Search results for "immunologic factor"
showing 10 items of 128 documents
Rituximab in AChR subtype of myasthenia gravis: systematic review
2020
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction characterised by an autoantibody against acetylcholine receptor (AChR-Ab), autoantibody against muscle-specific kinase (MuSK-Ab), lipoprotein-related protein 4 or agrin in the postsynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. Many patients are resistant to conventional treatment and effective therapies are needed. Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 antigen on B cells which has been successfully employed in anti-MuSK-Ab+MG, but the efficacy in anti-AChR-Ab+MG is still debated. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the best evidence for RTX in the acetylcholine …
Isolation and Characterization of CD276+/HLA-E+ Human Subendocardial Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Chronic Heart Failure Patients: Analysis of Differen…
2012
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are virtually present in all postnatal organs as well as in perinatal tissues. MSCs can be differentiated toward several mature cytotypes and interestingly hold potentially relevant immunomodulatory features. Myocardial infarction results in severe tissue damage, cardiomyocyte loss, and eventually heart failure. Cellular cardiomyoplasty represents a promising approach for myocardial repair. Clinical trials using MSCs are underway for a number of heart diseases, even if their outcomes are hampered by low long-term improvements and the possible presence of complications related to cellular therapy administration. Therefore, elucidating the presence and role of MS…
Immunomodulation in vascularized composite allotransplantation: What is the role for adipose-derived stem cells?
2019
Hand and face transplants are becoming increasingly common, recording progressively more penile, uterus, abdominal wall, and allotransplantation cases reported worldwide. Despite current protocols allow long-term survival of the allografts, the ultimate goal of donor-specific tolerance has not been achieved yet. In fact, the harmful adverse effects related to the lifelong administration of immunosuppressive agents are the main drawbacks for vascularized composite allotransplantations. Research is very active in investigating alternative methods to induce greater tolerance while minimizing toxicity. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) represent promising cell therapies for immunomodulation in …
Atypical presentation of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: two case reports
2017
Abstract Background Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by severe neurological and psychiatric symptoms and a difficult diagnosis. The disease is often secondary to a neoplastic lesion, seldom diagnosed years later. Psychiatric symptoms are prevalent in adults; neurologic symptoms are more evident in children, who typically present primarily with neurological symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, the association with juvenile idiopathic arthritis has not been described. Case presentation We report the cases of two caucasian girls with an atypical presentation. The first patient was an 8-year-old girl with normal psychomotor developmen…
Immunomodulating role of bisphosphonates on human gamma delta T cells: an intriguing and promising aspect of their antitumour activity.
2007
Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells have the ability to produce inflammatory cytokines involved in protective immunity against intracellular pathogens and tumours and to display strong cytolytic as well as bactericidal activities. This suggests a direct involvement of Vgamma9Vdelta2 T lymphocytes in immune control of cancer and infections. These observations have recently aided development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell activation. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) play a crucial role in Vgamma9Vdelta2 T lymphocyte activation and in the acquisition of effector functions. The preliminary results of these innovative strategies are encouraging. Moreover, comp…
Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–related Pneumonitis. An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement
2019
Rationale: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer care but are associated with unique adverse events, including potentially life-threatening pneumonitis. The diagnosis of ICI-pneumonitis is increasing; however, the biological mechanisms, clinical and radiologic features, and the diagnosis and management have not been well defined. Objectives: To summarize evidence, identify knowledge and research gaps, and prioritize topics and propose methods for future research on ICI-pneumonitis. Methods: A multidisciplinary group of international clinical researchers reviewed available data on ICI-pneumonitis to develop and refine research questions pertaining to ICI-pneumonitis.…
IqYmune® is an effective maintenance treatment for multifocal motor neuropathy: A randomised, double‐blind, multi‐center cross‐over non‐inferiority s…
2018
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is the gold-standard for maintenance treatment of multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). This phase III, randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, active-control, crossover study, aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority of IqYmune® relative to Kiovig®, primarily based on efficacy criteria. Twenty-two adult MMN patients, treated with any brand of IVIg (except Kiovig® or IqYmune®) at a stable maintenance dose within the range of 1 to 2 g/kg every 4 to 8 weeks, were randomised to receive either Kiovig® followed by IqYmune®, or IqYmune® followed by Kiovig®. Each product was administered for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the difference between IqYmune® and Kiovig® …
Wheat Amylase Trypsin Inhibitors as Nutritional Activators of Innate Immunity
2015
While the central role of an adaptive, T cell-mediated immune response to certain gluten peptides in celiac disease is well established, the innate immune response to wheat proteins remains less well defined. We identified wheat amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs), but not gluten, as major stimulators of innate immune cells (dendritic cells > macrophages > monocytes), while intestinal epithelial cells were nonresponsive. ATIs bind to and activate the CD14-MD2 toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex. This activation occurs both in vitro and in vivo after oral ingestion of purified ATIs or gluten, which is usually enriched in ATIs. Wheat ATIs represent a family of up to 17 proteins with molec…
A critical evaluation of caplacizumab for the treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
2020
Introduction: Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by inhibitory autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 protein. Until recently, the combination of plasma exchange (PEX) and immunosuppression has been the standard front-line treatment in this disorder. However, aTTP-related mortality, refractoriness, and relapse are still a matter of concern. Areas covered: The better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of aTTP has allowed substantial improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Recently, the novel anti-VWF nanobody caplacizumab has been approved for acute episodes of aTTP. Caplacizumab is capable to block the adh…
Prostaglandin E(2)-loaded microspheres as strategy to inhibit phagocytosis and modulate inflammatory mediators release.
2008
PGE(2), an arachidonic acid metabolite produced by various type of cells regulates a broad range of physiological activities in the endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune systems, and is involved in maintaining the local homeostasis. In the immune system, PGE(2) is mainly produced by APCs and it can suppress the Th1-mediated immune responses. The aim of this study was to develop PGE(2)-loaded biodegradable MS that prolong and sustain the in vivo release of this mediator. An o/w emulsion solvent extraction-evaporation method was chosen to prepare the MS. We determined their diameters, evaluated the in vitro release of PGE(2), using enzyme immunoassay and MS uptake by periton…