Costimulatory molecules are important factors determining the outcome of bone marrow transplant. Because the host ability in costimulatory molecule function may be affected by gene polymorphisms, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CTLA4, ICOS, PD.1 and CD28 gene polymorphisms in outcome of bone marrow transplant patients. A total of 72 recipients were included in this study. CTLA4 (-1722, -1661, -318, +49), ICOS (+1720), CD28 (+17) and PD.1 (PD.1.3, PD.1.9) gene polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP. The results showed that no differences in the distribution of all mentioned costimulatory molecules genotypes and alleles were observed in the Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) group compared to the non-GVHD group. After gender classification, there is a significant association between GA genotype (CTLA4-1661) in male group with GVHD than without GVHD (p=0.03). Also, in this study we found significant associations between CC genotype and C allele of PD.1.9, and TT genotype and T allele of CD28 that had more frequency in grades 2-4 (p=0.04. p=0.02, p=0.01, p=0.003, respectively). Results indicate that the CC genotype and C allele of PD.1.9 and TT genotype and the T allele of CD28 are genetic risk factors for development of a severe grade of GVHD. This subject needs to be studied in different population.

BackgroundThe surveillance of kidney transplant patients depends on function of different immunologic markers like co-stimulatory molecules. These molecules may also be associated with post kidney transplant viral related outcomes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations between co-stimulatory molecule gene polymorphisms and viral infections in kidney transplant patients.Patients and MethodsIn total, 172 kidney transplant patients were included in this study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in loci of co-stimulatory molecules including: PDCD.1, CD28, CTLA4 and ICOS, were analyzed in the studied patients by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Active Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were analyzed in each kidney transplant patient using the CMV antigenemia kit and HCV antibody assay, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.ResultsCMV active infection was found in 31 of 172 (18.02%) kidney transplant patients. HCV infection was only found in two of the 172 (1.16%) studied patients. Significant associations were found between TT and TC genotypes of CTLA4 -1722T/C and T allele with acute rejection in CMV infected kidney transplant patients. A significant association was also found between the T allele of CD28 + 17 C/T genetic polymorphism and acute rejection in CMV infected kidney transplant patients. Significantly higher frequency of AA genotype and A allele of CTLA4 + 49AG polymorphism were found in CMV infected female patients. Also a significantly higher frequency of GG genotype and G allele of PDCD-1.3A/G polymorphisms were found in CMV infected female patients.ConclusionsBased on these results, CTLA4 and CD28 genetic polymorphisms, which regulate T-cell activation, can influence active CMV infection in kidney transplant patients. These results should be confirmed by further investigations.

Objectives: Costimulatory molecules are important factors determining the outcome of transplant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CTLA-4, CD28, PD-1, and ICOS gene polymorphisms on the outcome of kidney transplant. Materials and Methods: A total of 172 kidney transplant recipients were included in this study. There were 45 recipients (26%) who experienced acute rejection. The CTLA-4, PD-1, ICOS, and CD28 gene polymorphisms were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Results: There were no differences between kidney transplant recipients with or without acute rejection in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of studied costimulatory molecules. Significant associations were observed between the AA genotype and the A allele of CTLA-4 1661 (P = .04, P = .05) and also CT and TT genotypes of PD-1.9 in the male compared with female subgroup of patients, with low frequency in the acute rejection group (P = .03; P = .04). Significant associations were observed between the AA genotype and the A allele of CTLA-4 -1661 (P = .02; P = .01) and also GA genotype of PD-1.3 (P = .03) in the male subgroup compared with female subgroup with low frequency of acute rejection. A significant association was observed between TC genotype of CD28 in the female compared with male subgroup of patients with high frequency of acute rejection (P = .05). Conclusions:The above results suggest that genetic polymorphisms of costimulatory molecules function as sex-dependent risk factors for development of acute rejection. Further studies are needed in different populations.

Objective: Congestive Heart failure (CHF) is a complex multifactorial syndrome due to tissue hypo perfusion that is affected by some factors like inflammatory cytokines. In our study we investigated the exact gene expression of three inflammatory cytokines in ischemic and idiopathic cardiomyopathy patients.Materials and Methods: From 49 studied recipients in ischemic group, 23 (46.9%) were male and from 40 studied recipients in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy group, 19 (47.5%) were male. For the quantitative analysis of Interleukin (IL)1, IL-27 and TNF-α mRNAs expression level, the SYBR Green Real-Time PCR method was performed using SYBRPremix Ex TaqTM II (Tli RNaseH Plus) (Takara, Japan) and designed primers specific for each genes in an iQ5 thermocycler (BioRad Laboratories, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Results: Our results showed that the expression level of IL-1 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the ischemic patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.001, P<0.01, respectively); also we found higher levels of IL-1 and IL-27 gene expressions in idiopathic patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). There were not any significant difference of IL-1, IL-27 and TNF-α expression levels between ischemic patients and idiopathic ones.Conclusion: Although we would introduce IL1, IL-27 and TNF α as effective inflammatory cytokines on myocardial functions in ischemic and idiopathic cardiomyopathy patients; there is not any difference between these two groups in gene expression of three main inflammatory cytokines.

Background: Acute Myeloid Leukemia syndrome (AML) is a hematologic malignancy which is due to clonal extensive proliferation of leukemic precursor cells and is rapidly fatal unless treated or response to chemotherapy. Cytogenetic findings have important role in prognosis and categorization of AML. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression changes in CX3CL1 and Interlukin-6 (IL-6) genes before and after chemotherapy as remission induction therapy in AML patients. Materials and Methods: In this study 69 patients (36 males, 33 female) with AML was selected from tertiary medical heath center. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for mRNA expression of CX3CL1 and IL-6genes before and after induction chemotherapy. To obtain expression changes in CX3CL1 and IL-6genes, we used 2-ΔΔCT method. Results: The expression of CX3CL1 and IL-6 was significantly increased after induction chemotherapy. Also, the ΔCt mean of CX3CL1 and IL-6 mRNA was not significant between AML subtype groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, as we showed that chemotherapy significantly increase the expression of CX3CL1 and IL-6 which can be used as a prognostic factor of AML.