Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 374 387 Katarzyna Napiórkowska-Baran Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Ewa Więsik-Szewczyk Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of National Defense, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland Marcin Ziętkiewicz Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases and Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland Aleksandra Matyja-Bednarczyk 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland Sylwia Kołtan Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Natalia Bąkowska-Kocik Department of Clinical Oncology, Franciszek Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Bydgoszcz, Poland Tomasz Rosada Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Karolina Baranowska Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Ewa Alska Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Marta Tykwińska Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Ewa Szynkiewicz Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland AND Department of Preventive Nursing, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Robert Zacniewski Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland Zbigniew Bartuzi Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland 2021 08 07 2022 04 20 The majority of primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are antibody deficiencies (PADs), and not all of them are rare diseases; As an example, Caucasian individuals suffer from selective IgA deficiency at a frequency of 1:500. In addition to infections, symptomatic patients with PAD are more likely to develop neoplastic, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. In the event that PAD is neglected or delayed for more than ten years, complications develop, eventually resulting in death. No studies have been conducted to devise and report detailed ready-to-use protocols for managing PAD to date. This study aimed to propose protocols and guidelines for the adult PAD patients’ standard care. Preparing the protocol, we considered the frequency and type of laboratory tests, imaging, endoscopic examinations, specialist consultations, and standardized recommendations for further care in the place of residence.  As a result of the proposed monitoring scheme, patients can be provided with complete care in terms of their underlying conditions and comorbidities, as well as early detection of complications. This protocol will serve as a guide for physicians dealing with these patients and enable comparisons of patient groups across a variety of treatment centers, even far away from each other. A national consultant in the field of clinical immunology verified the protocol mainly developed by Polish experts from reference immunology centres for adults.    https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3317 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3317/1862

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 478 483 Hossein Esmaeilzadeh Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Seyed Sina Dehghani Department of Pediatric, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Babak Shahhoseini Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, 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 University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Sayyed Hesamedin Nabavizadeh Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran Aida Askari Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2021 10 04 2022 03 06 A novel coronavirus disease known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread quickly throughout the world, and it was declared a pandemic in March 2022. Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a diverse group of genetic disorders characterized by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections, resulting in granulomas due to the inability of phagocytes to destroy microbes. Even though it is thought that impaired neutrophil activity is a protective mechanism against severe COVID-19-induced cytokine storms and hyper-inflammatory responses, patients with CGD have normal immunity to most viruses. Here, we present two CGD patients who were hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 infections, which suggests that COVID-19 might have a different pathogenesis than other viruses. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3374 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3374/1868

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 388 398 Farimah Fayyaz Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Kiavash Khashayar Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Mina Rasmi Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Ehsan Shahrestanaki Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran AND Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamid Asayesh Department of Medical Emergencies, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran Marzieh Tavakol Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran Mostafa Qorbani Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran 2021 08 20 2022 05 30   This study is a part of the Global Asthma Network (GAN) phase I project to assess asthma symptoms in children, adolescents, and their parents in Karaj, Iran. The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019-2020 in Karaj, Iran, in alignment with the goals of the GAN study, including assessing asthma prevalence, severity, and risk factors. In this study, 1500 students were selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method from 40 public and private schools in Karaj. The entire population of children aged 6-7 years or adolescents aged 13-14 years in a given school and their parents was considered the sample unit. The GAN core questionnaires were completed for students and parents. The results showed that the response rate was 89.6%. A total of 1326 children and adolescents, 572 children aged 6-7 years, and 754 aged 13-14 years and their parents were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of ever- and current wheezing was 24% and 13.8% among 6-7-year-olds, and 18.8% and 12.3% among 13-14-year-olds, respectively. In children aged 6-7 years, parental wheezing significantly increased the chances of children wheezing (odds ratio: 3.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.70, 6.310). The current study’s findings showed that the prevalence of asthma symptoms among children and adolescents and their parents in Karaj, Iran, was mainly higher than the findings of studies conducted in other cities in Iran. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3318 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3318/1872

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 399 406 Ebrahim Nadi Department of Internal Diseases Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Ghazal Geramirad Department of Internal Diseases Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Zohreh Kahramfar Department of Internal Diseases Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Ashkan Rasuli-Saravani Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Ghasem Solgi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran AND Department of Dermatology, Psoriasis Research Center, Farshchian Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 2021 12 20 2022 03 13 Altered expression and dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported in different samples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The present study attempted to evaluate the peripheral expressions of miR-146a and miR-218 in COPD patients and sex-matched healthy controls with/without cigarette smoke exposure (CSE). In this case-control study, blood samples were collected from 60 COPD patients (30 with CSE and 30 non-CSE in each group) and 60 healthy controls. Peripheral expressions of miRNA-146a and miR-218a were measured using qRT-PCR and results were compared between cases and controls as well as within the subgroups of patients. We found significantly decreased expressions for both miRNAs in the patients compared to healthy controls. Remarkable underexpression of miRNA-146a and miRNA-218 were found in the CSE and non-CSE patients compared to non-CSE healthy controls and even in the CSE versus non-CSE controls. Both groups of patients showed underexpression of two miRNAs in comparison with CSE healthy controls and interestingly, similar decrements were observed in the CSE versus non-CSE patients. Also, ROC curve analysis revealed the significantly diagnostic powers for both miRNAs in discrimination of patients from healthy individuals and CSE-COPD from non-CSE COPD patients. The underexpression of miR-146a and miR-218 in COPD patients and relation to CSE can be indicative of CSE-induced changes in miRNA expression profile and potential for these biomarkers in COPD risk assessment, particularly in those patients with CSE. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3422 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3422/1850

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 484 487 Hui Gan Department of Allergology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China AND Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China Ya-dong Gao Department of Allergology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China 2021 10 21 2022 03 12 Duplilumab is approved to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.  It is unclear, however, whether Dupilumab is effective for occupational hand eczema. In this article, we describe a 29-year-old nurse who developed severe hand eczema after working in a hospital for 6 years and received inadequate relief from routine treatment. Duplilumab was administered to the patient with great results. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3385 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3385/1860

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 488 493 EN Hamideh Nodehi Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center (RCRDC), School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran Mohammad Faranoush Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Pediatric growth, and Development Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Saba Arshi Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center (RCRDC), School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran Mohammad Nabavi Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center (RCRDC), School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran Mohammad Hasan Bemanian Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center (RCRDC), School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran Sima Shokri Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center (RCRDC), School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran Mohammad Reza Saghafi Innovated Medical Research Center, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad-Sadegh Fallah Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran Morteza Fallahpour Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center (RCRDC), School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran 2021 11 19 2022 04 16 Type 2 Griscelli syndrome (Type2 GS) is a primary inborn error of the immune system, classified in the immune dysregulation group.1,2 There are three different types of the disease, with different genetic causes responsible for the autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Although hypopigmentation is common in all variants, neurological involvement or immunodeficiency with varying severity is seen in different types. Molecular motor protein myosin 5 an (MYo5A) [Type1GS], guanosine Triphosphate (GTP) binding protein (RAB27A) [Type2GS], and mutation in human melanophilin (MLPH) [Type 3GS] which is limited to hypopigmentation are reported as the known genetic defects in GS.3 Severe, ineffective, and uncontrolled inflammatory reactions are referred to as the pathogenesis of Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). HLH is a life-threatening condition that can be defined as either primary or secondary. Secondary causes happen in the context of autoimmunity, malignancy, spontaneous, or infections.4 Prenatal infections play an important role in causing long-term complications in the fetus. Some of them include toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and other organisms including syphilis, parvovirus, and Varicella zoster, known as TORCH syndrome (5).TORCH has been well described for a long time but there are limited reports of developing HLH in the context of prenatal infections. We described a type 2GS syndrome with neonatal-onset HLH triggered by a prenatal infection. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3402 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3402/1864

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 407 417 EN Behrouz Robat-Jazi Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Saeed Mobini Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Chahardoli School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Mansouri Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Masoumeh Nodehi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Fatemeh Esfahanian Department of Endocrinology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Akbar Saboor Yaraghi Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 07 31 2022 03 15 Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) results from chemoattraction of inflammatory cells toward the thyroid gland by inducing the production of interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-induced protein 10 (IP10) by T helper (Th) 1 cells. Vitamin D may suppress the IFNγ-IP10 axis, but this new function of vitamin D has not yet been investigated in HT patients. In an intervention and control group, patients received 50000 IU cholecalciferol or placebo every week for three months, respectively. The CD4+ T cells of 40 patients were isolated, and the mRNA expression levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-α, and PPAR-γ genes were determined by real-time PCR. ELISA method was used to determine serum levels of vitamin D, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IFN-γ, and IP10. Vitamin D levels in the intervention group were significantly higher than in the placebo group after supplementation. PPAR-α and PPAR-γ gene expression levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. The serum levels of IP10, IFNγ, and TNF-α decreased significantly in the vitamin D group, as well as in the placebo group.  During this study, vitamin D levels significantly increased in the intervention group and inflammatory factors decreased. Based on the similar results obtained in the placebo group, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention times are recommended. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3297 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3297/1861

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 418 428 EN Maryam Farghadan Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Ahmad Zavaran-Hosseini Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Elham Farhadi Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Inflammation Research Center, 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 Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi Division of Knee Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Shariati Hospital, 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 AND Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 05 06 2022 06 01 Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a major role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and dysregulation of unfolded protein response are involved in the resistance to apoptosis of FLSs in RA (RA-FLSs). MicroRNA (MiR)-211 plays an important role in controlling ER stress and apoptotic genes in a PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-dependent manner. We investigated the effect of miR-211-5p overexpression on ER stress and apoptotic genes in RA-FLSs. FLSs were isolated from synovial tissues of trauma (n=10) and RA (n=10) patients. MiR-211-5p and mRNA expression of the selected genes involved in the PERK pathway and apoptosis regulation were measured in RA, trauma, and thapsigargin (Tg)-treated RA-FLSs. Afterward, Tg-treated RA-FLSs following miR-211-5p overexpression were evaluated for miR-211-5p and mRNA levels of the study genes. The expression of miR-211-5p, PERK, BAX, and BCL2 showed no differences between RA and trauma. However, the expression of ATF4 and BCL-XL showed a significant increase in trauma. In addition, the levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and MCL1 indicated a significant increase in RA-FLSs. Tg treatment significantly increased the expression of PERK, ATF4, and CHOP in RA-FLSs with no effect on miR-211-5p, BAX, BCL2, BCL-XL, and MCL1. Furthermore, Tg treatment following miR-211-5p overexpression in RA-FLSs showed a significant increase in levels of miR-211-5p with no changes in apoptotic genes. MiR-211-5p overexpression in stimulated RA-FLSs did not alter the levels of selected genes involved in apoptosis regulation. However, more investigations are necessary to determine the ER stress role in apoptosis regulation in RA-FLSs. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3536 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3536/1876

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 429 440 Marziyeh Mohammadi Kordkhayli Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada Fatemeh Mansouri Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Farideh Talebi Immunoregulation Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Farshid Noorbakhsh Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Akbar Saboor-Yaraghi Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 04 20 2022 07 27 Vitamins A, D, and microRNAs contribute to T cell differentiation into TH2 phenotypes. We investigated the molecular mechanisms and effects of vitamin A and D on the expression of GATA3 and miR-27-3p isoforms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model of multiple sclerosis. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant, together with injection of pertussis toxin. Treatments began one day before immunization with (200 μg and 100 ng of vitamin A and vitamin D per mouse, respectively, and vitamin A+D (100 μg+50 ng) per mouse. Expression levels of GATA3 and miR‑27‑3p isoforms were measured in the CNS and splenocytes by real-time RT-PCR. The expression level of GATA3 in the mice spinal cords and splenocytes was increased in the vitamin A and A+D-treated EAE mice at 24 h and 48 h after restimulation by 10 µg and 40 µg of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Vitamins A and D and their combination upregulated the miR-27-3p isoforms compared with EAE mice with no treatments. We also demonstrated that miR-273p isoform expression was altered in splenocytes of vitamin-treated EAE mice. The results showed a positive correlation between splenocyte GATA3 levels and miR-27-3p isoform expression. The protective impacts of vitamins A and D in EAE mice may be mediated by the upregulation of GATA3. However, it is not specified whether suppression of GATA3-targeting miRNAs of the miR-27-3p family is involved in this effect. These results do not rule out the possibility that miR-27-3p isoforms might have beneficial effects by targeting other transcripts, such as GluA2 and NR2B. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3527 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3527/1873

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 441 448 Marziyeh Soltani Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran AND Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Pezhman Beshkar Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Kobra Mokhtarian Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Maryam Anjomshoa Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Mina Mohammad-Rezaei Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran0000-0003-4469-8028 Yousef Mirzaei Scientific Research Center, Soran University, Soran, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Jafar Majidi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Nader Bagheri Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran AND Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran 2022 02 20 2022 05 23 Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a debilitating mental disorder with various causes involving complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental agents. The immune system plays a vital role in the pathology and function of the nervous system. Interleukin 35 (IL-35) is a regulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine that can prevent autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of autoantibodies against some central nervous system (CNS) antigens and IL-35 serum levels in patients with Schizophrenia. This case-control study involved 80 participants. The serum levels of IL-35 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the autoantibodies in the CNS by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The serum levels of IL-35 were decreased in patient groups compared to healthy subjects. Autoantibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) were positive in 15% (6/40) and 7.5% (3/40), respectively; however, no antibodies against myelin, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPAR), γ-butyric acid receptor type B1 γ-butyric acid receptor type B1 (GABABR), antidipeptidyl peptidase-like protein-6 (DPPX), immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule 5 (IgLON5), Glycine receptor (R) and acetylcholine receptor (Ach R) were detected (No statistics were computed).  We found that decreased serum IL-35 levels and the existence autoantibodies against NMDAR antigen may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCZ. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/3467 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/3467/1871

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 21 4 2022 08 12 449 457 Maryam Sadri Immunology Research Center (IRC), 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 Ali-Akbar Delbandi Immunology Research Center (IRC), 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 Nesa Rashidi Immunology Research Center (IRC), 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 Gholam Ali Kardar Immunology, Asthma Allergy Research Institute (IAARI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologtle>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 06 350 363 Seyed Ghader Azizi Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran Shahram Samiee Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran Mojgan Shaiegan Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran Maryam Zadsar Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran 2020 07 04 2020 12 30 Human platelet antigens (HPAs) are glycoproteins on the platelet surface that a single nucleotide mutation in the coding region gene could lead to the variation of different HPA polymorphisms. These antigens have shown variation among different races and may trigger immune responses during blood transfusion and pregnancy. Genotyping of HPAs is useful for managing these reactions and establishing a platelet registry to decrease platelet transfusion reactions. This study aimed to compare allelic and genotype frequencies of human platelet antigens in the Azeri ethnicity by TaqMan Real-time and polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) methods. DNA was extracted from the whole blood of 100 Azeri blood donors in the Ardabil Blood Transfusion Center. Genotyping of HPA-1 to -5 and -15 was performed by TaqMan Real-time PCR, and PCR-SSP and consistency of results were evaluated. The results of PCR-SSP and TaqMan Real-time PCR showed complete consistency. The allele frequencies were 91.5% and 8.5% for HPA-1a and -1b; 88% and 12% for HPA-2a and -2b; 58% and 42 % for HPA-3a and -3b; 100% for HPA-4a; 91% and 9% for HPA-5a and -5b; 56.5% and 43.5% for HPA-15a and -15b alleles. Not incompatibility was detected in HPAs genotyping by PCR-SSP and TaqMan Real-time PCR so that real-time PCR can be used as a robust and quick method for HPA genotyping. We found differences between Azeri blood donors and previously reported HPAs alleles’ frequency in other ethnicities in the country. This fact highlights the need for a platelet registry to recruit platelet donors from different ethnicities and increase the number of donors by using faster methods. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2885 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/2885/1704

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 20 3 2021 06 06 364 375 Mahdieh Motiee Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Ahmad Zavaran Hosseini Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Sara Soudi Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Mehdi Hassanzadeh Vaccine Production Unit, Research and Production Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran 2020 11 29 2021 01 16 T-lymphocytes have critical functions in the immune responses against viral and intracellular bacterial infections as well as cancers. Antigen (Ag)-specific T-lymphocyte clones enriched and expanded in vitro are valuable tools in the study of immune responses in animal models and adoptive T-cell therapy of patients with cancer or infection. We described a method for inducing, enriching, and replicating Ag-specific poly-clonal T-cells from BALB/c mice infected with live Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) bacterium. During a 7-8 days procedure, T-lymphocyt