Polymorphism of toll like receptors 2 and 4 genes and the risk of bronchial asthma

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders affecting many people all over the world

Objectives: To study the association between single nucleotide polymorphism in genes of TLR2 and TLR4 and the risk of bronchial asthma

Methodology: This study was carried out on 40 patients suffering from bronchial asthma and 20 healthy subjects as a control group during the period from May 2014 to March 2015.The patients were chosen from the Chest Department of Benha University Hospital. Skin prick test [SPT] was done to assess atopic state. Blood samples were taken for detection of TLR gene polymorphism by Polymerase chain reaction -Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]

Results: Statistical data for the genotypic frequencies in TLR2Arg753Gln revealed that the homozygous [GG] genotype has increased frequency among the controls [80%] as compared to the asthmatic patients [30%]The heterozygous [AG] genotype was more prevalent among the asthmatic patients [62.5%] as compared to the controls [15%] with OR =9.4, 95% CI [2.4-37.7] and significant P-value. Also, the homozygous mutant [AA] genotype has increased trend in the asthmatic patients [7.5%] than in the control subjects [5%], with OR = 0. 6, 95% CI [0.1-6.7] and non-significant P-value Statistical data for the genotypic frequencies in TLR4Asp299Glyrevealed that the homozygous [AA] genotype has increased frequency among the controls [70%] as compared to the asthmatics [20%]. The heterozygous [AG] genotype was more prevalent among the asthmatic patients [65%] as compared to the controls [30%] with OR =4.3, 95% CI [1.4-13.8] and significant P-value

Conclusion: The major allele in TLR 2 and 4 polymorphisms [GG genotype of TLR2 and AA genotype of TLR4] might be generally associated with a protective effect against bronchial asthma

Estimation of the infectivity of herpes simplex virus type I passage III on two different tissue culture

This technique has been developed for the estimation of the infectivity of herpes simplex virus type I passage III on a tissue culture of Vero and HBK21. The plaque assay method was performed and the number of plaques on the two culture media was counted per each dilution from [10[-5] to 10[-8]]. It was found that the number and the size of plaques in 10[-5] dilution are the best in the two types of tissue cultures. The number indicates the number of virus particle [per each dilution point], which can be used for infection of experimental animals to demonstrate its infectivity character

Comparative study on the plaque forming cell response by two different methods of plaque assay

The cunningham and Sezenberg Technique [using mice sensitized lymphoid cells to SRBCs] was tested together with Trump's gel technique [using non sensitized mice lymphoid cell mixed with SRBCS and incubated in Marbrook culture Chamber for sesensitization]. The study showed that the number of PFCs by the Cunningham slid was greater than that observed by the gel technique of Trump at the same lymphocyte concentration Also it was observed that the Trump's method using the Marbrook tissue culture chamber was a time consuming technique than that obtained by the Cunningham technique

Characterization of cercarial antigens by high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis

This technique has been developed for the separation of protein by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Due to its resolution and sensitivity, this technique is a powerful tool for the analysis and detection of proteins from complex biological sources. Proteins were separated according to isoelectric point by isoelectric focusing in the first dimension, and according to molecular weight by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis in the second dimension. Since these two parameters are unrelated, it is possible to obtain an almost uniform distribution of protein spots across a two-dimensional gel. This technique has resolved about 20 different acidic components from cercarial Ag. So this technique provides a method for estimation of the number of proteins made by any biological system