This study aimed to clarify the potentiality of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) transplantation with albendazole (ABZ) on the modulation of immune responses against hydatid cyst antigens and the regeneration of injured livers in experimentally infected rats. Three different antigens of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF), hydatid cyst protoscolex (HCP) and hydatid cyst germinal layer (HCG) were isolated and their antigenic potencies were determined. The ultrasound, immunological and pathological criteria were investigated. Counting of 80% confluence BM-MSC was 4.68 × 104 cells/cm2 with 92.24% viability. Final population doublings score was 65.31 that indicated proliferation and self-renewability. Phenotyping of BM-MSC showed expression of CD73 and CD29 without exhibition of CD34 and CD14. Ultrasound examination showed multiple hydatid cysts in liver with low blood flow and spleenomegaly 8 weeks' post infection. No significant differences were noted in cystic diameter in uni-cyst liver at 2nd and 4th weeks following ABZ treatment while it was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) following transplantation of BM-MSC + ABZ treatment comparing to experimentally infected untreated group. Igs and IgG responses to the three antigens were significantly elevated while elevation in IgM response was only to HCG (P < 0.05). ABZ treatment accompanied with significant decrease in Igs and IgG titers against HCF and HCG only at 4th week post treatment (P < 0.05). However, Igs titer against HCF, HCP and HCG was significantly decreased at the 4th week following transplantation of BM-MSC + ABZ. Interestingly, the combination of BM-MSC + ABZ treatment resulted in reduction of Igs response to HCP to normal level as that of healthy control. Experimental infection resulted in elevation of TNF-α and IL-6 (P < 0.05) while, IL-4 and IL-10 decreased (P < 0.01). After transplantation of BM-MSC + ABZ treatment, serum TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) at both the 2nd and 4th weeks. However, IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) only at 4th week following transplantation of BM-MSC + ABZ treatment. In conclusion, BM-MSC transplantation following ABZ administration can regenerate injured liver tissue without complete disappearance of hydatid cyst. In addition, it can modulate host protective humeral and cell mediated immune responses against hydatid cyst antigens. Therefore, the current study encourages to move to the step of performing clinical trials in humans.

Background: In the field of cellular therapy, the impact of confluence degreeonharvesting or differentiation of BMMSCs and the effect of cell-to-cell contact remain controversial. Therefore, the effect of confluence on properties of BMMSCs was studied and efficiency of confluence-associated osteogenic differentiation was identified.

Aim: The effect of some variables on hydatidosis in animals slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs was investigated and the influence on serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and histopathological lesions caused by these parasites as a consequence was estimated. Materials and Methods: The effect of some variables on hydatidosis in 397 sheep, 401 cattle, 435 buffaloes, and 341 camels slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs was investigated, and the influence on serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity and histopathological lesions caused by these parasites as a consequence was estimated. Results: The results revealed that 39 sheep (9.8%), 74 cattle (18.4%), 95 buffaloes (21.8%), and 79 camels (23.25%) were infected. Concerning age variations, 165 young and 232 adult sheep, 215 young and 186 adult cattle, 194 young and 241 adult buffaloes, and 112 young and 229 adult camels were examined. The prevalence of hydatidosis was higher in adult sheep, cattle, and camel; 32 (13.8%), 49 (26.3%), and 56 (24.5%) than the younger ones 7 (4.2%), 25 (11.6%), and 23 (20.5%), respectively. Two hundred and eighty-eight sheep, 171 cattle were examined during winter. However, 109 sheep, 230 cattle were examined during summer. Hydatidosis infection in sheep and cattle was higher in winter 26 (9.01%) and 47 (27.5%) than in summer 13 (11.9%) and 27 (11.7%), respectively. Out of 133 sheep and 128 camels slaughtered in El-Basatin abattoirs, 36 (15.3) and 38 (29.7%) showed higher prevalence than that from El-Warak and El-Moneib abattoirs. Comparing with the non-infected groups, alkaline phosphatase activity decreased in hydatid-infected animals, while cholesterol and liver enzymes activities increased. Total lipid and triglyceride levels decreased in infected camels. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase decreased in hydatid-infected animals. Conclusion: The disturbance in the biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, and the antioxidant activities was consistent with the pathological findings that indicated the risk of hydatidosis infection. Finally, this study clarified the variabilities of hydatidosis in Cairo and Giza abattoirs as a starting point for future studies in different regions in Egypt.

The aim of this study was to investigate the early diagnosis of strongyle infection based on early changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokines beside the diagnostic accuracy values and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blotting profiles using prepared strongyles antigens

Background and Aim: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) transplantation and their hepatogenic differentiated cells (HDCs) can be applied for liver injury repair by tissue grafting. Regenerative potentiality in liver cirrhosis models was widely investigated; however, immunomodulation and anti-inflammation in acute hepatitis remain unexplored. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory and evaluate twice intravenous (IV) or intrahepatic (IH) administration of either BM-MSCs or middle-stage HDCs on aflatoxin (AF) acute hepatitis rat model. Materials and Methods: BM-MSCs viability, phenotypes, and proliferation were evaluated. Hepatogenic differentiation, albumin, and a-fetoprotein gene expression were assessed. AF acute hepatitis was induced in rats using AFB1 supplementation. The transplantation of BM-MSCs or their HDCs was done either by IV or IH route. Hepatic ultrasound was performed after 3-weeks of therapy. Cytokines profile (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-4, and IL-10) was assessed. Hepatic bio-indices, serum, and hepatic antioxidant activity were evaluated, besides examining liver histological sections. Results: Acute AFB1 showed a significant increase in TNF-α (p<0.01), liver enzyme activities (p<0.05), as well as decrease in IL-4, IL-10, and antioxidant enzyme activities (p<0.05). Cytokines profile was ameliorated in groups treated with IV and IH BM-MCs, showed a negative correlation between IL-4 and TNF-α (p<0.05), and a positive correlation between IL-10 upregulation and TNF-α (p<0.01). In IV HDCs treated group, positive correlations between IL-4 and IL-10 downregulation and TNF-α were observed. However, in IH HDCs group, a significant positive correlation between IL-4 and IL-10 upregulation and TNF-α, were recorded (p<0.05). In addition, IV BM-MSCs and IH HDCs treatments significantly increased antioxidant enzymes activity (p<0.05). IV and IH BM-MSCs significantly ameliorated liver transaminase levels, whereas IH HDCs significantly ameliorated alanine aminotransferase activity and nitric oxide concentration (p<0.05). Conclusion: The administration routes of BM-MSCs did not demonstrate any significant difference; however, the IH route of HDCs showed significant amelioration from the IV route. On the other hand, it showed noticeable anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory improvements in aflatoxicosis rats. Therefore, it can be concluded that acute hepatitis can be treated by a noninvasive IV route without the expense of hepatogenic differentiation. Further research using clinical trials that address several problems regarding engraftment and potentiation are needed to determine the optimal manipulation strategy as well as to achieve better long-term effects.