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Research
Toward homeostasis: Regulatory dendritic cells from the bone marrow of mice with inflammationInflammatory mediators from peripheral tissues may control dendritic cell (DC) development in the bone marrow.
Research
The anti-inflammatory actions of IL-4 in human monocytes are not mediated by IL-10, RP105 or the kinase activity of RIPK2The anti-inflammatory actions of IL-4 in activated human monocytes may reflect transcriptional regulation of genes involved in TLR signaling pathways.
Research
Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy and bone mass in offspring at 20 years of age: A prospective cohort studyThis longitudinal, prospective study investigated the association between maternal vitamin D status and peak bone mass of offspring in 341 mother and...
Research
Vitamin D supplementation of initially vitamin D-deficient mice diminishes lung inflammation with limited effects on pulmonary epithelial integrityIn disease settings, vitamin D may be important for maintaining optimal lung epithelial integrity and suppressing inflammation, but less is known of its effects prior to disease onset.
Research
Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations associate with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents independent of adiposityThis paper examined the link between low serum Vitamin D levels and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents between 14 and 17...
News & Events
UV offers new hope in fight against MSPeople at risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) have been offered a beacon of hope thanks to research into UV exposure.
News & Events
Vitamin D deficiency linked to childhood asthmaResearchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia have found children with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop asthma.
Research
Sex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple SclerosisThe immunological mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) differ between males and females. Females are 2-3 times more likely to develop MS compared to males, however the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Once MS is established, there is a more inflammatory yet milder form of disease in females whereas males generally suffer from more severe disease and faster progression, neural degradation, and disability.
Research
FcgammaRIIb Expression Is Decreased on Naive and Marginal Zone-Like B Cells From Females With Multiple SclerosisB cells are critical to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms by which they contribute to the disease are poorly defined. We hypothesised that the expression of CD32b (FcγRIIb), a receptor for the Fc region of IgG with inhibitory activities in B cells, is lower on B cell subsets from people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or MS. CD32b expression was highest on post-naive IgM+ B cell subsets in healthy controls. For females with MS or CIS, significantly lower CD32b expression was identified on IgM+ B cell subsets, including naive and IgMhi MZ-like B cells, when compared with control females. Lower CD32b expression on these B cell subsets was associated with detectable anti-Epstein Barr Virus viral capsid antigen IgM antibodies, and higher serum levels of B cell activating factor. To investigate the effects of lower CD32b expression, B cells were polyclonally activated in the presence of IgG immune complexes, with or without a CD32b blocking antibody, and the expression of TNF and IL-10 in B cell subsets was assessed.
Research
Metabolic dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet modulates hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells in brown adipose tissue of miceBrown adipose tissue (BAT) may be an important metabolic regulator of whole-body glucose. While important roles have been ascribed to macrophages in regulating metabolic functions in BAT, little is known of the roles of other immune cells subsets, particularly dendritic cells (DCs). Eating a high-fat diet may compromise the development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)-which give rise to DCs-in bone marrow, with less known of its effects in BAT. We have previously demonstrated that ongoing exposure to low-dose ultraviolet radiation (UVR) significantly reduced the 'whitening' effect of eating a high-fat diet upon interscapular (i) BAT of mice.