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Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate immune responses, and their immunomodulatory potential can be enhanced using inflammatory cytokines. Here, the modulatory effects of IFN-γ-licensed MSCs on expression of T cell-related chemokines and chemokine receptors were evaluated using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. Material and Methods EAE was induced in 3 groups of C57bl/6 mice and then treated with PBS, MSCs and IFN-γ-treated MSCs. The EAE manifestations were registered daily and finally, the brain and spinal cords were isolated for histopathological and gene expression studies. Results The clinical scores were lowered in MSCs and IFN-γ-licensed MSCs groups, however, mice treated with IFN-γ-licensed MSCs exhibited lower clinical scores than MSCs-treated mice. Leukocyte infiltration into the brain was reduced after treatment with MSCs or IFN-γ-licensed MSCs compared to untreated group (P Conclusion Priming the MSC with IFN-γ can be an efficient approach to enhance the immunomodulatory potential of MSCs.

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease which may be due to the imbalance between Th1-, Th2 and Treg cell-related immune responses. Evidences suggest that appropriate stimulation with probiotics may correct the skewed immune response in children with AD. The aim was to determine the effects of the yogurt culture lactobacillus Bulgaricus on the secretion of Th1/Th2/Treg type cytokines by PBMCs from children with AD. Methods L. Bulgaricus was cultivated on MRS broth. The PBMCs from 20 children with AD were separated by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation and co-cultured with different concentrations of UV killed bacteria in RPMI-1640 plus 10% FCS for 48/72 h. The levels of IL-10, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-γ were measured in supernatant of PBMCs by ELISA. Results L. Bulgaricus significantly up-regulated the secretion of IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ, whereas decreased the secretion of IL-4 by PBMCs at both incubation times 48 h/72 h and both bacteria:PBMCs ratios 100:1/50:1, compared to control (p Conclusion These data show that L. Bulgaricus may modulate the secretion of Th1-, Th2-Treg-related cytokines in AD patients. Therefore, the possible potential therapeutic of L. Bulgaricus for treatment of AD should be consider in further investigation.

There are some evidences for the immunomodulation disorders in the response to intestinal microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease. Yogurt is a fermented milk product made with a starter culture consisting of different probiotics which could be colonized in intestine. However, the role of probiotics in the aetiopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been clarified. To determine how the immune system responds to these bacteria this study was planned.Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 (B. lactis) and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 (L. acidophilus) were cultivated on MRS broth. PBMCs of 36 UC patients were separated by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation and co-cultured with different concentrations of UV killed bacteria in RPMI-1 640 plus 10% FCS for 48/72 h. IL-10, TGF-β, IFN-γ and TNF-α were measured in supernatant of PBMCs by ELISA.Both bacteria significantly augmented IL-10, TGF-β, IFN-γ and TNF-α compared to control (p0.001). The secretion levels of IL-10 and TGF-β by B. lactis- compared to L. acidophilus-stimulated PBMCs were significantly higher (p0.05, p0.01 respectively). The secretion levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ by PBMCs after 72 h were significantly lower compared to 48 h stimulation by B. lactis (p0.001, p0.035 respectively).These data show that both probiotics may trigger the pro- and anti-inflammatory immune response of UC patients. It seems that IL-10/TGF-β uprising by B. lactis could be the reason of TNF-α/IFN-γ reduction. Therefore albeit B. lactis still stimulates the effector Th cells but because of more stimulatory effect on Tregs, it could be a good potential therapeutic candidate for further investigation.

Background Chemokines facilitate the leukocytes infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) which is an essential step in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Ginger has also a broad anti-inflammatory properties. The aim was to evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expression of CCL20 and CCL22 and their receptors (CCR6 and CCR4, respectively) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Material and Methods Female C57BL/6 mice used for EAE induction by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein. Then, the EAE mice were treated with PBS or ginger extract, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, mice were scarified and the expression of CCL20 and CCL22 and their receptors in the spinal cord measured using real time-PCR. Results The expression of CCL20, CCL22 and CCR4 in the spinal cord of PBS-administrated EAE mice was significantly higher than healthy group (P Conclusion Treatment of EAE mice with ginger extract down-regulate the expression of CCL20 and CCL22 and their receptors in EAE mice. The possible therapeutic potential of ginger for treatment of MS can be considered in future investigations.

OBJECTIVE: NKp44 and NKG2D are of the main NK activating receptors involved in recognition and killing of tumors. Here we studied the stimulatory effects of PHA and/or K562 cell line on induction of NKp44 and NKG2D expression and the NK activity of PBMCs from patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 10 patients with CRC. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from each patient received a single stimulation with PHA or double stimulation with PHA and irradiated K562 cell line (iK562). The expression of CD56, NKG2D and NKp44 were detected by flowcytometry. The NK activity of PBMCs against a colorectal carcinoma cell line named as SW742 was determined with 51Cr-release assay. RESULTS: Double stimulation of PBMCs with PHA+iK562 significantly augmented the number CD56(+) cells compared to PHA alone and non-stimulated PBMCs (P