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Schmitz Y, Schwerdtfeger M, Westmeier J, Littwitz-Salomon E, Alt M, Brochhagen L, Krawczyk A, Sutter K. Superior antiviral activity of IFNβ in genital HSV-1 infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:949036. [PMID: 36325470 PMCID: PMC9618724 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.949036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) present the first line of defense against viral infections, providing antiviral, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects. The type I IFN family contains 12 IFNα subtypes and IFNβ, and although they share the same receptor, they are classified as non-redundant, capable to induce a variety of different IFN-stimulated genes. However, the biological impact of individual subtypes remains controversial. Recent data propose a subtype-specificity of type I IFNs revealing unique effector functions for different viruses and thus expanding the implications for IFNα-based antiviral immunotherapies. Despite extensive research, drug-resistant infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the common agent of recurrent orogenital lesions, are still lacking a protective or curing therapeutic. However, due to the risk of generalized infections in immunocompromised hosts as well as the increasing incidence of resistance to conventional antiherpetic agents, HSV infections raise major health concerns. Based on their pleiotropic effector functions, the application of type I IFNs represents a promising approach to inhibit HSV-1 replication, to improve host immunity and to further elucidate their qualitative differences. Here, selective IFNα subtypes and IFNβ were evaluated for their therapeutic potential in genital HSV-1 infections. Respective in vivo studies in mice revealed subtype-specific differences in the reduction of local viral loads. IFNβ had the strongest antiviral efficacy against genital HSV-1 infection in mice, whereas IFNα1, IFNα4, and IFNα11 had no impact on viral loads. Based on flow cytometric analyses of underlying immune responses at local and peripheral sites, these differences could be further assigned to specific modulations of the antiviral immunity early during HSV-1 infection. IFNβ led to enhanced systemic cytokine secretion and elevated cytotoxic responses, which negatively correlated with viral loads in the vaginal tract. These data provide further insights into the diversity of type I IFN effector functions and their impact on the immunological control of HSV-1 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Schmitz
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mara Schwerdtfeger
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jaana Westmeier
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Mira Alt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kathrin Sutter,
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Karakoese Z, Schwerdtfeger M, Karsten CB, Esser S, Dittmer U, Sutter K. Distinct Type I Interferon Subtypes Differentially Stimulate T Cell Responses in HIV-1-Infected Individuals. Front Immunol 2022; 13:936918. [PMID: 35911692 PMCID: PMC9326074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.936918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of type I interferons (IFNs) is one of the immediate host responses during most viral infections. The type I IFN family consists of numerous highly conserved IFNα subtypes, IFNβ, and some others. Although these IFNα subtypes were initially believed to act interchangeably, their discrete biological properties are nowadays widely accepted. Subtype-specific antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-proliferative activities were reported explained by differences in receptor affinity, downstream signaling events, and individual IFN-stimulated gene expression patterns. Type I IFNs and increased IFN signatures potentially linked to hyperimmune activation of T cells are critically discussed for chronic HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Here, we aimed to analyze the broad immunological effects of specific type I IFN subtypes (IFNα2, IFNα14, and IFNβ) on T and NK cell subsets during HIV-1 infection in vitro and ex vivo. Stimulation with IFNα14 and IFNβ significantly increased frequencies of degranulating (CD107a+) gut-derived CD4+ T cells and blood-derived T and NK cells. However, frequencies of IFNγ-expressing T cells were strongly reduced after stimulation with IFNα14 and IFNβ. Phosphorylation of downstream molecules was not only IFN subtype-specific; also, significant differences in STAT5 phosphorylation were observed in both healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and PBMCs of HIV-infected individuals, but this effect was less pronounced in healthy gut-derived lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs), assuming cell and tissue specific discrepancies. In conclusion, we observed distinct type I IFN subtype-specific potencies in stimulating T and NK cell responses during HIV-1-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Karakoese
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mara Schwerdtfeger
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christina B. Karsten
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefan Esser
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ulf Dittmer, ; Kathrin Sutter,
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ulf Dittmer, ; Kathrin Sutter,
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Schwerdtfeger M, Dickow J, Schmitz Y, Francois S, Karakoese Z, Malyshkina A, Knuschke T, Dittmer U, Sutter K. Immunotherapy With Interferon α11, But Not Interferon Beta, Controls Persistent Retroviral Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:809774. [PMID: 35126368 PMCID: PMC8810532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.809774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I Interferons (IFNs), including numerous IFNα subtypes and IFNβ, are key molecules during innate and adaptive immune responses against viral infections. These cytokines exert various non-redundant biological activities, although binding to the same receptor. Persistent viral infections are often characterized by increased IFN signatures implicating a potential role of type I IFNs in disease pathogenesis. Using the well-established Friend retrovirus (FV) mouse model, we compared the therapeutic efficacy of IFNα11 and IFNβ in acute and chronic retroviral infection. We observed a strong antiviral activity of both IFNs during acute FV infection, whereas only IFNα11 and not IFNβ could also control persistent FV infection. The therapeutic treatment with IFNα11 induced the expression of antiviral IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) and improved cytotoxic T cell responses. Finally, dysfunctional CD8+ T cells solely regained cytotoxicity after IFNα11 treatment. Our data provide evidence for opposing activities of type I IFNs during chronic retroviral infections. IFNβ was shown to be involved in immune dysfunction in chronic infections, whereas IFNα11 had a strong antiviral potential and reactivated exhausted T cells during persistent retroviral infection. In contrast, during acute infection, both type I IFNs were able to efficiently suppress FV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Dickow
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yasmin Schmitz
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Francois
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Zehra Karakoese
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anna Malyshkina
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Torben Knuschke
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kathrin Sutter,
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4
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Abrahamczyk S, Kessler M, Hanley D, Karger DN, Müller MPJ, Knauer AC, Keller F, Schwerdtfeger M, Humphreys AM. Pollinator adaptation and the evolution of floral nectar sugar composition. J Evol Biol 2016; 30:112-127. [PMID: 27747987 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A long-standing debate concerns whether nectar sugar composition evolves as an adaptation to pollinator dietary requirements or whether it is 'phylogenetically constrained'. Here, we use a modelling approach to evaluate the hypothesis that nectar sucrose proportion (NSP) is an adaptation to pollinators. We analyse ~ 2100 species of asterids, spanning several plant families and pollinator groups (PGs), and show that the hypothesis of adaptation cannot be rejected: NSP evolves towards two optimal values, high NSP for specialist-pollinated and low NSP for generalist-pollinated plants. However, the inferred adaptive process is weak, suggesting that adaptation to PG only provides a partial explanation for how nectar evolves. Additional factors are therefore needed to fully explain nectar evolution, and we suggest that future studies might incorporate floral shape and size and the abiotic environment into the analytical framework. Further, we show that NSP and PG evolution are correlated - in a manner dictated by pollinator behaviour. This contrasts with the view that a plant necessarily has to adapt its nectar composition to ensure pollination but rather suggests that pollinators adapt their foraging behaviour or dietary requirements to the nectar sugar composition presented by the plants. Finally, we document unexpectedly sucrose-poor nectar in some specialized nectarivorous bird-pollinated plants from the Old World, which might represent an overlooked form of pollinator deception. Thus, our broad study provides several new insights into how nectar evolves and we conclude by discussing why maintaining the conceptual dichotomy between adaptation and constraint might be unhelpful for advancing this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Abrahamczyk
- Nees Institute for Plant Biodiversity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M Kessler
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - D Hanley
- Department of Biology, Long Island University - Post, Brookville, NY, USA
| | - D N Karger
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M P J Müller
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A C Knauer
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - F Keller
- Institute of Plant Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Schwerdtfeger
- Albrecht-v.-Haller Institute of Plant Science, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - A M Humphreys
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Berkshire, UK.,Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Krügener K, Schwerdtfeger M, Busch SF, Soltani A, Castro-Camus E, Koch M, Viöl W. Terahertz meets sculptural and architectural art: Evaluation and conservation of stone objects with T-ray technology. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14842. [PMID: 26443422 PMCID: PMC4595835 DOI: 10.1038/srep14842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation of cultural heritage is an area where novel scientific techniques are having enormous impact. Given the value and uniqueness of art pieces, non-invasive diagnostic methods are highly appreciated by conservators. Terahertz radiation has shown enormous potential as non-contact probe that can be used for the three-dimensional reconstruction of internal structure of stone-made objects. In this article we report the evaluation of the internal damage state of two art pieces, a medallion from the Castle of Celle and a window sill from the St. Peter of Trier Cathedral. We also used terahertz radiation to follow and assess the restoration process of the window sill. We found that terahertz spectroscopy is an excellent non-destructive evaluation method for stone artwork that shows enormous potential as a tool for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Krügener
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Von-Ossietzky-Str. 99, Göttingen 37085, Germany
| | - M Schwerdtfeger
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Physics, Renthof 5, Marburg 35032, Germany
| | - S F Busch
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Physics, Renthof 5, Marburg 35032, Germany
| | - A Soltani
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Physics, Renthof 5, Marburg 35032, Germany
| | - E Castro-Camus
- Centro de Investigaciones en Optica A.C., Loma del Bosque 115, Lomas del Campestre, Leon, Guanajuato 37150, Mexico
| | - M Koch
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Physics, Renthof 5, Marburg 35032, Germany
| | - W Viöl
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Von-Ossietzky-Str. 99, Göttingen 37085, Germany.,Fraunhofer Application Center for Plasma and Photonics, Von-Ossietzky-Str. 100, Göttingen 37085, Germany
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Wichmann M, Mondol AS, Kocic N, Lippert S, Probst T, Schwerdtfeger M, Schumann S, Hochrein T, Heidemeyer P, Bastian M, Bastian G, Koch M. Terahertz plastic compound lenses. Appl Opt 2013; 52:4186-4191. [PMID: 23842159 DOI: 10.1364/ao.52.004186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We present terahertz (THz) lenses made of highly refracting polymeric compounds which provide a better focusing performance and an increased functionality in comparison to conventional THz lenses. Using mixtures consisting of polypropylene (PP) and alumina as well as PP and zinc sulfide allows a significant increase of the refractive index while simultaneously keeping a low extinction and dispersion. With these new material combinations, lenses with an increased focusing capability are realized. This is evaluated by focal plane measurements using a fiber coupled THz time-domain spectrometer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wichmann
- Department of Physics and Materials Sciences Center, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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7
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Schwerdtfeger M, Castro-Camus E, Krügener K, Viöl W, Koch M. Beating the wavelength limit: three-dimensional imaging of buried subwavelength fractures in sculpture and construction materials by terahertz time-domain reflection spectroscopy. Appl Opt 2013; 52:375-380. [PMID: 23338182 DOI: 10.1364/ao.52.000375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We use reflection terahertz spectroscopy to locate and produce three-dimensional images of air gaps between stones that resemble fractures, even of subwavelength thicknesses. This technique is found to be promising tool for sculpture and building damage evaluation as well as structural quality control in other dielectric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schwerdtfeger
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Physics, Marburg 35032, Germany
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8
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Pietersen G, Arrebola E, Breytenbach JHJ, Korsten L, le Roux HF, la Grange H, Lopes SA, Meyer JB, Pretorius MC, Schwerdtfeger M, van Vuuren SP, Yamamoto P. A Survey for 'Candidatus Liberibacter' Species in South Africa Confirms the Presence of Only 'Ca. L. africanus' in Commercial Citrus. Plant Dis 2010; 94:244-249. [PMID: 30754256 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-94-2-0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Greening disease of citrus is a serious disease known in South Africa since the late 1920s. In South Africa, it is associated with infection by 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus', a heat sensitive, phloem-limited, noncultured alpha-proteobacterium. Huanglongbing (HLB), a similar, but more devastating disease that was described initially from China but which now occurs in several citrus producing countries, is associated with a different Liberibacter species, 'Ca. L. asiaticus'. A 'Ca. L. africanus' subspecies, 'Ca. L. africanus subsp. capensis', has been found only in South Africa infecting an indigenous Rutaceous species, Calodendrum capense (Cape Chestnut), in the Western Cape in 1995. The discovery of a new Liberibacter species in Brazil, 'Ca. L. americanus', and the spread of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' to a number of additional countries over the last few years prompted us to assess whether only 'Ca. L. africanus' is present in commercial citrus orchards in South Africa. Samples displaying greening or similar symptoms were collected from 249 citrus trees from 57 orchards distributed throughout the greening affected citrus production areas of South Africa. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on DNA extracts to detect the known citrus Liberibacters. Amplicons were obtained from 197 samples. None of the samples yielded a 1,027-bp amplicon indicative of 'Ca. L. americanus' infection. The amplicons of 84 samples were sequenced, and all were identical to the cognate 'Ca. L. africanus' Nelspruit sequence in GenBank. No instance of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' or 'Ca. L. africanus subsp. capensis' sequence was found. Geographically representative samples that tested negative for Liberibacter also tested negative for phytoplasmas based on real-time PCR results. Based on the results of this survey, it is concluded that to date only 'Ca. L. africanus' is associated with citrus greening in commercial citrus in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pietersen
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa; Citrus Research International, P.O. Box 28, Nelspruit 1200 S.A.; and ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Queenswood 0121, S.A
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Schwerdtfeger M, Fleig WE. [Chronic viral hepatitis B and C. Hysteria and panic are no longer appropriate]. MMW Fortschr Med 2000; 142:39-42. [PMID: 11132310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Schwerdtfeger
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg.
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Lemke C, Schwerdtfeger M, Pöhlmann I, Sammler G, Linss W. A variant of a slam freezing device for electron microscopy. Biotech Histochem 1994; 69:38-44. [PMID: 8148433 DOI: 10.3109/10520299409106259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A home-made slam freezing device is presented that allows reproducible results in freezing various unfixed tissues. The heart of the device is an aluminum socket, which harbors a plunger that is set in motion by a spring. At the end of the plunger there is an electromagnet which holds the sample on a sheet metal planchette. During stop freezing the electrical contacts are interrupted and the plunger can be withdrawn leaving the specimen on the cooled copper block. This guarantees freezing of not only solid tissues, but also cell suspensions, such as blood or bone marrow.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lemke
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Anatomy, Germany
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Batsford S, Schwerdtfeger M, Rohrbach R, Cambiaso C, Kluthe R. Synthetic amino-acid diet prolongs survival in autoimmune murine disease. Clin Nephrol 1984; 21:60-3. [PMID: 6705275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of substituting a fully synthetic diet for standard laboratory pellet feed on the course of spontaneous autoimmune disease in New Zealand Black/White hybrid mice was examined. Delays in the development of anti-nuclear antibody, proteinuria and circulating immune complexes were seen; the survival was markedly prolonged. This type of dietary manipulation has a beneficial effect on the course of murine autoimmune disease.
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