Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 92 97 Sule Haskologlu Department of Pediatric, Immunology and Allergy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Kubra Baskin Department of Pediatric, Immunology and Allergy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Caner Aytekin Pediatric Immunology Clinic, Dr. Sami Ulus Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatric Health and Diseases, Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey Candan Islamoglu Department of Pediatric, Immunology and Allergy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Serdar Ceylaner Intergen Genetic Diagnostics Center, Ankara, Turkey Figen Dogu Department of Pediatric, Immunology and Allergy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Nurdan Tacyildiz Department of Pediatric, Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Emel Unal Department of Pediatric, Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Aydan Ikinciogullari Department of Pediatric, Immunology and Allergy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey 2021 02 02 2021 07 24 Loss-of-function mutations in magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1) gene cause X-linked magnesium deficiency with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and neoplasm (X-MEN), a disease with quite diverse clinical and immunological consequences. The phenotypic characteristics of the initially described patients included CD4+ T cell lymphopenia, immune deficiency, EBV viremia, and EBV-related lymphoproliferative disease. To date, a total of 25 patients have been reported. The spectrum of the MAGT1 defect ranges from other viral infections (HSV, VZV, CMV, MCV) and sinopulmonary bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, non-EBV driven lymphoproliferative disease, Castleman disease, HHV8+ Kaposi's sarcoma, vasculitis (Kawasaki) to glycosylation defects in new patients. Here, we report 2 patients from two different families with novel MAGT1 mutations and different clinical features. The first patient presented with B cell lymphoma and low IgM level without recurrent infections. The second patient presented with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, Kawasaki-like disease, hypogammaglobulinemia, and T cell lymphopenia. X-MEN disease is the first phenotype identified due to MAGT1 mutation. The identification of new mutations and atypical presentations will clarify whether there is a relationship between the genotype and the phenotype and the characteristics of the disease. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3111 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3111/1798

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 1 11 Azam Samei Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Mostafa Khedri Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran 2020 10 13 2021 08 02 Program cell death protein 1 (PD1) is considered as an inhibitory molecule that is expressed on the surface of activated T-cells and bound to PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands. Several types of cancer cells express PD-L1 which can bind to PD1 on the surface of tumor-specific T-cells. PD1/PD-L1 ligation triggers a pathway to protect tumor cells from an effective response of tumor-specific T-cells. Different PD1/PD-L1 blocker antibodies are clinically used to promote the T-cell response against the cancer cells. Current studies suggest that the gut microbiome impacts the efficiency of PD1 blockade therapy in cancer patients. The association of several bacterial species with PD1 responder patients has been determined. The present study reviewed previous reports on the relation between the microbiome and immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). The results of studies were discussed considering adjuvant and molecular mimicry of microbial antigens by tumor-associated antigens and metabolic effects of microbial products on ICT.   https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3003 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3003/1787

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 101 103 Hamid Chegni Department of Laboratory Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ardeshir Abbasi Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Hajar Rajayi Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Zuhair Mohammad Hassan Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2020 05 27 2021 06 30 No Abstract  https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2844 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/2844/1800

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 81 85 Najmeh Sepahi Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Soheila Alyasin Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Kanannejad Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Hossein Esmaeilzadeh Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran Farzaneh Mohammadalizadeh Shirazi Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Maryam Babaei Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Shirin Farjadian Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2021 06 27 2021 10 10 Pollens have been identified as potent inducers of allergic diseases worldwide. Acer velutinum (Persian maple) tree is an important source of allergic pollens in Iran. This study aimed to identify the immunoglobulin E (IgE)-reactive components of A. velutinum pollen extract in patients with maple allergy. We aimed to evaluate its allergenic components; using IgE in the serum of patients with maple allergy. Twenty-two patients with a clinical history of reaction and a positive skin-prick test to maple pollen extract were included in this study. Identification of IgE-binding proteins in A. velutinum pollen extract was performed by immunoblotting using sera from sensitive patients. A protein band with a molecular weight of around 70 kDa was the most IgE-reactive allergen in A. velutinum pollen extract detected by this method. Identification of a protein with a molecular weight of about 70kDa, as the most reactive allergen of A. velutinum pollen extract, can be considered as a potential allergen for designing diagnostic kits or as a target for immunotherapy of allergic patients with maple allergy. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3274 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3274/1796

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 12 19 Sara Iranparast Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Maryam Tahmasebi-Birgani Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Azim Motamedfar Department of Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Department of Radiology, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Afshin Amari Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mehri Ghafourian Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2021 04 11 2021 08 04 MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) has a critical role in pro-inflammatory activation and tumor progression. In addition, miR-155 has various oncogenic effects in the tumor microenvironment by targeting the suppressor gene of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). This study investigated the association of inflammatory changes with the variations of miR-155 expression in newly diagnosed breast cancer (NDBC) patients. Seventy NDBC patients were categorized as lobular and ductal subgroups and forty healthy individuals participated in this study. The expression rate of miR-155 and its downstream target gene, SOCS-1, as well as the plasma levels of IL-6, were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of NDBC patients; using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Our results indicated an over-expression of miR-155 in the PBMCs of NDBC patients which was significantly associated with the tumor grade and the type of ductal carcinoma. In contrast, a significant downregulation of SOCS-1 was observed in NDBC patients compared to control group, however, there was no significant difference between two subtypes of BC. Furthermore, a higher concentration of plasma IL-6 was detected in NDBC patients compared to the healthy control group which had an inverse correlation with the SOCS-1 levels. According to the potential effects of miR-155 on regulating the expression of SOCS-1 and IL-6, we suggest this small transcript as a promising diagnostic marker for various types of BC patients. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3185 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3185/1788

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 98 100 Sandra González-Díaz Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Elma Fuentes-Lara Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Cindy de Lira-Quezada Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Rosalaura Villarreal-González Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Rodrigo de la Cruz-Cruz Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico 2021 03 10 2021 06 12 Cold-induced urticaria is considered as a subtype of physical urticaria and also the second most common type of chronic inducible urticaria. Contact with cold surfaces or the environment may cause systemic reactions, especially during aquatic activities. A 22-year-old female patient with a history of sulfa drug allergy began her condition 2 years before the presence of generalized pruritic erythema with hives as well as 2 episodes that had been characterized by facial angioedema and syncope 3-5 minutes after being in contact with cold air or surfaces.  On both events, she had just been outdoors on a cold, winter day. She was suspected to have cold-induced urticaria; thereby she had a positive reaction to the ice cube test. Due to the previous episodes of anaphylaxis, the patient was trained to administer intramuscular epinephrine. After 4 weeks of starting the treatment with antihistamines, no new events or injuries had occurred. Cold-induced urticaria may cause life-threatening reactions. The rate of anaphylaxis in these patients is low however, this case is presented to inform the importance of identifying this type of systemic reaction and preventing strategies. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3147 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3147/1799

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 86 91 Fatemeh Mansouri Department of Genetics and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran AND Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Mir Hosein Seyed Mohammadzad Department of Cardiology, Seyedoshohada Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 2021 01 06 2021 06 30 Cardiovascular diseases are the most prevalent disease worldwide and pose a considerable threat to human health. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) plays a crucial role in the maintenance of immune diseases; however, its role in the progression of cardiovascular disorders is still unknow Fallahpour Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hazrat Rasoul-E-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran Sima Shokri Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hazrat Rasoul-E-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran Javad Ahmadian Department of Pediatric, Emam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Rasool Molatefi Department of Pediatrics, Bu Ali Hospital, Ardebil University of Medical Sciences, Ardebil, Iran Mahsa Rekabi Pediatric Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zeinab Moinfar Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Paniz Hashemitari School of Medicine, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy Narges Eslami Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Mofid Children’s Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2020 08 06 2021 02 07 Asthmatic patients may have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease and experience acute dyspnea and nasal symptoms within 3 hours after the ingestion of aspirin. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and outcome of daily low-dose aspirin in the treatment of moderate to severe asthma in patients with concomitant aspirin hypersensitivity and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). This clinical trial was conducted from February 2014 to February 2015 on 46 adult patients with moderate to severe asthma accompanied by CRSwNP. Patients with a positive aspirin challenge were blindly randomized in three groups receiving placebo/day (A); aspirin 100 mg/day (B); and aspirin 325mg/day (C), respectively. Clinical findings, FEV1 and ACT scores were recorded and compared before, during, and after treatment for 6 months. Of 46 participants at baseline, 30 patients completed this 6-month trial study. The level of asthma control was significant; based on Asthma Control Test (ACT) when comparing the results in groups A and C and also groups B and C, but it was not significant when comparing ACT scores between groups A and B. FEV1 before and after treatment was significant when comparing groups A and B, groups A and C, and groups B and C. To conclude, aspirin desensitization with a daily dose of 325 mg aspirin resulted in the improvement of long-term control of asthma. A daily aspirin dose of 100 mg was not associated with such an increase in ACT score. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2925 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/2925/1702

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06 294 302 Heidar Ali Kafashan Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran Ahmad Reza Khosravi Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Soheila Alyasin Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran AND Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Najmeh Sepahi Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Kanannejad Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Farzaneh Mohammad Ali Zadeh Shirazi Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Sahar Karami Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2021 01 19 2021 03 11 Airborne pollen is considered one of the causative agents of hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. We aimed to investigate airborne pollens in the context of Shiraz located in the southwest of Iran and find their association with meteorological parameters.  The survey was conducted from October 2017 to September 2018, using seven days of volumetric Burkard spore trap, located in the center of the city. A total of 5810 pollen grains/m3 belonging to 15 taxa were identified and recorded. Among them, 73.8% was the tree, while the grass, shrub, and weed constituted 13.56%, 3.5%, and 9.2% of total reported pollens, respectively. The major pollen types were Platanaceae (28.39%), Oleaceae (21.17%), Pinaceae (15.11%), Amaranthaceae (9.29%), and Brassicaceae (8.02%). A higher number of pollen counts and types were recorded in March, followed by September, while it was lower in May. Meteorological parameters were correlated with the monthly pollen counts. Wind speed was found to have a positive correlation with Platanaceae concentration. The significant correlation between pollen concentration and the temperature was positive for Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Plantaginaceae and negative for Rosaceae, Oleaceae, and Ulmaceae.  Poaceae and Amaranthaceae were negatively correlated with humidity and positively with Rosaceae, Oleaceae, and Plantaginaceae. A negative correlation was found between rainfall and Poaceae and Amaranthaceae, while Plantaginaceae had a positive correlation with this parameter. The results of this study may be helpful for allergologists in the diagnosis and treatment of airborne allergic disorders due to pollen grains. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3103 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3103/1706

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06 303 313 Mehdi Hassani School of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Dehani School of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran Maryam Zare Rafie School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Emran Esmaeilzadeh Fetal Health Research Center, Hope Generation Foundation, Tehran, Iran Saeideh Davar Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Bahram Pakzad Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran. Meysam Mosallaei School of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran Seyyed Mohamad Hoseini Department of Pediatric, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran Hadi Bayat Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran AND Medical Nano-Technology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohsen Soosanabadi Department of Medical Genetics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran 2021 04 12 2021 05 19 MicroRNA-124 (miR-124) is known as an important regulator of the immune system and inflammatory response. Studies have reported that this miRNA is dysregulated in autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A functional analysis demonstrated that rs531564 (C>G) affects the biogenesis of primary microRNA transcript-124 (pri-miR-124) and changes the expression of mature miR-124. In the present study, for the first time, we intended to evaluate the possible association between rs531564 polymorphism with SLE and RA risk.  In this case-control study, 110 patients with SLE, 115 patients with RA, and 120 healthy subjects were enrolled to evaluate rs531564 genotypes with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) high resolution melting method. Our findings demonstrated that frequency of GC genotype and G allele were considerably higher in the control group than RA patients, demonstrating that that GC genotype and G allele have a protective effect for healthy individuals (GC vs CC; OR: 0.29; 95%CI [0.12,0.67] and G vs C; OR: 0.42; 95%CI [0.23,0.78]). However, no significant correlation was confirmed between allele and genotype frequencies of rs531564 with SLE risk (p>0.05). However, the G allele in rs531564 polymorphism was associated with serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-dsDNA antibody, C3, C4, and creatinine, and frequency of renal involvements in SLE patients (p<0.05). Moreover, in RA patients, the G was correlated with lower concentration ESR and CRP (p<0.001).  Our findings propose a considerable association between rs531564 polymorphism in the pri-miR-124 gene with susceptibility and clinical characteristics of RA and SLE in the Iranian population. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3190 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3190/1719

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06 314 325 Ameneh Zare-Chahoki Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran AND Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran Meysam Ahmadi-Zeidabadi Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Saeid Azadarmaki Clinical Laboratory, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran Samira Ghorbani Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada Farshid Noorbakhsh Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 02 07 2021 04 27 Perturbed expression of microRNAs (miRs) has been reported in different diseases including autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders. In this study, we investigated the expression of miR-25-3p and its targets in the central nervous system (CNS) tissue from mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We also analyzed the expression of miR-25 and its targets in activated macrophages and splenocytes. EAE was induced in 12-week old female C57BL/6 mice; using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55/complete Freund's adjuvant (MOG35-55/CFA) protocol. The expression of miR-25-3p and its targets, as well as the expression of inflammatory cytokines, were analyzed. We next established primary macrophage cultures as well as splenocyte cultures and evaluated the levels of miR-25-3p and its target genes in these cells following activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies, respectively. MiR-25-3p expression showed a strong positive correlation with the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1α, and IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines. The expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) and Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) was significantly reduced at the peak of the disease. Interestingly, Pten and Klf4 expression showed a significant negative correlation with miR-25-3p. Analysis of miR-25-3p expression in LPS-treated primary macrophages revealed significant upregulation in cells treated with 100ng/ml of LPS. This was associated with suppressed levels of miR-25-3p targets in these cells. However, anti-CD3/anti-CD28-stimulated splenocytes failed to show any alterations in miR-25-3p expression compared with vehicle-treated cells. Our results indicate that miR-25-3p expression is likely induced by inflammatory mediators during autoimmune neuroinflammation. This upregulation is associated with decreased levels of Pten and Klf4, genes with known roles in cell cycle regulation and inflammation. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3120 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3120/1709

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06 326 337 Fatemeh Safari Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Elia Damavandi Specialized Medical Genetic Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch of Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran AND Department of Photo Healing and Regeneration, Yara Institute, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch of Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran Abdol-Rahman Rostamian Department of Rheumatology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shafieh Movassaghi Department of Rheumatology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zeinab Imani-Saber Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mojtaba Saffari Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Majid Kabuli Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohsen Ghadami Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2020 06 10 2021 01 26 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammation of the articular tissue. This study aims to evaluate the expression of microRNA (miR)-146a-5p, miR-24-3p, and miR-125a-5p in the plasma of RA patients and compare them with those of healthy controls to obtain a specific expression profile for earlier diagnosis and assistance in treating patients. This study was performed on 50 RA patients and 50 healthy controls. Five microliters of blood were taken from each patient/control. Plasma RNA was extracted using the Trisol solution. cDNAs were synthesized; using moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) and deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP). Real-time PCR was performed using SYBR green kit. The mean expression of miR-146a-5p, miR-24-3p, and miR-125a-5p in the RA group were 8.1±1.9, 6.5±1.2, and 6.8±2.2 and in the healthy group were 4.8±1.6, 3.6±2.2, and 3.4±1.7, respectively. Significant differences were also observed in the mean expression of these three miRNAs in four subgroups of RA patients with different disease activity based on disease activity score 28 (DAS28) (p<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that miR-146a-5p (AUC=0.8, sensitivity= 96%, specificity=86%), miR-24-3p (AUC=0.7, Sensitivity=95%, Specificity=75%) and miR-125a-5p (AUC=0.71, sensitivity=93%, specificity=84%) could be used as suitable biomarkers for RA diagnosis. Increased expressions of miR-146a-5p, miR-24-3p, and miR-125a-5p in RA patients indicate that the miRNAs are involved in disease incidence and progression, and the measurement of their expression can play an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2857 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/2857/1699

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06 338 349 Mohammad Javad Mousavi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Hematology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Elham Farhadi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Vodjgani Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Jafar Karami Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Laboratory Sciences, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi Division of Knee Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Arash Sharafat Vaziri Division of Knee Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Marzieh Asgari Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nima Rezaei Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran Shayan Mostafaei Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Ahmadreza Jamshidi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdi Mahmoudi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 01 02 2021 01 20 Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) have been introduced in recent years as a key player in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the exact mechanisms of their transformation and intracellular pathways have not yet been determined. This study aimed to investigate the role of fibroblast activation protein-alpha (FAP-α) in the regulation of genes involved in the transformation and pathogenic activity of RA FLSs. Synovial FLSs were isolated from RA patients and non-arthritic individuals (n=10 in both groups) and characterized; using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. FLSs were divided into un-treated and Talabostat-treated groups to evaluate the FAP-α effect on the selected genes involved in cell cycle regulation (p21, p53, CCND1), apoptosis (Bcl-2, PUMA), and inflammatory and destructive behavior of FLSs (IL-6, TGF-β1, MMP-2, MMP-9, P2RX7). Gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunoblotting was carried out to evaluate FAP-α protein levels. The basal level of FAP-α protein in RA patients was significantly higher than non-arthritic control individuals. However, no differences were observed between RA and non-arthritic FLSs, at the baseline mRNA levels of all the genes. Talabostat treatment significantly reduced FAP-α protein levels in both RA and non-arthritic FLSs, however, had no effect on mRNA expressions except an upregulated TGF-β1 expression in non-arthritic FLSs. A significantly higher protein level of FAP-α in FLSs of RA patients compared with that of healthy individuals may point to the pathogenic role of this protein in RA FLSs. However, more investigations are necessary to address the mechanisms mediating the FAP-α pathogenic role in RA FLSs.  https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3084 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3084/1695

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06