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PubMedDate not supplied

Systemic lupus erythematosus and renal involvement: which role of citokines expression?

The role of cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) glomerulonephritis is extremely complex. Proinflammatory molecules, such as TNF, IL-6, IL-1 and IL-18 are upregulated, as are both Thl and Th2 cytokines, with different implications: the local effects may be different from the systemic immunoregulatory ones. Excessive T helper cell function is a hallmark of SLE and abnormalities of Th citokine profiles have been implicated in loss of immune tolerance, increased antogenic load, defective B cell suppression and a variety of clinical manifestations. For some cytokines, TNF and IL-18 in particular, the local proinflammatory ones may be more relevant to the disease.

Cytokines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphangiosarcoma of the pubic region: a rare complication arising in congenital non-hereditary lymphedema.

Lymphangiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive, vascular neoplasm arising in chronic congenital or acquired lymphedema. Although it is most frequently associated with post-mastectomy lymphedema (Stewart-Treves's syndrome), lymphangiosarcoma can exceptionally arise in congenital hereditary lymphedema (Milroy's syndrome and Meige's syndrome) and non-hereditary lymphedema (congenital, praecox or forme tarde lymphedemas). We report a case of lymphangiosarcoma of the pubic region, supported by immunohistochemical studies, in a 42-year-old woman affected by congenital, non-hereditary lymphedema of the left genital region and homolateral lower limb. In addition, molecular analysis demonstrated the absence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpes virus (KSHV) DNA sequences in tumour lesions. To our knowledge, this is the first case of lymphangiosarcoma associated with congenital non-hereditary lymphedema confined to the pubic region. The literature concerning the cases of lymphangiosarcoma arising in congenital hereditary and non-hereditary lymphedema is reviewed. Moreover, we emphasized the importance of regular clinical controls in all patients affected by chronic lymphedema. In fact, although the prognosis of this neoplasm is very poor, a prompt diagnosis and a rapid, ablative surgery associated with radiation therapy can increase the possibility of survival of these patients.

Adult↗