Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is zoonotic pathogen that can cause listeriosis, and vaccine is one of the effective methods to prevent this pathogen infection. In this study, we developed a novel vaccine that is a mixture of inactivated bacteria and Montanide™ ISA 61 VG, a mineral oil adjuvant, and evaluated the safety and immune response characteristics of this vaccine. The mice immunized with the ISA 61 VG adjuvant had high safety, and it could induce significantly higher titer of anti-listeriolysin O (LLO) antibody and higher value of IgG2a/IgG1 ratio compared with the group without the adjuvant. In particular, it could provide 100% immune protection against lethal doses of Lm challenge in mice. In summary, ISA 61VG adjuvant significantly enhanced the ability of inactivated listeria vaccine to induce humoral and cellular immune responses, thereby enhanced the protective immune response in the host, and it is a potential vaccine candidate for the prevention of Lm infection in humans and animals.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Hemolysin Proteins ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Listeria monocytogenes ; immunology ; Listeriosis ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, Inactivated ; immunology

The aim of this work was to study effects of ketotifen fumarate (KF) on prevention of tissue damage in testes of rats with experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) and on the contralateral testis in a model of prolonged testicular cord torsion (TCT). Rats with EAO or TCT were injected intraperitoneally once daily with KF or saline solution (vehicle group). Incidence and severity of testicular damage were evaluated by histopathology using an EAO score or a Johnsen score. Mast cells (MC) were identified by histochemistry and quantified. In EAO model, KF significantly reduced severity of histopathological testicular damage compared to rats in the vehicle group. KF also reduced the number of testicular MC compared to vehicle group. Similarly, in TCT model, multifocal damage of the contralateral testis was observed 30 days after testicular torsion characterized by sloughing of the germinal epithelium, seminiferous tubule atrophy, and interstitial edema. Focal signs of inflammation and fibrosis of seminiferous tubular walls were also observed. In contrast, sections of contralateral testis of rats injected with KF and killed 30 days after surgery showed normal histological features. A significant decrease in the number of MC was observed in rats treated with KF compared to untreated animals. In conclusion, we demonstrated that treatment with KF reduced testicular inflammatory process and MC infiltrates in both EAO and TCT models. The results suggest a promising treatment for infertile male patients with testicular pathologies associated with inflammation and germ cell loss.
Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases/pathology* ; Cell Count ; Epididymis/pathology* ; Epididymitis/pathology* ; Histamine H1 Antagonists/pharmacology* ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Immunity, Cellular/drug effects* ; Ketotifen/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mast Cells/pathology* ; Orchitis/pathology* ; Rats ; Severity of Illness Index ; Spermatic Cord Torsion/pathology* ; Testis/pathology* ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVEAntigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) stimulate T-cell proliferation and activation during adaptive immunity. This cellular interaction plays a role in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Tanshinone II A (TSN) had been shown to decrease the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. We therefore investigated the ability of TSN to inhibit human monocyte-derived DCs and their T-cellstimulatory capacity.

METHODSDCs derived from human monocytes cultured with recombinant human interleukin (IL)-4 and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were co-cultured with TSN and lipopolysaccharide for 48 h. Phosphate-buffered saline was used as a negative control. Activation markers and the capacity of DCs for endocytosis were measured by flow cytometry, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. DCs were co-cultured with lymphocytes to measure T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion by mixed lymphocyte reactions.

RESULTSTSN dose-dependently attenuated DC expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86), and decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (human loukocyte antigen-DR) and adhesion molecules (CD54). Moreover, TSN reduced secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-1 by human DCs, and restored the capacity for endocytosis. Finally, TSN-preincubated DCs showed a reduced capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.

CONCLUSIONSTSN inhibits DC maturation and decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while impairing their capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. These effects may contribute to the influence of TSN on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Antigen-Presenting Cells ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; pathology ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; secretion ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Endocytosis ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether cellular immunity and humoral immunity are involved in trichlorethylene (TCE)-induced mixed allergy, then provide the scientific basis for the mechanism of this disease.

METHODSGuinea pigs and rats were tested for this study by application of guinea pig maximization test (GPMT), the animals were randomly divided into negative control, positive control and TCE treatment groups. Animals of these groups were administrated with olive oil, 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and TCE, respectively, by intradermal injection. After TCE administration, rat peripheral blood samples were collected by flow cytometry to detect lymphocytes CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺. Guinea pig peripheral blood samples were collected to detect the levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, and the spleens were taken out from guinea pigs after various treatment, mRNA expression of GATA3, T-bet, CTLA4 and Foxp3 in lymphocytes of guinea pig spleen was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR assay. Additionally, TCE allergic dermatitis patients were selected for the study, the peripheral blood samples were collected from the TCE patients group and control group, quantitative PCR was applied to detect mRNA expression of immune-related genes Foxp3, GATA3, CTLA4, T-bet.

RESULTSTCE induced obvious skin allergic reaction in guinea pigs, the sensitization rate was 83.3%, IgG levels in TCE group and positive control increased significantly. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of GATA3, T-bet, CTLA4 significantly elevated in TCE group and positive control, but Foxp3 mRNA levels decreased. The lymphocytes CD3⁺ ratio in TCE group and positive control of rats was higher than that in negative control, we found that there was no statistical difference of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ between TCE group and negative control of rats. The mRNA expression levels of Foxp3, GATA3, CTLA4 in TCE patients increased by 115%, 97%, 241%, respectively as compared with the control, T-bet levels decreased by 47%when compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONSTCE could induce obvious changes of cellular immunity and humoral immunity in guinea pigs, rats, and TCE patients, these findings indicated that TCE-induced immunological disorder belongs to the mixed allergy with involvment of cellular immunity and humoral immunity, the mixed allergy might be type IV and type II allergy.

Allergens ; Animals ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Immunity, Humoral ; drug effects ; Lymphocytes ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Spleen ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of compound qizhu granule (CQG) on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 103 CHB patients treated with lamivudin (LAM) for 6 months, who had partial virological response (HBeAg positive) were randomly assigned to two groups, 50 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. All patients took LAM 100 mg (once a day) plus ADV 10 mg (once a day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took CQG, one dose per day. After one-year treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative rates, HBeAg seroconversion, levels of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), non-specific CTL and natural killing (NK) cells were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1-year treatment, HBV DNA negative rate of the treatment group was 88: 0% in 44 cases, slightly higher than that of the control group (41 cases, 77.4%), but with no statistical difference (P >0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of the treatment group was 32.0% in 16 cases, higher than that of the control group (8 cases, 15.1%), with statistical difference (P <0.05). Levels of HBV specific CTL (0.79%±0. 07%), non-specific CTL (19.4%±1.8%) and NK cells (14. 1%± 1.5%) of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (0.58% ± 0.08%, 17.5% ± 1.7%, and 11.1%±1.5%, respectively; allP <0.01).

CONCLUSIONTreating CHB patients with partial virological response by ADV plus CQG could improve specific and non-specific cellular immunity, thereby elevating HBeAg seroconversion rate.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the immunotoxicity of acrylamide (ACR) in female BALB/c mice.

METHODSA total of 200 female mice weighing 18-22 g were randomly divided into four clusters based on body weight, and each weight-based cluster included five groups (10 mice per group): negative control, positive control (cyclophosphamide), low, intermediate, and high dose ACR groups, and all the groups were administered ACR by gavage for 30 days. At the end of the study, the immunotoxicological effects of the ACR were evaluated through immunopathology, humoral immunity, cellular immunity, and non-specific immunity.

RESULTSThe terminal body weight, spleen and thymus weights, lymphocyte counts in the ACR-H group were decreased, pathological changes were observed in lymph glands, thymus and spleen. %T cells in blood lymphocytes were significantly increased in all ACR-treated groups, and a significant reduction of % natural killer(NK) cells and increase of %Th cells were observed in the ACR-H group. interleukin-6(IL-6), Concanavalin A(ConA)-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum half hemolysis value (HC50) were also significantly suppressed in the ACR-H group.

CONCLUSIONACR elicited an inhibitory effect on cellular and humoral immunity of mice after 30 day feeding.

Acrylamide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Immunity, Humoral ; drug effects ; Immunophenotyping ; Immunotoxins ; toxicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Spleen ; drug effects ; Thymus Gland ; drug effects ; Toxicity Tests

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic and long-term effects of three methods for regulating and invigorating Fei-Shen [reinforcing Fei and invigorating Pi (RFIP), reinforcing Fei and invigorating Shen (RFIS), benefiting qi and nourishing Shen (BQNS)] on T lymphocyte subsets and CD4+ CD25+ in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSTotally 120 rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the RFIP group, the RFIS group, the BQNS group, and the aminophylline group, 20 in each group. Except those in the control group, the rest rats were exposed to cigarette smoking and bacterial infection to prepare the COPD rat model. Rats in the RFIP group, the RFIS group, the BQNS group, and the aminophylline group were administrated with Bufei Jianpi Recipe, Bufei Yishen Recipe, Yiqi Zishen Recipe, and aminophylline from week 9 to 20. After rats were sacrificed at week 20 and 32, lung pathological impairments and the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ / CD8+) and CD4+ CD25+ in the peripheral blood and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected.

RESULTSAt week 20 and 32, the impairments in the lungs were obvious in rats of the model group, while the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+ CD25+ were significantly lower in the peripheral blood and the BALF in the model group than in the controls group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and they were higher in the four groups than in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). However, the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ in the peripheral blood and the BALF were higher in the three TCM-treated groups than in the aminophylline group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CD4+ in the peripheral blood in the RFIP group was higher than in the RFIS group and the BQNS group (P < 0.01). At week 20, the ratio of CD4+ /CD8+ was higher in the RFIP group than in the aminophylline group (P < 0.01). CD4+ was higher in the three TCM-treated groups than in the aminophylline group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). At week 32, the ratio of CD4+ / CD+ in the three TCM- and aminophylline-treated groups was higher than that of the model group (P < 0.05). CD4+ in the RFIP group and the RFIS group was higher than that of the aminophylline group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with that at week 20, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the BALF group was significantly higher in the RFIP at week 32 (P < 0.05). The CD4+ CD25+ levels in the peripheral blood and BALF of the BQNS group was significantly lower (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy and long-term effects of three methods for regulating and invigorating Fei-Shen might be possibly associated with regulating T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ / CD8+) and CD4+ CD25+ levels. Of them, RFIP showed significant effects in regulating CD4+ and CD4+ / CD8+ in the peripheral blood and BALF.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Immunity, Cellular ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo prepare the oral solution of egg yolk hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific transfer factor (EYHBV-TF) and evaluate its immunological activity as an immune regulator against hepatitis B.

METHODSFrom hens immunized with the Hepatitis B vaccine the egg yolk was isolated to extract the specific transfer factor EYHBV-TF, and its physicochemical properties were examined. Leukocyte adhesion inhibition test (LAI) was performed to detect the immunogenic activity of EYHBV-TF. The solution of EYHBV-TF was then administered orally in normal mice, and the specific cellular immune activity induced was assayed with delayed type skin hypersensitivity test (DTH), with the non-specific immune activity assessed with immune organ index. The immune responses induced by oral EYHBV-STF solution were compared with those by EYHBV-STF injection and by different dosages (injection and oral) of porcine spleen HBV-specific transfer factor (PSHBV-STF), porcine spleen nonspecific transfer factor, and egg yolk extracts from non-immunized hens.

RESULTSThe prepared EYHBV-STF oral solution, which met the standards for biological products, could inhibit leukocyte adhesion in vitro and significantly enhance mouse foot pad swelling, demonstrating its capability of transferring antigen-specific delayed type hypersensitivity reactions to naive recipient. EYHBV-STF oral solution also significantly improved the immune organ index in mice (P<0 01) with similar effects to those caused by EYHBV-STF injections and by PSHBV-STF injection and oral solution.

CONCLUSIONOrally administered EYHBV-STF and EYHBV-STF injection both possess hepatitis B antigen-specific cellular immune activity and can significantly enhance specific cellular immune responses.

Animals ; Chickens ; Egg Yolk ; chemistry ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis B Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunization ; Mice ; Swine ; Transfer Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the regulatory effect of Ligustrazine Injection (LI) on the cellular immune function in patients undergoing autologous blood transfusion (ABT).

METHODSEnrolled were 60 patients scheduled for receiving selective lumbar surgery at the Department of Spinal Orthopedics, First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine during October 2009 to June 2010. They were equally randomized into two groups, the trial group and the control group. LI was given to patients in the trial group by intravenous dripping at the dose of 2 mg/kg 30 min before autologous blood collection. The LI (at the final concentration of 0.005%) was added in the heparin saline solution and the washing saline for recycle blood. No LI was given to patients in the control group. They received the same treatment of the trial group. The operation time, the amount of blood loss and blood transfusion were recorded. Patients' venous blood samples were collected for determining cytokines including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by ELISA and calculating IL-2/IL-10 ratio before surgery (T1), 1 h (T2), 1 day (T3), and 5 days (T4) after ABT.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the amount of blood loss and blood transfusion, the levels of IL-2, IL-10, IFN-gamma, or IL-2/IL-10 at T1 between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with T1 of the same group, the level of IL-2 decreased at T(2-4), IL-10 increased and IL-2/IL-10 decreased at T(2-3) in the two groups. The level of IFN-gamma decreased at T(2-4), IL-2/IL-10 increased at T4, the level of IL-10 decreased at T4 in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The level of IL-10 decreased at T4 in the trial group with statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the level of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-2/IL-10 at T(2-4) were obviously higher in the trial group. But the IL-10 level was lower in the trial group than in the control group at T(2-4) (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe application of LI in ABT had regulatory effects on the balance of cytokines.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Spine ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different anesthetic and analgesic protocols on the cellular immune function and stress hormone in patients undergoing lobectomy for esophagus cancer.

METHODSSixty ASA I or II patients undergoing lobectomy for esophagus cancer were randomly divided into two groups to receive postoperative general anesthesia and intravenous analgesia (group A, n=30) or intraoperative general anesthesia combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia with postoperative epidural analgesia (group B, n=30). The cervical venous blood samples were obtained from the patients at 30 min before anesthesia induction (T(0)), 2 h after skin incision (T(1)), and at 4 h (T(2)), 24 h (T(3)) and 48 h (T(4)) after the end of operation. The T-lymphocyte subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+)) were analyzed by flow cytometry, serum concentrations of sIL-2R and IL-2 determined by ELISA, and the levels of growth hormone (GR), prolactin (PRL), IL-8 and cortisol (Cor) measured by radioimmunoassay. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for assessment of the postoperative analgesic effects.

RESULTSThe VAS scores were significantly lower in group B than in group A at T(2) and T(3) (P<0.05). The percentage of CD4(+) cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio in the two groups began to decrease significantly at T(1) (P<0.05), reducing to the lowest level at T(2) in group B and at T(3) in group A. From T(1) to T(4), the percentage of CD4(+) in group B remained significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05), and from T(3) to T(4), the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05). The IL-2 level in the two groups began to decrease significantly at T(1) (P<0.05), reaching the lowest level at T(2) in group A and at T(3) in group A. IL-2 level was significantly higher in group B than in group A from T(3) to T(4) (P<0.05). sIL-2R level in group A began to increase at T(1) and peaked at T(3), showing significant differences from the T(0) level, but the level showed no significant variations in group B compared with the T(0) level. From T(2) to T(4), sIL-2R level was significantly higher in group A than in group B (P<0.05). The levels of GH, PRL and Cor increased significantly, while IL-8 decreased in the two groups from T(1) to T(4) (P<0.05), but remained stable in group B.

CONCLUSIONGeneral anesthesia combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia may reduce the perioperative stress reaction and adverse effect on cellular immune function in patients undergoing lobectomy for esophagus cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Analgesia, Epidural ; methods ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; methods ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; immunology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; Postoperative Period ; Stress, Physiological ; drug effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology