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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
17095227 Design and synthesis of phenethyl benzo[1,4]oxazine-3-ones as potent inhibitors of PI3Kina 2007 Feb 1 The Type 1 PI3Kinases comprise a family of enzymes, which primarily phosphorylate PIP2 to give the second messenger PIP3, a key player in many intracellular signaling processes [Science, 2002, 296, 1655; Trends Pharmacol. Sci.2003, 24, 366]. Of the four type 1 PI3Ks, the gamma-isoform, which is expressed almost exclusively in leukocytes [Curr. Biol., 1997, 7, R470], is of particular interest with respect to its role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [Mol. Med. Today, 2000, 6, 347]. Investigation of a series of 4,6-disubstituted-4H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-3-ones has led to the identification of single-digit nanomolar inhibitors of PI3Kgamma, several of which had good cell based activity and were shown to be active in vivo in an aspectic peritonitis model of inflammatory cell migration.
17048276 Development of an anti-IL-17A auto-vaccine that prevents experimental auto-immune encephal 2006 Nov IL-17 has been associated with multiple inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and multiple sclerosis. As these diseases require long-term treatment we turned to an auto-vaccine strategy for IL-17 neutralization in vivo. Mouse IL-17A was covalently linked to ovalbumin and used to immunize C57BL/6 mice. This vaccine induced the production of antibodies that blocked IL-17A bioactivity in vitro but did not react with the other IL-17 isoforms, including IL-17F. As the half-life of the Ab titers after the last immunogen administration was approximately 4 months, the vaccine provides for long lasting and selective inhibition of IL-17A activity in vivo. A monoclonal Ab (mAb) derived from these mice showed the same specificity for IL-17A. To test the ability of the vaccine to confer protection against an IL-17-dependent disorder, SJL mice were vaccinated with IL-17-OVA and encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced by proteolipid protein (PLP) peptide 139-151. Vaccinated mice were completely protected against the disease. The above-mentioned anti-IL-17A mAb also prevented EAE development. The absence of clinical symptoms contrasted with unaltered PLP-induced cytokine production in vitro and unmodified anti-PLP IgG titers and isotypes. These results suggest that an anti-IL-17A auto-vaccine offers new perspectives for therapy of autoimmune diseases.
16997584 MMP and non-MMP-mediated release of aggrecan and its fragments from articular cartilage: a 2007 Feb OBJECTIVE: Aggrecan is the major proteoglycan in articular cartilage and is known to be degraded by various proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The present study was undertaken to develop immunoassays detecting aggrecan and its fragments generated by MMP and non-MMP-mediated proteolysis. METHODS: Two immunoassays were developed: (1) the G1/G2 sandwich assay employing a monoclonal antibody (F-78) both as a capturing and a detecting antibody, and (2) the 342-G2 sandwich assay substituting the capturing antibody in the G1/G2 test with a monoclonal antibody, AF-28 recognizing the 342FFGVG neo-epitope generated by MMP cleavage. These assays were compared to the commercially available glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assay. RESULTS: In supernatants of Oncostatin M and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (OSM/TNFalpha) stimulated explants, high levels of G1/G2 fragments and GAGs were released in the initial phase (days 2-5), followed by low levels in the intermediate (days 9-12) and late phase (days 12-21). MMP-generated fragments were detected in the late phase only. In the presence of the general MMP inhibitor GM6001, 342-G2 was not detected, whereas the G1/G2 profile remained virtually unchanged. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the release of G1/G2 molecules was decreased (27.3%), and that of the 342-G2 fragments increased compared to healthy controls (33.3%). CONCLUSION: The stimulation of bovine articular cartilage explants with OSM/TNFalpha released aggrecan fragments both in an MMP and non-MMP-mediated route. These immunoassays carry a potential as diagnostic tools for the quantitative assessment of the cartilage turnover in RA patients in addition to their utility in ex vivo explant cultures.
16906330 Immunoregulatory role of endogenous catecholamines synthesized by immune cells. 2006 Aug 25 It has been well known that catecholamines (CAs) in the body, including norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and dopamine (DA), are synthesized and secreted by neurons and endocrine cells and mainly modulate visceral activities such as cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive functions. The studies over the past nearly 30 years have shown that CAs can also regulate immune function. The immunomodulation of CAs is generally considered as a role mediating the regulation of nervous and endocrine systems. However, recent studies reveal that immune cells can also synthesize CAs, which is an update of traditional concept. A classical metabolic pathway of CAs shared by the nervous and endocrine systems is present in the immune cells, i.e., the immunocytes have the enzymes for synthesis of CAs [e.g. tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)] and the enzymes for degradation of CAs [e.g. monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)]. The endogenous CAs synthesized by immune cells can regulate many immune functions, including cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and cytokine production. These roles of the endogenous CAs may be mediated by an autocrine/paracrine pathway via relevant receptors on the immunocytes and intracellular cAMP. Intracellular oxidative mechanism may also be involved in immunoregulation of endogenous CAs in immune cells. In addition, some metabolic abnormalities of CAs in the immune cells probably induce some autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis. These findings not only provide evidence for the new concept that the immune system is possible to become the third CA system other than the nervous and endocrine systems, but also extend our comprehension on functional significance of the endogenous CAs synthesized by immune cells.
16855162 Cytokines and pregnancy in rheumatic disease. 2006 Jun Cytokines are important mediators involved in the successful outcome of pregnancy. The concept of pregnancy as biased toward a Th2 immune response states that Th1 type cytokines are associated with pregnancy failure and that Th2 cytokines are protective and counteract pregnancy-related disorders. Studies at the level of the maternal-fetal interface, in the maternal circulation and in cells of peripheral blood have shown that the Th2 concept of pregnancy is an oversimplification. Both Th1 and Th2 type cytokines play a role at different stages of pregnancy and are adapted to the localization and function of cells and tissues. The changes of local and systemic cytokine patterns during pregnancy correspond to neuroendocrine changes with hormones as powerful modulators of cytokine expression. Several autoimmune disorders show a modulation of disease activity during and after pregnancy. In rheumatic diseases with a predominance of a Th1 immune response, a shift to a Th2 type immune response during pregnancy has been regarded as beneficial. Studies of pregnant patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have shown a cytokine expression similar to that found in healthy pregnant women. Significant differences were present only for a few cytokines and seemed related to the activity of the underlying disease. Interestingly, a gestational increase of cytokine inhibitors interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) in the circulation corresponded to low disease activity in RA. The influence of hormones and cytokines on autoimmune disease is an issue for further study.
16781194 From willow bark to peptides: the ever widening spectrum of NF-kappaB inhibitors. 2006 Aug Inflammation disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease can be considered as 'gene expression' diseases in which the pro-inflammatory gene program of the organism is aberrantly activated. Over the past 20 years, great attention has been given to the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) for its involvement in inflammatory and immune diseases. Recently, several studies have been devoted to the development of new molecules that can prevent the expression of inflammatory genes by targeting NF-kappaB pathways. Therefore, it is possible to hypothesize that these molecules might represent the future class of drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
16778421 Could Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate of the skin be a dermal variant of lupus erythemato 2006 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (JLI) and lupus erythematosus (LE), which has been the subject of debate since its initial description in 1953. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including all patients with a histopathologically ascertained diagnosis of JLI performed at the Laboratoire d'Histopathologie Cutanée of the Strasbourg University Hospital between 1993 and 2003. Information about patient characteristics and follow-up data were retrieved between 2004 and 2005. Special attention was paid to features indicative of LE. RESULTS: 210 consecutive patients (102 women and 108 men) with a mean age 42 years were diagnosed with JLI in the reference period. 175 patients (83%) had multiple lesions and 32 patients (15%) had only a single lesion at the time of diagnosis (data not available in 3 patients). The head, neck and upper part of the thorax were involved in 171 patients (81%). An annular or arciform configuration and/or arrangement were present in 111 patients (53%). Lesions consisted of red (100%) papules or plaques (98%). Mean follow-up was 4 years. Sixteen patients (7.6%) had proven LE. Only 2 patients (1%) developed >4 ACR criteria of systemic LE. Furthermore, 1 patient had antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and 2 patients had rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: This high frequency of patients with typical features of LE strongly argues that JLI could be a dermal variant of LE and not an autonomous entity. It might be the cutaneous marker of a subset of LE patients with excellent prognosis.
16546242 Epidemiology of disease risks in relation to vitamin D insufficiency. 2006 Sep Vitamin D from ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiance, food, and supplements is receiving increased attention lately for its role in maintaining optimal health. Although the calcemic effects of vitamin D have been known for about a century, the non-calcemic effects have been studied intently only during the past two-three decades. The strongest links to the beneficial roles of UVB and vitamin D to date are for bone and muscle conditions and diseases. There is also a preponderance of evidence from a variety of studies that vitamin D reduces the risk of colon cancer, with 1000 IU/day of vitamin D or serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels >33 ng/mL (82 nmol/L) associated with a 50% lower incidence of colorectal cancer. There is also reasonable evidence that vitamin D reduces the risk of breast, lung, ovarian, and prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There is weaker, primarily ecologic, evidence for the role of vitamin D in reducing the risk of an additional dozen types of cancer. There is reasonably strong ecologic and case-control evidence that vitamin D reduces the risk of autoimmune diseases including such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus, and weaker evidence for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and stroke. It is noted that mechanisms whereby vitamin D exerts its effect are generally well understood for the various conditions and diseases discussed here.
16539302 Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis of the sinonasal tract in a male patient with chronic b 2006 Jan BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) is an uncommon inflammatory fibrosing lesion involving the upper respiratory mucosa, occurring mainly in young to middle aged women (female/male ratio = 2:1). The etiology is unknown; however, severalfactors might play a role in the development of EAF. Among them are prior nasal trauma (in most of the reported cases nasal surgery had been performed afew years prior to diagnosis) and inflammatory or autoimmune etiology (suggested by the ratio and the fact that in many of the reported cases a history of nonspecific allergy was found). METHODS: We report the first case of EAF affecting a male patient who also suffered from chronic inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatic fever. RESULTS: The patient underwent a diagnostic biopsy of his nasal lesion via an open rhinoplasty approach, with the resulting diagnosis of EAF. Despite the fact that the literature does not show advantages to any specific therapy, the patient elected to remain under observation. During a two-year follow-up period, there is no evidence of progression of disease. CONCLUSION: The presence of concomitant rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease in our patient, as well as the fact that nine previously reported cases of EAF had allergic/immune symptoms, raise the possibility that inflammatory or autoimmune factors may have a role in the development of this unusual pathological entity.
16522339 De novo design TNF-alpha antagonistic peptide based on the complex structure of TNF-alpha 2006 Aug 20 Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists have become therapeutic drugs for immunological diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, etc. Low molecular weight synthetic peptides can mimic the binding sites of TNF-alpha receptors and block the activity of TNF-alpha. Based on the 3-D complex structure of TNF-alpha with its neutralizing monoclonal antibody (Mab) Z12, an antagonistic peptide (AP) was rationally de novo designed. The designed AP possessed similar structural character and potential bioactivity with Mab Z12. AP could competitively inhibit the binding of Mab Z12 to TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha-meditated caspase activation and TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity on murine L929 cells with a dose-dependent fashion. This study highlights the potential of computation-aided method for the design of novel peptides with the ability to block the deleterious biological effects of TNF-alpha.
16503422 Statins: potential new indications in inflammatory conditions. 2006 Apr Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are potent cholesterol-lowering drugs. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties, statins exert a number of so-called 'pleiotropic', vasculoprotective actions that include improvement of endothelial function, increased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, antioxidant properties, stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques, regulation of progenitor cells, inhibition of inflammatory responses and immunomodulatory actions. Pleiotropic actions of statins may have potential clinical impact in vascular disease beyond cholesterol lowering. The ongoing Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER), for example, tests the effects of statins in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease among patients with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Additionally, previous studies have shown that although cholesterol is not an established stroke risk factor, statin therapy is associated with a reduction in the incidence of strokes. It is known that sudden withdrawal of statin treatment may acutely impair vascular function and increase morbidity and mortality in patients with vascular disease. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of statins may have clinical impact in a number of non-vascular conditions including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
16501917 Long-term persistence of both functional and non-functional alleles at the leukocyte immun 2006 May The leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LILR) family consists of 13 loci, and a number of variations have been identified in these genes. Some polymorphisms of the LILR genes are reported to be associated with susceptibility to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. LILRA3, one of the LILR genes, exhibits a presence or absence variation due to a 6.7-kb deletion in various populations. In this study, variation screening of the LILRA3 gene revealed high allele frequency of the 6.7-kb LILRA3 deletion (71%) in Japanese, in contrast to the frequency reported for the other populations. In addition, we identified a splice acceptor mutation in intron 1 with allele frequency of 19%, resulting in three alternatively spliced isoforms. Surprisingly, all of these isoforms were found to contain premature termination codons (PTCs) in the exon 3. Taken together, approximately 80% of Japanese lack functional LILRA3 alleles. The maximum likelihood coalescent analysis suggested that two major lineages, functional alleles and PTC-containing alleles, have been maintained for 2.75 million years in humans. These results prompted us to hypothesize that balancing selection had maintained both the functional and non-functional alleles at the LILRA3 locus. This hypothesis is consistent with the observation that the 6.7-kb LILRA3 deletion is detected worldwide in the presence of functional LILRA3 alleles.
16403848 Mycophenolate mofetil treatment of myasthenia gravis. 2006 Feb OBJECTIVE: To review published literature evaluating the effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG). DATA SOURCES: Searches of MEDLINE (1966-August 2005) and Cochrane Database (1993-August 2005) were conducted. Studies conducted in humans and published in English were retrieved. Additional data were identified through subsequent bibliographic reviews. DATA SYNTHESIS: Interruption of T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation in various autoimmune diseases has been investigated. Mycophenolate is known to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and has shown improved clinical responses in several autoimmune diseases including lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic vasculitis. Data suggesting similar benefits in MG treatment have been reported in case reports, retrospective analyses, an open-label trial, and a randomized, double-blind trial. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence from retrospective analyses and clinical trials suggests that mycophenolate is a possible treatment option for patients with MG. Improvement in clinical symptoms and a steroid-sparing effect have been reported when mycophenolate is used in this patient population. Larger, randomized, controlled, and comparative trials are needed to establish optimal dose, time to effect, specific therapeutic role, and long-term safety for mycophenolate when used for treating MG.
16095585 CFSUM1 and CFSUM2 in urine from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are methodological 2006 Feb McGregor et al. reported increased levels of an unidentified urinary compound (CFSUM1) in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), with reduced excretion of another unidentified compound (CFSUM2), and suggested the possibility of chemical or metabolic 'markers' for CFS. The identity of CFSUM1 as reported was erroneous and the identities of these compounds have remained unknown until now. Urine samples were obtained from 30 patients with ME/CFS, 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, 20 control patients with depression and 22 control patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Samples were prepared using the published methods of McGregor et al. to produce heptafluorobutyryl-isobutyl derivatives of urinary metabolites. Alternative preparations utilised isopropyl, n-butyl and trifluoroacetyl derivatives. These were separated and identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. CFSUM2 was identified as being partially derivatised [isobutyl ester-mono-heptafluorobutyryl (HFB)] serine. CFSUM1 was identified as partially derivatised pyroglutamic acid, being the isobutyl ester without formation of a HFB derivative. Both CFSUM1 and CFSUM2 are artefacts of the sample preparation procedure and previously reported quantitative abnormalities of CFSUM1 and CFSUM2 in urine from patients with ME/CFS are also artefactual. Pyroglutamic acid may be of primarily dietary origin. The methods used cannot provide reliable qualitative or quantitative data on urinary metabolites. No clinical or biochemical significance can be drawn between these compounds in ME/CFS or any other clinical conditions.
18040929 [Recent advances in extrinsic allergic alveolitis]. 2008 Jan Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis), especially humidifier lung, has been more frequently diagnosed over the last decades, whereas farmer's lung has decreased over the same time period. Today two types of the chronic course of extrinsic allergic alveolitis can be distinguished. The recurrent chronic course with a good prognosis may be differentiated from the insidious course with a poor prognosis by means of different histological patterns (UIP, NSIP, BOOP pattern). The characteristic neutrophilic infiltration of the lung in the insidious course cannot be detected by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) methods. Furthermore, lymphocytosis in the BAL can be absent or present at a low level. The CD4/CD8 ratio is not always decreased and may be normal or even increased in these insidious cases with a poor prognosis. Granulomas in the lung tissue, however, point to a good prognosis. In the diagnostic work-up of machine operator's and humidifier lung, it is advisable not only to look for serum antibodies against bacteria and molds but also for rapid growing mycobacteria in a sample of machine or humidifier water. IgM and IgG rheumatoid factors occur frequently in allergic alveolitis, especially in humidifier lung. The patients, however, do not suffer from arthritis. The IgM rheumatoid factor may simulate IgM antibodies against numerous infectious agents (e. g., Bordetella pertussis or Mycoplasma pneumoniae). Taking this phenomenon into account may improve the current differential diagnosis of allergic alveolitis.
18854919 Clustering of organ-specific autoimmunity: a case presentation of multiple sclerosis and c 2008 Dec Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease caused by an autoimmune inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS) and is associated with aberrant immune response to myelin selfantigens. Coexistence of MS with other autoimmune disorders, including connective tissue disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and scleroderma have been reported previously. In the present article we report the coexistence of MS, familial mediterranean fever and ankylosing spondylitis in a patient and review the clinical presentation, neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid and radiologic characteristics and treatment options. We further discuss the immunopathogenetic mechanisms for a possible association between MS and autoimmune disorders.
18833429 Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action. 2008 Sep OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe the historical development of research on cannabidiol. METHOD: This review was carried out on reports drawn from Medline, Web of Science and SciELO. DISCUSSION: After the elucidation of the chemical structure of cannabidiol in 1963, the initial studies showed that cannabidiol was unable to mimic the effects of Cannabis. In the 1970's the number of publications on cannabidiol reached a first peak, having the research focused mainly on the interaction with delta9-THC and its antiepileptic and sedative effects. The following two decades showed lower degree of interest, and the potential therapeutic properties of cannabidiol investigated were mainly the anxiolytic, antipsychotic and on motor diseases effects. The last five years have shown a remarkable increase in publications on cannabidiol mainly stimulated by the discovery of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects. These studies have suggested a wide range of possible therapeutic effects of cannabidiol on several conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory diseases, nausea and cancer. CONCLUSION: In the last 45 years it has been possible to demonstrate that CBD has a wide range of pharmacological effects, many of which being of great therapeutic interest, but still waiting to be confirmed by clinical trials.
20641496 N-4-[(18)F]Fluorobenzoyl-c[(RGDyK)](2). 2004 Integrins are a family of heterodimeric glycoproteins on cell surfaces that mediate diverse biological events involving cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions (1). They consist of an α and a β subunit and are important for cell adhesion and signal transduction. α(v)β(3) integrin is the most prominent receptor affecting tumor growth, tumor invasiveness, metastasis, tumor-induced angiogenesis, inflammation, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis (2-7). Expression of α(v)β(3) integrin is strong on tumor cells and activated endothelial cells, whereas expression is weak on resting endothelial cells and most normal tissues. α(v)β(3) antagonists are being studied as antitumor and antiangiogenic agents and the agonists as angiogenic agents for coronary angiogenesis (6, 8, 9). A tripeptide sequence consisting of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) has been identified as a recognition motif used by extracellular matrix proteins (vitronectin, fibrinogen, laminin, and collagen) to bind to a variety of integrins, including α(v)β(3). Various radiolabeled antagonists have been introduced for imaging of tumors and tumor angiogenesis (10). Most of the cyclic RGD peptides are monomeric and are composed of five amino acids. [(18)F]FB-c(RGDyK) was synthesized to study in vivo biodistribution of the tracer in tumor-bearing mice. [(18)F]FB-c(RGDyK) was found to have high accumulation in tumors, but it also had high tumor washout and biliary excretion into the gallbladder and intestines (11). A dimeric analog was synthesized as [(18)F]FB-E[c(RGDyK)](2), which was shown to have higher tumor uptake (~1-fold) than the monomer and predominantly renal excretion (12).
16599054 Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients attending rheumatology clinic 2006 Mar BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine has recently attracted attention due to its widespread use. In a recent study in Israel, almost a half of CAM users in the general population used it for joint diseases or back pain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of CAM use among patients with defined rheumatic diseases, and analyze the demographic features of CAM users, their reasons for using CAM and the use of specific CAM methods. METHODS: We conducted face-to-face structured interviews of 350 patients attending rheumatology clinics, regarding past or present use of CAM, specifying the various CAM types they used, and reasons for using CAM. Demographic data including age, gender, country of birth and origin, and level of education were also collected. RESULTS: Altogether, 148 patients reported using CAM (42%). In general, homeopathy and acupuncture were the most commonly used types (44% and 41% of the patients, respectively). The mean number of CAM methods per patient was 1.9 +/- 1.1. CAM was more commonly used by patients with advanced education (52% vs. 37% of patients with lower education, P= 0.007). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis used CAM significantly less than patients with other rheumatologic conditions (32% vs. 48%, P= 0.008). CONCLUSION: CAM use is influenced by level of education. The choice of the preferred CAM method among patients with rheumatic diseases seemed to follow the popular CAM methods in the general population, and was not specific to rheumatic diseases.
16522323 Expression of chemokine-like factor 1 is upregulated during T lymphocyte activation. 2006 Jul 4 Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) is a cytokine with chemotactic effects on leukocytes and a functional ligand of CCR4. This cytokine is widely expressed and the level of expression is reported to be upregulated in asthma and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), disease conditions in which T lymphocytes are over-activated. In order to determine the expression profile of CKLF1 in activated T lymphocytes, we first employed a PCR-based method on human blood fractions cDNA panels and found that CKLF1 was upregulated in activated CD4+ and CD8+ cells, with no obvious changes in CD19+ cells. We further performed kinetic analyses of CKLF1 expression in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) at both the mRNA and protein levels. In resting PBL, the constitutive expression of CKLF1 was low at mRNA level and barely detectable at the protein level; however, both were remarkably upregulated by PHA, appearing at 8h after PHA-stimulation and persisting up to 72h. These results suggest that CKLF1 may be involved in T lymphocyte activation and further study of CKLF1 function will prove valuable.