University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

About: University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is a education organization based out in Erlangen, Bayern, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Immune system. The organization has 42405 authors who have published 85600 publications receiving 2663922 citations.

IL-35-producing B cells are critical regulators of immunity during autoimmune and infectious diseases

Abstract: B lymphocytes have critical roles as positive and negative regulators of immunity. Their inhibitory function has been associated primarily with interleukin 10 (IL-10) because B-cell-derived IL-10 can protect against autoimmune disease and increase susceptibility to pathogens. Here we identify IL-35-producing B cells as key players in the negative regulation of immunity. Mice in which only B cells did not express IL-35 lost their ability to recover from the T-cell-mediated demyelinating autoimmune disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In contrast, these mice displayed a markedly improved resistance to infection with the intracellular bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as shown by their superior containment of the bacterial growth and their prolonged survival after primary infection, and upon secondary challenge, compared to control mice. The increased immunity found in mice lacking IL-35 production by B cells was associated with a higher activation of macrophages and inflammatory T cells, as well as an increased function of B cells as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). During Salmonella infection, IL-35- and IL-10-producing B cells corresponded to two largely distinct sets of surface-IgM(+)CD138(hi)TACI(+)CXCR4(+)CD1d(int)Tim1(int) plasma cells expressing the transcription factor Blimp1 (also known as Prdm1). During EAE, CD138(+) plasma cells were also the main source of B-cell-derived IL-35 and IL-10. Collectively, our data show the importance of IL-35-producing B cells in regulation of immunity and highlight IL-35 production by B cells as a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune and infectious diseases. This study reveals the central role of activated B cells, particularly plasma cells, and their production of cytokines in the regulation of immune responses in health and disease.

Bioactive Glass and Glass-Ceramic Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract: Traditionally, bioactive glasses have been used to fill and restore bone defects. More recently, this category of biomaterials has become an emerging research field for bone tissue engineering applications. Here, we review and discuss current knowledge on porous bone tissue engineering scaffolds on the basis of melt-derived bioactive silicate glass compositions and relevant composite structures. Starting with an excerpt on the history of bioactive glasses, as well as on fundamental requirements for bone tissue engineering scaffolds, a detailed overview on recent developments of bioactive glass and glass-ceramic scaffolds will be given, including a summary of common fabrication methods and a discussion on the microstructural-mechanical properties of scaffolds in relation to human bone (structure-property and structure-function relationship). In addition, ion release effects of bioactive glasses concerning osteogenic and angiogenic responses are addressed. Finally, areas of future research are highlighted in this review.

Detection of Calcified and Noncalcified Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque by Contrast-Enhanced, Submillimeter Multidetector Spiral Computed Tomography A Segment-Based Comparison With Intravascular Ultrasound

Abstract: Background— We investigated the ability of multidetector spiral computed tomography (MDCT) to detect atherosclerotic plaque in nonstenotic coronary arteries Methods and Results— In 22 patients without significant coronary stenoses, contrast-enhanced MDCT (075-mm collimation, 420-ms rotation) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of one coronary artery were performed A total of 83 coronary segments were imaged by IVUS (left main, 19; left anterior descending, 51; left circumflex, 4; right coronary, 9) MDCT data sets were evaluated for the presence and volume of plaque in the coronary artery segments Results were compared with IVUS in a blinded fashion For the detection of segments with any plaque, MDCT had a sensitivity of 82% (41 of 50) and specificity of 88% (29 of 33) For calcified plaque, sensitivity was 94% (33 of 36) and specificity 94% (45 of 47) Coronary segments containing noncalcified plaque were detected with a sensitivity of 78% (35 of 45) and specificity of 87% (33 of 38), but presence o