Browsing by Author "Abaci, Neslihan"

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Association between non-coding polymorphisms of HOPX gene and syncope in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
(TURKISH SOC CARDIOLOGY, 2014-01-01) Gulec, Cagri; Abaci, Neslihan; Bayrak, Fatih; Bayrak, Evrim Kourcu; Kahveci, Gokhan; Guven, Celal; Unaltuna, Nihan Erginel
Objective: Homeodomain Only Protein X (HOPX) is an unusual homeodomain protein which regulates Serum Response Factor (SRF) dependent gene expression. Due to the regulatory role of HOPX on SRF activity and the regulatory role of SRF on cardiac hypertrophy, we aimed to investigate the relationship between HOPX gene variations and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: In this study, designed as a case-control study, we analyzed coding and flanking non-coding regions of the HOPX gene through 67 patients with HCM and 31 healty subjects. Certain regions of the gene were investigated by Single Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Statistical analyses of genotypes and their relationship with clinical parameters were performed by chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and the Fisher's exact test. Results: In 5' Untranslated Region (UTR) and intronic region of the HOPX gene, we found a C>T substitution and an 8-bp insertion/deletion (In/Del) polymorphism, respectively. These two polymorphisms seemed to constitute an haplotype. While the frequency of homozygous genotypes of In/Del and C/T polymorphisms were found significantly lower in the patients with syncope (p=0.014 and p=0.017, respectively), frequency of their heterozygous genotypes were found significantly higher in the patients with syncope (p=0.048 and p=0.030, respectively). Conclusion: Though there was not found any mutation in coding sequence of HOPX gene, two non-coding polymorphisms were found related to syncope in HCM patients. While homozygous status of these polymorphisms was found to be protective against the syncope, their heterozygous status seemed to be a risk factor for syncope in HCM patients. Our results suggest that HOPX may contribute to pathogenesis or manifestation of HCM as a modifier gene.
The modulatory action of C-Vx substance on the immune system in COVID-19
(TAYLOR \& FRANCIS LTD, 2022-01-01) Tahrali, Ilhan; Akdeniz, Nilgun; Yilmaz, Vuslat; Kucuksezer, Umut C.; Oktelik, Fatma B.; Ozdemir, Ozkan; Cetin-Aktas, Esin; Ogutmen, Yelda; Ergen, Arzu; Abaci, Neslihan; Tuzun, Erdem; Oncul, Oral; Deniz, Gunnur
The modulatory effect of C-Vx, a novel therapeutic agent, on the immune system of COVID-19 patients was investigated. The functions of T and NK cells of COVID-19 patients with different disease severity were evaluated by flow cytometry in response to C-Vx stimulation. The levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were detected by multiplex assay in supernatants after cell culture with C-Vx. Bradykinin, IRF3, and IFN-alpha levels were also measured by ELISA in the presence or absence of C-Vx stimulation. As a result, increased CD107a expression was observed on NK cells in response to C-Vx addition. The proliferation of T cell subsets was increased by C-Vx, decreasing by disease severity. IL-4 and IL-10 levels were elevated while IFN-gamma and IL-17 levels were reduced in T cells following C-Vx stimulation. However, the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF were significantly increased upon C-Vx stimulation. IFN-alpha levels tended to increase after incubation with C-Vx. These findings support an immunomodulatory action of C-Vx on the immune system of patients with a mild and moderate phase of COVID-19.