Myeloid dendritic cells correlate with clinical response whereas plasmacytoid dendritic cells impact autoantibody development in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with infliximab.

Introduction: The objective of our study was to identify the significance of the subtypes of dendritic cell (DC), specifically myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis through their longitudinal follow-up in patients receiving infliximab.

Methods: Circulating mDC and pDC levels were evaluated by flow cytometry in RA patients (n = 61) and healthy volunteers (n = 30). In RA patients, these levels were measured before and during infliximab therapy.

Molecular blocking of CD23 supports its role in the pathogenesis of arthritis.

Background: CD23 is a differentiation/activation antigen expressed by a variety of hematopoietic and epithelial cells. It can also be detected in soluble forms in biological fluids. Initially known as the low-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (Fc epsilonRII), CD23 displays various other physiologic ligands such as CD21, CD11b/c, CD47-vitronectin, and mannose-containing proteins.

Peripheral neuropathy associated with leflunomide: is there a risk patient profile?

Purpose: (i) To monitor the potential clinical neurotoxic symptoms in patients treated with leflunomide in daily practice and (ii) to describe the characteristics of patients presenting with this peripheral nervous system symptoms.

Method: All patients treated with leflunomide between May 2000 and April 2003 and followed in the rheumatology department of the University Hospital participated in the study. Data concerning treatment patterns with leflunomide, demographic and disease characteristics were obtained from clinical charts.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient and apparent diffusion tensor maps in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with cervical spondylosis and/or myelopathy.

Materials And Methods: A multishot echo-planar imaging sequence with calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and apparent diffusion tensor (ADT) was applied in 36 patients with symptomatic cervical spondylosis. Diffusion-weighted images read by two neuroradiologists were compared with T2-weighted fast spin-echo images read independently by three neuroradiologists with regard to clinical status (n = 36).