Original Article
Nader Tajik; Tohid Kazemi; Aliakbar Delbandi; Ahad Ghods; Alireza Salek Moghaddam
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 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 ...
Read More
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.
Original Article
Mehri Ghafourian Boroujerdnia; Fatemeh Ghalambor Dezfuly; Nepton Emad Mosthophy; Rahim Chinipardaz
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 157-163
Abstract
Background: Recent attention has focused on the expression of integrin molecules within the endometrium, and their relation to infertility. Objective: The present prospective study was undertaken to determine whether the endometrium of women with unexplained infertility differs in the expression of very ...
Read More
Background: Recent attention has focused on the expression of integrin molecules within the endometrium, and their relation to infertility. Objective: The present prospective study was undertaken to determine whether the endometrium of women with unexplained infertility differs in the expression of very late activation antigens (VLA) from the endometrium of normal fertile women. Methods: Thirty samples of endometrial biopsies from hysterectomies with non-endometrial pathology and 28 endometrial samples by uterine curetting from infertile women in secretary phase at implantation time were collected, stained with three monoclonal antibodies against β1 integrin subunits including VLA-1 to VLA-3 by immunohistochemical technique and then assessed semi-quantitatively by microscope. Chi-Square test was used to compare the expression of VLA antigens on epithelial cells, stromal cells, lymphocytes and vessels within endometrial tissues between two groups. Results: The results showed that most VLA integrins were present in fertile and infertile endometrium tissues. There were similarities and differences in the expression of VLA molecules in different compartments. VLA-2, VLA-3 expression on endometrial compartments showed an unaltered pattern of staining during the putative window of implantation in either fertile or infertile women with no significant differences (Pvalue> 0.5). VLA-1 expression on endometrial compartments changed in fertile and unexplained infertile women, the differences were related to the presence or lack of the molecules on epithelial and stromal cells respectively. Conclusion: Differences may explain causes of unexplained infertility, and suggests that certain integrins may participate in the cascade of molecular events leading to successful implantation and early placental development which requires more investigations.
Original Article
Hojjatollah Shokri; Farzad Asadi; Ali Reza Bahonar; Ali Reza Khosravi
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 164-168
Abstract
Background: Herbal medicines have been used since ancient times for treatment of a range of diseases and have represented stimulatory effects on the function of innate immunity. Objective: To evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on the function of innate immunity including phagocytic ...
Read More
Background: Herbal medicines have been used since ancient times for treatment of a range of diseases and have represented stimulatory effects on the function of innate immunity. Objective: To evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on the function of innate immunity including phagocytic activity and TNF-α secretion in animal model. Methods: Eight BALB/c mice were divided into two equal groups. In group A, Z. multiflora essence was injected intraperitoneally to the mice, in group B, distilled water was injected. Blood was obtained from 4 mice in each group, 4 and 7 days following injection. The amounts of phagocytosis (respiratory burst) and TNF-α secretion were assessed by chemiluminescence and ELISA method, respectively. Results: Significant increase in phagocytosis and TNF-α secretion was observed in group A compared with the control group at days 4 and 7. Conclusion: Z. multiflora essence can remarkably stimulate innate immunity function and it may be used to immunize individuals alone or in combination with other immunostimulatory agents.
Original Article
Fereshteh Fani; Eskandar kamali-Sarvestani; Razieh Yazdanparast; Ahmad Monabati; Shahnaz Rafiei
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 169-175
Abstract
Background: Autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by T-cell mediated immune destruction of the insulin-producing β-cell in pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Specificity of the auto-antibodies and of the auto-reactive T-cells has been investigated, in which several auto-antigens were proposed. ...
Read More
Background: Autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by T-cell mediated immune destruction of the insulin-producing β-cell in pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Specificity of the auto-antibodies and of the auto-reactive T-cells has been investigated, in which several auto-antigens were proposed. Objective: To determine whether glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) feeding would induce oral tolerance of either T-cell or B-cell compartment in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Methods: Rats in the experimental group were fed 2 mg/kg of GAD (extracted from Escherichia coli ) 14 days before intra-peritoneal injections of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days). Two control groups were considered: diabetic control group, which underwent STZ injections without receiving GAD, and normal control group. Systemic response was compared between the three groups. T-cells response was assessed by a proliferation assay of spleen cells and those of the B-cells by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-GAD specific antibodies in serum. Results: Compared with the diabetic control group, a significant reduction was observed only in the proliferative response of spleen cells, but not in the level of anti-GAD antibody. Conclusion: GAD feeding induces systemic T-cell tolerance in STZ-induced diabetes.
Original Article
Ragaa Mohamed Issa
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 176-180
Abstract
Background: The diagnosis of toxocariasis heavily depends on immunological tests because the number of parasites is usually few in infected tissues, unless they migrate into an organ such as eye. In general, patients with ocular toxocariasis have serum anti- T canis antibody titres that are significantly ...
Read More
Background: The diagnosis of toxocariasis heavily depends on immunological tests because the number of parasites is usually few in infected tissues, unless they migrate into an organ such as eye. In general, patients with ocular toxocariasis have serum anti- T canis antibody titres that are significantly lower than those with visceral toxocariasis. Objective: To diagnose the asymptomatic toxocariasis in infants before two years old and suspected pregnant women by an ELISA method utilizing two different antigens of TEE and capture TEX. Methods: This work was carried out between 8/2005 and 4/2006. Specimens of serum collected from 79 infants (apparent healthy) aged between 4 weeks to 30 moths (51 females and 28 males) Also, 28 specimens of serum were collected from asymptomatic pregnant women aged between 18-32 years old and all their infants (17 females and 11 males that their ages were as mentioned above). Serodiagnosis by ELISA was done by using two antigens, Toxocara canis embryonated egg antigen (TEE) and Toxocara canis antigen capture ELISA . Results: Toxocara antibodies were found in 7 and 12 pregnant women, when tested by TEE and capture TEX ELISA respectively. Three out of 28 and 7 out of 28 infant sera were positive for Toxocara antibodies when tested by TEE ELISA and capture TEX ELISA respectively. Active ocular toxocariasis was only diagnosed in the left eye of one mother. All inactive ocular toxocariasis were diagnosed by capture TEX ELISA, except one infant serum, which was diagnosed by TEE ELISA. Conclusion: The capture TEX ELISA was able to discriminate positive and negative toxocariasis samples better than TEE ELISA. In addition, sample analyses by both capture TEX ELISA and TEE ELISA is recommended in children and young adults, when toxocariasis is considered in the differential diagnosis of the ocular diseases.
Original Article
Mabel Charles-Davies; Ganiyu Arinola; Rasaki Sanusi; Babatunde Osotimehin
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 181-186
Abstract
Background: Breast milk is important for the overall well-being of infants. Although lactation is relatively robust in the face of poor nutrition, the implication of poor nutrition on non-nutritive factors in breast milk is inconclusive. Objective: This study was designed to find associations between ...
Read More
Background: Breast milk is important for the overall well-being of infants. Although lactation is relatively robust in the face of poor nutrition, the implication of poor nutrition on non-nutritive factors in breast milk is inconclusive. Objective: This study was designed to find associations between nutritional and immune factors in maternal blood and breast milk with the aim to improve the needed public and individual strategies for a healthy infant. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 61 lactating Nigerian women aged 23-40years within the first 3 months postpartum. Anthropometric measurements were obtained while nutritional factors (total protein, albumin) and immunoglobulin classes (IgG, A and M) were estimated by Biuret, Bromocresol green and single radial immunodiffusion methods respectively in maternal plasma and breast milk. Results: Most (73.5%) of the lactating mothers had normal mean body mass index (i.e. not under weight nor obese) and the mean levels of plasma total protein, albumin, IgG, IgA and IgM were within normal reference ranges in these mothers. Nutritional and immunological indices increase in the plasma with length of lactation but decrease in breast milk with lactation. There were no correlation between BMI, plasma indices and milk indices in these lactating mothers. Conclusion: This study supports the superiority of colostrum over transitional or matured milk for the protection and nourishment of infants.
Original Article
Abolhassan Faramarzi; Azra Shamsdin; Abbas Ghaderi
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 187-191
Abstract
Background: Tonsils and adenoids are involved in both local immunity and immune surveillance for the development of immune defense mechanisms. A number of investigators have found decreased immunoglobulin levels after adenotonsillectomy while others have failed to find significant changes. The effects ...
Read More
Background: Tonsils and adenoids are involved in both local immunity and immune surveillance for the development of immune defense mechanisms. A number of investigators have found decreased immunoglobulin levels after adenotonsillectomy while others have failed to find significant changes. The effects of adenotonsillectomy on the cellular immunity of children have not been investigated extensively. Objective: To observe the change in humeral and cellular immune systems before and after operation in patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Methods: The study comprised 102 patients; all of the patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. The levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured for humoral immunity and the percent of CD7 and CD19 positive cells were determined in blood samples taken from these patients 24 hours before operation and also 2 and 8 weeks after the operation. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The present study shows that the serum level of IgA would rise few weeks after the operation. Changes in the IgM and IgG level were not statistically significant postoperatively. In addition, no significant change was detected in B lymphocyte count before and after adenotonsillectomy. In our study, there was a slight decrease in the T lymphocyte count in the early stage of post operation, which returned to normal preoperative value after 8 weeks . Conclusion: Several immune system parameters maintain its normal status several weeks after adenotonsillectomy.
Letter To The Editor
Christos Zavos; Jannis Kountouras
Volume 3, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 192-193
Abstract
We read the paper written by Razeghinejad et al. (1), who conducted a study on anti- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) IgG antibody levels in an Iranian glaucoma cohort, with considerable interest and based on our original concept (2-5). The authors concluded that a relation between H. pylori infection ...
Read More
We read the paper written by Razeghinejad et al. (1), who conducted a study on anti- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) IgG antibody levels in an Iranian glaucoma cohort, with considerable interest and based on our original concept (2-5). The authors concluded that a relation between H. pylori infection and primary open-angle glaucoma is not supported by their results, because the aqueous anti- H. pylori IgG antibody concentration did not differ significantly from the cataract control population. However, in the discussion there is little attention to the limitations of their work. Specifically, there is no discussion of: (a) the relatively small sample size, (b) the limited power of the study, (c) the possibility that the control group represents a selected group resulting in bias, (d) the absence of normalization of aqueous antibody titers to another serum protein to serve as control, such as IgG or albumin, and (e) the limited accuracy of using the commercial ELISA technique in the aqueous humor, originally manufactured for serum samples. It has been reported that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the city of Shiraz, where the study by Razeghinejad et al. was conducted, is very high (6,7) regardless of the socioeconomic status, an already established significant factor affecting H. pylori prevalence in the European countries. This means that to prove a difference in H. pylori prevalence between any two groups in Shiraz, several hundreds or even a few thousands of participants are required. Instead, Razeghinejad et al. presented their results based on a small number of patients, and therefore the power of their study was too low. The authors failed to comment on the prevalence of H. pylori infection they found in their study groups, which should be very high in both groups according to previous reports and increase with increasing age (6,7).
