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 C 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 06 350 363 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