Yih-Hsin Chang¹, Chien-Ning Huang², Ming-Yuh Shiau^3,4

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 112-116, 2004

Abstract Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are two of the most important health problems according to current gastroenterology literature. Based on the recent developments in the field of immunology, advanced follow-up and treatment modalities have been introduced for these disorders. Immune defence against viral infections depends on effective cellular immune responses derived mainly from Th1-related cytokines. Th2 type immune responses can inhibit efficient immune function by secretion of several cytokines such as IL-10, TGF-β1. In this particular study, we determined the serum levels of TGF-β1, which plays a role in immune suppression and induction of tissue… More >

Cengiz Kirmaz¹, Ender Terzioglu², Omer Topalak³, Papatya Bayrak¹, Ozge Yilmaz⁴, Galip Ersoz⁵, Filiz Sebik⁶

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 112-116, 2004

Abstract Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are two of the most important health problems according to current gastroenterology literature. Based on the recent developments in the field of immunology, advanced follow-up and treatment modalities have been introduced for these disorders. Immune defence against viral infections depends on effective cellular immune responses derived mainly from Th1-related cytokines. Th2 type immune responses can inhibit efficient immune function by secretion of several cytokines such as IL-10, TGF-β1. In this particular study, we determined the serum levels of TGF-β1, which plays a role in immune suppression and induction of tissue… More >

Susanne Schulz^1,2, Undraga Schagdarsurengin¹, Thomas Suss^1,2, Ursula Müller-Werdan², Karl Werdan², Christiane Gläser¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 105-111, 2004

Abstract Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous complex diseases. The plasma level of this pro-inflammatory cytokine is associated with a variety of different risk factors, but little is known about the genetic background and the complex interactions. Methods: in this clinical study, correlations were studied between plasma levels of circulating TNF-α protein (ELISA), its mRNA expression in monocytes (RT-PCR) and genetic variants of TNF-α gene (SSCP), with several diseases, including obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, as well as risk factors such as age, gender, inflammatory markers, the coagulation/fibrinolysis balance,… More >

Isabelle Cognet¹, Florence Guilhot¹, Sylvie Chevalier², Angélique Guay-Giroux¹, Alexandra Bert¹, Greg C. A. Elson³, Hugues Gascan², Jean-François Gauchat¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 255-262, 2004

Abstract Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neuroprotective cytokine initially identified in chick embryo. It has been evaluated for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. CNTF also acts on non-neuronal cells such as oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, adipocytes and skeletal muscles cells. CNTF has regulatory effects on body weight and is currently in clinical trial for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. CNTF mediates its function by activating a tripartite receptor comprising the CNTF receptor α chain (CNTFRα), the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor β chain (LIFRβ) and gp130. Human, rat and chicken CNTF have been expressed as recombinant proteins,… More >

Yan Lin, Qin Ya-Li, Bei Wei-Cheng, Yu Xiao-Lan, Huang Hong-Liang, Chen Huan-Chun^*

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 240-246, 2004

Abstract Interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 can stimulate the growth and proliferation of T lymphocytes and the differentiation of activated B lymphocytes respectively, and in turn enhance cellular and humoral immune responses. In this work, an expression clone using Pichia pastoris, a methylotrophic yeast strain, has been developed in order to produce large amounts of the functional recombinant fusion protein pIL-6-IL-2, which contains the mature porcine interleukin-6 peptide and the mature porcine interleukin-2 peptide. Two components of the fusion protein were connected by means of a flexible linker (Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser-Glu-Phe-Gly-Ser-Gly-Gly). In response to 1% methanol induction, the recombinant strain… More >

Dimitrios Tziakas¹, Georgios Chalikias¹, John T. Parissis², Helen Hatzinikolaou¹, Dimitrios Stakos¹, Evropi Papadopoulou³, Alexandros Kortsaris³, Dimitrios Hatseras¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 231-239, 2004

Abstract Introduction. Recent clinical and experimental studies indicate that upregulation of the TNF system can contribute to the progression of cardiac remodeling and heart failure decompensation, by promoting alterations in cardiomyocyte biology and extracellular matrix metabolism. Extracellular matrix turnover is regulated by the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are endogenous enzymes responsible for extracellular collagen degradation. The present study investigates the fluctuation of serum levels of TNF-α, soluble TNF receptor-1 (sTNFR1) and -2 (sTNFR2), in patients with chronic heart failure both during acute decompensation and the stable state of the syndrome. The second goal of this study… More >

George Fildissis, Kyriaki Venetsanou, Pavlos Myrianthefs, Stylianos Karatzas, Vasilios Zidianakis, George Baltopoulos

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 217-221, 2004

Abstract Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a therapeutic intervention with applications in a large variety of diseases, including traumatic injuries and acute or chronic infections. The presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines regulates certain factors including adhesion molecules, which play a significant role in HBO effects.
We have investigated the effect of HBO on pro-inflammatory cytokine release [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8)], and the regulation of adhesion molecules [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM)] after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in 16 healthy individuals, originating from an urban area. A total… More >

Michael Ramharter^1,2,3, Peter G. Kremsner^2,3, Martin Willheim⁴, Heidi Winkler^1,3, Wolfgang Graninger¹, Stefan Winkler^1,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 189-196, 2004

Abstract The frequency of P. falciparum-specific interleukin (IL)-2-, interferon (IFN)-γ-, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α- and IL-10-expressing CD3⁺ cells was studied in healthy Gabonese children segregated according to their clinical presentation at admission to a longitudinal study of severe and mild malaria. The percentage of IL-2- and TNF-α- expressing P. falciparum-specific CD3⁺ cells was significantly higher in the children with prior mild malaria and less frequent reinfections compared to the children with prior severe malaria and more frequent reinfections. No differences were shown for P. falciparum-specific IFN-γ and IL-10 expression within CD3⁺ cells and parasite-non-specific expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, More >

Jean-Jacques Lataillade¹, Jorge Domenech², Marie-Caroline Le Bousse-Kerdilès³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 177-188, 2004

Abstract Generation of haematopoietic cells is regulated by cellular and humoral interactions in which stromal cells, adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines play a crucial role. Among the chemokines, SDF-1 and its CXCR4 receptor have been reported to be key players in the nesting of haematopoietic progenitors within the bone marrow. Disruption of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis results in cell mobilization and may participate in leukaemia extramedullary infiltration. In this review we will discuss the manifold roles of the SDF-1 chemokine and of its receptor in haematopoiesis regulation. By recruiting quiescent progenitors, by participating in their survival/cycling and More >

Claudio Pérez¹, Fermín E. González^1,2, Violeta Pavez³, Aida V. Araya⁴, Adam Aguirre¹, Andrea Cruzat^1,6, Juan Contreras-Levicoy^1,6, Andrés Dotte^1,6, Octavio Aravena¹, Lorena Salazar¹, Diego Catalán¹, Jimena Cuenca¹, Arturo Ferreira¹, Irene Schiattino⁵, Juan C. Aguillón¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 364-370, 2004

Abstract Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the TNF-α gene promoter. The transition G→A at position –308 generates the TNF-α1 (G/G) and TNF-α2 (G/A or A/A) alleles, where the polymorphic TNF-α2 allele is associated with a high, in vitro TNF-α expression and an increased susceptibility to diverse illnesses. Here we study the association of the –308 TNF-α SNP with the susceptibility for developing aggressive periodontitis (AP), AP combined with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and DM. We also explore the TNF-α capability expression and the presence of the –308 polymorphism. For this purpose we More >