Annexin A1 and its receptor gene polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus in the Tunisian population

Clinical Rheumatology - An association between ANXA1, FPR1 and FPR2 gene polymorphisms and the patho-physiology of many human diseases was suggested by numerous studies. Our study aimed to evaluate...     

Altered steroidogenic activity of human granulosa-lutein cells at different cell densities in culture

In the present study, the relationship between human granulosa-lutein cell (hGLC)-plating density and steroidogenic activity was evaluated. Increasing hGLC-plating density 32-fold, from 0.25 × 10⁴ to 8 × 10⁴ cells/well, was associated with a concomitant increase in the total amount of progesterone (P₄), testosterone (T), and estradiol-17β (E₂) secretion. The daily amount of each steroid (P₄, T, and E₂) secreted by hGLC at different cell-plating densities was further normalized per 10³ cells. Thus, an increase in hGLC-plating density from 0.25 × 10⁴ to 1 × 10⁴ cells/well was associated with approximate increases of 1.3-fold in P₄ and 3-fold in T and a 50% decrease in E₂ secretion, per 10³ cells. A further increase in hGLC-plating density, from 1 × 10⁴ to 8 × 10⁴ cells/well, was associated with a significant decrease of approximately 3.7-fold in P₄ and 6-fold in T per 10³ cells. A similar increase in hGLC-plating density was associated with no change or a 2-fold decrease, per 10³ cells, in E₂ secretion during days 0–3 or days 3–5 of culture, respectively. The P₄/E₂ ratio was increased and the E₂/T ratio decreased with extension of the culture period. These two ratios had a tendency to be altered inversely, concurrent with the increase in cell-plating densities. At 1−2 × 10⁴ cells/well, P₄/E₂ was maximal, whereas E₂/T was minimal. Addition of human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to the culture medium caused a significant increase in E₂ secretion, mainly at the lower cell-plating density of 0.25−1 × 10⁴ cells/well. Furthermore, addition of hFSH or hCG increased hGLC-P₄ secretion at 1−2 × 10⁴ cells/well and at higher cell-plating densities. This study indicates that basal as well as hFSH- or hCG-stimulated secretion of P₄ and E₂ per 10³ cells is altered at different hGLC-plating densities. Collectively, it seems that under the culture conditions employed in this study, at 2−4 × 10⁴ cells/well, hGLC manifests a more luteinized state than at lower (0.25 × 10³ and 0.5 × 10³ cells/well) or higher (8 × 10³ cells/well) cell-plating densities.     

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in spondyloarthritis patients

Aim of the work

To assess the frequency and severity of peripheral enthesitis in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) in B mode associated with power Doppler (PD) compared to a group of patients with mechanical low back pain (M-LBP).

Osteoarticular manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults: a literature review

Clinical Rheumatology - Osteoarticular manifestations such as arthritis and bone pain are scarce among adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We present a systematic review of...     

Enteroviruses and type 1 diabetes: towards a better understanding of the relationship

Environmental factors, especially viruses, are involved in the initiation or the acceleration of type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis. Epidemiological data strongly suggest that enteroviruses, such as coxsackievirus B4 (CV‐B4), can be associated with T1D. It has been demonstrated that enterovirus infections were significantly more prevalent in at risk individuals, such as siblings of diabetic patients, when they developed anti‐β‐cell autoantibodies or T1D, and in recently diagnosed diabetic patients, compared with control subjects. The isolation of CV‐B4 from the pancreas of diabetic patients strengthened the hypothesis of a relationship between the virus and the disease. Studies performed in vitro and in vivo in animal models helped to discover mechanisms of the infection of pancreas and other tissues, potentially able to play a role in the pathogenesis of T1D. Interestingly, it cannot be excluded that enteroviruses behave as half‐devil half‐angel since experimental studies suggest that, in certain conditions, these agents would be able to protect individuals against the disease. All of the plausible mechanisms by which enterovirus may be related to T1D will be reviewed here. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poor work outcomes in patients with spondyloarthritis: causes,consequences, and solutions

Clinical Rheumatology - Spondyloarthritis (SpA) affects patients in the prime of their economic productivity and can cause loss of work productivity and unemployment. We aim to identify factors...