Association of MICA alleles with psoriatic arthritis and its clinical forms. A multicenter Italian study

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of the association between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinical forms and MICA gene transmembrane polymorphisms.

METHODS

Patients were classified as having peripheral asymmetric oligoarthritis (AO), peripheral symmetric poly-arthritis (PA) and spondylitis (SP), or disease combinations (PA/SP, OA/SP). Two hundred and twenty-six patients with PsA were typed for MICA exon 5 microsatellite (TM) by heteroduplex analysis and compared with 225 normal controls.

RESULTS

MICA-TM microsatellite typing revealed that, among the different clinical forms of PsA, only the combined PA/SP subset shows a significant positive association with MICA-A9 and a lower frequency of MICA-A4, A5 genotype in PsA patients with a decrease, only in the PA/SP cohort, of all MICA-A5 combinations except MICA-A5, -A9.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a role for genes within the HLA region in the pathogenesis of PsA, and reinforce the idea that the different forms of PsA may have heterogeneous genetic basis.

Angiogenesis in vasculitides

Vasculitides, including Wegener's granulomatosis, Takayasu's arteritis, giant cell arteritis, Kawasaki disease, Behçet disease, thromboangiitis obliterans and erythema elevatum diutinum, are inflammatory diseases of blood vessel wall characterized by myointimal proliferation, fibrosis and thrombus formation leading to stenosis or occlusion of the vascular lumen, and finally to tissue ischemia. In these diseases the hypoxic environment subsequent to stenosis or occlusion of the vascular lumen is a potent signal for the generation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis may be a compensatory response to ischemia and to the increased metabolic activity and may be also a further inflammatory stimulus because endothelial cells of newly-formed vessels express adhesion molecules and produce colony-stimulating factors and chemokines for leukocytes.

Parecoxib as an Alternative in COX-2 Hypersensitivity

The group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is commonly involved in hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical practice the physician is often faced with the need to choose an alternative anti-inflammatory agent for a patient who has suffered a hypersensitivity reaction to a NSAID. The most common approach to choosing the safest NSAID is to perform a challenge test. Parecoxib is the first injectable COX-2 selective inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute postoperative pain. The authors report the case of a patient with a history of cutaneous adverse reactions to different classes of NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors, who underwent and tolerated challenge with parecoxib.

Angiogenesis and mast cells in human breast cancer sentinel lymph nodes with and without micrometastases

AIMS

An increasing number of mast cells have been reported in angiogenesis associated with solid and haematopoietic tumours. Data concerning the number of mast cells in neoplastic lymph nodes and their relationship with microvessel density are controversial. The aim was to correlate the extent of angiogenesis with the number of mast cells reactive with tryptase in biopsy specimens of sentinel lymph nodes with and without micrometastases obtained from patients with breast cancer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Specimens from sentinel lymph nodes obtained from 80 patients (40 with and 40 without micrometastases) were investigated immunohistochemically by using anti-CD31 and anti-tryptase antibodies. Angiogenesis, measured as microvessel counts, increased in parallel with the number of tryptase-positive mast cells and their values were significantly higher in lymph nodes with micrometastases compared with those without.

CONCLUSIONS

Tryptase-positive mast cells may contribute, at least in part, to angiogenesis occurring in sentinel lymph nodes with micrometastases from patients with breast cancer.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with latex-induced urticaria: a 12-month study

BACKGROUND

Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is a worldwide problem. Although prevention is sufficient to reduce sensitization, prolonged avoidance is needed to prevent resensitization or adverse reactions on re-exposure.

OBJECTIVES

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with latex.

METHODS

Forty patients with NRL allergy were enrolled. At diagnosis, 30 presented urticaria and 10 asthma. Patients were evaluated on their clinical history and an allergological assessment: skin prick test with latex extract, serum-specific IgE and provocation tests. Patients were subdivided by complaint (asthma or urticaria), and randomized to receive SLIT with latex extract (ALK-Abelló, Lainate, Milan, Italy) or placebo.

RESULTS

The evaluable population consisted of 35 patients, 18 treated with SLIT and 17 with placebo. The results show that 12 months of SLIT improved the symptoms score and reduced the medication score in all subjects. The subjective evaluation was corroborated by improved bronchial and glove provocation test results. The latex-specific IgE levels increased slightly in the SLIT group, and skin sensitization was reduced at the end of the trial in all the patients treated with SLIT. The immunotherapy was not complicated by any severe adverse reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy of SLIT with latex extract conducted in adult patients allergic to NRL. SLIT with latex can be proposed for subjects with latex allergy, especially those for whom complete avoidance of latex exposure may be very difficult or even impossible. More studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of SLIT in the treatment of subjects with latex allergy who are sensitized to inhalant allergens.

Vasculogenic mimicry by bone marrow macrophages in patients with multiple myeloma

Bone marrow macrophages of patients with active and nonactive multiple myeloma (MM), monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) and benign anemia (controls) were stimulated for 7 days with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and analysed for the expression of endothelial cell (EC) markers by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. Their vasculogenic ability was investigated in vitro in a Matrigel assay and in vivo on bone marrow biopsies through dual immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy. Active MM macrophages exposed to VEGF and bFGF acquired EC markers and formed capillary-like structures mimicking paired bone marrow ECs (multiple myeloma patient-derived endothelial cells, MMECs), with major responsiveness compared to macrophages from nonactive MM, MGUS or controls. Bone marrow biopsies of active MM harbored 'mosaic' vessels, being formed by MMECs, EC-like macrophages and macrophages themselves. These figures were rare in nonactive MM and absent in MGUS or controls. Our data indicate that macrophages contribute to build neovessels in active MM through vasculogenic mimicry, and this ability proceeds parallel to progression of the plasma cell tumors. Macrophages may be a target for the MM antivascular treatment.

Erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor system is involved in angiogenesis in human neuroblastoma

Ribatti D, Poliani P L, Longo V, Mangieri D, Nico B & Vacca A (2007) Histopathology50, 636–641 Erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor system is involved in angiogenesis in human neuroblastoma

Erythropoietin/erythropoietin-receptor system is involved in angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Ribatti D, Marzullo A, Gentile A, Longo V, Nico B, Vacca A & Dammacco F (2007) Histopathology50, 591–596 Erythropoietin/erythropoietin-receptor system is involved in angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Desloratadine in combination with montelukast suppresses the dermographometer challenge test papule, and is effective in the treatment of delayed pressure urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Delayed pressure urticaria (DPU) comes under the heading of physical urticaria. Characteristically itchy, tender or painful weals occur at sites of local pressure including the waistband, soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Lesion onset is typically 3-12 h after the application of pressure, and lesions may persist for more than 24 h. The treatment of DPU is often unsatisfactory.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of desloratadine and montelukast in the treatment of DPU.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 36 subjects affected by DPU. A challenge test with a dermographometer was administered to confirm the diagnosis. After diagnosis, patients were randomized to receive the following treatment once daily for 2 weeks: (i) oral desloratadine 5 mg plus oral placebo; (ii) oral desloratadine 5 mg plus montelukast 10 mg; and (iii) oral placebo alone.

RESULTS

At rechallenge, patients from the treatment groups (desloratadine plus montelukast group and desloratadine alone group) demonstrated a significant reduction in mean diameter of papules after 70 s of pressure compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). Moreover, patients treated with desloratadine plus montelukast showed a significant reduction in mean diameter of papules at 70 s of pressure compared with those treated with desloratadine alone (P < 0.05). In addition, the combination was effective in improving clinical parameters (erythema, oedema and pruritus, and number of separate urticarial episodes).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated that both desloratadine alone and desloratadine plus montelukast administered once daily yield improvements with respect to the baseline assessment, regarding the suppression of the dermographometer challenge test papule and clinical improvement of urticaria. However, the combination of desloratadine and montelukast was shown to be more efficacious and may therefore be proposed in patients with DPU, in order to avoid corticosteroid therapy.

Macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tissue macrophages release growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines, and chemokines. While in normal joints there is a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, an imbalance between these inducers and inhibitors of inflammation occurs in RA, where macrophages are responsible for inducing inflammation, matrix destruction and angiogenesis.

Stephen Paget and the 'seed and soil' theory of metastatic dissemination

The outcome of cancer metastasis depends on multiple interactions between selected metastatic cells and homeostatic mechanisms unique to some organ microenvironments. The English surgeon Stephen Paget (1855-1926) is credited with being the first to postulate the important role played by microenvironment in metastasis formation. The concept of his 'seed and soil' theory has been supported and confirmed by numerous publications. This review article summarises the most important literature data about this matter.

In vivo inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma related angiogenesis by vinblastine and rapamycin

This paper illustrates the use of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay to determine the single and combined antiangiogenic effects of very low doses of vinblastine (VBL) and rapamycin (RAP) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The angiogenic response induced by human HCC biopsy specimens was inhibited by each drug and sinergistically by their combination. Morever, immunohistochemical detection of microvessels with anti-CD31 mAB showed that their area was significantly lower in specimens treated with VBL and RAP in combination. Sinergy on the part of these well-known drugs when used in combination as antiangiogenics at very low doses may be of significance in the designing of new ways of treating HCC.

Bortezomib as an antitumor agent

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is the major non-lysosomal proteolytic system in the cytosol and nucleus of all eukaryotic cells. Bortezomib (also known as PS-341 and Velcade) is a proteasome inhibitor, a novel class of cancer therapies. Bortezomib blocks multi-ubiquitinated protein degradation by inhibiting 26S proteasome activity, including regulating cell cycle, anti-apoptosis, and inflammation, as well as immune surveillance. In multiple myeloma (MM) cells, bortezomib directly induces cell stress response followed by activation of c-Jun NH(2) terminal kinase (JNK)/stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), and triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis of tumor cells. Recent clinical studies demonstrated that bortezomib had remarkable anti-tumor activity in refractory and relapsed MM, providing the basis to approval by FDA. Its anti-tumor activities earlier in the course, in combination therapies, and in other malignancies is ongoing.

Neridronate inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

The effects of the amino-bisphosphonate neridronate on endothelial cell functions involved in angiogenesis, namely, proliferation and morphogenesis on Matrigel were tested in vitro, whereas its effects on angiogenesis were studied in vivo, by using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. In vitro, neridronate inhibited endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion, peaking at 30 microM. At the same concentration, neridronate inhibited fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-induced capillary-like tube formation in the morphogenesis assay on Matrigel. In vivo, when tested in the CAM assay, neridronate again displayed the capability to inhibit FGF-2-induced angiogenesis. Overall, these results suggest that anti-angiogenesis by neridronate could be used to treat a wide spectrum of angiogenesis-dependent diseases, including certain chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.

The history of the angiogenic switch concept

Spontaneously arising tumor cells are not usually angiogenic at first. The phenotypic switch to angiogenesis is usually accomplished by a substet that induces new capillaries that then converge toward the tumor. The switch clearly involves more than simple upregulation of angiogenic activity and is thought to be the result of a net balance of positive and negative regulators. Tumor growth is although to require disruption of this balance and hence this switch must turned on for cancer progression. Progenitor endothelial cells, the crosstalk between angiogenic factors and their receptors and the interaction between vasculogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are all factors that may contribute to the switch. Its promotion is also the outcome of genetic instability resulting in the emergence of tumor cell lines. This review describes the history of the angiogenic switch illustrated in the literature and with particular reference to the three transgenic mouse models, namely RIP1-TAG2, keratin-14 (K14) (human papilloma virus) HPV16 and papilloma virus, used for stage-specific assessment of the effects of antiangiogenic and antitumorigenic agents.

The contribution of Bruce Glick to the definition of the role played by the bursa of Fabricius in the development of the B cell lineage

In 1956, Bruce Glick and Timothy Chang reported that the bursa of Fabricius plays an important role in antibody production. Their demonstration that antibody responses are suppressed in the majority of bursectomized chickens became the cornerstone of modern immunology. Bursa research increased considerably during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Miller's seminal studies on the role of thymus in immunity

The thymus is one of the two primary lymphoid organs. It is responsible for the provision of T lymphocytes to the entire body, and provides a unique microenvironment in which T cell precursors (thymocytes) undergo development, differentiation and clonal expansion. This review article summarizes the seminal work of the Australian scientist Francis Albert Pierre Miller concerning the description for the first time of the crucial role of the thymus for normal development of the immune system.