ABSTRACT
It has been documented that cytokines play important roles in the induction of normal functions of the placenta. It has been hypothesized that abnormal expression of the cytokines may be associated with unsuccessful pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin- 17A [IL-17A] and tumor growth factor [TGF-beta] in pre-term, term neonates, and their corresponding mothers. This study was performed on 100 term and 60 pre-term neonates, and also on their corresponded mothers. Serum levels of IL-17A and TGF-beta were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Our results revealed that the serum levels of IL-17A were significantly decreased in pre-term neonates in comparison to full-term neonates. However, the serum levels of IL-17A in the mothers either with pre-term or full-term neonates were not different. Also the serum levels of TGF-beta were not changed in pre-term neonates and their mothers when compared with full-term neonates and their mothers, respectively. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that IL-17A may play crucial roles in induction of normal pregnancies and also probably participates in normal growth of fetus
ABSTRACT
The differentiation between acute and latent forms of the Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii] infection is still considered as a complicated issue. This study was aimed to elucidate the status of infection in the blood donors and the probable importance of blood transfusion in the transmission of the infection through detecting both immunological and genetic markers of acute and latent infection. Totally 235 blood samples from blood donors were collected. The levels of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were examined by specific ELISA kits. cDNA were synthesized from total extracted mRNA molecules from the serum samples and SAG1 gene, specific for tachyzoite form, were amplified using Real-Time PCR technique. Demographic information of study subjects including their gender, age, job, and habitat were recorded. Out of 235 serum samples, 80 [34.04%] and 4 [1.71%] were positive regarding anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Real-Time PCR results showed that 14 out of 200 [6.97%] of blood donor had mRNA molecules of SAG1 gene. The positive results of Real-Time PCR of SAG1 in female gender and housekeepers were significantly higher than those of male gender and other job categories. The prevalence of chronic and acute infection is high in Iranian blood donors. Additionally, evaluation of antibodies could not be reliable, because several donors negative for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies had detectable SAG1 mRNA molecules. Hence, it seems that molecular diagnostic tests are essential to detect acute infections
ABSTRACT
Alopecia Areata [AA] is a non-scarring, autoimmune disorder which causes hair loss. Inflammatory reactions are involved in hair loss of the scalp and/or body. The involvement of chemokine receptors in the pathogenesis of AA is well defined among which, CXCL1 acts on neutrophils and CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL12 and serve as T lymphocytes recruiters. To study the serum levels of ELR+ and ELR- CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL12 in the patients suffering from AA and healthy controls. The study population of consisted of 30 patients suffering from AA and 30 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL12 were measured using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Current results showed that AA patients had significantly elevated serum levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 in comparison to controls [p<0.001]. These results also demonstrated that serum levels of CXCL1 and CXCL12 were significantly decreased in AA patients compared to control [p<0.001]. CXCL9 and CXCL10 are elevated in the AA patients and may be involved in the recruitment of T lymphocytes to the inflamed tissues. Moreover, due to the significant role played by these chemokines in angiogenesis/ angiostatis phenomenon they could be considered as useful biomarkers in AA diagnosis and therapy
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Chemokine CXCL1/blood , Chemokine CXCL10/blood , Chemokine CXCL12/blood , Chemokine CXCL9/blood , Receptors, Chemokine , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , BiomarkersABSTRACT
Absent in Melanoma 2 [AIM2] is an intracellular microbial dsDNA sensor which plays an important role in production of proinflammatory cytokines through Apoptosis associated Speck-like protein containing a Caspase activation and recruitment domain [ASC] and Caspase-1. Micro-RNAs [miRNAs] play important roles in regulation of immune related genes. However, there is little information regarding the effects of miRNAs on the AIM2 and ASC expression. To determine the mRNA levels of AIM2 and ASC in Jurkat cell line following introducing miRNA-143 [MiR-143]. MiR-143, a scrambled sequence and PBS were introduced separately, to the Jurkat cell lines and the mRNA levels of AIM2 and ASC were examined in parallel with beta-actin and GAPDH [as housekeeping genes] using Real-Time PCR technique. The mRNA levels of AIM2 and ASC were significantly increased in the MiR-143 transfected Jurkat cells when compared to the scrambled sequence or PBS treated cells. MiR-143 can lead to increased expression of AIM2 and ASC mRNAs. Considering the significance of AIM2 and ASC in DNA sensing and inflammosome formation, it can be considered as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of chronic infectious diseases, especially viral infections