CD4+ T-cell Subsets and Cytokine Signature in Pemphigus Foliaceus Clinical Stratification beyond the th1/Th2 Paradigm.

Background: T helper interplay and cytokines monitoring in auto-immune skin disorders such as Pemphigus Foliaceus [PF] may play a central role in predicting the clinical stratification of the pathology.

Objectives: In order to assess the CD4+ T cell imbalance, [i] this study aims to assess the related immune cells [Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells] as well as the related cytokines [IL-1β, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL- 22, TNF-β, and TNFα] in peripheral blood, and [ii] their respective transcription factors in the lesioned skin of PF endemic patients during the clinical course.

Methods: Peripheral blood of 22 PF patients was analyzed by flow cytometry to assess the functional associations of Th cell subpopulations and their characteristic cytokines by multiplex bead assay of 14-plex cytokines.

Chromosome 2q33genetic polymorphisms in Tunisian endemic pemphigus foliaceus.

Background: Several studies have suggested that polymorphisms within genes encoding T-lymphocyte immune regulating molecules: CD28, CTLA-4, and ICOS, may alter the signaling process and subsequently could be involved in susceptibility to a broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases.

Methods: This study aimed to replicate associations between common polymorphisms in the 2q33.2 cluster and susceptibility to pemphigus foliaceus (PF) in the Tunisian population.

The Increased Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Renal and Skin Lesions in Lupus Erythematosus.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), a bacterial lipopolysaccharide sensor, is an innate immunity essential modulator. It is expressed on both immune and non-immune cells and may contribute to the cutaneous and renal manifestations during lupus erythematosus (LE). Our purpose is to evaluate TLR-4 expression and analyzing its role in lupus nephritis (LN) and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) pathogenesis.

Role of FOXP3 gene polymorphism in the susceptibility to Tunisian endemic Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Objective: Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is an essential and crucial transcription factor of regulatory T-cells. Genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of FOXP3 gene may alter the gene expression level and, therefore, contribute to several autoimmune diseases susceptibility. We aimed to investigate the possible role of genetic variants of four SNPs (rs3761547, rs3761548, rs3761549 and rs2294021) and a (GT) microsatellite located in FOXP3 gene in the susceptibility to Tunisian Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF).