• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 2018

Background: Detection of antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENAs) is needed for the diagnosis in systemic autoimmune diseases. In this study, we compared three reagents using line immunoblot assay (LIA) or multiplex bead immunoassay for detecting the anti-ENAs. Methods: A total of 89 sera were tested by 3 different assays: EUROASSAY Anti-ENA Profile (Euroimmune, Germany), Polycheck Autoimmune Test (Biocheck GmbH, Germany), and $FIDIS^{TM}$ Connective Profile (Biomedical Diagnostics, France). The following individual ENAs were investigated: Sm, SS-A (Ro), SS-B (La), Scl-70, Jo-1 and RNP. We reviewed medical records to investigate the discrepant results among three methods. Results: Overall percent agreements were 96.1% between EUROASSAY Anti-ENA Profile and $FIDIS^{TM}$ Connective profile; 90.4% between EUROASSAY Anti-ENA Profile and Polycheck Autoimmune Test using the manufacturers' cutoff; 96.4% between EUROASSAY Anti-ENA Profile and Polycheck Autoimmune Test using a upward cutoff; 90.4% between $FIDIS^{TM}$ Connective profile and Polycheck Autoimmune Test the manufacturers' cutoff; and 96.4% between $FIDIS^{TM}$ Connective profile and Polycheck Autoimmune Test a upward cutoff. Conclusions: The three assays showed excellent agreement with each other. With appropriate cutoff, the all three assays for six of the anti-ENA tests investigated in this study can be used in clinical laboratories for detecting the anti-ENAs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2015

Antibodies are powerful defense tools against pathogens but may cause autoimmune diseases when erroneously directed toward self-antigens. Thus, antibody producing cells are carefully selected, refined, and expanded in a highly regulated microenvironment (germinal center) in the peripheral lymphoid organs. A subset of T cells termed T follicular helper cells (Tfh) play a central role in instructing B cells to form a repertoire of antibody producing cells that provide life-long supply of high affinity, pathogenspecific antibodies. Therefore, understanding how Tfh cells arise and how they facilitate B cell selection and differentiation during germinal center reaction is critical to improve vaccines and better treat autoimmune diseases. In this review, I will summarise recent findings on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Tfh generation and function with an emphasis on T cell costimulation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.24
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• 2024

Studies over the last 2 decades have identified IL-17 and IL-21 as key cytokines in the modulation of a wide range of immune responses. IL-17 serves as a critical defender against bacterial and fungal pathogens, while maintaining symbiotic relationships with commensal microbiota. However, alterations in its levels can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. IL-21, on the other hand, bridges the adaptive and innate immune responses, and its imbalance is implicated in autoimmune diseases and cancer, highlighting its important role in both health and disease. Delving into the intricacies of these cytokines not only opens new avenues for understanding the immune system, but also promises innovative advances in the development of therapeutic strategies for numerous diseases. In this review, we will discuss an updated view of the immunobiology and therapeutic potential of IL-17 and IL-21.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2005

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune/inflammatory disorder with a complex genetic component. RA is characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane in the joint, which leads to the progressive destruction of articular cartilage, ligament and bone. Several cytokines such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;TNF-{\alpha}\;and\;interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. Genome wide screening of subjects suffering from autoimmune diseases especially arthritis revealed linkage to inflammatory molecules like $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappaB $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ and human leucocyte antigen/major histocompatibility complex (HLA/MHC) locus. The status of the pharmacological mechanism of herbal drugs in the light of genome wide screening results has been discussed to reinforce the therapeutic potential and the pharmacological basis of the herbal drugs.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.203-205
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• 2006

There have been several reports about coexistence of myasthenia and other autoimmune disease. Psoriasis is a papulosquamous disease defined by erythematous plaques with a silvery scale and a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. We report a case of a 49-year-old man with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) superimposed by psoriasis. MG was diagnosed by clinical symptoms, increased acetylcholine receptor antibody titer and repetitive nerve stimulation test. Psoriasis was diagnosed by clinical manifestations and specific skin biopsy findings. MG and psoriasis are both autoimmune diseases. The coexistence of MG and psoriasis suggest a close connection of pathogenesis.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-15
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• 2006

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is the treatment of choice for many autoimmune neuropathic disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory Demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP), and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). IVIg is preferred because the adverse reactions are milder and fewer than the other immune-modulating methods such as steroid, other immunosuppressant such as azathioprine, and plasmapheresis. IVIg also has been used in other autoimmune neuromuscular disorders (inflammatory myopathy, myasthenia gravis, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome) and has been known as safe and efficient agent in these disorders. Since IVIg would get more indications and be used more commonly, clinicians need to know the detailed mechanism of action, side effects, and practical points of IVIg.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2021

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a heterogeneous group of chronic, autoimmune subepithelial blistering diseases, predominantly involving oral mucosal membrane. Because of its pathophysiology of autoimmune reaction, MMP-related gingivitis would not respond to conventional periodontal treatments. We present a case of a 65-year-old female with a chief complaint of chronic generalized buccal gingivitis, unimproved after periodontal treatment for four months. Based on the clinical findings, histological examination, and direct immunofluorescence microscopy, it was diagnosed as MMP. The symptoms were relieved with immunomodulatory therapy using corticosteroids and the supportive management of professional plaque control. MMP can cause pathological involvement throughout the oral and other mucosae of the body, thus leading to functional impairment through repeated inflammatory cascades. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is essential to properly manage local and possible systemic complications of MMP.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.47.1-47.13
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• 2020

Tetracyclines, which have long been used as broad-spectrum antibiotics, also exhibit a variety of nonantibiotic activities including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Tetracyclines bind to the 30S ribosome of the bacteria and inhibit protein synthesis. Unlike antimicrobial activity, the primary molecular target for the nonantibiotic activity of tetracycline remains to be clarified. Nonetheless, the therapeutic efficacies of tetracyclines, particularly minocycline and doxycycline, have been demonstrated in various animal models of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. In this study, we summarized the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of tetracyclines, focusing on the mechanisms underlying these activities. In addition, we highlighted the on-going or completed clinical trials with reported outcomes.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2007

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.357-363
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• 2022

Immunological imbalance eventually results in the development of various diseases. A typical example is an imbalance of cytokines with immunomodulatory abilities. In this paper, we propose a two-variable delay model to anti-pro-inflammatory cytokine therapy for autoimmune diseases, which are caused by an imbalance between the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The interaction between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were modeled mathematically to investigate the relevance of cytokines in disease processes. The delay time was estimated to maintain the stability of a biologically important steady state. In particular, the effects of delay with anti-pro-inflammatory cytokines therapy in autoinflammatory diseases were studied.