[Histogenic characterization of the cells forming RA pannus].

Objective: This work aims to clarify the histogenesis of the cells forming RA pannus: the pannocytes.

Methods: 15 patients with seropositive RA; 5 controls with post-traumatic knee effusion and 5 with OA knee effusion were included in the study. Synovial tissues and fluids, collected during diagnostic arthrocentesis, were used as a source of cells to be cultured.

Human CD38 interferes with HIV-1 fusion through a sequence homologous to the V3 loop of the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120.

CD38 is a progression marker in HIV-1 infection, it displays lateral association with CD4, and down-modulates gp120/CD4 binding. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism behind the interplay between CD4, CD38, and HIV-1. We used mouse cell transfectants expressing human CD4 and either CD38 or other CD4-associated molecules to show that CD38 specifically inhibits gp120/CD4 binding.