CpG Immunotherapy in Chenopodium album sensitized mice: The comparison of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IgE responses in intranasal and subcutaneous administrations.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal-based immunotherapy has been already used as an alternative form of allergen delivery. In asthma, the poor success rate of immune modulation could be a consequence of inadequate immune modulation in the airways. Previously, we have found that subcutaneous (S.C) co-administration of a homemade allergenic extract from Chenopodium album (Ch.a) pollen and Guanine-Cytosine containing deoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) is effective to prevent the inflammatory responses in mouse. In this study we used CpG/Ch.a for immunotherapy of Ch.a-induced asthma and compared the intranasal (I.N) and S.C routes of administration concerning IFN-gamma, IL-10 and total IgE responses. METHODS: Ch.a sensitized mice were treated intranasaly or subcutaneously using CpG and Ch.a. extract. IFN-gamma, IL-10 and total IgE were measured in supernatant culture of splenocytes and bronchoalveolor lavage (BAL) fluids by ELISA. Student's t test was used in the analysis of the results obtained from the test and control mice. RESULTS: We found that I.N administration of CpG/Ch.a in sensitized mice significantly increased the production of systemic and mucosal IFN-gamma and IL-10 compared to phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ch.a alone and control ODNs treated sensitized mice (P

The prevalence of oral aphthosis in a normal population in Iran: a WHO-ILAR COPCORD study.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of oral aphthosis in a normal population in Iran, using the data of the WHO-ILAR COPCORD study in Iran. We conducted this study in Tehran, the capital of Iran which was selected as the COPCORD study field. In 22 districts of Tehran, 50 clusters were randomly selected. Of the selected houses, 4,096 households were visited and 10,291 persons were interviewed (response rate of 75%). Out of the 10291 subjects interviewed, 2592 had aphthous ulcers which translated to a prevalence of 25.2% (95% confidence interval: 24.4% to 26.0%). The prevalence of oral aphthosis was rather high in this normal population.

Inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor KIR3DL1 in combination with HLA-B Bw4iso protect against ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: The HLA class I molecules serve as ligands for both T cell receptors and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the HLA-C and HLA-Bw4 alleles as well as KIRs expression on CD56 positive lymphocytes to evaluate whether these genes and molecules could influence Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) susceptibility, alone or in combination. METHODS: We typed 40 AS patients and 40 normal controls for HLA-C asn8° (group 1) and HLA-C lys8° (group 2), HLA-B Bw4(thero), HLA-B Bw4(iso) and HLA-A Bw4 alleles by PCR-SSP method. We also assessed the expression of KIR2DL1/2DS1, KIR2DL2/2DL3, KIR3DL1 and KIR2DS4 by flow cytometry. The Pearson chi-square or Fisher exact test was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of HLA-B Bw4(iso) but not HLA-B Bw4(thero) and HLA-A Bw4, ligand for the inhibitory KIR3DL1, was significantly reduced in AS patients as compared with controls (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed in gene carrier frequencies of HLA-C group 1 and 2 between AS and controls. Although no differences were found in the expression of KIR receptors between AS and normal subjects, we found that expression of KIR3DL1 in the presence of HLA Bw4-B(iso) gene was reduced in patients with AS compared to healthy controls (p<0.009). CONCLUSION: We conclude that HLA-B Bw4(iso), the ligand of inhibitory KIR3DL1, with and without the expression of KIR3DL1 might be involved in protection against AS. Our results suggest that besides the HLA and KIR genotype, expression levels of KIRs may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS disease.

Phenotypic study of natural killer cell subsets in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

It has been demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells play a role in regulation of autoimmunity. They play a protective role in several rodent disease models. In this study we aimed to compare the immunophenotypic features of NK cells in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) with normal subjects with regard to CD56 and CD16 molecules. This study was carried out on 30 AS patients and 33 normal volunteer donors. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells (PBMC) were tested by flow cytometry detecting the intensity of CD56 and CD16 surface molecules. The percentage of positive cells and their subsets were then calculated and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. A significant increase was found in CD56+ CD16+ (P < or = 0.009), and also in the subset of CD56 dim CD16+ (P < or = 0.02), but not in CD56 bright CD16+ (P=0.3) NK cells in AS patients compared to controls. We conclude that these results may indicate that NK and their subset ratios play a role in AS pathogenesis. Moreover, determination of NK subsets in combination with clinical features may be useful for AS diagnosis. However, further studies using large samples together with determination of relevant cytokines are recommended to verify the exact role of NK in AS disease.