<![CDATA[There is chronic antigenic stimulation, repetitive transfusion exposure, iron overload, and immune dysregulation associated with beta-thalassemia. Regarding soluble immune-regulatory markers, there are insufficient data in Iraqi patients. To compare the serum concentrations of soluble human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), soluble CD4, soluble CD8, and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in patients with beta-thalassemia and healthy controls. The present case-control study was conducted in Diyala Province, Iraq, and included 60 persons diagnosed with beta-thalassemia and 30 apparently healthy persons as controls. The concentrations of serum HLA-G, CD4, CD8, and IL-17A were assessed using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Haematological parameters and serum ferritin level were assessed as auxiliary clinical parameters. An independent-samples t-test was used for the between-group comparisons, and t-test or analysis of variance, as appropriate, for sex and age-group comparisons. Mean serum CD8 was higher in patients than controls, as were IL-17A و HLA-G, whereas CD4 did not differ significantly. Severe anemia, leukocyte-profile changes, and significantly increased levels of ferritin were also observed in patients. HLA-G levels were significantly higher in males and varied with age in patients but not in the other immune markers. In the crude between-group comparisons, there were significant differences in the serum sCD8 and IL-17A levels between beta-thalassemia patients and healthy controls.]]>
