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.
Elham Ashouri; Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh; Amirhossein Hadaegh; Soodeh Rowhanirad; Marizeh Bakhshayeshkaram; Gholamhossein Ranjbar Omrani
Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2013, , Pages 150-157
Abstract
Background: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed on NK cells and a subset of T cells. The variable KIR receptors along with their ligands, HLA class I, influence risk for autoimmune and malignant diseases. Objective: To investigate the KIR gene profiles in relation to susceptibility ...
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Background: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed on NK cells and a subset of T cells. The variable KIR receptors along with their ligands, HLA class I, influence risk for autoimmune and malignant diseases. Objective: To investigate the KIR gene profiles in relation to susceptibility to Graves’ disease in patients with ophthalmopathy. Methods: KIR genes profiles were analyzed in 90 patients presenting Graves’ disease with ophthalmopathy representing upper eyelid retraction, swelling, redness, conjunctivitis, and bulging eyes and were compared with the KIR gene profiles of 112 healthy controls. The presence and absence of 11 variable KIR genes were characterized using a gene-specific PCR typing system. Results: There was no significant difference in the distribution of KIR gene profiles between patients and controls. Conclusion: Our data show that none of the KIR genotypes contribute in susceptibility to Graves’ disease; although the role of HLA ligand remains to be characterized.