Journal of

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Introduction: HTLV-1 , the first known human retrovirus belongs to oncovirus subfamily of retroviruses. The major characteristic of HTLV-1 is its highly restricted geographic prevalence. Northern part of Khorasan is an endemic region of HTLV-1 infection. Epidemiological studies can help in designing preventive programs for HTLV-1 infection. The aim of this study was the establishment of a PCR technique for determination of HTLV-1 infection in paraffin-embedded tissues. Methods: In this experimental laboratory study for establishment of a technique, PCR was initially optimized using Beta-actin primers on various formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from liver, spleen, skin and lymph nodes. The optimized concentration of Mgcl2 was 2mm, primer was 8 pmol. Optimized concentration of DNA was different according to the kind of tissue. HTLV-1 infection was determined by applying tax, pol, env and LTR primers on 50 paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues . The reporoducibility of this technique was shown for skin and lymph node tissues infected with HTLV-1. Resuls: In 50 lymph node tissues, one case with pathologic diagnosis of NHL was positive with all 5 sets of primers (tax, Pol, env and LTR primers) and the other case was positive with only two sets of tax primers but was negative with pol, env and LTR primers. The prevalence of infection was 2% among lymph node specimens. (1 of 50 specimens ) and if the second case is considered, the prevalence would be 4%. Conclusion: Comparison of the results of this study with another study on blood specimens (seroprevalence2.3%) was not statistically significant thus confirming the results of one another. (P=0.883)

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Introduction: Undoubtedly, reproduction is a necessity for survival and successful pregnancy is an immunological paradox. In the present study, we investigated the proportional changes of CD4+CD25bright T cells, CD4+CD25dim T cells in peripheral blood in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA) and compared it with normal pregnant women by antibody monoclonal method. Methods: The study group comprised of women with miscarriages of unexplained etiology who had normal karyotypes, anticardiolipin antibodies, prolactin levels and normal spousal spermograms. They did not have polycystic ovaries and also did not receive any drugs at the time of the study. PBLs lymphocytes were isolated, then FITC-conjugated and anti-CD4 and PE-conjugated anti-CD25 antibody levels were measured. Then results of the study and control group were analyzed and compared. Results: The absolute number of CD25 bright cells in the CD4‏+T cells in peripheral blood was statistically significantly lower in the study group as compared to the control group(P=0.000). The absolute number of CD4+CD25dimT cells in peripheral blood was statistically significantly higher in the study group as compared to the control group (P=0.000). Conclusion: As decrease in the number of CD4+CD25+Tcells or their functional deficiency may be linked with miscarriage, CD4+CD25+‏ Tells could serve as a novel biomarker for monitoring in URSA patients, but more studies are needed in this field.

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Introduction: Immunological processes are most important in recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA). According to studies T lymphocytes and natural killer cells(NK cells) are two effective cell groups in RSA. The aim of this study was to investigate the percentage and absolute number of natural killer(NK) cells in women with RSA with unknown etiology. Methods: 24 Women with a history of recurrent pregnancy losses with unknown etiology. We compared the percentage of peripheral blood NK cells with a group of fertile patients. Lymphocytes from peripheral blood were isolated by ficoll paque density centrifugation. Lymphocytes were stained using anti CD56 and(FITC)-anti CD16 and CYQ-CD3 monoclonal antibodies for identification of NK cells and was used anti CD56 and(FITC)-anti CD69 for detection of activated NK cells. We used BD FACS calibure flow cytometry for data analysis. Results: On the basis of the obtained results, absolute number of CD16+56+ cells showed significant increases in Recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA) in comparison with control group(P= 0.43). Also absolute number of CD16+56bright cells had significant increase in RSA(P=0.00). There was no significant difference(P= 0.08) of CD16+56dim cells between RSA and control group. In RSA, the absolute number of CD69+cells significantly increased(P=0.02). Also, results showed significant increase in the absolute number of CD56+/CD69+ cells in RSA(P=0.04). Conclusion: The results suggested that the higher percentage of NK cells in peripheral blood of RSA patients compared to control group may indicate the same increase in number and cytotoxicity of uterin NK cells.