Huimin Yan; Xinyu Zhang; Ying Lv
Monireh Zare; Behnaz Valipour; Seyede Momeneh Mohammadi; Mohammad Nouri; Aliakbar Movassaghpour; Hojjatollah Nozad Charoudeh
Volume 14, Issue 3 , Summer 2017, , Pages 192-199
Abstract
Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is important in hematopoiesis. Despite the central role of mTOR in regulating the differentiation of immune cells, the effect of mTOR function on cord blood mononuclear cells is yet to be defined. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of mTOR inhibition, ...
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Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is important in hematopoiesis. Despite the central role of mTOR in regulating the differentiation of immune cells, the effect of mTOR function on cord blood mononuclear cells is yet to be defined. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of mTOR inhibition, using rapamycin on the proliferation and apoptosis of cord blood mononuclear cells, as well as on the B and T cell expansion. Methods: Cord blood mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 cytokines and inhibited by rapamycin for 14 days. The harvested cells were evaluated at distinct time points by flow cytometry. Results: The mTOR expression decreased in the presence of rapamycin on day 14. Inhibition of mTOR reduced the proliferation of the cord blood mononuclear cells, yet did not influence apoptosis. Moreover, the number of T and NK cells was significantly reduced in the presence of rapamycin, while no change was observed in the B cell expansion. Conclusion: mTOR signaling plays a crucial part in cord blood derived NK and T cells expansion.
Reza Feyzi; Mohammad Hossein Boskabady; Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyed hosseini Tamijani; Houshang Rafatpanah; Seyed Abdolrahim Rezaei
Volume 13, Issue 4 , Autumn 2016, , Pages 263-273
Abstract
Background: Several biological and medical benefits of Saffron, Crocus sativus
(Iridaceae), have been demonstrated. However, mechanisms of actions for purified
constituents are greatly unknown. Objective: To examine the effects of Safranal, a main
constituent of Saffron stigma, on cell viability and ...
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Background: Several biological and medical benefits of Saffron, Crocus sativus
(Iridaceae), have been demonstrated. However, mechanisms of actions for purified
constituents are greatly unknown. Objective: To examine the effects of Safranal, a main
constituent of Saffron stigma, on cell viability and cytokine profile of peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. Methods: Effects of Safranal at 0.1, 0.5
and 1 mM concentrations were evaluated on cell viability and production of interleukin
4 (IL-4), IL-10 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) from non-stimulated and phytohemagglutinin
(PHA) stimulated PBMCs, compared to 0.1 mM dexamethasone and saline. Results: In
stimulated cells, different concentrations of Safranal caused significant decrease of
lymphocytes viability (p<0.001 for all concentrations). All concentrations of Safranal
inhibited IFN-γ and IL-10 secretion in stimulated cells (p<0.01). In addition, high
concentration of Safranal significantly decreased cell viability of non-stimulated
PBMCs (p<0.001). The effect of 1 mM Safranal on IL-4 secretion was less than
dexamethasone (p<0.05). Safranal showed a stimulatory effect on IFN-γ secretion in
non-stimulated cells. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio at the presence of two higher Safranal
concentrations both in non-stimulated and stimulated cells were significantly higher
than those of control and PHA stimulated groups, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion:
The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increases in the presence of Safranal which indicates an effect on
Th1/Th2 balance. Therefore, Safranal may have therapeutic effects in inflammatory
diseases associated with Th1/Th2 imbalance.
Henu Kumar Verma; Aditya Nath Jha; Prafulla Kumar khodiar; Pradeep Kumar Patra; Lakkakula Venkata Kameswara Subrahmanya Bhaskar
Volume 13, Issue 2 , Spring 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.
Zeynab Aliyari; Forogh Alemi; Balal Brazvan; Hamid Tayefi Nasrabadi; Hojjatollah Nozad Charoudeh
Volume 12, Issue 1 , Winter 2015, , Pages 16-26
Abstract
Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), used in Leukemia treatment. CD26+ cells, a fraction of CD34 positive cells, are a major population of UCB cells which negatively regulate the in vivo homing and engraftment of HSCs. CD26 ...
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Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), used in Leukemia treatment. CD26+ cells, a fraction of CD34 positive cells, are a major population of UCB cells which negatively regulate the in vivo homing and engraftment of HSCs. CD26 is highly expressed in various cells such as HSCs, immune cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. It has been shown that the inhibition of the CD26 on CD34+ cells improves the efficiency of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell (HPC) transplantation. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the production of B, T, and NK cells from the CD26 positive fraction of cord blood mononuclear cells. Methods: Cord blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 21 days using different combinations of stem cell factors (SCF), Flt3 ligand (FL), IL-2, IL- 7, and IL-15. The harvested cells were then analyzed by flowcytometry every week for 21 days. Results: T cell differentiation from CD26 subset of cord blood mononuclear cells increased by using IL-2 and IL-7. Our data showed that IL-2 and IL-7 significantly affected the generation of B cells from CD26 positive cord blood mononuclear cells. On the other hand, NK (NKp46+) derived CD26+ cells increased by IL-15 and IL-2. Conclusion: Taking all into account, we conclude that B, T, and NK cells can differentiate from the CD26+ subset of mononuclear cord blood cells by using key regulatory cytokines.
Feryal Dabagh-Gorjani; Fahimeh Anvari; Jaleh Zolghadri; Eskandar KamaliSarvestani; Behrouz Gharesi-Fard
Volume 11, Issue 4 , Autumn 2014, , Pages 233-245
Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most complex and life-threatening pregnancy disorders and is considered as a major cause of mortality among mothers and fetuses worldwide. Although the exact etiology of PE is not well known several lines of evidence support an immunological etiology for PE. ...
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Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most complex and life-threatening pregnancy disorders and is considered as a major cause of mortality among mothers and fetuses worldwide. Although the exact etiology of PE is not well known several lines of evidence support an immunological etiology for PE. Objective: To investigate the differences in the expression of TLRs 2, 4, 5, and 6 and a group of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ in placentas from PE and healthy pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This case-control study was performed on fifteen PE and fifteen age and gestational matched healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Real time PCR (RT-PCR) technique was used to determine the expression of TLRs 2, 4, 5, and 6 in the maternal and fetal parts of the placenta. Moreover, the expressions of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ at RNA level in placental samples, peripheral, and cord blood were investigated. Results: The results of the present study indicated that the expressions of TLRs 4, 5 and 6 were significantly increased in both maternal part (p<0.001 and p<0.003 for TLRs 4, 6 and TLR 5, respectively) and fetal part (p<0.001), while TLR2 showed significant increase only in the fetal part of PE placentas (p<0.002). The levels of all studied cytokines showed over-expression within peripheral and cord blood samples from PE patients (p<0.001 for IL-1, IL-6, and IFN-γ and p<0.004 for TNF-α in both cord and peripheral blood samples). Conclusion: The finding of the present study indicated that the expression of the studied TLRs and inflammatory cytokines are generally suppressed in normal pregnancy, but are up regulated in preeclamptic women. Moreover, it seems that the maternal and fetal parts of the placenta may play different roles in the induction of the inflammatory status within the placenta.
Mete Eyigor; Hulya Eyigor; Ustun Osma; MustafaDeniz Yilmaz; Nuray Erin; Omer Tarik Selcuk; Cem Sezer; Meral Gultekin; Sadi Koksoy
Volume 11, Issue 4 , Autumn 2014, , Pages 259-268
Abstract
Background: Although the imbalance of cytokines in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is well known, there is scarce data regarding its occurrence during dysplasia, before the malignant transformation. Objective: To determine whether laryngeal dysplasia patients show a different cytokine profile ...
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Background: Although the imbalance of cytokines in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is well known, there is scarce data regarding its occurrence during dysplasia, before the malignant transformation. Objective: To determine whether laryngeal dysplasia patients show a different cytokine profile than patients with cancer and healthy controls. Methods: Seventeen newly diagnosed, untreated larynx squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and six laryngeal dysplasia patients as well as 22 healthy controls were analyzed for circulating cytokines. A flowcytometry Th1/Th2 cytokine array kit was used to quantitatively measure Interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels. Additionally, IL-8 levels were determined through ELISA. Results: IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were determined to be statistically increased in SCC patients (p<0.05). IL-8 and IL-10 levels were also higher in SCC patients than dysplasia patients (p<0.05). Additionally, IL-6 and IL-10 were all found to be markedly increased in dysplasia patients compared with controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate an imbalance of IL-6 and IL-10 not only in HNSCC but also in laryngeal dysplasia.
Motahareh Bahadori; Saeed Zarei; Amir Hassan Zarnani; Omid Zarei; Farah Idali; Reza Hadavi; Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
Volume 11, Issue 2 , Spring 2014, , Pages 97-104
Abstract
Background: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and polymorphisms of their genes have been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage (RM). Objective: To investigate the association between RM and five polymorphisms of cytokine genes, interleukin 10 (IL-10), (-592 ...
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Background: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and polymorphisms of their genes have been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage (RM). Objective: To investigate the association between RM and five polymorphisms of cytokine genes, interleukin 10 (IL-10), (-592 A/C, -819 C/T, -1082 A/G), IL-6 (-174 C/G) and IL-17 (-197 G/A) in Iranian women. Method: Polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to determine the frequencies of the IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 gene polymorphisms in 85 women with RM compared with 104 healthy controls. Results: The frequencies of IL- 10 promoter gene polymorphisms (-592 A/C and -819 C/T) were significantly higher in RM women than those in controls (p=0.003). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of IL-6 (-174 C/G), IL-10 (-1082 A/G) and IL-17 (-197 G/A) polymorphisms between RM women and controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that IL-10 gene polymorphism screening might have some relevance in patients with RM, a suggestion which requires further studies.
Nadeem Afzal; Shakeela Zaman; Aneela Asghar; Khursheed Javed; Faheem Shahzad; Abu Zafar; Abdul Hanan Nagi
Volume 11, Issue 1 , Winter 2014, , Pages 40-48
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a health concern which leads to complications such as retinopathy. Pakistan has 6.9 million people living with DM and this toll will be doubled by 2025. Objective: To determine serum IL-6 and IL-17 of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with retinopathy. Methods: ...
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Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a health concern which leads to complications such as retinopathy. Pakistan has 6.9 million people living with DM and this toll will be doubled by 2025. Objective: To determine serum IL-6 and IL-17 of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with retinopathy. Methods: In this cross-sectional casecontrol study, 212 subjects enrolled which were categorized into 3 groups. Group-I included 30 subjects without diabetes, group-II consisted of 30 subjects with T2DM without retinopathy and group-III consisted of 152 subjects with T2DM and retinopathy. Serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels were determined by ELISA. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.0 and one way ANOVA to observe group mean differences. Results: Longer mean duration of disease was detected in group-III than group-II (p=0.007). Highest IL-6 level was detected in group-II and highest IL-17 level was detected in group-I. For IL-6, significant differences were detected among groups in total, between Group-I and Group-III and between Group-II and Group-III (p<0.0001 each). Regarding IL-17, significant differences were found among groups in total (p=0.002) and between Group-I and Group-III (p=0.001). No significant difference in the percentages of HbA1c observed between groups. Conclusions: Age, gender and duration of diabetes contribute to T2DM retinopathy. Serum IL-6 and IL-17 were inversely associated with T2DM retinopathy.
Nadereh Naderi; Zahra Etaati; Mansoreh Rezvani Joibari; Seyed Alireza Sobhani; Said Hosseni Tashnizi
Volume 10, Issue 2 , Spring 2013, , Pages 118-126
Abstract
Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) has been controversially linked to IL-4 production in previous studies. A predominant Th1 response leads to resistance against recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), whereas a Th2 response exacerbates the disease. Objective: To investigate the possible effect ...
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Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) has been controversially linked to IL-4 production in previous studies. A predominant Th1 response leads to resistance against recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), whereas a Th2 response exacerbates the disease. Objective: To investigate the possible effect of iron deficiency on the host’s susceptibility to RVVC as a result of the Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization. Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 92 women in 4 groups based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria: RVVC+IDA+ group consisted of 23 women with RVVC and IDA; RVVC+ IDA- group consisted of 23 women with RVVC without IDA; RVVC-IDA+ group consisted of 23 women without RVVC and with IDA and RVVC- IDA- group consisted of 23 healthy women. The iron parameters and key cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12, IL-4) were measured in blood samples. Results: Comparison of IL-4 production between RVVC+ IDA+ (12.2 ± 1.3 pg/ml) and RVVC+ IDA- (2.4 ± 4.0 pg/ml) groups (p=0.044), between RVVC- IDA+ (14.6 ± 1.7 pg/ml) and RVVC- IDA- (1.28 ± 3.6 pg/ml) groups (p=0.006), between RVVC- IDA+ (14.6 ± 1.7 pg/ml) and RVVC+ IDA-) 2.4 ± 4.0 pg/ml) groups (p=0.009) and also between RVVC+ IDA+ and RVVC- IDA- (1.28 ± 3.6 pg/ml) groups (p=0.03) showed significant differences. We found a significant positive correlation between IL-4 and total iron binding capacity (TIBC, p=0.046) and between serum IL-10 and Hb levels (p=0.041) in the RVVC+ IDA- group. There was also a significant negative correlation between serum IL-4 and levels of serum iron (SI, p=0.041) in the RVVC- IDA- group. Conclusion: It seems that IDA determines the balance between and the intensity of Th1 and Th2 arms of the immune response and leads to a deviation toward Th2 response which could contribute to recurrence of candidiasis.
Soghra Khazardoust; Pouya Javadian; Bahram Salmanian; Farnaz Zandevakil; Fatemeh Abbasalizadeh; Shohreh Alimohamadi; Sedigheh Borna; Tooba Ghazanfari; Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh
Volume 9, Issue 3 , Summer 2012, , Pages 199-207
Abstract
Background: There are strong evidences suggesting the secretion of different cytokines in cervical fluid during preterm labor. Betamethasone is widely administered for several reasons in preterm conditions. Objective: To Investigate the possible effect of betamethasone on endocervical cytokine concentration ...
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Background: There are strong evidences suggesting the secretion of different cytokines in cervical fluid during preterm labor. Betamethasone is widely administered for several reasons in preterm conditions. Objective: To Investigate the possible effect of betamethasone on endocervical cytokine concentration of women at risk of preterm labor. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial of 80 prime-gravid women in preterm labor between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation, cervical fluid was collected. Endocervical concentration of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed before and 48 hours after betamethasone treatment for the evaluation of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ and TGF-β. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were employed for statistical analysis. χ2 and Student’s t tests were used whenever needed. Results: All the measured cytokines showed significant changes in the betamethasone treated group. IL-17 (p=0.001), IL-8 (p=0.001), and IFN- γ (p<0.05) decreased significantly, while TGF-β had a significant increase (p<0.05). In the patients who delivered before or on the 7th day of admission, IL-17, IL-8, and IFN-γ levels were all significantly higher. However, TGF-β decreased significantly in the same samples in the betamethasone treated group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Betamethasone significantly decreases the endocervical pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in patients with preterm labor.
Samira Rajaei; Amir Hassan Zamani; Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani; Maryam Tavakoli; Afsaneh Mohammadzadeh; Ali Dabbagh; Mahroo Mirahmadian
Volume 8, Issue 4 , Autumn 2011, , Pages 201-208
Abstract
Background: Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) is one of the most intricate obstacles in assisted reproduction. The cytokine and chemokine composition of uterine cavity seem to play important roles in the implantation process. Objective: To compare the cytokine profile in the endometrium of normal fertile ...
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Background: Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) is one of the most intricate obstacles in assisted reproduction. The cytokine and chemokine composition of uterine cavity seem to play important roles in the implantation process. Objective: To compare the cytokine profile in the endometrium of normal fertile women and those with repeated implantation failure. Methods: After enzymatic digestion of endometrial tissues, whole endometrial cells and endometrial stromal cells from RIF and normal fertile women were cultivated and stimulated for cytokine secretion. The levels of IL-10, TGF-β, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 in culture supernatants of the two groups were assayed by ELISA and compared together. Results: Endometrial stromal cells and whole endometrial cells of normal fertile women produced higher levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β compared to RIF group, although this difference was statistically significant only in endometrial stromal cells (p=0.005, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). In addition, endometrial stromal cells of normal fertile women produced lower levels of IL-10 in comparison with RIF group (p=0.005). Conclusion: Disturbances in cytokine production at the feto-maternal interface could be a cause of implantation failure. A pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu seems to be pivotal for successful implantation.
Mandana Sattari; Alireza Fathiyeh; Fatemeh Gholami; Hassan Darbandi Tamijani; Mahdi Ghatreh Samani
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Winter 2011, , Pages 20-26
Abstract
Background: Growth factors play a major part in wound healing in many tissues including the periodontium. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is one of these factors present in the gingival crevicular fluid. In addition, it is considered as one of the most important anti-inflammatory cytokines. ...
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Background: Growth factors play a major part in wound healing in many tissues including the periodontium. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is one of these factors present in the gingival crevicular fluid. In addition, it is considered as one of the most important anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine that presents itself in gingival inflammation and the GCF. Such factors might be of value as prognostic markers of wound healing activity and the therapeutic progress following flap surgery. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgical flap on the concentration of IL-1β and TGF-β in the GCF of patients with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis. Methods: The GCF samples were collected, using the Perio-Paper strip at phase 1 (pre-surgery), phase 2 (4th week post surgery) and phase 3 (12th week post surgery) from 20 sites of 10 patients undergoing flap surgery. After the elution, IL-1β and TGF-β concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean TGF-β and IL-1β concentration decreased from phase 1 to phase 3 (p<0.05). There were no significant statistical correlations between IL-1β and TGF-β1 concentrations in the 3 assessment phases. There was a significant statistical correlation between TGF-β1 concentrations and the Plaque Index (PI) in phase 2 (p<0.05). There was a significant statistical correlation (p<0.05) between IL-1β and TGF-β1 concentration and the probing pocket depth (PPD). Conclusion: The flap surgery has a significant effect on decreasing IL-1β concentration. In the case of TGF-β1, probably the decrease in the concentration after treatment might be due to the removal of the inflammatory stimulants.
Esra Kazak; Sergio Costa Oliveria; Güher Goral; Halis Akalin; Emel Yilmaz; Yasemin Heper; Haluk Barbaros Oral
Volume 7, Issue 3 , Summer 2010, , Pages 132-141
Abstract
Background: Because of high morbidity of the brucellosis in humans and the potential use of the microorganism as an agent of biologic warfare, protection of effective vaccines and specific diagnostic reagents become necessary to eradicate brucellosis. Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate ...
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Background: Because of high morbidity of the brucellosis in humans and the potential use of the microorganism as an agent of biologic warfare, protection of effective vaccines and specific diagnostic reagents become necessary to eradicate brucellosis. Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the cytokine responses and changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups of acute brucellosis patients in response to L7/L12 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) recombinant proteins derived from Brucella abortus. Methods: levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 secreted from PBMCs of 25 acute brucellosis patients and 15 healthy controls, stimulated with Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), L7/L12 or GAPDH were measured by ELISA. Furthermore alterations in lymphocyte subgroups in response to these Brucella antigens were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Extracellular IFN-γ levels were found to be elevated after stimulation with L7/L12 in patients with acute brucellosis, whereas no significant changes were found in IL-4 and IL-10 levels. Similar data was also obtained with GAPDH, but the stimulation of IFN-γ production was not observed in all patients and was not as strong as that observed for L7/L12. Moreover, when the distribution of lymphocytes subgroups (CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD4+CD25+, CD3+CD69+ and CD3+CD152+) was evaluated, it was found that the stimulation with L7/L12 and GAPDH only led to an increase in the percentage of CD3+CD69+ lymphocytes. Conclusion: These data indicate that Brucella abortus L7/L12 or GAPDH induce a Th1 type immune response in acute brucellosis patients. Additionally, these recombinant proteins, especially L7/L12, may be used in new vaccine preparations and diagnostic tests.
Nader Tajik; Tohid Kazemi; Aliakbar Delbandi; Ahad Ghods; Alireza Salek Moghaddam
Volume 3, Issue 4 , Autumn 2006, , Pages 150-156
Abstract
Background: In addition to Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) compatibility, gene polymorphisms in cytokines might also be important in the quality of allogeneic immune response. Objective: To evaluate the influence of HLA-DR matching and a number of cytokine gene polymorphisms on acute rejection after living-unrelated ...
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Background: In addition to Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) compatibility, gene polymorphisms in cytokines might also be important in the quality of allogeneic immune response. Objective: To evaluate the influence of HLA-DR matching and a number of cytokine gene polymorphisms on acute rejection after living-unrelated donor (LURD) kidney transplantation. Methods: A total of 42 renal transplants performed at Hashemi Nejad Kidney Hospital (Tehran/Iran) and followed up for 3 months post-transplantation were included. Using PCR-SSP, HLA-DR alleles (DR1- 18) of recipients and donors and gene polymorphisms in TNF-a, TGF-b1, IL-10, IL- 6, and IFN-g of recipients were determined. Results: Acute rejection was observed in 11(26.2%) of renal recipients. The frequency of one and two HLA-DR mismatches in rejector group was 2(18.2%) and 9(81.8%) and in non-rejector group was 13(41.9%) and 17(54.8%), respectively. HLA-DR incompatibility was not significantly higher in rejector (1.82 0.40) compared with non-rejector (1.52 0.57) recipients (P=0.069) and more than half of non-rejectors had completely mismatched HLA-DR antigens with donors. Polymorphisms associated with the mentioned cytokines had no correlation with acute rejection. Conclusion: The predictive value of HLA-DR mismatching for acute rejection is not as prominent in LURD kidney transplantation as in the cadaveric one. In addition, we failed to demonstrate an association between combined cytokine genotypes and HLA-DR matching with acute rejection. Further and more detailed immunogenetic investigations are required in order to have a better prediction of the transplant outcome.
Tahereh Mousavi; Nahid Asadi; Majid Tebyanian
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Summer 2005, , Pages 166-171
Abstract
Background: The incidence of allergic and asthmatic diseases has been continuously increased in both industrial and developing countries. Extracts from various known allergens are used for the diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Objective: To investigate the effects of an extract prepared from Chenopodium ...
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Background: The incidence of allergic and asthmatic diseases has been continuously increased in both industrial and developing countries. Extracts from various known allergens are used for the diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Objective: To investigate the effects of an extract prepared from Chenopodium album (Ch.A.) pollen to induce allergic asthma in BALB/C mice. Methods: BALB/C mice were sensitized by i.p. injection of Ch.A. extract and alum, and an intratracheal instillation of the extract. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were obtained by cannulating the trachea and lavaging the lungs and examined for eosinophilia. Splenocytes were incubated with Ch.A. extract and cell supernatants were examined for IL-4 and IL-5 by ELISA. Results: We demonstrated that Ch.A. extract treatment in mice increased serum levels of specific IgE and production of IL-4 and IL-5 from splenocytes. An airway eosinophilia was also demonstrated in mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that Ch.A. allergen extract is a potential agent in inducing characteristics of allergic asthma in a mouse model useful in investigational studies.
Mahboob Lessan-Pezeshki; Ali Akbar Amirzargar; Nooshin Golabi; Mohammadreza Khatami; Behzad Einollahi; Vahid Pourfarziani; Farideh Khosravi; Hassaneh Tajerzadeh; Behrouz Nikbin
Volume 2, Issue 2 , Spring 2005, , Pages 87-90
Abstract
Background: Monitoring of phenotypic characteristics of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood is commonly performed to give the clinical parameters in the management of kidney transplant recipients. Objective: To predict rejection in renal transplantation by immune parameters. Methods: 16 non-diabetic ...
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Background: Monitoring of phenotypic characteristics of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood is commonly performed to give the clinical parameters in the management of kidney transplant recipients. Objective: To predict rejection in renal transplantation by immune parameters. Methods: 16 non-diabetic kidney transplant candidates (4 females and 12 males, age = 20-65 yr, first time transplant) were selected. The transplanted patients were divided into two groups based on the rejection during 3 weeks post transplant: group I (n = 9) without rejection and group II (n = 7) with a rejection episode. Immune parameters including lymphocytes subpopulations (by flowcytometry) and immunoglobulin classes (IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE by nephlometric assay) before and 45 days after transplantation were determined. Results: The results of this investigation showed that the level of immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE decreased post transplantation due to immunosuppressive drugs. CD3, CD4, CD8 T cells count, CD56 NK cells count and CD20 B cells count pre- and post-transplantation did not show any significant differences. The amount of IgE (220 vs. 462 IU/ml), CD3 (62% vs. 69.7%) and CD4 (35% vs. 41.3%) cells increased in group II during rejection episode pre-transplantation. In addition, IgA increased pretransplantation in group I those without rejection episode in comparison with group II with a rejection episode. Forty five days post transplantation IgA (209 vs. 152 mg/dl), IgG (1009 vs. 703 mg/dl) and CD20 (15% vs. 10%) increased in group I patients. Conclusion: It is suggestive that pre-transplantation increases IgE, CD3 and CD4 are predictive of acute rejection.
Ali Akbar Amirzargar; Abdol Ali Danesh; Farideh Khosravi; Mohammad Hossein Niknam; Behrouz Nikbin
Volume 1, Issue 2 , Summer 2004, , Pages 125-129
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) has recently become a major problem in developed countries especially in immune compromised HIV infected individuals. Cytokines, their genes and receptors have been implicated in the protective immunity, pathophysiology and development of tuberculosis. ...
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Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) has recently become a major problem in developed countries especially in immune compromised HIV infected individuals. Cytokines, their genes and receptors have been implicated in the protective immunity, pathophysiology and development of tuberculosis. Material & Methods: In the present study the genotype frequencies of a number of polymorphic genes coding for cytokines or for cytokine receptors have been investigated in a case control study including a group of 40 Iranian PTB patients and 40 healthy individuals. The allelic polymorphism of cytokines SNPs were analyzed according to the protocols of the cytokine component designed for the 13th IHW by the Heidelberg University group. Using PCR-SSP method the following cytokine genes have been determined: IL-1 ¿ (T/C –889), IL-1¾ (C/T +3962), IL-1R (C/T pstI 1970), IL-1RA ( T/C mspaI 1100), IL-4RA (G/A +1902), IL- 12 (C/A –1188), TGF- ¾ (C/T codon 10, G/C codon 25), TNF-¿ (G/A –308, G/A –238), IL-2 (T/G –330 G/T +166), IL-4 (T/G –1098, T/C –590, T/C –33), IL-6 (G/C –174, G/A nt 560), IL-10 (G/A –1082, C/T –819, C/A –592). Results: From IL-1R cluster (pro- inflammatory cytokines) a positive significant association was found at position pstI 1970 C/T polymorphism where the C allele was over presented in the PTB patients (60% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.04). A significant negative association at codon 10 TGF- ¾ C/T polymorphism has also been shown in our patients, where the T allele was not detected in the patients but 10% of the control subjects expressed this allele (Fisher exact test, P = 0.05). At this codon allele T (Leucine substitution) is associated with high TGF- ¾ production. For TNF ¿ an insignificant tendency was found at position -308 A/G polymorphism where the G allele carried by 80% of cases and 65% of controls (P = 0.07). At position -238 a negative association was found at the GA polymorphism (10% vs. 25%, P = 0.07). For IL-6 an insignificant positive association at position -174 C/G polymorphism, G allele (57.5% vs. 37.5, P = 0.07) was found. At the other cytokine genes no specific association were found. Conclusion: In conclusion it is suggested that C allele at position pstI 1970 of IL-1 cluster increases and T allele at codon 10 of TGF- ¾ decreases in PTB patients.
Ali Rafinejad; Mohammad Hossein Niknam; Ali Akbar Amirzargar; Farideh Khosravi; Forouzan Karimi; Bagher Larijani
Volume 1, Issue 2 , Summer 2004, , Pages 130-132
Abstract
Background: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder. Cytokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis of T1D. Objective: IFN-¹ polymorphism was investigated in T1D and compared with normal controls. Methods: Thirty patients suffering from T1D and 40 ...
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Background: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder. Cytokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis of T1D. Objective: IFN-¹ polymorphism was investigated in T1D and compared with normal controls. Methods: Thirty patients suffering from T1D and 40 normal controls were studied simultaneously using PCR technique. IFN- ¹ gene was evaluated at position 5’UTR +5644. Results: There was a significant difference between patient and control groups in TT genotype (P<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we found a negative association between IFN-¹ gene at position 5’UTR +5644 and T1D in Iranian patients pointing to T allele as a protective factor against T1D.