Foxp3 Forkhead Winged Transcription Factor & Mechanisms Of Suppression

foxp3
The intracellular forkhead winged transcription factor Foxp3 (forkhead box P3) appears to be specifically expressed by naturally occurring Treg cells, particularly in mice, although in humans there is evidence of upregulation of Foxp3 in all T cells on activation. Foxp3 is required for the development and function of naturally occurring regulatory t cells (treg) and expression is sufficient to convert non-regulatory CD4+CD25T cells into cells with regulatory activity. Conversion of peripheral CD4+CD25 naive T cells to Foxp3+CD4+CD25 foxp3+ Treg cells can be induced by TGF-ß. In a murine asthma model, these TGF-ß-induced Treg prevented house-dust mite-induced allergic pathogenesis or infection pathogenesis in lungs. A single independent report has suggested that IL-4 and IL-13 also induce Foxp3+CD25+ Treg from CD4+CD25precursors. (more…)

Role of The Immune System to Protect from Infectious Disease

role immune system
The immune system consists of proteins, cells and organs that are concerned with defense of the individual, primarily against the threat of disease caused by infectious organisms. An infectious organism that causes disease is called a pathogen and the individual (person or animal) that is infected by a pathogen is called the host. Not all infectious organisms cause disease and some are actually beneficial, for example bacteria living in the gut help to digest certain foods. Infectious organisms that help the host are called commensalism organisms. (more…)

EpiPen Training For Kids With Food Allergies

EpiPen Training For Children
Families frequently do not use their self-injectable adrenaline device, even when their kids is experiencing a potentially life-threatening cardiorespiratory allergic reaction to a food allergen. Fatal food allergy anaphylaxis is rare but well recognized and the early use of intramuscular adrenaline may be life-saving. (more…)