Systemic corticosteroid therapy augments release of sCD163 by peripheral blood monocytes of asthmatic patients.

Introduction: The CD163 is exclusively expressed by mononuclear phagocytes as a transmembrane protein, which synthesis is regulated by anti- and pro-inflammatory signals. After shedding from the cell surface it exists in body fluids as a soluble protein (sCD163) which exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

Aim: To evaluate serum concentration and production of sCD163 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in asthmatic patients treated with inhaled (ICS) or oral corticosteroids (OCS).

Synergistic effect of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens and dexamethasone on the expression of CD163 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: The CD163 is a marker of monocyte/macrophage anti-inflammatory function. Its soluble form (sCD163) also exert anti-inflammatory activities including inhibition of T cell proliferation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone (Dx) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) on ex vivo production of sCD163 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Histone deacetylases affect transcriptional regulation of CCL2 and CXCL8 expression by pulmonary fibroblasts in vitro.

Introduction: Chemokines have been shown to play an important role in tissue remodeling and fibrosis in the respiratory system. In this study we wanted to evaluate the mechanisms, which regulate the expression of selected chemokines by pulmonary fibroblasts in vitro.

Material And Methods: Pulmonary fibroblasts were cultured with and without bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 6 hours.

The Effect of Afatinib Treatment in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a very aggressive and histologically heterogeneous type of lung cancer. The main problem in the treatment of NSCLC is chemoresistance and metastasis. Compared to other malignant tumors, many molecular mechanisms are dysfunctional in NSCLC.

The arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activating protein gene polymorphism is associated with the risk of scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease: a multicentre European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) study.

Objectives: The arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (ALOX5AP) regulates synthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), which are important mediators of inflammation and connective tissue remodelling. The aim of this study was to evaluate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ALOX5AP confer risk of SSc and/or SSc-related organ involvement.

Methods: Seven SNPs of ALOX5AP (rs17222814, rs17216473, rs10507391, rs4769874, rs9551963, rs9315050 and rs7222842) were genotyped in a cohort of 977 patients with SSc and 558 healthy controls from centres collaborating within the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group.