Infected Lymphocytes Research Articles

A Cross-Sectional Comparative Characterization of Hematological Changes in Patients with COVID-19 Infection, Non-COVID Influenza-like Illnesses and Healthy Controls.

Studies have documented the role of the "neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio" (NLR) in influenza virus infection. In addition, morphometric parameters derived from automated analyzers on the volume, scatter and conductivity of monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in many viral etiologies have helped with their early differentiation. With this background, we aimed to characterize the hematological changes of coronavirus-positive cases and also compare them with the healthy controls and patients affected by non-COVID Influenza-like illnesses so that early isolation could be considered. This was a cross-sectional analytical study carried out in the years 2020-2022. All cases with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 Influenza-like illnesses and healthy controls above 18 years were included. Cases were diagnosed according to the WHO guidelines. All samples were processed on a Unicel DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter, California, USA) automated hematology analyzer. The demographic, clinical and regular hematological parameters along with additional parameters such as volume, conductivity and scatter (VCS) of the three groups were compared. The 169 COVID-19 cases were in the moderate to severe category. Compared with 140 healthy controls, the majority of the routine hematological values including the NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) and PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio) showed statistically significant differences. A cutoff of an absolute neutrophil count of 4350 cell/cumm was found to have a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 70% in differentiating moderate and severe COVID-19 cases from healthy controls. COVID-19 and the non-COVID-19 Influenza-like illnesses were similar statistically in all parameters except the PLR, mean neutrophilic and monocytic volume, scatter parameters in neutrophils, axial light loss in monocytes and NLR. Interestingly, there was a trend of higher mean volumes and scatter in neutrophils and monocytes in COVID-19 cases as compared to non-COVID-19 Influenza-like illnesses. We demonstrated morphological changes in neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes in COVID-19 infection and also non-COVID-19 Influenza-like illnesses with the help of VCS parameters. A cutoff for the absolute neutrophils count was able to differentiate COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization from healthy controls and eosinopenia was a characteristic finding in cases with COVID-19 infection.

Lymphocytes in monkeypox infection mimicking T-cell lymphoma.

Lymphocytes in monkeypox infection mimicking T-cell lymphoma.

S2150 Triangle of Lymphocytic Colitis, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Lymphoma: Is There Any Association?

Introduction: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), is linked to range of lymphoproliferative lesions and malignant lymphomas of B-, T- and NK-cell origin. EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified is a variant of DLBCL seen in patients without known immunodeficiency or prior lymphoma. In few reports EBV infection was more commonly detected in colonic mucosa of patients with Microscopic Colitis (MC), but it remains unclear if this translates to higher incidence of lymphoma in this subgroup of people. Here, we describe a case of DLBCL in patient with MC associated with EBV infection in context of recent findings. Case Description/Methods: 77-year-old female with history of COPD, diabetes underwent colonoscopy for chronic diarrhea of 4-month duration. She suffered from 3-4 loose stools/day, and had normal celiac panel, fecal elastase, and infectious workup. Colonoscopy was unremarkable except for 4 mm Paris Is polyp in sigmoid colon removed with cold snare. On pathology, the random colon biopsies were positive for lymphocytic colitis along and polyp showed DLBCL (non-germinal center phenotype) along with positive EBV infection (Figure). Discussion: It is widely believed that overall risk of malignancy is not increased in MC. However, theoretically MC should increase risk of lymphoma as it is more likely to be associated with oncogenic EBV than Ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome (90 % vs 66 % vs 0 % respectively). EBV increases the risk of lymphoma due to protein expression in transformed infected lymphocytes that results in immune evasion and suppression of apoptosis. Earlier studies have shown no evidence of higher risk of lymphoma in MC, however recently Bergman et al. (2021) analyzed data from Sweden´s pathology departments and from the Swedish Cancer Register and included 11758 patients with incident MC and found an increased risk of lymphoma (adjusted HR 1.43 [1.06–1.92]). Studies are needed to explore risk of lymphoma in subgroup of MC patients with EBV infection as inflammation cause by MC and concomitant EBV infection enhance the overall malignant potential. In conclusion, MC may not be as benign entity as it was once thought to be as it is more likely to harbor oncogenic EBV virus. Even diminutive polyps in MC can potentially harbor lymphoma and should be removed and submitted for analysis rather than being discarded.Figure 1.: Colonoscopy image showing small polyp (left) and schematic (right) of triangle between CMV, microscopic colitis and lymphoma error.

A method for immortalizing swine monoclonal B cells secreting anti-PRRSV antibodies

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), which causes great economic losses. At the moment, no effective neutralizing antibody is available for scientific research and treatment. Therefore, developing a method for screening the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of PRRSV and the screening of antigen sites. Monoclonal antibodies have been widely used in the treatment and diagnosis of many human and animal diseases. Therefore, screening effective neutralizing antibodies for different pathogens is an urgent task. Among the methods for monoclonal antibody screening, B cell immortalization is an effective method to obtain neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Specifically, in this study, the bcl-6 and bcl-xl genes were connected by f2a and then the yielded product was ligated to a vector for retrovirus packaging. The swine lymphocytes immunized with PRRSV were infected the yielded mature viruses and cultured in the complete medium containing CD40L and IL21 cytokines. Then, CD21 was used as the marker to screen B cells with the magnetic bead method. Finally, monoclonal B cells were obtained and the secretion of antibodies was tested. The results showed that the plasmid, either being transfected alone or with the packaged plasmids, could be expressed, and that the packaged retrovirus could infect the cells. Moreover, the infected lymphocytes secreted antibodies, so did the screened B cells. Therefore, the method for screening monoclonal antibody against PRRSV was successfully established.

Interleukin-7 regulates CD127 expression and promotes CD8+ T cell activity in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma

BackgroundInterleukin (IL)-7 signaling through CD127 is impaired in lymphocytes in cancers and chronic infections, resulting in CD8+ T cell exhaustion. The mechanisms underlying CD8+ T cell responses to IL-7 in melanoma remain not completely elucidated. We previously showed reduced IL-7 level in melanoma patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of IL-7 regulation on CD127 expression and CD8+ T cell responses in melanoma.MethodsHealthy controls and primary cutaneous melanoma patients were enrolled. Membrane-bound CD127 (mCD127) expression on CD8+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry. Soluble CD127 (sCD127) protein level was measured by ELISA. Total CD127 and sCD127 mRNA level was measured by real-time PCR. CD8+ T cells were stimulated with recombinant human IL-7, along with signaling pathway inhibitors. CD8+ T cells were co-cultured with melanoma cell line, and the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells was assessed by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase expression.ResultsPlasma sCD127 was lower in melanoma patients compared with controls. The percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing mCD127 was higher, while sCD127 mRNA level was lower in peripheral and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells from melanoma patients. There was no significant difference of total CD127 mRNA expression in CD8+ T cells between groups. IL-7 stimulation enhanced total CD127 and sCD127 mRNA expression and sCD127 release by CD8+ T cells. However, mCD127 mRNA expression on CD8+ T cells was not affected. This process was mainly mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. CD8+ T cells from melanoma patients exhibited decreased cytotoxicity. IL-7 stimulation promoted CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, while inhibition of PI3K dampened IL-7-induced elevation of CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity.ConclusionThe current data suggested that insufficient IL-7 secretion might contribute to CD8+ T cell exhaustion and CD127 dysregulation in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma.

Multiple Receptors Involved in Invasion and Neuropathogenicity of Canine Distemper Virus: A Review.

The canine distemper virus (CDV) is a morbillivirus that infects a broad range of terrestrial carnivores, predominantly canines, and is associated with high mortality. Similar to another morbillivirus, measles virus, which infects humans and nonhuman primates, CDV transmission from an infected host to a naïve host depends on two cellular receptors, namely, the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM or CD150) and the adherens junction protein nectin-4 (also known as PVRL4). CDV can also invade the central nervous system by anterograde spread through olfactory nerves or in infected lymphocytes through the circulation, thus causing chronic progressive or relapsing demyelination of the brain. However, the absence of the two receptors in the white matter, primary cultured astrocytes, and neurons in the brain was recently demonstrated. Furthermore, a SLAM/nectin-4-blind recombinant CDV exhibits full cell-to-cell transmission in primary astrocytes. This strongly suggests the existence of a third CDV receptor expressed in neural cells, possibly glial cells. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the study of CDV receptors, highlighting the unidentified glial receptor and its contribution to pathogenicity in the host nervous system. The reviewed studies focus on CDV neuropathogenesis, and neural receptors may provide promising directions for the treatment of neurological diseases caused by CDV. We also present an overview of other neurotropic viruses to promote further research and identification of CDV neural receptors.

Immunopotentiation by linking Hsp70 T-cell epitopes to Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev multiepitope construct and increased IFN-gamma secretion in infected lymphocytes

Therapeutic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines can boost the anti-HIV host immunity to control viral replication and eliminate viral reservoirs in the absence of anti-retroviral therapy. In this study, two computationally designed multiepitope Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev and Hsp70-Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev constructs harboring immunogenic and highly conserved HIV T cell epitopes were generated in E. coli as polypeptide vaccine candidates. Furthermore, the multiepitope gag-pol-env-nef-rev and hsp70-gag-pol-env-nef-rev DNA vaccine constructs were prepared and complexed with MPG cell-penetrating peptide. The immunogenicity of the multiepitope constructs were evaluated using the homologous and heterologous prime/boost strategies in mice. Moreover, the secretion of IFN-γ was assessed in infected lymphocytes in vitro. Our data showed that the homologous polypeptide regimens could significantly induce a mixture of IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses, activate T cells to secret IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-10, and generate Granzyme B. Moreover, IFN-γ secretion was significantly enhanced in single-cycle replicable (SCR) HIV-1 virions-infected splenocytes in these groups compared to uninfected splenocytes. The linkage of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) epitopes to Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev polypeptide in the homologous regimen increased significantly cytokines and Granzyme B levels, and IFN-γ secretion in virions-infected splenocytes. Briefly, both designed constructs in the homologous regimens can be used as a promising vaccine candidate against HIV infection.

Real-life use of remdesivir-containing regimens in COVID-19: a retrospective case-control study.

Remdesivir (REM) has shown potent antiviral activity in vitro and efficacy in animal models of COVID-19; nevertheless, clinical trials and real-life reports have shown conflicting data on its effectiveness. Aims of the study were to evaluate the impact of remdesivir on I) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, II) need for orotracheal intubation (OTI) and III) in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, we estimated the kinetics of laboratory parameters and assessed the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in the remdesivir population. We conducted a retrospective, single-center, case-control (1:1) study including hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cases were patients treated with remdesivir for 5 days, controls were patients not receiving remdesivir. A total of 192 patients (96 cases and 96 controls) were included in the study. Patients receiving remdesivir had a lower rate of ICU admission and need for OTI than controls, whereas no difference between cases and controls were observed as for mortality rate. However, at multivariable analysis remdesivir was not associated with ICU admission neither with OTI. Instead, presence of haematological malignancies, lower duration of symptoms, higher severity of infection and low lymphocytes count at admission were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. In patients treated with remdesivir a low albumin value and duration of lymphopenia were significantly associated with mortality. Our real-life study showed that therapy with remdesivir did not have impact on either ICU admission, need for OTI or in-hospital mortality.

Application of Flow Cytometry Combined Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization to Indentify the Lymphocyte Subtypies with Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

To establish the technique that take the advantages of flow cytometry combined fluorescence in situ hybridization (Flow-FISH) to identify the Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infected lymphocyte subtypies in patients' peripheral blood sample. Peripheral Blood monocyte from 9 patients with EBV infection enrolled at Children's Hospital in Chongqing Medical University were isolated by Ficoll-paque centrifugal separation. The expressions of EBER1, EBER2 in cell were detected by qRT-PCR. The surface markers of cell were detected by Flow cytometry after staining with their antibodies. The cell was treated Fix-Permeabilization Buffer before hybridization with fluorescent labeled probe at 37 ℃ overnight. The cell status, surface markers and targeted mRNA are detected by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope. It was optimized that the Fix-Permeabilization Buffer and recipe with 0.2% Tween-20 were picked out as providing a good cell integrity and high resolution of surface markers. Hybridization with 20% formamide and 7% dextran sulfate at 37 ℃ overnight is the optimal hybridization condition as a good hybridization effect, a detectable cell integrity and a high resolution of cell markers under flow cytometry detection. Finally, upon the established Flow-FISH method, lymphocyte subpopulations of the EBV+ cells from cell lines and blood samples of patients were identified successfully. A Flow-FISH technology is established, which can be applied in the identification of EBV infected cell subtypes. This research provides a foundmental for its application in clinical test in EBV+ related proliferative diseases.

HTLV-1 encephalomyelitis; a case report of a treatable manifestation of HTLV-1 infection

IntroductionHuman T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection remains asymptomatic in >90% of the 20-million people infected worldwide. However in 3%, chronic inflammation within the thoracic spinal cord leads to progressive spastic paraparesis; HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM). This pathological process is not limited to the thoracic cord. We present a case of HTLV-1 encephalomyelitis.CaseA 53-year-old woman with HAM of 9 years duration presented with subacute cerebellar dysfunc- tion, being unable to feed herself, 3-months after cessation of methotrexate. Investigations demonstrated extensive T2-hyperintensity within the brainstem, cortical and subcortical white matter with punctate contrast enhancement; lymphocytic CSF; and high blood (36%) and CSF (72%) HTLV-1 proviral load (DNA copies per 100 lymphocytes). We diagnosed HTLV-1 encephalomyelitis and commenced high dose methylprednisolone with slow steroid taper following which functional independence in the upper limbs was regained.DiscussionRisk of HAM rises exponentially once HTLV-1 proviral load exceeds 1%, while CSF:blood proviral load ratio ≥2:1 indicates CNS infiltration of HTLV-1 infected lymphocytes. This patient’s high HTLV-1 proviral load and widespread MRI changes indicated HTLV-1 associated inflammation of the brain and spine. Prompt immunosuppression resulted in significant recovery and highlights the importance of early rec- ognition and management of extraspinal manifestations of HTLV-1 infection.j.king-robson@nhs.net

Immune infiltration difference between tumor and adjacent normal regions is prognostic for gastric cancer patients.

Immune infiltration difference between tumor and adjacent normal regions is prognostic for gastric cancer patients.

Detection of Antibodies to Human T Cell Lymphotrophic Virus-I/II and Strongyloides Stercoralis Among Pregnant Women on Antenatal Visits to Selected Hospitals in Jos, Nigeria

Human T cell Lymphotrophic Virus (HTLV-I/II) is an oncogenic retrovirus known to cause adult T cell leukemia which is transmitted vertically from mother to child and sexually by infected lymphocytes. Studies suggest that the onset of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) in patients infected with HTLV-I/II occurs significantly earlier when the subjects are coinfected with S. stercoralis. This study was aimed at detecting antibodies to HTLV-I/II and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae among pregnant women on antenatal visits to selected hospitals in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 188 blood samples and 136 stool samples were collected for study. Five milliliters (5ml) of venous blood was collected and transferred into a screw capped plastic tube without anticoagulant and sera extracted from each participant’s sample and later analyzed for antibodies to HTLV-I/II using double-antigen sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Stool samples were also analyzed using direct stool microscopy and Baemanns technique. Questionnaires were administered for participants’ demographics and assessment of risk factors. Data obtained were then analyzed using SPSS version 17. Human T cell Lymphotrophic Virus –I/II prevalence of 2.13% (4/188) was detected following the ELISA procedures with 1.06% (2/188) indeterminate results. Risk factors assessed had no statistical association with HTLV-I/II infection except for history of cancer in a family. Five parasite species were detected on stool examination with 2.2% prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis. Keeping of pet dogs and having itching around legs were statistically associated with Strongyloidiasis (P< 0.05). Routine monitoring of HTLV-I/II and dewormming of pregnant women on antenatal should be a matter of priority.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells: An Innate Defense Shield Against Respiratory Viral Infections

In general, B and T lymphocytes, which are involved in adaptive immunity, are in charge of cell-mediated response and antibody-mediated immunity, respectively. Another subset of lymphocytes, known as natural killer (NK) cells, are innate effector cells. They serve as the body’s initial line of defence against viral infections. They perform the task of eliminating stressed cells and are crucial for tumour immunity. These cells are capable of performing their killing function without clonal expansion and differentiation following activation. The NK cells will immediately eliminate infected host cells but other lymphocytes need lymphocyte proliferative response which takes several days and further differentiate into effector cells, so that they eliminate host cells infected by the viral pathogen. The NK cells also form a bridge between the adaptive and innate immunity and play significant roles during respiratory infection. Number and the role of NK cells correlate with the severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); the number and the percentage of CD158b+ NK cells in severe SARS infection were significantly less in number than those with mild cases. Innate defence mechanisms, particularly NK cells, are able to control SARS infection even in the absence of T cells and antibodies, according to cellular immunological responses to SARS infection in mice. As a result, NK cells are crucial in the fight against viral infections of the respiratory system. As an innate immune system, they serve as the initial line of virus protection. It is possible to do additional research to take advantage of this NK cell trait and develop a cutting-edge therapeutic approach to fight developing respiratory viral diseases.

Abundance, Betweenness Centrality, Hydrophobicity, and Isoelectric Points Are Relevant Factors in the Processing of Parental Proteins of the HLA Class II Ligandome.

Adaptive cellular and humoral immune responses to infectious agents require previous recognition of pathogenic peptides bound to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules exposed on the surface of the professional antigen-presenting cells. Knowledge of how these peptide ligands are generated is essential to understand the basis for CD4+ T-cell-mediated immunity and tolerance. In this study, a high-throughput mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify more than 16,000 cell peptides bound to several HLA-DR and -DP class II molecules isolated from large amounts of uninfected and virus-infected human cells (ProteomeXchange accession: PXD028006). The analysis of the 1808 parental proteins containing HLA class II ligands revealed that these cell proteins were more acidic, abundant, and highly connected but less hydrophilic than non-parental proteomes. Therefore, the percentage of acidic residues was increased and hydroxyl and polar residues were decreased in the parental proteins for the HLA class II ligandomes versus the non-parental proteomes. This definition of the properties shared by parental proteins that constitute the source of the HLA class II ligandomes can serve as the basis for the development of bioinformatics tools to predict proteins that are most likely recognized by the immune system through the CD4+ helper T lymphocytes in both autoimmunity and infection.

Inherited Tolerance in Cattle to the Apicomplexan Protozoan Theileria parva is Associated with Decreased Proliferation of Parasite-Infected Lymphocytes.

Theileria parva is the causative agent of East Coast fever and Corridor disease, which are fatal, economically important diseases of cattle in eastern, central and southern Africa. Improved methods of control of the diseases are urgently required. The parasite transforms host lymphocytes, resulting in a rapid, clonal expansion of infected cells. Resistance to the disease has long been reported in cattle from T. parva-endemic areas. We reveal here that first- and second-generation descendants of a single Bos indicus bull survived severe challenge with T. parva, (overall survival rate 57.3% compared to 8.7% for unrelated animals) in a series of five field studies. Tolerant cattle displayed a delayed and less severe parasitosis and febrile response than unrelated animals. The in vitro proliferation of cells from surviving cattle was much reduced compared to those from animals that succumbed to infection. Additionally, some pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL1β, IL6, TNFα or TGFβ which are usually strongly expressed in susceptible animals and are known to regulate cell growth or motility, remain low in tolerant animals. This correlates with the reduced proliferation and less severe clinical reactions observed in tolerant cattle. The results show for the first time that the inherited tolerance to T. parva is associated with decreased proliferation of infected lymphocytes. The results are discussed in terms of whether the reduced proliferation is the result of a perturbation of the transformation mechanism induced in infected cells or is due to an innate immune response present in the tolerant cattle.

Cytokine TNF-α and its receptors TNFRI and TNFRII play a key role in the in vitro proliferative response of BLV infected animals.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) main host cells are B lymphocytes. Infected animals can be classified into high or low proviral load (HPL or LPL respectively), regarding the number of proviral copies infected lymphocytes they carry. After infection, there is an overexpression of several cytokines, particularly TNF-α, which has a delicate regulation mediated by receptors TNFRI and TNFRII; the first one involved with apoptosis, while the other stimulates cell proliferation. The study aimed to quantify TNF-α and its receptors mRNA expression, and in which extent in vitro proliferation was affected, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from BLV-infected animals with different proviral loads, after the addition or not of synthetic TNF-α (rTNF-α) for 48h. PBMC from BLV-infected animals showed spontaneous proliferation after 48h in culture but did not show changes in proliferation rates after 48h incubation in the presence of the rTNF-α. TNF-α mRNA expression after 48h culture without exogenous stimulation was significantly lower, regardless of the proviral load of the donor, compared to non-infected animals. In the LPL animals, the expression of TNF-α mRNA was significantly lower with respect to the control group while the expression of TNFRI mRNA was significantly increased. The HPL animals showed a significant decrease in the expression of TNF-α and TNFRII mRNA respect to the control group. After 48h incubation with rTNF-α, PBMC from infected animals had different responses: TNF-α and TNFRI mRNA expression was reduced in PBMC from the LPL group compared to the BLV negative group, but no differences were observed in PBMC from the HPL group. TNFRII mRNA expression showed no differences between HPL, LPL, and BLV negative groups, though HPL animals expressed 10.35 times more TNFRI mRNA than LPL. These results support the hypothesis that LPL animals, when faced with viral reactivation, present a pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative state. However, complementary studies are needed to explain the influence of TNFRII on the development of the HLP profile. On the other hand, exogenous stimulation studies reinforce the hypothesis that BLV infection compromises the immune response of the animals.

IFN-γ Drives Human Monocyte Differentiation into Highly Proinflammatory Macrophages That Resemble a Phenotype Relevant to Psoriasis.

As key cells of the immune system, macrophages coordinate the activation and regulation of the immune response. Macrophages present a complex phenotype that can vary from homeostatic, proinflammatory, and profibrotic to anti-inflammatory phenotypes. The factors that drive the differentiation from monocyte to macrophage largely define the resultant phenotype, as has been shown by the differences found in M-CSF- and GM-CSF-derived macrophages. We explored alternative inflammatory mediators that could be used for in vitro differentiation of human monocytes into macrophages. IFN-γ is a potent inflammatory mediator produced by lymphocytes in disease and infections. We used IFN-γ to differentiate human monocytes into macrophages and characterized the cells at a functional and proteomic level. IFN-γ alone was sufficient to generate macrophages (IFN-γ Mϕ) that were phagocytic and responsive to polarization. We demonstrate that IFN-γ Mϕ are potent activators of T lymphocytes that produce IL-17 and IFN-γ. We identified potential markers (GBP-1, IP-10, IL-12p70, and IL-23) of IFN-γ Mϕ and demonstrate that these markers are enriched in the skin of patients with inflamed psoriasis. Collectively, we show that IFN-γ can drive human monocyte to macrophage differentiation, leading to bona fide macrophages with inflammatory characteristics.

Role of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf extract on productive parameters, humoral immunity and lipid peroxidation in broiler chicks

The plants originated from an agroforestry system have gained immense importance in livestock health and production. The trial was planned to examine the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) supplementation on the performance, blood metabolites, immunity and lipid peroxidation in broiler chicks. A total of 350 day old broiler chicks were divided into negative control (MLE0), positive control (antibiotic; AB-enro), M. oleifera supplementation at the concentration of 60 (MLE60), 90 (MLE90) and 120 mL/L (MLE120) of drinking water. Performance parameters such as feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio, antibody titer against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis, heterophils and lymphocytes ratio, blood glucose, protein, and malanodialdehyde were determined. The results showed that carcass yield was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in MLE90 followed by MLE120 and AB-enro. MLE60 and MLE90 showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in antibody titer against New-castle (ND) and Infectious-bronchitis (IB) respectively. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower Heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio was observed in MLE90 and MLE120 compared to the negative control. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower blood glucose concentration and significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean serum protein value were found in MLE120. The MLE120 showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentration of malanodialdehyde (MDA). It was concluded that M. oleifera leaf extract supplementation at the concentration of 120 mL/L of drinking water improved carcass yield, immunity, blood metabolites and reduced lipid peroxidation in broiler chicks. Highlights Moringa improved the carcass yield of broiler Moringa is an excellent immune potentiating agent in broiler Moringa enhanced the antioxidant potential of broiler

Characterizing EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases and the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

AbstractChronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) typically presents as persistent infectious mononucleosis-like disease and/or hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis (HLH), reflecting ectopic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and lymphoproliferation of T and/or NK cells. Clinical behavior ranges from indolent, stable disease through to rapidly progressive, life-threatening disease. Although it is thought the chronicity and/or progression reflect an escape from immune control, very little is known about the phenotype and function of the infected cells vs coresident noninfected population, nor about the mechanisms that could underpin their evasion of host immune surveillance. To investigate these questions, we developed a multicolor flow cytometry technique combining phenotypic and functional marker staining with in situ hybridization for the EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs) expressed in every infected cell. This allows the identification, phenotyping, and functional comparison of infected (EBERPOS) and noninfected (EBERNEG) lymphocyte subset(s) in patients' blood samples ex vivo. We have characterized CAEBV and HLH cases with monoclonal populations of discrete EBV-activated T-cell subsets, in some cases accompanied by EBV-activated NK-cell subsets, with longitudinal data on the infected cells' progression despite standard steroid-based therapy. Given that cytotoxic CD8+ T cells with relevant EBV antigen specificity were detectable in the blood of the best studied patient, we searched for means whereby host surveillance might be impaired. This revealed a unique feature in almost every patient with CAEBV studied: the presence of large numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells that exhibited robust inhibition of T-cell growth. We suggest that their influence is likely to explain the host's failure to contain EBV-positive T/NK-cell proliferation.

Pathogenetic aspects of rabbits’ experimental infection caused by bovine leukemia virus

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an infectious disease of cattle, causing high economic losses worldwide, especially in the field of dairy farming. There is no common vision on the problem of interspecies transmission of BLV. Therefore, a detailed study of the etiologic relationship between leukemia in cattle and other animal species is relevant. Various laboratory animal models provide insight into the pathogenesis of viral infections. The article presents the research results of two series rabbits’ intravenous infection with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) using the culture antigen FLK-BLV and the blood of rabbits with clinical, hematological and immunological signs of viral tumor growth. Blood from all animals was taken from the ear vein after 14, 21, 30 days, and then monthly for six months: to study the morphological parameters of blood and to determine the titer of antibodies to BLV. Blood serum for the presence of antibodies to BLV was examined using a diagnostic kit for the indication of animals infected with the leukemia virus in an immunodiffusion reaction produced by LLC “SRE Veterinary Medicine”, Kharkiv. It was found that the stage of the BLV provirus in the blood leukogram of infected animals was characterized by pronounced lymphocytosis on the 21st day of the experiment. The highest concentration of antibodies to BLV in the blood serum was found on the 90th day after the administration of the virus-containing material, which disappeared from the blood on the 150–180th day after infection. In experimental rabbits, after five months for thirty days, in the absence of antibodies to leukemia in the blood serum, multiple tumors of a dense consistency began to develop throughout the body. Such clinical signs and changes in the of rabbits’ blood of the experimental group are characteristic of serologically positive cows on the hematological development stage of leukemic process and correlate with the results of domestic and foreign authors. The presence of a large number of lymphoblasts, as well as leukolysis cells, in the histological preparation of lymph nodes, lungs, heart and the accumulation of lymphocytes’ immature forms around the interlobular vessels of the liver, which were found in pathohistological studies of the experimental rabbits’ organs, may indicate the development of the leukemia process on early stage in them. The results obtained indicate the ability of BLV to overcome successfully the interspecies barrier upon parenteral ingestion of heterologous individuals from infected lymphocytes and in the form of a culture antigen.