Immune Response and Mechanisms of IFN-γ in Administration for Keratomycosis

Meta-Analysis: Randomized Trials of Lactobacillus plantarum on Immune Regulation Over the Last Decades

Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum strains, belong to lactic acid bacteria group, are considered indispensable probiotics. Here, we performed meta-analysis to evaluate the regulatory effects of L. plantarum on the immunity during clinical trials. This meta-analysis was conducted by searching across four most common literature databases, namely, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed. Clinical trial articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed by Review Manager (version 5.3). p-value < 0.05 of the total effect was considered statistically significant. Finally, total of 677 references were retrieved, among which six references and 18 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The mean differences observed at 95% confidence interval: interleukin (IL)-4, -0.48 pg/mL (-0.79 to -0.17; p < 0.05); IL-10, 9.88 pg/mL (6.52 to 13.2; p < 0.05); tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, -2.34 pg/mL (-3.5 to -1.19; p < 0.05); interferon (IFN)-γ, -0.99 pg/mL (-1.56 to -0.41; p < 0.05). Therefore, meta-analysis results suggested that L. plantarum could promote host immunity by regulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Immunoassay of interferon gamma by quartz crystal microbalance biosensor

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is a cytokine and an immunochemical marker that can be used for revealing of infectious diseases and especially for distinguishing of viral and some types of bacterial infections. Blood tests for IFNγ are typically based on immunoassays like Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In this paper, a biosensor working on the principle of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was developed as an alternative to the standard analytical methods for IFNγ. The biosensor contained antibodies against IFNγ immobilized on QCM and also on gold nanoparticles. A sandwich containing QCM, gold nanoparticles and IFNγ was formed and formation of the sandwich caused decrease of oscillation frequency. The assay exerted limit of detection 5.7 pg/ml for a sample sized 50 μl and one measuring cycle was finished within 90 min. The assay by biosensor fully correlated to standard ELISA. In a conclusion, the biosensor appears to be a fully applicable analytical tool for a simple assay of IFNγ. Overall simplicity and no special requirement on staff and equipment are the major advantages of the here presented assay.