Modulation of Dendritic Cell Responses by Parasites: A Common Strategy to Survive

Parasitic infections are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in our planet and the immune responses triggered by these organisms are critical to determine their outcome. Dendritic cells are key elements for the development of immunity against parasites; they control the responses required to eliminate these pathogens while maintaining host homeostasis. However, there is evidence showing that parasites can influence and regulate dendritic cell function in order to promote a more permissive environment for their survival. In this review we will focus on the strategies protozoan and helminth parasites have developed to interfere with dendritic cell activities as well as in the possible mechanisms involved

Synthesis and properties of small interfering RNA duplexes carrying 5-ethyluridine residues

Oligoribonucleotides carrying 5-ethyluridine units were prepared using solid-phase phosphoramidite chemistry. The introduction of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl group at the 2'-OH position proceeded in good yield and very high 2'-regioselectivity. RNA duplexes carrying 5-ethyluridine either at the sense or the guide strands display RNAi activity comparable to or slightly better than that of unmodified RNA duplexes. Gene suppression experiments using luciferase targets in SH-SY5Y cells show that the ethyl group is generally well accepted at all positions although a small decrease in RNA interference activity is observed when one 5-ethylU residue is incorporated in the 3' overhangs

Sobre un híbrido nuevo de Geum L. (Rosaceae) en la provincia de Teruel

Se comunica el hallazgo de un nuevo híbrido del género Geum L. (Rosaceae) localizado en la Sierra de Gúdar (Teruel) que denominamos Geum × gonzaloi, y cuyos parentales son G. hispidum y G. urbanum

Modified siRNAs for the study of the PAZ domain

Chemical modifications aimed at stabilizing the interaction between the 3'-end of siRNAs and the PAZ domain of RISC have been tested for their effect on RNAi activity. Such modifications contribute positively to the stability of siRNAs in human serum

A novel nucleophilic approach to 1-alkyladenosines. A two-step synthesis of [1-N-15] adenosine from inosine

A novel ANRORC mechanism in the reaction of 1-(2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl)inosines with amines has allowed the preparation of 1-alkyladenosines and [1-15N]adenosines in a straightforward way from inosines

Stepwise synthesis of oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates containing guanidinium and lipophilic groups in their 3'-termini

Two different series of oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates have been efficiently synthesized by stepwise solid-phase synthesis. First, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide phosphorothioates containing polar groups at the 3′-termini, such as amine and guanidinium groups were prepared. ODNs conjugates carrying several lysine residues were obtained directly from Fmoc deprotection whereas ODN conjugates with guanidinium groups were obtained by post-synthetic guanidinylation. The second family contains different urea moieties that were achieved by standard protocols. All products were fully characterized by reversed phase HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry yielding satisfactory results. Oligonucleotide-phosphorothioate conjugates were evaluated as potential antisense oligonucleotides in the inhibition of the luciferase gene

Taenia crassiceps Infection Attenuates Multiple Low-Dose Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Taenia crassiceps, like other helminths, can exert regulatory effects on the immune system of its host. This study investigates the effect of chronic T. crassiceps infection on the outcome of Multiple Low Dose Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes (MLDS). Healthy or previously T. crassiceps-infected mice received MLDS and type 1 diabetes (T1D) symptoms were evaluated for 6 weeks following the induction of MLDS. T. crassiceps-infected mice displayed lower blood glucose levels throughout the study. A significantly lower percentage of T. crassiceps-infected mice (40%) developed T1D compared to the uninfected group (100%). Insulitis was remarkably absent in T. crassiceps-infected mice, which had normal pancreatic insulin content, whereas uninfected mice showed a dramatic reduction in pancreatic insulin. Infected mice that received MLDS did not show an increase in their regulatory T cell population, however, they had a greater number of alternatively activated macrophages, higher levels of the cytokine IL-4, and lower levels of TNF-α. Therefore, infection with T. crassiceps causes an immunomodulation that modifies the incidence and development of MLDS-induced autoimmune diabetes