Iranian Ethnic Groups Research Articles

Th1 and Th2 cytokine gene polymorphisms in two indigenous ethnic groups in Iran

Cytokines are important immunomodulatory molecules in immune responses against microorganisms and also have an important role in the setting of disorders affecting immune system. Cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms have been extensively studied in different normal populations as well as in relation to diseases. Some of these polymorphisms (SNP) affect cytokine gene transcription and expression. The polymorphisms of cytokine genes are potentially important as genetic predictors of the disease susceptibility and clinical outcome or as a tool for anthropological studies. In this study, samples have been collected from 261 healthy individuals located in two different regions of Iran (Tehran and Yazd). The allele and genotype frequencies of Th1 and Th2 cytokines SNP including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma have been investigated, using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer method. The allele and genotype frequencies in Tehran and Yazd populations were similar except for the IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10. The IL-4 C allele, C/C -33 and T/T -1098 genotype were significantly more frequent in Tehran than in Yazd population (P = 0.04, P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). The G/A genotype of the IL-6 (nt565) and IL-10 (-1082) was significantly less frequent in Tehran than in Yazd population (P = 0.01 and P = 0.003, respectively). The GT haplotype of the IL-2 (-330, +166) was significantly less frequent in Tehran than in Yazd population (P = 0.0002). We have also compared our whole samples with the reported data from other countries showing that Iranian population have cytokine gene polymorphism profile similar to that of Caucasians, especially Italian population.

Iranian Lurs Genetic Diversity: An Anthropological View Based on HLA Class II Profiles.

HLA genes are highly polymorphic and certain alleles are frequent only in specific populations. Therefore, HLA is a unique tool for studying the genetic relation between different populations. Iranians are ethnically diverse people and one of the major ethnic groups in Iran is Lur population inhabiting along the central and southern parts of Zagros Chain Mountain. Genetic relation among three Lur subpopulations was investigated based on HLA class II profiles. HLA typing was performed using PCR/RFLP and PCR/SSP methods in 154 individuals from three Lur tribes living in Luristan, Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad, and Chahar-Mahal and Bakhtiari. The most common DRB1 allele in Lurs of Luristan and Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad was *1103=4 while DRB1*0701 was the most common allele in Bakhtiari Lurs of Chahar-Mahal and Bakhtiari. DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0301 were the most frequent alleles and DRB1*1103=4-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301 was the predominant haplotype in the three studied subpopulations. Neighbor-joining tree based on Nei's genetic distances and correspondence analysis according to DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 allele frequencies showed a close genetic relation between Lurs of Luristan and Lurs of Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad and they were well separated from Lurs of Chahar-Mahal and Bakhtiari. The results of AMOVA revealed no significant difference between the three studied groups of Lurs and other major ethnic groups of Iran. The results of this study revealed that Bakhtiari Lurs were genetically far from two other Lur subpopulations. Despite a probable common ancestor, this genetic difference might be explained by Bakhtiaris admixture with other Zagros inhabitants due to their nomadic life style.

A Note on Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups in Iran

Even a brief review of the history of Iran clearly indicates that the country has always been the host of diverse ethnic groups during the past four millennia.' Hence, any generalisation concerning the Iranian society and culture is unsatisfactory unless the ethnicity is taken into consideration. Yet, surprisingly, the knowledge about the ethnicity and ethnic groups in Iran remains incomplete and demands clarification. There were no national censuses indicating the population types, geographical distribution, political, socio-economic, and linguistic situations in various ethnic environments in Iran. The lack of relevant information on the ethnic groups has led to incorrect assumptions about the nature of ethnicity and ethnic composition in Iran. For instance, while the total number of the Turkic-speaking groups in Iran, according to our estimations, does not exceed 9 millions,2 almost half of the population of the country (30 millions) are usually considered to be Turks. Furthermore, some scholars, mechanically identifying the speakers of Persian as a distinct ethnic unit (the 'Persians'), exclude those Iranians who speak dialects of Persian, or other Iranian dialects closely related to Persian.3 On the other hand, the Persian-speaking non-Iranian ethnic groups (such as, for instance, Arabs) are numbered as Persians. However, it is obvious that this approach to ethnicity in Iran is misleading, as historically all ethnic groups in Iran, including the 'Persians', irrespective of their origin, language, or religion were always referred to, collectively, as Iranians (Irani). Anyway, with the lack of precise demographical data, the groups of Iranian origin can be estimated around 85 percent of the population of Iran.

Genetic polymorphisms in three Iranian populations with different risks of esophageal cancer, an ecologic comparison

The age-standardized incidence of esophageal cancer (EC) varies from 3 to >100/100,000 per year in different provinces of Iran. This striking variation of incidence is associated with differences in ethnic backgrounds, raising the possibility that genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of EC. We compared the frequencies of polymorphisms in ten genes that have been hypothesized to have a role in risk of EC ( CYP1A1, CYP2A6, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, ADH2, ADH3, ALDH2, and O 6 -MGMT) among three Iranian ethnic groups with highly varying rates of EC. These three groups included high-risk Turkomans, medium-risk Turks, and low-risk Zoroastrian Persians. Compared to Zoroastrians, Turkomans had higher frequency of four alleles that are speculated to favor carcinogenesis ( CYP1A1 m1, CYP1A1 m2, CYP2A6*9, and ADH2*1); these results are consistent with an influence of these allele variants on the population risk of EC. However, none of these four alleles had a high enough prevalence in Turkomans to explain the high rates of EC in this group. Three of these four alleles ( CYP1A1 m1, CYP1A1 m2, CYP2A6*9) were less frequent among Turkomans than in some Asian populations with lower risks of EC. We conclude that it is unlikely that variations in these polymorphic genes are major contributors to the high incidence of EC among Turkomans in Iran.

An Introduction to Persian

Nonfiction. long awaited text once more demonstrates Professor Thackston's mastery over the Persian language and its intricacies, both in its modern and classical form. Thackston makes Persian grammar clear and understandable. His emphasis is on the spoken and written language in today's Iran, on the Persian which is taught in schools and spoken and understood by all the ethnic groups in Iran. This new edition is a major contribution for those involved in teaching the Persian language. It also makes the learning of Persian more accessible and enjoyable - Haleh Esfandiari, Princeton University.

Isoelectric focusing of vitamin D binding protein (Gc): genetic diversity in the populations of Iran.

Plasma samples from 678 individuals belonging to four ethnic groups of Iran were examined by thin layer polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing and the results were analyzed for inter- and intra-ethnic variation. The distribution of Gc alleles showed a wide range in the country but the intra-ethnic variation indicated only a moderate differentiation, already having occurred in two local religious groups. Overall the frequencies in Iranian populations fit well with those generally expected in the region of contact and an overlap of European and Asian populations.