A missense point mutation in nerve growth factor (NGF) results in selective peripheral sensory neuropathy.

The R100W mutation in nerve growth factor is associated with hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy V in a Swedish family. These patients develop severe loss of perception to deep pain but with apparently normal cognitive functions. To better understand the disease mechanism, we examined a knockin mouse model of HSAN V.

Investigation and molecular mimicry of the antigen involved in the interaction between the monoclonal antibody 5D10 and the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) 5D10 is directed against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Biochemical characterization of the antibody epitope was attempted and revealed a complex, most likely carbohydrate-linked nature, which prevented isolation and further studies of the interaction. A major goal of this work was to generate structural mimics of the 5D10 epitope to serve as putative substitutes in such studies.

T-cell-based immunotherapy in multiple sclerosis: induction of regulatory immune networks by T-cell vaccination.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS with presumed autoimmune origin. Pathogenic autoimmune responses in MS are thought to be the result of a breakdown of self tolerance. Several mechanisms account for the natural state of immunological tolerance to self antigens, including clonal deletion of self-reactive T cells in the thymus.

Secondary progressive in contrast to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients show a normal CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell function and FOXP3 expression.

Accumulating evidence indicates an immunosuppressive role for CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmune diseases. Although an impaired Treg function in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) has been reported recently, no information is available so far about Treg function in the progressive stage of the disease. In the present study, the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with RR-MS and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) were investigated.

Impaired activation-induced telomerase activity in PBMC of early but not chronic rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Although telomerase activity is important in normal immune function, it is unclear whether telomerase or telomerase (dys)regulation plays a role in the pathogenic immune response in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we evaluated the dynamics of the activation-induced human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) response in RA patients and non-RA controls. The expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT, was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of RA patients and controls after in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) using real-time PCR.