NF-kappaB inhibition leads to increased synthesis and secretion of MIF in human CD4+ T cells.

To examine the effects of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) inhibition on the secretion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in human CD4(+) T cells. Isolated human CD4(+) T cells were cultured for 24h with pharmacological inhibitors of NF-kappaB including parthenolide, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, BAY 11-7082, gliotoxin, oridonin, andrographolide, and NF-kappaB shRNA. MIF concentration was measured by intracellular flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Oral administration of type-II collagen suppresses IL-17-associated RANKL expression of CD4+ T cells in collagen-induced arthritis.

The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) is an osteoclastogenic mediator, which is mainly expressed by stromal cells and osteoblast. However, T cells can also be an important provider for RANKL in special condition such as autoimmune arthritis. We examined the RANKL expression of hyporesponsive CD4+ T cells induced by oral feeding with type II collagen in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice.

Cyclosporine inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor production in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.

Objective: To determine the antiangiogenic effect of cyclosporin A (CSA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We investigated the effect of CSA on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were prepared from the synovial tissues of RA patients, and cultured in the presence of CSA.

CD40 engagement on synovial fibroblast up-regulates production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

We tested the impact of CD40 engagement on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. Fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) were prepared from the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients and cultured in the presence of CD40 ligand-transfected (CD40L+) L cells. VEGF levels were determined in the culture supernatants by ELISA.