Molecular immunology
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Molecular immunology · Jun 2016
Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type a and b flagellin vaccines in a burned mouse model.
Immunogenicity and efficacy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type a and b flagellins (hereafter, flagellins) as candidate vaccines were evaluated using an experimental burned mouse model. The protection afforded and the reduction in bacterial burden achieved by these vaccine candidates were determined. Primary immunization with flagellins followed by two booster shots generated a robust immune response. ⋯ Serum cytokine analysis demonstrated high IL-12 and low IL-10 levels in flagellin-immunized mouse sera. Reduced systemic bacterial spread from original infection site into liver and spleen was associated with increased survival. Immunization of mice with flagellins increased the humoral immune response and protection against P. aeruginosa infection in our mouse model.
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Molecular immunology · Apr 2016
Molecular studies of the immunological effects of the sevoflurane preconditioning in the liver and lung in a rat model of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Sevoflurane has been shown to improve ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) through several mechanisms, including amelioration of inflammatory response. However, there haven't been any studies considering the potential role of the complement system in sevoflurane-mediated amelioration of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our purpose was to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in sevoflurane preconditioning in liver and lung injury induced by liver ischemia-reperfusion (LIR), giving emphasis to the immunological mechanisms. ⋯ In the SEVO/LIR group, ICAM1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the liver. No statistical significantly differences were observed in Complement component 3 (C3), Complement component 5 (C5) and Clusterin (CLU) mRNA levels in the liver or the lung tissue. Summarizing, sevoflurane preconditioning seems to ameliorate LIR-induced injury in the rats, mediated by mechanisms that include ICAM1 and complement C3 down regulation.
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Molecular immunology · Mar 2016
MicroRNA-21 as a novel biomarker in diagnosis and response to therapy in asthmatic children.
The underlying molecular mechanisms leading to asthma remain largely unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs exert powerful effects on immunological function by tuning networks of target genes that orchestrate cell activity. However, the role of miRNAs, specifically microRNA-21 (miRNA- 21), in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation is not well defined. Our aim was to investigate the serum miRNA- 21 expression levels as potential biomarker in childhood asthma [with, without inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy, and steroid resistant (SR)]; and their possible contributions in disease status, its molecular target interleukin-12 (IL-12) p35, and response to therapy. ⋯ This study suggested that serum miRNA-21 is stable and detectable in serum of asthmatic children, which could promise potential biomarker in diagnosis as well as in response to therapy of asthma.
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Molecular immunology · Dec 2015
Evaluation of the local inflammatory events induced by BpirMP, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops pirajai venom.
In this study, we evaluated the edema and hyperalgesic response induced by BpirMP, a P-I class metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops pirajai snake venom. The animals were injected with the metalloproteinase or sterile PBS (control group) and evaluated for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 24h. The intraplantar injection of BpirMP (5-50μg/paw) induced a dose- and time-dependent response. ⋯ Peak responses were significantly reduced by pretreatment of animals with pyrilamine, a histamine receptor antagonist, sodium cromoglycate, a mast cell degranulation inhibitor and valeryl salicylate and meloxicam, cyclooxygenase inhibitors. The analysis of the peritoneal cavity exudate revealed an acute inflammatory response with recruitment of leukocytes, increased levels of total proteins, nitric oxide and the cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that BpirMP induces inflammation mediated by mast cell degranulation, histamine, prostaglandins and cytokine production.
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Molecular immunology · Nov 2015
Review Historical ArticleMembranous nephropathy: A fairy tale for immunopathologists, nephrologists and patients.
This article reviews the considerable progress which has been made in the recent years in the understanding of the pathophysiology of membranous nephropathy, a model of organ-specific auto-immune disease. It shows how experimental models developed more than 30 years ago have led to the identification of several human antigens including neutral endopeptidase in the neonate, phospholipase A2 receptor, and thrombospondin 1 domain 7A in the adult, and cationic bovine serum albumin in children. Thanks to a successful GWAS performed in European Caucasians, the genetics of the disease begins to be understood. ⋯ It is remarkable that in this disease, the experimental models predicted the pathophysiology of the human glomerulopathy. The stories that we will tell in this article are aimed at young clinical investigators who are sometimes reluctant to embark on research projects. We hope that they will convince them that bedside research performed with intellectual curiosity and a bit of chance can lead to significant progress in clinical medicine.