RESUMEN
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that could be disabling throughout its course. It affects people in their most reproductive years with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Long non-coding RNAs became one of the epigenetic mechanisms to prove a link to RA pathogenesis and development, including H19 and MALAT1 genes. These two genes' expressions had proved to increase in multiple diseases, attracting attention to their polymorphisms and their possible risk role. Assess the association between H19 SNP (rs2251375) and MALAT1 SNP (rs3200401) and the susceptibility of RA and its disease activity. In this pilot study, 200 hundred subjects (100 RA patients and 100 healthy controls) were investigated for a possible link between the polymorphisms H19 SNP (rs2251375) and MALAT1 SNP (3200401) and RA susceptibility and disease activity. RA-related investigations and clinical assessment were done. Real-time PCR genotyping of both SNPs was done using TaqMan® MGB probes. There was no association between the SNPs and risk of developing RA. However, both SNPs had a significant association with high disease activity. H19 SNP (rs2251375) heterozygous genotype CA had an association with elevated levels of ESR (p = 0.04) and higher DAS28-ESR score (p = 0.03). MALAT1 (rs3200401) C allele had an association with elevated ESR (p = 0.001), DAS28-ESR (p = 0.03), and DAS28-CRP (p = 0.007), while CC genotype had an association with DAS28-CRP (p = 0.015). Linkage disequilibrium and haplotyping of the alleles of both SNPs were analyzed as both genes are present on chromosome 11, but no significant association was found between any of the combinations of the alleles (p > 0.05), denoting that (rs2251375) and (rs3200401) are not in linkage disequilibrium. There is no association between H19 SNP (rs2251375) and MALAT1 SNP (rs3200401) and the susceptibility of RA. However, there is an association between H19 SNP (rs2251375) genotype CA and MALAT1 SNP (rs3200401) genotype CC with RA high disease activity.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide , ARN Largo no Codificante , Humanos , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , Proyectos Piloto , Egipto , Artritis Reumatoide/genética , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Genotipo , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Estudios de Casos y ControlesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a distressing skin disease. Family clustering and heterogeneity in the onset and progression indicate that susceptibility to CSU is a complex trait. In this study, we performed haplotype analysis for one of the key player gene, IL17RA, for CSU to test the association with disease susceptibility and severity. METHODOLOGY: The study included 70 CSU patients and 30 healthy controls. The severity of the disease was evaluated by autologous serum skin test (ASST) and urticaria activity score (UAS). ASST test was done and quality of life was assessed using a questionnaire. Allelic discrimination analysis for rs4819554 and rs879577 was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction technology. RESULTS: Carriers of rs4819554*G were more prone to develop CSU than its counterpart (P = .039), while rs4819554*A allele displayed more severe phenotype in the form of more prolonged disease duration (P = .040), concurrent angioedema (P < .001), higher level of treatment (P < .001), and higher score of quality of life (P < .001). Additionally, homozygote patients with rs879577*CC were associated with angioedema (P < .001). Haplotype analysis revealed that cohorts with both rs4819554*A and rs879577*T conferred protection against developing CSU (OR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01-0.32, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that IL17RA gene polymorphisms might contribute to the increased susceptibility to CSU.
Asunto(s)
Urticaria Crónica , Enfermedad Crónica , Urticaria Crónica/genética , Haplotipos , Humanos , Calidad de Vida , Receptores de Interleucina-17RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint destructive disorder with great morbidity. Unraveling genetic determinants causing the disease would pave the road towards early detection and precise medicine. Interleukin 37 (IL-37), a natural inhibitor of innate immunity, was shown to be a key modulator in RA. Plasma levels were deregulated and correlated with disease activity. Therefore, we hypothesized the IL-37 gene variants could influence the clinical characteristics of RA patients. OBJECTIVE: This is a pilot study to assess the association of rs3811047 variant of IL-37 gene with RA development and disease activity in an Egyptian population. METHODS: A total of 100 individuals (50 RA patients and 50 healthy individuals) were enrolled in the study. Disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28) was estimated for RA patients. Genotyping was performed using Real-Time PCR technology. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant association between genotype frequencies of rs3811047 and RA risk. However, there was a significant relationship between the studied single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and disease activity. Patients carrying the GG genotype had higher DAS28 score than patients with AA or AG genotypes (p = .041). CONCLUSION: IL-37 gene rs3811047 SNP was associated with more severe RA disease activity in the current population. Larger epidemiological study is warranted to validate our results.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Inmunidad Innata , Interleucina-1/genética , Adulto , Artritis Reumatoide/inmunología , Biomarcadores/análisis , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios de Cohortes , Egipto , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Humanos , Interleucina-1/inmunología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potential oxidative stress in patients with acute phosphide poisoning and the effect of vitamin C. METHODS: Participants were females and divided into three groups; group I: healthy volunteers group II: healthy volunteers received vitamin C, group III: patients with acute phosphide poisoning received the supportive and symptomatic treatment and group IV: patients with acute phosphide poisoning received the supportive and symptomatic treatment in addition to vitamin C. All the participants were subjected to thorough history, clinical examination, ECG and laboratory investigations were carried on collected blood and gastric lavage samples on admission. Blood samples were divided into two parts, one for measurement of routine investigations and the second part was used for evaluation of malondialdehyde and total thiol levels before and after receiving the treatment regimen. RESULTS: Most of the cases in this study were among the age group of 15-25 years, females, single, secondary school education, from rural areas and suicidal. All vital signs were within normal range and the most common complaint was vomiting and abdominal pain. All cases in this study showed normal routine investigations. The mean MDA levels after receiving treatment decreased significantly in groups II and IV. The mean total thiol levels increased significantly after receiving treatment in groups II and IV. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that vitamin C has a potential benefit due to its antioxidant property on zinc phosphide induced-oxidative stress in acute zinc phosphide poisoned patients.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess Ropporin gene expression in the sperm of infertile asthenozoospermic men with varicocele (Vx) before and after repair. METHODS: This study included 24 infertile asthenozoospermic men with Vx. They were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, scrotal color Doppler, and semen analysis with sperm separation. Three months after varicocelectomy, they were subjected to postoperative color Doppler, semen analysis, and sperm semiquantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction assay for Ropporin gene expression levels. RESULTS: Ropporin gene expression is significantly associated with different types of sperm motility, except for nonprogressive sperm motility. There was significant Ropporin gene overexpression postvaricocelectomy that was correlated with improved sperm count, sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology with decreased veins diameters. CONCLUSION: Ropporin gene expression is related to the sperm motility. Its abnormal expression in the sperm of asthenozoospermic men with Vx is associated with impaired sperm motility that is improved after varicocelectomy.
Asunto(s)
Astenozoospermia/genética , Expresión Génica , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Motilidad Espermática/genética , Varicocele/cirugía , Proteínas de Unión al GTP rho/genética , Adulto , Astenozoospermia/complicaciones , Astenozoospermia/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recuento de Espermatozoides , Espermatozoides/patología , Espermatozoides/fisiología , Ultrasonografía Doppler en Color , Varicocele/complicaciones , Varicocele/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: No universal consensus about optimal modality for treating the recalcitrant multiple common warts (RMCW). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunological mechanisms and clinical therapeutic effect of using of intralesional purified protein derivative (PPD) in the treatment of RMCW. METHODS: The study included 40 patients with RMCW. They were randomly assigned to 2 groups: first group (20 patients) received intralesional PPD antigen, and second group (20 patients) received intralesional saline as a control group. In both groups, injections were made into single lesions, or largest wart in case of multiple lesions, at weekly intervals, until complete clearance or for a maximum of six treatments. Blood serum was taken at pre-study and at week 6 to measure IL-12 level. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the therapeutic responses of RMCW to PPD antigen and saline control group (p < 0.001). In the PPD group, complete response was achieved in 75% after 5.8 ± 0.7 sessions' patients presenting with RMCW. There was a statistically significant increase in IL-12 of PPD group versus saline group. No recurrence was observed in the PPD group. CONCLUSION: Intralesional immunotherapy by PPD antigen is an effective and a safe treatment for RMCW in previously immunized patients.
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Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Interleucina-12/sangre , Tuberculina/administración & dosificación , Verrugas/sangre , Verrugas/terapia , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Inyecciones Intralesiones , Masculino , Resultado del Tratamiento , Vacunación , Verrugas/inmunología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the T helper (Th) 1/Th17-related cytokines, interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 in the serum of biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C patients before and after IFN and ribavirin therapy to address whether or not viral clearance is related to Th1/Th17 cytokines. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 were assayed by ELISA on 26 patients with chronic hepatitic C virus (HCV) infection before the start and 3 months after treatment with pegylated IFN-α plus ribavirin and compared with sera from 15 normal control subjects. RESULTS: IFN-γ and IL-17 levels are higher in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis than in normal controls and these elevated levels were not directly correlated (r = -0.01, p = 0.96 for IFN-γ and r = -0.08, p = 0.66 for IL-17) to the viremic state of the HCV infection. In contrast to IL-17, IFN-γ showed significant reduction after 12 weeks of treatment with pegylated IFN plus ribavirin. However, IFN-γ and IL-17 serum levels were not significantly (p = 0.19 and = 0.70, respectively) different among responders and nonresponders for pegylated IFN plus ribavirin therapy. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the combined treatment with pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin downmodulates the secretion of key cytokine IFN-γ as early as 12 weeks after treatment in infected patients. These findings could encourage new exciting possibilities for immune-based interventions with the aim of restoring functional antiviral T cell responses combined with improved viral clearance.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Interferón-alfa/uso terapéutico , Polietilenglicoles/uso terapéutico , Ribavirina/uso terapéutico , Células TH1/inmunología , Células Th17/inmunología , Adulto , Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Citocinas/sangre , Citocinas/inmunología , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Indicadores de Salud , Hepatitis C Crónica/inmunología , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Humanos , Interferón alfa-2 , Interferón-alfa/administración & dosificación , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polietilenglicoles/administración & dosificación , Proteínas Recombinantes , Ribavirina/administración & dosificación , Factores de Riesgo , Estadística como Asunto , Células TH1/efectos de los fármacos , Células Th17/efectos de los fármacos , Factores de Tiempo , Carga Viral , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value with prognostic parameters of lung cancer. METHODS: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with lung cancer (22 men, 9 women; mean age, 57 years) underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the chest using echo-planar imaging sequence with b factors of 0, 300, and 600 s/mm. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were calculated and correlated with tumor grade and size as well as associated mediastinal lymph nodes. Institutional review board approval was obtained for this prospective study. RESULTS: The mean ADC value of small cell lung cancer (1.02 ± 0.30 × 10 mm/s) was significantly different (P = 0.025) from non-small cell lung cancer (1.39 ± 0.47 × 10 mm/s). There was a significant difference in the ADC value between poorly and well-differentiated to moderately differentiated lung cancer (P = 0.03) as well as between patients with N0 and N3 mediastinal lymphadenopathy (P = 0.043). The ADC value of lung cancer correlated with tumor grade (r = -0.481, P = 0.043) and metastatic mediastinal nodes (r = -0.422, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Apparent diffusion coefficient value of the lung cancer can be considered as a new prognostic parameter. Lower ADC value of the lung cancer is associated with higher pathological tumor grade and metastatic lymph nodes.
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Carcinoma/diagnóstico , Carcinoma/secundario , Imagen de Difusión por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/secundario , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Metástasis Linfática , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Estadística como AsuntoRESUMEN
Natural killer cells can be divided into five subpopulations based on the relative expression of CD16 and CD56 markers. The majority of natural killer cells are CD56(dim), which are considered to be the main cytotoxic effectors. A minority of the natural killer cells are CD56(bright), and function as an important source of immune-regulatory cytokines. Shifts of these subsets have been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. We sought to investigate the shift of natural killer subsets among Egyptian patients with chronic HCV and to analyze the influence of interferon therapy on this shift. We applied a flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood natural killer subsets for 12 interferon-untreated and 12 interferon-treated patients with chronic HCV, in comparison to 10 control subjects. Among interferon-untreated patients, there was a significant reduction of CD56â»16(+) (immature natural killer) cells. Among interferon-treated patients, the absolute count of natural killer cells was reduced, with expansion of the CD56(bright) subset and reduction of the CD56(dim)16(+) subset. Natural killer subset counts were not significantly correlated to HCV viral load and were not significantly different among interferon responders and non-responders. In conclusion, HCV infection in Egyptian patients has been observed to be statistically and significantly associated with reduction of the CD56â»16(+)NK subset, while a statistically significant expansion of CD56(bright) and reduction of CD56(dim)16(+) subsets were observed after interferon therapy. Further studies are required to delineate the molecular basis of interferon-induced shift of natural killer subsets among patients with HCV.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Antígeno CD56/efectos de los fármacos , Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Interferones/uso terapéutico , Células Asesinas Naturales/efectos de los fármacos , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Citometría de Flujo , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Natural killer cells can be divided into five subpopulations based on the relative expression of CD16 and CD56 markers. The majority of natural killer cells are CD56dim, which are considered to be the main cytotoxic effectors. A minority of the natural killer cells are CD56bright, and function as an important source of immune-regulatory cytokines. Shifts of these subsets have been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. We sought to investigate the shift of natural killer subsets among Egyptian patients with chronic HCV and to analyze the influence of interferon therapy on this shift. We applied a flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood natural killer subsets for 12 interferon-untreated and 12 interferon-treated patients with chronic HCV, in comparison to 10 control subjects. Among interferon-untreated patients, there was a significant reduction of CD56-16+ (immature natural killer) cells. Among interferon-treated patients, the absolute count of natural killer cells was reduced, with expansion of the CD56bright subset and reduction of the CD56dim16+ subset. Natural killer subset counts were not significantly correlated to HCV viral load and were not significantly different among interferon responders and non-responders. In conclusion, HCV infection in Egyptian patients has been observed to be statistically and significantly associated with reduction of the CD56-16+NK subset, while a statistically significant expansion of CD56bright and reduction of CD56dim16+ subsets were observed after interferon therapy. Further studies are required to delineate the molecular basis of interferon-induced shift of natural killer subsets among patients with HCV.
Asunto(s)
Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , /efectos de los fármacos , Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Hepatitis C Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Interferones/uso terapéutico , Células Asesinas Naturales/efectos de los fármacos , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios Transversales , Citometría de FlujoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a growing international health concern. It is the biggest killer among the infectious diseases in the world today. Early detection of drug resistance allows starting of an appropriate treatment. Resistance to drugs is due to particular genomic mutations in specific genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB). The aim of this study was to identify the presence of Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin(RIF) drug resistance in new and previously treated tuberculosis (TB) cases using DNA sequencing. METHODS: This study was carried out on 153 tuberculous patients with positive Bactec 460 culture for acid fast bacilli. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients, 105 (68.6%) were new cases and 48 (31.4%) were previously treated cases. Drug susceptibility testing on Bactec revealed 50 resistant cases for one or more of the first line antituberculous. Genotypic analysis was done only for rifampicin resistant specimens (23 cases) and INH resistant specimens (26 cases) to detect mutations responsible for drug resistance by PCR amplification of rpoB gene for rifampicin resistant cases and KatG gene for isoniazid resistant cases. Finally, DNA sequencing was done for detection of mutation within rpoB and KatG genes. Genotypic analysis of RIF resistant cases revealed that 20/23 cases (86.9%) of RIF resistance were having rpoB gene mutation versus 3 cases (13.1%) having no mutation with a high statistical significant difference between them (P < 0.001). Direct sequencing of Kat G gene revealed point mutation in 24/26 (92.3%) and the remaining 2/26 (7.7%) had wild type KatG i.e. no evidence of mutation with a high statistical significant difference between them (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We can conclude that rifampicin resistance could be used as a useful surrogate marker for estimation of multidrug resistance. In addition, Genotypic method was superior to that of the traditional phenotypic method which is time-consuming taking several weeks or longer.
Asunto(s)
Antituberculosos/farmacología , ADN Bacteriano/química , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Isoniazida/farmacología , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Rifampin/farmacología , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN/métodos , Tuberculosis/microbiología , Adulto , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Catalasa/genética , ADN Bacteriano/genética , ARN Polimerasas Dirigidas por ADN/genética , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Mutación Puntual , Distribución Aleatoria , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The pathogenesis of acne vulgaris is multifactorial and entails the interplay of hormonal, microbial and immunological events. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is involved in the induction of comedogenesis and maintenance of the inflammatory phase of acne. Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) expressed on mononuclear inflammatory cells and possibly on keratinocytes and sebocytes is thought to be of vital importance in mediating P. acnes-induced inflammatory response in acne vulgaris. This work aimed to study the degree of expression of TLR2 on peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) from patients with non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne and to investigate the influence of systemic isotretinoin therapy on TLR2 expression. Sixteen patients with predominantly non-inflammatory acne, 16 patients with predominantly inflammatory acne and 16 age and sex matched healthy subjects were involved in this study. Cell surface expression of CD14 and TLR2 were determined by cell surface staining and flowcytometry. TLR2 expression was analyzed for 12 patients with severe and/or scaring inflammatory acne after oral isotretinoin therapy for two months. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of TLR2 on PBM reported a statistically significant difference between patients with non-inflammatory acne, patients with inflammatory acne and control subjects. MFI of TLR was significantly lower for patients with inflammatory acne after systemic isotretinoin therapy. Data obtained suggest that TLR2 expression on PBM is an important event in acne pathogenesis and targeting this molecule might be a useful therapeutic goal in the future.
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Acné Vulgar/metabolismo , Monocitos/metabolismo , Receptor Toll-Like 2/biosíntesis , Acné Vulgar/tratamiento farmacológico , Acné Vulgar/inmunología , Adolescente , Fármacos Dermatológicos/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Humanos , Inflamación/tratamiento farmacológico , Inflamación/inmunología , Inflamación/metabolismo , Isotretinoína/administración & dosificación , Receptores de Lipopolisacáridos/biosíntesis , Receptores de Lipopolisacáridos/inmunología , Masculino , Monocitos/inmunología , Propionibacterium acnes/inmunología , Receptor Toll-Like 2/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Natural killer cells (NK) as components of the innate immunity substantially contribute to anti-tumor immune responses, NK cell subpopulations can be defined on the basis of the relative expression of CD16 and CD56 markers. Earlier research demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the frequency of peripheral blood CD56dimCD16+ NK subsets in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients compared with healthy subjects. We aim to assess the relative and absolute counts of natural killer cells subsets in hepatitis C-related HCC among Egyptian patients. Flowcytometric analysis of peripheral blood NK subsets was performed for HCV with HCC patients (n=20) and HCV without HCC patients (n=14) as compared to healthy control subjects (n=152). We found that HCC patients displayed a marked reduction in the relative frequency of peripheral CD56im subsets compared with healthy subjects. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the absolute counts of CD56dim16+, CD56dim16- and CD56bright. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the absolute counts of dim and bright NK cell subsets were decreased in different proportions in patients with HCV-related HCC that refers to a possible role for these cells, particularly CD 56 bright cells, in the immune response to HCC. This might aid in developing new therapeutic strategies targeting both NK subsets for HCC.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular/inmunología , Hepacivirus/inmunología , Hepatitis C/inmunología , Células Asesinas Naturales/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/inmunología , Antígeno CD56/metabolismo , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/complicaciones , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/diagnóstico , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patología , Recuento de Células , Egipto , Femenino , Hepacivirus/patogenicidad , Hepatitis C/complicaciones , Hepatitis C/diagnóstico , Hepatitis C/patología , Humanos , Inmunidad Innata , Inmunofenotipificación , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Células Asesinas Naturales/patología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/complicaciones , Neoplasias Hepáticas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Receptores de IgG/metabolismoRESUMEN
The exact aetio-pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still speculative, where dysregulation or depletion of CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes is among the supposed mechanisms. In this study, we thought to investigate patients with SLE for percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells in their peripheral blood and to correlate this with their disease activity scores. Twenty-five patients with SLE who fulfilled, at least, four of the revised Criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and twenty healthy volunteers participated in this study. Activity of SLE was assessed by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score. Percentages of CD4+CD25+ T-cells were determined by a flowcytometric technique, while recently activated T-cells were analysed by assaying the expression of the T-cell activation marker, CD69. A statistically significant (p = 0.003) reduction of percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells was observed among patients (mean 7.16+/-4.53 %) when compared with control subjects (mean 11.36+/-4.50 %), while a non-significant (p = 0.475) low expression of CD69 on CD4+ T cells was observed between patients (mean 0.32+/-0.28 %) and control subjects (mean 0.32+/-0.38 %). In addition, no correlation could be detected between percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells and SLEDAI scores among SLE patients (p=0.079). In conclusion, this study adds some evidence for the role of CD4+CD25+ T cells in the pathogenesis of SLE that may have some future therapeutic applications.
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Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/inmunología , Linfocitos T Reguladores , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/sangre , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/fisiopatología , Recuento de Linfocitos , MasculinoRESUMEN
In order to standardize techniques and limit the effect of human factors on the results of analyses of biological fluids, automation seems to be mandatory. In an attempt to automate semen analysis, computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system has been developed, however its use is still limited and its practical applications have many criticisms. In a trial to automate semen analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of flow cytometer in the detection of some seminal parameters in comparison with the traditional manual methods. Isolated spermatogenic cells and isolated sperms from semen and EDTA blood of volunteers were analyzed by flow cytometer in order to define their respective regions. Ejaculates of 28 male patients were subjected to routine semen analyses, leucocytes detection by peroxidase test and monoclonal antibody CD53 using flow cytometer after preparation of the patients' semen samples for flow cytometeric analysis. A highly significant correlation (r=0.96, p= 0.001) of absolute neutrophils (pus cells) detected by peroxidase versus flow cytometer using CD53 monoclonal antibody. A poor correlation (r=0.39, p=0.035) of sperm counts assessed by manual technique and flow cytometer and a spurious sperm counts of 1.08 million/ml detected by flow cytometery in azoospermic patients. Flow cytometer could be used for the assessment of pus cells in semen but seems to be non reliable for the assessment of sperm count if gating depend on sperm size and granularity alone.
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Automatización , Citometría de Flujo/métodos , Semen/citología , Recuento de Espermatozoides/instrumentación , Motilidad Espermática , Espermatozoides , Adulto , Citometría de Flujo/instrumentación , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recuento de Espermatozoides/métodosRESUMEN
The exact pathophysiology of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is not well understood. The concept of autoreactivity has evolved to explain the disease in up to 50% of cases, while the search for other mechanisms is still needed to explain the disease, at least among the remaining subpopulation of non-autoreactive CIU. Therefore, we thought to investigate some aspects of the IgE-dependent, lymphocyte-mediated late-phase response (LPR) of anaphylaxis. We searched for percentages of FcepsilonRII-bearing (CD23+) B and T lymphocytes and correlated this with total IgE serum levels, IL-4 serum levels and the disease severity scores. Twenty-five patients with non-autoreactive CIU and ten healthy control subjects participated in this study. CD23+ B- and T-cells were assessed by flow cytometry, total IgE serum levels were estimated by enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA), IL-4 serum levels were estimated by Enzyme Amplified Sensitivity Immunoassay (EASIA), while disease severity was determined by a daily self-assessment urticaria activity and itching score. Our results showed that the mean values for percentages of CD23+ B-cells (6.7 +/- 2.3%), total IgE serum levels (139.6 +/- 103.9 microg/dl) and IL-4 serum levels (18.3 +/- 14.7 ng/ml) for patients were statistically significant (p = 0.002, 0.013 and 0.008, respectively), when compared with the corresponding values for controls (4.0 +/- 1.7%, 51.5 +/- 25.1 microg/dl, and 5.1 +/- 4.1 ng/ml, respectively), while the difference between the mean percentage of CD23+ T-cells for patients (2.8 +/- 2%) and that for controls (2.1 +/- 0.6%) was non-significant (p = 0.267). Strong positive correlations were detected between percentages of CD23+ B-cells and severity scores (r = 0.678, p = 0.0001), total IgE serum levels (r = 0.756, p = 0.0001) and IL-4 serum levels (r = 0.709, p = 0.0001), while no correlation was detected between CD23+ B-cells and CD23+ T-cells (r= 0.188, p= 0.368). It is concluded, that CD23+ B-cells, regulated by IL-4, may contribute in the pathogenesis of non-autoreactive CIU, by producing high levels of IgE and possibly lymphokines, while CD23+ T-cells may be involved in early antigen recognition. This may have a future therapeutic ramification in this distinct subset of CIU by targeting low-affinity IgE receptors.
Asunto(s)
Linfocitos B/inmunología , Interleucina-4/sangre , Receptores de IgE/sangre , Urticaria/inmunología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Autoinmunidad , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Enfermedad Crónica , Humanos , Recuento de Linfocitos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Linfocitos T/inmunología , Urticaria/etiologíaRESUMEN
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide with a prevalence of approximately 14% in Egypt. IL-10 is a cytokine produced by Th2 cells. It down-regulates the proinflammatory response and modulates hepatic fibrogenesis. IL-12 is produced by antigen presenting cells. It promotes Th1 cell response and has many antiviral properties. Data concerning the Th-1/Th-2 balance in chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) are rather conflicting. Using ELISA, we assessed serum IL-10 and IL-12p40 levels in 66 Egyptian patients with HCV-related liver illness (CH-C, cirrhosis, and HCC), and their relationship to disease activity. Our results showed that spontaneous IL-10 was undetectable in patients with CH-C, HCC or controls. Only 5/22 (23%) of patients with cirrhosis showed detectable levels of IL-10. IL-12p40 was elevated in the patient groups compared to controls (p= 0.01, p= 0.01, p= 0.05 in CH-C, cirrhosis and HCC, respectively). The presence of IL-12p40 was associated with HCV level of viremia and serum AST. Serum ALT level was significantly associated with the level of IL-12p40. IL-12p40 was unrelated to liver histology or fibrosis. We concluded that in the Egyptian patients an augmentation of IL-12p40 and a suppression of IL-10 are both found. Whether this pattern is related to HCV genotype 4, or to the presence of schistosomiasis would need to be further investigated.
Asunto(s)
Hepatitis C Crónica/inmunología , Interleucina-10/sangre , Interleucina-12/sangre , Subunidades de Proteína/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/enzimología , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/inmunología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Egipto , Femenino , Hepatitis C Crónica/enzimología , Hepatitis C Crónica/etiología , Humanos , Subunidad p40 de la Interleucina-12 , Cirrosis Hepática/enzimología , Cirrosis Hepática/inmunología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/enzimología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/inmunología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Células TH1/inmunología , Células Th2/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) have been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, a novel DNA virus was isolated from a patient with posttransfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology and designated TT virus (TTV). To examine whether this virus is associated with HCC, we investigated sera from 82 Egyptian patients with histopathologically-diagnosed HCC. All subjects underwent serological investigations for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (HbcAb) and anti-HCV. Detection of TTV-DNA was performed by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TTV-specific primers. TTV-DNA was detected in 28% of the patients. Age, gender, risk factors and biochemical liver functions did not significantly differ between TTV-DNA positive and negative patients. TTV was detected in 27.1% of patients with HCV-HCC, 25% of HBV-HCC, 66.7% of dual HCV and HBV infection and 40% of those with non-B, non-C-HCC (NBNC-HCC). It is concluded that, in this the cohort of Egyptian patients with HCC, TTV infection is common and is not associated with HCV, HBV, NBNC-HCC, history of schistosomiasis or blood transfusion.