DR3 Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis and Regeneration After Intestinal Barrier Injury.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member tumor necrosis factor-like protein 1A (TL1A) has been associated with the susceptibility and severity of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the function of the tumor necrosis factor-like protein 1A and its receptor death receptor 3 (DR3) in the development of intestinal inflammation is incompletely understood. We investigated the role of DR3 expressed by intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) during intestinal homeostasis, tissue injury, and regeneration. METHODS: Clinical phenotype and histologic inflammation were assessed in C57BL/6 (wild-type), Tl1a-/- and Dr3-/- mice in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. We generated mice with an IEC-specific deletion of DR3 (Dr3ΔIEC) and assessed intestinal inflammation and epithelial barrier repair. In vivo intestinal permeability was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran uptake. Proliferation of IECs was analyzed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Expression of DR3 messenger RNA was assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Small intestinal organoids were used to determine ex vivo regenerative potential. RESULTS: Dr3-/- mice developed more severe colonic inflammation than wild-type mice in DSS-induced colitis with significantly impaired IEC regeneration. Homeostatic proliferation of IECs was increased in Dr3-/- mice, but blunted during regeneration. Cellular localization and expression of the tight junction proteins Claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 were altered, leading to increased homeostatic intestinal permeability. Dr3ΔIEC mice recapitulated the phenotype observed in Dr3-/- mice with increased intestinal permeability and IEC proliferation under homeostatic conditions and impaired tissue repair and increased bacterial translocation during DSS-induced colitis. Impaired regenerative potential and altered zonula occludens-1 localization also were observed in Dr3ΔIEC enteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings establish a novel function of DR3 in IEC homeostasis and postinjury regeneration independent of its established role in innate lymphoid cells and T-helper cells.

Protective effect of the tunneling nanotube-TNFAIP2/M-sec system on podocyte autophagy in diabetic nephropathy.

Podocyte injury leading to albuminuria is a characteristic feature of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are major determinants of DN. However, the underlying mechanisms of podocyte injury remain poorly understood. The cytosolic protein TNFAIP2/M-Sec is required for tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) formation, which are membrane channels that transiently connect cells, allowing organelle transfer. Podocytes express TNFAIP2 and form TNTs, but the potential relevance of the TNFAIP2-TNT system in DN is unknown. We studied TNFAIP2 expression in both human and experimental DN and the renal effect of tnfaip2 deletion in streptozotocin-induced DN. Moreover, we explored the role of the TNFAIP2-TNT system in podocytes exposed to diabetes-related insults. TNFAIP2 was overexpressed by podocytes in both human and experimental DN and exposre of podocytes to high glucose and AGEs induced the TNFAIP2-TNT system. In diabetic mice, tnfaip2 deletion exacerbated albuminuria, renal function loss, podocyte injury, and mesangial expansion. Moreover, blockade of the autophagic flux due to lysosomal dysfunction was observed in diabetes-injured podocytes both in vitro and in vivo and exacerbated by tnfaip2 deletion. TNTs allowed autophagosome and lysosome exchange between podocytes, thereby ameliorating AGE-induced lysosomal dysfunction and apoptosis. This protective effect was abolished by tnfaip2 deletion, TNT inhibition, and donor cell lysosome damage. By contrast, Tnfaip2 overexpression enhanced TNT-mediated transfer and prevented AGE-induced autophagy and lysosome dysfunction and apoptosis. In conclusion, TNFAIP2 plays an important protective role in podocytes in the context of DN by allowing TNT-mediated autophagosome and lysosome exchange and may represent a novel druggable target.Abbreviations: AGEs: advanced glycation end products; AKT1: AKT serine/threonine kinase 1; AO: acridine orange; ALs: autolysosomes; APs: autophagosomes; BM: bone marrow; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CTSD: cathepsin D; DIC: differential interference contrast; DN: diabetic nephropathy; FSGS: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; HG: high glucose; KO: knockout; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LMP: lysosomal membrane permeabilization; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; STZ: streptozotocin; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; TNFAIP2: tumor necrosis factor, alpha-induced protein 2; TNTs: tunneling nanotubes; WT: wild type.

Ellagic acid ameliorates high fructose-induced hyperuricemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver in Wistar rats: Focusing on the role of C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 and ATP citrate lyase.

AIMS: High-fructose intake (HF) represents an inducible risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Present study aimed to illustrate the effect of HF diet (HFD) on the induction of NAFLD, hyperuricemia and role of ellagic acid as modulator. MAIN METHODS: Twenty-four adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (6/each). The first group received normal chow diet only while the others received 60 % HFD for 4 weeks and subdivided later into 3 groups. The first and second groups received allopurinol and ellagic acid, respectively while the third group received HFD only for extra 4 weeks. KEY FINDINGS: Rats fed on HFD for 8 weeks displayed body weight gain, insulin resistance (IR), hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia with increased oxidative stress and hepatic lipogenic enzymes such as ATP citrate lyase (ACL), aldolase B, and fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SERBP-1c). C1q /tumor necrosis factor-related protein -3 (CTRP3), and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) however showed significant decreases. Ellagic acid or allopurinol administration significantly decreased serum lipids, uric acid, glucose, insulin levels and hepatic contents of enzymes. Malondialdehyde (MDA), FAS, aldolase B, SERBP-1c, and xanthine oxidase (XO) hepatic contents showed significant decreases along with glutathione (GSH) increase as compared to fructose group where ellagic acid was more remarkable compared with allopurinol. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings indicated that ellagic acid had alleviated HFD-induced hyperuricemia, its associated NAFLD pattern as mediated through activation of CTRP3 and inhibition of ACL activities in a pattern more remarkable than allopurinol.

Eficacia y seguridad del uso de tocilizumab para el tratamiento de artritis idiopatica juvenil en pacientes con falla alt ratamiento con aines, glucocorticoides y farmes / Efficacy and safety of the use of tocilizumab for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients with failure to treat with aines, glucocorticoids and pharmacies

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: El presente dictamen responde a la solicitud de evaluación del uso fuera del petitorio de tocilizumab para el tratamiento de pacientes con Artritis Idiopática Juvenil refractarios a tratamiento con FARMES. La Artritis Idiopática Juvenil (AIJ) engloba varios tipos de artritis crónica cuyo inicio se da antes de los 16 años, y está dada de manera general por un mal funcionamiento del sistema inmune que resulta en producción excesiva de moléculas pro-inflamatorias dirigidas principalmente a la membrana (revestimiento de las articulaciones). Tecnologia Sanitaria de Interés: Tocilizumab, con nombre comercial Actemra, es un anticuerpo monoclonal recombinante humanizado contra el receptor de interleucina-6 (IL-6). Este anticuerpo se une a los receptores de IL-6 que se encuentran en las membranas celulares o disueltos en el plasma, interrupiendo la unión de la IL-6 con su receptor en los tejidos. La IL-6 es una citoquina pro-inflamatoria secretada por células del sistema inmune, y que participa en diversas patologias asociadas a procesos inflamatorios. Tocilizumab ejerce su acción bloqueando los receptos de IL-6 de tal manera que no pued ser activada la cascada de señalización intracelular que lleva a la inflamación de los tejidos. METODOLOGÍA: Estrategia de Busqueda: Se utilizó el motor de búsqueda Pubmed empleando el algoritmo mostrado en la subsección B y los filtros correspondientes a meta-análisis, revisiones sistemáticas y ensayos clínicos, en línea con los criterios de elegibilidad. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad de tocilizumab para el tratamiento de Artritis Idiopática Juvenil de varidad sistémica. La búsqueda se inició revisando la información sobre el uso del medicamento de acuerdo con entidades reguladoras como la Food And Drug Administration (FDA), la European Medicines Agency (EMA) y la Dirección General de Medicamentos y Drogas (DIGEMID). Posteriormente, se revisaron las bases de datos de PubMed, TRIPDATABASE y www.clinicaltrials.gov. Adicionalmente, se realizó una búsqueda de evaluaciones de tecnologías y guías de práctica clínica en las páginas wev de grupos dedicados a la invstigación y educación en salud en general como The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); y especializados en Enfermedades Reumatoides como el American College or Rheumatology (ACR). RESULTADOS: Sinopsos de la Evidencia: De acuerdo con la pregunta PICO, se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de evidencia científica relacionada al uso de tocilizumab como tratamiento de pacientes con Artritis Idiopática Juvenil varidad sistémica refractaria a tratamiento convencional con AINEs, corticoides y FARMEs. En la presente sinopsis se describe la evidencia disponible según el tipo de publicación, siguiendo lo indicado en los criterios de elegibilidad (GPC, ETS, RS, MA y ECA fase III). CONCLUSIONES: La GPC y la ETS recomiendan el uso de tocilizumab como una alternativa de tratamiento de AIJ sistémica en niños mayores de 2 años quienes han presentado una respuesta inadecuada a AINEs, corticosteroides sistémicos y metotrexato (FARME). Tocilizumab presenta una mayor frecuencia de eventos adversos moderados y severos en comparación con placebo. Sin embargo, estos son controlables. Tocilizumab no está recomendado para el tratamiento de pacientes mayores de 2 años con AIJ que responden al tratamiento con metotrexato o no han sido tratados con metotrexato previamente. El Instituto de Evaluaciones de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación-IETSI, aprueba el uso de tocilizumab para el manejo de los pacientes con diagnóstico de AIJ variedad sistémica refractaria a AINEs corticosteroides y FARMEs.

Reacciones psoriasiformes paradójicas durante el tratamiento con terapia anti-factor de necrosis tumoral. Manejo clínico / Clinical Management of Paradoxical Psoriasiform Reactions During TNF-alfa; Therapy

Paradójicamente se han descrito casos de inducción o empeoramiento de una psoriasis durante el tratamiento con todos los agentes anti-factor de necrosis tumoral α (anti-TNFα) (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab y certolizumab). Se ha postulado que la alteración del equilibrio entre el TNFα y el interferón α estaría implicada en su etiopatogenia. Clínicamente se distinguen varios patrones de reacciones psoriasiformes paradójicas: la psoriasis de novo en pacientes que no han presentado anteriormente esta enfermedad y que reciben este tratamiento por otra enfermedad inflamatoria, que es la más frecuente y la mejor descrita, y la exacerbación de una psoriasis preexistente durante la terapia anti-TNFα, que puede presentarse con o sin un cambio de morfología. En este trabajo realizamos una revisión de la literatura en relación con las características clínicas e histológicas de este tipo de reacciones, así como de su evolución y tratamiento, y planteamos un esquema de manejo en la práctica clínica

There have been reports of paradoxical induction or worsening of psoriasis during treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α agents (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, and certolizumab). It has been hypothesized that an imbalance between TNF-α and interferon α might have a role in the etiology and pathogenesis of these reactions. Paradoxical psoriasiform reactions can be divided clinically into de novo psoriasis and exacerbation of preexisting psoriasis. The first, which is more common and more extensively described in the literature, occurs in patients without a history of psoriasis who are receiving TNF-α therapy for another inflammatory disorder. The second can occur with or without changes in the morphology of the lesions. In this article, we review the literature on the clinical and histologic features of paradoxical psoriasiform reactions, analyze their clinical course and treatment, and propose a clinical management model for use in routine practice

Nuevas emulsiones lipídicas enriquecidas con omega-3: beneficios reales en nutrición parenteral / New lipid emulsions enriched with omega-3: Is there a real benefit on parenteral nutrition?

Total parenteral nutrition allows nutritional supports for patients who are not able to receive oral intake or enteral nutrition. Fatty acids are administrated as lipid emulsions and a lower inflammatory cytokine level has been described after administration of Omega-3. This could be a benefit for critical patients by a potential antiinflamatory and immunomodulation effect. Also, for patients with respiratory distress syndrome, the lower cytokine effect may directly affect pulmonary vessels by vasodilatation and consequently improve respiratory function. Different studies have shown positive clinical outcomes after Omega-3 administration, while other studies have failed to demonstrate significant results. Mechanisms involved with this possible immunomodulation by fish oil are well known, although further research is necessary to clarify the clinical relevance of these mechanisms.

La nutrición parenteral es la técnica de soporte nutricional por vía endovenosa a pacientes que no pueden alimentarse por vía enteral u oral. El aporte de lípidos se realiza a través de emulsiones lipídicas, que poseen diferentes ácidos grasos. Se ha descrito que la administración de ácidos grasos Omega-3 determina una disminución de citoquinas proinflamatorias a nivel plasmático, lo cual supondría beneficios en los pacientes críticos mediante una posible modulación de la respuesta inflamatoria e inmunológica. Además, en los pacientes con distress respiratorio agudo, la disminución de citoquinas proinflamatorias ejercería un efecto directo sobre el lecho vascular pulmonar estableciendo una mejoría de la función respiratoria. Los estudios clínicos son contradictorios respecto a si la suplementación con Omega-3 se asocia con resultados clínicos favorables en forma significativa. Existe gran avance en el conocimiento de los mecanismos involucrados en la posible inmunomodulación que se le atribuye al aceite de pescado, pero futuras investigaciones son necesarias para elucidar la relevancia clínica de estos mecanismos.

Ten years with biologics: to whom do data on effectiveness and safety apply?

OBJECTIVES: During the past decade, the position of biologics in the therapeutic armamentarium, the number of approved indications and the number of available biologics have changed. Available data on (long-term) safety might thus pertain to patient populations not comparable with contemporary patients. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which contemporary patients who start or switch biologic therapies are comparable with those patients who gave rise to the currently available data on effectiveness and safety. METHODS: We identified all adult patients with RA (n=9612), PsA (n=1417) and other SpA (n=1652) initiating a first biologic therapy between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2008, registered in the Swedish Biologics Register (ARTIS), including information on demographics, disease characteristics and 1-year risk of first-line treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: Over calendar time, measures of disease activity at start declined substantially for all indications, and diminished between first-, second- and third-line therapy starts. One-year risks of first-line therapy discontinuation increased. Switchers to anti-TNF and non-TNF biologics had different comorbidities. Despite <50% drug retention at 5 years, most patients remained exposed to some biologic. CONCLUSIONS: The trends in baseline characteristics and drug retention underscores that any effects of biologics, including comparison between different biologics, must be interpreted in light of the characteristics of the population treated. The observed differences further call for continued vigilance to properly evaluate the safety profiles of biologic treatments as they are currently used. Exposure to multiple biologics presents a challenge for attribution of long-term effects.

Registries in rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases: data from the French registries.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical registries have shown their effectiveness in capturing the long-term benefit of drugs in routine care. In France, two types of registry have been established to analyse the safety and efficacy of biological agents. METHODS: The Research Axed on Tolerance of Biotherapies (RATIO) registry was designed to prospectively collect all cases of lymphoma and opportunistic infections occurring in patients receiving anti-TNF blockers for any indication. We also examined the results from nationwide prospective cohorts in order to investigate the safety and efficacy of rituximab (RTX), abatacept (ABA) and tocilizumab in RA and other autoimmune diseases. RESULTS: Analysis of the RATIO registry demonstrated an increased risk of Legionella pneumophila infection in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy, a higher risk of tuberculosis [odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 13.3 (2.6, 69.0) and 17.1 (3.6, 80.6) for infliximab and adalimumab vs etanercept, respectively], opportunistic infections and incidence of lymphoma, with mAb than with soluble-receptor anti-TNF. The characteristics of RA patients in RTX and ABA registries showed that some patients did not receive previous TNF blockers [20% in autoimmunity and RTX (AIR) and 13% in Orencia and RA (ORA)] and one-third of them were treated without concomitant DMARDs. Patients receiving RTX showed an increased proportion of severe infections (5.0/100 patient-years). Lung and cardiac comorbidities, extra-articular involvement and low immunoglobulin G before RTX were predictive factors of severe infections. In addition, the AIR registry suggested the effectiveness of RTX in patients with SLE. CONCLUSION: The establishment of biological registries in rheumatic diseases, in France, with their different methods, has already provided additional data to controlled trials, mainly on the risk of severe infections and lymphoma.

Duration of etanercept treatment and reasons for discontinuation in a cohort of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Since 2004, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients treated with etanercept and/or MTX have been monitored in the British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Biologics and New Drug Register. Here, we report the duration of etanercept use for the first 5 years of the register and reasons for discontinuation. METHODS: Disease subtype and activity, comorbidity, treatment efficacy and safety data were recorded. Etanercept discontinuation was defined as stopping the drug because of disease remission or treatment failure. Time to discontinuation was explored using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with remaining patients censored at 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 483 etanercept-treated JIA patients were enrolled from 30 UK centres, representing 941 patient-years of follow-up. A total of 100 (20.7%) patients discontinued etanercept; 9 due to disease control, 88 because of treatment failure, 2 for unknown reasons and 1 because of a change in diagnosis. Of the 53 patients in whom etanercept was perceived to be ineffective at controlling the inflammation, 48 were prescribed other biologic drugs [26/48 (54%) infliximab]. In 21 patients with intolerance, infections, CNS events and a few isolated events were associated with discontinuation. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, at 5 years 69% (95% CI 61, 77%) had not experienced treatment failure. Discontinuation of etanercept for inefficacy was associated with systemic arthritis subtype [odds ratio (OR) 2.55, 95% CI 1.27, 5.14], chronic anterior uveitis (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.06, 5.35) and inefficacy of MTX before starting etanercept (OR 8.3, 95% CI 1.14, 60.58). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of JIA patients treated with etanercept and followed for a median of 2 years (maximum 5 years), the majority (69%) remain on the drug.

Anti-TNF therapy is associated with an increased risk of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis especially in the first 6 months of treatment: updated results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register with special emphasis on risks in the elderly.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk of serious infections (SIs) in patients with RA treated with anti-TNF therapy with emphasis on the risk across different ages. METHODS: Using data from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register, a prospective observational study, we compared the risk of SI between 11 798 anti-TNF-treated patients and 3598 non-biologic DMARD (nbDMARD)-treated patients. RESULTS: A total of 1808 patients had at least one SI (anti-TNF: 1512; nbDMARD: 296). Incidence rates were: anti-TNF 42/1000 patient-years of follow-up (95% CI 40, 44) and nbDMARD 32/1000 patient-years of follow-up (95% CI 28, 36). The adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR) for SI in the anti-TNF cohort was 1.2 (95% CI 1.1, 1.5). The risk did not differ significantly between the three agents adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab. The risk was highest during the first 6 months of therapy [adjHR 1.8 (95% CI 1.3, 2.6)]. Although increasing age was an independent risk factor for SI in both cohorts, there was no difference in relative risk of infection in patients on anti-TNF therapy in the older population. There was no difference in hospital stay for SI between cohorts. Mortality within 30 days of SI was 50% lower in the anti-TNF cohort [odds ratio 0.5 (95% CI 0.3, 0.8)]. CONCLUSIONS: These data add to currently available evidence suggesting that anti-TNF therapy is associated with a small but significant overall risk of SI. This must be balanced against the risks associated with poor disease control or alternative treatments.

Lupus inducido por fármacos / Drug-induced lupus

El lupus inducido por fármacos (LIF) es un síndrome que comparte síntomas y características de laboratorio con el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) idiopático y que se presenta tras la exposición a ciertos fármacos (AU)

Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is syndrome characterised by the occurrence of lupus-like symptoms and serological findings, following exposure to certain drugs. A substantial number of drugs can induce the positivity of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) but the diagnosis of DIL cannot be done in the absence of clinical features (AU)

Carcinoma ductal in situ de la mama: primeros 100 casos Ceclines / Ductal in situ carcinoma of breast: 100 first cases Ceclines

Describir los primeros 100 casos de carcinoma ductal in situ en nuestra institución. 100 casos tratados adoptamos la definición de mic de Silver y Tavassoli: 77 fueron puros y 23 mic. En 69 por ciento se practicó cirugía preservadora, 31 por ciento mastectomía, 24 por ciento con reconstrucción, una bilateral y 7 por ciento sin reconstrucción. 64 por ciento recibió radioterapia complementaria. 36 por ciento el tratamiento fue cirugía sola. 77 por ciento recibieron terapia hormonal adyuvante. En 46 por ciento practicamos biopsia de ganglio centinela: 25 por ciento in situ puros y 21 por ciento mic. En 83 por ciento la presentación fue micro calcificaciones. El patrón histológico cribiforme y mixtos, los más frecuentes, 75 por ciento. El tamaño mamográfico e histológico coincidieron, 20 mm, promedio. El 87 por ciento grado nuclear II o III actividad mitótica 82 por ciento fue baja o moderada sólo 4 por ciento alta. El 78 por ciento presentó necrosis. De 25 pacientes con in situ puro, que se les practicó ganglio centinela ninguna presentó enfermedad ganglionar y los 21 con in situ mic, 9,52 por ciento presentaron metástasis. 2 por ciento recaídas locales, con enfermedad infiltrante; una a 52 meses, los otros a 58 meses. Una sin radioterapia, se trataron con mastectomía de rescate. No ocurrieron muertes por enfermedad. El buen manejo de los casos, traduce satisfactorios resultados de sobre vida libre de enfermedad y sobrevida global. Podemos seleccionar un sub-grupo de pacientes a quienes les pueda omitir la radioterapia sin aumentar el riesgo de mortalidad.

Describe first 100 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ in our institution. 100 cases treated adopted the definition of mic by Silver and Tavassoli: 77 pure and 23 mic. 69 percent we performed breast conserving surgery 31 percent total mastectomy 24 percent reconstruction, 1 was bilateral, 7 percent without reconstruction. 64 percent received complementary radiotherapy. 36 percent treatment was surgery alone. 77 percent recieved hormonal adjuvant therapy. 46 percent we performed sentinel lymph node biopsy: 25 percent were pure and 21 percent mic. 83 percent initial form of presentation was micro calcifications. The histological type was cribiform and mixed (75 percent). The mammographic and histological size matched 20 mm average. 87 percent were nuclear grade II and III, 82 percent of the mitotic activity was moderate or low only 4 percent were high. 78 percent had necrosis. Out of the 25 patients with pure in which we practice none presented ganglion disease and out of the 21 patients with mic, 9.52 percent presented ganglion metastasis. 2 percent had local recurrence, both of them with invasive disease, one 52 months the other one at 58 month from surgery. One didn´t received radiation. Both were treated with rescue mastectomy. There was no death diseases related. Adequate and good management of cases results related to disease free survival and overall survival. We can classify sub group of patients in which may avoid radiation without increasing the risk of mortality.

Tumor necrosis factor: renaissance as a cancer therapeutic?

Since the discovery of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, researchers have pursued many approaches to harness the potency of TNF-alpha and TNF superfamily members to treat human cancers. Several ligands of the TNF superfamily, including TNF-alpha, lymphotoxin, FAS ligand (FasL), and APO2 ligand/TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Apo2L/TRAIL) have been tested in various stages of clinical research for their anti-tumor efficacy. Moreover, several antibodies to TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily members are now being explored as cancer therapeutics. Due to the toxicity associated with delivering TNF-alpha systemically at clinically relevant doses, more targeted methods are now seen as a likely alternative to provide a localized therapeutically effective dose of TNF-alpha. In this review we revisit historical attempts to use TNF-alpha to treat human cancer, and put this into the context of more recent targeted strategies to circumvent TNF-alpha's systemic toxicity. We will attempt to integrate the results of pre-clinical and clinical trials with a concise synopsis of the TNF-alpha signaling network, with the goal of reconciling our understanding of how the cell biology and tumor biology mechanistically relate.

CTLA-4.FasL inhibits allogeneic responses in vivo.

CTLA-4.Fas ligand (CTLA-4.FasL), a paradigmatic 'trans signal converter protein (TSCP)', can attach to APC (via CTLA-4 binding to B7) and direct intercellular inhibitory signals to responding T cells (via FasL binding to Fas receptor), converting an activating APC-to-T cell signal into an inhibitory one. Our previous studies established that CTLA-4.FasL inhibits human primary mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and induces alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness ex vivo. The present study extends this to an in vivo context. Using splenocytes from MHC-mismatched C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice, we demonstrated that his(6)CTLA-4.FasL, effectively inhibits murine MLR. Moving in vivo, we demonstrated that subcutaneously administered his(6)CTLA-4.FasL modulates the in vivo response of infused allogeneic splenocytes. his(6)CTLA-4.FasL reduces the number of cells in each cell division, and increases the percentage of dead cells in each division. These findings are consistent with an antigen-induced cell death of the alloreactive cells, and bolsters recombinant TCSP promise as a therapeutic for transplantation diseases.

Increased vulnerability of pre-existing atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice following adenovirus-mediated Fas ligand gene transfer.

OBJECTIVE: The death receptor Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) are present in human advanced atherosclerotic plaques. The activation of the Fas/FasL pathway of apoptosis has been implicated in plaque vulnerability. In the present study, we investigated whether overexpression of FasL in pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions can induce lesion remodelling and rupture-related events. METHODS AND RESULTS: Carotid atherogenesis was initiated in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice by placement of a perivascular silastic collar. The resulting plaques were incubated transluminally with recombinant adenovirus carrying FasL (Ad-FasL, lateral) or control beta-galactosidase (Ad-LacZ, contralateral). Transfection was restricted to the smooth muscle cell-rich cap of the plaque, and FasL expression led to a three-fold increase in apoptosis in the cap one day after gene transfer. Three days after gene transfer, FasL expression led to a 38% reduction in the number of cap cells. Two weeks after Ad-FasL transfer, non-thrombotic rupture, intra-plaque haemorrhage, buried caps and iron deposits were observed in 6 out of 17 Ad-FasL-treated carotid arteries versus 0 out of 17 controls (P=0.009), indicative of enhanced plaque vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that advanced murine plaques are sensitive to Fas/FasL-induced apoptosis, which may indicate that stimulation of this pathway could result in plaque remodelling towards a more vulnerable phenotype.

Targeting fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14 signaling protects from chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a TNF family member mediating proinflammatory effects by its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14 (Fn14). We studied the role of TWEAK/Fn14 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by protein vaccination with TWEAK and Fn14 and recombinant TWEAK-DNA, respectively. TWEAK-DNA vaccination worsened the clinical course of EAE and increased central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. TWEAK increased the secretion of CCL2 [monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)] by CNS endothelial cells and astrocytes in vitro, suggesting CCL2 as a critical mediator of TWEAKs proinflammatory effects. Vaccination with the extracellular domain of TWEAK or with Fn14 resulted in the induction of specific inhibitory antibodies and an amelioration of EAE signs in two different models in rats and mice. Spinal cord inflammatory infiltrates were significantly diminished. Purified IgG from TWEAK- or Fn14-vaccinated rats prevented TWEAK-induced production of CCL2 by endothelial cells. Blocking Fn14 signaling represents a novel approach with potential for the treatment of CNS autoimmunity.

Current concepts in the therapy of the spondyloarthritides.

Recent success in the treatment of patients with the more severe forms of spondyloarthritides (SpA) has dramatically changed old paradigms. There is evidence that anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy is highly effective in SpA, especially in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis. Based on recent data on more than 1000 patients with AS and psoriatic arthritis, this treatment seems to be even more effective than in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The currently available anti-TNFalpha agents, infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab, are approved for the treatment of RA in the US and in Europe. TNFalpha blockers may even be considered as a first-line treatment in patients with active AS whose condition is not sufficiently controlled with NSAIDs, as in the case of axial disease. There is preliminary evidence that both agents also work in other SpA, such as undifferentiated SpA. There is hope that ankylosis may be preventable, but it remains to be shown whether patients benefit from long-term anti-TNFalpha therapy and whether radiologic progression and ankylosis can be stopped. Furthermore, it seems that anti-TNFalpha therapy can also improve clinical manifestations of other inflammatory spinal disorders, such as sciatica and back pain caused by disc herniation, or possibly even intermittent inflammatory states of degenerative disc disease. Severe adverse events from treatment with anti-TNFalpha continue to be rare. Tuberculosis can be largely prevented by appropriate screening. As it stands now, the benefits of anti-TNFalpha therapy in AS seem to outweigh the shortcomings.