Changes In Immune Organs Research Articles

Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides improve cyclophosphamide-induced adverse reactions by regulating the balance of cytokines in helper T cells

The manuscript aimed to study the immune function maintenance effect of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPs). The mice were divided into the control group, cyclophosphamide-induced (CTX) group, and ABPs-treated (ABP) group. The results showed that, compared with the CTX group, ABPs could significantly improve the spleen index and alleviate the pathological changes in immune organs. Ex vivo study of whole spleen cells, the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were increased. The proliferation of lymphocytes and the proportion of CD3+CD4+ Th cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were increased. The transcription of GATA-3, Foxp3, and ROR γ t were decreased, while the transcription of T-bet was increased. The transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) caused by ABPs-treated were mostly downregulated in CTX-induced mice. The Th2-related genes were significantly enriched in DEGs, with representative genes, including Il4, II13, Il9, etc., while increasing the expression of immune effector genes simultaneously, including Ccl3, Ccr5, and Il12rb2. It was suggested that ABPs possibly regulated the balance of cytokines in helper T cells to ameliorate the immune function of CTX-induced mice.

Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Feed Additive on Blood Indices, Physiological, Immunological Responses, and Histological Changes in Broiler Chicks

A feeding trial of 5-week duration was performed to assess the response of broiler chicks to dietary supplementation with different doses of myco-fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) on blood indices, physiological, immunological response, antioxidant status, intestinal microbial count, and histological changes in immune organs. A total of 162 3-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were weighed individually and distributed equally into 3 dietary treatments with 6 replicate of 9 chicks in each in a completely randomized design. Chicks were fed ad libitum a basal ration prepared as starter, grower, and finisher supplemented with 0 (T1, control), 40 (T2), and 60 (T3) mg zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs)/kg feed. Results showed that supplementing with ZONPs at both studied levels increased the relative weights of the spleen, bursa, thymus, and liver and decreased the relative weight of the kidney, gizzard, and intestine. A significant increase in the concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (PCV%), red and white blood cell counts, total protein (TP), globulin (GLOB), aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and a significant decrease in malonaldehyde (MDA), uric acid, and creatinine concentration were observed. Furthermore, all immunological organs showed histological alteration and increased both types of immunity in ZONPs groups with more pronounced effects in the T2 group.

Immunomodulatory effects of vinegar-egg juice: Potential pharmacological effects of a traditional Chinese food remedy?

Thousands of years of historical practice have proven that the ancient Chinese food, vinegar-egg juice, has immune-boosting effects with the presence of many nutritional factors. However, its mechanism of action in the body remains unclear. In this research project, vinegar-egg juice was chosen to analyze its immune-enhancing effects on mice. The immune enhancing effects of egg, vinegar and vinegar egg juice on lymphocytes of mouse spleen were compared. The effects on immune function of mice were analyzed by studying the organ index, natural killer(NK) cell activity, lymphocyte transformation function and cytokine changes in immune organs after treatment with vinegar-egg juice. The mechanism of immune enhancement was speculated by analyzing the changes of total IKKα/β/IκBα/NF-κB and its phosphorylated protein kinase by Western blot. Experiments have shown that vinegar and eggs have less immune regulation than vinegar-egg juice. Vinegar-egg juice can regulate the cellular and humoral immunity of spleen lymphocytes, increase the phosphorylated kinases of IKKα/β, reduce the total protein expression of IκBα, and activate the signaling pathway of IKK/IκB/NF-κB. In addition, compared with the control group, vinegar-egg juice reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, vinegar-egg juice can raise phosphatidylserine (PS) and serotonin (5-HT) levels in the body. The results showed that the vinegar-egg juice had obvious immunomodulatory activity. It was speculated that the intake of vinegar-egg juice can increase the activity of NK cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes by increasing 5-HT levels, ultimately enhancing the body's immune function. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this work, we evaluated the immune regulation of vinegar, egg and vinegar-egg juice in mice. In addition, we investigated the effects of vinegar-egg juice on gut microbiota. And combined with the composition of the vinegar-egg juice, it was found that the intake of vinegar-egg juice could increase the activity of NK cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes by increasing 5-HT levels, ultimately enhancing the body's immune function. On the basis of the results of this study, we recommend vinegar-egg juice can be a potential health food to resist the epidemic and improve autoimmunity in special times of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Correction of structural changes in immune organs by genus Silene plants extracts at experimental cyclophosphamid immunosuppression

Correction of structural changes in immune organs by genus Silene plants extracts at experimental cyclophosphamid immunosuppression

Immunosuppression characterized by increased Treg cell and IL-10 levels in benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity mouse model

Benzene is a typical hematopoietic toxic substance, that can cause serious blood and circulatory system diseases such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, but the immunological mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. T helper cells play a key role in regulating the immune balance in the body. In this study, benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity BALB/c mice model was established, and changes in immune organs and T helper cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells) were explored. At 28 days after subcutaneous injection of 150 mg/kg benzene, mice showed pancytopenia and obvious pathological damage to the bone marrow, spleen, and thymus. Flow cytometry revealed that the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in the spleen increased significantly. The level of IL-10 in the spleen, serum, and bone marrow increased, while the levels of IL-17 in the spleen and serum decreased. Furthermore, the levels of CD4 and CD8 proteins in the spleen decreased. Immunofluorescence results showed that levels of Foxp3, a specific transcription factor that induced the differentiation of Treg cells, increased after exposure to benzene. Our results demonstrate that immunosuppression occurred in the benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity model mice, and Treg cells and secreted IL-10 may play a key role in the process.

Characterization and Immunological Activities of Polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum.

In this study, we investigated the physicochemical properties and composition of monosaccharidex from Polygonatum sibiricum. Simultaneously, we explored the in vivo and in vitro immunomodulatory activity and mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) activity by monitoring changes in immune organs, immune cells, and cytokines. The average molecular weight (Mw) of PSP was 9.514 × 104 Da. The monosaccharide components of PSP were galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, and glucose at a molar ratio of 11.72 : 1.78 : 4.15 : 1.00 : 2.48. PSP increased thymus and spleen indices, enhance the proliferative responses of splenocytes, and increased the phagocytosis of mononuclear macrophages. Simultaneously, PSP could recover the body mass of immunosuppressed mice, and increased blood erythrocyte counts in the sera of cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated and normal mice, whilst blood leukocytes and platelet counts of Cy-treated mice recovered. PSP elevated the CD4+/CD8+ ratio is a dose-dependent manner and increased the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the sera of Cy-treated mice. PSP further enhanced the expression of IL-2 and TNF-α in spleen lymphocytes. Additionally, PSP treatment accelerated the recovery of natural killer cell activity in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, PSP not only regulated the immune function of normal mice, but participated in the protection against immunosuppression in Cy-treated mice, highlighting its potential as an immunostimulant.

Effects of Different Doses of Excessive Iron in Diets on Oxidative Stress in Immune Organs of Sheep.

The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between iron and oxidative stress in the immune organs of excessive iron-fed sheep. Sixteen German Mutton Merino rams were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were fed the basal diets supplemented with 50 (CON), 500 (L-iron), 1000 (M-iron), and 1500 (H-iron) mg Fe/kg as ferrous sulfate monohydrate (FeSO4·H2O), respectively. The actual iron content in the diet was determined to be 457.68 (CON), 816.42 (L-iron), 1256.78 (M-iron), and 1725.63 (H-iron) mg/kg, respectively. The consequences of oxidative damage were tested in 4 groups. The results showed that the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were increased in excessive iron-fed sheep. Moreover, the present results revealed that excess iron was associated with a significant decrease in the activities of antioxidant capacity, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels. The iNOS mRNA expression declined in excessive iron-fed sheep, indicating that down-regulation is likely to occur at the transcription level, which is consistent with the studies of iron blockades iNOS transcription. Surprisingly, the activity of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) continued to decline, but the expression levels of GPX1 mRNA and protein increased first and then decreased. This suggests that at the transcriptional and translation levels, the body compensatively increases the amount of GPx1 to maintain the balance of the oxidation-antioxidant system to resist peroxidation. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining revealed histopathological changes in immune organs, such as lymphocyte infiltration and cell death, indicating that excessive iron-induced oxidative damage indirectly affects the body's immune function. These findings confirm the role of iron in regulating the homeostasis of the oxidation-antioxidant system.

Immunotoxicity evaluation by subchronic oral administration of clothianidin in Sprague-Dawley rats

Neonicotinoid pesticides (NNs) act as agonists on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of insects, and there have been concerns about the effects of NNs on the health of mammals. Since nAChRs are expressed in immune cells, it is possible that NNs disturb the immune system. However, few reports have examined the immunotoxicity of clothianidin (CLO), a widely-used NN. Here, we report the effects of CLO on immune organs and type IV allergic reactions in ear auricles. We orally administered CLO at 0, 30 and 300 mg/kg/day (CLO-0, 30 and 300) to Sprague-Dawley rats for 28 days. The effects were evaluated by organ and body weights, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (TCRαβ, CD4, CD8, CD11b, CD68, CD103). In addition, some cecal contents were subjected to preliminary gut microbiota analysis, because microbiota contribute to host homeostasis, including the immunity. Our results showed loose stool, suppression of body weight gain, significant changes in organ weights (thymus: decreased; liver: increased) and changes of the gut microbiota in the CLO-300 group. There were no obvious histopathological changes in immune organs. Granulomas of the ear auricles were found in one rat of each of the CLO-30 and 300 groups, but CLO had no apparent effect on the thickness or immunohistochemistry in the ear auricles. We present new evidence that CLO affects the thymus and intestine, and might enhance the local inflammatory response. These findings should contribute to the appropriate evaluation of the safety of NNs in the future.

Camel whey protein enhances lymphocyte survival by modulating the expression of survivin, bim/bax, and cytochrome C and restores heat stress-mediated pathological alteration in lymphoid organs.

Objective(s):Heat stress (HS) is a catastrophic stressor that dampens immunity. The current study investigates the effect of dietary administration with camel whey protein (CWP) on apoptotic pathway caused by HS. Materials and Methods:Forty-five male mice were divided into three groups: a control group; HS group; and HS mice that were orally supplemented with CWP (CWP-HS group). Results:We found that reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6), and C reactive protein (CRP) were elevated in the HS group along with a significant increase of caspase-9 and -3 and decrease of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). HS mice revealed impaired phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Survivin, as well as increased expression of Bax, Bim and cytochrome C. Additionally, we observed an aberrant distribution of HSP-70 expressing lymphocytes in the spleen and thymus of HS mice. Moreover, histopathological examination showed alterations on the architectures of immune organs. In comparison with CWP-HS group, we found that CWP restored the levels of ROS, IL-6, TAC and CRP induced by HS. Furthermore, CWP restored the expression of Bcl-2/Bax, improved the histopathological changes in immune organs and HSP-70 distribution in the spleen and thymus. Conclusion:Our findings revealed the possible ameliorative role of CWP supplementation against damages induced by exposure to HS.

THE LYMPH NODES IN RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS (DM-1)

The aim is to study morphofunctional structure of NALT (nasal associated lymphoid tissue) and visceral lymph nodes of rats with experimental type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1) and to define the effectiveness of the treatment with herbal drug “Imupret”. Materials and methods: The experiment involved 20 animals, divided into 4 groups: the 1st group was the control group of healthy rats, the 2nd group was the control group subject to prophylactic treatment with “Imupret, the 3rd group included rats with experimental diabetes, and the 4th group included rats with experimental diabetes subject to treatment with “Imupret. Functional changes in immune organs were evaluated by the results of morphometric analysis; morphological pattern was evaluated by histostructural changes. Results. The research revealed that under conditions of diabetes mellitus type 1, the volume, area and density of the lymphoid tissue decreased, and only its "fine" cell was detected. The paper demonstrates the development of relative immune deficiency in immunocompetent organs in rats with diabetes mellitus type 1. The use of drug "Imupret" demonstrated its immunomodulatory function, which is especially important in terms of immunosuppression in patient with DM-1. Conclusion. The received results are of a great clinical significance, and show the necessity of early prevention and treatment of immunity disorders under conditions of diabetes mellitus type 1.

Experimental Study of Structural, Functional, and Biochemical Changes in Immune Organs under Conditions of Antitumor Activity of Copper Nanoparticles

The effects of copper nanoparticles on the structure and function of the immune system organs (thymus and spleen) and intensity of free radical processes in the spleens of rats with sarcoma 45 were studied. A relationship between morphological and biochemical changes and antitumor efficiency of copper nanoparticles was demonstrated.

The potent anti-inflammatory agent escin does not increase corticosterone secretion and immune cell apoptosis in mice

Escin exerts potent glucocorticoid-like anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anti-inflammatory effect of escin is through the up-regulation of glucocorticoids and if escin induces pathological changes in immune organs. Mice were administrated with escin intravenously for 7 days before observing the relevant parameters. The results showed that escin exhibits a potent anti-inflammatory effect, but does not increase corticosterone secretion in mice, and does not increase immune cell apoptosis in the spleen and thymus of mice. These findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of escin is not dependent on the release of corticosterone.

Protective effect of Radix Astragali injection on immune organs of rats with obstructive jaundice and its mechanism

To observe the protective effect of Radix Astragali injection on immune organs (lymph nodes, spleen and thymus) of rats with obstructive jaundice (OJ) and its mechanism. SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model control group and Radix Astragali treatment group. On days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after operation, mortality rate of rats, pathological changes in immune organs, expression levels of Bax and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 proteins, apoptosis indexes and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level in spleen and thymus were observed, respectively. Compared to model control group, the number of dead OJ rats in Radix Astragali treatment group decreased (P > 0.05). The TNF-alpha level (27.62 +/- 12.61 vs 29.55 +/- 18.02, 24.61 +/- 9.09 vs 31.52 +/- 10.95) on days 7 and 21, the pathological severity score for spleen [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (2.0) on days 7 and 14 and for lymph nodes [0.0 (1.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 1.0 (0.0) vs 2.0 (1.0)] on days 21 and 28, the product staining intensity and positive rate of Bax protein in spleen [0.0 (0.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 0.0 (1.0) vs 2.0 (1.5) and thymus [0.0 (0.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 0.0 (1.0) vs 2.0 (1.5)] on days 14 and 28, the apoptotic indexes [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (0.01)] in spleen and thymus [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (0.01) on days 14 and 21 were significantly lower in Radix Astragali treatment group than in model control group (P < 0.05). Radix Astragali has protective effects on immune organs of OJ rats by relieving the pathological changes in immune organs, reducing TNF-alpha level and inhibiting Bax expression and apoptosis in spleen and thymus.

Dynamics of morphofunctional changes in immune organs of BALB/c mice with experimental hepatitis

The time course of morphofunctional changes in the liver, thymus, and spleen was observed in BALB/c mice with Con A-induced experimental hepatitis. The progress of alterative changes in the liver was paralleled by intensification of accidental involution of the thymus. On day 1 of hepatitis development high proliferative and cytostatic activity of splenocytes was paralleled by hemorrhagic necroses and depletion of the peri-arteriolar lymphoid sheaths in the spleen (T-zones), presumably due to migration of activated lymphocytes to the liver and barrier tissues. Later normalization of lymphocyte proliferative activity was paralleled by recovery and hyperplasia of the splenic T-cell zones.

Burn injury-mediated alterations in cell cycle progression in lymphoid organs of mice.

A key event in the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of multiple organ failure (MOF) after burn injury may be the change in profiles of the cell cycle progression in affected organs. We investigated the effects of burn injury on cell cycle progression in immune organs. Cell cycle analysis in the lymphoid tissues of mice after 18% burn injury revealed that S phase entry was temporarily arrested in the thymus 1 day after injury, whereas the spleen had substantially increased S phase entry at day 8. This mode of cell cycle regulation was reproduced in different age groups and strains of mice. Furthermore, the reactivity to the Ki-67 antibody (indicative of proliferation) was markedly reduced in the thymic cortex at day 1. There was a distinct pattern of hematopoietic foci formation and increased reactivities to the Ki-67 antibody in myelogenous cells in the red pulp of spleen at day 7, consistent with the elevated S phase entry. These data suggest that differential regulation of cell cycle progression may play a crucial role in the phenotypic changes in immune organs after burn injury.

Decreased acetylcholine content and choline acetyltransferase mRNA expression in circulating mononuclear leukocytes and lymphoid organs of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

It has been confirmed that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is present in blood; it is synthesized in T-lymphocytes by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and released upon T-lymphocyte activation. Both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors have been identified on lymphocytes isolated from thymus, lymph node, spleen and blood, and their stimulation by muscarinic and nicotinic agonists elicits a variety of functional and biochemical effects, providing a strong argument that ACh synthesized and released from T-lymphocytes acts as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor regulating immune function. In the present study, we compared ACh levels in the blood, circulating mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs), thymus and spleen of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), which exhibit immune deficiencies related to the emergence of natural thymocytotoxic autoantibody, age-related decline of T-cell function and morphological changes in immune organs, with ACh levels in age-matched, normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats. In each case, ACh levels in 5-, 10- and 20-week-old SHRs were significantly lower than in WKYs. ChAT mRNA expression in MNLs was also significantly depressed in the SHRs. These results suggest that diminished synthesis and release of ACh from MNLs into blood and lymphoid organs likely reflects an immune deficiency related to T-cell dysfunction.

IMMUNE ORGANS AND HAEMOPOIETIC SYSTEM UNDER MODELLING OF THE MISSION FACTORS

Literary and experimental data on the character of changes in immune organs and lymphoid tissue of respiratory system and digestive system in laboratory animals during the mission factors model are given. Inhibition of reproductive function in bone marrow, thymus and spleen under irradiation of gamma-rays and accelerated carbon ions, tensity of immune response in the lymphoid structures of larynx, trachea and bronchi under the influence of acetaldehyde vapors and decrease of lymphoid tissue square on histological series in spleen and small intestine with an increase of concentration of microbial bodies in the drinking water were estimated.