Role of a SET/Smad7 Interaction in Skeletal Myogenesis

A look at the interaction between the histone chaperone SET/TAF-I and the TGF signalling inhibitor Smad7 in the context of skeletal muscle differentiation. Here we report that SET can function as an inhibitor of transcription for myogenic related genes, while the interaction with Smad7 relieves, and enhances transcription of those myogenic genes. In contrast to the myogenic genes, exogenous Smad7 had no effect on SETs capability to repress the cyclin D1 promoter. This may explain the enhancement of myogenesis with SET and Smad7 together since cell cycle withdrawal, which is mediated by cyclin D1 suppression, is a prerequisite of differentiation. Therefore, SET mediated repression of cell cycle coupled with Smad7s antagonism of SET at myogenic genes results in a pronounced enhancement of myogenesis. These observations further explain the role of Smad7 in the molecular control of myogenesis, having wider implications for understanding skeletal muscle physiology and pathology

Effect of Propolis mouthwash on plaque and gingival indices over fixed orthodontic patients

In patients with fixed orthodontics, the presence of orthodontic appliances causes dental plaque accumulation and hygiene problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Propolis and chlorhexidine mouthwashes on plaque and gingival indices in patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. In this triple blind study, in total, 37 patients aged from 15 to 35 years those who have been undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were studied. After that, one of the mouthwashes that containing either Propolis or Chlorhexidine was randomly prescribed to patients. The patients were asked to use mouthwashes twice a day after brushing their teeth for three weeks consecutively. Indicators of plaque, gingival and periodontal status (PI, GI, CPI) were determined on Ramford teeth at the beginning and at the end of three weeks for each patient. Then the results were analyzed statistically. The difference between the values of plaque index (P<0.001), gingival index (P=0.006) and periodontal index (P= 0.005) before and after administration of Propolis were statistically significant. The difference was also statistically significant for all three indexes of plaque (P<0.001), gingival (P=0.001) and periodontal (P=0.003) before and after chlorhexidine mouthwash usage. The indices after using mouthwashes were not statistically significant different between two mouthwash groups. It seems that Propolis mouthwash can be used as a suitable alternative in patients with fixed orthodontic treatment without the side effects of chlorhexidine mouthwash

A Case Report of a Successful Allergen Immunotherapy with Candida Albicans in Patient with Sever Atopic Dermatitis Sensitive to Candida Albicans

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory, chronic, relapsing, itchy skin disease with an immunologic basis. This disease is associated with itchy skin lesions (pruritus), dry skin (xerosis) and plaques of eczema. The role of aeroallergens, such as house dust mite (HDM) and food allergens has been proven to exacerbate skin eczema lesions. Alongside drugs such as corticosteroids, topical emollients, antihistamines, tacrolimus, and immune suppressants, phototherapy and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) also done. SCIT is mostly using for sensitization to mite allergens.Case Presentation: We present a 30 y/o Iranian woman with severe atopic dermatitis and sensitization to Candida allergens. We initiated SCIT with candida allergen and the patient had obvious improvements in her signs and symptoms 3 months after starting SCIT.Conclusion: Although subcutaneous immunotherapy was only approved for mite sensitization in atopic dermatitis, it should be considered in other aeroallergen sensitizations

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis due to wheat in a young woman

Food Dependent Exercise-Induced Allergy is a rare condition. However, the occurrence of anaphylaxis is increasing especially in young people. The diagnosis of anaphylaxis is based on clinical criteria and can be supported by laboratory tests such as serum tryptase and positive skin test results for specific IgE to potential triggering allergens. Anaphylaxis prevention needs strict avoidance of confirmed relevant allergen. Food-exercise challenge test may be an acceptable method for diagnosis of Food Dependent Exercise-Induced Allergy and dietary elimination of food is recommended to manage it. In this study, a 32 year-old woman visited the allergy clinic with a history of several episodes of hives since 11 years ago and 3 life-threatening attacks of anaphylaxis during the previous 6 months. The onsets of majority of these attacks were due to physical activity after breakfast. On Blood RAST test, the panel of common food Allergens was used and she had positive test only to wheat flour. On skin prick tests for common food allergens she showed a 6 millimeter wheal with 14 mm flare to Wheat Extract. The rest of allergens were negative. The patient was diagnosed as wheat-dependent exercise-induced, and all foods containing wheat were omitted from her diet. In this report we emphasized on the importance of careful history taking in anaphylaxis diagnosis

Evaluation of Indoleamine 2, 3-Dioxygenase Gene Expression and Activation in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin disorder characterized by the emergence of hives for at least six weeks without any known etiologic agent. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) which catalyzes tryptophan (Trp) to kynorenin (KYN) is an immunomedulatory enzyme and complicated in immunological diseases. In this study, Trp, KYN and IDO gene expression in CSU patients were analyzed. We studied 20 CSU patients (mean age: 28 +/- 6 years, mean duration: 27 +/- 4 months) and 20 healthy individuals (mean age: 28 +/- 9 years). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from both patients and healthy control and stimulated by phytohemmaglutinin (PHA). Real-time PCR was applied to quantify IDO gene expression and its activity was estimated by KYN/Trp ratio in supernatant of PBMCs by HPLC. Our study results showed that the gene expression of IDO was higher in CSU patients (0.33 +/- 0.27) compare to healthy individuals (0.31 +/- 0.6, p=0.02). Amazing, the activity of IDO (KYN/Trp) was decreased in CSU patients (322.5 +/- 432.3) contrast of healthy ones (685.9 +/- 531.7, p=0.02). Previous studies documented the impaired of IDO gene expression in CSU patients, however in the present study we observed a decrease activity of IDO in CSU patients which might suggest the function of this factor is impaired in CSU patients

Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis: It's Effect on the Immune System and Clinical Symptoms

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common allergic diseases and characterised by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and nasopharyngeal itching. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for specific allergens is an effective treatment and induces the inhibitory effect of T regulatory lymphocytes and decreases clinical symptoms in allergic rhinitis. AIM: In this study effect of subcutaneous immunotherapy with specific allergens on clinical symptoms and T regulatory and T Helper cells cytokines, in patients with allergic rhinitis are evaluated. METHODS: In this study, 30 patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis according to clinical criteria and positive skin prick test for aeroallergens were selected and treated by SCIT. Clinical symptoms and T cells cytokines IL4, IL17, IFN gamma, TGF beta, GITR, FOXP3 and IL-10 (by RT-PCR) were evaluated before and one year after initiation of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty (30) patients with allergic rhinitis at age range 15-45 years old were treated by SCIT, and 23 (14 female, 9 male) patients continued the study, and 7 patients did not continue treatment. After immunotherapy, clinical symptoms decreased significantly. The specific cytokines TGF beta and IL10 levels increased and changes were statistically significant. (Respectively P = 0.013 and P = 0.05) The IL17 level was also increased, but not statistically significant. (P = 0.8) IFN gamma, IL4, GITR, FOXP3, all decreased, but the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for specific allergens decreases clinical symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis and induces tolerance in T lymphocytes, especially by increasing T regulatory cells cytokines, TGF beta and IL10

Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis: It’s Effect on the Immune System and Clinical Symptoms

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common allergic diseases and characterised by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and nasopharyngeal itching. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for specific allergens is an effective treatment and induces the inhibitory effect of T regulatory lymphocytes and decreases clinical symptoms in allergic rhinitis. AIM: In this study effect of subcutaneous immunotherapy with specific allergens on clinical symptoms and T regulatory and T Helper cells cytokines, in patients with allergic rhinitis are evaluated. METHODS: In this study, 30 patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis according to clinical criteria and positive skin prick test for aeroallergens were selected and treated by SCIT. Clinical symptoms and T cells cytokines IL4, IL17, IFN gamma, TGF beta, GITR, FOXP3 and IL-10 (by RT-PCR) were evaluated before and one year after initiation of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty (30) patients with allergic rhinitis at age range 15-45 years old were treated by SCIT, and 23 (14 female, 9 male) patients continued the study, and 7 patients did not continue treatment. After immunotherapy, clinical symptoms decreased significantly. The specific cytokines TGF beta and IL10 levels increased and changes were statistically significant. (Respectively P = 0.013 and P = 0.05) The IL17 level was also increased, but not statistically significant. (P = 0.8) IFN gamma, IL4, GITR, FOXP3, all decreased, but the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for specific allergens decreases clinical symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis and induces tolerance in T lymphocytes, especially by increasing T regulatory cells cytokines, TGF beta and IL10