26 research outputs found
Physiological and molecular interaction in the host-parasitoid system Heliothis virescens-Toxoneuron nigriceps: current status and future perspectives.
Toxoneuron nigriceps (Viereck) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is an endophagous parasitoid of the tobacco budworm Heliothis
virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Parasitized H. virescens larvae are developmentally arrested and show a complex array of
pathological symptoms ranging from the suppression of the immune response to an alteration of ecdysone biosynthesis and
metabolism. Most of these pathological syndromes are induced by the polydnavirus associated with T. nigriceps (TnBV). An
overview of our recent research work on this system is described herein. The mechanisms involved in the disruption of the host
hormonal balance have been further investigated, allowing to better define the physiological model previously proposed. A functional
genomic approach has been undertaken to identify TnBV genes expressed in the host and to assess their role in the major
parasitoid-induced pathologies. Some TnBV genes cloned so far are novel and do not show any similarity with genes already
available in genomic databases, while others code for proteins having conserved domains, such as aspartic proteases and tyrosine
phosphatases. Sequencing of the entire TnBV genome is in progress and will considerably contribute to the understanding of the
molecular bases of parasitoid-induced host alterations
Isolamento e caratterizzazione di un gene di Aphidius aervi altamente espresso nei teratociti.
La caratterizzazione molecolare dell’ecosistema microbico psicrofilo per lo studio della stabilità delle sorgenti.
Isolamento e caratterizzazione di un gene di Aphidius ervi altamente espresso nei teratociti.
Fine tuning of the DNAM-1/TIGIT/ligand axis in mucosal T cells and its dysregulation in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
De-regulated T-cell activation and functions are pivotal in the orchestration of immune-mediated tissue damage in IBD. We investigated the role of DNAM-1 (co-activating)/TIGIT (co-inhibitory)/ligand axis in the regulation of T-cell functions and its involvement in IBD pathogenesis. We show that DNAM-1 and TIGIT display a peculiar expression pattern on gut mucosa T-cell populations, in a microenvironment where their shared ligands (PVR and Nectin-2) are physiologically present. Moreover, DNAM-1 family receptor/ligand system is perturbed in IBD lesions, in a disease activity-dependent manner. The expression profile of CCR6 and CD103 mucosa addressins suggests that microenvironment-associated factors, rather than skewed recruitment of circulating T-cell populations, play a more relevant role in supporting the establishment of DNAM-1 and TIGIT expression pattern in mucosal T-cell populations, and may explain its alteration in IBD. Although both co-receptors mark functionally competent T cells, DNAM-1 and TIGIT segregate on T cells endowed with different proliferative potential. Moreover, their opposing role in regulating T-cell proliferation exquisitely depends on ligand availability. All together, our data propose a role for DNAM-1 and TIGIT in regulating mucosal T-cell activation and immune homeostasis, and highlight the involvement of an imbalance of this system in IBD
Remote hyperinflammation drives neurological disease via T-cell-mediated innate-like cytotoxicity
Distinct Phenotypic and Functional Immunological Alterations Characterize the Peripheral Blood Compartment of Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL).
Design and Control of the MINDWALKER Exoskeleton
Powered exoskeletons can empower paraplegics to stand and walk. Actively controlled hip ab/adduction (HAA) is needed for weight shift and for lateral foot placement to support dynamic balance control and to counteract disturbances in the frontal plane. Here, we describe the design, control, and preliminary evaluation of a novel exoskeleton, MINDWALKER. Besides powered hip flexion/extension and knee flexion/extension, it also has powered HAA. Each of the powered joints has a series elastic actuator, which can deliver 100 Nm torque and 1 kW power. A finite-state machine based controller provides gait assistance in both the sagittal and frontal planes. State transitions, such as stepping, can be triggered by the displacement of the Center of Mass (CoM). A novel step-width adaptation algorithm was proposed to stabilize lateral balance. We tested this exoskeleton on both healthy subjects and paraplegics. Experimental results showed that all users could successfully trigger steps by CoM displacement. The step-width adaptation algorithm could actively counteract disturbances, such as pushes. With the current implementations, stable walking without crutches has been achieved for healthy subjects but not yet for SCI paraplegics. More research and development is needed to improve the gait stabilit