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

Serum NT-3 concentrations (ELISA) in SLE patient with severe systemic flare (SLEDAI>10, grey box), moderate flare (SLEDAI≤10, dotted box) and 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

(A) Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), (B) Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and (C) Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) concentrations measured by ELISA in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients compared to healthy controls (Controls) (Mann-Whitney tests).

<p>The boxes represent the 50^th percentiles while the bars outside the boxes show the 10^th and 90^th percentiles (•); the horizontal grey lines represent median values. (D) BDNF serum levels in overlap syndrome (white box), limited SSc (lSSc, grey box) and diffuse SSc (dSSc grey dotted box) (Mann-Whitney tests).</p

Correlation between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) concentrations and forced vital capacity in limited SSc group (lSSc, grey circles).

<p>Each point represents an individual patient. r defines the coefficient of determination given by the analysis of variance table. <i>p</i>-value was determined by Spearman's rank correlation test.</p

Clinical, immunological profiles and functional respiratory tests characteristic of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

<p>FVC: forced vital capacity, DLCO: diffusing lung factor for carbon monoxide, DLCO/VA diffusing capacity divided by the alveolar volume. sPAP: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure at right heart catheterism. Ab: antibodies.</p

(A) Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) concentrations (ELISA) in patients with (acl+) or without (acl-) anti-cardiolipin Ab (Mann-Whitney test).

<p>The boxes represent the 50^th percentiles while the bars outside the boxes show the 10^th and 90^th percentiles (•); the horizontal grey lines represent median values. (B) Correlation between Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) concentrations and gammaglobulins levels. The linear regression curve and coefficient of determination given by the analysis of variance are both represented. <i>p</i>-value was determined by Spearman's rank correlation test.</p

(A) Correlation between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels in (A) SSc patients (grey circles) and (B) healthy controls (white circles).

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