Characterization of beta2-adrenergic receptor knockout mouse model during Chlamydia muridarum genital infection.

Chlamydia genital infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease worldwide. A mouse model has been developed in our laboratory to better understand the effect of cold-induced stress on chlamydia genital infection and immune response. However, the stress mechanism affecting the host response to Chlamydia muridarum genital infection remains unclear.

Preliminary Evidence for Neuronal Dysfunction Following Adverse Childhood Experiences: An Investigation of Salivary MicroRNA Within a High-Risk Youth Sample.

: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potent drivers of psychopathology and neurological disorders, especially within minoritized populations. Nonetheless, we lack a coherent understanding of the neuronal mechanisms through which ACEs impact gene expression and, thereby, the development of psychopathology. : This observational pilot study used a novel marker of neuronal functioning (brain-derived micro ribonucleic acids, or miRNAs) collected via saliva to explore the connection between ACEs and neuronal gene expression in 45 adolescents with a collectively high ACE exposure (26 males and 19 females of diverse races/ethnicities, with six cumulative ACEs on average).

The Influence of Cognitive Appraisals on the Association between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Conduct Problems during Middle Childhood.

Existing research on callous-unemotional (CU) traits and conduct problems primarily focuses on the concurrent or unidirectional associations between these constructs (i.e., from CU traits to CP), with less attention given to their dynamic interplay during middle childhood.

Effects of prime-boost strategies on the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of a PLGA (85:15)-encapsulated Chlamydia recombinant MOMP nanovaccine.

To begin to optimize the immunization routes for our reported PLGA-rMOMP nanovaccine [PLGA-encapsulated Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP)], we compared two prime-boost immunization strategies [subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM-p) prime routes followed by two SC-boosts)] to evaluate the nanovaccine-induced protective efficacy and immunogenicity in female BALB/c mice. Our results showed that mice immunized via the SC and IM-p routes were protected against a Cm genital challenge by a reduction in bacterial burden and with fewer bacteria in the SC mice. Protection of mice correlated with rMOMP-specific Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and not Th2 (IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13) cytokines, and CD4+ memory (CD44highCD62Lhigh) T-cells, especially in the SC mice.

PLGA-Chitosan Encapsulated IL-10 Nanoparticles Modulate Chlamydia Inflammation in Mice.

Introduction: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a key anti-inflammatory mediator in protecting host from over-exuberant responses to pathogens and play important roles in wound healing, autoimmunity, cancer, and homeostasis. However, its application as a therapeutic agent for biomedical applications has been limited due to its short biological half-life. Therefore, it is important to prolong the half-life of IL-10 to replace the current therapeutic application, which relies on administering large and repeated dosages.