The immunogenicity of p24 protein from HIV-1 virus is strongly supported and modulated by coupling with liposomes and mannan.

Anti-viral and anti-tumor vaccines aim to induce cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (CTL) and antibodies. Conserved protein antigens, such as p24 from human immunodeficiency virus, represent promising component for elicitation CTLs, nevertheless with suboptimal immunogenicity, if formulated as recombinant protein. To enhance immunogenicity and CTL response, recombinant proteins may be targeted to dendritic cells (DC) for cross presentation on MHCI, where mannose receptor and/or other lectin receptors could play an important role. Here, we constructed liposomal carrier-based vaccine composed of recombinant p24 antigen bound by metallochelating linkage onto surface of nanoliposomes with surface mannans coupled by aminooxy ligation. Generated mannosylated proteonanoliposomes were analyzed by dynamic light scattering, isothermal titration, and electron microscopy. Using murine DC line MutuDC and murine bone marrow derived DC (BMDC) we evaluated their immunogenicity and immunomodulatory activity. We show that p24 mannosylated proteonanoliposomes activate DC for enhanced MHCI, MHCII and CD40, CD80, and CD86 surface expression both on MutuDC and BMDC. p24 mannosylated liposomes were internalized by MutuDC with p24 intracellular localization within 1 to 3 h. The combination of metallochelating and aminooxy ligation could be used simultaneously to generate nanoliposomal adjuvanted recombinant protein-based vaccines versatile for combination of recombinant antigens relevant for antibody and CTL elicitation.

sTREM-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, effect of smoking and inflammation.

Soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1; Triggering receptor expressed on myelocytes) is a new inflammatory marker indicating the intensity of myeloid cells activation and the presence of infection caused by extracellular bacteria and mould.The aim of our work was to detect and compare the levels of sTREM-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) and other ILD of non-infectious origin. The sTREM-1 levels were assessed by ELISA in 46 patients suffering from ILD, out of them 22 with PS. The levels of BALF sTREM-1 in PS patients were higher than in control group of ILD patients of non-infectious origin, however, the difference was not statistically significant. Since all PS patients except one were non-smokers we compared non-smokers PS with non-smokers ILD patients and found four times higher levels of BALF sTREM-1 in PS patients (P = 0.001). We also recorded the effect of smoking, ILD smokers had higher sTREM-1 levels than non-smokers (P = 0.0019). Higher concentrations of sTREM-1 were detected in BALF of patients with lymphadenopathy and with elevated inflammatory markers in BALF. Our results show that BALF sTREM-1 could be a good inflammatory marker and could help in diagnosis and PS monitoring. Detection of sTREM-1 in BALF indirectly points to myeloid cells activation in the lungs and helps to complete the information about the number of myeloid cells commonly determined in BALF with additional information concerning the intensity of their activation. This is the first study that analyses BALF sTREM-1 levels in patients with PS (Tab. 8, Ref. 28). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Antitussive and immunomodulating activities of instant coffee arabinogalactan-protein.

A low molecular mass arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) composed of galactose and arabinose with a low protein content, isolated from the instant coffee powder of Coffea arabica beans, has been tested on antitussive (in vivo) and immunomodulating (ex vivo) activities. The results of antitussive tests revealed a significant dose dependant cough-suppressive effect of coffee AGP. It was observed 30 or 60 min after AGP administration and its efficacy lasted during the entire experiment course. Immunological tests showed that AGP affected some mediators of immunocompetent cells of immune system as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 cytokines. It seems that coffee AGP is a good inductor of both pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ, however, less potent in TNF-α induction in comparison with that of ß-D-glucan. Evident induction of TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokines, pro-TH1 polarization supports our conclusion about bio-immunological efficacy of AGP with an emphasis on the cellular immunity.

Synthesis and bioimmunological efficiency of poly(2-oxazolines) containing a free amino group.

Novel amphiphilic copolymers on the basis of 2-oxazolines containing a free amino group were prepared. The copolymers were synthesized by the living cationic polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (ETOX) and 2-(4-aminophenyl)-2-oxazoline (APOX). The main goal of this work was the synthesis of water soluble polymer material with the defined number of functional groups necessary for the attachment of proteins and polysaccharides. A high concentration of free amino groups allows immobilization of various biosubstances, e.g. drugs, proteins or polysaccharides. Thermal properties have been studied with respect to the composition of the copolymers. Cytotoxicity and the bioimmunological efficiency of the selected copolymer were studied.

Study of new ways of supplementary and combinatory therapy of rheumatoid arthritis with immunomodulators. Glucomannan and Imunoglukán in adjuvant arthritis.

We studied the anti-arthritic activity of glucomannan (GM) isolated from Candida utilis and of Imunoglukán, a beta-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan (IMG) isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus. Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced intradermally by the injection of Mycobacterium butyricum in incomplete Freund's adjuvant to Lewis rats. Blood for biochemical and immunological analysis was collected on experimental days 1, 14, 21, and 28. A clinical parameter--hind paw volume (HPV)--was also measured. The detection of IL-1 alpha, IL-4, TNF alpha, and MCP-1 was done by immunoflowcytometry. On day 28--the end of the experiment--we determined spectrophotometrically: the total anti-oxidant status (TAS) of plasma samples along with thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) levels in plasma and we assessed the activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in hind paw joint homogenate. The experiments included healthy animals, arthritic animals without treatment, and arthritic animals with administration of glucomannan (GM-AA) in the oral daily dose of 15 mg/kg b.w. and of IMG (IMG-AA) in the oral daily dose of 2 mg/kg b.w. The progress of AA was manifested by all parameters monitored. Both substances had beneficial effects on HPV, TBARS levels, GGT activity, and TAS levels. For cytokine assessment, only IMG-AA samples were selected, considering the significant HPV improvement accompanied with the observed anti-oxidant action. IMG administration had a positive immunomodulating effect on all cytokine plasma levels measured, changed markedly due to arthritis progression. Thus, IMG may be considered as a candidate for combinatorial therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induced by 6-bromo-2-(morpholin-1-yl)-4-anilinoquinazoline on cells of leukemia lines.

UNLABELLED: Quinazolines are known to be multitarget agents with broad spectrum of biological activity. AIM: To investigate anticancer activity of newly prepared 6-bromo-2-(morpholin-1-yl)-4-anilinoquinazoline (BMAQ) towards L1210, HL-60 and U-937 leukemia cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Growth inhibition of BMAQ-treated cells was determined by cell counting using trypan blue staining technique. Apoptosis and cell cycle profile changes were analysed using internucleosomal DNA fragmentation assay, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Activity of caspase-3 was determined using colorimetric method. RESULTS: Cell proliferation assay showed that BMAQ caused significant decrease of cell number in a dose-dependent manner. BMAQ induced cell death by apoptosis, based on results from DNA fragmentation, fluorescence microscopy and caspase-3 assays. CONCLUSION: Presented results clearly demonstrate that BMAQ is a promising anticancer agent with significant antiproliferative and apoptotic activities towards leukemia cells in vitro.

Enhanced early after-myocardial infarction concentration of TNF-alpha subsequently increased circulating and myocardial adrenomedullin in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Both inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the cardiac protective peptide adrenomedullin (AM) are increased in cardiac tissues and plasma in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic heart failure. Recently they have been increasingly recognized as important factors in the pathophysiology of MI and resultant congestive heart failure. Compared with sham-operated spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we investigated myocardial immunoreactivity of TNF-alpha and AM and also their mutual relations in vivo in SHR+MI. Residual myocardial depression after MI was studied also in isolated perfused hearts. In chronic experiments, 24 and 48 h after permanent ligation of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery, we examined hemodynamics, plasma and myocardial peptide levels. Left ventricular function was assessed in isolated perfused hearts subjected to "global ischemia and reperfusion" and after induction of "calcium paradox". Circulating and myocardial TNF-alpha concentrations increased early after MI in SHR. Studies with global ischemia and calcium paradox in isolated heart showed early myocardial depression and calcium-dependent gradual increase of left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure. In the SHR+MI myocardial AM concentrations were increased 9- and 49-fold after respective 24 h and culminated 48 h following MI. Circulating and myocardial AM was increased in SHR+MI in association with TNFalpha-induced myocardial depression. The both studied cardiac parameters displayed the beneficial effect of the enhanced myocardial AM concentration.

[Importance of determining serologic markers in patients with celiac disease]. / Význam vysetrenia serologických markerov u pacientov s celiakiou.

BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease is presently considered to be an autoimmune disorder. Basis for the diagnosis is the invasive histochemical examination of the intestinal biopsy. Pathologic changes are classified into three grades according to the villous atrophy. Due to the autoimmune process, the patients serum levels of the specific and nonspecific antibodies, more which easily accessible to investigation, are increase. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred thirty six probands (32 with coeliakia, 72 with other gastrointestinal disorders and 32 healthy ones) were included into the study. The antiendomysial, antireticular and antigliadin antibodies were examined. Results were compared with the histological finding in the gut sample. The highest sensitivity was found for antigliadin IgA antibodies (81%) and antiendomysial antibodies (75%). High specificity of the reaction in healthy subjects as well as in those with other gastrointestinal disorders (up to 100%), was found for antiendomysial and antireticular antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The most appropriate screening test the diagnosis of coeliac disease, appears to be the examination of the antigliadin antibodies of the class IgA and that of antiendomysial antibodies. On the basis of serology, today's high rate of underdiagnosing the disease can be prevented. However, the tests cannot differentiate between different degrees of the histological damage of the gut.