Iranian Journal Of Allergy, Asthma, And Immunology[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Respiratory Health Risks in Hairdressing: A Cross-sectional Study of Occupational Subgroups.
Choroom Kheirabadi M, Hesari E, Shariat M … +1 more , Gharagozlou M
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41143609 · Publisher ↗
Occupational exposure in hairdressing is associated with significant respiratory health risks, including impaired lung function and respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate and compare respiratory symptoms and...
Occupational exposure in hairdressing is associated with significant respiratory health risks, including impaired lung function and respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate and compare respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function across subgroups of hairdressers categorized by their specific exposure profiles. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 152 female hairdressers in Tehran, Iran, who were stratified into four subgroups: (1) individuals with direct exposure to hair dyes, dechlorinating agents, and keratinizing substances; (2) individuals exposed to varnish, acetone, and nail implant materials; (3) individuals exposed to adhesives for hair and eyelash extensions; and (4) individuals with minimal or no direct chemical exposure. Respiratory and nasal symptoms were assessed using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) III questionnaire. spirometry measurements, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75), were performed to evaluate pulmonary function. Overall, 42.1% of participants reported respiratory symptoms, with subgroup 1 exhibiting the highest prevalence. Cough (64.3%), wheezing (35.7%), and dyspnea (64.3%) were the most commonly reported symptoms, while 22.4% reported nasal symptoms. Subgroup 1 demonstrated significantly lower pulmonary function indices and a higher prevalence of obstructive lung patterns (40.5%). Bronchodilator responsiveness indicative of asthma was observed in 34.2% of participants. In conclusion, direct occupational exposure to hairdressing chemicals, particularly hair dyes and bleaching agents, is associated with substantial respiratory impairment. Implementation of regular health surveillance, personal protective equipment, and enhanced workplace ventilation is strongly recommended.
A Report on the Clinical Efficacy of Rituximab Administration in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity and Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Manifestations.
Sharafian S, Mohammadi M, Alavi S … +15 more , Mesdaghi M, Shiari R, Shamsian BS, Eshghi P, Haji Khodaverdi Khani H, Abolghasemi H, Karimi A, Behniafard N, Mollaei Tavana P, Nasehi MM, Hashemieh M, Khodashenas M, Jamee M, Chavoshzadeh Z, Eslami N
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41143608 · Publisher ↗
It can sometimes be very difficult to control the manifestations of autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases, and there is no adequate response to first-line treatments. Rit...
It can sometimes be very difficult to control the manifestations of autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases, and there is no adequate response to first-line treatments. Rituximab (RTX), as a second-line treatment, is efficacious and well-tolerated for the management of these clinical manifestations. This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical, immunological, and genetic findings together with the response rate to RTX therapy in subjects with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) and autoimmune or autoinflammatory manifestations. In this study, 23 individuals with IEI and autoimmune or lymphoproliferation manifestations who received RTX between April 2008 and 2021 were evaluated. Fifteen out of the 23 patients were female. The median age of cases was 12 years. The moderate and severe adverse reactions, including fever, diarrhea, and anaphylaxis shock, were manifested during RTX infusion in 5 patients. In total, 86.9% of patients responded to rituximab (complete response: n=14, partial response: n=6) while three failed to respond. The median response time to RTX treatment was 50 days. All patients were given monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Pneumonia and candidiasis occurred in one patient a week after receiving the second injection of RTX. Eight patients expired during follow-up. In conclusion, the response rate of RTX could be improved through administering monthly IVIG for hypogammaglobulinemia treatment following RTX infusion. Early use of rituximab leads to a better response rate in comparison with late use of rituximab in multitreated refractory patients. The efficient cumulative dose of rituximab remains undefined.
Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis, and Allergic Rhinitis in Pediatric Celiac Disease: A Case-control Study.
Khalili M, Shahraki Ghadimi Z, Shams-Al-Dini J … +1 more , Mohammadi M
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41143607 · Publisher ↗
Celiac disease is a gluten-induced immune-mediated enteropathy. Recent studies suggest an increasing association between celiac disease and atopic conditions such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis, alth...
Celiac disease is a gluten-induced immune-mediated enteropathy. Recent studies suggest an increasing association between celiac disease and atopic conditions such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this matched case-control study, the prevalence of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis was evaluated among 173 children with celiac disease and 173 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in Zahedan, Iran, in 2023. The diagnosis of celiac disease was based on European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines. Allergic conditions were assessed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and confirmed through clinical evaluation. Children with celiac disease had a significantly higher prevalence of asthma (12.1% versus 5.8%; odds ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 4.05) and allergic rhinitis (29.5% versus 14.5%; odds ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 4.26) compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis between the two groups (12.1% versus 9.2%; odds ratio, 1.35). These results indicate that children with celiac disease are at increased risk for certain respiratory allergic diseases, particularly asthma and allergic rhinitis. This highlights the need for integrated care between gastroenterology and allergy specialists. Further research is needed to clarify the shared immunological pathways involved.
Follistatin-like Protein 3 in Colorectal Cancer: Linking Immune Evasion to Treatment Resistance.
Luo X, Dai B, Xie Z … +1 more , Zhang S
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41143606 · Publisher ↗
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in surgical techniques, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, many CRC...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in surgical techniques, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, many CRC cases exhibit treatment resistance and immune evasion, necessitating the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Follistatin-like protein 3 (FSTL3) has recently emerged as a key regulator in CRC progression, influencing immune suppression and therapy resistance. FSTL3 modulates the tumor microenvironment by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), sustaining β-catenin signaling, and stabilizing c-Myc, which collectively enhance tumor invasiveness and metastatic potential. Additionally, FSTL3 contributes to immune evasion by upregulating immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), thereby suppressing cytotoxic T-cell activity. High FSTL3 expression correlates with poor prognosis and resistance to conventional chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Given its pivotal role in CRC pathophysiology, FSTL3 represents a promising biomarker for disease prognosis and a potential therapeutic target. Future research should focus on developing FSTL3-targeted interventions, including monoclonal antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, and combination strategies with immunotherapy. Understanding the precise molecular mechanisms underlying FSTL3-mediated tumor progression and immune escape will be essential for translating these insights into clinical applications.
The Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Model: A Gateway to Successful Translation of Multiple Sclerosis Therapies.
Aliyu M, Saboor-Yaraghi AA, Sahraian MA … +1 more , Noorbakhsh F
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41143605 · Publisher ↗
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disorder that is characterized by demyelination, neurodegeneration, and immune dysregulation. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model has helped to elucida...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disorder that is characterized by demyelination, neurodegeneration, and immune dysregulation. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model has helped to elucidate MS pathophysiology and test therapies. This review synthesizes current literature on the development, applications, and translational significance of EAE models in MS research. It discusses various EAE induction protocols, including active and passive immunization, and highlights advancements such as humanized mice and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal models. The review evaluates the role of EAE in identifying immune pathways, validating therapeutic agents like glatiramer acetate and natalizumab, and exploring precision medicine approaches through biomarker discovery. The EAE model replicated the key features of MS, including inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss, facilitating therapy development. However, its predictive validity faces limitations, such as heterogeneity in disease induction, underrepresentation of chronic progression, and species differences. Innovations, such as humanized mouse models and iPSC-derived neurons, show promise in addressing these challenges. EAE research has advanced biomarker-based personalized treatments, although further validation is required. Despite its widespread use, EAE has limitations in terms of variability in disease induction, incomplete MS feature replication, species-specific responses, and clinical translation. Addressing these limitations remains crucial for therapeutic development, focusing on analyzing model limitations and strategies to overcome translational barriers. This review offers immunologists a comprehensive overview of EAE's contributions of EAE to MS research and its potential to inform the development of novel therapeutic approaches for this debilitating disease.
High-dose Vitamin D Supplementation Attenuates NLRP3 Inflammasome-mediated Oxidative Stress in a Novel Murine Model of Comorbid Asthma and Osteoporosis Induced by Vitamin D Deficiency.
Song P, Mao W, Chen Y … +2 more , Liu Z, Chen Y
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696739
While vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is implicated in both asthma and osteoporosis, the synergistic mechanisms linking these comorbidities remain unexplored. This study introduces a novel murine model of VDD-induced concurre...
While vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is implicated in both asthma and osteoporosis, the synergistic mechanisms linking these comorbidities remain unexplored. This study introduces a novel murine model of VDD-induced concurrent asthma and osteoporosis, uniquely addressing their bidirectional exacerbation through NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and oxidative stress crosstalk. Female C57 mice were stratified into control, bronchial asthma (BA), osteoporosis (OP), BA+OP, and VDD+BA+OP groups, with therapeutic evaluation of low-dose (LD) and high-dose (HD) vitamin D supplementation. Unlike prior studies, our results demonstrate that VDD amplifies airway resistance and bone microstructural deterioration via NLRP3-driven pyroptosis (elevated cleaved caspase-1, N-terminal gasdermin D and suppressed antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and elevated malondialdehyde). Critically, HD supplementation reversed these effects more robustly than LD, restoring pulmonary compliance, trabecular integrity (bone volume/total volume: 0.0298 vs 0.0356 in VDD+BA+OP), and suppressing inflammasome activity. Mechanistically, we identify a feedforward loop wherein VDD-induced oxidative stress primes NLRP3 activation, which further exacerbates inflammation and bone resorption-a pathway uniquely mitigated by HD vitamin D. These findings provide the first evidence of HD vitamin D's dual therapeutic efficacy in comorbid asthma-osteoporosis, offering a paradigm shift in targeting the NLRP3/oxidative stress axis for managing multifactorial inflammatory diseases.
Interleukin-17 Receptor Signaling Regulates Immune Response and Slows Down Myocardial Fibrosis in Mice with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
Li W, Jiao W, Li F … +2 more , Liu J, Hao J
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696738
Immune response is a significant mechanism in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R) is crucial for immune response. A DCM model was created using doxorubicin, and IL-17R was knocked down. We...
Immune response is a significant mechanism in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R) is crucial for immune response. A DCM model was created using doxorubicin, and IL-17R was knocked down. We assessed cardiac function, histopathological changes, fibrosis proteins, myocardial injury, and inflammation levels through echocardiography, pathological staining, immunofluorescence, and Western blot, respectively. The proportions of T cell subsets in mouse spleen tissue were identified through flow cytometry. Following these steps, we detached fibroblasts from the mouse heart and knocked down IL-17R. Angiotensin II was employed to induce cell fibrosis and co-cultured with T Helper 17 (TH17) cells. We measured inflammation, collagen deposits, and fibrosis protein expression using Sirius red staining, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. IL-17R exhibited significant expression in DCM mice. The systolic function of DCM mice significantly decreased. Myocardial fibrosis and collagen deposition in the left ventricle were markedly elevated. The levels of fibrosis proteins and pro-inflammatory factors were notably enhanced (p < 0.01). The proportion of effector CD4+ T and TH17 cells in spleen tissue noticeably increased, while the Treg cell proportion notably decreased. These indicators were significantly reversed after IL-17R knockdown. In the co-culture system, pro-inflammatory cytokines, collagen formation, and fibrosis-related protein levels increased significantly after fibrosis induction. However, the level of fibrosis and TH17/Treg cell imbalance decreased significantly after IL-17R knockdown. The knockdown of IL-17R can reduce immune reaction, which in turn improves myocardial fibrosis and alleviates DCM cardiac function.
Immune Landscape and Prognostic Significance of Gene Expression Profiles in Bladder Cancer: Insights from Immune Cell Infiltration and Risk Modeling.
Zhou Y, Zhang H, Yan H … +2 more , Han P, Liu Y
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696737
To explore the immunological underpinnings and prognostic potential of gene expression profiles in bladder cancer through comprehensive analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. We used the TCGA data to identify d...
To explore the immunological underpinnings and prognostic potential of gene expression profiles in bladder cancer through comprehensive analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. We used the TCGA data to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed enrichment analysis to reveal the related biological pathways. Meanwhile, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was adopted to develop a prognostic model. Then we evaluated the performance of the model in both TCGA and GSE13507 datasets. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on the feature genes utilized in model construction, encompassing both gene expression profiling and survival analysis. Finally, immune infiltration analysis and drug sensitivity analysis were applied to elucidate the immunological basis of the disease and provide potential therapeutic strategies. We identified a total of 837 DEGs, with a focus on immune-related genes. Using the LASSO algorithm, we developed a prognostic model incorporating seven key genes-NXPH4, FAM110B, GPC2, STXBP6, CYP27B1, GARNL3, and PTGER3-which demonstrated strong predictive accuracy in both TCGA and GSE13507 datasets. Moreover, immune infiltration analysis revealed a higher abundance of M0 and M2 macrophages in high-risk patients, suggesting that macrophage polarization could be a potential therapeutic target to modulate the immune microenvironment. Drug sensitivity analysis further suggested that high-risk patients exhibit differential responses to several chemotherapy agents, with potential therapeutic implications. This study constructed an effective prognostic model, providing new insights and potential therapeutic targets for the personalized treatment of bladder cancer, which needs further validation.
Effects of Hypoxia in Pancreatic Cancer on Immune Cell Behavior in the Tumor Microenvironment.
Wen X, Fan Z, Yu H
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696736
Hypoxia serves as a fundamental component of the tumor microenvironment, exerting a crucial influence on tumor advancement. Nonetheless, a comprehensive examination of a prognostic signature linked to hypoxia in pancreat...
Hypoxia serves as a fundamental component of the tumor microenvironment, exerting a crucial influence on tumor advancement. Nonetheless, a comprehensive examination of a prognostic signature linked to hypoxia in pancreatic cancer is notably absent, presenting an urgent necessity. Therefore, our objective was to create and authenticate a robust prognostic signature capable of predicting outcomes for pancreatic cancer. Initially, the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) database was used to obtain hypoxia-related genes, and prognostic genes were analyzed. Following this, we utilized the Lasso Cox regression model to construct the hypoxia risk score model. Pancreatic cancer patients were subsequently categorized into high- and low-risk groups according to the median risk score. Finally, the CIBERSORT technique was used to assess immune cell infiltration while examining the relationship between hypoxia and immune-related genes. Applying the Lasso Cox regression model, we pinpointed 2 significant genes, GYS1 and ALDOB. Following this, patients were categorized into hypoxia high-risk and low-risk groups. Notably, the low-risk cohort demonstrated a substantially heightened survival rate relative to the high-risk group. Further investigation into the immune microenvironment unveiled a greater prevalence of resting mast cells, monocytes, plasma cells, and naive CD4+ T cells in the low-risk category. In addition, we detected differences in the expression of 39 immune-related genes between the 2 groups. In summary, our study has established a predictive signature comprising molecular markers for forecasting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients.
The Antitumor Effect of a Non-transforming E7 Protein Combined with a TLR7 Agonist.
Mashhadi Abolghasem Shirazi M, Sadat SM, Hashemi Goradel N … +1 more , Arashkia A
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696735
Despite great efforts in developing peptide-based therapeutic vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical cancers, they have failed to elicit strong and sustainable immune responses. Here, we evaluated t...
Despite great efforts in developing peptide-based therapeutic vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical cancers, they have failed to elicit strong and sustainable immune responses. Here, we evaluated the vaccine potential of an HPV16 three mutant of E7 (E7GGG) (D21G/C24G/E26G) protein combined with Aldara (topical imiquimod) adjuvant in a TC-1 mouse tumor model. The HPV16-E7GGG, with eliminated transforming properties but retained antigenicity, and E7 wild-type were inserted into pET28, expressed in the E coli system, and purified using Ni-NTA chromatography. The E7GGG and E7 wild-type proteins were combined with Aldara adjuvant and injected into C57BL mice. We determined the ability of HPV16-E7GGG in combination with Aldara adjuvant to induce robust immune responses by IgG total development, IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ induction, CTL activity, and inhibit tumor growth in the murine TC-1 model in different immunized groups. The generated recombinant HPV16-E7GGG induced humoral and cellular immune responses in a TH1-mediated pathway, specifically with the (E7GGG) (D21G/C24G/E26G) antigen combined with Aldara, which could be a suitable therapeutic vaccine candidate against HPV.
Modulating Colorectal Cancer Cell Propagation and Immune Evasion by miRNA-148a-3p via KLF4.
Zhang C, Yi S, Cao X … +1 more , Wang J
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696734
MicroRNA (miR)-148a-3p is most frequently upregulated in solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-148a-3p in CRC cell proliferation and immune escape and its potential...
MicroRNA (miR)-148a-3p is most frequently upregulated in solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-148a-3p in CRC cell proliferation and immune escape and its potential mechanism. miR-148a-3p and Kruppel-like transcription factor 4 (KLF4) expressions were quantified by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune evasion abilities of CRC cells were evaluated with the cell counting kit-8 assay, Transwell, western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The proliferation or apoptosis of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells after coculture with CRC cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter gene testing was used to validate the targeting association between KLF4 and miR-148a-3p. A nude mouse subcutaneous graft tumor model was constructed, and CD8+ T cell infiltration was detected by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. miR-148a-3p exhibited a high level, while KLF4 was under-expressed in CRC cells; miR-148a-3p negatively regulated the KLF4 level. Overexpression of miR-148a-3p enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and immune escape; silencing miR-148a-3p caused the opposite trend; moreover, the said biological functions of CRC cells were weakened with overexpression of KLF4 but enhanced with silencing of KLF4; silencing KLF4 weakened the influences of dampened miR-148a-3p on CRC development. Silencing miR-148a-3p promoted the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and inhibited tumor growth. In summary, miR-148a-3p promotes CRC cell proliferation and immune evasion by regulating the expression of KLF4. This finding can be used for reference when developing a new way of CRC treatment.
The Relationship between Autophagy Process and Expression of MicroRNA-146a-5p in MKN-45 and MCF-7 Cell Lines.
Alirezaee A, Zavaran Hosseini A, Soudi S … +2 more , Kazemi-Sefat NA, Jafari MM
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696733
After chemotherapy or radiation therapy, autophagy activity increases in tumor cells for the adaptation of the tumor cells to stress. Thus, disturbance in autophagy can enhance the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. On t...
After chemotherapy or radiation therapy, autophagy activity increases in tumor cells for the adaptation of the tumor cells to stress. Thus, disturbance in autophagy can enhance the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. On the other hand, recent findings highlight the importance of microRNAs (miRs) in autophagy, including miR-146a-5p. In gastric and breast cancer miR-146a-5p is frequently reduced, and more precise identification of its function in these cancers is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between miR-146a-5p and autophagy in MKN-45 (human stomach cancer cell line) and MCF-7(breast cancer cell line). The expression of miR-146a-5p in MKN-45 and MCF-7 cell lines was measured before and after induction of autophagy using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A flow cytometry assay was used for the apoptosis assay, and autophagy induction was approved. Also, the formation of autophagic vacuoles was ensured in cells by western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. Real-time PCR showed that miR-146a-5p level in starvation groups, during autophagy, was significantly lower than in control groups, and also tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) level, a key target of miR-146a-5p, in starvation groups, during autophagy, was more than control groups but it was significant only in the MCF-7 group. According to previous studies and the results of the present study, miR-146a-5p may be considered a negative regulator of autophagy. However, to confirm this, further studies are needed on different cancer cell lines.
Predictive Value of Peripheral Blood Follicular Helper T Cells for Short-term Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.
Lin Y, Hu Y, Zheng Z … +1 more , Chi M
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696732
Peripheral blood follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are essential in humoral immunity; however, their prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is no...
Peripheral blood follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are essential in humoral immunity; however, their prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of Tfh cells for short-term prognosis in 200 HCC patients undergoing ICIs. A retrospective analysis categorized patients based on their clinical outcomes at six months post-treatment: those demonstrating improvement were classified as having a favorable prognosis (n=86), while those with no remission, deterioration, or death were classified as having a poor prognosis (n=114). Key prognostic factors assessed included C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tfh cell counts, and combination therapy. Significant associations were identified between prognosis and CRP, IL-6, Tfh cell counts, and combination therapy. Multivariate analysis revealed these factors as independent predictors of short-term prognosis, explaining 78.3% of the variance. The area under the curve (AUC) for Tfh cells was 0.902 (95% CI: 0.8567-0.9477), with 100% sensitivity and 80.70% specificity at a cut-off of 1.995. Patients with elevated Tfh levels (≥1.995, n=93) had a median overall survival (OS) of 5 months, significantly earlier than those with lower levels (<1.995, n=107), whose median OS was not reached. Tfh cells are independent predictors of short-term prognosis in HCC patients receiving ICIs. Reduced Tfh levels correlate with improved outcomes, providing crucial insights for clinical decision-making.
Clinical Characteristics and Predictive Factors Analysis of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia Complicated with Pleural Effusion in Children.
Ji L, Lin L, Ye J … +1 more , Li Z
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696731
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a prevalent cause of respiratory infections in children, sometimes leading to pleural effusion (PE). This study aimed to identify risk factors and clinical features associated wit...
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a prevalent cause of respiratory infections in children, sometimes leading to pleural effusion (PE). This study aimed to identify risk factors and clinical features associated with PE in pediatric MPP patients. We conducted a retrospective case-control study involving 412 children with MPP and 82 with MPP+PE at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Significant findings included a higher incidence of immunocompromised states in the MPP+PE group (18.29% vs. 8.98%). At admission, children with MPP+PE exhibited higher respiratory rates (29.94 vs. 29.16 breaths/min), lower oxygen saturation (82.33% vs. 83.14%), longer fever duration (5.75 vs. 4.83 days), elevated white blood cell counts (WBC) (11.64×10^9/L vs. 10.12×10^9/L), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) (20.66 vs. 19.49 mm/h). Patients with PE also experienced longer antibiotic treatment (9.14±4.91 vs. 7.46±3.29 days) and extended hospital stays (13.58±4.18 vs. 12.37±3.52 days). Multivariate analysis identified several significant predictors of PE, and a joint prediction model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.842, sensitivity of 0.796, and specificity of 0.793. These findings suggest that specific clinical and laboratory factors can help identify children at higher risk for PE, facilitating timely interventions.
the Role of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Diagnosing Non-chronic Cough in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.
Alyasin S, Kanannejad Z, Nabavizadeh SH … +6 more , Esmaeilzadeh H, Sadeghi E, Shojaadini H, Akbarzadeh A, Ayareh N, Johari L
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696730
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has emerged as a potential biomarker for differentiating between various causes of non-chronic cough, particularly in conditions associated with airway inflammation, such as asthma....
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has emerged as a potential biomarker for differentiating between various causes of non-chronic cough, particularly in conditions associated with airway inflammation, such as asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of FeNO in pediatric patients with non-chronic cough and its ability to differentiate between asthma exacerbations and respiratory tract infections. Seventy-five pediatric patients aged 10-18 years with non-chronic cough were categorized into three groups: good control asthma (GCA, n=28), acute asthma exacerbation (AAE, n=26), and respiratory tract infection (RTI, n=21). Clinical assessments included FeNO measurement, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (HB), platelet count (PLT), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictive value of these variables. FeNO levels were significantly higher in the AAE group (46.58±22.66 ppb) compared to the GCA and RTI groups, indicating elevated eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma exacerbations. CRP was a significant predictor of both AAE and RTI, with a one-unit increase in CRP increasing the odds of exacerbation or infection by 2.6-fold. Body max index (BMI) was inversely associated with the risk of RTI. Hemoglobin, platelet count, and IgE levels were significantly higher in the AAE group compared to the other groups, while WBC counts, though elevated, were not statistically significant. FeNO associated with other inflammatory markers, including CRP and BMI, could enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform clinical decision-making in managing pediatric respiratory conditions. To confirm these results, future studies with larger sample sizes should be performed.
Exercise and Immune System: A Comprehensive Review in the Era of Coronavirus.
Rahimi S, Sayevand Z, Rezaie Kahkhaie L … +2 more , Ahmadi T, Alifarsangi A
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696729
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of a strong immune system in fighting infectious diseases. Understanding the relationship between exercise, physical activity, and immune function is crucial for r...
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of a strong immune system in fighting infectious diseases. Understanding the relationship between exercise, physical activity, and immune function is crucial for recognizing how lifestyle factors can improve immune resilience. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of exercise on the immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it presents recommendations, guidelines, and considerations for engaging in physical activity during this period. Based on the literature review, there is some controversy regarding the effects of high-intensity exercise on individuals' immune systems, whereas moderate exercise is generally beneficial in almost all cases. Also, individuals experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms or other acute illnesses should abstain from physical activity until recovery.
Cracking the Human Cytomegalovirus Code: Trinary Challenges of Latency, Immune Evasion, and Correlates of Protection.
Mami S, Shekarchian S, Mousavi MJ … +1 more , Nicknam MH
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 Jun · PMID 40696728
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant challenge to vaccine development due to its complex biology characterized by latency, immune evasion strategies, and undefined correlates of protection (CoPs). HCMV latenc...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant challenge to vaccine development due to its complex biology characterized by latency, immune evasion strategies, and undefined correlates of protection (CoPs). HCMV latency allows the virus to evade immune surveillance by remaining in a quiescent state in host cells, with the risk of reactivation triggered by immune damage or cell differentiation. In addition, HCMV employs an arsenal of immune evasion strategies, including modulating MHC expression, inhibiting natural killer (NK) cell activity, and subverting antibody-mediated responses, so these mechanisms further complicate vaccine design. Despite these obstacles, advances in basic research in immunology and vaccine technologies offer new opportunities. Strategies such as targeting latency-associated mechanisms, using memory inflation of CMV-specific T cells to induce long-term tissue-resident immunity, and developing immunogens that antagonize viral immunoevasins are promising approaches. New platforms, including mRNA and vector-based vaccines, show the potential to elicit robust humoral and cellular responses against key viral antigens such as glycoprotein B, pentamer complex, and pp65. In addition, adjuvants that restore impaired NK and T cell function could improve vaccine effectiveness. This review examines the molecular and immunological barriers to HCMV vaccine development and highlights innovative approaches to address these challenges. By addressing the complexities of latency, immune evasion, and CoPs, we propose a roadmap for developing a multimodal vaccine that can provide effective and durable protection against HCMV infections.
Serum Levels of IL-21 and IL-27 Do not Reflect differential Avidity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients.
Ebrahimpur M, Hajilooi M, Solgi G … +1 more , Rastegari-Pouyani M
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 May · PMID 40471646 · Publisher ↗
The quantity and quality of anti-Spike (anti-S) antibodies, rapidly elicited by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are necessary for understanding the immune response induced by infection. Anti...
The quantity and quality of anti-Spike (anti-S) antibodies, rapidly elicited by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are necessary for understanding the immune response induced by infection. Antibody avidity is a good indicator of the quality of antibody response. Interleukin (IL)-21 and IL-27 are two cytokines that play vital roles in the affinity maturation process. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether there are any relationships between the avidities of antibodies against spike and nucleocapsid (N) antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and serum levels of these cytokines in symptomatic and asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Forty symptomatic COVID-19 patients and 40 asymptomatic carriers were enrolled. Anti-S and anti-N IgG avidity indices (AIs) were determined using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of IL-21 and IL-27 were quantified by specific ELISA kits. AI values of both anti-S and anti-N IgG were lower in the symptomatic group compared to asymptomatic cases, while only that of anti-N IgG was statistically significant. For IL-21 and IL-27 serum levels, no significant difference between the two groups was shown. Also, we could not find any correlations between cytokine levels and antibody AI values. However, an inverse correlation between anti-S AI value and IL-27 serum level was found in asymptomatic patients. Our study suggests that serum levels of IL-21 and IL-27 cannot predict differences in anti-S and anti-N IgG avidity between symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.
Pan-cancer Analysis Predicts PDCD4 as a Potential Diagnostic, Prognostic and Immune Infiltration-related Biomarker.
Jiang H, Xie A, Wang T … +5 more , Shi W, Hu D, Sheng R, Gao C, Xie T
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 May · PMID 40471645 · Publisher ↗
Programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) is an oncogene involved in the cell cycle and apoptosis, enhancing drug sensitivity in tumor cells and inhibiting tumor development. However, the relationship between PDCD4 and tum...
Programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) is an oncogene involved in the cell cycle and apoptosis, enhancing drug sensitivity in tumor cells and inhibiting tumor development. However, the relationship between PDCD4 and tumor immune microenvironment remains unclear. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to collect PDCD4 data and somatic mutation data for 33 cancer types. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to obtain the distribution map of PDCD4 gene in human tissues and the prognostic expression heat map of cancer. Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database was used to explore the expression differences of PDCD4 RNA in different cell lines, and PDCD4 expression and clinical data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We found significant differences in the expression of PDCD4 in different cancers and associated with patient prognosis. PDCD4 is closely related to the tumor microenvironment, sensitive to immunomodulators, and involved in immune regulation. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that PDCD4 plays a crucial role in tumor metastasis, affecting the survival and prognosis of tumor patients. The differential expression of PDCD4 in various tumor tissues and its involvement in immunomodulatory mechanisms suggest its potential as a biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy. PDCD4 was closely related to tumor immune microenvironment and immune efficacy indexes. It is suggested that it may be used as a biomarker to predict immune efficacy.
Inhibition of LTBP2 Suppresses High Glucose-Induced Proliferation, Fibrosis, and Inflammation in Glomerular Mesangial Cells by Disrupting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathway.
Wang Y, Pi P, Hu M … +1 more , Luo D
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol · 2025 May · PMID 40471644 · Publisher ↗
Latent transforming growth factor-β binding protein-2 (LTBP2) plays a significant role in tissue fibrosis. This research aimed to elucidate whether LTBP2 influences the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) through th...
Latent transforming growth factor-β binding protein-2 (LTBP2) plays a significant role in tissue fibrosis. This research aimed to elucidate whether LTBP2 influences the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. The HBZY-1 cells were exposed to high glucose to create diabetic nephropathy cell model. LTBP2 levels were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. After verifying the transfection efficiency of si-LTBP2, cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine staining, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were utilized to assess the proliferation, apoptosis and fibrosis of HBZY-1 cells, respectively. Collagen deposition was also detected by Sirius red staining, and inflammatory factors levels were determined by Elisa. PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway activators were applied to explore whether LTBP2 silencing could play a role in DN by modulating this pathway. After treatment with high glucose, the expression of LTBP2 was elevated in HBZY-1 cells. LTBP2 silencing hindered the aberrant proliferation of HBZY-1 cells, with no significant effect on apoptosis; meanwhile, it reduced fibrosis, decreased collagen content, and decreased inflammatory factors levels in HBZY-1 cells. Following treatment with high glucose, the PI3K, Akt, and p65 phosphorylation levels were increased, whereas silencing LTBP2 reduced them. Activators of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway weakened the inhibition of LTBP2 silencing on cell proliferation, fibrosis, and inflammation. In conclusion, silencing of LTBP2 weakened the proliferation, fibrosis, and inflammation of HBZY-1 cells treated with high glucose by hindering the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway. This research offers a new reference for the targeted therapy of DN.
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