Production of Antibodies in Egg Whites of Chickens

Background: IgM, which participates in the primary immune response, is the primary antibody in egg whites. There is scant information about the production of antibodies in egg whites. This study describes the preparation of antibodies against a bacterial antigen, staphylococcal protein-A. Methods: The detection of antibodies against staphylococcal protein-A in egg white was performed by ELISA, and the antibodies were purified by protein-A affinity chromatography. Agglutination inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strains by purified antibodies against protein-A in vitro was investigated. Results: ELISA showed the production of antibodies against staphylococcal protein-A in the egg whites of layer hens. The antibodies were separated using affinity chromatography. The agglutination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strains occurred when the purified antibodies were incubated with S. aureus. Conclusion: The results showed that it is possible to produce antibodies against bacterial antigens in egg whites, which can have industrial applications in the preparation of antibodies for immunotherapy of infectious diseases.

Synthesis, and antimicrobial and anticancer activities of sodium acrylate copolymers

This study was designed to synthesize poly(sodium acrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) via aqueous free-radical polymerization using the 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile initiator system at 60°C. The structural characterization of the copolymer was determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The polymer was synthesized in two different ratios, namely, poly(NaAc-co-NIPA1:1) and poly(NaAc-co-NIPA2:1), to investigate whether it affects their antibacterial–antifungal activities and anti-tumour effects. When the antimicrobial activities of different proportions of the copolymer extracts prepared with pure water were examined using the agar disc diffusion sensitivity test (at 120 μL: 10.8 mg/µL), it was observed that they had effect at increasing rates against all the bacteria, yeasts and dermatophyte fungi such as Staphylococcus aureus COWAN 1, Staphylococcus cohnii ATCC 29974, Bacillus megaterium DSM 32, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae FMC 5, Pseudomonas aeruginosa DMS 50071 SCOTTA, Candida albicans FMC 17, Candida glabrata ATCC 66032, Trichophyton sp. and Epidermophyton sp. The results of this study revealed that the obtained copolymers have significant effects on the treatment of diseases. In addition, the anti-tumour activities of the poly(NaAc-co-NIPA1:1) copolymer on human breast (MCF-7) and ovarian cancer (A-2780) cell line were specified and it was determined that high doses of the copolymer showed anti-tumour effects on both types of cancer cell lines. Also, this article reviews its antimicrobial and anticancer activities that will be of help for future scientists.

Antimicrobial activity of some plant species used for the medical purpose in Turkey

İn this study, the antimicrobial activities of eight species plants, used for treatment of various diseases, were investigated. The extracts of Rhus coriaria L., Pistacia terebinthus L. subsp. palestina, Centaurea virgata Lav., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Ceterach officinarum DC., Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpianal (Guss) Tutin, Equisetum romasissimum Desf., Umbilicus erectus DC. have been prepared with methanol and the antimicrobial activities of these extracts have been examined on test microorganisms as follows: Staphylococcus aureus COWAN 1, Bacillus megaterium DSM 32, Klebsiella pneumoniae FMC 5, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans FMC 17, Candida glabrata ATCC 66032, C. tropicalis ATCC 13803, Trichophyton sp. and Epidermophyton sp. by disc diffusion methods. The MIC values of plant extracts were determined acording to the microdilutions assays. Results from obtained experimental studies showed that the extracts of R. coriaria, P. terebinthus sub. sp. palestina, U. erectus and C. virgata have been inhibited the growth of all over the microorganisms used in the test at different ratio. But the extracts of E. macroclada, C. officinarum, E. tenuifolia, L. sibthorpianal, E. romasissimum had no effect against some bacteria, yeasts and dermatophyta used in study. Also, The MIC values of real extracts have been determined as 20 - 0.3125 mg/ml.

Immunological disturbances in Good’s syndrome

Background: Immunodeficiency with a thymoma (Good’s syndrome) is a rare condition occurring in patients with adult-onset hypogammaglobulinaemia. Clinical report: We describe the case of a 38-yr-old woman with an upper mediastinal mass and inflammatory infiltrations in the lungs. After thymectomy, the patient’s condition did not improve. The HRCT scan showed bronchiectasies with parenchymal opacities. As pulmonary infection persisted despite wide spectrum antibiotic therapy, additional tests were performed to diagnose an immunodeficiency. Serum immunoglobulin levels were very low. T cell response to mitogens was normal, but to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I was impaired. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate showed a very low number of B-cell at all the stages of development (CD10+CD19+, CD5+CD20). In peripheral blood 2.5% of CD19+ lymphocytes were found. On the basis of clinical history and immunological analysis, Good’s syndrome was recognized. Treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin and antibiotics improved the patient’s performance. Conclusion: Measurement of serum immunoglobulin concentration is recommended for all patients suspected of thymoma.

A two-step induction of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) activity during dendritic-cell maturation

Prostaglandins, a family of lipidic molecules released during inflammation, display immunomodulatory properties in several models. One use includes exposure of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to a cocktail of cytokines that contains prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for purposes of maturation; such cells are currently being used for cancer immunotherapy trials. Our analysis of the transcription profile of DCs matured in the presence of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and PGE2 revealed a strong up-regulation of indoleamine 2-3 dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme involved in tryptophan catabolism and implicated in both maternal and T-cell tolerance. Using quantitative assays to monitor levels of IDO mRNA, protein expression, and enzyme activity, we report that PGE2 induces mRNA expression of IDO; however, a second signal through TNF receptor (TNF-R) or a Toll-like receptor (TLR) is necessary to activate the enzyme. Interestingly, use of TNFα, lipopolysaccharide, or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain (SAC) alone does not induce IDO. The effect of PGE2 is mediated by activation of adenylate cyclase via the Gs-protein-coupled receptor E prostanoid-2 (EP2). A better understanding of these regulatory mechanisms and the crosstalk between TNF-R/TLR and EP2 signaling pathways will provide insight into the regulation of T-cell activation by DCs and may help to improve existing immunotherapy protocols.

Enhanced Interleukin-12 and CD40 Ligand Activities but Reduced Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1-Induced Responses Suggest a Generalized and Progressively Impaired Type 1 Cytokine Pattern for Human Schistosomiasis

ABSTRACT Whole-blood-cell cultures from schistosomiasis patients were stimulated with a variety of T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent stimuli to determine whether the defect in type 1 cytokine expression observed following helminth infection is associated with alterations in interleukin-12 (IL-12) or CD40 ligand (CD40L) responsiveness. Cultures from uninfected individuals produced abundant gamma interferon in response to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC), while patients with intestinal and hepatosplenic disease displayed intermediate and weak responses, respectively. Importantly, the decrease in type 1 cytokine expression was not attributed to defects in IL-12- or CD40L-induced activity. Indeed, schistosomiasis patients displayed heightened responses and even produced more biologically active IL-12 when stimulated with SAC and CD40L than did uninfected controls. Finally, additional studies suggested only a partial role for IL-10, since intestinal patients were the only group that overproduced this downregulatory cytokine. Together, these studies demonstrate that the type 1 deficiency in chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is not related to specific defects in IL-12, IL-10, or CD40L activity, although changes in the functional status of antigen-presenting cells appear to be involved.