Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Discovering new species and interesting bioactive metabolites from customary sources is becoming ... more Discovering new species and interesting bioactive metabolites from customary sources is becoming progressively laborious. Propolis constitutes the largest diversified reserve of microbial constituents in the beehive. However, fungal communities associated with these environments remain insufficiently established. We present the first detailed investigation of the cultivable fungal community associated with Tunisian propolis, and we evaluate its antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria. A total of 80 fungal strains were isolated from propolis samples derived from seven different Tunisian locations. The majority of the isolated fungi were classified as Ascomycota (97.5%), and only 2.5% belonged to Basidiomycota. Our collection was clustered into 15 genera, among which Coniochaeta (36.25%), Aspergillus (15%), Penicillium (13.75%), Cladosporium (10%), Fusarium (7.5%), Didymella (5%), and Alternaria (3.75%) were the most common. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity reveal...
Little is known about non‐classical HLA molecules in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Becau... more Little is known about non‐classical HLA molecules in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Because of the indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) immune tolerant role in association with HLA‐G, we evaluated the clinical and prognostic value of HLA‐G, HLA‐E, and IDO in VSCC. HLA‐G, HLA‐E, and IDO expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in VSCC and associated with clinicopathological parameters and disease outcome. These three molecules were highly represented in tumoral tissues vs healthy matched vulvar tissues (P = 0.0001). Significant differences in HLA‐G expression in stages, tumor size, tumor invasion depth, and resection margins subgroups were reported (P < 0.05). At 5 years, the cumulative survival rates was of 79.8% in patients with HLA‐Glow expression vs 12.5% in those with HLA‐Ghigh expression (P < 3 × 10−5). Similarly, patients with IDOhigh expression were at a significantly reduced overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) rates (P = 0.011 and 0.045,...
Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is known as an immune suppressive molecule; it interacts with s... more Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is known as an immune suppressive molecule; it interacts with several immune cells and inhibits their functions. HLA-G molecule is highly represented in pathological conditions including malignant transformation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that focuses on the expression of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in endometrial cancer (EC). We aimed at exploring sHLA-G plasma levels and its prognostic value in EC. We examined total sHLA-G expression as well as the sHLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms expression in plasma samples from 40 patients with EC and 45 healthy controls by a specific sandwich ELISA. Immunoprecipitation and Coomassie blue staining were performed to explore the presence of plasmatic sHLA-G monomers and dimers. sHLA-G plasma level was significantly enhanced in patients with EC compared to healthy controls (p = 0.028). Additionally, HLA-G5 molecules were highly represented than sHLA-G1 molecules in EC, at the borderline of signifi...
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-F has been involved in immune regulation of infectious diseases. Ho... more Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-F has been involved in immune regulation of infectious diseases. However, the role of HLA-F polymorphisms in hepatitis B infection outcomes remains unclear. Here, we aimed to determine HLA-F polymorphism implication in chronic HBV. Genotype analysis was performed for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HLA-F and one SNP of HLA-E using PCR-SSP, in 252 Tunisian patients with chronic HBV infection stratified according to their HBV DNA levels (140 patients with low HBV DNA levels < 2000 IU/mL and 112 patients with high HBV DNA levels ≥ 2000 IU/mL) and 240 healthy controls (CTRL). The three HLA-F SNPs (HLA-F*01:02, -F*01:03 and -F*01:04) have the same allelic and genotypic frequencies in patients and in CTRL. We reported a low HLA-F*01:02 and F*01:04 allelic frequencies in the Tunisian population; however, high HLA-F*01:03 allele frequencies were observed (17%). A significant association was found between the HLA-F*01:03 allele and decreased l...
HLA-G is a non classical HLA class I molecule involved in immunotolerance. It contributes to the ... more HLA-G is a non classical HLA class I molecule involved in immunotolerance. It contributes to the evasion of tumors from immunosurveillance. We investigated in the first part of this work, the role of NF-kappa B in modulating HLA-G expression in HLA-G positive tumor cell lines. The treatment of tunior cells with TNF-alpha or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, decreased HLA-G1 expression and increased in the same time the level of intracytoplasmic HLA-G proteins. The reduction of HLA-G cell surface expression which is dependant from NF-kappa B involves metalloproteases activity. Soluble HLA-G 1 produced reduces significatively the cytotoxicity of NK cells. This regulation of HLA-G expression may have a relevance in tumor escape. In a second part of this work, we demonstrated that HLA-G 1 activates the classical NF-kappa B pathway in NK cells. This activation occurs through the alphal domain of HLA-G molecule and may involve KIR2DL4 receptor. Activated NF-kappa B is functionnal because it induces the expression of an NF-kappa B target gene : Ikappa B-alpha. All these results suggest an additional role of HLA-G in innate immunity.
RÉSUMÉ : Le caroubier, Ceratonia siliqua L, légumineuse agro-sylvo-pastorale typiquement méditerr... more RÉSUMÉ : Le caroubier, Ceratonia siliqua L, légumineuse agro-sylvo-pastorale typiquement méditerranéenne, largement répartie en Tunisie sous forme de peuplements spontanés ou artificiels, possède de gros intérêts socio-économiques et écologiques. Sa gomme mucilagineuse est utilisée dans plusieurs domaines industriels du fait de ses propriétés techno- fonctionnelles (stabilisant, épaississant, agglomérant et gélatinant). Parce que très peu de travaux se sont intéressés au caroubier, nous avons focalisé notre travail sur les propriétés pharmaceutiques, cosmétiques et alimentaires associés à la gomme de caroube. Etant donné ses importantes propriétés, nous pensons que la gomme de caroube, biomolécule trésor pour la santé humaine, aura une très grande valeur économique. Carob gum: industrial treasure? ABSTRACT: Carob, Ceratonia siliqua L, legume agro-forestry-pastoral typically Mediterranean, widely distributed in Tunisia stands as spontaneous or artificial, has large socio-economic int...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the HLA-G 14-bp deletion/insertion ... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the HLA-G 14-bp deletion/insertion (Del/Ins) polymorphism and soluble (s) HLA-G production in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). We analyzed also the sHLA-G molecules by ELISA and western blot in plasma samples. Among unselected patients, the 14-bp Del/Ins polymorphism was not significantly associated with increased CD risk neither for alleles (P = 0.371) nor for genotypes (P = 0.625). However, a significant association was reported between the 14-bp Del/Ins polymorphism and CD, in particular in young-onset CD patients for alleles [P = 0.020, odds ratio (OR) = 2.438, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–5.25] but not with adult-onset CD patients. A significant association was reported concerning the genotype Ins/Ins for young-onset CD patients (P = 0.029, OR = 3.257, 95% CI: 1.08–9.77). We observed also a significant increase in sHLA-G measured by ELISA in CD patients compared to controls (P = 0.002). The 14-bp Del/Del and...
In Algeria, vaccination against pertussis is carried out using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine c... more In Algeria, vaccination against pertussis is carried out using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine combined with the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTwp). The quality control of vaccines locally produced or imported is carried out before the batch release. The aim of our work was to evaluate the potency of pertussis vaccines. In the present study, five consecutive trials of potency were conducted on samples of the same batch of (DTwp) using the mouse protection test (MPT) against experimental infection of Bordetella pertussis strain 18323, based on the Kendrick test. The virulence of B. pertussis strain 18–323 was verified by the mortality of mice, with an average LD50 of 338.92, as well as the dose of the lethal test containing a mean number of LD50 of 324.43. The (MPT) test recorded a relative potency of 8.02 IU/human dose, with 95% CL of (3.56–18.05) IU/human dose. The development of the (MPT) at the laboratory of quality control of vaccines and sera at the Pasteur Institute of Alg...
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem worldwide and in Tunisia. It... more Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem worldwide and in Tunisia. It ranks among the main cancers in terms of incidence and cancer-related cause of death. Its pathogenesis is currently considered to be multifactorial involving genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have suggested that the gene encoding the β1 subunit of the IL-12 receptor, an important pro-inflammatory cytokine of the anti-tumor response, could be involved in the susceptibility to inherited CRC. Hence, it would be interesting to study the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-12RB1 gene (rs401502 and rs11575934) in CRC susceptibility.Aim: Our purpose was to assess whether genetic variants IL-12RB1 +1196G/C (rs401502) and IL-12RB1 +705A/G (rs11575934) within the IL-12RB1 gene are associated with the sporadic CRC risk.Methods: A total of 110 Tunisian patients with sporadic CRC and 141 healthy control subjects were included in this study. Genotyping was per...
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Discovering new species and interesting bioactive metabolites from customary sources is becoming ... more Discovering new species and interesting bioactive metabolites from customary sources is becoming progressively laborious. Propolis constitutes the largest diversified reserve of microbial constituents in the beehive. However, fungal communities associated with these environments remain insufficiently established. We present the first detailed investigation of the cultivable fungal community associated with Tunisian propolis, and we evaluate its antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria. A total of 80 fungal strains were isolated from propolis samples derived from seven different Tunisian locations. The majority of the isolated fungi were classified as Ascomycota (97.5%), and only 2.5% belonged to Basidiomycota. Our collection was clustered into 15 genera, among which Coniochaeta (36.25%), Aspergillus (15%), Penicillium (13.75%), Cladosporium (10%), Fusarium (7.5%), Didymella (5%), and Alternaria (3.75%) were the most common. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity reveal...
Little is known about non‐classical HLA molecules in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Becau... more Little is known about non‐classical HLA molecules in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Because of the indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) immune tolerant role in association with HLA‐G, we evaluated the clinical and prognostic value of HLA‐G, HLA‐E, and IDO in VSCC. HLA‐G, HLA‐E, and IDO expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in VSCC and associated with clinicopathological parameters and disease outcome. These three molecules were highly represented in tumoral tissues vs healthy matched vulvar tissues (P = 0.0001). Significant differences in HLA‐G expression in stages, tumor size, tumor invasion depth, and resection margins subgroups were reported (P < 0.05). At 5 years, the cumulative survival rates was of 79.8% in patients with HLA‐Glow expression vs 12.5% in those with HLA‐Ghigh expression (P < 3 × 10−5). Similarly, patients with IDOhigh expression were at a significantly reduced overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) rates (P = 0.011 and 0.045,...
Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is known as an immune suppressive molecule; it interacts with s... more Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is known as an immune suppressive molecule; it interacts with several immune cells and inhibits their functions. HLA-G molecule is highly represented in pathological conditions including malignant transformation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that focuses on the expression of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in endometrial cancer (EC). We aimed at exploring sHLA-G plasma levels and its prognostic value in EC. We examined total sHLA-G expression as well as the sHLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms expression in plasma samples from 40 patients with EC and 45 healthy controls by a specific sandwich ELISA. Immunoprecipitation and Coomassie blue staining were performed to explore the presence of plasmatic sHLA-G monomers and dimers. sHLA-G plasma level was significantly enhanced in patients with EC compared to healthy controls (p = 0.028). Additionally, HLA-G5 molecules were highly represented than sHLA-G1 molecules in EC, at the borderline of signifi...
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-F has been involved in immune regulation of infectious diseases. Ho... more Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-F has been involved in immune regulation of infectious diseases. However, the role of HLA-F polymorphisms in hepatitis B infection outcomes remains unclear. Here, we aimed to determine HLA-F polymorphism implication in chronic HBV. Genotype analysis was performed for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HLA-F and one SNP of HLA-E using PCR-SSP, in 252 Tunisian patients with chronic HBV infection stratified according to their HBV DNA levels (140 patients with low HBV DNA levels < 2000 IU/mL and 112 patients with high HBV DNA levels ≥ 2000 IU/mL) and 240 healthy controls (CTRL). The three HLA-F SNPs (HLA-F*01:02, -F*01:03 and -F*01:04) have the same allelic and genotypic frequencies in patients and in CTRL. We reported a low HLA-F*01:02 and F*01:04 allelic frequencies in the Tunisian population; however, high HLA-F*01:03 allele frequencies were observed (17%). A significant association was found between the HLA-F*01:03 allele and decreased l...
HLA-G is a non classical HLA class I molecule involved in immunotolerance. It contributes to the ... more HLA-G is a non classical HLA class I molecule involved in immunotolerance. It contributes to the evasion of tumors from immunosurveillance. We investigated in the first part of this work, the role of NF-kappa B in modulating HLA-G expression in HLA-G positive tumor cell lines. The treatment of tunior cells with TNF-alpha or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, decreased HLA-G1 expression and increased in the same time the level of intracytoplasmic HLA-G proteins. The reduction of HLA-G cell surface expression which is dependant from NF-kappa B involves metalloproteases activity. Soluble HLA-G 1 produced reduces significatively the cytotoxicity of NK cells. This regulation of HLA-G expression may have a relevance in tumor escape. In a second part of this work, we demonstrated that HLA-G 1 activates the classical NF-kappa B pathway in NK cells. This activation occurs through the alphal domain of HLA-G molecule and may involve KIR2DL4 receptor. Activated NF-kappa B is functionnal because it induces the expression of an NF-kappa B target gene : Ikappa B-alpha. All these results suggest an additional role of HLA-G in innate immunity.
RÉSUMÉ : Le caroubier, Ceratonia siliqua L, légumineuse agro-sylvo-pastorale typiquement méditerr... more RÉSUMÉ : Le caroubier, Ceratonia siliqua L, légumineuse agro-sylvo-pastorale typiquement méditerranéenne, largement répartie en Tunisie sous forme de peuplements spontanés ou artificiels, possède de gros intérêts socio-économiques et écologiques. Sa gomme mucilagineuse est utilisée dans plusieurs domaines industriels du fait de ses propriétés techno- fonctionnelles (stabilisant, épaississant, agglomérant et gélatinant). Parce que très peu de travaux se sont intéressés au caroubier, nous avons focalisé notre travail sur les propriétés pharmaceutiques, cosmétiques et alimentaires associés à la gomme de caroube. Etant donné ses importantes propriétés, nous pensons que la gomme de caroube, biomolécule trésor pour la santé humaine, aura une très grande valeur économique. Carob gum: industrial treasure? ABSTRACT: Carob, Ceratonia siliqua L, legume agro-forestry-pastoral typically Mediterranean, widely distributed in Tunisia stands as spontaneous or artificial, has large socio-economic int...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the HLA-G 14-bp deletion/insertion ... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the HLA-G 14-bp deletion/insertion (Del/Ins) polymorphism and soluble (s) HLA-G production in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). We analyzed also the sHLA-G molecules by ELISA and western blot in plasma samples. Among unselected patients, the 14-bp Del/Ins polymorphism was not significantly associated with increased CD risk neither for alleles (P = 0.371) nor for genotypes (P = 0.625). However, a significant association was reported between the 14-bp Del/Ins polymorphism and CD, in particular in young-onset CD patients for alleles [P = 0.020, odds ratio (OR) = 2.438, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–5.25] but not with adult-onset CD patients. A significant association was reported concerning the genotype Ins/Ins for young-onset CD patients (P = 0.029, OR = 3.257, 95% CI: 1.08–9.77). We observed also a significant increase in sHLA-G measured by ELISA in CD patients compared to controls (P = 0.002). The 14-bp Del/Del and...
In Algeria, vaccination against pertussis is carried out using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine c... more In Algeria, vaccination against pertussis is carried out using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine combined with the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTwp). The quality control of vaccines locally produced or imported is carried out before the batch release. The aim of our work was to evaluate the potency of pertussis vaccines. In the present study, five consecutive trials of potency were conducted on samples of the same batch of (DTwp) using the mouse protection test (MPT) against experimental infection of Bordetella pertussis strain 18323, based on the Kendrick test. The virulence of B. pertussis strain 18–323 was verified by the mortality of mice, with an average LD50 of 338.92, as well as the dose of the lethal test containing a mean number of LD50 of 324.43. The (MPT) test recorded a relative potency of 8.02 IU/human dose, with 95% CL of (3.56–18.05) IU/human dose. The development of the (MPT) at the laboratory of quality control of vaccines and sera at the Pasteur Institute of Alg...
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem worldwide and in Tunisia. It... more Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem worldwide and in Tunisia. It ranks among the main cancers in terms of incidence and cancer-related cause of death. Its pathogenesis is currently considered to be multifactorial involving genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have suggested that the gene encoding the β1 subunit of the IL-12 receptor, an important pro-inflammatory cytokine of the anti-tumor response, could be involved in the susceptibility to inherited CRC. Hence, it would be interesting to study the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-12RB1 gene (rs401502 and rs11575934) in CRC susceptibility.Aim: Our purpose was to assess whether genetic variants IL-12RB1 +1196G/C (rs401502) and IL-12RB1 +705A/G (rs11575934) within the IL-12RB1 gene are associated with the sporadic CRC risk.Methods: A total of 110 Tunisian patients with sporadic CRC and 141 healthy control subjects were included in this study. Genotyping was per...
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