Application of the Leishmania infantum 21-kDa recombinant protein for the development of an immunochromatographic test.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a systemic parasitic disease and presents a global health problem which can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. Dogs are the main hosts and provide reservoirs for the transmission of the disease to humans.

Methods: In this study, the gene encoding a 21-kDa protein was cloned and expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) for developing a rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) to identify infected dogs.

Production and purification of polyclonal antibody against attenuated and wild type Leishmania infantum in dogs.

Antibodies are still widely used in several programs including early research, imaging, Targeting drug delivery system, Affinity chromatography, flowcytometry technic, diagnosis and treatment. Purification of antibody is a standard approach for detection of infection agent in different species. The reservoir hosts for Leishmania infantum are Dogs and they have active role in the transmission of leishmania to humans by the bite of a sand fly belonging to genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomiya.

Sodium Butyrate as a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Affects Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines.

We assessed the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) on Toll-like receptor 4 () gene expression levels, in low expressing (HCT116) and high expressing (SW480) colorectal cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of SB was assessed by culturing SW480 and HCT116 cell lines using a broad spectrum of times and concentrations of SB. The MTT assay was done to check the cytotoxic properties of different SB concentrations.

Host-parasite Responses Outcome Regulate the Expression of Antimicrobial Peptide Genes in the Skin of BALB/c and C57BL/6 Murine Strains Following MRHO/IR/75/ER Infection.

Background: Different background of immunity responses determine resistance or susceptibility of certain mouse strains to infection. Some have been well known previously. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as cathelicidins and defensins are unique fragments of innate immunity system with well-known effects against the invasion pathogens.

Unresponsiveness to meglumine antimoniate in anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis field isolates: analysis of resistance biomarkers by gene expression profiling.

Background: Resistance to antimonials is a fundamental determinant of treatment failure in anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Detection of reliable molecular markers to distinguish unresponsive and responsive parasites is critical for consolidating strategies to monitor drug efficacy.

Methods: We analysed the expression of five major antimony resistance-associated genes that is aquaglyceroporin1 (AQP1), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), multidrug resistance protein A (MRPA), trypanothione reductase (TR) and thiol-dependent reductase 1 (TDR1), in unresponsive and responsive Leishmania tropica field isolates by quantitative real-time PCR in comparison with sensitive and resistant reference strains.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Southeastern Iran: A Narrative Review.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has strong links with poverty, substantial medical and veterinary impacts. This review aimed to focus in studies published during 1994-2016 on VL in southeastern Iran.

Methods: The present review is based on expert knowledge and historical studies published during the past 23 yr (1994-2016) on VL in southeastern Iran.

Association between / gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease predominantly involving the synovial joints and affects up to 1% of adults worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R)-associated kinase () rs3027898 gene polymorphism confers susceptibility to RA in a sample of patients from Iran. This gene encodes IRAK1, one of two putative serine/threonine kinases that associates with IL1R upon stimulation.

Lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 3 rs4652 A/C gene variation and the risk for rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex genetic disease. The lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 3 (LGALS3) gene, encodes a member of the galectin family of carbohydrate binding proteins, and is one of the best examples of a non-human leukocyte antigen gene associated with a risk for RA in various populations. In the current study, the association between LGALS3 rs4652 gene polymorphism and RA was examined.

Oral immunization of mice against Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin with a Lactobacillus casei vector vaccine expressing epsilon toxoid.

Clostridium perfringens type D infects ruminants and causes the enterotoxemia disease by ε-toxin. A mutated ε-toxin gene lacking toxicity was designed, synthesized, and cloned into the pT1NX vector and electroporated into Lactobacillus casei competent cells to yield LC-pT1NX-ε recombinant strain. BALB/c mice, immunized orally with this strain, highly induced mucosal, humoral, and cell-mediated immune responses and developed a protection against 200 MLD/ml of the activated ε-toxin.

Evaluation of the circulating levels of IL-12 and IL-33 in patients with breast cancer: influences of the tumor stages and cytokine gene polymorphisms.

Objectives: IL-12 as an anti-tumor cytokine and IL-33 a novel identified cytokine with both pro- or anti-tumor activities, play important roles in response against tumor cells. Our aim was to evaluate the IL-12 and IL-33 levels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in their genes in patients with breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 patients with breast cancer, and 100 healthy women were controls.

Are RIG-1 and MDA5 Expressions Associated with Chronic HBV Infection?

Melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) and retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-1) as the pattern recognition receptors play important roles in viral mRNA recognition. Chronic HBV-infected (CHB) patients are unable to properly respond to hepatitis B virus (HBV). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the mRNA levels of MDA5 and RIG-1 in the peripheral blood immune cells of CHB patients in comparison to healthy controls.

Decreased Expressions of STING but not IRF3 Molecules in Chronic HBV Infected Patients.

Context: The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) induces the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) in response to intracellular viral double-stranded (ds) DNA. The aim of this study was to evaluate mRNA levels of STING and its downstream transcription factor, IRF3, in the isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with chronic HBV (CHB) infection.

Methods: This study was performed on 60 healthy controls and 60 CHB patients.

In vitro antileishmanial activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis against Leishmania major.

Pentavalent antimony compounds are expensive, toxic and drug resistance is prevalent, whereas the plant extract derivatives are safe. In the present study, the effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on the promastigotes of Leishmania major was evaluated. The methanolic and aqueous extracts of E.

Gentamicin-attenuated Leishmania infantum vaccine: protection of dogs against canine visceral leishmaniosis in endemic area of southeast of Iran.

An attenuated line of Leishmania infantum (L. infantum H-line) has been established by culturing promastigotes in vitro under gentamicin pressure. A vaccine trial was conducted using 103 naive dogs from a leishmaniosis non-endemic area (55 vaccinated and 48 unvaccinated) brought into an endemic area of southeast Iran.

Decreased expression of toll like receptor signaling molecules in chronic HBV infected patients.

Introduction: Toll like receptors (TLRs) and their signaling molecules play important roles in microbe recognition and induction of immune responses, including production of inflammatory cytokines, against viral infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine expression levels of TLR signaling molecules (IRAK1, IRAK4, TRAF3, and IRF7) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-12 and IL-6 in chronic HBV infected (CHB) patients.

Design: This study was performed on 60 CHB patients and 60 healthy controls and the expression of IRAK1, IRAK4, TRAF3, and IRF7 and their downstream inflammatory cytokines (IL-12 and IL-6) were evaluated by Real-Time PCR and ELISA techniques.

Important roles played by TGF-β in hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) which includes, fulminant, acute, chronic, asymptomatic, and occult HBV infection is the most prevalent virus that leads to human liver diseases. Chronic, asymptomatic, and occult infection can induce further sever diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis of the liver. The underlying mechanisms that allow progression of the prolonged forms of the infection and subsequent HCC or cirrhosis of the liver are yet to be clarified.

Alteration in mononuclear cell subpopulations in dogs immunized with gentamicin-attenuated Leishmania infantum.

The impact of immunization with gentamicin-attenuated Leishmania infantum (H-line) on the immunophenotypic profile of popliteal lymph node (PLN) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of dogs was assessed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Compared with the dogs infected with L. infantum wild-type (Group WT), there was a significantly higher percentage of CD4+, CD44+ T cells and CD14+, MHC-II+ cells and a lower percentage of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in PLN of the immunized dogs with L.

Comparative proteomics profiling of a gentamicin-attenuated Leishmania infantum cell line identifies key changes in parasite thiol-redox metabolism.

We have previously described an attenuated line of Leishmania infantum (H-line), selected by culturing promastigotes in vitro in the presence of gentamicin. To elucidate the molecular basis for this attenuation, we undertook a comparative proteomic analysis using multiplex 2-dimensional (2D) difference gel electrophoresis. Eighteen proteins that showed significant and reproducible changes in expression were identified.

Preparation and evaluation of niosomes containing autoclaved Leishmania major: a preliminary study.

In this study, different positively charged niosomal formulations containing sorbitan esters, cholesterol and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide were prepared by film hydration method for the entrapment of autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM). Size distribution pattern and stability of niosomes were investigated by laser light scattering method and ALM encapsulation per cent was measured by the bicinchoninic acid method. Finally, the selected formulation was used for the induction of the immune response against cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice.

Cardiovascular assessment in radiotelemetry-implanted pregnant rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the potential adverse effects of the chronic use of surgically implanted radiotelemetry transmitters and femoral catheters on embryo-fetal development in rats.

Methods: Two groups of 10 female rats were implanted with femoral catheters and radiotelemetry transmitters. Ten additional rats were implanted with femoral catheters alone.

Leishmania major H-line attenuated under pressure of gentamicin, induces a Th1 response which protects susceptible BALB/c mice against infection with virulent L. major.

An attenuated line of Leishmania major (L. major H-line) has been established by culturing promastigotes in vitro under gentamicin pressure. A modification of the previously described method for the generation of attenuated L.

Gentamicin-attenuated Leishmania infantum: a clinicopathological study in dogs.

The clinicopathological changes following infection with an attenuated line of Leishmania infantum (L. infantum H-line) were evaluated in mixed breed dogs. Two groups of dogs were infected intravenously (i.

Imaging characteristics of zinc sulfide shell, cadmium telluride core quantum dots.

Aims: Quantum dots are optical nanocrystals whose in vitro and in vivo use in molecular imaging is expanding rapidly. In comparison with organic fluorophores, quantum dots exhibit desirable properties, such as multiwavelength fluorescence emission, excellent brightness and resistance to photobleaching. Their electron-dense, metallic cores suggest utility in other clinical imaging modalities.

Quantum dots are phagocytized by macrophages and colocalize with experimental gliomas.

Objective: The identification of neoplastic tissue within normal brain during biopsy and tumor resection remains a problem in the operative management of gliomas. A variety of nanoparticles are phagocytized by macrophages in vivo. This feature may allow optical nanoparticles, such as quantum dots, to colocalize with brain tumors and serve as an optical aid in the surgical resection or biopsy of brain tumors.