A divergence in the supply and consumption of oxygen in brain tissue initiates complex cycle of biochemical and molecular events resulting in neuronal death. To overcome such adverse situation, the tissue has to adopt some cellular mechanisms such as induction of various transcription factors, such as hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). ...

Ro/SSA and La/SSB comprise a linked set of autoantigens that are clinically important members of the extractable nuclear antigen family and key translational biomarkers for lupus and primary Sjögren's syndrome. Autoantibodies directed against the Ro60 and La polypeptide components of the Ro/La ribonucleoprotein complex, and the structurally unrelated Ro52 protein, ...

BACKGROUND: In vitro studies suggest that human cytomegalovirus (CMV) modulates the functions of dendritic cells (DCs). However, there are limited data on DC homeostasis in CMV-infected patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize circulating DCs and plasma cytokine levels in immunocompetent patients with primary, symptomatic CMV infections. ...

The skin is a barrier site that is exposed to a wide variety of potential pathogens. As in other organs, pathogens that invade the skin are recognized by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Recently, it has been recognized that PRRs are also engaged by chemical contact allergens and, in susceptible individuals, this ...

Resistin-like molecule alpha (Relm-α) is one of the most up-regulated gene products in allergen and parasite-associated Th2 responses. Localized to alternatively activated macrophages, Relm-α has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect in parasite-induced Th2 responses, but its role in experimental asthma remains unexplored. Herein, we analyzed the cellular source, ...

Patients with severe acute and chronic lung diseases develop derangements in gas exchange that may result in increased levels of CO(2) (hypercapnia), the effects of which on human health are incompletely understood. It has been proposed that hypercapnia may have beneficial effects in patients with acute lung injury, and the ...

Background: Hyperhaemolytic transfusion reaction (HHTR) has been well described in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It is characterised by a decrease in haemoglobin concentration to levels below those before transfusion and a fall in the absolute reticulocyte count. As red blood cells (RBC) alloantibodies are typically not detected in ...

The aim of the study was to correlate the preoperative activity of Th1 and Th17 cytokine axes with the development of sepsis after radical cystectomy. The study involved twenty patients with the infiltrative transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder without previous radiotherapy/chemotherapy, who underwent open radical cystectomy with urinary ...

Salmeterol is a long-acting β2-agonist that activates adenylate cyclase, causing long-lasting bronchodilation and has been used for many years to control asthma. However, little information is available about the immunoregulatory effects of salmeterol. We found that salmeterol decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a model of allergen-challenged mice that ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: S100A7 is an antimicrobial peptide involved in several inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression and regulation of S100A7 in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). METHODS: Nasal lavage (NAL) fluid was obtained from healthy controls before and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provocation, from SAR ...

OBJECTIVES: T helper 17 (Th17) cells from patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induce a proinflammatory feedback loop upon RA synovial fibroblast (RASF) interaction, including autocrine interleukin (IL)-17A production. A major challenge in medicine is how to control the pathogenic Th17 cell activity in human inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The objective ...

Objective: The distribution of folate receptor (FR)-β+ macrophages and their M1/M2 expression profiles were examined in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissues, and compared to those in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissues and CD163+ macrophages in both OA and RA synovial tissues. Method: The phenotypes and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-folate uptake of FR-β+ ...

The clinical symptoms induced by Neisseria meningitidis reflect compartmentalized intravascular and intracranial bacterial growth and inflammation. In this chapter, we describe a classification system for meningococcal disease based on the nature of the clinical symptoms. Meningococci invade the subarachnoid space and cause meningitis in as many as 50-70% of patients. ...

OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Cancer, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses. SUMMARY: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is an effective clinical treatment for hypersensitivity to many allergens. Studies of basophils during immunotherapy have provided insight into underlying immune mechanisms and support ...

The disturbed cytokine-chemokine network could play an important role in the onset of diseases with inflammatory processes such as chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Our main objectives were to evaluate the relation between proinflammatory chemokine serum levels from CIU patients and their response to autologous skin test (ASST) and basophil histamine ...

The expression of FcγRIIIa/CD16 may render monocytes targets for activation by IgG-containing immune complexes (IC). We investigated whether FcγRIIIa/CD16 was upregulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), associated with TNF production in response to IC-stimulation, and if this predicted response to methotrexate therapy. FcγRIIIa/CD16 expression on CD14(low) and CD14(++) monocytes was measured ...

Asthma is a major public health concern. Cockroach allergen exposure and cockroach allergic sensitization could contribute to the higher prevalence of asthma. However, the underlying immune mechanism and the genetic etiology remain unclear. Recent advances have demonstrated that several receptors (PAR-2, TLRs, CLRs) and their pathways mediate antigen uptake from ...

Background. Patients seek an effective alternative to pharmacotherapy including herbal treatment options for allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. Material and Methods. Nasal mucosal tissue was obtained from 12 patients, fragmented, preincubated with tissue culture medium, S. baicalensis and/or E. senticosus and/or vitamin C (each compound 0.2 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL) for 1 hour ...

DCs have been shown to play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of immune responses to microbial pathogens as well as to allergens, but the exact mechanisms of their involvement in allergic responses and Th2 cell differentiation have remained elusive. Using retagging, we identified DC-SIGN as a novel ...

Background: Disturbed cytokine production is thought to govern inflammation in asthma, which, in its turn, may lead to uncontrolled disease. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cytokine production from blood leucocytes and the level of asthma control. Methods: We compared the production of interleukin (IL)-4, ...

Severe asthma is a heterogeneous disease with substantial unmet clinical need. Airway damage and remodelling is a consequence of complex host-environment interactions and is considered to be the cardinal feature leading onto the development and persistence of airflow obstruction. In this review, we shall bring together recent insights into the ...

Dendritic cells (DC) regulate the activation and differentiation of T cells. They are activated by signals of inflammation and tissue damage, and thus could play a role in the amplification and perpetuation of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here we analyzed the phenotype of circulating DC from ...

Severe sepsis is typically characterized by initial cytokine-mediated hyperinflammation. Whether this hyperinflammatory phase is followed by immunosuppression is controversial. Animal studies suggest that multiple immune defects occur in sepsis, but data from humans remain conflicting. To determine the association of sepsis with changes in host innate and adaptive immunity and ...

Nanoparticles are being developed for diverse biomedical applications, but there is concern about their potential to promote inflammation, particularly in the lung. Although a variety of ambient, anthropogenic and man-made nanoparticles can promote lung inflammation, little is known about the long-term immunomodulatory effects of inert noninflammatory nanoparticles. We previously showed ...

Objectives. Biologic drugs have revolutionized the care of RA, but are expensive and not universally effective. To further understand the inflammatory mechanisms underlying RA and identify potential biomarkers predicting response to therapy, we measured multiple cytokine concentrations in SF of patients with inflammatory arthritides (IAs) and, in a subset of ...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which presents with one or more gastrointestinal symptoms without any structural or organic abnormality. The etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms of IBS remain uncertain. Residual or reactivated inflammation at the molecular level is considered the underlying mechanism of post-infectious IBS. On the ...

OBJECTIVES:Low-grade colonic mucosal inflammation has been postulated to have an important role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The objectives of this study were (i) to identify serum and tissue-based immunological and neuroendocrine markers associated with mucosal inflammation in male (M) and female (F) patients with non-post-infectious IBS ...

BACKGROUND: A proinflammatory environment characterized by the continuous activation of the innate immune system is thought to contribute to the markedly elevated mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The presence of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been demonstrated as biomarker in many pathologies.METHODS: We evaluated the ...

BackgroundHouse dust mite (HDM) allergens have been reported to increase airway epithelial permeability, thereby facilitating access of allergens and allergic sensitisation.ObjectivesThe authors aimed to understand which biochemical properties of HDM are critical for epithelial immune and barrier responses as well as T helper 2-driven experimental asthma in vivo.MethodsThree commercially available ...

To cite this article: Calderón MA, Simons FER, Malling H-J, Lockey RF, Moingeon P, Demoly P. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy: mode of action and its relationship with the safety profile. Allergy 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02761.x ABSTRACT: Allergen immunotherapy reorients inappropriate immune responses in allergic patients. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) has been approved, ...

ABSTRACT: Increasing evidence suggeststhat cytokine dysregulation in T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 (Th1/Th2) subsets contributes to the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). This pilot studyexamines the hypothesis that cytokine profiles differ between pediatric and adult CD patients. Production of Th1 cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and of Th2 ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only specific, dose-dependent and time-dependent and disease-modifying strategy for the treatment of allergy associated with clinical improvement and biological tolerance which may persist years after discontinuation. RECENT FINDINGS: Successful immunotherapy in respiratory allergy is associated with the immunodeviation of Th2 response to a ...

Allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis are characterized by a T(H)2-dominated immune response associated with increased serum IgE levels in response to inhaled allergens. Because IgE is a key player in the induction and maintenance of allergic inflammation, it represents a prime target for therapeutic intervention. However, our understanding of IgE ...

BACKGROUND: Patients with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (X-HIGM) due to CD40 ligand (CD40L) mutations are susceptible to fungal pathogens; however, the underlying susceptibility mechanisms remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) from patients with X-HIGM exhibit normal responses to fungal pathogens. METHODS: DCs from patients and controls ...

We evaluate the immunomodulation of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists 15d-PGJ(2) and rosiglitazone (RGZ) in a model of chronic eosinophilia. 15d-PGJ(2) and RGZ significantly reduce eosinophil migration into the peritoneal cavity and down-regulate the eosinopoiesis. The synthesis of IL-5 was decreased after the treatment with 15d-PGJ(2) and RGZ corroborating with ...

Background. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-like protein (As-MIF) isolated from helminths could inhibit allergic airway inflammation via the recruitment of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells. Objective. To evaluate the clinical importance of As-MIF as an antiasthma drug, we evaluated immune responses after recombinant ...

Allergic asthma has increased dramatically in prevalence and severity over the last three decades. Both clinical and experimental data support an important role of Th2 cell response in the allergic response. Recent investigations revealed that airway exposure to allergen in sensitized individuals causes the release of ATP and uric acid ...

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The reduction of the inflammatory status represents one of the most important target in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). A central role of A2A and A3 adenosine receptors (ARs) in mechanisms of inflammation has been reported in different pathologies. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the A2A ...

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Th17 cells have been considered to play roles in allergic airway diseases and various chronic inflammatory disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the population and function of peripheral Th17 cells in ...

Small ruminants are affected by gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. A promising alternative strategy for control of GIN infection is to increase the level of resistance in the population by taking advantage of the host's immune response. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and E (IgE) are known to be involved in immune response ...

Background. Candida bloodstream infections cause significant morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Although clinical and microbiological factors affecting prognosis have been identified, the impact of genetic variation in the innate immune responses mediated by cytokines on outcomes of infection remains to be studied.Methods. A cohort of 338 candidemia patients and 351 noninfected ...

Oral Diseases (2011) Objective:  Patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) show aberrant expression of the B cell-related mediators, B cell-activating factor (BAFF), and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in serum and salivary glands (SGs). We studied the biological effect of neutralizing these cytokines by local gene transfer of the common receptor transmembrane ...

Marine algae have been utilized in food as well as medicine products for a variety of purposes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an ethanol extract of Polyopes affinis (P.affinis) can inhibit the pathogenesis of T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated allergen-induced airway inflammation in a murine model of ...

To cite this article: Lin S-C, Chuang Y-H, Yang Y-H, Chiang B-L. Decrease in interleukin-21 in children suffering with severe atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011: 22: 869-875. ABSTRACT: Background:  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a kind of eczema with an inflammatory, relapsing, non-contagious, and pruritic skin disorder. It is associated ...

To study the effect of the innate cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on the susceptibility and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a multinational population of 1,369 Caucasian and African American patients. Two functional polymorphisms in the MIF gene, a -794 CATT(5-8) microsatellite repeat (rs5844572) and a -173 ...

Experimental models have shown that lipoproteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) induce apoptosis via TLR2 in the THP-1 cell line and in monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy volunteers. We found an increased percentage of circulating monocytes in tuberculosis (TB) patients in comparison to healthy controls. TB patients showed a higher TLR2 and ...

PURPOSE: To investigate the levels of seven inflammatory cytokines and one chemokine in tears of patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and asymptomatic control subjects, and determine the correlations between tear inflammatory mediators and clinical parameters. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study. The study involved 21 patients with TAO and ten asymptomatic ...

PURPOSE: Chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) is a granulocytic disorder characterized by increased apoptosis of the bone marrow (BM) granulocytic progenitor cells and an inflammatory BM microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in CIN BM. ...

Preservatives are used in cosmetics to prevent microbial contamination; however, some preservatives are not free of allergenic and cytotoxic potential. Allergenicity and cytoxicity potentialvaluesare major aspects of preservative safety, which determine limitations and maximum concentration dose in a cosmetic product. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare ...

The patterns of acute-phase response (APR) biomarkers differ upon various inflammatory conditions. Little information is available on the systemic inflammatory response in urticaria/angio-oedema. It has been shown that concentrations of circulating APR biomarkers, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), are elevated more in severe chronic urticaria (CU) than in patients showing ...