Strategies to Target Tumor Immunosuppression

The tumor microenvironment is currently in the spotlight of cancer immunology research as a key factor impacting tumor development and progression. While antigen-specific immune responses play a crucial role in tumor rejection, the tumor hampers these immune responses by creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Recently, major progress has been achieved in the field of cancer immunotherapy, and several groundbreaking clinical trials demonstrated the potency of such therapeutic interventions in patients. Yet, the responses greatly vary among individuals. This calls for the rational design of more efficacious cancer immunotherapeutic interventions that take into consideration the “immune signature” of the tumor. Multimodality treatment regimens that aim to enhance intratumoral homing and activation of antigen-specific immune effector cells, while simultaneously targeting tumor immunosuppression, are pivotal for potent antitumor immunity

MIMOSE - Herstellung und messtechnische Charakterisierung von duennen PVD-Metalloxidschichten fuer den Einsatz in Mikrogassensoren -Hochtemperaturstabile SiON-Membranheizer fuer Gassensoren Abschlussbericht

Available from TIB Hannover: DtF QN1(74,16) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Entwicklung eines vollimplantierbaren in vivo Mikrodialysesystems fuer Glucosemonitoring. Teilprojekt 1: VISY 1 Schlussbericht

In the VISY project the feasibility of a microdialysis sampling unit was tested in vitro and in vivo for a long term fully implantable glucose monitoring system. It was anticipated that after a stationary state had been reached after the implantation a constant glucose recovery rate should be observed which allows the calculation of the actual blood glucose concentration. The system consisted of a double port with an attached bundle of dialysis fibres which was implanted in rabbits. The port was connected through the skin to a syringe and a perfusate solution (NaCl) was pumped through the system. The glucose concentration in the dialysate was analysed with laboratory methods over a period of several weeks and months. The result was a decrease of glucose recovery to nearly zero in a period of < 12 days. These results were independent from the type of the dialysis fibre. In parallel the lactate concentration of the dialysate increased. The body tissue that surrounded the implanted system perhaps metabolises glucose and prevents it from entering the sampling unit. The feasibility of long term implantable glucose monitoring systems is doubtful according to these results. In parallel to these experiments miniaturized glucose sensors based on the containment technology were optimized for use in glucose monitoring systems and laboratory analyzers. The manufacturing technology has been transfered from laboratory scale to industrySIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F99B1094+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

The larval head morphology of Xyela sp (Xyelidae, Hymenoptera) and its phylogenetic implications

Larval head structures of Xyela sp. are described in detail. The characters are compared to conditions found in larvae of other groups of Hymenoptera and Endopterygota. Like other symphytan larvae the immature stages of Xyelidae are mainly characterized by presumably plesiomorphic features of the head. The head sutures are well developed and all parts of the tentorium are present. The labrum is free and a complete set of labral muscles is present. The maxillae are in a retracted position. In contrast to other hymenopteran larvae Xyela possesses a clypeofrontal suture, a comparatively long antenna and three well-developed antennal muscles. Apomorphic features of Xyela are the absence of muscles associated with the salivarium and the complete absence of Musculus craniocardinalis. A clade comprising Orussidae and Apocrita is supported by the unsegmented maxillary and labial palps and the absence of the lacinia. Six potential autapomorphies for the Hymenoptera were revealed: (1) the caudal tentorial apodeme, (2) the bifurcated tendon of Musculus craniomandibularus internus, (3) the lateral lobe of the cardo, (4) the origin of M. tentoriohypopharyngalis from the posterior head capsule, (5) the exceptionally strong prepharyngo-pharyngeal longitudinal muscle and (6) the longitudinal muscle of the silk press. The maxillolabial complex, the vestigial M. craniocardinalis and a distinctly developed labio-hypopharyngeal lobe bearing the opening of the salivary duct are potential synapomorphies of Hymenoptera and Mecopterida. The globular, orthognathous head capsule, the modified compound eyes, the occipital furrow and the X-shaped tentorium are features with unclear polarity shared by Hymenoptera and Mecoptera.R. G. Beutel, L. Krogmann and L. Vilhelmse