Soheila Yousefi; Pedram Basirjafar; Raziyeh Zandvakili; Javad Masoumi; Nahid Zainodini; Hossein Khorramdelazad; Mahsa Gheitasi; Abdollah Jafarzadeh
Abstract
Background: It is well-known that TH1 and Treg cells exert anti- and pro-tumorigenic activity, respectively. Thus, TH1 cell suppression together with Treg cell hyperactivation contribute to tumor development. Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) has various immunomodulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties.Objective: ...
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Background: It is well-known that TH1 and Treg cells exert anti- and pro-tumorigenic activity, respectively. Thus, TH1 cell suppression together with Treg cell hyperactivation contribute to tumor development. Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) has various immunomodulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties.Objective: To explore the impacts of G. glabra extract on different parameters related to TH1 and Treg cells using a breast cancer (BC) model.Methods: Four groups of Balb/C mice bearing 4T1 cell-induced BC were treated intraperitoneally with either saline or G. glabra extract at dosages of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg (G. glabra-50, G. glabra-100, and G. glabra-150, respectively). After sacrificing animals on day 26, the frequency of splenic TH1 and Treg cells, the levels of serum IFN-γ, TGF-β, and IL-12, and intra-tumoral expressions of granzyme-B, T-bet, and FOXP3 were assessed.Results: Compared to untreated tumor control (UTC) group, treatment with G. glabra-50, G. glabra-100, or G. glabra-150 increased the survival rate, percentage of TH1 cells, and T-bet expression. Conversely, they reduced the percentage of Treg cells, and serum TGF-β levels. In comparison to the UTC group, treatment with G. glabra-50 and G. glabra-150 increased the serum IL-12 levels. Treatment with G. glabra-100 and G. glabra-150 boosted granzyme-B expression. Treatment with G. glabra-150 elevated IFN-γ levels, while treatment with G. glabra-50 decreased the FOXP3 expression. IL-12 levels were higher in mice treated with G. glabra-150 compared to those treated with G. glabra-100.Conclusion: Treatment of mice with BC using G. glabra extract improved survival rate, reduced tumor growth, and modulated T cell-mediated immune responses.
Jianrong Niu; Hui Zhou; Rong Tian; Xudong Wang
Abstract
Background: Molecular markers are involved in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis. The estrogen receptor (ESR)-1 gene, encoding ERα, is reported to express aberrantly in AD patients.Objective: To detect the biological functions of ESR1 in 2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated mice.Methods: The ...
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Background: Molecular markers are involved in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis. The estrogen receptor (ESR)-1 gene, encoding ERα, is reported to express aberrantly in AD patients.Objective: To detect the biological functions of ESR1 in 2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated mice.Methods: The DNCB-treated mice received a topical application of emulsion containing the 1,3-bis(4 hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-[4-(2-piperidinyl ethoxy) phenol]-1H-pyrazole dihydrochloride (MPP; an ESR1-selective antagonist) to dorsal skins and ears. Then the dermatitis scores, histopathological changes, and cytokine levels were evaluated.Results: MPP specifically downregulated ESR1 expression in DNCB-applied mice. Functionally, application of MPP abolished the DNCB-induced promotion in dermatitis score. Additionally, MPP administration protected against DNCB-induced dermatitis severity, suppressed mast cell infiltration and reduced production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC). Moreover, MPP treatment inhibited DNCB- induced production of Th2 cytokines and infiltration of CD4+ T cells.Conclusion: ESR1 facilitates Th2-immune response and enhances Th2 cytokines in AD mice.
Bahareh Abd Nikfarjam; Massoumeh Ebtekar; Farzaneh Sabouni; Zahra Pourpak; Maryam Kheirandish
Abstract
Background: Astrocytes, which comprise ~90% of overall brain mass, are involved in brain immunity. These cells represent the non-professional class of CNS-resident APCs and may promote or inhibit CNS inflammation depending on the cytokines they secrete. IL-10 family of cytokines and their receptors, ...
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Background: Astrocytes, which comprise ~90% of overall brain mass, are involved in brain immunity. These cells represent the non-professional class of CNS-resident APCs and may promote or inhibit CNS inflammation depending on the cytokines they secrete. IL-10 family of cytokines and their receptors, IL-20R1 and IL-20R2, may have a role in shifting astrocytes to a neuroprotective or neurodegenerative function. Objective: To address the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 cytokine receptors in astrocytes and brain cortex of C57BL/6 mice. Methods: We investigated the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 in C57BL/6 mice astroglial cells and brain cortex in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) method. Results: Astrocytes were able to express IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA not only in response to LPS stimulation but also in the absence of LPS. Furthermore, we found the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA in the cortex of adult C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions: IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 are constitutively expressed in the brain. Since most neuropathological processes involve astrocytes and inflammatory cytokines, these findings have important implications for future therapeutic strategies.
Hamid Reza Rahimi; Bahador Sarkari; Tahereh Mohammadzadeh; Seyed Mahmoud Sadjjadi
Abstract
Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), also known as echinococcosis/hydatidosis, is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. It enhances both humoral and cellular (Th1 and Th2) responses in infected host. Different antigens of the worm may favor the Th1 or Th2 immune responses in CE ...
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Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), also known as echinococcosis/hydatidosis, is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. It enhances both humoral and cellular (Th1 and Th2) responses in infected host. Different antigens of the worm may favor the Th1 or Th2 immune responses in CE patients. Objective: To evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses of Balb/c mice against the crude and excretory/ secretory (E/S) antigens of in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms. Methods: A total of 20 Balb/c mice divided into 5 groups of 4 mice each. Three groups of mice (n=4) were immunized with crude, E/S and an immunodominant antigen of in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms on day 1 and 28. The fourth and the fifth groups were negative control groups and received PBS plus adjuvant, or nothing, respectively. Two weeks after the second injection, the mice were killed and their blood was collected for determining antibody responses, and their spleens were employed for proliferation assay. Total IgG were measured by indirect ELISA. Spleen cells of immunized mice were cultivated and exposed to different antigens of adult worms including E/S and crude antigens. Level of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured in the recovered cell culture supernatants by capture ELISA. Results: Total IgG assay showed the highest level of antibody produced in mice immunized with crude antigens. Proliferation assay showed a statistically significant production of cytokines in the mice immunized with crude antigens (p<0.05). The highest levels of IFN-γ, IL12 and IL-4 were produced in mice immunized with crude antigen of the in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms followed by E/S antigens. Immunodomonant antigen induced the lowest levels of cytokines (IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10) in immunized mice. Conclusion: A significant levels of Th1 related cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-12) were produced in Balb/c mice immunized with crude antigen of the in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms.
Fatemeh Vahedi; Mahmoud Reza Jaafari; Mahmoud Mahmoudi
Abstract
Background: DNA vaccines are third generation vaccines which have made promises to combat infectious diseases. Cationic liposomes are used as effective delivery systems for DNA vaccines to generate stronger immunity. Objective: Encapsulation of pcDNA3.1+PA plasmid, encoding protective antigen (PA) of ...
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Background: DNA vaccines are third generation vaccines which have made promises to combat infectious diseases. Cationic liposomes are used as effective delivery systems for DNA vaccines to generate stronger immunity. Objective: Encapsulation of pcDNA3.1+PA plasmid, encoding protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) into cationic liposomes, and evaluation of its effect on specific humoral specific immunity against PA were aimed. Methods: The liposomes containing pcDNA3.1+PA plasmids were prepared with phosphatidylcholine (PC), dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) using dehydration-rehydration method. BALB/c mice were immunized by intramuscular (IM) injection to investigate the immunogenicity of the formulations. The resulting specific antibodies against PA, total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b isotypes, were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Conclusion: A higher concentration of specific IgG against PA was found in sera of a group immunized with the encapsulated plasmid compared with the naked plasmid alone. This difference was significant for IgG1 isotype.
