Autoimmunity reviews
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Autoimmunity reviews · Feb 2012
ReviewThe genomics of autoimmune disease in the era of genome-wide association studies and beyond.
Recent advances in the field of genetics have dramatically changed our understanding of autoimmune disease. Candidate gene and, more recently, genome-wide association (GWA) studies have led to an explosion in the number of loci and pathways known to contribute to autoimmune phenotypes. Since the 1970s, researchers have known that several alleles in the MHC region play a role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. ⋯ Future research will use next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to comprehensively evaluate the human genome for risk variants. Whole-transcriptome sequencing is now possible, which will provide much more detailed gene expression data. The dramatic drop in the cost and time required to sequence the entire human genome will ultimately make it possible for this technology to be used as a clinical diagnostic tool.
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Autoimmunity reviews · Dec 2011
ReviewVaccination in paediatric patients with auto-immune rheumatic diseases: a systemic literature review for the European League against Rheumatism evidence-based recommendations.
To analyze available evidence on vaccinations in paediatric patients with rheumatic and autoinflammatory diseases. This evidence formed the basis of the recently constructed European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for vaccination of these patients. ⋯ Data on safety and efficacy of vaccinations in paediatric patients with rheumatic diseases is reassuring, but too limited to draw definite conclusions. More research is needed on the safety and efficacy of especially live-attenuated vaccines in patients with rheumatic and autoinflammatory diseases using high dose immunosuppressive drugs.
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Autoimmunity reviews · Dec 2011
ReviewVaccination in paediatric patients with auto-immune rheumatic diseases: a systemic literature review for the European League against Rheumatism evidence-based recommendations.
To analyze available evidence on vaccinations in paediatric patients with rheumatic and autoinflammatory diseases. This evidence formed the basis of the recently constructed European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for vaccination of these patients. ⋯ Data on safety and efficacy of vaccinations in paediatric patients with rheumatic diseases is reassuring, but too limited to draw definite conclusions. More research is needed on the safety and efficacy of especially live-attenuated vaccines in patients with rheumatic and autoinflammatory diseases using high dose immunosuppressive drugs.
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Autoimmunity reviews · Dec 2011
ReviewInterferon regulatory factors: beyond the antiviral response and their link to the development of autoimmune pathology.
Abnormal production of interferon type I has been widely related to multiple autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It has been considered the molecular signature characterized by the overexpression of type I Interferon related genes in SLE patients. Among these, are the interferon regulatory factors (IRF). ⋯ However, evidence in humans is quite scant. This review will focus on the evidence that supports the role of IRF in the development or susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Specific emphasis will be made over the role of IRF-5 and IRF-7, since evidence of its association to the development of pathology, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus is the strongest.
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Autoimmunity reviews · Aug 2011
ReviewCellular players in angiogenesis during the course of systemic sclerosis.
Vascular endothelial injury in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) leads to pathological changes in the blood vessels that adversely impact the physiology of many organs, resulting in chronic tissue ischemia. The response to hypoxia induces complex cellular and molecular mechanisms in the attempt to recover endothelial cell function and tissue perfusion. The progressive losses of capillaries on one hand, and the vascular remodeling of arteriolar vessels on the other, result in insufficient blood flow, causing severe and chronic hypoxia. ⋯ Although hematopoietic endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) count in the peripheral blood of SSc patients is still a matter of controversy, alterations in mobilization process, an excessive immune-mediated EPC destruction in the peripheral circulation or in the bone marrow, a progressive depletion of EPCs following homing to ischemic tissues under persistent peripheral vascular injury, an intrinsic functional impairment could lead to poor vasculogenesis. Human mesenchymal stem cells represent an alternative source of endothelial progenitor cells and it has been observed that their angiogenic potential is reduced in SSc. Targeting autologous stem and progenitor cells could be an ideal tool to counteract and repair dysfunctional angiogenesis.