Fibroblast activation protein and disease severity, progression, and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by progressive fibrosis in the lungs. Activated fibroblasts play a central role in fibrogenesis and express fibroblast activation protein α. A truncated, soluble form (sFAP) can be measured in blood and is a potential novel biomarker of disease activity.

Cardioprotective Mechanisms against Reperfusion Injury in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Targeting Angiotensin II Receptors.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury is a process associated with cardiologic interventions, such as percutaneous coronary angioplasty after an acute myocardial infarction. Blood flow restoration causes a quick burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which generates multiple organelle damage, leading to the activation of cell death pathways. Therefore, the intervention contributes to a greater necrotic zone, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapies in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A bedside-to-bench approach.

Objective: To assess which immunosuppressive drugs have been investigated and proven efficacious in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) without preexisting immune mediated disorders to validate in vitro and animal model findings on low grade inflammation (bedside-to-bench).

Methods: Clinical trials on immunosuppressive drugs in CVD or T2D were found in PubMed. Studies on patients with preexisting immune mediated inflammatory disease were excluded.

Nitro-fatty acids decrease type I interferons and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in ex vivo models of inflammatory arthritis.

Background: Inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the joints. Approximately one third of patients do not respond to first-line treatments. Nitro-fatty acids are bioactive lipids with anti-inflammatory properties and tissue-protective functions.