We report a case of a 59-year-old man presenting with a widespread follicular-based papular rash with a several-month history of myalgias, lymphadenopathy, fatigue, and weight loss who was diagnosed with acute syphilitic folliculitis by tissue biopsy analysis with immunohistochemical demonstration of spirochetes in hair follicle epithelium. Serologic analysis also showed evidence of Treponema sp. infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDrug-associated cutaneous lymphomatoid hypersensitivity reactions are rare eruptions that can clinically and microscopically mimic a bona fide lymphomatous process. Clinically, the appearance ranges from papulosquamous to purpuric. Histopathologically, these reactions simulate a wide variety of lymphoma subtypes; the most frequently reported examples resemble mycosis fungoides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To discuss the clinical features, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options for cutaneous vasculitis.
Methods: The literature in the PubMed database was reviewed regarding the presentation, pathophysiology, clinical workup, and treatment of cutaneous vasculitis.
Results: Available classification criteria of vasculitis are based on histopathologic criteria or clinicohistologic features.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members such as glucocorticoid-induced TNFR (GITR) control T cell activation, differentiation, and effector functions. Importantly, GITR functions as a pivotal regulator of physiologic and pathologic immune responses by abrogating the suppressive effects of T regulatory cells and costimulating T effector cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying GITR-triggered signal transduction pathways remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMammals and other higher vertebrates have developed an adaptive immune system to defy effectively countless pathogens and cancerous cells encountered during the lifetime of an individual. B and T lymphocytes, which are essential in orchestrating adaptive immune responses, express surface receptors specific for foreign and abnormal self-antigens. Genesis of this antigen receptor repertoire poses significant risks for autoimmunity caused by self-reactive lymphocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlucocorticoid-induced TNFR (GITR) has been implicated as an essential regulator of immune responses to self tissues and pathogens. We have recently shown that GITR-induced cellular events promote survival of naive T cells, but are insufficient to protect against activation-induced cell death. However, the molecular mechanisms of GITR-induced signal transduction that influence physiologic and pathologic immune responses are not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlucocorticoid-induced TNFR (GITR) is a member of the TNFR family that can inhibit the suppressive function of regulatory T cells and promote the survival and activation of T cells. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating T cell survival and activation downstream of GITR. To gain further insight into the cellular events and signaling pathways triggered by GITR, survival, proliferation, and cytokine production as well as activation of MAPKs and NF-kappaB were monitored after cross-linking of the receptor on naive and activated T cells.
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