Chimeric Peptides from and with Antigen-Binding Capacity: A Conotoxin Scaffold to Create Non-Natural Antibodies (NoNaBodies).

Research into various proteins capable of blocking metabolic pathways has improved the detection and treatment of multiple pathologies associated with the malfunction and overexpression of different metabolites. However, antigen-binding proteins have limitations. To overcome the disadvantages of the available antigen-binding proteins, the present investigation aims to provide chimeric antigen-binding peptides by binding a complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of variable domains of new antigen receptors (VNARs) with a conotoxin.

Ten-Week Sucralose Consumption Induces Gut Dysbiosis and Altered Glucose and Insulin Levels in Healthy Young Adults.

Sucralose consumption alters microbiome and carbohydrate metabolism in mouse models. However, there are no conclusive studies in humans. Our goals were to examine the effect of sucralose consumption on the intestinal abundance of bacterial species belonging to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes and explore potential associations between microbiome profiles and glucose and insulin blood levels in healthy young adults.

The Combined Use of Cytokine Serum Values with Laboratory Parameters Improves Mortality Prediction of COVID-19 Patients: The Interleukin-15-to-Albumin Ratio.

Laboratory parameters display limited accuracy in predicting mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, as with serum albumin. Emerging evidence suggests that cytokine serum values may enhance the predictive capacity of albumin, especially interleukin (IL)-15. We thus investigated whether the use of the IL-15-to-albumin ratio enables improving mortality prediction at hospital admission in a large group of COVID-19 patients.

Efficacy and safety of canakinumab in the treatment of adult-onset Still's disease: A systematic review.

Background: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disease, typically characterized by spiking fever, skin rash, and arthralgia or arthritis. Its conventional treatment includes NSAIDs and corticosteroids, and DMARDs as second-line therapy. Frequently, IL-1 inhibitors are also required, mainly in patients refractory to traditional therapy.

Venom components of the scorpion Centruroides limpidus modulate cytokine expression by T helper lymphocytes: Identification of ion channel-related toxins by mass spectrometry.

The study of the effector mechanisms of T helper cells has revealed different phenotypic characteristics that can be manipulated for designing new therapeutic schemes in different pathological scenarios. Ion channels are significant targets in T lymphocyte modulation since they are closely related to their effector activity. Remarkably, some toxins produced by scorpions specifically affect the function of these membrane proteins.

Marine peptides as immunomodulators: -derived synthetic conotoxins induce IL-10 production by regulatory T cells (CD4Foxp3).

CD4 T lymphocytes are able to differentiate into distinct subtypes according to several immunological scenarios, including T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells. CD4 T cells are phenotypically flexible and have specific ion channels, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) that could be modulated by peptides produced by marine snails, known as conotoxins. Their effect on T lymphocytes has not been explored and emerging evidence suggests that these peptides may have immunomodulatory activities.

A non-hepatotropic parasite infection increases mortality in the acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure murine model: possible roles for IL-5 and IL-6.

We evaluated the effects of a non-hepatotropic parasite infection (Taenia crassiceps) on the outcome of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure in mice. Uninfected and T. crassiceps infected mice orally received either 300 mg/kg acetaminophen or water as vehicle (n = 5 per group).

In Vitro Effect of the Synthetic cal14.1a Conotoxin, Derived from Conus californicus, on the Human Parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxins that are secreted by cone snails are small peptides that are used to treat several diseases. However, their effects on parasites with human and veterinary significance are unknown. Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite that affects approximately 30% of the world's population and can be lethal in immunologically compromised individuals.

Neonatal exposure to estradiol induces resistance to helminth infection and changes in the expression of sex steroid hormone receptors in the brain and spleen in adult mice of both sexes.

A single injection of 17beta-estradiol administered to 4-day-old male and female mice increased the cellular immune response, and induced resistance to Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis as well as changes in the expression pattern of progesterone (PR) and estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms in the brain and splenocytes. Regardless of gender, when treated mice reached adulthood, they were highly resistant to infection. Female mice presented early vaginal opening and altered estrous cycles.

Immunoendocrine mechanisms associated with resistance or susceptibility to parasitic diseases during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the mammalian endocrine system plays a leading role in maintaining the fetus, characterized by an increase in the level of hormones such as progesterone, oestradiol and some gonadotropic hormones. The immune system participates during pregnancy by self-regulating to prevent fetus rejection. The distinctive type of immunity during gestation is characterized by an increase in levels of Th2 type cytokines IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, concomitant with a decrease in IL-2, INF-gamma and TNF-alpha levels.

Immune sexual dimorphism: effect of gonadal steroids on the expression of cytokines, sex steroid receptors, and lymphocyte proliferation.

The aims of this study were, first, to explore the differences in the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines and of steroid receptors in spleen of intact and gonadectomized mice of both sexes; second, to evaluate the effect of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) on cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation, and third, to determine the percentage of spleen cell subpopulations in both sexes. Results indicated dimorphic expression of IFN-gamma and IL-4, which was affected by gonadectomy. CD4+ T lymphocytes were the most frequent type of cell in the spleen, followed by B lymphocytes (CD19+).

Tamoxifen treatment induces protection in murine cysticercosis.

Administration of tamoxifen (an antiestrogen) produced an 80% parasite load reduction in female mice, and a weaker effect of 50% in male mice. This protective effect was associated in both sexes, with an increase in the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-2 (a cytokine associated with protection against cysticerci) and IL-4 (no effect on infection). tamoxifen treatment modified 17-beta estradiol production in females, whereas serum testosterone was not affected.

[Immune sexual dimorphism: can sex steroids affect the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile?].

Cytokine secretion is a crucial aspect in immune system modulation. The secretion pattern of these molecules determines the immune response type that will confront a particular antigen, and this pattern can be at least of two types. A Th1 pattern, effective to eliminate mainly intracellular pathogens and a Th2 pattern, crucial to eradicate extra cellular pathogens.

Regulation of the immune response to cestode infection by progesterone is due to its metabolism to estradiol.

The aim of this work was to investigate the role of progesterone during Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis, and the immunological mechanisms involved in its effects, by relating progesterone treatment to whole parasite counts, to host humoral and cellular immune response, to the presence or absence of nuclear receptors to sex steroids in splenocytes, and to serum sex steroid levels in infected mice of both genders. Progesterone treatment increased parasite loads two-fold in females and three-fold in males compared with control mice. The expression of the Th2 cytokine profile (IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) was markedly increased in infected mice of both genders, while progesterone treatment returned this expression to basal levels.