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 Bio 2015 11 08 2016 01 25 One of the inflammatory mediators which is secreted by inflammatory cells is high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1). Interaction of HMGB1 and toll-like receptors (TLRs) leads to increased production of inflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, it was shown that triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) also can be activated by TLRs, and its soluble form (sTREM-1) can be formed by cleaving of membrane-bound form of TREM-1 proteinases. Since there is not enough knowledge about the precise role of HMGB1 and sTREM-1 in periodontal diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of HMGB1 and sTREM-1 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples of patients with chronic periodontitis. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained from a total of 24 individuals with clinically healthy gingiva and 24 patients with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis. For collecting GCF samples, periopapers were placed at the entrance of the crevice and left in position for 30 seconds. Then, they were stored at -80°C. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for measuring the concentration of HMGB1 and sTREM-1 in GCF samples. The concentration of HMGB1 (p<0.001) and sTREM-1 (p<0.017), was significantly higher in chronic periodontitis group. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between HMGB1 and sTREM-1 concentration in chronic periodontitis group (p<0.05). We also found significant positive correlation between PD (Pocket depth) and the concentration of HMGB1 (p<0.001) and sTREM-1 (p<0.015). It is concluded that both HMGB1 and sTREM-1 are released during the inflammatory response of periodontal tissues and they can promote inflammatory process, which leads to tissue destruction. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/664 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/664/666

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 15 5 2016 10 31 386 393 EN Hajar Vaseghi Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran Mohammad Hossein Sanati National  Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran Zohreh Jadali Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 12 16 2016 04 04 T cells have been identified as key players in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. However, the exact role of T-cell subpopulations in this pathway is presently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression pattern of two lineage-specifying transcription factors GATA-3 and T-bet, which are important in T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell development, respectively. Gene expression analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were also determined by ELISA. T-bet and IFN-γ gene expression was significantly lower in patients group compared with healthy controls (p<0.05). The expression of GATA-3 was relatively similar in patients and controls; however, IL-4 mRNAs were significantly increased in the PBMCs from patients as compared with normal controls (p<0.05). In addition, a marked increase in plasma IL-4 levels were observed in patient group compared with controls (p<0.001). To the contrary, IFN-γ protein levels were decreased in patients in comparison with controls (p<0.001). These data suggest additional implications of the role of Th1/Th2 imbalance for the immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.   https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/734 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/734/655

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 15 5 2016 10 31 394 402 EN Zahra Zamanzadeh Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Ghasem Ahangari Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Mitra Ataei Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Samie Pouragahi Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Seyed Massood Nabavi Department of Neurology , Shahed University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Sadeghi Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Mohammad Hossein Sanati Department of Medical Genetic, National Institute of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran 2015 12 08 2016 04 03 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which auto-reactive T cells react with self-antigens expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). The main cause of MS is unknown. Nonetheless, the most probable theory is based on molecular mimicry, which suggests that some infections can activate T cells against brain auto-antigens like myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) and initiate the disease cascade. This study is conducted to evaluate the activatory effects of PLP58-74 on T lymphocytes and humoral immunity. PLP58-74 was considered as an immunodominant epitope candidate of PLP using bioinformatics tools. Patients and healthy individuals’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with PLP58-74 and its proliferative effects were evaluated through assessing proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene expression changes by real time PCR and immunocytochemistry assay. Finally, the rate of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were assessed by flowcytometry. ELISA was also performed to measure anti PLP58-74 antibody in patients’ serum. PLP58-74 induced proliferation in patients’ PBMCs while it did not influence PBMCs of healthy individuals. CD4+ T cells were the main activated cells in reaction to PLP58-74 which increased from 22% to 39.91%. In addition, immune assay showed threefold increase in specific anti PLP58-74 IgG in patients compared to healthy controls. Results showed that PLP58-74 can stimulate CD4+ T cells and humoral immunity. Therefore it seems that the epitopes of some microorganisms mimicking PLP such as PLP58-74 might have a potential role in the initiation of MS.  https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/725 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/725/777

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 15 5 2016 10 31 403 412 EN Negin Hosseini Rouzbahani Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Saeed Bayanolhagh Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Gholami Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Esmaeilzadeh Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Bayat Jozani Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Minoo Mohraz Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Akbar Pourfathollah Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 12 2016 05 28 Vaccines against the HIV-1 virus offers the best hope for eliminating HIV-associated mortality. Recombinant adenovector type 5 (rAd5) vaccine is a potential candidate for preventive vaccine strategies. In this study, we evaluated the rAd5 prime/protein boost strategy in a murine model. We used rAd5 harboring single HIV-1 genes. These genes, including gag (p24) and exon1 of tat, were amplified from HIV-1 (clade A) RNA using nested PCR. Recombinant vectors were constructed, purified and then injected at 1012 viral particles into four groups, each comprising five mice. The groups were each assigned to receive one of rAd5 prime/protein boost Gag, Tat with and without recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF), and rAd5 with and without genes. The humoral responses were evaluated using ELISA and cellular immune responses checked by cell proliferation and ELISpot assays (IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ). It was shown that compared with the rAd5 injection alone, the rAd5 prime/protein boost plan increased cellular immunity (p= 0.009) as well as humoral immunity (p= 0.009). Moreover, rGM-CSF as an adjuvant enhanced cell-mediated immunity and increased IL-4 expression (p=0.032). The results revealed that the simultaneous use of multiple antigens and heterologous prime/boost strategy can enhance both humoral and cellular immune systems. Moreover, subcutaneous injection of rGM-CSF increases IL-4 production and shifts the immune pattern to Th2. These strategies can potentially be used to develop an efficient HIV-1 vaccine. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/373 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/373/667

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 15 5 2016 10 31 413 419 EN Shang Hua Song Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China Xiao Qiang