High circulating osteoprotegerin levels are associated with non-zero blood groups

Background: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) form complex within endothelial cells and following secretion. The nature of blood group antigens strongly influences the levels of circulating VWF, but there is no available data concerning its ascendancy on OPG levels. We aimed to assess the relationship of AB0 blood groups with OPG, VWF levels (VWF: Ag) and collagen binding activity (VWF: CB) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. Methods: Functional and laboratory parameters of 105 PAD patients and 109 controls were examined. Results of OPG, VWF: Ag, VWF: CB (ELISA-s) were analysed by comparative statistics, together with clinical data. Results: OPG levels were higher in patients than in controls (4.64 ng/mL vs. 3.68 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Among patients elevation was marked in the presence of critical limb ischemia (5.19 ng/mL vs. 4.20 ng/mL, p = 0.011). The OPG in patients correlated positively with VWF: Ag and VWF: CB (r = 0.26, p = 0.008; r = 0.33, p = 0.001) and negatively with ankle-brachial pressure index (r = -0.22, p = 0.023). Furthermore, OPG was significantly elevated in non-0 blood groups compared to 0-groups both in patients and controls (4.95 ng/mL vs. 3.90 ng/mL, p = 0.012 and 4.09 ng/mL vs. 3.40 ng/mL, p = 0.002). Conclusions: OPG levels are associated to blood group phenotypes and higher in non-0 individuals. Increased OPG levels in PAD characterize disease severity. The significant correlation between OPG and VWF: CB might have functional importance in an atherothrombosis-prone biological environment

The immunological basis of vaccine prophylaxis of carious disease. Maternal-fetal relations. Defense factors specific to the host

The authors discuss of the relation between mother-phoetus from an immunological point of view and the real protection at birth because of the passing through the placental philter of maternal immunoglobulins. Then the Authors discuss of oral tolerance and of the possibilities of administering by oral-enteric way and the immunity of the guest.The authors discuss of the relation between mother-phoetus from an immunological point of view and the real protection at birth because of the passing through the placental philter of maternal immunoglobulins. Then the Authors discuss of oral tolerance and of the possibilities of administering by oral-enteric way and the immunity of the guest

Cyclosporin in a bioadhesive formulation in the therapy of oral erosive lichen planus. A clinico-experimental evaluation

This study illustrates the possible topical therapy of OLP with cyclosporine A under bioadhesive gel formula. The treatment was carried out on 6 patients for 8 weeks in much lower (48 mg/day) than those used by other authors. The novelty of this study lies in the use of a bioadhesive formula with carbosymethylcellulose which allows CsA to remain on oral mucosa for about two hours. The remarkable results have shown a reduction ranging from 50 to 80% of oral lesions, thus proposing its specific use in all the forms resisting usual therapy

If pemphigus vulgaris IgG are the cause of acantholysis, new IgG-independent mechanisms are the concause.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a disease of epidermal adhesion. Its pathogenesis is currently traced back to the action of autoantibodies against antigens located within the intercellular substance of keratinocytes, such as desmogleins and acetylcholine receptors. In the present paper, we sought to elucidate the non-IgG-mediated effects of PV sera on keratinocytes. Results showed that PV sera depleted of IgG were able to induce well-defined changes on keratinocyte morphology and metabolic activity