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Dorota Mańkowska-Wierzbicka, Ewelina Swora-Cwynar, Barbara Poniedziałek, Zygmunt Adamski, Agnieszka Dobrowolska, Jacek Karczewski
European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.2, pp. 26-37, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0363
Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of selected laboratory markers in assessing disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The analysis included serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ, hsCRP, peripheral regulatory T cells, as well as fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin. Patients and methods: A group of 45 adults with UC was enrolled in the study. Disease activity was assessed using the Mayo endoscopic index, while for clinical activity scoring, the Clinical Activity Index (CAI) was used. Concentrations of markers investigated were estimated by means of flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent… More >

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Open Access

ARTICLE

Abdullah Alyoussef
European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.2, pp. 38-45, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0364
Abstract Purpose: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing, pruritic, eczematous skin disorder accompanying allergic inflammation. AD is triggered by oxidative stress and immune imbalance. The effect of oral arjunolic acid (AA) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice was investigated. Methods: Repeated epicutaneous application of DNCB to the ear and shaved dorsal skin of mice was performed to induce AD-like symptoms and skin lesions: 250mg/kg AA was given orally for three weeks to assess its anti-pruritic effects. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, immunoglobulin (Ig)E and caspase-3 were assessed by More >

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Kenan Izgi^1,3, Banu Iskender^2,3, Cagri Sakalar^2,3, Aslihan Arslanhan^1,3, Berkay Saraymen^1,4, Halit Canatan^2,3
European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.2, pp. 46-56, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0365
Abstract Rationale: Organ- or tissue-specific antigens produced by normal tissue or by cancer cells could be used in cancer immunotherapy, to target the tumor. In our previous study, we induced T-cell-mediated, bladder-specific autoimmunity by targeting the bladder-specific protein Uroplakin 3A (UPK3A). UPK3A is a well-chosen target for developing an autoimmune response against bladder cancer since the antigen is also expressed in bladder tumors. To use this peptide, which was derived from the UPK3A protein in a bladder cancer vaccine study, it is necessary to induce a strong immune response. In this study, we aimed to develop… More >

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