OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of extracts from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg (TDG) on immune functions of ICR mice.

METHODSICR mice were exposed to different doses of EAF for 15 or 30 days and then their immune functions were analyzed, including ConA-induced splenic lymphocyte transformation, SRBC-induced delayed type hypersensitivity response, serum hemolysin analysis, antibody-producing cells, peritoneal macrophage phagocytized chicken red blood cells, natural killer cell activity, and serum level of cytokines.

RESULTSEAF of extracts from TDG at different doses had various effects on immune functions of ICR mice. As compared with the controls, it increased the mouse spleen lymphocyte transformation induced by ConA, the left-hind voix pedis thickness and the number of plague forming cells (PFCs) at the dose of 1.82 mg/mL, 5.48 mg/mL, and 9.12 mg/mL, respectively; increased the ink clearance ability at the dose of 0.91 mg/mL, 1.82 mg/mL, 5.48 mg/mL, and 9.12 mg/mL, respectively; increased the phagocytosis index of mononuclear-macrophages and production of serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) at the dose of 5.48 mg/mL; and could promote the production of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at the dose of 9.12 mg/mL.

CONCLUSIONEAF of extracts from TDG can regulate mouse immune functions in vivo.

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Vitaceae ; chemistry

The role of autoantibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether autoantibodies against malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and clinical presentations of CAD in non-diabetic patients without acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We determined the serum levels of autoantibody against MDA-modified LDL by ELISA in 71 patients with angiographically significant CAD (> or = 50% diameter stenosis in at least 1 vessel) and 80 controls without angiographically significant CAD. Among the total 151 subjects, 30 subjects did not have any clinical ischemic event, 90 subjects had stable angina symptoms, and 31 subjects had unstable angina symptoms. The autoantibody titer, expressed mean optical density units, was significantly higher in patients with CAD than in controls (0.177+/- 0.014 versus 0.127+/- 0.011, respectively; p=0.006) and higher in unstable angina group than in stable angina group (0.240+/- 0.025 versus 0.145+/- 0.007, respectively; p < 0.001). By logistic regression analysis, the high autoantibody titer was associated significantly with CAD (P=0.008), independent of age, gender, body mass index, triglyceride concentration, and the ratio of total cholesterol-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In multiple regression analysis, presence of CAD, smoking history and low HDL-cholesterol level were independent factors associated with a increased anti-oxLDL Ab titer. The autoantibody titer was significantly lower in nonsmoker than smoker (p=0.019) and higher in low HDL- cholesterol (< or = 35 mg/dl) group than in high HDL-cholesterol group (p=0.012). Elevated autoantibody titer was associated with CAD and the unstable clinical presentation of CAD. Our results suggest that immune response to oxidized LDL may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and plaque instability.
Aged ; Angina, Unstable/*blood/*immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Autoantibodies/*analysis ; Coronary Disease/immunology ; Female ; Human ; Lipoproteins, LDL/*drug effects/*immunology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/*pharmacology ; Middle Age

We investigated the effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) on growth performance and humoral immune response of the large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.). One thousand and two hundred large yellow croakers [initial average weight: (162.75+/-23.85) g] were divided into four groups and reared in floating sea cages (3 m x 3 m x 3 m). The animals were fed with 4 diets: basal diet only (control) or diets supplemented with 5%, 10% and 15% (w/w) FPH. The results show that dietary FPH levels significantly influenced the growth and immunity of the large yellow croaker. Compared with the control group, total weight gain (TWG) in all treatment groups, relative weight gain (RWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH were significantly increased (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in immune parameters [lysozyme activity, serum complements, immunoglobulin M (IgM)]. Lysozyme activity, complement C4 and IgM were also significantly increased (P<0.05) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH, while complement C3 level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all treatment groups. In general, with the supplementation of FPH, particularly at dose of 10%, the growth performance and immunity of the large yellow croaker can be improved effectively.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; Fish Products ; Gadiformes ; metabolism ; Perciformes ; growth & development ; immunology ; Protein Hydrolysates ; administration & dosage

Adolescent ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of Canada split influenza virus vaccine.

METHODSCluster samples were by randomly chosen and divided into split vaccination group and homoimported influenza vaccination group.

RESULTSAfter injection, fever-reaction and local reaction rates of 'trial' group were found as 3.69% and 1.75% respectively, but no statistical significance was found when compared with 'control' group. However the antibody positive rates of 'trail' and 'control' groupsappeared statistically significant (H1N1: 96.8% vs. 92.3%, H3N2: 95.8% vs. 90.2%, B: 52.3% vs. 62.3%). For geometric mean titer (GMT) of type H1N1, H3H2 and B antibody, 'trial' group and 'control' group increased 22.4, 16.8, 8.2 and 21.2, 12.5 and 7.4 times respectively. The antibody protective rates of type H1N1, H3N2 and B were 99%, 99% and 53.9% for 'trial' group, and 96.2%, 98.4% and 62.3% for 'control' but with no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONInfluenza split vaccine made in Shire company in Canada was safe and with good immunogenicity.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Antibody Formation ; immunology ; Canada ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthomyxoviridae ; immunology ; Time Factors ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Young Adult

The single-chain antibody gene (ox26-scFv) to transferrin receptor (TfR) was synthesized and amplified by three-step PCR. After sequencing, the gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pTIG-Trx which carried thioredoxin (Trx) gene and a C-terminal His.tag. The Ox26-scFv proteins achieved 31% yields of total bacteria proteins at 20 degrees C, after 0.02mM IPTG induction using the strain E. coli BL21 (DE3). The soluble scFv proteins in cytoplasm suspension were about 35% and the inclusion bodies were about 65%. The soluble products were purified by immobilized metal chelation affinity chromatography (Ni-NTA), a single band with molecular weight 29 kD appeared on SDS-PAGE gel. Rat GH3 cell immunocytochemistry staining showed that Ox26-scFv protein could recognize and bind to transferrin receptor. Injected SD rats with Ox26-scFv proteins by tail veins, the antibodies were detected from brain tissues specially on the brain capillaries 4 h later which indicate that Ox26-scFv proteins have a good target function to brain capillaries and can permeate the blood-brain barrier mediated by the transferrin receptors.
Animals ; Antibodies ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antibody Formation ; Base Sequence ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Genetic Vectors ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Transferrin ; immunology

The aim is to evaluate the effect of ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol on anti-BSA antibody production triggered by bovine albumin encapsulated in non-ionic surfactant vesicle, niosomes. Reverse phase evaporation method was adopted to entrap the antigen in colloidal carrier composed of Span 80 and Span 85 followed by simultaneous characterization for particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. The protein content was determined by Bradford method using UV Visible Spectrophotometer at 595 nm. Humoral immune response was measured in terms of systemic IgG antibody titre by ELISA method. Experimental data indicated that 7 : 3 molar ratio of Span 80 and cholesterol based niosomal formulation possessed maximum (39.8 +/- 2.9)% of soluble protein. Ciprofloxacin markedly (P < 0.05) decreased the antibody titre. In contrast, chloramphenicol did not reduce the antibody titre significantly in comparison to control group (P > 0.05). It is necessary to explore the effect of a vaccine antigen when a candidate is medicated with a therapeutic agent, which might help in programming a new drug management and vaccination programme.
Animals ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; Chloramphenicol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Ciprofloxacin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Hexoses ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Liposomes ; Male ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum Albumin, Bovine

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Rhaponticum uniforum polysaccharide on immune function in normal mice and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSRBC and ovalbumin were employed as antigens to be injected to mice, respectively. Three doses of R. uniforum polysaccharide (50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were given orally for seven days. After the secondary immunization, the level of corresponding antibody and the concentration of serum IL-2, IFN-gamma were determined.

RESULTThe levels of antibodies (anti-SRBC and anti-ovalbumin) and cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) in median dose group of R. uniforum polysaccharide were all significantly higher than those in control groups (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONR. uniforum polysaccharide could enhance the immune function in normal mice.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Erythrocytes ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Leuzea ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Sheep

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, whose etiologies are still unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the humoral immune response in terms of B cell functions in selected IBD patients. METHODS: Eighteen pediatric patients with IBD, including 12 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and six with Crohn disease (CD), were enrolled in this study. The pneumococcal vaccine was injected in all patients, and the IgG antibody level to the polysaccharide antigen was measured before and 4 weeks after injection. The B cell switch-recombination process was evaluated. RESULTS: Five patients with IBD (three CD and two UC) had defects in B cell switching, which was significantly higher than in controls (p=0.05). Ten patients had a specific antibody deficiency and exhibited a higher frequency of bacterial infection than the healthy group. The mean increased level of IgG after vaccination was lower in IBD patients (82.9+/-32.5 microg/mL vs 219.8+/-59.0 microg/mL; p=0.001). Among the patients who had an insufficient response, no significant difference in the number of switched memory B-cell was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A defect in B lymphocyte switching was observed in pediatric IBD patients, and especially in those patients with CD. Owing to an increased risk of bacterial infections in those patients with antibody production defects, pneumococcal vaccination could be recommended. However, not all patients can benefit from the vaccination, and several may require other prophylactic methods.
Adolescent ; Antibody Formation/*drug effects ; B-Lymphocytes/metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Colitis, Ulcerative/complications/*immunology ; Crohn Disease/complications/*immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/metabolism ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications/*immunology ; Male ; Pneumococcal Vaccines/*pharmacology ; Polysaccharides/*pharmacology ; Treatment Outcome

Tumor immunology embraces an extensive array of biological phenomena that include interactions between neoplastic cells and the innate and adaptive immune response. Among immune cells, T cells have taken the center stage because they can be easily demonstrated to specifically recognize autologous cancer cells. However, their role is limited and other components of the immune response are likely necessary for the completion of cancer rejection. Metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are malignancies strongly predisposed to regress in response to the systemic administration of high-dose interleukin (IL)-2. Several clinical Studies in extensive cohorts of patients have shown that this treatment can induce complete or partial clinical regressions of metastatic disease in 15 to 20% of patients who receive this treatment.1-6 Although IL-2 has direct pluri-potent effects on cells with immune and inflammatory function, it remains unexplained which cell subset is implicated in mediating tumor regression. In a quest to characterize the mechanism of action of IL-2 during the course of immunotherapy, we have investigated the early changes in transcriptional profiles of circulating mononuclear cells and microenvironment of melanoma metastases following high dose IL-2 administration (720,000 IU/kg) by serial sampling of blood cells and tumors in the form of fine needle aspirate (FNA).7 Furthermore, studies are currently ongoing to characterize the proteomic profiling of RCC patients undergoing the same treatment using protein arrays (manuscript in preparation). The predominant activation of genes related to inflammation and activation of mononuclear phagocytes lead us to further characterize this cell subset in the context of stimulation with a panel of soluble factors potentially present in the circulation and tumor microenvironment.
Antibody Formation ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism/*therapy ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; *Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-2/*immunology/*therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology ; Melanoma/genetics/immunology/secondary/*therapy ; Phagocytes/drug effects/physiology ; Proteomics