چکیده
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Objectives: Protein inhibitors of activated STAT (PIAS) are transcription co-regulator of the
Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway as well as nuclear
factor-κB family of transcription factors. Both of them are involved in cytokine release during
inflammatory response.
Patients and methods: Considering the role of cytokine imbalance in the pathogenesis of
multiple sclerosis (MS), we compared blood expressions of PIAS1-4 genes in 48 interferon β
(IFNβ)-treated MS patients with those of healthy subjects by means of real time PCR.
Results: Although the expression levels of these genes were not significantly different between
MS patients and healthy subjects, significant inverse correlations have been found between
PIAS1 expression and age at disease onset. PIAS2 and PIAS3 expressions were inversely correlated
with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in patients. Moreover, PIAS3 expression
was correlated with disease duration in patients and with age in controls. In addition, PIAS4
expression was inversely correlated with EDSS and age at disease onset while it was positively
correlated with disease duration.
Conclusion: The present study provides evidences for altered expression of PIAS genes in
IFNβ-treated MS patients compared with healthy subjects. However, future studies are needed
for elaboration of their exact function in this disorder.
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