Effect of concanavalin a on ganglioside metabolism of human lymphocytes

The effect of Con-A on the incorporation of radioactivity from [¹⁴C]-glucosamine into gangliosides of human lymphocytes was investigated. Compared with non-stimulated lymphocytes there was increased incorporation into gangliosides and total lipids within the first 24 hours of exposure to Con-A. Ganglioside synthesis also occurred in later time intervals within the 96 hour incubation period. GM3 accounted for 80% of the labeled ganglioside in Con-A stimulated cells at all times studied. Thus ganglioside synthesis is not only associated with cellular division, but also occurs within a few hours of lymphocyte activation representing an extremely early prereplicative event.     

Effect of in vitro zinc supplementation on HSPs expression and Interleukin 10 production in heat treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of transition Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows

The changing climatic scenario with apprehended rise in global temperature is likely to affect the livestock adversely vis-à-vis production and reproduction. This has prompted more focus in addressing the unfavorable effects of thermal stress in livestock system. Presuming that the trace element zinc is indispensible for cellular antioxidant system and immune function, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of zinc treatment on heat stress alleviation and immune modulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of indigenous and crossbred transition cows. Twelve cows, six each of Sahiwal and Karan Fries (KF) in their second parity with confirmed pregnancy were selected for the experiment. The blood samples were collected at −21, 0 and +21 days in relation to expected date of calving. The experiment was carried out in vitro after isolating PBMC from whole blood. The 48 h cultured PBMC were subjected to assorted levels of exposures viz. 37 °C, 42 °C to impose heat stress and 42 °C+zinc to alleviate heat stress and modulate immunity. The PBMC viability was 86%, 69% and 78%, respectively. The mRNA expression of heat shock proteins (HSP 40, 70 and 90α) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) production varied between the two breeds vis-à-vis days and levels of exposure. The mRNA expression of HSP40 and HSP70 was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Karan Fries than the Sahiwal cows. Both the breeds showed maximum expression of HSP on the day of parturition, more so in KF than Sahiwal. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference in the HSP mRNA expression at different levels of exposure. Zinc treatment to heat stressed PBMC caused a significant (P<0.05) down regulation of HSP. For immune status, anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 in the culture supernatant was accessed. The IL-10 was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Karan Fries (168.18±14.09 pg/ml) than the Sahiwal cows (147.24±11.82 pg/ml). The IL-10 concentration was highest on the day of calving. Zinc treatment reduced the IL-10 concentration. From the study, it could be concluded that the zinc supplementation in heat stressed PBMC can ameliorate thermal stress and modulate immune response which can act as a model for reducing heat stress during the periparturient period in tropical livestock.     

Effects of Citrus unshiu Powder on the Cytokine Balance in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis to Pollen

We evaluated the effects of a 50% methanol extract of Citrus unshiu powder (MEC) on cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis to cedar pollen. The levels of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, and GM-CSF, produced by pollen-stimulated PBMC were measured. We found that MEC suppressed pollen-induced TNF-α release and increased IFN-γ release from PBMCs. The results suggest that Citrus unshiu powder has an immunomodulatory effect in vitro and that its use could improve seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms.     

Senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase reveals the abundance of senescent CD8+ T cells in aging humans

Aging leads to a progressive functional decline of the immune system, rendering the elderly increasingly susceptible to disease and infection. The degree to which immune cell senescence contributes to this decline remains unclear, however, since markers that label immune cells with classical features of cellular senescence accurately and comprehensively have not been identified. Using a second‐generation fluorogenic substrate for β‐galactosidase and multi‐parameter flow cytometry, we demonstrate here that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy humans increasingly display cells with high senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐βGal) activity with advancing donor age. The greatest age‐associated increases were observed in CD8+ T‐cell populations, in which the fraction of cells with high SA‐βGal activity reached average levels of 64% in donors in their 60s. CD8+ T cells with high SA‐βGal activity, but not those with low SA‐βGal activity, were found to exhibit features of telomere dysfunction‐induced senescence and p16‐mediated senescence, were impaired in their ability to proliferate, developed in various T‐cell differentiation states, and had a gene expression signature consistent with the senescence state previously observed in human fibroblasts. Based on these results, we propose that senescent CD8+ T cells with classical features of cellular senescence accumulate to levels that are significantly higher than previously reported and additionally provide a simple yet robust method for the isolation and characterization of senescent CD8+ T cells with predictive potential for biological age.     

Predictive markers of safety and immunogenicity of adjuvanted vaccines

Vaccination represents one of the greatest public health triumphs; in part due to the effect of adjuvants that have been included in vaccine preparations to boost the immune responses through different mechanisms. Although a variety of novel adjuvants have been under development, only a limited number have been approved by regulatory authorities for human vaccines. This report reflects the conclusions of a group of scientists from academia, regulatory agencies and industry who attended a conference on the current state of the art in the adjuvant field. Held at the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) in Rockville, Maryland, USA, from 18 to 19 April 2013 and organized by the International Association for Biologicals (IABS), the conference focused particularly on the future development of effective adjuvants and adjuvanted vaccines and on overcoming major hurdles, such as safety and immunogenicity assessment, as well as regulatory scrutiny. More information on the conference output can be found on the IABS website, http://www.iabs.org/.     

Dual character of Toll-like receptor signaling: Pro-tumorigenic effects and anti-tumor functions

As a major class of pattern-recognition receptors, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in defense against invading pathogens. Increasing evidence demonstrates that, in addition to infection, TLRs are involved in other important pathological processes, such as tumorigenesis. Activation of TLRs results in opposing outcomes, pro-tumorigenic effects and anti-tumor functions. TLR signaling can inhibit apoptosis and promote chronic inflammation-induced tumorigenesis. TLR activation in tumor cells and immune cells can induce production of cytokines, increase tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance, promote invasion and metastasis, and inhibit immune cell activity resulting in tumor immune escape. In contrast, the engagement of other TLRs directly induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of tumor cells and triggers activation of immune cells enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. Thus, the interpretation of the precise function of each TLR in tumors is very important for targeting TLRs and using TLR agonists in tumor therapy. We review the role of TLR signaling in tumors and discuss the factors that affect outcomes of TLR activation.     

Multifaceted applications of nanomaterials in cell engineering and therapy

Nanomaterials with superior physiochemical properties have been rapidly developed and integrated in every aspect of cell engineering and therapy for translating their great promise to clinical success. Here we demonstrate the multifaceted roles played by innovatively-designed nanomaterials in addressing key challenges in cell engineering and therapy such as cell isolation from heterogeneous cell population, cell instruction in vitro to enable desired functionalities, and targeted cell delivery to therapeutic sites for prompting tissue repair. The emerging trends in this interdisciplinary and dynamic field are also highlighted, where the nanomaterial-engineered cells constitute the basis for establishing in vitro disease model; and nanomaterial-based in situ cell engineering are accomplished directly within the native tissue in vivo. We will witness the increasing importance of nanomaterials in revolutionizing the concept and toolset of cell engineering and therapy which will enrich our scientific understanding of diseases and ultimately fulfill the therapeutic demand in clinical medicine.     

基因Ⅲ型新城疫病毒感染鸡外周血单个核细胞后的靶细胞分析

新城疫(ND)是鸡新城疫强毒株引起的一种鸡的烈性传染病,目前疫苗接种是防治该病的主要手段。临床上曾分离到与中等毒力疫苗株Mukteswar高度同源的强毒株JS/7/05/Ch,其通过静脉注射后毒力显著增强。为了探究JS/7/05/Ch经血液途径毒力增强的机制,本研究选用鸡外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)作为研究模型,分析基因Ⅲ型NDV在PBMC中的靶细胞。细胞分选结果表明病毒感染可诱导PBMC中单核细胞的增殖。实验组病毒感染后单核细胞相对占比上升,感染后1d Mukteswar组(Muk组)单核细胞占比16.3%,JS/7/05/Ch组(JS组)为13.21%,而对照组单核细胞仅占比3.18%。荧光定量PCR测定分选后各细胞中的病毒载量,感染后3d JS组单核细胞中的病毒含量与感染后1d相比极显著性增加(P<0.01)。感染后1d病毒以感染淋巴细胞为主,而在感染后3d单核细胞的相对病毒含量均超过淋巴细胞占据主导地位,Muk组和JS组分别为54.2%和60.2%。综上所述,基因Ⅲ型NDV在PBMC中的靶细胞是单核巨噬细胞。这为进一步研究这对基因Ⅲ型模式病毒毒力差异的机制奠定了一定基础。     

Dysregulated expression of STAT1, miR-150, and miR-223 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of coronary artery disease patients with significant or insignificant stenosis

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multicellular disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Peripheral blood-mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as a critical component of immune system, actively cross-talk with pathophysiological conditions induced by endothelial cell injury, reflecting in perturbed PBMC expression. STAT1 is believed to be relevant to CAD pathogenesis through regulating key inflammatory processes and modulating STAT1 expression play key roles in fine-tuning CAD-related inflammatory processes. This study evaluated PBMC expressions of STAT1, and its regulators (miR-150 and miR-223) in a cohort including 72 patients with CAD with significant ( ≥ 50%) stenosis, 30 patients with insignificant ( < 50%) coronary stenosis (ICAD), and 74 healthy controls, and assessed potential of PBMC expressions to discriminate between patients and controls. We designed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays and identified stable reference genes for normalizing PBMC quantities of miR-150, miR-223, and STAT1 applying geNorm algorithm to six small RNAs and five mRNAs. There was no significant difference between CAD and ICAD patients regarding STAT1 expression. However, both groups of patients had higher levels of STAT1 than healthy controls. miR-150 and miR-223 were differently expressed across three groups of subjects and were downregulated in patients compared with healthy controls, with the lowest expression levels being observed in patients with ICAD. ROC curves suggested that PBMC expressions may separate between different groups of study subjects. PBMC expressions also discriminated different clinical manifestations of CAD from ICADs or healthy controls. In conclusion, the present study reported PBMC dysregulations of STAT1, miR-150, and miR-223, in patients with significant or insignificant coronary stenosis and suggested that these changes may have diagnostic implications.