Jurnal Widya Medika
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026): NOVEMBER

SERUM IMMUNE-REGULATORY BIOMARKERS IN BETA-THALASSEMIA: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF SOLUBLE HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN G, CD4, CD8, AND INTERLEUKIN-17A

Noor Abbas Fadhil (Diyala Directorate of Education, Iraqi Ministry of Education, Diyala, Iraq)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Aug 2026

Abstract

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.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JWM

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Jurnal Widya Medika is the official publication media of Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University, Faculty of Medicine. Jurnal Widya Medika publishes original research articles, case reports, and literature reviews from scientists of various medical education and research institutions, including ...