AIMS Allergy and Immunology最新文献

The process of aging is an inherent facet of human existence, entailing various changes within the body, notably in the immune system. This article explores the profound impact of aging on immunity, elucidating its implications for healthcare, disease vulnerability and overall quality of life. Drawing inspiration from the “Aging and Immunity” special issue of AIMS Allergy and Immunology, this commentary provides a comprehensive perspective on the intricate interplay between aging and immunity. The immune system, a complex shield against pathogens, undergoes a decline in efficacy as individuals age, known as immunosenescence. This decline encompasses reduced immune cell production and communication, rendering older individuals more susceptible to infections and less responsive to vaccines. Additionally, chronic low-grade inflammation, termed inflammaging, emerges as a hallmark of aging and immune system alteration, contributing to age-related diseases. Recent research underscores the connection between the gut microbiota and immune aging, raising the prospect of interventions targeting gut health to enhance immunity in older individuals. Strategies for fortifying immunity in aging populations encompass optimized vaccination approaches, lifestyle modifications, anti-inflammatory interventions, targeted therapies and microbiota-based interventions. Addressing the challenges of aging and immunity necessitates collaborative efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers, researchers and communities, emphasizing healthy aging promotion, evidence-based interventions and equitable healthcare access. By delving into the multifaceted relationship between aging and immunity, this discourse envisions a future where research-driven advancements and holistic public health measures converge to enhance the well-being and resilience of older adults worldwide.

The recruitment of therapeutics and most importantly COVID-19 vaccines has seen a measurable reduction in transmission, re-infection, severity, hospitalization and mortality associated with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The development and approval of some vaccines and therapeutics undoubtedly signaled renewed hope for public health personnel, the government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the entire world population. At present, most countries have progressed beyond administering first and second doses to administering COVID-19 vaccine updated boosters to prevent transmission and provide protection. Notably, a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna, also called an “updated” COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, is a formulation that houses the original virus strain and omicron BA.1, which provides broad immunity against COVID-19 including the omicron variant (BA.1) and the Paxlovid drug (Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency. This current review outlines the variant of concern (VOC), viral cell entry and pathogenesis, host immunity and viral immune evasion. In addition, we discuss the therapeutic and vaccine treatment approach, WHO and FDA authorization, vaccine storage and vaccine efficacy. In conclusion, bearing in mind the trend of continued mutations as observed on the spike (S) glycoprotein and receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, which lead to more immune-evasive strains such as BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, XBB and XBB.1, researcher and clinician attention should be tailored toward the design and development of variant-specific vaccines for future interventions.

Due to rapid degradation of food allergenic extracts, devising some optimal conditions is mandatory to boost shelf life of extracts for appropriate diagnosis of allergy and immunotherapy. In the current study, food extracts of Bos domesticus (cow) milk, Gallus domesticus (chicken) egg, Trititcum aestivum (wheat), Gallus domesticus (chicken) meat and Arachis hypogaea (peanut) were prepared and their protein estimation was evaluated by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method. Stability of food extracts was evaluated under two groups of preservatives; storage with coca's solution (mixture of sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)) and stabilizing buffer (sucrose and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)). Effect of cocktail of protease inhibitors ((phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and dithiothreitol (DTT)) and glycerol was checked on food extracts under both groups of preservatives. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) was performed for food protein extracts after 1, 3 and 6 months under both conditions. Size of obtained protein bands were compared with allergen database (http://www.allergen.org) in order to check their potential allergenicity. Extracts stored with coca's solution remained more potent as compared to stabilizing buffer for up to 3 months except Gallus domesticus egg, whose proteins remained more potent in stabilizing buffer as compared to coca's solution. Most of the proteins deteriorated at 6 months of storage. Glycerol had shown better results under both conditions. A formulation containing a combination of coca's solution along with cocktail of protease inhibitors and glycerol improved the shelf life of food extracts for up to 3 months, showing better potential for stabilization of allergenic food extracts and their use for immunotherapy.