Human immunology
-
Genetic risk factors are known to contribute to the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin (IL)-4 gene polymorphisms have been associated with immune-mediated diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) polymorphism in a cohort of Turkish patients with MS. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that intron 3 VNTR polymorphism of the IL-4 gene was positively associated with predisposition to develop MS in Turkish population.
-
Although short-term graft survival has been improved by recent desensitization protocols including B cell depletion therapy, little is known about risk factors of chronic antibody-mediated rejection (CAMR) in HLA-incompatible (HLA-I) renal transplantation (RTx). Twenty-six HLA-I RTx with positive donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and negative T cell cytotoxic crossmatches were compared with 88 ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) and 207 ABO-identical/compatible (ABO-Id/C) RTx. The desensitization therapy consisted of mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab and double-filtration plasmapheresis. ⋯ In addition, the remaining DRB ± DQB DSA caused CAMR in 80% of patients, while DQB DSA alone did not. The progress of subclinical CAMR within 1 year could not be circumvented by rituximab. Sustained class II (DRB ± DQB) DSA detection after RTx may pose a potential risk for developing CAMR, but negative change in class I DSA could also elicit CAMR.
-
Meta Analysis
Association between CTLA-4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to Celiac disease: a meta-analysis.
The study explored whether cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to Celiac disease (CD). ⋯ The CTLA-4 CT60 A/G polymorphism was associated with CD susceptibility, but no association was found between CTLA-4 +49 A/G and -318 C/T polymorphisms and CD in Europeans.