Monkey Interleukin-12 (p70) ELISA Kit

Interactions between genetic variation and environmental factors have been invoked in schizophrenia genesis, but pathways linking them are uncertain. We used a pathway-oriented approach to evaluate six genes mediating IL18 function (IL-18, IL18BP, IL18R1, IL18RAP, IL12B, and IL12A). The first five are also localized to regions previously linked with schizophrenia. Fifty-four representative tag SNPs were selected from comprehensive sequence data and genotyped in 478 patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (DSM IV criteria) and 501 unscreened control individuals. Exposure to three herpes viruses previously suggested as risk factors for schizophrenia was estimated simultaneously among the cases. Five SNPs in four genes were associated with schizophrenia, most prominently rs2272127 at IL18RAP (P = 0.0007, odds ratio for C allele 1.49, 95% CI: 1.18-1.87; P = 0.03 following correction for multiple comparisons). Exploratory analysis revealed that rs2272127 was also associated with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) seropositivity in cases (P = 0.04, OR for G allele 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04-2.39). Similar patterns were observed at another correlated SNP (rs11465702, P = 0.005 and 0.006, respectively for associations with schizophrenia and HSV1 seropositivity). We suggest plausible, testable hypotheses linking IL-18 signaling and HSV1 in schizophrenia pathogenesis. (C) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract against hen egg ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic response in mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized with OVA via intraperitoneal injection for four weeks and subsequently administered the different doses of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract (0.1 0.5 and 1.0% w/v) in drinking water. We demonstrated that Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract can attenuate OVA allergic response in mice by inducing immune desensitization through Thl/Th2 immunological modulation, a regulatory response involving the transcription factor FOXP3, induction of a suppressed IL-4, but increased IL-10, IL12a and INF-gamma, enhanced immunoglobulin isotype IgA production, and suppression of histamine and MMCPT-1. These results suggest that Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract may be a potentially useful candidate for the design of a functional food component in targeting management of food allergy.