Effect of the micro-immunotherapy medicine 2LPARK® on rat primary dopaminergic neurons after 6-OHDA injury: oxidative stress and survival evaluation in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease

A Micro-Immunotherapy Sequential Medicine MIM-seq Displays Immunomodulatory Effects on Human Macrophages and Anti-Tumor Properties towards In Vitro 2D and 3D Models of Colon Carcinoma and in an In Vivo Subcutaneous Xenograft Colon Carcinoma Model

In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of a sequential micro-immunotherapy medicine, referred as MIM-seq, were appraised in human primary M1 and M2 macrophages, in which the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, was inhibited. In addition, the potential anti-proliferative effects of MIM-seq on tumor cells was assessed in three models of colorectal cancer (CRC): an in vitro two-dimensions (2D) model of HCT-116 cells, an in vitro tri-dimensional (3D) model of spheroids, and an in vivo model of subcutaneous xenografted mice. In these models, MIM-seq displayed anti-proliferative effects when compared with the vehicle. In vivo, the tumor growth was slightly reduced in MIM-seq-treated animals. Moreover, MIM-seq could slightly reduce the growth of our spheroid models, especially under serum-deprivation. When MIM-seq was combined with two well-known anti-cancerogenic agents, either resveratrol or etoposide, MIM-seq could even further reduce the spheroid’s volume, pointing up the need to further assess whether MIM-seq could be beneficial for CRC patients as an adjuvant therapy. Altogether, these data suggest that MIM-seq could have anti-tumor properties against CRC and an immunomodulatory effect towards the mediators of inflammation, whose systemic dysregulation is considered to be a poor prognosis for patients.

The Unitary Micro-Immunotherapy Medicine Interferon-γ (4 CH) Displays Similar Immunostimulatory and Immunomodulatory Effects than Those of Biologically Active Human Interferon-γ on Various Cell Types

As a cytokine, gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) is considered a key player in the fine-tuned orchestration of immune responses. The extreme cellular sensitivity to cytokines is attested by the fact that very few of these bioactive molecules per cell are enough to trigger cellular functions. These findings can, at least partially, explain how/why homeopathically-prepared cytokines, and especially micro-immunotherapy (MI) medicines, are able to drive cellular responses. We focused our fundamental research on a unitary MI preparation of IFN-γ, specifically employed at 4 CH, manufactured and impregnated onto sucrose-lactose pillules as all other MI medicines. We assessed the IFN-γ concentration in the medium after dilution of the IFN-γ (4 CH)-bearing pillules and we evaluated in vitro drug responses in a wide range of immune cells, and in endothelial cells. Our results showed that IFN-γ (4 CH) stimulated the proliferation, the activation and the phagocytic capabilities of primary immune cells, as well as modulated their cytokine-secretion and immunity-related markers’ expression in a trend that is quite comparable with the well-recognized biological effects induced by IFN-γ. Altogether, these data provide novel and additional evidences on MI medicines, and specifically when active substances are prepared at 4 CH, thus suggesting the need for more investigations.

The Micro-Immunotherapy Medicine 2LEID Exhibits an Immunostimulant Effect by Boosting Both Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of the micro-immunotherapy medicine (MIM) 2LEID, both in vitro and in vivo, on several components of the innate and adaptive immune system. MIM increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages, and it augmented the expression of the activation markers CD69 and HLA-DR in NK cells and monocytes/macrophages, respectively. The effect of MIM was evaluated in a model of respiratory infection induced by influenza A virus administration to immunocompetent mice in which it was able to improve neutrophil recruitment within the lungs (p = 0.1051) and slightly increased the circulating levels of IgM (p = 0.1655). Furthermore, MIM stimulated the proliferation of CD3-primed T lymphocytes and decreased the secretion of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 in CD14⁺-derived macrophages. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were finally used to explore the effect of MIM on endothelial cells, in which it slightly increased the expression of immune-related markers such as HLA-I, CD137L, GITRL, PD-L1 and ICAM-1. In conclusion, the present study suggests that MIM might be a promising nonspecific (without antigen specificity) immunostimulant drug in preventing and early treating respiratory infections, but not only exclusively, as it would gently support several facets of the immune system and host defenses.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines at Ultra-Low Dose Exert Anti-Inflammatory Effect In Vitro: A Possible Mode of Action Involving Sub-Micron Particles?

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Indeed, immunotherapy blocking these 2 cytokines has been developed. Micro-immunotherapy (MI) also uses ultra-low doses (ULD) of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impregnated on lactose-sucrose pillules, to counteract their overexpression. The study has been conducted with 2 objectives: examine the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and the capacity of 2 unitary medicines, TNF-α (27 CH) and IL-1β (27 CH), to reduce the secretion of TNF-α in human primary monocytes and THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure; then, investigate the presence of particles possibly containing starting materials using tunable resistive pulse sensing technique. The results show that the unitary medicines, tested at 3 pillules concentrations (5.5, 11 and 22 mM), have reduced the secretion of TNF-α in both models by about 10−20% vs. vehicle control, depending on concentration. In this exploratory study, particles (150−1000 nm) have been detected in MI ULD-impregnated pillules and a hypothesis for MI medicines mode of action has been proposed. Conscious that more evaluations are necessary, authors are cautious in the conclusions because the findings described in the study are still limited, and future investigations may lead to different hypothesis.

Elevated Cellular Oxidative Stress in Circulating Immune Cells in Otherwise Healthy Young People Who Use Electronic Cigarettes in a Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study: Implications for Future Cardiovascular Risk

Background

Tobacco cigarettes (TCs) increase oxidative stress and inflammation, both instigators of atherosclerotic cardiac disease. It is unknown if electronic cigarettes (ECs) also increase immune cell oxidative stress. We hypothesized an ordered, “dose‐response” relationship, with tobacco‐product type as “dose” (lowest in nonsmokers, intermediate in EC vapers, and highest in TC smokers), and the “response” being cellular oxidative stress (COS) in immune cell subtypes, in otherwise, healthy young people.

Methods and Results

Using flow cytometry and fluorescent probes, COS was determined in immune cell subtypes in 33 otherwise healthy young people: nonsmokers (n=12), EC vapers (n=12), and TC smokers (n=9). Study groups had similar baseline characteristics, including age, sex, race, and education level. A dose‐response increase in proinflammatory monocytes and lymphocytes, and their COS content among the 3 study groups was found: lowest in nonsmokers, intermediate in EC vapers, and highest in TC smokers. These findings were most striking in CD14_dimCD16⁺ and CD14⁺⁺CD16⁺ proinflammatory monocytes and were reproduced with 2 independent fluorescent probes of COS.

Conclusions

These findings portend the development of premature cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy young people who chronically vape ECs. On the other hand, that the COS is lower in EC vapers compared with TC smokers warrants additional investigation to determine if switching to ECs may form part of a harm‐reduction strategy.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03823885.

Potential Role of the Micro-Immunotherapy Medicine 2LALERG in the Treatment of Pollen-Induced Allergic Inflammation

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a micro-immunotherapy medicine (MIM), 2LALERG, in a preclinical model of allergic respiratory disease sensitized with birch pollen extract (BPE). BALB/c mice were immunized with BPE, or saline solution, and were then challenged. Micro-immunotherapy medicine pillules were diluted in water, and 3 doses (0.75; 1.5; 3 mg/mouse) were tested and compared to vehicle control (3 mg/mouse). Treatments and vehicle were orally administered by gavage for 10 days. Micro-immunotherapy medicine (0.75 mg/mouse) reduced the number of total cells as well as the levels of interleukin (IL)-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared to vehicle control. Eosinophils in BALF tended to be lower compared to vehicle group, and the difference is close to significance. Histological analysis in the lungs confirms a moderate effect of MIM (0.75 mg/mice) on inflammatory infiltration and mucus production. Serum levels of IL-5 in MIM (0.75 mg/mouse)-treated mice were lower compared to vehicle; IL-4 levels tended to be lower too. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) decreased in serum of MIM (1.5 and 0.75 mg/mouse) groups compared to vehicle control. Micro-immunotherapy medicine exerted the highest effect at the lowest dose tested. Micro-immunotherapy medicine resolved the local and systemic inflammation, even if partially, in a model of pollen-induced, IgE-mediated inflammation.