Expression of Pro-inflammatory Protein S100A12 (EN-RAGE) in Behçet's Disease and Its Association with Disease Activity: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: S100A12 is a member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins and is secreted either in inflamed tissues or in the bloodstream by activated neutrophils. Expression of S100A12 has been reported in various diseases, especially non-infectious inflammatory diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, giant cell arteritis and inflammatory bowel disease. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine both the tissue expression and the serum levels of S100A12 in Behçet's disease (BD) patients and the correlation of the S100A12 serum level with disease activity of BD. METHODS: We included in this study ten BD patients who fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis, according to the International Study Group for BD. The activity of BD was calculated using the BD Current Activity Form. The serum concentrations of both S100A12 and interleukin-8 were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, before and after treatment. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed to detect S100A12 expression in the skin. RESULTS: The serum S100A12 level was significantly increased in the active BD period (p<0.001), in the inactive BD period (p=0.041) and in patients with active Kawasaki disease (p=0.028), compared with the serum level in the healthy controls. The serum S100A12 level decreased significantly from baseline, compared to post-treatment (p=0.017). The activity score of BD was significantly correlated with the serum level of S100A12 (Spearman's coefficient=0.464, p=0.039). Immunohistochemical studies showed that S100A12 was strongly expressed in the erythema nodosum-like skin lesions of patients. CONCLUSION: S100A12 contributes to the pathogenesis of BD related to neutrophil hyperactivity and reflects the disease activity in BD patientsope

How bold is blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging of the kidney? Opportunities, challenges and future directions

Renal tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia are key elements in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury and its progression to chronic kidney disease. Yet, in vivo assessment of renal haemodynamics and tissue oxygenation remains a challenge. Many of the established approaches are invasive, hence not applicable in humans. Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers an alternative. BOLD-MRI is non-invasive and indicative of renal tissue oxygenation. Nonetheless recent (pre-)clinical studies revived the question as to how bold renal BOLD-MRI really is. This review aims to deliver some answers. It is designed to inspire the renal physiology, nephrology, and imaging communities to foster explorations into the assessment of renal oxygenation and haemodynamics by exploiting the powers of MRI. For this purpose the specifics of renal oxygenation and perfusion are outlined. The fundamentals of BOLD-MRI are summarized. The link between tissue oxygenation and the oxygenation sensitive MR biomarker T2 * is outlined. The merits and limitations of renal BOLD-MRI in animal and human studies are surveyed together with their clinical implications. Explorations into detailing the relation between renal T2 * and renal tissue partial pressure of oxygen (pO2 ) are discussed with a focus on factors confounding the T2 * versus tissue pO2 relation. Multi-modality in vivo approaches suitable for detailing the role of the confounding factors that govern T2 * are considered. A schematic approach describing the link between renal perfusion, oxygenation, tissue compartments and renal T2 * is proposed. Future directions of MRI assessment of renal oxygenation and perfusion are explored

An update on Behcet's disease

Behcet's disease (Adamantiades-Behcet's disease, ABD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease, the pathogenesis of which is still a mystery. Many questions are still to be answered and the available diverse data need to be brought together to be compared and analysed. There is at least consensus on the effect of possible, but currently unknown, environmental triggering factor(s) against a background of genetic susceptibility. The possible aetiological factors form a broad spectrum, with infectious agents being the most probable ones. Whatever the stimulus is, the target tissue seems to be the small blood vessels, with various consequences of either vasculitis and/or thrombosis in many organ systems. The endothelium seems to be the primary target in this disease; however, it may just be the subject of the bizarre behaviour of the immune system. The diverse existing data could be interpreted in favour of either explanation. A similar confusion exists about the thrombotic tendency in Adamantiades-Behcet's disease, in terms of whether a primary hypercoagulability is present or whether it is secondary to inflammation. Recent interesting immunological data promise a way out of the existing dilemma. These findings will be outlined within the context of possible hypotheses and attention will be paid to further investigations that are needed

French Cultural Centre

interior, 199

French Cultural Centre

exterior, facade, 199

French Cultural Centre

interior, 199

French Cultural Centre

exterior, 199