110 research outputs found
Cytokine Receptors-Regulators of Antimycobacterial Immune Response
Cytokine receptors are critical regulators of the antimycobacterial immune response, playing a key role in initiating and coordinating the recruitment and activation of immune cells during infection. They recognize and bind specific cytokines and are involved in inducing intracellular signal transduction pathways that regulate a diverse range of biological functions, including proliferation, differentiation, metabolism and cell growth. Due to mutations in cytokine receptor genes, defective signaling may contribute to increased susceptibility to mycobacteria, allowing the pathogens to avoid killing and immune surveillance. This paper provides an overview of cytokine receptors important for the innate and adaptive immune responses against mycobacteria and discusses the implications of receptor gene defects for the course of mycobacterial infection.
Keywords: cytokine; cytokine receptors; immune response; mycobacteri
Interaction of Helicobacter pylori with C-Type Lectin Dendritic Cell-Specific ICAM Grabbing Nonintegrin
In this study we asked whether Helicobacter pylori whole cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) utilize sugar moieties of Lewis (Le) antigenic determinants to interact with DC-SIGN (dendritic cell specific ICAM grabbing nonintegrin) receptor on dendritic cells (DCs). For this purpose the soluble DC-SIGN/Fc adhesion assay and the THP-1 leukemia cells with induced expression of DC-SIGN were used. We showed that the binding specificity of DC-SIGN with H. pylori LeX/Y positive whole cells and H. pylori LPS of LeX/Y type was fucose dependent, whereas in LeXY negative H. pylori strains and LPS preparations without Lewis determinants, this binding was galactose dependent. The binding of soluble synthetic LeX and LeY to the DC-SIGN-like receptor on THP-1 cells was also observed. In conclusion, the LeXY dependent as well as independent binding of H. pylori whole cells and H. pylori LPS to DC-SIGN was described. Moreover, we demonstrated that THP-1 cells may serve as an in vitro model for the assessment of H. pylori-DC-SIGN interactions mediated by LeX and LeY determinants
The Two-Domain LysX Protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is Required for Production of Lysinylated Phosphatidylglycerol and Resistance to Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides
The well-recognized phospholipids (PLs) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) include several acidic species such as phosphatidylglycerol (PG), cardiolipin, phosphatidylinositol and its mannoside derivatives, in addition to a single basic species, phosphatidylethanolamine. Here we demonstrate that an additional basic PL, lysinylated PG (L-PG), is a component of the PLs of Mtb H37Rv and that the lysX gene encoding the two-domain lysyl-transferase (mprF)-lysyl-tRNA synthetase (lysU) protein is responsible for L-PG production. The Mtb lysX mutant is sensitive to cationic antibiotics and peptides, shows increased association with lysosome-associated membrane protein–positive vesicles, and it exhibits altered membrane potential compared to wild type. A lysX complementing strain expressing the intact lysX gene, but not one expressing mprF alone, restored the production of L-PG and rescued the lysX mutant phenotypes, indicating that the expression of both proteins is required for LysX function. The lysX mutant also showed defective growth in mouse and guinea pig lungs and showed reduced pathology relative to wild type, indicating that LysX activity is required for full virulence. Together, our results suggest that LysX-mediated production of L-PG is necessary for the maintenance of optimal membrane integrity and for survival of the pathogen upon infection
Observation of the B0 → ρ0ρ0 decay from an amplitude analysis of B0 → (π+π−)(π+π−) decays
Proton–proton collision data recorded in 2011 and 2012 by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 , are analysed to search for the charmless B0→ρ0ρ0 decay. More than 600 B0→(π+π−)(π+π−) signal decays are selected and used to perform an amplitude analysis, under the assumption of no CP violation in the decay, from which the B0→ρ0ρ0 decay is observed for the first time with 7.1 standard deviations significance. The fraction of B0→ρ0ρ0 decays yielding a longitudinally polarised final state is measured to be fL=0.745−0.058+0.048(stat)±0.034(syst) . The B0→ρ0ρ0 branching fraction, using the B0→ϕK⁎(892)0 decay as reference, is also reported as B(B0→ρ0ρ0)=(0.94±0.17(stat)±0.09(syst)±0.06(BF))×10−6
Measurement of the (eta c)(1S) production cross-section in proton-proton collisions via the decay (eta c)(1S) -> p(p)over-bar
The production of the state in proton-proton collisions is probed via its decay to the final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range GeV/c. The cross-section for prompt production of mesons relative to the prompt cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be at a centre-of-mass energy TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb, and at TeV using 2.0 fb. The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the and decays to the final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of -hadron decays into mesons is measured, for the first time, to be , where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the inclusive branching fraction from -hadron decays. The difference between the and meson masses is determined to be MeV/c.The production of the state in proton-proton collisions is probed via its decay to the final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range . The cross-section for prompt production of mesons relative to the prompt cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be at a centre-of-mass energy using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb , and at using 2.0 fb . The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the and decays to the final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of -hadron decays into mesons is measured, for the first time, to be , where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the inclusive branching fraction from -hadron decays. The difference between the and meson masses is determined to be .The production of the state in proton-proton collisions is probed via its decay to the final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range GeV/c. The cross-section for prompt production of mesons relative to the prompt cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be at a centre-of-mass energy TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb, and at TeV using 2.0 fb. The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the and decays to the final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of -hadron decays into mesons is measured, for the first time, to be , where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the inclusive branching fraction from -hadron decays. The difference between the and meson masses is determined to be MeV/c
Angular analysis of the B-0 -> K*(0) e(+) e(-) decay in the low-q(2) region
An angular analysis of the decay is performed using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 {\mbox{fb}^{-1}}, collected by the LHCb experiment in collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV during 2011 and 2012. For the first time several observables are measured in the dielectron mass squared () interval between 0.002 and 1.120. The angular observables and which are related to the polarisation and to the lepton forward-backward asymmetry, are measured to be and , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The angular observables and which are sensitive to the photon polarisation in this range, are found to be and . The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.An angular analysis of the B → K^{*}^{0} e e decay is performed using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb, collected by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV during 2011 and 2012. For the first time several observables are measured in the dielectron mass squared (q) interval between 0.002 and 1.120 GeV /c. The angular observables F and A which are related to the K^{*}^{0} polarisation and to the lepton forward-backward asymmetry, are measured to be F = 0.16 ± 0.06 ± 0.03 and A = 0.10 ± 0.18 ± 0.05, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The angular observables A and A which are sensitive to the photon polarisation in this q range, are found to be A = − 0.23 ± 0.23 ± 0.05 and A = 0.14 ± 0.22 ± 0.05. The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.An angular analysis of the decay is performed using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 {\mbox{fb}^{-1}}, collected by the LHCb experiment in collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV during 2011 and 2012. For the first time several observables are measured in the dielectron mass squared () interval between 0.002 and 1.120. The angular observables and which are related to the polarisation and to the lepton forward-backward asymmetry, are measured to be and , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The angular observables and which are sensitive to the photon polarisation in this range, are found to be and . The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions
Study of the rare B-s(0) and B-0 decays into the pi(+) pi(-) mu(+) mu(-) final state
A search for the rare decays and is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5-1.3 GeV/ and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay and the first evidence of the decay are obtained and the branching fractions are measured to be and , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay , used as a normalisation.A search for the rare decays Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and B0→π+π−μ+μ− is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected by the LHCb detector in proton–proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV . Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5–1.3 GeV/c2 and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and the first evidence of the decay B0→π+π−μ+μ− are obtained and the branching fractions, restricted to the dipion-mass range considered, are measured to be B(Bs0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(8.6±1.5 (stat)±0.7 (syst)±0.7(norm))×10−8 and B(B0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(2.11±0.51(stat)±0.15(syst)±0.16(norm))×10−8 , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay B0→J/ψ(→μ+μ−)K⁎(892)0(→K+π−) , used as a normalisation.A search for the rare decays Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and B0→π+π−μ+μ− is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected by the LHCb detector in proton–proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV . Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5–1.3 GeV/c2 and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and the first evidence of the decay B0→π+π−μ+μ− are obtained and the branching fractions, restricted to the dipion-mass range considered, are measured to be B(Bs0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(8.6±1.5 (stat)±0.7 (syst)±0.7(norm))×10−8 and B(B0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(2.11±0.51(stat)±0.15(syst)±0.16(norm))×10−8 , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay B0→J/ψ(→μ+μ−)K⁎(892)0(→K+π−) , used as a normalisation.A search for the rare decays and is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5-1.3 GeV/ and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay and the first evidence of the decay are obtained and the branching fractions, restricted to the dipion-mass range considered, are measured to be and , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay , used as a normalisation
Search for the lepton flavour violating decay tau(-) -> mu(-)mu(+)mu(-)
A search for the lepton flavour violating decay is performed with the LHCb experiment. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 2.0 fb at 8 TeV. No evidence is found for a signal, and a limit is set at 90% confidence level on the branching fraction, .A search for the lepton flavour violating decay τ → μ μ μ is performed with the LHCb experiment. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 2.0 fb at 8 TeV. No evidence is found for a signal, and a limit is set at 90% confidence level on the branching fraction, .A search for the lepton flavour violating decay is performed with the LHCb experiment. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of and at . No evidence is found for a signal, and a limit is set at confidence level on the branching fraction,
Precise measurements of the properties of the B-1(5721)(0,+) and B-2*(5747)(0,+) states and observation of B-+,B-0 pi(-,+) mass structures
Invariant mass distributions of and combinations are investigated in order to study excited B mesons. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to of collision data, recorded by the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Precise measurements of the masses and widths of the and states are reported. Clear enhancements, particularly prominent at high pion transverse momentum, are seen over background in the mass range - MeV in both and combinations. The structures are consistent with the presence of four excited B mesons, labelled and , whose masses and widths are obtained under different hypotheses for their quantum numbers.Invariant mass distributions of B π and B π combinations are investigated in order to study excited B mesons. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to 3.0 fb of pp collision data, recorded by the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Precise measurements of the masses and widths of the B(5721) and B(5747) states are reported. Clear enhancements, particularly prominent at high pion transverse momentum, are seen over background in the mass range 5850-6000 MeV in both B π and B π combinations. The structures are consistent with the presence of four excited B mesons, labelled B (5840) and B (5960), whose masses and widths are obtained under different hypotheses for their quantum numbers.Invariant mass distributions of B+pi- and B0pi+ combinations are investigated in order to study excited B mesons. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to 3.0 fb-1 of pp collision data, recorded by the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Precise measurements of the masses and widths of the B_1(5721)^(0,+) and B_2*(5747)^(0,+) states are reported. Clear enhancements, particularly prominent at high pion transverse momentum, are seen over background in the mass range 5850--6000 MeV in both B+pi- and B0pi+ combinations. The structures are consistent with the presence of four excited B mesons, labelled B_J(5840)^(0,+) and B_J(5960)^(0,+), whose masses and widths are obtained under different hypotheses for their quantum numbers
Measurement of the lifetime of the meson using the decay mode
The difference in total widths between the and mesons is measured using 3.0fb of data collected by the LHCb experiment in 7 and 8 TeV centre-of-mass energy proton-proton collisions at the LHC. Through the study of the time evolution of and decays, the width difference is measured to be where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The known lifetime of the meson is used to convert this to a precise measurement of the lifetime, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.The difference in total widths between the B+ c and B+ mesons is measured using 3.0 fb−1 of data collected by the LHCb experiment in 7 and 8 TeV centre-of-mass energy proton-proton collisions at the LHC. Through the study of the time evolution of B+ c → J/ψπ+ and B+ → J/ψK+ decays, the width difference is measured to be ∆Γ ≡ ΓB + c − ΓB+ = 4.46 ± 0.14 ± 0.07 mm−1 c, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The known lifetime of the B+ meson is used to convert this to a precise measurement of the B+ c lifetime, τB + c = 513.4 ± 11.0 ± 5.7 fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.The difference in total widths between the Bc+ and B+ mesons is measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected by the LHCb experiment in 7 and 8 TeV centre-of-mass energy proton–proton collisions at the LHC. Through the study of the time evolution of Bc+→J/ψπ+ and B+→J/ψK+ decays, the width difference is measured to be ΔΓ≡ΓBc+−ΓB+=4.46±0.14±0.07 mm−1c, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The known lifetime of the B+ meson is used to convert this to a precise measurement of the Bc+ lifetime, τBc+=513.4±11.0±5.7 fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.The difference in total widths between the Bc+ and B+ mesons is measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected by the LHCb experiment in 7 and 8 TeV centre-of-mass energy proton–proton collisions at the LHC. Through the study of the time evolution of Bc+→J/ψπ+ and B+→J/ψK+ decays, the width difference is measured to be ΔΓ≡ΓBc+−ΓB+=4.46±0.14±0.07 mm−1c, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The known lifetime of the B+ meson is used to convert this to a precise measurement of the Bc+ lifetime, τBc+=513.4±11.0±5.7 fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic
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