Open Access

REVIEW

Diana Boraschi¹, Charles A. Dinarello²
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 224-252, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0047
Abstract IL-18 is among the cytokines responsible for immune-mediated pathologies and is probably one of the factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Identification of the causes of uncontrolled IL-18 production and activity in autoimmunity would allow for novel therapeutic targets to effectively block autoimmune activation and inhibit concomitant tissue damage. IL-18 is produced mainly by monocytes/macrophages in response to stimuli of viral/bacterial origin, its production being therefore one of the effects of innate immunity initiated by host-pathogen interaction. In this review, we summarise the evidence supporting both the effector and the pathogenic role More >

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ARTICLE

Soraya Meghari¹, Benoît Desnues¹, Christian Capo¹, Georges E. Grau^1,2, Didier Raoult¹, Jean-Louis Mege¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 253-259, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0041
Abstract Q fever is an infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, which may become chronic when cytokine network and cell-mediated immune responses are altered. Chemokines, such as Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES, CCL5) and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2), are specialized in the trafficing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and are associated with T cell polarization that is essential for intracellular survival of C. burnetii. The present study investigated whether or not the infection status (no infection and acute or chronic infection with C. burnetii) of donors, affected the production of the two… More >

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ARTICLE

Emmanouil Galanakis, Francescopaolo Di Cello, Maneesh Paul-Satyaseela, Kwang Sik Kim
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 260-265, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0042
Abstract Microbial penetration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system is essential for the development of meningitis. Considerable progress has been achieved in understanding the pathophysiology of meningitis, however, relatively little is known about the early inflammatory events occurring at the time of bacterial crossing of the BBB. We investigated, using real-time quantitative PCR, the expression of the neutrophil chemoattractants alpha-chemokines CXCL1 (Groa) and CXCL8 (IL-8), and of the monocyte chemoattractant beta-chemokine CCL2 (MCP-1) by human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) in response to the meningitis-causing E. coli K1 strain RS218 or its isogenic… More >

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ARTICLE

Ilona Bányász¹, Géza Bokodi¹, Barna Vásárhelyi², András Treszl¹, László Derzbach¹, András Szabó¹, Tivadar Tulassay^1,2,3, Ádám Vannay³
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 266-270, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0041
Abstract Low birth weight (LBW) infants have increased susceptibility to perinatal complications. An immature and impaired vascular system may possibly participate in these complications. There is evidence that supports the notion that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an essential regulator of embryonic angiogenesis, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of perinatal complications. We aimed to test whether functional genetic polymorphisms of VEGF are associated with the risk of preterm birth or perinatal morbidity. We enrolled 128 LBW infants (≤ 1500 grams). VEGF T-460C, VEGF C-2578A and VEGF G+405C polymorphisms were determined by real-time… More >

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ARTICLE

Ilona Bányász¹, Géza Bokodi¹, Barna Vásárhelyi², András Treszl¹, László Derzbach¹, András Szabó¹, Tivadar Tulassay^1,2,3, Ádám Vannay³
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 271-275, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0043
Abstract Background. Fabry disease is an X-linked disorder associated with early-onset stroke, cardiomyopathy, and progression to end-stage renal failure. Correlations between inflammatory cytokines have been shown in other lysosomal storage diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate functional gene polymorphisms of key pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and to correlate them to a clinical score to assess the potential role of inflammation in Fabry disease. Design. Genotyping for IL-10[819C/T; -592C/A]; IL-1β[+3954C/T; –511C/T]; IL-1α[-889C/T]; and TNF-α[-308G/A] was performed in 76 patients and correlated with MSSI sub-scores and with enzyme (alpha-galactosidase A) levels. Fifty, normal, age- and… More >

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ARTICLE

Joanna Iłżecka¹, Marek Iłżecki²
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 276-280, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0044
Abstract A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) is a cytokine with the ability to induce tumorigenesis. The aim of the study was to measure serum APRIL levels in patients with brain glioblastoma multiforme. Twenty five patients with brain tumor and a control group of 25 subjects took part in the study. APRIL was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method. The study showed increased APRIL levels in the serum of patients with brain glioblastoma multiforme compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the level of this cytokine between groups of patients… More >

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ARTICLE

Amel Boumendjel^1,2, Lina Tawk¹, René de Waal Malefijt³, Vera Boulay¹, Hans Yssel¹, Jérôme Pène¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 281-289, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0045
Abstract It has been reported that IL-27 specifically induces the production of IgG2a by mouse B cells and inhibits IL-4-induced IgG1 synthesis. Here, we show that human naïve cord blood expresses a functional IL-27 receptor, consisting of the TCCR and gp130 subunits, although at lower levels as compared to naïve and memory splenic B cells. IL-27 does not induce proliferative responses and does not increase IgG1 production by CD19⁺ CD27⁺ memory B cells. However, it induces a low, but significant production of IgG1 by naïve CD19⁺ CD27^– IgD⁺ IgG^– spleen and cord blood B cells, activated via CD40, whereas… More >

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ARTICLE

Christelle Vauloup¹, Roman Krzysiek^1,2, Liliane Greangeot-Keros¹, Daniel Wendling³, Phillippe Goupille⁴, Rachel Brault⁵, Christine Brousse⁶, Xavier Mariette⁷, Dominique Emilie^1,2
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 290-293, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0046
Abstract Background. Chronic hepatitis C infection is frequently associated with a mixed cryoglobulinaemia and circulating auto-antibodies, especially anti-smooth muscle cells (SMA) and anti-liver/kidney/microsome type 1 (LKM-1) anti-tissue antibodies. Treatments with TNF antagonists favour the emergence of auto-antibodies, and particularly anti-dsDNA antibodies. Objective. To determine the impact of TNF antagonists on hepatitis C-related immune abnormalities. Methods. We prospectively monitored for 14 weeks, six patients with actively replicating chronic hepatitis C, initiating an anti-TNF treatment for an associated rheumatoid arthritis. Results. Anti-nuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies were induced in two and three patients, respectively. Treatment had no impact on More >

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ARTICLE

Arnon Blum¹, Khaled Khazim¹, Monir Merei¹, Aviva Peleg¹, Nava Blum², Vladimir Vaispapir¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 295-298, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0048
Abstract Background. Several studies have found that an increased concentration of haemostatic or inflammation markers was associated with worse prognosis in vascular disease. The inflammatory components in ischemic stroke are of current interest, and there is some experimental evidence that they may be linked. Hypothesis. The study was performed to determine the association between the neurological clinical outcome and levels of cell adhesion molecules in the first four days of hospitalization in patients with acute ischemic event. Methods. This prospective, pilot, case-controlled study examined the association between the clinical outcome and inflammatory markers within the first… More >

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