Kasra Mohammadipour; Reza Mansouri; Rahmatollah Salmanpour; Mohammad Reza Haghshenas; Nasrollah Erfani
Ahmad Daryani; Ahmad Zavaran Hosseini; Mehdi Sharif; Abdolhoseein Dalimi; Mohammad Hossein Dehghan; Hajar Ziaei
Volume 3, Issue 2 , June 2006, , Pages 78-85
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all mammalian cells. Several antigens such as excreted/secreted antigens have been identified as a potential vaccine candidate. Objective: To determine how excreted/secreted antigens from peritoneal exudates of infected ...
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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all mammalian cells. Several antigens such as excreted/secreted antigens have been identified as a potential vaccine candidate. Objective: To determine how excreted/secreted antigens from peritoneal exudates of infected mice (mESA) stimulate cell-mediated immune responses and induce protective immunity against toxoplasmosis in the murine model. Methods: The supernatants produced from the peritoneal fluids, were fractionated by precipitation in ammonium sulphate solution (30-80% saturated). For induction of cell-mediated immune responses, delayed type hypersensitivity was measured, in injected footpad. Response to purified antigen was measured by lymphocyte proliferation assay. Nitric oxide was measured by Griess method. For immunization, Balb/c mice were immunized 2 times with mESA, mESA-40% and Toxoplasma Lysate Antigen (TLA). The virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii was used for challenging. Results: The pattern of lymphocyte responsiveness was dependent on the antigen employed. In sensitized mice, those received mESA-40% displayed higher lymphocyte response than mice stimulated by mESA (p<0.05). The highest amounts of nitric oxide were observed in macrophages, which received mESA-40% and mESA (p<0.05). Mice immunized with mESA-40% survived longer than those immunized with mESA and other antigens (p<0.05). Conclusion: As fraction 40% (mESA-40%) showed a good result in induction of cellmediated responses in the murine model, the purification and isolation of the mESA 40% is highly recommended for future study.
Mehdi Dehghani; Zohreh Mostafavi-Pour; Mehrzad Lotfi; Saeed Shakeri
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2009, , Pages 92-98
Abstract
Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been used as a screening test for the early detection of prostate cancer (PC) for many years. Although the introduction of PSA test led to a considerable increase in reported prostate cancer cases, there is still some controversy over the sensitivity and ...
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Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been used as a screening test for the early detection of prostate cancer (PC) for many years. Although the introduction of PSA test led to a considerable increase in reported prostate cancer cases, there is still some controversy over the sensitivity and specificity of this marker in distinguishing PC patients from those with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), the most common benign prostate condition. Objective: An attempt is made to elucidate if the plasma level of Interleukin 8 (IL-8) could be used effectively as a marker for the detection of prostate cancer. Methods: Plasma levels of IL-8 and PSA were measured in two groups of 40 BPH and PC patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques, respectively. In addition IL-8 levels in PC3 and DU145 cell line supernatants were measured by ELISA technique. Results: The concentration of IL-8 in the plasma of PC patients was not significantly higher than the BPH subjects. Although, a correlation between plasma IL-8 concentration and the Gleason score of PC patients was found, no indicated correlation was detected between the concentration of IL-8 or PSA and age of the patients in both groups. DU145 and PC3 cell lines produced and secreted IL-8 in the media. Conclusion: Data of this investigation collectively conclude no correlation between IL-8 concentration in PC and BPH patients.
Anita Tilwari; Narmada Prasad Shukla; Uma Devi Pathirissery
Volume 8, Issue 2 , June 2011, , Pages 96-103
Abstract
Background: Various compounds of plant origin have been widely investigated since ancient times for their possible immunomodulatory properties as well as for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Objective: To study the immunomodulatory functions of the aqueous extract of the seeds of Abrus precatorius ...
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Background: Various compounds of plant origin have been widely investigated since ancient times for their possible immunomodulatory properties as well as for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Objective: To study the immunomodulatory functions of the aqueous extract of the seeds of Abrus precatorius commonly known as Indian liquorice (Fabaceae), a medicinal plant native to central India. Methods: Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally treated with three doses (0.75, 1.25 and 2.5 μg/kg b.w.) of extract for 7 days. Relative organ weight, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, haemagglutination titre (HT) and Phagocytic index (PI) were studied in various groups of animals. Results: The results showed no significant difference in relative organ weight of spleen, liver, thymus and kidney in various groups of animals. Treatment of rats with increasing concentrations of the extract decreased the footpad thickness indicating a dose related inhibitory effect of the extract on delayed type hypersensitivity. In the HT test, the plant extract showed a suppressive effect at all doses, and these changes were significant as the dose increased. Phagocytic index was also increased in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: The reduction of antibody titre, delayed type hypersensitivity response and the increase in phagocytic index indicates that Abrus precatorius has an inhibitory effect on the immune functions in mice.
Shohreh Farshad; Manoochehr Rasouli; Akram Jamshidzadeh; Ayda Hosseinkhani; Aziz Japoni; Abdolvahab Alborzi; Alireza Taghavi; Hossein Kazemi Asl; Reza Ranjbar
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2010, , Pages 96-108
Abstract
Background: Previous studies imply that IL-1 and IL-8 gene variations may play a crucial role in the genetic predisposition to different gastric disorders upon H. pylori infection. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential association between the prevalence of certain polymorphic ...
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Background: Previous studies imply that IL-1 and IL-8 gene variations may play a crucial role in the genetic predisposition to different gastric disorders upon H. pylori infection. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential association between the prevalence of certain polymorphic sites and the risk of gastric disorders in Iranian population. Methods: One hundred and forty three unrelated individuals with different gastric disorders and 374 normal individuals with no gastric disorders and with a negative serology test for H. pylori (control group) were studied for the association between IL-1β (+3953 C/T) and IL-8 (-251 A/T) gene polymorphisms and H. pylorimediated gastritis and gastric ulcer. An analysis of genotype frequency for these genes was performed using RFLP-PCR. Results: Based on the data obtained from culture and pathologic findings, the patients were classified into three subpopulations: H pylori+ non-ulcerative gastritis+, H. pylori+ ulcerative gastritis+ and H. pylori- non-ulcerative gastritis+. A significantly higher frequency of TT genotype (p=0.02) in IL-1β +3953 in H. pylori+ ulcerative gastritis+ was revealed compared to the control group. There were no significant differences among other subpopulations. No significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of IL-8 (-251A/T) were found among the patients. Conclusion: The data suggest that TT genotype in IL-1β +3953 may be a major contributing genetic risk factor for H. pylori induced gastric ulcer. Moreover, the role of other bacterial and host response factors, such as bacterial adherence peptides, host chemokines, and genes involved in gastric acid secretion, must be further investigated in different ethnic populations.
Mohammad Javad Fattahi; Abdul Mohammad Pezeshki; Maryam Emad; Mohammad Hosein Lohrasb; Azra Shamseddin; Abbas Ghaderi; Mehrnoosh Doroudchi
Volume 2, Issue 2 , June 2005, , Pages 97-102
Abstract
Background: Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder that selectively destroys melanocytes in epidermis with an unknown etiology. Objective: To investigate the exon 1 A49G polymorphism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (ctla-4) gene in vitiligo patients. Methods: The A49G polymorphism was ...
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Background: Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder that selectively destroys melanocytes in epidermis with an unknown etiology. Objective: To investigate the exon 1 A49G polymorphism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (ctla-4) gene in vitiligo patients. Methods: The A49G polymorphism was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 101 patients and 208 normal healthy age/ethnicity matched individuals. Results: The frequencies of heterozygote genotypes in patients and controls were found to be 42 (41.6%) of 101 and 85 (40.9%) of 208, respectively. The frequencies of homozygote A and G genotypes were 49 (48.5%) and 10 (9.9%) in 101 patients, whereas, these frequencies in 208 control individuals were 103 (49.5%) and 20 (9.6%), respectively. There was no significant difference between the genotype (P = 0.98) and allele (P = 0.86) frequencies of A49G polymorphism in patients and normal healthy individuals. Conclusion: Our results indicate that in contrast to several immune mediated disorders, there is no association between ctla-4 A49G gene polymorphism and vitiligo.
Saeed Zarei; Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani; Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi; Hojjat Zeraati; Tahere Kheirkhah; Morteza Ghazanfari; Fazel Shokri
Volume 4, Issue 2 , June 2007, , Pages 101-109
Abstract
Background: Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis has been applied in Iran since 1950. WHO suggests periodical evaluation of effectiveness of the triple diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis (DTwP) vaccine, worldwide. Objectives: To determine the immunogenicity of locally manufactured ...
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Background: Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis has been applied in Iran since 1950. WHO suggests periodical evaluation of effectiveness of the triple diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis (DTwP) vaccine, worldwide. Objectives: To determine the immunogenicity of locally manufactured DTwP vaccine administered to preschool children in a number of health centers of Tehran in 2006. Methods: In this prospective study, 350 children aged 4-6 years were injected with DTwP vaccine manu-factured by Razi Institute of Iran. Blood samples were collected before and 2-4 weeks after the vaccination. The immunogenicity of the vaccine was assayed by measurement of specific antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Of the 337 children who were vaccinated, 99.4% and 100% had protective anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus antibody titers, respectively. The vaccine response and seroconversion for pertussis was achieved in 70.3% of the subjects. The geometric mean titers (GMT) of the antibodies produced against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis by DTwP vaccine were 7.76, 9.37 IU/ml and 30.20 EU/ml after booster vaccine dose, respectively. Conclusions: Comparison of the results obtained from this study with those of previous studies performed in other countries reveals that immunogenicity of diphtheria and tetanus components is similar to other vaccines, but the immunogenicity of pertussis vaccine was less efficient. The lower immunogenicity of DTwP against pertussis may be related to the bacterial strain used or the formulation protocol adopted for the vaccine preparation.
Mohammad Momeni; Mohammad Reza Mirzaei; Nahid Zainodini; Gholamhossein Hassanshahi; Mohammad Kazemi Arababadi
Volume 10, Issue 2 , June 2013, , Pages 103-109
Abstract
Background: Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) is an intracellular microbial dsDNA sensor which plays an important role in production of proinflammatory cytokines through Apoptosis associated Speck-like protein containing a Caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC) and Caspase-1. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play ...
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Background: Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) is an intracellular microbial dsDNA sensor which plays an important role in production of proinflammatory cytokines through Apoptosis associated Speck-like protein containing a Caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC) and Caspase-1. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulation of immune related genes. However, there is little information regarding the effects of miRNAs on the AIM2 and ASC expression. Objective: To determine the mRNA levels of AIM2 and ASC in Jurkat cell line following introducing miRNA-143 (MiR-143). Methods: MiR-143, a scrambled sequence and PBS were introduced separately, to the Jurkat cell lines and the mRNA levels of AIM2 and ASC were examined in parallel with beta-actin and GAPDH (as housekeeping genes) using Real-Time PCR technique. Results: The mRNA levels of AIM2 and ASC were significantly increased in the MiR-143 transfected Jurkat cells when compared to the scrambled sequence or PBS treated cells. Conclusions: MiR-143 can lead to increased expression of AIM2 and ASC mRNAs. Considering the significance of AIM2 and ASC in DNA sensing and inflammosome formation, it can be considered as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of chronic infectious diseases, especially viral infections.
Nasrollah Erfani; Mahboobeh Hamedi-Shahraki; Somayeh Rezaeifard; Mohammadreza Haghshenas; Manoochehr Rasouli; Alamtaj Samsami Dehaghani
Volume 11, Issue 2 , June 2014, , Pages 105-112
Abstract
Background: Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from malignancy in women. CD4 +CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes with great inhibitory impact on immune response. Objectives: To investigate the percentage of CD4 +CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in the peripheral ...
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Background: Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from malignancy in women. CD4 +CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes with great inhibitory impact on immune response. Objectives: To investigate the percentage of CD4 +CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of the Iranian patients with epithelial ovarian cancer compared to healthy women and to evaluate the correlation of the Treg cell percentage with clinicopathological characteristics including cancer stage and CA-125 serum level. Methods: Seventeen women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained at the surface, for CD4 and CD25 molecules, followed by fixation, permeabilization and intracellular staining for FoxP3 molecule. After processing and flowcytometry analysis, prevalence of Treg cells was determined as the percentages of CD25 +FoxP3+ cells among CD4+ lymphocytes. Results: Despite no difference in the percentage of total CD4+ lymphocytes, analysis indicated that Treg cell percentage was significantly higher in ovarian cancer patients than controls (5.7 ± 3.1% versus 2.8 ± 1.4%, p=0.002). A trend toward higher Treg cells was observed in higher stages of ovarian cancer (III+IV) in comparison to lower stages (I+II) (6.5 ± 3.2% vs. 4.44 ± 2.7%, p=0.2). Higher percentage of Treg cells was also observed in the patients with high CA125 (CA-125 >100 U/mL) in comparison to those with low CA-125 serum level (CA-125 ≤100 U/mL) although the difference was not significant (6.44 versus 4.18%, p=0.19). Conclusion: Increased frequency of Tregs in ovarian cancer might participate in immune suppression in these patients. The findings collectively suggest the likely impact of Treg cell–targeted immunotherapy in ovarian cancer.
Sara Kashef; Reza Amin; Maryam Ayatollahi; Abbas Ghaderi
Volume 1, Issue 2 , September 2004, , Pages 117-123
Abstract
Background: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) can either occur as a primary syndrome or associated with other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) of IgG and/or IgM isotype in blood, measured by a standardized ELISA is the most acceptable ...
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Background: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) can either occur as a primary syndrome or associated with other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) of IgG and/or IgM isotype in blood, measured by a standardized ELISA is the most acceptable laboratory criteria. APS IgG isotype, particularly IgG2 subclass is more strongly associated with thrombosis. Objectives: This study was done to determine the prevalence of IgG aCL and its subclasses in relation to APS symptoms, in a group of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: In this prospective study, 28 JRA and 16 SLE patients, aged 3-18 years, were enrolled. IgG aCL was assayed by standard aCL ELISA. IgG subclasses were also assayed by ELISA on sera with medium to high titers of aCL. ACL assay was performed on at least two occasions for each patient, over 3-6 months period of follow up. Results: 29% (8/28) of JRA patients and 44% (7/16) of SLE patients had aCL. Six of SLE patients displayed APS related manifestations: hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, arterial occlusion, valvular heart disease, livedo reticularis and pulmonary hypertension, but none of them had persistant medium or high titer of aCL. The lack of association of high titer of aCL with APS related symptoms was observed in two patients. The IgG subclasses were primarily IgG1 and IgG3. Conclusion: The prevalence of IgG aCL in this group of pediatric SLE and JRA is not uncommon but it’s relation to clinical manifestations is not clear. IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses were not associated with thrombosis, which is in agreement with previous studies.
Ali Ghasemi; Hoorieh Soleimanjahi; Soodeh Razeghi; Ali Gorji; Alijan Tabaraei; Abdolvahab Moradi; Akram Alizadeh; Mohammad Ali Vakili
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2012, , Pages 119-127
Abstract
Background: Genistein (GEN), a naturally occurring flavonoid present in soy bean, has attracted scientific interest for its possible benefits in cancer. Objective: The potential immunomodulatory effects of genistein on the immune system and against TC-1 tumor cell line were evaluated in adult female ...
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Background: Genistein (GEN), a naturally occurring flavonoid present in soy bean, has attracted scientific interest for its possible benefits in cancer. Objective: The potential immunomodulatory effects of genistein on the immune system and against TC-1 tumor cell line were evaluated in adult female C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Mice were treated with GEN 10 days before to 10 days after the tumor induction. Thirty days after the last GEN treatment, lymphocyte proliferation, Lactase Dehydrogenase (LDH) cytolytic activity and cytokine secretion were analyzed in GEN and control groups. Results: The results showed that ingestion of genistein significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation and LDH release. Furthermore, the treatment with genistein also caused a significant increment in interferon gamma (IFN-γ). In addition, the treatment achieved significant therapeutic effect in tumor models compared to the control group. These results indicated that the effect of GEN on tumor growth may be attributed to its effect on lymphocyte proliferation, cytolytic activity and IFN-γ production. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that GEN exerts an immunomodulatory effect in a mouse model of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) associated-cervical cancer.
Henu Kumar Verma; Aditya Nath Jha; Prafulla Kumar khodiar; Pradeep Kumar Patra; Lakkakula Venkata Kameswara Subrahmanya Bhaskar
Volume 13, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 124-131
Abstract
Background: Cytokines are cell signaling molecules which upon release by cells facilitate the recruitment of immune-modulatory cells towards the sites of inflammation. Genetic variations in cytokine genes are shown to regulate their production and affect the risk of infectious as well as autoimmune diseases. ...
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Background: Cytokines are cell signaling molecules which upon release by cells facilitate the recruitment of immune-modulatory cells towards the sites of inflammation. Genetic variations in cytokine genes are shown to regulate their production and affect the risk of infectious as well as autoimmune diseases. Intron-3 of interleukin-4 gene (IL-4) harbors 70-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) that may alter the expression level of IL-4 gene. Objective: To determine the distribution of IL-4 70-bp VNTR polymorphism in seven genetically heterogeneous populations of Chhattisgarh, India and their comparison with the finding of other Indian and world populations. Methods: A total of 371 healthy unrelated individuals from 5 caste and 2 tribal populations were included in the present study. The IL-4 70-bp VNTR genotyping was carried out using PCR and electrophoresis. Results: Overall, 3 alleles of IL-4 70-bp VNTR (a2, a3 and a4) were detected. The results demonstrated the variability of the IL-4 70-bp VNTR polymorphism in Chhattisgarh populations. Allele a3 was the most common allele at the 70-bp VNTR locus in all populations followed by a2 allele. This study reports the presence four repeat allele a4 at a low frequency in the majority of the Chhattisgarh populations studied. Further, the frequency of the minor allele (a2) in Chhattisgarh populations showed similarity with the frequencies of European populations but not with the East Asian populations where the a2 allele is a major allele. Conclusions: Our study provides a baseline for future research into the role of the IL-4 locus in diseases linked to inflammation in Indian populations.
Mahmoud Orazizadeh; Donald McGovern Salter
Volume 3, Issue 3 , September 2006, , Pages 127-135
Abstract
Background: Recent studies have provided evidence that integrins play roles in recognition of mechanical stimuli and its translation into a cellular response. Integrin signaling may be regulated by a number of mechanisms including accessory proteins such as CD98 (4F2 antigen). Objectives: To determine ...
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Background: Recent studies have provided evidence that integrins play roles in recognition of mechanical stimuli and its translation into a cellular response. Integrin signaling may be regulated by a number of mechanisms including accessory proteins such as CD98 (4F2 antigen). Objectives: To determine CD98 expression by human articular chondrocytes and its involvement in human articular mechanotransduction. Methods: CD98 expression was assessed by immunostaining of cryostat sections of snap frozen articular cartilage and in cultured cells by western blotting. Chondrocytes enzymatically isolated from macroscopically normal and osteoarthritic (OA) articular cartilage were grown in short term, primary monolayer culture and used in a resting state or following mechanical stimulation at 0.33Hz. Results: Human articular chondrocytes express CD98 and immunoreactivity revealed a similar heterogeneous pattern of CD98 in both normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human articular cartilage. No role of CD98 was detected by electrophysiological study. Conclusion: It appears that CD98 is expressed in a similar pattern in both normal and osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. Although we detected no role for CD98 in chondrocyte mechanotransduction, it may be involved in other biological functions in chondrocyte intracellular signalling events.
Nasim Hafezi; Abolghasem Ajami; Touraj Farazmandfar; Vahid Hosseini; Reza Alizadeh-Navaei; Mohsen Tehrani
Volume 12, Issue 2 , June 2015, , Pages 129-140
Abstract
Background: CD1d presents glycolipid antigens to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. The role of CD1d in the development of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer has not been revealed, yet. Objective: To clarify the expression of alternatively spliced variants of CD1d in peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. ...
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Background: CD1d presents glycolipid antigens to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. The role of CD1d in the development of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer has not been revealed, yet. Objective: To clarify the expression of alternatively spliced variants of CD1d in peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Methods: Patients with dyspepsia were selected and divided into three groups of non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and gastric cancer (GC), according to their endoscopic and histopathological examinations. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by rapid urease test and histopathology. The expression levels of V2, V4, and V5 spliced variants of CD1d molecule were determined by quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR. Results: Relative gene expression levels of V4 were higher in GC patients (n=37) than those in NUD (n=49) and PUD (n=51) groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Moreover, GC patients showed higher expression levels of V5 compared to NUD and PUD groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Positive correlation coefficients were attained between V4 and V5 expression in patients with PUD (r=0.734, p<0.0001) and GC (r=0.423, p<0.01), but not in patients with NUD. Among NUD patients, the expression levels of V4, but not V5, were higher in H. pylori-positive patients than in H. pylorinegative ones (p<0.01). Conclusion: Collectively, both membrane-bound (V4) and soluble (V5) isoforms of CD1d were over-expressed in gastric tumor tissues, suggesting that they are involved in anti-tumor immune responses.
Abolfazl Gheshlaghi; Mohammad Reza Haghshenas; Ali Reza Safarpour; Seyed Younes Hossini; Seyed Ali Malekhosseini; Mohammad Reza Fattahi; Jamal Sarvari
Abstract
Background: Genetic variation in immune regulatory genes might influence the HBV infection outcome. Objective: This study aimed to determinethe association of IL-17A rs2275913 (G197A), IL-17F rs763780 (A7488G), and IL-23R rs10889677 (C2370A) gene polymorphisms, as well as the emerged haplotypes in the ...
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Background: Genetic variation in immune regulatory genes might influence the HBV infection outcome. Objective: This study aimed to determinethe association of IL-17A rs2275913 (G197A), IL-17F rs763780 (A7488G), and IL-23R rs10889677 (C2370A) gene polymorphisms, as well as the emerged haplotypes in the individual infected by HBV and to investigate their association with the infection outcome. Materials and Methods: 300 chronic HBV infections with Cirrhotic/Hepatocellular carcinoma (C/HCC), chronic active (CA), and asymptomatic carrier (AC) and 38 individuals whose infection was spontaneously cleared (SC) were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted, and IL-17A/F and IL-23R genotyping were performed by using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: Out of 338 subjects, 238 and 100 were respectively male and /female with a mean age of 47.61±13.41. The frequency of GA genotype (p=0.01) and A alleles (p=0.001) of IL-17A rs2275913 (G197A), as well as the frequency of AA genotype (p=0.014) and A alleles (p=0.018) of IL-17F rs763780 (A7488G) gene locus, was found to be significantly higher in the C/HCC than CA and AC groups. Furthermore, the frequency of GA and AG haplotype in CA individuals was higher than those with C/HCC and AC (p=0.003). Also, the GG haplotype was higher in AC individuals than those with C/HCC (P=0.022), and the AA haplotype was higher in C/HCC individuals than the CA patients (P=0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that A allele and GA genotype at IL-17A rs2275913 (G197A), as well as A allele and AA genotype at IL-17F rs763780 (A7488G) locus, might be associated with increased risk of C/HCC among patients with hepatitis B virus infection.
Muhammad Hussain; Jiangshan Xiao; Yixuan Zhang; Peng Chen; Hongwu Du
Abstract
Background: Ribonucleoproteins particles that form the spliceosomes are among the most frequently targeted molecules of the autoimmune response. In the last few years, autoantibodies against all A/B hnRNP proteins have been found in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus ...
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Background: Ribonucleoproteins particles that form the spliceosomes are among the most frequently targeted molecules of the autoimmune response. In the last few years, autoantibodies against all A/B hnRNP proteins have been found in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and serve as diagnostic markers for several rheumatic diseases. However, the functional role of hnRNP C1/C2 in autoimmune diseases is still not clearly understood. Objective: To identify hnRNP C1/C2 as an autoantigen in patients with Behcet’s Disease (BD). Methods: First, HaCaT and EA.hy926 cells were cultured and RNA was extracted. Second, amplification of the corresponding gene by RT-PCR, cloning, and purification techniques was applied to acquire the recombinant protein hnRNP C1/C2. Third, the target protein band was excised from gel electrophoresis, digested with trypsin, and analyzed by (MALDI-TOF/). Finally, Western blotting and ELISA were performed to verify the immunoreactivity of BD serum with recombinant hnRNPC1/C2. Results: Results demonstrated that the reactivity of BD serum against recombinant hnRNP C1/C2 protein was significantly higher as compared to healthy control (P<0.001). Conclusion: hnRNP C1/C2 can be considered as a self antigen which might be involved in BD pathology in Hans Chinese population.
Haideh Namdari; Maryam Izad; Zahra Amirghofran
Volume 14, Issue 2 , June 2017, , Pages 134-150
Abstract
Background: Euphorbia plants are traditionally used in folk medicine for infections, inflammation, and cancer. Objectives: To investigate the effects of the butanolic extracts of Euphorbia micorociadia and Euphorbia osyridea on specific transcription factors and cytokines expression of T cell subsets. ...
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Background: Euphorbia plants are traditionally used in folk medicine for infections, inflammation, and cancer. Objectives: To investigate the effects of the butanolic extracts of Euphorbia micorociadia and Euphorbia osyridea on specific transcription factors and cytokines expression of T cell subsets. Methods: Activated mouse splenocytes were cultured in the presence of non-cytotoxic concentrations of the extracts. Cells were evaluated for the gene expressions of T cell transcription factors and cytokines of T helper (Th)1 [T-bet and interferon gamma (IFNγ)], Th17 [retinoic acid receptor related orphan receptor (RORγt) and interleukin (IL)-17], and T regulatory (Treg) cells [forkhead box P3(Foxp3), IL-10, and Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] using real-time PCR. The cytokine secretions were evaluated by ELISA and Foxp3 protein expression by flow cytometry. Results: Both E. osyridea and E. microciadia extracts at 0.1 μg/ml increased T-bet expression [>1.73 relative fold change (RFC), p<0.05] and IFNγ production (>1195 pg/ml, p<0.001). Both decreased Foxp3 (<0.41 RFC, p<0.05) expression. At the higher concentration both extracts significantly reduced T-bet mRNA as well as IFNγ, IL-17, IL-10, and TGF-β cytokines and Foxp3 at the mRNA and protein levels. Conclusion: These data showed the immunomodulatory effects of E. osyridea and E. micorociadia extracts on T cell-mediated responses. The extracts caused upregulation of Th1 and downregulation of Treg cells at a low concentration which suggested their possible therapeutic value in tumor models and infectious diseases. The observed immunosuppressive effects at the higher concentration potentially make these plants candidates for identification of active components and studying their mechanisms of action.
Shohreh Fakhari; Hamed Bashiri; Bayazid Ghaderi; Kaveh Tari; Ali Jalili
Abstract
Background: CD93 has originally been known as a C1q receptor, and many studies have demonstrated that CD93 is expressed on hematopoietic stem cells, B cell progenitors, myeloid and monocytic cells. Moreover, CD93 is shown to be expressed on long-lived plasma cells, and CD93 deficient-mice display an ...
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Background: CD93 has originally been known as a C1q receptor, and many studies have demonstrated that CD93 is expressed on hematopoietic stem cells, B cell progenitors, myeloid and monocytic cells. Moreover, CD93 is shown to be expressed on long-lived plasma cells, and CD93 deficient-mice display an impairment in plasma cell development. Objective: To investigate the expression of CD93 on multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Methods: Human MM and B cell lines were cultured, and the expression of CD93 was examined on these cells by quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). In addition, CD19+ primary B cells and CD19-/CD138+ primary MM cells were isolated by MACS columns, and CD93 expression was further analyzed on these cells. Results: qRT-PCR data showed that CD93 expression at mRNA level was much higher in MM cell lines compared with B cell lines. In addition, MM cell lines expressed a higher amount of surface CD93 at protein level compared with B cell lines. More importantly, CD93 expression was significantly higher in CD19-/CD138+ primary MM cells than in CD19+ primary B cells isolated from the bone marrow of patients with MM. Conclusion: We demonstrated that CD93 is expressed on myeloma cells and, that CD93 could play a key role in the pathogenesis of MM. Further studies are necessary to explore this possible role.
Aleksandra Pyziak-Skupien; Katarzyna Bobeff; Krystyna Wyka; Katarzyna Banach; Beata Malachowska; Wojciech Fendler; Agnieszka Szadkowska; Wojciech Mlynarski; Agnieszka Zmyslowska
Abstract
Background: Clinical partial remission (CPR) in most patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is observed shortly after clinical diagnosis. Increasing body weight and impaired insulin sensitivity may play a role in the pathogenesis of CPR. Several cytokines can also participate in the development of insulin ...
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Background: Clinical partial remission (CPR) in most patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is observed shortly after clinical diagnosis. Increasing body weight and impaired insulin sensitivity may play a role in the pathogenesis of CPR. Several cytokines can also participate in the development of insulin resistance. Objective:To evaluate the relationship between birth weight, body mass index, and the concentrations of IL-8 and Fetuin-A, and the presence of clinical partial remission in children at the T1D onset. Methods:The study group consisted of 134 children with a newly diagnosed T1D in whom the presence of CPR was evaluated in a further 2-year course of diabetes. The control group included 47 children withoutglucose tolerance disorders. The concentrations of IL-8 and Fetuin-A were determined by the ELISA method. Results: CPR occurred in 75.34% of T1D patients. At T1D onset, higher values of BMI SDS in the remitters as compared to the patients without remission were observed. At the T1D onset, the concentrations of Fetuin-A (p=0.031) and IL-8 (p=0.042) were significantly higher in patients compared to those without CPR. Conclusion: Evaluation of Fetuin-A and IL-8 levels in patients with a newly diagnosed T1D can differentiate between patients with or without CPR.
Ali Asghar Ebrahimi; Hamid Noshad; Shahram Sadreddini; Mohammad Saeid Hejazi; Yashar Mohammadzadeh Sadigh; Yashar Eshraghi; Morteza Ghojazadeh
Volume 6, Issue 3 , September 2009, , Pages 147-153
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease common in all races and ethnics. Cytokines and cytokines receptors play an important role in RA pathogenesis and clinical presentation. Objective: To investigate the serum levels of TNF-α, TNF-α RI, TNF-α ...
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Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease common in all races and ethnics. Cytokines and cytokines receptors play an important role in RA pathogenesis and clinical presentation. Objective: To investigate the serum levels of TNF-α, TNF-α RI, TNF-α RII and IL-12 in RA patients and healthy control group. Methods: In this study 43 patients fulfilling the revised criteria of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for RA and 13 healthy cases as a control group were selected for TNF-α, TNF-αRI, TNF-αRII and IL-12 serum level analysis. The patients' age was 42.2 ± 22 and the age of healthy group was 40.1 ± 19.2 years (p=0.1). The pa-tients had an active disease with at least six swollen and ten tender joints. Minimum ESR was 28 mm at first hours of the morning. Early morning stiffness in patients lasted longer than 45 minutes. Results: Our study showed that IL-12 serum level of the pa-tients (91.69 ± 43.07 ρg/ml) and control (61.79 ± 40.08 ρg/ml) group was significantly different (p<0.001). The serum level of TNF-αRI was 2.36 ± 0.77 ng/ml in the patient and 1.73 ± 0.37 ng/ml in the control group (p<0.01). TNF-αRII serum concentration in patients was 8.89 ± 2.3 ng/ml, while that of control group was 7.06±1.30 ng/ml (p=0.03). The serum level of TNF-α in patients was 32.90 ± 19.27 ρg/ml and that of the control group was 24.27± 8.28 ρg/ml (p=0.08) with no significant difference between the two. Conclusions: It is concluded that IL-12, TNF-αRI and TNF- αRII serum con-centrations are more important and better predictive factors than TNF-α in RA course and in the active forms of the disease.
Hossein Abdolrahim-Zadeh; Niloufar Hakkakian; Reza Asadollahi; Behrouz Gharesifard; Jamal Sarvari; Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani; Abdolrasoul Talei
Volume 2, Issue 3 , September 2005, , Pages 158-165
Abstract
Background: IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine which is involved in tumorigenesis. Over production of IL-10 and elevated number of IL-10 generating mononuclear cells in breast tumor tissue has already been shown. Objective: To determine the association of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms with increased ...
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Background: IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine which is involved in tumorigenesis. Over production of IL-10 and elevated number of IL-10 generating mononuclear cells in breast tumor tissue has already been shown. Objective: To determine the association of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms with increased risk of breast cancer and its association with breast cancer prognostic factors. Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 275 female breast cancer patients and 320 cancer free controls were used to detect three single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-10 promoter region ( -1082, -819, -592 ) by PCR method. Results: The frequency of genotypes and alleles of three mentioned regions of IL-10 promoter and their haplotypes (GCC, ATA, and ACC) showed no statistically significant difference between patients and controls. In the case of prognostic factors, progesterone receptor (PR) status exhibited significant relation with -1082 genotypes (P=0.03) and haplotypes (P=0.02). -1082 AA genotype was associated with negative PR expression whereas AG and GG genotypes of this site were positively associated with PR expression. Similarly GCC haplotype correlated with positive PR expression and ATA and ACC with negative PR expression. Conclusion: The data of this study showed that IL-10 promoter gene polymorphisms may not be considered as one of the risk factors for breast cancer in Iranian patients.
Marzieh Akbarzadeh; Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari; Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh; Jafar Hasanzadeh; Marzieh Bakhshayeshkaram
Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2013, , Pages 167-176
Abstract
Background: Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation presented in Type 2 diabetes mellitus plays a major role in disease progression as well as development of micro- and macro-vascular complications of diabetes. Therefore, reducing inflammation can be beneficial in prevention of diabetes complications. ...
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Background: Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation presented in Type 2 diabetes mellitus plays a major role in disease progression as well as development of micro- and macro-vascular complications of diabetes. Therefore, reducing inflammation can be beneficial in prevention of diabetes complications. Objectives: To investigate the association between insulin resistance and inflammatory markers, and assessing the effects of oral Calcitriol on inflammatory cytokines in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, 70 participants with type-2 diabetes were randomly divided to two groups. One group received two capsules of Calcitriol (0.25 μg 1,25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol per each capsule) per day. The second group received placebo tablets. At the beginning of the study, we assessed insulin resistance and its relation to inflammatory profile. Serum high sensitive Creactive protein (hs CRP), interleukin-6 and interleukin-18 were also measured at the beginning and the end of the 12-week supplementation trial. Results: Mean calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D concentrations in the study participants were 8.98 ± 0.79 mg/dl, 3.86 ± 0.50 mg/dl and 40.91 ± 30.9 ng/ml, respectively. IL-18 and hsCRP had significant positive associations with insulin resistance markers and negative associations with insulin sensitivity markers. At the end of the 12-week supplementation trial, no significant difference was seen in serum levels of hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-18 between the two groups, while these values were adjusted for baseline values. Conclusion: Inflammation was associated with insulin resistance in diabetic patients. No anti-inflammatory effect of Calcitriol in terms of decreasing hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-18 detected.
Seyed Mahmoud Sadjjadi; Hassan Abidi; Bahador Sarkari; Ahmad Izadpanah; Sakineh Kazemian
Volume 4, Issue 3 , December 2007, , Pages 167-172
Abstract
Background: Hydatidosis is one of the cosmopolitan parasitic zoonoses caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Diagnosis of hydatidosis is still an unresolved problem. Serological tests using crude antigens for diagnosis of E. granulosus are sensi-tive, however their specificity are not ...
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Background: Hydatidosis is one of the cosmopolitan parasitic zoonoses caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Diagnosis of hydatidosis is still an unresolved problem. Serological tests using crude antigens for diagnosis of E. granulosus are sensi-tive, however their specificity are not satisfactory. Therefore, WHO recommended spe-cific serological methods using specific antigens, specially native AgB for proper diagno-sis. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the ELISA and counter current im-munoelectrophresis (CCIEP) method using native antigen B (Ag B) for serodiagnosis of human hydatidosis in Fars Province, Iran, an endemic area for this parasitic disease. Methods: Native AgB was purified from sheep hydatid fluid. Serum samples obtained from 40 pathologically confirmed cases of hydatidosis along with samples from patients with fascioliasis, toxocariasis, taeniasis and cancer patients and sera from healthy indi-viduals were tested by ELISA using native antigen B or tested by countercurrent immu-noelectrophresis (CCIEP) using crude sheep hydatid cyst fluid. Results: Sensitivity of the ELISA system was determined to be 92.5% and the specificity was found to be 97.3%. Positive and negative predictive values of the system were 92.5% and 97.3%, respec-tively. For countercurrent immunoelectrophresis the sensitivity of the assay was 97.5% and its specificity was 58.18%. This ELISA system is much more specific in detecting anti hydatid cyst antibody than CCIEP, while CCIEP is more sensitive in detecting anti hydatid cyst antibody. Conclusion: The new ELISA system using native antigen B is a suitable method and preferable to CCIEP for immunodiagnosis of human hydatidosis.
Shirin Farjadian; Mehrdad Lotfazar; Abbas Ghaderi
Volume 5, Issue 3 , September 2008, , Pages 171-176
Abstract
Background: Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and early development of aggressive pe-riodontitis. Although cathepsin C (CTSC) gene mutations have been established in about 70-80% of PLS patients, it is assumed that the ...
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Background: Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and early development of aggressive pe-riodontitis. Although cathepsin C (CTSC) gene mutations have been established in about 70-80% of PLS patients, it is assumed that the patients may have dysfunctioning of immune defense mechanisms. Objective: To assess the association of HLA class II genes and PLS. Methods: HLA class II genes were typed in nine Iranian PLS patients and their family members and the results were compared to 816 Iranian healthy sub-jects. Results: The results of this study revealed that DRB1*0101 and DRB1*0301 al-leles were more frequent in PLS patients than in normal controls. However, there was no significant difference between PLS patients and normal controls. Moreover, the same haplotypes and genotype combinations were also observed in some patients and their healthy siblings. Conclusion: The results of this study showed no strong association between HLA class II alleles and PLS.
Paria Heydarinezhad; Nasser Gholijani; Zahra Habibagahi; Mohammad Reza Malekmakan; Zahra Amirghofran
Abstract
Background: FOXP3, an important transcription factor of regulatory T cells has shown a contribution to the development of various autoimmune diseases. Objectives: To investigate the influence of FOXP3 polymorphisms (rs3761548 and rs2294021) on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility and patients' ...
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Background: FOXP3, an important transcription factor of regulatory T cells has shown a contribution to the development of various autoimmune diseases. Objectives: To investigate the influence of FOXP3 polymorphisms (rs3761548 and rs2294021) on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility and patients' characteristics. Methods: Genotyping was performed on 265 patients with SLE and 404 healthy controls using PCR-RFLP. Patients' demographic, laboratory, and clinical information were all documented. The relationship between the SNPs and patients' characteristics was statistically analyzed. Results: The frequency of C/- genotype in male patients was significantly higher than in the healthy male controls, whereas the frequency of A/- genotype was lower (OR=0.53; 95% CI=0.28-1.00, p=.05). Analysis of the correlation between these SNPs and the patients' characteristics showed a longer disease duration in the rs3761548 C/- carriers and a correlation with arthralgia in both SNPs. In the females, there was a significant association between CC haplotype and disease susceptibility (OR=0.6, CI=0.38-0.94, p=.027). A significant association of both SNPs with the history of abortion was also detected. The frequencies of the rs3761548 AA (p=.006) and the rs2294021 CC genotypes (p=.038) and AC/AC combination (p=.033) were higher in women who had an abortion. We found a correlation between the rs3761548 AC genotype and the decreased C4 level and cardiovascular involvement, and the rs2294021 CC genotype with ESR, neurological involvement, and photosensitivity. Conclusions: FOXP3 rs3761548 C/- genotype association with disease susceptibility in male patients, an association of both SNPs with the abortion risk in female patients, and the correlation between these SNPs and several clinical features of the patients suggest their association with the disease development and pathology.
