ABSTRACT
Since a decade autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is successfully performed to treat patients with severe autoimmune disease. However, the mechanism of action of this intervention remains largely unknown. Scarce data from animal studies and human clinical trials indicate that, besides extensive immune ablation, restoration of regulatory immune networks is of critical importance. This review focuses on the role of naturally occurring and induced regulatory T cells in controlling immune reconstitution and restoration of immune tolerance and in preventing relapses of disease following ASCT.
Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Autoimmune Diseases/therapy , Immune Tolerance/immunology , Stem Cell Transplantation , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Humans , Transplantation, AutologousABSTRACT
Four neonates with vesicopustular skin eruptions, 1 girl and 3 boys, were diagnosed with feeding blisters, bullous impetigo, erythema toxicum neonatorum and transient neonatal pustular melanosis, respectively. The neonate with bullous impetigo was treated with antibiotics; the remaining neonates were not treated. The neonate with transient neonatal pustular melanosis developed hyperpigmentation, whereas the other neonates recovered without sequelae. Skin lesions in neonates are common and frequently cause parental concern. Most causes of neonatal pustular and vesicular skin eruptions are benign and transient. However, some skin lesions must be recognised and treated rapidly. Therefore it is important to identify these neonatal skin eruptions based on a thorough history of the mother and child and clinical presentation. Skin culture may be helpful in some cases.
Subject(s)
Melanosis/diagnosis , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/diagnosis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Blister/diagnosis , Blister/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Erythema/diagnosis , Erythema/pathology , Female , Humans , Hyperpigmentation/etiology , Infant, Newborn , Male , Melanosis/complications , Melanosis/pathology , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/drug therapy , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/pathologyABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that primarily involves the joints and has a worldwide prevalence of about one percent, with a female to male ratio of 3:1. This chapter summarizes some of the recent progress in molecular immunology, and discusses the application of this new knowledge for therapeutic purposes. We focus on our recent experiences and that of others in modulation of antigen specific responses as a tool for manipulating autoimmune inflammation. Particular emphasis is given to the concept of exploiting for therapeutic purposes a natural mechanism of immune regulation. This mechanism is based on sequential cross recognition of bacterial and human derived heat shock protein peptides.