👤 Mohammad-Reza Shokri

The formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques occur through cellular dysfunction and remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the sub-endothelial space of vessels. The immunity against specific antigens is suggested to mitigate the atherosclerosis process. Primarily, studies have suggested that certain antigens, such as ox-LDL, ApoB-100, CETP, PCSK9, HSP60, MHC-II-derived peptides, and interleukins, are involved in atherosclerosis. However, recognizing the intricate interplay between immune responses and the formation of arterial plaques is essential to optimize immunization against atherosclerosis. In this review, the roles of some genes were presented in triggering atherosclerotic plaque events. Furthermore, some immunization approaches are presented to target these genes. The studies suggested that vaccination against the progression of atherosclerosis is an essential and effective approach to reducing the high death rate in autoimmune diseases. Show less

Intrahepatic lipid accumulation (IHL), a hallmark of metabolic disorders, is closely associated with de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Notably, fructose feeding increased the DNL. Lifestyle modifications resulting from dietary changes and increased physical activity/exercise can decrease the IHL content. We examined the effects of vitamin D Forty male rats were assigned to 5 groups (n = 8): CS (the control group had a standard diet); CF (the control group had HFrD (10% (w/v) fructose solution in tap water)); and FT (HFrD + HIIT: 10 bouts of 4 min of high-intensity running, corresponding to 85-90% of the maximal speed with 2 min active rest periods of 50% maximal speed, 5 days per week); FD (HFrD + intervention of intraperitoneal injection of 10000 IU/kg/week VDS); FTD (HFrD + HIIT + VDS) that were maintained for 12 weeks. ELISA, the GOD-POD assay, folch, western blotting, and oil red O staining were used to determine insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), hepatic triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels; SREBP1c, ChREBP-β, ACC1, FASN, p-ACC1, AMPK, p-AMPK, and PKA protein expression; and IHL content, respectively. Both HIIT and VDS led to significant increases in the levels of PKA, AMPK, p-AMPK, and p-ACC1, as well as significant decreases in the levels of SREBP1c, ChREBP-β, ACC1, FASN, insulin, FBG, liver TG, liver cholesterol, and IHL. HIIT exhibited superior efficacy over VDS in reducing ChREBP-β, ACC1, insulin, FBG, liver TG and cholesterol, as well as increasing p-ACC1 and PKA. Notably, the combined intervention of HIIT and VDS yielded the most substantial improvements across all the parameters. HFrD causes IHL accumulation and the onset of diabetes, whereas VDS and HIIT, along with their combined effects, prevent the consequences of HFrD. Show less

Interleukin 27 (IL-27) belongs to IL-12 cytokine family, has shown anti-tumor potential in several solid tumors, as well as hematologic malignancies. IL-27 can inhibit tumor growth and progression through direct and indirect mechanisms, such as inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, induction of apoptosis in tumor cells, and anti-tumor immune response. B-CLL is characterized by remarkable immune perturbation, which leads to disease complications and reduced effectiveness of the treatment. Natural killer cells (NK) are considered as an important arm for the elimination of transformed cells. However, NK cells have shown significant impairment in patients with CLL. Here we analyzed the activity of recombinant human (rh) IL-27-stimulated NK cells in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) of CLL patients using cell surface flow cytometry assessment, and cytotoxicity assay. We showed that rhIL-27 can increase CD69 on NK cells both in BM and PB. Interestingly, BM-NK cells treated with rhIL-27 exhibited a significant increase in degranulation and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity as compared with untreated NK cells, whereas it did not improve NK cell activity of PB. These observations added further explanation to the anti-tumor activity of IL-27 and also could pave the way to adoption immunostimulatory adjuvant for therapies in CLL. Show less