Altered expression of intracellular Toll-like receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with alopecia areata

AbstractBackgroundToll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern-recognition-receptors that sense a variety of pathogens and initiation of innate and adaptive immune responses. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of TLRs in peripheral blood-mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AA patients and to determine whether TLR-mediated inflammatory signals are important for the perspective of AA management.MethodsGene expression of TLRs and T-helper (Th) type-1, Th-2, Th-17 and regulatory T-cell cytokines in PBMCs was quantified by TaqMan Assays. Production of these cytokines in serum samples was determined by sandwich ELISAs.ResultsAll TLRs (TLRs 1–10) were expressed in PBMCs of AA patients. Importantly intracellular TLRs (TLRs 3, 7, 8 and 9) were significantly up-regulated in AA patients as compared with controls (p<0.05). Interleukin (IL)-2, TNF-α, and IL-17A gene expression in patients' PBMCs and their secretion in patients' sera were significantly higher as compared with their respective controls (p<0.05). Whereas, TGF-β gene expression in patients' PBMCs and TGF-β protein level in patients' sera were significantly lower as compared with their controls (p<0.05).ConclusionThis is the first report that shows the comprehensive expression profile of TLRs in AA patients. We conclude that up-regulated expression of intracellular TLRs in PBMCs of AA patients may play an active role in abnormal regulation of Th-1, Th-17 and regulatory T-cell cytokines in alopecia areata.General significanceTargeting of TLRs and their associated inflammatory signaling will open new areas of research; this may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of AA or other skin disorders

Prevalence of Leishmania species among patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qassim province of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection endemic in more than ninety countries of the world. The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a most common form of leishmaniasis and it remains to be a major public health issue in Saudi Arabia. This study was undertaken to investigate the Leishmania species responsible for CL infection in different provinces of Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Methods Skin biopsies were obtained from CL patients and DNA was extracted using the Magna pure system. Leishmania species were identified by highly specific/sensitive quantitative and qualitative PCR. Results Out of total 206 CL biopsies, 49.5% biopsies were found to be positive for Leishmania major (L. major), 28.6% biopsies were positive for Leishmania tropica (L. tropica), 3.9% were found to be positive for Leishmania infantum/donovani (L. infantum/donovani). Not only have these, all tested CL biopsies showed negative test for Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana) and Leishmania viannia (L. viannia). Conclusions This is the first comprehensive study that shows the majority of CL in Qassim was caused by L. major and L. tropica. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first report that shows the occurrence of L. infantum/donovani in Saudi Arabia. This requires higher alert to the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to take proactive actions in preventing the onset of L. major, L. tropica, L. infantum and L. donovani infections