Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Fariba Akbari Gavabari ¹
• Mohsen Rastegari-Pouyani ^{1, 2}
• Saied Afshar ^{3, 4}
• Mehrdokht Mazdeh ⁵
• Elaheh Talebi-ghane ^{6, 7}
• Mohammad Mahdi Eftekharian ^{1, 8}

¹ Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

² Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Institute of Cancer, Avicenna Health Research Institute, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

³ Cancer Research Center, Institute of Cancer, Avicenna Health Research Institute, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

⁴ Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

⁵ Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

⁶ Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Institute of Health Sciences and Technologies, Avicenna Health Research Institute, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

⁷ Clinical Research Development Unit of Fatemieh Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

⁸ Neurophysiology Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Avicenna Health Research Institute, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasingly recognized as a condition driven by both central and peripheral inflammatory responses, largely mediated by cytokine activity.
Objective: To assess IL-35 (P35 and Ebi3 subunits) and IL-37 gene expression, along with the serum levels of IL-35 protein in patients with PD compared to healthy controls.
Methods: Cytokine gene expression was measured using the qRT-PCR technique, while IL-35 serum levels were measured using the ELISA method. The data obtained were analyzed using a Bayesian regression model in the R software.
Results: The results revealed that the expression of P35 gene, of the two subunits of IL-35, did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, Ebi3 and IL-37 transcript levels were significantly lower in patients compared to healthy individuals (p<0.001). In contrast,  IL-35 serum level in patients showed a significant increase compared to the control group (p=0.016).  Notably, IL-37 expression showed a negative correlation with age (p=0.004). . We also observed positive and significant correlations between the gene expression of P35 and Ebi3 (p= 0.02, r= 0.4), P35 and IL-37 (p= 0.008, r= 0.45), and Ebi3 and IL-37 (p= 0.016, r= 0.41).
Conclusion: In conclusion, our study revealed a higher serum protein level of IL-35 in PD patients compared to the healthy control group. Meanwhile, gene expression levels of IL-37 and Ebi-3 were significantly reduced. These alterations in the expression of these cytokines are suggested to be partly responsible for the immune system dysregulation in this disease.

Keywords

• Interleukin-35
• Interleukin-37
• Inflammation
• Parkinson's Disease