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Efficient trafficking of lymphocytes between the blood, lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues is essential for an effective immune response. Sabina Islam and Andrew Luster summarize recent findings on the regulation of leukocyte homing to the lungs, gut and skin in allergic inflammation and how leukocyte trafficking can be targeted clinically. Allergic inflammation develops in tissues that have large epithelial surface areas that are exposed to the environment, such as the lung, skin and gut. In the steady state, antigen-experienced memory T cells patrol these peripheral tissues to facilitate swift immune responses against invading pathogens. In at least two allergy-prone organs, the skin and the gut, memory T cells are programmed during the initial antigen priming to express trafficking receptors that enable them to preferentially home to these organs. In this review we propose that tissue-specific memory and inflammation-specific T cell trafficking facilitates the development of allergic disease in these organs. We thus review recent advances in our understanding of tissue-specific T cell trafficking and how regulation of T cell trafficking by the chemokine system contributes to allergic inflammation in mouse models and in human allergic diseases of the skin, lung and gut. Inflammation- and tissue-specific T lymphocyte trafficking pathways are currently being targeted as new treatments for non-allergic inflammatory diseases and may yield effective new therapeutics for allergic diseases.

The host response to intracellular pathogens requires the coordinated action of both the innate and acquired immune systems. Chemokines play a critical role in the trafficking of immune cells and transitioning an innate immune response into an acquired response. We analyzed the host response of mice deficient in the chemokine receptor CCR5 following infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. We found that CCR5 controls recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells into infected tissues. Without this influx of NK cells, tissues from CCR5-deficient (CCR5-/-) mice were less able to generate an inflammatory response, had decreased chemokine and interferon gamma production, and had higher parasite burden. As a result, CCR5-/- mice were more susceptible to infection with T. gondii but were less susceptible to the immune-mediated tissue injury seen in certain inbred strains. Adoptive transfer of CCR5+/+ NK cells into CCR5-/- mice restored their ability to survive lethal T. gondii infection and demonstrated that CCR5 is required for NK cell homing into infected liver and spleen. This study establishes CCR5 as a critical receptor guiding NK cell trafficking in host defense.

Mouse CCL8 is a CC chemokine of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) family whose biological activity and receptor usage have remained elusive. Here we show that CCL8 is highly expressed in the skin, where it serves as an agonist for the chemokine receptor CCR8 but not for CCR2. This distinguishes CCL8 from all other MCP chemokines. CCL8 responsiveness defined a population of highly differentiated, CCR8-expressing inflammatory T helper type 2 (T(H)2) cells enriched for interleukin (IL)-5. Ccr8- and Ccl8-deficient mice had markedly less eosinophilic inflammation than wild-type or Ccr4-deficient mice in a model of chronic atopic dermatitis. Adoptive transfer studies established CCR8 as a key regulator of T(H)2 cell recruitment into allergen-inflamed skin. In humans, CCR8 expression also defined an IL-5-enriched T(H)2 cell subset. The CCL8-CCR8 chemokine axis is therefore a crucial regulator of T(H)2 cell homing that drives IL-5-mediated chronic allergic inflammation.

Leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) was originally described as a potent lipid myeloid cell chemoattractant, rapidly generated from innate immune cells, that activates leukocytes through the G protein–coupled receptor BLT1. We report here that BLT1 is expressed on effector CD4 + T cells generated in vitro as well as in vivo when effector T cells migrate out of the lymphoid compartment and are recruited into peripheral tissues. BLT1 mediated LTB 4 -induced T helper type 1 (T H 1) and T H 2 cell chemotaxis and firm adhesion to endothelial cells under flow, as well as early CD4 + and CD8 + T cell recruitment into the airway in an asthma model. Our findings show that the LTB 4 -BLT1 pathway is involved in linking early immune system activation and early effector T cell recruitment.

Mouse CCL8 is a CC chemokine of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) family whose biological activity and receptor usage have remained elusive. Here we show that CCL8 is highly expressed in the skin, where it serves as an agonist for the chemokine receptor CCR8 but not for CCR2. This distinguishes CCL8 from all other MCP chemokines. CCL8 responsiveness defined a population of highly differentiated, CCR8-expressing inflammatory T helper type 2 ([T.sub.H]2) cells enriched for interleukin (IL)-5. Ccr8- and Cc/8-deficient mice had markedly less eosinophilic inflammation than wild-type or Ccr4-deficient mice in a model of chronic atopic dermatitis. Adoptive transfer studies established CCR8 as a key regulator of [T.sub.H]2 cell recruitment into allergen-inflamed skin. In humans, CCR8 expression also defined an IL-5-enriched [T.sub.H]2 cell subset. The CCL8-CCR8 chemokine axis is therefore a crucial regulator of [T.sub.H]2 cell homing that drives IL-5-mediated chronic allergic inflammation.

The function of the chemokine CCL8 has remained unknown. Luster and colleagues show that CCL8 has high expression in allergic skin, where it recruits CCR8 + T H 2 cells with abundant IL-5 expression. Mouse CCL8 is a CC chemokine of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) family whose biological activity and receptor usage have remained elusive. Here we show that CCL8 is highly expressed in the skin, where it serves as an agonist for the chemokine receptor CCR8 but not for CCR2. This distinguishes CCL8 from all other MCP chemokines. CCL8 responsiveness defined a population of highly differentiated, CCR8-expressing inflammatory T helper type 2 (T H 2) cells enriched for interleukin (IL)-5. Ccr8 - and Ccl8 -deficient mice had markedly less eosinophilic inflammation than wild-type or Ccr4 -deficient mice in a model of chronic atopic dermatitis. Adoptive transfer studies established CCR8 as a key regulator of T H 2 cell recruitment into allergen-inflamed skin. In humans, CCR8 expression also defined an IL-5–enriched T H 2 cell subset. The CCL8-CCR8 chemokine axis is therefore a crucial regulator of T H 2 cell homing that drives IL-5–mediated chronic allergic inflammation.

Mouse CCL8 is a CC chemokine of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) family whose biological activity and receptor usage have remained elusive. Here we show that CCL8 is highly expressed in the skin, where it serves as an agonist for the chemokine receptor CCR8 but not for CCR2. This distinguishes CCL8 from all other MCP chemokines. CCL8 responsiveness defined a population of highly differentiated, CCR8-expressing inflammatory T helper type 2 (T sub(H)2) cells enriched for interleukin (IL)-5. Ccr8- and Ccl8-deficient mice had markedly less eosinophilic inflammation than wild-type or Ccr4-deficient mice in a model of chronic atopic dermatitis. Adoptive transfer studies established CCR8 as a key regulator of T sub(H)2 cell recruitment into allergen-inflamed skin. In humans, CCR8 expression also defined an IL-5-enriched T sub(H)2 cell subset. The CCL8-CCR8 chemokine axis is therefore a crucial regulator of T sub(H)2 cell homing that drives IL-5-mediated chronic allergic inflammation.

Floods are a frequent natural calamity in Bangladesh, where many areas get affected almost every year. An indicator-based vulnerability assessment can help efficiently manage the disaster. Therefore, this study intends to assess the community vulnerability in the Jamuna floodplain, one of the most flood-affected areas, using an indexing method. The index involves many indicators of flood exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity along with their weights, determined based on an extensive literature review. A pretested questionnaire was employed to collect primary data from the study area through 400 household-level interviews. Using multistage sampling techniques, five upazilas from Jamalpur district, i.e., Dewanganj, Islampur, Madarganj, Melandaha, and Sharishabari, were purposefully chosen based on past flood damage reports. The percentage values were derived using SPSS for every variable from the field-level data. The variable vulnerability index (VVI) was computed by dividing the indicator’s weight by its percentage value. Then, exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indices were calculated using the VVI values. Finally, the composite vulnerability index (CVI) of the five Upazilas has been computed using an established and recognized index formula. The CVI scores for Dewanganj, Islampur, Madarganj, Melandaha, and Sharishabari are 0.86, 0.84, 0.71, 0.70, and 0.65, respectively, which suggest a high overall vulnerability. The scores of the exposure and adaptive capacity indices reveal that Dewanganj and Islampur Upazilas have higher vulnerability than the other three upazilas, especially due to poor socioeconomic conditions, low adaptive capacity, and high exposure. This study recommends some infrastructural development, such as sustainable flood-resistant dams, as the study sites are in a flood-prone zone. Houses should be built using flood-resistant materials like bricks and concrete, which are more resilient than mud. Improvements in education and multiple income sources will help the affected people increase their coping capacity.

Aim The efficiency test of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) biofertilizer had two objectives: (i) to study the effect of the use of PSB on phosphate solubilization of the Takhli (Tk) soil series in soil columns and, (ii) to study their impact on sugarcane (cv. Lampang) cultivation in pots. Methods PSB were identified and examined for phosphate-solubilizing activity on culture medium. In soil columns, the available phosphorus was analyzed from leached water. In pots, the yield and yield components of sugarcane were measured at age 12 months . Results The PSB belonged to the Bacillus group. The use of PSB at a rate of 64 g kg −1 in the Tk soil series produced the highest available phosphorus at 30.00 mg L −1 at 90 days under the soil column. PSB with chemical fertilizers according to soil analysis improved the yield and yield components of sugarcane with increasing rates of PSB. The maximum yield of sugarcane was produced with N:P:K chemical fertilizer (47:47:47 kg ha −1 ) with the PSB rate of 225 kg ha −1 . Conclusions Application of PSB can address the problem of phosphorus fixation in the Takhli soil series. Furthermore, the PSB had the ability to promote the yield and yield components of sugarcane cultivation in pots.

The aim of this study is to identify the elements that motivate employees in small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Bangladesh. The data were obtained using a survey methodology targeting employees who work in small and medium-sized enterprises located in the northern geographic region of Bangladesh. The sample included 284 employees surveyed from May 2023 to June 2023. The paper utilized a five-point Likert scale to evaluate the responses. Regression techniques were used to test the hypotheses. Moreover, to evaluate the hypotheses, a significance level of 5% was utilized, and the data pertaining to the subject matter and purpose of this study were examined using the SPSS program. The results of the paper indicate that employee motivation at SMEs is significantly influenced by employee empowerment, job security, and job training opportunities. Employee empowerment (β = 0.583) has the highest effect on motivation compared to the other two factors. Additionally, a substantial correlation coefficient (r = 0.498) is found between employee motivation and employee empowerment. This study contributes to the literature by investigating the external determinants of employee motivation within small and medium-sized enterprises.