Analysis of human B cell response to recombinantLeishmaniaLPG3

Objective:To evaluate the capability of recombinant Leishmania LPG3 and its fragments in the activation of B cells.Methods:In the present study, human B cells were purified from peripheral blood of 10 adult healthy subjects using magnetic-activated cell sorting technique. Subsequently, purified B cells were treated with recombinant LPG3, and itsN-terminal and C-terminal fragments at different concentrations (2, 10 and 20 μg/mL). B cell activation was assessed through expression of CD69 molecule by flowcytometry and secretion of IL-6, TNF-αα and IL-10 cytokines via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay following treatment with recombinant antigens.Results:Our results showed that while the recombinant LPG-3 could significantly increase the production of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05) in B cells, it had no effect on the secretion of IL-10 by B cells.Conclusions: Our study indicated that recombinant LPG-3 and especially itsN-terminal fragment could stimulate B cell response as an important immune response component against leishmaniasis. Thus, it seems that it can be considered as an effective adjuvant in vaccine developments against leishmaniasis.

Effects of polyethylene glycols on intestinal efflux pump expression and activity in Caco-2 cells

The present study was planned to investigate the influence of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) on the activity and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Sub-toxic concentrations of PEGs in Caco-2 cells were determined using the MTT test assay. Then the measurement of Rhodamine-123 (Rho-123) uptake, a P-gp fluorescence substrate, in Caco-2 cells confronting PEG 400 (1% and 2% w/v), PEG 4000 (2% and 4% w/v), PEG 6000 (2% and 4% w/v), PEG 10000 (2% and 4% w/v), PEG 15000 (1% and 2% w/v), and PEG 35000 (2% and 4% w/v) overnight was taken to elucidate whether non-toxic concentrations of PEGs are able to impact P-gp activity. Furthermore, western blotting was carried out to investigate P-gp protein expression. The results showed that PEG 400 at concentrations of 1% (w/v) and 2% (w/v) and PEG 6000 at the concentration of 4% (w/v) are notably capable of blocking P-gp. Based on the obtained results it is concluded that the mentioned excipients could be used to obstruct P-gp efflux transporter in order to increase the bioavailability of co-administered substrate drug.

O presente estudo foi planejado para investigar a influência de polietileno glicóis sobre a atividade e expressão da P- glicoproteína (P-gp) . Concentrações sub-tóxicas de PGPs e em células Caco-2 foram determinadas por meio do ensaio de MTT. Em seguida, efetuou-se a a medida de captura de Rodamina-123 (Rho-123), um substrato fluorescente de P-gp, em células Caco-2, confrontando com PEG 400 (1% e 2% m/v), PEG 4000 (2% e 4% m/v) e PEG 6000 (2% e 4% m /v), PEG 10000 (2% e 4% w/v), PEG 15000 (1% e 2% m/v), e PEG 35000 (2% e 4% m/v). Essa medida foi efetuada durante a noite, para saber se as concentrações não tóxicas de excipientes são capazes de influenciar a actividade da P-gp. Além disso, realizou-se o western blotting para investigar a expressão da proteína P-gp. Os resultados mostraram que o PEG 400, nas concentrações de 1% (m/v) e 2% (m/v), e PEG 6000, na concentração de 4% (m/v) são capazes de bloquear P-gp. Com base nos resultados conclui-se que os excipientes mencionados poderiam ser utilizados para obstruir o efluxo por P-gp, a fim de aumentar a biodisponibilidade de do fármaco co-administrado.