Current therapies for autoimmune diseases are immunosuppressant agents, which have many debilitating side effects. However, dendritic cells (DCs) can induce antigen-specific tolerance. Tolerance restoration mediated by ex vivo-generated DCs can be a therapeutic approach. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the conceptual framework for developing ex vivo-generated DC strategies for autoimmune diseases. First, we will discuss the role of DCs in developing immune tolerance as a foundation for developing dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases. Then, we also discuss relevant findings from pre-clinical and clinical studies of ex vivo-generated DCs for therapy of autoimmune diseases. Finally, we discuss problems and challenges in dendritic cell therapy in autoimmune diseases. Throughout the article, we discuss autoimmune diseases, emphasizing SLE.

Background: Indonesia has started the big project of COVID-19 vaccination program since 13 January 2021 by employing the first shot of vaccine to the President of Indonesia as the outbreak and rapid transmission of COVID-19 have endangered not only Indonesian but the global health and economy. This study aimed to investigate the full-length genome mutation analysis of 166 Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates as of 12 January 2021. Results: All data of the isolates were extracted from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) EpiCoV database. CoVsurver platform was employed to investigate the full-length genome mutation analysis of all isolates. This study also focused on the phylogeny analysis in unlocking the mutation of S protein in Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates. WIV04 isolate that was originated from Wuhan, China was used as the virus reference according to the CoVsurver default. The result showed that a full-length genome mutation analysis of 166 Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates was successfully generated. Every single mutation in S protein was described and then visualized by utilizing BioRender platform. Furthermore, it also found that D614G mutation appeared in 103 Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Conclusions: To sum up, this study helped to observe the spread of COVID-19 transmission. However, it also proposed that the epidemiological surveillance and genomics studies might be improved on COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

Adequate global vaccine coverage during an influenza pandemic is essential to mitigate morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. Vaccine development and production needs to be sufficient to meet a vast global demand, requiring international cooperation and local vaccine production capacity, especially in resource-constrained countries. The use of adjuvants is one approach to augment the number of available vaccine doses and to overcome potential vaccine shortages. Appropriately selected adjuvant technologies can decrease the amount of vaccine antigen required per dose, may broaden or lengthen the conferred protection against disease, and may even allow protective single-dose vaccination. Here we describe a technology transfer collaboration between Switzerland and Indonesia that led to the establishment of a vaccine formulation platform in Surabaya which involved the transfer of equipment and expertise to enable research and development of adjuvanted vaccine formulations and delivery systems. This new Indonesian capability aims to facilitate local and regional access to know-how relating to adjuvanted vaccine formulations, thus promoting their application to local vaccine developers. In this review, we aim to share the “lessons learned” from this project to both support and inspire future scientific collaborations of a similar nature.

Background: Known as the vital avian disease in Indonesia, Newcastle disease (ND) has surged all over Indonesia which cause an immense drop in poultry industry. This investigation intended to examine the pathological and molecular characteristics of the latest Newcastle disease virus (NDV) derived from Gallus gallus in Java, Indonesia. Methods: The samples were inoculated on the embryonic chicken eggs (ECEs), then identified using the hemagglutination test (HA test), insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) and hemagglutination inhibition test (HI test). It conducted the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using MSF1 and MSF2 primers and followed by nucleotide sequencing for the fusion protein gene. B-cells epitope prediction analysis was applied using the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB) and VaxiJen v2.0 to predict its immunogenicity. In addition, it also performed the histopathological examination by applying hematoxylin and eosin staining. Result: The results identified two viruses, NDV-1 and NDV-2, based on the fusion protein gene. Significantly, the cleavage site motif of NDV1 is 112GRQGRL117 (avirulent) and whereas for NDV2 is 112RRRKRF117 (virulent). Furthermore, it also predicted the “CKMGSRPSTKNPAP” peptide from NDV1 could be an immunogenic epitope candidate with a BepiPred linear epitope prediction score of 17.08. In summary, it suggests that NDV1 isolate can be used as a reference for vaccine design in Indonesia.

Background: The genetic diversity information of local cattle and crossbred in South Sulawesi, Indonesia is essential for the establishment of conservation and breeding strategies. This research targeted to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship and genetic diversity of local and crossbred (CB) cattle. Methods: The present research organized at the Animal Laboratory, Professor Nidom Foundation, Surabaya, Indonesia from February to October 2021. The genome was isolated from 20 whole blood samples from seven purebreed belongs to Singosari National Artificial Insemination Center Malang, Indonesia, four crossbred in Gowa and nine crossbred in Sidrap, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Partial sequences of mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were amplified employing the polymerase chain reaction technique. Result: This study revealed that a lot of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) found in local cattle (Bali and Peranakan Ongole) and CB cattle in Gowa and Sidrap indicated various genetic diversity can be used as a marker candidate and potential to be developed into future research knowing the correlation of the SNP with the growth rate of CB. Thus, this information will be helpful for further strategy in breeding development program.