ABSTRACT
The recent development of DNA microarray, which offers the opportunity to study the expression of thousands of individual genes simultaneously in different biological systems, has provided new insights into the immune system. Examples discussed in this review include molecular descriptions of the differentiation program of T helper (Th) cells into Th1 and Th2 pathways and the genetic program underlying maturation of dendritic cells. It is anticipated that this new information can be used to understand gene function in both physiological and pathological conditions of the immune system.
Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/immunology , Gene Expression Profiling , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/immunology , Cell Differentiation , Dendritic Cells/cytology , Humans , Th1 Cells/cytology , Th2 Cells/cytologyABSTRACT
Monoclonal antibodies against a deletion mutant of Sindbis virus were produced and characterized in order to determine the fine mapping and functional activities of single viral epitopes. All monoclonal antibodies so far tested showed a certain degree of reciprocal competition and were directed against an antigenic determinant which was present only on the undissociated complex of the E1 and E2 glycoproteins. A biological assay measuring viral haemagglutination showed no decrease in the titre of viral samples preincubated with monoclonal antibodies. Conversely, a reduction in viral infectivity was demonstrated, particularly with two of these antibodies. The results suggest that the antibodies which we characterized seem to recognize a new epitope which is represented on both glycoproteins on the surface of this mutant of Sindbis virus.
