Phosphatase wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 controls the development of TH9 cells and allergic airway inflammation

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Critical role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in induction of oral tolerance

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9-cis retinoic acid modulates the type I allergic immune response

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Eliciting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses from synthetic vectors containing one or two epitopes in a C57BL/6 mouse model using peptide-containing biodegradable microspheres and adjuvants

We describe a vaccine delivery mechanism consisting of a synthetic, non-living vector of large d,l poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres that carry specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. We demonstrate in mice that it can be used to elicit substantial interferon gamma ELISPOT responses to more than one specific epitope in the same individual. Our data suggest that a superior adjuvant configuration for the formulation is to place a TLR-9 agonist CpG inside the microsphere and a TLR-4 agonist MPLA in the injectate solution. This finding contrasts with the observations of others. Our approach provides a means to elicit immune responses efficiently to select epitopes, which may be important for an effective vaccine against HIV.     

Homogeneous PLGA-lipid nanoparticle as a promising oral vaccine delivery system for ovalbumin

In this study, a polymeric lipid nanoparticle (NP) (simplified as Lipid NP) was reported as a promising oral vaccine delivery system. The Lipid NPs composed of a hydrophobic polymeric poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) core and a surface coating of lipid monolayer. Membrane emulsification technique was used to obtain uniform-sized Lipid NPs. Ovalbumin (OVA) was used as a model vaccine. Compared with the pure PLGA NPs, the Lipid NPs achieved higher loading capacity (LC) and entrapment efficiency (EE) for the encapsulated OVA. An in vitro oral release profile showed that the OVA-Lipid NPs were with lower initial burst and could protect the loaded OVA from the harsh gastrointestinal (GI) environment for a long time. In addition, a human microfold cell (M-cell) transcytotic assay demonstrated that due to a lipid layer structure on the particle surface, the Lipid NPs showed higher affinity to the M-cells. Since the M-cell in the intestinal epithelium played an important role in particle transportation as well as intimately associated with the underlying immune cells, the OVA-Lipid NPs effectively induced mucosal and humoral immune responses.     

From arrow poison to herbal medicine – The ethnobotanical,phytochemical and pharmacological significance of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Cissampelos species have a rich history of traditional use, being used for both therapeutic and toxic properties. It is traditionally applied therapeutically in a diverse range of conditions and diseases including asthma, cough, fever, arthritis, obesity, dysentery, snakebite, jaundice and heart, blood pressure and skin-related problems. Conversely, it was traditionally included in preparations of curare applied as arrow poison during hunting to cause death of animals by asphyxiation. This review unites the ethnobotanical knowledge on Cissampelos with the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity which has been explored thus far. In addition, it identifies knowledge gaps and suggests further research opportunities.

Methods

The available electronic literature on the genus Cissampelos was collected using database searches including Scopus, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, etc. The searches were limited to peer-reviewed English journals with the exception of books and a few articles in foreign languages which were included.

Results

The literature revealed that pharmacological activity including analgesic and antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, bronchodilator, immunomodulatory, memory-enhancing, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti-ulcer, anticancer, anti-oxidant, cardiovascular, muscle-relaxant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, antifertility, and antivenom activity have been confirmed in vitro and/or in vivo for various Cissampelos species. Cissampelos pareira L. and Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. are the most explored species of this genus and the smallest number of studies have been conducted on Cissampelos laxiflora Moldenke and Cissampelos tenuipes Engl. Many alkaloids isolated from Cissampelos such as warifteine, methylwarifteine, berberine, hayatin and hayatidin showed promising anti-allergic, immunosuppressive, antidepressant, anticancer, vasodilatory and muscle-relaxant activities.

Conclusion

The plants of this genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. These plants are a rich source of bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids together with other minor constituents. Although these plants are reputable and revered in various traditional medicine systems, many have not yet been screened chemically or pharmacologically and so there is a vast amount of research still to be conducted to validate their traditional use.     

Effects of nasal immunization of multi-target preventive vaccines on atherosclerosis

Previous investigations have demonstrated that anti-inflammatory or lipid-lowering treatments could be useful for alleviating morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. However, whether a vaccine designed to target inflammation and lipid simultaneously is more powerful to control the process of atherosclerosis remain to be unknown. Here, a vaccine was designed to target heat shock protein-65(Hsp65) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) simultaneously and the effects of nasal immunization of multi-target vaccine on high-cholesterol-diet-driven rabbit atherosclerosis lesions were evaluated. Sera, nasal lavages and lung washes were used to ELISA assay for the analysis of IgG and IgA against Hsp65 and CETP. Sera were also used to the analysis of the avidity of combination of anti-Hsp65 and anti-CETP IgG antibodies with corresponding antigen, cytokines IL-10 and IFN-γ, and lipoproteins. In addition, aortas were harvested for analysis of atherosclerotic lesions. The results showed that lower and lasting specific anti-Hsp65 IgG and high anti-CETP IgG in sera and protective anti-Hsp65 and anti-CETP IgA in nasal cavity and lung were induced, the avidity of combination of anti-Hsp65 and anti-CETP IgG with antigen were higher, and more protective IL-10 and less adverse IFN-γ were produced. In addition, sera TC, and LDL-C were decreased. As a result, the size of aorta atherosclerotic plaques was significantly reduced. We conclude that multifaceted vaccine combining lipid-regulating with anti-inflammation was a potential remedy, especially for atherosclerosis with complicated etiology.