👤 S Sharifi

Infection with the same species of Leishmania (L)donovani causes different manifestations including visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), indicating that the host-related immunological parameters perform a decisive role in the pathogenesis of diseases. As PKDL is a reservoir of the parasite, a better understanding of the host immune responses is necessary to restrict the L. donovani transmission. The proper local production of Th1 cell-related cytokines (including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12), Th17 cell-derived cytokines (such as IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-22), and CD8 Show less

Thirty-six 12-week-old breeder roosters (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into three groups to receive L-carnitine (LC): LC-0, LC-250 or LC-500 mg/kg of diet to evaluate the effects of dietary LC on the expression of apoptotic-related genes and desaturases and elongase mRNA transcript levels, in the cockerel testicles. Alteration of Bak (Bcl2 antagonist/killer), Bcl2, Cas3, Cas8, Cas9, Elovl2, Elovl4, Elovl5, Fads1, Fads2 and Scd expression at 24 and 34 weeks of age was compared by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of Bcl2 and Elovl5 was significantly up-regulated (p < .05), while Cas8 expression (p < .05) and Bak/Bcl2 ratio were reduced (p < .02) in the cockerel testicles at 24 weeks of age. Although Bak mRNA abundance decreased by dietary LC, Bak/Bcl2 ratio was not affected by the treatments at 34 weeks of age. The expression of Cas3 was down-regulated, while Fads2 was up-regulated in the cockerel testicles by dietary LC at 34 weeks of age (p < .05). The results demonstrate the beneficial effects of LC supplementation in suppression of the Bak/Bcl2 ratio by altering Bak and Bcl2 mRNA abundance and, ultimately, prevention of apoptosis. Furthermore, LC increased the expression of Elovl5 and Fads2 genes which are involved in the metabolism of long chain fatty acids. Show less

IL-27 is a cytokine that exerts diverse effects on the cells of innate and adaptive immune systems. Chiefly expressed in macrophages and dendritic cells during the early phase of Leishmania infection, IL-27 contributes to the protection against L. major infection but suppresses the protective Th1 response against L. donovani, L. infantum, L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis infections, suggesting its functional duality. During the late stage of Leishmania infection, IL-27 limits the immunopathogenic reactions and tissue damages. Herein, we analyze the mechanism of the functional duality of IL-27 in the resistance or susceptibility to Leishmania infection, prompting IL-27 for anti-Leishmanial therapy. Show less

Adipocytes hypertrophy is the main cause of obesity and its affliction such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Since superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used for a wide range of biomedical/medical applications, we aimed to study the effect of SPIONs on 22 and 29 risk genes (Based on gene wide association studies) for obesity and T2D in human adipocytes. The mRNA expression of lipid and glucose metabolism genes was changed upon the treatment of human primary adipocytes with SPIONs. mRNA of GULP1, SLC30A8, NEGR1, SEC16B, MTCH2, MAF, MC4R, and TMEM195 were severely induced, whereas INSIG2, NAMPT, MTMR9, PFKP, KCTD15, LPL and GNPDA2 were down-regulated upon SPIONs stimulation. Since SEC16B gene assist the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and this gene were highly expressed upon SPIONs treatment in adipocytes, it is logic to assume that SPIONs may play a crucial role in this direction, which requires more consideration in the future. Show less