Tehran University Medical Journal

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Dendritic Cell (DC) is an important antigen-presenting cell that present tumor antigen to CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T- Lymphocytes and induce specific anti-tumor immunity. In order to induce effective anti-tumor response, an option is increasing the efficiency of antigen presentation of dendritic cells and T cell activation capacity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dendritic cell maturation with protein components of toxoplasma gondii on cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and their infiltration in to the tumor.
Methods: For DC generation, bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for five days. After that, LPS, protein components and whole extract of toxoplasma gondii were added to the culture media and incubated for another two days for DC maturation. To generate tumor, mices were injected subcutaneously with WEHI-164 cell line. For immunotherapy 10⁶ DCs matured with different compounds were injected around the tumor site. Infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells were determined by flow cytometry and cytotoxic activity was measured by LDH detection kit.
Results: Immunotherapy with DCs treated with protein components of toxoplasma gondii led to a significant increase in the activity of cytotoxic T cells and infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells in to the tumor. Immunotherapy using protein components of toxoplasma gondii significantly improved the survival of the mice compared with other groups (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Protein components of toxoplasma are able to increase DC capability in induction of CTL-mediated anti-tumor response and increase infiltration of these cells in to the tumor.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder with great morbidity. Its prevalence has increased during recent years, therefore attracting attentions to its mechanisms. Type 2 cytokines play a major role in allergies. It has been proposed that Natural killer (NK) cells may be able to produce type 2 cytokines. This study was done to evaluate NK cells number and subtypes in patients with allergic rhinitis, comparing healthy subjects.
Methods: In a case control study, patients with allergic rhinitis were compared to healthy non-atopic subjects. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed according to ARIA guidelines. NK cells quantity was studied by staining of peripheral blood mono nuclear cells with anti-CD16-FITC and anti-CD56-PE and evaluated by two color flowcytometry. Intracellular cytokines were evaluated by tri-color flowcytometry. NK cells were separated by magnetic beads, and cultured for 72 hours. Secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IFN-γ was measured by ELISA, in stimulated and unstimulated conditions.
Results: Patients had more CD16+ CD56+ NK cells than control group. IL-4+ NK cells were significantly higher in patients (p<0.001), but the number of IFN-γ+ NK cells was not different. Cytokine secretion of NK cells was similar in case and control groups. Although IL-13 level after stimulation seemed higher in patients, the difference was not significant.
Conclusion: NK cells number is increased in patients with allergic rhinitis and a considerable number of them produce IL-4.