TGFβR signalling determines CD103⁺CD11b⁺ dendritic cell development in the intestine

CD103+CD11b+ dendritic cells (DCs) are unique to the intestine, but the factors governing their differentiation are unclear. Here we show that transforming growth factor receptor 1 (TGFβR1) has an indispensable, cell intrinsic role in the development of these cells. Deletion of Tgfbr1 results in markedly fewer intestinal CD103+CD11b+ DCs and a reciprocal increase in the CD103−CD11b+ dendritic cell subset. Transcriptional profiling identifies markers that define the CD103+CD11b+ DC lineage, including CD101, TREM1 and Siglec-F, and shows that the absence of CD103+CD11b+ DCs in CD11c-Cre.Tgfbr1fl/fl mice reflects defective differentiation from CD103−CD11b+ intermediaries, rather than an isolated loss of CD103 expression. The defect in CD103+CD11b+ DCs is accompanied by reduced generation of antigen-specific, inducible FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo, and by reduced numbers of endogenous Th17 cells in the intestinal mucosa. Thus, TGFβR1-mediated signalling may explain the tissue-specific development of these unique DCs

Effects of filler type and processing apparatus on the properties of the recycled "light fraction" from municipal post-consumer plastics RID E-1751-2011

Plastic waste or scraps are generated from two main sources: industrial wastes and post-consumer wastes. By using the flotation method, generally two fractions are obtained from municipal post-consumer wastes: a light fraction, floating on water, and a heavy fraction. The former is essentially made of low and high density polyethylene - LDPE, HDPE - and polypropylene - PP, the heavy fraction is formed by poly(vinyl chloride) PVC - and poly(ethylene terephthalate) - PET. In this work, the recycling of a light fraction from municipal post-consumer plastics has been studied, considering also the effect of filler type - glass fibres, calcium carbonate and wood fibres - and processing apparatus - discountinous mixer, single and twin screw extruder - on the properties. Although the similar chemical nature of the two main components, polyethylene and polypropylene of the light fraction, the mechanical properties of the recycled mixture are quite scarce, mainly because of the incompatibility and the possible presence of some heterogeneous particles. The recycling of the light fraction can significantly change the properties of the polymer system because of the thermomechanical stress and of the residence time during processing. The adding of the three fillers type leads to an increase of the thermomechanical and of some of the mechanical properties. The elastic modulus increases with the three fillers, in particular, glass fibres show the best results. The effect of the three fillers is quite similar for tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength. The adding of inert filler strongly improves the rigidity of light fraction from municipal post-consumer plastics. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd