Another vaccine reported in 2004 links hCGβ with a human anti-DC antibody, B-11, at genetic level.80 This vaccine is reported to elicit cell-mediated immune response to tumor-associated antigen(s) in a human in vitro model. Monocytes of a normal human donor were incubated with B-11-hCGβ, activated with CD40 ligand mixed with autologous lymphocytes and tested for their ability to mount hCGβ-specific proliferative and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response. The procedure led to the generation of tumor-specific HLA class AZD6738 datasheet I- and class II-restricted T-cell response (including CTLs) capable of killing human cancer cell lines expressing hCGβ.

According to the authors, this is the first time that cellular immune response has been induced by a vaccine in a human in vitro system in contrast to the other vaccines inducing primarily antibody response. Immunological interventions against

hCG, whether by vaccines or by recombinant human/chimeric antibodies, have entered an exciting new phase. They may provide therapeutic options for advanced-stage cancers, which are often metastasized and refractory to available drugs. These would also be useful for the control of fertility for which there is a continuing need of additional more acceptable methods. According to WHO (http://www.who.int/en), more than 120 million couples still have an unmet need for family planning and 45 million Liothyronine Sodium selleck kinase inhibitor pregnancies are terminated each year globally. Two recombinant vaccines have been developed. One employs hCGβ linked to either an antibody homing to Dendrocytes or linked to a mucosal carrier, and the other has β subunit of hCG fused to B subunit of heat labile enterotoxin of E. coli (hCGβ-LTB). The former has been tested in vitro; it induces a cell-mediated immune response against hCG. The second vaccine, hCGβ-LTB, given along with a non-pathogenic human use approved Mycobacterium indicus pranii

generates several fold higher antibody response in mice than titers established by previous clinical trials to prevent pregnancy. The third vaccine employs an engineered hCGβ with glutamic acid replacing arginine at position 68, conjugated to a human antibody for delivery to dendrocytes. It is in clinical trials in bladder cancer patients with encouraging results. Corresponding Author Dr G. P. Talwar Talwar Research Foundation, New Delhi, India. “
“Regulatory T cells play a crucial role in normal gut homeostasis, as well as during infection with microbial or parasitic pathogens. Prior to infection, interactions with the commensal microflora are essential to differentiation of a healthy steady-state level of immunoregulation, mediated through both Toll-like receptor-dependent and -independent pathways.