs). We recently found that after MSCs were replated at very low densities to generate single-cell-derived colonies, they did not exit a prolonged lag period until they synthesized and secreted considerable quantities of Dickkopf-1, an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. We also found that when the cells were cocultured with heat-shocked pulmonary epithelial cells, they differentiated into epithelial cells. Most of the MSCs differentiated without evidence of cell fusion but up to one-quarter underwent cell fusion with the epithelial cells. A few also underwent nuclear fusion. The results are consistent with the interesting possibility that MSCs and similar cells repair tissue injury by three different mechanisms: creation of a milieu that enhances regeneration of endogenous cells, transdifferentiation, and perhaps cell fusion.

Neighbourhood fruit and vegetable availability and consumption: the role of small food stores in an urban environment.

Abstract: Objective: Previous studies on the relationship of dietary intake to the neighbourhood food environment have focused on access to supermarkets, quantified by geographic distance or store concentration measures. However, in-store food availability may also be an important determinant, particularly for urban neighbourhoods with a greater concentration of small food stores. This study synthesises both types of information - store access and in-store availability - to determine their potential relationship to fruit and vegetable consumption. Design: Residents in four census tracts were surveyed in 2001 about their fruit and vegetable intake. Household distances to food stores in these and surrounding tracts were obtained using geographical information system mapping techniques. In-store fruit and vegetable availability was measured by linear shelf space. Multivariate linear regression models were used to measure the association of these neighbourhood availability measures with consumption. Setting: Four contiguous census tracts in central-city New Orleans. Subjects: A random sample of 102 households. Results: Greater fresh vegetable availability within 100m of a residence was a positive predictor of vegetable intake; each additional metre of shelf space was associated with 0.35 servings per day of increased intake. Fresh fruit availability was not associated with intake, although having a small food store within this same distance was a marginal predictor of fruit consumption. Conclusions: The findings suggest the possible importance of small neighbourhood food stores and their fresh produce availability in affecting fruit and vegetable intake.

Genome-wide association analysis identifies novel blood pressure loci and offers biological insights into cardiovascular risk

Abstract: Elevated blood pressure is the leading heritable risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. We report genetic association of blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure) among UK Biobank participants of European ancestry with independent replication in other cohorts, and robust validation of 107 independent loci. We also identify new independent variants at 11 previously reported blood pressure loci. In combination with results from a range of in silico functional analyses and wet bench experiments, our findings highlight new biological pathways for blood pressure regulation enriched for genes expressed in vascular tissues and identify potential therapeutic targets for hypertension. Results from genetic risk score models raise the possibility of a precision medicine approach through early lifestyle intervention to offset the impact of blood pressure-raising genetic variants on future cardiovascular disease risk.