Background: Psoriasis has a global prevalence of 1–3%, with variations observed across different ethnic groups and geographical areas. Disease susceptibility and response to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) drugs suggest different genetic regulatory mechanisms which may include NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) polymorphism. Evaluation of the NLRP3 gene polymorphism, the serum level of CRP and TNFα in psoriasis patients and assessment of the NLRP3 (rs10754558) gene polymorphism, CRP and TNFα with disease severity and their role as biomarkers for response to Methotrexate and Adalimumab in psoriasis. The study had a total of 75 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris, who were compared to a control group of 75 healthy individuals. Results: There was a highly significant difference in NLRP3 genotypes and alleles distribution between psoriasis patients and controls (P = 0.002,0.004). The heterozygote genotype GC (OR = 3.67,95%CI:1.75–7.68, P = 0.0006), was linked with increased risk of psoriasis. Additionally, The GC genotype was significantly associated with nonresponse to psoriasis therapy (OR = 11.7,95%CI:3.24–42.28, P = 0.0002). Regarding serum CRP and TNFα levels, there was a highly statistically significant difference between psoriasis patients and controls (P < 0.0001), and there was also a highly statistically significant difference between responders and non-responders in psoriasis patients regarding PASI 50 (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The NLRP3 (rs10754558) genotypes GC was associated with the severe form of psoriasis and with nonresponse to psoriasis medication. Therefore, NLRP3 (rs10754558) gene polymorphism is an important prognostic biomarker in psoriasis patients. The serum TNFα can be used as a predictor for response to therapy in psoriasis patients. More research for evaluation of role of the NLRP3 gene polymorphism in the genetic risks and treatment outcomes associated with psoriasis is still required.

Introduction: The genetic variants that alter human Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) function may have a part in the establishment of allergic conjunctivitis. Our study aimed to evaluate the FOXP3 polymorphism, serum interleukin13 (IL13) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in allergic conjunctivitis and assess their role as biomarkers for allergic conjunctivitis risk and severity.Methods: This study included 52 cases and 52 controls. Blood samples were taken from allergic conjunctivitis patients and controls for total IgE, IL13 measurement and detection of FOXP3 (rs3761548) gene polymorphism.Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the allergic conjunctivitis group and healthy control group regarding FOXP3 (rs3761548) polymorphism with those have AA genotype are 12 times at risk for allergic conjunctivitis and A allele increases the risk of allergic conjunctivitis by about 4 times. There was statistically significant difference between mild/moderate and severe allergic conjunctivitis regarding FOXP3 (rs3761548) polymorphism with those have AA genotype are 53 times at risk for severe allergic conjunctivitis and A allele increases the risk of severe allergic conjunctivitis by about 6 times. Also, there was a significantly higher value of total IgE IU/ml, IL13 Pg/ml value in severe allergic conjunctivitis compared to moderate/mild allergic conjunctivitis. The best cutoff values of total IgE and serum IL13 for detecting the severity of allergic conjunctivitis were ≥320 IU/ml and ≥40 Pg/ml and the area under the curve were 0.89 and 0.95 respectively.Conclusion: The research significantly contributes to find correlation of FOXP3 polymorphism, total IgE and IL13 with risk and severity of allergic conjunctivitis which are limited in the literature on the perceived value relevance of FOXP3 polymorphism in allergic conjunctivitis risk and severity.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a polygenic disorder. Copy number variations (CNVs) alter the expression of TLR7, T-bet, IL-12B, and FcγRIIIB genes, contributing to AS development via their immune system roles. Objective: The current study aimed to assess the correlation between AS susceptibility and CNVs of TLR7, T-bet, IL12B, and FcγRIIIB, as well as their influence on disease activity. Methods: The study involved 42 healthy controls and 72 patients with AS, recruited from the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation clinic of Zagazig University Hospitals, Zagazig, Egypt, from 01 November 2023 to 30 October 2024. Sociodemographic, clinical data and blood samples were collected from all participants. Copy number estimations for TLR7, T-bet, IL12B, and FcγRIIIB genes were performed using SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of 72 cases aged 19 to 52 years, 47 (65.2%) were men and 25 (34.8%) were women. Controls included 42 participants aged 27 to 55 years, 22 (52.4%) men and 20 (47.6%) women. Higher IL12b and FcγRIIIB gene copy numbers were significantly associated with a higher risk of AS (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–8.07, and p < 0.001, OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.31–13.08, respectively). While T-bet and TLR7 gene CNVs showed no significant association with AS risk. No significant association was observed between the studied CNVs and AS activity. Conclusion: High copy numbers of IL12B and FcγRIIIB genes may be associated with increased AS risk. However, no significant correlation was found between AS risk and TLR7 or T-bet CNVs. What this study adds: The findings of this study revealed that genetic copy number variations may contribute to the risk of AS.

Background: Serum lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and human interleukin 13 (IL-13) polymorphism are important biomarkers in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to evaluate IL-13 polymorphism and serum LCN2 in MS patients and assess their role as predictors of risk and disability in MS. Methodology: This case–control study included 48 patients and 48 controls. Blood samples were obtained to measure LCN2 and to find the IL-13 (rs20541) gene polymorphism by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Individuals with the GG genotype, which is wild normal, produced two fluorescent bands at 210 and 26 bp. Three fluorescent bands were seen at 178, 32 and 26 bp in individuals with the homozygous mutant type AA genotype. Individuals with heterozygous mutant type GA gave four fluorescent bands at 210 bp, 178 bp, 32 bp and 26 bp. Results: The IL-13 (rs20541) polymorphism revealed a statistically significant difference between the MS group and the healthy control group. The AG genotype raises the risk of MS by 9 times, whereas the risk of MS is approximately 3.58 times higher with the A allele. There was no statistically significant difference between the severity of disability in MS regarding IL-13 (rs20541) polymorphism. Also, there was a significant direct correlation between LCN2 and Expanded Disability Status Scale. The best cutoff values of LCN2 for diagnosis and detecting disability in MS were ≥ 5.4 ng/mL, with an area under the curve is 0.90 with sensitivity 85.7% and specificity 82.4%. Conclusion: The research makes a substantial contribution to the literature on the perceived significance of value of IL-13 polymorphism to the risk of MS, while LCN2 is linked to both risk and disability of MS.

Tuberculosis and sarcoidosis can present with similar clinical and radiological features, especially intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, complicating differential diagnosis. This study explored the potential utility of QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT), serum High Mobility Group Box 1 protein (HMGB1), and microRNA-221 (miRNA-221) relative expression as biomarkers to aid in distinguishing tuberculosis-related intrathoracic lymphadenopathy (TBIL) from sarcoidosis-related intrathoracic lymphadenopathy (SAIL). The study included 27 patients with TBIL, 27 patients with SAIL, and 27 healthy controls. QFT results, serum HMGB1 levels, and miRNA-221 relative expression were measured and compared across groups using univariable and exploratory multivariable analyses. Significant differences were observed among the study groups for serum HMGB1 levels, miRNA-221 expression, and QFT results (p < 0.001). Both TBIL and SAIL patients had significantly higher HMGB1 levels compared with healthy controls, consistent with inflammatory activity. In contrast, miRNA-221 expression was significantly elevated in TBIL patients compared with both SAIL patients and controls. Exploratory analyses suggested a potential contribution of miRNA-221 to differentiating TBIL from SAIL, whereas the effects of HMGB1 and QFT were less pronounced after adjustment. The findings suggest that miRNA-221, alongside HMGB1 and QFT, may contribute to the differentiation of TBIL from SAIL, although validation in larger cohorts is necessary.