Immunomodulatory effects of probiotic bacteria DNA: IL-1 and IL-10 response in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

A new therapeutic approach for inflammatory bowel diseases is based on the administration of probiotic bacteria. Prokaryotic DNA contains unmethylated CpG motifs which can activate immune responses, but it is unknown whether bacterial DNA is involved in the beneficial effects obtained by probiotic treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were incubated with pure DNA of eight probiotic strains and with total bacterial DNA from human feces collected before and after probiotic ingestion. Cytokine production was analyzed in culture supernatants. Modification of human microflora after probiotic administration was proven by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Here we show that Bifidobacterium genomic DNA induced secretion of the antiinflammatory interleukin-10 by PBMC. Total bacterial DNA from feces collected after probiotic administration modulated the immune response by a decrease of interleukin-1 beta and an increase of interleukin-10.     

Characterisation of the immune response to the UK human anthrax vaccine

The UK human anthrax vaccine consists of the alum-precipitated culture supernatant of Bacillus anthracis Sterne. In addition to protective antigen (PA), the key immunogen, the vaccine also contains a number of other bacteria- and media-derived proteins. These proteins may contribute to the transient side effects experienced by some individuals and could influence the development of the PA-specific immune response. Bacterial cell-wall components have been shown to be potent immunomodulators. B. anthracis expresses two S-layer proteins, EA1 and Sap, which have been demonstrated to be immunogenic in animal studies. These are also immunogenic in man so that convalescent and post-immunisation sera contain specific antibodies to Ea1, and to a lesser extent, to Sap. To determine if these proteins are capable of modifying the protective immune response to PA, A/J mice were immunised with equivalent amounts of recombinant PA and S-layer proteins in the presence of alhydrogel. IgG isotype profiles were determined and the animals were subsequently challenged with spores of B. anthracis STI. The results suggest that there was no significant shift in IgG isotype profile and that the presence of the S-layer proteins did not adversely affect the protective immune response induced by PA.     

Counterpoint. Cancer vaccines: single-epitope anti-idiotype vaccine versus multiple-epitope antigen vaccine

Anti-idiotype (Id) vaccine therapy has been tested and shown to be effective, in several animal models, for triggering the immune system to induce specific and protective immunity against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. The administration of anti-Id antibodies as surrogate tumor-associated antigens (TAA) also represents another potential application of the concept of the Id network. Limited experience in human trials using anti-Id to stimulate immunity against tumors has shown promising results. In this “counterpoint” article, we discuss our own findings showing the potential of anti-Id antibody vaccines to be novel therapeutic approaches to various human cancers and also discuss where anti-Id vaccines may perform better than traditional multiple-epitope antigen vaccines. Received: 27 December 1999 / Accepted: 27 January 2000     

Phase I trial of interleukin-2 and high-dose arginine butyrate in metastatic colorectal cancer

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and sodium butyrate allow rats to be cured of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colon cancer. We performed a phase I trial of IL-2 and high-dose arginine butyrate (ArgB) in patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients and methods: From April to July 1997, six patients were included in the trail; they had a median age of 52 years, four had a performance status of 0, two had a performance status of 1 with normal biological functions. All patients had received at least two prior lines of chemotherapy. A fixed dose of 18 MIU/m² IL-2,was administered by subcutaneous injection and ArgB was delivered via continuous intravenous infusion on days 1–6 with escalating doses starting at 2 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹. Results: The planned dose escalation was not possible because of toxicities. A daily ArgB dose of 2 g/kg was delivered for nine cycles. Level 2 (4 g/kg) could not be delivered in three of the six patients because of liver toxicity. The dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue and liver function disturbances. The maximum tolerated dose for ArgB was 3 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, in combination with IL-2 at 12 MIU m² day⁻¹. No clinical response was seen. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed large intra- and interindividual variations. Conclusion: This schedule with a high dose of ArgB proved to be highly toxic with liver insufficiency. We will be running another trial with lower doses of ArgB calculated from the schedule used in the experimental model, starting at a dose of 20 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for ArgB and 200 000 UI kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ IL-2, every 8 h. Received: 13 May 1999 / Accepted: 28 October 1999     

Vaccines, coming of age after 200 years

An overview on the short, only 200 years, past history and future expectations in the field of vaccines is presented. The focus is on development trends and potential rather than individual vaccines. While the first vaccines were a result of keen observation, the further development has been tightly dependent on the development of microbiology to provide both the knowledge basis and the technology for new vaccines for new purposes. The post-genomic era just starting therefore promises an exponential increase of vaccine research and new vaccines, both improved vaccines with a greater efficacy and less adverse effects to replace old ones and vaccines for prevention of diseases for which no vaccines exist. Furthermore, fully new applications to prevention or treatment of chronic diseases not traditionally associated with infections are expected.     

Variation in Efficacy of Isolates of the Fungus ARF Against the Soybean Cyst Nematode Heterodera glycines

An unnamed fungus, designated ARF, that parasitizes eggs and sedentary stages of cyst nematodes is a potential biological control agent of Heterodera glycines. The objectives of this study were to determine whether ARF isolates differ in their ability to suppress nematode numbers in soil and to compare the efficacy of ARF in heat-treated and native soil. The effectiveness of 11 ARF isolates was compared by introducing homogenized mycelium into heat-treated soil. Soybean seedlings were transplanted into pots containing fungus-infested soil and inoculated with H. glycines. After 30 or 60 days, the number of nematodes and the percentage of parasitized eggs were determined. Three isolates (907, 908, and TN14), which were previously reported to be weak egg parasites in vitro, consistently suppressed nematode numbers by 50% to 100%. Of the isolates previously reported to be aggressive egg parasites, four (903, BG2, MS3, and TN12) reduced nematode numbers by 56% to 69% in at least one experimental trial, but the other four had no effect on nematode numbers. When the efficacy of isolate TN14 was tested in heat-treated and native soil, nematode suppression was greater in the heat-treated soil in only one of two trials. In both soil treatments, nematode numbers were reduced by more than 60%. We conclude that virulence toward nematode eggs in vitro is a poor indicator of effectiveness of an ARF isolate in soil, and that the presence of soil microbes may reduce, but does not completely inhibit, activity of isolate TN14.     

腺病毒载体有效性和安全性的改进

论述了如何改进腺病毒载体以提高其有效性和安全性.腺病毒载体是将基因转移到体内多种不同细胞的有效运载工具.第一代腺病毒载体已证明在基因治疗中有很好的前途, 虽然它在有效性和安全性方面还存在不足之处,但这些局限正在被逐步克服.     

HCMV感染的抗氧化治疗与洁罗维注射液临床预防与治疗应用

人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)是疱疹病毒中最大也是最常见的一种,HCMV感染危害性大,亚洲与非洲地区的人群感染率高,目前临床仍缺乏专属性强的治疗药物。在其治疗过程中,抗病毒药物长期应用导致耐药问题存在,而机体免疫功能抑制与病毒耐药发生率关系密切,因此HCMV防治过程中,抗病毒抗氧化协同治疗势在必行。洁罗维注射液(阿昔洛韦氯化钠注射液Ⅱ)是一种"抗病毒+抗氧化+营养支持"三重作用机制的新型复方抗病毒输液,可提高机体免疫功能,降低病毒耐药性,有利于临床诸多科室HCMV感染的预防与治疗,具有极高的临床推广价值。     

扶正化积方对H22肝癌荷瘤小鼠化疗的增效减毒作用

目的:研究扶正化积方对H22荷瘤小鼠化疗的增效减毒作用。方法:建立小鼠皮下H22移植性肝癌模型,随机分为4组:模型对照组、FZHJF组(40.95g/kg)、5-氟尿嘧啶组(5-FU)(0.2 m L/10g)和联合给药组(FZHJF+5-FU),连续给药12 d后,采集肿瘤与脏器称重并计算抑瘤率、肝脏指数、脾脏指数和胸腺指数;并对各组肿瘤外观和肿瘤病理进行分析。结果:肿瘤病理结果显示均为典型的肝细胞癌。与模型对照组比较,其余三组瘤重均显著减小(P0.05);而联合用药组的瘤重显著小于5-FU组和FZHJF组(P0.05),肿瘤外观图也显示联合给药组瘤块小于FZHJF组和5-FU组。扶正化积方单独使用的抑瘤率为40.5%,联合5-FU后,抑瘤率达到66.7%,大于两者合并用药后的理论相加效应值65.6%;与5-FU组比较,FZHJF组与联合用药组的体质量显著增加(P0.05),FZHJF组与联合用药组的胸腺指数与脾脏指数均显著高于模型对照组和5-FU组(P0.05)。结论:扶正化积方对H22肝癌荷瘤小鼠的化疗具有增效和减毒双重作用。     

雌激素与丹栀逍遥丸对更年期女性生殖内分泌系统及免疫功能的调节作用

目的:探究雌激素联合丹栀逍遥胶囊对更年期综合征妇女生殖内分泌系统及免疫功能的调节作用。方法:选取2014年5月至2014年9月我院收治的女性更年期综合症患者60例并将其随机分为两组,其中对照组给予雌激素替代等临床常规疗法;实验组在雌激素替代治疗基础上加用丹栀逍遥胶囊联合治疗。观察并比较两组患者生殖内分泌激素(E2、FSH、LH)水平、T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+)比例以及IL-2活性的变化。结果:治疗后,两组血清E2、CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+水平及IL-2活性均较治疗前显著升高,而FSH、LH水平均明显低于治疗前,且实验组治疗后E2、CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+水平及IL-2活性显著高于对照组,FSH、LH水平均明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:雌激素联合丹栀逍遥胶囊能更加有效调节女性更年期综合征患者生殖内分泌激素水平,提高免疫功能,值得临床推广。