Ali A. Al‐Jabri

Sultan Qaboos University

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Elias A. Said

Sultan Qaboos University

Mohammed S. Al‐Balushi

Sultan Qaboos University

Sidgi S. Hasson

Sultan Qaboos University

Crystal Y. Koh

Sultan Qaboos University

Juma Z. Al-Busaidi

Sultan Qaboos University

John Oxford

Queen Mary University of London

Iman Al‐Reesi

Sultan Qaboos University

Khalid Al‐Naamani

Royal Hospital

Abdullah Balkhair

Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

Talal A. Sallam

Al Baha University

Cooperative Institutions

Sultan Qaboos University

Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

McGill University

McGill University Health Centre

Oman Medical College

Bipar

Ministry of Health

King Saud University

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Université de Montréal

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New genetic variants in the CCR5 gene and the distribution of known polymorphisms in Omani population

International Journal of Immunogenetics (2013)

Samira H. Al-Mahruqi Fahad Zadjali Crystal Y. Koh Abdullah Balkhair Elias A. Said

Summary C – C motif chemokine receptor‐5 ( CCR 5) is a pro‐inflammatory receptor that binds to chemokines and facilitates the entry of the R5 strain of HIV ‐1. A number of polymorphisms were identified within the promoter and coding regions of the CCR 5 gene, some of which have been found to affect the protein expression and thus receptor function. Although several CCR 5 polymorphisms were shown to vary widely in their distribution among different ethnic populations, there has been no study addressing the potential variants of the CCR 5 gene in the Omani population. The aim of this study was to identify the polymorphic sites that exist within the CCR 5 gene in Omanis. Blood samples were collected from 89 Omani adult individuals, and genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to identify the polymorphic sites. The distribution of the detected variants was examined and compared with the previously published data. Four new indels were detected of 32 variable positions, −2973A/–, −2894A/–, −2827 TA /– and −2769T/–, and all were located in the 5′ UTR . Furthermore, two new mutations, −2248G/A and +658A/G, were observed for the first time; the −2248G/A was detected in the intron 1 region in one subject and +658A/G in the coding region of the CCR 5 in another subject. In silico analysis showed that the novel variations in the 5′ UTR may have effects on the transcription factor binding sites. Therefore, this study demonstrates the presence of two new SNP s and four novel indels in the CCR 5 gene in the O mani population. Our findings support the wide spectrum of genetic diversity reported within the CCR 5 gene region among different ethnic groups.

Indel

Coding region

SNP

10.1111/iji.12081

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Citations (4)

Rheumatoid arthritis, cytokines and hypoxia. What is the link?

PubMed (2006)

Ahmed Al-Shukaili Ali A. Al‐Jabri

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population, in a female to male ratio of 3:1. The disease can occur at any age, but it is most common among those aged 40-70 years. Despite many years of study, the etiology of RA is still undefined. However, with increased understanding of the immune system the pathogenesis of RA has become clearer. A large bulk of data suggests that T lymphocytes and macrophages play a critical role in the initiation and perpetuation of synovial inflammation. Recently, the cytokine profile of T helper cells has been associated with the disease, the cytokine repertoire of inflamed synovia is categorized as that of T helper 1 response. Moreover, in RA elevated levels of pro-inflammatory or inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor - alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin -1 beta (IL-1beta) have been detected. Hypoxia up-regulates TNF-alpha and IL-1beta; therefore, considerable research interest has been focused on the biological consequences of the hypoxic nature of the rheumatoid synovium. Hypoxia might underlie the functional polarization of the T cells and cytokine production, and thus may contribute to the progression and persistence of the disease. In this short review, we discuss our current knowledge of the link between cytokines and RA and the role of hypoxia in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Pathogenesis

Proinflammatory cytokine

Hypoxia

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In-Vitro Virucidal and Virustatic anti HIV-1 Effects of Extracts from Persea Americana Mill, (Avocado) Leaves

Antiviral chemistry & chemotherapy (1996)

M.D. Wigg Ali A. Al‐Jabri Sônia Soares Costa Esther Race Bernard Bodo

Aqueous (PA1) and methanolic extracts (PA2a–d; PA3) from the tropical tree Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae), were evaluated for their cellular toxicity and anti-HIV-1 activity both in virustatic and virucidal assays. With the exception of PA3 and PA2d, all extracts showed anti-HIV-1 activity at concentrations which were not toxic for the H9 indicator cells. From the methanol insoluble extract (PA2) four different fractions (PA2a–d) were obtained using reverse-phase column chromatography, and two of the fractions (b and c) showed detectable virucidal effect. One fraction (PA2a) showed virustatic effects inhibiting HIV syncytium formation and viral p24 antigen formation at concentrations which were not toxic for the indicator cells. The results demonstrate for the first time that extracts from P. americana leaves have moderate anti-HIV-1 activity in vitro.

Persea

Lauraceae

Syncytium

10.1177/095632029600700401

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Citations (20)

Editorial: Modulation of the adaptive immune responses and chronicity of infections with enveloped viruses

Frontiers in Immunology (2023)

Elias A. Said Petronela Ancuța Jean‐Pierre Routy Jean‐Pierre Vartanian Ali A. Al‐Jabri

EDITORIAL article Front. Immunol., 07 February 2023Sec. Viral Immunology Volume 14 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1137399

Immune Modulation

10.3389/fimmu.2023.1137399

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Citations (1)

A Potential Inhibitory Profile of Liver CD68+ Cells during HCV Infection as Observed by an Increased CD80 and PD-L1 but Not CD86 Expression

PLoS ONE (2016)

Elias A. Said Iman Al‐Reesi Marwa Al-Riyami Khalid Al‐Naamani Shadia Al-Sinawi

Aim The lack of potent innate immune responses during HCV infection might lead to a delay in initiating adaptive immune responses. Kupffer cells (KCs) and liver-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages (CD68+ cells) are essential to establish effective anti-HCV responses. They express co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86. CD86 upregulation induces activator responses that are then potentially regulated by CD80. The relative levels of expression of CD80, CD86 and the inhibitory molecule, PD-L1, on CD68+ cells modulate T cell activation. A few studies have explored CD80 and PD-L1 expression on KCs and infiltrating monocytes/macrophages in HCV-infected livers, and none investigated CD86 expression in these cells. These studies have identified these cells based on morphology only. We investigated the stimulatory/inhibitory profile of CD68+ cells in HCV-infected livers based on the balance of CD80, CD86 and PD-L1 expression. Methods CD80, CD86 and PD-L1 expression by CD68+ cells in the lobular and portal areas of the liver of chronic HCV-infected (n = 16) and control (n = 14) individuals was investigated using double staining immunohistochemistry. Results The count of CD68+ KCs in the lobular areas of the HCV-infected livers was lower than that in the control (p = 0.041). The frequencies of CD68+CD80+ cells and CD68+PD-L1+ cells in both lobular and total areas of the liver were higher in HCV-infected patients compared with those in the control group (p = 0.001, 0.031 and 0.007 respectively). Moreover, in the lobular areas of the HCV-infected livers, the frequency of CD68+CD80+ cells was higher than that of CD68+CD86+ and CD68+PD-L1+ cells. In addition, the frequencies of CD68+CD80+ and CD68+CD86+ cells were higher in the lobular areas than the portal areas. Conclusions Our results show that CD68+ cells have an inhibitory profile in the HCV-infected livers. This might help explain the delayed T cell response and viral persistence during HCV infection.

CD80

CD86

CD68

10.1371/journal.pone.0153191

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Citations (7)

Genetic diversity and transmissibility of imported Plasmodium vivax in Qatar and three countries of origin

Scientific Reports (2018)

Mohammed H. Abdelraheem Devendra Bansal Mohammed A. Idris Moawia M. Mukhtar Muzamil Mahdi Abdel Hamid

Malaria control program in the Arabian Peninsula, backed by adequate logistical support, has interrupted transmission with exception of limited sites in Saudi Arabia and sporadic outbreaks in Oman. However, sustained influx of imported malaria represents a direct threat to the above success. Here we examined the extent of genetic diversity among imported P. vivax in Qatar, and its ability to produce gametocytes, compared to parasites in main sites of imported cases, the Indian subcontinent (india) and East Africa (Sudan and Ethiopia). High diversity was seen among imported P. vivax in Qatar, comparable to parasites in the Indian subcontinent and East Africa. Limited genetic differentiation was seen among imported P. vivax, which overlapped with parasites in India, but differentiated from that in Sudan and Ethiopia. Parasite density among imported cases, ranged widely between 26.25-7985934.1 Pv18S rRNA copies/µl blood, with a high prevalence of infections carried gametocytes detectable by qRT-PCR. Parasitaemia was a stronger predictor for P. vivax gametocytes density (r = 0.211, P = 0.04). The extensive diversity of imported P. vivax and its ability to produce gametocytes represent a major threat for re-introduction of malaria in Qatar. The genetic relatedness between P. vivax reported in Qatar and those in India suggest that elimination strategy should target flow and dispersal of imported malaria into the region.

Indian subcontinent

Vivax malaria

10.1038/s41598-018-27229-z

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Citations (12)

Genetic diversity and prevalence of CCR2-CCR5 gene polymorphisms in the Omani population

Genetics and Molecular Biology (2014)

Samira H. Al-Mahruqi Fahad Zadjali Albano Beja‐Pereira Crystal Y. Koh Abdullah Balkhair

Polymorphisms in the regulatory region of the CCR5 gene affect protein expression and modulate the progress of HIV-1 disease. Because of this prominent role, variations in this gene have been under differential pressure and their frequencies vary among human populations. The CCR2V64I mutation is tightly linked to certain polymorphisms in the CCR5 gene. The current Omani population is genetically diverse, a reflection of their history as traders who ruled extensive regions around the Indian Ocean. In this study, we examined the CCR2-CCR5 haplotypes in Omanis and compared the patterns of genetic diversity with those of other populations. Blood samples were collected from 115 Omani adults and genomic DNA was screened to identify the polymorphic sites in the CCR5 gene and the CCR2V64I mutation. Four minor alleles were common: CCR5-2554T and CCR5-2086G showed frequencies of 49% and 46%, respectively, whereas CCR5-2459A and CCR5-2135C both had a frequency of 36%. These alleles showed moderate levels of heterozygosity, indicating that they were under balancing selection. However, the well-known allele CCR5Δ32 was relatively rare. Eleven haplotypes were identified, four of which were common: HHC (46%), HHE (20%), HHA (14%) and HHF*2 (12%).

Balancing selection

10.1590/s1415-47572014000100004

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Citations (3)

Non-responders to egg grown influenza vaccine seroconvert after booster immunization with MDCK cell grown vaccine

Vaccine (2003)

John Oxford Ali A. Al‐Jabri Rob Lambkin‐Williams A.M. Palache Douglas Fleming

Booster dose

Inactivated vaccine

10.1016/s0264-410x(03)00214-7

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Citations (14)

Altered blood cytokines, CD4 T cells, NK and neutrophils in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Immunology Letters (2017)

Elias A. Said Mohammed Al-Abri Iman Al-Saidi Mohammed S. Al‐Balushi Jumaa Z. Al-Busaidi

Respiratory burst

Ex vivo

10.1016/j.imlet.2017.08.009

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Citations (24)

Knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate medical and non-medical students in Sultan Qaboos University toward acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

PubMed (2003)

Ali A. Al‐Jabri Jehan H. Al-Abri

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Omani medical and non-medical students in Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), toward acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).A structured questionnaire of 40 different statements concerning basic knowledge of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), its modes of transmission, diagnosis, risk behaviors, prevention, treatment, beliefs as well as attitudes towards AIDS patients were distributed to 200 students (109 females and 91 males). One hundred and sixteen were pre-clinical students and 84 were non-medical students. This study was carried out during the period October 2001 through to June 2002.Most of the students (94%) were aware that HIV is a life-long infection and 93% think that it is preventable. No available vaccine is appreciated by medical more than the non-medical students. However, 46% of students believed that donating blood could lead to transmission of HIV. Students or colleagues with the HIV infection attending the same classroom and working place were accepted by 55% of medical and 53% of non-medical students. However, most students (65.4%) did hesitate to take care of an AIDS patient.Although most students showed reasonable knowledge regarding transmission, risk behaviors and prevention, misconceptions regarding the attitudes reflects a false perception of the disease among those students. This calls for well-structured health education programs stressing on such misconceptions.

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Citations (28)