Polyfunctional Type-1, -2, and -17 CD8+ T Cell Responses to Apoptotic Self-Antigens Correlate with the Chronic Evolution of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Caspase-dependent cleavage of antigens associated with apoptotic cells plays a prominent role in the generation of CD8+ T cell responses in various infectious diseases. We found that the emergence of a large population of autoreactive CD8+ T effector cells specific for apoptotic T cell-associated self-epitopes exceeds the antiviral responses in patients with acute hepatitis C virus infection. Importantly, they endow mixed polyfunctional type-1, type-2 and type-17 responses and correlate with the chronic progression of infection. This evolution is related to the selection of autoreactive CD8+ T cells with higher T cell receptor avidity, whereas those with lower avidity undergo prompt contraction in patients who clear infection. These findings demonstrate a previously undescribed strict link between the emergence of high frequencies of mixed autoreactive CD8+ T cells producing a broad array of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-4, IL-2…) and the progression toward chronic disease in a human model of acute infection

Fecundity of cod (Gadus morhua callarias L.) in the Southern Baltic in the late 1990s

The fecundity of cod from the southern Baltic Sea in the late 1990s was estimated from 461 pairs of ovaries at the maturity stage IV (according to Maier′s scale). Number of eggs per female was estimated for different length, weight, and age classes of fish obtained from the ICES subdivisions: 25 (Bornholm Deep) and 26 (Gdańsk Deep). Absolute fecundity in relation to body length and age, as well as relative fecundity, showed no differences between the two subdivisions, whereas absolute fecundity in relation to body weight was slightly higher in females from the Gdańsk Deep. Absolute fecundity in relation to age showed a high variability, particularly among age classes 5 and older. Absolute fecundity of cod in the southern Baltic has increased slightly over the past four decades. Length at first maturity, i.e. length at which 50 % of females are mature, was estimated to be 40.2 cm for females from the Gdańsk Deep

Fecundity of cod (Gadus morhua callarias L.) in the Southern Baltic in the late 1990s

The fecundity of cod from the southern Baltic Sea in the late 1990s was estimated from 461 pairs of ovaries at the maturity stage IV (according to Maier′s scale). Number of eggs per female was estimated for different length, weight, and age classes of fish obtained from the ICES subdivisions: 25 (Bornholm Deep) and 26 (Gdańsk Deep). Absolute fecundity in relation to body length and age, as well as relative fecundity, showed no differences between the two subdivisions, whereas absolute fecundity in relation to body weight was slightly higher in females from the Gdańsk Deep. Absolute fecundity in relation to age showed a high variability, particularly among age classes 5 and older. Absolute fecundity of cod in the southern Baltic has increased slightly over the past four decades. Length at first maturity, i.e. length at which 50 % of females are mature, was estimated to be 40.2 cm for females from the Gdańsk Deep

Elevated levels of circulating IL-7 and IL-15 in patients with early stage prostate cancer

Background: Chronic inflammation has been suggested to favour prostate cancer (PCA) development. Interleukins (IL) represent essential inflammation mediators. IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21, sharing a common receptor γ chain (c-γ), control T lymphocyte homeostasis and proliferation and play major roles in regulating cancer-immune system interactions. We evaluated local IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21 gene expression in prostate tissues from patients with early stage PCA or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As control, we used IL-6 gene, encoding an IL involved in PCA progression. IL-6, IL-7 and IL-15 titres were also measured in patients' sera. Methods: Eighty patients with BPH and 79 with early (1 to 2c) stage PCA were enrolled. Gene expression in prostate tissues was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Serum IL concentrations and acute phase protein titres were evaluated by ELISA. Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and χ2 tests were used to compare IL gene expression and serum titers in the two groups of patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the possibility to distinguish sera from different groups of patients based on IL titers. Results: IL-2 and IL-21 gene expression was comparably detectable, with low frequency and at low extents, in PCA and BPH tissues. In contrast, IL-6, IL-7 and IL-15 genes were expressed more frequently (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0047 and p = 0.0085, respectively) and to significantly higher extents (p = 0.0051, p = 0.0310 and p = 0.0205, respectively) in early stage PCA than in BPH tissues. Corresponding proteins could be detected to significantly higher amounts in sera from patients with localized PCA, than in those from patients with BPH (p = 0.0153, p = 0.0174 and p = 0.0064, respectively). Analysis of ROC curves indicates that IL-7 (p = 0.0039), but not IL-6 (p = 0.2938) or IL-15 (p = 0.1804) titres were able to distinguish sera from patients with malignancy from those from patients with benign disease. Serum titres of C reactive (CRP), high mobility group B1 (HMGB1) and serum amyloid A (SAA) acute phase proteins were similar in both groups of patients. Conclusions: Expression IL-7 and IL-15 genes in prostate tissues and corresponding serum titres are significantly increased in patients with early stage PCA as compared with patients with BPH