CD68 Antigen and Cerebral Aneurysms: A Case-Control Study.

Background:  Intracranial aneurysms are more commonly associated with inflammation as a cause of their development, progression, and rupture. Macrophages and other cells can express the CD68 antigen. The aim of this study was to assess the CD68 antigen levels in cerebral aneurysm (CA) patients compared to a control group at a referral center in Iran.

The association between PD-1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint and has been reported to be associated with several autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between human PD-1 gene () polymorphisms and multiple sclerosis (MS). This case-control study was conducted on 229 MS patients and 246 healthy controls.

In vitro-derived insulin-producing cells modulate Th1 immune responses and induce IL-10 in streptozotocin-induced mouse model of pancreatic insulitis.

Background: Insulitis is defined by the presence of immune cells infiltrating in the pancreatic islets that might progress into the complete β-cell loss. The immunomodulatory properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have attracted much attention. This study aimed to evaluate the possible immunomodulatory effects of rat BM-MSCs and MSCs-derived insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in a mouse model of pancreatic insulitis.

In Vitro Effects of Sodium Benzoate on the Expression of T Cells-related Cytokines and Transcription Factors in Adjuvant-induced Arthritis Model.

Though the exact etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown, the contribution of immune cells in the disease process is completely acknowledged. T helper (Th) 1 and Th17-related cytokines are required for the disease development and progression, while Th2 and regulatory T cells (Tregs)-derived cytokines are protective. Studies have shown that sodium benzoate (NaB) can switch the balance of Th cell subsets toward Th2 and Tregs.

Bone marrow dendritic cells deficient for CD40 and IL-23p19 are tolerogenic .

Objectives: In addition to pro-inflammatory role, dendritic cells (DCs) can also be anti-inflammatory when they acquire tolerogenic phenotype. In this study we tested the role of CD40 and IL-23p19 in antigen presenting function of bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) by comparing BMDCs derived from CD40 knockout (CD40KO-DCs) and IL-23p19 (IL-23p19KO-DCs) knockout mice with those from C57BL/6 mice (Cont-DCs). We have focused on CD40 and IL-23, as these molecules have well established pro-inflammatory roles in a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

A simple method for the generation of insulin producing cells from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

To produce insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) using a simple and cost effective method. During the initial 7 days of three-dimensional (3D) culture, BM-MSCs were cultured on 1% agar or agarose to form multicellular spheroids. Spheroids and spheroid-derived single cells (SS and SSC, respectively) were cultured in the absence of any proteinaceous growth factor in a simple specific medium for a further 7 d.

Gender-Specific Association of Leptin and Adiponectin Genes With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Adipocytokines such as leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) represent a link between metabolism, nutritional status and immune responses. The present study aimed to determine the possible association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of LEP and ADIPOQ genes with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials And Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in LEP (rs2167270 or 19G > A and rs7799039 or -2,548G > A) and ADIPOQ (rs1501299 or +276G > T and rs266729 or -11,377C > G) were genotyped in 305 patients and 255 healthy individuals using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells-derived Neural Progenitors in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Background And Objectives: The goal of treatment for MS is to reduce the inflammation and induce the regeneration of degenerated axons. Considering the anti-inflammatory and regenerative capacity of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs), in this study the therapeutic efficacy of allogeneic MSCs and MSCs-derived neural progenitor cells (MSCs-NPs) was investigated in cellular therapy of chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods And Results: MSCs, MSCs-NPs and MSCs＋MSCs-NP were administered intravenously to EAE mice on days 22, 29, and 36 post immunization.

The Reaction of Placental GRP78 Protein with Sera from Women with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with four different types is one of the well studied autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Generally, two-thirds of MS patients are females who are at risk of pregnancy-related complications. Inappropriate responses of mother's immune system, such as antibody production against placental proteins, may lead to pregnancy-related disorders.

Evaluation of serum interleukin- 35 level in children with persistent asthma.

Background: IL-35 is a novel cytokine suppressing the immune response through the expansion of regulatory T cells and suppression of Th17 cell development. Few studies have been done on the effect of this cytokine in a different disease. Asthma is a complex disease that many inflammatory cells and cytokines play a role in.

An elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines profile in Behcet's disease: A multiplex analysis.

The serum levels of sixteen cytokines related to innate immunity, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in the sera of 44 patients with Behcet's Disease (BD) and 44 healthy controls have been investigated using the cytokine array technique. Among the cytokines related to innate immunity, the levels of IL-1α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15 and TNF-α were statistically higher in BD patients than healthy controls. In the case of Th1- and Th17-related cytokines, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in patients.

Altered Serum Cytokine Profiles in Relapse Phase of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and cytokines may play a role in the development of MS lesions.

Objective: To determine levels of different cytokines in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) compared to healthy controls.

Methods: Profiles of pro-inflammatory, Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-related cytokines were compared by quantitative multiplexed ELISA-based chemiluminescent assay in 44 RR-MS and 44 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals from the same ethnicity.

A1 -Adenosine receptor activation has biphasic roles in development of acute kidney injury at 4 and 24 h of reperfusion following ischaemia in rats.

What is the central question of this study? A1 -Adenosine receptor (A1 AR) blockade before renal ischaemia aggravated kidney injury after 24 h reperfusion in several studies, whereas we previously observed a renoprotective effect of A1 AR blockade during a 4 h reperfusion period. What are the underlying mechanisms for this biphasic effect of pretreatment with an A1 AR antagonist at 4 and 24 h reperfusion? What is main finding and its importance? A1 -Adenosine receptor blockade protects the kidney against ischaemia-induced injury during the early hours of reperfusion by attenuating the reduction in renal blood flow and lowering energy expenditure, whereas its inflammatory effects gradually dominate over 24 h reperfusion to intensify kidney injury. We previously reported that selective blockade of the A1 -adenosine receptor (A1 AR) with an antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), had protective effects on renal ischaemia-induced structural and functional disruption during a 4 h reperfusion period.

The Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease caused by immune system-mediated tissue damage. Autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) is an organ-specific disease associated with production of a variety of antibodies such as antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Ro antibodies and anti-cardiolipin antibodies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid auto-antibodies in patients with SLE and its relation to SLE disease and other autoantibodies.

Serum Levels of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Correlate with Poor Clinical Grades in Cerebral Aneurysms.

Background: Ruptured cerebral aneurysms (ICAs) are the most common non-traumatic cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) that is associated with life threatening complications such as Vasospasm, Infarction, and Hydrocephalus (HCP). The active participation of macrophage/monocyte-mediated inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysm as labeled with Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) is suggested.

Objective: To measure the serum level of MCP-1 in ruptured CAs in different time intervals.

Investigating the Association of IL-17A and IL-17F with Susceptibility to Pre-eclampsia in Iranian Women.

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the most important and life-threatening pregnancy disorders that affect at least 3-5% of all pregnancies. Imbalance in helper T cell functions may play a role in predisposing to PE or severity of the disease. Elevated frequencies of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of PE patients have been reported.

Stealth Nanogels of Histinylated Poly Ethyleneimine for Sustained Delivery of Methotrexate in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model.

Purpose: The study aimed to illustrate application of polycation Stealth nanogels for sustained delivery of methotrexate (MTX) in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model in C57Bl/6 mice.

Methods: Nanogel synthesis involves metal ion coordinated self-assembly of PEGylated poly ethyleneimine (L-histidine substituted), chemical crosslinking and subsequent removal of the coordinated metal. The nanogels were characterized by TEM and DLS-zeta potential.

Engraftment of plasma membrane vesicles into liposomes: A new method for designing of liposome-based vaccines.

Objectives: One of the major challenges in the field of vaccine design is choosing immunogenic antigens which can induce a proper immune response against complex targets like malignant cells or recondite diseases caused by protozoan parasites such as leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to find a way to construct artificial liposome-based cells containing fragments of target's cell membrane. This structure not only mimics the real biological properties of proteins in the cell membrane of target cells, but also may induce the required immune responses, which culminate in eradication of target cells.

Effect of DiD Carbocyanine Dye Labeling on Immunoregulatory Function and Differentiation of Mice Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to treat a variety of degenerative disorders. Labeling of MSCs with an appropriate tracer is vital to demonstrate the in vivo engraftment and differentiation of transplanted MSCs. DiD is a lipophilic fluorescent dye with near infrared emission spectra that makes it suitable for in vivo tracing.

Leishmania infantum FML pulsed-dendritic cells induce a protective immune response in murine visceral leishmaniasis.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of FML loaded dendritic cells (DCs) in protection against visceral leishmaniasis.

Materials & Methods: Mice were immunized with FML- or soluble Leishmania antigen-loaded DCs as well as FML or soluble Leishmania antigen in saponin and challenged with parasite. The levels of cytokines before and after challenge were detected by ELISA.

Differences in the expression of TLRs and inflammatory cytokines in pre-eclamptic compared with healthy pregnant women.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most complex and life-threatening pregnancy disorders and is considered as a major cause of mortality among mothers and fetuses worldwide. Although the exact etiology of PE is not well known several lines of evidence support an immunological etiology for PE.

Objective: To investigate the differences in the expression of TLRs 2, 4, 5, and 6 and a group of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ in placentas from PE and healthy pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy.

Immunomodulatory effects of mice mesenchymal stem cells on maturation and activation of dendritic cells.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess a wide range of immunomodulatory functions mostly in immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are the key cells in the immune response and play an important role in initiating cell-mediated immunity.

Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs supernatant on maturation and function of DCs.

Proteome differences in the first- and third-trimester human placentas.

Placenta is a transient and unique pregnancy tissue that supports the fetus nutritionally and metabolically. Expression of the unique placental proteins in different stages may influence the development of the fetus as well as the pregnancy outcome. The present study aimed to compare the total placental proteome differences between the normal first- and third-trimester human placentas.

Asymptomatic atlantoaxial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis.

This cross-sectional study is conducted to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic cervical spine subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis patients by plain radiographs and its relation to demographic and clinical characteristics, disease activity measures and medications. 100 rheumatoid arthritis patients (18 male and 82 female) were selected randomly, according to the American college of Rheumatology Criteria, who were under follow up in the rheumatology clinic. A complete history was taken, and physical examination has been done with focus on the cervical spine to determine their demographic data, disease duration, age of disease onset, drug history, swollen and tender joint counts, and ESR, Hb, CRP, RF levels.