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Adenosine deaminase (ADA) plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of normal immune system. So, any immunological imbalances could associate with its altered activity in serum. This study evaluated the activity of total ADA and its isoenzymes in serum of 45 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Included were 23 patients with active SLE, 22 during the inactive phase of the disease, and 45 healthy subjects. Our results provided evidence that the significantly elevated total ADA activity in serum of SLE patients is correlated mainly with the increased ADA2 level. The highest mean ADA2 activity during the relapse phase of the disease could be an indication to the macrophages, the main source of ADA2. It might be concluded that ADA and its isoenzymes analysis in serum of patients could be used as a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool in evaluation of SLE active phase and the disease severity.

For induction of an appropriate immune response, especially in the case of an inactivated vaccine, the use of an adjuvant is crucial. In this study, adjuvanticity effect of G2 dendrimer in veterinary rabies vaccine has been investigated. A nonlinear globular G2 dendrimer comprising citric acid and polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG-600) was synthesized and the toxicity was studied in vitro on the J774A.1 cell line. The adjuvanticity effect of the dendrimer was then investigated on rabies virus in NMRI mice as a model. Different concentrations of dendrimer were used to determine the best formulation for the survival of the mice after virus challenge. The rise of neutralizing antibody was also checked by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). The relative potency of the prepared formulation was finally calculated using standard NIH test and the results were compared (and discussed) with the commercially available rabies vaccine. The accuracy of dendrimer synthesis was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), size, and zeta potential analysis. The in vitro toxicity assay revealed that no significant toxic effect is observed in cells when data are compared with the control group. The in vivo assay showed that a higher survival rate in the mice received a special formulation due to adjuvanticity effect of dendrimer, which is also confirmed by RFFIT. However, the relative potency of that formulation does not give expected results when compared with the alum-containing rabies vaccine. In the current investigation, the adjuvanticity effect of G2 dendrimer was demonstrated for the first time in rising of neutralizing antibodies against rabies virus. Our data confirm that nanoparticles can enhance immune responses in an appropriate manner. Moreover, engineered nanoparticles will enable us to develop novel potent multivalent adjuvants in vaccine technology.

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Combination of electrical stimulation with CNT-based conductive films and obtaining optimum signal parameters for MG-63 cells.