Therapeutic Strategy for Rheumatoid Arthritis by Induction of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells with High Suppressive Potential.

Combination treatment using fingolimod (FTY720), an immunomodulator, and a pathogenic antigen prevents the progression of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI)-induced arthritis. In this study, we focused on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs; CD11bGr-1 cells) and investigated the effects of the combination treatment on these cells. DBA/1J mice with GPI-induced arthritis were treated using FTY720 and/or GPI for five days.

Characterization of an Expanded IL-10-Producing-Suppressive T Cell Population Associated with Immune Tolerance.

An increase in the number of glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-family related gene/protein (GITR)CD25 (or fork-head box protein 3: Foxp3) CD4 T cells, after treating a mouse model of arthritis with fingolimod (FTY720), and a pathogenic antigen may play a key role in the establishment of immune tolerance. In this study, we characterized a specific expanded T cell subset in this population. Mice with glucose-6-phosphate isomerase peptide (GPI)-induced arthritis were treated with FTY720 (1 mg/kg, per os) and GPI (10 µg/mouse, intravenously) for five days, starting from the onset of symptoms.

Reimbursement pricing for new medical devices in Japan: Is the evaluation of innovation appropriate?

Objectives: In Japan, strong reimbursement pricing control measures for existing medical device products have rendered new medical device reimbursement pricing critical for manufacturers. Few studies have been conducted on this aspect; therefore, this paper (1) clarifies whether evaluation of innovation is appropriate or not and (2), if not, investigates its background.

Methods: In this research, 319 C1/C2 government decisions for new medical devices in the 10 years from April 2008 to March 2018 were analyzed.