Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to Behçet's Disease (BD), since the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the IL-1 cluster gene polymorphisms with the development of BD was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 patients with BD, and 77 healthy control subjects. All genotyping (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1R and IL-1Ra) experiments were performed using sequence specific primers PCR (PCR-SSP). When compared to the healthy controls, the frequencies of IL-1Ra IL-1α and IL-1R gene polymorphisms were not significantly different in BD patients. The frequency of IL-1β-511 TT genotype was higher in the BD group in comparison to the control group. Interestingly, we demonstrated that IL-1 β +3962 gene polymorphism seems to be associated with the presence of Erythema nodosum in BD patients. Our data suggest that polymorphisms in IL-1β gene may affect host susceptibility to BD. In order to confirm the biological significance of our results, further studies should be performed in a large-scale study and/or in different ethnic groups.

Propolis is a special resin and wax material collected from the leaves and shells of trees, buds and shoots of plants by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). In recent years, many researchers have studied the chemical composition, biological activity and pharmacological properties of propolis. The colour, odour and pharmacological properties of the propolis composition also vary as the composition changes depending on the plant, region, season and bee colony. Flavonoids, aromatic acids, phenolic acids and esters are the main compounds responsible for the biological activity of propolis. A number of studies have been conducted on the use of propolis or its active ingredients in the treatment of cancer. It has been observed that the use of propolis did not cause side effects according to in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Propolis should be extracted with different compounds for use in biological assays. The most commonly used compounds for extraction are ethanol, methanol, oil and water. A number of studies have been carried out showing the antitumor effect of propolis in cell culture and animal tests. The search for new drugs derived from natural products, which may function as chemotherapeutic agents and have low side effects, has increased in recent years. Combination with antioxidant therapy may improve the side effects of chemotherapy on leukocytes, liver and kidney, thus increasing the effect of chemotherapy with dose increase.

Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to Behçet’s Disease (BD), because the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the IL‐4 and IL‐4Rα gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to BD was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 patients with BD and 76 healthy control subjects. All genotyping (IL‐4 and IL‐4Rα) experiments were performed using PCR sequence‐specific primers. When compared with the healthy controls, the frequency of IL‐4 −1098 TG and −590 CT genotypes was higher in the patients with BD. Analysis of allele frequencies showed that IL‐4 −1098 G and IL‐4 −590 T alleles were more common in the patients with BD when compared with healthy controls. Also, IL‐4 TTC and haplotypes were found to confer BD. Interestingly, we demonstrated that IL‐4Rα gene polymorphism seems to be associated with the Pathergy test positivity in patients with BD. Our data suggest that IL‐4 gene promoter polymorphisms may affect susceptibility to BD and increase risk of developing the disease. However, in order to confirm and assess the association of IL‐4 and IL‐4Rα gene polymorphisms with the BD, large cohort studies are needed.

In the present study, we examined the role of fractalkine (Fkn), a member of the chemokine family, in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD). Eighty-seven children with sickle cell disease and 55 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Complete blood counts, serum levels of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and fractalkine, and gene expression levels of Fkn were investigated. Serum Fkn levels and Fkn gene expression values were significantly higher in the SCD group compared to control group (P < 0.05). The findings of elevated serum Fkn and Fkn gene expression in both vaso-occlusive crisis and stable forms of SCD suggest that this chemokine may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation observed in SCD. This study is the first to our knowledge to describe the relationship of Fkn and inflammation in SCD.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic immune-mediated systemic disease, characterized by oral and genital lesions and ocular inflammation. Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility to BD, because the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the interleukin (IL)-2 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to BD was investigated in this study. DNA samples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 patients with BD and 76 healthy control subjects. Polymorphisms of IL-2 gene at position -330 and +166 were determined using the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. In the patients with BD, there was a significantly increased frequency of IL-2 -330 GT genotype. Interestingly, we demonstrated that the frequencies of IL-2 -330 GT and IL-2 + 166 GG genotypes were increased in BD patients with ocular involvement, whilst IL-2 -330 TT genotype was significantly decreased. Also, analysis of allele frequency demonstrated that the presence of G allele at position +166 of IL-2 seems to be a risk factor for ocular involvement. These results reveal that IL-2 -330 GT genotype may be a susceptibility factor for BD, whereas IL-2 -330 TT genotype seems to display a protective association with BD. Additionally, IL-2 gene polymorphisms might be associated with ocular involvement in BD.