Open Access

SHORT REVIEW

Helia Mojtabavi^1,2, Amene Saghazadeh^1,2, Nima Rezaei^2,3,4
European Cytokine Network, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 44-49, 2020, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2020.0448
Abstract Background: Evidence links COVID-19 severity to hyper-inflammation. Treatment with tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, was shown to lead to clinical improvement in patients with severe COVID-19. We, therefore, performed the present systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate whether the circulating levels of IL-6 is a reliable indicator of disease severity among patients affected with COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar on April 19, 2020. Results: Eleven studies provided data of IL-6 levels in patients with severe to critical COVID-19 (severe)… More >

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Open Access

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Yishay Szekely, Merav Ingbir, Ohad S. Bentur, Ohad Hochner, Reuven Porat
European Cytokine Network, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 50-58, 2020, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2020.0445
Abstract Natural cannabinoids may have beneficial effects on various tissues and functions including a positive influence on the immune system and the inflammatory process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of natural cannabinoids on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole human blood cells. Levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured before and after exposure of LPS-stimulated whole blood to different concentrations of Cannabidiol (CBD) or a combination of CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extract. LPS stimulated the production of the pro-inflammatory… More >

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Open Access

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Esther Mun Huieh Thou¹, Quok Cheong Choo², Choy Hoong Chew¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 59-67, 2020, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2020.0446
Abstract Atherosclerosis is initiated when lipoproteins are trapped by proteoglycans in the arterial intima. Macrophages play a vital role in this disease, especially in the formation of foam cells and the regulation of pro-inflammatory responses. They also participate in plaque stabilization through the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Studies have reported the role of ADAMTS proteases in osteoarthritis and atherosclerotic lesions. In the present study, we have studied the effect of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) on the expression of ADAMTS-5 in the macrophage cell line THP-1. The results show that the mRNA and protein expression levels of ADAMTS-5 were More >

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Open Access

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Parisa Karimzadeh^a, Zahra Faghih^a, Negin Rahmani, Fatemeh Eghbali, Mahboobeh Razmkhah
European Cytokine Network, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 68-74, 2020, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2020.0447
Abstract Introduction and aim: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the top three common cancers in women, responsible for nearly one-third of all new cancer diagnoses. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in BC progression. In this study, we aimed to measure the serum concentrations of eight angiogenic factors in BC patients and healthy controls and to assess their correlation with clinicopathological variables. Methods: In a case-control study, 62 pathologically confirmed BC patients as well as 54 age-matched controls were recruited. A bead-based immunoassay was used to measure serum levels of VEGF-A, ANG-2, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, EGF, TGF-α,… More >

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