Evaluation of Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (sHLA-G) Isoforms and Regulatory T Cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Soluble forms of nonclassical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have recently been suggested as immunomodulatory factors in multiple sclerosis (MS). HLA-G inhibits the effecter function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Also regulatory T cells (Treg) are considered as pivotal players in MS pathogenesis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the presence of HLA-G molecules and Treg cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients and compare it to healthy controls. Patients with RRMS (n=205, mean age=31.32±8.53) and healthy subjects (n=205, mean age=32.2±7.48) were studied. The patients subgrouped to untreated and treated with Interferon beta. Then sHLA-G levels (sHLA-G1 and sHLA-G5) were measured using ELISA method. Treg (CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+) cells in patients who had sHLA-G>10 U/ml were characterized by using flow cytometry. Our data showed that there was no significant differences between RRMS patients and healthy controls in sHLA-G concentration (p>0.05). Treg cell frequencies were higher in the patients who had sHLA-G >10 U/ml compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05). Collectively, there was significant correlation between sHLA-G and frequency of Treg cells in treated RRMS patients and healthy individuals. It seems that high level sHLA-G has been instrumental in raising frequency of Treg cells in treated patients and could be associated with remission of MS disease

Development of specific nanobodies (VHH) for CD19 immuno-targeting of human B-lymphocytes

Objective(s): CD19 is a transmembrane glycoprotein of immunoglobulin superfamily. In order to treat lymphoma, monoclonal antibodies (mAb) can target different antigens, including CD19, CD20 and CD22 on the surface of B-cells. Along with biotechnology progress, a new generation of antibodies is introduced, with the purpose of eliminating the defects of the previous generation. Among the most developed one are nanobodies (Nb).  Nbs are a unique kind of camelid single domain antibody fragments with a broad range of medical applications. Unique physicochemical properties of Nbs have made them ideal candidates for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Materials and Methods: An immune gene library was created, and several CD19 specific Nbs were selected through antigen panning process, and their molecular properties as well as specificity, sensitivity, affinity and immunoreactivity against CD19 positive and negative cells were evaluated. Results: The Nb library was prepared with 7.2 x107 members. We managed to isolate a panel of CD19-specific Nbs after the last round of selection with the affinity of isolated Nbs being estimated at the standard range of 15-35 nM.  Sequence analysis of positive clones was indicative of the fact that 12 variable sequences were confirmed. Of all these 12 clones, 2 clones with the greatest level signal in ELISA underwent subsequent analysis. Our sequencing results indicated high sequence homology (approximately 90%) between the Nb and Homa variable immunoglobulin domains.Conclusion: Specific Nbs possess the potential to be used as novel therapeutic approaches in order to treat autoimmune diseases and B-cell lymphoma

Novel approach of vaccination against Brucella abortus 544 based on a combination of fusion proteins, human serum albumin and brucella abortus Lipopolysaccharides.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Brucella abortus is an essential component for developing the subunit vaccine against brucellosis. B. abortus LPS was extracted by n-butanol, purified by ultracentrifugation and detoxified by alkaline treatment. Pyrogenicity and toxicity of B. abortus LPS and detoxified–LPS (D-LPS) were analyzed and compared with LPS of E. coli. Different groups of mice were immunized intraperitoneally with purified B. abortus LPS, D-LPS, a combination of LPS with human serum albumin (LPS-HSA) and B. abortus S19 bacteria; besides, control mice were inoculated with sterile saline. Two doses of vaccine were given 4 weeks apart. Mice were challenged intraperitoneally with virulent B. abortus 544 strain 4 weeks after the second dose of vaccine. Sera and spleens of mice were harvested 4 weeks after challenge. LPS-B. abortus was 10,000-fold less potent in LAL test and 100-fold less potent in eliciting fever in rabbits than in E. coli LPS. And D-LPS was very less potent in LAL test and eliciting fever in rabbits ordinary LPS. The antibody titer of anti-LPS immunoglobulin G (IgG) was higher than D-LPS. However, mice immunized with either LPS, D-LPS or LPS-HSA vaccines showed a significant protection against infection of the spleen (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between mice immunized with LPS and D-LPS in terms of protection (p<0.99). Therefore, it was concluded that D-LPS and LPS-HSA for B. abortus can be used as safer and more potent vaccines than ordinary LPS-B. abortus vaccine

Role of Iron Overload in Apoptosis of Balb/c Mice Macrophages Infected with Leishmania Major In Vitro

Objective: Although Iron is a crucial element for many metabolic pathways of the body, the excess iron may induce apoptosis in some cell types such as macrophages. In the present investigation, the role of iron overload in inducing apoptosis of Balb/c mice macrophages infected with L. major in vitro, as a selective model, was studied.Materials and Methods: The peritoneal macrophages were harvested and cultured with different concentrations of iron to refuse its cytotoxic effect. Then, the macrophages were harvested and cultured with or without Leishmania in the presence of iron or donated reagent [S-Nitro-N-Acetylpenicillamine(SNAP)] or an inhibitor of NO, synthase [NG-Methyl-L-Arginine(NMMA)]. The concentration of NO as an immunological mediator in culture supernatants was measured after 18 hour incubation. Simultaneously, macrophages undergoing apoptosis were identified by fluorescence and electron microscopy.Results: The findings showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between iron overload and apoptosis (p<0.05). Apoptosis rate had also increased in the macrophages cultured with iron, SNAP, NMMA, as compared with control group.Conclusion: Iron influences the apoptosis rate and NO production in the macrophages infected with L. major

Immunomodulatory and Therapeutic Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Organ Dysfunction in Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening disorder that is caused by a dysregulated inflammatory response during an infection. The disease mostly affects pregnant women, newborns, and patients in intensive care units (ICU). Sepsis treatment is a significant part of a country's health budgets. Delay in the therapy causes irreversible failure of various organs due to the lack of blood supply and reduction of oxygen in the tissues and eventually increased mortality. The involvement of four or five organs by sepsis has been attributed to an increased risk of death to over 90%. Although antibiotics are at the first line of sepsis treatment, they do not possess enough potency to control the disease and prevent subsequent organ failure. The immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-microbial properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported in various studies. Therefore, the application of MSCs has been considered as a potentially promising therapeutic strategy. In preclinical studies, the administration of MSCs has been associated with reduced bacterial load and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory factors as well as the improved function of the different vital organs, including heart, kidney, liver, and lungs. The current study provides a brief review of sepsis and its pathophysiology, and then highlights recent findings in the therapeutic effects of MSCs and MSC-derived secretome in improving sepsis-induced organ dysfunction. Besides, eligible sepsis candidates for MSC-therapy and the latest clinical findings in these areas have been reviewed

Comparative Study of The Effect of LPS on The Function of BALB/c and C57BL/6 Peritoneal Macrophages

Objective: Macrophages influence their environment and surrounding immune cells as soon as stimulators affect them. Different sources of macrophages induce different reactions in their neighboring immune cells,which result in non-uniform immunologic outcomes. In this experimental research, we compare the behavior of peritoneal macrophages to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation from BALB/cmice as an indicator of a type 2 immune response and from C57BL/6 mice as an indicator of a type 1 immune response.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, peritoneal macrophages prepared from thioglycolate stimulated BALB/c and C57BL/6 micewere treated with 1μg/ml LPS. At different time points after LPS treatment, nitric oxide (NO), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 4 (IL-4),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), interleukin 17 (IL-17), and interleukin 10(IL-10) production were measured in the supernatants of all macrophage cultures.Indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO) and phagocytic activitywere analyzed in the different experimental groups. The supernatant effects of LPS-treated macrophages on splenocyte proliferation was assessed by the colorimetric method using a 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reagent.Results: According to cytokine analysis, different mouse strains show different cytokine patterns in response to LPS. C57BL/6 macrophages produced more IL-17, IL-10, and IFN-γ, while BALB/c macrophages produced more TGF-β1 and IL-4. There was no significant difference in IDO activity between strains (p≤0.05). BALB/c mice produced more NO inthe first 24 hours after LPS treatment,but C57BL/6 produced more NO at 72 hours post-LPS treatment. Macrophages from both strains hada suppressor effect on splenocyte proliferation, but this effect was stronger in BALB/c mice.Conclusion: The results show that macrophages from different genetic backgrounds respond differently to the same stimulus in aspects of type, intensity, and time of response. The consideration of these aspects will enableresearchers to use correct treatment programs for immune-regulation or immunotherapy