Rituximab for refractory granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis): comparison of efficacy in granulomatous versus vasculitic manifestations.

Objective: First, to investigate the overall efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in refractory granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in a tertiary referral centre. Second, to compare the efficacy of RTX in granulomatous and vasculitic manifestations in GPA.

Patients And Methods: This study comprised a retrospective, standardised data collection from all patients who received RTX for refractory Wegener's granulomatosis from 2002 to 2010.

Prospective long-term follow-up of patients with localised Wegener's granulomatosis: does it occur as persistent disease stage?

Objective: To identify patients with localised Wegener's granulomatosis (locWG) to assess whether it occurs as a long-term disease stage or phenotype and to characterise its outcome.

Methods: Patients in a 'localised stage' with histological criteria compatible with WG and a follow-up period of ≥1 year were included. They were prospectively followed at the Vasculitis Center Schleswig-Holstein from 1989 to 2009 and the clinical manifestations, antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) status and damage were evaluated.

Change of morphological and functional characteristics of retinal pigment epithelium cells during cultivation of retinal pigment epithelium-choroid perfusion tissue culture.

Aims: To evaluate the changes of morphological and functional characteristics of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid perfusion culture during cultivation.

Methods: PorcineRPE-choroid tissue was cultivated in a perfusion tissue culture system. After the indicated times, histology, immunolocalization of collagen IV and von Willebrand factor, RPE cell viability with calcein-AM, TUNEL assay and occludin immunolocalization of RPE cells were examined.