43,44 Studies are currently underway to identify such cells in sheep through a combination selleck of phenotypic (CD4, CD25, Foxp3, IL-10 and TGF-β expression) and function (suppression assays). TH17 cells have not been defined in sheep, although they may not be a primary target for reproductive studies, as it appears that peripheral blood TH17 levels in women are not influenced by pregnancy.45 Collectively, these technologies for ruminant immunology will allow us to assess more fully the paradigms relating to immune regulation and cell function

during reproduction in normal and infected sheep. GE, SW and MR are funded by the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD). NW is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research

Council (BBSRC; grant number BBE0189391). We thank Dr David Longbottom (Moredun Research Institute) for kindly providing the image of the aborted placenta. None of the authors have any conflicts relating to this publication. “
“Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have been associated with a protective role in the development of asthma while higher levels of endotoxin have been linked with more severe asthma. LPS recruit neutrophils and eosinophils and activate macrophages via the CD14 receptor. The soluble CD 14 receptor (sCD14) has been found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in different diseases including allergic asthma. To elucidate the kinetics and the regulation of sCD14 concentrations in BAL in asthma, 18 patients with allergic asthma underwent segmental allergen challenge at different time points (10 min, 18, 42 and 162 h). In addition, CD14+ peripheral blood Erismodegib cell line mononuclear cell (PBMC-CD14+) Monoiodotyrosine cultures from seven allergic and seven non-allergic subjects were stimulated with LPS, leukotrien D4 (LTD4), a combination of LPS and LTD4, IL-17 and LTD4 in presence of the leukotriene-receptor antagonist (LTRA) Montelukast for 6, 12 and 24 h. sCD14 concentrations in BAL and the supernatants were measured by ELISA. sCD14 concentrations in BAL were significantly increased 18 h after allergen challenge and peaked at 42 h. At 162 h, concentrations had returned to baseline levels.

In PBMC-CD14+ cultures, sCD14 levels increased significantly 24 h after stimulation with LTD4 and Montelukast was able to block LTD4-induced stimulation. Allergen challenge leads to a significant increase in sCD14 concentrations in BAL and might modulate the allergen-induced inflammation. In addition, LTD4 might play a role in the release of sCD14, and it could be speculated that sCD14 reduction by LTRA might contribute to the mechanisms of LTRA in the treatment of allergic asthma. Endotoxins have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. Following the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, endotoxins might even have a protective role in the development of allergic asthma [1] and endotoxin exposure at home has been associated with a reduced prevalence of atopy [2].