Safety study of cannabidiol products in healthy dogs.

The tolerability of different cannabinoids given orally to dogs was evaluated in a randomized, non-blinded, negative controlled, parallel design 90-day repeat dose study with a 14-day recovery period. Healthy beagles (16 males and 16 females) were randomized into four treatment groups and treated with either medium chain triglyceride oil as the control or one of the following: broad spectrum cannabidiol, broad spectrum cannabidiol with cannabigerol, or broad spectrum cannabidiol with cannabidiolic acid at 5 mg total cannabinoids/kg body weight/day. Animals were observed daily with detailed clinical examinations conducted weekly. Animals were monitored for an additional 2 weeks after dosing. Body weights, food consumption and clinical pathology evaluations were included in the study. Cannabinoids were well tolerated when healthy male and female beagles were dosed for 90 consecutive days. Annual post-market surveillance data for hemp-derived supplement products sold for use in dogs from 2010 to 2023 (partial year) shows that the rate per 1 million administrations sold is 2.10 for adverse events and 0.01 for serious adverse events. Based on the results of this study, other published studies, and data from extensive post-market surveillance, hemp-derived cannabinoids are well tolerated in healthy dogs at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day.

The Anti-atherosclerotic Dipeptide, Trp-His, Reduces Intestinal Inflammation through the Blockade of L-Type Ca2+ Channels.

Trp-His, the anti-atherosclerotic dipeptide, exerted an antiproliferative effect on vascular smooth muscle cells by L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker-like effect. The beneficial potential by the blockade of Ca(2+) channels on chronic intestinal inflammation, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is unclear. Trp-His (100 or 250 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered for 14 days to BALB/c mice, and 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was administered to induce colitis in the last 7 days. Trp-His reduced DSS-induced typical colitis symptoms and cytokine expression in the colon. Trp-His inhibited interleukin (IL)-8 secretion in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HT-29 cells. The inhibitory effect of Trp-His, as well as that of Ca(2+) channel blockers, was impaired by the presence of Ca(2+) channel agonist Bay K 8644. The TNF-α-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and IκBα were decreased by Trp-His. These results indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of Trp-His may be involved in the blockade of L-type Ca(2+) channels.

γ-Glutamyl cysteine and γ-glutamyl valine inhibit TNF-α signaling in intestinal epithelial cells and reduce inflammation in a mouse model of colitis via allosteric activation of the calcium-sensing receptor.

BACKGROUND: The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and its activation has been shown to promote intestinal homeostasis, suggesting that CaSR may be a promising target for novel therapies to prevent chronic intestinal inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The γ-glutamyl dipeptides γ-glutamyl cysteine (γ-EC) and γ-glutamyl valine (γ-EV) are dietary flavor enhancing compounds, and have been shown to activate CaSR via allosteric ligand binding. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of γ-EC and γ-EV in vitro in intestinal epithelial cells and in a mouse model of intestinal inflammation. RESULTS: In vitro, treatment of Caco-2 cells with γ-EC and γ-EV resulted in the CaSR-mediated reduction of TNF-α-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1ß, and inhibited phosphorylation of JNK and IκBα, while increasing expression of IL-10. In vivo, using a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis, γ-EC and γ-EV treatment ameliorated DSS-induced clinical signs, weight loss, colon shortening and histological damage. Moreover, γ-EC and γ-EV reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, INF-γ, IL-1ß, and IL-17, and increased the expression of IL-10 in the colon, in a CaSR-dependent manner. The CaSR-mediated anti-inflammatory effects of γ-EC were abrogated in ß-arrestin2 knock-down Caco-2 cells, and involvement of ß-arrestin2 was found to inhibit TNF-α-dependent signaling via cross-talk with the TNF-α receptor (TNFR). CONCLUSIONS: Thus CaSR activation by γ-EC and γ-EV can aid in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and reducing inflammation in chronic inflammatory conditions such as IBD.

Oral administration of hen egg white ovotransferrin attenuates the development of colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate in mice.

Ovotransferrin (OVT), one of the major hen egg white proteins, was shown to possess antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in vitro. However, there is no information regarding the in vivo preventative effect in chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of OVT in a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. OVT (50 or 250 mg/kg BW) was given orally for 14 days to female BALB/c mice, and 5% DSS (MW 36-50 kDa) was used to induce acute colitis (days 7-14) via drinking water. The current in vivo study demonstrated that OVT significantly reduced clinical signs, weight loss, shortening of the colon, and inflammatory cytokine markers of disease. The histopathological analysis of the colon revealed that OVT reduced histological scores. These results indicate that the use of OVT may be a potential promising candidate for the prevention of IBD.

Immunogenicity of a bovine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein D DNA vaccine complexed with bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3.

Protective efficacy against bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) has been demonstrated to be induced by a plasmid encoding bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3 (BNBD3) as a fusion construct with truncated glycoprotein D (tgD). However, in spite of the increased cell-mediated immune responses induced by this DNA vaccine, the clinical responses of BoHV-1-challenged cattle were not reduced over those observed in animals vaccinated with the plasmid encoding tgD alone; this might have been because the vaccine failed to improve humoral responses. We hypothesized that an alternative vaccine design strategy that utilized the DNA vaccine pMASIA-tgD as a complex with BNBD3 might improve humoral responses while maintaining robust Th1-type cell-mediated responses. C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated with pMASIA-tgD complexed with 0, 0.01875, 0.1875, or 1.875 nmol of a stable synthesized analog of BNBD3 (aBNBD3). The best results were seen in mice immunized with the vaccine composed of pMASIA-tgD complexed to 0.1875 nmol aBNBD3. In this group, humoral responses were improved, as evidenced by increased virus neutralization, tgD-specific early IgG1, and later IgG2a titers, while the strong cell-mediated immune responses, measured based on specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting cells, were maintained relative to pMASIA-tgD. Modulation of the immune response might have been due in part to the effect of BNBD3 on dendritic cells (DCs). In vitro studies showed that murine bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) pretreated with aBNBD3 were activated, as evidenced by CD11c downregulation, and were functionally mature, as shown by increased allostimulatory ability. Native, synthetic, and analog forms of BNBD3 were equally capable of inducing functional maturation of BMDCs.

Bioactive dietary peptides and amino acids in inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), most commonly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients affected with IBD experience symptoms including abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. There is no cure for IBD; thus treatments typically focus on preventing complications, inducing and maintaining remission, and improving quality of life. During IBD, dysregulation of the intestinal immune system leads to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, and recruitment of activated immune cells to the intestine, causing tissue damage and perpetuating the inflammatory response. Recent biological therapies targeting specific inflammatory cytokines or pathways, in particular TNF-α, have shown promise, but not all patients respond to treatment, and some individuals become intolerant to treatment over time. Dietary peptides and amino acids (AAs) have been shown to modulate intestinal immune functions and influence inflammatory responses, and may be useful as alternative or ancillary treatments in IBD. This review focuses on dietary interventions for IBD treatment, in particular the role of dietary peptides and AAs in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the gut, as well as recent advances in the cellular mechanisms responsible for their anti-inflammatory activity.

In vitro and ex vivo uptake of glutathione (GSH) across the intestinal epithelium and fate of oral GSH after in vivo supplementation.

Glutathione (GSH) is the most prevalent low-molecular-weight thiol in mammalian cells and is crucial for antioxidant defense, nutrient metabolism, and the regulation of pathways essential for whole body homeostasis. GSH transport systems have been identified in the membranes of various tissues and organs, including the small intestine. However, little is known regarding GSH transport across intestinal epithelial cells. The current in vitro and ex vivo uptake study of GSH demonstrated that intact GSH can be transported across intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that GSH uptake is not proton-dependent. It would appear that the initial uptake of GSH into cells is a rapid process. Furthermore, the visualized GSH after 60 min of transport by MALDI-MS imaging showed localization of intact GSH inside the intestinal wall. In vivo study found that ingested (13)C-GSH was rapidly converted to GSSG and accumulated in red blood cells and liver, but was little present in plasma. The ingested GSH has potent nutraceutical benefits for human health to improve oxidative stress and defense in human.

Ovocalyxin-36 is an effector protein modulating the production of proinflammatory mediators.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome during infection. Therapeutic agents are essential to protect the host from sepsis. Ovocalyxin-36 (OCX-36) is a chicken eggshell membrane protein and shares protein sequence and gene organization homology with bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and palate, lung and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) proteins that play a major role in innate immune protection. We recently reported that OCX-36 binds to both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) (Cordeiro et al., 2013, PLoS ONE 8, e84112), which is an important activity to neutralize endotoxins and non-endotoxin pyrogens during an inflammatory response. Here we investigated the immune modulating effects of OCX-36 and enzymatically digested OCX-36 (dOCX-36) in vitro and in a mouse model of endotoxemia. OCX-36 alone dose-dependently induced both TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and this immunostimulatory effect was reduced by enzymatic digestion. In the presence of LPS, dOCX-36 was more effective than intact OCX-36 at reducing LPS-induced secretion of TNF-α from RAW 264.7 cells, but did not reduce NO production. In contrast, OCX-36 increased LPS-induced NO production, both in the presence and absence of FBS, PCR array analysis confirmed that OCX-36 and dOCX-36 differentially regulated genes involved in innate immunity, and dOCX-36 down-regulated the expression of genes involved in LPS signaling and inflammatory responses. In vivo, dOCX-36 was more effective at reducing LPS-induced inflammatory symptoms and inhibiting the local production of pro-inflammatory mediators in the small intestine. These results suggest that OCX-36 and OCX-36 derived peptides may differentially modulate innate immune responses, and support our hypothesis that OCX-36 derived peptides have potential therapeutic applications in sepsis.

Inclusion of the bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3 with glycoprotein D of bovine herpesvirus 1 in a DNA vaccine modulates immune responses of mice and cattle.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) causes recurrent respiratory and genital infections in cattle and predisposes them to lethal secondary infections. While modified live and killed BoHV-1 vaccines exist, these are not without problems. Development of an effective DNA vaccine for BoHV-1 has the potential to address these issues. As a strategy to enhance DNA vaccine immunity, a plasmid encoding the bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3 (BNBD3) as a fusion with truncated glycoprotein D (tgD) and a mix of two plasmids encoding BNBD3 and tgD were tested in mice and cattle. In mice, coadministration of BNBD3 on the separate plasmid enhanced the tgD-induced gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response but not the antibody response. BNBD3 fused to tgD did not affect the antibody levels or the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells but increased the induction of tgD-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In cattle, the addition of BNBD3 as a fusion construct also modified the immune response. While the IgG and virus-neutralizing antibody levels were not affected, the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells was increased after BoHV-1 challenge, specifically the CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) T cells, including CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) CD25(+) CTLs. While reduced virus shedding, rectal temperature, and weight loss were observed, the level of protection was comparable to that observed in pMASIA-tgD-vaccinated animals. These data show that coadministration of BNBD3 with a protective antigen as a fusion in a DNA vaccine strengthened the Th1 bias and increased cell-mediated immune responses but did not enhance protection from BoHV-1 infection.

ß-1,4-mannobiose stimulates innate immune responses and induces TLR4-dependent activation of mouse macrophages but reduces severity of inflammation during endotoxemia in mice.

ß-1,4-Mannobiose (MNB) has been shown to exert prebiotic activity and modulate mucosal gene expression. In this study, the immune-modulating effect of MNB in healthy and endotoxemic mice and its role in Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/4-mediated macrophage activation were investigated. Mice were supplemented daily with MNB (0, 5, 10, or 25 mg/kg) for 14 d. To examine the effect of MNB during endotoxemia, mice were supplemented with or without MNB (25 mg/kg) for 14 d, followed by challenge with intraperitoneal LPS or saline. MNB induced expression of both T helper (Th) 1- and Th2-type cytokines in the ileum (P < 0.05) and increased fecal IgA production and splenic NK cell activity (P < 0.05) in healthy mice. In endotoxemic mice, MNB reduced the expression of Tnfa, Il-6, iNos (P < 0.05), and Il-10 (P < 0.05), and reduced LPS-induced weight loss but increased Ifng, Il-12p40, Il-5, and Ifna expression (P < 0.05) and NK cell activity relative to positive control (LPS) mice. Treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with MNB induced TNF-α and IL-6 secretion (P < 0.05), and this effect was abrogated by inhibiting TLR4, but not TLR2, signaling. Pretreatment of RAW 264.7 cells with MNB induced tolerance to TLR2 and TLR4 agonists, reducing TNF-α production (P < 0.05) upon secondary stimulation with LPS or lipoteichoic acid. These results indicate that MNB can modulate intestinal and systemic immune responses in healthy and endotoxemic mice and prevent LPS-induced immune suppression, as well as directly stimulating innate immune mechanisms in vitro as a TLR4 agonist.

The PepT1-transportable soy tripeptide VPY reduces intestinal inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The peptide transporter PepT1 is responsible for the intestinal uptake of dietary peptides, and its expression in the gastrointestinal tract is up-regulated during intestinal inflammation, indicating that PepT1 may be a promising target for IBD therapeutics. METHODS: The transport of soy-derived di- and tripeptides across Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells was examined, and the anti-inflammatory effects of the transported peptide VPY were evaluated in vitro in Caco-2 and THP-1 macrophages, and in vivo in a mouse model of DSS-induced colitis. RESULTS: VPY inhibited the secretion of IL-8 and TNF-α, respectively, from Caco-2 and THP-1 cells. VPY transport and anti-inflammatory activity in Caco-2 cells was reduced in the presence of Gly-Sar, indicating this activity was mediated by PepT1. In mice, VPY treatment reduced DSS-induced colitis symptoms and weight loss, improved colon histology, reduced MPO activity, and decreased gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, IFN-γ and IL-17 in the colon. CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: VPY is a novel PepT1 substrate that can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in vitro in intestinal epithelial and immune cells, and reduce the severity of colitis in mice by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colon, suggesting that VPY may be promising for the treatment of IBD.

Egg yolk antibodies for passive immunity.

The avian egg contains all of the necessary nutrients and growth factors required for the developing embryo, including antibodies that are transported from the blood of the hen into the egg yolk to provide immunity to the chick. Since the discovery of egg yolk antibodies, now called immunoglobulin Y (IgY), in the late 1800s, this process has been harnessed to produce antigen-specific yolk antibodies for numerous applications in the medical and research fields, including in areas such as diagnostics and proteomics. However, one of the most valuable and promising areas of IgY research is its use for passive immunization to treat and prevent human and animal diseases. The following review covers the key features and advantages of IgY and the production and purification of IgY from the egg yolk, as well as highlights some of the most promising applications of egg yolk antibodies in human and veterinary medicine.

ß 1-4 mannobiose enhances Salmonella-killing activity and activates innate immune responses in chicken macrophages.

Salmonella spp. is one of the major causes of food-borne illness in humans, and Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection in commercial poultry is a world-wide problem. Here we have investigated the in vitro immune-modulating effects of ß 1-4 mannobiose (MNB), which was previously found to prevent SE infection in vivo in chickens, using chicken macrophage (MQ-MCSU) cells. Treatment of MQ-NCSU cells with MNB dose-dependently increased both phagocytic activity and Salmonella-killing activity of macrophages, with the highest reduction in SE viability observed at a concentration of 40 µg/ml at 48 h post-infection. Likewise, both hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) production were increased in a dose-dependent manner by MNB. Gene expression analysis of MNB-treated macrophages revealed significant increases in the expression of iNOS, NOX-1, IFN-γ, NRAMP1, and LITAF, genes critical for host defense and antimicrobial activity, when compared to untreated cells. This data confirms that MNB possesses potent innate immune-modulating activities and can up-regulate antibacterial defenses in chicken macrophages.

A novel triple adjuvant formulation promotes strong, Th1-biased immune responses and significant antigen retention at the site of injection.

Ovalbumin (OVA) was labeled with a near infra-red dye (*OVA) and formulated with the host defense peptide indolicidin (Indol), CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 1826 (CpG) and/or poly(p-dicarboxylatophenoxy)-phosphazene (PP4). The immunogenicity of these *OVA formulations was evaluated in mice. All double and triple adjuvant combinations elicited strong antibody responses. *OVA formulated with CpG ODN in combination with indolicidin, PP4 or both induced only IFN-γ, while formulations with indolicidin and/or PP4 promoted predominantly IL-5 production. Overall, both IgG and IFN-γ production was superior when *OVA was combined with CpG/Indol/PP4. Furthermore, mice injected with *OVA formulated with CpG/Indol/PP4 contained detectable *OVA in the injection site two months post immunization. These results indicate that the CpG/Indol/PP4 combination promotes prolonged antigen retention and strong, antigen-specific Th1-biased immune responses.

Retro-inversion enhances the adjuvant and CpG co-adjuvant activity of host defence peptide Bac2A.

Host defence peptides (HDPs) have a variety of potential therapeutic applications, including as vaccine adjuvants, energizing efforts for modification strategies to address their toxicity and instability. Here we compare l, d and RI-Bac2A as vaccine adjuvants. d and RI-Bac2A are equally resistant to proteolytic degradation with no increases in toxicity, however, only RI-Bac2A maintains adjuvant activity of the natural peptide through conserved induction of a Th2 immune response. As HDPs potentiate the adjuvant activity of CpG ODNs, the isomers were also evaluated as co-adjuvants. l-Bac2A has no significant co-adjuvant activity while CpG/RI-Bac2A induces antibody titres significantly higher than CpG (P<0.01), CpG/l-Bac2A (P<0.01) or CpG/d-Bac2A (P<0.01). None of the isomers influence ODN duration or distribution but l and RI-Bac2A promote ODN uptake into B cells and antigen presenting cells. The enhanced adjuvant and co-adjuvant of RI-Bac2A is hypothesized to result from an undefined combination of increased stability and retained biological activity supporting application of retro-inversion to this, and potentially other HDPs.

l-Tryptophan exhibits therapeutic function in a porcine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis.

Conventional therapies for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have demonstrated limited efficacy and potential toxicity; therefore, there is a need for novel therapies that can safely and effectively treat IBD. Recent evidence has indicated that amino acids may play a role in maintaining gut health. L-tryptophan has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and improve neurological states. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic effects of L-tryptophan in a porcine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. DSS was administered to piglets via intragastric catheter for 5 days followed by tryptophan administration at 80% of the daily recommended intake. The severity of colitis was assessed macroscopically and histopathologically, and intestinal permeability was monitored in vivo by D-mannitol analysis. The effect of tryptophan on the local expression of key mediators of inflammation and IBD pathogenesis was examined at the protein and gene expression levels. Supplementation with tryptophan ameliorated clinical symptoms and improved weight gain to feed intake conversion ratios. Histological scores and measurements were also improved, and gut permeability was notably reduced in tryptophan-supplemented animals. Moreover, tryptophan reduced the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-12p40, IL-1beta and IL-17, as well as IL-8 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1, and resulted in increased expression of apoptosis initiators caspase-8 and Bax. These results demonstrate that L-tryptophan supplementation can reduce inflammation and enhance the rate of recovery in DSS-induced colitis and may be an effective immunomodulating agent for the treatment of IBD.

Hen egg lysozyme attenuates inflammation and modulates local gene expression in a porcine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurring inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, associated with a dysregulation of the mucosal immune system. There is an increasing prevalence of IBD; however, current pharmaceutical treatments are only moderately effective and have been associated with potential long-term toxicity. Lysozyme, a well-known antimicrobial protein found in large quantities in hen egg white, is a promising alternative for the treatment of IBD. A porcine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis was used to examine the effect of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) supplementation on intestinal inflammation. Treatment with DSS resulted in weight loss, severe mucosal and submucosal inflammation, colonic crypt distortion, muscle wall thickening, down-regulation of mucin gene expression, and increased gastric permeability, but these symptoms were attenuated following supplementation with HEL and restored to basal levels observed in untreated control animals. Treatment with HEL also significantly reduced the local expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma, IL-8, and IL-17 while increasing the expression of the anti-inflammatory mediators IL-4 and TGF-beta, indicating that HEL may function as a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator. Furthermore, the concomitant increases in TGF-beta and Foxp3 levels suggest that HEL may aid in restoring gut homeostasis by activating regulatory T cells, which are important in the regulation of the mucosal immune system. These results suggest that HEL is a promising novel therapeutic for the treatment of IBD.

Intranasal immunization of mice with a formalin-inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine co-formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and polyphosphazenes results in enhanced protection.

As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) targets the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory tract, induction of both systemic and mucosal immunity will be critical for optimal protection. In this study, the ability of an intranasally delivered, formalin-inactivated bovine RSV (FI-BRSV) vaccine co-formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and polyphosphazenes (PP) to induce systemic and mucosal immunity, as well as protection from BRSV challenge, was evaluated. Intranasal immunization of mice with FI-BRSV formulated with CpG ODN and PP resulted in both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, characterized by enhanced production of BRSV-specific serum IgG, as well as increased gamma interferon and decreased interleukin-5 production by in vitro-restimulated splenocytes. These mice also developed mucosal immune responses, as was evident from increased production of BRSV-specific IgG and IgA in lung-fragment cultures. Indeed, the increases in serum and mucosal IgG, and in particular mucosal IgA and virus-neutralizing antibodies, were the most critical differences observed between FI-BRSV formulated with both CpG ODN and PP in comparison to formulations with CpG ODN, non-CpG ODN or PP individually. Finally, FI-BRSV/CpG/PP was the only formulation that resulted in a significant reduction in viral replication upon BRSV challenge. Co-formulation of CpG ODN and PP is a promising new vaccine platform technology that may have applications in mucosal immunization in humans.

Tandem copies of a human rotavirus VP8 epitope can induce specific neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice.

The VP8 subunit protein of human rotavirus (HRV) plays an important role in viral infectivity and neutralization. Recombinant peptide antigens displaying the amino acid sequence M(1)ASLIYRQLL(10), a linear neutralization epitope on the VP8 protein, were constructed and examined for their ability to generate anti-peptide antibodies and HRV-neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice. Peptide antigen constructs were expressed in E. coli as fusion proteins with thioredoxin and a universal tetanus toxin T-cell epitope (P2), in order to enhance the anti-peptide immune response. The peptide antigen containing three tandem copies of the VP8 epitope induced significantly higher levels of anti-peptide antibody than only a single copy of the epitope, or the peptide co-administered with the carrier protein and T-cell epitope. Furthermore, the peptide antigen containing three copies of the peptide produced significantly higher virus-neutralization titres, higher than VP8, indicating that a peptide antigen displaying repeating copies of the amino acid region 1-10 of VP8 is a more potent inducer of HRV-neutralizing antibodies than VP8 alone, and may be useful for the production of specific neutralizing antibodies for passive immunotherapy of HRV infection.

Advances in the value of eggs and egg components for human health.

The avian egg is an important source of nutrients, containing all of the proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and growth factors required by the developing embryo, as well as a number of defense factors to protect against bacterial and viral infection. Moreover, eggs are now understood to contain substances with biological functions beyond basic nutrition, and extensive research has been undertaken to identify and characterize these biologically active components. This review mainly focused on biological activities of proteins and peptides derived from egg components. Several biological activities have now been associated with egg components, including novel antimicrobial activities, antiadhesive properties, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antihypertensive activities, antioxidant properties, protease inhibitors, nutrient bioavailability, and functional lipids, highlighting the importance of egg and egg components in human health and in disease prevention and treatment. Continued research to identify new and existing biological functions of hen egg components will help to define new methods to further improve the value of eggs as a source of numerous biologically active compounds with specific benefits for human and animal health and secure their role in the therapy and prevention of chronic and infectious disease.