Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and aggrecanase in the synovial fluids of patients with symptomatic temporomandibular disorders.

Objective: To investigate whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and/or aggrecanase in synovial fluid can be used as biochemical markers in the diagnosis of internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Study Design: Forty-four samples of synovial fluid were obtained from 35 patients with ID and osteoarthritis (OA) and 15 normal samples from 10 asymptomatic volunteers. MMP-2, -9, and aggrecanase in the synovial fluid were examined by immunoblotting.

Mutually exclusive cyclin-dependent kinase 4/cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6/cyclin D2 pairing inactivates retinoblastoma protein and promotes cell cycle dysregulation in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma, the second most common hematopoietic cancer, ultimately becomes refractory to treatment when self-renewing multiple myeloma cells begin unrestrained proliferation by unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that one, but not more than one, of the three early G(1) D cyclins is elevated in each case of multiple myeloma. Cyclin D1 or D3 expression does not vary in the clinical course, but that alone is insufficient to promote cell cycle progression unless cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) is also elevated, in the absence of cdk6, to phosphorylate the retinoblastoma protein (Rb).

Aggrecanase analysis of synovial fluid of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Objectives: To determine whether or not aggrecanase in synovial fluid can be used as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD).

Materials And Methods: Forty-four samples of synovial fluid were obtained from 35 patients with internal derangement or osteoarthritis and 15 control samples from 10 asymptomatic volunteers. Aggrecanase in the synovial fluid was examined by immunoblotting.

NF-kappa B1 p50 is required for BLyS attenuation of apoptosis but dispensable for processing of NF-kappa B2 p100 to p52 in quiescent mature B cells.

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a TNF family protein essential for peripheral B cell development, functions primarily through attenuation of B cell apoptosis. In this study, we show that BLyS activates NF-kappaB through both classical and alternative pathways with distinct kinetics in quiescent mature B cells. It rapidly and transiently enhances the p50/p65 DNA binding activity and induces phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha characteristic of the classical NF-kappaB pathway, albeit maintaining IkappaBalpha at a constant level through ongoing protein synthesis and proteasome-mediated destruction.

TRAIL/Apo-2 ligand induces primary plasma cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis constitutes the primary mechanism by which noncycling plasma cells are eliminated after the secretion of Ag-specific Abs in a humoral immune response. The underlying mechanism is not known. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of both TRAIL/Apo-2 ligand and the death receptors (DR) DR5 and DR4, but not Fas, are sustained in IL-6-differentiated Ig-secreting human plasma cells as well as primary mouse plasma cells generated in a T-dependent immune response.