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Insect chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are small, water-soluble proteins involved in detection and recognition of chemical cues and semiochemicals. A better understanding of CSPs and their function could aid in the development of pest control strategies that are based on chemosensory regulation. We screened our unpublished transcriptome data of Bemisia tabaci and identified five CSP genes ( BtabCSPs ) including two novel BtabCSPs viz. BtabCSP4 and BtabCSP5 . Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of the proteins encoded by these genes revealed that BtabCSPs are distinct from CSPs of other hemipterans. Quantitative PCR analysis showed differential expression of these genes in different stages. In the adult stage, BtabCSP1 , 2 and 4 had significantly higher expression than BtabCSP3 and 5 respectively. On the other hand, BtabCSP2 and 5 were relatively highly expressed in stage of pseudopupae compared to BtabCSP1 , 3 and 4 . In the third instar BtabCSP3 , 4 and 5 exhibited higher expression compared to other CSP genes. Expression of all CSP genes was relatively low in the first and second instars compared to later developmental stages. The identification of novel BtabCSPs and the expression profiling of CSP genes in general may help facilitate development of pest management strategies based on disruption of CSP-driven behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendritic cells (DCs) are multifunctional cells that initiate adaptive immune responses. Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have reduced numbers of DCs which may be functionally impaired, a defect that may contribute to viral persistence. Autologous DC-based immunotherapy is considered to be a treatment option for chronic HBV infection (CHB). We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of HBV-pulsed DCs in combination with the antiviral drug entecavir in patients with CHB. Eighty patients were divided into four groups: HBV-pulsed DCs only, HBV-pulsed DCs plus entecavir, entecavir only, and an untreated control group. Patients on combination therapy exhibited greater antiviral responses than patients on either monotherapy. The combination of HBV-pulsed DCs and entecavir resulted in the largest reduction in serum viral DNA levels and the highest percentage of virologic response. In addition, combination therapy resulted in viral e antigen (HBeAg) loss and seroconversion. These results suggest that the combination of HBV-pulsed autologous DCs and entecavir could be therapeutically advantageous for patients with CHB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]