Contractile activity of human follicular dendritic cells.

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) present antigens to B cells in the lymphoid follicle and inhibit B-cell apoptosis. In previous work, we obtained human FDC lines that allowed us to study the antigen phenotype and functions of these cells, finding that they expressed α-smooth muscle (SM) actin (a protein involved in cell contraction) and were able to contract collagen gel matrixes in gel contraction assays. Actin polymerization associated with cell contractility is essential for many cellular functions.

Bone mineral density and serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factors, estradiol, and osteoprotegerin in postmenopausal women with cirrhosis after viral hepatitis.

Context: Cirrhosis after viral hepatitis has been identified as a risk factor for osteoporosis in men. However, in postmenopausal women, most studies have evaluated the effect of primary biliary cirrhosis, but little is known about the effect of viral cirrhosis on bone mass [bone mineral density (BMD)] and bone metabolism.

Objective: Our objective was to assess the effect of viral cirrhosis on BMD and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.