1. | Cover Page I |
EDITORIAL | |
2. | Editorial Günnur Deniz Page II |
REVIEW ARTICLE | |
3. | The Efficacy of Chimeric Antigen Therapy in Viral Infectious Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Hossein Hatami, Elnaz Ataei, Mohammadjavad Nasiri, Hamed Ghorani doi: 10.4274/tji.galenos.2024.92063 Pages 84 - 91 Infectious diseases are among the most important global health problems, and their burden on society is wide. It is shown that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy can fight viral infectious diseases in many aspects. This systematic review investigated the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy against viral infections. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Central Library, and Embase up to May 2024. Keywords such as CAR T-cell therapy, viral, virus, and infection were used to identify relevant studies. In the identification stage, a comprehensive search across databases, including Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Central Library, and Embase, identified 12183 papers. Finally, 7 articles with total of 134 individuals were examined. Three studies investigated the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The primary objectives of these trials were to assess the safety and feasibility of adoptive transfer of CAR T-cells in patients with viral infections. The aforementioned results demonstrate the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in targeting viral antigens and inhibiting viral replication, providing possible treatment options for long-term infectious illnesses like HIV, HBV, and CMV. These findings show the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in infectious diseases, but the data are limited. To maximize the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy and clarify its long-term effectiveness in the treatment of infectious diseases, more investigation and clinical studies are required. |
ORIGINAL RESEARCH | |
4. | Correlation Between Vitamin D3 Levels, Autoantibodies, and Antibody-Related Diseases in Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Ali Saad Kadhim, Abdullah Salim Al-Karawi doi: 10.4274/tji.galenos.2024.65982 Pages 92 - 97 Objective: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoantibodies condition that impact on the thyroid gland. In this disorder, several autoantibodies play an essential role in the dysfunction of the thyroid, including the metabolism of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 VitD3)-XP, and leading to contributed to the development of related autoimmune diseases. The aim of current study to explore the important correlation between 1,25 VitD3 deficiency and specific types of autoantibodies in the patients. Materials and Methods: The current involved 150 male’s patients, aged 25-50 years, who were compared with same numbers and aged of as healthy controls. Various biomarkers to thyroid gland were measured, including thyroid -stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (T3). In additionally, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (TG), TSH receptor antibodies (TRAbs) and 1,25VitD3 were measured. These biomarkers were measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay technique (ECL). Furthermore, the level of antibodies against VitD3, extractable nuclear antigens m immunoglobulin G4 related disease (IgG4-RD), and glycoprotein 120 were assessed by IDS-system. Results: This study indicated that blood group B was most commonly associated with HT. Moreover, the concentration of the 1,25 VitD3 was significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control, with level of 3.5 ± 0.1, 35.9 ± 0.3 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, an inverse positive correlation in the increased concentrations of TRAbs, TG, and TPO (r=-0.98, -0.66, -0.75) autoantibodies and the low levels of 1,25 VitD3 were detected. Likewise, a strong direct correlation (r=+0.98) was observed in the increased concentrations of both anti-TSH and anti-VitD3. Finally, IgG4-RD had a significantly positive association with the concentrations of 1,25 VitD3-XP, and TSH in patients with a highly significant difference (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggested a significant positive correlation between increased levels of autoantibodies, antibody-related diseases, and low 1,25 VitD3 levels. |
5. | Cyclosporin, Tacrolimus, Mycophenolic Acid, and Dexamethasone Suppress Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Proliferation and Inhibit Interferon-Gamma, IL-10 and IL-13 Production In Vitro Abdel-Rahman Youssef doi: 10.4274/tji.galenos.2024.84803 Pages 98 - 105 Objective: The primary goals of immunosuppressive therapy are to prevent graft rejection and to improve graft and patient survival. Long-term maintenance therapy after kidney transplantation includes cyclosporine A (CsA), tacrolimus (FK506), mycophenolic acid (MPA), and dexamethasone (Dex). This study aimed to determine the effects of these immunosuppressants on the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-13 in vitro. Materials and Methods: Human PBMC were isolated and stimulated with an immobilized anti-CD3 (OKT3) monoclonal antibody in the absence (control) or presence of immunosuppressants. Additionally, unstimulated cells were cultured without anti-CD3 or immunosuppressants. On day 3 of cell culture, PBMC proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation, and cytokine production of IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-13 was measured by ELISA. Results: CsA, FK506, MPA, and Dex inhibited PBMC proliferation and the production of IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-13. CsA (100-1000 ng/ mL) and FK506 (1-10 ng/mL) inhibited PBMC proliferation significantly (p<0.05). All concentrations of MPA (0.01-10 μg/mL) and Dex (10-4-10-8 M) inhibited PBMC proliferation (p<0.05). High doses of CsA (100 ng/mL), MPA (1000 ng/mL), FK506 (10 ng/mL), and Dex (10-7 M) significantly inhibited IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-13 significantly inhibited (p<0.05), while low-dose MPA (10 ng/mL) significantly increased IL-10 and IL-13 levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: The maintenance immunosuppressive regimen at therapeutically relevant concentrations including CsA (100 ng/mL), FK506 (10 ng/ mL), MPA (1 μg/mL), and Dex (10-6-10-7 M) suppressed PBMC proliferation and inhibited IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-13 production in vitro. |
6. | The Expression of Thymic AQP7 and Perilipin 1 (PLIN1) in Rats Fed a High-Fructose Diet is Modified by Voluntary Physical Activity Jülide Tozkır, Nihayet Fırat, Ebru Göncü, Onur Ersoy, Pınar Tayfur, Orkide Palabıyık doi: 10.4274/tji.galenos.2024.93063 Pages 106 - 113 Objective: Aquaporins (AQPs) are a large family of proteins that help transport water and small molecules. AQP7 is an AQP responsible for the extracellular transport of glycerol produced by lipolysis in adipocytes. Perilipin 1 (PLIN1) regulates lipolysis on the surface of lipid droplets in adipocytes and promotes the transport of glycerol out of the cell via AQP7. It is not known exactly how AQP are regulated in thymic tissue. The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression status of AQP7 and PLIN1 in thymic tissue during thymic involution and to determine how these expression patterns are affected by high-fructose diet and voluntary physical activity. Materials and Methods: In this study, 18 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: control (C), fructose (F), and fructose + physical activity (FA). Fructose was added at 20% to the drinking water of the F and FA groups. At the end of 8 weeks, rats were euthanized under appropriate conditions, and tissue and blood samples were collected. Histological evaluation of the thymus was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression levels of AQP7 and PLIN1 were determined real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using appropriate primers. Results: The weight of the thymus tissue decreased in the FA group compared with that in the F group due to exercise (p=0.015), but the cortex and medulla structure were histologically preserved. AQP7 was significantly decreased in the F group compared with the C and FA groups (p=0.0079 and p=0.0127, respectively). Conclusion: AQPs and their associated molecules can be strategic targets for slowing or reversing thymic involution. |
7. | Evaluation of the Anti-Cancer Efficacy of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition in Combination with Nutrient Starvation on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma In Vitro Ayşe Nur Çaldıran, Gizem Gürel, Başak Aru doi: 10.4274/tji.galenos.2025.29290 Pages 114 - 124 Objective: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths. Despite the advancements in cancer management, novel targets to improve treatment outcomes for PDAC are still needed. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer efficacy of nonselective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac on PDAC in vitro, either alone or in combination with starvation. Materials and Methods: Two different PDAC cell lines, PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2, were treated with diclofenac either alone or after starvation with culture medium or Hank’s balanced salt solution. Apoptosis, autophagy and cyclooxygenase (COX) levels were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: Diclofenac decreased both COX isoforms compared to untreated cells. However, the differences in COX-2 levels between starvation modalities were not significant. Furthermore, starvation followed by diclofenac treatment did not decrease COX-2 levels in the PDAC cell lines tested compared to diclofenac treatment alone. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that diclofenac treatment can induce apoptosis in PDAC by suppressing both COX-1 and COX-2 levels, although starvation does not have a major impact on its anticancer efficacy. Further studies should focus on determining the optimal duration of starvation prior to NSAID treatment. In addition, the combinatorial effects of starvation and NSAID treatment with conventional treatment options for PDAC should be evaluated. |
OTHER | |
8. | 2024 Referee Index Page E1 Abstract | |
9. | 2024 Author Index Page E2 Abstract | |
10. | 2024 Subject Index Page E3 Abstract | |