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Aim: The study aims to show that sodium selenite (Ss) would have an immunomodulatory effect on the functional activity of proinflammatory macrophages (Mφs) during their extended extracellular activation at the onset of human type 1 diabetes (T1D). Background: Exacerbated activation of proinflammatory “M1” macrophages (Mϕs) can promote chronic local pancreatic islet inflammation and T1D development. Objective: We investigated the ex vivo effects of Ss on the immune modulation of global/extended activation of human proinflammatory M1-like Mϕs. Methods: Experiments were carried out on primary monocytes-derived Mϕs (MDMs). Results: The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, H2O2 and intracellular free calcium ions (ifCa2+), and the ratios of IL-1β-to-IL-10 and TNF-α-to-IL-10 were markedly increased in T1D Mϕs than in healthy control Mϕs. Conversely, both IL-10 production and arginase 1 (ARG1) activity were downregulated in T1D Mϕs. Additionally, Ss treatment induced a marked downregulation of respiratory burst, ifCa2+ levels, M1-like Mϕ-associated inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) activity, cell necrosis and related necroinflammation biomarkers, including IL-1β and TNF-α, CD14 expression, and the ratios of iNOS-to-ARG1, IL-1β-to-IL-10, and TNF-α-to-IL-10. Moreover, Ss upregulated anti-inflammatory “M2-like” Mϕ activity as demonstrated by ARG1 activity and IL-10 production, as well as phagocytosis capacity. Conclusions: Ss exerts a potent immunomodulatory role on functional activities of human proinflammatory T1D M1-like Mϕs subjected to extended activation, as well as on the M1-like/M2-like dichotomy. Additionally, the current study provides a novel therapeutic approach using Ss to promote the anti-inflammatory function of Mϕs at the onset of T1D.

The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has greatly expanded our understanding of both the clinical spectra and genetic landscape of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs). As history has shown and recent large-scale studies of monogenic risk for severe COVID have confirmed, endogamous populations may be enriched for unique, ancestry-specific disease-causing variants as a consequence of geography and/or culture. From a diagnostic perspective, this consideration may significantly impact molecular testing and analysis strategies. Herein, we report on the diagnostic yield of a 2-step NGS-based testing approach beginning with targeted gene panels (TGPs) and reflexing to whole exome sequencing (WES) if negative for Northwest Algerian patients with suspected IEIs. A total of fourteen families were screened using TGPs tailored to their IEI subtypes of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC)-hyperIgE syndrome (HIES), resulting in a total of four definitive or highly likely molecular diagnoses (29% yield). Subsequent application of WES to eight of the ten remaining unsolved cases yielded an additional four diagnoses, giving a 57% overall yield. At least two additional individuals were found to harbor suggestive candidate variants on exome warranting further investigation, while others carried candidate variants or known risk alleles likely contributing to their clinical findings. Only in one patient’s case did we fail to identify any viable potential candidates. By achieving diagnostic yields comparable to those currently quoted for application of short-read NGS to IEI detection, our study demonstrates the viability of a 2-step NGS-based testing strategy in a selected endogamous population. Data from our localized cohort also showed some similarities and differences from NGS studies performed on larger regional IEI cohorts. Finally, our results also highlight many short-comings currently inherent to the application of genomics for clinical IEI diagnostics. Not only does the global community need to address ongoing inequities in representation, access, and infrastructure, but the ability to obtain precise and detailed clinical data remains paramount for achieving diagnostic certainty in the face of complex genotype-phenotype relationships.

BackgroundA great number of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from physiological Vitamin D (VD) deficiency, which has been associated to the sun exposure and, consequently, to the risk of the development of various autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the association of the disease with VD intake and sun exposure have yet to be explored.Materials and methodsWe conducted a food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall food survey, using “Ciqual table 2016” in 335 type 1 diabetic and age- and gender-matched healthy Algerian school children and teenager pupils from sunny Saharan and relatively less sunny Northern regions, aged between 5 and 19 years old.ResultsBoth dietary VD intake and VD levels were similar in T1D patients when comparing between North and South regions (for the two comparisons, p > 0.05). Neither sun exposure, nor VD intake was associated with the disease (respectively, relative risk [RR] = 1.050, p = 0.680; RR = 1.082, p = 1.000. For Cochran and Mantel-Haenszel analysis; RR = 0.841, p = 0.862). VD intake showed a significant difference between diabetics and non-diabetics in sunny region (p = 0.022). Additionally, significant differences were highlighted between normal and T1D schoolboys (p = 0.038), and when comparing the two groups according to the dry areas (p = 0.016). Moreover, in contrast with the levels of circulating VD, which is decreased in T1D patients than in healthy controls, those of VD intake was significantly higher (p < 0.05), especially in male patients and in those with balanced diet, poor protein or carbohydrate consumption, a particular food intolerance, and a regular meal (p < 0.05), as well as in patients with a moderate or low consumption of cooked meals or steamed food (p < 0.01). Conversely, VD intake was markedly lower in type 1 diabetics than in controls regarding dry sunny region, including Adrar area, as well as in low fatty foods and eggs consumption (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Nevertheless, relative risk of sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake according to the WHO standard showed no significant association with T1D (common Mantel-Haenszel estimation, RR = 0.841, 95% CI 0.118-5.973, p > 0.05).ConclusionsT1D seems to be not associated with VD intake and sun exposure in the Algerian Sahara region. Therefore, the consumption of VD in T1D patients from the Algerian Sahara would suspect that its association with the disease would be related to its synthesis alteration.

Introduction: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is part of the lympho-proliferative syndromes, it is a heterogeneous group of tumors whose incidence has been increasing in recent years. A disruption of protein and lipid profiles is verified during this pathology as well as an increase in the levels of specific markers of inflammation. Objective: Our study aims to explore protein and lipid profiles and highlight an inflammatory syndrome via the assay of parameters of acute inflammation in patients with NHL and healthy subjects in western Algeria. Methods: A case-control study comprising 100 patients with NHL and 40 healthy subjects was carried out. Protein and lipid profiles were respectively studied by assays for total protein and globulins and analysis of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The inflammatory status was demonstrated by studying two parameters: C reactive protein (CRP) and sedimentation rate (VS). Results: Our results demonstrated an increase in alpha1-globulin and a decrease in gamma-globulin in patients compared to controls (p

Background Red blood cells (RBCs) can have a modulatory effect on immune cells; so changes in their dynamism could considerably influence their physiology, and consequently the immune activities of neighbouring cells, like natural killer (NK) cells. Herein, we studied the effect of both RBCs and lack of cell movement on the proliferation, survival and regulation of peripheral IL-2-stimulated NK cells from normal and solid malignant conditions. Methods Experiments were conducted on twelve cell culture groups, including NK cells from patients with solid malignant tumor or healthy controls, cultured alone or with autologous or nonautologous RBCs under shaking or no shaking conditions. Results NK cells from neoplastic patients behaved differently depending on the culture conditions including shaking and/or RBCs presence. Therefore, NK cells survival was downregulated in the absence of shaking; whereas, shaking have not only upregulated cell survival, but also downregulated the levels of p53-related apoptosis. Moreover, RBCs enhanced NK cells proliferation; while, this effect was modulated by shaking. Furthermore, RBCs can generate opposite effects on the production and modulation of protumoral or immunosuppressive cytokines, depending on the origin of NK cells, i.e., whether they derive from healthy or solid malignant tumor conditions. Finally, NK cells become able to express Foxp3 regulatory marker when combining three main conditions that include (i) treatment with high dose of IL-2, (ii) presence of RBCs, and (iii) absence of shaking. Conclusions Our outcomes showed for the first time that cell stagnation would be markedly involved in peripheral NK cell apoptosis, as well as in switching toward a regulatory phenotype-induced Foxp3. Cell movement may be one of ex vivo potential approaches in boosting the activities and survival of such cells during solid cancer.

ObjectivesWe examined the influence of the ex vivo combination therapy of metformin (Met, 1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride) with sodium selenite (Ss, Na2SeO3) on the changes in the production of nitric oxide (NO) and selected cytokines by circulating monocytes (MOs) during T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).MethodsAssays were performed on MO cell samples isolated from children with T-ALL.ResultsMet+Ss combination therapy reversed the Ss effect on the upregulation of NO production. Both Met+Ss and Ss treatment alone induced a significant downregulation of extracellular calcium ions consumption (ecCa2+) levels. Additionally, Met treatment induced a significant upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α production; such effects were significantly reversed after combination with Ss treatment. Moreover, Met+Ss induced no significant effect on the production of IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α, but a slight increase in IFN-γ levels. Furthermore, treatment with Ss alone induced a slight increase of IFN-γ. Finally, Met+Ss induced a marked upregulation of relative Bcl-2 expression in MOs.ConclusionsMet+Ss combination therapy results in downregulation of NO production, IL-1β and TNF-α release as well as in upregulation of the relative expression levels of Bcl-2-associated survival of primary MOs in human T-ALL.

Background: Monocytes are the main blood innate mononuclear phagocyte and one of the most important effector cells expressing Fcγ receptor, which is critical for the interaction with Fc domain of antibodies. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Rituximab (RTX, a chimeric human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) on the functional activities of Monocytes (MOs) at the onset of human Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Methods: MOs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from volunteer patients with recent-onset T1D and healthy control donors. Results: The levels of the production of Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 were significantly increased in MOs from patients with T1D when compared to MOs from healthy controls (respectively, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Similarly, Interferon γ (IFN-γ), and intracellular free Calcium Ion (ifCa2+) levels were increased in T1D MOs than in control MOs, but the difference did not reach a significant level. Conversely, the production levels of IL-4 and catalase activity, as well as of both phagocytosis and killing capacities were decreased in MOs of T1D patients compared to MOs from healthy controls, but the difference was not significant for catalase activity and killing capacity (respectively, p < 0.01, p > 0.05, p < 0.01, and p > 0.05). Additionally, treatment with RTX significantly upregulated phagocytosis (p < 0.05), markedly downregulated the release of IL-1β (p < 0.01), ifCa2+, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and slightly downregulated the Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) activity, NOS activity-to-arginase activity ratio, the levels of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)-based cytotoxicity, and the production of IL-6 and IFN-γ. Moreover, RTX treatment significantly upregulated the production of IL-4 (p < 0.05), IL-10 (p < 0.01) and the catalase activity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study has shown for the first time that RTX can reverse the abnormal functional activities of MOs as well as their production of proinflammatory cytokines at the onset of T1D. From a therapeutic point of view, RTX may potentially be suggested at the beginning of T1D to immunomodulate innate immunity and inflammatory conditions.

Background Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AscH2) has been shown to enhance immunity. Here, we studied its immunomodulatory effect on human endothelial cells (ECs) during S. aureus infection. Materials and methods The ex vivo effects of AscH2 were performed on primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) infected or not with S. aureus. Results AscH2 treatment induced a marked downregulation of nitric oxide (NO) production and a moderate upregulation of arginase activity in S. aureus-infected HUVECs (respectively, p 0.05). Although the upregulated release levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecular 1 (sICAM-1/sCD54) and sE-selectin (sCD62E) molecules were not significantly different between treated and untreated S. aureus-infected HUVECs, AscH2 treatment induced reversing effect on sICAM-1 release when comparing to uninfected control HUVECs. Moreover, AscH2 treatment appears to have a significant effect on preventing HUVEC necrosis induced by S. aureus infection (p 0.05). Additionally, S. aureus infection markedly downregulated total bound calcium ions (bCa2+) levels as compared to control HUVECs, whereas, AscH2 treatment induced a slight upregulation of bCa2+ levels in infected HUVECs as compared to infected and untreated HUVECs (p > 0.05). On the other hand, AscH2 treatment downregulated increased total cellular cholesterol content (tccCHOL) levels in HUVECs induced by S. aureus infection (p 0.05, and p Conclusions Our outcomes demonstrated that, during S. aureus infection, AscH2 treatment promotes human ECs survival and function, as well as prevents inflammatory response exacerbation, while inducing bactericidal activity.

Background: Neonatal sepsis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The ability to quickly and accurately diagnose neonatal sepsis based on clinical assessments and laboratory blood tests remains difficult, where haemoculture is the gold standard for detecting bacterial sepsis in blood culture. It is also very difficult to study because neonatal samples are lacking. Methods : Fifty-four newborns suspected of sepsis admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Mother-Child Specialized Hospital of Tlemcen. From each newborn, a minimum of 1-2 ml of blood was drawn by standard sterile procedures for blood culture. The miRNA-23b level in haemoculture was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Results : miR-23b levels increased in premature and full-term newborns in early onset sepsis ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.005 respectively), but lowered in late onset sepsis in premature and full-term neonates ( p < 0.005) compared to the respective negative controls. miR-23b levels also increased in late sepsis negative versus early sepsis negative controls ( p < 0.05). miR-23b levels significantly lowered in the newborns who died from both sepsis types ( p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05 respectively). Conclusions : The drop in miR-23b levels is an important factor that favours sepsis development, which would confirm their vital protective role, and strongly suggest that they act as a good marker in both molecular diagnosis and patient monitoring.

BackgroundImmune activities of monocytes (MOs) can be altered within the microenvironment of solid malignancies, including breast cancer. Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride, MET), has been shown to decrease tumor cell proliferation, but its effects have yet to be explored with respect to the crosstalk between monocytes and breast cancer cells. Here, we investigated the effects of MET on overall phenotypic functional activities of autologous MOs during the interplay with primary breast cancer cells.MethodsHuman primary breast cancer cells were either cultured alone or co-cultured with autologous MOs before treatment with MET.ResultsMET downregulated both breast cancer cell proliferation and the ratio of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt)-to-Akt in breast cancer cells. Additionally, we observed that, in the absence of MET treatment, the levels of LDH-based cytotoxicity, catalase, intracellular free calcium ions (ifCa2+), IL-10 and arginase activity were significantly reduced in co-cultures compared to those of MOs cultivated alone whereas levels of iNOS were significantly increased (for all comparisons, p < 0.05). In contrast, MET upregulated breast cancer cell LDH-based cytotoxicity levels when co-cultured with MO. MET also induced upregulation of both the inducible enzymatic activity of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase activity in MO cells and co-culture systems, although these differences did not reach significant levels for iNOS activity (p > 0.05). MET greatly decreased phagocytic activity in isolated MOs while inducing a robust increase of catalase activity in co-culture systems and of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in MOs, but not in MOs co-cultured with breast cancer cells. MET strongly upregulated the levels of ifCa2+ in co-culture systems and IFN-γ production in both isolated MOs and co-culture systems. Moreover, MET treatment markedly downregulated IL-10 production in MOs, while inducing a slight increase in co-cultures (p > 0.05).ConclusionsOur results show that the phenotypic functional activities of MOs change when co-cultured with primary human breast cancer cells. Furthermore, treatment with MET induced enhancing effects on the production of antitumor cytokine IFN-γ and ifCa2+, as well as cytotoxicity during breast cancer cell-MO crosstalk.Novel Highlights includeFirst analysis of the anti-tumoral effects of Metformin on primary human breast cancer cells and the crosstalk with autologous monocytes.Phenotypic functional activities of monocytes change during their interplay with breast cancer cells, which is improved by upregulation of IFN-γ after Metformin treatment.Metformin induces downregulation of phosphorylated-Akt1/2-to-Akt1/2 ratio in breast cancer cells.Metformin downregulates phagocytic capacity of monocyte from breast cancer patients.

Neonatal sepsis constitutes a highly relevant public health challenge and is the most common cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that during infection epigenetic changes may occur leading to reprogramming of gene expression. Post-transcriptional regulation by short non-coding RNAs (e.g., microRNAs) have recently acquired special relevance because of their role in the regulation of the pathophysiology of sepsis and their potential clinical use as biomarkers. ~22-nucleotide of microRNAs are not only involved in regulating multiple relevant cellular and molecular functions, such as immune cell function and inflammatory response, but have also been proposed as good candidates as biomarkers in sepsis. Nevertheless, establishing clinical practice guidelines based on microRNA patterns as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in neonatal sepsis has yet to be achieved. Given their differential expression across tissues in neonates, the release of specific microRNAs to blood and their expression pattern can differ compared to sepsis in adult patients. Further in-depth research is necessary to fully understand the biological relevance of microRNAs and assess their potential use in clinical settings. This review provides a general overview of microRNAs, their structure, function and biogenesis before exploring their potential clinical interest as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of neonatal sepsis. An important part of the review is focused on immune and inflammatory aspects of selected microRNAs that may become biomarkers for clinical use and therapeutic intervention.

International audience; Antitumor activity of classically activated macrophage (Mϕ) may be impaired within the tumors, spleen, and bone marrow. Thus, it is possible to boost its antitumor activity after its pulsing with necrotic tumor cell lysates combined with an adjuvant. We set out to determine the potential adjuvant effects of thymoquinone (TQ; 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, C10H12O2) on both functional activities of classically activated Mϕs, pulsed or not with necrotic Jurkat T cell line lysates (NecrJCL), and the balance of antitumor cytokines (ATCs) versus immunosuppressive cytokines (ISCs) during crosstalk with autologous human CD4+ T cells. We found that TQ treatment resulted in a significant upregulation of phagocytic activity, respiratory burst, the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, and IL-17 in NecrJCL-pulsed Mϕ co-culture system, and, conversely, in downregulation of the production of IL-6, IL-17, nitric oxide (NO), and arginase activity in nonpulsed TQ-treated Mϕs co-culture system. In addition, TQ has also shown low upregulation effect on the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-1β, pathogen killing capacity and H2O2 in NecrJCL-pulsed Mϕs co-cultures. Moreover, TQ significantly downregulated arginase activity, and significantly upregulated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity-to-arginase activity ratio in NecrJCL-pulsed Mϕ co-cultures. Furthermore, TQ downregulated IL-10-to-IL-17 ratio and total cellular cholesterol content (ttcCHOL), but upregulated the ratios of IL-1β-to-IL-4, IL-1β-to-IL-10, IFN-γ-to-IL-4, IFN-γ-to-IL-10, TNF-α-to-IL-4, TNF-α-to-IL-10, and combined proinflammatory cytokines (PICs)-to-anti-inflammatory cytokines (AICs) in NecrJCL-pulsed Mϕs co-culture system, whereas significant differences were highlighted only for IL-10-to-IL-17, IFN-γ-to-IL-10, and PICs-to-AICs ratios. Our outcomes demonstrated that TQ can act as potent adjuvant for enhancing both the functional activities of NecrJCL-pulsed Mϕ and the production of ATCs during their interplay with CD4+ T cells.

Background Both CD4 + T cells and macrophages are mainly involved in the autoimmune-mediated β-cells destruction in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of HDL on functional activities of macrophage and its ability to regulate the production of cytokines in autologous mixed macrophage/CD4 + T cells at the recent-onset human type 1 diabetes. Methods Cell samples were isolated from volunteers with recent-onset T1D or healthy controls. Results The levels of the production of IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) were significantly increased in the co-culture of T1D cells when compared to that of cells from healthy controls. Similarly, those of intracellular free calcium ions ( if Ca 2+ ) were slightly, but not significantly increased ( p > 0.05). Conversely, macrophage exhibited significantly decreased levels of the relative tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT6 (p-STAT6, Tyr641) in culture of T1D cells than in that of cells from healthy controls; while those of p-STAT4 (Tyr693) were significantly increased. Likewise, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly decreased in the co-culture of T1D cells compared to co-culture of cells from healthy controls. Additionally, HDL treatment significantly down-regulated the production of IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, NO, H 2 O 2 , phagocytosis, bacterial killing, the relative tyrosine phosphorylation of macrophage-expressed STAT4 (p-STAT4, Tyr693), as well as the ratio of IL-1β/IL-10, NO production/arginase activity, p-STAT4/p-STAT6, IFN-γ/IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-10, and the combined proinflammatory (PICs)/anti-inflammatory (AICs) cytokines. Moreover, HDL treatment significantly up-regulated the production of IL-4, IL-10, arginase activity, and p-STAT6 (Tyr641) (for all comparisons, p Conclusions We show for the first time that HDL may reverse both the functional activities of macrophages and immunoinflammatory response during reciprocal macrophage-CD4 + T cell crosstalk at the beginning of T1D. These findings should open the way for therapeutic trials in the short- and medium-term.

Objectives We evaluated the effects of metformin (Met, 1,1‑dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride) combined or not with sodium selenite (Ss, Na2SeO3) on the functional activities of LPS-activated GM-CSF monocyte-derived macrophages (GM-MDM). Materials and methods Human GM-MDMs from three healthy donors were treated with Met or Ss alone, or with the combination of Met and Ss, and assayed for various biological activities and cytokines expression. Results Met alone and Ss alone had significantly different effects on phagocytosis and killing capacities and IL-β production, but had similar effects on the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, relative nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced (NADH) dehydrogenase (Complex I), intracellular free calcium ions (ifCa2+), and on the upregulation of arginase activity. Additionally, iNOS activity-to-arginase activity ratio was downregulated in Met or Ss treated-GM-MDMs, and, conversely, upregulated in GM-MDMs treated with Met + Ss in combination, indicating that arginase activity dominates that of iNOS when the two treatments are associated. Moreover, combination of Met with Ss significantly upregulated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and phagocytic capacity, but significantly downregulated the production of IL-1β, iNOS activity and killing capacity. On the contrary, we show that Met alone induced significant downregulation of phagocytic capacity and slight upregulation of killing capacity. Nevertheless, Ss seems to accentuate the effect of Met on the downregulation of NO production, as well as to reverse its effect on both phagocytic and killing capacities. On the other hand, all treatments induced a sharp decrease in relative levels of NADH dehydrogenase, and a marked decrease in the levels of ifCa2+. Finally, we found that GM-MDMs treated with Met or Ss, or Met combined with Ss exhibited different functional activation phenotypes, as indicated by the surface expression of co-stimulatory and cell activation and presentation molecules CD14, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that Met/Ss combination can play an important role in the modulation of functional activities of human LPS-activated GM-MDMs. Additionally, the overall effects of Met and the induction of “M2” GM-MDMs-associated arginase could be influenced by its combination with Ss.

International audience; Several studies have demonstrated that LncRNAs can play major roles in cancer development. The creation of a catalog of LncRNAs expressed in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is thus of particular importance. However, this task is challenging as LncRNA expression is highly restricted in time and space manner and thus may greatly differ between samples. We performed a systematic transcript discovery in RNA-Seq data obtained from T-ALL primary cells and cell lines. This led to the identification of 2560 novel LncRNAs. After the integration of these transcripts into a large compendium of LncRNAs (n = 30478) containing both known LncRNAs and those previously described in T-ALLs, we then performed a systematic genomic and epigenetic characterization of these transcript models demonstrating that these novel LncRNAs share properties with known LncRNAs. Finally, we provide evidence that these novel transcripts could be enriched in LncRNAs with potential oncogenic effects and identified a subset of LncRNAs coregulated with T-ALL oncogenes. Overall, our study represents a comprehensive resource of LncRNAs expressed in T-ALL and might provide new cues on the role of lncRNAs in this type of leukemia.

Motivation While Python has become very popular in bioinformatics, a limited number of libraries exist for fast manipulation of gene coordinates in Ensembl GTF format. Results We have developed the GTF toolkit Python package (pygtftk), which aims at providing easy and powerful manipulation of gene coordinates in GTF format. For optimal performances, the core engine of pygtftk is a C dynamic library (libgtftk) while the Python API provides usability and readability for developing scripts. Based on this Python package, we have developed the gtftk command line interface that contains 57 sub-commands (v0.9.10) to ease handling of GTF files. These commands may be used to (i) perform basic tasks (e.g. selections, insertions, updates or deletions of features/keys), (ii) select genes/transcripts based on various criteria (e.g. size, exon number, transcription start site location, intron length, GO terms) or (iii) carry out more advanced operations such as coverage analyses of genomic features using bigWig files to create faceted read-coverage diagrams. In conclusion, the pygtftk package greatly simplifies the annotation of GTF files with external information while providing advance tools to perform gene analyses. Availability and implementation pygtftk and gtftk have been tested on Linux and MacOSX and are available from https://github.com/dputhier/pygtftk under the MIT license. The libgtftk dynamic library written in C is available from https://github.com/dputhier/libgtftk.

Neonatal sepsis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The ability to quickly and accurately diagnose neonatal sepsis based on clinical assessments and laboratory blood tests remains difficult, where haemoculture is the gold standard for detecting bacterial sepsis in blood culture. It is also very difficult to study because neonatal samples are lacking.Forty-eight newborns suspected of sepsis admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Mother-Child Specialized Hospital of Tlemcen. From each newborn, a minimum of 1-2 ml of blood was drawn by standard sterile procedures for blood culture. The miRNA-23b level in haemoculture was evaluated by RT-qPCR.miR-23b levels increased in premature and full-term newborns in early onset sepsis (p 0.001 and p 0.005 respectively), but lowered in late onset sepsis in full-term neonates (p 0.05) compared to the respective negative controls. miR-23b levels also increased in late sepsis in the negative versus early sepsis negative controls (p 0.05). miR-23b levels significantly lowered in the newborns who died from both sepsis types (p 0.0001 and p 0.05 respectively). In early sepsis, miR-23b and death strongly and negatively correlated (correlation coefficient = - 0.96, p = 0.0019). In late sepsis, miRNA-23b and number of survivors (correlation coefficient = 0.70, p = 0.506) positively correlated.Lowering miR-23b levels is an important factor that favours sepsis development, which would confirm their vital protective role, and strongly suggest that they act as a good marker in molecular diagnosis and patient monitoring.

BackgroundImmune activities of monocytes (MOs) can be altered within the microenvironment of solid malignancies, including breast cancer. Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride, MET), has been shown to decrease tumor cell proliferation, but its effects have yet to be explored with respect to MOs (monocytes) activity during their crosstalk with breast cancer cells. Here, we investigated the effects of MET on overall phenotypic functional activities, including cellular immunometabolism and protective redox signaling based-biomarkers, intracellular free calcium ions (ifCa2+), phagocytosis and co-operative cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10) of autologous MOs before and during their interplay with primary ER-/PR-/HER2+ breast cancer cells.MethodsHuman primary breast cancer cells were either cultured alone or co-cultured with autologous MOs before treatment with MET.ResultsMET downregulated breast cancer cell proliferation and phagocytosis, while having no significant effect on the ratio of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) to total Akt. Additionally, we observed that, in the absence of MET treatment, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-based cytotoxicity, catalase, ifCa2+, IL-10 and arginase activity were significantly reduced in co-cultures compared to levels in MOs cultured alone whereas levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity were significantly increased. In contrast, MET treatment reduced the effects measured in co-culture on the levels of LDH-based cytotoxicity, arginase activity, catalase, ifCa2+, and IFN-γ. MET also induced upregulation of both iNOS and arginase in MO cells, although the increase did not reach significant difference for iNOS activity. Moreover, MET induced a robust increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in MOs, but not in MOs co-cultured with breast cancer cells. Furthermore, MET markedly upregulated the levels of IFN-γ production and downregulated those of IL-10 in isolated MOs, while inducing a slight opposing up-regulation of IL-10 production in co-cultures.ConclusionsOur results show that the biomarkers of phenotypic functional activities of MOs are modified after co-culturing with primary human breast cancer cells. Treatment of co-cultures with MET resulted in increased release of antitumor cytokine IFN-γ and ifCa2+, and increased cell necrosis during breast cancer cells-MOs crosstalk.

Background Exacerbation of CD16 as molecule marker of both intermediate and non-classical monocytes (MOs) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we have tried to evaluate the aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) treatment effect on the CD16-expressed MOs and activation-associated CD40 in MI. Methods MOs were isolated from the whole blood of healthy controls and patients with MI. The cells were stimulated and treated with different doses of ASA. Results ASA significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity, but significantly increased arginase activity. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were downregulated, whereas those of IL-10 were upregulated. Additionally, ASA induced a markedly increase in both phagocytosis and intracellular pathogen killing activities. Moreover, ASA treatment induced significantly upregulation of intracellular levels of glucose (iGlu), and free calcium ions (ifCa2+), and, covertly, significantly downregulation of total cellular cholesterol content (tccCHOL). Furthermore, the expression levels of CD16 and CD40 were significantly downregulated in ASA-treated MOs. Conclusions We show for the first time that ASA immunomodulates the functional activities of MOs during MI and promotes their switching toward a classical phenotype, exhibiting low CD16 expression levels and thereby anti-inflammatory properties.

The search for the bactericidal activity of macrophage (Mϕ) is crucial not only during infection, but also to explore its functional activities in normal and pathological conditions, such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, allergic inflammation, and cancer. There are several methods exploring the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of Mϕ. This chapter focuses specifically on the technique called antibiotic protection assay and on the methods for the determination of Mϕ production of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide as antimicrobial agents and biomarkers of respiratory burst. The protocols presented herein are valid for both Mϕ cell lines and monocyte-derived Mϕs (MDMs).

The search for the bactericidal activity of macrophage (Mϕ) is crucial not only during infection, but also to explore its functional activities in normal and pathological conditions, such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, allergic inflammation, and cancer. There are several methods exploring the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of Mϕ. This chapter focuses specifically on the technique called antibiotic protection assay and on the methods for the determination of Mϕ production of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide as antimicrobial agents and biomarkers of respiratory burst. The protocols presented herein are valid for both Mϕ cell lines and monocyte-derived Mϕs (MDMs).

Background. Venous malformations (VM) result from an error in vascular morphogenesis. The first gene suspected in their development is theTEKgene (tyrosine kinase, endothelial). Mutations of this gene have been identified in several Belgian families with a dominant form of the disease. Therefore, we investigated whether mutations in thisTEKgene could explain the MV development in patients of families from Tlemcen region (north-western Algeria).Methods. Genomic DNA was extracted from leucocytes of ten patients. The search for mutations in all the 23 exons and in the 5′ and 3′ intronic sequences flanking theTEKgene was performed using PCR amplification and direct sequencing of amplified genomic DNA. Additionally, a search for somatic mutations of the geneTEKwas performed on a biopsy of the venous malformation from one of the ten eligible patients.Results. The sequencing of the 23 exons of theTEKgene revealed neither germinal mutation in our ten patients nor somatic mutation in the tissue of the biopsy.Conclusion. The absence of mutation in theTEKgene in the population studied suggests that theTEKgene is not necessarily involved in the onset of VM; its association with these malformations may differ from one population to another.

Both CD4Cell samples were isolated from volunteers with recent-onset T1D or healthy controls.The levels of the production of IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (HWe show for the first time that HDL may reverse both the functional activities of macrophages and immunoinflammatory response during reciprocal macrophage-CD4

Obesity is a major public health problem. An in-depth knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of oro-sensory detection of dietary lipids may help fight it. Humans and rodents can detect fatty acids via lipido-receptors, such as CD36 and GPR120. We studied the implication of the MAPK pathways, in particular, ERK1/2, in the gustatory detection of fatty acids. Linoleic acid, a dietary fatty acid, induced via CD36 the phosphorylation of MEK1/2-ERK1/2-ETS-like transcription factor-1 cascade, which requires Fyn-Src kinase and lipid rafts in human taste bud cells (TBCs). ERK1/2 cascade was activated by Ca2+ signaling via opening of the calcium-homeostasis modulator-1 (CALHM1) channel. Furthermore, fatty acid–evoked Ca2+ signaling and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were decreased in both human TBCs after small interfering RNA knockdown of CALHM1 channel and in TBCs from Calhm1−/− mice. Targeted knockdown of ERK1/2 by small interfering RNA or PD0325901 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) in the tongue and genetic ablation of Erk1 or Calhm1 genes impaired preference for dietary fat in mice. Lingual inhibition of ERK1/2 in healthy volunteers also decreased orogustatory sensitivity for linoleic acid. Our data demonstrate that ERK1/2-MAPK cascade is regulated by the opening of CALHM1 Ca2+ channel in TBCs to modulate orogustatory detection of dietary lipids in mice and humans.—Subramaniam, S., Ozdener, M. H., Abdoul-Azize, S., Saito, K., Malik, B., Maquart, G., Hashimoto, T., Marambaud, P., Aribi, M., Tordoff, M. G., Besnard, P., Khan, N. A. ERK1/2 activation in human taste bud cells regulates fatty acid signaling and gustatory perception of fat in mice and humans.

International audience; We aimed to search for mutations in the germline and somatic DNA of the TEK gene and to analyze the expression level of Src and phospho- Src (p-Src) in tumor and healthy tissues from patients with facial cutaneo-mucosal venous malformations (VMCM). Eligible patients from twelve families and thirty healthy controls were recruited respectively at the Departments of Stomatology and Oral Surgery, and Transfusion Medicine of Tlemcen University Medical Centre. Immunoblot analyses of Src and p-Src were performed after direct DNA sequencing. No somatic or germline mutations were found in all the 23 exons and their 5' and 3' intronic flanking regions, except for one case in which a c.3025+ 203025+ 22 del mutation was highlighted at the intron 15, both in the germline and somatic DNA. Additionally, elevated expression levels of Src and p-Src were observed only in the patient with such mutation. However, when normalized to beta-actin, the overall relative expression levels of both Src and p-Src were significantly increased in VMCM tissues when compared to healthy tissues (for both comparisons, p

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the circulating IL-6 and leptin levels with taste alteration in young obese patients.Methods. A retrospective case-control study was conducted in thirty obese patients and thirty age- and sex-matched healthy controls.Results. Circulating levels of IL-6 and leptin were significantly increased in obese patients than in controls. However, catalase and ORAC levels were significantly decreased in obese patients compared to controls. Additionally, obese participants had high scores for the detection of fats (gustatory response scores [GRS];p<0.001). Moreover, IL-6 and leptin were strongly associated with GRS alteration among patients with GRS 4 (resp., OR =17.5 [95% CI, 1.56–193.32;p=0.007]; OR = 16 [95% CI, 1.69–151.11;p=0.006]). For the Mantel-Haenszel common odds ratio estimate (MH OR), IL-6 and leptin were strongly associated with obesity, in patients with either GRS 4 or GRS > 4 (resp., MH OR = 8.77 [95% CI, 2.06–37.44;p=0.003]; MH OR = 5.76 [95% CI, 1.64–20.24;p=0.006]).Conclusions. In a low grade inflammation linked to obesity, taste alteration is associated with high levels of IL-6 and leptin.

Mustapha Haddouche,1,2 Warda Meziane,1,2 Zeyneb Hadjidj,1,2 Naima Mesli,3 Mourad Aribi1,2 1Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology and Immunology, 2Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, 3Hematology Department, Tlemcen Medical Centre University, Tlemcen, Algeria Objective: The aim of this study was to highlight the clinical association of baseline levels of conjugated dienes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL-BCD) and nitric oxide (NO) with immunoglobulins (Igs) and T helper (Th)1/Th2 ratio in patients with newly diagnosed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).Patients and methods: Thirty-two newly diagnosed patients with aggressive B-cell NHL and 25 age-, sex-, and body-mass-index-matched healthy controls were randomly selected for a cross-sectional case–control study conducted at the Hematology Department of Tlemcen Medical Centre University (northwest of Algeria).Results: Circulating levels of LDL-BCD and NO and those of IgA and IgM were significantly higher in patients than in controls. The levels of Th1/Th2 ratio and plasma total antioxidant capacity were significantly lower in patients compared with controls, while malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were significantly higher in patients. B-cell NHL was significantly associated with high levels of LDL-BCD from 25th to 75th percentile (25th percentile: relative risk [RR] =2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–3.59, P=0.014; 50th percentile: RR =2.84, 95% CI 1.72–4.68, P

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with an imbalance between inflammation and repair. Recently, the biologically active form of vitamin DWe examined the effect of 1,25(OH)The levels of IFN-γ, IL-17 and nitric oxide (NO) production were significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with T1D compared to controls. Similarly, STAT4 tyrosine phosphorylation (p-STAT4, Tyr693) levels were significantly increased in monocytes from patients when compared to controls. Conversely, the levels of IL-4, IL-10 and p-STAT6 (Tyr641) were significantly decreased in type 1 diabetic patients than in controls. Treatment with 1,25(OH)Our study suggests that the biologically active form of vitamin D can reverse the activation of inflammatory pathways at the onset of T1D. Additionally, its immunomodulation properties may vary depending on the overall patterns of cytokines. From a therapeutic point of view, vitamin D may potentially be suggested as an immunological adjuvant and a potential anti-inflammatory agent in individuals at risk of T1D.

This study aimed to investigate whether the anomalies affecting the antioxidant and humoral immune defenses could start at birth and to check whether the decrease in antioxidant defenses may precede the immune abnormalities in macrosomic newborns. Thirty macrosomic and 30 sex-matched control newborns were recruited for a retrospective case-control study at the Maghnia Maternity Hospital of Tlemcen Department (Algeria). The serum IgG levels were similar in both groups. However, plasma ORAC, albumin, vitamin E, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased in macrosomic as compared to control newborns, yet no difference was observed after adjustment for weight. Additionally, serum concentrations of complement C3, MDA and XO were significantly higher in macrosomic as compared to controls before adjustment for weight. Moreover, macrosomia was significantly associated with high levels of complement C3 (OR=8, p=0.002) ; whereas no association with those of IgG was observed (OR0.05). Furthermore, macrosomia was significantly associated with low levels of ORAC (OR=4.96, p=0.027), vitamin E (OR=4.5, p=0.018), SOD (OR=6.88, p=0.020) and CAT (OR=5.67, p=0.017), and with high levels of MDA (OR=10.29, p=0.005). Abnormalities of the humoral defense system in excessive weight could be preceded by alterations of the anti-oxidative defense and by inflammatory response and activation of innate immunity at birth. Additionally, excessive weight could be a potential factor contributing to decreased anti-oxidative capacity and increased oxidative stress. MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR, ISSN : 1234-1010, Issue : 11, Volume : 17, pp. CR650-CR656, NOV 2011.

Background: Vascular malformation is extremely rare, yet has a profound impact on quality of life, aesthetic and functional disorders. Aim: To show that endogamy and consanguinity may represent risk factors for labial venous malforma- tion (LVM) development. Materials and Methodology: Among the 18093 scrutinized families on a 20 years back period from marriage registers, five families with a child presenting LVM were recruited from two geographic areas, one highly endoga- mous (Nedroma), the other slightly endogamous (Maghnia). These families were recruited for a retrospective descriptive es- say at the Pathology and Oral Surgery Department of Tlemcen University Hospital Center (north-west of Algeria). Results: Four cases of LVM were from the Nedroma region, the fifth one from the Maghnia region. High consanguinity level was reg- istered in patient families from Nedroma. On the other hand, the blood group O frequency was slightly higher compared to that of the blood group non-O. Conclusions: The present study suggests that consanguinity could beget LVM and that endog- amy could increase its prevalence. The postulated association between this genetic disease and the OO genotype seems to be not confirmed. Therefore, it would be interesting to seek the SNP markers in this region.

Background Dietary selenium is of fundamental importance to maintain optimal immune function and enhance immunity during infection. To this end, we examined the effect of selenium on macrophage bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Assays were performed in golden Syrian hamsters and peritoneal macrophages cultured with S. aureus and different concentrations of selenium. Results Infected and selenium-supplemented animals have significantly decreased levels of serum nitric oxide (NO) production when compared with infected but non-selenium-supplemented animals at day 7 post-infection (p < 0.05). A low dose of 5 ng/mL selenium induced a significant decrease in macrophage NO production, but significant increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels (respectively, p = 0.009, p < 0.001). The NO production and H2O2 levels were significantly increased with increasing concentrations of selenium; the optimal macrophage activity levels were reached at 20 ng/mL. The concentration of 5 ng/mL of selenium induced a significant decrease in the bacterial arginase activity but a significant increase in the macrophage arginase activity. The dose of 20 ng/mL selenium induced a significant decrease of bacterial growth (p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in macrophage phagocytic activity, NO production/arginase balance and S. aureus killing (for all comparisons, p < 0.001). Conclusions Selenium acts in a dose-dependent manner on macrophage activation, phagocytosis and bacterial killing suggesting that inadequate doses may cause a loss of macrophage bactericidal activities and that selenium supplementation could enhance the in vivo control of immune response to S. aureus.

Induction of antitumor immunity by vaccination is one of the major current immunotherapy strategies. We present a mathematical model of the competition between immune cells and mammary carcinogenesis under the effect of Triplex vaccine. The model describes both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against cancer cells. The control of the cancer cells growth occurs through the application of the pulse vaccination. Here we determine the relationship between the strength of the vaccine and the time required to eradicate cancer cells, and we present some simulations to illustrate our theoretical results, namely, the total cancer cells depletion, which is influenced by competition occurs among the immune and cancer cells.

Objective: We have conducted the first study of the association of interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL23R-IL12RB2 region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with Behçet’s disease (BD) in Western Algeria. Methods: A total of 51 BD patients and 96 unrelated controls from West region of Algeria were genotyped by direct sequencing for 11 SNPs including 2 SNPs from the IL10 promoter [c.-819T > C (rs1800871), c.-592A > C (rs1800872)], 6 SNPs from the TNF-α promoter [c.-1211T > C (rs1799964), c.-1043C > A (rs1800630), c.-1037C > T (rs1799724), c.-556G > A (rs1800750), c.-488G > A (rs1800629), and c.-418G > A (rs361525)], and 3 SNPs from the IL23R-IL12RB2 region [g.67747415A > C (rs12119179), g.67740092G > A (rs11209032), and g.67760140T > C (rs924080)]. Results: The minor alleles c.-819T and c.-592A were significantly associated with BD [odds ratio (OR) = 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–3.73, p = 0.003]; whereas, there was weaker association between TNF-α promoter SNPs or IL23R-IL12RB2 region and disease risk. Conclusion: Unlike the TNF-α and the IL23R-IL12RB2 region SNPs, the two IL10 SNPs were strongly associated with BD. The -819T, and -592A alleles and the -819TT, -819CT, and -592AA and -592CA genotypes seem to be highly involved in the risk of developing of BD in the population of Western Algeria.

Type 1 diabetes, formerly termed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is a chronic organ-specific autoimmune disorder thought to be caused by proinflammatory autoreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which mediate progressive and selective damage of insulinproducing pancreatic beta-cells (Atkinson & Eisenbarth, 2001). The reduction of beta-cell mass leads to a lack of insulin and thereby loss of blood glucose control (Boettler & von Herrath, 2010). The worldwide prevalence of T1D was estimated to be 171 million cases among the adult population (Wild et al., 2004). Its annual incidence varies widely from one country to another (from less than 1 per 100,000 inhabitants in Asia to approximately up to 25/100,000 population/year in North America, more than 30 per 100,000 in Scandinavia and up to 41/100,000 population/year in Europe). It is in steady increase across the globe, especially among children aged less than five years (Kajander et al., 2000; Vija et al., 2009). According to the European Diabetes (EURODIAB) study group, the prevalence of T1D in Europe will increase significantly in children younger than 15 years of age to reach 160,000 cases in 2020 (Patterson et al., 2009). These data will result in an increasing number of patients with longstanding diabetes and with a risk of serious complications (Kessler, 2010). These include heart diseases and strokes, high blood pressure, renal failure and ketoacidosis (DKA) (Boettler & von Herrath, 2010). To date, it has not been possible to prevent the autoimmune response to beta-cells in human, due probably to its unknown aetiology, although it is known that development of T1D is genetically controlled and thought to be initiated in susceptible individuals by environmental factors such as virus infections (Luo et al., 2010; Mukherjee & DiLorenzo, 2010; von Herrath, 2009). It is now evident that targeted destruction may go undetected for many years, but antibodies to various beta-cell antigens can be easily demonstrable in the sera of patients at risk before clinical onset (Achenbach et al., 2005). Additionally, some endogenous insulin secretion is generally present at the onset of clinical diabetes (Scheen, 2004), during which time, immunotherapeutic intervention may be effective (Staeva-Vieira et al., 2007). This chapter emphasizes the principal immunological risk markers of T1D and especially the role of cell-mediated immune response leading to pancreatic beta-cells destruction, as well as the most promising immunotherapeutic approaches for prevention and treatment of the disease.

In this study, plasma lipids, lipoproteins and markers of oxidant/antioxidant status were investigated in young (n = 45) and older (n = 40) obese men and compared to those in young (n = 65) and older (n = 55) normal weight controls. The purpose was to determine whether obesity exacerbates or not lipid, lipoprotein abnormalities and oxidative stress in older men. Our findings showed that all obese patients had increased plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, -triglyceride and HDL-triglyceride levels concentrations compared to controls (P < 0.01). However, the younger obese men had relatively larger and accentuated changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins than the older patients. Additionally, total antioxidant capacity (ORAC), vitamins C and E were lower while hydroperoxides and carbonyl proteins were higher in young and older obese patients compared to their respective controls (P < 0.001). Erythrocyte antioxidant SOD and catalase activities were enhanced in obese young patients, but reduced in obese older men. Glutathione peroxidase activity was low in obesity irrespective of age. In multiple regression analysis, BMI significantly predicted total cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-TG and HDL-TG (P < 0.0001). These relationships were not modified by age. BMI alone was a not a significant predictor for ORAC, vitamins C, E, catalase and Glutathione peroxidase. However, the interaction BMI-age significantly predicted these parameters and explained 28-45% of their changes. BMI was a significant predictor of SOD, carbonyl proteins and hydroperoxides. This effect became more significant (P < 0.0001) and worsened with BMI-age interaction. In conclusion, lipoprotein metabolism and oxidant/antioxidant status are altered in obesity irrespective of age. However, obesity-related lipid and lipoprotein alterations were attenuated while oxidative stress was aggravated in older adults. NUTRITION METABOLISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, ISSN : 0939-4753, DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2010.02.007, Issue : 10, Volume : 21, pp. 792-799, OCT 2011.

The auto-immune response leading to type 1 diabetes (T1D) is closely associated with the overproduction of T helper-1 (Th1) cytokines which activate macrophage production of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1beta. The principal aim of this study was to elucidate whether IL-1beta is associated with the development of the inflammatory state of disease and the altered circulating lipid levels in T1D.Sixty-nine T1D and 74 age-matched non-diabetic (ND) subjects were recruited from the outpatient department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, Tlemcen, Algeria.The levels of IL-1beta, CRP, HbA1c, CHOL, and LDLc, but not of HDLc, were significantly higher in all T1D subjects than in the ND controls. IL-1beta and CRP were found to be associated with T1D (OR1). Newly diagnosed T1D subjects exhibited significantly higher IL-1beta, but not CRP, concentrations than controls and long-standing diabetic subjects. TG and HbA1c levels were not statistically different in the two diabetic populations. However, CHOL and LDLc concentrations were significantly higher in long-standing patients than in newly diagnosed ones. HDLc fractions were lower in long-standing patients than in controls and newly diagnosed diabetic subjects. Furthermore, the plasmatic concentrations of IL-1beta, but not of CRP, negatively correlated with CHOL, LDLc, or TG levels and positively with those of CRP in T1D patients.IL-1beta seems to be associated with the type 1 diabetes inflammatory process. Moreover, a reciprocal relationship exists between newly diagnosed and long-standing T1D patients as far as the levels of this cytokine and circulating lipids are concerned.