| 1. |
- Jönsson, Göran, et al.
(författare)
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Rheumatological manifestations, organ damage and autoimmunity in hereditary C2 deficiency.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Rheumatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 46:7, s. 1133-1139
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To analyse rheurnatological manifestations, organ damage and autoimmune responses in a large cohort of patients (n = 45) with homozygous C2 deficiency (C2D) and long-term follow-up. Methods. Medical records were reviewed and were supplemented with a mailed questionnaire for assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Organ damage was evaluated using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR DI). Causes for disability pensions were investigated. Autoantibodies were determined with established methods. Results. Patients with rheurnatological diseases had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 12), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (n=5) or vasculitis (n=3). Judging from annual SLICC/ACR DI, C2D patients with SLE run a similar risk of development of severe disease as other patients with SLE. An increased rate of CVD was observed not explained by Framingham-related risk factors. Disability pensions were mainly related to rheurnatological disease. The prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies in C2D with SLE and of anti-SS-A was 25% while anti-RNP was found in 45%. Only one patient showed antibodies to dsDNA. Formation of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) appeared to be increased in C2D despite the absence of an anti-phosphol ipid syndrome. The prevalence of antibodies to the collagen-like region of C1q (C1qCLR) was also remarkably high and was not related to rheumatological manifestations. Conclusions. Severity of SLE in C2D is similar to that of SLE in other patients. Conventional risk factors do not explain the occurrence of CVD in C2D. The high prevalence of aCL and anti-C1qCLR indicates mechanisms through which impaired complement function promotes formation of autoantibodies.
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| 2. |
- Marquart, Hanne Vibeke, et al.
(författare)
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C1q deficiency in an Inuit family: Identification of a new class of C1q disease-causing mutations
- 2007
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Ingår i: Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1521-6616. ; 124:1, s. 33-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- C1q deficiency is a rare condition associated with a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like syndrome and recurrent infections. Here we present the molecular basis behind C1q deficiency in three sisters of Inuit origin. Initial examination for complement deficiency showed no function of the classical complement activation pathway in the patients; the lectin and alternative pathways were intact. No C1q or tow molecular weight Clq was detected in sera and no anti-C1q autoantibodies were found. Sequencing of the C1q genes revealed a novel missense mutation (Gly-Arg) in codon 217 of the B chain. All sisters were homozygous for the mutation: both parents were heterozygous. None of 100 healthy controls carried the mutation. Our findings define a third class of molecular mechanisms behind C1q deficiency, where missense mutations cause a lack of detectable C1q-antigen in serum. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. ALL rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Vaziri-Sani, Fariba, et al.
(författare)
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Phenotypic expression of factor H mutations in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
- 2006
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Ingår i: Kidney International. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0085-2538 .- 1523-1755. ; 69:6, s. 981-988
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated the phenotypic expression of factor H mutations in two patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Factor H in serum was assayed by rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunoblotting, and double immunodiffusion and in tissue by immunohistochemistry. Functional activity was analyzed by hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes and binding to endothelial cells. A homozygous mutation in complement control protein (CCP) domain 10 of factor H was identified in an adult man who first developed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and later HUS. C3 levels were very low. The patient had undetectable factor H levels in serum and a weak factor H 150 kDa band. Double immunodiffusion showed partial antigenic identity with factor H in normal serum owing to the presence of factor H-like protein 1. Strong specific labeling for factor H was detected in glomerular endothelium, mesangium and in glomerular and tubular epithelium as well as in bone marrow cells. A heterozygous mutation in CCP 20 of factor H was found in a girl with HUS. C3 levels were moderately decreased at onset. Factor H levels were normal and a normal 150 kDa band was present. Double immunodiffusion showed antigenic identity with normal factor H. Factor H labeling was minimal in the renal cortex. Factor H dysfunction was demonstrated by increased sheep erythrocyte hemolysis and decreased binding to endothelial cells. In summary, two different factor H mutations associated with HUS were examined: in one, factor H accumulated in cells, and in the other, membrane binding was reduced.
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| 4. |
- Amano, Mariane T, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic analysis of complement C1s deficiency associated with systemic lupus erythernatosus highlights alternative splicing of normal C1s gene
- 2008
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Ingår i: Molecular Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-9142 .- 0161-5890. ; 45:6, s. 1693-1702
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Deficiencies of complement proteins of the classical pathway are strongly associated with the development of autoimmune diseases. Deficiency of Clr has been observed to occur concomitantly with deficiency in Cls and 9 out of 15 reported cases presented systemic lupus erythernatosus (SLE). Here, we describe a family in which all four children are deficient in Cls but only two of them developed SLE. Hemolytic activity mediated by the alternative and the lectin pathways were normal, but classical pathway activation was absent in all children's sera. Cls was undetectable, while in the parents' sera it was lower than in the normal controls. The levels of Clr observed in the siblings and parents sera were lower than in the control, while the concentrations of other complement proteins (C3, C4, MBL and MASP-2) were normal in all family members. Impairment of Cls synthesis was observed in the patients' fibroblasts when analyzed by confocal microscopy. We show that all four siblings are homozygous for a mutation at position 938 in exon 6 of the Cls cDNA that creates a premature stop codon. Our investigations led us to reveal the presence of previously uncharacterized splice variants of Cls mRNA transcripts in normal human cells. These variants are derived from the skipping of exon 3 and from the use of an alternative 3' splice site within intron I which increases the size of exon 2 by 87 nucleotides.
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| 5. |
- Bengtsson, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Fluorescence lidar imaging of fungal growth on high-voltage outdoor composite insulators
- 2005
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Ingår i: Optics and Lasers in Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0143-8166 .- 1873-0302. ; 43:6, s. 624-632
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Remote fluorescence imaging of fungal growth on polymeric high-voltage insulators was performed using a mobile lidar system with a laser wavelength of 355 nm. Insulator areas contaminated by fungal growth could be distinguished from clean surfaces and readily be imaged. The experiments were supported by detailed spectral studies performed in laboratory using a fibre-optic fluorosensor incorporating an optical multi-channel analyser system (OMA) and a nitrogen laser emitting radiation at 33 7 nm.
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| 6. |
- C Kapetanovic, Meliha, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of methotrexate, TNF blockers and prednisolone on antibody responses to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Rheumatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 45:1, s. 106-111
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To compare antibody responses to 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax (R)) in controls and patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with TNF blockers, methotrexate (MTX) or a combination of both. Methods. Patients with RA (n = 149) and healthy controls (n = 47) were vaccinated. Treatment with TNF blockers (etanercept or infliximab) and MTX was given to 50 patients, and 62 patients were treated with TNF blockers alone or with other DMARDs. MTX alone was given to 37 patients. Concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides 23F and 6B were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay before and 4-6 weeks after vaccination. An immune response was defined as a twofold or higher increase in antibody concentration following vaccination. Results. Prevaccination antibody levels for both 23F and 6B were similar in the patient groups. Antibody concentrations after vaccination increased significantly in all groups. Patients treated with TNF blockers without MTX showed better immune responses than those treated with TNF blockers in combination with MTX (P = 0.037 for 23F and P = 0.004 for 6B) or MTX alone (P < 0.001 for both 23F and 6B). RA patients given MTX alone had the lowest immune responses. Prednisolone treatment did not influence the responses. Conclusions. Patients treated with TNF blockers and controls showed similar responses to vaccination. In contrast, patients treated with MTX had reduced responses regardless of anti-TNF treatment. The findings do not argue against the use of pneumococcal vaccination in RA patients undergoing treatment with TNF blockers.
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| 7. |
- Engvall, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Poverty in Rural Cambodia : The Differentiated Impact of Linkages, Inputs and Access to Land
- 2008
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Ingår i: Asian Economic Papers. - : MIT Press - Journals. - 1535-3516 .- 1536-0083. ; 7:2, s. 74-95
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cambodia has been growing rapidly over the past few years, but remains one of the poorest countries in East Asia. This paper analyzes rural poverty in Cambodia to identify the factors that explain its occurrence and persistence. The reduction of rural poverty in Cambodia requires (1) improvements in agricultural productivity and (2) the establishment of other income-earning opportunities for the rural population. Our econometric investigation of the 2004 Cambodian Socio-Economic Survey shows that the main causes of poverty differ between landowners and the landless, and between different regions. Increasing inputs to agriculture (e.g., fertilizers) is critical to increasing the welfare of landowning poor, and linkages with the rest of the economy are of vital importance to both landowners and the landless poor.
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| 8. |
- Genel, F, et al.
(författare)
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Complement factor I deficiency associated with recurrent infections, vasculitis and immune complex glomerulonephritis
- 2005
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-1980 .- 0036-5548. ; 37:8, s. 615-618
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here we report complement factor I deficiency in an 11-y-old girl from a consanguineous Turkish family, who presented with recurrent pyogenic infections, vasculitic eruptions and immune complex glomerulonephritis. A moderately low C3 level together with the clinical picture suggested a deficiency affecting regulation of complement activation. Analysis of haemolytic activity revealed absence of alternative pathway activity and subsequent analysis showed no detectable factor I (<2%) together with a low level of factor B and a moderately low level of factor H, indicating consumption secondary to the factor I deficiency. Factor I inhibits complement activation beyond C3 by cleavage of C3b in the presence of cofactors. Complement factor I deficiency is frequently associated with recurrent pyogenic infections mainly affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract, or presenting as meningitis or septicaemia, while rheumatic disorders have not been a prominent feature. The patient's sister also suffered from recurrent pyogenic infections and had a low C3 level clearly suggesting the same deficiency.
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| 9. |
- Genel, Ferah, et al.
(författare)
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Properdin deficiency in a boy with fulminant meningococcal septic shock
- 2006
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Ingår i: Acta Pædiatrica. - : Wiley. - 1651-2227 .- 0803-5253. ; 95:11, s. 1498-1500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bacterial meningitis is a rare presentation for congenital immunodeficiency, but meningococcal invasive diseases and meningitis have been associated with late complement component deficiencies and properdin deficiency. A 5(1)/(2)-y-old boy of non-consanguineous parents was admitted to our hospital with meningococcal septic shock. He had previously been suffering from recurrent respiratory infections. His 13-y-old brother had also been treated for meningococcal meningitis when he was 7 y old. Immunological studies, done after recovery, on the patient and his two brothers revealed normal immunoglobulin, IgG subclasses, C3, C4 and CH50 levels. Haemolytic activity of the alternative complement pathway could not be detected, and properdin concentrations were < 0.01 mg/l in serum samples from the patient and his brothers. The patient and family members received quadrivalent polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine. The patient was discharged on penicillin prophylaxis, and he remained healthy during the ensuing year. Conclusion: Our findings stress that measurement of the haemolytic activity of the alternative complement pathway in addition to classical pathway haemolytic complement activity should be performed in patients with meningococcal disease to reveal various forms of complement deficiency. This is particularly important when there is a family history, or recurrences or infection due to uncommon serogroups. Deficient individuals and affected family members might be protected from infection by vaccination.
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| 10. |
- Gummesson, Anders, 1973, et al.
(författare)
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Relations of Adipose Tissue Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-like Effector A Gene Expression to Basal Metabolic Rate, Energy Restriction and Obesity: Population-based and Dietary Intervention Studies.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 92:12, s. 4759-65
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A (CIDEA) could be a potential target for the treatment of obesity via the modulation of metabolic rate, based on the findings that CIDEA inhibits the brown adipose tissue uncoupling process in rodents. Objective: To investigate the putative link between CIDEA and basal metabolic rate in humans, and to further elucidate the role of CIDEA in human obesity. Design: We have explored CIDEA gene expression in adipose tissue in two different human studies: A cross-sectional and population-based study assessing body composition and metabolic rate (Mölndal Metabolic study, n=92), and a longitudinal intervention-study of obese subjects treated with a very low calorie diet (VLCD study, n=24). Results: The CIDEA gene was predominantly expressed in adipocytes as compared to other human tissues. CIDEA gene expression in adipose tissue was inversely associated with basal metabolic rate independently of body composition, age and gender (p=0.014). VLCD induced an increase in adipose tissue CIDEA expression (p<0.0001) with a subsequent decrease in response to refeeding (p<0.0001). Reduced CIDEA gene expression was associated with a high body fat content (p<0.0001) and with high insulin levels (p<0.01). No dysregulation of CIDEA expression was observed in individuals with the metabolic syndrome when compared with BMI-matched controls. In a separate sample of VLCD-treated subjects (n=10), uncoupling protein 1 expression was reduced during diet (p=0.0026) and inversely associated with CIDEA expression (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The findings are consistent with the concept that CIDEA plays a role in adipose tissue energy expenditure.
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