Background: Infection with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is known to cause cervical cancer, hence the several HPV therapeutic vaccines are developed in E7 oncoproteins and targeted on cell-mediated immunity. Human dendritic cells (HuDCs) are extensively employed in HPV therapeutic vaccines as the carrier or platform for inducing adaptive immune responses. However, the immunomodulators need to be further investigated for vaccine effects. Gray oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) containing β-glucans is a potent immunomodulator with potential to be used in vaccines. Objective: To study the effect of Pleurotus sajor-caju-β-glucan Polysaccharides (PBG) on human T-LYMPHOCYTES by use of the HuDCs’ antigen presentation platform for HPV16 vaccine. Methods: The HPV16-E7 recombinant proteins were constructed in E. Coli. HuDCs pulsed with E7 peptide were cocultured with the T-LYMPHOCYTES treated with and without PBG. The number of Tlymphocytes( CD4; CD8) was detected by flowcytometry, and the viral response of Tlymphocytes was measured via IFN-γ release. Results: The PBG treated group of Tlymphocytes cocultured with the HuDCs pulsed by the HPV16-E7 proteins showed significantly higher numbers of T-LYMPHOCYTES and IFN-γ release compared with Tlymphocytes without PBG in vitro. Moreover, a significant improvement in the level of specific IgG neutralizing antibodies to HPV was found in a murine model. Further observed was an increase in the expansion of helper and cytotoxic T-cells and IFN-γ releases in human system. Conclusion: PBG treatment of T-LYMPHOCYTES could be a useful option for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines in cervical cancer.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are well known as the regulator of the immune system. These multipotent non-hematopoietic progenitor cells have been originally isolated from bone marrow, and later on found in several other tissues, such as skeletal muscle, umbilical cord blood, adipose and fetal liver tissues. Immunomodulatory effects of MSCs on a variety of immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes, Natural Killer cells (NK), neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells, has made a good candidate of them for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, particularly autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, several studies have indicated mechanisms by which MSCs could reduce immune cell proliferation and activation leading to immune tolerance induction. Since T lymphocytes are considered as the most important immune cells, effect of MSCs on the activity of these cells has a very special significance to direct immune response. Under various conditions, T- lymphocytes have different phenotype and performance and can be differentiated into particular subtype such as regulatory T cells. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that MSCs modulate innate and adaptive immune system by promoting generation of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells which have important role in immune tolerance induction and autoimmune disease prevention. MSCs are able to block pro-inflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines secretion. So such unique immunomodulatory features make MSCs ideal candidates for clinical application as immunosuppressants which can be considered for autoimmune diseases treatment. Therefore, in this short-review, we attempt to focus mainly on the existing information about MSCs in association with immunomodulatory function of them on the immune system. In addition, the possible mechanisms and the performance impact of MSCs in autoimmune diseases improvement are discussed here. However, increasing knowledge of how MSCs will influence on the immune system suppression, leading us to better use of these cells as a promising tool in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Background – HBV infection is preventable by effective vaccination in general population, but response to vaccine among the HIV-infected people seems to be low. Methods – In this study, 48 HIV-positive patients who did not have a history of HBV infection received the conventional three-dose HBV vaccine (each dose: 20 µg) in HIV/STI/IDU Counseling and Care Center of Kermanshah Province, Iran. Anti-HBs levels were measured two months after the last dose. The sample gathering method was a random sample size. All the patients gave informed consent before entering the study. For statistical analysis, Chi-square test was performed and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results – Only 14 (29.1%) of the 48 vaccinated HIV-infected patients had positive anti-HBs titers. Among them, 11 (78.6%) were males and 3 (21.4%) females. The mean number of CD4+ Tlymphocytes per milliliter of blood was 351.5 in responders and 283.9 in nonresponders. There was a significant difference between the response to vaccine and immunologic stages of HIV infection. There was a significant statistical difference regarding sex, as 42.5% of the females responded to vaccine while this rate was 24.9% among the males. Conclusion – The HIV-infected patients have a lower response rate to the conventional three-dose HBV vaccine compared with the general population and we recommend higher and more booster doses in early immunologic stages of HIV infection.

Thrombocytopenia is one of the common AIDS-related blood dyscrasia that is postulated to be in relation with increased viral load and diminished CD+4 Tlymphocytes. We evaluated the rate of Thrombocytopenia (Plt< 100,000) in 170 HIV infected patients from May 2000 until April 2001 in Kermanshah province, Iran. In a cross-sectional study from all HIV positive patients in whom infection had been confirmed by ELISAI, II or western blot test a blood sample was and obtained. The samples were investigated for platelet then, CD+4T-cells were determind by flowcytometry.From 170 patients, 161 cases (94.71%) were male and 9 (5.3%) female. All males and 2 females were drug abusers. The rate of Thrombocytopenia in this study was 20% (34 of 170 patients) of them, three had severe thrombocytopenia (plt<20,000)Although, the prevalence of thrombocytopenia was similar in various stages of HIV infection (18.5%) , the  severe form of thrombocytopenia was found in patients with CD+4 T-cell count of less than 200/ml.There was no associated infection, drug consumption, spleenomegaly or other conditions to cause thrombocytopenia in the patients except for HIV infection. None of the patients developed clinical complications except one for whom spleenectomy was performed with the result of complete recovery.We conclude that mild thrombocytopenia is common in HIV infected patients in the region and the rate of thrombocytopenia is similar in different stages of HIV infection but severe different types are common in advanced phase.