Mmu-miR-92a-2-5p targets TLR2 to relieve Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis

According to conservative estimates, >230 million people are infected with schistosomiasis,which becomes one of the most common parasitic diseases. This study focuses on investigating in vivo and in vitro effects of mmu-miR-92a-2-5p in Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TLR2. Through bioinformatic analysis, the overexpression of TLR2 and the down-regulation of mmu-miR-92a-2-5p were revealed in the progression of S. japonicum-induced liver fibrosis. BALB/C mice were taken advantage to construct normal control and schistosomiasis liver fibrosis (SLF) model. The mice in model groups were transfected recombinant lentivirus (Lenti-mmu-miR-92a-2-5p or Lenti-NC) to alter the expression of mmu-miR-92a-2-5p in vivo. HE and Masson staining were employed to observe the pathological changes and collagenous fibrosis. QRT-PCR showed that mmu-miR-92a-2-5p was decreased while TLR2 was elevated in the infected groups. However, lenti-mmu-miR-92a-2-5p group could inhibit liver fibrosis. Then the effect of mmu-miR-92a-2-5p on S. japonicum-induced liver fibrosis including cell apoptosis rates, proliferation and proteins related to liver fibrosis was examined in NIH-3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Moreover, the association between mmu-miR-92a-2-5p and TLR2 was detected by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and the expression of cytokines IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α in SLF model was detected by ELISA. Further, the knockout of TLR2 in C57BL/6J mice was used to confirm the association between mmu-miR-92a-2-5p and TLR2. Thus, these findings demonstrated that mmu-miR-92a-2-5p inhibited S. japonicum-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TLR2 in vitro and in vivo.     

Durability of humoral immune responses to rubella following MMR vaccination

BackgroundWhile administration of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR-II®) vaccine has been effective at preventing rubella infection in the United States, the durability of humoral immunity to the rubella component of MMR vaccine has not been widely studied among older adolescents and adults.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, we sought to assess the durability of rubella virus (RV)-specific humoral immunity in a healthy population (n = 98) of adolescents and young adults at two timepoints: ~7 and ~17 years after two doses of MMR-II® vaccination. Levels of circulating antibodies specific to RV were measured by ELISA and an immune-colorimetric neutralization assay. RV-specific memory B cell responses were also measured by ELISpot.ResultsRubella-specific IgG antibody titers, neutralizing antibody titers, and memory B cell responses declined with increasing time since vaccination; however, these decreases were relatively moderate. Memory B cell responses exhibited a greater decline in men compared to women.ConclusionsCollectively, rubella-specific humoral immunity declines following vaccination, although subjects’ antibody titers remain well above the currently recognized threshold for protective immunity. Clinical correlates of protection based on neutralizing antibody titer and memory B cell ELISpot response should be defined.     

Influenza vaccination and the endurance against air pollution among elderly with acute coronary syndrome

ObjectiveAir pollution, weather condition and influenza are known risk factors of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among elderly people. The influenza vaccine (IV) has been shown to reduce major cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to compare resistance to air pollution and weather factors causing ACS between vaccinated and less-vaccinated elderly people.MethodsA case–crossover design was applied to 1835 elderly ACS patients who were obtained from the 1-million sample of Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data with inclusion criteria: (1) the first diagnosis of ACS was in cold season and at age 68 or more, (2) had received the free IV program at least once during the period 3 years before the ACS. They were stratified into two groups: 707 had received flu vaccinations for all the 3 years and the remaining 1128 had not. The measurements of air pollutants, temperature, and humidity corresponding to each of the 3 days prior to the ACS diagnosis date were retrieved from the data banks of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration and Central Weather Bureau.FindingsIncreases in air pollution concentrations of CO, NO₂, PM₁₀ or PM_2.5 and decreases in temperature significantly influenced the risk of ACS for the non-continuously vaccinated elderly population; however, less significant effects were observed for the continuously vaccinated population.ConclusionConsecutive influenza vaccination may potentially offer resistance against the detrimental effects of air pollution and changes in temperature in frail elderly adults with ACS. Future studies are needed to directly assess the interaction effect between the vaccination and environmental factors on ACS.