Publications (103) View all
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Article: High blood levels of chromogranin A in giant cell arteritis identify patients refractory to corticosteroid treatment.
Annals of the rheumatic diseases 03/2009; 68(2):293-5. · 8.11 Impact Factor -
Article: Vδ1+ Gamma/Delta T Lymphocytes Infiltrating Human Lung Cancer Express the CD8α/α Homodimer
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ABSTRACT: Murine γ/δ T lymphocytes localize to different epithelial tissues and are phenotypically distinct from peripheral γ/δ T cell-populations in that they show limited TCR diversity, express the CD8 α/α homodimer and lack the CD8β chain. In humans, a compartmentalization of γ/δ cells sharing similar phenotypic features has been documented to date only in the case of intestinal epithelium. In the present study we show that about half of Vδ1+ (as well as Vδ1−Vδ2−) γ/δ lymphocytes, which can be selectively expanded from human lung cancers, coexpress the CD8α/α homodimer. The accumulation of intraepithelial CD8+γ/δ+ lymphocytes might then be a more general phenomenon, possibly as a result of common mechanisms operating at those sites.Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 06/2006; 40(3):363 - 367. · 2.23 Impact Factor -
Article: Neurological involvement in rheumatological diseases.
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ABSTRACT: Rheumatological diseases can involve the central and the peripheral nervous system in many ways. Every structure-the brain, meninges, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves-can be affected. Early recognition of neurological abnormality can help achieving diagnosis of the underlying condition and prevent permanent sensorimotor or cognitive function loss. This review focuses on the clinical presentation of the neurological involvement in rheumatological diseases.Neurological Sciences 06/2005; 26 Suppl 1:S9-14. · 1.32 Impact Factor -
Article: Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5' and 3' ends of the osteopontin gene contribute to susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus.
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ABSTRACT: To test the association of osteopontin (OPN) polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The coding 5' and 3' flanking regions of the OPN gene were scanned for polymorphisms by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. A case-control association study was performed in 394 Italian SLE patients and 479 matched controls. OPN serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients and 124 controls, and the mean levels were compared between the different OPN genotypes. Among the 13 detected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), alleles -156G (frequency 0.714 versus 0.651; P = 0.006, corrected P [P(corr)] = 0.036) and +1239C (0.377 versus 0.297; P = 0.00094, P(corr) = 0.0056) were significantly increased in the SLE patients compared with the controls. The presence of the associated allele in single or double dose conferred an odds ratio (OR) of 2.35 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.38-4.02) for SNP -156 and an OR of 1.57 (95% CI 1.16-2.13) for SNP +1239. These effects were independent of each other, i.e., not a consequence of linkage disequilibrium between the 2 alleles. The risk associated with a double dose of susceptibility alleles at both SNPs was 3.8-fold higher (95% CI 2.0-7.4) relative to the complete absence of susceptibility alleles. With regard to individual clinical and immunologic features, a significant association was seen between lymphadenopathy and -156 genotypes (overall P = 0.0011, P(corr) = 0.046). A significantly increased OPN serum level was detected in healthy individuals carrying +1239C (P = 0.002), which is indicative of an association between the SLE susceptibility allele and OPN levels. These data suggest the independent effect of a promoter (-156) and a 3'-untranslated region (+1239) SNP in SLE susceptibility. We can speculate that these sequence variants (or others in perfect linkage disequilibrium) create a predisposition to high production of OPN, and that this in turn may confer susceptibility to SLE.Arthritis & Rheumatism 03/2005; 52(2):539-47. · 7.87 Impact Factor -
Article: Takayasu's arteritis: A study of 104 Italian patients.
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ABSTRACT: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare vasculitis. The Italian Takayasu's Arteritis study group was established with the aim to describe a large cohort of patients. Data were collected by means of an ad hoc form. Demographic information, clinical history, vascular findings, treatment, risk factors, and comorbidities were analyzed. Data of 104 patients were collected. The median delay in diagnosis was 15.5 months (range 0-325 months). Age at onset <15 years was associated with a higher probability, whereas elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate with a lower probability, of a delay in diagnosis. The majority of patients experienced nonspecific signs and symptoms indicative of an inflammatory disease in the early phase. Among vascular involvement, stenosis was the most frequent lesion, being present in 93% of patients, followed by occlusion (57%), dilatation (16%), and aneurysm (7%). Glucocorticoids were the mainstay of treatment in our series; however, treatment with cytotoxic agents was required in about half of the patients. Fifty-two patients underwent at least 1 surgical procedure. The main indications for intervention were renal vascular hypertension, cerebral hypoperfusion, and limb claudication. As with many rare diseases, delay in diagnosis is an important issue for patients with TA. The increasing occurrence of vascular lesions along with the disease progression put to question the long-term effectiveness of contemporary treatment. These data may be helpful in increasing physicians' awareness to prevent diagnosis delay, update guidelines, and plan future research projects.Arthritis & Rheumatism 02/2005; 53(1):100-7. · 7.87 Impact Factor
