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- Liu, Kui, et al.
(författare)
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Kallikrein genes are associated with lupus and glomerular basement membrane-specific antibody-induced nephritis in mice and humans
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Investigation. - 0021-9738 .- 1558-8238. ; 119:4, s. 911-923
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Immune-mediated nephritis contributes to disease in systemic lupus erythematosus, Goodpasture syndrome (caused by antibodies specific for glomerular basement membrane [anti-GBM antibodies]), and spontaneous lupus nephritis. Inbred mouse strains differ in susceptibility to anti-GBM antibody-induced and spontaneous lupus nephritis. This study sought to clarify the genetic and molecular factors that maybe responsible for enhanced immune-mediated renal disease in these models. When the kidneys of 3 mouse strains sensitive to anti-GBM antibody-induced nephritis were compared with those of 2 control strains using microarray analysis, one-fifth of the underexpressed genes belonged to the kallikrein gene family,which encodes serine esterases. Mouse strains that upregulated renal and urinary kallikreins exhibited less evidence of disease. Antagonizing the kallikrein pathway augmented disease, while agonists dampened the severity of anti-GBM antibody-induced nephritis. In addition, nephritis-sensitive mouse strains had kallikrein haplotypes that were distinct from those of control strains, including several regulatory polymorphisms,some of which were associated with functional consequences. Indeed, increased susceptibility to anti-GBM antibody-induced nephritis and spontaneous lupus nephritis was achieved by breeding mice with a genetic interval harboring the kallikrein genes onto a disease-resistant background. Finally, both human SLE and spontaneous lupus nephritis were found to be associated with kallikrein genes, particularly KLK1 and the KLK3 promoter, when DNA SNPs from independent cohorts of SLE patients and controls were compared. Collectively, these studies suggest that kallikreins are protective disease-associated genes in anti-GBM antibody-induced nephritis and lupus.
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| 3. |
- Saussele, S., et al.
(författare)
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Klinische Forschung im „European LeukemiaNet”
- 2006
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Ingår i: Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0012-0472 .- 1439-4413. ; 131:43, s. 2423-2426
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Because of their mortality, morbidity and incidence in all age groups, leukemias represent a challenge and a cost factor for society. In research, they serve as models for a variety of diseases and have a pivotal function in basic research and for patient care. The European LeukemiaNet (ELN) is a EU funded Network of excellence. Its major goal is the construction of an exemplary cooperative leukemia network for the improvement of medical care and of health related research in acute and chronic leukemias. This is achieved by improved mechanisms of cooperation among 78 national leukemia study groups and their 83 interdisciplinary partner groups that deal with the leukemias in research and in patient care in 22 countries. The network integrates about 1000 researchers in 125 participating institutions. In practice, cooperation between clinical and research groups is mediated by various instruments that improve communication, flow of information and interdisciplinary cooperation, and also increase information transfer from top research institutions to clinical translation. The improved cooperation and the accelerated information transfer from the „bench to the bedside” results in a better patient care that ultimately results in improved survival of patients and in superior competitiveness of involved research workers and clinicians. The major goals are: Establishing common information and communication structures, Creation of European networks for each leukemia Establishing European platforms for each inter-disciplinary speciality Performing clinical trials on an European level Establishing European leukemia registries Developing common definitions and standards Developing guidelines and meta-analyses Spread of excellence To reach these goals the network is organized in 17 Workpackages (WPs) each of which is subdivided into several components and deliverables. The WPs represent central services, set up European networks for each major leukemia or related syndrome and interdisciplinary European platforms for diagnostic specialities, and support treatment research, registries, meta-analyses and guidelines. After the second year of networking, the main structures concerning management, communication and information of the ELN have been established and consolidated. Web-based information is available on the central website (www.leukemia-net.org). Communication is accomplished through annual symposia, regular network and WP-meetings (nearly 60 in 2005), website, and the biannual newsletters. A central randomization service and registries are available for distinct leukemia entities, and a prototype of the electronic data capture facility service has been implemented. Several studies were initiated and are ongoing on a European level. Nearly all WPs have prepared or are preparing guidelines or consensus papers, e. g. guidelines on CML therapy, definitions for transplantation associated microangiopathy (TAM), therapy of infections in leukemias, harmonization of molecular monitoring in CML and a consensus on microarray-technology based diagnostics in leukemias. The main goals of the second funding period have been achieved, and thus the ELN is well prepared for further progress in its goals to improve diagnosis and treatment of the leukemias.
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- Seifahrt, A., et al.
(författare)
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Observation and modelling of dusty, low gravity L, and M dwarfs
- 2009
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Ingår i: COOL STARS, STELLAR SYSTEMS AND THE SUN: Proceedings of the 15th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems and the Sun. - : AIP. - 9780735406278 ; , s. 283-290
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Observational facilities allow now the detection of optical and IR spectra of young M- and L-dwarfs. This enables empirical comparisons with old M- and L- dwarfs, and detailed studies in comparison with synthetic spectra. While classical stellar atmosphere physics seems perfectly appropriate for old M-dwarfs, more physical and chemical processes, cloud formation in particular, needs to be modelled in the substellar regime to allow a detailed spectral interpretation. Not much is known so far about the details of the inset of cloud formation at the spectral transition region between M and L dwarfs. Furthermore there is observational evidence for diversity in the dust properties of objects having the same spectral type. Do we understand these differences? The question is also how young M- and L-dwarfs need to be classified, which stellar parameter do they have and whether degenerations in the stellar parameter space due to the changing atmosphere physics are present, like in the L-T transition region. The Splinter was driven by these questions which we will use to encourage interactions between observation and theory. Given the recent advances, both in observations and spectral modelling, an intensive discussion between observers and theoreticians will create new synergies in our field.
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| 10. |
- Yu, X., et al.
(författare)
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Association of UCP2 - 866 G/A polymorphism with chronic inflammatory diseases
- 2009
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Ingår i: Genes and Immunity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1466-4879 .- 1476-5470. ; 10:6, s. 601-605
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We reported earlier that two mitochondrial gene polymorphisms, UCP2 -866 G/A (rs659366) and mtDNA nt13708 G/A (rs28359178), are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we aim to investigate whether these functional polymorphisms contribute to other eight chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Wegener' granulomatosis (WG), Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and psoriasis. Compared with individual control panels, the UCP2 -866 G/A polymorphism was associated with RA and SLE, and the mtDNA nt13708 G/A polymorphism with RA. Compared with combined controls, the UCP2 -866 G/A polymorphism was associated with SLE, WG, CD and UC. When all eight disease panels and the original MS panel were combined in a meta-analysis, the UCP2 was associated with chronic inflammatory diseases in terms of either alleles (odds ratio (OR)=0.91, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.86-0.96), P=0.0003) or genotypes (OR=0.88, (95% CI: 0.82-0.95), P=0.0008), with the -866A allele associated with a decreased risk to diseases. As the -866A allele increases gene expression, our findings suggest a protective role of the UCP2 protein in chronic inflammatory diseases.
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