Publications (78) View all
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Article: Regulatory B cells suppress imiquimod-induced, psoriasis-like skin inflammation.
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ABSTRACT: Psoriasis is an inflammatory cutaneous disorder characterized by marked epidermal thickening and Th1 and Th17 cell infiltration. At present, the contribution of B cells to the pathogenesis of psoriasis is unclear. In mice, topical application of imiquimod induces inflamed skin lesions and serves as an experimental animal model for human psoriasis. In this study, we showed that imiquimod-induced skin inflammation was more severe in CD19(-/-) than WT mice. These inflammatory responses were negatively regulated by a unique IL-10-producing CD1d(hi)CD5(+) regulatory B cell subset (B10 cells) that was absent in CD19(-/-) mice and represented only 1-2% of splenic B220(+) cells in WT mice. Splenic B10 cells entered the circulation and migrated to draining LNs during imiquimod-induced skin inflammation, thereby suppressing IFN-γ and IL-17 production. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of these B10 cells from WT mice reduced inflammation in CD19(-/-) mice. The present findings provide direct evidence that B10 cells regulate imiquimod-induced skin inflammation and offer insights into regulatory B cell-based therapies for the treatment of psoriasis.Journal of leukocyte biology 04/2013; · 4.99 Impact Factor -
Article: CD19 Expression in B Cells Regulates Atopic Dermatitis in a Mouse Model.
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ABSTRACT: Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory cutaneous disorder characterized by dry skin and relapsing eczematous skin lesions. Besides antibody production, the contribution of B cells to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is unclear. In mice, repeated epicutaneous sensitization with ovalbumin induces inflamed skin lesions resembling human atopic dermatitis and therefore serves as an experimental model for this condition. To investigate the role of B cells in a murine model of atopic dermatitis, ovalbumin-sensitized allergic skin inflammation was assessed in mice lacking CD19. In ovalbumin-sensitized skin from CD19-deficient mice, the number of eosinophils and CD4(+) T cells was reduced, and both epidermal and dermal thickening were decreased. Following in vitro stimulation with ovalbumin, CD19 deficiency significantly reduced the proliferation of CD4(+), but not CD8(+), T cells from spleen and draining lymph nodes. Furthermore, splenocytes and draining lymph node cells from ovalbumin-sensitized CD19-deficient mice secreted significantly less IL-4, IL-13, and IL-17 than ovalbumin-sensitized wild-type mice. These results suggest that CD19 expression in B cells plays a critical role in antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell proliferation and T helper 2 and 17 responses in a murine model of atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, the present findings may have implications for B-cell-targeted therapies for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.American Journal Of Pathology 04/2013; · 4.89 Impact Factor -
Article: Free concha flap for sensitive nasal reconstruction using the infraorbital artery and nerve as a recipient vessel and a recipient nerve.
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ABSTRACT: Free auricular flap transplantation is one of the treatments for nasal reconstruction. This report presents a case of nasal reconstruction where the infraorbital artery was used as a recipient vessel, and the infraorbital nerve as a recipient sensory nerve. A 75-year-old female underwent resection of malignant melanoma of the right nasal ala. A free ear concha flap was used for the reconstruction. The facial artery could not be found intraoperatively; instead, the infraorbital artery was identified and anastomosed with the posterior auricular artery. The great auricular nerve was coapted with the infraorbital nerve. The results of the sensory examination were the same as those of the unaffected side. This procedure not only achieves a good aesthetic outcome, but also restores sufficient sensory function. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.Microsurgery 04/2013; · 1.61 Impact Factor -
Article: An inverse correlation of serum angiogenin levels with estimated glomerular filtration rate in systemic sclerosis patients with renal dysfunction.
European journal of dermatology : EJD. 04/2013; -
Article: A possible contribution of visfatin to the resolution of skin sclerosis in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis via a direct anti-fibrotic effect on dermal fibroblasts and Th1 polarization of the immune response.
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ABSTRACT: Objective. Visfatin is a member of the adipocytokines with pro-fibrotic, pro-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties potentially implicated in the pathogenesis of certain fibrotic and inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the clinical significance of serum visfatin levels and its contribution to the developmental process in SSc.Methods. Serum visfatin levels were determined by a specific ELISA in 57 SSc patients and 19 healthy controls. The mRNA levels of target genes were determined in normal and SSc fibroblasts by real-time RT-PCR. The levels of IL-12p70 produced by THP-1 cells were measured by a specific ELISA.Results. Serum visfatin levels were comparable among total SSc, diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), limited cutaneous SSc and healthy controls. The only finding in a series of analyses regarding the correlation of serum visfatin levels with clinical symptoms and laboratory data was the significantly longer disease duration in dcSSc with elevated serum visfatin levels than in those with normal levels. Consistently, serum visfatin levels were significantly elevated in late-stage dcSSc (disease duration >6 years), but not in early and mid-stage dcSSc compared with healthy controls. In in vitro experiments, visfatin reversed the pro-fibrotic phenotype of SSc dermal fibroblasts and induced the expression of IL-12p70 in THP-1 cells treated with IFN-γ plus lipopolysaccharide.Conclusion. Visfatin may contribute to the resolution of skin sclerosis in late-stage dcSSc via a direct anti-fibrotic effect on dermal fibroblasts and Th1 polarization of the immune response.Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 02/2013; · 4.24 Impact Factor
