HLA-KIR interactions and immunity to viral infections

Host genetic factors play a central role in determining the clinical phenotype of human diseases. Association between two polymorphic loci in human genome, human leukocyte antigen [HLA] and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors [KIRs], and genetically complex infectious disease, particularly those of viral etiology, have been historically elusive. Hence, defining the influence of genetic diversity in HLA and KIRs on the outcome of viral infections has been extensively started in clinically well-defined cohort studies. HLA genes encode molecules which present antigenic peptide fragments to T lymphocytes as central players in adaptive immunity against infectious diseases. KIRs are expressed on natural killer cells which perform a crucial role in innate immunity to pathogen infection. The effector functions of NK cells such as direct killing of infected cells, cytokine production, and cross-talk with adaptive immune system depend on activation of NK cells, which is determined by their surface receptors. Among these receptors, KIRs, which interact with HLA class I, are mainly inhibitory and exhibit substantial genetic diversity. An extensive body of association studies indicates a role for HLA-KIRs interactions in infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, cancer, transplantation, and reproduction. Various compound HLA-KIR genotypes appear to affect outcome of viral infections that suggests a role for HLA class I diversity in innate immunity as well as adaptive immune responses. The aim of this review is focusing on the impact of HLA and KIR alleles and different combinations of these alleles on clinical outcome of viral diseases to validate this proof-of-concept with respect to the therapeutic interventions

assessment of affected factors on cytomegalovirus and rubella virus prevalence in females in Hamadan, Iran

Cytomegalovirus [CMV] and rubella are considered as dangerous viral infections to the fetus. The findings of this research can clear the possible progress made thus far toward prevention in this part of the country. The data of all referees to genetic center of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, including the rubella and CMV tests were recorded in questionnaires and analyzed by logistic regression models. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to assess the affected factors on CMV and Rubella separately. STATA and SPSS16 statistical software were used with setting P-value as 0.05. Logistic regression analysis indicates a statistically significant relationship between CMV IgM and on occupation [P=0.045], pregnancy [P=0.03] and years of referring the patients [P<0.001]. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that job was significantly affected on the CMV infection [OR [95% C.I] = 1.71[1.1-2.83]]. Univariate logistic regression showed that age [P=0.001], the residential area [P=0.03], pregnancy [P=0.03], the marital status [P=0.022] and years of referring the patients [P<0.0001] has a significant effect on rubella IgG. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis also showed that residential status [OR=1.77] and age [OR=0.63] were significantly affected on the Rubella infection. The high level of IgG positivity against rubella in females may highlight the considerable impact of increasing public vaccination in this part of Iran. Also, the current data demonstrating frequency of primary infections with CMV in females which support the conclusion that regular prenatal screening tests is justified

epidemiologic study of animal bites in Ilam province, Iran

In Iran, the number of stray dogs in cities and villages necessitates epidemiologic investigations. This study has undertaken an epidemiologic survey in Ilam, Iran with regard to animal bites during 1999-2009. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data due to animal bites was collected from patients and analyzed. The number of animal bites reported was 4420, which included 3032 men [68.3%] and 398 women [31.7%]. Most animal bites were reported in the 10-19 year-old [1172, 26%] age group. The feet were the most commonly attacked body part, which was reported in 3177 cases [71.8%]. Most bites were from dogs [3942 cases, 89.15%]. Of cases, 3419 [77.3%] resided in rural areas while 1001 [22.7%] were urban residents. The number of patients with incomplete vaccinations was 3596 [81.3%] compared to 824 [18.7%] completely vaccinated patients. The present study showed a high incidence of animal bites in Ilam, which necessitates the importance of rabies prevention and control. It is recommended that the sanitation authorities provide for and implement measures to determine beneficial ways to avoid and control rabies infection in this part of Iran

pattern of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene expression in the hippocampus of diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular exercise in preventing diabetes complication in the hippocampus of streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rat. A total of 48 male wistar rats were divided into four groups [control, control exercise, diabetic and diabetic exercise]. Diabetes was induced by injection of single dose of STZ. Exercise was performed for one hr every day, over a period of 8 weeks. The antioxidant enzymes [SOD, GPX, CAT and GR] and oxidant indexes with brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF] protein and its mRNA and apoptosis were measured in hippocampus of rats. A significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities and increased malondialdehyde [MDA] level were observed in diabetic rats [P=0.004]. In response to exercise, antioxidant enzymes activities increased [P=0.004]. In contrast, MDA level decreased in diabetic rats [P=0.004]. Induction of diabetes caused an increase of BDNF protein and its mRNA expression. In response to exercise, BDNF protein and its mRNA expression reduced in hippocampus of diabetic rats. Diabetes induced oxidative stress and increased BDNF gene expression. Exercise ameliorated oxidative stress and decreased BDNF gene expression

Amlodipine ameliorates up-regulation of ET-1 in left ventricle of hypercholesterolemia rabbits

In addition to antihypertensive effects, amlodipine may exhibit cardiovascular protective effects in heart tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of amlodipine and/or high cholesterol diet on blood, heart tissue concentration and mRNA expression of endothelin-1 [ET-1] in male New Zealand white rabbits. A total of 40 male New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups: the normal control groups, normal group receiving amlodipine, high-cholesterol diet group and high-cholesterol diet with amlodipine group. After 8 weeks, all the animals anesthetized and blood or tissues samples were collected. After 8 weeks of a high cholesterol diet, the group with such a diet had a significantly higher ratio of left ventricle [LV] weight to body weight than the control group [P = 0.0001]. After treatment with amlodipine for 8 weeks, ET-1 level was reduced considerably in comparison with the control [P= 0.01] and high-cholesterol diet groups [P= 0.01]. Amlodipine consumption caused significant reduction [P=0.01] in the level of ET-1 in heart tissues of high-cholesterol diet group but it had no remarkable effect on the reduction of heart tissue ET-1 in amlodipine group compared with the control group. The present study demonstrates that ventricular prepro-ET-1 mRNA quantitatively increases in the high-cholesterol diet rabbits which results in development of ventricular hypertrophy. It seems that the treatment with amlodipine retards the progression of LV hypertrophy through attenuation of ET-1 levels independent of lipid changes

Antiviral activity of obtained extracts from different parts of Cupressus sempervirens against herpes simplex virus type 1

The aim of this study was to search for new antiviral agents from herbal medicines. Ethanol extracts of C. semipervirens, C. semipervirens var. horizontalis and C. semipervirens cv. Cereiformis were used in experiments to test their influence on herpes viruses [HSV-1]. HeLa cells monolayers were infected with herpes viruses [HSV-1]. Antiviral activity of the plant extracts assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin method and observed under a light microscope. All tests were compared with a positive control, acyclovir. showed that all three plants have antiviral activity against HSV-1 virus. The most active extract was the obtained extract from C. semipervirens. Among the different parts of this medicinal plant tested, the fruit's extract appeared to possess the strongest anti- HSV activity. In, of the extracts tested in this survey all showed significant antiviral potency

Designing E1 deleted adenoviral vector by homologous recombination

Adenoviruses are used extensively to deliver genes into mammalian cells, particularly where there is a requirement for high-level expression of transgene products in cultured cells, or for use as recombinant viral vaccines or in gene therapy. In spite of their usefulness, the construction of adenoviral vectors [AdV] is a cumbersome and lengthy process that is not readily amenable to the generation of large collection of clones. In this project, to delete E1 gene in adenovirus, an adenoviral plasmid containing lateral sites of E1 region of adenovirus was made and recombination in the 293A cells between the homologous region of this linearized plasmid and the adenovirus genome resulted in the formation of the complete adenoviral recombinant. This recombination resulted in loss of E1 region and we constructed a recombinant adenovirus type 5 vector that E1 gene was deleted by homologous recombination. Homologous recombination is more easy and fast technique in the production of AdV