2022 Impact Factor: 1.5
2023 CiteScore: 2.6
pISSN: 1735-1502
eISSN: 1735-5249
Chairman:
Mostafa Moin, M.D.
Editors-in-Chief:
Masoud Movahedi, M.D.
Vol 6, No 4 (2007)
Articles
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Indolemine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a cytosolic monomeric hemoprotein enzyme that catalyses tryptophan, the least available essential amino acid in the human body, to N-formylkynurenine, which in turn rapidly degrades to give kynurenine. IDO is expressed in different tissues, especially and prominently in some subsets of antigen presenting cells (APCs) of lymphoid organs and also in the placenta of human and other mammals. Expression of IDO by certain dendritic cells, monocytes and macrophages has a regulatory effect on T cells probably by providing a tryptophan-deficient microenvironment and/or accumulation of toxic metabolites of tryptophan. This immunomodulatory function of IDO plays an essential role in different physiological and pathological states. IDO was shown to prevent rejection of the fetus during pregnancy, possibly by inhibiting alloreactive T cells. Moreover, IDO expression in APCs was suggested to control autoreactive immune responses. In this review we discuss the molecular and biological characteristics of IDO and its function in immune system as well as the potential application of this enzyme in improving the outcome of allogeneic transplantation as a local immunosuppressive factor.
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Angiocardiography is an X-ray examination of the blood vessels or chambers of the heart. Cardiologists and staff members applying this procedure are exposed to high levels of scattered radiation. In our previous study the incidence of unstable chromosomal aberrations and cytokinesis-blocked micronuclei were found to be significantly higher in exposed individuals than the age and sex matched controls.
In the present study we assessed cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the above cases and the percentage of Treg cells. According to film dosimeter analysis, personnels received 0.25-15 mSv during the previous year (average of 3 mSv/y). Isolated PBMCs from the test and control groups were stimulated with Phorbol Myristate Acetate/ Ionomycin (PMA/I). Cytokine production was measured in the supernatants of cultured lymphocytes. The percentage of Treg cells was studied by flow cytometry.
The production of IL-10 and IL-5 was significantly down-regulated in the test group compared to the control group. In contrast, IL-12 was up-regulated. Yet, no statistically significant difference was found for IFN- γ between two groups. In addition, we found higher percentage of CD4+CD25+bright Treg cells in the study group compared to the controls.
Taken together, it was shown that low doses of scattered X-rays could skew cytokine profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in favour of inflammatory response causing the increase of Treg cells. -
Saffron (Zaaferan), botanical name Crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. It is derived from the dried stigma and pistil of the purple saffron crocus flowers. Iran is the largest saffron producer accounting for more than 80% of the world's production. Saffron contains an aeroallergen that causes reactive respiratory allergic reactions in atopic subjects. IgG antibody to allergens in the serum of allergic patients is not routinely measured. In this study in order to find out more about mechanism of allergy against saffron pollen, specific antibodies (IgE and IgG, total and subclasses) in atopic subjects were assayed.
We used an ELISA assay for measuring specific IgE and IgG against saffron pollen extract in the sera of 38 atopic subjects (test group) and 20 non allergic subjects (control group). The optical densities were compared between allergic subjects and non-allergic individuals. The prick test with saffron pollen extract was used to evaluate the cutaneous and specific antibody responses in the allergic subjects. The correlation was determined by statistical analysis.
Specific saffron pollen IgE and IgG subclasses were found significantly higher in the allergic subjects than the control group. The immediate skin reaction was found positive in 70% of the test group. We report here, the existence of a positive correlation between specific IgE and skin reaction by prick test in atopic subjects (R=0.433). A negative correlation between specific IgE and IgG4 subclass was also found (R=-0.576).
These data may be useful to understand the mechanism of allergy to saffron and may help in clarifying clinical manifestations and to prevent IgE production as well as therapeutic application. -
Since the incidence of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection is low (~0.05%) and risk factors are not well defined, it is difficult to develop strategies for prevention. The aim of this study was to recognise the utility of specific Immunoglobulin G avidity analysis for distinguishing primary infection from past/recurrent infection.
Sera from 50 women with cytomegalovirus specific Immunoglobulin M antibodies without proven seroconversion and infants born to these women were tested for presence of Immunoglobulin M antibodies by commercial enzyme immunoassay.
For cytomegalovirus specific immunoglobulin G avidity, sera were measured by commercial kit according to manufacturer's recommendations.
Among 50 sera form mothers, 26 showed the presence of Immunoglobulin M antibodies out of which 15 had low avidity antibodies. Out of 50 sera from children, 18 showed the presence of Immunoglobulin M antibodies. Out of these 18 sera from children, 12 were symptomatic, which all showed the presence of low avidity antibodies.
The results showed that an avidity index <40% and presence of Immunoglobulin M antibodies is highly suggestive of a recent primary infection. -
Severe allergic reactions during specific immunotherapy may occur in the treatment of hymenoptera sting allergy. The objective of the present study was to examine the characteristics of allergic reactions during specific immunotherapy in patients with allergy towards hymenoptera venom in the Iranian population.
A prospective study was performed using the clinical reports of 27 patients with anaphylaxis to bee venom (Apis melifera, Geupes vespula and Geupes Polites). Ten patients treated with Cluster protocol during 2002 and 2006
After diagnosis of hymenoptera sting allergy according to history and intradermal tests, the patient were treated with Cluster protocol immunotherapy. The protocol lasted 6 weeks with an increase in the concentration of venom from 0.01μ g/ml to 100 μ g /ml. None of the patient received premedication. All patients with hymenoptera venom allergy received 120 injections. Anaphylactic reactions were classified according to the Mueller-classification.
The frequencies of systemic reactions during Cluster protocol were 8.33% and 5% for yellow jacket and honey bee venom respectively. No patient experienced severe systemic reaction.
Cluster protocol for hymenoptera immunotherapy is a reliable method for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions to bee venom. It is safe with low cost and do not need hospitalization. -
Intractable asthma is a challenging clinical problem. This study was conducted to determine whether a subset of patients with Intractable asthma may be misdiagnosed and have a form of bronchiolitis instead and also to determine the effectiveness of macrolide therapy in these patients.
Seventy six patients with Intractable asthma were re-treated with recommended maximal doses of oral prednisolone for 5 days, beclomethasone, cromolyn sodium, salbutamol and ipratropium bromide for 30 days. Thirty five patients were considered as unresponsive and constituted the study group. They underwent high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan following which they were offered with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical biopsy. Group 1 (n= 27) refused biopsy and each was treated with macrolide therapy, while Group 2 (n=8) underwent biopsy, and then received macrolide therapy. The patients were treated and followed for three months.
The study group consisted of 27 patients, with a mean age of 46.9 ± 11.1 years. The mean duration of time between the onset of symptoms and the start of this study was 8.1 years. In group 2, no patient had pathologic findings of asthma, and 7/8 had a form of bronchiolitis. There was significant improvement in dyspnea, cough and pulmonary function indices at the end of the 3-month in both groups (p< 0.001).
Our results suggest that patients with Intractable asthma could be misdiagnosed and some of them have some forms of chronic bronchiolitis. We believe that any patient who does not respond to standard treatments for Intractable asthma should be evaluated with expiratory HRCT; those with significant air trapping should be considered for a course of macrolide therapy or biopsy for better identification of the underlying disease. -
Baker's asthma is one of the most common forms of occupational asthma. This study was conducted to determine prevalence of asthma and rhinitis among bakery workers in the city of Sanandaj, the provincial center of Kurdistan province in the west of Iran in the in Summer 2006.
In this study 776 bread bakery workers were included. These subjects were selected randomly among 1620 bakery workers. The diagnosis of asthma was based on a medical history of episodic symptoms of cough, chest tightness, and dyspnea and spirometry. Airflow obstruction was determined with spirometry, the definition of airflow obstruction which was used in this study was an FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.8, and FEV1 or FVC increases of ≥ 12 percent and at least 200mL after using a short-acting inhaled beta2-agonist. Rhinitis was diagnosed by typical history of work related symptoms. Analyses were performed on 776 subjects (all were men) without missing data for asthma and rhinitis.
All of subjects were male with mean age of 33.69±11.09 years. Mean duration of bakery working for these subjects was 13.91±9.37 years. Prevalence of asthma at the time of study was 11.9%. 93 subjects were diagnosed as asthma with history, physical and spirometry findings. 31 (33.3%) of asthmatic workers were diagnosed as asthma previously and 62 (66.6%) workers were known as new asthmatic patients which were diagnosed in this study program. The prevalence of rhinitis was (9.9%). Subjects with asthma had longer history of working at bakery than others (P=0.001).
Asthma prevalence among these bakery workers that were included in our study was similar and in some instances the prevalence was lower than other studies. -
Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease. Although the most affected patients are diagnosed in childhood, there are several reports of the disease presenting in adult patients.
Here we present a 40 years old man who was admitted in hospital due to respiratory symptoms and ground glass pattern in high resolution computed tomography of lung. Open lung biopsy revealed lymphocytic bronchiolitis.
Because of past medical history of granulomatous lesion in lung and recurrent abscesses of skin and soft tissue, NBT test was conducted which its result revealed that the disorder was compatible with CGD and then it was confirmed by fluorescent cytometry. -
This study was performed to determine the genetic diversity of HLA class I and II alleles among two ethnic groups in Southeastern Iran. HLA profiles were determined in 71 Iranian populations (41 Zaboli and 30 Baloch). The frequencies of HLA-A02 (p=0.017), -Cw4 (p=0.003), and -DR8 (p=0.025) in the Zaboli populations were significantly higher than that in Baloch ethnic group. In contrast, the frequency of HLA-A23 allele was more frequent in Baloch than Zaboli (p=0.020). This report represents an important resource for investigators in the fields of transplantation immunology and population genetics from widely dispersed areas of Iran.
