Open Access

REVIEW

Jacek Karczewski^1,4, Aleksandra Zielin´ska², Rafał Staszewski³, Piotr Eder⁴, Agnieszka Dobrowolska⁴
European Cytokine Network, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 64-72, 2021, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2021.0474
Abstract The abnormal accumulation of visceral adipose tissue in obesity is associated with metabolic changes that include altered glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity also coincides with increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. Accumulating evidence suggest that prolonged metabolic overload related to overnutrition, influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, might affect immunologic self-tolerance through changes in the energy metabolism of immune cells, particularly regulatory T (Treg) cells. A strong activation of nutrient-energy signaling pathways blocks the induction of the transcription factor forkhead P3 (FOXP3), a master regulator of Treg cells, consequently inhibiting their generation More >

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Open Access

REVIEW

Yuancong Jiang^a, Deqiang Kong^a, Xiaolong Miao, Xing Yu, Zelai Wu, Han Liu, Weihua Gong
European Cytokine Network, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 73-82, 2021, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2021.0472
Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, with multifactorial etiologies has led to a global health-associated burden in many countries. Substantial efforts are devoted to understand the pathogenesis, behavioral and environmental triggers, which may be specifically valuable for the treatment of IBD. The specific pathogenesis underlying IBD is as yet incompletely understood. The use of anti-cytokine therapy and small molecule agents targeting the immune system is thought to restore the body’s intestinal barrier function and relieve inflammation with manageable adverse effects. In this review, we report recent advances in anti-cytokine therapy and More >

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ARTICLE

Sara Ibrahim Taha¹, Sara Farid Samaan², Rehab Ali Ibrahim³, Eman Mousa El-Sehsah⁴, Mariam Karam Youssef⁵
European Cytokine Network, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 83-88, 2021, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2021.0471
Abstract Background: Various musculoskeletal and autoimmune manifestations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and etiology of arthritis in post-COVID Egyptian patients. Methods: We included 100 post-COVID Egyptian patients who recovered 6 months ago and assessed several inflammatory and autoimmune markers. Results: The prevalence of post-COVID arthritis was 37%. Ankle, knee, and wrist were the most commonly affected joints. Old age (P = 0.010), smoking (P = 0.001), and arthralgia (P = 0.049) were all linked with post-COVID arthritis. Levels of pretreatment (baseline) interleukin (IL)-6… More >

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