Decreased expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in salivary glands of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome is associated with increased disease activity.

Objectives: Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine involved in Th2- and Th17-mediated immune responses in different autoimmune diseases. TSLP expression in relation to disease activity was studied in salivary glands of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients as compared to non-SS sicca (nSS) controls.

Methods: Tissue sections of minor salivary glands from pSS and nSS patients were stained with monoclonal antibodies against human TSLP, CD3, CD19 and cytokeratin high molecular weight (CK HMW) or stained for Alcian blue to detect mucus production.

Elevated expression of interleukin-7 receptor in inflamed joints mediates interleukin-7-induced immune activation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the expression and functional ability of the high-affinity interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7Ralpha) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Expression of IL-7Ralpha and IL-7 was determined in synovial tissue from RA patients and was compared with that in synovial tissue from patients with undifferentiated arthritis (UA) and osteoarthritis (OA). IL-7Ralpha expression on CD4 T cells, CD19 B cells, and CD14 monocyte/macrophages from RA synovial tissue, synovial fluid, and peripheral blood was also assessed.

Persistence of interleukin 7 activity and levels on tumour necrosis factor alpha blockade in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To identify the mechanism of interleukin (IL)7-stimulated tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) production and to determine the relationship between intra-articular IL7 and TNFalpha expression levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, the effect of TNFalpha blockade on IL7 activity and on IL7 levels was studied.

Methods: The effect of IL7 on isolated CD4 T cells and CD14 monocytes/macrophages was studied.

Increased intraarticular interleukin-7 in rheumatoid arthritis patients stimulates cell contact-dependent activation of CD4(+) T cells and macrophages.

Objective: To determine the level of intraarticular expression of interleukin-7 (IL-7) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the mechanisms by which IL-7 facilitates activation of CD4(+) T cells and monocyte/macrophages in RA.

Methods: IL-7 levels were measured in synovial fluid obtained from patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Immunohistologic analysis was used to assess the expression of IL-7 in synovial tissue from patients with RA.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products as a molecular mechanism for aging as a risk factor in osteoarthritis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent and disabling chronic conditions affecting the elderly. Its etiology is largely unknown, but age is the most prominent risk factor. The current study was designed to test whether accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are known to adversely affect cartilage turnover and mechanical properties, provides a molecular mechanism by which aging contributes to the development of OA.