Serum Neurotrophin Profile in Systemic Sclerosis

International audienceBACKGROUND: Neurotrophins (NTs) are able to activate lymphocytes and fibroblasts; they can modulate angiogenesis and sympathic vascular function. Thus, they can be implicated in the three pathogenic processes of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aims of this study are to determine blood levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in SSc and to correlate them with clinical and biological data.METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 55 SSc patients and 32 control subjects to measure NTs levels by ELISA and to determine their relationships with SSc profiles. FINDINGS: Serum NGF levels were higher in SSc patients (288.26 ± 170.34 pg/mL) than in control subjects (170.34 ± 50.8 pg/mL, p<0.001) and correlated with gammaglobulins levels and the presence of both anti-cardiolipin and anti-Scl-70 antibodies (p<0.05). In contrast, BDNF levels were lower in SSc patients than in controls (1121.9 ± 158.1 vs 1372.9 ± 190.9 pg/mL, p<0.0001), especially in pulmonary arterial hypertension and diffuse SSc as compared to limited forms (all p<0.05). NT-3 levels were similar in SSc and in the control group (2657.2 ± 2296 vs 2959.3 ± 2555 pg/mL, NS). BDNF levels correlated negatively with increased NGF levels in the SSc group (and not in controls). CONCLUSION: Low BDNF serum levels were not previously documented in SSc, particularly in the diffuse SSc subset and in patients with pulmonary hypertension or anti-Scl-70 antibodies. The negative correlation between NGF and BDNF levels observed in SSc and not in healthy controls could be implicated in sympathic vascular dysfunction in SSc

Neurotrophines lymphocitaires, salivaires et sériques au cours du syndrome de Gougerot-Sjögren primitif (étude préliminaire)

LIMOGES-BU Médecine pharmacie (870852108) / SudocSudocFranceF

Differential Expression of Neurotensin and Specific Receptors, NTSR1 and NTSR2, in Normal and Malignant Human B Lymphocytes

International audienceNeurotensin, a neuropeptide growth factor, and its two specific neurotensin receptors, NTSR1 and NTSR2, were shown to be expressed by human B cell lines. Another NTSR, sortilin, which is common to neurotensin and neurotrophins, was also detected as we have previously described. Neurotensin was functional in B cell lines; it induced their proliferation and inhibited apoptosis induced by serum deprivation or Fas activation. Quantitative study of gene expression in two malignant B cell diseases showed that NTSR2 was overexpressed, NTSR1 decreased, and neurotensin was unexpressed in B cell leukemia patient’s cells, as compared with healthy B cells. However, these expressions did not significantly change in large diffuse B cell lymphoma lymph nodes compared with benign ones. This study points out that neurotensin and its two specific receptors are expressed in human B lymphocytes. Such expressions were not described, and their relationship in B cell diseases, especially in chronic B cell leukemia, needs to be considered further in regard to these findings.

Active Immunological Profile Is Associated with Systemic Sjögren’s Syndrome

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Correlations between NT-3 and CH 50 NGF (A) and T regulatory cell counts (flow cytometry) in SLE patients (B).

<p>The linear regression curve and coefficient of determination yielded by the analysis of variance are both represented. Each point represents an individual patient and a healthy control. Γ defines the coefficient of determination yielded by the analysis of the variance table. <i>P</i>-values were determined by Spearman’s rank correlation test.</p

Serum BDNF concentrations in SLE patients before (SLE1, grey box) and after (SLE2, dotted box) treatment of the disease flare compared to healthy controls (Controls, white box).

<p>The boxes represent the 50th percentile, the bars outside the boxes show the 10th and 90th percentiles, and the horizontal black lines represent the median. Significant differences were assessed with Mann-Whitney tests.</p

Concentrations of serum NGF (A), BDNF (B) and NT-3 (C) detected by ELISA in SLE patients (SLE, grey boxes) and healthy controls (Controls, white boxes).

<p>The boxes represent the 50th percentile, the bars outside the boxes show the 10th and 90th percentiles, and the horizontal black lines represent the median. Significant differences were assessed with Mann-Whitney tests.</p

Percentage of B lymphocytes (flow cytometry) expressing NGF (A) and BDNF (B) (SLE, grey boxes) and healthy controls (Controls, white boxes).

<p>The boxes represent the 50th percentile, the bars outside the boxes show the 10th and 90th percentiles, and the horizontal black lines represent median values. Significant differences were assessed with Mann-Whitney tests.</p