T cell activation and the ensuing differentiation to effector cells or is one of selective force driving clonal evolution

This view of the origin of cancer, that we refer to as a Phoenix Paradigm, has obvious implications for not only a better understanding of cancer pathogenesis, but also for the development of effective strategies for its prevention and treatment, and deserves experimental confirmation. The causes of this variability remain unclear. In somecases the validity of the definition of the species is necessary and the apparent intraspecies variation is really interspecies variation. Interspecies hybridization may be a major mechanism of diversification of the composition of snake venoms. Whatever the origin, the diversity of snake venom is important both for our understanding of venomous snake evolution and for the preparation of relevant antivenoms to treat envenomations. This was true whether these toxins acted at the presynaptic part of the neuromuscular junction, like the momomeric ammodytoxin, or bound to the postsynaptic part, like heterodimeric vaspin. We used several approaches to characterize the venom PLA2 composition of snakes captured in the areas in which the epidemiological survey was performed. We analyzed the genes and transcripts encoding venom PLA2s. We used SELDI technology to study the diversity of PLA2 neurotoxins in various venom samples. Electrospray and MALDI-MS is a faster, more accurate approach than SDS-PAGE for the characterization of venom components. SELDI-TOF-MS can be considered as an extension of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization method. In the SELDI method, protein solutions are applied to the spots of ProteinChip Arrays, which have been derivatized with planar chromatographic chemistries. The proteins actively interact with the chromatographic array surface, and become sequestered as well as separated from salts and other sample contaminants by subsequent on-spot washing with appropriate buffer solutions. Prefractionation, a sample preparation prerequisite that complicates the MALDI analysis, often resulting in sample loss as well as artifactual qualitative and quantitative variances, is therefore not required for SELDI analyses. This is particularly interesting if one works with samples of which the quantities are reduced. In parallel, we evaluated venom neurotoxicity by analyzing cross-reactivity with anti-Atx antibodies. We have previously used this method to detect neurotoxins in the blood of patients bitten by vipers in the south-east of France who presented neurological symptoms. Three snake populations were identified as worthy of particular attention based on their neurotoxic venom PLA2 content. Our work demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach can fully characterize the diversity in snake venom composition and Chloroquine Phosphate identify its medical and public health consequences. Thus, by combining epidemiological data concerning snake bites with genomic, tanscriptomic, Albaspidin-AA proteomic and immunochemical analyses of the major toxic components of venoms, we were able to provide a clear description of the potential neurotoxicity of Vipera aspis bites in France. Understanding the structure and dynamics of biological networks may prove critical to unravel complex traits and diseases, such as autoimmune diseases. In the immune response, T cells interact with antigen-presenting cells in a complex process that generates changes in gene expression. These changes underlie cell differentiation, and effector and regulatory events, as well as promoting the acquisition of a panel of adhesion molecules that guide cells to the appropriate tissues. Several evidences indicates gene deregulation within the immune system in autoimmune diseases, such as in Multiple Sclerosis.