YONGDAE YOON^1,#, SOONJAE HWANG^1,2,#, FATEMA TUJ SAIMA^3,#, MOON YOUNG KIM^1,3,4, SOON KOO BAIK^1,3,4,*, YOUNG WOO EOM^1,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.3, pp. 669-676, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025365 - 03 January 2023

Abstract Background: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are closely involved in the initiation, perpetuation, and resolution of liver fibrosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are positively correlated with the transition from liver injury to fibrogenesis and contribute to HSC pathophysiology in liver fibrosis. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β on the proliferation and signaling pathways involved in fibrogenesis in LX-2 cells, an HSC cell line, using western blotting and cell proliferation assays. Results: IL-1β increased the proliferation rate and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression of LX-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Within… More >

Laleh Sharifi^1,2, Asghar Aghamohammadi^1,3, Nima Rezaei^3,4,5, Reza Yazdani¹, Farhad Rezaei⁶, Saied Bokaie⁷, Farzaneh Tofighi Zavareh^2,8, Fatemeh Kiaee³, Ali N. Kamali⁹, Gholamreza Azizi¹⁰, Abbas Mirshafiey^1,8

European Cytokine Network, Vol.30, No.4, pp. 123-129, 2019, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2019.0435

Abstract Introduction: Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic form of primary immunodeficiencies. Current research data show altered B cells, TLRs, and cytokine profile in CVID patients. The aim of this study was to determine levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in CVID patients in response to TLRs stimulation and the association of these cytokines with subtypes of B cells and response to Pneumovax-23 vaccination. Method: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CIVD patients were stimulated with and without TLR2 and TLR4 agonist and specific inhibitors including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic (LTA), and OxPAPC. The levels of… More >

VANINA ANDREA FONTANA¹, MELISA SANCHEZ¹, ELISA CEBRAL² AND JUAN CARLOS CALVO^1,3*

BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 37-44, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.037

Abstract Implantation is one of the most regulated processes in human reproduction, by endocrine and immunological systems. Cytokines are involved in embryo-maternal communication and an impaired balance could result in pregnancy loss. Here we investigated the effect of interleukin 1-β on the activity of two important metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) that are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling as well as the secretion of leptin, one of the reproductive hormones actively regulating their activity and secretion. We found that IL-1β activates matrix metalloproteinase activity as well as increases leptin secretion. We propose that this interleukin, through the More >