Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome: A Very Rare and Tortuously Exasperating Facet of Pre-Synaptic Disorder of Neuromuscular Junction
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) is a very rare and unusual autoimmune disorder of Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) that is associated with impaired neuromuscular transmission due to loss of voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) present on the pre-synaptic nerve terminal. Of all the different proteins like synaptotagmin that are attacked by auto-antibodies, P/Q-type of VGCC is found to be targeted in 90 % of patients. The influx of calcium through VGCC is important for exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. LEMS is a clinical “triad” of proximal muscle weakness, areflexia, and autonomic dysfunctions. Half of the LEMS pati...
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Clinical Approach to Systemic Autoinflammatory Disorders: Classification, Disease Phenotypes and Management
Autoinflammatory Disorders (AIDs) can be either systemic or organ-specific. Systemic AIDs are associated with a primary dysfunction of the innate immunity that results in clinical signs of inflammation and/or elevated serum levels of acute-phase reactants. AIDs often present with rash, serositis, arthritis and/or aphthosis. Hereditary periodic fever syndromes, such as Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS), constitute the prototype of systemic AIDs. However, these also include many other disorders that do not follow the typical relapse-remitting pattern of...
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Natural Killer Cells: Prospects in Cancer Immunotherapy
In cancer immunotherapy, Natural Killer (NK) cells have achieved prominence. NK cells were identified in the 1970s as a subgroup of lymphocytes containing larger cytoplasmic granules. These cells are widely distributed in all lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, including bone marrow, lymph nodes, the spleen, peripheral blood, the lungs and liver. Because they do not present gene rearrangements during their ontogeny, they constitute a lineage of innate lymphoid cells. Immunotherapy in cancer has been reported with the use of Interleukin (IL) for the NK cell induction in clinical trials, which are discussed in this review. IL...
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy and Risk of Myocarditis: A Review of the Literature
This article aims to describe the plausible mechanisms of ICI related cardiotoxicity as well as strategies for clinicians to recognize and manage cardiotoxicity. As immunotherapy based treatment strategies continue to widen and the population of patients receiving these agents expands, increasing provider awareness of potentially fatal toxicities will continue to be an important issue. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Cancer and Inflammatory Disorders
Genetics has become increasingly important in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatments. Currently, molecular sequencing within medically important genes such as those coded for human leukocyte antigens, blood group and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors has been elucidated and their sequence variations have been deposited in public databases (e.g. allelefrequencies.net database). In addition, medical genetic research has now gained access to the unlimited region in the human genome where multiple susceptibility genes can now easily be characterized using the latest techniques in molecular biology (next generatio...
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Osteoarthritis: Potential for Herbal Medicines as Therapies in the Management of Chronic Inflammatory Damage
Osteoarthritis results from a chronic inflammation-mediated destruction of synovial joints particularly in the hand, hip, and knee. Intervention strategies primarily focus on reducing this inflammation and its associated pain and involve a hierarchy of pharmaceuticals designed to prolong activity and prevent early joint replacement. Unfortunately, side effects from these agents are significant and their efficacy, especially in the later stages of the condition, variable. For this reason, many patients are seeking out alternative interventions, including herbal medicines, which are natural and safe. This review will evaluat...
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
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(Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - November 15, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Autoimmune Diseases and Infections: A Controversial Relationship
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease whose etiology and pathogenesis are incompletely understood. Over the past 50-60 years, there has been a rise of more than ten-fold in the annual incidence of SLE in industrialized Western countries. Although it is believed that the etiology of SLE is multifactorial, including genetic, hormonal and environmental triggers, the molecular mechanisms underlying this systemic autoimmune response remain largely unknown. Clinical and epidemiological studies have revealed that SLE is rarely observed in rural tropical areas of Africa and Asia, where parasitic infections ar...
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
High Fat Intake, Inflammation and Risk of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Conclusion: It is suggested that reducing fat intake might decline the risk of NPDs. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Coenzyme Q10: A Potential Adjunct for Treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Recurrent Miscarriage
Conclusion: Based on this review, further comprehensive studies may be conducted to illuminate the beneficial therapeutic effects of supplementing CoQ10 on possible modifiable pathways involved in the progression of RM and APS. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Influenza Infection
Conclusion: Our literature review suggests that treatment of influenza-infected individuals with Vitamin D supplements or cathelicidin-derived agents may provide appreciable protection against natural influenza infection. Moreover, Vitamin D given at appropriate doses may facilitate protection against seasonal flu. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Chikungunya Infection and Immunity: An Overview
Conclusion: In the current review we highlighted the importance of conceptual mechanism of the host immune responses to CHIKV and the immunopathology of this alpha virus. The presented review provides an update on the infection, its vector, and the disease transmission, research development, and administration for avoidance of Chikungunya disease. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Otorhinolaryngological Manifestations in Sjogren Syndrome
Conclusion: To date, there is no straight forward and reliable diagnostic test for Sjögren's syndrome. Its diagnosis can be difficult because the signs and symptoms vary widely and sometimes are similar to those caused by other diseases. Hence, it is important to identify conditions with similar patterns in order to make a correct diagnosis, begin the appropriate therapy, determine a proper follow-up and ensure a good quality of life. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and its Relationship with the Immune System and Oxidative Stress
Conclusion: Dietary intake of PUFAs and melatonin could also be considered as adjuvant treatments for that clinical course of relapsing-recurrent multiple sclerosis. Further studies focusing on the role of endocannabinoids derived from PUFA´s in MS are needed. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response in Disease: Cellular Stress and microRNAs
Conclusion: It is evident that microRNAs regulate several components of the UPR and that these small non-coding RNAs, or other molecules that restore the UPR balance, may represent possible therapeutic options to normalise intracellular homeostasis. (Source: Current Immunology Reviews)
Source: Current Immunology Reviews - June 14, 2018 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
