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 unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CTLA-4 and myocardial infarction (MI). The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database and the pathway studio database has revealed the role of CTLA4 as an inhibitory receptor on activated T cells. The relative expression of the CTLA-4 gene was assessed on the peripheral blood cells in 80 MI patients and 80 healthy individuals using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and also receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of CTLA-4. We noticed the decreased expression of CTLA-4 levels in patients, compared to the control group (2.73±1.55 vs. 5.36±1.34). The study revealed the sensitivity of 0.89, specificity of 0.83, the accuracy of 0.9, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.901 (95% CI: 0.727-0.776) for CTLA-4. The results highlighted the critical role of CTLA-4 as an inhibitory receptor in the maintenance of cardiovascular risks. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3089 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3089/1797

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 20 26 EN Zahra Ahmadnia Department of Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Mohammad Ranaee 2 Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Rouzbeh Mohammadi Abandansari 2 Clinical Research Development Unit of Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Nader Bagheri Department of Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Hedayatollah Shirzad Department of Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran 2020 11 28 2021 08 07 Interleukin (IL)-35 and IL-37 are two anti-inflammatory cytokines. IL-35 inhibits the development of T-effector cells such as Th1, and Th17; while increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs). IL-37 causes the suppression of inflammatory cytokines. Regarding the positive impact of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on inflammation and considering the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-35 and IL-37, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of these two cytokines in H. pylori-infected patients with gastrointestinal problems. The case group consisted of H. pylori-infected individuals with gastric ulcer and/or gastritis (n=50) and the control group consisted of cases with gastric ulcer and/or gastritis non-H. pylori-infected (n=50). Sampling and classification of patients were based on pathology findings. A real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for evaluating the IL-35 and IL-37 expression levels. pylori-infected gastritis patients showed lower expression of IL-35 and IL-37 than the non-infected group. There was a significant difference between the expression levels of IL-35 and IL-37 in patients with gastric ulcers and/or gastritis who were infected and non-infected by H. pylori. There were no significant differences in the expression level of IL-35 and IL-37 in H. pylori-infected patients with gastric ulcer or gastritis. Interleukins 37 and 35 were less expressed in patients with H. pylori-infection. In differentiation between patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who have H. pylori infection or with similar symptoms who do not have H. pylori-infection, mentioned interleukins can be used as diagnostic markers. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2996 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/2996/1789

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 27 34 Ebrahim Kouchaki Department of Neurology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Hossein Akbari Department of Biostatistics and Public Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Fatemeh Mahmoudi Department of Neurology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Mahdi Salehi Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Effat Naimi Chemical Injuries Research Center, System Biology and Poisoning Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Nikoueinejad Nephrology and Urology Research Centre, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2020 09 07 2021 04 12 The pathogenic roles of Interleukine-16 (IL-16), CCL27, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) has been shown in some autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We aimed to correlate the circulatory changes of such factors with the severity of disease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This case-control study was conducted on 84 MS patients and 83 healthy controls. We measured the serum levels of IL-16, CCL27, TRAIL, and BAFF in all participants by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. Using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), we evaluated the severity of MS. Finally, we assessed the correlation between serum levels of such factors with the severity of MS. We found increased serum levels of CCL27, IL-16, and BAFF in patients with MS compared to those in healthy subjects. However, no difference was found in serum levels of TRAIL between the patients and controls. In addition, a significant positive correlation between serum levels of CCL27, IL-16, TRAIL, and BAFF with disease severity according to EDSS score was determined. We showed higher serum levels of CCL27, BAFF, TRAIL, and IL-16 in MS patients with more severe disabilities than mild forms. Such finding may represent their contribution to the pathogenesis of MS. Blocking such molecules may yield new treatments for MS. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2961 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/2961/1790

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 35 43 EN Javad Poursamimi Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran AND Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Zhaleh Shariati-Sarabi Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mojgan Mohammadi Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2021 08 24 2021 10 01 Osteoarthritis (OA) is known to be the most prevalent form of joint disease. We conducted this clinical trial to investigate the effects of KrocinaTM, a natural product containing crocin, on the gene expression of unique transcription factors of various T cell subsets in patients with OA. We collected 40 peripheral blood samples of OA patients receiving Krocina™ and equal number of those who took a placebo (IRCT2015021910507N2, NCT03375814). RNA extraction was performed from the cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the OA patients who received Krocina™ and placebo and SYBR Green Real-time PCR technique was applied to assess the relative gene expression of T-bet, GATA3, ROR-γt, and FOXP3 as the unique transcription factors of various T cell subsets. The relative gene expression of T-bet and ROR-γt insignificantly decreased in the Krocina™ receiving group as compared to the placebo group. In addition, the relative gene expressions of GATA-3 and FOXP3 after the treatment with KrocinaTM showed a significant and insignificant increase, respectively. Moreover, an insignificant decrease was observed in the gene expression of GATA-3 and FOXP3 in the placebo group. A significant and insignificant decrease in the gene expression of T-bet and ROR- γt was detected in the OA patients who received a placebo. GATA-3 is known as a unique transcription factor for the differentiation of T-cells to the Th2 subset. The significant increase in the gene expression of GATA-3 in the patients with OA treated with crocin may suggest the beneficial effect of crocin on shifting towards the Th2 subset and enhancing an anti-inflammatory condition. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3302 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3302/1791

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 44 54 Saiedeh Omidian Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Aghazadeh Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Arman Ahmadzadeh Department of Rheumatology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mona Aslani Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mostafa Hosseini Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Simin Abbasi Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Abbas Mirshafiey Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Research Centre for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Centre Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 03 06 2021 05 22 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem disorder. Various studies have shown the important role of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-22, MYD88, and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in this disease. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of B-D-Mannuronic acid (M2000), as a new immunosuppressive drug, on the expression of these inflammatory markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RA patients. The blood samples of active RA patients and healthy volunteers were used for PBMCsl separation. The cells were cultured with LPS (1 µg/mL), low (5 µg/mL), moderate (25 µg/mL), and high (50 µg/mL) doses of M2000 and a single dose of diclofenac (1 µg/mL) to evaluate TNF-α, IL-6, IL-22, MYD88, and TLR2 genes expression by quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR). Cell surface expression and MFI of TLR2 were assessed; using flow cytometry. Our findings exhibited a significant reduction of TNF-α, IL-6, and MYD88 gene expressions after treatment with three doses of M2000 and an optimum dose of diclofenac. TLR2 gene expression was significantly diminished by moderate and high doses of M2000 and a single dose of diclofenac. Moreoversurface expression of TLR2 was significantly downregulated by moderate and high doses of M2000, while MFI of this receptor was significantly reduced by three doses of M2000. The results of this research showed that M2000 was able to significantly reduce the gene expression of inflammatory molecules  TNF-α, IL-6, MYD88, and TLR2 in patients PBMCs. factor-alpha; Rheumatoid arthritis. These data revealed a part of the molecular mechanisms of M2000 in the treatment process. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3142 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3142/1802

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 55 64 Haleh Abdoli Sereshki Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Falak Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Nabavi Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool-E-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad-Hossein Shams Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Maral Ranjbar Department of Medicine, Mc Master University, Hamilton, Canada 2021 04 29 2021 09 22 Ligustrum vulgare (Privet) pollen proteins are responsible for allergies in susceptible individuals in many regions of the world. This study investigated the immunochemical characterization of Privet pollen extract and the occurrence of skin prick test reactivity to Privet and other allergenic pollen grains in allergic rhinitis patients. All subjects experienced a skin prick test with twenty-two allergen extracts. sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) separated Privet pollen extract, IgE-immunoblotting, and specific ELISA procedures determined the allergenic profile on forty-five Privet allergic patients. A positive allergic reaction to L. vulgare pollen extract was observed in forty-five (31.4%) out of 145 patients. Ten resolved protein fractions were found on SDS-PAGE, ranging from 10 to 80 kDa. IgE-specific antibodies interacted with several allergenic protein bands from Privet-allergic patients in the immunoblotting assay. The most significant interaction was observed in proteins with molecular weights of approximately 15, 18, 43, and 66 kDa. Privet pollen is regarded as a potent allergen composed of IgE-binding constituents. Considering the high allergenicity of Privet pollen grains and since many countries are rich in this plant, identification and production of recombinant forms of common allergens in this species can be used for developing more efficient diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive approaches. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3215 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3215/1793

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 65 72 Lijun Chen Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Yinchuan), Yinchuan, China Entezar Mehrabi Nasab Department of Cardiology, Tehran Heart Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyyed Shamsadin Athari Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran 2021 06 09 2021 07 06 Asthma is considered a complex disease of the respiratory system that is characterized by bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. Allergic reactions are the main reason behind asthma which is known as an important health problem with a high rate of morbidity and mortality in patients with respiratory diseases. Liquorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza, is primarily effective for asthma which is widely used in herbal medicine. In the present study, we designed nano-particles that carry Glycyrrhizic acid as the effective component of Liquorice. After Poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) PLGA nanoparticle preparation and Glycyrrhizic acid loading, the morphology of the nanoparticle, the electric charge distribution, and drug-releasing ability were studied. Then the effect of Glycyrrhizic acid-PLGA on the animal model of allergic asthma was investigated. Glycyrrhizic acid-nanoparticle had a mean±SD size of 350±50 nm. about 67% of the effective component was released after 10 h. The interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-25 levels and the Muc5ac mRNA expression were decreased in the Glycyrrhizic acid-PLGA treated group. In addition, a significant decline was observed in goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus hyper-secretion, and eosinophilic inflammation around bronchi and vessels of the nano-drug treated group, compared with the asthmatic group. We found that Glycyrrhizic acid-PLGA nanoparticle had an anti-asthma effect which may be used as a new drug to cure asthma. It can prevent bronchial obstruction, breathlessness, and asthma attacks. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3254 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3254/1794

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 1 2022 02 06 73 80 Maryam Akhtari Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran AND Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Jalal Zargar Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Ali Javinani Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Amir Ashraf-Ganjouei Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdi Vojdanian Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 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 3 Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 03 13 2021 07 17 Purinergic receptors stimulation by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contributes significantly to macrophage activation, and also macrophage cell death. Upon the macrophage activation, the protein load of the endoplasmic reticulum is increased which is resulted in the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR). In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the connection between prototypic P2X7 receptor agonist, extracellular 2ʹ(3ʹ)-O-(4-Benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP (BzATP), and the UPR pathway in macrophages. The monocyte-derived macrophages from blood samples of 14 healthy volunteers were skewed toward M1 macrophages after incubation with LPS and IFN-γ. M1 macrophages were treated with 200 µM BzATP. The expression levels of UPR genes, including CHOP, HERP, GADD34, XBP1, and ATF6 in macrophages before and after treatment were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that the expression of CHOP, HERP, and ATF6 is significantly decreased and the expression level of GADD34 and XBP1 is significantly increased after M1 polarization. BzATP not only significantly increased the expression levels of CHOP, GADD34, ATF6, and HERP but also significantly decreases the XBP1 expression level in M1 macrophages. The present study showed that BzATP induces cellular stress in M1 macrophages by elevating the expression levels of UPR genes including CHOP, GADD34, ATF6, and reducing cell viability. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3149 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3149/1795