Increased serum interleukin-18 in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a potent cofactor for T-helper (Th-1) cell development and inducer of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and is reported to contribute to autoimmune diseases. T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia involves the proliferation of autoreactive CTL that is often associated with autoimmune disorders. We found increased serum IL-18 concentrations in a 55-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and T-LGL-leukemia.

Biphasic anti-osteoclastic action of intravenous alendronate therapy in multiple myeloma bone disease.

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells with osteolytic bone destruction. Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast activity and are widely used for the treatment of myeloma bone disease. We analyzed the changes in urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of collagen (u-NTx) and urinary calcium (u-Ca) after bisphosphonate alendronate therapy in ten patients with myeloma bone disease.

Gamma interferon-induced nitric oxide production in mouse CD5+ B1-like cell line and its association with apoptotic cell death.

The in vitro effect of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) on nitric oxide (NO) production in a mouse CD5+ B1-like cell line, TH2.52, was studied. The TH2.

Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in sera of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Abstract Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of rheumatic disease. We measured the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in sera from patients with rheumatic diseases and investigated whether these angiogenic factors would be useful in the evaluation of rheumatic diseases. Serum VEGF and HGF levels were determined using ELISA in 128 patients with rheumatic diseases and in 11 healthy controls.

Interleukin 18 and hepatocyte growth factor in fulminant hepatic failure of adult onset Still's disease.

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rheumatoid disorder characterized by polyarthritis, intermittent high fever, and salmon colored rashes. Liver dysfunction is usually mild and fulminant liver failure is rare. We describe a 20-year-old woman with AOSD and severe hepatic necrosis leading to hepatic failure requiring liver transplant.

Change of mouse CD5(+) B1 cells to a macrophage-like morphology induced by gamma interferon and inhibited by interleukin-4.

The in vitro effects of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) on the mouse CD5(+) B1-cell line, TH2.52, a hybridoma between mouse B lymphoma and mouse splenic B cells that expresses a series of B1 markers, were investigated. A significant number of macrophage-like cells appeared in the cultures of TH2.

Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in multiple myeloma.

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis including tumour neovascularization. Serum levels of VEGF and HGF were measured in 52 patients with MM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).