The CD4*A4 allele has a susceptibility association with the development of vitiligo in the Iranian population (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.18-2.42; P < 0.01, P(c) = 0.02). When we compared CD4*A4-containing genotypes in the case and control groups, even more significant positive association was identified (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.26-3.22; P < 0.01 and P(c) < 0.01). The CD4 gene polymorphism has a modest association with the development of vitiligo in Iranian patients.
BackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, characterized by increased
keratinocyte proliferation due to abnormal differentiation of basal
keratinocytes. The etiology of the disease is unclear, and according to the
survey results, it is hypothesized that a combination of genetic and
environmental factors prompts an abnormal immune response in patients with
psoriasis. CD4+ Th cells play a multifaceted role in both immune defense and
pathogenesis of certain diseases such as psoriasis. Nonetheless, the exact
contribution of different subpopulations of Th cells in psoriasis is still
not clear. ObjectiveThe aim of present study was to determine the mRNA expression level of RORC
as potential inducer of Th17 cell differentiation and expression pattern of
Th17-signature cytokines (IL-17A and IL-22).MethodsTwenty patients with psoriasis and twenty-one healthy subjects were included
in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated and
expression of three genes were determined by quantitative real-time reverse
transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Plasma levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were also
evaluated by ELISA.ResultsRORC, IL-17A and IL-22 gene expression was significantly higher in patients
with psoriasis compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). In addition, a
marked increase in plasma IL-17A and IL-22 levels was observed in patient
group compared to controls (P<0.001).Study limitationssmall number of patients.ConclusionThese data suggest that Th17 response may contribute to the pathogenesis of
psoriasis.
Many lines of evidence propose that psoriasis is a T cell-mediated disease where T cell activation is followed by secretion of inflammatory cytokines. To elucidate the functional state of T cells in guttate psoriasis, we analysed mRNA expression levels of T-bet and GATA-3 for Th1 and Th2 differentiation, respectively together with Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokine mRNA expression. Relative quantification of T-bet, GATA-3, IFN-γ and Th2, and IL-4 transcripts in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) was conducted by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). Serum levels of IFN-γ and Th2 and IL-4 were also determined by ELISA. GATA-3 and IL-4 mRNA expression levels were lower in psoriatic patients as compared to normal healthy controls. The expression levels of T-bet and IFN-γ and Th2 genes were relatively similar in the patients and controls. In addition, a marked decrease in plasma IL-4 levels was observed in the psoriasis group, while no differences were observed with regard to levels of IFN-γ and Th2 between patients and normal subjects. Furthermore, a clear correlation between decreased IL-4 mRNA expression and IL-4 (P < 0.05) was revealed. These results suggested that altered balance between Th1 and Th2 cells transcription factor genes and they products may be implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Alopecia areata represents an autoimmune pathological process driven primarily by cellular aberrations contained within the immune system, which activates various humoral and cellular elements of the immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the mRNA expression levels of T-bet and GATA-3 as potential inducers of T helper (Th)1 and Th2 differentiation, respectively, as well as Th1(IFN-γ) and Th2(IL-4) cytokine mRNA expression in patients with alopecia areata. Using real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), the relative amounts of T-bet, GATA-3, IFN-γ, and IL-4 mRNA transcripts were determined in PBMCs from 20 Iranian patients with alopecia areata and compared with those of 20 healthy control subjects. In comparison with the normal group, T-bet and IFN-γ mRNA expression levels were signifi cantly up-regulated in the alopecia areata patients, while GATA-3 and IL-4 mRNA expression levels were down-regulated. Notably, positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between IFN-γ and T-bet levels in patients and controls. In addition, signifi cant positive correlations existed between GATA-3 and IL-4 (P < 0.05). These results indicate that a Th1/Th2 imbalance exists in alopecia areata, and it may be implicated in the pathogenesis of disease.
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