Dendritic/antigen presenting cell mediated provision of T-cell receptor gamma delta (TCRγδ) expressing cells contributes to improving antileukemic reactions ex vivo

T-cell receptor gamma delta (TCRγδ) expressing T-cells are known to mediate an MHC-independent immune response and could therefore qualify for immune therapies. We examined the influence of dendritic cells(DC)/antigen presenting cell (APC) generated from blast-containing whole blood (WB) samples from AML and MDS patients on the provision of (leukemia-specific) TCRγδ expressing T-cells after mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). Kit-M (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) + prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)) or Kit-I (GM-CSF + Picibanil) were used to generate leukemia derived APC/DC (DCleu)from WB, which were subsequently used to stimulate T-cell enriched MLC. Immune cell composition and functionality were analysed using degranulation- (DEG), intracellular cytokine- (INTCYT) and cytotoxicity fluorolysis- (CTX) assays. Flow cytometry was used for cell quantification. We found increased frequencies of APCs/DCs and their subtypes after Kit-treatment of healthy and patients´ WB compared to control, as well as an increased stimulation and activation of several types of immune reactive cells after MLC. Higher frequencies of TCRγδ expressing leukemia-specific degranulation and intracellularly cytokine producing T-cells were found. The effect of Kit-M-treatment on frequencies of TCRγδ expressing cells and their degranulation could be correlated with the Kit-M-mediated blast lysis compared to control. We also found higher frequencies of TCRγδ expressing T-cells in AML patients´ samples with an achieved remission (compared to blast persistence) after induction chemotherapy. This might point to APC/DC-mediated effects resulting in the provision of leukemia-specific TCRγδ expressing T-cells: Moreover a quantification of TCRγδ expressing T-cells might contribute to predict prognosis of AML/MDS patients

Priorities for protected area research

CITATION: Dudley, N. et al. 2018. Priorities for protected area research. Parks, 24(1):35-50, doi:10.2305/IUCN.CH.2018.PARKS-24-1ND.en.The original publication is available at https://parksjournal.comA hundred research priorities of critical importance to protected area management were identified by a targeted survey of conservation professionals; half researchers and half practitioners. Respondents were selected to represent a range of disciplines, every continent except Antarctica and roughly equal numbers of men and women. The results analysed thematically and grouped as potential research topics as by both practitioners and researchers. Priority research gaps reveal a high interest to demonstrate the role of protected areas within a broader discussion about sustainable futures and if and how protected areas can address a range of conservation and socio-economic challenges effectively. The paper lists the hundred priorities structured under broad headings of management, ecology, governance and social (including political and economic issues) and helps contribute to setting future research agendas.Publisher's versio

Priorities for protected area research

A hundred research priorities of critical importance to protected area management were identified by a targeted survey of conservation professionals; half researchers and half practitioners. Respondents were selected to represent a range of disciplines, every continent except Antarctica and roughly equal numbers of men and women. The results analysed thematically and grouped as potential research topics as by both practitioners and researchers. Priority research gaps reveal a high interest to demonstrate the role of protected areas within a broader discussion about sustainable futures and if and how protected areas can address a range of conservation and socio-economic challenges effectively. The paper lists the hundred priorities structured under broad headings of management, ecology, governance and social (including political and economic issues) and helps contribute to setting future research agendas.</p

Priorities for protected area research

A hundred research priorities of critical importance to protected area management were identified by a targeted survey of conservation professionals; half researchers and half practitioners. Respondents were selected to represent a range of disciplines, every continent except Antarctica and roughly equal numbers of men and women. The results analysed thematically and grouped as potential research topics as by both practitioners and researchers. Priority research gaps reveal a high interest to demonstrate the role of protected areas within a broader discussion about sustainable futures and if and how protected areas can address a range of conservation and socio-economic challenges effectively. The paper lists the hundred priorities structured under broad headings of management, ecology, governance and social (including political and economic issues) and helps contribute to setting future research agendas