Th17 cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22 modulate distinct inflammatory and keratinocyte-response pathways.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disease mediated by Th1 and Th17 cytokines, yet the relative contribution of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22 on disease pathogenesis is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we sought to identify the cytokines produced by skin-resident T cells in normal skin, localize the receptors for these cytokines, and examine how these cytokines alter gene expression profiles of the cells bearing cognate receptors. METHODS: We used intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry to evaluate T cell cytokine production, and immunohistochemistry and double-label immunofluorescence to localize cytokine receptors in skin. Gene array analysis of cytokine-treated keratinocytes was performed using moderated paired t-test controlling for false discovery rate using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. RESULTS: We demonstrate that T-helper cells producing IL-17, IL-22 and/or IFN-gamma, as well as the cells bearing cognate cytokine receptors, are present in normal human skin. Keratinocytes stimulated with IL-17 expressed chemokines that were different from those induced by IFN-gamma, probably contributing to the influx of neutrophils, dendritic cells and memory T cells into the psoriatic lesion. In contrast, IL-22 downregulated genes associated with keratinocyte differentiation and caused epidermal alterations in an organotypic skin model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Th17 cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 mediate distinct downstream pathways that contribute to the psoriatic phenotype: IL-17 is more proinflammatory, while IL-22 retards keratinocyte differentiation.

[Total parenteral nutrition. Analysis of the results of 144 treated cases]. / Nutrizione parenterale totale. Analisi dei risultati su 144 casi trattati.

Of 144 patients treated with T.P.N. in the period 1-5-1987/30-9-1988, 128 have been to have an operation. Their survival at the time of the removal, the post-operating mortality, the average stay in hospital, have been compared with those of other 128 patients non-treated with T.P.N., suffering from similar pathologies and who had operation of the same kind. The obtained results have stressed in the patients treated with T.P.N. as in those who had not, a survival at the time of the removal of 75% contrary to 62.5%, a post-operating mortality of 25% contrary to 37.5%, an average post-operative stay in hospital of 13 days contrary to 15 days. The statistical elaboration executed with chi 2's test with Yates' correction, provided 0.25 less than P greater than 0.50, so data non particularly meaningful. In our casuistry the percentage of surviving in the patients treated with T.P.N. as to those not treated, is nevertheless, very encouraging; furthermore, we most think that only by taking advantage of T.P.N. has been possible to extend the operability to patients that in the past because of well on years, or because of dangerous surgical illnesses joined to dismetabolic and cardiovascular diseases, were judged not operable.

[Various epidemiological data on breast cancer in the north-west Canavese area]. / Alcuni dati epidemiologici del carcinoma mammario nel Canavese nord-occidentale.

A retrospective epidemiological investigation has been conducted on nipple cancer cases observed over the past 10 years in the hospital of Castellamonte and Cuorgné. The high percentage of advanced cases of breast cancer encountered indicates the need for facilities (accurate, wide-ranging information, a tracer unit etc.) to provide early and therefore useful treatment of breast cancer in the area in question.