Does herpes simplex virus have a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptians?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by immune mediated tissue damage affecting a wide range of organs. The pathogenesis of SLE is complex. Infectious agents, including viruses, can act as environmental triggers, inducing or promoting onset and exacerbations of autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals.

Single nucleotide polymorphism T869C of transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene and systemic lupus erythematosus: association with disease susceptibility and lupus nephritis.

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) has a large role in the control of autoimmunity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter of TGF-β1 cytokine gene are known to alter the production of this important cytokine. Decreased levels of TGF-β1 may contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility, activity and organ damage.

Markers of acute neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: a multidisciplinary evaluation.

This study was aimed to assess: (1) the additive diagnostic utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) over conventional MRI in detecting brain lesions in patients with acute primary neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), and (2) the relevance of their findings to the associated NP manifestations. Included were 34 patients with acute NPSLE with mean age of 33.26 ± 10.

Evaluation of transforming growth factor alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant tumors. It is important to detect disease and recurrence at its earlier period. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of TGF-alpha and VEGF in diagnosis of HCC patients.

Value of serum and synovial fluid activin A and inhibin A in some rheumatic diseases.

Aim: The purpose of the study is to measure serum and synovial fluid levels of activin A and inhibin A in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and osteoarthritis (OA) and correlate them with disease activity parameters.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 60 patients with various rheumatic diseases (20 with RA, 20 with SLE and 20 with OA), as well as 10 healthy controls. All of them were subjected to complete history-taking, examination and estimation of disease activity index.

Mannose binding lectin gene polymorphism and preclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased risk of atherosclerosis and CVD that cannot be explained by traditional risk factors. Previous studies indicated that mannose binding lectin (MBL) may modify the development of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to investigate association of MBL gene polymorphism with occurrence of preclinical atherosclerosis in SLE.