Atieh Yaghoubi; Samira Asli; Maryam Parhizkar; Maryam Mohammadpour; Ali Khorsand; Mehdi Yousefi; Taravat Bamdad; Saeid Amel Jamehdar
Abstract
Background: Measuring the level of antibodies produced post-vaccination in response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is considered a strategy for estimating the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.Objective: To examine the antibody levels among the healthcare workers in different hospitals in Mashhad, ...
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Background: Measuring the level of antibodies produced post-vaccination in response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is considered a strategy for estimating the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.Objective: To examine the antibody levels among the healthcare workers in different hospitals in Mashhad, Iran after receiving the second dose of Sputnik V.Methods: In this study, we enrolled 230 healthcare workers for evaluating the Gam-COVID-Vac or Sputnik V after the second administration in different hospitals in Mashhad. Antibody levels of spike protein were quantitatively evaluated in a sample of 230 negative RT-PCR tests for the COVID-19 individuals. The analysis has been done based on an immunological assay using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The infection history of the subjects and their families was examined through their medical records.Results: Our results demonstrated a significant association between a higher titer of IgG and a previous history of the COVID-19 infection (P<0.001). Moreover, the chance of detecting antibodies titer more than 50 AU/ml was 16.99 in these people which was significantly higher than in people without a history of infection pre-vaccination [%95CI: (7.38,39.12), P<0.001].Conclusion: This result demonstrates that the efficacy of antibody production is related to the previous history of the SARS-CoV-2 infections. Ongoing monitoring of the level of antibody among vaccinated populations will help evaluating the effect of vaccines on humoral immunity status.
Jianbo Jiang; Lili Sun; Meixia Huang
Abstract
Background: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is an enveloped icosahedral DNA virus. HAdV infection can lead to immune system damage, resulting in decreased numbers and compromised function of T cells and B cells. It can also cause an imbalanced Th1/Th2 ratio and dysregulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory ...
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Background: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is an enveloped icosahedral DNA virus. HAdV infection can lead to immune system damage, resulting in decreased numbers and compromised function of T cells and B cells. It can also cause an imbalanced Th1/Th2 ratio and dysregulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Objective: To investigate the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-17A in children with HAdV pneumonia.Methods: Pediatric patients diagnosed with HAdV pneumonia were divided into a non-severe group or a severe group based on the severity of their condition. Patients in the severe group were further classified into good and poor prognosis subgroups. We collected 2-2.5 mL of venous blood from each patient, which was then centrifuged. Using an ELISA detection kit, we determined the concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17A.Results: Patients with a severe condition exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17A than the non-severe cases. Out of 50 severe cases, 32 had good prognoses, while 18 cases showed poor prognoses. Patients with poor prognoses showed significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-13 compared to those with good prognoses.Conclusion: Serum concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17A are potential diagnostic markers for pediatric patients with severe HAdV pneumonia. Additionally, they demonstrate good predictive value for a poor prognosis in severe pneumonia cases.
Sahar Mortezagholi; Davood Rostamzadeh; Maedeh Alinejad; Vahid Younesi; Payam Tabarsi; Mahdi Shabani
Abstract
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly transmits in general population, mainly between health-care workers (HCWs) who are in close contact with patients. Objective: To study the seropositivity of HCWs as a high-risk group compared to general population. Methods: ...
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Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly transmits in general population, mainly between health-care workers (HCWs) who are in close contact with patients. Objective: To study the seropositivity of HCWs as a high-risk group compared to general population. Methods: 72 samples were obtained from HCWs working in Masih Daneshvari hospital as one of the main COVID-19 admission centers in Tehran, during April 4 to 6, 2020. Also we collected 2021 blood samples from general population. The SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM, and IgG antibodies in the collected serum specimens were measured by commercial ELISA kits. Results: Based on the clinical manifestations, 25.0%, 47.2%, and 27.8% of HCWs were categorized as symptomatic with typical symptoms, symptomatic with atypical symptoms, and asymptomatic, respectively. Symptomatic individuals with typical and atypical symptoms were 63.2% and 36.8% positive in RT-PCR test, respectively. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 15.3% and 27.8% of HCWs samples, respectively. Antibody testing in the general population indicated that SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM and IgG were found in (162/2021) 8%, and (290/2021) 14.4%, respectively. The frequency of positive cases of IgM and IgG were significantly increased in HCWs compared to general population (p= 0.028 for IgM and p= 0.002 for IgG). Conclusion: The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in HCWs was higher than general population indicating a higher viral transmission via close exposure with COVID-19 patients.
Nadiah Abu; Nurul Ainaa Adilah Rus Bakarurraini; Siti Nurmi Nasir; Muhiddin Ishak; Rashidah Baharuddin; Rahman Jamal; Nurul Syakima Ab Mutalib
Abstract
Background: Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of immune-stimulating antigens often overexpressed in many types of cancers. The usage of the CTAs as immunotherapy targets have been widely investigated in different cancers including melanoma, hematological malignancies, and colorectal cancer. Studies ...
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Background: Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of immune-stimulating antigens often overexpressed in many types of cancers. The usage of the CTAs as immunotherapy targets have been widely investigated in different cancers including melanoma, hematological malignancies, and colorectal cancer. Studies have indicated that the epigenetic regulation of the CTAs such as the methylation status may affect the expression of the CTAs. However, the report on the methylation status of the CTAs is conflicting. The general methylation profile of the CTAs, especially in colorectal cancer, is still elusive.Objective: To determine the methylation profile of the selected CTAs in our colorectal cancer patients.Methods: A total of 54 pairs of colorectal cancer samples were subjected to DNA methylation profiling using the Infinium Human Methylation 450K bead chip.Results: We found that most of the CTAs were hypomethylated, and CCNA1 and TMEM108 genes were among the few CTAs that were hypermethylated.Conclusion: Overall, our brief report has managed to show the overall methylation profile in over the 200 CTAs in colorectal cancer and this could be used for further refining any immunotherapy targets.
Aihong Zhang; Quanhui Zheng
Abstract
Background: Understanding the effects of epigenetic factors on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important for the early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of this disease. MicroRNA-150 (miR-150) exerts an important influence on the development and function of lymphocytes. However, ...
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Background: Understanding the effects of epigenetic factors on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important for the early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of this disease. MicroRNA-150 (miR-150) exerts an important influence on the development and function of lymphocytes. However, the role of miR-150 in the pathogenesis of RA remains unclear.Objective: To explore the role of miR-150 in the pathogenesis of RA and the related immune mechanism.Methods: In this study, we used miR-150 knock-out (miR-150KO) and created animal models of RA. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and real-time RT-PCR were employed to assess the frequency of T cell subsets and cytokines expression.Results: Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, the onset of RA was postponed and the incidence of RA was reduced in miR-150KO mice. The expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ significantly increased while the expression of IL-17 decreased significantly in NKT and CD4+ T cells of KO mice compared to that of WT mice after RA induction. In addition, the expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ increased while the expression of IL-17 decreased significantly in the joint tissues of KO mice compared to that of WT mice. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-17 decreased significantly in the synovial fluid cells of KO mice compared to that of the WT mice after RA induction.Conclusion: MiR-150 deficiency decreases the expression of IL-17 in T cells and joint tissues, and alleviates the occurrence and progression of RA in mice.
Zhi-Hui Wang; Yue Wu; Zi-Wei Dai; Yuan-Yuan Dong; Bin Wang
Abstract
This paper has aimed to review the available evidence on the association between Interleukin (IL) -10 -1082G/A, -592C/A gene polymorphisms and the risk of human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1) infection. The data of PubMed updated in May 2021 were retrieved. The HIV infection risks were estimated in ...
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This paper has aimed to review the available evidence on the association between Interleukin (IL) -10 -1082G/A, -592C/A gene polymorphisms and the risk of human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1) infection. The data of PubMed updated in May 2021 were retrieved. The HIV infection risks were estimated in allelic, recessive, dominant, homozygous, heterozygous, over-dominant models of IL-10-1082G/A and-592C/A gene locus as odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The correlation was not significant between -1082G/A polymorphism and HIV-1 susceptibility (allelic model (G vs. A: OR (95% CI)=0.968 (0.878-1.067)); recessive model (GG vs. AA+AG: OR (95% CI)=0.940, (0.771-1.146)); dominant model (GG+AG vs. AA: OR (95% CI)=0.967(0.846-1.106)); homozygous model (GG vs. AA: OR (95% CI)=0.971(0.780-1.209)); heterozygous model (AG vs. AA: OR (95% CI)=0.988(0.797-1.224)) and over-dominant model (GG+AA vs. AG: OR (95% CI)=0.969(0.781-1.201)). IL-10-592C/A polymorphism might be related to HIV-1 in allelic model, dominant model, homozygous model and heterozygous model (OR (95% CI)(0.796-0.965); OR (95% CI)=0.793(0.664-0.948); OR (95% CI)=0.755,(0.612-0.930); OR (95% CI)=0.820(0.679-0.991), respectively), but not to recessive model and over-dominant model (OR (95% CI)=0.882(0.770-1.010) and OR (95% CI)=1.009(0.897-1.148)).
Xiaoqiang Wang; Yang Shen; Xia Ke; Suling Hong
Abstract
Background: T-helper 17 (Th17) cell response is engaged in the onset of allergic rhinitis (AR). Moreover, interleukin (IL)-38 is thought to be involved in inhibiting cytokine secretion in the Th17 pathway.Objective: To evaluate the regulatory function of IL-38 on abnormal Th17 responses in Chinese patients ...
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Background: T-helper 17 (Th17) cell response is engaged in the onset of allergic rhinitis (AR). Moreover, interleukin (IL)-38 is thought to be involved in inhibiting cytokine secretion in the Th17 pathway.Objective: To evaluate the regulatory function of IL-38 on abnormal Th17 responses in Chinese patients with AR.Methods: Forty-five participants, divided into an AR group (n=25) and a control group (n=20), were recruited for the study. In addition, the expression of IL-38 and Th17-related cytokines was measured as well as the Th17 cell count in participants. By implementing recombinant IL-38 (rIL-38), the intervention of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed. Then, flow cytometry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect theTh17 milieu.Results: The expression of IL-38 in the AR group notably reduced compared with that in the control, whereas Th17 cell frequency and the expression levels of its transcription factor (RORC) and cytokines (IL-17A and IL-23) increased. The differentiation and immune function of Th17 cells in PBMCs were inhibited by rIL-38.Conclusion: Th17 responses are inhibited by IL-38 in patients with AR. Therefore, the obtained findings indicate that IL-38 is a potential therapeutic target for Chinese patients with AR.
Mehrdad Alikhani; Amir Javadi; Mahdi Aalikhani
Mehrdad Radvar; Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari; Mahboobeh N. Bajestan; Mohammad-Reza Naseh; Hamid-Reza Arab
Abstract
Background: Several cytokines, including IL-6 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. It is established that monocytes from periodontitis subjects show an increased production of IL-6 as compared to healthy subjects. However, little is known about the effect of periodontal ...
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Background: Several cytokines, including IL-6 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. It is established that monocytes from periodontitis subjects show an increased production of IL-6 as compared to healthy subjects. However, little is known about the effect of periodontal treatment on IL-6 production by monocytes in subsets of periodontitis patients. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of surgical periodontal treatment on IL-6 production of peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) in aggressive periodontitis patients (AP) and chronic periodontitis patients (CP) before and after stimulation by E.coli LPS. Methods: Fifteen AP patients, 15 CP patients and 15 periodontally healthy subjects (PH) took part in the study. PBM IL-6 pro-duction was measured, using ELISA, before and after stimulation of cultured PBM cells by 0.1 microg/ml LPS of E.coli. Following full-mouth non-surgical and surgical periodontal treatment of the AP and CP groups, the same measurements were repeated for these two groups. Results: LPS-stimulated IL-6 production was significantly greater than non-stimulated IL-6 for all 3 groups. Before periodontal treatment, LPS-stimulated IL-6 pro-duction of the AP group was significantly greater than the other 2 groups. Periodontal treatment did not result in a significant decrease in unstimulated or LPS-stimulated IL-6 production by PBM cells in AP and CP patients. No correlation was detected between IL-6 levels and baseline clinical parameters or changes in clinical parameters. Conclusion: PBM cells in AP patients might be hyper-responsive in terms of IL-6 production. This hyper-responsiveness does not seem to return to that of healthy subjects even after a successful periodontal treatment. Moreover, the regulation of host inflammatory mechanisms upon LPS challenge might be different between AP and CP patients.
Nitin Deshpande
Abstract
Dear Editor
I am writing in response to the recently published study titled "Antibody Production after COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity" (1). The article offers essential insights into the immune response engendered by COVID-19 vaccines in a vulnerable cohort. To build ...
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Dear Editor
I am writing in response to the recently published study titled "Antibody Production after COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity" (1). The article offers essential insights into the immune response engendered by COVID-19 vaccines in a vulnerable cohort. To build upon this seminal work and deepen our understanding, I offer the following brief suggestions for future research endeavours:
Conduct longitudinal studies to track the long-term vaccine efficacy and the potential need for booster vaccinations in patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) (2). Utilize larger and more diverse patient populations for robustness in data and to better generalize findings across the spectrum of IEI conditions (3). Compare immune responses to different COVID-19 vaccine types within the IEI population to inform vaccine strategy optimizations (4).
Thank you for your consideration of these suggestions, and I commend your journal for addressing this critical aspect of the pandemic's response.
References:
Nourizadeh M, Feizabadi E, Mirmoghtadaei M, Mohammadi A, Fazlollahi MR, Moradi L, et al. Antibody Production after COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity. Iranian Journal of Immunology [Internet]. 2023 Dec 1;20(4):400–9
Tallantyre EC, Vickaryous N, Anderson V, Asardag AN, Baker D, Bestwick J, et al. COVID ‐19 Vaccine Response in People with Multiple Sclerosis. Annals of Neurology. 2021 Nov 17;91(1):89–100.
Mohamed Khosroshahi L, Rokni M, Mokhtari T, Noorbakhsh F. Immunology, immunopathogenesis and immunotherapeutics of COVID-19; an overview. International Immunopharmacology [Internet]. 2021 Apr 1;93:107364.
Liao SY, Gerber AN, Pearlanne Zelarney, Make B, Wechsler ME. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Antibody Response in Patients with Asthma Receiving Biologic Therapy: A Real-World Analysis. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2022 Sep 1;206(5):644–8
Author’s response
Dear Editor
As the corresponding author of the above-mentioned manuscript, I would like to thank the author(s) of this letter for their interest in our paper and valuable comments. It is a great suggestion to track the long-term vaccine efficacy and conduct longitudinal evaluations, especially with a larger number of samples. Additionally, comparing different types of COVID-19 vaccines would be very thoughtful. However, the pandemic has ended, and alternative sampling at different time points, preferably close to the time of vaccination, is not practicable currently. Therefore, we may have missed the golden time to evaluate humoral immunity, but it could still be assessed with more precise molecular techniques not currently available in our center, such as Omics profiling of patients and RNA sequencing.
Wei Li; Lin Li; Lin He; Yun Du; Hai-Dong Fu; Zhao-Yang Peng; Wen-Qing Xiang; Jian-Hua Mao
Abstract
Background: Cytokines play a role in the progression of idiopathic-nephrotic syndrome (INS). Objectives: To investigate the association of different cytokine genes polymorphisms with INS incidence and response to steroid therapy in Chinese children. Methods: 182 children with INS and 100 healthy ...
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Background: Cytokines play a role in the progression of idiopathic-nephrotic syndrome (INS). Objectives: To investigate the association of different cytokine genes polymorphisms with INS incidence and response to steroid therapy in Chinese children. Methods: 182 children with INS and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Blood genomic DNAs were used to analyze20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 cytokine genes includingIL-21, IL-18, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17F, IL-17A d by multi-PCR with next-generation sequencing. Results: Among 182 children with INS, 89 (48.6%) were steroid-sensitive (SS), 73 (39.9%) were steroid-dependent (SD) and 21 (11.5%) were steroid-resistant (SR). In 20 SNPs, IL-4-rs2243283 exhibited a significantly different genotype distribution between INS and the healthy controls (CC is a risk genotype: 66.5% of INS VS 51% of the control; OR=1.91, p=0.012). Patients carrying AG genotype (rs2275913, IL-17A) had a significantly higher risk of steroid-dependent response (69.1% of SD VS 46.4% of SS; OR=2.58, p=0.014). Similarly, patients carrying A allele of IL-10-rs1800872 (39.0% of SD VS 26.7% of SS; OR=1.76, p=0.018) and C allele of IL-10-rs1800896 (12.3% of SD VS 3.9% of SS; OR=3.44, p=0.004) had a higher risk of steroid-dependent response. However, none of these 20 SNPs showed a significant difference between SS group and SR group. Conclusion: Among the 20 cytokine gene SNPs, IL-4-rs2243283 might increase the susceptibility to INS in Chinese children; rs2275913 of IL-17A, rs1180972, and rs1800896 of IL-10 show association with the steroid -response in Chinese INS children.
Shirin Torkestani; Alireza Zamani; Mehrdokht Mazdeh; Elahe Talebi-Ghane; Ghodratoallah Roshanaie; Mohammad Mahdi Eftekharian
Abstract
Background: Abnormal humoral and cellular immune responses have been reported in immune-mediated polyneuropathies. CD137, as a costimulatory molecule and a TNF receptor superfamily member, has been demonstrated to have a key role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune as well as inflammatory disorders.Objective: ...
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Background: Abnormal humoral and cellular immune responses have been reported in immune-mediated polyneuropathies. CD137, as a costimulatory molecule and a TNF receptor superfamily member, has been demonstrated to have a key role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune as well as inflammatory disorders.Objective: To evaluate the transcripts levels of CD137, its ligand (CD137L), and the serum levels of soluble CD137 (sCD137) in patients with immune-mediated polyneuropathy.Methods: A total of 45 patients and 46 sex and age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. CD137 and CD137L transcript levels were assessed by the Real-Time PCR, and the serum level of sCD137 was measured using the ELISA technique. The Bayesian regression model was used for statistical analysis at the 0.05 significance level in R 4.1.0 statistical environment. Results: Transcript levels of the CD137 and CD137L were higher in polyneuropathy patients in comparison with the healthy subjects (P=0.006 for both). Conversely, the mean level of sCD137 was significantly lower in the sera of patients compared to the controls (P<0.001).Conclusion: Our findings point to the possible role of CD137 and CD137L in immune-mediated polyneuropathy pathogenesis. More investigations are required to clarify the exact contributions of the mentioned molecules to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated polyneuropathies.
Elmuataz Elmansi Abdalla
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal hormones have traditionally been viewed as mere regulators of gut movement and secretions, but, it is becoming increasingly apparent that other body systems may be affected by these hormones. Secretion of gut hormones is influenced by the type of food we take. Therefore, ...
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Background: Gastrointestinal hormones have traditionally been viewed as mere regulators of gut movement and secretions, but, it is becoming increasingly apparent that other body systems may be affected by these hormones. Secretion of gut hormones is influenced by the type of food we take. Therefore, the more we know about the effects of gut hormones on the various body tissues, the more we know about the different mechanisms by which our diets affect our health. Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to explore the effects of physiologically-relevant concentrations of four gut hormones on the production of IL-2 and IFN- gamma by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and how culture conditions may modify those effects. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation from the blood of 15 adults. Cells were cultured with/without PHA and treated with four concentrations of gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP. IL-2 and IFN- gamma in culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. Results: Gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP increased IL-2 and IFN- gamma levels under some culture conditions and depressed IL-2 under other conditions. An increase was often observed under culture conditions in which the cytokine production was not initially high. Repeated administration of the hormone was also more likely to result in a stimulatory effect. Conclusions: Physiologically-relevant concentrations of gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP are potential immunomodulators as they have shown their ability to alter the production of IL-2 and/or IFN- gamma under various culture conditions.
Yu Zhang; Li Zhang; Zhen zhen Wu; Jianping Tang; Xuan Wang
Abstract
A male patient had suffered miscellaneous ocular symptoms for 20 years with auricular dysmorphosis and was diagnosed with Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) in the ear, nose, joints, and costal cartilage. The patient lost his vision owing to recurrent ocular symptoms for decades. He presented an increased ...
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A male patient had suffered miscellaneous ocular symptoms for 20 years with auricular dysmorphosis and was diagnosed with Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) in the ear, nose, joints, and costal cartilage. The patient lost his vision owing to recurrent ocular symptoms for decades. He presented an increased IgA and was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and treated by prednisone and cyclophosphamide. His ocular symptoms relieved and serum IgA decreased after six months. In conclusion, RP is a systemic disease with a wide range of clinical symptoms and may lead to serious complications.
Moosa Rezwani; Abdulbaset Mazarzaei; Zahra Abbasi-Malati; Ali Akbar Pourfathollah
Abstract
Background: An issue that hinders researchers’ access to Natural Killer (NK) cells is their low proportion in peripheral blood leukocytes. This issue is currently addressed by methods involving a series of differentiation and expansions that are time-consuming and expensive.Objective: We have investigated ...
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Background: An issue that hinders researchers’ access to Natural Killer (NK) cells is their low proportion in peripheral blood leukocytes. This issue is currently addressed by methods involving a series of differentiation and expansions that are time-consuming and expensive.Objective: We have investigated whether the used leukocyte reduction filters, a by-product in the blood transfusion practice that currently is considered waste, can be utilized as a source of the NK cells.Methods: Following the blood donation of 46 donors based on the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization’s protocols, a sample of peripheral blood of each donor and the leukocyte reduction filter used in their donation procedure have been obtained. The entrapped cells were flushed back from the leukocyte reduction filters. Both groups of samples were analyzed using an automatic hematological analyzer. NK cell isolation was done by the MACS negative selection method. The samples have been comparatively analyzed utilizing flow cytometry data of NK cells’ subpopulation compositions, viability, degranulation patterns, and cytotoxic capacity against the K562 cell line.Results: Every major leukocyte population was abundant in the samples extracted from the used leukocyte reduction filters. The NK cells extracted from leukocyte reduction filters did not show any statistically meaningful differences (P<0.5) from peripheral blood samples in terms of subpopulation composition, viability, degranulation potency, and cytotoxic capacity.Conclusion: Used leukocyte reduction filters can be considered an economic, easy to obtain, and robust source of abundant research-grade NK cells.
Haibai Sun; Hongjie Li; Shuping Huang; Lixia Shi; Zhiyan Xing; Jun Shen
Abstract
COVID-19 is a new acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a novel Coronavirus (2019-COV-2) infection. On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization announced a new 2019-COV-2 variant strain Omicron (B.1.1.529). Omicron's emergence added further uncertainty to the outbreak. Here we report ...
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COVID-19 is a new acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a novel Coronavirus (2019-COV-2) infection. On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization announced a new 2019-COV-2 variant strain Omicron (B.1.1.529). Omicron's emergence added further uncertainty to the outbreak. Here we report the first case infected with Omicron in China, a 17-year-old female student. In this paper, the clinical symptoms, laboratory and imaging examinations and treatment of the first Omicron-infected patient in China were analyzed. This report might provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of patients infected with Omicron strain across the world. The novel Coronavirus antibody tests were performed on the day of admission: IgM level was normal, novel Coronavirus antibody IgG was 132.666s /CO and IgG was 148.47s /CO on the 7th day of admission. IgG showed an increasing trend, which is consistent with the results of multiple novel Coronavirus non-Omicron strain infections.
Zahra Amirghofran; Abbas Azadmehr; Masoud Bahmani; Katayoun Javidnia
Abstract
Background: Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts possess various biological characteristics including immunomodulatory activity. Objective: Euphorbia cheiradenia Boiss et Hohen (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal herb native to Iran was investigated for its immunomodulatory effects. Methods: The ...
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Background: Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts possess various biological characteristics including immunomodulatory activity. Objective: Euphorbia cheiradenia Boiss et Hohen (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal herb native to Iran was investigated for its immunomodulatory effects. Methods: The methanolic extract of the plant was prepared and added to mitogen-induced human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures at different concentrations. Effect of E. cheiradenia on in vivo cell-mediated immunity was measured by delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. The effect of the extract on humoral antibody synthesis was also measured in immunized mice treated with different extract concentrations. Results: The stimulation index (SI) for cultures treated with 0.01 to 200 microg/ml of the extract ranged from 1.3+/-0.04 to 2.4+/-0.06, (p<0.01) showing a significant stimulatory effect of E. cheiradenia on the lymphocytes. IL-2 secreted from lymphocytes treated with the extract was significantly higher than that from the non-treated cells (p<0.001). Cell cycle analysis on mitogen-treated lymphocytes exposed to different concentrations of the extract showed an increase in the percentage of cells at G2M phase with increases in the concentration of the extract, but the results was not significant. In DTH skin test, the mean footpad thickness of all mice groups treated with 1, 50 and 100 mg/kg of the extract at 24 hours after immunization with antigen was 3.5+/-0.6 mm compared to 2.5+/-0.5 mm for the non-treated group (p=0.005). Moreover, an increase in production of specific antibody in mice immunized with different extract concentrations was also demonstrated. Conclusion: Results of this study showed the ability of the E. cheiradenia extract to induce proliferation of lymphocytes and enhance both cellular and humoral specific immune responses.
Mohammadreza Ataollahi; Mansour Salehi; Iman Doostan; Zahra Kabiri; Mohammadreza Mohajeri; Farzaneh Mahmoodi; Raheleh Shokouhi; Shadi Javan; Mohammad Hassan Meshkibaf; Behnoosh Miladpoor
Abstract
Background: Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation play an important role in pathogenesis and tumor progression in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1 (BAG-1) is an antiapoptotic protein as well as a regulator of cell growth. There is no conclusive evidence ...
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Background: Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation play an important role in pathogenesis and tumor progression in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1 (BAG-1) is an antiapoptotic protein as well as a regulator of cell growth. There is no conclusive evidence about BAG-1 protein expression in this disease. Objective: To investigate the expression level of BAG-1 protein in DLBCL. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed from 1997-2004, as having DLBCL, were selected. Also 30 normal lymph nodes were included as normal counterparts in this study. BAG-1 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining in both DLBCL and normal lymph node samples. Results: Of the 30 DLBCLs examined, 100% were positive for nuclear and 83% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Of the 30 normal lymph nodes investigated, 20% were positive for nuclear and 0% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Nuclear staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes (100% versus 20%, p <0.001). Besides, cytoplasmic staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes (83% versus 0%, p <0.001). There was no association between BAG-1 staining and patients' overall survival. Conclusion: Our data indicated that BAG-1 protein was deregulated in this disease similar to some other malignancies such as breast and colon cancer. Overexpression of BAG-1 in DLBCL suggests that this protein probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. Besides, higher nuclear BAG-1 staining might be correlated with poor prognosis.
Yan-Lian Liang; Yu Shi; Yu-Qing Su; Fan Wu; Yanwen Liang; Xiuchu Fan; Jiansuo Lin; Yi Liu; Long Peng; Jianwei Ren; Shuang Liang
Abstract
Several cases of the hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-M antibodies have been reported, in which almost all the HDFN-associated anti-M were warmly reacting. Here we report two cases of severe HDFN associated with cold-reacting IgG anti-M. In both ...
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Several cases of the hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-M antibodies have been reported, in which almost all the HDFN-associated anti-M were warmly reacting. Here we report two cases of severe HDFN associated with cold-reacting IgG anti-M. In both cases, pregnancy was terminated, in weeks 33 and 23 respectively, due to a diagnosis of fetal growth retardation (FGR). To our knowledge, these are the most severe HDFN cases caused by cold-reacting IgG anti-M.
Abstract
Background: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a Th2-type cytokine that inhibits macrophage activation. It is known that production of IL-10 is affected by its gene promoter polymorphisms. Objective: To investigate the relationship between IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms and susceptibility to brucellosis. ...
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Background: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a Th2-type cytokine that inhibits macrophage activation. It is known that production of IL-10 is affected by its gene promoter polymorphisms. Objective: To investigate the relationship between IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms and susceptibility to brucellosis. Methods: One hundred and ninety patients with brucellosis and 81 healthy animal husbandmen who owned infected animals and consumed their contaminated dairy products were included in this study. All individuals were genotyped for three bi-allelic IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms at positions -1082(G/A), -819(T/C), and -592(A/C) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The distribution of C alleles at positions -592 and -819 of IL-10 were significantly higher in patients than in the healthy animal husbandmen (p=0.034 and p=0.0086, respectively). IL-10 ATA single and double haplotypes were significantly higher in controls, compared to the patients (p= 0.0278 and p=0.013, respectively). Conclusion: According to the results higher frequency of C alleles at positions -592 and -819 of IL-10 in patients may be considered as genetic factors for susceptibility to brucellosis.
Na Lin; Liping Xu; Qiaoding Dai
Abstract
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis characterized by an excessive systemic inflammatory response, is a life-threatening and rare disease. Cardiovascular damage is a common and severe complication of the disease, however, it is easily ignored and not well ...
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Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis characterized by an excessive systemic inflammatory response, is a life-threatening and rare disease. Cardiovascular damage is a common and severe complication of the disease, however, it is easily ignored and not well studied. Herein, we report two cases of patients with MAS-associated heart damage and review the clinical characteristics, mechanism, and treatment. Case 1 along with systemic lupus erythematosus and Kikuchi necrotizing lymphadenitis occurred in fatal acute heart failure, and case 2 complicated adult-onset Still’s Disease began with atrial fibrillation and had some improvement with the treatment of high dose corticosteroids. MAS-associated heart damage is a critical issue in clinical settings, and the etiology and mechanisms of MAS-associated cardiovascular diseases are likely multifactorial. The manifestations were various and high levels of the cytokines and cardiac damage may contribute to poor prognosis. Therefore, early intensive immunosuppressive therapy probably improves the treatment outcome.
Chao Li; Dexue Ma; Mingming Zhang; Liyan An; Chenchen Wu; Hongchao Zhou
Abstract
Background: Endotoxin, widely present in the living environment of humans and animals, leads to endotoxemia during a short period. However, the long-term effects of endotoxin on immune function are unclear. Objective: To determine the importance of long-term endotoxin treatment on function of immune ...
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Background: Endotoxin, widely present in the living environment of humans and animals, leads to endotoxemia during a short period. However, the long-term effects of endotoxin on immune function are unclear. Objective: To determine the importance of long-term endotoxin treatment on function of immune system. Methods: The mice were treated with different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for a month; the collected samples were then analyzed in terms of value changes in hematological parameters, lymphocyte subtypes, and immunoglobulins level. Results: The number of monocytes (MONO) and neutrophils (NEU) in the three treatment groups was significantly lower than the control after 30 days. However, the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes showed a rising trend in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and Peyer's patches (PPs) while the CD4+ T cell was reduced. At the same time, a decrease was observed in the percentage of CD19+CD38+ B lymphocytes. Interestingly, the change of lymphocytes in PPs was more significant than that in MLNs, suggesting that immune response in the PPs occurred before the MLNs. Consistent with the changes in B cells, the content of IgA and IgG showed a downward trend. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to low-dose endotoxin had little or no effect on the immune function of the body, suggesting that the endotoxin can be rapidly eliminated by the immune system. Nonetheless, the number of immune cells was reduced in the high-dose group. T- and B-lymphocytes were significantly reduced, resulting in a decrease in immunoglobulin level, and showing a significant immune suppression state.
Jingjing Guan; Zhongyong Wang; Xiaoyuan Liu; Yujie Jiang; Qiuqi Gao; Qing Wu; Hong Lu; Lianfeng Wu; Zhuo Zhang; Xiangyang Lin; Jingjing Qian
Abstract
Background: Given the high mortality of bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI), blood culture results do not meet clinical needs timely due to being time-consuming and having low positive rate. Whether we can identify the severity and type of bacterial infections by cytokines is a controversial issue. ...
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Background: Given the high mortality of bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI), blood culture results do not meet clinical needs timely due to being time-consuming and having low positive rate. Whether we can identify the severity and type of bacterial infections by cytokines is a controversial issue. Objective: To investigate the dynamic change of cytokines in BSI. Methods: 55 patients with Gram-positive (GP) BSI, 64 patients with Gram-negative (GN) BSI and 52 healthy controls were enrolled. We quantitatively detected the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by flow cytometry in the sera. The levels of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, leukocytes and neutrophils were also detected simultaneously. Results: There were significantly up-regulated IL-6 and IL-10 expression in BSI patients, particularly in the GN-BSI, for instance Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections; following the treatment, IL-6 and IL-10 decreased by 10-23 and 4-27 times, respectively. Additionally, IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ expression increased slightly in BSI patients and IFN-γ expression declined as GN-BSI progressed. Conclusion: IL-6 and IL-10 are closely associated with the severity and treatment efficacy of BSI, and can help to distinguish between GP-BSI and GN-BSI at an early stage.
Yousef Khanjari; Morteza Oladnabi; Nafiseh Abdollahi; Ahmad Heidari; Saeed Mohammadi; Alijan Tabarraei
Abstract
Background: Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a negative costimulatory molecule with immunomodulatory properties. Recently, PD-1 gene defects have attracted attention in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objective: Here, we assessed the association of PD-1 gene polymorphisms in intron 4 and haplotypes ...
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Background: Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a negative costimulatory molecule with immunomodulatory properties. Recently, PD-1 gene defects have attracted attention in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objective: Here, we assessed the association of PD-1 gene polymorphisms in intron 4 and haplotypes with the susceptibility to SLE. Method: Seventy-six SLE patients and 159 healthy controls were included. We screened the polymorphisms by amplifying the intron 4 of the PD-1 gene with the specific primers followed by sequencing. Results: Two distinct SNPs were identified (rs6705653 and rs41386439) within the intron 4 of the PD-1 gene. The AA genotype of +7499 (G/A) SNP was associated with the higher risk of SLE [OR=3.31, 95% CI (1.25-8.76), p-value=0.045], while A allele was identified as a risk allele [OR=1.75, 95% CI (1.10-2.76), p-value=0.015]. However, no significant association was observed between the allele and the genotype frequencies of +7209 (C/T) polymorphic region of the PD-1 gene and susceptibility to SLE. Haplotype analysis showed the significantly higher presence of H2 haplotype (AC; +7499/+7209) [OR=1.70, 95% CI (1.24-2.33), p-value=0.0012] in SLE patients. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the significant association of PD-1 +7499 (G/A) SNP with the SLE susceptibility and the first detection of both polymorphic loci in a population from Iran. However, more investigations are necessary to confirm these findings.
Mehran Ahmadi; Abdolkarim Mahrooz; Saeid Abediankenari; Nasim Hayati Roodbari
Abstract
Background: Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) gene may be key determinants of humoral autoreactivity to ZnT8. Objective: The present study is expected to provide new information on the association of rs11558471 in ZnT8 gene with IL-17 levels and insulin resistance ...
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Background: Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) gene may be key determinants of humoral autoreactivity to ZnT8. Objective: The present study is expected to provide new information on the association of rs11558471 in ZnT8 gene with IL-17 levels and insulin resistance in an Iranian population [a high-risk population for type 2 diabetes (T2D)]. Methods: A total of 133 patients with T2D and 128 control subjects were included. Insulin and IL-17 concentrations were determined using ELISA. Insulin and fasting glucose levels were used to determine homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The genetic analyses were performed by the restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) after PCR amplification. Results: The risk allele frequency of rs11558471 in this Iranian population was among the highest in different populations. In T2D patients, compared with the GG genotypes, IL-17 concentrations were significantly higher in the GA+AA group (p= 0.042). According to the genotypes of this SNP, IL-17 concentrations, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR increased with the following order:GG
