Apoptosis of the WEHI 231 immature B cell lymphoma line following membrane interaction with an antibody against the surface IgM chains (anti‐IgM) is preceded by dramatic changes in Nuclear Factor‐kappaB (NF‐kappaB)/ Rel binding activities. An early transient increase in NF‐kappaB/Rel binding is followed by a significant decrease in intensity below basal levels. Here we have explored the role of these changes in Rel‐related factors in B cell apoptosis. Treatment of WEH1 231 cells with N‐tosyl‐L‐phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), a protease inhibitor which prevents degradation of the inhibitor of NF‐kappaB (IkappaB)‐alpha, or with low doses of pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) selectively inhibited NF‐kappaB/Rel factor binding and induced apoptosis. Bcl‐XL expression protected WEHI 231 cells from apoptosis induced by these agents. Microinjection of WEHI 231 cells with either IkappaB‐alpha‐GST protein or a c‐Rel affinity‐purified antibody induced apoptosis. Ectopic c‐Rel expression ablated apoptosis induced by TPCK or anti‐IgM. Treatment of BALENLM 17 and A20 B lymphoma cells or normal murine splenic B lymphocytes with either TPCK or PDTC also resulted in apoptosis. These findings indicate that the drop in NF‐kappaB/Rel binding following anti‐IgM treatment activates apoptosis of WEHI 231 cells; furthermore, they implicate the NF‐kappaB/Rel family in control of apoptosis of normal and transformed B cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transforms

No abstract

Pertussis causes significant morbidity in and costs for adolescents and adults, with time losses comprising the largest proportion of the cost. Societal costs should be considered when making decisions about potential vaccine use in the future.

Our results demonstrate waning immunity following vaccination with either Tdap brand. Boostrix was more effective than Adacel in preventing pertussis in our cohort, but these findings may not be generalizable to adolescent cohorts that received different diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP) during childhood and should be further examined in studies that include childhood DTaP history.