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The release of hemoglobin (Hb) occurs in some infectious and autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation. As levels of haptoglobin (Hp) fall, free Hb can cause pathology. Humoral autoreactivity to human Hb was demonstrated in the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), leishmania and malaria patients. Serum anti-murine Hb antibody levels in lupus-prone mice also exhibited an age-dependent increase, with progressive organ sequestration; significant isotypic correlation was observed with antidsDNA antibodies. A suggestive link between anti-Hb and anti-Sm responses was observed: Human lupus sera expressing anti-Sm antibody reactivity preferentially contained heightened levels of anti-Hb autoantibodies, and immunization of lupus-prone mice with Sm led to enhanced anti-murine Hb reactivity. Human and murine anti-Hb monoclonal antibodies were generated, some of which were preferentially reactive toward disease-associated methemoglobin. Epitope-mapping studies revealed evidence of intramolecular cross-reactivity. One such autoantibody synergized with Hb to enhance the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines while eliciting the increased production of monocyte migratory signals from endothelial cells. Preferential usage of specific variable region gene segments was not observed, although somatic mutations were documented. These studies reveal that, while the etiology, specificity and sequences of anti-Hb autoreactive antibodies can vary, they occur quite frequently and can have inflammatory consequences.

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The use pesticide is one of the indispensable means to combat mosquito borne diseases. However, the repeated use of synthetic pesticides has induced resistance in the vector pest along with undesirable impact on the environment. The biodegradability, non-persistent and user's safety are the root cause to prefer plant-derived pesticides to synthetic ones. The botanical based pesticides tend to degrade rapidly under the influence of several environmental factors. For the feasible application as pesticides, the plant products are formulated either as liquid or as purely solid. Despite well-established formulation technology in pesticide delivery, their handling trouble is being ignored. There is difficulty in liquid formulation of pesticide products, as they are prone to splashing and spillage, resulting in contamination, wastage and direct exposure to skin; whereas a solid formulation tends to produce dust. In the present work, cedarwood (Cedrus deodara) essential oil embedded pectin nanocapsules were produced. The nanocapsules were characterized according to their morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency and thermal stability. Furthermore, the nanocapsules were impregnated onto mini cotton tea bags to be employed as RTU (ready to use) formulation for treating the breeding sites of mosquitoes. The larvicidal activity of the bags treated with pectin-cedar wood nanocapsules was assessed against malaria vector, Anopheles culicifacies and 98% mortality was recorded till 4 weeks, this suggests its potential and hassle free applications in controlling mosquito vector. Global health threats, primarily due to mosquito borne diseases can devastate communities in social and economic terms and hinder development progress 1. Among the various vector borne diseases, malaria is the major public health issue, which transmits through the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes 2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2019 report, malaria causes 228 million morbidity cases and 405,000 number of mortality 3. Anopheles culicifacies is alone accountable for 60-65% of the malaria burden 4. A Mosquito-borne disease remains a challenge since there is no vaccine, and further drug resistance is an increasing threat. Under these circumstances, vector control plays a vital role and often remains the only way to prevent disease outbreaks. The control of malaria vector, Anopheles, relies upon indoor residual spray (IRS) and insecticide treated nets (ITN) 5. Several other control tools have also been proposed including; nano pesticides, microbial pesticides (that are natural occurring bacteria, fungi and viruses) and pesticides of plant origin, which may act as repellents, oviposition deterrents and larvicides etc. 6,7. A new generation biotechnological tool in mosquito control program, based on genetically modified mosquitoes and sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is also being considered 7,8. Despite significant progress so far, further investigations are needed to determine if genetically modification based strategies can be an effective metho...