Zahra Kanannejad

Dr. Zahra Kanannejad

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 June 2022 in Pediatric Pulmonology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ZKZahra Kanannejad
Zahra Kanannejad
MSMohammad Shomali
Mohammad Shomali
HEHossein Esmaeilzadeh
Hossein Esmaeilzadeh
HNHesamedin Nabavizadeh
Hesamedin Nabavizadeh
KNKoorosh Nikaein
Koorosh Nikaein
SASoheila Alyasin
Soheila Alyasin

1 January 2025 in American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ZKZahra Kanannejad
Zahra Kanannejad
NKNassim Kheshtchin
Nassim Kheshtchin
HNHesamedin Nabavizadeh
Hesamedin Nabavizadeh
Successful implantation and pregnancy rely on complex interactions between the embryo and the maternal reproductive tract. Seminal plasma components, including proteins, cytokines, and growth factors, are pivotal in enhancing endometrial receptivity and inducing maternal immune tolerance to the developing conceptus. Exposure to seminal plasma facilitates pathogen clearance, supports embryo development, and modulates immune responses by altering the endometrial transcriptome and promoting regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion. Proteomic studies have identified seminal plasma factors involved in these processes. Changes in the immunomodulatory components of seminal plasma can diminish its positive effects on the endometrium, potentially resulting in reduced fertility and increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review explores how seminal plasma influences maternal immune responses and highlights the clinical implications, particularly its potential to improve outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Understanding the molecular dialogue between seminal plasma and the endometrium may lead to new strategies for enhancing fertility and promoting healthy pregnancy.

13 August 2025 in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
ZKZahra Kanannejad
Zahra Kanannejad
WTWalter Robert Taylor
Walter Robert Taylor
MMMilad Mohkam
Milad Mohkam
MGMohammad Amin Ghatee
Mohammad Amin Ghatee
Pediatric respiratory allergic diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, are increasingly recognized as significant global health concerns, with rising prevalence rates linked to environmental changes driven by urbanization and climate change. This review explores the impact of climatic factors such as temperature fluctuations, shifting precipitation patterns, and dust storms on air pollution and its consequences on respiratory allergic diseases in children. Evidence suggests these environmental exposures increase allergen loads and profoundly influence immune system function. Air pollutants and airborne allergens promote Type 2 helper T‐cell (Th2)‐skewed responses, leading to elevated IgE production, eosinophilic inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. Additionally, epithelial barrier dysfunction caused by oxidative stress triggers the release of alarmins such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin‐33 (IL‐33), and IL‐25, that activate innate lymphoid cells, and amplify allergic sensitization. Long‐term exposure to pollutants also disrupts immune tolerance by impairing regulatory T‐cell (Treg) activity and promoting persistent airway inflammation. This review highlights how these immunological pathways contribute to the severity and chronicity of allergic diseases in pediatric populations, with special attention to studies conducted in regions prone to dust storms. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing targeted public health strategies, improving air quality, and mitigating the health impacts of climate change on children.

29 July 2024 in Frontiers in Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NKNassim Kheshtchin
Nassim Kheshtchin
ZKZahra Kanannejad
Zahra Kanannejad
ZGZahra Ghahramani
Zahra Ghahramani
HEHossein Esmaeilzadeh
Hossein Esmaeilzadeh
NSNajmeh Sepahi
Najmeh Sepahi
Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are a group of conditions characterized by an abnormal accumulation of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Regulatory cells are a subset of immune cells that are crucial in maintaining the balance of the immune system and preventing the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. In EGIDs, regulatory cells are believed to play a key role in controlling the immune response and overseeing the growth and activation of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract. There is evidence indicating that regulatory T cells (Tregs) and regulatory eosinophils may play a role in suppressing the inflammatory response in EGIDs. Regulatory eosinophils are a subgroup of eosinophils that possess an anti-inflammatory role. Recent studies have shown that enhancing the number or effectiveness of regulatory eosinophils can reduce the severity of EGIDs. Regulatory eosinophils dampen inflammation through their regulatory mediators, such as galectin-10 and growth factor beta (TGF-β), which promote Treg expansion and inhibit effector T cell function. Further research on regulatory cells in EGIDs may have significant implications for the advancement of novel therapies for these uncommon and intricate disorders. The aim of this review is to provide complete view of the immune responses connected to EGIDs, examine the regulatory cells that control these responses, and evaluate their potential as therapeutic targets for EGID treatment.

8 June 2021 in Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HKHeidar Ali Kafashan
Heidar Ali Kafashan
AKAhmad Reza Khosravi
Ahmad Reza Khosravi
SASoheila Alyasin
Soheila Alyasin
NSNajmeh Sepahi
Najmeh Sepahi
ZKZahra Kanannejad
Zahra Kanannejad
SKSahar Karami
Sahar Karami
Airborne pollen is considered one of the causative agents of hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. We aimed to investigate airborne pollens in the context of Shiraz located in the southwest of Iran and find their association with meteorological parameters. The survey was conducted from October 2017 to September 2018, using seven days of volumetric Burkard spore trap, located in the center of the city. A total of 5810 pollen grains/m3 belonging to 15 taxa were identified and recorded. Among them, 73.8% was the tree, while the grass, shrub, and weed constituted 13.56%, 3.5%, and 9.2% of total reported pollens, respectively. The major pollen types were Platanaceae (28.39%), Oleaceae (21.17%), Pinaceae (15.11%), Amaranthaceae (9.29%), and Brassicaceae (8.02%). A higher number of pollen counts and types were recorded in March, followed by September, while it was lower in May. Meteorological parameters were correlated with the monthly pollen counts. Wind speed was found to have a positive correlation with Platanaceae concentration. The significant correlation between pollen concentration and the temperature was positive for Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Plantaginaceae and negative for Rosaceae, Oleaceae, and Ulmaceae. Poaceae and Amaranthaceae were negatively correlated with humidity and positively with Rosaceae, Oleaceae, and Plantaginaceae. A negative correlation was found between rainfall and Poaceae and Amaranthaceae, while Plantaginaceae had a positive correlation with this parameter. The results of this study may be helpful for allergologists in the diagnosis and treatment of airborne allergic disorders due to pollen grains.

19 May 2019 in Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ZKZahra Kanannejad
Zahra Kanannejad
BJBahia Namavar Jahromi
Bahia Namavar Jahromi
BGBehrouz Gharesi-Fard
Behrouz Gharesi-Fard
Unexplained infertility (UI) is one of the most common diagnoses in the fertility care. Seminal plasma (SP) plays a crucial role in the regulation of female immune responses and the success of a pregnancy. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a well-known method for the treatment of UI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of SP on the differentiation of T helper (Th) cell subsets and the relationship between these subsets with the rate of IVF success in a group of women complicated with UI compared to those with normal pregnancy. This study was conducted on 20 UI couples (ten with successful and ten with unsuccessful IVF outcome) and 10 fertile couples as the control group. Four color flow cytometry technique was used to detect Th cell subsets in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with or without stimulation by SP. Results indicated that the frequencies of IL-17+ and Foxp3+ T cells after incubation with SP was significantly increased in couples with unsuccessful IVF outcome as compared to successful and healthy groups (p<0.05). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between Th1 and Th2 cells in the unsuccessful IVF group (R=0.6, p=0.03). In summary, the results of the present study demonstrated that exposure to SP might increase Th17 and Treg cell frequencies in infertile women with unsuccessful IVF, and might also balance inflammatory to regulatory responses to finally tune-up the Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg balance and support the success of IVF.