Immune responses to killed reassorted influenza virus supplemented with natural adjuvants

In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of a supplemented killed influenza virus (V) by Echinacea purpurea (E) and Nigella sativa (N) extracts and effect of changing the route of immunization from intramuscular (IM) to intraperitoneal (IP). At the 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-week post-IM immunizations (WPIMI), the supplemented V with N (VN) induced the most significant IgM response unlike N alone. At the 2nd WPIMI, V or VN induced the highest significant IgG levels. At the 2nd-week post-IP immunization (WPIPI), E and VN induced the most significant IgG levels. Both at the 3rd and 4th WPIMI or WPIPI, various treatments induced significant increases in IgG. At the 4th WPIMI, E, V, and V with E (VE) induced significant increases in the CD4+ thymocytes while all IP treatments caused significant increase in their counts. V and VN induced the most significant IM induction of CD8+ thymocytes while their best IP stimulation was induced by N, VE, and VN. At the 4th WPIMI, various treatments caused significant increases in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) CD4+, CD8+ counts. WPIPI with V or VE caused significant increases in both the CD4+- and CD8+ MLN cells, whereas VN significantly induced CD8+ MLN cells only. WPIPI with various treatments caused significant increases in the B-cell counts and the peak was obtained by VN

Design, synthesis, and biological profile of novel N-(5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) hydrazinecarboxamides

New series of arylthiadiazole hydrazinecarboxamides (5a-e) have been synthesized by hydrazinolysis of carbamates (4a-e) and spectrally characterized. The new candidates have been screened for their anticonvulsant and immunomodulatory activities. Compound 5e was the most potent anticonvulsant candidate as it showed 100% protection against both maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) screens without neurotoxicity at 100 mg/kg (0.318 mmol/kg). With respect to immunomodulation, compounds 5a and 5d revealed immunostimulatory activity while compounds 5b, 5c, and 5e had immunosuppressive responses based on ELISA detection of IgM and IgG levels, counting the total mesenteric lymph nodes lymphocytes, and histo-pathological examinations

Original Article Escherichia coli shares T- and B-lymphocyte epitopes with Schistosoma mansoni

Background: In this study, we tested the cross-reaction between crude Escherichia coli antigen (ECA) and 3 crude Schistosoma mansoni antigens. Methodology: The schistosomal antigens used were cercarial antigen preparation (CAP), soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP), and soluble egg antigen (SEA). Four groups each of 3 mice received 2 intraperotineal immunizations with the above-mentioned antigens at a twoweek interval. The dose of the ECA was 20 µg/100 μl PBS/mouse and that of any of the used schistosomal antigens was 50 µg/100 µl PBS/mouse. IgM and IgG reactivities and cross-reactivities were tested in individual immunized mice sera (IMS) against the abovementioned antigens by ELISA and Western blotting. The changes in the B, CD4 + and CD8 +-T cells ' counts post immunization were recorded. Results: Priming with ECA caused significant increases in IgM (P < 0.05) against CAP and SWAP, while both priming and boosting with ECA caused a significant elevation in the IgG only against SWAP. Priming and boosting with ECA or schistosomal antigens caused significant increases in IgM against ECA. Priming with ECA or SWAP caused significant elevation in IgG against ECA. In Western blotting

Original Article Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens enhance HCV replication in mammalian cells

These authors have equally contributed to the work. Background: This work demonstrates successful propagation of HCV in HepG2 and human blood cells as well as viral shedding into their culture media. The influence of Schistosoma mansoni crude soluble egg antigens (SEA) on the rate of viral propagation in both mammalian cells was also monitored. Methodology: HepG2 cells were inoculated with HCV viremic human sera and some wells were exposed to HCV infection in presence of SEA. Cells were harvested for RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. HepG2 media was collected for HCV ELISA. Blood samples from HCV-infected humans were cultured in the presence and absence of SEA. Media were collected at different time points post culturing and subjected to HCV ELISA. Results: The ELISA concentration of HCV antigens were generally higher in media of infected HepG2 cells compared to media of control cells at all time intervals post infection. Western blots showed reactivity to immunogenic peptides of different molecular weights in lysate of infected HepG2 cells that were not evidenced in uninfected cells. In presence of SEA, RT-PCR results revealed earlier detection of viral RNA in infected HepG2 cells compared to in absence of such bilharzial antigen. Also, ELISA results revealed higher levels of detected HCV antigens in media of both infected HepG2 and blood cells cocultured with S. mansoni SEA compared to that of cultured infected cells in absence of the parasite antigens