Serum cystatin C is associated with kidney function but not with cardiovascular risk factors or subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Cystatin C (CysC) is a protein considered as an excellent marker of renal function, and it has been suggested as an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) risk. We evaluated the association of serum CysC with renal function, CV risk factors, inflammation, and subclinical atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. Sixty-one SLE female patients were selected according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) > 60 ml/min/1.

Genotypic distribution of common variants of endosomal toll like receptors in healthy Spanish women. A comparative study with other populations.

Genetic variants of endosomal toll like receptors (TLR) have been associated with many infectious, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, but few studies have been reported in the Spanish population. The aim of this study was to describe the allelic and genotypic distributions of some common nucleotide substitutions of endosomal TLRs in healthy Spanish women and to compare them with those already published in other population groups. Nine substitutions were analysed in 150 DNA samples from 150 Spanish, non-related healthy females: TLR3 rs3775291 and rs5743305; TLR7 rs179008 and rs5743781; TLR8 rs3764880 and TLR9 rs187084, rs5743836, rs352139 and rs352140.

Cryofibrinogenemia triggered by a monoclonal paraprotein successfully treated with cyclophosphamide.

Cryofibrinogenemia is a rare clinical finding with a yet unknown physiopathogenic mechanism. We describe the case of a woman with cold-induced extensive necrotic lesions that responded poorly to initial corticosteroid and anticoagulant therapies. Serum cryoglobulin determinations were persistently negative.

Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cells as an early risk factor of subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in vascular damage repair and it has been suggested that a decreased number of these cells is associated with increased subclinical atherosclerosis. Our study aim was to evaluate whether the number of circulating EPCs in patients with SLE is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, the presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and SLE-specific factors.

Methods: Forty-six female SLE patients were included.

Contribution of monocytes to overproduction of interleukin-6 in a case of cardiac myxoma.

Cardiac myxoma cells have been demonstrated to produce interleukin (IL)-6, but its role in the systemic and immunologic manifestations of patients with this tumor is controversial. There is no evidence of any other source of such cytokine, but here we report a case of myxoma with systemic manifestations at diagnosis in which we evaluated the IL-6 production by peripheral blood cells before and after surgical tumor resection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, and the IL-6 expression in monocytes and lymphocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry.

Monocytes and T lymphocytes contribute to a predominance of interleukin 6 and interleukin 10 in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To investigate the contribution of T lymphocytes and monocytes to cytokine production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Forty-five SLE patients and 19 healthy volunteers were included. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interferon gamma (IFN gamma), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL10 were quantified by ELISA.

Common variable immunodeficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The development of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) or hypogammaglobulinemia in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare. The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed review of lupus-associated CVID and to identify clinical characteristics and laboratory features in patients with SLE-associated CVID.

Methods: We describe 2 patients with SLE and CVID and review the cases published in the English literature highlighting both the demographic and the clinical characteristics and the laboratory and therapeutic aspects of this disorder.

Prognostic value of neutrophils and NK cells in bronchoalveolar lavage of sarcoidosis.

Background: Not all the patients with sarcoidosis need pharmacological therapy, and the decision to start therapy is based mainly on clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the leukocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from these patients.

Methods: Thirty-three nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis were included and classified based on the presence of Löfgren's syndrome (n = 11), the radiological stage (12 at Stage I, 17 at Stage II, and 4 at Stage III), and their follow-up.