Helicobacter pylori attachment-blocking antibodies protect against duodenal ulcer disease.

The majority of the world population carry the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Fortunately, most individuals experience only low-grade or no symptoms, but in many cases the chronic inflammatory infection develops into severe gastric disease, including duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Here we report on a protective mechanism where H. pylori attachment and accompanying chronic mucosal inflammation can be reduced by antibodies that are present in a vast majority of H. pylori carriers. These antibodies block binding of the H. pylori attachment protein BabA by mimicking BabA's binding to the ABO blood group glycans in the gastric mucosa. However, many individuals demonstrate low titers of BabA blocking antibodies, which is associated with an increased risk for duodenal ulceration, suggesting a role for these antibodies in preventing gastric disease.

Immunological effects of cerebral palsy and rehabilitation exercises in children.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor disorders caused by non-progressive lesions of the premature brain with lifelong pathophysiological consequences that include dysregulation of innate immunity. Persistent inflammation with increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is negatively associated with rehabilitation outcome in children with CP. Because of the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity, we investigated the effect of CP and rehabilitation exercises on the adaptive immune system in children with CP by measuring the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ Т-cells, and CD22+ B-cells and the levels of immunoglobulins. Children with CP had higher levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ Т-cells, and CD22+ B-cells compared to healthy children, and the rehabilitation exercise programs produced better outcomes in terms of increased gains in motor function at an earlier age. Rehabilitation exercises performed over a month resulted in significantly decreased levels of IgA in serum and reduced numbers of B-lymphocytes and reduced IgM levels. Our study suggests that rehabilitation programs with a focus on neuroplasticity and physical exercises in children with CP can reduce both cellular and humoral immune responses.