Response of ADA and Its Isoenzymes in Mice Infected by Trichinella Spiralis and Treated with Mimosine

Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Peptides of GP63 Induce Differential Protection against Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

The need for a vaccine against Leishmania spp., a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, is urgent. We tested the efficacy of an experimental vaccination in murine models of cutaneous leishmaniasis, using dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with synthetic or native parasite antigens. DCs pulsed with peptide 154–169aa of gp63 or soluble promastigote lysate (SPL) triggered antigen-specific immune responses and efficiently reduced lesion formation and parasite load of genetically susceptible BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. This effect was accompanied by a modulation of the cellular immune response towards a Th1 profile. Vaccination of genetically resistant CBA mice with DCs pulsed with peptide 154–169aa or SPL did not affect the course of the disease, whereas pulsing with the epitope 467–482aa of gp63 resulted in disease exacerbation, accompanied by a switch to a Th2 profile. In view of our continuously growing knowledge about the immunobiology of DCs, these findings suggest that vaccination with DCs pulsed with defined peptides could be a strategy against infectious diseases. Peptide selection is a prerequisite as they can differentially regulate the type of immune response in susceptible or resistant hosts.

Inhibition of MCP-1 and MIP-2 Chemokines in Murine Trichinellosis: Effect of the Anti-Inflammatory Compound L-Mimosine

Mimosine, is a plant amino-acid which has been reported to block DNA replication in mammalian cells and to arrest cells reversibly towards the end of the G1 phase or at the beginning of the S phase. In this study, 42 mice were infected with T. spiralis, a nematode parasite, and treated with the anti-inflammatory compound L-mimosine, to determine if any alteration in the chronic inflammatory state occurred, by investigating the host's immunological response. MCP-1, a C-C chemokine and MIP-2, a C-X-C chemokine were tested and measured in the sera of infected animals, after 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days postinfection, by ELISA method. The diaphragm/muscle and the masseters of the infected mice, were tested for inflammatory response. We found that MCP-1 was partially inhibited by L-mimosine, while MIP-2 was totally inhibited. Moreover, in sections of the diaphragm and masseters, the infiltration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, lymphocytes and eosinophils were more intense in untreated animals compared to those treated with L-mimosine. These findings show, that L-mimosine may have an inhibitory effect on MCP-1 and MIP-2 serum levels in Trichinellosis and may influence the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction in this parasitic disease.

Effect of caffeine supplementation on haematological and biochemical variables in elite soccer players under physical stress conditions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of caffeine on white cell distribution and muscle injury markers in professional soccer players during exercise.

METHODS

22 male athletes completed a placebo controlled double blind test protocol to simulate a soccer match, followed by a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test.

RESULTS

Exercise caused an increase in packed cell volume that was enhanced by caffeine. Caffeine and exercise had a synergistic effect on the blood lymphocyte count, which increased by about 38% after exercise, and by an additional 35% when combined with caffeine. Caffeine promoted an exercise independent rise in circulating monocytes, and a synergistic action of exercise and caffeine was observed on segmented neutrophils. Caffeine promoted thrombocytosis. Plasma adenosine deaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations were enhanced by exercise, and alanine transaminase concentration was enhanced in both groups, with a synergistic effect of caffeine.

CONCLUSIONS

The pronounced increase in the white cell count in the group receiving caffeine appeared to be caused by greater muscle stress and consequently more intense endothelial and muscle cell injury. The use of caffeine may augment the risk of muscle damage in athletes.

Inhibitory effect of quercetin on tryptase and MCP-1 chemokine release, and histidine decarboxylase mRNA transcription by human mast cell-1 cell line

Mast cells are important in reactions of allergic disease and are also involved in a variety of neuroinflammatory diseases. Mast cells can be immunologically activated by IgE through their Fc receptors, as well as by neuropeptides and cytokines to secrete mediators. Here we used a human mast cell-1 (HMC-1) cell line cultured and treated with a physiological activator, anti-IgE, and a nonphysiological activator, calcium ionophore A23187, for tryptase and MCP-1 generation and transcription of histidine decarboxylase. We used quercetin, a potent antioxidant, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory compound capable of inhibiting histamine and some cytokines released from several cell types, as an inhibitor of immunological and nonimmunological stimulus for mast cells. In this study quercetin inhibits, in a dose-response manner, tryptase and MCP-1. Moreover, using RT-PCR quercetin inhibited the transcription of histidine decarboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for the generation of histamine from histidine, and MCP-1. Our data suggest that quercetin is an important and good candidate for reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mast cell mediators activated by physiological and nonphysiological stimulators.

Novel Diagnostic Approaches to Adamantiades-Behcet's Disease

A 10 year old boy had visual deterioration in both eyes. Visual acuity was 0.2 in the right and 0.3 in the left eye. Further ophthalmologic findings were typical of posterior uveitis. The pediatric physical examination also disclosed aphthous stomatitis and recurrent aphthous genital ulcers. At diagnosis serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, sIL-2R, MCP-1, VEGF, tADA activity in the patient with active and ABD relapse were significantly higher than those in the inactive period of the disease, suggesting that these parameters may be related to disease activity. In addition to the proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, plasma levels of VEGF and serum tADA activity may be used for the diagnosis of ABD and for monitoring the effect of treatment, as well as the follow-up period. Also, further studies of VEGF may lead to novel therapies with antibodies or other VEGF inhibitors.