Morteza Hosseinzadeh; Mohsen Nafar; Pedram Ahmadpoor; Farshid Noorbakhsh; Mir Saeed Yekaninejad; Mohammad Hossein Niknam; Aliakbar Amirzargar
Volume 14, Issue 1 , March 2017, , Pages 24-34
Abstract
Background: The incidence of ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) in early phase post-transplantation and activation of toll-like receptor (TLR-2) and TLR-4 remarkably impact the outcome of a renal allograft. Objective: To investigate whether the expression of TLRs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells ...
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Background: The incidence of ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) in early phase post-transplantation and activation of toll-like receptor (TLR-2) and TLR-4 remarkably impact the outcome of a renal allograft. Objective: To investigate whether the expression of TLRs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can predict the clinical outcome of kidney allografts. Methods: We obtained blood samples from 52 renal transplant patients before transplant, and 2, 90, and 180 days post-transplantation in order to analyze the surface expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on peripheral blood monocytes. The expression patterns of TLR-2 and TLR-4 were compared between patients with graft dysfunction (GD) and those with well-functioning graft (WFG). Results: Significantly different mean dynamic changes in surface expression of TLR-2, according to percentage of TLR-2+ cells, between (the GD and WFG) groups existed at most time-points before and after renal transplantation (p=0.007) with the exception of day 2 post-transplantation. We observed significantly higher mean fluorescence intensities of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on CD14+ cells in the GD group compared to the WFG group. This finding was particularly observed 180 days post-transplantation (p=0.001). Based on TLR-2 and TLR-4 protein expression for each step, multiple logistic regression and ROC curve analysis revealed that an increase in CD14+ TLR-2+ monocytes within the 90 days post-transplantaton was associated with increased risk of GD at 180 and 365 days post-transplantation [odds ratio (OR)=1.27, p=0.005)]. Conclusion: Sequential monitoring of TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression patterns in peripheral blood monocytes appear to be prognostic and predictive biomarkers for early and late kidney allograft outcomes.
Zahra Amirghofran; Abbas Azadmehr; Katayoun Javidnia
Volume 4, Issue 1 , March 2007, , Pages 26-31
Abstract
Background: Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodu-latory properties. Objective: To study the immunomodulatory functions of the metha-nol extract of Haussknechtia elymatica (Apioideae), an herb native to south-western Iran. Methods: Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin ...
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Background: Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodu-latory properties. Objective: To study the immunomodulatory functions of the metha-nol extract of Haussknechtia elymatica (Apioideae), an herb native to south-western Iran. Methods: Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test and measurement of an-tibody titer after immunization with Sheep-RBC was performed. [3H]-thymidine incor-poration assay on the human lymphocytes stimulated with PHA and determination of IL-2 production using ELISA method was carried out. Results: Treatment of mice with increasing concentrations of the extract decreased the footpad thickness indicating a dose-related inhibitory effect of H. elymatica on delayed hypersensitivity. The mean antibody titers for all concentrations of the extract at primary and secondary responses were significantly less than the control. Addition of the extract to the culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence of mitogen decreased cell proliferation dose-dependently. A dose related decrease in production of IL-2 in extract-treated cells was also observed. Conclusion: The decline of antibody titer and DTH response indi-cates that H. elymatica, by acting on the lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion, inhibits both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.
Mohammad Mehdi Amiri; Tannaz Bahadori; Tahereh Soltantoyeh; Reza Hosseini-Ghatar; Forough Golsaz-Shirazi; Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani; Fazel Shokri
Yousef Nikmanesh; Shohreh Shahmahmoodi; Ramin Yaghobi; Sayed Mahdi Marashi; Mahmood Mahmoudi; Mahdokht Hossein Aghdaie; Maryam Khosravi; Mohammad Hossein Karimi
Abstract
Background: Tegument protein pp150 of cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) plays a vital role in all stages of viral life cycle, representing the most important tegument protein candidate for HCMV treatment. However, the exact role of pp150 in immune regulation is yet to be elucidated. Objective: To examine the ...
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Background: Tegument protein pp150 of cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) plays a vital role in all stages of viral life cycle, representing the most important tegument protein candidate for HCMV treatment. However, the exact role of pp150 in immune regulation is yet to be elucidated. Objective: To examine the effects of pp150 on the maturity and function of murine dendritic cells (DCs). Methods: Maturity status (CD40, CD86, and MHC-II expression) and phagocytic capacity of DCs (dextran uptake assay) were characterized. Gene expression profiles of ROR-γ, GATA-3, T-bet, and FOXP-3 as well as the protein expression of INF-γ (Th1), IL-4 (Th2), IL-35 (Treg), IL-17A (Th17), IL-22, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-2 were evaluated in T cells co-cultured with DCs. Results: A significant increase in CD40, CD86, and CCR7 expression and a reduction in the phagocytosis rate were observed in pp150-stimulated DCs compared with unstimulated DCs. T cells co-cultured with stimulated DCs showed higher expressions of ROR-γ, IL-6, IL-2, IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-α. Conclusion: Despite improvements in maturity status, pp150-stimulated DCs does not seem to be able to induce Th1 or Th2 immunity. In fact, Th17 and its mediators, IL-17A and IL-22, might be the main inflammatory factors involved in pp150-stimulated DC's action mechanism. However, it is necessary to conduct further investigations to corroborate these observations.
Mohammad Motamedifar; Jamal Sarvari; Azin Ebrahimpour; Amir Emami
Volume 12, Issue 1 , March 2015, , Pages 27-34
Abstract
Background: Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are human pathogens that establish lytic and latent infections. Reactivation from latency occurs intermittently, which represents a life-long source for recurrent infection. The role of immune factors in the control of recurrent symptomatic HSV lesions is complex ...
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Background: Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are human pathogens that establish lytic and latent infections. Reactivation from latency occurs intermittently, which represents a life-long source for recurrent infection. The role of immune factors in the control of recurrent symptomatic HSV lesions is complex and the exact role of cytokines remains unclear. Objective: To assess the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) along with anti-herpetic IgG and IgM, in the symptomatic reactivation of HSV infection. Methods: Thirty-six patients with recurrent symptomatic herpes infection were selected as the study group and thirty-two healthy individuals with no history of symptomatic labial herpes infection enrolled as the control group. Skin swabs were obtained from lip and skin lesions for viral culture. Confirmation of HSV cytopathic effect was carried out using PCR assay. The levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IgG and IgM were measured using ELISA. Results: The level of TNF-α was significantly lower in individuals with recurrent symptomatic herpes infection in comparison with the controls (p=0.04). Also a significant elevation was observed in the levels of specific IgG in patients compared to controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: The decreased level of TNF-α and increased levels of IgG in individuals with a history of symptomatic reactivation of HSV infection is suggestive of a probable shift in favor of the Th2 immune response.
Parisa Khodabandeh Shahraki; Yasmin Zare; Negar Azarpira; Massood Hosseinzadeh; Shirin Farjadian
Volume 15, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 28-37
Abstract
Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule with modulatory effects on NK and T cells. Because HLA-G expression is frequently detected in different solid tumors, it may be involved in tumor immune evasion. Objective: This study was designed to elucidate the prognostic ...
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Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule with modulatory effects on NK and T cells. Because HLA-G expression is frequently detected in different solid tumors, it may be involved in tumor immune evasion. Objective: This study was designed to elucidate the prognostic value of HLA-G in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PADC). The influence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on HLA-G expression was also evaluated in patients with HCC. Methods: HLA-G expression was investigated in tumor tissues from patients with HCC (n=74) or PADC (n=42) with immunohistochemical techniques. The presence of HBV genome was also examined in HCC tumor tissues by PCR. Results: HLA-G expression was detected in 66% of PADC and in 31% of HCC samples. In contrast to HCC, HLA-G overexpression was associated with advanced stages and grades in PADC. HBV genome was detected in 31% of HCC samples but we found no correlation between HLA-G expression and the presence of HBV genome in these tumors. Conclusion: Our findings showed that HLA-G overexpression in tumor tissue correlated with poor prognosis in PADC. HLA-G expression is apparently affected by the patient’s genetic background and other epigenetic factors rather than by HBV infection.
Zahra Amirghofran
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2005, , Pages 29-35
Abstract
Background: Perforin is known to be important in cytolytic activity mediated by natural killer (NK) cells. Objective: To study the relationship between the efficiency of NK and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells activity, and the expression of perforin and HLA class I molecules. Methods: ...
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Background: Perforin is known to be important in cytolytic activity mediated by natural killer (NK) cells. Objective: To study the relationship between the efficiency of NK and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells activity, and the expression of perforin and HLA class I molecules. Methods: LAK cells were generated by in vitro culturing of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in the presence of human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). Cytotoxic activity was measured at different intervals of activation by MTT colorimetric assay using different human tumor cell lines. Immunocytochemical staining of molecules was performed on LAK/NK cells using specific monoclonal antibodies and Biotin-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin. Results: LAK/NK killing against Fen and two other cell lines, KB and Scaber showed that at day 9 and 15 of activation, 57% to 60% and 45.5% to 92.5% of Fen cells were killed at different E/T ratios. At the same time, the maximum percent killing against Scaber and KB cell lines was 47.3 and 54.3 at 5/1 ratio, respectively, showing that Fen cells were more sensitive than the two other cells. Time-course experiments using Fen cell line demonstrated 60.0, 83.9 and 34.8 percent killing at days 9, 15 and 22 at 10/1 E/T ratios. When other E/T ratios were investigated, a similar profile was observed. The maximum activity was at day 15 and 5/1 E/T ratio (92.5%). In immunocytochemical staining of activated LAK cells, 75.9% to 86.3% of LAK cells expressed HLA class I molecules. Perforin expression changed from 30.3% at day 7 to 42.7% at day 17 followed by a decrease to 27.9% at day 24. Conclusion: These data indicate that perforin expression is closely correlated with NK/LAK killing activity.
Nasser Gholijani; Ahmad Monabati; Zahra Amirghofran
Volume 1, Issue 1 , June 2004, , Pages 34-40
Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in males. Tumor suppressor gene p53 plays an important role in causing cell cycle arrest and allowing apoptosis to proceed. Objective: To investigate the expression of p53 protein and its relation to apoptosis and prostate cancer ...
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Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in males. Tumor suppressor gene p53 plays an important role in causing cell cycle arrest and allowing apoptosis to proceed. Objective: To investigate the expression of p53 protein and its relation to apoptosis and prostate cancer traditional prognostic indicators. Methods: In this study expression of p53 was examined in paraffin-embedded tissues from 50 cases of prostate carcinoma by immunohistochemistry and evaluated using an index of staining. Correlation between p53 expression and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. Pathological grade, Gleason score and stage of carcinoma were also determined. Results: P53 expression was observed in 48 of 50 cases (26-100% of tumor cells) with mean staining index of 141±65. A significant association between p53 expression and pathologic grade (r=0.37, p=0.004) and Gleason score (r= 0.4, p=0.009) of patients was observed. Apoptosis was detected in only 6 patients. p53 expression showed no correlation with apoptotic index. No correlation between p53 expression and stage or apoptosis and clinicopathological characteristics of patients was found. Conclusion: p53 expression showed a significant correlation with differentiation status of the prostate carcinoma and can be helpful as a prognostic marker. Decreased level of apoptosis observed in our cases was not correlated with p53 expression indicating the possible role of other regulatory molecules involved in the apoptosis.
Masoumeh Khamisabadi; Samaneh Arab; Masoumeh Motamedi; Nematollah khansari; Seied Mohammad Moazzeni; Zahra Gheflati; Jamshid Hadjati
Volume 5, Issue 1 , March 2008, , Pages 36-44
Abstract
Background: The use of dendritic cells (DCs) as a cellular adjuvant provides a promis-ing approach in immunotherapy of cancer. It has been demonstrated that Listeria mono-cytogenes activated DCs pulsed ex vivo with tumor antigens trigger a systemic Th1-biased specific immune response and a single dose ...
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Background: The use of dendritic cells (DCs) as a cellular adjuvant provides a promis-ing approach in immunotherapy of cancer. It has been demonstrated that Listeria mono-cytogenes activated DCs pulsed ex vivo with tumor antigens trigger a systemic Th1-biased specific immune response and a single dose of this vaccine will cause a consider-able anti tumor immunity. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of multiple doses of tumor antigen-pulsed DCs, matured in the presence of Lis-teria monocytogenes components in induction of a potent anti-tumor response and the prevention of tumor formation in an experimental model. Methods: Bone-marrow de-rived DCs (BMDCs) were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4. After 5 days, tumor lysates with/without Listeria monocytogenes lysate were added to the culture media for another 2 days. Mice received mature and tumor antigen pulsed dendritic cells subcutaneously in 3 groups. Tumor growth was monitored and two weeks after immu-notherapy, cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells was evaluated in different groups. Re-sults: According to the findings, repeated doses of vaccine did not lead to a significant increase in the activity of cytotoxic T cells and decreased tumor growth of immunized animals. Conclusion: The current study suggests that increased doses of vaccine do not have sufficient efficiency for prevention of tumor induction. Generation of T regulatory responses upon repeated doses of such vaccines should be considered in future investi-gations.
Farhad Shahsavar; Tahereh Mousavi; Alireza Azargoon; Kobra Entezami
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 39-47
Abstract
Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are the effector cells of innate immunity that respond to infection and tumor. Interactions between killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules regulate NK cells responses to eliminate infected and transformed ...
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Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are the effector cells of innate immunity that respond to infection and tumor. Interactions between killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules regulate NK cells responses to eliminate infected and transformed cells. Objective: To investigate the impact of KIR genes, HLA ligand genes, and KIR-HLA combinations on susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) in Lur population of Iran. Methods: The genomic DNA of 50 patients with TB from Lorestan province of Iran was genotyped for sixteen KIR genes and their five major HLA class I ligands were determined by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) assay. The results were compared with those of 200 healthy unrelated Iranian individuals. Results: In Lur population of Iran, a significant decrease in frequency of KIR3DS1 was found in TB patients compared to control group (24% vs. 44.5%, OR=0.394, CI=0.194-0.798, p=0.013). Also, among the three activating genes that may use HLA class I molecules as their ligands, a significant decrease was shown in frequency of KIR3DS1 with HLA-B Bw4Ile80 ligand in TB patients compared to control group (4% vs. 23%, OR=0.14, CI=0.033-0.596, p=0.004). Conclusion: These findings imply a genetic imbalance between activating and inhibitory KIR genes and KIR-HLA combinations in Lur TB patients. Low level of activating KIR3DS1 and its combination with HLA-B Bw4Ile80 ligand might have an influence on the susceptibility to TB in Lur population of Iran.
Hasan Shemirani; Abbas Rezaei
Volume 3, Issue 2 , June 2006, , Pages 66-69
Abstract
Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common and serious diseases resulting from coronary artery occlusion and major reduction in blood flow. Streptokinase as a thrombolytic is considered the first and most important therapeutic intervention for reperfusion following MI in most countries ...
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Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common and serious diseases resulting from coronary artery occlusion and major reduction in blood flow. Streptokinase as a thrombolytic is considered the first and most important therapeutic intervention for reperfusion following MI in most countries including Iran. Our previous study showed that, the prevalence of high antibody titers against streptokinase was 13.5% in the studied population from Iran, which was 2.5 times more common than data from other studies. Objective: To evaluate anti-streptokinase antibody titers before and immediately after streptokinase administration and its relation to reperfusion therapy success rates. Methods: A total of 200 patients with acute MI was selected. Antibodies against streptokinase were measured before and 2 days after administration of streptokinase. Before streptokinase administration and every hour after streptokinase administration, for 3 consecutive hours, an ECG was taken from each participant and changes were evaluated in relation to antibody levels. Results: Out of 200 patients, 42 (21%) had high levels of antibody titer. Out of these 42 patients, 13 (6.5%) still had measurable levels of anti-streptokinase antibody after streptokinase administration. Conclusion: Our results show the ability of the antistreptokinase antibody to neutralize the effects of streptokinase.
Manoochehr Rasouli; Ahmad Zavaran Hoseini; Bahram Karimi; Abdolvahab Alborzi; Simin Kiany
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2009, , Pages 75-86
Abstract
Background: Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is present in all organisms studied so far, and is a major immunogen in infections caused by pathogens including Leishmania spp. Objective: The aim of this study was to clone and express HSP70 from L. infantum strain MCAN/IR/96/LON-49 and evaluate antibody response ...
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Background: Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is present in all organisms studied so far, and is a major immunogen in infections caused by pathogens including Leishmania spp. Objective: The aim of this study was to clone and express HSP70 from L. infantum strain MCAN/IR/96/LON-49 and evaluate antibody response against HSP70 in visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Methods: The L. infantum HSP70 gene segment was amplified by specific primers. It was cloned into pTZ57R vector and subcloned into pET32a (+) expression vector. The new construct was transformed in the E.coli Rosetta strain, and HSP70 protein was expressed in the presence of 1 mM IPTG and purified using a HiTrap chelating column. Antibody responses against HSP70 were determined by ELISA in 37 patients with visceral leishmaniasis and 63 healthy controls. Results: Expression of HSP70 protein was confirmed using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and dot blot with an anti-His tag antibody. There was no difference between the sequence of nucleotides of the HSP70 gene in the present study and other reported sequences. The ELISA results indicated that the sera of 81.1% (30/37) of the patients and 6.3% (5/63) of controls reacted to L. infantum HSP70. Conclusion: The conservative nature of the HSP70 molecule is an advantage in vaccine studies, because of minor differences (6%) between the nucleotide sequences and consequently the similarity in amino acid sequences in various strains of L. infantum. It could therefore be used in vaccine research against leishmaniasis and also as a tool for serodiagnosis.
Mojgan Mohammadi; Mohammad Javad Zahedi; Amin Reza Nikpoor; Mohammad Reza Baneshi; Mohammad Mahdi Hayatbakhsh
Volume 10, Issue 2 , June 2013, , Pages 83-92
Abstract
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune disease, has two clinical manifestations including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). IL-17 has been the target of intensive research in autoimmune diseases. The influence of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR-4) gene polymorphisms on IL-17 ...
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Background: Inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune disease, has two clinical manifestations including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). IL-17 has been the target of intensive research in autoimmune diseases. The influence of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR-4) gene polymorphisms on IL-17 production has also been revealed in UC patients and tissue inflammation in mice. Objectives: To investigate the association between the TLR-4 gene polymorphisms, Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile and IL-17 serum levels with ulcerative colitis. Additionally, we aimed to study modulation effects of forenamed gene polymorphisms on IL-17 serum levels in UC patients and controls. Methods: A total of 256 healthy controls and 85 UC patients enrolled in our study. DNA was extracted and PCR-RFLP technique was employed to determine Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in TLR-4 gene and IL-17 serum levels were measured by ELISA method. Results: There was no significant difference between the frequency of Asp299Gly A>G and Thr399Ile C>T in UC patients and controls. While IL-17 serum levels in UC patients were significantly higher than controls (p=0.003), no significant difference in IL-17 levels between different genotypes existed. Additionally, a significant inverse relationship was observed between hemoglobin level and IL-17 serum levels in UC patients (p=0.039). Conclusions: Increased IL-17 serum levels in our UC patients might be explained through the synergistic activity of IL-17/IL-23 axis and pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing severe clinical outcome in patients with IBD. The prolonged excretion of blood in stool driven by inflammatory process which causes iron metabolism disorder and anemia may elucidate the inverse correlation between hemoglobin and IL-17 serum levels in UC patients. Lack of association between the TLR-4 gene polymorphisms and UC in our study was consistent with the results from other Caucasian populations.
Saeid Abediankenari; Yousef Yousedzadeh; Hossein Azadeh; Mohammad Vahedi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2010, , Pages 83-87
Abstract
Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells that have an important role in the initiation of immune response. The use of maturation factors in dendritic cell differentiation provides a promising approach in immunotherapy. Objective: In this study, we compared tumor necrosis ...
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Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells that have an important role in the initiation of immune response. The use of maturation factors in dendritic cell differentiation provides a promising approach in immunotherapy. Objective: In this study, we compared tumor necrosis factor-α, polyribocytidylic acid, lipopolysacharide and CpG oligonucleotides in inducing dendritic cell maturation. Methods: We generated immature dendritic cells with GM-CSF in combination with IL-4 from peripheral blood mononuclear adherent cells and used tumor necrosis factor-α, polyribocytidylic acid, lipopolysacharide and CpG for the induction of dendritic cell maturation. CD83 maturation marker on the dendritic cells was analyzed by flowcytometry after 7 days. In addition, mixed leukocyte reaction between dendritic cells and T cells was performed by MTT proliferation assay. Results: Flow cytometry results demonstrated a comparable high level of CD83 expression on the mature dendritic cells generated by TNF-α, CpG, Poly I:C, and LPS treatment of the immature dendritic cells. However, a significantly poorer proliferation of lymphocytes cocultured with the Poly I:C-treated DCs was observed compared to the CpG-treated DCs in mixed leukocyte reaction (p=0.026). Conversely, a significantly stronger proliferation of lymphocytes was observed when cocultured with TNF-α-treated DCs compared to the LPS-treated DCs (p=0.025). Conclusion: Our results indicated that all of studied maturation inducing factors can be used in DC maturation but TNF-α and CpG were the preferred in vitro maturation factors. It is concluded that maturation of dendritic cells by CpG motif and TNF-α can be used to regulate immune responses.
Mehri Ghafourian; Najmeh Karami; Ali Khodadadi; Roshan Nikbakhat
Volume 11, Issue 2 , June 2014, , Pages 84-96
Abstract
Background: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure with unknown causes are the controversial issues that are probably related to the immune system. Objective: To compare circulating NK cells expressing activation and inhibition surface markers between patients with ...
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Background: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure with unknown causes are the controversial issues that are probably related to the immune system. Objective: To compare circulating NK cells expressing activation and inhibition surface markers between patients with RSA and IVF failure with those of healthy multiparous and successful IVF control women, respectively. Methods: In this case-control study peripheral blood samples were collected from 43 patients who included 23 women with RSA and 20 with IVF failure, plus 43 healthy control women comprising of 36 normal multiparous women and seven women with successful IVF. The expression of CD69, CD94 and CD161 surface markers on CD56+NK cells were assessed using specific monoclonal antibodies by flowcytometry. Results: The percentage of NK cells increased significantly in patients with RSA and in women with IVF failure in comparison to healthy multiparous and successful IVF control groups (p<0.001). The overall expression of CD69, CD94, CD161 were also increased significantly on NK cells in both patient groups compared to control groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Elevated expression of CD69 and CD161 on NK cells can be considered as immunological risk markers in RSA and IVF failure. However, it is not clear if high expression of CD94 on peripheral blood NK cells is related to abnormal activity of endometrial NK cells.
Mahendra Narin Mishra; Khurshed Minoo Bharucha
Volume 8, Issue 2 , June 2011, , Pages 85-89
Abstract
Background: Uveitis refers to diseases characterized by intraocular inflammation of the uveal tract. Anterior uveitis is a common ocular disease characterized by inflammation of the iris and the ciliary body. Objectives: To establish the frequency of HLA-B27- positive uveitis in Asian Indian population, ...
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Background: Uveitis refers to diseases characterized by intraocular inflammation of the uveal tract. Anterior uveitis is a common ocular disease characterized by inflammation of the iris and the ciliary body. Objectives: To establish the frequency of HLA-B27- positive uveitis in Asian Indian population, study their clinical profile and compare it with other reports in literature. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical data of 89 patients of uveitis referred for HLA B27 typing with predominantly ocular symptoms during the period from April 2006-October 2010. All patients were tested for complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, infectious diseases serology, HLA-B27 typing, and prepared radiographs of the sacroiliac joints and lumbar spine if required. Results: The HLA-B27 positive rate was 56.2% among patients and 3% for control samples. Most of the patients were in the age group of 41-50 years with a male predominance. Conclusions: HLA-B27 was seen to be associated with acute anterior uveitis in Asian Indian males and the test is important for confirmation of diagnosis, prognostication and also for planning the treatment.
Shirin Farjadian; Abbas Ghaderi
Volume 4, Issue 2 , June 2007, , Pages 85-93
Abstract
Background: Anthropological studies based on highly polymorphic HLA genes pro-vide useful information for bone marrow donor registry, forensic medicine, disease as-sociation studies, as well as designing peptide vaccines against tumors, and infectious or autoimmune diseases. Objective: This study was ...
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Background: Anthropological studies based on highly polymorphic HLA genes pro-vide useful information for bone marrow donor registry, forensic medicine, disease as-sociation studies, as well as designing peptide vaccines against tumors, and infectious or autoimmune diseases. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the genetic relationship of Iranian Arabs and Jews using HLA-class II genetic diversity Methods: HLA-DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 allele frequencies and haplotypes were determined in 134 Iranian Arabs from two different communities and 91 Iranian Jews using PCR/RFLP and PCR/SSP methods. Results: Neighbor-joining analyses showed a closer genetic relationship between Iranian Arabs and Iranian Jews than between either Iranian Arabs and Middle Eastern Arabs or Iranian Jews and other Jews. The results of AMOVA test also revealed no significant difference between these populations and other Iranians. Conclusion: It seems that, Iranian Arabs are originally from the Iranian gene pool and speak Arabic due to their encounter with Arabs. Iranian gene flow to im-migrant Jews followed by their expansion in this country may also explain the close ge-netic relationship among different Iranian ethnic groups.
Mahboob Lessan-Pezeshki; Ali Akbar Amirzargar; Nooshin Golabi; Mohammadreza Khatami; Behzad Einollahi; Vahid Pourfarziani; Farideh Khosravi; Hassaneh Tajerzadeh; Behrouz Nikbin
Volume 2, Issue 2 , June 2005, , Pages 87-90
Abstract
Background: Monitoring of phenotypic characteristics of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood is commonly performed to give the clinical parameters in the management of kidney transplant recipients. Objective: To predict rejection in renal transplantation by immune parameters. Methods: 16 non-diabetic ...
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Background: Monitoring of phenotypic characteristics of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood is commonly performed to give the clinical parameters in the management of kidney transplant recipients. Objective: To predict rejection in renal transplantation by immune parameters. Methods: 16 non-diabetic kidney transplant candidates (4 females and 12 males, age = 20-65 yr, first time transplant) were selected. The transplanted patients were divided into two groups based on the rejection during 3 weeks post transplant: group I (n = 9) without rejection and group II (n = 7) with a rejection episode. Immune parameters including lymphocytes subpopulations (by flowcytometry) and immunoglobulin classes (IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE by nephlometric assay) before and 45 days after transplantation were determined. Results: The results of this investigation showed that the level of immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE decreased post transplantation due to immunosuppressive drugs. CD3, CD4, CD8 T cells count, CD56 NK cells count and CD20 B cells count pre- and post-transplantation did not show any significant differences. The amount of IgE (220 vs. 462 IU/ml), CD3 (62% vs. 69.7%) and CD4 (35% vs. 41.3%) cells increased in group II during rejection episode pre-transplantation. In addition, IgA increased pretransplantation in group I those without rejection episode in comparison with group II with a rejection episode. Forty five days post transplantation IgA (209 vs. 152 mg/dl), IgG (1009 vs. 703 mg/dl) and CD20 (15% vs. 10%) increased in group I patients. Conclusion: It is suggestive that pre-transplantation increases IgE, CD3 and CD4 are predictive of acute rejection.
Ali Akbar Amirzargar; Nilufar Mohseni; Mohammad Ali Shokrgozar; Zohreh Arjang; Nahid Ahmadi; Manijeh Yousefi Behzadi; Amir Amanzadeh; Fazel Shokri
Abstract
Background: Different studies have demonstrated that a small proportion of healthy individuals receiving the hepatitis B (HB) vaccine do not produce protective levels of anti-HB antibody, a phenomenon which could be linked to certain human leukocyte an-tigen (HLA) class-II alleles or haplotypes. Objectives: ...
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Background: Different studies have demonstrated that a small proportion of healthy individuals receiving the hepatitis B (HB) vaccine do not produce protective levels of anti-HB antibody, a phenomenon which could be linked to certain human leukocyte an-tigen (HLA) class-II alleles or haplotypes. Objectives: The present study was under-taken to determine the frequency of HLA class-II alleles in Iranian healthy adult re-sponders and non-responders to HB vaccine. Methods: Twelve non-responders (anti-HBs antibody<10 IU/L) and 46 responders (anti-HBs antibody>100 IU/L) were tissue typed for HLA class-II. HLA-DRB1, DQB1 and DQA1 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction based on sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) technique. Accessibility to excess amount of genomic DNA was possible using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cells established from all vaccinees. Results: Our results demon-strated increased frequencies of HLA- DRB1*07, DRB1*03, DRB1*04, DQB1*0201, DQA1*0201 alleles and HLA- DRB1*07/DQB1*0201/DQA1*0201 and DRB1*04/DQB1*0302/DQA1*03011 haplotypes in the non-responder group. Com-parison between responders and non-responders revealed only a significant difference for DQB1*0201 allele (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings confirm the association of certain HLA alleles and haplotypes with the lack of antibody response to HB vaccine in an Iranian population.
Nowruz Delirezh; Ehsan Shojaeefar
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2012, , Pages 98-108
Abstract
Background: Generation of an effective dendritic cell (DC) based cancer vaccine depends on appropriate differentiation of monocytes in vitro. Objective: To compare the effects of monocyte separation methods, flask adherence (Flask-DC) and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS-DC), on phenotypic and functional ...
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Background: Generation of an effective dendritic cell (DC) based cancer vaccine depends on appropriate differentiation of monocytes in vitro. Objective: To compare the effects of monocyte separation methods, flask adherence (Flask-DC) and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS-DC), on phenotypic and functional characteristics of resultant DCs. Methods: DCs from healthy volunteers were generated from plastic adherence and MACS isolated monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 as well as TNF-α and monocyte conditioned medium (MCM) in 7 day cultures. Mature DCs were then subjected to phenotypic analysis using anti-CD14, anti-CD83 and HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies. Functional and cytokine release assays were carried out using [3H] thymidine uptake test and commercially available ELISA kits for the determination of IL-12, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-4, respectively. Results: We found that MACS-DCs were more homogenous and the yield and viability were fairly higher than Flask-DCs. MACS-DCs expressed higher levels of CD83 and HLA-DR as well as CD14 compared to the Flask-DCs. Induction of T cell proliferative responses were higher in Flask-DCs and also they elicited higher levels of IL- 12: IL-10 and IFN-γ: IL-4 ratios in cytokine generation assays. Conclusion: MACS method was superior for mass production of viable homogenous and fully mature DCs but their cytokine profile had the potential to polarize the immune system toward Th2 type immune response.
Mahdi Sajedi Khania; Alireza Abdi Ardekan; Shahdad Khosropana; Mehrnoosh Doroudchi
Volume 13, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 100-113
Abstract
Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of disability and death in Iran and many other countries. Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of CCL5 and CCL18 in patients with acute myocardial ischemia. Methods: In this cohort study we recruited and followed 50 patients ...
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Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of disability and death in Iran and many other countries. Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of CCL5 and CCL18 in patients with acute myocardial ischemia. Methods: In this cohort study we recruited and followed 50 patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI) for developing cardiovascular accidents in a 6-month period. CCL5 and CCL18 levels were measured on admission, at day 5 and at day 180 posthospitalization. Results: CCL18 and CCL5 levels at day 180 were higher in patients with late (day 180) and early (day 5) LVEF less than 35% compared to those with higher LVEF (p=0.05 and p=0.042, respectively). There was a negative correlation between early and late LVEF and regional wall motion abnormalities (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). There was also a trend of negative correlation between CCL18 levels at day 5 and LVEF levels at day 180 post-hospitalization (p=0.06). Conclusion: CCL18 has a correlation with cardiac function in patients with AAMI and it might be considered as an indicator of poor LVEF in patients with AAMI.
Maryam Rameshrad; Nasrin Maleki-Dizaji; Haleh Vaez; Hamid Soraya; Ailar Nakhlband; Alireza Garjani
Volume 12, Issue 2 , June 2015, , Pages 104-116
Abstract
Background: Myocardial dysfunction is one of the major complications in patients with sepsis where there is a relationship between the blood level of cytokines and the onset of myocardial depression. In many cases of sepsis, the presence of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been established. LPS Binding Protein ...
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Background: Myocardial dysfunction is one of the major complications in patients with sepsis where there is a relationship between the blood level of cytokines and the onset of myocardial depression. In many cases of sepsis, the presence of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been established. LPS Binding Protein (LBP) bound endotoxin is recognized by CD14/toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) complexes in innate immune cells which stimulates TNF-α release. Objectives: To investigate whether isolated rat heart is capable of producing TNF-α locally through TLR4 activation by LPS. Methods: Using langendorff method, LPS in 120 mL of the modified KrebsHenseleit buffer solution (KHBS) at final concentration of 1 µg/mL was perfused at recycling mode. The effect of LPS on cardiac function was evaluated. To assess the TLR4 activity and TNF-α release, western blotting, real time-PCR, and ELISA were used. Results: Compared with control, coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) as well as left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximum and minimum rates of the left ventricular developed pressure (dP/dtmax; dP/dtmin; p<0.001) were depressed to a maximum level after 180 minutes recycling with LPS. This myocardial depression was associated with a significant increase in TLR4 expression (p<0.01), MyD88 activity (p<0.01) and TNF-α (p<0.05) concentration in the heart tissue. Conclusion: The results of this study show that heart is capable of producing TNF-α through TLR4 and MyD88 activation independent of classic immune system and suggest a local immune response.
Gholamali Yousefi-Pour; Sadegh Izadi; Abbas Ghaderi
Volume 1, Issue 2 , September 2004, , Pages 105-110
Abstract
Objective: To investigate possible immunological humoral correlates in newly diagnosed adult-onset generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy among Iranian patients before and after sodium valproate treatment. Patients and Methods: 72 adult patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic ...
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Objective: To investigate possible immunological humoral correlates in newly diagnosed adult-onset generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy among Iranian patients before and after sodium valproate treatment. Patients and Methods: 72 adult patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy were recruited. Serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-dsDNA antibodies, total serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA) and C3 and C4 complements were determined before and after 12 months of therapy with sodium valproate. Similar parameters were also measured in 32 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Results: Patients group had a significantly greater level of IgG class aCL (30.6% versus 12.4%, P = 0.004) and anti-dsDNA antibodies (23.9% versus 0%, P = 0.001) when compared with healthy volunteers, however, ANA titre was relatively the same in both groups. Sodium valproate significantly decreased anti-dsDNA antibodiles (P = 0.002), IgM concentrations (P = 0.034), and increased the number of ANA positive patients (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Changes in serum level of autoantibodies in patients with new onset idiopathic generalized convulsion were found to be high. These abnormalities are associated with both seizure disorders per se and also antiepileptic drugs. We suggest that in epileptic patients with an autoimmune basis, administration of anti-epileptic drugs having modulatory effects on immune system should be considered.
Amir Savardashtaki; Bahador Sarkari; Farzane Arianfar; Zohreh Mostafavi-Pour
Volume 14, Issue 2 , June 2017, , Pages 111-122
Abstract
Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), as a chronic parasitic disease, is a major health problem in many countries. The performance of the currently available serodiagnostic tests for the diagnosis of CE is unsatisfactory. Objective: The current study aimed at sub-cloning a gene, encoding the B8/1 subunit ...
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Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), as a chronic parasitic disease, is a major health problem in many countries. The performance of the currently available serodiagnostic tests for the diagnosis of CE is unsatisfactory. Objective: The current study aimed at sub-cloning a gene, encoding the B8/1 subunit of antigen B (AgB) from Echinococcus granulosus, using gene optimization for the immunodiagnosis of human CE. Methods: The coding sequence for AgB8/1 subunit of Echinococcus granulosus was selected from GenBank and was gene-optimized. The sequence was synthesized and inserted into pGEX-4T-1 vector. Purification was performed with GST tag affinity column. Diagnostic performance of the produced recombinant antigen, native antigen B and a commercial ELISA kit were further evaluated in an ELISA system, using a panel of sera from CE patients and controls. Results: SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the protein of interest had a high expression level and purity after GST tag affinity purification. Western blotting verified the immunoreactivity of the produced recombinant antigen with the sera of CE patients. In an ELISA system, the sensitivity and specificity (for human CE diagnosis) of the recombinant antigen, native antigen B and commercial kit were respectively 93% and 92%, 87% and 90% and 97% and 95%. Conclusion: The produced recombinant antigen showed a high diagnostic value which can be recommended for serodiagnosis of CE in Iran and other CE-endemic areas. Utilizing the combination of other subunits of AgB8 would improve the performance value of the introduced ELISA system.
Ahana Roy; Aitijhya Ghosh; Kasturi Sinha; Basundhara Mitra; Sudeshna Rakshit; Melvin George; Koustav Sarkar
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of epithelial cells. The loss of BRCA1 activity due to mutation or down-regulation of gene expression promotes tumorigenesis and increases the risk of breast cancer. Objectives: Our aim was to pulsate lymphocytes of breast cancer patients and normal ...
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Background: Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of epithelial cells. The loss of BRCA1 activity due to mutation or down-regulation of gene expression promotes tumorigenesis and increases the risk of breast cancer. Objectives: Our aim was to pulsate lymphocytes of breast cancer patients and normal individuals, using Diospyros peregrina fruit preparation (DFP) to study the cancer protective immunity, and the signal transduction processes involved with it. We also investigated the role of DFP in the release of lymphocytic nitric oxide (NO), which is a key tumoricidal agent, known to regulate T-cell proliferation, cytokine production, cell signaling, and apoptosis. Methods: Using Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation, lymphocytes were isolated from the blood of 12 patients and 12 normal individuals. Cells were treated with or without DFP (2.5 µg/ml) for 48 hours. Both non-stimulated and stimulated cells were then subjected to MTT assay and NO release assay; following which qPCR was performed to estimate mRNA levels and percentage enrichment of certain genes. Results: DFP stimulates lymphocytic proliferation(p=0.0118) and release of NO(p=0.01) significantly.DFP also noticeablyenhances the expression of T helper (TH) cell 1 specific IFNG, IL12, TBX21 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) genes. DFP treatment significantly increases tumor protective immunity by decreasing the expression levels of TH2 network specific GATA3 and IL4 genes but increasing the expression levels of TH1 network specific IFNG, IL12, TBX21 and STAT1 genes. Conclusion: DFP increases the expression levels TH1 specific network genes which in turn help in evoking tumor protective immunity.