Publications (2)7.38 Total impact
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Article: Increased serum levels of a proliferation-inducing ligand in patients with bullous pemphigoid.
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ABSTRACT: B cells have been demonstrated to have critical roles in developing autoimmune bullous diseases. Recently identified tumor necrosis factor-like molecules, B cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are essential molecules for B cell development, survival, and proliferation. Although the functions of APRIL have not been fully evaluated, recent studies suggest that circulating levels of APRIL are increased in various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. To determine serum APRIL levels in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP), and compare those with clinical findings and laboratory findings. Sera from 15 PV patients, 43 BP patients, and 15 normal controls were subjected to ELISA assays to measure serum APRIL, BAFF, Dsg3, and BP180 levels. Circulating APRIL levels were significantly elevated in BP patients but not in PV patients, and correlated with serum BAFF levels. Our study revealed that serum APRIL levels tended to be increased in the quite early stage of disease. In conclusion, circulating APRIL levels may be a useful marker for early activation of autoimmune diathesis, and furthermore, an effective therapeutic target molecule in patients with BP.Journal of Dermatological Science 05/2007; 46(1):53-60. · 3.72 Impact Factor -
Article: Serum chemokine profile in patients with bullous pemphigoid.
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ABSTRACT: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease causing blister formation at the dermoepidermal junction. Cutaneous infiltration of activated CD4+ T cells and eosinophils is an early event in blister formation during the disease process, suggesting that the trafficking of circulating leucocytes through the sites of inflammation is crucial in the pathogenesis of the disease. While the accumulated evidence suggests that some cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis, there have been few reports about serum chemokine profiles in patients with BP. To determine serum profiles of various chemokines and their clinical association in patients with BP. Concentrations of 10 chemokines - interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monokine induced by IFN-gamma (MIG), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, eotaxin, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and growth-regulated oncogene-alpha- were measured in serum samples from 38 patients with BP, 16 with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and 17 normal controls using a sandwich immunoassay-based multiplex protein array system. While there was no significant increase in any serum chemokine levels in patients with PV, serum levels of IP-10 and MCP-1 were significantly increased in patients with BP compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, serum levels of IP-10, MIG, MCP-1 and eotaxin in patients with BP increased significantly with disease severity as determined by the area affected. These observations suggest that an elaborately orchestrated network of chemokines, especially MCP-1 and IP-10, contributes to the pathomechanism of BP.British Journal of Dermatology 04/2007; 156(3):454-9. · 3.67 Impact Factor
