Effect of encapsulated Cosmos caudatus leaf extract on the physiological conditions, immune competency, and antioxidative status of broilers at high stocking density

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of encapsulated Cosmos caudatus leaf extract on the physiological conditions, immune competency, and antioxidative status of broiler chickens raised at a high stocking density. After 15 days of rearing, 370 Lohmann broiler chicks were assigned to five treatment groups, including T0 (chicks were raised at a density of 10 birds/m2 and received no additive), T1 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds/m2 and received no additive), T2 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds/m2 and received 0.5 g/kg encapsulated C. caudatus leaf extract), T3 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds/m2 and received 1.0 g/kg additive), and T4 (chicks were raised at a density of 16 birds/m2 and received 1.5 g/kg additive). On days 28 and 42, blood samples from two chicks per pen were collected. On day 42, the chicks that had been blood-sampled were sacrificed, and blood samples and lymphoid organs (i.e., bursa of Fabricius, spleen, and thymus) were collected. The daily weight gain and feed efficiency of broilers (P < 0.01) in groups T2 and T3 were higher than those of broilers in groups T0, T1, and T4. Daily feed intake was greater (P < 0.01) in groups T0 and T1 than in groups T2 and T3. The erythrocyte content and hematocrit value of groups T1, T2, T3, and T4 were greater (P < 0.05) than those of group T0. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in group T4 was lower (P < 0.05) than that in groups T0, T1, and T2. Leukocyte and lymphocyte levels were higher in group T1 (P < 0.05) than in other groups. Serum albumin was higher in chicks reared at a high density (P < 0.05) than in chicks reared at a normal density. Lesion scores were higher in group T1 (P < 0.05) than in other groups. Chicks in groups T1 and T2 showed more severe pathological changes in their bursa of Fabricius compared with those in groups T0, T3, and T4. Serum superoxide dismutase was higher in groups T2, T3, and T4 (P < 0.05) than in groups T0 and T1. Chicks in group T4 had higher (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde levels than chicks in other groups. In conclusion, a high stocking density influences the metabolic rate and physiological conditions of broiler chicks, as reflected by alterations in the blood profiles of the animals. Stress due to a high stocking density could damage the bursa of Fabricius, but feeding with encapsulated C. caudatus leaf extract, especially at a rate of 1.5 g/kg, could alleviate the cortical and lymphocyte cell depletion of broilers. Regardless of the stocking density effect, dietary supplementation with encapsulated C. caudatus leaf extract at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg could improve the daily weight gain of broilers.

Sporotrichosis: Review of Innate and Acquired Immune Mechanisms

Context: Different factors such as the site of infection, the etiological agent, and the immune system can modify the antifungal response of the host. Differences in Sporothrix schenckii strains’ virulence and the host’s immune competency may be involved in the development of sporotrichosis. Nevertheless, the mechanisms related to the disease’s development and progression remain not fully elucidated. Nowadays, no model outweighs the usefulness of mice in biological studies. In these models, transient controlled immunity is created by depressed inflammatory cells during the acute phase of the disease. This is also related to nitric oxide-induced T-cell apoptosis and the lack of a mitogen response. Evidence Acquisition: The recognition of the lipid components of S. schenckii can induce and prolong inflammation. This recognition occurs mainly through the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 or the inflammasome. At the same time, TLR-2-mediated identification of fungal exoantigen can serve as an immune evasion process, continuing and worsening the infection. Cell-mediated immune mechanisms have a predominant influence on modulating the clinical expression of sporotrichosis, which is mainly related to Th1/Th17 immunity. Conclusions: In this study, we aimed to explore the innate and acquired immune mechanisms involved in sporotrichosis, as well as the most commonly used animal models for experimental studies.

RNA-loaded dendritic cells: more than a tour de force in cancer therapeutics

A wide array of therapeutic strategies has been implemented against cancers, yet their clinical benefit is limited. The lack of clinical efficacy of the conventional treatment options might be due to the inept immune competency of the patients. Dendritic cells (DCs) have a vital role in initiating and directing immune responses and have been frequently used as delivery vehicles in clinical research. The recent clinical data suggest the potential use of DCs pulsed with nucleic acid, especially with RNA holds a great potential as an immunotherapeutic measure with compare to other cancer therapeutics. This review mainly deals with the DCs and their role in transfection with RNA in cancer immunotherapy.

Metabolic control of immune-competency by odors in Drosophila

SUMMARYDrosophila blood-progenitor cells generate an inflammatory cell-type termed lamellocyte, in response to parasitic wasp-infections. In this study we show that olfaction primes lamellocyte potential. Specifically, larval odor-detection mediated release of systemic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from neurosecretory cells, is detected and internalized by blood progenitor-cells. GABA catabolism through the GABA-shunt pathway prevents Sima (HIFα) protein degradation. Sima is necessary and sufficient for lamellocyte induction. However, limited systemic GABA availability during development restricts blood-progenitor Sima levels and consequently their lamellocyte potential. Preconditioning Drosophila larvae in odor environments mimicking parasitoid-threatened conditions raises systemic GABA and blood-progenitor Sima levels. As a result, infection responses in these animals are rapid and efficient. Overall, this study explores the importance of sensory control of myeloid-immunity and unravels the adaptive influence of environmental odor-experience on myeloid-metabolism and priming innate-immune potential.