Search results for "Rheum"

Evaluation of labial microvessels in Sjogren syndrome: A videocapillaroscopic study

2008

Summary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by a progressive lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, especially salivary and lachrymal ones, leading to xerostomia, parotid gland enlargement, and xerophtalmia. SS may occur alone (primary) or in association with almost any of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases (secondary), the most frequent being rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study is to describe the capillaroscopic pattern of the labial mucosa in patients with SS. Methods A total of 20 patients affected by SS and 20 healthy controls were examined. The patients with conditions that compromise microcirculation, such as diabetes, hypertens…

Overexpression of human homologs of the bacterial DnaJ chaperone in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

1999

Objective To study the expression of the chaperone family of J proteins in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis. Methods Rabbit antibodies specific for a synthetic peptide (pHSJ1: EAYEVLSDKHKREIYD), representing the most conserved part of all J domains thus far identified—among them the Drosophila tumor suppressor Tid56—were used in immunohistochemical analyses of frozen sections of synovial tissue and immunoblotting of protein extracts of adherent synovial cells. IgG specific for Tid56 was also used. Results Both antisera predominantly and intensely stained synovial lining cells from RA patients; other cells did not stain or stained only faintly.…

Characterization of collagenase 3 (matrix metalloproteinase 13) messenger RNA expression in the synovial membrane and synovial fibroblasts of patient…

1999

Objective To study the localization and cell type–specific expression of collagenase 3 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the synovial membrane, its regulation in primary synovial fibroblasts, and the correlation with systemic markers of inflammation and radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The expression of collagenase 3 mRNA was characterized by Northern blot analysis, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization. Immunohistochemical detection of cell type–specific antigens was used in combination with in situ hybridization of collagenase 3 mRNA to characterize the cellular origin of collagenase 3 mRNA expression. Results Collagenase 3 mRNA was dete…

Presence of estrogen-binding sites on macrophage-like synoviocytes and cd8+, cd29+, cd45ro+ t lymphocytes in normal and rheumatoid synovium

1993

Objective. To study the presence of estrogen-binding sites (EBS) in the synovial tissues of male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in age and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods. Both type 1 (high affinity, low binding capacity) and type 2 (reduced affinity, higher binding capacity) EBS were investigated in both soluble and nuclear fractions of homogenized synovial tissue samples by a dextran-coated charcoal method. To determine what type of synovial cell was positive for EBS, cryosections of synovial tissues were immunostained with a specific monoclonal anti–estrogen receptor antibody (anti-ER MAb) using both immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques. Double…

Macrophage phenotype in the subclinical gut inflammation of patients with ankylosing spondylitis

2014

OBJECTIVE: Long-term evolution of subclinical gut inflammation to overt Crohn's disease (CD) has been described in AS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate macrophage polarization occurring in the inflamed gut of patients with AS. METHODS: Twenty-seven HLA-B27(+) AS patients, 20 CD patients and 17 normal controls were consecutively enrolled. Classic M1 (iNOS(+)IL-10(-)), resolution phase (iNOS(+)IL-10(+)), M2 and CD14(+) macrophages were characterized by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Quantitative gene expression analysis of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-33 and STAT6 was performed by real time PCR. RESULTS: Classic M1 macrophages were expanded in CD and AS, where resolution phas…

Primary cultures of human synovial macrophages metabolize androgens.

1996

Evidence that autophagy, but not the unfolded protein response, regulates the expression of IL-23 in the gut of patients with ankylosing spondylitis …

2013

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin (IL)-23 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of the study was to clarify the mechanisms underlying the increased IL-23 expression in the gut of AS patients. METHODS: Consecutive gut biopsies from 30 HLA-B27(+) AS patients, 15 Crohn's disease (CD) patients and 10 normal subjects were obtained. Evidence for HLA-B27 misfolding was studied. Unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy were assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The contribution of UPR and autophagy in the regulation of IL-23 expression was evaluated in in vitro experiments on isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs). RESULTS: Intracellular coloca…

Ankylosing spondylitis in monozygotic twins: studies on immunological parameters

1999

OBJECTIVE—To examine immunological parameters that might explain disease discordance in monozygotic twin pairs with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS—11 monozygotic twin pairs (nine with AS, two with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy) were investigated. The peripheral T cell receptor Vβ repertoire was investigated using FACS analysis and 14 different Vβ antibodies. In addition serum samples were tested for antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. Peripheral blood lymphocyte reactivity against a number of bacteria was investigated by interferon γ ELISPOT assays. RESULTS—Twins suffering from AS showed cellula…

Efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment in early primary Sjögren's syndrome: a prospective, multi-center, follow-up study.

2013

Introduction Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting exocrine glands; however, a subgroup of pSS patients experience systemic extra-glandular involvement leading to a worsening of disease prognosis. Current therapeutic options are mainly empiric and often translated by other autoimmune diseases. In the last few years growing evidence suggests that B-cell depletion by rituximab (RTX) is effective also in pSS. Patients with early active disease appear to be those who could benefit the most from RTX. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of RTX in comparison to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in early active pSS patients. …

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for vasculitis including Behçet's disease and polychondritis: a retrospective analysis of patients recorded …

2006

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in vasculitis. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients who had received HSCT for vasculitic diseases and have been reported to the European League Against Rheumatism autoimmune disease or European Bone Marrow Transplantation ProMISe databases. Information about the disease and outcome was obtained by a questionnaire sent to the referring centres. Response of the disease to HSCT was defined as partial or complete responses according to the ability to reduce immunosuppression after HSCT. In addition, the Medline database was searched for reports on HSCT in patients with vasculitis. Results:…