Relationship between chemokines and T lymphocytes in the context of respiratory allergies (Review).

Allergic diseases have been classified in the last decades using various theories. The main classes of the newest classification in allergic respiratory diseases focus on the characterization of the endotype (which takes into account biomarkers related to determinant pathophysiological mechanisms) and of the phenotype (based on the description of the disease). Th2, Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes and the type of inflammatory response mediated by them represent the basis for Th2 and non-Th2 endotype classification.

The Relationship between Chemokine Ligand 3 and Allergic Rhinitis.

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic and frequent condition characterized by an excessive response of the immune system to innocent substances encountered in the nasal mucosa. These reactions are mediated by many factors, including chemokines. Chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3, a macrophage inflammatory protein 1α) is a chemokine implicated in the activation of mast cells - white cells shown to be highly involved in orchestrating allergic reactions.

[TNF-alfa (-857C/T) polymorphism in open angle glaucoma in Romania -- results of a pilot study].

Unlabelled: Primary open angle glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy with multiple causative factors including genetic immune disregulation. TNF-alfa has pro-apoptotic effects on the retinal ganglion cells, thus being directly involved in the neurodegeneration of the optic nerve head. Our purpose was to investigate the influence on susceptibility and/or clinical and characteristics of TNF-alfa promoter polymorphism -857 C/T in Romanian patients diagnosed with POAG.

Antioxidant defense capacity in scleroderma patients.

Background: Oxidative stress is associated with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) and is supposed to favor disease progression by complex effects on the vascular endothelium and on fibroblasts.

Methods: Plasma oxidative process marker, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and several markers of antioxidant defense capacity (plasma total antioxidant activity, serum albumin, uric acid and glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase) were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods using blood samples collected from 23 scleroderma patients and 21 healthy controls.

Results: In scleroderma patients, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels (mmol/L plasma) were significantly elevated (29.

The IL-6 promoter polymorphism is associated with disease activity and disability in systemic sclerosis.

Unlabelled: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis. Interleukin- 6 (IL-6) is involved in the pathogenesis of many immune-mediated diseases. IL-6 plays an important role in the initiation and promotion of fibrosis.