Despite the worldwide efforts made in the field of HIV vaccine development, an efficient AIDS vaccine strategy is still vague. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are one of the introduced aspects for HIV vaccine development since the non-replicative nature of HIV VLPs, resulting from the lack of viral genomic RNA, makes them suitable for broad applications. We have previously designed and introduced non-infectious VLPs (mzNL4-3) by introduction of a deletion mutation in the reverse transcriptase and integrase coding regions of HV-1. There are evidences suggesting that an effective cellular immune response against HIV-1 is able to control and suppress viremia during primary and chronic HIV infections. In the present study we have evaluated the potency of mzNL4-3 VLPs mixed with Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B outer-membrane vesicle (OMV), which is among the microbial components with proved adjuvant properties, to induce humoral and cellular responses against HIV-1. Analysis of anti-HIV-1 responses elicited in immunized BALB/c mice following different immunization regimens indicated OMV+VLP as an immunopotent combination which significantly induced anti-HIV-1 IgG with IgG2a dominancy. Results of cytokine and ELISpot assays also showed the capability of VLP+OMV immunogen for effective induction of IFN-gamma; and IL4 secreting cells and further suggested the promotion of Th1-oriented response that was evidenced with the increased IFN-γ/IL4 secretion ratio. According to our study, HIV-1 VLPs combined with N. meningitidis B OMVs seem to be a promising approach in vaccine development against HIV-1.

BackgroundThe current medical treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, but just 50% of genotype 1 HCV patients and about 80% of HCV genotype 3 patients are treated completely. Recently, the rs12979860 C/T polymorphism, which is located 3 kb upstream of the IL28b gene that codes IFNλ3, shows a powerful association in response to the treatment in HCV patients.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between IL28b single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and treatment outcomes among chronic HCV patients in Iran.Patients and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 108 blood samples were collected from chronic patients in Iran; 50 unrelated healthy subject samples were also collected. Genomic DNA was extracted, and rs12979860 SNP was done by PCR-RFLP. Finally, products were detected on 12% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.ResultsThe analysis of data for C/T SNP showed that the CC genotype is more common in the control group than in the group of patients. In contrast, the frequency of TT as a mutant genotype is more frequent in patients than in uninfected people. In addition, results showed a statistically significant relationship between CC, CT, and TT genotypes in sensitive and resistant groups (P value: < 0.001, Or: 0.003, CI: 0-0.047). This relationship was also examined in terms of allele frequency, to determine whether the possibility of resistance to treatment in patients with T allele is more than in patients who carry C allele (P value: < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results showed a significant effect between rs12979860 SNP and sustained virological response (SVR) rate in Iranian patients with chronic HCV. To decrease the cost of long treatments and to prevent severe side effects, determining this polymorphism at the beginning of treatment can be very helpful for patients and physicians.

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To our knowledge, this is first significant correlation between risk of uterine leiomyoma and null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes among Iranian patients. Our data support the involvement of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in uterine leiomyoma liability, and especially its role as a genetic factor in the occurrence of this disease.

Objectives:The aim of the present study was to determine the rate, risk factors and genotypes of Hepatitis B virus amongst imprisoned men as a high-risk subpopulation. Patients and Methods:This study was an anonymous cross-sectional study conducted on 3000 sentenced men in Karaj jails from 1 December 2008 to 28 November 2009. HBV serological markers [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)], human immunodeficiency virus antibody (anti-HIV) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) were analyzed by the ELISA technique. Nested PCR was done for the detection of HBV DNA and patterns of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were obtained to determine the HBV genotypes. These patterns were confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in 122/3000 (4.1%) prisoners. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HIV, anti-HCV and anti-HIV/anti-HCV were detected in 52/122 (42.6%), 12/122 (10%), 22/122 (18%) and 3/122 (2.4%) prisoners, respectively. The HBV-DNA was found in 115/122 (94.3%) prisoners. The most high risk behavior was to utilize the collaborative syringe by injecting drug users (IDUs) with or without other risk factors (75.3%). Genotype D1 was obviously the only predominant type (100%). Conclusions:The rate of HBV in prisoners was significantly higher than that reported for the general population (4.1% vs. < 2%). Blood borne viral co-infections were prevalent in HBsAg positive prisoners. Continual tracing of genotypes and risk factors are helpful for identifying transmission patterns and target at-risk groups for preventive programs. High rates of HBV in prisoners indicates the need for extensive free of charge vaccination of this subpopulation.Hepatitis B is the most serious type of viral hepatitis infection. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at a high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Worldwide, about two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and more than 240 million have chronic (long-term) liver infections. About 600,000 people die every year from this serious infection. Unfortunately, high rate of intravenous drug use, high-risk sexual behaviors and overcrowding have increasingly made prisons a breeding ground for hepatitis B infection.