Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.1.3.16 (calcineurin)
17,112 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents various clinical features; however, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the immunity of SLE, impaired T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and altered cytokine production are in the center of pathogenesis, although, little is known about NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) in lupus T lymphocytes. TCR stimulation activates NFAT1 through Ca2+/calcineurin (Cn) pathway, facilitating nuclear translocation of NFAT1 from cytosol. Therefore, we investigated relationship of disease activity/features and intracellular NFAT1 localization in T lymphocytes from active lupus patients by fractionation. Results showed no significant relationship between disease activity and NFAT1 distribution. However, interestingly, we observed skewed NFAT1 distribution in pellet in patients with active lupus nephritis or pleuritis. In vitro cyclosporin A treatment suggested autonomously activated Ca2+/Cn pathway in lupus T lymphocytes. Considering these results, NFAT1 might be presenting the clinical heterogeneity in SLE.
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PMID:Abnormal intracellular distribution of NFAT1 in T lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and characteristic clinical features. 1650 1

Pimecrolimus is an ascomycin macrolactam. It is a specific calcineurin inhibitor that allows topical application. The highly lipophilic nature of this compound reduces the risk of systemic absorption through normal and inflammed skin. Pimecrolimus shows activity not only against T-cell activation, but also against mast cells and pruritus. Pimecrolimus 1% cream is approved for atopic dermatitis, and also has a great potential in other inflammatory skin diseases. Clinical trials have been performed in contact- and seborrhoeic dermatitis, genital lichen sclerosus, intertriginous psoriasis and cutaneous lupus erythematosus. In other diseases, the available data are limited to small case series, or individual cases of graft-versus-host disease or Netherton's disease. Although the use of calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of vitiligo is promising, detailed studies with pimecrolimus and ultraviolet-irradiation are necessary and there is a need for prospective randomised, double-blind controlled trials.
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PMID:Topical pimecrolimus for skin disease other than atopic dermatitis. 1702 Apr 22

The topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are approved for atopic dermatitis but have additional potential in other inflammatory skin diseases. This article reviews their clinical use in non-atopic dermatitis diseases. In seborrheic dermatitis, asteatotic eczema, and contact dermatitis, TCIs are of great benefit and can compete with topical corticosteroids. In psoriasis, TCIs have shown clinical efficacy and safety in facial and intertriginous lesions. Further investigations into possible combinations of TCIs with other established treatments such as UVB irradiation in this disorder are necessary. Initial studies in cutaneous lupus erythematosus have been promising, whereas the response in rosacea and rosacea-like eruptions has been mixed. TCIs have been associated with good clinical responses in oral lichen planus and anogenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. In vitiligo, TCIs are associated with some degree of repigmentation, with better results being seen in children and in facial and neck areas. TCIs have a synergistic effect with UVB irradiation in vitiligo. There is a long list of small series and case reports documenting use of TCIs in various other skin conditions that warrant further validation. Although the established mode of action of TCIs is T-cell control, other effects also need to be considered. Specifically, TCIs reduce pruritus and erythema, which cannot be explained by T-cell interactions, and further investigations are needed in these fields.
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PMID:The role of topical calcineurin inhibitors for skin diseases other than atopic dermatitis. 1749 44

Facial and flexural psoriasis may impair the quality of life of psoriatic patients considerably. For the adequate management of psoriasis it is important to pay attention to lesions at these sensitive sites, which require an approach different to that for lesions on other sites in several respects. An extensive literature search was carried out to collect evidence-based data on facial and flexural psoriasis with respect to epidemiology, clinical aspects, pathogenetic factors and various treatments. Subsequently, a panel of experts, the Copenhagen Psoriasis Working Group (CPWG), discussed these aspects and several recommendations were formulated reconciling the evidence-based data. Facial psoriasis occurs in 17-46% of psoriatics and flexural psoriasis is experienced by 6.8-36% of patients with psoriasis. Therefore, psoriasis at these sites cannot be regarded as a rare manifestation. Facial psoriasis is a prognostic marker indicating a poor prognosis of psoriasis. Facial and flexural psoriasis cannot be regarded as distinct disease entities but rather as site variations. The clinical features of facial psoriasis suggest that there are three subtypes: hairline psoriasis, sebo-psoriasis and true facial psoriasis. Otitis externa and ocular manifestations should not be neglected. Evidence that microbiological factors may be relevant to facial and flexural psoriasis is virtually absent. For facial psoriasis the response to UV radiation is variable. At least 5% of psoriatics have photosensitive psoriasis. In these patients photosensitive diseases such as lupus erythematodes and polymorphic light eruption have to be excluded. Based on the literature assessment and working group discussions the CPWG concluded the following. (1) Low-potency topical corticosteroids, vitamin D3 analogues and calcineurin inhibitors are first choice treatments in facial and flexural psoriasis. Evidence for the efficacy of the first two modalities is at level 3 while it is at level 1 for the third one. An individualized approach is indicated; for example, in case of corticosteroid side effects in the past the other two modalities should be selected and in unstable psoriasis prone to irritation, monotherapy with vitamin D3 analogues should be avoided. (2) Antimicrobial treatments are not indicated for facial and flexural psoriasis. (3) Dithranol and tar treatment are not indicated as first-line treatment but only if the first-line options fail. (4) In case topical therapies are not effective, phototherapy and systemic treatments are indicated. (5) For future drug development the combination of vitamin D3 analogues with low strength corticosteroids is recommended.
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PMID:Psoriasis of the face and flexures. 1790 13

Lupus erythematosus (LE) shows a broad range of cutaneous symptoms, including acute, subacute and chronic lesions. The gold standard of established topical treatment consists of medium- to high-potency corticosteroids. Because face and neck are often involved, adverse effects of prolonged corticosteroid use are not uncommon. There is a need of steroid-free topical treatment in LE. With the development of topical calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, there is an alternative available. The present study reviews the literature data on topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus for malar rash, subacute lesions and discoid chronic lesions among others. The present data argue for an efficacy of these compounds in acute and subacute cutaneous LE manifestations with a rapid response and only minor side-effects when used as an adjunct to systemic treatment. In chronic discoid LE, hypertrophic plaques do not well respond because of limited penetration. The primary target seems to be the decrease or blocking of cytokine production by activated T lymphocytes.
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PMID:The use of topical calcineurin inhibitors in lupus erythematosus: an overview. 1800 17

The topical calcineurin inhibitors pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic) were initially developed for the treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis), a chronic or chronically relapsing skin condition most prevalent in infants and children. Their main advantages compared with conventional topical corticosteroid therapy are that they are more selective in their mode of action, do not induce skin atrophy and are not associated with significant systemic absorption. In addition, topical calcineurin inhibitors may represent a useful alternative to topical corticosteroids for the treatment of a number of other inflammatory skin diseases. Preferred sites for the use of topical calcineurin inhibitors are areas such as the face, neck, flexures, and genital areas, which are more susceptible to topical corticosteroid side effects. The efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors has been demonstrated for flexural psoriasis, seborrhoeic, contact and hand eczema. Preliminary data also support the efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in lichen planus, facial lupus erythematosus, autoimmune bullous dermatosis, and vitiligo. In these latter indications, controlled studies are needed to better understand the efficacy and safety of topical calcineurin inhibitors and their role in disease management.
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PMID:Potential new indications of topical calcineurin inhibitors. 1817 92

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major serine/threonine protein phosphatase in eukaryotic cells and is involved in many essential aspects of cell function. The catalytic subunit of the enzyme (PP2Ac), a part of the core enzyme, has two isoforms, alpha (PP2Ac alpha) and beta (PP2Ac beta), of which PP2Ac alpha is the major form expressed in vivo. Deregulation of PP2A expression has been linked to several diseases, but the mechanisms that control the expression of this enzyme are still unclear. We conducted experiments to decipher molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of the PP2Ac alpha promoter in human primary T cells. After preparing serially truncated PP2Ac alpha promoter luciferase constructs, we found that the region stretching around 240 bases upstream from the translation initiation site was of functional significance and included a cAMP response element motif flanked by three GC boxes. Shift assays revealed that CREB/phosphorylated CREB and stable protein 1 could bind to the region. Furthermore, we demonstrated that methylation of deoxycytosine in the CpG islands limited binding of phosphorylated CREB and the activity of the PP2Ac alpha promoter. In contrast, the binding of stable protein 1 to a GC box within the core promoter region was not affected by DNA methylation. Primary T cells treated with 5-azacitidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, showed increased expression of PP2Ac alpha mRNA. We propose that conditions associated with hypomethylation of CpG islands, such as drug-induced lupus, permit increased PP2Ac expression.
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PMID:Methylation status of CpG islands flanking a cAMP response element motif on the protein phosphatase 2Ac alpha promoter determines CREB binding and activity. 1915 97

Renal disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Among the histological classes of lupus nephritis, membranous nephropathy comprises only one-fifth of all cases. Reported survival and rates of end-stage renal disease in membranous lupus nephropathy (MLN) vary considerably, because of substantial heterogeneity among the published studies. The risk of progression from MLN to renal failure is generally reduced in the absence of proliferative lesions, but patients are, nevertheless, at risk of thromboembolic complications. The optimal therapy for MLN remains elusive because of a lack of controlled trials; however, cardiovascular protection and blockade of the renin-angiotensin system should be instituted early in all patients. Mixed membranous and proliferative lupus nephritis should be treated in the same way as pure proliferative lupus nephritis. If MLN is not accompanied by proliferative lesions but is associated with clinically relevant proteinuria, renal insufficiency or failure to respond to supportive therapies, immunosuppressive treatment is indicated. Treatment options include glucocorticoids combined with azathioprine, calcineurin inhibitors or alkylating agents. The efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in MLN remains to be confirmed. Controlled trials to compare existing immunosuppressive agents and experimental modalities such as sirolimus, rituximab and infliximab should be undertaken in the future.
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PMID:Membranous nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a therapeutic enigma. 1932 86

Pimecrolimus is a non-steroidal immunosuppressant derived from ascomycin. This drug inhibits the action of calcineurin phosphatase and blocks the production of inflammatory substances that are thought to be important in causing skin lesions in inflammatory diseases. Pimecrolimus 1% cream (Elidel, Novartis Pharma, East Hanover, NJ, USA) was approved in the European Union, the United States and Japan as second-line therapy for the short- term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adults and children aged 2 years and older, who have failed to respond adequately to other topical prescription treatments, or when those treatments are not advisable. This topical immunomodulator has also an enormous potential as topical treatment for numerous inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo. Recently, some authors reported its efficacy in the treatment of skin manifestations of Lupus erytematosus.
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PMID:Pimecrolimus in dermatology. 1952 13

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) may present in a variety of clinical forms. Three recognized subtypes of cutaneous LE are acute cutaneous LE (ACLE), subacute cutaneous LE (SCLE), and chronic cutaneous LE (CCLE). ACLE may be localized (most often as a malar or 'butterfly' rash) or generalized. Multisystem involvement as a component of systemic LE (SLE) is common, with prominent musculoskeletal symptoms. SCLE is highly photosensitive, with predominant distribution on the upper back, shoulders, neck, and anterior chest. SCLE is frequently associated with positive anti-Ro antibodies and may be induced by a variety of medications. Classic discoid LE is the most common form of CCLE, with indurated scaly plaques on the scalp, face, and ears, with characteristic scarring and pigmentary change. Less common forms of CCLE include hyperkeratotic LE, lupus tumidus, lupus profundus, and chilblain lupus. Common cutaneous disease associated with, but not specific for, LE includes vasculitis, livedo reticularis, alopecia, digital manifestations such as periungual telangiectasia and Raynaud phenomenon, photosensitivity, and bullous lesions. The clinical presentation of each of these forms, their diagnosis, and the inter-relationships between cutaneous LE and SLE are discussed. Common systemic findings in SLE are reviewed, as are diagnostic strategies, including histopathology, immunopathology, serology, and other laboratory findings. Treatments for cutaneous LE initially include preventive (e.g. photoprotective) strategies and topical therapies (corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors). For skin disease not controlled with these interventions, oral antimalarial agents (most commonly hydroxychloroquine) are often beneficial. Additional systemic therapies may be subdivided into conventional treatments (including corticosteroids, methotrexate, thalidomide, retinoids, dapsone, and azathioprine) and newer immunomodulatory therapies (including efalizumab, anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab). We review evidence for the use of these medications in the treatment of cutaneous LE.
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PMID:Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: issues in diagnosis and treatment. 1982 38


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