Subject(s)
Skin Aging , Skin Care/methods , Skin Diseases/prevention & control , Aged , Humans , Skin Care/nursingSubject(s)
Leg Ulcer/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Leg Ulcer/etiology , Leg Ulcer/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Autoaggressive T-cells specific for myelin proteins like proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) is the third most abundant myelin protein in the CNS. Due to lack of supply with enough CNPase of sufficient purity its immunologic properties have not been studied yet. We subcloned a human CNPase cDNA and expressed human recombinant CNPase (rh-CNPase) in E. coli. Purification of the protein was achieved by Ni(2+)-chelating chromatography. Furthermore we describe for the first time several rh-CNPase specific T-cell lines from a multiple sclerosis patient and a healthy control.
Subject(s)
2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases/immunology , Autoantigens/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , 2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases/genetics , 2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases/isolation & purification , Amino Acid Sequence , Base Sequence , Brain/enzymology , Cell Line , Cloning, Molecular , Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Multiple Sclerosis/pathology , Recombinant Proteins , Reference Values , T-Lymphocytes/immunologyABSTRACT
Extensive research in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) has lead to a preliminary pathogenetic concept without solving the etiopathogenesis. According to animal experiments and human in vitro studies MS is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Experimental therapeutical strategies are aiming at the inhibition of T cell activation, transmigration through the blood brain barrier and local inflammation and demyelination. Several substances are already being tested in clinical studies with magnetic resonance imaging as a tool to quantify inflammatory lesions and to shorten the study course. This review will give a summary about actual experimental therapies resulting from the current pathogenetic concept.
Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis/therapy , Animals , Blood-Brain Barrier/immunology , Humans , Immunosuppression Therapy/methods , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , Nerve Fibers, Myelinated/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Many side effects of steroid treatment have been reported. Even experienced neurologists may not know all important side effects to the nervous system. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, psychosis and myopathy are more frequently encountered than dependency, reversible dementia, brain atrophy and benign intracranial hypertension. This review describes symptomatology, pathogenesis and treatment of these steroid-induced side effects.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/adverse effects , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/adverse effects , Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Humans , Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis , Neurologic Examination , Risk Factors , SteroidsABSTRACT
Epidemiological studies have provided evidence for a genetic contribution to the susceptibility of multiple sclerosis (MS). One in six patients has at least one affected family member. The concordance rate is approximately 25% in monozygotic twins, and 3% in siblings, however the prevalence in adopted siblings is similar to the general population (0.1%) MS is thought to be a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease and therefore genes controlling the immune response have been studied intensively as potential susceptibility factors. The best documented association was found for genes of the human-leukocyte antigen complex. Other possible susceptibility genes may reside in the regions of the T cell receptors and the tumour necrosis factors. So far it is clear, that MS is a multifactorial disease in which several genes must be involved. Population genetics and molecular biology will help to characterise further these susceptibility factors.
Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis/genetics , Autoimmune Diseases/genetics , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 , Cytokines/physiology , Diseases in Twins/genetics , Female , HLA Antigens/genetics , Humans , Male , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Twin Studies as Topic , Twins, Monozygotic/geneticsABSTRACT
Foamy virus (FV) infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of sporadic motor neuron disease (MND) by means of serological assays. To confirm these results we tested serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 23 cases of clinically verified non-familial MND and 11 cases of suspected non-familial MND for the presence of FV infection as determined by Western blot (WB) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Using the same tests we also screened sera from 87 healthy chimpanzees for the presence of FV antibodies. None of the human samples in question tested positive. However, the testing revealed that 84 of 87 chimpanzees (96.6%) were seropositive for FV, indicating that combined WB and IFA are suitable methods for the serodiagnosis of FV infection. Given these results an association of FV infection and sporadic MND is highly improbable. Furthermore a suggested therapeutic trial with anti-retroviral drugs appears unjustified.
