Effects of HSP60 and LPS on HO-1 protein expression in PBMCs from patients with BD

Effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation on heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and actin protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Behçet's disease (BD). PBMCs from a BD patient were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of 10 ng/ml interleukin (IL)-10 and 100 μg/ml polymyxin B (PMB). Representative immunoblotting data for HO-1 protein in the cells are shown. The arrowhead indicates 32 kDa molecular weight HO-1 specific band. Effect of heat shock protein (HSP)60 (3 μg/ml) stimulation on endogenous HO-1 protein expression in PBMCs from patients with BD. The arrowhead indicates 32 kDa HO-1 specific band. A representative of three independent experiments is shown. Mean and standard error of the mean (SEM) values of HO-1 and actin protein expression in PBMCs stimulated by LPS (1 ng/ml) for 24 hours in patients with BD (= 14). < 0.001, as determined using paired -test. Effect of infliximab (10 μg/ml) or IgGκ (10 μg/ml) on HO-1 expression in LPS (10 ng/ml) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF; 1 ng/ml) treated PBMCs.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Association of reduced heme oxygenase-1 with excessive Toll-like receptor 4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Behçet's disease"</p><p>http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/1/R16</p><p>Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008;10(1):R16-R16.</p><p>Published online 31 Jan 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2374472.</p><p></p

Effect of forced HO-1 expression on Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 mRNA expression in peripheral monocytes

Immunoblotting analysis of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and actin in pHO-1 (human HO-1 expression vector) or pCont (control vector) transfected monocytes. The arrow represents HO-1 protein. Real-time PCR analysis of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression in pHO-1 transfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). NS, not significant.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Association of reduced heme oxygenase-1 with excessive Toll-like receptor 4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Behçet's disease"</p><p>http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/1/R16</p><p>Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008;10(1):R16-R16.</p><p>Published online 31 Jan 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2374472.</p><p></p

Ultrasonography predicts achievement of Boolean remission after DAS28-based clinical remission of rheumatoid arthritis

<p><i>Objectives.</i> To determine whether ultrasonography (US) predicts Boolean remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had achieved disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28)-based remission criteria.</p> <p><i>Methods.</i> Thirty-one RA patients in DAS28-based clinical remission were recruited. US semiquantitatively determined Gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) signal scores in the bilateral wrists and all metacarpophalangeals and proximal interphalangeals. Total GS score and total PD score were calculated as the sum of individual scores for each joint.</p> <p><i>Results.</i> Among 22 RA patients, who maintained DAS28 remission for 2 years, 16 met Boolean remission criteria at the end of study. Both total GS and total PD scores at baseline were significantly lower in Boolean remission group than non-remission group. There was no significant difference in other baseline parameters, including duration of disease, duration of remission, mTSS, and disease activity composite parameters between the two groups. Among the factors for Boolean remission criteria at 2 years, patient global assessment score was associated with total GS score at the entry, while swollen joint count was related to total PD score.</p> <p><i>Conclusions.</i> Null or low grade of GS and PD findings in US are associated with achieving Boolean remission. Thus, US is essential for assessment and prediction of “deeper remission” of RA.</p

The predictive prognostic factors for polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease

Abstract Background Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the principal cause of death in polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM). Here we investigated prognostic factors for death and serious infection in PM/DM-ILD using the multicenter database. Methods We retrospectively reviewed baseline demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment regimens and outcomes in patients with PM/DM-ILD. The distribution of ILD lesions was evaluated in four divided lung zones of high-resolution computed tomography images. Results Of 116 patients with PM/DM-ILD, 14 died within 6 months from the diagnosis. As independent risk factors for early death, extended ILD lesions in upper lung fields (odds ratio (OR) 8.01, p = 0.016) and hypocapnia (OR 6.85, p = 0.038) were identified. Serious infection was found in 38 patients, including 11 patients who died of respiratory or multiple infections. The independent risk factors were high serum KL-6 (OR 3.68, p = 0.027), high initial dose of prednisolone (PSL) (OR 4.18, p = 0.013), and combination immunosuppressive therapies (OR 5.51, p < 0.001). Conclusion The present study shows the progression of ILD at baseline is the most critical for survival and that infection, especially respiratory infection, is an additive prognostic factor under the potent immunosuppressive treatment

¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT demonstrate coupling of inflammation and accelerated bone turnover in rheumatoid arthritis

<p><i>Objective.</i> To compare the findings in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-affected joints between ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and ¹⁸F-fluoride (NaF) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT).</p> <p><i>Methods.</i> We enrolled twelve RA patients who started a new biologic agent (naïve 9 and switch 3). At entry, both hands were examined by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT, and X-ray. Intensity of PET signals was determined by standardized uptake value max (SUVmax) in metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and ulnar, medial, and radial regions of the wrists. Hand X-rays were evaluated according to the Genant-modified Sharp score at baseline and 6 months.</p> <p><i>Results.</i> Both ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF accumulated in RA-affected joints. The SUVmax of ¹⁸F-FDG correlated with that of ¹⁸F-NaF in individual joints (<i>r</i> = 0.65), though detail distribution was different between two tracers. ¹⁸F-NaF and ¹⁸F-FDG signals were mainly located in the bone and the surrounding soft tissues, respectively. The sum of SUVmax of ¹⁸F-NaF correlated with disease activity score in 28 joint (DAS28), modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ), and radiographic progression. ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF signals were associated with the presence of erosions, particularly progressive ones.</p> <p><i>Conclusion.</i> Our data show that both ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF PET signals were associated with RA-affected joints, especially those with ongoing erosive changes.</p

Additional file 2: Table S2. of The predictive prognostic factors for polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease

Comparison of demographic data among each PM/DM subtype in PM/DM-ILD patients. (PDF 102 kb