Preparation of Photocatalytic TiO2-Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers for Filtration of Airborne Microorganisms.

Background: We aimed to investigate the efficiency of neat polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and photocatalytic PAN/TiO2 nanofibers for removal of airborne microorganisms. Methods: Nanofibers were fabricated from 16 wt% of PAN dissolved in dimethyl formamide through the electrospinning technique. The efficiency of media for removal of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis was investigated at different conditions such as face velocity, relative humidity, air temperature and UVC radiation intensity. as face velocity (0.1 and 0.3 m/s), relative humidity (35±5% and 60±5%), air temperature (22±3 °C and 30±3 °C) and the UVC radiation intensity (dark, 1±0.09 mW/cm2 and 1.8±0.07 mW/cm2) using air sampling from upstream and downstream of media by cascade impactor containing blood agar culture medium. Results: The mean diameter of electrospun fibers and coefficient of variation were 194 nm and 15%, respectively. The amount of immobilized TiO2 on the filter was 620±6.56 mg/m2. Photocatalytic nanofiber filter media presented the best performance for removal of airborne B. subtilis at 60±5% relative humidity, 0.1 m/s face velocity, air temperature 22 °C, and 1.8 ± 0.07 mW/cm2 UVC radiation. Conclusion: The filtration efficiency of photocatalytic media was significantly higher than neat ones. Lower efficiency of media was found in the higher air velocity for all bioaerosols. High UVC radiation intensity increased filtration efficiency. Moreover, the increase in air temperature and relative humidity (except for TiO2-coated media under UVC radiation) did not significantly affect the filtration efficiency of all media.

Methanolic Extract of Sambucus ebulus Ameliorates Clinical Symptoms in Experimental Type 1 Diabetes through Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Actions.

OBJECTIVE: Sambucus ebulus (SE), a famous traditional Iranian medicine, is grown in the north of Iran. As a traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory effects, SE has been utilized against inflammatory joint diseases, insect bites, infectious wounds, edema, and eczema. Type1 diabetes, is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells by the immune system. For the first time, we investigated the effect of methanolic extract of SE on CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cells in experimental type 1 diabetes (T1D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, fifty-six C57BL\6 mice in 8 groups (G1-G8), were enrolled. Diabetes was induced by a multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS) protocol and mice were daily treated with SE extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, for 35 days. Fasting blood glucose was weekly measured by a glucometer. Islets insulin content was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Percentage of CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cells and cytokines production levels were evaluated by flow cytometer and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms of diabetes were significantly alleviated in G2 group mice which received 400 mg/ kg SE extract. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the insulin content of islets increased in G2 group mice. Immunophenotyping analysis indicated that the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in G2 group mice was significantly decreased. SE extract significantly increased the percentage of regulatory T cells. The extract in G2 and G4 groups mice significantly decreased IFN-γ and IL-17levels. The extract significantly increased IL-10 in G2 group mice. CONCLUSION: The protective effect of SE extract in MLDS-induced diabetes could be partly due to a decrease of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and an increase of Treg cells resulting in an inflammation reduction in the pancreatic islets.

Cancer in Iran 2008 to 2025: Recent incidence trends and short-term predictions of the future burden.

Policymakers require estimates of the future number of cancer patients in order to allocate finite resources to cancer prevention, treatment and palliative care. We examine recent cancer incidence trends in Iran and present predicted incidence rates and new cases for the entire country for the year 2025. We developed a method for approximating population-based incidence from the pathology-based data series available nationally for the years 2008 to 2013, and augmented this with data from the Iranian National Population-based Cancer Registry (INPCR) for the years 2014 to 2016. We fitted time-linear age-period models to the recent incidence trends to quantify the future cancer incidence burden to the year 2025, delineating the contribution of changes due to risk and those due to demographic change. The number of new cancer cases is predicted to increase in Iran from 112 000 recorded cases in 2016 to an estimated 160 000 in 2025, a 42.6% increase, of which 13.9% and 28.7% were attributed to changes in risk and population structure, respectively. In terms of specific cancers, the greatest increases in cases are predicted for thyroid (113.8%), prostate (66.7%), female breast (63.0%) and colorectal cancer (54.1%). Breast, colorectal and stomach cancers were the most common cancers in Iran in 2016 and are predicted to remain the leading cancers nationally in 2025. The increasing trends in incidence of most common cancers in Iran reinforce the need for the tailored design and implementation of effective national cancer control programs across the country.

Determination of genetic diversity of Leishmania species using mini-circle kDNA, in Iran-Iraq countries border.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important diseases worldwide, with a different range of prevalence in endemic areas. Anthroponotic and zoonotic CL are two epidemiological forms of CL, in Iran. Although Ilam Province in the west of Iran is one of the main endemic areas of the disease, there is no inclusive study to determine the genetic variations of parasite in these areas. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of Leishmania species in Ilam Province, using mini-circle kDNA gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Direct smears were taken from skin lesions of 200 suspected cases of CL. Smears were stained, screened under light microscope. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed, using specific kinetoplast DNA primers. Data were analyzed, using the molecular bio-software. RESULTS: All the samples were positive by direct examination. PCR results showed all cases were positive for Leishmania major. Although all isolated cases belong to a different county of Ilam province, all were positive for L. major with intra-species genetic diversity, divided into four clades in the dendrogram. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: This variation can affect drug resistance and controlling strategies of parasite. It is possible that different species of sand flies and rodents are the vector and reservoir of parasite, respectively; however, further studies are needed to validate this.

Botulinum Toxin Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis-a Review.

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to provide updated information on the role of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS). This review aims to answer which symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be amenable to BoNT therapy. Recent findings We searched the literature on the efficacy of BoNTs for treatment of MS symptoms up to April 1st 2017 via the Yale University Library's search engine including but not limited to Pub Med and Ovis SP. The level of efficacy was defined according to the assessment's criteria set forth by the Subcommittee on Guideline Development of the American Academy of Neurology. Significant efficacy was found for two indications based on the available blinded studies (class I and II) and has been suggested for several others through open-label clinical trials. Summary There is level A evidence (effective- two or more class I) that injection of BoNT-A into the bladder's detrusor muscle improves MS-related neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and MS-related overactive (OA) bladder. There is level B evidence (probably effective- two class II studies) for utility of intramuscular BoNT-A injections for spasticity of multiple sclerosis. Emerging data based on retrospective class IV studies demonstrates that intramuscular injection of BoNTs may help other symptoms of MS such as focal tonic spasms, focal myokymia, spastic dysphagia, and double vision in internuclear ophthalmoplegia. There is no data on MS-related trigeminal neuralgia and sialorrhea, two conditions which have been shown to respond to BoNT therapy in non-MS population.

Development of a Time and Cost Benefit Antibody Binding Test-Based Method for Determination of Rabies Vaccine Potency.

This study is an improvement on the antibody binding test, known as ABT method, to develop a simple and fast method in comparison with NIH for determination of rabies vaccine potency. In the current study, several commercial human and veterinary vaccines were tested using both modified ABT and NIH methods. The ED50 was calculated using the probit method and the relative potency of each vaccine was measured based on the reference vaccine. The test was repeated four times to calculate the reproducibility of the method. Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference between the result obtained from NIH and modified ABT method for either human or veterinary vaccines (p > 0.05). In addition, the linearity of the method (R2) was calculated as 0.94 by serial dilution of a test vaccine. Coefficient variances were determined as less than and more than 10% for the human and veterinary rabies vaccines, respectively. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the modified method could be considered as an alternative approach for rabies vaccine potency determination in in-process quality control tests at industrial scale. It is a time and cost benefit method and accuracy may further be increased by employing monoclonal antibodies against trimeric form of G glycoprotein. However, the use of serum samples may be useful compared with an artificial mix of antibodies because other components from the serum samples could have a positive impact on cell sensitivity and mimic more the complexity of the immune response. Although the modified test has solved a fundamental problem, it is still not sensitive enough for veterinary vaccine assessment and needs further modifications to obtain the acceptability criteria.

NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms and cutaneous leishmaniasis: An evaluation on host susceptibility and treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Association between polymorphisms in the natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) gene and susceptibility to cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been demonstrated worldwide; however, the reported results were inconsistent. This study aimed to determine the association of NRAMP1 variants with susceptibility to CL infection and patients' response to treatment in Isfahan province of Iran. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 150 patients with CL and 136 healthy controls. The CL patients were treated with intralesional injection of meglumine antimoniate. The polymorphic variants at NRAMP1 (A318V and D543N) were analyzed using PCR-RFLP. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare frequencies of alleles and genotypes of polymorphisms between patient and healthy control populations. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the D543N (rs17235409) polymorphism between the CL patients and healthy controls (p=0.008). However, no significant association was detected for A318V (rs201565523) polymorphism between groups (p=0.26). In addition, there was a lack of association between D543N and A318V genotypes with response to treatment (p=0.54 and p=0.31, respectively). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results indicated that genetic variations of D543N (rs17235409) might be associated with susceptibility to CL infection. These data may be used for detection of sensitive individuals and prevention of CL in endemic areas.

Association of KIR3DS1+HLA-B Bw4Ile80 combination with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Lur population of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cells are the effector cells of innate immunity that respond to infection and tumor. Interactions between killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules regulate NK cells responses to eliminate infected and transformed cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of KIR genes, HLA ligand genes, and KIR-HLA combinations on susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) in Lur population of Iran. METHODS: The genomic DNA of 50 patients with TB from Lorestan province of Iran was genotyped for sixteen KIR genes and their five major HLA class I ligands were determined by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) assay. The results were compared with those of 200 healthy unrelated Iranian individuals. RESULTS: In Lur population of Iran, a significant decrease in frequency of KIR3DS1 was found in TB patients compared to control group (24% vs. 44.5%, OR=0.394, CI=0.194-0.798, p=0.013). Also, among the three activating genes that may use HLA class I molecules as their ligands, a significant decrease was shown in frequency of KIR3DS1 with HLA-B Bw4Ile80 ligand in TB patients compared to control group (4% vs. 23%, OR=0.14, CI=0.033-0.596, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: These findings imply a genetic imbalance between activating and inhibitory KIR genes and KIR-HLA combinations in Lur TB patients. Low level of activating KIR3DS1 and its combination with HLA-B Bw4Ile80 ligand might have an influence on the susceptibility to TB in Lur population of Iran.

Study of KIR expression and HLA ligands in CD56+ lymphocytes of drug resistant tuberculosis patients.

Analysis of receptor-ligand interactions in the context of diseases necessitates to understand how HLA-KIR genotypes function in diseases. Although CD56+ lymphocytes are derived from multiple lineages, they share a functional association with immunosurviellance and antimicrobial responses. The present study aimed to determine whether KIR phenotype in CD56 lymphocytes and corresponding HLA-class 1 ligands are associated with multidrug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB). We compared the frequencies of HLA-C and HLA-BW4 genes, the expression of KIRs 2DL1/2DS1, 2DL2/2DL3, 3DL1, and 2DS4 and the combinations of HLA/KIR in 32 Nifamycin and Isoniazid-resistant TB with those in 68 drug non resistant (NR) sputum smear positive pulmonary TB patients. PCR-SSP and flow cytometry were performed for HLA and KIRs typing, respectively. We showed no significant differences between inhibitory or activating KIRs as well as HLA ligands in MDR TB patients compared with NR-TB . The combinations of inhibitory KIR-HLA ligands in MDR-TB were much more prevalent, but not statistically significant than in NR patients (p=0.07). The frequency of MDR patients with all HLA-C and HLA-BW4 ligands was higher than NR-TB (p<0.009). Conversely, the percentage of MDR patients having only one kind of HLA gene was significantly lower than NR-TB (p<0.01). We conclude that the expression of inhibitory KIRs with corresponding HLA ligands genes, and/or co-existence of three HLA class 1 ligands for inhibitory KIRs may be associated with drug resistance in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Co-administration of chenopodium album allergens and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with Allergic Rhinitis treated with intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines.

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the developed countries. This study was performed to investigate the effect of CpG-ODN in alteration of T-helper (Th)1/Th2 balance of patients with AR treated with intranasal corticosteroids (INCs) and antihistamines. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 20 patients with AR were isolated before and after 45 days therapy. Cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ) and specific Ch.a IgE in response to CpG co-administration of natural chenopodium album (CpG/Ch.a) or recombinant Ch.a (CpG/rCh.a) allergen were investigated in supernatants.of cultured PBMCs using ELISA Intracellular IL-10 was also assessed in CD4+ cells using flow cytometry. Significant increase in production of IFN-γ and IL-10 and decrease in production of IL-4 were found in supernatants of cultured PBMCs activated with CPG/ch.a and CPG/rch.a. of both CpG/Ch.a and CpG/rCh.a compared to allergens alone, before and after therapy. After therapy, IFN-γ production with CpG/Ch.a was significantly increased in comparison with before (237 vs. 44 pg/ml, p=0.001). IFN-γ and IL-10 production with CpG/rCh.a was significantly increased after therapy compared to before (407.6 vs. 109 pg/ml, p=0.01 for IFN-γ; 171.7 vs. 52.6 pg/ml, p=0.008 for IL-10), whilst IL-4 was significantly decreased (2.1 vs. 5.8 pg/ml, p=0.02). Intracellular IL-10 expression was also significantly increased in response to either CpG/Ch.a or CpG/rCh.a that showed intracellular assay could be more sensitive than ELISA. Also, treatment with intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines could enhance this CpG effect, in vitro.

Effect of treatment with intranasal corticosteroid and oral antihistamine on cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with allergic rhinitis sensitive to chenopodium album.

Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) show increased production of the Th2-related cytokines. Almost always, intranasal corticosteroid (INC) and antihistamine are used as routine therapy of AR. This study was performed to determine the in vitro secretion of cytokines profiles of PBMCs in patients with AR sensitive to Chenopodium album (Ch.a) pollens before and after treatment with INC (Fluticasone propionate) and oral antihistamine (Loratadine). PBMCs of 20 patients with AR, were tested in vitro for cytokine production. These cells were stimulated with natural or recombinant Ch.a. The levels of IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-, were measured in supernatants of cultured cell 96h after stimulation using ELISA. The PBMCs of 20 normal individuals were also similarly treared for comparison of results. The production of IL-4 by the patients' cells stimulated with either Ch.a or rCh.a was significantly higher than normal levels before therapy (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). After therapy, a significant decrease in production of IL-4 and a significant increase in production of IL-10 were found in PBMCs stimulated with natural Ch.a, in comparison to the results before stimulation (p=0.03 for IL-4; p=0.04 for IL-10). Similarly, these results were seen in the production of IL-4 and IL-10 stimulated with rCh.a allergen after therapy in comparison to the results before stimulation (p=0.01 for IL-4; p=0.03 for IL-10). This study suggests INC (Fluticasone propionate) and oral antihistamine (Loratadine) have the capacity to inhibit the production of IL-4 and shift Th2/Th1 responses, probably due to increase the level of immunoregulatory IL-10. Therefore, it could be concluded that therapy with INC and antihistamine has pharmacologic and immunologic therapeutic effects on AR patients.

Inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor KIR3DL1 in combination with HLA-B Bw4iso protect against ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: The HLA class I molecules serve as ligands for both T cell receptors and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the HLA-C and HLA-Bw4 alleles as well as KIRs expression on CD56 positive lymphocytes to evaluate whether these genes and molecules could influence Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) susceptibility, alone or in combination. METHODS: We typed 40 AS patients and 40 normal controls for HLA-C asn8° (group 1) and HLA-C lys8° (group 2), HLA-B Bw4(thero), HLA-B Bw4(iso) and HLA-A Bw4 alleles by PCR-SSP method. We also assessed the expression of KIR2DL1/2DS1, KIR2DL2/2DL3, KIR3DL1 and KIR2DS4 by flow cytometry. The Pearson chi-square or Fisher exact test was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of HLA-B Bw4(iso) but not HLA-B Bw4(thero) and HLA-A Bw4, ligand for the inhibitory KIR3DL1, was significantly reduced in AS patients as compared with controls (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed in gene carrier frequencies of HLA-C group 1 and 2 between AS and controls. Although no differences were found in the expression of KIR receptors between AS and normal subjects, we found that expression of KIR3DL1 in the presence of HLA Bw4-B(iso) gene was reduced in patients with AS compared to healthy controls (p<0.009). CONCLUSION: We conclude that HLA-B Bw4(iso), the ligand of inhibitory KIR3DL1, with and without the expression of KIR3DL1 might be involved in protection against AS. Our results suggest that besides the HLA and KIR genotype, expression levels of KIRs may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS disease.

Elevation of CD56brightCD16- lymphocytes in MDR pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Protective immune responses induced in the majority of people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis enable them to control TB infection. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate CD56 and CD16 positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and leukocyte subsets from multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and compare them with nonresistant (NR) TB patients and healthy controls. METHODS: 13 MDR-tuberculosis patients, 20 NR-TB individuals and 40 healthy subjects were included. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were double stained with fluorochrome conjugated antibodies against CD56 and CD16 cell surface markers. The phenotype of positive cells was then analyzed by flow cytometry and the percentages of CD56+ CD16+, CD56- CD16+, CD56dimCD16+/-, and CD56brightCD16+/- subsets were calculated. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in the percentage of CD56+CD16+ lymphocytes in both MDR and NR-TB patients compared with healthy controls. We also observed lower proportions of CD56dim/brightCD16+ in addition to higher percentages of CD56dim/brightCD16- subsets in all TB patients (p<0.05). In MDR-TB, our findings demonstrated a distinct phenotypic feature with increased levels of CD56brightCD16- in comparison with both NR-TB and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Considering the function of CD56/CD16 expressing cells in TB, we suggest that phenotypic characteristics of PBMCs in MDR-TB may correlate with their status of drug resistance and probably with their high mortality rates.

Phenotypic study of natural killer cell subsets in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

It has been demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells play a role in regulation of autoimmunity. They play a protective role in several rodent disease models. In this study we aimed to compare the immunophenotypic features of NK cells in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) with normal subjects with regard to CD56 and CD16 molecules. This study was carried out on 30 AS patients and 33 normal volunteer donors. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells (PBMC) were tested by flow cytometry detecting the intensity of CD56 and CD16 surface molecules. The percentage of positive cells and their subsets were then calculated and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. A significant increase was found in CD56+ CD16+ (P < or = 0.009), and also in the subset of CD56 dim CD16+ (P < or = 0.02), but not in CD56 bright CD16+ (P=0.3) NK cells in AS patients compared to controls. We conclude that these results may indicate that NK and their subset ratios play a role in AS pathogenesis. Moreover, determination of NK subsets in combination with clinical features may be useful for AS diagnosis. However, further studies using large samples together with determination of relevant cytokines are recommended to verify the exact role of NK in AS disease.

CpG Immunotherapy in Chenopodium album sensitized mice: The comparison of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IgE responses in intranasal and subcutaneous administrations.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal-based immunotherapy has been already used as an alternative form of allergen delivery. In asthma, the poor success rate of immune modulation could be a consequence of inadequate immune modulation in the airways. Previously, we have found that subcutaneous (S.C) co-administration of a homemade allergenic extract from Chenopodium album (Ch.a) pollen and Guanine-Cytosine containing deoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) is effective to prevent the inflammatory responses in mouse. In this study we used CpG/Ch.a for immunotherapy of Ch.a-induced asthma and compared the intranasal (I.N) and S.C routes of administration concerning IFN-gamma, IL-10 and total IgE responses. METHODS: Ch.a sensitized mice were treated intranasaly or subcutaneously using CpG and Ch.a. extract. IFN-gamma, IL-10 and total IgE were measured in supernatant culture of splenocytes and bronchoalveolor lavage (BAL) fluids by ELISA. Student's t test was used in the analysis of the results obtained from the test and control mice. RESULTS: We found that I.N administration of CpG/Ch.a in sensitized mice significantly increased the production of systemic and mucosal IFN-gamma and IL-10 compared to phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ch.a alone and control ODNs treated sensitized mice (P

Co-administration of CpG oligonucleotides and chenopodium album extract reverse IgG2a/IgG1 ratios and increase IFN-gamma and IL-10 productions in a murine model of asthma.

Asthma is a disorder of increasing severity and prevalence. Recent knowledge about the pathogenesis of asthma emphasizes its inflammatory nature. CpG oligonucleotides are a class of compounds containing motifs based on the cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpG-ODNs). These motifs are suppressed in mammalian DNA. They induce inflammation in mammals characterized by the induction of T helper type 1 and regulatory responses. In this paper, the effect of CpG DNA co-administration with a homemade Chenopodium album (Ch.a) extract in a murine model of asthma is reported for the first time. Balb/C mice were sensitized using Ch.a. pollen allergenic extract plus CpG-ODNs intraperitoneally and were challenged with aerosolized allergen. Results measured included IL-10 and IFN-gamma cytokines as well as IgG subclasses. For this, splenocytes from mice treated with CpG/Ag or Ag alone, were cultured in the presence of antigen. The results showed that CpG ODN administered at the time of Ch.a sensitization, effectively increased cytokines and IgG2a/IgG1 ratios compared with those in mice treated with antigen or with PBS alone(P

Immunotherapy of Chenopodium album induced asthma by intranasal administration of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in BALB/c mice.

BACKGROUND: There are many therapeutic methods for allergic conditions. CpG oligonucleotides play a critical role in immunity via the augmentation of Th1 and suppression of Th2 responses. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we aimed to estimate the effectiveness of intranasal administration of CpG ODN plus Chenopodium album allergen in allergic asthma compared with the administration of allergen alone and to find out how CpG ODN therapy is useful in the treatment of allergen induced asthma. METHODS: BALB/c Mice were intraperitoneally and intranasally sensitized with allergenic extract precipitated on aluminum hydroxide. Therapy with CpG/Ag was performed intranasally. After antigenic challenge, a number of Immunologic variables such as serum IgE and IgG, systemic and local IL-10 and IFN-gamma were studied in splenocytes, and lung tissue culture supernatants, respectively. RESULTS: Our study indicated that intranasal administration of CpG/Ag had significant increases in both systemic and local levels of IL-10 and IFN-gamma (p