Cancer and Secretomes: HLA-G and Cancer Puzzle.

Among the mechanisms, cancer cells develop to elude immune system, immune regulation and the use of molecules that play important roles in immune escape stand out. One of these molecules, the human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), plays an important role in the maintenance of immune tolerance and contributes to the progression of cancer by exerting an immunosuppressive effect. By creating an immunosuppressive field in the microscopic environment of the tumor, the aberrant expression of HLA-G facilitates the evading of cancer cells from the immune system and contributes to the progression of the disease.

The Consequences of HLA Screening in the Prevention of Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Aims: To study the effects of routine HLA screening and the policy of avoiding donor-dominant one-way HLA match to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Patients And Methods: The records of potential living liver donors and recipients who attended our center between 2007 and 2018 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Of the 149 patients who underwent LDLT and survived longer than 3 months, two developed GVHD despite our strict policy.

Identification of HLA alleles involved in immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura patients from Turkey.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is one of the rare group disorders classified as thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs). Approximately 90% of TTP developed immune-mediation by the formation of antibodies against the enzyme ADAMTS-13. The exact cause is unknown.

The Cytokine Levels of Cord Blood- and Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Early to Late Passages.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising for clinical studies owing to their self-renewal, multipotency, trophic, and immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the cytokine levels of human umbilical cord blood (CB) and Wharton's Jelly-(WJ) derived MSCs relevant to immune modulation on different passage levels in vitro. Umbilical CB MSCs were isolated using the ficoll-paque gradient method, and WJ-MSCs were isolated by the explant method.

In vitro anti-leukemic effect of Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to self-renew and are multi-potent. They are a primary candidate for cell-based therapy due to their potential anti-cancer effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-leukemic effect of Wharton's Jelly-derived MSC (WJ-MSC) on the leukemic cell lines K562 and HL-60.

External proficiency testing for histocompatibility and immunogenetics in today and future.

The Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics laboratories provide disease association and pharmacogenetic analyses as well as the tests required for transplantation immunology and transfusion medicine. They perform Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genotyping in patients/recipients and potential donor candidates for solid organ and stem cell transplants using various molecular methods, and determine mismatches. In addition, they also perform HLA antibody tests to detect anti-HLA antibodies in patients and flow cross-matches to evaluate donor-recipient compatibility.

Can novel methods replace the gold standard chimerism method after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, chimerism assay is a useful approach to monitor the success of the transplant and to select the appropriate treatment strategy, such as donor leukocyte infusion or immunosuppressive drug dosage. Short tandem repeat PCR is the method that has been accepted as the gold standard for chimerism. However, it has not yet been sufficient to detect mixed chimerism in patients with minimal residual disease.

The correlation of results of panel reactive antibody, identification, and single antigen beads in detection of anti-HLA antibodies: Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, tissue typing laboratory experience.

Background: We have performed a retrospective analysis of anti-HLA class I MHC and class II MHC antibodies measured using a single antigen bead (SAB) assay and a panel reactive antibody (PRA) assay.

Material And Methods: A group of 256 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was tested for anti-HLA antibodies in the tissue typing laboratory between 2017 and 2020. In the cohort, the serum samples of patients waiting for transplantation were tested.

Easy and Rapid Methods for Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Human Umbilical Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

These protocols describe modified methods that use Ficoll-Paque density gradient for umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells and explant method for Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The Ficoll-Paque density gradient method allows to obtain mesenchymal stem cells while eliminating monocytic cells. In this method, precoating the cell culture flasks with fetal bovine serum helps remove the monocytic cells and instruct more pure mesenchymal stem cells.

Evaluation of the relationship between mesenchymal stem cells and immune system in vitro conditions.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are a novel therapeutic option as the most common cell source, play an important role in the immunomodulation. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of MSCs on cytokines secreted by the immune system cells.

Methods: Intracellular cytokine levels (Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and Interleukin-17 (IL-17)) detected by flow cytometry before and after co-culture between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and MCSs.

The in vitro treatment of mesenchymal stem cells for colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer is the most common tumor of the gastrointestinal system. The conventional treatment options for colorectal cancer are troublesome for both patients and clinicians. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the novel focus for cell therapy due to their migration to tumor sites.

Increasing Apoptotic Effect of Cord Blood and Wharton's Jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on HT-29.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered a suitable cell therapy option for cancer due to their high migration rate to the tumor site.

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the effects of human umbilical cord blood derived-MSC (UCMSC) and human Wharton's Jelly derived-MSC (WJ-MSC) on the HT-29 cell line.

COSMC expression as a predictor of remission in IgA nephropathy.

Purpose: The impact of core 1,3-galactosyltransferase-specific molecular chaperon (COSMC) gene expression and methylation profile on clinical progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance and the relation of the COSMC gene expression and methylation pattern with the progression of IgAN.

Methods: Thirty-nine biopsy-confirmed IgAN patients, 11 healthy relatives and 20 healthy controls were recruited.

Immune modulation as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Erroneous immune responses in COVID-19 could have detrimental effects, which makes investigation of immune network underlying COVID-19 pathogenesis a requisite. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 related alterations within the frame of innate and adaptive immunity. Thirty-four patients clinically diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 disease were enrolled in this study.

Regenerative Medicine Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has recently generated interest in regenerative medicine. For the definition of MSC, three criteria have been proposed - plastic adherent property, specific surface antigens, and multipotent differentiation capacity. MSC exists in almost all tissues such as synovium, fat, liver, dental pulp, cord blood, Wharton's jelly, and also differentiates into osteoblast, chondrocyte, adipocyte, epithelial, and neuron cells originating from three germ layers.

Oxidative stress and macrophage infiltration in IgA nephropathy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions among serum levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), oxidative stress and macrophage infiltration and their clinical correlates in patients with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods: A total of 47 patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN, aged between 16 and 79 years, with a follow-up period ≥ 1 year or who showed progression to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) regardless the duration of follow-up were included. Study endpoint was the progression to ESKD.

Blood and bone marrow donor registry of Istanbul medical faculty activity and experience in past 3 years : A cross-sectional documentation of TRIS activity: the first blood and marrow registry in Turkey.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) offers a potential cure for some hematological malignancies. For those patients without a family donor, unrelated donor (MUD) registries serve for identifying the best donor. In the present study, we aimed to give a cross-sectional report of our registry's activity and experience as the first established national MUD registry in the country.

Recombination frequencies of human leukocyte antigen loci in hematological malignancies among Turkish population.

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment option with growing performance for leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and genetic disorders. The frequency of MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) gene locus recombination is increased at loci close to the telomeres and in the female gender. The aim of the present study is to document the recombination events by pedigree diagrams with the primary goal to determine the frequency of recombination in a different ethnic population from mostly reported studies.

Frequency of RHD variants in serologically weak D Turkish blood donors.

Background: RhD typing has remained of primary importance, as being the leading cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Among Rh system's 55 blood group antigens, RhD is the most immunogenic. We aimed with this study to determine weak D/partial D variant frequency in blood donors who were admitted to our blood center and have serologically designated blood group weak D.

Can Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Change the Immunologic Risk Profile in Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus Who Are on the Cadaveric Waiting List?

Background: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the activation of the immune system by the virus or viral proteins leads to the production of numerous autoantibodies and clinical manifestations. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between HCV and anti-HLA antibodies, as well as the effect of viremia on the antibody response and of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on anti-HLA antibody persistence in patients on the waiting list for a cadaveric kidney transplant.

Methods: A total of 395 patients from the cadaveric renal transplant waiting list were included in the study.

EFI region 8 Balkan external proficiency testing for HLA typing: Results of 15 years.

Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Biology, as the first EFI-accredited HLA laboratory in Turkey since 1999 has been organizing both national and international quality control tests for HLA typing under the banner of the "Balkan external proficiency testing (BEPT)" encompassing countries from EFI regions 8. The first round of BEPT in 2004 was organized for low-resolution HLA-A,-B typing by molecular methods and 12 centres participated in the exercise. In 2005, low-resolution HLA-DR typing was added, and in 2007, low-resolution HLA-C and DQ typing were added to the exercise and 28 centres participated.

Short Tandem Repeat-Polymerase Chain Reaction (STR-PCR) with Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) Method Using for Chimerism Analysis.

Background: Recently molecular chimerism analysis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has become more important. The use of quantitative chimerism methods aims to assess the kinetics of engraftment to determine graft rejection and failure or relapse of the underlying disease after AHSCT. An accurate and sensitive determination of chimerism status is mandatory after AHSCT.

Infectious Complications of Induction Therapies in Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK virus (BKV) are post-transplant opportunistic viral infections that affect patient and graft survival. This study was designed to evaluate the risk of BKV nephropathy and CMV disease in kidney transplant recipients who received induction therapy with ATG or basiliximab. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed information on 257 adult patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2007 and 2017.