The ability of probiotics, comprising live microbiota, to modulate the composition of intestinal microbiomes has been connected to modulation of the central nervous system (Gut-Brain axis), neuroendocrine system (Gut-Skin axis), and immune response (Gut-Immune axis). Less information is known regarding the ability of postbiotics (cell wall components and secreted metabolites derived from live organisms) to regulate host immunity. In the present study, we tested postbiotics comprising single strains of bacteria and yeast ( 16axg, 18fx, 16mxg) as well as combinations of multiple strains for their ability to stimulate cytokine production by human CD14 monocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a prominent approach for the prevention of HIV infections. While the latest advances have resulted in effective oral and injectable product options, there are still gaps in on-demand, event-driven, topical products for HIV prevention that are safe and effective. Here we describe the formulation development of a dual-compartment topical insert containing tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) and elvitegravir (EVG) that may be administered when needed, vaginally or rectally, pre- or post-coitus, for flexible HIV prophylaxis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) c-Rel is a psoriasis susceptibility locus, however mechanisms underlying c-Rel transactivation during disease are poorly understood. Inflammation in psoriasis can be triggered following Toll-like Receptor 7 (TLR7) signalling in dendritic cells (DCs), and c-Rel is a critical regulator of DC function. Here, we studied the mechanism of TLR7-induced c-Rel-mediated inflammation in DCs.
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