Moreover, vIRF-3 is known learn more to be involved in modulation of the type I interferon (IFN) response. We now show that vIRF-3 also interferes with the type II interferon

system and antigen presentation to the adaptive immune system. Starting with an analysis of the transcriptome, we show that vIRF-3 inhibits expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules: small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of vIRF-3 in KSHV-infected PEL cell lines resulted in increased MHC II levels; overexpression of vIRF-3 in KSHV-negative B cells leads to downmodulation of MHC II. This regulation could be traced back to inhibition of class II transactivator (CIITA) transcription by vIRF-3. Reporter assays revealed that the gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-sensitive CIITA promoters PIV and PIII were inhibited by vIRF-3. Consistently, IFN-gamma levels increased upon vIRF-3 knockdown in PEL cells. IFN-gamma regulation by vIRF-3 was confirmed in reporter assays as well as by upregulation of typical IFN-gamma target genes upon knockdown of vIRF-3 in PEL cells. Microtubule Associated inhibitor In summary, we conclude that vIRF-3 contributes to the viral immunoevasion by downregulation of IFN-gamma and CIITA and thus MHC II expression.”
“Distinct visual pathways are selectively tuned for processing

specific spatial frequencies. Recently, Awasthi, Friedman, and Williams (2011) reported fast categorisation of faces at periphery, arguing for primacy of low spatial frequency SB-3CT (LSF) information in face processing. However, previous studies have also documented rapid categorization of places and natural scenes. Here, we tested if the LSF advantage is face specific or also involved in place perception. We used visually guided reaching as a continuous behavioral measure to examine the processing of LSF and high spatial frequency (HSF) hybrids, presented at the periphery. Subjects reached out and touched targets and their movements were recorded. The trajectories revealed that LSF interference

was both 95 ms earlier and stronger for faces than places and was lateralized to the left visual field. The early processing of LSF information supports the assumption that faces are prioritised and provides a (neural) framework for such specialised processing. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The prion agent is the infectious particle causing spongiform encephalopathies in animals and humans and is thought to consist of an altered conformation (PrPSc) of the normal and ubiquitous prion protein PrPC. The interaction of the prion agent with the immune system, particularly the humoral immune response, has remained unresolved. Here we investigated the immunogenicity of full-length native and infectious prions, as well as the specific biological effects of the resulting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on the binding and clearance of prions in cell culture and in in vivo therapy.