[ effect of cigarette smoking on the natural killer cells in peripheral blood]

Cigarette smoking affect on white blood cell [WBC] and Natural killer [NK] cells count in humans and animals. Natural killer [NK] cells are part of the innate immune system, and the first line of immune system defense and deserve in surveillance of certain tumor and virus infected cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of current cigarette smoking on CD 16[+] + CD54[+] [NK cells] Peripheral blood in healthy Iranian volunteers, aged between 18-60 years. The study population consisted of male including 35 current smokers and 40 non-smokers. Anticoagulated peripheral blood samples were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD16[+] + CD56[+] NK cells, and then samples were analyzed by flowcytometry for the expression and count of the above makers. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. Cigarette smokers had a significantly lower proportion of CD 16[+] + CD56[+] [NK cells] than did subjects who had never smoked [P<0.001]. NK cells were also decreased in the smoker subjects, ages 18-40 years as compared with the subjects aged 41.60 years [P<0.01]. The data showed: 1- Smoking cigarette might have been more effective for younger than elder subjects in consideration of NK activity. 2- This quantitative NK cell deficit may contribute to the elevated risk of malignancy and viral infections in this population

Detection of antisperm antibodies by indirect flow cytometry: Comparison with direct mixed agglutination reaction test

The immunobead binding test [IBT] and the mixed agglutination reaction [MAR] are the most commonly used methods for detection of antisperm antibodies [ASA]. The detection of ASA by flow cytometry [FCM] was first described by Haas and Cunningham. Both assays can be performed as direct or indirect methods. In this study, indirect FCM was compared with the direct MAR for detection of ASA. Semen samples were obtained from 80 men [infertile couples] in Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center. Seminal plasma samples were incubated with ASA-negative donor sperm. Then, surface-bound antibody was detected with FITC-labeled antihuman immunoglobulin directed against IgA and IgG in the indirect FCM assay. ASAs bound to the surface of patients' sperm were detected by direct MAR test. The indirect FCM correlates with direct MAR for detection of IgA antisperm antibodies [r=0.55 and P=0.006]. The indirect FCM, however, does not correlate with direct MAR for the detection of IgG antisperm antibodies [r=0.25 and P=0.25]. Some of the ASAs in seminal fluid bind to spermatozoa. Therefore, indirect tests to detect ASAs in seminal plasma are likely to miss the presence of IgG antisperm antibodies while they effectively detect IgA antisperm antibodies