Saadou Issifou¹, Elie Mavoungou^1,2, Steffen Borrmann^1,2, Marielle K. Bouyou-Akotet¹, Pierre-Blaise Matsiegui^1,2, Peter G. Kremsner^1,2, Francine Ntoumi^1,2

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 238-241, 2003

Abstract To investigate if severe malarial anemia is associated with specific cytokine overproduction, we evaluated serum levels of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) from three groups of young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection (asymptomatic cases, uncomplicated malaria cases and severe malarial anemia cases), in a hyperendemic area of Gabon. In uncomplicated cases, only TNF levels were significantly (p < 0.001) increased in comparison to asymptomatic cases with P. falciparum infection. High levels of sFasL, TNF-α and IL-10 were associated with low hemoglobin concentrations, sFasL levels were significantly higher in children with severe More >

Michael Heesen¹, Brunhilde Bloemeke², Dagmar Kunz³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 234-237, 2003

Abstract Previous studies have found that heterozygosity for the A896G mutation of the endotoxin receptor TLR4 confers susceptibility to Gram-negative infections and septic shock. To evaluate the underlying mecha-nisms, we studied the association of the TLR4 polymorphism with endotoxin-induced cytokine synthesis in human whole blood. Monocyte CD14 density and monocyte count were also determined. Healthy individuals were genotyped by means of a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by chemiluminescence. No significant differences in cytokine synthesis were observed between heterozygous individuals and homozygous carriers of the wild type allele. More >

Mahmoud Huleihel^1,4, Amash Alaa^1,3, Sapir Olga^2,3, Maor E⁵, Sharon Levy^1,3, Miriam Katz^2,3, Lesly Myatt⁶, Holcberg Gershon^2,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 229-233, 2003

Abstract IL-10 is anti-inflammatory cytokine that is involved in the regulation of the pregnancy process. We examined the capacity of fetal and maternal placental tissues from human term placentas, to produce IL-10, in the presence and absence of LPS. The levels of IL-10 were examined (by ELISA and immunohistochemical staining) in the fetal and maternal tissues of human placentas after 10 hours of perfusion, in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 µg/k”g perfused tissue). We could detect IL-10 in amnion (A; 13.91 ± 11.35 pg/ml) and chorion (CH; 7.85 ± 6.38 pg/ml) tissue homogenates,… More >

Hamida Hammad¹, Hermelijn H. Smits², Céline Ratajczak¹, Asokananthan Nithiananthan³, Eddy A. Wierenga², Geoffrey A. Stewart³, Alain Jacquet⁴, André-Bernard Tonnel¹, Joël Pestel¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 219-228, 2003

Abstract Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells that can orientate the immune response towards a Th1 or a Th2 type. DC produce chemokines that are involved in the recruitment of either Th1 cells, such as IP10 (CXCL10), Th2 cells such as TARC (CCL17) and MDC (CCL22), or non-polarized T cells such as RANTES (CCL5) and MIP-1α (CCL3). We investigated whether monocyte-derived DC (MD-DC) generated from healthy donors or from patients sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) and exposed to the cysteine-protease Der p 1 (allergen of Dpt), could upregulate the expression of chemokines involved in type… More >

Nadia Polentarutti¹, Giselle Penton Rol^1,2, Marta Muzio^1,3, Daniela Bosisio^1,4, Marco Camnasio^1,5, Federica Riva^1,6, Carla Zoja⁷, Ariela Benigni⁷, Susanna Tomasoni⁷, Annunciata Vecchi¹, Cecilia Garlanda¹, Alberto Mantovani^1,8,9

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 211-218, 2003

Abstract TIR8, also known as single Ig IL-1R-related molecule (SIGIRR), is a member of the IL-1 receptor family. The present study was designed to investigate the expression and function of TIR8. TIR8 was mainly expressed in mouse and human epithelial tissues such as kidney, lung and gut. Resting and activated T and B lymphocytes and monocytes-macrophages expressed little or no TIR8, with the exception of the mouse GG2EE macrophage line. In the kidney, the organ with highest mRNA levels, TIR8 expression was confined to epithelial cells and, in situ, to tubular epithelium. A variety of signals More >

Bernhard Moser

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 204-210, 2003

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Sender Herschorn

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, Suppl.1, pp. 23-28, 2003

Abstract Erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease share many of the same risk factors and have some common elements of pathophysiology. Clinically, they often coexist. Another link between the two conditions is that sildenafil, the first oral therapeutic agent effective in treating ED, has been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, a potentially serious side effect. Nitrates are commonly used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. As such, sildenafil (and, likely, other new phosphodiesterase type 5 [PDE5] inhibitors) is contraindicated in men who use nitrate medications. This article will examine the risk of More >

Gerald B. Brock

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, Suppl.1, pp. 17-22, 2003

Abstract Oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are preferred by most men, and are recommended in guidelines as first-line therapy, because of convenience, high efficacy, and low rates of side effects. Tadalafil (Cialis™) is a new agent that has been studied in different patient populations. It has a different molecular structure than other PDE5 inhibitors, and a different pharmacologic profile that provides a longer period of effectiveness than other agents. This article will review clinical trials on tadalafil, to provide a comprehensive overview of its efficacy and safety. More >

Serge Carrier

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, Suppl.1, pp. 12-16, 2003

Abstract The phosphodiesterase enzymes, of at least 11 types, are ubiquitous throughout the body, and perform a variety of functions. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) is the predominant enzyme in the corpus cavernosum, and plays a crucial role in penile erection. Inhibitors of PDE5 are the most effective oral agents in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are all potent inhibitors of PDE5 and show the same mechanism of action, although they have some pharmacological differences that may translate into varying clinical effects. More >

Luc Valiquette

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, Suppl.1, pp. 7-11, 2003

Abstract Over the last three decades, there has been a significant increase in our understanding of the physiologic mechanisms responsible for erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction has become a topic of considerable media and societal interest and acceptance. Paralleling the increase in knowledge has been an explosion in therapeutic options. This article will evaluate the therapeutic options, from a historical perspective of what has been available, and outline the progress that has been made. More >