Evaluation of Interleukin-۳۲ and cyclooxygenase-۲ expression in HAM/TSP patients and HTLV-۱ asymptomatic carriers

Objective(s): HTLV-۱ associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a neuroinflammatory disorder associated with HTLV-۱. Cytokines and inflammatory mediators have a major role in forming inflammation in HAM/TSP patients. This study aimed to measure the levels of IL-۳۲, a proinflammatory cytokine associated with autoinflammatory disorders, and also cyclooxygenase -۲ (COX-۲) as a key mediator of inflammatory pathways in HAM/TSP patients and HTLV-۱ asymptomatic carriers (ACs).Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMCs) were isolated from HAM/TSP patients, ACs, and healthy controls (HCs), and DNA and RNA were extracted to evaluate HTLV-۱ proviral load (PVL) and expression of IL-۳۲ and COX-۲, using real-time PCR. Serum levels of IL-۳۲ were determined by using an ELISA assay.Results: The expression level of IL-۳۲ was significantly higher in ACs compared with HAM/TSP patients and HCs (p ۰.۰۵, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the expression levels of Cox-۲ and protein levels of IL-۳۲ between the study groups.  HTLV-۱ PVL was higher in HAM/TSP patients compared with ACs.Conclusion:  Results showed increased mRNA levels of IL-۳۲ in ACs. Since HTLV-۱ PVL in ACs is lower than in HAM/TSP patients, it could be concluded that IL-۳۲ might be an HTLV-۱ inhibitor that seems to control virus replication. Despite the difference in IL-۳۲ mRNA levels between study groups, no statistically significant differences were observed in IL-۳۲ serum levels. Also, there were no significant differences in COX-۲ expression.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cyclooxygenase-۲ ، HAM/TSP ، HTLV-۱ ، Interleukin-۳۲ ، Inflammation