Maryam Sohrabi; Mahdi Alahgholi-Hajibehzad; Zahra Gholami Mahmoodian; Sayed Ali Hosseini Siyar; Alireza Zamani
Volume 15, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 38-46
Abstract
Background: Studies have indicated that extraweight and obesity induce chronic inflammation, which can lead to other diseases such as cancers. Objective: To evaluate the effects of two weight-lowering and anti-inflammatory agents including cinnamon, and turmeric, on serum levels of interleukin-17 ...
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Background: Studies have indicated that extraweight and obesity induce chronic inflammation, which can lead to other diseases such as cancers. Objective: To evaluate the effects of two weight-lowering and anti-inflammatory agents including cinnamon, and turmeric, on serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Methods: In this study, 64 rats were designated in eight groups. The control group received normal diet. The other groups were fed with normal diet plus high cinnamon (3 mg/ml), high turmeric (3 mg/ml), high-fructose solution (30%), fructose solution with low (0.15 mg/ml) and high doses (3 mg/ml) of cinnamon and turmeric three times per week. The serum level of IL-17F was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: High fructose consumption led to an increase in the weight and serum level of IL-17. While, feeding with cinnamon and turmeric caused to decline weight but, surprisingly increased IL-17F levels. Conclusion: Although, some studies have showed that cinnamon and turmeric supplementation decreased IL-17F under the standard diet, in the presence of high fructose diet and extraweight their effects were reversed and caused an increase in serum level of IL-17F.
Ali Derakhshan; Masoumeh Mohkam; Abbas Ghaderi; Ghamar Hosseini Alhashemi; Mohammad Hossein Fallahzadeh
Volume 1, Issue 1 , June 2004, , Pages 41-47
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of dialysis and kidney transplantation on serum levels of several tumor markers such as PSA, AFP, CA125, CA19- 9, CA15-3, CEA and to compare with normal age matched controls. Methods: Between September of 2000 and July of 2001, the following tumor markers: PSA, AFP, ...
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Objective: To evaluate the effect of dialysis and kidney transplantation on serum levels of several tumor markers such as PSA, AFP, CA125, CA19- 9, CA15-3, CEA and to compare with normal age matched controls. Methods: Between September of 2000 and July of 2001, the following tumor markers: PSA, AFP, CA125, CA19-9, CA15-3 and CEA were measured by ELISA Method in 29 hemodialyzed patients (group A), in 30 successfully transplanted patients (group B) and in 30 normal volunteers who did not present any clinical symptoms or signs of neoplasia. Results: The serum level of CEA was above the cutoff limit in 6.7% of hemodialyzed patients (group A) but was in the normal range in transplanted and control groups. The level of CEA were significantly higher in hemodialyzed patients in comparison to other groups (p<0.003). Serum levels of AFP and PSA were not significantly different between the three groups (p=0.595 and p=0.545, respectively). Although serum level of CA 19-9 was elevated in 3.3% of hemodialyzed and control group the differences between the three groups were not significant (p=0.507). Serum level of CA 125 was elevated in 13.3% of group A, 13.8% of group B and 6.7% of control group (p=0.347). Serum level of CA15-3 was elevated in 13.3%, 6.9% of group A, B and control group, respectively and the differences were not significant (p=0.156). Conclusion: Hemodialyzed and transplanted patients show a high false positive rate of CEA, CA125 and CA15-3 and may be unreliable for monitoring of malignancies in these patients while other markers evaluated (AFP, PSA and CA 19.9) appear to maintain their specificity in these situations.
Khadijeh Ramezani Ali Akbari; Anwar Fathollahi; Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi; Ramin Pouriran; Farshid Yeganeh
Abstract
Background: Emerging evidence suggests that secretome of mesenchymal stem cells has many anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, which makes it a suitable candidate for the treatment of autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IV)/CD26 and Aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 ...
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Background: Emerging evidence suggests that secretome of mesenchymal stem cells has many anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, which makes it a suitable candidate for the treatment of autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IV)/CD26 and Aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 are ubiquitous ecto-enzymes which can digest various substrates including some chemokines and neuropeptides that are involved in inflammatory conditions. Objective: To evaluate the enzymatic activity of DPP-IV/CD26 and APN/CD13 in MSC conditioned media (MSC-CM). Methods: The MSCs were isolated from the mouse’s abdominal adipose tissues and were cultured without or with preconditioning by adding 2 µg/mL phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), nitric oxide (NO), as well as the enzymatic activities of DPP-IV/CD26 and APN/CD13 were measured in MSC-CM. Results: The level of IL-10 and the enzyme activity of APN/CD13 did not show any changes in the MSC-CM of stimulated and non-stimulated cells. However, NO production was increased after treatment by LPS or PMA; nevertheless, the DPP-IV/CD26 activity was decreased in MSC-CM merely following the stimulation of cells with LPS. Conclusion: Our results indicated that MSC‐secretome had DPP-IV/CD26 and APN/CD13 activity. The DPP-IV/CD26 activity was decreased following stimulation of MSCs by toll-like receptor 4 agonist. Further studies are needed to reveal the possible contribution of DPP-IV/CD26 and APN/CD13 in the anti-inflammatory functions of MSC-CM.
Jian-Ping Xiao; Xue-Rong Wang; Sen Zhang; Jun Wang; Chao Zhang; De-Guang Wang
Mohammad Mahdi Sagheb; Sharareh Sajjadi; Golmehr Sajjady
Volume 5, Issue 1 , March 2008, , Pages 45-50
Abstract
Background: Patients with end stage renal disease have higher incidence of infection dis-eases that is thought to be related to impaired immune system. Objective: To determine the antitetanus IgG antibody level in Iranian hemodialysis patients with end stage renal disease and to find its association ...
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Background: Patients with end stage renal disease have higher incidence of infection dis-eases that is thought to be related to impaired immune system. Objective: To determine the antitetanus IgG antibody level in Iranian hemodialysis patients with end stage renal disease and to find its association with sex, age, blood hemoglobin, serum albumin, dura-tion of dialysis, time of dialysis per week, dialysis adequacy, erythropoietin, or iron sup-plementation, body mass index (BMI) and underlying renal disorder. Methods: We con-ducted a cross sectional study on a total of 108 Iranian hemodialysis patients with end stage renal disorder, and 36 healthy individuals in the control group matched with the pa-tient group. The patients and controls did not receive any antitetanus vaccine or immu-noglobulins a year prior to the investigation. The serum antitetanus IgG antibody levels were measured by an ELISA method. Results: We found 74.3% of patients to have un-protected antitetanus IgG antibody level compared with 52.8% of the control group. Ex-cept hemodialysis duration, none of the contributing factors seemed to affect immunity. Conclusion: We conclude that in our study, there is a significant difference in the an-titetanus IgG antibody level between hemodialysis patients and the control group and also in the chronic hemodialysis patients.
Mahmood Soveid; Kazem Hosseini Asl; Gholamhossein Ranjbar Omrani
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 48-52
Abstract
Background: Infectious agents have been suspected as a triggering factor for development of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD). Some reports from Western countries have suggested association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and ATD. Objective: To investigate the association of ATD with Cag A ...
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Background: Infectious agents have been suspected as a triggering factor for development of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD). Some reports from Western countries have suggested association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and ATD. Objective: To investigate the association of ATD with Cag A seropositivity in a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection. Methods: IgG anti HP and anti Cag A antibodies were measured in 88 patients with ATD and compared with results of 112 healthy individuals. Results: The rate of infection with HP was not significantly different in patient and control groups, but there was significant association between ATD and infection with Cag A strains (p<0.005). This association was significant for both hypothyroidism (p<0.005) and Graves' disease (p<0.02). Cag A antibody level correlated with titers of thyroid auto antibodies (p<0.001). Conclusion: In a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection, only infection with Cag A positive strains is associated with ATD, and this may be due to immune cross reactivity.
Iraj Nikokar; Manouchehr Makvandi; Mohammad Javad Kajbaf; Ahmad Farajzadeh; Mehdi Mirsaeidi; Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani; Ali Mostafaie; Kris Huygen
Volume 3, Issue 2 , June 2006, , Pages 70-77
Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important health problem throughout the world. Despite its significance in public health, mechanisms of protective immunity against Mycobacyerium Tuberculosis in humans have not yet been understood. Objective: To evaluate cell mediated immune response against ...
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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important health problem throughout the world. Despite its significance in public health, mechanisms of protective immunity against Mycobacyerium Tuberculosis in humans have not yet been understood. Objective: To evaluate cell mediated immune response against purified Ag 85, PPD and Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in patients with tuberculosis and healthy tuberculin positive and negative individuals. Methods: Thirty patients with tuberculosis and 60 healthy tuberculin skin test positive and negative volunteers were participated in this study. Cell mediated immunity was assessed by measuring [³H]-thymidine uptake and detection of IFN-γ in the culture supernatant using commercial ELISA test. Results: In the present study, we showed that IFN- γ production and cell proliferation response to Ag 85 were significantly higher in tuberculin positive than tuberculin negative individuals (P<0.01). Among tuberculous patients, IFN-γ production and cell proliferative responses to Ag 85 was significantly lower in contrast to healthy tuberculin positive individuals (P<0.01). In addition, IFN- γ response in patients with cavitary tuberculosis was lower than patients without cavitation (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the higher cell mediated immune responses to Ag 85 in healthy tuberculin positive volunteers compared to patients (especially with advanced disease), purified Ag 85 can be used as a sensitive marker for analysis of immune responses in tuberculosis.
Kazem Ahmadi; Majid Riazipour
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2009, , Pages 87-91
Abstract
Background: The major immuno-modulating effects of Ganoderma lucidum include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD40 ...
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Background: The major immuno-modulating effects of Ganoderma lucidum include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD40 and CD80 by G. lucidum-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Methods: Monocytes were isolated and incubated at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 24 h and 48 h in the presence or absence of different concentrations of G. lucidum. Cells were then incubated with labelled monoclonal antibodies against CD14, CD40 and B7-1(CD80) molecules utilizing standard protocols, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: The results showed that incubation of monocytes with G. lucidum led to marked enhancement of CD40 and B7-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner (p<0.001). G. lucidum was more effective in enhancing the expression of CD80 and CD40 molecules of cells obtained from females than male donors (p<0.001). Conclusion: G. lucidum enhanced the expression of CD40 and CD80 molecules on peripheral blood monocytic cells derived from both sexes in a dose-dependent manner, with a preferential higher effect on cells obtained from female donors.
Tahereh Mousavi; Hadi Poormoghim; Maziar Moradi; Nader Tajik; Farhad Shahsavar; Behnam Asadifar
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2010, , Pages 88-95
Abstract
Background: The HLA class I molecules serve as ligands for both T cell receptors and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). Objective: We investigated the HLAC and HLA-Bw4 alleles as well as KIRs expression on CD56 positive lymphocytes to evaluate whether these genes and molecules could influence ...
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Background: The HLA class I molecules serve as ligands for both T cell receptors and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). Objective: We investigated the HLAC and HLA-Bw4 alleles as well as KIRs expression on CD56 positive lymphocytes to evaluate whether these genes and molecules could influence Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility, alone or in combination. Methods: We typed 40 AS patients and 40 normal controls for HLA-C asn80 (group 1) and HLA-C lys80 (group 2), HLA-B Bw4thero, HLA-B Bw4iso and HLA-A Bw4 alleles by PCR-SSP method. We also assessed the expression of KIR2DL1/2DS1, KIR2DL2/2DL3, KIR3DL1 and KIR2DS4 by flow cytometry. The Pearson chi-square or Fisher exact test was performed for statistical analysis. Results: The frequency of HLA-B Bw4iso but not HLA-B Bw4thero and HLA-A Bw4, ligand for the inhibitory KIR3DL1, was significantly reduced in AS patients as compared with controls (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed in gene carrier frequencies of HLA-C group 1 and 2 between AS and controls. Although no differences were found in the expression of KIR receptors between AS and normal subjects, we found that expression of KIR3DL1 in the presence of HLA Bw4-Biso gene was reduced in patients with AS compared to healthy controls (p<0.009). Conclusion: We conclude that HLA-B Bw4iso, the ligand of inhibitory KIR3DL1, with and without the expression of KIR3DL1 might be involved in protection against AS. Our results suggest that besides the HLA and KIR genotype, expression levels of KIRs may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS disease
Gholam ALi Yousefipour; Mohammad Reza Haghshenas; Sara Yahyazadeh; Nasrollah Erfani
Volume 8, Issue 2 , June 2011, , Pages 90-95
Abstract
Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is the most common disorder of neuromuscular junction in which autoantibodies develop against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for unknown reasons. The association of immunomodulator genes with different autoimmune disease has been studied in recent years. Objective: ...
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Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is the most common disorder of neuromuscular junction in which autoantibodies develop against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for unknown reasons. The association of immunomodulator genes with different autoimmune disease has been studied in recent years. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate correlation between a genetic variation in Stromal Cell Derived Factor-1 (SDF1) and susceptibility to MG in an Iranian population. Methods: Genotyping of SDF1 at position 801 G/A was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 87 patients with confirmed myasthenia gravis and 261 normal control subjects. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles between patients and controls (p>0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences in the genotype distribution were found between the cases with different stages (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the SDF1 gene polymorphism at position 801 G/A is not associated with myasthenia gravis
Abbas Ali Pourazar; Alireza Andalib; Farzad Qreizy; Hadi Karimzadeh; Ahmad Ghavami-Nejad; Behshad Pournasr-Khakbaz
Volume 2, Issue 2 , June 2005, , Pages 91-96
Abstract
Background: Inappropriate activation or blockage of the inhibition of complement system could cause tissue damages in autoimmune diseases particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Defect in complement component regulation may cause damages to tissues, on the other hand, or the damaged tissue might affect ...
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Background: Inappropriate activation or blockage of the inhibition of complement system could cause tissue damages in autoimmune diseases particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Defect in complement component regulation may cause damages to tissues, on the other hand, or the damaged tissue might affect the unnecessary activation of complement components. Objective: To investigate the expression of CD55 and CD 59 complement regulatory proteins in RA patients. Subjects and Methods: Fifty proved rheumatoid arthritis patients participated in this study and their blood were collected for investigations. CD55 and CD59 molecules expression on the erythrocytes was assayed using primary monoclonal antibody and secondary FITC conjugated Ab, then the prepared samples were run with a FACSCalibur flowcytometer (Becton-Dickinson) and the obtained data was analyzed using a Cell Quest software package. To evaluate the complement function, CH50 was performed using patient sera. All experiments were done with a matched healthy volunteer group. Results: The mean fluorescence intensity for CD55 was 27.6 ± 13.4 arbitrary unit for patients and 68.5 ± 10.5 for healthy group. CD59 mean fluorescence intensity was 314 ± 83 in patient group and 508 ± 56 in healthy volunteers. In addition, there was a significant difference between CH50 in patients (54.5 ± 15.5) and in healthy group (110 ± 20). A significant correlation between CD55 and CD59 expansion on the patient erythrocytes was found (P = 0.00, r = 0.576). No association was found between CD59, or CD55 with CH50 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of CD55 and CD59 is down-regulated on erythrocytes of patients with RA. Change in expression of regulatory complement components in RA may be a useful key for the assessment of disease progression or in patients' follow-up.
Shirin Farjadian; Marzie Norouzian; Vahid Younesi; Azin Ebrahimpour; Ramin Lotfi
Volume 10, Issue 2 , June 2013, , Pages 93-102
Abstract
Background: Although there is convincing data in support of the effectiveness of hyperthermia in tumor therapy, the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical effects of hyperthermia are still poorly understood. Objective: To investigate natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity against heat-treated SW-872 ...
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Background: Although there is convincing data in support of the effectiveness of hyperthermia in tumor therapy, the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical effects of hyperthermia are still poorly understood. Objective: To investigate natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity against heat-treated SW-872 and HeLa tumor cell lines. Methods: NKG2D ligands and HLA class I transcription were examined using quantitative real-time PCR in treated tumor cell lines at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 12 h following thermal treatment at 39C and 42C for 1 h. The expression of MICA/B, ULBP1 and ULBP2 were also determined by flow cytometry. NK92-MI cytotoxic activity against heat-treated target cell lines was assessed by LDH release as well as annexin-V and 7-AAD assays. Results: Our results showed that heat treatment at 39C improved the cytolytic activity of NK cells against SW-872 cells without increasing NKG2D ligand concentration or decreasing HLA class I levels. Conclusion: The observed increase in the cytotoxicity of NK cells against SW-872 cells after hyperthermia does not coincide with changes in MICA/B, ULBP1 and ULBP2 ligands of NKG2, however, the expression of other ligands in target cells may have made the cells susceptible to the cytotoxic effect of NK cells.
Houshang Rafatpanah; Vera Pravica; Reza FaridHosseini; Abbas Tabatabaei; Wiliam Ollier; Kay Poulton; Wendy Thomson; Ian Hutchinson
Volume 4, Issue 2 , June 2007, , Pages 94-100
Abstract
Background: Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopa-thy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an inflammatory disease which occurs in less than 2% of HTLV-I -infected individuals. High proviral load, high HTLV-I-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte frequency (CTL) and host ...
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Background: Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopa-thy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an inflammatory disease which occurs in less than 2% of HTLV-I -infected individuals. High proviral load, high HTLV-I-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte frequency (CTL) and host genetic factors such as HLA all appear to be associated with HTLV-I infection. Previous studies have shown that HLA-DRB1*01 increases the risk of HAM/TSP in Japanese HTLV-I infected individu-als. Objective: To investigate the association between HLA class II DRB1 alleles and HLA class I alleles (HLA-Cw*08, B54, A*02 and A-30) in HTLV-I infected individu-als in Mashhad. Methods: Here we determined the frequency of HLA class II DRB1, using INNO-LIPA reverse hybridization line probe assay, and HLA class I alleles (HLA-Cw*08,B54, A*02 and A-30) by PCR-SSCP method in healthy controls, HAM/TSP patients and HTLV-I infected individuals born and resident in Mashhad. Results: The frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 alleles in this population was different from other areas of Iran. The frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 was significantly increased in HAM/TSP patients compared with carriers (p 0.028; OR=9.4). The frequency of HLA-Cw*08 was also significantly increased in HAM/TSP patients compared with controls (p=0.03; OR=13.5). Conclusion: Our results may suggest that possession of HLA-DRB1*01 increases the risk of HAM/TSP in HTLV-I-infected individuals and HLA-Cw*08 correlates with low CTL immune response in HAM/TSP patients.
Motahareh Bahadori; Saeed Zarei; Amir Hassan Zarnani; Omid Zarei; Farah Idali; Reza Hadavi; Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
Volume 11, Issue 2 , June 2014, , Pages 97-104
Abstract
Background: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and polymorphisms of their genes have been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage (RM). Objective: To investigate the association between RM and five polymorphisms of cytokine genes, interleukin 10 (IL-10), (-592 ...
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Background: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and polymorphisms of their genes have been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage (RM). Objective: To investigate the association between RM and five polymorphisms of cytokine genes, interleukin 10 (IL-10), (-592 A/C, -819 C/T, -1082 A/G), IL-6 (-174 C/G) and IL-17 (-197 G/A) in Iranian women. Method: Polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to determine the frequencies of the IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 gene polymorphisms in 85 women with RM compared with 104 healthy controls. Results: The frequencies of IL- 10 promoter gene polymorphisms (-592 A/C and -819 C/T) were significantly higher in RM women than those in controls (p=0.003). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of IL-6 (-174 C/G), IL-10 (-1082 A/G) and IL-17 (-197 G/A) polymorphisms between RM women and controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that IL-10 gene polymorphism screening might have some relevance in patients with RM, a suggestion which requires further studies.
Mohammad Ali Rezaee; Yousef Motaharinia; Werya Hosseini; Ali Jalili; Ahmad Rashidi; Bita Mosavi; Ghasem Zamini; Mohammad Reza Rahmani
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2012, , Pages 109-118
Abstract
Background: Malassezia furfur is alipophilic yeast that causes skin disease. Objective: To evaluate the level of IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12P70 in co-incubation of M. furfur grown on different forms of natural oils with PBMCs of healthy individuals. Methods: PBMCs were obtained from blood samples of ...
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Background: Malassezia furfur is alipophilic yeast that causes skin disease. Objective: To evaluate the level of IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12P70 in co-incubation of M. furfur grown on different forms of natural oils with PBMCs of healthy individuals. Methods: PBMCs were obtained from blood samples of normal volunteers. M. furfur was cultured in different culture media containing almond oil, fish oil, walnut oil, full-fat milk, and a fat-free medium; and the yeasts grown were harvested and used for co-incubation with PBMCs in vitro. The IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-12P70 levels were measured at different time intervals using ELISA methods. Results: Generally, IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the coincubation of yeasts with walnut oil group (WOG) and fish oil group (FOG) were higher than those in the almond oil group (AOG) and full-fat milk group (FFMG). Although the IL-12P70 was higher in groups such as AOG, FOG, and WOG; the increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the type of fat used by M. furfur in the culture media can influence the immune response and increases IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in an early time point of the culture system.
Akbar Rajaee; Mohammad Ali Nazarinia; Seyed Modjtaba Hakim; Mitra Amini; Maryam Ayatollahi; Abbas Ghaderi
Volume 1, Issue 2 , September 2004, , Pages 111-117
Abstract
Objective: The clinical value of IgG anticardiolipin antibody in patients with Behçet's disease with or without vascular thrombosis was evaluated. Methods: IgG isotype of anticardiolipin (aCL) antibody was assessed in 40 Behçet's disease (BD) patients with venous or arterial thrombosis, ...
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Objective: The clinical value of IgG anticardiolipin antibody in patients with Behçet's disease with or without vascular thrombosis was evaluated. Methods: IgG isotype of anticardiolipin (aCL) antibody was assessed in 40 Behçet's disease (BD) patients with venous or arterial thrombosis, 40 BD patients without venous or arterial thrombosis and 80 healthy subjects as controls. The levels of IgG aCL were determined by an indirect ELISA method. Color Doppler Sonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and conventional angiography were the procedures used for other clinical evaluations. Results: Out of 40 patients with vascular thrombosis, 20(50%) were positive for low to moderate level of IgG aCL. In patients without thrombosis 22(55%) were positive for low to moderate level of IgG aCL while in none (0%) of the healthy subjects the IgG aCL was positive, neither low nor moderate. The number of patients with headache but having a normal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was higher in anticardiolipin positive patients without vascular thrombosis as compared to those with vascular thrombosis, (P = 0.001). Arthritis was noticed in both patents groups. 15% of aCL positive patients without thrombosis had arthritis as compared to none in aCL negative patients without thrombosis (P = 0.02). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that although the frequency of IgG aCL was found to be higher in Iranian patients with BD in comparison with the previous reports, except in arthritis the observed elevated IgG aCL does not correlate with clinical disease manifestations, or vascular thrombotic complications.
Mohammed Said Al-Balushi; Elias Anthony Said; Sidgi Syed Hasson; Juma Zaid Al-Busaidi; Iman Al-Reesi; Mohammed Idris; Wadha Al-Ghafri; Moza Al-Kalbani; Ali Abdullah Al-Jabri
Volume 13, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 114-123
Abstract
Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is a common infection in pregnant women accompanied by variations in the levels of the IgM, IgA and IgG antibody isotypes. The variations of anti-H. pylori antibodies during and after pregnancy, and the extent of protection they provide to the mother and the ...
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Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is a common infection in pregnant women accompanied by variations in the levels of the IgM, IgA and IgG antibody isotypes. The variations of anti-H. pylori antibodies during and after pregnancy, and the extent of protection they provide to the mother and the fetus are not completely understood. Objectives: To investigate the changes of the anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG levels in healthy Omani pregnant women during pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. Methods: Serum samples obtained from 70 Omani healthy pregnant women, with no history of autoimmune diseases, were tested for anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG in the first trimester of pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. In parallel and as a control group, sera obtained from a group of 70 healthy non-pregnant Omani women were tested. The levels of anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG were measured using standard Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Results: Anti-H. pylori IgA levels were found to be significantly higher during pregnancy (p=0.046) and after delivery (p=0.02) when compared to the control group. Moreover, a significant increase in the levels of anti-H. pylori IgM, IgA and IgG was detected after delivery (p=0.002) when compared to the levels during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnancy is associated with an increase in the levels of anti-H. pylori IgA antibodies. In addition, anti-H. pylori IgM, IgG and IgA antibody levels increase after delivery.
Fahimah Anvari; Feryal Dabagh-Gorjani; Mohammad-Sadegh SoltaniZangbar; Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani; Zahra Malek-Hosseini; Behrouz Gharesi-Fard
Volume 12, Issue 2 , June 2015, , Pages 117-128
Abstract
Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the most important and life-threatening pregnancy disorders that affect at least 3-5% of all pregnancies. Imbalance in helper T cell functions may play a role in predisposing to PE or severity of the disease. Elevated frequencies of Th17 cells in the peripheral ...
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Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the most important and life-threatening pregnancy disorders that affect at least 3-5% of all pregnancies. Imbalance in helper T cell functions may play a role in predisposing to PE or severity of the disease. Elevated frequencies of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of PE patients have been reported. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within IL-17 gene have been identified that may affect the IL-17 production. Objectives: To investigate the association between IL-17A (-197A/G) and IL-17F (+7488T/C) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to PE in a group of Iranian women. Moreover, to study any correlation of the polymorphisms data with the level of IL-17, at mRNA level in the paternal and maternal parts of the placentas and also at protein level in the peripheral and placental blood samples. Methods: A group of 261 PE patients and 278 age-matched healthy women with at least two previous normal pregnancies formed the cases and controls of this study. IL-17A (-197A/G) and IL-17F (+7488T/C) polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP method. The protein level of IL-17A was assessed in the sera of 40 PE and 40 healthy women using ELISA method and mRNA expression was also measured in placental samples of 19 PE and 19 control women using Q-PCR technique. Results: Statistical analysis indicated that there were no differences in genotype, allele or haplotype frequencies regarding the studied SNPs between cases and controls. The level of IL-17A was elevated in the placental blood and the fetal tissue at protein and mRNA levels (p< 0.009 and p<0.000, respectively) in PE as compared with the healthy women. Conclusions: The effect of IL-17 cytokine in pre-eclampsia is not due to the studied cytokine polymorphisms but local production of IL-17 might have an effect on the predisposition to the disease.
Ashraf Kakoo; Taban Rasheed; Mustafa Al-Attar
Abstract
Background: Treatment with Bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor) and Daratumumab (DARA, a monoclonal anti CD38 antibody) are effective in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, these drugs impair cellular immunity, which may render the patients more prone to infection. Objective: To investigate ...
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Background: Treatment with Bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor) and Daratumumab (DARA, a monoclonal anti CD38 antibody) are effective in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, these drugs impair cellular immunity, which may render the patients more prone to infection. Objective: To investigate the effect of Bortezomib-based regimens and Daratumumab monotherapy on the lymphocyte subpopulations in MM patients. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 32 patients, including 29 newly diagnosed who treated with bortezomib regimens and 3 patients with relapsed and refractory MM treated with Daratumumab as monotherapy. The immunophenotypic analysis was performed by flow cytometry at baseline and during the third cycle of Bortezomib regimen and fourth week of Daratumumab treatment. Results: In the third cycle of Bortezomib, there was a significant decrease in CD3+ T cells, CD+4 T cells, memory T cells, and natural killer cells (NK cells). However, CD8+ T cells increased dramatically, followed by a significant reduction in the CD4/CD8 ratio. On the other hand, Daratumumab led to an increase in the T cell population after four weeks of treatment, with a significant increase in CD3+ T cells as well as CD4+ T cells, while NK cells were dramatically depleted in all patients. Conclusion: Bortezomib had a negative influence on subsets of T cells, while Daratumumab positively affected T cells subsets. In both treatments, NK cells decreased significantly. These results suggested that DARA is more specific to target myeloma cells than Bortezomib. Also, DARA expanded T cells especially CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells.
Ziba Ghasemi; Babak Farrokhi; Farah Miraghasi; Ardalan Ejaz Ahmad; Nariman Mosaffa
Volume 3, Issue 3 , September 2006, , Pages 121-126
Abstract
Background: Polysaccharides have long been used as immune-modulators in various pathologic conditions including inflammation and solid malignancies. Objective: To evaluate the effects of Zymosan and Betaglucan on cytotoxic reactions in an effectortarget conjugate system. Methods: Blood was obtained from ...
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Background: Polysaccharides have long been used as immune-modulators in various pathologic conditions including inflammation and solid malignancies. Objective: To evaluate the effects of Zymosan and Betaglucan on cytotoxic reactions in an effectortarget conjugate system. Methods: Blood was obtained from 20 healthy subjects; purified mononuclear leukocytes (monocytes and lymphocytes) were extracted and cultured as effector cells by a cytotoxic method. Both adherent and non-adherent cells interacted with the K562 myeloid cell line. The effector-target (E:T) ratio was 1:1, 1:10, and 1:20. To evaluate stimulatory effects of Betaglucan and Zymosan on cytotoxic reactions, samples were divided into case and control groups based on the presence or absence of Betaglucan and Zymosan. MTT assay and sFas ligand (sFasL) concentrations were used to assess the increased killing capacity of effector cells. Results: Our results revealed that Zymosan and Betaglucan can induce cytotoxic responses in macrophages and lymphocytes (P<0.05). The best result was achieved with E:T ratio of 1:1. Both macrophages and lymphocytes produced sFasL following stimulation by Zymosan and Betaglucan, however, the level of production was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Zymosan and Betaglucan can be used as enhancers of the killing capacity of the immune cells; therefore, Betaglucan and Zymosan can be applied as systemic stimulators of the immune response in inflammation and chronic infection.
Yan Tan; Si-Wei Tan; Bo-Ya Fan; Lei Li; Yuan-Guo Zhou
Abstract
Background: Hemin is an important sterile component that induces a neuroinflammatory response after intracerebral hemorrhage, in which NLRP3 inflammasome activation has also proved to be involved. Although microglial activation acts as a key contributor in the neuroinflammatory response, the relationship ...
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Background: Hemin is an important sterile component that induces a neuroinflammatory response after intracerebral hemorrhage, in which NLRP3 inflammasome activation has also proved to be involved. Although microglial activation acts as a key contributor in the neuroinflammatory response, the relationship between hemin and NLRP3 in microglia remains poorly understood. Objective: To investigate whether or not hemin regulates microglia-mediated secondary injury through activating the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway in microglia. Methods: In this study, N9 microglial cells were treated with hemin, and subsequently used to detect the production of caspase-1 p10 and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. An ELISA was subsequently performed to measure the secretion of IL-1β. Results: It was found that the production of activated caspase-1 was dose- and time-dependent with regards to hemin. Moreover, hemin was observed to be capable of inducing the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome without any increase in IL-1β. Similarly, the supernatant of hemin-treated primary microglial cells did not increase in IL-1β secretion. Furthermore, hemin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation did not significantly affect pyroptosis. Conclusion: Hemin is a potential sterile danger signal molecule that can induce inflammasome activation without directly mediating inflammation damage on microglia.
Hamid Reza Rahimi; Tahereh Mohammadzadeh; Seyed Mahmoud Sadjjadi; Bahador Sarkari; Farzaneh Zahabiun
Volume 14, Issue 2 , June 2017, , Pages 123-133
Abstract
Background: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Several native and recombinant antigens, derived from different stages of E. granulosus life cycle, have been used for vaccine trials. In vitro reared adult worms are good candidates for ...
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Background: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Several native and recombinant antigens, derived from different stages of E. granulosus life cycle, have been used for vaccine trials. In vitro reared adult worms are good candidates for vaccination as they do not produce fertile egg/s and do not have any risk of contamination for researchers. Objective: To evaluate different antigens derived from in vitro reared E. granulosus adult worms for the immunization of BALB/c mice against secondary hydatidosis. Methods: Viable protoscoleces (PCSs) of sheep hydatid cyst were cultivated in S.10E.H media. Excretory secretory (E/S) and crude antigens were prepared from reared adult worms. A total of fifty BALB/c mice, each 8-weeks-old, were divided into 5 groups of 10 mice. Three groups were subcutaneously immunized with crude, E/S and immunodominant antigens on days 1 and 28. The fourth group received only PBS and the fifth group had no injection. Three weeks following the second immunization, all groups were challenged, intraperitoneal, with viable PSCs. After the autopsy of the mice and opening their abdominal wall, cysts were counted and measured followed by histopathological observations. Results: The highest protective immunity (98.7%) against hydatidosis was induced by crude antigen, followed by E/S and immunodominant antigens. Conclusion: Antigens (crude antigens in particular) derived from in vitro reared E. granulosus adult worms, and their different protein components are suitable candidates for the vaccination of intermediate hosts against hydatidosis.
Lia Farahi; Fatemeh Ghaemimanesh; Saeideh Milani; Seyed Mohsen Razavi; Reza Hadavi; Ali Ahmad Bayat; Ali Salimi; Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi; Hodjattallah Rabbani
Abstract
Background: We have previously reported the aberrant expression of Fibromodulin (FMOD) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although FMOD has been considered as a cytoplasmic or secretory protein, we discovered the cell surface expression of FMOD in leukemic B cells via anchoring with ...
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Background: We have previously reported the aberrant expression of Fibromodulin (FMOD) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although FMOD has been considered as a cytoplasmic or secretory protein, we discovered the cell surface expression of FMOD in leukemic B cells via anchoring with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). Objective: To evaluate FMOD as a new biomarker in CLL patients in comparison with healthy individuals. Methods: A monoclonal antibody was generated against human FMOD. The cell surface expression of FMOD in 52 CLL patients and 45 healthy individuals were compared by flow cytometry. A bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) was used to determine the cell surface localization of FMOD using ELISA and flow cytometry techniques. Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) was used to detect apoptosis induction in CLL PBMCs following in vitro incubation with anti-FMOD mAb. Results: The results demonstrated the widespread cell surface expression of GPI-anchored FMOD in CLL patients (median: 79.9 %), although healthy individuals had low FMOD expression (median: 6.2 %) (p≤0.0001). The cut-off value of FMOD expression was estimated with high sensitivity and specificity at 17.9%. Furthermore, in vitro apoptosis induction of leukemic cells following incubation with anti-FMOD mAb showed a direct apoptosis of CLL cells (27.9%) with very low effect on healthy PBMCs (6%). Conclusion: The membrane-anchoring of FMOD by means of a GPI moiety in leukemic cells supports FMOD as a highly potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in CLL patients.
Ting Lin; Li Yang; Weilong Zheng; Bin Zhang
Abstract
Background: IL-17 is reported to be associated with the pathophysiology of Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM) by affecting osteoclastogenesis. Objectives: To explore the changes of Th17 cytokines (IL-17, IL-23, and IL-27) expression and its correlation with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa ...
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Background: IL-17 is reported to be associated with the pathophysiology of Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM) by affecting osteoclastogenesis. Objectives: To explore the changes of Th17 cytokines (IL-17, IL-23, and IL-27) expression and its correlation with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) during orthodontic tooth movement. Methods: Thirty patients who needed extraction of the first premolar during orthodontic treatment were included. The gingival crevicular fluid was sampled at the day of application (T0), one hour (T1), 24 hours (T2), one week (T3), four weeks (T4), and 12 weeks (T5) after the application of orthodontic force. The expression of Th17 cytokines and RANKL were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and, their correlations were assessed. Results:The levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-23, and IL-27 at both tension and pressure sides of studied teeth at T2-T4 were significantly higher compared with that of T0 and T1. Moreover, the expression of IL-27 at both tension and pressure sides of studied teeth at T2-T4 was significantly lower compared with that of T0 and T1. At T5, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-23, and IL-27 returned to the baseline level. For the control group, the cytokines were notsignificantly different at various time points. The expression of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-23 was positively correlated with RANKL expression at T2-T4, whereas the IL-27 was negatively correlated with RANKL expression at T2-T4. Conclusions: This study provided preliminary evidence that Th17 cytokines may be involved in the regulation of OTM.
Natarajan Sudhakar; Nirmala Karunakaran Nancy; Kamalalayam Raghavan Rajalekshmy; Thangarajan Rajkumar
Volume 6, Issue 3 , September 2009, , Pages 141-146
Abstract
Background: Precursor B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (precursor B-ALL) oc-curs due to the uncontrolled proliferation of B-lymphoid precursors arrested at a par-ticular stage of B-cell development. Precursor-B-ALL is classified mainly into pro-B-ALL, common-ALL and pre-B-ALL. The Common Acute Lymphoblastic ...
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Background: Precursor B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (precursor B-ALL) oc-curs due to the uncontrolled proliferation of B-lymphoid precursors arrested at a par-ticular stage of B-cell development. Precursor-B-ALL is classified mainly into pro-B-ALL, common-ALL and pre-B-ALL. The Common Acute Lymphoblastic Antigen CD10 is the marker for common-ALL. Objective: This study was aimed to examine the diversity of T-cell receptor Gamma (TCRG) and T-cell receptor Delta (TCRD) gene rearrangements in South Indian Common-ALL patients. Methods: Clonality of TCRG and TCRD was studied in 52 cases (pediatric=41 and adolescents and young adults=11) of common-ALL. TCRG and TCRD gene rearrangements were amplified by PCR and the clonality was assessed by Heteroduplex analysis of amplified prod-ucts. Results: In pediatric common-ALL, clonal TCRG and TCRD gene rearrange-ments were detected in 19 (46.3%) and 18 (43.9%) cases respectively. In adolescents and young adults (AYA), TCRG was rearranged in 8 (72.7%) cases and TCRD was rearranged in 4 (36.3%) cases. In the present study of common-ALL, the frequency of a TCRG rearrangement VγII-Jγ1.3/2.3 was significantly high in AYA compared to pediatric (36.3% vs 4.8%; p<0.025). Thus, VγII-Jγ1.3/2.3 was highly diverse in AYA compared to pediatric. That shows the difference in biology of the disease be-tween pediatric and AYA in South Indian population. Conclusion: The reason for the high frequency of VγII-Jγ1.3/2.3 in AYA of common-ALL in South Indian popu-lation in connection with unknown infectious agents or environmental carcinogens needs to be evaluated further.