Topical application of plasmid DNA to mouse and human skin

Gene expression following direct injection of naked plasmid DNA into the skin has been demonstrated in the past. Topical application of plasmid DNA represents an attractive route of gene delivery. If successful, it would have great prospects in skin gene therapy since it is painless and easy to apply. In this study, we analyzed the expression of plasmid DNA in vivo and in vitro following topical application of plasmid DNA in various liposomal spray formulations. Therefore, different concentrations of plasmid DNA expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-N1) were sprayed onto mouse or human skin once daily for three consecutive days and compared with direct injection. Gene expression was assessed 24 h after the final topical application of various liposomal DNA formulations. The results showed that EGFP mRNA and protein were detectable by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. However, epicutaneously applied EGFP plasmid DNA did not lead to microscopically detectable EGFP protein, when assessed by confocal laser microscopy or fluorescence-activated cell sorting in contrast to about 4% of fluorescent keratinocytes following intradermal injection. In an in vivo mouse model, the application of pEGFP-N1 DNA led to the generation of GFP-specific antibodies. These results indicate that topical spray application of pEGFP-N1 liposomal DNA formulations is a suitable method for plasmid DNA delivery to the skin, yielding limited gene expression. This spray method may thus be useful for DNA vaccination. To increase its attractiveness for skin gene therapy, the improvement of topical formulations with enhanced DNA absorption is desirable.     

Anti-phospholipid antibodies following vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine

This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible role of hepatitis B recombinant vaccine inducing the synthesis of IgG and IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), antibodies against beta(2)GPI (anti-beta(2)GPI), lupus anti-coagulant (LA), anti-nuclear antibodies and antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA). The study population consisted of 85 healthy students (63 female, 22 male; mean age 20.8 years), vaccinated with three doses of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine. One month after vaccination with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine a minority of vaccinated individuals showed changes in IgG or IgM aCL or anti-beta(2)GPI or LA activity (P < 0.001). Among subjects in whom changes of IgG anti-beta(2)GPI were observed, a significantly higher number of increased (8/85) than decreased (2/85) values were found (P < 0.01). Analyses of paired data showed that differences in aCL or anti-beta(2)GPI levels before vaccination or 1 month later did not reach statistical significance. In two people aCL transitorily reached medium positivity after the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine with a drop 5 months later. Similar evident anti-beta(2)GPI fluctuation was also observed in one person. Another participant was initially low positive for IgG anti-beta2GPI and the levels were increasing after vaccination. Two participants became positive for anti-nuclear antibodies during 6 months' follow-up. There were no sex-dependent differences in tested antibodies observed and no associations between levels of aPL and levels of anti-HBV antibodies. We conclude that HBV can induce aPL, although rarely. In genetically susceptible individuals or together with some other triggers such combination might confer the risk of developing a continuous autoimmune response in an individual.     

Universal rubella vaccination programme and maternal rubella immune status: A tale of two systems

Maternal rubella status was compared between local residents with non-residents who delivered in our hospital during 1998–2008. Among the 60,822 women, non-immunity was more common in the non-residents (19.9% versus 8.1%, P < 0.001). Significant difference and positive correlation with age and parity were found for both groups, but a significant inverse correlation with year-of-birth was found only in the residents. Regression analysis confirmed that birth after 1970 was associated with reduced odds of non-immunity, which indicated that the rubella vaccination programme, introduced since 1978, has succeeded in reducing the incidence of non-immunity to <5% in the youngest generation.     

A complete HBV vaccination coverage among Polish surgical nurses in the light of anti-HBc prevalence: A cross-sectional sero-prevalence study

To determine the vaccination coverage for HBV and the prevalence of anti-HBc, an anonymous sero-survey of surgical/gynecologic nurses from 16 randomly selected hospitals in West Pomerania, Poland, was conducted. Among the 403 participants of whom HBV vaccination had been indicated, the vaccination coverage was 100%. The anti-HBc prevalence was 16.4%; with length of employment being associated with increased odds of being infected. The data obtained underscore the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for HCWs. This study documents the ability to obtain 100% vaccination coverage in nursing staff, an important goal in reducing the risk of HBV infection in this and other health care worker populations.     

Antigenic cartography using sera from sequence-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern infections reveals antigenic divergence of Omicron

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The magnitude and timing of recalled immunity after breakthrough infection is shaped by SARS-CoV-2 variants

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同种特异T细胞疫苗诱导移植物存活期延长的研究——Ⅱ.抗独特型T细胞免疫反应

同种特异T细胞疫苗(TCV)免疫诱导出同种免疫反应低下,同种移植物存活时间显著延长,推测其作用机制可能是同种特异TCV免疫诱导机体抗同种特异TCV(独特型)T细胞的上调.实验证实了“抗TCV-T细胞”的存在.以同种特异TCV免疫动物可诱导出对TCV特异的细胞增殖反应.TCV免疫小鼠淋巴细胞能特异杀伤TCV细胞.将TCV免疫小鼠脾细胞作为调节细胞,观察到它能显著地抑制同种MLR,表明它是一“抑制性T细胞”.这些结果提示,同种特异TCV免疫可诱导机体免疫网络中独特型-抗独特型的上调,产生了同种反应T细胞的独特型T细胞,从而保护同种移植物免受同种反应性T细胞的攻击使同种移植物存活时间显著延长.     

Evaluation of mucoadhesive property and the effect of Boswellia carteri gum on intranasal vaccination against small ruminant morbillivirus infection (PPR)

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to evaluate mucoadhesive property and immunomodulatory effect of phytogenic gums from Boswellia frereana, Boswellia carteri andCommiphora myrrha on intranasal Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccination in goats and sheep in an ex-vivo and in-vivo situations. Plant gums were purified, dried and compressed into 500gm tablets. Modified shear stress measurement technique was used on freshly excised trachea and intestine tissues of goat to measure peak adhesion time. Forty eight animals (24 goats and 24 sheep) were divided into eight groups (of 3 goats and 3 sheep) and immunized intranasally with gum-vaccine combinations in two ratios (1:1, 1:2). Antibody against PPR virus was measured on day 14, 28, 42 and 56 post vaccination using H-based PPR bELISA. The peak adhesion time of the different gums was transient. PPR virus antibodies were detected in all immunized goats and sheep but not in unvaccinated control. The best percentage inhibition was recorded for Boswellia carteri-vaccine combination group at a ratio of 1:1. Administration of Boswellia carteri-PPR vaccine combination through intranasal or subcutaneous route, elicited similar antibody titre, implying that the intranasal route may be used as a non-invasive alternative delivery in PPR vaccination of small ruminants.     

Genetic drift in the genome of SARS COV-2 and its global health concern

The outbreak of the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred in late 2019 and quickly spread all over the world. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to a genetically diverse group that mutates continuously leading to the emergence of multiple variants. Although a few antiviral agents and anti-inflammatory medicines are available, thousands of individuals have passed away due to emergence of new viral variants. Thus, proper surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 genome is needed for the rapid identification of developing mutations over time, which are of the major concern if they occur specifically in the surface spike proteins of the virus (neutralizing analyte). This article reviews the potential mutations acquired by the SARS-CoV2 since the pandemic began and their significant impact on the neutralizing efficiency of vaccines and validity of the diagnostic assays.     

Detection and localization of avian alphaherpesviruses in embryonic tissues following in ovo exposure

We investigated whether chicken embryonic tissues are susceptible to infection with virulent Marek’s disease virus (MDV). Groups of embryonic day (ED) 17 chicken embryos and 1-day-old chicks were compared for tissue sites of viral persistence of MDV and herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) in lungs, thymuses, bursae of Fabricius and spleens. MDV DNA was detectable in the lungs and thymuses of embryos at 3 days post-inoculation (DPI) by in situ hybridization, while HVT DNA was only present in embryonic lungs. The target cells in lungs and thymuses appeared non-lymphoid and lymphoid, respectively. By 5 days post-inoculation, both viruses were detectable in all organs examined and persisted after hatch. Although MDV DNA was present in the embryo, there was little evidence of viral replication. These findings demonstrate the differences in pathogenesis of embryonic infection with MDV and HVT and provide evidence that the chicken embryo is susceptible to infection with a virulent avian herpesvirus.