Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology to obviate loss of T cell responsiveness under simulated microgravity
PLOS ONE
Authors: Rinaldi, Salvatore; Meloni, Maria Antonia; Galleri, Grazia; Maioli, Margherita; Pigliaru, Gianfranco; Cugia, Giulia; Santaniello, Sara; Castagna, Alessandro; Fontani, Vania
Abstract
Alterations of the gravitational environment are likely to modify cell behavior. Several studies have proven that T cells are sensitive to gravity alterations and that microgravity conditions may induce immunosuppression and weakened T cell immune response in humans during spaceflights. The aim of this work was to elucidate if a specific treatment of Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology could restore, after mitogenic activation (Con A), a correct expression of cytokine IL2 gene and its receptor IL2R alpha, which are inhibited in T cells under microgravity conditions, as demonstrated in several studies. The results of this study, conducted in microgravity simulated with Random Positioning Machine (RPM), confirm the T cell activation recovery and offer the evidence that REAC technology could contribute to the understanding of T cell growth responsiveness in space, reducing the impact of weightlessness on the immune system experienced by humans in long duration space missions.
Non-significant association between-330 T/G polymorphism in interleukin-2 gene and chronic periodontitis: findings from a meta-analysis
BMC ORAL HEALTH
Authors: da Silva, Felipe Rodolfo Pereira; Galeno, Juliana Gomes; Leal, Alessandro Luiz Araujo Bentes; Koga, Reyce Santos; Batista, Nayana Yared; da Conceicao Furtado, Silvania; Vasconcelos, Daniel Fernando Pereira; Carvalho, Marcelo Diniz; Barcellos, Jose Fernando Marques
Abstract
Background Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an immune-inflammatory disease that promotes tissue damage around the teeth. Among the several inflammatory mediators that orchestrate the periodontitis, there is the interleukin (IL)-2. Genetic variations in IL2 gene may be associated with the risk and severity of the disease. Contrary results are available in the literature with inconclusive findings and none meta-analysis to gather these data. Methods A literature search was performed for studies published before June 11, 2019 in diverse scientific and educational databases. The data was extracted by two investigators and the statistical evaluation was performed by Review Manager statistical program with heterogeneity (I-2) and Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% of Confidence Intervals (CI) calculations and a sensitive analysis to assess the accuracy of the obtained results. The publication bias was evaluated by Begg' and Egger's test with Comprehensive meta-analysis software. The value of P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results Five studies were identified in diverse ethnical groups with 1425 participants. The - 330 T/G polymorphism in IL2 gene was not significantly associated with CP in allelic evaluation (P > 0.05) as well as in the genotypic comparisons (P = 0.15). The Begg's test and the linear regression Egger's test did not show any evidence of publication bias risk (P > 0.05) which was corroborated by the absence of obvious asymmetry in Funnel plot graphic. Conclusions This meta-analysis showed a non-significant association between - 330 T/G polymorphism in IL2 gene and CP in any allelic evaluation.