http://ini.sagepub.com Innate Immunity RSS feed -- current issue October 2009 Innate Immunity 1753-4259 http://ini.sagepub.com:80/icons/banner/title.gif http://ini.sagepub.com http://ini.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/15/5/261?rss=1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes serious nosocomial infections, and an important virulence factor produced by this organism is lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This review summarizes knowledge about biosynthesis of all three structural domains of LPS — lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O polysaccharides. In addition, based on similarities with other bacterial species, this review proposes new hypothetical pathways for unstudied steps in the biosynthesis of P. aeruginosa LPS. Lipid A biosynthesis is discussed in relation to Escherichia coli and Salmonella, and the biosyntheses of core sugar precursors and core oligosaccharide are summarised. Pseudomonas aeruginosa attaches a Common Polysaccharide Antigen and O-Specific Antigen polysaccharides to lipid A-core. Both forms of O polysaccharide are discussed with respect to their independent synthesis mechanisms. Recent advances in understanding O-polysaccharide biosynthesis since the last major review on this subject, published nearly a decade ago, are highlighted. Since P. aeruginosa O polysaccharides contain unusual sugars, sugar-nucleotide biosynthesis pathways are reviewed in detail. Knowledge derived from detailed studies in the O5, O6 and O11 serotypes is applied to predict biosynthesis pathways of sugars in poorly-studied serotypes, especially O1, O4, and O13/O14. Although further work is required, a full understanding of LPS biosynthesis in P. aeruginosa is almost within reach.

]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:26:25 PDT info:doi/10.1177/1753425909106436 International Endotoxin & Innate Immunity Society 5 15 312 2009-10-01 261 Articles http://ini.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/15/5/313?rss=1 Until now, the anti-tumor efficacy of synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODNs) has been reported in a number of preventive and therapeutic tumor models. Predominately class B CpG ODNs were used, relatively little has been reported regarding the class C CpG ODNs. The present study was, therefore, aimed at assessing the ability of CpG ODNs class C applied as a single agent and in combination with radiotherapy to induce the anti-tumor immunity in an experimental tumor model in mice (subcutaneous [s.c.] B16F1). Class C CpG ODNs applied three times as a single agent efficiently delayed the growth of s.c. B16F1 tumors. The combined therapy (CpG ODNs and tumor irradiation) remarkably enhanced the anti-tumor effect. The peritumoral (p.t.) application of CpG ODNs in combination with irradiation increased the number of dendritic cells (DCs) at the tumor site and improved the antigen loading and maturation of DCs. In conclusion, the combined therapy with CpG ODNs and irradiation creates a unique in situ DCs vaccine that could be easily applicable without prior knowledge of tumor antigens.

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