Cytokine & growth factor reviews
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Calprotectin represents an interesting peptide known to be involved in the pathophysiology of various inflammatory processes. Being secreted from activated neutrophils and monocytes under various conditions, it can also be found in the extracellular fluids and serve as a biomarker of ongoing inflammation, which property is currently used in the monitoring of inflammatory bowel diseases. ⋯ We assume that calprotectin may represent a useful marker in predicting the course of atherosclerotic process, coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes. Our review is focused on the importance of calprotectin in the diagnosis and prognostic stratification in the field of cardiometabolic risk.
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Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. · Feb 2014
ReviewDominance of the strongest: inflammatory cytokines versus glucocorticoids.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, and the excessive expression of many of them is normally counteracted by glucocorticoids (GCs), which are steroids that bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Hence, GCs are potent inhibitors of inflammation, and they are widely used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. However, despite the success of GC therapy, many patients show some degree of GC unresponsiveness, called GC resistance (GCR). ⋯ Treatment of inflammatory diseases with GCs is successful when GCs dominate. But when cytokines overrule the anti-inflammatory actions of GCs, patients become GC insensitive. New insights into the molecular mechanisms of GR-mediated actions and GCR are needed for the design of more effective GC-based therapies.
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Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. · Dec 2013
ReviewThe angiopoietin:Tie 2 interaction: a potential target for future therapies in human vascular disease.
Angiopoietin-1 and -2 are endogenous ligands for the vascular endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2. Signalling by angiopoietin-1 promotes vascular endothelial cell survival and the sprouting and reorganisation of blood vessels, as well as inhibiting activation of the vascular endothelial barrier to reduce leakage and leucocyte migration into tissues. Angiopoietin-2 generally has an opposing action, and is released naturally at times of vascular growth and inflammation. ⋯ Similarly, methods to inhibit the actions of angiopoietin-2 are emerging and have been demonstrated to be of preclinical and clinical benefit in reducing tumour angiogenesis. Here the author reviews the evidence for potential benefits of modulation of the interaction of angiopoietins with Tie2, and the potential applications. Additionally, methods for delivery of the complex protein angiopoietin-1 are discussed, as well as potentially deleterious consequences of administering angiopoietin-1.
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Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. · Jun 2013
ReviewThe BAFF/APRIL system: emerging functions beyond B cell biology and autoimmunity.
The BAFF system plays a key role in the development of autoimmunity, especially in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This often leads to the assumption that BAFF is mostly a B cell factor with a specific role in autoimmunity. ⋯ Far from being SLE-specific, the BAFF system has a much broader relevance in infection, cancer and allergy. In this review, we provide the latest views on additional roles of the BAFF system in health and diseases, as well as an update on BAFF and autoimmunity, with particular focus on current clinical trials.
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Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. · Feb 2013
ReviewMIF, CD74 and other partners in kidney disease: tales of a promiscuous couple.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is increased in kidney and urine during kidney disease. MIF binds to and activates CD74 and chemokine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4. CD74 is a protein trafficking regulator and a cell membrane receptor for MIF, D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT/MIF-2) and bacterial proteins. ⋯ MIF or CXCR2 targeting protects from experimental kidney injury, CD44 deficiency modulates kidney injury and CXCR4 activation promotes glomerular injury. However, the contribution of MIF or MIF-2 to these actions of MIF receptors has not been explored. The safety and efficacy of strategies targeting MIF, CD74, CD44 and CXCR4 are under study in humans.