Changes In Immune Factors Research Articles

Oral administration of anti-lipopolysaccharide factor isoform 3 via the bait microalga for controlling bacterial infection of Atlantic Bay scallop (Argopecten irradians)

In order to reduce antibiotic application in aquaculture, an antimicrobial peptide anti-lipopolysaccharide factor isoform 3 (ALFPm3) with highly effective inhibitory activity against pathogens was introduced to bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) using bait microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis as a delivery system. To improve its expression and stability, a fusion of two alfpm3 genes (alfpm3–2) was inserted into an expression vector and transformed into T. subcordiformis chloroplast, followed by in vitro and in vivo functional evaluations of the antimicrobial activities of ALFPm3–2 by minimum inhibitory concentration method and bay scallop breeding experiment, respectively. The results showed that the transformants of T. subcordiformis and the purified ALFPm3–2 had significant inhibitory effects on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, while feeding the transformants reduced the colonization of the two pathogens in bay scallops, which further reduced bay scallops’ mortality by 28.67 % as revealed in infection test. Furthermore, daily oral administration of ALFPm3–2 could improve the gut microbial community and reduce the inflammatory response. Combined with changes in immune factors and endotoxin, it indicated that exogenous ALFPm3–2 played antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions in the guts of bay scallops. Overall, this study provided strong evidence to support the oral administration of antimicrobial peptides via microalgae in aquaculture.

Changes to Immunological Mechanisms and Symptoms of PTSD after Group Cognitive Processing Therapy vs. Trauma-Sensitive Yoga for Women Veterans with PTSD

Lifetime prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Veterans is double that of civilians. Immunological mechanisms are implicated in PTSD, including cardiovascular and autoimmune consequences. Yoga shows promise to reduce psychological symptoms of PTSD and positively impact immunological mechanisms. We collected dried blood spot samples at baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months post-intervention from women Veterans with PTSD (N=28), randomized to either cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or trauma-sensitive yoga. Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using multiplex bead-based immunoassay. The CAPS-5 measured PTSD symptoms. Generalized estimating equations modelled Time X Treatment to examine changes in immune factors and PTSD symptoms. We hypothesized baseline levels of immune factors would significantly improve over time (decreases in IL-6, CRP and increases in IL-10) in yoga participants compared to CPT participants and that PTSD symptoms would improve in both groups. IL-6 (b=.68, p<.01), IL-10 (b=.77, p=.02), and CRP (b=.10, p<.01) increased in all patients from baseline to 3 month follow-up and to a greater extent in patients who received yoga. PTSD symptoms reduced in both conditions over time (b=-3.93, p<.01); groups did not differ in magnitude of symptom reduction (b=-2.68, p=.25). Findings indicate CPT and yoga have the potential to alter immunological mechanisms and improve symptoms of PTSD, with additional long-term change for yoga participants. Future research should examine the health consequences of immunological changes following these interventions.

Study on the Changes of Immune Factors in Different Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Chemotherapy

Objective: To analyze various immune cytokines (NKG2D, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, DC cells, TNF-a, IFN-r) and peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at different times after chemotherapy. Changes in CD4+, CD8+, Th17 and IgG, IgM, and IgA levels. Methods: A total of 118 NSCLC patients who attended the Oncology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from September 2018 to September 2021 were selected as the research objects, and the patients were analyzed at different time points (before chemotherapy, after the first chemotherapy, and after the second chemotherapy). The effects of NKG2D, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, DC cells, TNF-A, IFN-r, CD4+, CD8+ Th17, IgG, IgM and IgA levels in peripheral blood at different time points (before chemotherapy, after the first chemotherapy and after the second chemotherapy) were analyzed. The changes of NKG2D, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, DC cells, TNF-A, IFN-r and the levels of CD4+, CD8+ Th17, IgG, IgM and IgA in peripheral blood were compared at each time point. Results: NKG2D, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, TNF-a, IFN-r gradually decreased before chemotherapy, one week after chemotherapy, and two weeks after chemotherapy, the difference was statistically significant, but DC cells were not significant Variety. CD4+ and CD8+ both increased significantly, and the levels of Th17, IgG, IgM, and IgA gradually decreased. Conclusion: In the course of chemotherapy, all immune factors except DC cells were significantly decreased compared with those before chemotherapy, and the decrease of immune factors except DC cells was positively correlated with the length of chemotherapy cycle. If additional immunotherapy is needed, it should be carried out in the early stage of chemotherapy.

Effects of Acanthopanax senticosus supplementation on innate immunity and changes of related immune factors in healthy mice.

Modern scientific research has shown that Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) can regulate the innate immunity of healthy animals, thus affecting the health of animals. However, there are few systematic reports on the changes of innate immune indices of healthy animals after consuming AS. The purpose of this project was to study the effect on healthy mice’s innate immunity and changes of related immune factors induced by feeding AS root powder supplementation. The results showed that the killing rate of natural cells increased in a dose-dependent manner in a certain time period. Compared to the control group, the treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) improved significantly in the innate immune index (lysozyme, β-defensin-2 and duodenal secretory IgA (SIgA) to varying degrees) and induced corresponding changes of immune factors at certain time periods. The correlation between SIgA and IFN-γ in mouse serum was enhanced, and the higher the concentration of AS in the diet, the stronger the correlation was. However, there was no significant difference in growth performance among groups. It is proved that AS supplementation can enhance innate immunity and change several relevant immune factors and cells of healthy mice without affecting growth performance.

Resistance Profiles of Staphylococcus aureus and Immunological Status in Pregnant Women at Bafang, West Region of Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus, a facultative aero-anaerobic Gram-positive coccus typically considered normal flora in the human gastrointestinal tract, have increasingly become a major cause of healthcare-associated infections over the past decade. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in immune factors in pregnant women colonized by S. aureus in the town of Bafang, West Region of Cameroon.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried in antenatal care unit in various health center in Bafang. S. aureus were isolated in stools using specific bacterial culture media. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out using disk diffusion method. Blood was used to measure CD3, CD4 and CD8 T-cell lymphocyte counts, white blood cell count, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 measurement using flow cytometry, optical detection and the ELISA solid phase direct sandwich method, respectively.ResultsOut of the 169 patients studied, 76.30% patients were pregnant women and 23.70% were non-pregnant women. S. aureus were isolated in 70.41% participants that is, 78.15% in pregnant and 21.85% in non-pregnant women. The mean age was significantly higher in non-pregnant women (29.38 ± 7.685 years) compared to pregnant women (25.55 ± 5.521 years). CD4 T-cell (574.80 ± 165.94; 754.03 ± 162.28, p < 0.001), were significantly lower in pregnant than non-pregnant women respectively, contrary for CD8 T-cell (333.86 ± 233.04; 250.40 ± 227.75, p = 0.043). S. aureus were significantly more isolated in pregnant women with a CD4 T-cell count between 410 and 625 cells/µl (p < 0.001). S. aureus were more susceptible to imipenem (91.40%), (100%); ciprofloxacin (65.59%), (69.44%); amikacin (96.77%), (100%) and resistant to chloramphenicol (78.49%), doxycycline (64.52%) and cefotaxime (51.61%) in pregnant women. Staphylococcus aureus showed a significant increased multidrug resistant (MDR) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) phenotypes in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe present study revealed that, Staphylococcus aureus, including resistant phenotypes should be considered in pregnant women to improve their health care.

Immune environment modulation in pneumonia patients caused by coronavirus: SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2

Currently, we are on a global pandemic of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) which causes fever, dry cough, fatigue and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that may ultimately lead to the death of the infected. Current researches on COVID-19 continue to highlight the necessity for further understanding the virus-host synergies. In this study, we have highlighted the key cytokines induced by coronavirus infections. We have demonstrated that genes coding interleukins (Il-1α, Il-1β, Il-6, Il-10), chemokine (Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl5, Ccl10), and interferon (Ifn-α2, Ifn-β1, Ifn2) upsurge significantly which in line with the elevated infiltration of T cells, NK cells and monocytes in SARS-Cov treated group at 24 hours. Also, interleukins (IL-6, IL-23α, IL-10, IL-7, IL-1α, IL-1β) and interferon (IFN-α2, IFN2, IFN-γ) have increased dramatically in MERS-Cov at 24 hours. A similar cytokine profile showed the cytokine storm served a critical role in the infection process. Subsequent investigation of 463 patients with COVID-19 disease revealed the decreased amount of total lymphocytes, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the severe type patients which indicated COVID-19 can impose hard blows on human lymphocyte resulting in lethal pneumonia. Thus, taking control of changes in immune factors could be critical in the treatment of COVID-19.

Inhibition of the dopamine transporter as an animal model of bipolar disorder mania: Locomotor response, neuroimmunological profile and pharmacological modulation

Inhibition of dopamine transporter (DAT) by GBR12909 has been proposed as a pharmacological model of mania related to bipolar disorder (BD). Here we tested the hypothesis that GBR12909 injection impairs habituation and induces hyperlocomotion in mice, along with changes in cytokines and neurotrophic factors levels, as observed in BD patients. We also tested if lithium carbonate, sodium valproate and aripiprazole prevent GBR12909-induced locomotion. Male Swiss mice received GBR12909 (15 mg/kg) injections and locomotor responses were quantified in an open field. Cytokines and neurotrophic factors levels were assessed in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus 30 min and 24 h after injections. Pre-treatments with lithium, valproate or aripiprazole were performed with single and repeated injection protocols. GBR12909 prevented motoric habituation and increased basal locomotion in habituated mice in the open field. This compound also induced changes in IL-2 and BDNF levels in prefrontal cortex; IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 in striatum; and IL-10, IL-4, IFN-γ and NGF in hippocampus. GBR12909-induced hyperlocomotion was attenuated by lithium (12.5–100 mg/kg), but not valproate (75–300 mg/kg), and prevented by aripiprazole (0.1–10 mg/kg). Repeated injections of these drugs (twice a day for 3 days), however, failed to inhibit hyperlocomotion. The main limitations of the protocols in this study are the analysis of locomotion as the only behavioral parameter, changes in immune factors that may overlap with other psychiatric disorders and the lack chronic drug injections. Despite of these limitations, this study adds to previous literature suggesting DAT inhibition as a potential animal model of mania related to BD.