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REVIEW

Mirko Pesce¹, Antonia Patruno¹, Lorenza Speranza¹, Marcella Reale²
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 1-10, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0332
Abstract Wound healing is a highly coordinated and complex process involving various cell types, chemical mediators and the surrounding extracellular matrix, resulting in a tightly orchestrated re-establishment of tissue integrity by specific cytokines. It consists of various dynamic processes including a series of overlapping phases: inflammation, proliferation, re-epithelialization and remodeling. One of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the disturbances in wound healing is an out-of-control inflammatory response that can cause pathological consequences, such as hypertrophic scars, keloids or chronic wounds and ulcers. Recently, several reports have evaluated the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs)… More >

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REVIEW

Fouad A. Zouein¹, Mazen Kurdi^1,2, George W. Booz¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 11-19, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0335
Abstract Multiple studies have shown that the cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is protective of the myocardium in the acute stress of ischemia-reperfusion. All three major intracellular signaling pathways that are activated by LIF in cardiac myocytes have been linked to actions that protect against oxidative stress and cell death, either at the level of the mitochondrion or via nuclear transcription. In addition, LIF has been shown to contribute to post-myocardial infarction cardiac repair and regeneration, by stimulating the homing of bone marrow-derived cardiac progenitors to the injured myocardium, the differentiation of resident cardiac stem cells… More >

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REVIEW

Moustafa Hamze, Caroline Desmetz, Paul Guglielmi
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 20-26, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0327
Abstract B cells regulate immune responses during infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Beside their unique and characteristic antibody production, B lymphocytes can modulate physiological and pathological processes by presenting antigens or synthesizing signaling molecules. In human and mouse diseases, immunointervention, targeting B cells, has revealed and highlighted their antibody-independent regulatory contribution. In this review, we focus on B cell-cytokine production, which is commonly disturbed in inflammatory disorders, and describe the B cell cytokine profile in different diseases. Finally, we discuss some key issues for future B cell-targeted therapies. More >

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M. M. Al-Gayyar^1,2, N. M. Elsherbiny¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 27-36, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0334
Abstract During the late 1970s, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was initially recognized as an endotoxin-induced substance that was mainly produced by macrophages, and able to cause the lysis of certain tumor cells. Subsequent research demonstrated that TNF-α mediates a broad range of cellular activities, including proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. It is also considered to be essential for the induction and maintenance of the inflammatory immune responses. Meanwhile, visual impairment imposes a substantial disease burden on society. It is associated with both significant economic impact and reduction in quality of life. Visual impairment raises serious… More >

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REVIEW

Matteo Auriemma¹, Giovina Vianale¹, Paolo Amerio², Marcella Reale¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 37-44, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0333
Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by an impaired immune response. Several effector T cell subsets, such as pro-inflammatory cells like Th9, Th17 and Th22 cells, expressing high levels of IL-9, IL-17 and IL-22, together with the anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulating Treg cells constitutively producing IL-10, seem to play a role in this condition. IL-9 and IL-9 receptors are significantly increased in lesional AD skin compared to normal control skin. In addition, some polymorphisms in IL-9 and IL-9r genes have been associated with AD. The role of IL-17 and IL-17-producing T cells… More >

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ARTICLE

Bijan Keikhaei¹, Ali Reza Mohseni², Reza Norouzirad³, Mastaneh Alinejadi⁴, Somayeh Ghanbari¹, Fariba Shiravi¹, Ghasem Solgi⁵
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 45-52, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0328
Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and TGF-β in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, and to compare the results during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) or steady state (StSt) conditions. Methods: 54 SCD patients (37HbSS and 17Sβ⁺Thal) were enrolled in the study and evaluated in two groups as follows; group A consisted of 39 VOC patients and group B comprised 15 StSt patients. Nineteen healthy volunteers were included as controls. Circulating levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17,TNF-α and TGF-β were measured using ELISA. Results: Patients in VOC showed higher mean levels of all… More >

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Afsaneh Morteza¹, Manouchehr Nakhjavani¹, Firuzeh Asgarani¹, Azam Ghaneei², Alireza Esteghamati¹, Hossein Mirmiranpour
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 53-59, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0329
Abstract C reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker believed to be of value in the early prediction of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Recent studies have shown a positive correlation between leptin and CRP levels. Here, we aimed to study the correlation between leptin and CRP in patients with T2DM. We also studied the effect of metformin therapy on the CRP-leptin correlation in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. We performed a follow-up study on three groups of participants defined as 1: patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, 2: patients with long-standing T2DM, and 3: healthy controls. Patients… More >

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Ewa Robak¹, Lilianna Kulczycka-Siennicka¹, Zofia Gerlicz¹, Monika Kierstan¹, Anna Korycka-Wolowiec², Anna Sysa-Jedrzejowska¹
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 60-68, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0330
Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of multifactorial pathoaetiology. Different organs and blood vessels may be affected by chronic inflammation. A direct cause of the disease has not yet been found, so research is being carried out to this effect. The role of the recently identified helper T lymphocyte CD4+, described as Th17, and its dependent cytokines have been of particular interest. The aim of the study was to evaluate IL-17A, IL-17B, IL-17F and IL-23 in 60 SLE patients and 26 age-matched, healthy volunteers and also to investigate the correlation between levels of… More >

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ARTICLE

Irena Manolova¹, Julieta Gerenova², Mariana Ivanova³
European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 69-74, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0331
Abstract Background: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) exerts broad anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and plays a key role in self-tolerance. Complete knockout of TGF-β1 in mice results in autoimmunity and multi-organ inflammatory syndrome. The aim of the present study was to determine TGF- β1 serum levels in healthy individuals and in patients with typical systemic or organ-specific autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) in an attempt to elucidate the importance of TGF-β1 in human autoimmunity. Patients and methods: Serum concentrations of TGF-β1 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a… More >

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