TonB-dependent receptor epitopes expressed in M. bovis BCG induced significant protection in the hamster model of leptospirosis

Abstract Leptospirosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. A universal vaccine against leptospirosis is likely to require highly conserved epitopes from pathogenic leptospires, that are exposed on the bacterial surface, and that generate a protective and sterilizing immune response. Our group recently identified several genes predicted to encode TonB-dependent receptors (TBDR) in Leptospira interrogans using a reverse vaccinology approach. Three leptospiral TBDRs were previously described and partially characterized as ferric-citrate, hemin, and cobalamin transporters. In the current study, we designed a fusion protein composed of predicted surface-exposed epitopes from three conserved leptospiral TBDRs. Based on their three-dimensional structural models and the prediction of immunogenic regions, nine putative surface-exposed fragments were selected to compose a recombinant chimeric protein. A Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain expressing this chimeric antigen encoded in the pUP500/PpAN mycobacterial expression vector was used to immunize Syrian hamsters. All animals (20/20) vaccinated with recombinant BCG survived infection with a endpoint dose of L. interrogans (P < 0.001). No animal survived in the negative control group. Immunization with our recombinant BCG elicited a humoral immune response against leptospiral TBDRs, as demonstrated by ELISA and immunoblot. No leptospiral DNA was detected by lipL32 qPCR in the kidneys of vaccinated hamsters. Similarly, no growth was observed in macerated kidney cultures from the same animals, suggesting the induction of a sterilizing immune response. Design of new vaccine antigens based on the structure of outer membrane proteins is a promising approach to overcome the impact of leptospirosis by vaccination.

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UREA IN CORN SILAGE AS A SUPPLEMENTAL NITROGEN SOURCE FOR LACTATING COWS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas79-050 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 403-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

F. D. SAUER ◽

J. D. ERFLE ◽

S. MAHADEVAN ◽

J. R. LESSARD

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Protein A ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Negative Control Group ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Negative Control ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Control Group ◽

Protein Nitrogen

Thirty-two Holstein cows in second or later lactation were randomly allocated to four treatment groups within 7 to 10 wk postpartum. Treatment rations were fed ad libitum as a complete feed and consisted of a negative control group which was fed a corn-oats-barley concentrate-corn silage mixture (40:60) with 9.4% crude protein, a urea silage group fed the same grain concentrate mixed with corn silage that contained 0.6% urea (on a fresh weight basis) to give 12.5% total ration crude protein, a group fed a soybean meal concentrate mixed with corn silage (12.7% crude protein), and a group fed a 3% urea corn-oats-barley concentrate mixed with corn silage to give a 12.8% total ration crude protein. The three groups supplemented with protein or non-protein nitrogen had greater weight gains, feed consumption, milk yields, milk persistencies, rumen ammonia nitrogen concentrations and greater rumen microbial cell populations than the negative control group. The results indicate that urea supports milk production when fed as part of a complete feed. Previous work showed that the same daily intake of urea when fed twice daily as part of the concentrate was ineffective.

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Protection against Lethal Leptospirosis after Vaccination with LipL32 Coupled or Coadministered with the B Subunit of Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.05720-11 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 740-745 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

André A. Grassmann ◽

Samuel R. Félix ◽

Carolina Ximendes dos Santos ◽

Marta G. Amaral ◽

Amilton C. P. Seixas Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Immune Response ◽

Subunit Vaccine ◽

Lethal Dose ◽

Control Group ◽

Hamster Model ◽

Content Type ◽

B Subunit ◽

Heat Labile ◽

A Subunit

ABSTRACTLeptospirosis, a worldwide zoonosis, lacks an effective, safe, and cross-protective vaccine. LipL32, the most abundant, immunogenic, and conserved surface lipoprotein present in all pathogenic species ofLeptospira, is a promising antigen candidate for a recombinant vaccine. However, several studies have reported a lack of protection when this protein is used as a subunit vaccine. In an attempt to enhance the immune response, we used LipL32 coupled to or coadministered with the B subunit of theEscherichia coliheat-labile enterotoxin (LTB) in a hamster model of leptospirosis. After homologous challenge with 5× the 50% lethal dose (LD50) ofLeptospira interrogans, animals vaccinated with LipL32 coadministered with LTB and LTB::LipL32 had significantly higher survival rates (P< 0.05) than animals from the control group. This is the first report of a protective immune response afforded by a subunit vaccine using LipL32 and represents an important contribution toward the development of improved leptospirosis vaccines.

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IMMUNE RESPONSE TO CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDES OF STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE IN OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN VACCINATED WITH 13-VALENT CONJUGATE PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE

PEDIATRIA Journal named after G N SPERANSKY ◽

10.24110/0031-403x-2020-99-6-177-183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 99 (6) ◽

pp. 177-183

Author(s):

M.P. Kostinov ◽

◽

A.A. Dzhumagaziev ◽

D.A. Bezrukova ◽

D.V. Raisky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Solid Phase ◽

Pneumococcal Vaccination ◽

Negative Control ◽

Main Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Capsular Polysaccharides ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Mean Values ◽

Pneumococcal Serotype

Objective of the research: to determine IgG antibodies (AB) to S. pneumoniae serotypes in overweight children after administration of a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Materials and methods: blood serum of 17 children with excess BW (main group) and 40 children with normal BW (control group) aged 3 to 7 years, vaccinated with PCV13 were examined. The method of solid phase ELISA was used for determination of IgG AB levels to a mixture of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) of pneumococcus contained in PCV13 and serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F S. pneumoniae, after 6 months after vaccination with PCV13. Results: all children had post-vaccination specific AB to pneumococcal serotypes in the value higher than the negative control. In the main group, the mean values of IgG AB to 5 of 13 S. pneumoniae serotypes 7F, 9V, 18C, 19A, 23F and to the mixture of CPS in the vaccine were higher than in the control group, as well as the proportion of children with high (more than 100 cu) levels of IgG AB to the mixture of PCV13 CPS and to the pneumococcal serotype 18C in comparison with the control. Further study of the immune response to pneumococcal vaccination in children with metabolic disorders is needed.

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Evaluation of Immunomodulatory activity of Diosgenin in rats

International Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research ◽

10.31878/ijcbr.2018.43.15 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 70-75

Author(s):

Vikram V Nimbalkar ◽

Urmila E Kadu ◽

Ravina P Shelke ◽

Suvarna A Shendge ◽

Pratiksha N Tupe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Dosage Level ◽

Negative Control ◽

Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽

Phagocytic Index ◽

Control Group ◽

Immunomodulatory Activity ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Nonspecific Immunity ◽

Stimulation Of

Background: The immune system is intrinsic to health. Modulation of the immune responses to alleviate the diseases by using herbal plants has been of interest for many years. Diosgenin, a naturally occurring steroid saponin mainly present in the seeds of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) and in the root tubers of wild yams (Dioscorea villosa). Activation of specific and nonspecific immunity results in stimulation of immune response. Diosgenin has the positive effects on both specific and nonspecific immunity. Aim: To study the immunomodulatory activity of Diosgenin in albino wistar rats. Method: The suspension of Diosgenin was given orally at the dosage level of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg for 21 days in a rat. The immunomodulatory activity on specific and non-specific immunity was studied by heamagglutination antibody (HA) titer, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and carbon clearance test. Immunosuppression in a rat was induced by using Cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) were used as antigen (0.1ml 20% SRBCs). Result: Diosgenin exhibited significant increase in the production of antibody titer in response to SRBC antigen. A significant increase in both primary and secondary HA titer was observed in immunosuppressed group treated with Diosgenin when compared with negative control. A significant increase in the DTH response was observed in immunosuppressed animals treated with Diosgenin, pre-sensitized with SRBCs antigen. Diosgenin exhibited significant increase in phagocytic index against control group, indicating the stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system. Conclusion: The study indicates that Diosgenin triggers stimulatory effect on specific and nonspecific immune response. The immunostimulant effect of Diosgenin could be attributed due to its saponin glycoside.

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Vaccination with the Chlamydia trachomatis Major Outer Membrane Protein Can Elicit an Immune Response as Protective as That Resulting from Inoculation with Live Bacteria

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.73.12.8153-8160.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 73 (12) ◽

pp. 8153-8160 ◽

Cited By ~ 118

Author(s):

Sukumar Pal ◽

Ellena M. Peterson ◽

Luis M. de la Maza

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽

Membrane Protein ◽

Outer Membrane ◽

Outer Membrane Protein ◽

Negative Control Group ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Major Outer Membrane Protein ◽

Control Group

ABSTRACT BALB/c mice were vaccinated by the intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes with a native preparation of the Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (MoPn) major outer membrane protein (MOMP), using Montanide ISA 720 and CpG-1826 as adjuvants. A negative control group was immunized with ovalbumin and the two adjuvants, and a positive control group was immunized intranasally (i.n.) with 104 inclusion-forming units (IFU) of C. trachomatis. Four weeks after the last i.m.-plus-s.c. immunization, mice were challenged in the ovarian bursa with 105 IFU of C. trachomatis MoPn. Six weeks after the genital challenge, animals were mated, and the pregnancies were monitored. After vaccination with MOMP, the mice developed strong Chlamydia-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Following the genital challenge, of the mice vaccinated with the MOMP, only 15% (3/20) had positive vaginal cultures, while 85% (17/20) of the animals immunized with ovalbumin had positive cultures over the 6 weeks of observation (P < 0.05). Also, only 14% (3/21) of the animals inoculated i.n. with Chlamydia had positive vaginal cultures. After mating, 75% (15/20) of the mice vaccinated with MOMP carried embryos in both uterine horns. Of the animals vaccinated i.n. with the Chlamydia, 81% (17/21) had embryos in both uterine horns (P > 0.05). In contrast, only 10% (2/20) of the mice immunized with ovalbumin had embryos in both uterine horns (P < 0.05). In conclusion, immunization with a purified preparation of the MOMP is as effective as vaccination with viable C. trachomatis in eliciting a protective immune response against a genital challenge in mice.

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The Specific Immune Response after Vaccination against Neonatal Calf Diarrhoea Differs between Apparent Similar Vaccines in a Case Study

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11051238 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1238

Author(s):

Román Gonzalez ◽

Laura Elvira ◽

Carlos Carbonell ◽

Geert Vertenten ◽

Lorenzo Fraile

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Calf Serum ◽

Group Versus ◽

Study Groups ◽

Negative Control ◽

Specific Immune Response ◽

Control Group ◽

Neonatal Calf ◽

Calf Diarrhoea

Neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) is a major health challenge with a negative impact on farm profitability, calf welfare and antimicrobial use. Neonatal calves are particularly sensitive to enteric infections. Thus, a key point for prevention is minimising infectious pressure and maximising specific immune responses. An amount of 120 dams not previously vaccinated against NCD were randomly allocated to one of three study groups: negative control versus two vaccinated groups (A and B). In the control group, the average level of antibodies was significantly low for both BoCV and ETEC (15.6 and 13.9% in the colostrum samples, respectively), demonstrating the importance of dam vaccination. Indeed, the level of specific immunity was significantly increased for BoCV and ETEC with dam vaccination using both one-shot vaccines versus the control group. Moreover, the statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher level of antibodies for BoCV and ETEC in colostrum samples in vaccine A versus vaccine B and the control group. In accordance, the calf serum demonstrated a significantly higher level and greater homogeneity of antibodies against BoCV and ETEC in the Vaccine A group versus other experimental groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated a different specific immune response for the pathogens depending on the vaccine used to control NCD in cows.

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The effect of passive exposure to tobacco smoke on the immune response in children with asthma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-28878/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Agata Wawrzyniak ◽

Agnieszka Lipinska-Opalka ◽

Boleslaw Kalicki ◽

Malgorzata Kloc

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Immune System ◽

Tobacco Smoke ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Immunomodulatory Effects ◽

Passive Exposure ◽

Children With Asthma ◽

The Impact

Abstract IntroductionThere are a few publications about the impact of tobacco smoke on the children’s immune system. Material and MethodsThe study group consisted of 43 children with asthma.. The control group consisted of 37 healthy children. The exposure to tobacco smoke was assessed by the presence of the cotinine in the urine. ResultsThe group of children with asthma exposed to tobacco smoke had significantly higher levels of the IL-1 and lower levels IL-4 than children not exposed to the passive smoking. The children from the control group exposed to tobacco smoke had a significantly higher concentration of IL-4 than unexposed children. In the whole analyzed population, there was a significant correlation between the presence of cotinine and the concentration of IL-1 and CRP. ConclusionIn this study we found that the passive exposure to tobacco smoke has the immunomodulatory effects on the immune system.

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Comparing Impact of Two Resin Infiltration Systems on Microhardness of Demineralized Human Enamel after Exposure to Acidic Challenge

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.5878 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (D) ◽

pp. 92-97

Author(s):

Ebaa Alagha ◽

Mustafa Ibrahim Alagha

Keyword(s):

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Enamel Surface ◽

Control Group ◽

Single Bond ◽

Universal Adhesive ◽

Resin Infiltration ◽

Demineralized Enamel ◽

Insignificant Difference ◽

The Impact

AIM: This study compared the impact of two resin infiltration systems on microhardness of demineralized enamel before and after an acidic challenge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of forty human maxillary molar teeth were used in this study. Each tooth has 4 groups (four standardized windows onto each tooth). Group A1: Untreated sound enamel surface (positive control), Group A2: Artificially demineralized enamel surface (negative control), Group A3: Icon resin infiltrating to demineralized enamel, while Group A4: Single bond universal adhesive applied to the demineralized enamel surface. All teeth were immersed in a demineralizing solution. The groups (A3 and A4) were further subdivided into two subgroups according to acidic ethanol challenge Subgroup B1: Specimens tested before an acidic challenge and B2: Specimens tested after an acidic challenge. Vickers microhardness test was done for all groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to study the difference between tested groups on mean microhardness within each group. Tukey’s post-hoc test was used for pair-wise comparison between the means when ANOVA test was performed, and the significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Icon resin infiltration and single bond universal adhesive showed significantly higher mean microhardness than negative control, but significantly lower mean microhardness than positive control. However, insignificant difference was found between icon and single bond universal adhesive. After the acidic challenge, icon resin infiltration showed significantly higher mean microhardness than negative control. However, single bond universal adhesive showed insignificant difference as compared to the negative control. CONCLUSION: After an acidic challenge, icon resin infiltration was more successful than single bond universal total-etch adhesive system in microhardness. RECOMMENDATION: Icon resin infiltration technique is a promising, noninvasive approach that prevents the progress of the carious lesion.

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Selection, characterisation and evaluation of potential probiotic Lactobacillus spp. isolated from poultry droppings

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2015.0020 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 35-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. Asghar ◽

M. Arif ◽

M. Nawaz ◽

K. Muhammad ◽

M.A. Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Negative Control ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Poultry Droppings

Aim of the present study was to characterise and evaluate probiotic potential of lactobacilli isolated from indigenous poultry. Lactobacilli were isolated from poultry droppings and identified by genus specific polymerase chain reaction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Isolates were characterised in vitro by their ability to tolerate low pH and bile salts, phytase activity, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic susceptibility profile, and autoaggregation and coaggregation with poultry gut pathogens. In vivo evaluation of selected isolates was done by their effect on the body weight gain and immune response of broiler chicks. Total of 90, one-day old chicks, were randomly divided in 9 groups and given selected lactobacilli alone and in combinations (108 cfu/bird, daily) from day 7 to day 35. Body weight gain and humoral immune response to New Castle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccine were determined weekly. Three lactobacilli isolates (SMP52, SMP64 and SMP70) were selected as potentially probiotic bacteria on the basis of in vitro characterisation and identified as Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus casei and L. crispatus, respectively. Chicks supplemented with ‘SMP52’, ‘SMP64’, ‘SMP70’ and ‘SMP64+SMP70’ and a commercial probiotic product (Protexin) showed significantly higher mean weight gain per bird (1,584±35.2, 1,629±30.6, 1,668±34.7, 1,619±29.5 and 1,576±31.7 g/bird, respectively) as compared to negative control group (1,394±26.7 g/bird), on day 35. SMP 70 also showed significantly higher geometric mean titre against NDV vaccine at day 21 as compared to negative control. It is concluded that L. crispatus SMP52, L. casei SMP64 and L. crispatus SMP70 are potential probiotic candidates which alone or in different combinations may increase body weight of broilers.

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Pausing methotrexate improves immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatic diseases

10.1101/2021.11.17.21266441 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amanthi Nadira Arumahandi de Silva ◽

Leonie Maria Frommert ◽

Fredrik N Albach ◽

Jens Klotsche ◽

Veronika Scholz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Antibody Response ◽

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Control Group ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Humoral Immune ◽

Time Period ◽

Age Dependent ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

The Impact

Objective: To study the effect of methotrexate (MTX) and its discontinuation on the humoral immune response after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD). Methods: Neutralising SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured after second vaccination in 64 rheumatic patients on methotrexate therapy, 31 of whom temporarily paused medication without a fixed regimen. The control group consisted of 21 AIRD patients without immunosuppressive medication. Results: MTX patients showed a significantly lower median antibody response compared to AIRD patients without immunosuppressive therapy (p< 0.001). Young age (<60 years) and MTX-hold after vaccination were found to be the main factors influencing antibody response after vaccination, while BMI or MTX dose demonstrated no effect. For patients taking MTX, age correlated negatively with immune response (r=-0.49; p<0.001) and all patients with antibody levels (14 %) below the cut-off were older than 60 years. Patients who held MTX during at least one vaccination showed significantly higher median neutralising antibody levels after second vaccination, compared to patients who continued MTX therapy during both vaccinations (68.82 %, 92.73 %, p=<0.001). This effect was particularly pronounced in patients older than 60 years (p=0.0016). The impact of the time period after vaccination was greater than of the time before vaccination with the critical cut-off being 10 days. Conclusion: MTX reduces the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in an age-dependent manner. Our data further suggest that holding MTX for at least 10 days after vaccination significantly improves the antibody response in patients over 60 years of age.

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