Search results for "Lupus"

B cell activating factor (BAFF): Structure, functions, autoimmunity and clinical implications in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

2020

The B cell activating factor (BAFF), or B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), is a B cell survival factor which supports autoreactive B cells and prevents their deletion. BAFF expression is closely linked with autoimmunity and is enhanced by genetic alterations and viral infections. Furthermore, BAFF seems to be involved in adipogenesis, atherosclerosis, neuro-inflammatory processes and ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. BAFF is commonly overexpressed in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and strongly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The relationship between BAFF levels, disease activity and damage accrual in SLE is controversial, but growing evidence is emerging on its role in renal …

The patient with autoimmune disorders

2021

Ovarian stimulation for ovulation induction and in vitro fertilization in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome.

2008

Objective To review the current evidence regarding the relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome and female infertility, as well as the risks associated with ovarian stimulation for ovulation induction and IVF. To establish, based on this information, guidelines for safe and successful assisted reproductive technology (ART). Design A MEDLINE computer search was performed to identify relevant articles. Result(s) Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome are not related to infertility, except for cases of amenorrhea accompanying severe flares, renal insufficiency-related hypofertility, and ovarian failure secondary to cyclophosphami…

Functional analysis of the classical, alternative, and MBL pathways of the complement system: standardization and validation of a simple ELISA.

2004

Primary defence against invading microorganisms depends on a functional innate immune system and the complement system plays a major role in such immunity. Deficiencies in one of the components of the complement system can cause severe and recurrent infections, systemic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and renal disease. Screening for complement deficiencies in the classical or alternative complement pathways has mainly been performed by haemolytic assays. Here, we describe a simple ELISA-based format for the evaluation of three pathways of complement activation. The assays are based on specific coatings for each pathway in combination with specific buffer systems. We ha…

TD-09 IL-34 promotes macrophage-mediated lupus nephritis in MRL-Faslpr mice

2018

Background Nephritis is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with lupus. Macrophages (Mo) are central to kidney destruction in lupus-prone mice and patients. CSF-1, and the newly identified IL-34, mediate Mo survival and proliferation. However, IL-34 and CSF-1 differ during development and disease. While CSF-1 and IL-34 share the CSF-1 receptor (cFMS), expressed by Mo, IL-34 binds to a second receptor, Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase ζ (PTPRZ) in inflamed kidneys. Intra-renal IL-34, cFMS, and PTPRZ are increased during the progression of lupus nephritis in MRL-Faslpr mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that IL-34 is a potential therapeutic target for lupus nephritis. Methods and…

OP0299 Serum and glomerular expression of IL32 in lupus nephritis

2017

Background Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Several cytokines and chemokines are secreted locally in case of glomerular inflammation. Interleukin 32 (IL32) is a newly described cytokine that exhibits several properties typical of proinflammatory cytokines. Ex vivo and in vitro studies supported the role of Toll like receptors (TLRs) in LN pathogenesis and recent investigations demonstrated that Poly I:C, a ligand for (TLR) 3, strongly induced IL32 production from several cell populations. Objectives To investigate serum and urinary levels of IL32 in a cohort of LN patients compared to SLE patients without renal involvement and he…

A human renal cancer line as a new antigen source for the detection of antibodies to cytoplasmic and nuclear antigens in sera of patients with Wegene…

1991

Autoantibodies directed against cytoplasmic antigens of neutrophils (ANCA), especially proteinase 3 (C-ANCA), have proved to be a useful clinical tool to support the diagnosis or to monitor disease activity in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Till now, human neutrophil granulocytes have represented the major antigen source used to detect antibodies in WG by the immunofluorescence technique (IFT). We have tested serum samples of 164 patients with different connective tissue diseases (50 suffering from clinically active WG) performing IFT on a human renal cancer line (SK-RC11) and have found antibodies against the nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens in 39 patients. C-ANCA+ sera displayed a charact…

SPARC regulation of PMN clearance protects from pristane induced lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

2020

AbstractOne step along the pathogenesis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) death and their ineffective removal by M2-macrophages. The secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular protein with unexpected immunosuppressive function in M2-macrophages and myeloid cells. To investigate the role of SPARC in autoimmunity, we adopted a pristane–induced model of lupus in mice, which recapitulates clinical manifestations of human SLE. Sparc-/- mice developed earlier and more severe renal disease, lung and liver parenchymal damage than the WT counterpart. Most prominently, Sparc-/- mice had anticipated and severe occurr…

Systemic lupus erythemathosus between clinical practice and the laboratory: state of the art and new findings on anti-DNA autoantibodies

2002

Identification of autoantibodies directed against nuclear antigens is a very important finding in the assessment of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In particular, the anti-DNA autoantibodies have assumed a fundamental importance, both speculative and clinical, in the study of the systemic lupus erythemathous. The aim of the present review is to focalize on anti-DNA the mechanisms of both induction and production of anti-DNA autoantibodies, pathophysiologic and diagnostic and clinical aspects. For this purpose, forty years of studies on this topic have been reviewed. Aspects on different conformational shapes of double-stranded DNA have been discussed such as related pathogenetic and diagnost…

A new pro-thrombotic mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps in antiphospholipid syndrome: impact on activated protein C resistance

2021

Abstract Objectives In APS, precise evaluation of thrombotic risk is a major challenge. Different players, such as activated protein C (APC) resistance or neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to the risk of thrombosis. Nevertheless, no study has investigated the interaction between these actors. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relation between NETs and APC resistance. Methods We designed a cross-sectional study including APS/antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) patients and patients with autoimmune diseases (AID). We performed thrombin generation tests without and with APC to determine APC resistance. To evaluate circulating NETs, we measured plasma levels o…