T and NK Cell Phenotypic Abnormalities in Systemic Sclerosis: a Cohort Study and a Comprehensive Literature Review.

Scleroderma (SSc) is a rare and heterogeneous immune-mediated disease involving the connective tissue and microvasculature whose pathogenesis remains unclear. Data concerning T and natural killer (NK) cell abnormalities and cytokine levels in the peripheral blood (PB) from patients with SSc are scarce, and the results are contradictory. The present study aimed to analyze the changes of T lymphocytes, NK cells, and T helper (Th)-related cytokines in the PB of patients with SSc in comparison to healthy individuals and its relation to disease subtype and stage, organ involvement, and nailfold capillaroscopic changes.

Drug transporters play a key role in the complex process of Imatinib resistance in vitro.

Imatinib resistance has been associated with BCR-ABL alterations, but other mechanisms might be involved, like drug transporters. Additionally, the impact of poor adherence in resistance has been little explored. Using sensitive and resistance CML cell lines, we investigated the expression of influx/efflux transporters, like P-gP and OCT1.