Sousan Farazmand; Dawar Amani; Zohair-Mohammad Hassan
Volume 2, Issue 3 , September 2005, , Pages 152-157
Abstract
Background: Alteration in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) is usually investigated to provide an evidence of the host immune responses to tumor antigens. The tumor infiltrating NK cells interact most closely with the tumor cells and more accurately reflect tumor host interactions. Objective: To analyze ...
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Background: Alteration in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) is usually investigated to provide an evidence of the host immune responses to tumor antigens. The tumor infiltrating NK cells interact most closely with the tumor cells and more accurately reflect tumor host interactions. Objective: To analyze peripheral blood and tumor associated Natural Killer (NK) cells in patients with breast cancer by immunophenotyping. Methods: Twenty women suffering from breast cancer were examined; 12 of them were confirmed histologically to be invasive ductal carcinoma. PBL and tissue samples from patients and matched control group were processed for analysis by flow cytometry. Results: Results of PBL analysis indicated a significant (P<0.05) increase in both the total number and activated NK cells in invasive ducal carcinoma patients compared to normal controls. No significant differences were noticed in the percent of NK cells and their activation marker expression in intra tumor lesion of the invasive ductal carcinoma and other tumors compared to benign lesions, however a decrease in the total NK number and activated NK cells was observed with progression of the tumor. Conclusion: Data of this investigation conclude that the total and activated NK cell number increase in peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer. The relationship between peripheral blood and intratumor NK cells needs more clarification, however, a decrease in intratumor NK cell number and their activation status occurs with tumor progression.
Sadaf Asaei; Manoochehr Rasouli; Ali Moravej
Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2013, , Pages 158-166
Abstract
Background: Increased levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in acute human brucellosis have been reported. Previous studies have shown that the production and level of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines are associated with the polymorphism of the encoding genes. Objective: To investigate the probable ...
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Background: Increased levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in acute human brucellosis have been reported. Previous studies have shown that the production and level of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines are associated with the polymorphism of the encoding genes. Objective: To investigate the probable association between IL-6 (-174 C/G) and IL-8 (-251 A/T) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility/resistance to brucellosis. Methods: The patient group included 196 patients suffering from Brucella infection and the control group consisted of 82 healthy animal husbandmen from the same geographical area. IL-8 (-251 A/C) and IL-6 (-174 C/G) gene polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and Allele Specific PCR (AS-PCR) respectively. Results: The frequency of -251 IL-8 AA genotype was significantly lower in the controls compared with that of the patients (p=0.0051), while the frequencies of other genotypes (AT and TT) and alleles (A and T) were not significantly different among the participants. No association was found between IL-6 (-174 C/G) polymorphism and brucellosis. Conclusion: This study indicates that the IL-8 -251 AA genotype may be considered as a genetic susceptibility factor for brucellosis.
Zahra Habibagahi; Mohammad Ali Nazarinia; Elham Aflaki; Akbar Rajaee
Volume 4, Issue 3 , December 2007, , Pages 161-166
Abstract
Background: The clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and some other viral infections is controversial. Objective: To study the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibody (ACLA) and antibeta2glycoproteinI antibody (antibeta2GPI antibody) in ...
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Background: The clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and some other viral infections is controversial. Objective: To study the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibody (ACLA) and antibeta2glycoproteinI antibody (antibeta2GPI antibody) in HCV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients and its association with liver clinical parameters. Methods: Serum levels of ACLA, antibeta2GPI antibody as well as platelet count, ALT (alanine transaminase), PT (prothrombine time), disease duration and liver histologic findings of 38 patients with HBV and 15 patients with HCV infections were compared with those of 58 healthy controls. Results: Serum titres of ACLA in HCV and HBV patients (13.4 ±7.1 GPL units/ml), and in each of the HCV (15.18±9.91 GPL units/ml) and HBV (12.7 ± 5.7 GPL units/ml) patients were significantly higher than that of the control group (3.4±2.3GPL units/ml). However, there was no significant difference in serum levels of antibeta2GPI antibody from patients with HCV and HBV (3.3 ± 1.3 GPL units/ml) or HCV alone (2.79 ± 1.01 GPL units/ml) or HBV alone (3.4±1.3GPL units/ml) and that of the control group (3.3±1.1GPL units/ml). Conclusion: The findings suggest that the presence of ACLA has no pathologic significance in patients with HBV and HCV infections.
Defu Li; Hongbing Li; Wei Li; Tingting Zhu
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary fibrosis is common in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, research is lacking on the diagnostic immunological examination of pSS-related pulmonary fibrosis. Particularly, the value of detecting anti-Ro52 antibody in pulmonary fibrosis ...
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Background: Pulmonary fibrosis is common in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, research is lacking on the diagnostic immunological examination of pSS-related pulmonary fibrosis. Particularly, the value of detecting anti-Ro52 antibody in pulmonary fibrosis is unclear. Objective: To evaluate the potential diagnostic value of anti-SSA, anti-SSB, and anti-Ro52 autoantibodies as markers of pSS-related pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: One-hundred seventy-nine patients with pSS were analyzed retrospectively at our hospital. They were divided into the fibrosis and non-fibrosis groups. Pulmonary fibrosis was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the patients' computed tomography (CT) findings. Laboratory examinations, including anti-SSA, anti-SSB, and anti-Ro52 antibody evaluations, were performed. The influencing factors of pulmonary fibrosis were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Chest CT revealed pulmonary fibrosis in 45 patients with pSS (25.1%). The positive rates of anti-SSA and anti-Ro52 antibodies in the fibrosis group were lower than in the non-fibrosis group (P=0.04, P=0.001). The frequency of anti-Ro52 antibody showed no significant differences between mild-to-moderate (53.8%) and severe (47.3%) pulmonary fibrosis. The anti-Ro52 antibody was identified as a potentially protective factor against pSS (P=0.041). Conclusions: Patients with pSS and pulmonary fibrosis had a low frequency of anti-SSA and anti-Ro52 antibodies. In patients with pSS and negative anti-Ro52 antibody, a chest CT is recommended to further understand the patients' condition.
Sayeed Bayanolhagh; Mahtab Alinezhad; Kooroosh Kamali; Maryam Foroughi; Hamid Reza Khorram Khorshid; Minoo Mohraz; Fereidoun Mahboudi; Ali Akbar Pourfathollah
Volume 7, Issue 3 , September 2010, , Pages 162-176
Abstract
Background: Numerous evidences indicate that in some HIV-1 positive patients, the humoral and cellular immune responses are induced against HIV-1 proteins and this is inversely related to the progress of infection. Objective: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the Adenovectors containing HIV ...
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Background: Numerous evidences indicate that in some HIV-1 positive patients, the humoral and cellular immune responses are induced against HIV-1 proteins and this is inversely related to the progress of infection. Objective: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the Adenovectors containing HIV genes in induction of immune responses in mice. Methods: The HIV-1 genes including gag p24, rev, nef and exon-1 of tat were amplified from HIV-1 RNA (clade-A). The cDNA of each gene was cloned into a transfer vector. The transfer vector was then co-transformed into E. coli strain BJ5183 together with pAdenovector ΔE1/E3. The recombinant adenoviral construct was transfected into QBI-293A cells. Recombinant viruses were purified and titrated on 293 cell plates. Expression of transgenes was evaluated using western blotting. Then 1012 viral particles were injected into 15 groups of 5 mice and all patterns of combination of these 4 HIV-1 genes were evaluated. After 2 weeks, humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated using ELISA, cell proliferation and ELISpot (IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ) assays, consecutively. Results: It was demonstrated that each gene was expressed. The response targets were mostly toward Th1, though several Th2 responses were also observed. Single injection in our study induced a good cellular response but the humoral responses were not as strong as the cellular ones. Conclusion: Considering and comparing all results and evaluating the various possible interactions revealed that simultaneous injection of tat and gag has enhanced the humoral and cellular responses.
Arash Mahboubi; Mohammad Reza Fazeli; Rasoul Dinavand; Nasrin Samadi; Mohammad Sharifzadeh; Houshmand Ilka; Saeed Azadi; Hassan Kalkouei; Rasoul Hajikhanmirzaei; Mahboubeh Valadkhani
Volume 5, Issue 3 , September 2008, , Pages 163-170
Abstract
Background: Several adjuvants have been evaluated for vaccine formulations but alu-minum salts will continue to be used for many years due to their safety, low cost and adjuvanticity with different antigens. Two commonly used aluminum adjuvants, alumi-num hydroxide and aluminum phosphate have different ...
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Background: Several adjuvants have been evaluated for vaccine formulations but alu-minum salts will continue to be used for many years due to their safety, low cost and adjuvanticity with different antigens. Two commonly used aluminum adjuvants, alumi-num hydroxide and aluminum phosphate have different adjuvanticity properties. Com-mercial recombinant protein hepatitis B vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide is fac-ing low induction of immunity in some sections of the vaccinated population. Objec-tive: In this study, to follow the current global efforts in finding more potent hepatitis B vaccine formulations, adjuvanticity of aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide and their combinations has been evaluated. Methods: The formulated vaccines were admin-istered intra-peritoneally (i.p.) to BALB/c mice and the titer of antibody was determined after 28 days using ELISA technique. The geometric mean of antibody titer (GMT, mIU/ml), seroconversion and seroprotection rates, ED50 (ng) and relative potency (μg/dose) of different formulations were determined. Results: GMT of antibody titer, seroconversion and seroprotection rates showed significantly higher adjuvanticity for aluminum phosphate than other formulations. The ED50 of aluminum phosphate was approximately two fold less than other formulations. Conclusion: Aluminum phosphate showed more adjuvanticity than aluminum hydroxide and their combinations in hepati-tis B protein vaccine. The use of aluminum phosphate as adjuvant leads to higher im-munity which may result in more protective response in vaccinated groups.
Shahnaz Rafiei; Forouzan Karimi; Fatemeh Roohollah; Ali Rafinejad
Volume 1, Issue 3 , December 2004, , Pages 169-176
Abstract
Background: The effectiveness of T cell vaccination has been demonstrated in a variety of animal models of both induced and spontaneous autoimmune diseases. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the T cell vaccination protocol to treat and prevent collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in a rheumatoid ...
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Background: The effectiveness of T cell vaccination has been demonstrated in a variety of animal models of both induced and spontaneous autoimmune diseases. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the T cell vaccination protocol to treat and prevent collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in a rheumatoid arthritis model. Methods: CIA was induced by an intradermal injection of an artheritogen substance at the right paw of each female Albino rat under ether anesthesia. T cells were achieved from spleens of syngeneic rats that developed full clinical features of CIA. Rats suffering from CIA were divided in case groups (4 rats/group) based on the degrees of their disease and were injected intraperitoneally once with a suspension of T cells to investigate the effects of autoreactive T cells on CIA. To investigate the preventive effects of autoreactive T cells on CIA, 12 normal rats were injected intraperitoneally once either with a suspension of T cells or PBS, respectively. The results were evaluated by clinical observation, histopathological and radiographic findings. Results: Intraperitoneal inoculation of T cells to rats suffering from CIA, suppressed the development of CIA in case rats in stage 2 of the disease but not the other case rats. Rats who received T cells as prevention, showed the mild signs of disease. Injection of artheritogen substance to the case rats didn’t result in development of CIA but the control rats, showed signs of CIA. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study demonstrate that CIA presentations and signs can be subsided or suppressed by autoreactive T cells. The vaccination is most effective before onset of the disease and in early phases of CIA. Modifying and improving the protocol using more cases is recommended.
Fereshteh Fani; Eskandar kamali-Sarvestani; Razieh Yazdanparast; Ahmad Monabati; Shahnaz Rafiei
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, , Pages 169-175
Abstract
Background: Autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by T-cell mediated immune destruction of the insulin-producing β-cell in pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Specificity of the auto-antibodies and of the auto-reactive T-cells has been investigated, in which several auto-antigens were proposed. ...
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Background: Autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by T-cell mediated immune destruction of the insulin-producing β-cell in pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Specificity of the auto-antibodies and of the auto-reactive T-cells has been investigated, in which several auto-antigens were proposed. Objective: To determine whether glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) feeding would induce oral tolerance of either T-cell or B-cell compartment in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Methods: Rats in the experimental group were fed 2 mg/kg of GAD (extracted from Escherichia coli ) 14 days before intra-peritoneal injections of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days). Two control groups were considered: diabetic control group, which underwent STZ injections without receiving GAD, and normal control group. Systemic response was compared between the three groups. T-cells response was assessed by a proliferation assay of spleen cells and those of the B-cells by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-GAD specific antibodies in serum. Results: Compared with the diabetic control group, a significant reduction was observed only in the proliferative response of spleen cells, but not in the level of anti-GAD antibody. Conclusion: GAD feeding induces systemic T-cell tolerance in STZ-induced diabetes.
Maryam Robati; Ardeshir Ranjbari; Mehri Ghafourian Boroujerdnia; Zahra Chinipardaz
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 170-175
Abstract
Background: Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease characterized by destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Environmental and genetic factors as well as the immune system participate in this process. Recent studies have attempted to elucidate the role of cytokine networks involved ...
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Background: Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease characterized by destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Environmental and genetic factors as well as the immune system participate in this process. Recent studies have attempted to elucidate the role of cytokine networks involved in periodontal diseases. Objective: To assess and compare the levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-12 in serum samples of patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and control individuals. Methods: A total of 50 subjects were included in the study of which 25 patients had generalized aggressive periodontitis and 25 were healthy unrelated age and gender matched patients undergoing extraction and surgical crown lengthening (control group). Local blood samples of patients were collected from surgical sites of pocket reduction and from healthy individuals before tooth extraction or crown lengthening from non inflamed sites. The levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-12 were determined by an ELISA assay using serum samples separated from the whole blood of both groups. Results: The level of IL-4 increased significantly in control group in comparison with the test group (p=0.002). The amount of IL-6 in GAgP patients increased strongly compared with control group (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning the level of IL-12. Conclusion: There is an association between generalized aggressive periodontitis and low level of IL-4 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and high level of IL-6 as a proinflammatory cytokine. No correlation between IL-12 and generalized aggressive peridontitis was found.
Hamid-Reza Ahmadi-Ashtian; Abdolamir Allameh; Hossein Rastegar; Esmaeil Mortaza; Zahir Saraf
Volume 9, Issue 3 , September 2012, , Pages 175-187
Abstract
Background: The role of mesenchymal stem cell in cellular therapy is the subject of interest for many researchers. The differentiation potential of MSCs and abilities in modulations of the recipient’s immune system makes them important cells in tissue regenerative studies. MSCs by releasing the ...
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Background: The role of mesenchymal stem cell in cellular therapy is the subject of interest for many researchers. The differentiation potential of MSCs and abilities in modulations of the recipient’s immune system makes them important cells in tissue regenerative studies. MSCs by releasing the proinflammatory cytokines play important role in immunomodulatory systems; however the signaling pathways for releasing of these mediators are not well understood. Glutathione has been shown to play a role in modulation of cytokines in hepatogenic differentiation. Objective: In the current study we aimed to investigate the effects of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, inhibitor for glutathione synthesis) and N-acetylecystin (NAC, an inhibitor for ROS generation) on proinflammatory cytokines production in a hepatogenic differentiation model. Results: BSO and NAC significantly decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels at 14 days of differentiation, whereas, NAC decreased the levels of IL-8 at days 2 and 14 of differentiation. Moreover, intracellular glutathione level during the differentiation was depleted. Conclusion: Our current study suggests a novel role of GSH as an immunopharmacological regulatory molecule during hepatogenic differentiation. Finally, this information may shed some light on the understanding of MSCs responses in transplantation and cell therapy in diseases such as chronic hepatic diseases.
Ladan Sadeghi; Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani; Negar Azarpira; Mehrdad Shariati; Mohammad Hossein Karimi
Volume 11, Issue 3 , September 2014, , Pages 177-188
Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess a wide range of immunomodulatory functions mostly in immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are the key cells in the immune response and play an important role in initiating cell-mediated immunity. Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory ...
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Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess a wide range of immunomodulatory functions mostly in immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are the key cells in the immune response and play an important role in initiating cell-mediated immunity. Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs supernatant on maturation and function of DCs. Methods: Bone marrow derived mice MSCs were isolated and cultured. Twenty-four, forty-eight and seventy-two hours after passage 6, supernatants were collected and MSCs were assessed by cytometric analysis for the expression of CD34, CD44, CD45 and SCA-1. Splenic DCs were isolated using MACS and then co-cultured with MSCs supernatant. Expression of CD86, CD40 and MHC-II on DCs were also evaluated by cytometry. H 3-thymidine incorporation by proliferating T cells was determined in two separate MLR assay settings. In one setting, DCs were co-cultured with T cells in the presence of MSCs supernatant, and in the other setting DCs were treated with MSCs supernatant and then were co-cultured with T cells. Production of IL-12, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines was measured in the supernatant of DCs treated with MSCs supernatant. We also measured IFN- γ and IL-4 levels in MLR supernatant. Results: The results showed that 72h MSCs supernatant could decrease the expression of MHC-II and CD86. The T cell proliferation was inhibited in the presence of MSCs supernatant and MSCs supernatant treated DCs as demonstrated by MLR assay. A significant increase in IL-4 level and a non significant decrease in IFN- γ level in MLR supernatant were observed. However, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 production did not change significantly. Conclusion: MSCs supernatant has a time dependent effect on the maturation of DCs. Also, it could alter cytokine production from responding T cells toward Th2. Generally, the findings of this study supported the immunomodulatory effect of MSCs supernatant on DCs maturation and function.
Masoud Hassanzadeh Makoui; Maryam Mobini; Jalal Khoshnoodi; Tannaz Bahadori; Forough Golsaz-Shirazi; Hedieh Moradi Tabriz; Zahra Madjd; Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani; Amir-Hassan Zarnani; Mohammad Mehdi Amiri; Fazel Shokri
Abstract
Background: Ki67 and P53 are important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers expressed in several cancers. The current standard method for evaluating Ki67 and P53 in cancer tissues is immunohistochemistry (IHC), and having highly sensitive monoclonal antibodies against these biomarkers is necessary for ...
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Background: Ki67 and P53 are important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers expressed in several cancers. The current standard method for evaluating Ki67 and P53 in cancer tissues is immunohistochemistry (IHC), and having highly sensitive monoclonal antibodies against these biomarkers is necessary for an accurate diagnosis in the IHC test.Objective: To generate and characterize novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human Ki67 and P53 antigens for IHC purposes.Methods: Ki67 and P53-specific mAbs were produced by the hybridoma method and screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IHC techniques. Selected mAbs were characterized using Western blot and flow cytometry, and their affinities and isotypes were determined by ELISA. Moreover, using the IHC technique in 200 breast cancer tissue samples, we assessed the specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the produced mAbs.Results: Two anti-Ki67 (2C2 and 2H1) and three anti-P53 mAbs (2A6, 2G4, and 1G10) showed strong reactivity to their target antigens in IHC. The selected mAbs were also able to recognize their targets by flow cytometry as well as Western blotting using human tumor cell lines expressing these antigens. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy calculated for clone 2H1 were 94.2%, 99.0%, and 96.6%, and for clone 2A6 were 97.3%, 98.1%, and 97.5%, respectively. Using these two monoclonal antibodies, we found a significant correlation between Ki67 and P53 overexpression and lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer.Conclusion: The present study showed that the novel anti-Ki67 and anti-P53 mAbs could recognize their respective antigens with high specificity and sensitivity and therefore can be used in prognostic studies.
Forooz Peiravian; Hamid Rajaian; Afshin Samiei; Nasser Gholijani; Behrouz Gharesi-Fard; Pooneh Mokaram; Abbas Rahimi-Jaberi; Eskandar Kamali Sarvestani
Volume 13, Issue 3 , September 2016, , Pages 186-196
Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and cytokines may play a role in the development of MS lesions. Objective: To determine levels of different cytokines in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) compared to healthy controls. Methods: Profiles ...
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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and cytokines may play a role in the development of MS lesions. Objective: To determine levels of different cytokines in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) compared to healthy controls. Methods: Profiles of pro-inflammatory, Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-related cytokines were compared by quantitative multiplexed ELISA-based chemiluminescent assay in 44 RR-MS and 44 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals from the same ethnicity. Results: Among pro-inflammatory cytokines, the levels of IL-6 (p=0.003), IL-8 (p=0.05) and TNF-α (p=0.002) were higher in patients than controls, though IL-4 and IL-10 as well as ΣTh2 cytokines were lower in patients (p=0.05, p=0.02 and p=0.05, respectively). After gender classification, the higher levels of IL-4 in male patients remained significant and IL-13 also showed significantly higher levels in male patients compared to male controls (p=0.003 and p=0.05, respectively). A significant negative correlation was detected between EDSS and IL-10 or ΣTh2 levels (p=0.005). In addition, IL-1α (r=0.4, p=0.05) and IFN-γ (r=0.35, p=0.05) were also directly correlated with EDSS in female patients. Conclusions: Patients with RR‑MS who are in the relapse clinical phase exhibit higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduction in protective Th2-related cytokines.
Wei Suocheng; Che Tuanjie; Song Changjun; Tian Fengling; Ma Zhongren
Volume 12, Issue 3 , September 2015, , Pages 188-197
Abstract
Background: Rotaviruses (RV) are important viral diarrheal agents in calves. Vaccination is an optimum measure to prevent bovine rotaviruses (BRV) infection. However, little research on BRV VP7 vaccine has been done and currently there is no BRV vaccine. Objective: To prepare a subunit vaccine of BRV ...
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Background: Rotaviruses (RV) are important viral diarrheal agents in calves. Vaccination is an optimum measure to prevent bovine rotaviruses (BRV) infection. However, little research on BRV VP7 vaccine has been done and currently there is no BRV vaccine. Objective: To prepare a subunit vaccine of BRV and investigate its efficacy. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from MA104 cells infected with bovine rotavirus (BRV) strain GSB01. BRV VP7 gene was amplified using real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). The pEASY-T3-VP7 plasmid was digested using Hind Ⅲ and BamHI restriction endonucleases, then recombined into the prokaryotic expression vector pET32a. The pET32a-VP7 and pET32a-VP7-LTB (heatlabile enterotoxin B subunit) were transformed into BL21 (DE3) competent cells of Escherichia coli, respectively, and induced with IPTG, then analyzed using SDS-PAGE. Sixty mice were randomly divided into three groups (n=20). Group A mice was used as His-tag control and mice in group B and C were inoculated with pET32a-VP7 and pET32a-VP7-LTB, respectively. VP7 IgG antibody titers and protection efficiency of pET32a-VP7-LTB were further determined in neonatal mice challenged with GSB01 BRV strain. Results: SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the pET32a-VP7 was highly expressed in the BL21 (DE3) cells. PET32a-VP7 and pET32a-VP7-LTB protein could promote VP7 IgG antibody titer(8.33×103 vs. 17.26×103)in mice. Immunization protection ratios of pET32a-VP7 and pET32a-VP7-LTB proteins in the neonatal mice were 86.4% and 91.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The fusion protein of pET32a-VP7- LTB had excellent immunogenicity and protected mice from BRV infection. Our findings can be used for further developing of a high-efficiency subunit vaccine of BRV.
Zahra Alinejad; Reza Jafari Shakib; Kambiz Forghan-parast; Ziba Zahiri; Hossein Sadri; Farangis Nagafi; Zahra Roushan
Volume 6, Issue 4 , December 2009, , Pages 195-201
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy is a successful transplantation. The factors evading rejection of the fetus are poorly understood. Recently an interest has grown, in HLA-G molecules as one of these factors. Since these antigens are mainly expressed on the surface of cytotro-phoblasts that are in direct contact ...
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Background: Pregnancy is a successful transplantation. The factors evading rejection of the fetus are poorly understood. Recently an interest has grown, in HLA-G molecules as one of these factors. Since these antigens are mainly expressed on the surface of cytotro-phoblasts that are in direct contact with maternal tissues, it has been suggested that these molecules may have a role in induction of immune tolerance in mothers. Objective: to find the association of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) and the success of pregnancy with intracyto-plasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure. Methods: In this study, the supernatant of 287 individually cultured embryos corresponding to 96 women under ICSI procedure were as-sayed for soluble HLA-G1 and G5 by a sandwich ELISA. Results: Clinical pregnancy suc-cessfully occurred in 30 of candidates. No differences in clinical parameters (age, infertility duration, stimulation regimen) were observed between pregnant and nonpregnant women under ICSI procedure. None of the embryo supernatants in either group showed any detect-able sHLA-G molecules. Conclusion: Our results showed that detectable level of sHLA-G is not produced by day 2 embryos and such a measurement may not provide reliable infor-mation for embryo selection and estimation of pregnancy success.
Zhangqiao Cai; Xuxia He; Jing Yang
Abstract
Background: Allergic asthma is believed to be a T helper 2 cell (Th2) preponderant response caused by airway hyper-responsiveness. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a newly discovered anti-inflammatory cytokine. Objective: To determine whether the expression of IL-35 is associated with type-2 inflammation in ...
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Background: Allergic asthma is believed to be a T helper 2 cell (Th2) preponderant response caused by airway hyper-responsiveness. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a newly discovered anti-inflammatory cytokine. Objective: To determine whether the expression of IL-35 is associated with type-2 inflammation in children with asthma exacerbations. Methods: Thirty children (6-12 years old) with acute allergic asthma and twenty healthy controls were enrolled. Sputum was collected from lower airways. IL-35 and type 2 cytokines expression from serum and sputum were measured at mRNA and protein level by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The sampling and the test were repeated eight weeks after the asthma exacerbation. Results: At the time of exacerbation, IL-35 expression decreased significantly in induced sputum and serum than in the controls. The expression of IL-35 was negatively correlated with IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 expression. The IL-35 from induced sputum increased significantly, whereas type-2 cytokines decreased significantly eight weeks after the exacerbation. Conclusion: Our results showed that decreased IL-35 was associated with type-2 cytokines in asthma exacerbations in children, suggesting that IL-35 may be a potential future drug target for asthma exacerbations.
Hossein Golmoghaddam; Shirin Farjadian; Shahdad Khosropanah; Pooyan Dehghani; Mehrnoosh Doroudchi
Abstract
Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex is a gene family involved in antigen presentation associated with protection or susceptibility to inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which HLA molecules play a role in the initiation ...
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Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex is a gene family involved in antigen presentation associated with protection or susceptibility to inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which HLA molecules play a role in the initiation and development of the disease through presentation of self or foreign antigens to T cells. Objective: To investigate the association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with atherosclerosis in a sample of southwestern Iranians. Methods: We performed an analytical cross-sectional study involving 96 patients with atherosclerosis and 72 controls. HLA-DRB1 genotyping was performed by PCR-SSP method. Results: We observed a significantly lower frequency of DRB1*01 in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis than in controls (4.68% vs. 13.1, P=0.0052, OR=3.09, CI 95%: 1.35-7.05). However, this allele showed a positive association with high blood pressure (P=0.009) in patients. Furthermore, DRB1*16 allele was associated with hyperlipidemia (P=0.008) in patients. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that DRB1*01 may be a protective allele against atherosclerosis in individuals who live in southwest of Iran. The mechanism of this protection needs further investigation.
Akbar Vahdati; Minoo Adib; Shirin Kashfi; Taji Afrooz; Edna Abkar
Volume 2, Issue 4 , December 2005, , Pages 208-212
Abstract
Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) was first known as a factor for red blood cell proliferation and differentiation. New studies show the effects of EPO on immune system. Objective: In this study, the effects of pretreatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on the anti-human leukocyte antibody ...
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Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) was first known as a factor for red blood cell proliferation and differentiation. New studies show the effects of EPO on immune system. Objective: In this study, the effects of pretreatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on the anti-human leukocyte antibody (anti-HLA) titer were determined. Methods: Three groups of rats were sensitized with human lymphocytes. Two of the groups were given 20 or 100 IU/Kg rHuEPO after two sensitizations with human lymphocytes. Control group did not receive rHuEPO. Microlymphocytotoxicity method was used to detect anti-HLA antibodies. Results: Treatment with rHuEPO caused a significant decline in anti-HLA antibody titer compared to control group. Also, pretreatment with rHuEPO suppressed antibody response after repeated antigenic stimulation. Conclusion: Such results could be due to the effects of rHuEPO on the number or the activity of the B and the T cells. Moreover, the dose of rHuEPO and the length of treatment might affect anti-HLA antibody titer.
Mohammad Mahdi Sagheb; Mandana Goodarzi; Jamshid Roozbeh
Volume 5, Issue 4 , December 2008, , Pages 212-216
Abstract
Background: The risk of developing tuberculosis is high among chronic hemodialysis patients. The tuberculin skin test (TST) has been in use for diagnosing latent TB, but few data are available on TST in hemodialysis patients. Objective: This study was done to identify the TST reactivity and frequency ...
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Background: The risk of developing tuberculosis is high among chronic hemodialysis patients. The tuberculin skin test (TST) has been in use for diagnosing latent TB, but few data are available on TST in hemodialysis patients. Objective: This study was done to identify the TST reactivity and frequency of booster effect in serial TST among hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 100 patients in three hemodialysis centers were prospectively tested. Patients with less than 10mm indurations were given addi-tional TST one and four weeks later to determine the frequency of booster effect. Results: The cumulative prevalence of a positive TST was 7 % for the first test and 16 % for the third test. There was a weak, but significant correlation between TST positiv-ity, serum albumin level, urea reduction ratio and KT/V (p<0.05). There was no influ-ence of age, gender, hemodialysis duration and primary renal disease. Conclusion: This study showed that the TST reactivity and booster effect among our hemodialysis pa-tients in Iran are lower than in other societies. Inadequate hemodialysis and poor nutri-tion may contribute to the lower tuberculin skin test reactivity in our hemodialysis pa-tients.
Mohammad Reza Razeghinejad; Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani
Volume 4, Issue 4 , December 2007, , Pages 215-219
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness and is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. In patients with primary open angle glau-coma the number of trabecular meshwork cells is decreased. Death of the trabecular meshwork cells may be a result of apoptosis. Objective: ...
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Background: Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness and is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. In patients with primary open angle glau-coma the number of trabecular meshwork cells is decreased. Death of the trabecular meshwork cells may be a result of apoptosis. Objective: To investigate the aqueous humor levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and Fas-Ligand (sFasL) in glaucomatous patients. Methods: Concentration of sFas and sFasL were measured by ELISA in 41 eyes with glaucoma (21 with pseudoexfoliation and 20 with primary open angle glaucoma) and 39 eyes with cataract as controls. Results: The sFas concentration was lower in the pri-mary open angle than the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and the cataract groups (p=0.002 and p= 0.004, respectively). The sFasL level did not show any significant difference in the three groups. Conclusion: A lower level of sFas may provide proper microenvironment for increased apoptosis of trabecular meshwork cells in primary open angle glaucoma.
Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad; Khadijeh Khosravi; Nader Zarinfar; Ghasem Mosayebi
Volume 14, Issue 3 , September 2017, , Pages 215-222
Abstract
Background: Brucella is a well-known intracellular bacterium entailing acute and chronic illnesses in humans and domestic animals. The infection chronicity may be affected by the cell-mediated immunity and cytokine patterns. Objective: To evaluate the patterns of T-helper cytokines in patients suffering ...
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Background: Brucella is a well-known intracellular bacterium entailing acute and chronic illnesses in humans and domestic animals. The infection chronicity may be affected by the cell-mediated immunity and cytokine patterns. Objective: To evaluate the patterns of T-helper cytokines in patients suffering from chronic and acute brucellosis. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 22 individuals with acute brucellosis, 21 individuals with chronic brucellosis, and 21 healthy individuals with the same genetic background were recruited from October 2015 to April 2016. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and brucella antigen in cell culture. The lymphocyte proliferation was detected by MTT assay. After collecting the supernatants, and through the use of ELISA method, we quantified the interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-5, IL-17 and transforming growth factor–beta (TGF-β). Results: Patients with chronic brucellosis had a lower level antigen-specific stimulation index compared to those suffering from acute brucellosis (p=0.0001). Cases with chronic brucellosis had a lower level of IFN-γ compared to cases with acute brucellosis (p=0.001). Finally, patients with chronic brucellosis had higher levels of IL-5 and TGF-β in comparison with the acute group (p=0.01 and p=0.04, respectively).Conclusion: Chronic brucellosis reduces lymphocyte proliferation and TH1 cytokine secretion, but it enhances IL- 5 and TGF-β production. Polarizing the immune responses plays a crucial part in the progression and development of chronic diseases.
Haddi Hassannia; Saeid Abediankenari; Javad Ghaffari
Volume 8, Issue 4 , December 2011, , Pages 218-225
Abstract
Background: Regulatory CD4+T (Treg) cells are effective in maintaining immune tolerance. Objective: To investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Transforming Growth Factor β-1 (TGF-β1) and Forkhead Box Protein 3 (FOXP3) genes in Iranian patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: ...
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Background: Regulatory CD4+T (Treg) cells are effective in maintaining immune tolerance. Objective: To investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Transforming Growth Factor β-1 (TGF-β1) and Forkhead Box Protein 3 (FOXP3) genes in Iranian patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: Variations at codons 10 and 25 of TGF-β1 and FOXP3 at positions -3279 A>C and -924 A>G were evaluated in AR patients and compared with controls. In a case-control study, 155 AR patients and 163 allergy- free controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) technique. Results: The analysis of the frequency of these SNPs showed that the haplotype formed by FOXP3 -3279 A allele occurred significantly more frequently in patients than controls (odds ratio=1.44, 95% CI=1.312-2.66; p=0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that polymorphism in FOXP3 gene is associated with susceptibility to AR.
Ayse Kilic; Gulcin Otar Yener; Aylin Yetim; Mustafa Ozcetin; Gulbin Gokcay; Asuman Coban; Zeynep Ince; Beril Yasa; Lutfiye Oksuz; Funda Gungor Ugurlucan; Nezahat Gurler
Abstract
Background: Despite primary vaccination, infants under six months run a risk of infection with pertussis. Objective: To determine the impact of early postpartum maternal pertussis vaccination on protecting infants from the disease. Methods: All mothers (n=405) who gave birth to healthy term infants were ...
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Background: Despite primary vaccination, infants under six months run a risk of infection with pertussis. Objective: To determine the impact of early postpartum maternal pertussis vaccination on protecting infants from the disease. Methods: All mothers (n=405) who gave birth to healthy term infants were educated on the cocoon strategy. The mothers who consented were immunized with the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine within the first three postpartum days. All infants received their pertussis vaccines according to the national schedule. The anti-pertussis IgG titers of infants of thirty vaccinated mothers were compared with those of thirty unvaccinated mothers. Results: The pertussis antibody levels in the infants of vaccinated mothers were significantly higher than those of unvaccinated mothers at the mean infant age of 5.6 ± 1.2 months. Only 6 infants of vaccinated mothers exhibited pertussis-like symptoms, none of whom had positive pertussis PCR. Seventeen infants of unvaccinated mothers had pertussis-like symptoms, and 4 tested positive for pertussis PCR. Conclusion: Our results showed that maternal pertussis vaccination, administered within the first three postpartum days, may protect infants against pertussis in their first ten months.
Fatemeh Sarlati; Mandana Sattari; Ali Ghorbani Gazar; Ali Nabavizadeh Rafsenjani
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2010, , Pages 226-233
Abstract
Background: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is one of the key cytokines in the induction of osteoclastogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.Several reports indicated the presence of sRANKL in gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontal diseases. Objective: To determine ...
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Background: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is one of the key cytokines in the induction of osteoclastogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.Several reports indicated the presence of sRANKL in gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontal diseases. Objective: To determine the presence of RANKL in peri-implant crevicular fluid samples of implants with peri-implantitis, peri-implant mucositis and healthy controls. Methods: In this study, 40 implants were categorized as clinically healthy, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis according to the clinical and radiographic findings. Filter paper strips were used to collect peri-implant crevicular fluid for 30 seconds in the base of the crevice/pocket.Peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples were obtained from buccal and lingual aspects of implants. Plaque index, probing depth, gingival index and bleeding on probing were recorded at six sites per implant. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the PICF levels of sRANKL. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in sRANKL concentration between healthy group, peri-implant mucositis and periimplantitis (p=0.12). There were also no statistical correlation between the concentration of sRANKL and probing pocket depth (R=0.051, p=0.65), or any of the other clinical regarding (p>0.05). No differences between the mean sRANKL concentration in the buccal and lingual sites were found (p=0.693). Conclusion: Our results may suggest that peri-implant crevicular fluid analysis of sRANKL in conjunction with some other osteoclastogenic mediators could be further investigated in well-designed prospective longitudinal studies on a larger-scale sample size in the evaluation of dental implants.
Saeed Solooki; Arash Khozaei; Seyedeh Azra Shamsdin; Mohammad Jafar Emami; Farnaz Khademolhosseini
Volume 10, Issue 4 , December 2013, , Pages 229-237
Abstract
Background: Primary malignant bone tumors are heterogeneous groups of neoplasms, which affect mainly children and adolescents. The most common types are Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Elevation of sCD30 and sCD40L has been observed in lymphoma, leukemia and autoimmune disorders. Objective: ...
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Background: Primary malignant bone tumors are heterogeneous groups of neoplasms, which affect mainly children and adolescents. The most common types are Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Elevation of sCD30 and sCD40L has been observed in lymphoma, leukemia and autoimmune disorders. Objective: To evaluate serum concentrations of sCD30 and sCD40L in patients with primary malignant bone tumors. Method: Fifty-four cases (31 Osteosarcomas, 14 Ewing sarcomas, and 9 Chondrosarcomas) and 54 healthy controls enrolled in this study. Cases with the history of prior treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) were excluded from the study. Serum levels of sCD30 and sCD40L were detected by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Mean serum concentration of sCD30 in Ewing sarcoma was significantly higher than that of the control groups (p=0.007), but mean serum concentrations of sCD30 in osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma groups were not significantly different, compared to the controls (p=0.41 and p=0.11, respectively). Mean serum concentrations of sCD40L in osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.0001). In addition, the mean serum level of sCD40L in chondrosarcoma patients was higher than that of both Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: sCD30 and sCD40L increase in primary bone tumors; however the significant of these findings for diagnosis or prognosis of these tumors needs further investigation.