The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists最新文献

{"title":"Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein3 rs;10499194 polymorphism enhances presepsin and sCD64 accuracy in differentiating infection from rheumatoid arthritis flare.","authors":"Fatima H Mohammed, Dheyaa S A Al-Jameel, Ali A Hamzah","doi":"10.55133/eji.330306","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Differentiating concurrent general microbial infection from disease flare in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) remains challenging. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of Presepsin and soluble cluster of differentiation 64 (sCD64), and their association with the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) rs10499194 polymorphism. This case-control study included 90 participants: 30 normal controls, 30 RA without infection, and 30 RA with infection. Serum Presepsin and sCD64 were measured by ELISA, and gene detection for SNP TNFAIP3 rs10499194 (C>T) was performed using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction. Presepsin and sCD64 levels were significantly elevated in the RA with infection group compared to uninfected RA patients and controls (p<0.001). Presepsin (area under the curve, AUC=0.910) and sCD64 (AUC=0.870) outperformed conventional markers (CRP, ESR) in diagnosing infection. The combined biomarkers yielded an AUC of 0.956. The TNFAIP3 T allele was significantly associated with RA susceptibility (OR=2.87, p=0.028). Furthermore, T allele carriers exhibited a dose-dependent, significant increase in both Presepsin (p=0.005) and sCD64 (p=0.013) levels, particularly during infectious episodes. In conclusion, Presepsin and sCD64 are highly accurate biomarkers for distinguishing infection from RA flares. The TNFAIP3 rs10499194 T allele not only increases RA risk but also amplifies the innate immune response during concurrent infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 3","pages":"43-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148438236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immune modulation and evasion by Toxoplasma gondii: Roles of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IgM in murine infection.","authors":"Rahma E A Eldeghedy, Mohamed H Emam, Ibrahim R Shalash, Mahmoud E Elshahat, Mohammed S El Faramawy, Noha F Zahran, Tarek K Zaalouk","doi":"10.55133/eji.330302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55133/eji.330302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Toxoplasma gondii persists lifelong in the host by manipulating the balance between protective T helper type 1 (Th1) immunity and regulatory pathways that limit immunopathology. Among these regulators, interleukin-10 (IL-10) is proposed to be a pivotal suppressor of anti-parasite immunity, yet its precise functional contribution during chronic toxoplasmosis remains incompletely defined. This study dissected the immunoregulatory role of IL-10 during experimental T. gondii infection by integrating analyses of brain cyst kinetics, systemic cytokine dynamics, humoral responses, correlation networks, and tissue pathology. The study included 45 female Swiss albino mice, divided in three equal groups (G), G1 non-infected; G2, T. gondii-infected mice; and G3, T. gondii-infected mice and treated with anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody. Mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10 ME49 cysts and G3 were treated with anti-IL-10 mAb starting one-week post-infection. Mice were sacrificed at 14-, 28-, and 42-days post-infection for brain cyst counting, liver and brain histopathology, and measurement of serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IgM by ELISA. Infection induced robust elevations of IFN-γ and TNF-α, confirming a dominant Th1 response essential for early parasite control. IL-10 level increased concurrently, indicating activation of a compensatory regulatory axis. IL-10 neutralization dramatically reshaped disease outcomes: anti-IL-10-treated mice exhibited significantly reduced cerebral cyst burdens and heightened IgM levels, accompanied by pronounced amplification of IFN-γ and TNF-α response. Network analysis revealed strong positive coupling between IFN-γ and TNF-α, while IL-10 displayed marked negative correlations with both cytokines, identifying IL-10 as a master suppressor of inflammatory immunity. However, IL-10 blockades resulted in severe hepatic and neural tissue damage, demonstrating the cost of unrestrained inflammation. IL-10 mediates a crucial balance in toxoplasmosis by suppressing protective Th1 immunity to allow parasite persistence while preventing lethal immunopathology, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in severe or reactivated disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 3","pages":"9-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148438272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Defensins (HAD-1/HBD-1) as novel immune biomarkers in chronic hepatitis C: Association with inflammatory and antiviral cytokines and ROC-based diagnostic accuracy.","authors":"Ahmed T Enad, Al-Zahraa J Jassim, Thuraya K Alwandawi, Ruqaya K Abbas","doi":"10.55133/eji.330308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55133/eji.330308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with prolonged immune activation and systemic inflammation, which may be reflected in circulating immune mediators. Defensins and cytokines have emerged as potential biomarkers for monitoring immune dysregulation in chronic viral hepatitis. This study aimed to monitoring serum levels of human α-defensin-1 (HAD-1) and human β-defensin-1 (HBD-1) with selected cytokines (IL-6, IL-28, TNF-α, and IFN-) in Iraqi patients with chronic HCV and to evaluate their diagnostic performance by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted in Iraq during February-November 2025. It included 100 laboratory-confirmed chronic HCV patients and 50 normal controls. Serum HAD-1, HBD-1, IL-6, IL-28, TNF-α, and IFN- were measured by ELISA. Hematological indices and liver function markers were also analyzed. HCV patients showed significantly increased HAD-1 and HBD-1 levels compared with controls (p< 0.01). Cytokine profiling revealed markedly elevated IL-6, IL-28, TNF-α, and IFN- levels in patients, indicating strong activation of inflammatory and antiviral immune pathways (p<0.01). ROC curve analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance of defensins and cytokines to distinguish chronic HCV patients from controls, with area under the curve values ranging from 0.849 to 0.950 units. In conclusion, the circulation of defensins and inflammatory cytokines is markedly up-regulated in chronic HCV and has high diagnostic utility indicating their potential as immune biomarkers for chronic HCV-related inflammation and immune dysregulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 3","pages":"72-81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148593872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating correlation between microRNA-146a gene expression and TNF-α levels among rheumatoid arthritis patients in Babylon province.","authors":"Zainab N Nabat, Mahdi H Alammar","doi":"10.55133/eji.330203","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive autoimmune disorder driven by immune cell and cytokine interactions. This case-control study investigated microRNA-146a (miRNA-146a) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as prognostic markers in RA patients. Fifty RA patients from Marjan Hospital (Babylon) and 50 controls were enrolled. Serum TNF-α was measured by ELISA, and miRNA-146a expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in RA patients compared to controls (p<0.0001), with the highest levels in stage IV RA. miRNA-146a expression was also significantly upregulated in RA patients (p<0.0001). A positive correlation was observed between miRNA-146a expression and TNF-α levels (r=0.374, p=0.008). These findings suggest TNF-α as a central mediator of RA inflammation and miRNA-146a as a potential biomarker of disease progression and therapeutic target.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"23-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of CD19+ CD24+CD27 B cell and serum level of interleukin 10 and interleukin 35 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.","authors":"Nashwa S M Abdeen, Reham M A Abdalla, Heba M A Abdalla, Maha S Elnady, Samar A Tabra, Esraa Elshintenawy, Elham M Elbarky, Basant S Kasem, Reem M Awny, Rania S Amer","doi":"10.55133/eji.330204","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Regulatory B cells (Bregs) maintain immune homeostasis through anti-inflammatory cytokine production, yet their role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains poorly understood. This study evaluated CD19+CD24highCD27+ B cell frequencies and serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-35 (IL-35) in 40 SLE patients compared to 25 controls. Active SLE patients showed significantly reduced CD19+CD24highCD27+ B cells (23.20×106) compared to controls (56.40×106, p<0.001). IL-35 levels were decreased in active disease (54.04±8.10 pg/ml) versus inactive disease (83.38±20.05 pg/ml) and controls (89.04±10.86 pg/ml, p<0.001). IL-10 concentrations were elevated in active patients (4.44±1.27 pg/ml) compared to inactive and controls (1.95±0.56 and 2.03±0.61 pg/ml, p<0.001). Strong correlations were observed between regulatory B cell counts and SLEDAI scores (r=-0.547, p<0.001). In conclusion, active SLE is characterized by impaired regulatory B cell populations and dysregulated cytokine profiles, with reduced IL-35 and elevated IL-10 levels correlated with disease activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"33-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inflammatory markers in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration (HDF), early post-renal transplant patients, and their relation to quality of life (SGA Score).","authors":"Hesham ElSayed, Aber Halim, Abdelrahman Elbraky, Mohamed Abd El-Mohsen, Meryhan Osama, Magdy ElSharkawy","doi":"10.55133/eji.330206","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis (MIA) syndrome, persistent inflammation, and protein-energy wasting, which adversely affect nutritional status and quality of life. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammation, while circulating microRNA-223 (miR-223) represents a novel epigenetic biomarker in CKD. This study investigated associations between hs-CRP, miR-223, and nutritional status (SGA score) in 75 end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients: 25 on hemodialysis (HD), 25 on hemodiafiltration (HDF), and 25 kidney transplant recipients, with 10 healthy controls for miR-223 reference. hs-CRP was significantly higher in HD patients (median 14.2 mg/L) compared with HDF (6.3 mg/L) and transplant recipients (5.2 mg/L, p=0.003). miR-223 expression was downregulated in dialysis groups but improved post-transplant, approaching healthy controls. Nutritional status differed significantly: 100% of transplant recipients were well-nourished (SGA Class A) compared with 76% in HDF and 32% in HD. In conclusion, kidney transplantation is associated with lower inflammatory burden and better nutritional status than dialysis modalities. Reduced miR-223 in dialysis patients and its improvement after transplantation suggest a protective role in CKD pathophysiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"58-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The value of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) measurement in the detection of bacterial urinary tract infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria patients.","authors":"Mariam E E Sarhan, Raafat A Abd Eltwab, Safia A Elgamal, Amr M A Alkhrsawy","doi":"10.55133/eji.330207","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections, while asymptomatic bacteriuria involves bacterial presence without symptoms. Diagnosing UTIs can be challenging, leading to complications or antibiotic misuse. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), an early proinflammatory cytokine detected in urine, shows potential as a rapid diagnostic biomarker. This study investigated urinary IL-1β levels in symptomatic UTI patients, asymptomatic bacteriuria, and controls, and compared IL-1β levels between multidrug-resistant (MDR) and drug-sensitive infections. A total of 150 subjects were enrolled: 50 symptomatic UTIs, 50 asymptomatic bacteriuria, and 50 controls. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cefotaxime, amikacin, and cefixime showed good sensitivity, with cefixime more effective in asymptomatic bacteriuria. IL-1β levels were significantly higher in symptomatic UTIs, followed by asymptomatic bacteriuria, and lowest in controls. The highest IL-1β levels were associated with E. coli infections and MDR strains. In conclusion, urinary IL-1β is a promising biomarker for UTI diagnosis, distinguishing cases from controls and correlating with bacterial resistance patterns, supporting its incorporation into clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"76-85"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relation between sirtuin-1 activity and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) status post allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT): Prospective study.","authors":"Rana G Abdelfatah, Mohamed M Mousa, Nermen A Nabeeh, Ahmed S F Diab, Ibtesam M Khalifa","doi":"10.55133/eji.330208","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). This prospective study investigated the role of sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1) activity in GVHD pathogenesis. Thirty patients post-HSCT were enrolled: 15 with GVHD and 15 without, alongside 10 controls. Serum Sirt-1 levels were significantly elevated in GVHD-positive patients (mean 24.6 ± 14.8) compared to GVHD-negative patients (10.8 ± 11.9). ROC curve analysis identified a cutoff >15.8 with 73.3% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity for GVHD detection. Positive correlations were observed between Sirt-1 and ALT, while negative correlations were found with total protein. In conclusion, elevated Sirt-1 levels are associated with GVHD, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker with high specificity.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"86-95"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trichinella spiralis - induced modulation of IFN-γ and TGF-β shapes host immunity to support chronic infection.","authors":"A'laa F A Elsaid, Ibrahim R Shalash, Mona M El-Derbawy, Mohammed S El Faramawy, Tarek K Zaalouk","doi":"10.55133/eji.330201","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330201","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichinella spiralis is a widely prevalent foodborne helminth that establishes chronic infection through modulation of host immunity. This study investigated the temporal dynamics of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and intestinal TGF-β receptor II expression during experimental infection and examined their relationship to parasite burden and tissue pathology. Forty Swiss albino mice were orally infected with 250-300 larvae and sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-infection. Adult worms and muscle larvae were quantified, serum cytokines measured by ELISA, and intestinal TGF-β receptor II expression evaluated immunohistochemically. Adult worm burden peaked at 7 dpi and declined sharply thereafter, with clearance by 28 dpi. Muscle larvae accumulated progressively, reaching ~1 × 10⁴ larvae/mouse at 28 dpi. IFN-γ peaked at 7 dpi then declined, while TGF-β increased steadily and remained elevated during the muscle phase. A significant negative correlation was observed between IFN-γ and TGF-β (r = -0.42, p=0.012). TGF-β receptor II expression was up-regulated at 3-14 dpi and declined by 28 dpi. Histopathology revealed pronounced intestinal inflammation at 7-14 dpi with restoration by 28 dpi, while skeletal muscle displayed nurse cell-larva complexes. Findings demonstrate a coordinated shift from early IFN-γ-mediated inflammation to sustained TGF-β-driven regulation, supporting parasite persistence and limiting tissue injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immune cytokine imbalance and hematological disturbances in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.","authors":"Safa S Fayez, Rana T Mohsen, Al-Moghira K Al-Qaysi","doi":"10.55133/eji.330202","DOIUrl":"10.55133/eji.330202","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lupus nephritis is a severe condition that develops due to immune complex deposition on renal tissues, contributing to disease progression and long-term complications. This study assessed 40 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 40 healthy controls. Serum interleukin-39 (IL-39) levels were measured, hematological parameters analyzed, and genetic sequencing performed. IL-39 was significantly elevated in SLE patients compared to controls (p<0.0011), correlating strongly with disease activity. Hemoglobin levels were reduced (p<0.01), while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was markedly increased (p<0.001). These findings highlight IL-39 as a potential biomarker for disease severity and progression in SLE, linking cytokine imbalance with hematological disturbances. In conclusion, IL-39 may serve as a valuable indicator for monitoring SLE activity and guiding treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":39724,"journal":{"name":"The Egyptian journal of immunology / Egyptian Association of Immunologists","volume":"33 2","pages":"14-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147663476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}