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As a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-17 is important in the immune system against fungal and bacterial infections. The IL-17 cytokine family consists of six members that exert their effects by cooperating with five receptors that form the IL-17 receptor family. Although IL-17 is mainly a defensive factor, at times, overexpression of this cytokine will lead to inflammatory and damaging outcomes. Pneumonia is a lower airway disease that can be caused by different agents. In this condition, IL-17 is secreted from different cells and can fight against infection or otherwise lead to progression of the disease. This article reviews the IL-17 role in pneumonia and different inflammatory pathways that it can affect.

The pathogenesis of Severe SARS-CoV-2 is closely linked to severe immune responses and inflammation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this context, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) has a crucial role in inhibiting cytokine-induced immune responses. On the other hand, interleukin-29 (IL-29) and lysosomal trafficking regulator (LYST) are important molecules involved in inducing immune responses.

This study aimed to assess the mRNA levels of SOCS1, IL-29, and LYST in the SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with severe symptoms.

In this cross-sectional study, 70 SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with severe symptoms and 70 healthy controls were evaluated. RNA was extracted from peripheral blood and after cDNA synthesis, the mRNA levels of SOCS1, IL-29, and LYST were assessed by Real-Time PCR technique

The study revealed that severe COVID-19 patients exhibited a significant increase in mRNA levels of IL-29 compared to healthy individuals. However, there were no observed alterations in the mRNA levels of SOCS1 and LYST in the patient group.

The results emphasize the importance of IL-29 as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for severe COVID-19 cases. Further research is needed to investigate the specific mechanisms through which IL-29 influences immune responses and contributes to the development of severe disease. Additionally, exploring other factors that may regulate SOCS1 and LYST expression could provide a more comprehensive understanding of their roles in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Obesity is a widespread public health concern with a growing global prevalence, leading to an increased risk of chronic metabolic conditions. Despite this, research on the impact of exercise and supplementation on inflammatory factors in obese individuals is limited.

This study evaluates the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) and Thylakoid supplementation on interleukins-1beta and interleukin-8 levels in obese individuals.

In this study, 44 obese men were allocated into four groups: control (C), Thylakoid supplement (T), HIFT (H), and a combination of supplements and exercise (HT). Participants followed the HIFT exercise protocol for 12 weeks, while those in the supplement groups received Thylakoid supplement for the same duration. Body mass index, inflammatory biomarkers were assessed through blood samples before and after the 12-week intervention.

In these groups, H, T, and HT, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1beta and interleukin-8 were compared. In the case of interleukin-8 a significant difference was observed in the H and HT groups compared to the T group. Also, significant decrease in interleukin-1beta level was observed in all groups, H, T, and HT, compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the mentioned factors in both H and HT groups also showed a significant difference (P < 0.001).

The findings of the study showed that the HIFT protocol and the use of thylakoid supplements can reduce systemic inflammatory indicators in obese men by showing a synergy effect. Therefore, HIFT exercise with thylakoid supplements can be considered an effective way to reduce inflammation in obese people.

Several studies provide evidence for a role of serum cytokines imbalance including IL-10 and IL-27 in immune thrombocytopenia pathogenesis and prognosis. The aim of this study was designed to investigate the role of serum levels of IL-10 and IL-27 in prognosis the efficiency of treatment in thrombocytopenic Iraqi children

This case controls study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, during the period from October 2023 to March 2024. It included 88 children, 63 children previously diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia, and 25 apparently healthy children who served as control group. The included immune thrombocytopenic children were sub-grouped according to their treatment into three groups: Romiplostim group (group 1), Prednisolone group (group 2), Prednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or Prednisolone and mycophenolate group (group 3). Investigations included serum level measurements of IL-10 and IL-27 by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Platelet count of each included children was measured by Huma Count 30 TS Human, Germany.

The mean (±SEM) values of serum IL-10 and IL-27 levels of immune thrombocytopenic children were insignificantly lower than that of controls. In addition, there was non- significant differences in serum levels of IL-10 and IL-27 among and between the three groups of patient children. The mean value of platelet count of patient children was significantly increased by all types of treatment in whole immune thrombocytopenic children (117.48±18.15*10^9/L).

Measurement of serum IL-10 and IL-27 are helpful biomarker in prognosis of thrombocytopenia irrespective of type of treatment.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and malignant brain cancer with the highest mortality and low survival rates. To discover a more specific and efficient treatment for GBM, we synthesized and examined the cytotoxic effect of arazyme-interleukin-13 (Ara-IL13) fusion protein on GBM cells.

Experimental approach: 

At first, the araA-IL13 chimeric gene in the pET28a (+) vector was designed and synthesized. After transformation into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), the chimeric gene was verified by colony polymerase chain reaction. Expression optimization and purification of the AraA-IL13 fusion protein was performed and subsequently evaluated by 10% SDS-PAGE. The protein was purified and concentrated using the Amicon® Ultra- 15 centrifugal filter unit. The presence of AraA-IL13 was investigated by the western blotting technique. The enzyme was evaluated for proteolytic activity after purification on skim milk agar. The cytotoxic effect of the AraA-IL13 fusion protein was evaluated by MTT assay on U251 and T98G cell lines in vitro.

The chimeric protein had no proteolytic activity on skim milk agar despite high expression. Furthermore, no cytotoxic effect of this fusion protein (up to 400 μg/mL) was observed on the U251 and T98G cell lines.

Conclusion and implications: 

The lack of proteolytic activity and cytotoxic effect of AraA-IL13 may be due to the disruption of the three-dimensional structure of the protein or the large structure of the arazyme coupled with the ligand and the lack of proper folding of the arazyme to make the active site of the enzyme inaccessible.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin disease caused by mast cells that produce inflammatory mediators. Immune checkpoint receptors such as program death-1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) are essential for the pathophysiology of many autoimmune and allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in CSU patients and their relationship to the anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β and IL-10). In the current study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CSU patients and healthy individuals were used and the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) was used to assess disease severity. TaqMan-based RT-PCR was used to assess the expression of TIM-3 and PD-1 as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and IL-10. The protein concentrations of TGF-β and IL-10 were also measured by ELISA. The relationship between the expression of TIM-3 and PD-1 as well as TGF- β and IL-10 and the severity of the disease was investigated. The results showed that PD-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in CSU patients (P<0.0001), while TGF- β and IL-10 levels were higher in CSU patients, but this difference was not significant (p=0.638, p= 0.798). The increase in protein level of IL-10 was significant (P<0.0001).  There was also a positive correlation between the expression of PD-1 and TGF- β molecules and disease activity (P=0.0043, P=0.0018). In conclusion, the study found that the immune system expresses inhibitory molecules and anti-inflammatory cytokines to control disease severity. The higher expression of PD-1 molecules and IL-10 is associated with disease severity, suggesting that the immune system is trying to control inflammation and reduce disease severity.

 Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most prevalent gynecological malignancy in more developed countries. Multiple researches have been done about the role of IL-27 in different cancers that suggest a dual role for this cytokine. In the present study, we evaluated the serum level of IL-27 in endometrial cancer patients. We also investigated the correlations between serum levels of IL-27 and the demographic and clinicopathologic features of the patients.

 In this case-control study, 65 endometrial cancer patients and 58 sex-age-match healthy controls were investigated. Serum levels of IL-27 in both cases and the control group were assessed by a reliable and specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and results were analyzed with SPSS.

 We observed that the serum level of IL-27 in EC patients was dramatically higher than in the control group (P=0.003). Additionally, Higher grades of EC (grade II and III) showed higher IL-27 serum levels compared to the control (P=0.006 and P=0.01 respectively). No significant correlations between serum levels of IL-27 and lymph node involvement, tumor stage, tumor size, and demographic features of the patients were detected.

 Our results showed that there is a statistically significant difference between serum levels of IL-27 in EC patients and controls. Therefore, the serum level of IL-27 may exert a role in the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma, although further studies are needed.

Although the role of B cells in normal pregnancy has been recently highlighted, their importance and function are not completely clarified. Until now, some investigations have shown that during pregnancy, regulatory B cells (Breg), a subset of B cells, are one of the key players in immune regulation by both producing IL-10 and cell-cell interactions. Therefore, any decrease in the number or function of these cells may lead to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize Breg cell frequency and function in women who suffered from RPL in comparison with healthy non-pregnant and pregnant women (under twenty weeks of gestational age) as controls.

In this study, peripheral blood samples of women suffering from RPL (n=8), women with normal pregnancy under 20 weeks of gestational age (n=14), and healthy nonpregnant women (n=10) were collected. The frequency of Breg cells (CD19+CD24hiCD38hi) was measured by flow cytometry. The serum level of the IL-10 cytokine, as a marker of Breg cell function, was measured by ELISA.

The Percentage of Breg cells in women who suffered from RPL was significantly lower than that of women who had normal pregnancies (P=0.0016). The percentages of Breg cells in women who suffered from RPL were also significantly lower than in non-pregnant women (P=0.0001). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in Breg cell percentages between normal pregnant and non-pregnant women. Evaluation of IL-10 concentration in the serum of women who had participated in this study showed no significant differences between the three groups.

Based on our results, the number of Breg cells was significantly lower in RPL women than in healthy non-pregnant and normal-pregnant women, which shows the significance of these cells in the maintenance of normal pregnancy. However, we could not detect significant differences in the serum levels of IL-10, bringing to mind the notion that the beneficial and supportive function of these cells during pregnancy might be independent of IL-10 secretion. by these cells. Thus, screening of Breg cells in women with pregnancy complications, especially RPL, could be helpful for predicting a healthy pregnancy.

The development of a cytokine storm in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection can make the disease fatal. We hypothesize that this excessive cytokine production impairs mucosal healing. IL-17 and IL-22 are cytokines that play a key role in protecting and regenerating mucosal tissues. IL-17 and IL-22 support each other, and the imbalance between them plays a role in the pathogenesis of many rheumatologic diseases. To investigate whether COVID-19 severity is related to IL17, IL-22, and the IL-17/IL-22 ratio. The study was planned prospectively and included 69 patients with active COVID-19 infection. Three groups were created: patients with upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, and cytokine storm. Blood samples were taken from the patients upon their first admission and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We assessed the relationship between IL17, IL22, IL17/ IL22 ratio, clinical and lung involvement by comparing them with the healthy group. The levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with upper respiratory tract infection compared to the control group (p=0.027). IL17/IL-22 ratio significantly increased in patients with cytokine storm compared to the healthy controls (p=0.027). Serum levels of IL-22 were negatively correlated with the CO-RADS score (r=-0.31, p=0.004), while IL-17/IL-22 ratio was positively correlated with the CO-RADS score (r=0.29, p=0.008). Levels of IL-17, IL-22, and IL-17/IL-22 may provide valuable insights into the progression of COVID-19.

Cytokines are important in many pathobiological processes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to determine the relationship between serum levels of interleukin-33 (IL- 33) and the severity of COPD disease.

In this cross-sectional research, the study population consisted of all COPD patients referring to the pulmonary clinic of Imam-Ali Hospital of Zahedan city. Sixty patients were selected using the available sampling method. Serum IL-33 levels were measured by the quantitative ELISA method.

Of 60 patients, 23 (38.3%) and 37 (61.7%) subjects were male and female, respectively. Analysis shows a significant difference between serum IL-33 of the two groups with regard to the severity of COPD disease. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the serum level of IL-33 and the severity (decrease of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)) of COPD disease.

Our results indicate a systemic release of IL-33 correlated with the severity of COPD.

Acute lung injury is respiratory failure due to various causes. Increased inflammatory and oxidative processes are recognized to play an essential role in the etiology of ARDS. Abelmoschus esculentus is an herbal product used to treat various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We aimed to investigate whether Abelmoschus esculentus has an effect on acute lung injury.
In this experimental study, we used the ethanol extract of Abelmoschus esculentus seed. It divided forty male Wistar rats into five equal groups: 1) control, 2) Abelmoschus esculentus, 3) lipopolysaccharide,
4) lipopolysaccharide+Abelmoschus esculentus, and 5) lipopolysaccharide+ Abelmoschus esculentus +dexamethasone groups.
In the lipopolysaccharide group, native thiol, total thiol, IL-10, and IFN-ɣ levels significantly changed. Abelmoschus esculentus was effective when used with dexamethasone in increasing native thiol and total thiol values (p=0.008 and p=0.004, respectively). On the other hand, when Abelmoschus esculentus was used alone, it significantly increased IL-10 levels and decreased IFN-ɣ levels in the lipopolysaccharide group (p=0.025 and p<0.001, respectively). Additionally, improvements were noted in histological findings of alveolar congestion (p=0.006), intra-alveolar hemorrhage (p=0.006), and intra-alveolar macrophages (p=0.001).
Abelmoschus esculentus, with its anti-inflammatory effect, may represent a new potential for treating acute lung injury.

 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disease that results in chronic inflammation of the joint synovial tissue, leading to joint damage and significant disability. Despite ongoing research, the exact cause of RA remains unclear, and current treatments have limitations. This study explores the potential of utilizing interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and anti-inflammatory macrophages polarized in the vicinity of the supernatant from allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a novel therapeutic approach for RA.

 An expression cassette containing the IL-1RA gene was constructed and expressed in E. coli BL21. The resulting protein was purified and stabilized for use in in vivo experiments. Bone marrow MSCs were isolated and used to produce anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages from the isolated peripheral blood monocytes. The macrophages were then used to treat mice with RA induced by collagen type II.

 The combination of IL-1RA and M2 macrophages improved clinical and histopathological symptoms of the disease, reduced levels of inflammatory factors, and modulated the immune system in the treated mouse groups. The results showed that this combinatory therapy had a synergistic effect for RA treatment.

 The simultaneous use of IL-1RA and M2 cells could be a promising approach for the treatment of RA. This combinatory therapy has the potential to improve the disease and decrease the severity of inflammation in patients with RA.

There is evident inter-individual variability in women's responses to Chlamydial infections and reproductive tract problems. Women's genetic variations within the Interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene have been linked to variances in response to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. This study was aimed to demonstrate the profound association of IL-10 with infertility and demonstrate the role of IL-10 (-592 C/A rs1800872) and (-1082 A>G rs1800896) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) gene in the susceptibility and severity of a C. trachomatis infection.

In this evaluation study, serum IL-10 concentration was measured in 134 women diagnosed with infertility and 50 healthy volunteers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-PCR (T-ARMS-PCR) analysis was performed to detect the genotyping of the rs1800872 and rs1800896 SNPs genes.

Both female groups were positive for anti-chlamydial IgM antibody, but the intensity of response differed between cases. At the same time, the incidence of genital C. trachomatis by PCR was 46.2% in infertile women. The serum concentration of IL10 was lower in infertile women than healthy participants and higher in infertile C. trachomatis-positive women compared to infertile C. trachomatis-negative in all groups except endometriosis (Endo) infertility. In rs1800872, the CA genotype and C allele are associated with an increased risk for infertility, except in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is an A allele. In the case of rs1800896, the AG genotype and G allele show a greater risk for infertility.

Our results confirmed that rs1800872 and rs1800896 gene polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of C. trachomatis infection.

The growing threat of antibiotic resistance and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in healthcare settings highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions, such as vaccines, to address these challenges. This study sought to assess the potential of using K. pneumoniae OmpA as a vaccine candidate through both in silico and in vivo analyses.

The study examined the OmpA protein sequence for subcellular localization, antigenicity, allergenicity, similarity to the human proteome, physicochemical properties, B-cell epitopes, MHC binding sites, tertiary structure predictions, molecular docking, and immune response simulations. The ompA gene was cloned into the pET-28a (+) vector, expressed, purified and confirmed using Western blotting analysis. IgG levels in the serum of the immunized mice were measured using ELISA with dilutions ranging from 1:100 to 1:6400, targeting rOmpA and K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA method were also assessed.

The bioinformatics analysis identified rOmpA as a promising vaccine candidate. The immunized group demonstrated significant production of specific total IgG antibodies against rOmpA and K. pneumoniae ATCC1 13883, as compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The titers of antibodies produced in response to bacterial exposure did not show any significant difference when compared to the anti-rOmpA antibodies (p > 0.05). The ELISA test sensitivity was 1:3200, and the antibodies in the serum could accurately recognize K. pneumoniae cells.

This study is a significant advancement in the development of a potential vaccine against K. pneumoniae that relies on OmpA. Nevertheless, additional experimental analyses are required.