Relation between microRNA-21, transforming growth factor β and response to treatment among chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background: Persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and response to antiviral therapy has been shown to be associated with inappropriate levels of cytokines and microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNA levels have been reported to fluctuate during treatment. Thus they could be useful predictors for responses to treatment among HCV infected patients, thereby reducing ineffective treatments.

Study of Interleukin 28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 Polymorphisms and T-helper 1 Response in Hepatitis C Virus Patients.

HCV infection is a serious public health problem and a leading cause of chronic liver disease. It affects nearly 3% of the world's population with an associated high mortality. Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV infection in the world (estimated at >10%).

Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-8 and IL-6) by monocytes from fasciolosis patients.

The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by monocytes in vitro has been measured in eight patients with acute fasciolosis and 15 patients in the chronic stage of the disease, before and after stimulation by excretory/secretory Fasciola antigen. Results were compared with those of a control group of 12 individuals. The monocytes from patients with acute fasciolosis produced significantly higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-8 and IL-6 as compared to controls.

Oxygen free radical and nitric oxide production in single or combined human schistosomiasis and fascioliasis.

The levels of superoxide (O(-)2) and nitric oxide (NO) production by monocytes have been measured in 15 patients with S. mansoni, 15 patients with Fasciola and six patients with combined infection as well as in control group (15). The levels of both radicals were significantly higher in all patient groups than in the control group, indicating that these radicals may have a role in the immunity against such infections.

Leishmania major: leishmanicidal activity of activated macrophages by interferon gamma or tumour necrosis factor.

Infective, stationary growth phase metacyclic promastigotes of Leishmania major were introduced to murine peritoneal macrophages and incubated with recombinant murine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) or with interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in the presence of LPS. The leishmanicidal activity of macrophages was estimated by the visual counting of intracellular parasites as well as by the (3H) thymidine incorporation of the residual parasites. The culture supernatants were also collected for the estimation of nitrite (NO-2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human toxoplasmosis.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine that is secreted by activated macrophages and monocytes. This work studied TNF-alpha level in sera of patients with toxoplasmosis. Twenty eight female patients (12 of whom had obstetric troubles) and 17 healthy controls were the subjects in this work.

Measurement of respiratory burst of TNF and IL-1 cytokine activated murine peritoneal macrophages challenged with Toxoplasma gondii.

In vitro activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by TNF and IL-I cytokines resulted in significant elevation of respiratory burst (toxic oxygen metabolites) in comparison to inactivated cells when challenged with Toxoplasma gondii. These oxygen metabolites have been known to have microbicidal activity and so, they may be the direct cause of intracellular killing of T. gondii tachyzoites.

Opsonization and intracellular killing of Toxoplasma gondii by human mononuclear phagocytes.

Macrophages and monocytes have been shown to have an important role in the defence mechanism against Taxoplasma gondii infection. Antibodies in the presence of complement have been found capable of killing extracellular T. gondii.

Assessment of interleukin-1 activity of peritoneal macrophages in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni before and after praziquantel administration.

This work was devoted to clarify the changes in interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity of peritoneal macrophages in mice experimentally infected with S. mansoni before and after praziquantel administration. A significant increase in (IL-1) activity after praziquantel administration was detected.

The chemiluminescent response of macrophages in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

Peritoneal phagocytic cells when stimulated by Schistosoma mansoni infection in this study, exhibited a sudden increase in oxygen consumption known as a respiratory burst. This resulted in the production of toxic oxygen metabolites (H2O2 and others). The level of this toxic oxygen metabolites (chemiluminescence/cells) in normal mice and in mice infected with S.