Effect of infliximab on gene expression profiling in Behcet's disease.

Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated that a new anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody, infliximab, is effective in controlling ocular inflammatory attacks in Behçet's disease. In this study, the effect of infliximab on gene expression patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Behçet's disease patients was investigated before and after initiation of infliximab treatment.

Methods: A human whole-genome microarray of 54,359 genes was used to analyze mRNA expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from four patients (three women, one man, 21-64 years at age) at baseline and at 22 weeks after initiation of infliximab.

[Therapeutic effect of the low molecular weight inhibitor of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis].

The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) proteins are a family of ubiquitously expressed transcriptional proteins in most immune and inflammatory responses. Understanding the precise regulation of the NF-kappaB family can lead to the development of effective new drugs for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. STA-5326 is a low molecular weight compound developed through highthroughput IL-12/ IL-23 p40 inhibitor screening.

Oral administration of retinoic acid receptor-alpha/beta-specific ligand Am80 suppresses experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Purpose: To determine whether synthetic retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-α/β-specific agonist Am80 reduces inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU).

Methods: Naive CD4(+) T cells were activated with anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, in the presence or absence of Am80. Intracellular expression of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) and interleukin (IL)-17 in the activated CD4(+) T cells was assessed by flow cytometry.

Anti-inflammatory effect of retinoic acid on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Aims: To determine whether an active metabolite of vitamin A, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), reduces inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU).

Methods: Naive CD4(+) T cells were activated with anti-CD3, anti-CD28 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, in the presence or absence of ATRA. Intracellular expression of transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and interleukin (IL)-17 in the activated CD4(+) T cells was assessed by flow cytometry.

Therapeutic effect of the potent IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor STA-5326 on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine if oral administration of the interleukin (IL) 12/IL-23 inhibitor, STA-5326, is effective in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU).

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were immunised with human interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein peptide (IRBP 1-20). STA-5326 at a dose of either 5 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg, or vehicle alone, was orally administered once a day for six days a week from day 0 to day 14.