Proliferation Of Spleen Cells Research Articles

A comparative assessment of acute oral toxicity and traditional pharmacological activities between extracts of Fritillaria cirrhosae Bulbus and Fritillaria pallidiflora Bulbus

Ethnopharmacological relevanceFritillariae Bulbus (“Beimu” in Chinese) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine used to treat cough, expectoration and asthma for more than 2000 years, which belongs to the Fritillaria genus in Liliaceae family. Bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don (BFC) and bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk (BFP) are two important drugs of Beimu. Due to the significant similarities in their outward appearance characters and chemical profiles, BFC has often been adulterated with BFP in Chinese Traditional Medicine markets. Aim of the studyThis study aims to compare the oral acute toxicity and the traditional pharmacological activities including antitussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects between the extract of BFC and BFP, to clear and definite if the BFP can be used as a substitute of the BFC in the application of traditional medicine. Materials and methodsThe extracts were prepared through refluxing with 80% ethanol solvent. For the acute toxicity tests, graded doses of BFP extracts and the maximum dose of BFC extracts were administered orally to mice. The animals were observed for toxic symptoms and mortality daily for 14 days. For the pharmacological activities tests, graded doses of BFP and BFC extracts were administered orally to mice. To observe the effects relieving cough, expelling phlegm and lessening the ear swelling of BFC extracts and BFP extracts through ammonia liquor inducing cough, phenol red apophlegmating in mice and the xylene-induced auricular swelling of mouse, respectively. ResultsIn the acute toxicity study, the LD50 value of BFP in mice was calculated to be 213.57 g/kg body weight, and the maximum feasible dose (MFD) value of BFC in mice was 452.14 g/kg. Histopathological analysis has shown inflammatory cells infiltration and cells edema in liver, multinucleated giant cell proliferation in spleen, perivascular exudate and hemorrhage in lung, glomerulus atrophy in kidney of mice after oral administrations of BFP extracts. But only liver cells edema was observed in BFC group. Both BFC extract and BFP extract significantly increased latent period of cough and inhibited cough frequency in mice induced by ammonia. Besides, the two extracts also obviously enhanced mice's tracheal phenol red output in expectorant assessment and inhibited the development of ear edema in anti-inflammatory evaluation assay. ConclusionTo summarize, the BFP has the significant similarities in morphological characteristics, chemical profiles and traditional pharmacological activities compared with the BFC. The result of this study provide some valid scientific support for using BFP as a plant substitute of the BFC, but considering the toxicity of BFP is much higher than BFC, we don't recommend long-term oral administration of BFP or exceeding recommended dosage of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015.

Inhibitory Effect of Hydroxymethylfurfural in Viability of BALB/C Mice Splenocytes

Background: This study was designed to discover if hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) exposure modifies cell proliferation and DNA damage in BALB/c mice splenocytes. Methods: Mitogenesis in T cells and B cells was induced by Concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The colorimetric tetrazolium assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation. DNA damaging consequences were evaluated via measurement of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) level in BALB/c mice splenocytes. Results: Spleen cells proliferation elicited by ConA, was dramatically suppressed by 25, 50 and 100 mM of HMF. However, there was not any significant difference between various concentrations of HMF. The same result was observed following treatment with LPS and HMF in different concentrations. Eight-OHdG concentration was elevated significantly in HMF treated groups compared with untreated control and mitogens. Conclusion: HMF was found to have immunosuppressing and DNA damaging properties in mM concentrations in mice splenocytes.

Neospora GRA6 possesses immune-stimulating activity and confers efficient protection against Neospora caninum infection in mice

Vaccination has the potential to be the most cost-effective control measure for reducing the economic burden of neosporosis in cattle. In this study, the immune-stimulatory effect of recombinant Neospora caninum dense granule protein 6 (NcGRA6) was confirmed via its triggering of IL-12p40 production in murine macrophages. BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant NcGRA6 fused with glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein with or without oligomannose-coated-liposomes (OMLs) as the potential adjuvant. Specific IgG1 antibody production was observed from 21 and 35 days after the first immunization in NcGRA6+GST- and NcGRA6+GST-OML-immunized mice, respectively. However, specific IgG2a was detected 1 week after the infection, and IgG2a levels of the NcGRA6+GST- group were higher than those of the NcGRA6+GST-OML-group. Moreover, spleen cell proliferation with concomitant interferon-gamma production was detected in mice immunized with NcGRA6+GST, indicating that a significant cellular immune response was induced. Mouse survival rates against N. caninum challenge infection were 91.7% for NcGRA6+GST and 83.3% for NcGRA6+GST-OML, which were significantly higher than those of control groups (GST-OML: 25%, phosphate-buffered saline: 16.7%). This indicates that naked NcGRA6+GST induced protective immunity. Thus, our findings highlight the immune-stimulating potential of NcGRA6 and the ability to induce protective immunity against N. caninum infection in mice.

Critical role of TLR2 in triggering protective immunity with cyclophilin entrapped in oligomannose-coated liposomes against Neospora caninum infection in mice

Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii. N. caninum is thought to be a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. Given the current situation of drastic economic losses and a lack of efficient control strategies against such parasites, the challenge to develop potent vaccine candidates and technologies remains. We investigated the immune stimulating activity of N. caninum cyclophilin (NcCyp) with and without a formulation with oligomannose-coated-liposomes (OML) as the potential adjuvant. NcCyp-OML activated NF-κB in RAW 264.7 cells and triggered interleukin (IL)-12p40 production from murine peritoneal macrophages. In BALB/c mice, immunization with NcCyp-OML was associated with the production of specific antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a). The specific antibody (IgG1) against naked NcCyp was also observed after the challenge infection, but it was significantly lower than those of NcCyp-OML. Moreover, significant cellular immune responses were induced, including spleen cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production. The immunization of mice with NcCyp-OML, and to lesser extent with naked NcCyp, induced significant protection against challenge with a lethal dose of N. caninum compared with the PBS control group. This protection was associated with a higher survival rate, slight changes in body weight, and lower clinical score of mice. In addition, the significant protective efficacy of NcCyp-OML was confirmed in another mouse strain, male C57BL/6 mice. The current study revealed the marked contribution of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) to the protective immunity triggered by NcCyp-OML because higher numbers of TLR2−/− mice succumbed to a lethal dose of N. caninum compared with C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, prominent spleen cell proliferation and IFN-γ production was induced in NcCyp-OML-immunized mice by a TLR2-dependent mechanism.

Detection of Antigen-specific T cells in Spleens of Vaccinated Mice Applying 3[H]-Thymidine Incorporation Assay and Luminex Multiple Cytokine Analysis Technology.

For many infectious diseases T cells are an important part of naturally acquired protective immune responses, and inducing these by vaccination has been the aim of much research. Here, we describe a protocol for the analysis of vaccine-induced antigen-specific immune responses. For this purpose, cells of whole spleens obtained from vaccinated BALB/c mice were ex vivo stimulated with the antigen incorporated in the vaccine. Evaluation and characterization of vaccine-induced adaptive T cell responses was performed by assaying spleen cell proliferation through radioactive 3[H]-thymidine incorporation and multiplex cytokine analysis of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNFα in supernatants from spleen cell suspensions. This protocol can be very useful as a starting point for assessing vaccine-induced memory T cell populations in pre-clinical studies.

Polysaccharide from Phellinus Igniarius activates TLR4-mediated signaling pathways in macrophages and shows immune adjuvant activity in mice

Polysaccharide from Phellinus igniarius (PPI) is known for its immune-regulating effect with low toxicity. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) is important in both innate and adaptive immune responses and considered to be a promising target for new immune adjuvants. In this study, PPI was investigated for its effect on activating TLR4 in RAW264.7 and peritoneal macrophages. The adjuvant potential of PPI was evaluated in OVA-immunized mice. The results showed PPI treatment significantly increased the secretion and the mRNA expression of both MyD88 dependent and TRIF dependent cytokines. IRAK-1, a key molecule on the downstream of MyD88, was polyubiquitinated while IRF-3, another key molecule on the downstream of TRIF, was phosphorylated obviously after the treatment of PPI. The phosphorylation of molecules involved in both NF-κB pathway and MAPK pathway were significantly up-regulated after PPI treatment. In addition, the effects of PPI on the macrophages almost completely disappeared after treating the cells with the TLR4 antagonist TAK-242. Further in vivo results showed PPI significantly increased the serum OVA-specific antibody and the OVA-specific spleen cell proliferation. Taken together, PPI can specifically stimulate TLR4 and activate both MyD88 and TRIF pathways. PPI has immune adjuvant activity and may become a new potential immune adjuvant.

Genetically engineered cell factories produce glycoengineered vaccines that target antigen-presenting cells and reduce antigen-specific T-cell reactivity

Genetically engineered cell factories produce glycoengineered vaccines that target antigen-presenting cells and reduce antigen-specific T-cell reactivity

Tarin, a Potential Immunomodulator and COX-Inhibitor Lectin Found in Taro (Colocasia esculenta).

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) corm is a rustic staple food, rich in small starch granules, fibers, and bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, tannins, phytates, micronutrients, and proteins, including tarin, a GNA‐related lectin. Tarin exhibits recognized biocide activities against viruses and insects, has antitumoral properties and is an immunomodulator molecule candidate. It has been isolated in highly purified form (>90%) from taro corms through low‐cost and single‐step affinity chromatography. It comprises 2‐domain 27 to 28 kDa protomer, posttranslational cleaved into 2 nonidentical monomers, 11.9 and 12.6 kDa, held by noncovalent binding. At least 10 tarin isoforms sharing over 70% similarity have been described. The monomers assume the β‐prism II fold, consisting of 3 antiparallel β‐sheets formed by 4 β‐strands each. Tarin exhibits an expanded‐binding site for complex and high‐mannose N‐glycan chains 49, 212, 213, 358, 465, and 477 found on cell surface antigens of viruses, insects, cancer, and hematopoietic cells, explaining its broad biological activities. Tarin may stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses, enabling hosts to recover from infections or immunosuppressed status inherent to several pathological conditions. In a murine model, tarin stimulates the in vitro and in vivo proliferation of total spleen and bone marrow cells, especially B lymphocytes. Granulocyte repopulation has also been demonstrated in long‐term mice bone marrow cell cultures. As a potential immunomodulator, tarin, administered to immunosuppressed mice, attenuated cyclophosphamide‐induced leukopenia. We propose a molecular model that unites the potential prophylactic and therapeutic action of tarin on hematopoietic and cancer cells, as a potential immunomodulator.

Iron Oxide Colloidal Nanoclusters as Theranostic Vehicles and Their Interactions at the Cellular Level.

Advances in surfactant-assisted chemical approaches have led the way for the exploitation of nanoscale inorganic particles in medical diagnosis and treatment. In this field, magnetically-driven multimodal nanotools that perform both detection and therapy, well-designed in size, shape and composition, are highly advantageous. Such a theranostic material—which entails the controlled assembly of smaller (maghemite) nanocrystals in a secondary motif that is highly dispersible in aqueous media—is discussed here. These surface functionalized, pomegranate-like ferrimagnetic nanoclusters (40–85 nm) are made of nanocrystal subunits that show a remarkable magnetic resonance imaging contrast efficiency, which is better than that of the superparamagnetic contrast agent Endorem©. Going beyond this attribute and with their demonstrated low cytotoxicity in hand, we examine the critical interaction of such nanoprobes with cells at different physiological environments. The time-dependent in vivo scintigraphic imaging of mice experimental models, combined with a biodistribution study, revealed the accumulation of nanoclusters in the spleen and liver. Moreover, the in vitro proliferation of spleen cells and cytokine production witnessed a size-selective regulation of immune system cells, inferring that smaller clusters induce mainly inflammatory activities, while larger ones induce anti-inflammatory actions. The preliminary findings corroborate that the modular chemistry of magnetic iron oxide nanoclusters stimulates unexplored pathways that could be driven to alter their function in favor of healthcare.

Adoptive transfer of dendritic cells expressing CD11c reduces the immunological response associated with experimental colitis in BALB/c mice.

IntroductionIn addition to conventional therapies, several new strategies have been proposed for modulating autoimmune diseases, including the adoptive transfer of immunological cells. In this context, dendritic cells (DCs) appear to be one of the most promising treatments for autoimmune disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of adoptive transfer of DCs obtained from both naïve and ovalbumin (OVA)-tolerant mice on the severity of TNBS induced colitis and analyze the eventual protective mechanisms.Methods and resultsTo induce oral tolerance, BALB/c mice were fed 4mg/mL OVA solution for seven consecutive days. Spleen DCs were isolated from tolerant (tDC) and naïve (nDC) mice, and then adoptively transferred to syngeneic mice. Three days later, colitis was induced in DC treated mice by intrarectal instillation of 100μg2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 50% ethanol. Control subjects received only intrarectal instillation of either TNBS solution or a vehicle. Five days later, mice from all groups were euthanized and examined for physiological and immunological parameters. Regarding the phenotype, we observed that the frequencies of CD11+ MHC II+ and CD11+ MHCII+ CD86+ cells were significantly lower in DCs isolated from tolerant mice than in those from naive mice. However, pretreatment with both types of DCs was able to significantly reduce clinical signs of colitis such as diarrhea, rectal prolapse, bleeding, and cachexia, although only treatment with tDCs was able to prevent weight loss from instillation of TNBS. In vitro proliferation of spleen cells from mice treated with either type of DCs was significantly lower than that observed in splenic cell cultures of naïve mice. Although no significant difference was observed in the frequencies of Treg cells in the experimental groups, the frequency of Th17+CD4+cellsand the secretion of IL-17 were more reduced in the cultures of spleen cells from mice treated with either type of DCs. The levels of IL-9 and IFN-γ were lower in supernatants of cells from mice treated with nDCs.ConclusionThe results allow us to conclude that the adoptive transfer of cells expressing CD11c is able to reduce the clinical and immunological signs of drug-induced colitis. Adoptive transfer of CD11c+DC isolated from both naive and tolerant mice altered the proliferative and T cell responses. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previously published data showing the protective effects of DCs from naïve or tolerant mice in the treatment of colitis.

Characterization and immunological activity of polysaccharides from Ixeris polycephala

A water-soluble polysaccharide, named KMCP, was isolated and purified from edible plant Ixeris polycephala by using DEAE-52 cellulose chromatography. Its structure was determined by chemical analysis, methylation analysis, and NMR analysis, coupled with characterization by scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). The resulting data indicated that KMCP was an arabinogalactan, with an average molecular weight of 1.95×106Da, which was mainly composed of arabinose and galactose in a relative molar ratio of 28.1% and 70.3%, respectively. The structure of KMPC was characterized as 72.5% of (1→4)-β-Galp residues interspersed with 27.5% of (1→4,6)-β-Galp residues in the main chain, and the branches were composed of (1→5)-α-Araf moieties or α-Araf (1→5) α-Araf (1→disaccharide moieties attached at O-6 of the (1→4,6)-β-Galp residues. KMCP was revealed to be capable of exhibiting macrophage-mediated innate immune responses via enhancing phagocytosis of macrophages and increasing production of NO, activating NF-κB signaling pathway and promoting the mice spleen cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner within the test concentrations (10.0–200.0μg/mL). These results suggested that KMCP could potentially be an effective and safe immunomodulator valuable to be utilized in pharmacological fields or in the development of functional foods.

Vaccine potential of antigen cocktails composed of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii TgPI-1, ROP2 and GRA4 proteins against chronic toxoplasmosis in C3H mice

The development of an effective and safe vaccine to prevent Toxoplasma gondii infection is an important aim due to the great clinical and economic impact of this parasitosis. We have previously demonstrated that immunization with the serine protease inhibitor-1 (TgPI-1) confers partial protection to C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice. In order to improve the level of protection, in this work, we combined this novel antigen with ROP2 and/or GRA4 recombinant proteins (rTgPI-1+rROP2, rTgPI-1+rGRA4, rTgPI-1+rROP2+rGRA4) to explore the best combination against chronic toxoplasmosis in C3H/HeN mice. All tested vaccine formulations, administered following a homologous prime-boost protocol that combines intradermal and intranasal routes, conferred partial protection as measured by the reduction of brain cyst burden following oral challenge with tissue cysts of Me49 T. gondii strain. The highest level of protection was achieved by the mixture of rTgPI-1 and rROP2 proteins with an average parasite burden reduction of 50% compared to the unvaccinated control group. The vaccine-induced protective effect was related to the elicitation of systemic cellular and humoral immune responses that included antigen-specific spleen cell proliferation, the release of Th1/Th2 cytokines, and the generation of antigen-specific antibodies in serum. Additionally, mucosal immune responses were also induced, characterized by secretion of antigen-specific IgA antibodies in intestinal lavages and specific mesenteric lymph node cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that rTgPI-1+rROP2 antigens seem a promising mixture to be combined with other immunogenic proteins in a multiantigenic vaccine formulation against toxoplasmosis.

Intramuscular primary immunization by nucleic acid vaccine pcDNA/Gpd‑IL‑2 and enhanced immunization with mucosal adjuvant CpG‑ODN and Gpd‑IL‑2 recombinant protein effectively induced strong mucosal immune responses and immune protective effects against Treponema pallidum skin infection

The present study aimed to evaluate the immune effect of intramuscular primary immunization by the nucleic acid vaccine pcDNA/glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase-interleukin-2 (pcDNA/Gpd-IL-2) and enhanced immunization 2 weeks later with the combination of mucosal adjuvant CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and Gpd-IL-2 recombinant protein on skin infection caused by Treponema pallidum (Tp) in New Zealand rabbits. At week 8 following immunization, MTT assay was used to detect spleen cell proliferation, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the cytokine and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels. At week 10 after primary immunization, rabbits were inoculated with 105 Tp (Nichols strain). Alterations in the skin redness, swelling and ulceration were recorded for 0-60 days. In addition, positive rate of Tp in skin lesions and ulcer formation rate were examined using dark field and silver staining. The results indicated that intramuscular primary immunization by nucleic acid vaccine pcDNA/Gpd-IL-2 followed by enhanced immunization via nasal feeding with mucosal adjuvant CpG-ODN and Gpd-IL-2 recombinant protein induced the higher levels of Tp Gpd specific antibodies, increased the secretion of IL-2 and interferon-γ, and promoted the proliferation of T cells in the first 8 weeks after immunization. Furthermore, this immunization strategy stimulated the production of mucosa specific SIgA antibody. Thus, this strategy led to the lowest Tp positive and ulcer formation rates at the Tp infection sites, as well as healing of skin lesions on the earliest time point (day 42). In conclusion, immunization by nucleic acid vaccine pcDNA/Gpd-IL-2 followed by enhanced immunization with a combination of mucosal adjuvant CpG-ODN and Gpd-IL-2 recombinant protein is an effective immune strategy to induce strong mucosal immune responses and immune protective effects.

Effects of extract of Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) on the immune response of rats with severe malnutrition.

Background. Severe malnutrition is the main cause of immunodeficiency in children under five years old in areas of economic depression in developing countries, and it is associated with generalized atrophy of lymphoid tissues. Urtica dioica L. is a medicinal herb with multiple pharmacological functions; it acts as modulator of the immune response, stimulating the proliferation of T lymphocytes in vitro. Objective: To determine the ability of U. dioica L. to modulate the immune response of malnourished rats in the first 21 days of life. Methods: Third-degree malnutrition during lactation was induced by food competition, and treatment with U. dioica L was tested. Day-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: a) the well-nourished group, b) the untreated malnourished group and c) the malnourished group treated with 0.2 g/mL U. dioica L. on days 14, 16, 18 and 20. On day 21, animals were euthanized, and the thymus, spleen, bone marrow and blood were obtained. Lymphocyte subpopulations were determined in the thymus and leukocyte subpopulations in blood. The total number of nucleated bone marrow cells was determined, and the proliferative capability of spleen lymphocytes from malnourished rats treated with U. dioica L. was compared to that of other groups. Results: U. dioica L. decreased CD4-CD8- lymphocytes and increased CD4+CD8+ lymphocytes in the thymus, while in the blood, it increased CD4+ cells, monocytes and total T lymphocytes. The proliferation of spleen cells was stimulated in the malnourished rats, and a decrease in total nucleated bone marrow cells was observed. An increase in the red blood cell count, hemoglobin and white blood cell count was observed in malnourished rats treated with Urtica dioica L. (p≤0.05). Conclusion: U. dioica L. had immunomodulatory effects since it promoted the differentiation of CD4-CD8- T lymphocytes towards CD4+CD8+ T lymphocytes and counteracted anemia and leucopenia associated with severe malnutrition. Key words: Severe malnutrition, immunodeficiency, immunomodulatory activity, T lymphocytes, Urtica dioica L.

Identification of Potential MHC Class-II-Restricted Epitopes Derived from Leishmania donovani Antigens by Reverse Vaccinology and Evaluation of Their CD4+ T-Cell Responsiveness against Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases for which no vaccine exists. In spite of extensive efforts, no successful vaccine is available against this dreadful infectious disease. To support vaccine development, an immunoinformatics approach was applied to screen potential MHC class-II-restricted epitopes that can activate the immune cells. Initially, 37 epitopes derived from six stage-dependent, overexpressed antigens were predicted, which were presented by at least 26 diverse MHC class-II allele. Based on a population coverage analysis and human leukocyte antigen cross-presentation ability, six of the 37 epitopes were selected for further analysis. Stimulation with synthetic peptide alone or as a cocktail triggered intracellular IFN-γ production. Moreover, specific IgG antibodies were detected in the serum of active VL cases against P1, P4, P5, and P6 in order to evaluate the peptide effect on the humoral immune response. Additionally, most of the peptides, except P2, were found to be non-inducers of CD4+ IL-10 against both active VL as well as treated VL subjects. This finding suggests there is no role of these peptides in the pathogenesis of Leishmania. Peptide immunogenicity was validated in BALB/c mice immunized with a cocktail of synthetic peptide emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant/incomplete Freund’s adjuvant. The immunized splenocytes induced strong spleen cell proliferation upon parasite re-stimulation. Furthermore, increased IFN-γ, interleukin-12, IL-17, and IL-22 production augmented with elevated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is thought to play a crucial role in macrophage activation. In this investigation, we identified six MHC class-II-restricted epitope hotspots of Leishmania antigens that induce CD4+ Th1 and Th17 responses, which could be used to potentiate a human universal T-epitope vaccine against VL.

Chronic Exposure to the Fusarium Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol: Impact on Performance, Immune Organ, and Intestinal Integrity of Slow-Growing Chickens.

This study investigates the long-term effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) consumption on avian growth performance, on the proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damage of spleen cells, and on intestinal integrity. Two hundred and eight 5-day-old black-feathered Taiwan country chickens were fed diets containing 0, 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg of DON for 16 weeks. Body weight gain of male birds in the 2 mg/kg group was significantly lower than that in the 5 mg/kg group. At the end of trial, feeding DON-contaminated diets of 5 mg/kg resulted in heavier spleens. Moreover, the increase in DON induced cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damage signals in the spleen, the exception being female birds fed 10 mg/kg of DON showing reduced proliferation. Expression of claudin-5 was increased in jejunum of female birds fed 2 and 5 mg/kg of DON, whereas decreased expression levels were found in male birds. In conclusion, our results verified that DON may cause a disturbance to the immune system and alter the intestinal barrier in Taiwan country chickens, and may also lead to discrepancies in growth performances in a dose- and sex-dependent manner.

Antibacterial and antitumor activity of Bogorol B-JX isolated from Brevibacillus laterosporus JX-5.

Antimicrobial peptides are promising anti-infective agent candidates because they have a broad antimicrobial spectrum and bioactivity and are unlikely to elicit antibiotic resistance. The bogorols represent a new cationic antibiotic peptide and possess great therapeutic potential because of their bioactivity and precise mode of action. Here, we report that Bogorol B-JX (BBJX), a peptide previously isolated from Brevibacillus laterosporus JX-5 by us, has significant antibacterial and antitumor activities in vitro. BBJX was found to inhibit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at 2.5µg/mL with distinct mechanisms of action from those against Bacillus bombyseptieus and Escherichia coli. It penetrates MRSA membrane with little visible destruction and binds to genomic DNA. BBJX could inhibit the proliferation of human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U-937 and ConA-activated spleen cells at 5µg/mL, but was not cytotoxic to the Jurkat cells, resting spleen cells or differentiated macrophage-like U-937 immunocytes. Moreover, BBJX caused apoptosis of U-937 cells by opening the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and stimulating the production of reactive oxygen species. Taken together, these studies provided basis for future medical application of the bogorols.

Combination Therapy of PEG-HM-3 and Methotrexate Retards Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis.

At present, the early phenomenon of inflammatory angiogenesis is rarely studied in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous research found that PEG-HM-3, an integrin inhibitor, possessed anti-angiogenesis and anti-rheumatic activity. In this study, the advantages of inhibiting angiogenesis and immune cell adhesion and migration, as well as the benefits of anti-arthritis effects, were evaluated using a combination of PEG-HM-3 and methotrexate (MTX). In vitro, spleen cell proliferation and the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in macrophage supernatant were assessed. Hind paw edema, arthritis index, clinical score, body weight and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the spleen, thymus, and joint cavity were evaluated in vivo in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. Joints of the left hind paws were imaged by X-ray. The expression of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) protein was assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced synoviocytes. PEG-HM-3 combined with MTX significantly reduced primary and secondary swelling of the hind paws, the arthritis index, the clinical score and bone erosion. The results of IHC showed that the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in spleens and the levels of TNF-α, CD31 (cluster of differentiation 31), and CD105 in the joint cavity were decreased. The body weight of rats was maintained during combination therapy. Ankle cavity integrity, and bone erosion and deformity were improved in combination treatment. The expression of TLR-4 was significantly reduced with combination treatment in rat synoviocytes. Co-suppression of both inflammation and angiogenesis in arthritis was achieved in this design with combination therapy. The activity of nuclear transcription factor (NF-κB) and the expression of inflammatory factors were down regulated via integrin αvβ3 and TLR-4 signaling pathways. In the future, the application of this combination can be a candidate in early and mid-term RA therapy.

Protective efficacy of recombinant Cryptosporidium parvum CpPRP1 sushi domain against C. tyzzeri infection in mice.

Until now, there are no completely effective parasite-specific pharmaceuticals or immunotherapies for treatment against the zoonotic cryptosporidiosis. Sushi domain (CpSushi) is an important functional domain in Cryptosporidium parvum putative rhoptry protein-1 (CpPRP1), which is the only reported C. parvum rhoptry protein and may play key role in the course of invasion. Here, a 708-bp fragment encoding the CpSushi domain was amplified and expressed in E. coli. Immunofluorescence detection showed that CpSushi was located on the surface of C. parvum oocysts and the apical pole to the sporozoites that belonged to the position of rhoptry. Three-week-old female ICR mice were used for detecting the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of recombinant CpSushi (rCpSushi) to artificial C. tyzzeri infection. The results indicated that a significant increase of anti-CpSushi antibody response was induced by the recombinant protein. Compared to blank, Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer and adjuvant controls mice, rCpSushi-immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation as well as enhanced IL4, IL5, IL12p70 and TNF-α production in vitro. The reduction rate of parasites shedding in stool in mice immunized with rCpSushi was 68.91% after challenging with C. tyzzeri. These results suggest that CpSushi could be a new promising cryptosporidiosis vaccine candidate antigen composition.

A Recombinant 47-kDa Outer Membrane Protein Induces an Immune Response against Orientia tsutsugamushi Strain Boryong

.We investigated the 47-kDa outer membrane protein (OMP), which is a periplasmic serine protease and an antigenic major surface protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi, as a vaccine candidate. We developed a conventional subunit vaccine expressing recombinant 47-kDa OMP (rec47) and a DNA vaccine (p47). In mouse immunization experiments, intranasal immunization with rec47 alone or with rec47 plus heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit from Escherichia coli or plus cholera toxin (CT) as adjuvants induced a higher amount of rec47-specific antibodies than intramuscular immunization with p47 alone or with p47 plus pBOOST2-samIRF7/3 (pB) as adjuvant. Moreover, the combination of rec47 and CT induced a strong cellular immune response to 47-kDa OMP, as demonstrated by a spleen cell proliferation assay, and also induced Th1- and Th2-type cytokine production, as demonstrated by a cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intranasal immunization with rec47 plus CT was the most effective method for the induction of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Furthermore, relatively strong protection against homologous O. tsutsugamushi strain Boryong challenge was observed in mice immunized with rec47 plus CT. Therefore, 47-kDa OMP is an attractive candidate for developing a prophylactic vaccine against scrub typhus by O. tsutsugamushi infection.