Association of Toxoplasmosis with Serum TGF-β, IL-17, and IL-6 Levels in Individuals with Diabetes.

Cytokines play an essential role in regulating the interaction of immune cells in diabetes and infections such as toxoplasmosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus with toxoplasmosis, and to explore their inter-relationship. Forty patients with diabetes mellitus, including 20 with type 1 and 20 with type 2, as well as 20 healthy subjects, voluntarily participated in the study.

The Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Gene Expression of TGF-beta and IFN-gamma in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The therapeutic and immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has attracted considerable scientific attention in recent decades. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of genes encoding interleukin (IL)4 and IL10, as well as interferon-gamma (IFNG) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFB1) in refractory RA patients following intravenous injection of autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). This study was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (2015102824760N1) and ClinicalTrials.

Intravenous injection of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the gene expression and plasma level of CCL5 in refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent autoimmune disease, in which CCL2 and CCL5 are critically involved. The objective was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the foregoing chemokines in RA patients.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen RA patients were evaluated in terms of clinical manifestations, paraclinical factors, gene expression, and plasma levels of CCL2 and CCL5 prior to treatment and 1 and 6 months after intervention.

Immunoregulatory Effects of Krocina™, a Herbal Medicine Made of Crocin, on Osteoarthritis Patients: A Successful Clinical Trial in Iran.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the major cause of joint pain and disability. This research was planned to examine the effects of Krocina™, aherbal medicine made of crocin, an ingredient of saffron, in patients with OA. Forty patients suffering from OA were enrolled in our study and randomly divided into two groups, receiving Krocina™ and placebo, and the clinical trial continued for four months.

Possible Anti-inflammatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation via Changes in CXCL8 Levels in Patients with Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The synovial- lining cells have been involved with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through the secretion of various cytokines and chemokines. Increased levels of these cytokines and chemokines are seen first in the synovial and subsequently in the bloodstream of RA patients. The synovial and circulating levels of CXCL8, CXCL12, and CXCL13 are higher in the RA patients than in the healthy subjects, causing migration of immune cells to the joints, which is associated with increased joint destruction.

The Sufficient Immunoregulatory Effect of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an advanced autoimmune disease described by joint involvement. The special properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) introduced them as a potential therapeutic candidate for RA. In this study, a single dose of autologous MSCs isolated from bone marrow (autologous BM-MSCs, 1 × 10 per kg) was injected intravenously into 13 patients suffering from refractory RA who were followed up within 12 months after the intervention to evaluate immunological elements.

A significant decrease of BAFF, APRIL, and BAFF receptors following mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate effects of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) intravenous administration on the response of B cells, BAFF, APRIL, and their receptors on the surface of B cells at 1, 6, and 12 month follow-up periods in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Thirteen patients with refractory RA received autologous MSCs. Plasma levels of BAFF and APRIL were measured employing ELISA method, followed by estimating B cell population and BAFFRs evaluation by flow cytometry technique.

Gene expression pattern of , , and in patients with bipolar disorder.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is one of the most important psychiatric disorders in the world. There is evidence suggesting the role of inflammatory mediators such as chemokines in the etiology of BD. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the gene expression of , , and in patients with BD and compare them to healthy controls.

Amelioration of clinical symptoms of patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis following treatment with autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells: A successful clinical trial in Iran.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune arthropathy characterized by synovial hyperplasia leading to functional impairment. Although the exact cause of RA is unknown, there is evidence suggesting the role of T cell subtypes in the pathogenesis of RA. Conventional therapy in some RA patients is associated with mild or severe side effects, and resistance of some patients has been reported to these types of therapy.

Influence of vitamin D on cell cycle, apoptosis, and some apoptosis related molecules in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Genetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Autoreactive lymphocytes are cleared through apoptosis and any disturbance in the apoptosis or clearance of apoptotic cells may disturb tolerance and lead to autoimmunity. Vitamin D has anti-proliferative effects and controls cell cycle progression.

Association between lower frequency of R381Q variant (rs11209026) in IL-23 receptor gene and increased risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions before the 20th week of gestation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the interleukin (IL)-23 receptor gene (IL-23R; rs11209026, 1142 G wild type → A reduced function, Arg381Gln, R381Q) and RSA. For the study, 200 RSA patients (confirmed using established diagnostic criteria) and 200 normal individuals in fertility and infertility centers in the cities of Yazd and Isfahan were recruited during a period from 2012-2013.

Influence of 1 Alpha, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on T Helper 17 Cells and Related Cytokines in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. Emerging data suggests that T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a pathogenic role in SLE and the increased number of these cells correlates with disease activity. In recent years, 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VitD3) has been considered as an immunomodulatory factor.