Phenotypic characterisation of regulatory T cells in dogs reveals signature transcripts conserved in humans and mice

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a double-edged regulator of the immune system. Aberrations of Tregs correlate with pathogenesis of inflammatory, autoimmune and neoplastic disorders. Phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets of Tregs have been identified in humans and mice on the basis of their extensive portfolios of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against Treg surface antigens. As an important veterinary species, dogs are increasingly recognised as an excellent model for many human diseases. However, insightful study of canine Tregs has been restrained by the limited availability of mAb. We therefore set out to characterise CD4+CD25high T cells isolated ex vivo from healthy dogs and showed that they possess a regulatory phenotype, function, and transcriptomic signature that resembles those of human and murine Tregs. By launching a cross-species comparison, we unveiled a conserved transcriptomic signature of Tregs and identified that transcript hip1 may have implications in Treg function

Vision Algorithms for Formation Flight and Aerial Refueling with Optimal Marker Labeling

This paper presents the experimental results of an artificial vision system prototype for application to unmanned formation flight and aerial refueling. In the former, a camera on the wingman captures leader images, estimating the relative position; in a the latter, using probe-and-drogue refueling, the aircraft camera acquires basket images, and from that estimating the relative position. Position estimation is based on localization of infrared markers which have a known geometry distribution over the leader airframe or drogue body. Experimental results using a low cost simulated formation flight setup are shown, to validate the procedure