CXCR3 and CXCR4 receptors expression on peripheral blood T-lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects multiple joints. Chemokines and their receptors are involved together in the development and perpetuation of inflammation Chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CXCR4 are among the main regulators of T cell recruitment in autoimmune diseases. The present study aimed at detection of the frequency of CXCR3 and CXCR4 chemokine receptors expression on peripheral blood T-lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in an attempt to identify suitable targets for therapeutic intervention. Twenty eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis, selected from those attending the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic, Ain Shams University Hospitals, were studied. Ten age and sex matched healthy subjects were served as controls. All patients were subjected to full medical history, thorough clinical examination, evaluation of the disease activity using disease activity score 28 [DAS28] and radiological assessment by plain X rays of both hands and feet [posterior - antero views] for the erosive changes. Peripheral blood lymphocytes analysis was performed by flow cytometry using anti-CD3, anti-CXCR3 and anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibodies. High statistically significant difference was determined between patients and controls as regard relative count of T- lymphocytes expressing CXCR4 receptors [35.068 +/- 5.098, 23.59 +/- 4.601, respectively and P< 0.001]. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between relative count of T- lymphocytes expressing CXCR4 receptors and disease activity using disease activity sore 28 [DAS28] disease duration and the hemoglobin level. On the other hand, no significant correlation was determined between relative count of T- lymphocytes expressing CXCR3 receptors and any of the clinical and laboratory parameters of patients. Increased expression of CXCR4 on peripheral T cells of Patients [RA Patients] and its positive correlation with the disease activity indicate that this chemokine receptor plays a central role in the process of chronic inflammation in RA and suggests that targeting CXCR4 could provide a new treatment for this disease. Although our data did not prove that CXCR3 expression is higher in patients with RA, however, it can be expected that it is involved in the inflammatory process based on reported functional studies

Sporadic carriers of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 among blood donors in Egypt

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 [HTLV-1] infected subjects although remain asymptomatic carriers but up to 7% may develop adult T-cell leukemia and chronic inflammatory neurological diseases represented by HTLV-1 associated myelophathy [HAM]/ tropical spastic paraparesis [TSP]. The impact of these diseases on individuals and their communities is often devastating and the prognosis is poor. This study was to assess the current incidence of asymptomatic HTLV-1 infected carriers in a group of Egyptian healthy blood donors to provide information for appropriate policies. The study was conducted on 90 apparently healthy blood donors that were selected from those attending gynecological and obstetric blood bank of Ain-Shams University for blood donations. They were serologically negative to HBs Ag, HCV Ab, and HIV Ab Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was done to detect the circulating antibodies against HTLV-1 in their plasma. Four out of 90 subjects [4.4%] were serologically positive by ELISA technique. SYBRgreen real time polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] was performed for the detection of HTLV-1 proviral DNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] to confirm results of ELISA.One sample out of 90 samples [1.1%] was determined to be positive for HTLV-1 proviral DNA by RTPCR. This sample was also ELISA positive. The positive predictive value of ELISA was 96% and the negative predictive value was 100%. HTLV-1 infection in Egypt showed sporadic carriers at low rate but the assessment of its prevalence is important. ELISA is a sensitive reliable technique for screening blood for HTLV-1 infection and ELISA positive results should be confirmed with PCR. Although SYBR- green RT- PCR has high level of specificity, it is not applicable to all cases due to high cost and is better to be used for confirmation. Epidemiological surveillance is recommended to verify the prevalence and incidence of HTLV-1 infection, so that preventive measures can be taken to decrease the spread and transmission of HTLV-1 in Egypt