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Background and Aim: The morbidity and mortality of Shigella infections remain a global challenge. Epitope-based vaccine development is an emerging strategy to prevent bacterial invasion. This study aimed to identify the ability of the 49.8 kDa pili subunit adhesin protein epitope of Shigella flexneri to induce an intestinal immune response in mice. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male Balb/c mice were divided into a control group, cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) group, CTB+QSSTGTNSQSDLDS (pep_1) group, CTB+DTTITKAETKTVTKNQVVDTPVTTDAAK (pep_2) group, and CTB+ ATLGATLNRLDFNVNNK (pep_3). We performed immunization by orally administering 50 μg of antigen and 50 μl of adjuvant once a week over 4 weeks. We assessed the cellular immune response by quantifying T helper 2 (Th2) and Th17 using flow cytometry. In addition, we assessed the humoral immune response by quantifying interleukin (IL-4), IL-17, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), and β-defensin using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Peptide oral immunization increases the cellular immune response as reflected by the increase of Th2 (p=0.019) and Th17 (p=0.004) cell counts, particularly in the CTB_pep_1 group. Humoral immune response activation was demonstrated by increased IL-4 levels, especially in the CTB+pep_3 group (p=0.000). The IL-17 level was increased significantly in the CTB+pep_1 group (p=0.042). The mucosal immune response was demonstrated by the sIgA levels increase in the CTB+pep_3 group (p=0.042) and the β-defensin protein levels (p=0.000). Conclusion: All selected peptides activated the cellular and humoral immune responses in the intestine of mice. Further studies are necessary to optimize antigen delivery and evaluate whether the neutralizing properties of these peptides allow them to prevent bacterial infection.

Puerperal Infection is a bacterial infection in the genitalia and female reproduction system, which cause the highest mortality among women who post give birth in recent years. The causative agent of this infection is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Alternative therapy using probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri was developed to reduce the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance. This article studies the effect of probiotics L. reuteri increasing β-defensin1 levels, sIgA levels, and decreasing the number of bacteria S. aureus colonies in the vaginal mucosa on puerperal mice model that induced with S. aureus bacteria. Mice BALB/c were used as an animal model and divided into four different groups. The measurement β-defensin1 levels, sIgA levels, and the number of bacteria S. aureus colonies were conducted in one and three days postpartum. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method was to measure performed for β-defensin1 levels, and sIgA levels, Total plate count was used for the quantity of bacteria S. aureus colonies. β-defensin1 and sIgA levels showed a similar pattern and elevated significantly in all treated group compared to control. The highest value was obtained from a group that administered with L. reuteri and induced with S. aureus in all measurements. The levels of β-defensin1 and sIgA in three days postpartum were higher than that day one. The number of S. aureus colonies was lower in the treated group compare that of the positive control. The average number of bacteria in one day postpartum was higher than three days. The administration of L. reuteri and or induction of S. aureus could increase the level of β-defensin1 and sIgA but reduced decrease in the number of bacteria S. aureus colonies/

Background. Although the AMV and AMS vaccine candidates have similar characteristics as hemagglutinin and adhesive molecules, there are differences in molecular weight. Objective. The research aims to determine the immunological cross-reaction between AMS and AMV. Method. Antihemagglutination test used the anti-adhesion molecular antibody AMS. Next, we examined the immune response that has to be linked with protectivity. The model of the research uses MLIL. The sample separated the mice into four groups, and each group had five mice. The first group was the negative control group. The second group was given AMV and infected with Shigella flexneri. The third group was immunized with AMV before being exposed to Shigella flexneri. The last group was infected with Vibrio cholerae. The immune response results were evaluated by calculating the weight of MLIL and counting the colony of bacteria. We also examined other AMS immune responses, namely, β-defensin and s-IgA levels. To get the data, we measured the number of Th17 immune effector cells, T-reg, and proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA, independent t-test, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney tests. Results. An antihemagglutination cross immune response, intestinal weight, the number of bacterial colonies, and other findings were found to be significant (p

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as a medicinal plant has widely consumed by pregnant women. The absence of dose standardization and the regulation of turmeric consumption in pregnancy raise concerns, especially if taken in early pregnancy. Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel formation from previously existing blood vessels, and plays an important role in embryogenesis and placentation during pregnancy. Angiogenesis is regulated by angiogenic molecules, such as VEGF and VE-cadherin. Turmeric has antiangiogenic effects in which the crude extract is pharmacologically more potent compared to the pure curcumin form. This study aimed to determine whether a turmeric decoctum affects the expression of VEGF and VE-cadherin in chick embryos. Turmeric was extracted by the decoction and freeze dried methods to obtain turmeric decoctum powder. This was tested on embryonated chicken eggs, which were divided into four groups; control group (2% DMSO) and treatment groups receiving various doses of the turmeric decoctum (200 ppm, 300 ppm and 400 ppm). The eggs used were less than 7 days after oviposition and incubated for 16 hours prior to injection of the treatment solution in ovo to the center of the yolk, followed by reincubation for up to 48 hours. Intraembryonic VEGF and VE-cadherin expression were assessed by whole-mount immunohistochemistry and quantified using image analysis techniques. This study showed administration of turmeric decoctum up to 400 ppm had no effect on the expression of VEGF and VE-cadherin in chick embryos.

Nigella sativa extract (NSE) is known to be an effective antibacterial and immuno-modulating agent. This study aimed to demonstrate that treatment of Salmonella eterica subsp. eterica serovars typhimurium-infected mice with NSE would cause an increase in T-regulatory (T-reg) and Th2 cells and a decrease in the number of spleen bacterial colonies. Mice were randomly divided into five groups [control (T0), mice infected with S. typhimurium only (T1), and mice infected with S. typhimurium and then treated with NSE 0.52, 5.2, or 52 mg/kg body weight NSE (N1, N2, and N3, respectively)]. Levels of T-reg and Th2 cells were determined via flow cytometry and the number of spleen bacterial colonies was determined by observation. The results showed that treatment with NSE 0.52, 5.2, and 52 mg/kg significantly increased the number of T-reg and Th2 cells (p

Shigella flexneri is the most common causal agent of shigellosis. Its pili are composed of pili protein subunits. Adhesion molecules can be found on the pili and outer membrane proteins (Omp). A hemagglutination reaction can be used for screening of adhesion molecules. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular weight of the pili protein subunits and outer membrane proteins of S. flexneri that act as hemagglutinin proteins, and to prove whether there is a cross-reaction between antibodies against hemagglutinin pili protein subunits and outer membrane proteins of S. flexneri. Methods: Pili protein subunits were isolated using pili bacteria cutters, and the outer membrane proteins were solubilized and obtained using sodium dodecyl sulfate 0.05% as detergent for Omp isolation. The hemagglutination reaction used mice erythrocytes. The cross reactions between subunit pili proteins were conducted by Western blot and Dot blot. Results:. Antibodies against hemagglutinin sub unit pili protein 18 kDa responded to pili protein subunits 18 kDa; 23 kDa; 34 kDa; and 53 kDa; and Omp 23 kDa and 27 kDa. Omp and subunit pili proteins S. flexneri consists of several identical epitopes that were responsible for the similarity of the response profile in the cross-reactions of antibodies.

Streptococcal pharyngitis sequel such as Rheumatic Fever (RF) or Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is an autoimmune response mediated by T cells and IgG. Since it is an autoimmune process, the result of bacterial culture as the gold standard of diagnosis often shows negative results. IgG against the 33 kDa OMP is considered as an important mediator in the process of these autoimmune diseases, so its presence in blood serum can be used as a diagnostic tool. The purpose of this study is to prove that 33 kDa OMP is one of the immunogenic parts of the Streptococcus Group A β-hemolytic, so it is expected that IgG anti-33 kDa OMP can recognize and respond the bacteria and to support the probability of the Streptococcus Group A β-hemolytic infection. This study was a laboratory experimental study with a control group design. Animal used was RattusNovergicus immunized with whole cell bacteria or 33 kDa OMP mixed with Complete Freund’s Adjuvant or Incomplete Freund’s Adjuvant. Polyclonal IgG was obtained by drawing blood serum from the animals after immunization with Streptococcus Group A β-hemolytic for 4 weeks (A; n = 5) and 8 weeks (B; n = 5) or immunization with OMP 33 kDa for 4 weeks (C; n = 5) and 8 weeks (D; n = 5) and also negative control group (E; n = 5). Immunological tests were done using Dot Blot assay, ELISA, and immunocytochemical examination. The data obtained was then evaluated with statistical tests Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Repeated ANOVA (p < 0.05). The result showed that there was a difference in humoral immune response (IgG) between the groups albeit the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Dot Blot and immunocytochemical tests indicated that IgG anti-33 kDa OMP were able to recognize and respond the Streptococcus Group A β-hemolytic antigen. This study concluded that 33 kDa OMP was the immunogenic part of the bacteria and that IgG anti-33 kDa OMP could recognize and respond the Streptococcus Group A β-hemolytic bacteria.

Background: Recently, atherosclerosis-associated disease has been reported simultaneously increased. Whereas, to date, no atherosclerosis vaccine is available. Since the epitope mimicry between malondialdehyde low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) and arginine specific epitope gingipain (Rgp) on the Porphyromonas gingivalis vesicles has been reported, it raises an opportunity to employ the potency of P. gingivalis as an atherosclerosis vaccine. Objective: To evaluate the potency of P. gingivalis vesicles to prevent atherosclerosis, by assessing MDA-LDL level, visceral fat, body weight, and aortic wall thickness, in rats model. Methods: Five groups of rats (n = 10 per group), three treatment groups, one positive and negative control group were assigned and adapted with high fat diet for 8 weeks. The treatment groups were injected with P. gingivalis vesicles with and without adjuvant with four booster doses. The level of MDA-LDL serum, visceral fat, body weight, and aortic wall thickness were measured in the end of the course. Results: Our present study found that decreased in MDA-LDL levels (p = 0.037) and aortic wall thickness (p = 0.016) were observed in rats treated with vesicles and adjuvants, but not with vesicles or adjuvants only, compared to negative control. Moreover, MDA-LDL levels in rats immunized with vesicles and adjuvants were significantly lower than healthy rats. However, body weight (p = 0.329 and visceral fat (p = 0.789) were not significantly different in all treatment groups compared to control. Conclusions: Immunization with P. gingivalis vesicles and adjuvants significantly reduces MDA-LDL level and aortic wall thickness in rats model.