A case of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome that manifested in the course of basal cell carcinoma.

A case of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is presented, which manifested 5 years after onset of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). There were multiple collateral veins due to portal vein thrombosis. Because immunological abnormalities including anti-cardiolipin beta(2) glycoprotein-I antibody improved after surgical resection of BCC, it is likely that APS had occurred as a paraneoplastic syndrome with BCC.

Effects of pravastatin in murine collagen-induced arthritis.

Here we evaluated whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have beneficial effects for collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type-II collagen and administered 100 mg/kg of pravastatin interperitoneally. We measured the effects of pravastatin for CIA including infiltration of macrophages at the synovial membrane and production of anti-type-II collagen antibodies and cytokines.

Role of endothelial damage in the pathogenesis of interstitial pneumonitis in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Objective: Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) are often complicated by interstitial pneumonitis (IP), which is an important cause of death. It has been reported that blood concentration of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which is produced by a wide range of cells including endothelial cells and enhances the fibrotic changes in various tissues, is increased in PM/DM with IP. Endothelial damage is likely to exist in PM/DM.

Electric charge and sugar chains of immunoglobulin G in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: The charge condition of anti-DNA antibody is thought to be closely related to the pathology of renal disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We examined the relationships among the electric charge of IgG, proteinuria, and DNA binding capacity in SLE patients. Abnormal sugar chains, which affect the IgG charge, were also studied.

Anti-inflammatory effect of all-trans-retinoic acid in inflammatory arthritis.

Objective: To determine whether all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) improves the destruction of joints and the effect of cytokines on DBA/1J mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods: Starting from the time of type II collagen injection, DBA/1J mice were injected intraperitoneally with PBS or 0.5 mg of ATRA 3 times per week for 35 days.

All-trans-retinoic acid suppresses interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha; a possible therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To study the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), we determined the proliferation and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+ T cells in healthy volunteers and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and explored the possibility of using ATRA as a therapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases.

Methods: Proliferation of these cells was determined by modified MTT assay, and expression of CC chemokine receptors 4 (CCR4) and CCR5 was determined by flow cytometry. Production and expression of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[Quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus--preliminary survey using a short questionnaire. ].

Because the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been much improved by recent progress in the treatment of this disease, improvement of quality of life (QOL) will be required more and more. However, QOL in SLE has not been well studied in comparison to that in rheumatoid arthritis. Fifty-four patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were asked about healthy feeling, acceptance of disease and the extent of satisfaction with their life.

Blockade of IL-18 receptor signaling delays the onset of autoimmune disease in MRL-Faslpr mice.

Autoimmune disease in Fas-deficient MRL-Faslpr mice is dependent on infiltrating autoreactive leukocytes and autoantibodies, and IFN-gamma plays an important role in the pathogenesis. As IL-18 is capable of inducing IFN-gamma production in T cells, we hypothesized that signaling through IL-18R is involved in the pathogenesis. To investigate the impact of IL-18 in this autoimmune disease, we generated an MRL-Faslpr strain deficient in IL-18Ralpha.

Mu-heavy chain disease associated with systemic amyloidosis.

mu-heavy chain disease (HCD) is very rare, with only 30 cases reported in the literature. We report a patient with mu-HCD associated with systemic amyloidosis. The diagnosis of mu-HCD was based on findings of mu-heavy chain fragments in the serum, Bence Jones proteinuria and vacuolated plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Emphysematous cystitis with severe hemorrhagic anemia resulting from diabetes mellitus type 2.

A 48-year-old woman suffering from hematuria was admitted to our hospital due to conscious disturbance. She had lower abdominal phantom tumor, anemia, renal dysfunction, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities. Because of pelvocaliceal dilatation noted on abdominal ultrasonography, we first diagnosed her as having postrenal failure.

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus that manifested in the course of schizophrenia.

A case of schizophrenia is presented in which SLE was diagnosed after 14-year duration. Antibodies to single and double-stranded DNAs, but not to histone. were detected.