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Non-classical MHC class II positive cell types, function and immunological context
Tušková, Liliana ; Černý, Jan (advisor) ; Brdička, Tomáš (referee)
Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) is a group of glycoproteins responsible for the presentation of exogenous antigens to T-lymphocytes. Besides the "classical" antigen presenting cells (APCs), numerous cell types were proven to be able to express MHC-II molecules either constitutively or under specific conditions. Often, the stimulus for MHC-II expression is interferon g, a pro- inflammatory cytokine typically activating promoter IV of the Class II Transactivator. Many of the non- classical MHC-II-expressing cells can serve as APCs, activating or attenuating T-cell proliferation depending on the expression of costimulatory molecules. Additional research identified some unusual functions of MHC-II molecules on non-classical cell types, including a role in prenatal development or mating. Modulation of the MHC-II expression could potentially serve many promising therapeutic purposes and new research can lead to deeper understanding of the topic. Keywords: MHC-II, ILC, basophils, TEC, antigen presentation, CIITA, IFN-gamma
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Lyme borreliosis diagnostics using in vitro cellular immune response testing
Prokopová, Tereza ; Drbal, Karel (advisor) ; Melter, Oto (referee)
Lyme borreliosis is a multisystemic disease affecting skin, joints, heart and central nervous system. The disease is caused by spirochetes of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. These bacteria are spread by ticks of Ixodes genus. In 2016 there were almost 4,000 newly infected individuals reported in the Czech Republic. Contemporary serological diagnostics of Lyme borreliosis is not sensitive nor specific enough and does not even correlate with the pathology of the disease in the early or late phases. For the correct diagnosis of the disease it is necessary to detect the pathogen and its genotype. For this reason we had aimed at two goals. Through the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) method we detected Borrelia-specific DNA and its genotype. The detection limit of borrelial DNA was set on gDNA samples isolated from the tick. Detection threshold for the initial amount of 1 ng of tick gDNA is at the range of 10-17 g of specific borrelial DNA. Borrelia spp. coinfection was detected in 5 out of 12 tested samples. The most frequent type was B. garinii which was detected in 5 samples. On the basis of published sequences for virulent factors we have designed specific primers in conserved regions of the genes flanking their variable segments to be PCR amplified. Gene variability will be monitored through...
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