Lymphatic Filariasis: An Immunologic Perspective

Introduction: This paper provides an overview of the current immunologic research findings of lymphatic filarial worms, which affect millions of people worldwide. Objectives: This paper aims to discuss the immunologic features of lymphatic filarial worms. It also aims to highlight their potential anti-inflammatory actions and the use of anti-filarial drugs against COVID-19. Methods: A literature review was performed to obtain insights on the immunologic features of lymphatic filarial worms. Results: The CD4+ (Th2) response profile is the main defence against filarial worms. Modulation of human immune responses are primarily mediated by parasite-secreted peptides. Lymphatic filarial worms have anti-inflammatory potentials. Drug repurposing of diethylcarbamazepine, doxycycline, and ivermectin can be looked upon against COVID-19. Conclusion: Lymphatic filarial worms have several immunologic effects on host immune systems, which promote chronic infection and curtail anti-inflammatory responses. Insights in this paper can serve as a guide for the understanding of immunologic aspects of lymphatic filarial worms.

Infinity Flow: High-throughput single-cell quantification of 100s of proteins using conventional flow cytometry and machine learning

Modern immunologic research increasingly requires high-dimensional analyses in order to understand the complex milieu of cell-types that comprise the tissue microenvironments of disease. To achieve this, we developed Infinity Flow combining hundreds of overlapping flow cytometry panels using machine learning to enable the simultaneous analysis of the co-expression patterns of 100s of surface-expressed proteins across millions of individual cells. In this study, we demonstrate that this approach allows the comprehensive analysis of the cellular constituency of the steady-state murine lung and to identify novel cellular heterogeneity in the lungs of melanoma metastasis bearing mice. We show that by using supervised machine learning, Infinity Flow enhances the accuracy and depth of clustering or dimensionality reduction algorithms. Infinity Flow is a highly scalable, low-cost and accessible solution to single cell proteomics in complex tissues.

Morpho-biochemical and immunohematologic features of calves infected with the agent of viral diarrhea

Тhe key direction of scientific research is considered to be the study of the characteristics of the course and manifestation of the disease, as well as the determination of virulent properties of pathogens. Calves infected with the agent of viral diarrhea were chosen as a model for study of the infectious process. The study summarizes the pathogenetic mechanisms of development and expression of viral diarrhea. Clinical, biochemical, and immunehematologic features of the disease were specified. data on morphological changes in parenchymal organs of diseased animals were found. Changes in protein, lipid, mineral metabolism, and electrolyte balance indices associated with increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase are considered to be metabolic features of VD. Immunologic research showed a shift in the process of lymphocyte differentiation with activation of the b-cell link of immunity and a decline in the phagocytic index. Calves infected with VD revealed signs of structural immunodeficiency, which is morphologically confirmed by the decrease of most of the lymphoid follicles of the spleen. The lungs displayed signs of catarrhal and purulent bronchitis, manifested by hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium, desquamation of the epithelium and accumulation of exudate in the bronchial lumen and peribronchial edema. Evidence of serous lymphadenitis were registered in the lymph nodes associated with reduction of subcapsular lymphoid follicles, both in the subcapsular and central sinuses. They were accompanied by the growth of connective tissue in the stroma of the organ.

Environmental Impact on Health across Generations: Policy Meets Biology. A Review of Animal and Human Models

Intrauterine and early life has been accepted as important susceptibility windows for environmental exposure and disease later in life. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure before conception may also influence health in future generations. There has been little research on human data to support this until now. This review gives evidence from epigenetic as well as immunologic research, and from animal as well as human models, supporting the hypothesis that there may be important susceptibility windows before conception in relation to exposure such as obesity, diet, smoking and infections. It is likely that we can identify vulnerability windows in men and women in which interventions may have an impact on several generations in addition to individual health. Establishing vulnerability windows affecting health over future generations, and not only in the now or the near future of the individual, may provide tremendous opportunities for health policy and practice.