Lateralization of cognitive functions after stroke in childhood

A child's brain shows a remarkable ability to recover from adverse events such as stroke. Language functions recover particularly well, while visuo-spatial skills are more affected by brain damage, regardless of its localization. This study investigated the lateralization of language and visual search after childhood stroke.

A differential concentration-dependent effect of IVIg on neutrophil functions: relevance for anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory mechanisms

Background Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play a key role in host defences against invading microorganisms but can also potentiate detrimental inflammatory reactions in case of excessive or misdirected responses. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) are used to treat patients with immune deficiencies and, at higher doses, in autoimmune, allergic and systemic inflammatory disorders. Methodology/Principal Findings We used flow cytometry to examine the effects of IVIg on PMN functions and survival, using whole-blood conditions in order to avoid artifacts due to isolation procedures. IVIg at low concentrations induced PMN activation, as reflected by decreased L-selectin and increased CD11b expression at the PMN surface, oxidative burst enhancement, and prolonged cell survival. In contrast, IVIg at higher concentrations inhibited LPS-induced CD11b degranulation and oxidative burst priming, and counteracted LPS-induced PMN lifespan prolongation. Conclusions/Significance IVIg appears to have differential, concentration-dependent effects on PMN, possibly supporting the use of IVIg as either an anti-microbial or an anti-inflammatory agent.

CX3CR1 defines functionally distinct intestinal mononuclear phagocyte subsets which maintain their respective functions during homeostatic and inflammatory conditions

Intestinal mononuclear phagocytes (iMNP) are critically involved in mucosal immunity and tissue homeostasis. Two major non-overlapping populations of iMNP have been identified in mice. CD103(+) iMNP represent a migratory population capable of inducing tolerogenic responses, whereas CX3CR1(+) iMNP are resident cells with disease-promoting potential. CX3CR1(+) iMNP can further be subdivided based on differential expression of CX3CR1. Using CX3CR1(GFP/+) ×RAG2(-/-) mice, we demonstrate that CX3CR1(hi) and CX3CR1(lo) iMNP clearly differ with respect to their morphological and functional properties. Compared with CX3CR1(hi) iMNP, CX3CR1(lo) iMNP are polarised towards pro-inflammatory responses already under homeostatic conditions. During a CD4(+) T-cell-induced colitis, CX3CR1(lo) cells accumulate in the inflamed mucosa and upregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1). In contrast, CX3CR1(hi) iMNP retain their non-inflammatory profile even during intestinal inflammation. These findings identify two functionally distinct iMNP subsets based on differential expression of CX3CR1 and indicate an unanticipated stability of iMNP.