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In spite of reports on cytokines induction by the Brucella DNA in murine model, there is no comparison between pathogenic and appropriate vaccine strains in human. We investigated the cytokines profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) induced by DNA extracted from pathogenic isolates of Brucella melitensis and B. abortus as well as Rev1 and S19; the appropriate vaccine strains. It was observed that despite differential induction of Interleukin(IL)-12 and IL-10 production, identical IL-12/IL-10 concentration ratio was obtained by all Brucella strains DNAs that was 2 after 24 h and 4 after 5 days of incubation. In addition, IL-2 and Interferon(IFN)-gamma production were profoundly increased compared to the medium at day 3 and 5 respectively but IFN-alpha was not induced. Therefore, Brucella strains DNAs are Th1 inducing component with similar pattern in human PBMCs.

Purification is an important step in the production of viral vaccines that strongly affects product recovery and subsequent immune responses. The present study was carried out with the aim of improving the purification of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) by the tangential flow filtration (TFF) method. Then, the effect of the purified virus on the induction of immune responses against IBDV in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens was investigated. The IBD07IR strain was propagated in embryonated SPF eggs. The virus was purified using a 100 kDa cassette. The quality of the recovered viruses was evaluated by titration. A total number of 60 SPF chickens were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20) and received the concentrated viral antigen, commercial live IBDV vaccine and phosphate-buffered saline at the age of 3 weeks by eye drop method. The bursa of Fabricius was examined histopathologically for possible changes. Sera were collected at 1-week intervals from day 0 until the end of 6 weeks after vaccination. The IBDV-specific antibody levels, induction of cell-mediated immunity and mRNA expression levels of cytokines were evaluated. The results showed that despite a relative raise in virus titer from 7.66 to 8.17 embryo infectious dose (EID)50 mL-1 following purification, both the purified IBDV and commercial vaccine are able to induce strong immune responses against the virus. Within a context of egg-based IBDV vaccine production, a single-step TFF can be applied for the relatively purification. This platform requires a further study in the selection of multiple membranes to optimize the operating conditions and final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing subunit vaccines is one of the strategies to address influenza infection. Recent innovations have focused on high doses of vaccine antigens and immune enhancers or adjuvant to induce more robust and long-lasting immune responses. Here, an effect of the B cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) to increase the magnitude and durability of immune responses of the recombinant HA1 (rHA1) protein against the H1N1 influenza virus was studied. The HA1 protein and the effector domain of BAFF-R were expressed in the pET-28a (+) vector. Eight-week-old BALB/c mice were equally grouped into five groups (n=20). The 15 and 25 μg/μL of rHA1 were mixed with 2 μg/μL of rBAFF-R and injected three times for vaccinated groups. Three control groups were received normal saline and two concentrations of rHA1. The ability of rBAFF-R in eliciting HA-specific antibody response and stimulating T lymphocyte proliferation to induce the cell-mediated immunity was assayed. Induction of protection was evaluated following the challenge with PR8 strain. Analysis of immune responses showed that the co-administration of rBAFF-R with rHA1 boosted HI responses to the antigen in mice, whilst it was not able to promote the T cell proliferation responses against influenza. Compared to rHA1alone, the rBAFF-R/rHA1 generated efficient protection for the animals. There were no significant differences in eliciting the immune responses in mice immunized with the lower dose of rHA1 than that with the higher dose. The data indicate the rBAFF-R can enhance the primary and memory immune responses to protect against influenza infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Administration of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in combination with estrogen (E2), could be an effective in the treatment of menopausal diabetes. • Combined treatments of SERMs and E2 were more effective than the effects of E2 or SERMs alone. • E2 or SERMs have beneficial effects on cardiovascular system by improving inflammatory balance and reducing Ang II levels. The beneficial effects of the administration of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and estrogen (E2), alone or in combination with each other, have been reported in postmenopausal diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction. In the present study, we determined the mechanism of action of SERMs and E2 on inflammatory balance, angiotensin II (Ang II) serum levels, and glycemic profile in a postmenopausal diabetic rat model. Ovariectomized rats with type 2 diabetes received daily SERMs (tamoxifen and raloxifene) and E2 for one month. After treatment, cardiovascular risk indices, glycemic profile, and serum Ang II, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were measured. Type 2 diabetes caused an abnormal glycemic profile, which was exacerbated by ovariectomy. All treatments inhibited the effects of diabetes and ovariectomy on the glycemic profile, with combined treatments (SERMs + E2) showing stronger effects. Cardiovascular risk indices that became abnormal by diabetes and worsened by ovariectomy were improved in all treatment modalities. Also, combined treatment reduced serum Ang II, TNF-α, and the ratio of TNF-α to IL-10, indicating an improvement in inflammatory balance. Our study showed the administration of SERMs and E2, alone or in combination, could be an effective alternative in the treatment of menopausal diabetes, and generally, the beneficial effects of combined treatments were more effective than the effects of E2 or SERMs alone. It appears that E2 or SERMs benefit the cardiovascular system by improving inflammatory balance and reducing Ang II levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]