Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 85 92 EN Nargess Arandi Department of Immunology, 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 Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Mohammadreza Shaghaghi Research Center for Immunodeficiency, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Bamdad Sadeghi Research Center for Immunodeficiency, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Abolhassani Research Center for Immunodeficiency, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ramazan Ali Sharifian Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, Vali-Asr Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Saeid Rahiminejad Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Asghar Aghamohammadi Research Center for Immunodeficiency, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 16 Immune thrombocytopenic  purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by production  of auto-antibodies against platelet antigens. It is obvious that regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a major role in controlling immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. To investigate the frequency and functions of Tregs, twenty ITP patients and twenty age- and sex- matched healthy controls were recruited. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and the proportion of Tregs was defined by flow cytometry method. The expression of immune-regulatory markers, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and glucocorticoid induced tumor necrosis  factor  receptor  (GITR)  were  also  assessed by  quantitative  Real-time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan method. For evaluation of Treg function, Tregs were enriched and their ability to inhibit proliferation of T cells was measured and levels of immune-regulatory cytokines IL-10 and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were also measured.Results showed that the frequency of Tregs  and  the  mean  fluorescence  intensity  of  forkhead  box  P3  (FOXP3)  protein  significantly decreased in ITP patients compared to those in healthy controls. In addition, there was a significant reduction  in relative expression of both  CTLA-4 and GITR  mRNA  in ITP  patients (p=0.02 and p=0.006, respectively). The suppressive function of Tregs also diminished in ITP patients compared to controls. Both  IL-10 and TGF-β  cytokines were produced  in lower amounts  in ITP  patients than controls. It  could  be  concluded  that  alteration  in  Treg  frequency and  functional  characteristics might  be responsible for loss of self-tolerance and subsequently destructive immune responses observed in ITP patients. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/472 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/472/365

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 93 97 EN Hui Zhong Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China Xiao Jian Zhou Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China Jian Gou Hong Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China 2015 10 16 Cytokine production  in response to allergens may influence the development of atopy- predisposing immune responses, initializing the  early programming of  allergy and  asthma. Vitamin D  intake  may be  protective  due  to  its  immunoregulatory properties,  that  may contribute  to  influence the expression of  the atopic phenotype  initiated in early life. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on allergen-stimulated expression of asthma related cytokines in cord blood T cells. Cord blood samples were collected from the umblilical vein of 24 term deliveries during labor, CD4+T cells derived from cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs), were cultured for 72 hours with ovalbumin (OVA), β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), respectively, in presence or absence of 1,25-(OH)2D3  to detect the levels of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in culture supernatants and the mRNA expressions in CD4+T cells. After  allergens  stimulation,  CD4+T   cells  showed  an  increase  of  IL-13  and  IL-17 production, while cultured in the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3  displayed a statistically significant down-regulation of allergen-induced expression of IL-13 and IL-17 in CD4+T cells. These  results indicated that  allergens may induce changes in CD4+T  cell function  to increase inflammatory cytokine production. 1,25-(OH)2D3  modulated the capacity of CD4+T cells in response to allergens, which might be protective for allergy. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/471 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/471/366

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 98 103 EN Javad Ghaffari Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Reza Farid Hossiani Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Alireza Khalilian Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Negin Nahanmoghadam Department of General Pediatrics, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Ebrahim Salehifar Department of Pharmacology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Houshang Rafatpanah Department of Immunology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2015 10 16 Asthma is the most  common  chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by cough, wheezing and dyspnea in children. Nutrition  is an important  factor which influences on induction and exacerbation of asthma. There are controversies to use Vitamin E in asthmatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplement in children with moderate asthma. This is a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial performed on children (age 2-17 years old) with moderate asthma (5-17 years old) from March 2010 to March 2012. Case group were treated with fluticasone and vitamin E (50mg/day) and control group received fluticasone plus placebo for 8 weeks. Out of 300 cases, 240 cases completed the study. Female to male ratio was 0.84. Serum level of Vitamin E significantly increased after treatment in intervention group. FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio was ignificantly improved in case group compared to the control group. It can be concluded that vitamin E supplement could improve clinical manifestations and pulmonary function test in children with moderate asthma. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/470 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/470/367

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 104 109 EN Katayoon Bidad Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Heidarnazhad Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Pourpak Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Giti Shayestefar Department of Obstetrics, Arash Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Heshmat Moayeri Department of Endocrinology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nasrin Zendehdel Department of Internal Medicine, Shohada Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 16 Asthma and  gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)  are two  common  problems  in pregnancy and they affect pregnancy in several ways. In this study, we aimed to evaluate GERD and asthma in pregnant women who referred for prenatal care visits. One-hundred  and seventy three  pregnant  women with a complaint of  dyspnea were included in the study. A questionnaire was filled and lung function tests were performed. All patients  were visited by a respiratory specialist and  questionnaires were evaluated by a gastroenterologist. Out  of the total number of women studied, 37% were diagnosed to have asthma and 36.4% were non-asthmatics. Twenty six percent of the pregnant women who had symptoms and signs of asthma with normal spirometry were classified as probable to have asthma. GERD was diagnosed in 80.9% of the pregnant women, but it was not significantly higher in asthmatic or probable asthmatic women compared to non-asthmatic ones. However, severity of GERD was significantly higher in asthmatic pregnant women compared to the others. In conclusion, the prevalence of GERD  was quite high in pregnant women, irrespective of the fact that they were asthmatic or non-asthmatic. Further studies evaluating women throughout pregnancy will inform us more about this relationship. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/469 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/469/368

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 110 119 EN Zoleikha Moazezi Department of Endocrinology, Ayatollah Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Azam Hosseinian Department of Endocrinology, Ayatollah Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Ensiyeh Ahmad Moazam Department of Endocrinology, Ayatollah Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Mohamed Bagher Eslami Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ezatollah Mosavi Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Haleh Akhavan-Niaki Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Ali Bijani Non- Communicable Pediatrics Diseases Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Nanette Schloot Department of Immunobiology,  German Diabetes Research Center, Dusseldorf, Germany. Amrollah Mostafazadeh Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. 2015 10 16 It has been widely thought that diabetic patients are prone to infections due to hyperglycemia induced immunodeficiency; the present study was designed to examine this opinion. In diabetic patients and normal control groups T-cell reactivity to hsp-60 molecule, tetanus toxoid recall antigen (TT) and phytohemagglutinin-A (PHA) mitogen were evaluated The number of circulating IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-13 cytokine producing cells stimulated with above antigens or mitogen as well as the serum levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines were determined. Total serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), C3, C4 and CH50 were also measured. Diabetic patients showed a positive circulating T-cell reactivity to human recombinant hsp60 However, this reactivity was significantly lower in comparison to control group (p<0.001). All other examined factors were not significantly different between diabetic and normal subjects except for the number of IFN-γ and IL-13 producing cells in response to PHA stimulation, which was higher in control gtroup (p=0.006, 0.018, respectively). The mean serum concentration of IgA in diabetic patients was 245.86 ± 115.05 mg/dl versus 192.96 ± 105.33 mg/dl in healthy control group (p<0.018). We were not able to demonstrate any substantial mitigation in cellular arms of immune reaction to some prominent T-cell antigens and mitogens, as well as, in main parameters of humoral immunity of diabetic patients, thus, the common notion of believing that patients with diabetes suffering from immunodeficiency should be revised. It is much more appropriate that "altered immunity" is applied instead of "immunodeficiency" to explain the immunity condition in this group of patients. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/468 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/468/369

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 120 124 EN Sara Zahedifard Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Elahe Rashidi Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sedigheh Shams Department of Pathology, Children Hospital Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Shiva Saghafi Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohammadreza Fazlollahi Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Azadeh Talebzadeh Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Anoushirvan Kazemnejad Department of Biostatistics, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran. Ahmad Soltani Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Zahra Pourpak Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology and Allergy, Children Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 16 Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a vital protein of innate immune system and has two critical functions: complement activation through the lectin pathway and opsonization. MBL deficiency has been classified as the most common inherited immunodeficiency known in humans (about 30% of the population), and is associated with predisposition to infections and high risk of some autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the profile of MBL serum level in Iranian healthy population in association with sex and age groups for the first time. We studied the serum concentration of MBL in 593 Iranian healthy cases: 340 males and 235 females in 4 different age groups by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean serum levels of MBL were 3.854 ± 2.77 µg/ml at the age of less than 6 months, 4.147 ± 3.54 µg/ml at 6 months to 2 years of age, 4.410 ± 3.09 µg/ml at 2-6 years and 2.207 ± 1.73 µg/ml in adults. There was significant differences in the mean concentration of MBL among different age groups of children and also between children and adults (p<0.05). No association was observed between sex and MBL concentrations. MBL serum levels of Iranian population seem to be different from some of other populations which may be explained by genetic variations. The MBL values in this study can be used as a normal reference range for future studies in Iranian population. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/467 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/467/370

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 125 130 EN Hamid Reza Jafarinaveh Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Mohammad Allahtavakoli Physiology -Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Hossein Rezazadeh Physiology -Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Mohammad Kazemi Arababadi Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Mohammad Mohsen Taghavi Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Ali Shamsizadeh Physiology -Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Mohammad Reza Rahmani Physiology -Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran 2015 10 16 Increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been recorded after the onset  of transient  or  permanent  brain  ischemia and  are  usually associated with  exacerbation  of ischemic injury. Embolic stroke model is more relevant to the pathophysiological situation in such  patients, because the  majority of  ischemic injuries in humans  are induced  by old thrombi that originate from the heart and carotid arteries. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate changes of inflammatory cytokines after embolic stroke. Rats were subjected to embolic stroke, induced by a natural old clot which was injected in Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA), or  sham  stroke, which the  same volume of  saline was injected into the MCA. At 48 h after stroke induction, the levels of 5 cytokines (IL-1α and β, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α) were determined in 500 µg of total protein using the Bio-Plex Rat Cytokine Array (BioRad), according to the manufacturer’s instructions in ischemic and non- ischemic cortices. While stroke animals showed infarctions and neurological deficits, we did not observe any cerebral infarction and neurological deficits in sham-operated animals. The levels of IL-1α (p=0.000) and -β (p =0.004), IL-6 (p =0.008), TNF-α (p =0.000) and IFN-γ (p =0.044) were significantly increased compared to sham treated animals. The findings of the present study suggest that part of ischemic injury in the embolic stroke may be mediated through the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/466 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/466/371

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 131 137 EN Marjan Taherian Immunology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Reza Razavi Immunology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maryam Izad Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Rubina Boghozian Immunology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Haydeh Namdari Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mojgan Ghayedi Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Parisa Rahimzadeh Immunology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Katayoon Bidad Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Eisa Salehi Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 16 Interleukin (IL)-17-producing T helper (Th)-17 cells have recently been explained as a distinct population  of  CD4+  T  cells which play an important  role in immunity against infectious agents. Establishment of persistent phenotype of Th17 cells and recognition of lineage-deviating factors are of most attractive goals in modern researches in immunology. Although  IL-6  and  TGF-β  are  frequently used  to  differentiate  naive T  cells to  Th17 phenotype in mouse models, the application of IL-23 and its importance in preventing cells from plasticity needs to be more investigated. Our main objective was to evaluate the role of IL-23 in Th17 to Th1 plasticity. In  this  research  project,  we generated in  vitro  Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific Th17 cells in the presence of TGF-β, IL-6, IL-23 and peptide MOG35-55. Th17  development  was confirmed  by assessment  of  relevant  transcription  factors  and secreted cytokines by flowcytometry and ELISA, respectively. Th17 to Th1 plasticity was monitored by consecutive samplings in different time points without any extra supplementation of IL-23. Cell culture supernatant  was evaluated for Interferon  (IFN)-γ secretion and cells were evaluated for intracellular expression of this cytokine. Our results showed that the employed method was relatively convenient in developing antigen-specific Th17  cells. We also showed  that  IL-23  deprivation  which happens  by prolongation of culture period, can convert IL-17 producing cells to IFN-γ secreting Th1 phenotype. IL-23 can be considered as a Th17 phenotype stabilizing factor for in-vitro developed lineages. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/465 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/465/372

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 138 143 EN Sasan Fallahi Internal Medicine Division, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahmoud Akbarian Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shahriar Dabiri Department of Surgical Pathology, Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2015 10 16 This paper presents a 54-year-old female with lupus whom severe anaemia due to pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) was the first manifestation. There was seven years interval between PRCA onset and diagnosis of lupus. Thymectomy due to thymoma had been carried out six years before but anaemia sustained. Hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism were other associated diseases. Severe anaemia and the need for monthly blood infusions were resolved following treatment with Prednisolone, Hydroxychloroquine and Levothyroxine. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/464 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/464/373

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 2 2014 04 15 144 146 EN Hamid Nasri Department of Nephrology, Division of Nephropathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2015 10 16  LETTER TO THE EDITOR https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/463 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/463/374