Secretory IgA Levels Research Articles

Fatty acids and coccidiosis: effects of dietary supplementation with different oils on coccidiosis in chickens

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary oils on coccidiosis of chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. Five hundred and four 1-day-old male Arbor Acres chicks were randomly assigned to seven groups. Seven diets were supplemented with poultry oil at 25 and 45 g/kg, corn oil at 25 and 45 g/kg, fish oil at 25 and 45 g/kg, and without oils, respectively, from 1 to 42 days of age. Chickens were inoculated by gavage with 3 x 10(5) sporulated oocysts at 21 days of age. Diets supplemented with oils at 45 g/kg resulted in higher body weight gain than with oils at 25 g/kg or without oils. The packed cell volume in chicks fed with diets supplemented with poultry oil was lower than that in chicks fed with diets supplemented with fish oil, corn oil and without oil. Chickens fed with diets supplemented with poultry oil had higher mortality than that of chickens fed with diets without oil. At 7 days post infection, the chickens consuming fish or corn oil diets had lower levels of plasma carotenoids than those fed with poultry oil supplement or without oils. Fish oil supplementation increased serum interleukin-6 levels in chickens compared with poultry oil at 25 and 45 g/kg and corn oil at 25 g/kg. Fish oil or corn oil enhanced secretory IgA levels in the lumen of the caecum, and oil supplementation tended to decrease serum IgG levels. In conclusion, the diets supplemented with saturated fatty acids aggravated mortality in chickens infected with E. tenella. The deleterious effects on coccidiosis of the diets supplemented with poultry oils might be related to the decreased levels of caecal E. tenella antigen-binding-specific secretory IgA or serum IgG.

Interleukin‐7 Dose‐Dependently Restores Parenteral Nutrition–Induced Gut‐Associated Lymphoid Tissue Cell Loss but Does Not Improve Intestinal Immunoglobulin A Levels

Without enteral nutrition, the mass and function of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), a center of systemic mucosal immunity, are reduced. Therefore, new therapeutic methods, designed to preserve mucosal immunity during parenteral nutrition (PN), are needed. Our recent study revealed that exogenous interleukin-7 (IL-7; 1 microg/kg twice a day) restores the GALT cell mass lost during intravenous (IV) PN but does not improve secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels. Herein, we studied the IL-7 dose response to determine the optimal IL-7 dose for recovery of GALT mass and function during IV PN. We hypothesized that a high dose of IL-7 would increase intestinal IgA levels, as well as GALT cell numbers. Male mice (n = 42) were randomized to chow, IL-7-0, IL-7-0.1, IL-7-0.33, IL-7-1 and IL-7-3.3 groups and underwent jugular vein catheter insertion. The IL-7 groups were fed a standard PN solution and received IV injections of normal saline (IL-7-0), 0.1, 0.33, 1, or 3.3 microg/kg of IL-7 twice a day. The chow group was fed chow ad libitum. After 5 days of treatment, the entire small intestine was harvested and lymphocytes were isolated from Peyer's patches (PPs), intraepithelial (IE) spaces, and the lamina propria (LP). The lymphocytes were counted and phenotypes determined by flow cytometry (alphabetaTCR, gammadeltaTCR, CD4, CD8, B cell). IgA levels of small intestinal washings were also examined using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay). IL-7 dose-dependently increased total lymphocyte numbers in PPs and the LP. The number of lymphocytes harvested from IE spaces reached a plateau at 1 microg/kg of IL-7. There were no significant differences in any phenotype percentages at any GALT sites among the groups. IgA levels of intestinal washings were significantly higher in the chow group than in any of the IL-7 groups, with similar levels in all IL-7 groups. Exogenous IL-7 dose-dependently reverses PN-induced GALT cell loss, with no major changes in small intestinal IgA levels. IL-7 treatment during PN appears to have beneficial effects on gut immunity, but other therapeutic methods are needed to restore secretory IgA levels.

Immunological activities are modulated by enteral administration of an elemental diet in mice

Elemental diets (EDs) have been used successfully in treatment of some intestinal inflammatory diseases; however, the mechanism that mediates their effects is still unclear. In this study we evaluated the immunological effect of enteral administration of an ED in mice. C57BL/6 mice were fed an ED (El-Diet) from weaning up to adulthood and immunological parameters were analyzed. El-Diet-fed mice presented an underdeveloped gut-associated-lymphoid tissue with lower numbers of TCRalphabeta+IELs and lamina propria cells and low levels of secretory IgA when compared to chow-fed mice. They showed a systemic decrease in the production of IgG and IgA as well as a skewing towards a Th2 profile of cytokine production upon in vitro stimulation with an increase in IL-4 and a reduction in IFN-gamma and IL-6 secretion. Our study demonstrated the role of EDs in modulating immunological activities in mice and proposes a rational for their successful use in treatment of some intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Maternal Immunity Provides Protection against Pertussis in Newborn Piglets

Pertussis continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children worldwide. Methods to control the disease are based on vaccination with either whole-cell or acellular vaccines or treatment with antibiotics. However, despite worldwide vaccination infants are still at the highest risk for the disease. Here we used our newly developed newborn-piglet model to investigate whether transfer of maternal immunity can protect newborn piglets against infection with Bordetella pertussis. Pregnant sows were vaccinated with heat-inactivated B. pertussis or treated with saline (controls). Newborn piglets were allowed to suckle colostrum and milk for 4 to 5 days before they were challenged with 5 x 10(9) CFU of bacteria intrapulmonarily. Elevated levels of B. pertussis-specific secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and IgG antibodies were found in the colostrum and serum of vaccinated sows but not in those of control sows. Subsequently, significant levels of specific IgG and S-IgA were detected in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of piglets born to vaccinated sows. Following infection with 5 x 10(9) CFU of B. pertussis, clinical symptoms, pathological alterations, and bacterial shedding were significantly reduced in piglets that had received passively transferred immunity. Thus, our results demonstrate that maternal immunization might represent an alternative approach to provide protection against pertussis in young infants.

A pathogenic role for secretory IgA in IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by deposits of IgA in the renal mesangium. It is thought that deposits of IgA mainly involve high molecular weight (HMW) IgA1. However, there is limited information on the exact composition of HMW IgA in these deposits. In this study, we investigated the presence of secretory IgA (SIgA) in human serum and in the glomerular deposits of a patient with IgAN. Furthermore, we analyzed the interaction of SIgA with mesangial cells. With enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, SIgA concentrations in the serum of IgAN patients and healthy controls were measured. Both patients and controls had circulating SIgA that was restricted to the HMW fractions. Patients tended to have higher levels of SIgA, but this difference was not significant. However, in patients with IgAN, high serum SIgA concentrations were associated with hematuria. Binding of size-fractionated purified serum IgA and SIgA to mesangial cells was investigated with flow cytometry. These studies showed stronger binding of SIgA to primary mesangial cells compared to binding of serum IgA. Importantly, after isolation and elution of glomeruli from a nephrectomized transplanted kidney from a patient with recurrent IgAN, we demonstrated a 120-fold accumulation of SIgA compared to IgA1 in the eluate. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that SIgA strongly binds to human mesangial cells, and is present in significant amounts in serum. Furthermore, we showed that SIgA is accumulated in the glomeruli of an IgAN patient. These data suggest an important role for SIgA in the pathogenesis of IgAN.

The Effects of HIV Infection on Oral Mucosal Immunity

Oral mucosal infections, especially candidiasis, are a feature of HIV disease, suggesting that compromised mucosal immunity within the oral cavity is a consequence of the viral infection. However, how this mucosal immunity is compromised and at what stage of HIV infection this occurs are unclear. Better understanding of the protection of the oral cavity against infection has allowed us to gain some insight into the local consequences of HIV infection. From a humoral perpective, IgA2 subclasses are reduced in HIV infection in saliva, and total secretory IgA levels are reduced in later disease. Similarly, mucosal antibody responses appear near normal in early HIV infection but reduced in AIDS. There is now convincing evidence that salivary IgA can be neutralizing to HIV 1 and HIV 2, as well as block epithelial transmigration. Oral cellular immunity is also affected by HIV infection. Transmission of HIV from one oral cell type to another appears to be confirmed by work showing that HIV can bind to or infect epithelial cells, Langerhans cells, and other mucosal cells. CXCR4 tropic (via GalCer and CXCR4) and dual tropic HIV strains have been shown to be able to infect normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOKs), and infectious HIV virions can also be conveyed from NHOKs to activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting a potential role of oral epithelial cells in the transmission of HIV infection. There is evidence of up-regulation of various receptors, including HIV receptors, on the surface of oral epithelium, and the epithelium may become more permeable. HIV may exploit this antigen uptake mechanism to cross epithelial barriers during co-infection with damage-inducing pathogens such as Candida. Immune responsiveness to many of the co-pathogens associated with HIV has been demonstrated to depend on a family of innate recognition molecules, known as Toll-like receptors (TLR), and recognition of a single pathogen can involve activation of multiple TLRs. Consequently, TLR-pathogen interactions could play an indirect but major role in regulating HIV-associated disease in the oral cavity. Thus, HIV infection appears to have both direct and indirect effects on oral mucosal immunity, affecting both cellular and humoral immunity as well as both specific and innate immunity.

Saliva screening for bacterial and immunological factors in childhood dental caries of a Middle Eastern population: An empidemiological survey.

Early childhood caries is a multifactorial disease whereby saliva plays a very important role. It is the first line of defense against oral infections and its composition reflects processes going on in the organism. This study screened the type, severity and distribution of dental caries in 1265 children, 3 to 5 years-old, and their association with demographic, microbiological and immunological parameters. A hundred children were selected for further laboratory analysis. Results showed that 90% of the children did have dental caries including decays, missing, filling or surface caries. Bacteriological tests exhibited 82.5% with medium to high counts of strepmutants and 46.5% lactobacillus. The rest had low to very low values. The buffering capacity of saliva was high in 60% compared to a moderate capacity in 40%. Such a capacity was lower in children with caries, i.e. more acidic. The secretory IgA levels in saliva were lower in children with caries (332.75 units) compared to normal (525.75 units). Further analysis of the data is being performed including demographic variables.

Chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated vesicular systems for oral immunization: preparation, in-vitro and in-vivo characterization

BSA-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and encapsulated in vesicles (liposomes and niosomes) to make them acid resistant upon oral administration. Prepared systems were characterized in-vitro for shape, size, entrapment efficiency and stability in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.5). The immune stimulating activity was studied by measuring serum IgG titre and secretory IgA (sIgA) levels in mucosal secretions following oral administration of various formulations in albino rats. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) serum IgG titres were achieved following oral administration of novel nanoparticulate vesicular formulations as compared with unmodified chitosan nanoparticles. Further, high sIgA levels in mucosal secretions advocated a possible application of chitosan nanoparticle encapsulated in vesicles as an oral vaccine delivery carrier-adjuvant system.

Faecal SIgA secretion in infants fed on pre‐ or probiotic infant formula

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) plays an important role in the defence of the gastrointestinal tract. The level of faecal SIgA antibody is associated with increased neutralization and clearance of viruses. Formula-fed infants who lack the transfer of protective maternal SIgA from breast milk may benefit from strategies to support maturation of humoral immunity and endogenous production of SIgA. We aimed at studying the effects of standard, prebiotic and probiotic infant formulas on the faecal SIgA levels. At birth, infants of whom the mother had decided not to breastfeed were allocated to one of three formula groups in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Nineteen infants received standard infant formula; 19 received prebiotic formula containing a specific mixture of 0.6 g galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)/fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)/100 ml formula and 19 received probiotic formula containing 6.0 x 10(9) cfu Bifidobacterium animalis/100 ml formula. Faecal samples were taken on postnatal day 5, day 10, wk 4 and every 4 wk thereafter until wk 32. SIgA in faeces was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. During the intervention, infants fed on prebiotic formula showed a trend towards higher faecal SIgA levels compared with the standard formula-fed infants reaching statistical significance at the age of 16 wk. In contrast, infants fed on the probiotic formula showed a highly variable faecal SIgA concentration with no statistically significant differences compared with the standard formula group. Formula-fed infants may benefit from infant formulas containing a prebiotic mixture of GOS and FOS because of the observed clear tendency to increase faecal SIgA secretion. Adding viable B. animalis strain Bb-12 to infant formula did not reveal any sign for such a trend.

Dietary glutamine increases secretory IgA and may suppress gram‐negative bacterial translocation in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS)

Background Normal gut barrier function is dependent upon mucosal gut-associated lymphoid tissue and anatomic factors (e.g. tight junctions). Previous studies in animal models of SBS after massive small bowel resection (SBR) show that increased translocation of luminal bacteria (BT) may occur, signifying abnormal gut barrier function. In this study, we investigated BT, fecal levels of secretory IgA (sIgA) and responses to dietary glutamine (GLN) and oral antibiotic therapy in a rat model of combined small-bowel-colonic resection. Methods Adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent resection of 60% of distal small bowel and proximal colon (RX) or small bowel transection (TX; control). Rats were pair-fed diets ± L-glutamine (GLN; 4% of diet) for 3 weeks after intestinal surgery. Oral antibiotics [neomycin, metronidazole, and polymyxin; (Abx)] were given in one RX group. At sacrifice, mesentery lymph nodes (MLN) were cultured for gram-negative bacteria as an index of BT. Fecal sIgA was determined on days 1, 6, 13 and 21 by ELISA. Results RX significantly increased bacterial positivity in MLN (1/9 TX rats vs 7/9 RX rats; P<0.02), concomitant with a marked increase in fecal sIgA over time (15-fold increase RX vs TX day 21; P<0.001). Oral Abx eliminated RX-induced BT and decreased fecal sIgA (P<0.02). Dietary GLN after RX markedly increased sIgA (P<0.001 vs all other groups) and blunted BT (2/6; NS). Conclusion RX-induced BT occurs despite an increase in sIgA. Dietary GLN augments the sIgA response, which may play a role in protection against BT in this model. Supported by DK55850.

Strong systemic and mucosal immune responses to surface-modified PLGA microspheres containing recombinant Hepatitis B antigen administered intranasally

Surface-modified dl-lactide/glycolide copolymer (PLGA) microspheres with chitosan (CS) were developed for nasal immunization using recombinant Hepatitis B (HBsAg) surface protein for the induction of humoral, cellular and mucosal immunity. Modified PLGA microspheres were characterized in vitro for their size, shape, entrapment efficiency and zeta potential. The nasal clearance rate was evaluated by gamma scintigraphy in rabbits. The antigen integrity, in vitro release and its stability at 37 °C were also evaluated. The designed cationic microspheres possessed 27.2 mV zeta potential and an average size less than 10 μm with antigen loading efficiency of 80 ± 5%. However, zeta potential of unmodified PLGA microspheres was measured to be negative (−8.7 mV). The modified PLGA microspheres showed the lowest nasal clearance rate when compared with unmodified PLGA microspheres and lactose powder. The antigen integrity was retained intact in encapsulated form as well as on release. The immune-stimulating activity was studied by measuring anti-HBsAg titre, secretory IgA level in serum, vaginal, nasal and salivary secretions (mucosal secretions) and cytokine level (interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) in spleen homogenates following nasal administration of modified PLGA microspheres in Balb/c mice and compared with alum-HBsAg vaccine injected subcutaneously. The serum anti-HBsAg titre obtained after nasal administration of modified PLGA microspheres was comparable with titre recorded after alum-HBsAg was administered subcutaneously. Moreover, alum-HBsAg vaccine did not elicit sIgA in mucosal secretions as it was induced and measured in the case of nasal administration of modified PLGA microspheres. Similarly, there was no cellular response (cytokine level) in case of alum-HBsAg vaccine. Modified PLGA microspheres (cationic microspheres) thus produced humoral (both systemic and mucosal) and cellular immune responses upon nasal administration. These data demonstrate high potential of modified PLGA microspheres for their use as a carrier adjuvant for nasal subunit vaccines.

EXOGENOUS INTERLEUKIN 7 AFFECTS GUT-ASSOCIATED LYMPHOID TISSUE IN MICE RECEIVING TOTAL PARENTERAL NUTRITION

In the absence of enteral nutrient delivery, gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) mass and function are reduced. The purpose of this study was to examine whether exogenous interleukin (IL)-7 treatment reverses intravenous (IV)-total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-induced changes in GALT, immunoglobulin (Ig) A levels, and gut barrier function. Eighty-nine mice were randomized to chow, TPN, or TPN + IL-7 (1 microg/kg, administered IV twice a day) and treated for 5 days. The entire small intestine was harvested and lymphocytes were isolated from Peyer's patches (PPs), intraepithelial (IE) spaces, and the lamina propria (LP). Small intestinal and bronchoalveolar IgA levels were measured. Proximal and distal small intestinal levels of IgA-stimulating (IL-10) and IgA-inhibiting (IFNgamma) cytokines were determined with enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay. Moreover, 1 x 10 live Pseudomonas aeruginosa were delivered by gavage and survival was observed. TPN decreased total cell yields from PPs, IE spaces, and the LP compared with the chow group. IL-7 treatment restored cell numbers. PP CD4+, PP CD8+, IE gammadeltaTCR+, and LP CD4+ cell numbers were higher in the TPN + IL-7 group than in the TPN group. Secretory IgA levels were lower in the TPN and TPN + IL-7 than in the chow group. In the distal small intestine, IFNgamma levels were similar in the three groups, whereas IL-10 levels were reduced in the TPN and TPN + IL-7 groups relative to the chow group. Survival times were reduced in the TPN compared with the chow group, but IL-7 treatment significantly improved survival. Thus, exogenous IL-7 does not improve secretory IgA levels, nor are there any remarkable effects on levels of gut IgA-mediating cytokines. However, IL-7 treatment during TPN reverses TPN-induced GALT atrophy and improves survival in a gut-derived sepsis model.

Secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of women with oral and genital HPV infection

Secretory IgA contributes towards the protection of mucosal surfaces against invading microorganisms. Objectives Quantify secretory IgA titers in the saliva of women with HPV in the oropharynx and/or in the genital area. Subjects and methods Seventy women with clinical genital HPV lesions and 70 women without HPV infection were tested for oral HPV DNA and the levels of total IgA in their saliva. One millilitre of saliva was collected, centrifuged and stored at −80 °C for the measurement of secretory IgA by nephelometry technique. A pool of oral pharyngeal cells was collected for HPV identification by polymerase chain reaction. Results Oral HPV PCR was positive in 29 (21%) women (26 women with genital HPV and only 3 women without genital HPV). Titers of secretory IgA were extremely lower in-patients with HPV DNA in the oropharynx when compared to HPV negative women ( p < 0.0001). Genital HPV and smoking were also associated to low levels of total sIgA in saliva ( p < 0.01). After multivariable analyses only the presence of HPV in the oral cavity and/or in genital area, but not smoking, was related to low levels of total secretory IgA. Conclusion Women with low levels of total secretory IgA could be more susceptible to having their oral mucosa colonized by HPV.

Effects of low‐intensity physical exercise on acute changes in resting saliva secretory IgA levels in the elderly

Background: Although it is well known that exercise affects various immune functions, it remains to be determined whether exercise influences change in the mucosal immunity of elderly people. The objective of the present study is to examine whether low‐intensity short‐term exercise alters acute and long‐term mucosal immune function in community‐dwelling elderly people.Methods: The subjects of the study were 16 community‐dwelling elderly people, consisting of 11 men and five women aged 60–94 (mean ± SD, 76 ± 10 years), living in Sanbongi Town (Miyagi, Japan). The subjects periodically performed about 20 min of low‐intensity physical exercise (approximately 3.1 METS) at a frequency of twice a month for 3 months. Saliva samples were collected before and after exercise during the exercise class (at the start, after 1 month and after 3 months). Saliva flow, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration, SIgA secretion rate and total protein were determined.Results: The main finding was that saliva flow and SIgA secretion rates were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher after exercise. However, the baseline value of SIgA level hardly changed at each point for the duration of the exercise class.Conclusions: The results suggest that low‐intensity short‐term exercise enhances mucosal immune function transiently in elderly people.

Salivary IgA Response of Triathletes Participating in the French Iron Tour

Athletes are susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) during intense training and after major competitions. Secretory IgA, which is the predominant antibody of the mucosal immune system, is the major effector of host-resistance to many microorganisms causing URTI. Previous studies have shown that salivary IgA-mediated immunity decreases after a single short distance triathlon, but the effect of repeated triathlon competitions on secretory IgA levels remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the salivary IgA response of elite triathletes in repeated triathlon races during the 2001 French Iron Tour (FIT). Eight triathletes participated in this study. Saliva samples were collected daily after waking up (fasting basal state), before (pre-race) and after (post-race) each day's competition. Salivary IgA, total protein, and flow rate were measured. Salivary IgA concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The salivary flow rate was significantly decreased after each race compared with the fasting basal state (p < 0.01). The salivary IgA concentration of the fasting basal state decreased over the FIT and was even lower than that of the post-race values (p < 0.05). The salivary IgA secretion rate of the fasting basal state decreased by 51.9% over the FIT (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that intense exercise repeated daily has a cumulative negative effect on basal levels of salivary IgA.

Comparison Of Effects Of Continuous Training On SIgA In Elderly By Area, Sex And Age

Moderate exercise training has been thought to improve immune function declines with age in elderly people. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in saliva is associated with incidence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Few investigators have examined the effect of exercise training on SIgA in elderly subjects, what is more, no study has served elderly subjects categorized by area, sex and age. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the difference of effect of exercise training on SIgA levels in elderly subjects, by comparison according area, sex and age. METHODS Healthy elderly subjects (64 men, 111 women; age 48–82 years) performed both moderate training (resistance and endurance) twice a week for 6 months. Subjects were made demarcations according to area (T-city, T-village and O-town), sex and age. In age category, there were the under 64years group (U-64: 59.3±4.8 years), 65–74 years group (65–74: 68.9±2.8 years) and over 75 years group (O-75: 76.8±2.1 years). Saliva samples were obtained before training (PRE) and 6 months after beginning of the training (POST). SIgA concentrations were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the SIgA flow rates were calculated (SIgA concentration multiplied by saliva flow per minute). RESULTS SIgA flow rates were significantly higher during 6 months of training than before training in total elderly subjects (p<0.05). In all groups contained within each category, SIgA flow rates were significantly increased during 6 months (p<0.05). The results of SIgA flow rate in each category were following as: a). area - Not significantly difference among three areas, b). sex - Not significantly difference between male and female, c). age - At PRE, not significantly difference among three groups. At POST, U-64 group (67.5±33.6 μg/min) and 65–74 group (66.3±27.6 μg/min) were significantly higher than O-75 group (51.3±20.4 μg/min) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Regular moderate exercise training is probably due to enhance salivary secretory IgA levels in elderly subjects, regardless of area, sex and age.

Comparison Of Effects Of Continuous Training On SIgA In Elderly By Area, Sex And Age

Moderate exercise training has been thought to improve immune function declines with age in elderly people. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in saliva is associated with incidence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Few investigators have examined the effect of exercise training on SIgA in elderly subjects, what is more, no study has served elderly subjects categorized by area, sex and age. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the difference of effect of exercise training on SIgA levels in elderly subjects, by comparison according area, sex and age. METHODS Healthy elderly subjects (64 men, 111 women; age 48–82 years) performed both moderate training (resistance and endurance) twice a week for 6 months. Subjects were made demarcations according to area (T-city, T-village and O-town), sex and age. In age category, there were the under 64years group (U-64: 59.3±4.8 years), 65–74 years group (65–74: 68.9±2.8 years) and over 75 years group (O-75: 76.8±2.1 years). Saliva samples were obtained before training (PRE) and 6 months after beginning of the training (POST). SIgA concentrations were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the SIgA flow rates were calculated (SIgA concentration multiplied by saliva flow per minute). RESULTS SIgA flow rates were significantly higher during 6 months of training than before training in total elderly subjects (p<0.05). In all groups contained within each category, SIgA flow rates were significantly increased during 6 months (p<0.05). The results of SIgA flow rate in each category were following as: a). area - Not significantly difference among three areas, b). sex - Not significantly difference between male and female, c). age - At PRE, not significantly difference among three groups. At POST, U-64 group (67.5±33.6 μg/min) and 65–74 group (66.3±27.6 μg/min) were significantly higher than O-75 group (51.3±20.4 μg/min) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Regular moderate exercise training is probably due to enhance salivary secretory IgA levels in elderly subjects, regardless of area, sex and age.

Mannosylated niosomes as adjuvant–carrier system for oral genetic immunization against Hepatitis B

Aim of the present study was to develop mannosylated niosomes as oral DNA vaccine carriers for the induction of humoral, cellular and mucosal immunity. Niosomes composed of span 60, cholesterol and stearylamine as constitutive lipids were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method and were coated with a modified polysaccharide o-palmitoyl mannan (OPM) in order to protect them from bile salt caused dissolution and enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and to enhance their affinity towards the antigen presenting cells of Peyer's patches. Prepared niosomes were characterized in vitro for their size, shape, entrapment efficiency, ligand binding specificity and stability in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. OPM coated niosomes were found to better stable in simulated GIT conditions. The immune stimulating activity was studied by measuring serum anti-HBsAg titer, secretory IgA level in intestinal and salivary secretions and cyokines level (IL-2 and IFN-γ) in spleen homogenates following oral administration of niosomal formulations in Balb/c mice and compared with naked DNA as well as pure recombinant HBsAg injected intramuscularly. The serum anti-HBsAg titer obtained after oral administration of OPM coated niosomal formulations was although less as compared to that elicited by naked DNA and pure HBsAg administered intramuscularly, but the mice were seroprotective within 2 weeks and antibody level far above the clinically protective limit for humans was achieved. Intramuscular naked DNA and recombinant HBsAg did not elicited sIgA titer in mucosal secretions that was induced by oral administration of OPM coated niosomes. Similarly, cellular response (cytokines level) was absent in pure HBsAg treated animals. OPM coated niosomes produced humoral (both systemic and mucosal) and cellular immune response upon oral administration. The study signifies the potential of OPM coated niosomes as DNA vaccine carrier and adjuvant for effective oral immunization.

A generalized physiological hyperreactivity to acute stressors in hypertensives

Hypertensives have consistently been found to have a more reactive cardiovascular system than normotensives. In the present study, it was examined whether this enhanced cardiovascular stress reactivity generalizes to the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the immune system. Forty-two unmedicated hypertensives and 21 normotensive controls performed five passive coping and active coping stressful tasks in the laboratory. In addition to the expected greater mean diastolic blood pressure reactivity to the tasks, hypertensives exhibited enhanced (baseline corrected) task salivary cortisol and secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) levels. Moreover, correlations were found between blood pressure responses and task related cortisol activity and between baseline blood pressure levels and task-induced S-IgA levels. These results indicate that hypertensives not only have a hyperreactive cardiovascular system, but also an enhanced HPA axis and immune system reactivity to stress. A central stress mechanism may be responsible for the heightened generalized stress response in hypertensives.

Chlamydophila PneumoniaeRespiratory Tract Infection Aggravates Therapy Refractory Bronchitis or Pneumonia in Childhood

Chlamydophila pneumoniae was frequently found in bronchial secretions of children with therapy-refractory bronchitis or pneumonia. It was studied, how the agent modifies the course of disease and what findings are associated with the infection. Bronchial secretions obtained at bronchoscopy of 428 children were studied for C. pneumoniae infection using polymerase chain reaction with enzyme immunoassay detection. Children tested negative and positive were compared for their clinical findings. C. pneumoniae was found in 143 children (33 %). A C. pneumoniae infection has been found to be associated with a purulent bronchial inflammation (90/143 vs. 144/285, p = 0.02), a Streptococcus pneumoniae co-infection (13/143 vs. 6/285, p = 0.002) and a restrictive disturbance (11/51 vs. 8/93, p = 0.04). Purulent inflammation (Odds ratio 7.9; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.6-39.3), 2 co-infections (Odds ratio 14.3; 95 % CI 1.4-144.4) and co-infection with M. pneumoniae (4/4 versus 9/26, p = 0.03; Mantel Haentzel 3.0; 95 % CI 1.1-8.0) were identified as factors more often associated with a restrictive disturbance in children with bronchial C. pneumoniae infection. An adequate antibiotic therapy improved pulmonary function. No association was found for wheezing, eosinophil inflammation of the nasal mucosa, alpha-1 antitrypsin or immunoglobulin deficiency in serum, level of secretory IgA in bronchial mucus, pathological lung scintigram, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, sweat test and other co-infections. In children with therapy-refractory bronchitis or pneumonia bronchial C. pneumoniae infection was associated with a more severe disease in case of several, mostly bacterial co-infections. Adequate antibiotic therapy for C. pneumoniae infection has been demonstrated to improve pulmonary function.