In atopic asthma, inhalation of allergens stimulates cells of the innate immune system to secrete cytokines that promote CD4+ T cell antigen recognition, and favouring a T helper type 2 (Th2) response. Recent studies indicate that Th1 and Th17 cells might also play an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma. There is evidence that interferon (IFN)-γ secretion

can cause severe airway inflammation [2], while interleukin (IL)-17 is important for neutrophil recruitment; this cytokine has been detected in bronchial biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum from asthma patients [3]. The importance of regulatory T cells in controlling learn more these processes, either via contact-dependent suppression or through IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β secretion, is now emerging [4-6]. Galectins are a family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins with functions in a variety of biological processes, including inflammation

and allergic pathologies [7]. Galectin-3 (gal-3) has been described mainly as a powerful proinflammatory signal. Deficiency for gal-3 results in less AHR in a model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced PLX3397 cell line asthma as well as in defects of airways remodelling [8, 9]. However, gene therapy with gal-3 has shown beneficial effects in two murine models of asthma through the down-regulation of IL-5 gene expression [10, 11] associated with inhibition of suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 expression [12]. In vivo, gal-1 administration has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects in various experimental animal

models of inflammation and autoimmunity [13-15]. Also, gal-9 administration selleck screening library reduces AHR and Th2 cell-associated airway inflammation in a model of asthma [16]. However, in mice with OVA-induced asthma, the blockade of T cell immunoglobulin (Ig) and mucin domain (TIM-3) (gal-9 ligand) has beneficial effects by skewing the Th2 response towards Th1 response, suggesting that its role in airway inflammation may be more complex [17]. In spite of the growing evidence about the immunoregulatory roles of gal-1 and gal-9, our knowledge of their precise role in human inflammatory diseases remains scarce. In this regard, it has been described recently that Langerhans and dendritic cells (DCs) from psoriasis patients express low levels of gal-1 compared to healthy donors [18], as well as higher gal-9 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of rheumatoid arthritis patients with low disease activity compared to those with high disease activity [19]. To explore the contribution of galectins in human asthma, induced sputum samples were collected from asthma patients and healthy controls. Expression of gal-1, -3 and -9 was analysed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), flow cytometry and immunofluorescence.

All of these 10 patients had nephrotic syndrome on presentation (p = 0.008) and their serum creatinine level a month after renal biopsy elevated significantly (p = 0.003). Survival rate was significantly worse in the patients with gastrointestinal

(GI) involvement (p = 0.01) on presentation. During the observation dialysis was introduced in 7 patients. Three patients were successfully withdrawn from dialysis within a month Idasanutlin nmr and 4 patients required maintenance dialysis. Renal survival were significantly worse in the patients with nephrotic syndrome or GI involvement (p = 0.0002 or p = 0.0003, respectively). International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) grade was more than III in all of the patients who selleck compound required dialysis. Furthermore, factors

affecting renal survival were as follows: rate of crescentic glomeruli in renal biopsy findings, serum creatinine and daily urinary protein at the time of renal biopsy, maximum serum creatinine level and daily urinary protein during observation period. In immunofluorescence microscopy glomerular IgG deposition did not contribute to the renal or survival outcome. Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome and GI involvement predict worse renal and survival outcome in our retrospective cohort of IgA vasculitis. Crescent formation, serum creatinine and dairy urinary protein have prognostic value for renal outcome. JAMBA ARIUNBOLD1, KONDO SHUJI1, URUSHIHARA MAKI1, NAGAI TAKASHI1, KIM-KANEYAMA JOO-RI2, MIYAZAKI AKIRA2, KAGAMI SHOJI1 1Department of Pediatrics, Institute

of Health Bioscience, The University of Tokushima Graduate School; 2Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine Introduction: Hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone-5 (Hic-5) is a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-inducible focal adhesion protein. We recently demonstrated that Hic-5 was localized in mesangial cells (MC) and its expression has Staurosporine supplier been associated with glomerular cell proliferation and matrix accumulation in rat and human glomerulonephritis (GN) (Nephron Exp Nephrol 120: e59–68, 2012). However, how Hic-5 is involved in the development of GN remains to be determined. Methods: We assessed the role of Hic-5 in mesangial proliferative GN in wild type (Hic-5+/+) and Hic-5 deficient (Hic-5-/-) mice. Mesangial proliferative GN was induced by intravenous injection of Habu venom (4 mg/kg) 7 days after removing a right kidney. Samples were obtained at sacrifice day 7. Glomerular cell number and matrix score analysis are examined and followed by immunohistochemical analysis for expression of matrix proteins and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). To clarify the effect of Hic-5 about MC proliferation, we developed and characterized cultured MC though magnetic based-isolation of glomeruli from Hic-5+/+ and Hic-5−/− mice.

Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. “
“Macrophages play a crucial role in innate immune reactions, and Peritoneal Macrophages (PMs) guard the sterility

of this compartment KU-60019 in vitro mainly against microbial threat from the gut. Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which gut microbiota and gut immune system appear to contribute to disease pathogenesis. We have recently reported elevated free radical production and increased permeability of gut epithelium in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Impaired barrier function could lead www.selleckchem.com/products/Decitabine.html to bacterial leakage to the peritoneal cavity. To explore the consequences of impaired gut barrier function on extra-intestinal immune regulation, we characterized peritoneal

lavage cells from young newly weaned NOD mice. We detected a rapid increase in the number of macrophages 1-2 weeks after weaning in NOD mice compared to C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. Interestingly, this increase in macrophages was abrogated in NOD mice that were fed an anti-diabetogenic diet (ProSobee), which improves gut barrier function. Macrophages in young (5 week old) NOD mice displayed a poor TNF-α cytokine response to LPS stimulation, and high expression of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) signalling pathway negative regulator, Interleukin-1 Associated Kinase–M (IRAK-M), indicating prior in vivo exposure to TLR-4 ligand(s). Furthermore, injection of Cytidine deaminase LPS intraperitoneally increased T-cell CD69

expression in pancreatic lymph node (PaLN), suggestive of T-cell activation. Leakage of bacterial components such as endotoxins into the peritoneal cavity may contribute to auto-reactive T-cell activation in the PaLN. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. “
“The immune system evolved to require input from at least three sources that we collectively term the ‘old friends’: (i) the commensal microbiotas transmitted by mothers and other family members; (ii) organisms from the natural environment that modulate and diversify the commensal microbiotas; and (iii) the ‘old’ infections that could persist in small isolated hunter-gatherer groups as relatively harmless subclinical infections or carrier states. These categories of organism had to be tolerated and co-evolved roles in the development and regulation of the immune system. By contrast, the ‘crowd infections’ (such as childhood virus infections) evolved later, when urbanization led to large communities. They did not evolve immunoregulatory roles because they either killed the host or induced solid immunity, and could not persist in hunter-gatherer groups.

A total of 319 haemodialysis (HD) and 156 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients formed the database. After stratification by dialysis modality, multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model was constructed with age, sex and co-morbidity as predictive variables. Results:  The annual paediatric ESRD incidence rate was 8.12 per million of age-related populations. The overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates for PD patients were 98.1%, 88.0% and 68.4%, respectively, and were 96.9%, 87.3% and 78.5% for HD patients. The survival

analysis showed no significant difference between HD and PD (P = 0.4878). Using ‘15–19 years’ as a reference group, the relative risk (RR) Dabrafenib of the youngest group (0–4 years) was 6.60 (95% this website CI: 2.50–17.38) for HD, and 5.03 (95% CI: 1.23–20.67) for PD. The death rate was 24.66 per 1000 dialysis patient-years. The three major causes of death were infection (23.4%), cardiovascular disease (13.0%) and cerebrovascular disease (10.4%). Hemorrhagic stroke (87.5%) was the main type of foetal cerebrovascular accident. Conclusion:  We conclude that there was no significant difference of paediatric ESRD patient survival between HD and PD treatment in Taiwan. The older paediatric ESRD patients had better survival than younger patients. “
“Our previous article described the principles of conducting an economic evaluation for evidence-based medical decision making. This

article provides some tips for reading, critically appraising and applying the findings of an economic evaluation in clinical practice. “
“The mononuclear phagocyte system is comprised of circulating monocytes, tissue macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) that play key roles in tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and immune and non-immune-mediated tissue injury and repair. This review summarizes the various subsets within this system Tolmetin that exhibit significant functional and phenotypic diversity that can adapt to their surrounding microenvironments during inflammation and in response to colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1. The current understanding of the co-ordination of monocyte infiltration

into the homeostatic and diseased kidney through adhesion molecules, chemokines and chemokine receptors, and cytokines are described. Furthermore, the significant confusion and controversy associated with monocyte differentiation into renal macrophages and DCs following infiltration into the kidney, the considerable functional and phenotypic overlap between both tissue populations and their respective roles in immune and non-immune-mediated renal is also discussed. Understanding the factors that control the activation and recruitment of cells from the mononuclear phagocyte system during renal injury may offer an avenue for the development of new cellular and growth factor-based therapies in combination with existing therapies as an alternative treatment option for patients with renal disease.

[10, 12, 13] Despite their

unquestionable impact on functions of myeloid and lymphoid cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, little is known about the regulation of these important mediators by particular local conditions in specific organ systems. In the present study we aimed to get further insight into the regulation of eicosanoid metabolism by n-butyrate in human monocytes. Based on insights from a multigene signature approach evaluating a broad range of inflammation-related genes we focused here on the modulation of the expression of eicosanoid pathway-related genes after microbial activation and concomitant interference with n-butyrate. We found that in bacterially activated human monocytes activated by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 ligation n-butyrate potentiated the expression of cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) along with increased PGE2 expression. DZNeP purchase The implications

of these findings are discussed. RPMI-1640, supplemented with 2 mm l-glutamine, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 100 U/ml penicillin and 10% fetal calf serum were purchased from PAA (Pasching Austria). The sodium salt of n-butyric acid, TLR4 ligand LPS from Escherichia coli 0111:B4 and TLR2 ligand Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain A cells were purchased from Sigma (Deisenhofen, Germany). The dose of LPS used in our assays was 100 ng/ml and the n-butyrate dose was 1 mm if not indicated differently. OTX015 datasheet Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from buffy coats (provided by the Austrian Red Cross) by density gradient centrifugation with Lymphoprep (Axis-Shield PoC AS, Oslo, Norway). Subsequently, monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by magnetic cell sorting using anti-CD14-conjugated magnetic beads purchased from Miltenyi Biotec (Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany). The purity of the monocytes was verified via FACS analysis on a FACSCalibur. Purity of isolated monocytes in all experiments was > 95% (data not shown). We here used a validated multigene signature approach to investigate transcriptional programmes triggered by n-butyrate and LPS alone or in combination.

Based on the knowledge-driven approach of innate immune cell biology and inflammatory process data mining, a signature of immunity/inflammation-associated Roflumilast genes was assembled. TaqMan® array covering immunity/inflammation-related genes (pre-designed; Applied Biosystems, La Jolla, CA) were used as part of the self-designed 180-gene signature. This signature contained targets involved in immune response and inflammation, and included many upstream signalling molecules (kinases and phosphatases in hierarchical levels), transcription factors, and the downstream chemokines and cytokines. PTGS2 (also known as COX-2), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostanoids, and other molecules central to eicosanoid signalling were also included on the array.

In contrast, ot was exclusively transferred by CD4+ cells. Thus, the regenerated environment facilitated by the surviving stromal cells determines whether Treg or B-cell expansion is induced. In summary, OVA feeding of mLNtx and pLNtx animals resulted in a tolerogenic phenotype, characterized by a low DTH response. Although pLNtx animals were unable to induce similar numbers of Tregs compared to mLNtx, pLNtx induced an effect that resulted in a lower DTH response against OVA. However, pLNtx showed B-cell expansion and an Ag-specific Ab production. Thus, a humoral

immune response seems to be induced in pLNtx, whereas mLNtx animals showed immune response suppression by Treg induction. However, induction of tolerance in the periphery by the skin draining pLN (pLN-pt) also showed a low DTH response, and a similar cell subset composition FG-4592 mouse was determined in pLNtx and pLN-pt. This tolerance could be transferred by IgG+ cells isolated from Doxorubicin in vitro pLN-pt mice. Otherwise CD4+ cells are exclusively responsible for ot induced by mLN. Thus, stromal cells coming from the periphery regenerate in the mesentery, but they remain in the skin draining-specific environment and act independently of the draining area. In conclusion, stromal cells have a high impact on creating an environment: they have a strong influence on the process of immunological responses

and are important for the balance between tolerance and immunity. Overall, stromal cells of pLN and mLN influence which response to Ag is chosen. Female C57BL/6 and

C57BL/6 plt/plt mice were bred at the central animal laboratory of Hannover Medical School and were used at a weight of 18–25 g. All animal experiments were performed ever in accordance with the institutional guidelines and had been approved by the Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (No. 33-42502-05/960). As described earlier 16, mLNs and pLNs were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and used as donors for C57BL/6 mice. Under combined anesthesia with ketamine (Gräub AG, Bern, Switzerland) and xylazine 2% (Bayer Health Care, Leverkusen, Germany), the mLN of the small and large intestine of the host were removed and donor mLNtx or axillary and brachial LN (pLNtx) were transplanted into this region. Total RNA was isolated according to the manufacturer’s protocol (Rneasy Kit, Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and cDNA synthesis was performed with 50 mM oligo primer, 0.1 M DTT, 5× first strand buffer, 10 mM dNTP, 35 U/μL Rnase inhibitor, and 200 U/μL M-MLV reverse transcriptase (all obtained from Invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany) in a total volume of 20 μL at 37°C for 50 min. With this cDNA quantitative real-time PCR was performed using the QuantiTect SYBR-Green protocol of Qiagen.

In addition, HH could be the second hemocyte subpopulation forming LOS. We based this reasoning on the fact that both peneidins and α2-macroglobulin immunolabeling

were located inside cytoplasmic vesicles and not inside granules in LOS. We propose that what occurs in the LO is a process analogical to that reported by Muñoz et al. (6), who described the ability of HH to ingest bacteria opsonized by peneidins. Based on this reasoning we consider HH as a genuine differentiated subpopulation involved in phagocytosis of opsonized foreign material in the LO. In this study we used animals that increased their LOS and hemocyte infiltration after WSSV induced infection. However, our results do not confirm or otherwise that peneidins or α2-macroglobulin have opsonized WSSV particles, because animals were not cultivated in axenic conditions Paclitaxel concentration and the process of trapping in LO and degradation in LOS could be applied to any microorganism entry in the hemocoele. However, it should be noted that a possible role of α2-macroglobulin and penaeidin in protection against WSSV infection was reported recently. The suppression of penaeidin5 transcription by RNA interference increases the susceptibility of P. monodon shrimp to WSSV infection (31), while Fenneropenaeus chinensis shrimp increased the expression of α2-macroglobulin in hemocytes and LO after WSSV challenge

(32). After induced infection we detected light WSSV labeling in some LOS and in individual cells (without labeled inclusion bodies) present in hemal sinuses. These findings suggest that WSSV particles circulating in the hemolymph see more can be filtered in LO tubules and may be engulfed by individual hemocytes or retained in the LOS. Before induced infection, filtration of WSSV particles in the LO was not Rutecarpine detected, despite animals exhibiting light WSSV infection.

This finding suggests that filtration is detected in the LO when the presence of WSSV particles, has increased in the hemolymph in strongly infected animals. Maldonado (24) observed an increase in the presence of hemocytes in the LO after WSSV infection, and Fall et al. (33) also reported an increase of several proteins, including peneidins, in LO after vibrio infection. LO is a part of the vascular system and hemocytes may enter the layer of endothelial cells, move into the stromal matrix and penetrate the open circulatory system (9). Therefore if the hemocyte count increases, this increase will be reflected in the LO, but degranulation of SGH detected in this study after infection, and the staining of the vesicles in LOS by antibodies recognizing hemocytes, indicate that under strong infection, hemocyte settling increases in the LO, where they accomplish immune functions or continue for differentiation. Melanization is vital for immune defenses of invertebrates. Melanin synthesis is achieved by the prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating system.

Surveillance of the DKD population is required to guide interventions and measure their effectiveness over the long term A system for the monitoring and surveillance of DKD should be established, to enable reporting of the number of Australians with DKD over time, markers of disease in this population, changing treatment patterns, and patient outcomes. Such disease monitoring

would enable the generation of relevant clinical practice guidelines and facilitate their evolution over time to ensure currency and maximize impact. This article is adapted from a report prepared for Kidney Health Australia by the authors, and the content is reproduced with permission. Funding for the original report was provided as an unconditional education selleck inhibitor grant from Boehringer Ingelheim. In no way has Boehringer Ingelheim had any part in the direction, analysis or findings of this report. Data included in this review were supplied by the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) and the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA).

The interpretation and reporting of these data are the responsibility GDC0068 of the authors and in no way should be seen as an official policy or interpretation of the US government, or of the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry respectively. “
“Vascular calcification (VC) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, and an inverse relationship L-NAME HCl of VC to bone mineral density (BMD) has been reported. Because elderly patients are prone to atherosclerosis and BMD artefact, we examined the prevalence and epidemiology of VC in younger patients undergoing transplantation, and its relationship to BMD. Laboratory testing was performed immediately before kidney or simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplantation. Within 4 weeks patients underwent

BMD evaluation and lateral abdominal X-ray. Aortic calcification was scored using a validated 24-point scale. Of 650 consecutive patients X-rays were available for 531 (82%). Their median age was 41 years (16−71), 58% were male, dialysis vintage was 20 months (0–402) and 69% had kidney and 31% SPK transplants. VC scores were ≥1 in 47%, with the median score 6 (1–24) and was associated with age, dialysis vintage and presence of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease. In a multivariate analysis of patients with and without VC, those with VC were older and of longer dialysis vintage (OR 1.07 and 1.17 per 12 months respectively; P < 0.001 for both). In that analysis, VC was not significantly associated with gender, transplant type, presence of diabetes, current or former smoking or calcium or calcitriol therapy, and was not inversely related to hip, spine or forearm BMD Z-scores. VC is common in younger patients undergoing transplantation and, similar to older patients, is associated with age, dialysis vintage and cardiovascular pathology.

Semiquantitative analysis of specific immunolabelled bands was performed using a densitometer. Generation of Tregs.  The peripheral blood was obtained from 12 healthy subjects. Forty millilitres of blood was collected from each person. Mononuclear cells were isolated buy RG-7388 from the blood by density gradient centrifugation. With commercial reagent kits, the naïve CD4+ CD25− T cells and dendritic cells (DC, CD11c+) were isolated by magnetic cell sorting (MACS),

respectively, following the manufacturer’s instruction. The isolated naïve CD4+ CD25− T cells (5 × 104 cells/well) and DC (1 × 104 cells/well) were cocultured in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (2 ng/ml) for 5 days. On day 6, the cells were collected; DCs were isolated out by negative selection assay of MACS. learn more The isolated T cells were analysed by flow cytometry that showed 90–95% cells expressed Foxp3. The cells were used as Tregs in further experiments. Treg activation.  The generated Tregs were cultured in anti-CD3 (2 μg/ml)-coated plates in the presence of anti-CD28 (2 μg/ml) at 37 °C for 48 h. Irradiation of Tregs.  During the activation, Tregs in RA group

were irradiated at room temperature with a medical linear accelerator [Varian Linear Accelerator models 2100C (/D); Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA], and a dose rate of 500 cGy/min was continued to generate a dose curve of 0, 2, 4

and 8 Gy. The controls were unirradiated. Apoptotic cells were analysed by flow cytometry 8 h after irradiation by staining with Annexin-V reagent kit and propidium iodide. Statistical analysis.  The data were presented as mean ± SD. The means between two groups were analysed by the Student’s t-test or using the anova if more Clomifene than two groups. A P < 0.05 was regarded as a criteria of significance. A group of patients with BCa was treated by surgery in our department. Among the patients, a portion of the patients was treated with radiotherapy before surgery (RA group); the rest of the patients were not undergone radiation (nRA group) before surgery. The surgically removed cancer tissue was collected. The CD4+ T cells were isolated from the cancer tissue by MACS and examined by flow cytometry. The results showed that the frequency of Tregs was markedly higher in the RA group than in the nRA group (Fig. 1). The results indicate that radiotherapy may increase Tregs in the cancer with BCa. As the radiation can increase Akt in cancer cells to promote cancer cell’s survival [10], we wondered whether the Akt levels were also increased in the Tregs from radiation-treated cancer. We then isolated CD4+ CD25+ CD127− T cells from the surgically removed BCa tissue and analysed by flow cytometry. The results showed that the Foxp3+ Tregs were more than 90%. Total proteins were extracted from the isolated Tregs.

The DCs were differentiated from monocytes in the presence of a TGR5-specific agonist at several concentrations and IL-12 and TNF-α production in response to commensal bacterial antigen stimulation was measured. These TGR5-DCs produced less IL-12 and TNF-α than cDCs, in a similar Ferroptosis inhibitor review manner to BA-DCs (Fig. 4a,b). We also measured the mRNA transcripts of TNF-α, IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 after stimulation with LPS and interferon-γ. We found that, at the mRNA level, expression of these pro-inflammatory cytokines was suppressed in TGR5-DCs (see Supplementary material, Fig. S2). We next assessed the mechanism by which BAs modify the differentiation of DCs to give an anti-inflammatory phenotype. It is known that cAMP has an immunosuppressive

effect in various cells, so we measured cAMP levels of monocytes cultured with BA or the TGR5-specific agonist at several points during their differentiation to DC. Consistent with previous reports, the concentration of cAMP in monocytes increased following the administration of either BA or TGR5 agonist (Fig. 5a).18 To test the hypothesis that this process induces anti-inflammatory DC differentiation, monocytes were treated with the cAMP analogue 8-Br-cAMP instead of the BA. The DCs obtained from this differentiation also produced lower levels of IL-12 and TNF-α than cDCs (Fig. 5b). Moreover, activation of CREB, a key

molecule in cAMP downstream signalling,8 Saracatinib price was observed in monocytes treated with BA (Fig. 5c). Unexpectedly, the BA did not show any anti-inflammatory effect on terminally differentiated DCs (6 days after differentiation from monocyte) (Fig. 6a). To further investigate this discrepancy, we focused on the expression level of TGR5 on monocytes and DCs. We found TGR5 expression only Dipeptidyl peptidase in monocytes, and its expression was rapidly down-regulated over the course of differentiation to DCs, as assessed both by the surface expression

of receptors and mRNA levels (Fig. 6b,c). Consistent with these results, the BA induced anti-inflammatory DCs when the BA was administrated on day 0, but not when the BA was added on day 2 or 4 after DC differentiation (Fig. 6d). Addition of the TGR5 agonist showed similar results (Fig. 6e). Next, we examined medium replacement experiments. As expected, DCs cultured in the presence of TGR5 agonist in the initial 3 days after DC differentiation (day 0–2) also showed an IL-12 hypo-producing phenotype (Fig. 6f). Both primary and secondary BAs can activate TGR5 and FXR, and several BAs have been reported to be natural ligands of TGR5. Of these lithocholic acid and taurolithocholic acid activate the TGR5 with an EC50 of ∼ 600 and 300 nm, respectively, indicating that they can be considered physiological ligands for TGR5.8,17,19–23 Other BAs activate TGR5 at micromolar concentrations. Chenodeoxycholic acid, which activates FXR at an EC50 of ∼10 μm, is considered a physiological ligand for FXR. Other BAs can activate FXR at higher concentrations.