The bio-mission of interleukin-6 in the pathogenesis of COVID-19: A brief look at potential therapeutic tactics

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), known as an inflammatory cytokine, can be involved in many innate and adaptive immune responses. The role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently received much more attention due to the spread of the virus and its pandemic potential. Cytokine storm is among the most critical pathological events in patients affected with coronaviruses (CoVs), i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and COVID-19, causing inflammation-induced lung injury and also occurring as a result of dysregulation of immune responses to the mentioned viruses. IL-6, along with some other inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 beta (β), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as inflammatory chemokines, can significantly contribute to, fever, lymphopenia, coagulation, lung injury, and multi-organ failure (MOF). Therefore, researchers are to explore novel approaches to treat the disease through targeting of IL-6 and its receptors based on prior experience of other disorders. In this review article, the latest findings on the role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, as well as therapeutic perspectives, were summarized and discussed. © 2020 Elsevier Inc

Age-dependent immune responses in COVID-19-mediated liver injury: focus on cytokines

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is potentially pathogenic and causes severe symptoms; in addition to respiratory syndromes, patients might experience other severe conditions such as digestive complications and liver complications injury. The abnormality in the liver is manifested by hepatobiliary dysfunction and enzymatic elevation, which is associated with morbidity and mortality. The direct cytopathic effect, immune dysfunction, cytokine storm, and adverse effects of therapeutic regimens have a crucial role in the severity of liver injury. According to aging and immune system alterations, cytokine patterns may also change in the elderly. Moreover, hyperproduction of cytokines in the inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 can lead to multi-organ dysfunction. The mortality rate in elderly patients, particularly those with other comorbidities, is also higher than in adults. Although the pathogenic effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver has been widely studied, the impact of age and immune-mediated responses at different ages remain unclear. This review discusses the association between immune system responses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients of different ages and liver injury, focusing on cytokine alterations

Expression analysis of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) enzyme in peripheral blood of patients with Alzheimerś disease

Background: Recent evidence has indicated that beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) is involved in the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) in patients affected with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore; the purpose of this study was to measure mRNA and plasma levels of BACE1 in AD patients, as an early diagnosis biomarker for such individuals. Methods: A total number of thirty AD patients and thirty normal subjects as controls were recriuted in the present study. Plasma levels of BACE1 were then examined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and also mRNA expression of BACE1 in total blood was measured using real-time PCR technique. Results: The findings revealed a significant difference in gene expression of BACE1 in the peripheral blood of AD patients compared with that in controls (p<0.0001). Additionally, elevated plasma levels of BACE1 were found in AD patients compared with those in normal subjects (p<0.01). Statistical analyses also demonstrated no correlation between expression (mRNA and protein) of BACE1 in both AD patients and controls and age or the results of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale (p>0.05). Conclusion: Given the importance of early diagnosis of AD patients, it was suggested that the measurement of plasma levels and also mRNA expression of BACE1 might be a valuable blood-based biomarker used in preference to other invasive diagnostic methods such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis

Statistical Telegram. MONTHLY STATISTICS OF REGISTERED UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 1977. 1977.10

Abstract Background Ascochyta blight, caused by the fungus Ascochyta lentis, is one of the most destructive lentil diseases worldwide, resulting in over $16 million AUD annual loss in Australia alone. The use of resistant cultivars is currently considered the most effective and environmentally sustainable strategy to control this disease. However, little is known about the genes and molecular mechanisms underlying lentil resistance against A. lentis. Results To uncover the genetic basis of lentil resistance to A. lentis, differentially expressed genes were profiled in lentil plants during the early stages of A. lentis infection. The resistant ‘ILL7537’ and susceptible ‘ILL6002’ lentil genotypes were examined at 2, 6, and 24 h post inoculation utilising high throughput RNA-Sequencing. Genotype and time-dependent differential expression analysis identified genes which play key roles in several functions of the defence response: fungal elicitors recognition and early signalling; structural response; biochemical response; transcription regulators; hypersensitive reaction and cell death; and systemic acquired resistance. Overall, the resistant genotype displayed an earlier and faster detection and signalling response to the A. lentis infection and demonstrated higher expression levels of structural defence-related genes. Conclusions This study presents a first-time defence-related transcriptome of lentil to A. lentis, including a comprehensive characterisation of the molecular mechanism through which defence against A. lentis is induced in the resistant lentil genotype

Correction to: Destructive Roles of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes in Chronic Inflammation and Joint Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Inflammation, (2021), 44, 2, (466-479), 10.1007/s10753-020-01371-1)

Following the publication of the original article, the corresponding author noticed that the second corresponding author has not been mentioned. The below statement must be added to the correspondence section: Jafar Karami; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] The original article has been corrected. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Elevated levels of epithelial neutrophil activating peptide-78 (ENA-78) (CXCL5) and Interleukin-1β is correlated with varicocele-caused infertility: A novel finding

Background: Varicocele is the most common disorder found in subfertile men. Little is known about the potential effects of ENA-78 and IL-1 β on pathogenesis of varicocele and male infertility. Therefore, current investigation was aimed to explore the role of ENA-78 and IL-1 β in varicocele. Methods: To explore association between ENA-78, IL-1 β and infertility, the seminal levels of these mediators were measured in studied groups by ELISA technique. Results: ENA-78 and IL-1β levels were significantly raised in infertile men with varicocele compared to other groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Possibly spermatozoa motility of these patients is reduced in response to elevated ENA-78. IL-1 β as the neutrophils products appears to be potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for varicocele-caused infertility

Higher Circulating Concentration of Interleukin-38 in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Its Association with Disease Severity

Evidence showed that chronic inflammatory and immunopathological responses play a pivotal role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Interleukin-38 (IL-38) as a novel anti-inflammatory cytokine with influential modulatory properties on both innate and adaptive immune responses can be involved in the pathogenesis of OA. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the serum level of IL-38 in OA patients to clarify the positive or negative association with disease and its severity. Blood specimens were collected from two groups including 23newly-diagnosed OA patients and 22 healthy sex and age-matched subjects as a control group. Serum IL-38 quantities were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significantly higher IL-38 levels were detected in OA patients in comparison with the healthy group (265.78±41.27 pg/mL vs 44.23±6.04 pg/mL, p=0.0001). The IL-38 concentration in OA patients with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores>40 and in OA patients with visual analog scale (VAS) scores >5 werehigher than those with WOMAC scores25 (p=0.05). According to our findings, WOMAC, VAS, and BMI indices may influence the IL-38 serum levels in OA patients and it may be elevated in OA patients to modulate inflammatory responses in a compensatory manner.The patients with OA, especially those with more severe disease express higher serum amounts of IL-38. Accordingly, IL-38 may be considered as a valuable marker for OA

Role(s) of cytokines in pulpitis: Latest evidence and therapeutic approaches

Pulpitis is known as a typical inflammation of dental pulp tissue, and microorganisms of the oral microbiome are involved in this opportunistic infection. Studies indicated that several factors related to host response have a crucial role in pulpitis. Among these factors, inflammatory mediators of the immune system such as cytokines and chemokines contribute to pulpal defense mechanisms. A wide range of cytokines have been observed in dental pulp and these small molecules are able to trigger inflammation and participate in immune cell trafficking, cell proliferation, inflammation, and tissue damage in pulp space. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of pulpitis. © 2019 Elsevier Lt