Immune Cell Response during COVID-19 Infection and following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Immune response plays a crucial role in virus clearance during COVID-19 infection and underpins vaccine efficacy. Herein, we aimed to assess the immune response during COVID-19 infection and following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 94 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit were categorized into unvaccinated patients ( = 50), including 33 deceased and 17 discharged patients, and vaccinated group ( = 44) with 26 deceased and 18 discharged patients.

High levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, TNF-Α, IL-23, and IFN- in Tunisian patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology and several cytokines have been implicated in its pathogenesis and onset. Our objective was to determine the profile of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-23, IFN-, TNF-α, IL-10 in autoimmune hepatitis and their association with HLA gene polymorphisms. Serum cytokine levels were determined in 50 autoimmune hepatitis patients and one hundred fifty controls using chemiluminescence and ELISA techniques and HLA genotyping performed by PCR SSP.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to type 1 autoimmune hepatitis in the Tunisian population.

Genetic factors and gene polymorphisms leading to the onset of autoimmune response in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are still not full elucidated. Since the CTLA-4 molecule is a key modulator of the lymphocytes responses we hypothezied that deficiencies or mutations in the gene encoding CTLA4 protein may be involved in AIH susceptibility and trigger the autoimmune response. We investigated 3 distinct polymorphic sites (+49A > G, CT60 G > A and -318C > T) of the CTLA4 gene in 50 AIH patients and 100 healthy controls using the KASP genotyping technology.

Association of TNF-α-308 Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Autoimmune Hepatitis in Tunisians.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology and several proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in its pathogenesis. The association of TNF-α gene polymorphism with AIH onset is not fully elucidated especially in the Tunisian population. The aim of this study was to determine the association of TNF-α (-308 G > A) polymorphism with AIH susceptibility and with TNF-α expression or clinical manifestations of AIH.