Characterization of the cell-mediated immune response to Takeda’s live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine in adolescents participating in a phase 2 randomized controlled trial conducted in a dengue-endemic setting

BackgroundAs robust dengue-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses are essential for protective immunity, we assessed cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses to a DENV-2-based dengue tetravalent vaccine candidate (TAK-003) in adolescents living in Panama, a dengue-endemic country.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from a subset of 67 participants ≥ 10 years old included in a phase 2 clinical trial of TAK-003 (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02302066). Following stimulation with dengue peptides, the frequency, magnitude, and cross-reactivity of the CD8+ and CD4+ T cell IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 responses were assessed by flow cytometry.ResultsIntracellular cytokine staining identified NS1, NS3, and NS5 as the most common non-structural (NS) targets of the CD4+ T-cell response (IFN-γ+); NS3 and NS5 were the main NS targets of the CD8+ T cell response (IFN-γ+). Both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were multi-functional (IFN-γ + TNF-α + IL-2+) and cross-reactive against DENV-1, -3, and -4 serotypes. Similar responses were seen in all CMI assessments irrespective of participant baseline status for dengue neutralizing antibodies and T cells.ConclusionsTAK-003 elicited cross-reactive, multi-functional CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses, irrespective of dengue pre-exposure.     

Crosstalk Between Mucosal Inflammation and Bone Metabolism in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial and highly heterogeneous upper airway disease that affects approximately 12% of the general population. There is increasing evidence supporting the impact of osteitis on the pathophysiology of CRS. Osteitis is frequently observed in patients with CRS, and is associated with severe sinonasal inflammation and recalcitrant cases. The overlying inflammatory sinonasal mucosa plays a critical role in the initiation of osteitis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms and functional significance remain unclear. Increasingly many studies have suggested that immune cells play a crucial role in the bone remodeling process in CRS. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the specific role of sinonasal inflammation in bone remodeling in CRS patients.     

Evaluation of photodynamic therapy on fibroblast viability and cytokine production

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy with curcumin (PDT) comparatively to 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and saline solution on cell viability and cytokine (IL-1β and IL-6) production by mouse fibroblasts.MethodsSixty seconds of pre-irradiation time with curcumin 500 mg/L and Led wavelength (λ) 480 nm, 72 J cm², for 300 s was used for PDT. Solutions were diluted in culture medium DMEM (1 × 10⁴ cells) and placed into 24-well cell culture plates with mouse fibroblasts L-929. Culture medium was used as control. After 6, 24 and 48 h, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) was used to evaluate the cell viability and the supernatant was collected for cytokine evaluation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and BonFerroni correction (p < 0.05) for MTT and Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn (p < 0.05) for ELISA.ResultsPDT and saline solution presented low cytotoxic effect similar to the control group (p > 0.05) while 5% NaOCl was more cytotoxic than PDT (p < 0.05) in all periods of time. All materials similarly expressed IL-1β and IL-6 regardless to the experimental period (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPDT with curcumin was not cytotoxic to L929 fibroblasts differently from 5% NaOCl. In all groups occurred similar expression of IL-1β and IL-6.     

Calcineurin inhibitors revisited: A new paradigm for COVID-19?

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause mild, moderate or severe disease (COVID-19). In severe disease, there is hyperinflammation causing severe symptoms. Severe COVID-19 is an immunological phenomenon, rather than a direct viral damage disease. Therapies for COVID-19 are all investigational therapies. In case of severe disease, treatment with a calcineurin inhibitor could be promising. In this article we explain the mechanisms of calcineurin inhibitor treatment for COVID-19, based on experiences seen in solid organ transplant recipients who suffered from COVID-19.     

Epinecidin-1 antimicrobial activity: In vitro membrane lysis and In vivo efficacy against Helicobacter pylori infection in a mouse model

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent, and has a strong association with various gastric diseases, including gastritis, digestive ulcers, and cancer. H. pylori strains with resistance to existing antibiotics have emerged in the past two decades. Currently, treatment of H. pylori infection (involving the use of proton pump inhibitors, followed by triple therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics) is suboptimal, with high failure rates. As such, there is a clear need for new approaches against H. pylori. Here, we report that Epinecidin-1 (Epi-1) shows effective bactericidal activity against H. Pylori in vitro, and modulates H. Pylori-induced host immune responses in a mouse model. Epi-1 exhibited a low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against antibiotic-sensitive and clinical antibiotic-resistant strains. Moreover, Epi-1 treatment caused 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN)-fluorescent probe uptake, suggesting it induced membrane lysis; transmission electron micrographs revealed that membranes were destabilized by the generation of saddle-splay membrane curvature. Oral administration of Epi-1 (quaque die dose) in a mouse infection model had strong efficacy (p < 0.00152) against H. pylori, as compared with conventional proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-triple therapeutic antibiotics. Epi-1 inhibited infection through in vivo depletion of CD4+-FOXP3+ T Regulatory and Th17 subset populations, and aided in clearance of persistent H. pylori colonization. Flow cytometry and gene expression analysis of mouse splenic and gastric tissue indicated that Epi-1 inhibits IL-10, and thereby affects FOXP3 expression levels and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine responses. Crucially, high doses of Epi-1 did not exert toxic effects in oral, dermal, and eye irritation models. Collectively, our results suggest that Epi-1 may be a promising, effective, and safe monotherapeutic agent for the treatment of multi-drug resistant H. pylori infection.     

Aging in COVID-19: Vulnerability,immunity and intervention

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, moved across the globe at an unprecedented speed, and is having a profound and yet still unfolding health and socioeconomic impacts. SARS-CoV-2, a β-coronavirus, is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen that causes a disease that has been termed the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Clinical experience thus far indicates that COVID-19 is highly heterogeneous, ranging from being asymptomatic and mild to severe and causing death. Host factors including age, sex, and comorbid conditions are key determinants of disease severity and progression. Aging itself is a prominent risk factor for severe disease and death from COVID-19. We hypothesize that age-related decline and dysregulation of immune function, i.e., immunosenescence and inflammaging play a major role in contributing to heightened vulnerability to severe COVID-19 outcomes in older adults. Much remains to be learned about the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We need to begin partitioning all immunological outcome data by age to better understand disease heterogeneity and aging. Such knowledge is critical not only for understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis but also for COVID-19 vaccine development.     

下丘脑室旁核炎性细胞因子在依普利酮改善心力衰竭中的作用

目的探讨下丘脑室旁核(PVN)炎性细胞因子在依普利酮(EPL)改善心力衰竭中的作用。方法Wistar大鼠分为假手术组(n=6)、模型组(n=10)、吡咯烷二硫基甲酸盐(PDTC)组(n=10)、依普利酮组(n=10)。结扎左冠状动脉前降支诱导急性心肌梗死后心力衰竭,根据分组情况分别给予PDTC[(150 mg/(kg·d)]、依普利酮[30 mg/(kg·d)]和清洁蒸馏水灌胃,假手术组只在相同位置穿线而不结扎。6周后进行血流动力学测定,留取下丘脑、血浆标本,检测PVN内肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、核因子κB/p65(NF-κB/p65)、促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)及血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)的表达,并检测血浆TNF-α、去甲肾上腺素(NE)、醛固酮(ALD)水平。结果依普利酮和PDTC干预后大鼠心功能较模型组明显改善。模型组血浆ALD、NE、TNF-α水平显著升高,而依普利酮和PDTC干预后ALD、NE、TNF-α水平降低(P0.05)。模型组PVN内CRH、AngⅡ表达显著增多,依普利酮和PDTC干预后PVN内CRH、AngⅡ表达显著减少(P0.05),NF-κB/p65在依普利酮组和PDTC组的表达较模型组显著降低(P0.05)。依普利酮、PDTC可降低PVN内CRH阳性神经元表达。结论心力衰竭时大鼠PVN内炎性细胞因子表达增多,依普利酮可以改善心力衰竭大鼠心功能,与抑制PVN内炎性细胞因子过表达有关。     

COVID-19-induced liver injury in adult patients: A brief overview

Coronavirus disease has spread worldwide since 2019, causing important pandemic issues and various social health problems to date. Little is known about the origin of this virus and the effects it has on extra-pulmonary organs. The different mechanisms of the virus and the influence it has on humans are still being studied, with hopes of finding a cure for the disease and the pathologies associated with the infection. Liver damage caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is sometimes underestimated and has been of important clinical interest in the past few years. Hepatic dysfunctions can manifest in different forms which can sometimes be mild and without specific signs and symptoms or be severe with important clinical implications. There are several studies that have tried to explain the mechanism of entry (hepatotropism) of the virus into hepatocytes and the effects the virus has on this important organ. What clearly emerges from the current literature is that hepatic injury represents an important clinical aspect in the management of patients infected with COVID-19, especially in frail patients and those with comorbidities. The aim of our brief overview is to summarize the current literature regarding the forms of hepatic damage, complications, mechanisms of pathology, clinical features of liver injury, influence of comorbidities and clinical management in patients with COVID-19 infection.     

Chronic schizophrenia is associated with over-expression of the interleukin-2 receptor gamma gene

Altered immune response, including low-grade inflammatory processes, is involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric disorder with complex etiology. Distinct gene variants of a number of pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines together with their receptors associate with this disorder. Interleukin-2 receptor gamma (IL-2RG) represents an important signaling component of many interleukin receptors and so far, no data on the functional state of this receptor in schizophrenia have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate mRNA expression of the IL2RG gene (IL2RG) in schizophrenia patients in comparison with healthy subjects (controls). Total RNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 66 schizophrenia patients and 99 healthy subjects of Armenian population. The mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using PSMB2 as housekeeping gene. IL2RG mRNA expression was upregulated in peripheral blood of patients in comparison with controls (patients vs. controls, median [interquartile range]: 2.080 [3.428–1.046] vs. 0.324 [0.856–0.000], p<0.0001). In conclusion, our findings suggest that over-expression of the IL2RG gene may be implicated in altered immune response in schizophrenia and contribute to the pathomechanisms of this disorder.