The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the emergence new pathogens have created a need for strategies to fight against infectious diseases. One promising approach is use antimicrobial peptides produced by certain species bacteria, known as bacteriocins, which are active other strains same or related species. Bacteriocins can help in treatment prevention Moreover, bacteriocins be obtained...

The present review article aimed to a focused summary of the main immunomodulatory properties some most frequently used herbaceous plants either in traditional medicine or as food supplements: andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), astragalus (Astragalus propinquus/membranaceus), black cumin (Nigella sativa), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), purple coneflowe...

Immunotherapy in the critically ill is an appealing notion because of the apparent abnormal immune and inflammatory responses seen in so many patients. The administration of a medication that could alter immune responses and decrease mortality in patients with sepsis could represent a 'magic bullet'. Various approaches have been tried over the last 20 yr: steroids; anti-endotoxin or anti-cytoki...

In murine models of cancer, we have achieved efficient systemic activation of tumor-specific T cells by the local administration of a CTLA4-blocking antibody at low doses. Using a slow-release formulation, we could drastically lower the serum levels of the antibody, hence decreasing adverse effects and the risk of autoimmune reactions, without losing systemic efficacy.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stromal cells that have the potential to give rise to cells of diverse lineages. Interestingly, MSCs can be found in virtually all postnatal tissues. The main criteria currently used to characterize and identify these cells are the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into tissues of mesodermal origin, combined with a lack in expression of ...