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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of central nervous system which is increasing worldwide. Although immunosuppressive agents are used for the treatment of MS disease, nevertheless the lack of non-toxic and efficient therapeutic method is perceptible. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effect of Contactin-associated protein (Caspr) antibody-, poly ethylene glycol (PEG)- and exosome combined gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in comparison to Glatiramer acetate as a selective treatment of MS disease in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. EAE was induced in female C57BL/6 mice and 25-day treatment with anti-Caspr-, PEG- and exosome combined GNPs was evaluated. Histopathological examination of spinal cord, regulatory T cells as well as inflammatory pathway including IFN-ɣ and IL-17 and mir-326 were investigated. The results showed the severity of MS symptoms was significantly decreased in all treated groups. Histological examination of the spinal cord indicated the reduced demyelination and immune cell infiltration. Besides, regulatory T cells were significantly increased following all treatments. Remarkably, the cytokine levels of IFN-ɣ and IL-17 as well as mir-326 is altered in treated groups. Taken together, the obtained findings demonstrate that the administration of anti-Caspr-, PEG- and exosome combined GNPs can be considered a potential treatment in MS disease.

Background Different studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of human placental extract both in vivo and in vitro. Considering the chronic inflammatory nature of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease, we examined whether or not the administration of human placental extract is able to attenuate the neurological symptoms detected in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. Methods The injected myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) induced EAE in mice, and treatment began from day 4 post-injection by intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg human placental extract, repeated every other day up to day 31 post-injection. At the end of the treatment, luxol fast blue (LBS) staining and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed to evaluate the demyelination of neurons and inflammatory responses, respectively. Further assessed were the serum concentrations of IL-23 and IL-27. Results The administration of human placental extract was able to significantly reduce the mean clinical score in EAE mice, decrease the pro-inflammatory process and attenuate neural demyelination. Moreover, while the serum concentration of IL-23 was significantly diminished in the EAE mice receiving human placental extract compared to the non-treated EAE group, IL-27 concentration was significantly increased. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated the administration of human placental extract could significantly attenuate the neurological symptoms in the EAE model of MS in part through modulating the serum levels of IL-23 and IL-27 and enhancing neuroprotection and myelin repair.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs), due to their unique physical and chemical properties, including optical properties, are highly regarded and have extensive applications in biomedical. One of the applications of gold nanoparticles is detection of chemical and biological material, so that these particles are used in detection of materials based on gold nanoparticles being in aggregate and non- aggregate modes and the change in the color of the nanoparticle solution as a result of this change of mode. In the interaction of gold nanoparticles (Bare nanoparticles or functionalized with different compositions) with analytes, aggregate and non-aggregate mode of nanoparticles changes and finally the change in the color of the solution is seen with naked eye without the need for advanced and costly equipment, indicating the presence or absence of target analytes. This change of mode and the subsequent color change is the basis of colorimetric detection based on gold nanoparticles in detection of various analytes. Various analytes can be detected by this method include ion, nucleic acid, proteins and peptides. In this study, we have reviewed various studies performed based on colorimetric detection using gold nanoparticles in detection of various analytes. According to these studies, simplicity, speed, time and cost savings are of considerable benefits of this method, compared to other detection methods. Keywords: Gold nanoparticles, Colorimetric detection, Aggregation, SPIA, Colorimetric immunoassay

Gold nanoparticles (GNs) have unique characteristics, for example, stability, biocompatibility, small dimensions, and low toxicity. Several clinical applications have been suggested for GNs, such as diagnosis, imaging, and drug delivery. GNs absorb infrared light, indicating their potential value for imaging. There is growing evidence showing the therapeutic application of GN for drug delivery because of their interaction with the blood-brain barrier and DNA, the latter being associated with their genotoxic effects. GN can also be stimulated to produce high local temperatures, indicating their potential value in photodynamic therapy in the treatment of tumors. The aim of the current review is to summarize the potential applications of GNs in the biomedical field, specifically in neurodegenerative diseases.