Streptococcus pneumoniae is an infectious pathogen responsible for millions of deaths
worldwide. Diseases caused by this bacterium are classified as pneumococcal diseases …

Gas exchange is the vital function of the lungs. It occurs in the alveoli, where oxygen and
carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar epithelium and the capillary endothelium …

The pneumococcus is the classic Gram-positive extracellular pathogen. The medical burden
of diseases it causes is amongst the greatest in the world. Intense study for more than 100 …

The existence of IgM has been known for more than a century, but its importance in immunity
and autoimmunity continues to emerge. Studies of mice deficient in secreted IgM have …

Complement C4, a key molecule in the complement system that is one of chief constituents
of innate immunity for immediate recognition and elimination of invading microbes, plays an …

Pneumococcus remains the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia
worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae is well adapted to people, and is a frequent …

The Streptococcus pneumoniae capsule is vital for virulence and may inhibit complement
activity and phagocytosis. However, there are only limited data on the mechanisms by which …

Bisphenol A (BPA) analogues, used in a range of products due to health concerns regarding
BPA, have emerged as ubiquitous environmental contaminants worldwide. This study aims …

The complement component C3 is a fundamental plasma protein for host defense, produced
largely by the liver. However, recent work has demonstrated the critical importance of tissue …

Aging affects all tissues and organs. Aging of the immune system results in the severe
disruption of its functions, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections, an increase in …