Search results for " Pathogenesis"
showing 10 items of 71 documents
Mesenchymal stromal cells and rheumatic diseases: new tools from pathogenesis to regenerative therapies
2015
In recent years, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been largely investigated and tested as a new therapeutic tool for several clinical applications, including the treatment of different rheumatic diseases. MSCs are responsible for the normal turnover and maintenance of adult mesenchymal tissues as the result of their multipotent differentiation abilities and their secretion of a variety of cytokines and growth factors. Although initially derived from bone marrow, MSCs are present in many different tissues such as many peri-articular tissues. MSCs may exert immune-modulatory properties, modulating different immune cells in both in vitro and in vivo models, and they are considered immune-…
Cyclical changes of cortical excitability and metaplasticity in migraine: evidence from a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation study.
2013
The primary brain dysfunctions leading to the onset of a migraine attack remain largely unknown. Other important open questions concern the mechanisms of initiation, continuation, and termination of migraine pain, and the changes in brain function underlying migraine transformation. Brief trains of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), when applied to the primary motor cortex at suprathreshold intensity (⩾120% of resting motor threshold [RMT]), elicit in healthy subjects a progressive, glutamate-dependent facilitation of the motor evoked potentials (MEP). Conversely, in conditions of increased cortical excitability, the rTMS trains induce inhibitory MEP respons…
Sequential transcriptome analysis of human liver cancer indicates late stage acquisition of malignant traits
2014
Background & Aims Human hepatocarcinogenesis is as a multi-step process starting from dysplastic lesions to early carcinomas (eHCC) that ultimately progress to HCC (pHCC). However, the sequential molecular alterations driving malignant transformation of the pre-neoplastic lesions are not clearly defined. This lack of information represents a major challenge in the clinical management of patients at risk. Methods We applied next-generation transcriptome sequencing to tumor-free surrounding liver (n=7), low- (n=4) and high-grade (n=9) dysplastic lesions, eHCC (n=5) and pHCC (n=3) from 8 HCC patients with hepatitis B infection. Integrative analyses of genetic and transcriptomic changes were pe…
Serum low density lipoprotein subclasses in asthma
2013
Summary Background The levels of serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) have been implicated in the inflammatory cascade in a murine model of asthma. Recent findings suggest that LDL may modulate the inflammatory state of the asthmatic airways in humans. Objective We explored whether LDL subclasses are associated with the occurrence and severity of asthma. Methods 24 asthmatics (M/F: 11/13) and 24 healthy individuals, with normal BMI and absence of metabolic syndrome, matched for age and gender. Serum concentrations of LDL subclasses were distributed as seven bands (LDL-1 and -2 defined as large, least pro-inflammatory LDL, and LDL-3 to −7 defined as small, most pro-inflammatory LDL), using t…
Desmin-related myopathies
1997
Desmin-related myopathies are marked by accumulation of desmin, which is often familial and associated with cardiomyopathy. When multifocal this excess is characterized by inclusions such as cytoplasmic or spheroid bodies, when disseminated the excess is called granulofilamentous material. Excess of desmin might represent an abnormal type of protein metabolism.
CCR5 Receptor: Biologic and Genetic Implications in Age-Related Diseases
2007
The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a member of CC-chemokine receptor family. CCR5 has the characteristic structure of a seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), which regulates trafficking and effector functions of memory/effector Th1 cells, macrophages, NK cells, and immature dendritic cells. CCR5 and its ligands are important molecules in viral pathogenesis. CCR5 represents the co-receptor for macrophage (M) and dual (T cell and M)-tropic immunodeficiency viruses. Recent evidence has also demonstrated the role of CCR5 in a variety of human diseases, ranging from infectious and inflammatory diseases to cancer. In this article, we describe the involvement of CCR5 in two age…
Glycogen synthase 2 is a novel target gene of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.
2007
International audience; Glycogen synthase 2 (Gys-2) is the ratelimiting enzyme in the storage of glycogen in liver and adipose tissue, yet little is known about regulation of Gys-2 transcription. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism and might be hypothesized to govern glycogen synthesis as well. Here, we show that Gys-2 is a direct target gene of PPARalpha, PPARbeta/delta and PPARgamma. Expression of Gys-2 is significantly reduced in adipose tissue of PPARalpha-/-, PPARbeta/delta-/- and PPARgamma+/- mice. Furthermore, synthetic PPARbeta/delta, and gamma agonists markedly up-regulate Gys-2…
Clostridium difficile Toxins Disrupt Epithelial Barrier Function by Altering Membrane Microdomain Localization of Tight Junction Proteins
2001
ABSTRACT The anaerobic bacterium Clostridium difficile is the etiologic agent of pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB are UDP-glucosyltransferases that monoglucosylate and thereby inactivate the Rho family of GTPases (W. P. Ciesla, Jr., and D. A. Bobak, J. Biol. Chem. 273:16021–16026, 1998). We utilized purified reference toxins of C. difficile , TcdA-10463 (TcdA) and TcdB-10463 (TcdB), and a model intestinal epithelial cell line to characterize their influence on tight-junction (TJ) organization and hence to analyze the mechanisms by which they contribute to the enhanced paracellular permeability and disease pathophysiology of pseudomembranous colitis. The increase i…
Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Older Men and Women: The Pro.V.A Study
2016
Objective: A large body of clinical data suggests the importance of endogenous sex hormones in the pathogenesis of diabetes, but very little is known about the possible relationship between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and diabetes, particularly in the elderly. We aimed, therefore, to examine whether high serum levels of DHEAS have any protective effects on the incidence of type 2 diabetes and to elucidate the possible role of gender in a cohort of older subjects. Methods: We followed 1258 community-dwelling subjects aged ≥65 years without type 2 diabetes who belonged to the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.) for 4.4±1.2 years. DHEAS were measured at baseline and categorized into …
Potential of Multidimensional, Large-scale Biodatabases to Elucidate Coagulation and Platelet Pathways as an Approach towards Precision Medicine in T…
2019
Cardiovascular and especially thrombotic diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In past years, significant improvements in understanding disease processes, risk assessment, and prediction of clinical outcome in the field of thrombosis and haemostasis have been made by using large-scale biodatabases. These important research resources enable a comprehensive research approach by integrating clinical, environmental, genomic, and molecular information. Cutting edge, high throughput technologies open new data dimensions for clinical large-scale investigations. Joining multiple information levels from several pathophysiological pathways in contrast to a single marker …