45 results match your criteria: "Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology[Affiliation]"

Antigen-presenting dendritic cells interpret environmental signals to orchestrate local and systemic immune responses. In this study, the roles of Wnt proteins and their signaling pathway members in the maturation and function of monocyte-derived DCs were investigated. The present study showed higher expression of β-catenin, as well as pGSK-3β in DCs than those in monocytes.

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Inflammatory etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus: an update.

J Inflamm Res

August 2015

Department of Internal Medicine 3, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.

The immune system struggles every day between responding to foreign antigens and tolerating self-antigens to delicately maintain tissue homeostasis. If self-tolerance is broken, the development of autoimmunity can be the consequence, as it is in the case of the chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is considered to be a multifactorial disease comprising various processes and cell types that act abnormally and in a harmful way.

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Objective: To analyze proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients following stimulation with a purified chondrocyte membrane-associated autoantigen (CH65).

Methods: CH65 was highly purified from bovine chondrocyte membranes by solubilization and ion exchange chromatography. PBMC of RA patients (n = 37; 28 seropositive, nine seronegative) and non-arthritic donors (n = 20) were isolated by ficoll centrifugation and used in cell proliferation assays.

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Bonding the foe - NETting neutrophils immobilize the pro-inflammatory monosodium urate crystals.

Front Immunol

December 2012

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen, Germany.

In the presence of sodium, uric acid from purine metabolism precipitates as monosodium urate (MSU) needles and forms renal calculi or causes gouty arthritis in kidneys and joints, respectively. The latter is characterized by red, hot, and swollen arthritic joints. Here we report the in vitro effect of MSU crystals on blood granulocytes and analyze their contribution to granuloma formation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation (NETosis) in synovial fluid of patients with gouty arthritis in vivo.

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Macrophages discriminate glycosylation patterns of apoptotic cell-derived microparticles.

J Biol Chem

January 2012

Department of Internal Medicine-3, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address:

Inappropriate clearance of apoptotic remnants is considered to be the primary cause of systemic autoimmune diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus. Here we demonstrate that apoptotic cells release distinct types of subcellular membranous particles (scMP) derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or the plasma membrane. Both types of scMP exhibit desialylated glycotopes resulting from surface exposure of immature ER-derived glycoproteins or from surface-borne sialidase activity, respectively.

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The phagocytosis of apo cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been shown to be impaired. Recognition and engulfment of dying cells are mediated by molecules and receptors that are also involved in cell adhesion. Therefore, we analysed the adhesion capabilities of MoMa from patients with SLE.

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Clearance deficiency--a potential link between infections and autoimmunity.

Autoimmun Rev

October 2008

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Cell death plays a pivotal role in development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Apoptosis represents the physiological and anti-inflammatory form of cell death. Advanced apoptosis and necrosis are rather pro-inflammatory.

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Inflammatory clearance of apoptotic remnants in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Autoimmun Rev

October 2008

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Deficiencies in the recognition and phagocytosis of dead and dying cells have been shown to be one of the main alterations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cellular as well as humoral elements play an important role in the clearance of apoptotic and necrotic cells. Non-ingested nuclear material may provide survival signals for autoreactive B-cells and consequently antibodies directed against nuclear structures will be produced.

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Predictive value of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies: importance of the assay.

Autoimmun Rev

September 2008

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department for Internal Medicine 3, Erlangen University Hospital, Germany.

The predictive potential of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies (AAb) lays on their biological activity and their ability to cause the pathological changes typically found in patients with SLE. In this review, we discuss old and recent evidence that supports the idea of AAb against dsDNA may cause directly tissue damage. Tissue deposition, Ab isotype, affinity maturation, and its ability to activate complement and engage Fc receptors are the classical determinants of the pathogenicity of anti-dsDNA AAb.

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Anti-HLA-DR-triggered monocytes mediate in vitro T cell anergy.

Int Immunol

April 2008

Department of Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.

Monomorphic MHC class II determinants are attractive targets for immunomodulation. HLA-DR ligation on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) can dramatically alter their function or induce cell death. In monocytes, HLA-DR triggering diminishes their capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation.

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Biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis: which ones could be used in combination?

BioDrugs

April 1998

Department of Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Established treatment is limited because of the clinical response or the induction of adverse effects. New biological agents evaluated for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have shown varied clinical success.

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Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-4 are known to differentially promote T helper (Th) cell differentiation. While IL-12 induces interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and maturation of Th1 cells, IL-4 is thought to antagonize IL-12 and to favour Th2 development. Here we studied the combined action of various concentrations of common gamma-chain (gamma(c)-chain) cytokines, including IL-4 and the Th1 cytokine IL-12, in human activated lymphoblasts and Th1 cells.

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Rheumatologic aspects of lysosomal storage diseases.

Clin Rheumatol

March 2007

Department of Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.

Lysosomal storage diseases are rare metabolic disorders, some of which can now be treated using enzyme replacement therapies. Because the time point of treatment initiation significantly influences the outcome in Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, and mucopolysaccharidosis type I, early diagnosis is of utmost importance. All three disorders can present with musculoskeletal symptoms in early stages, therefore, the rheumatologist may be the first to be contacted by these patients.

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Various cells such as platelets, lymphocytes, endothelial cells, red blood cells and monocytes do release surface-derived microparticles (mps). We analysed mp isolated from supernatants of cultured antigen-presenting human cells (APCs) and human cell lines. Particle sizing by dynamic light scattering revealed a characteristic size of the particles ranging from 80 nm to 300 nm in viable cells and from 400 nm to 1200 nm in irradiated cells.

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High hydrostatic pressure inactivated human tumour cells preserve their immunogenicity.

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand)

June 2004

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine Im, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an established method to inactivate biomolecules and microoganisms. It is routinely used for the sterilization of foodstuff. Recently, new applications as inactivation of microorganisms and tumour cells for bone transplants or for cancer vaccines have emerged.

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New developments in imaging for diagnosis and therapy monitoring in rheumatic diseases.

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol

December 2004

Department of Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstrasse 12, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.

The availability of therapeutic modalities that are able to stop inflammatory joint damage has also markedly influenced recent developments in muskuloskeletal imaging. One focus of interest is the detection of joint pathology as early as possible in order to prevent erosive bony changes. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are the most valuable technologies in this respect.

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Apoptosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Rheum Dis Clin North Am

August 2004

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Medical Department III, University of Erlangen-Nüremberg, Glueckstrasse 4a, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Reduced clearance of dying cells by macrophages or increased apoptosis provokes accumulation of cellular fragments in various tissues. This process seems to induce the uptake of autoantigens from apoptotic nuclei or chromatin by dendritic cells (DCs). Then, the DCs present altered self-epitopes to naive T cells.

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In autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS), several organ-specific autoimmune diseases are clustered. Although APS type I is caused by loss of central tolerance, the etiology of APS type II (APS-II) is currently unknown. However, in several murine models, depletion of CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (T(regs)) causes a syndrome resembling human APS-II with multiple endocrinopathies.

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The putative role of apoptosis-modified histones for the induction of autoimmunity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Biochem Pharmacol

October 2003

Department of Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Krankenhausstr. 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

In recent years, it has become evident that Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a disease characterized by an array of autoantibodies directed against the native nucleosome, its DNA component and/or its histone component. Nuclear antigens are generated and released in vivo during apoptosis. A hallmark of apoptosis is the cleavage of chromatin by caspase-activated DNase.

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Background: Exposure of anionic phospholipids and modified carbohydrates are main parts of the apoptotic death program. Cells undergoing apoptosis can be identified by various methods, detecting surface changes or modifications of their organelles, respectively. We describe a method for the detection of early apoptosis by staining of cells with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus (NPn).

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In contrast to necrotic cells, the clearance of apoptotic ones usually is an anti-inflammatory process which elicits only a marginal immune response. During apoptosis phosphatidylserine (PS) is exposed on the outer leaflet of the cytoplasmic membrane and serves as target for the PS receptor of phagocytes. The latter is responsible for anti-inflammatory signalling and the induction of TGFbeta.

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Bacterial carriers and virus-like-particles as antigen delivery devices: role of dendritic cells in antigen presentation.

Curr Drug Targets Infect Disord

November 2001

Institute for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Medical Department III, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Replicating attenuated strains of intracellular bacteria like Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes or Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG), and non-replicating virus-like-particles (VLP) consisting, for instance, of the VP1-surface component of polyoma virus offer great potential as heterologous carriers delivering foreign protein antigens for immune recognition. Moreover, attenuated S. typhimurium and L.

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The aggregation of the T cell receptor and other signaling molecules leads to the formation of large molecular activation clusters in the cell membrane. These molecular clusters are associated with a high concentration of cholesterol, sphingomyelin and gangliosides and were referred to as lipid microdomains. Electron microscopy studies of viable cells indicate that distinct subgroups of lipid microdomains exist and they contain different types of signaling molecules.

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