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Lujun Zhao^1,2, Luhua Wang¹, Wei Ji¹, Mingfang Lei¹, Weizhi Yang¹, Feng-Ming Kong^3,4
European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 1-6, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0298
Abstract In order to evaluate the impact of blood sample handling processes on circulating TGF-β1 levels, blood specimens were obtained from 13 healthy volunteers using different handling processes (kept at room temperature (RT) or on ice before centrifugation, using different centrifugal forces). TGF-β1 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A paired-T test was used for statistical analysis. The TGF-β1 level in on-ice serum was significantly lower than that in room-temperature serum (P<0.001), and both were significantly higher than that found in on-ice plasma (P<0.001). Compared with on-ice plasma samples, the longer the samples were More >

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ARTICLE

Federico Aranda¹, Silvia Perés Wingeyer¹, Sebastián Andrés Muñoz², Alberto Allievi², Alberto Orden³, Rosana Trobo⁴, Analía Alvarez⁵, Alicia Eimon⁵, Juan Carlos Barreira⁶, Emilce Schneeberger⁷, Judith Sarano⁸, Julio Hofman⁹, Gabriela de Larrañaga¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 7-11, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0297
Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic, autoimmune disorder. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), a chemokine involved in the recruitment and migration of monocytes/macrophages, has been shown to be increased in the plasma of SLE patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible association of the polymorphism -2518 of the MCP-1 gene with the risk of developing SLE, manifesting lupus nephritis (LN) and with other clinical features of SLE in an Argentinean population. A group of 171 SLE patients and 120 control subjects were examined. Genotypic and allelic frequencies of theMCP-1 -2518 More >

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Eva Pfeifer, Johannes Polz, Daniela N. Männel, Sven Mostböck
European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 12-14, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0300
Abstract Proteinuria represents a parameter for a damaged filtration capacity of the kidney. We investigated how inflammation influences the development of experimental, immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis by monitoring proteinuria.Mice pre-treated with LPS or TNF, one day before induction of glomerulonephritis, excreted high levels of protein in the urine immediately after the induction of glomerulonephritis, in contrast to non-treated mice where proteinuria increased steadily after day 3. Protein levels in the urine of pre-treated mice remained elevated over the 15-day observation time. The severity of proteinuria at later times correlated with the degree of tissue pathology and mortality More >

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Eva Pfeifer, Johannes Polz, Sybille Grieβl, Sven Mostböck, Thomas Hehlgans, Daniela N. Männel
European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 15-20, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0299
Abstract In an experimental model of immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, mice excreted increased levels of urinary protein starting three days after the induction. Mice lacking the TNF receptor type 2 (TNFR2) were protected from early proteinuria and enhanced mortality. Analysis of the molecular basis of the mechanisms of glomerulonephritis revealed that naïve mice continuously excrete soluble TNF-neutralizing TNFR2 in urine. Mice kept in a specific pathogen-free environment did not go on to develop early proteinuria or enhanced mortality, following induction of glomerulonephritis. TNFR2-deficient mice were protected from early proteinuria and enhanced mortality only when housed conventionally. Mice producing More >

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Hüseyin Engin¹, Yücel Üstündağ², ˙Ishak Özel Tekin³, Ayla Gökmen⁴
European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 21-24, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0301
Abstract Background/Aim: Ang-1 and Ang-2 have both been identified as ligands for Tie-2, a receptor expressed on endothelial cells (EC). They play critical roles in angiogenesis, in concert with VEGF. Ang-1-binding to Tie-2 maintains and stabilizes mature vessels by promoting interactions between EC and the surrounding extra-cellular matrix. However, Ang-2 shows context-dependent, proangiogenic and antiangiogenic activities. Despite the rapidly accumulating histopathological data reporting differences in the expression of members of the Ang family on the surface of various normal and tumour cells, data for these growth factors in plasma from cancer patients, including gastric cancer, remain… More >

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