Fathollah Kalantar; Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh; Emanuela Martinuzzi; Mohsen Moghadami; Zahra Amirghofran
Volume 11, Issue 1 , March 2014, , Pages 1-12
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder in which beta-cells are destroyed. The islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) produced by beta-cells has been reported to influence beta-cell destruction. Objective: To evaluate if IAPP can act as an autoantigen and therefore, to see if CD8 ...
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Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder in which beta-cells are destroyed. The islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) produced by beta-cells has been reported to influence beta-cell destruction. Objective: To evaluate if IAPP can act as an autoantigen and therefore, to see if CD8 + T-cells specific for this protein might be present in T2D patients. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 + T2D patients and non-diabetic healthy subjects. Cells were then screened for peptide recognition using ELISPOT assay for the presence of IFN-γ producing CD8 + T-cells against two HLA Class I-restricted epitopes derived from IAPP (IAPP 5-13 and IAPP9-17) and common viral antigenic minimal epitopes Flu MP 58-66, CMV495–503, EBV280–288 and HIV77–85 as controls. Results: A total of 36.4% of patients and 56.2% of healthy subjects showed a response against IAPP 5-13 peptide. No significant difference in response against this peptide was noted between the patients and the healthy donors. With respect to peptide IAPP 9-17, although healthy subjects showed a higher mean number of spot forming cells than the patients, the difference was not significant; 36.4% of patients and 37.5% of controls responded to this peptide. The response of healthy subjects to the common viral peptides was stronger than that of the patients, though the result was not significant. Conclusions: It is unlikely that IAPP would be a target for CD8+ T-cells in diabetic patients; however, the trend observed toward a lower response of T2D patients against IAPP and common viral peptides may imply a decreased immune response in these patients.
Zahra Amirghofran; Saeed Malek-Hosseini; Hossein Golmoghaddam; Fathollah Kalantar; Mehdi Shabani
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 159-169
Abstract
Background: A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes. Objective: To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to ...
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Background: A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes. Objective: To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to Iran including Dracocephalum kotschyi, Linum persicum, Dionysia termeana, Salvia mirzayanii, Ferulago angulata and Euphorbia cheiradenia. Methods: The methanolic extracts of the plants were prepared and examined for their effects on the NO production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophages. The level of TNF-α and IL-1β proinflammatory cytokines in the macrophage culture were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: All the extracts at concentration of 50 μg/ml demonstrated a significant decrease in NO production (p<0.001) after a 24-hour treatment. This inhibitory effect was also seen after 48 hours. Among the extracts, L. persicum was the strongest extract in reducing the NO production at 1 μg/ml after both 24 and 48-hours (nearly 100% inhibition, p<0.001). S. mirzayanii extract with 66.2 ± 8% inhibition at 50 μg/ml, showed the mildest effects in 48 hour culture. In cytokine release determination, the extract of L. persicum significantly inhibited both TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines production by stimulated macrophages (p<0.001). D. kotschyi, D. termeana and F. angulata decreased secretion of IL-1β from the cells. Conclusion: These results indicate the presence of anti-inflammatory and macrophage inhibitory substances in these plants.
Reza Mansouri; Firoozeh Akbari; Mohammad Vodjgani; Fereidoun Mahboudi; Fathollah Kalantar; Mahroo Mirahmadian
Volume 4, Issue 3 , December 2007, , Pages 179-185
Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and is also a leading cause of preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation. Several studies have reported abnormal levels of cytokines in women with preeclampsia. Objectives: To detect serum levels of various cytokines in pregnant ...
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Background: Preeclampsia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and is also a leading cause of preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation. Several studies have reported abnormal levels of cytokines in women with preeclampsia. Objectives: To detect serum levels of various cytokines in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Thirty patients with preeclampsia and thirty normal pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken and serum levels of IFN γ, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-15, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Preeclamptic women had significantly increased levels of circulating IL-12p70 (p < 0.05), IL-18 (p < 0.001), IL-4 (p < 0.001), IL-15 (p < 0.05) and IFN γ (p < 0.001). By contrast, circulating levels of IL-10 were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The present study supports the hypothesis of altered immune response in preeclampsia and suggests that dysregulation of cytokine expression occurs in preeclampsia with increased levels of IFN γ, IL-12p70, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-4.
