Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The role of inflammation in atherosclerosis is well recognized. We have evaluated the allele frequencies of the +869T/C and +915G/C polymorphisms (SNPs) at the TGF-beta1 gene and -1082G/A SNP at IL-10 promoter sequence, two well-known immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory cytokines, in patients with carotid stenosis. Our data suggest a lack of association between these SNPs and the susceptibility to atherosclerosis although other reports have demonstrated this association. These results may be due to the pleiotropic effects of the cytokines and/or differences in haplotype combination that should be investigated to elucidate the role of TGF-beta1 and IL-10 polymorphisms in atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Frequency of polymorphisms of signal peptide of TGF-beta1 and -1082G/A SNP at the promoter region of Il-10 gene in patients with carotid stenosis. 1680

Atherosclerosis is a disease associated with aging and is subject to modulation by both the innate and adaptive immune system. The time course of age-dependent changes in immune regulation in the context of atherosclerosis has not been characterized. This study aims to describe alteration of the immune responses to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) during aging that is associated with changes in plaque size and phenotype in apoE(-/-) mice. Mice fed a Western diet were euthanized at 15-17, 36, or >52 wk of age. The descending aortas were stained for assessment of extent of atherosclerosis. Plaque lipid, macrophage, and collagen content were evaluated in aortic sinus lesions. The adaptive immune response to oxLDL was assessed using anti-malondialdehyde-oxidized LDL (MDA-LDL) and copper-oxidized LDL (Cu-oxLDL) IgG, and the innate immune response was assessed using anti-Cu-oxLDL and phosphorylcholine (PC) IgM. Aging was associated with a significant increase in plaque area and collagen content and a decrease in plaque macrophage and lipid content. MDA-LDL IgG significantly increased at 36 wk but was reduced in mice >52 wk. Cu-oxLDL IgG increased with age and IgG-apoB immune complexes were increased in the >52 wk group. Cu-oxLDL and PC IgM significantly increased with age. The expression of splenic cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 increased with age. Our study shows a generalized increase in innate immune responses associated with progression of atherosclerosis and a less inflammatory and less lipid-containing plaque phenotype during aging. The adaptive immune response appeared to be less generalized, with a specific reduction in MDA-LDL IgG.
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PMID:Changes in immune responses to oxidized LDL epitopes during aging in hypercholesterolemic apoE(-/-) mice. 1682 16

Associations between stress and health outcomes have now been carefully documented, but the mechanisms by which stress specifically influences disease susceptibility and outcome remain poorly understood. Recent evidence indicates that glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines (CAs), the major stress hormones, inhibit systemically IL-12, TNF-alpha, and INF-gamma, but upregulate IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-beta production. Thus, during an immune and inflammatory response, the activation of the stress system, through induction of a Th2 shift may protect the organism from systemic "overshooting" with T helper lymphocyte 1 (Th1)/proinflammatory cytokines. In certain local responses and under certain conditions, however, stress hormones may actually facilitate inflammation, through induction of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-alpha, and CRP production, and through activation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)/substance P(SP)-histamine axis. Autoimmunity, chronic infections, major depression, and atherosclerosis are characterized by a dysregulation of the pro/anti-inflammatory and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. Thus, hyperactive or hypoactive stress system, and a dysfunctional neuroendocrine-immune interface associated with abnormalities of the "systemic anti-inflammatory feedback" and/or "hyperactivity" of the local proinflammatory factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Conditions that are associated with significant changes in stress system activity, such as acute or chronic stress, cessation of chronic stress, pregnancy and the postpartum period, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through modulation of the systemic or local pro/anti-inflammatory and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, may suppress or potentiate disease activity and/or progression. Thus, stress hormones-induced inhibition or upregulation of innate and Th cytokine production may represent an important mechanism by which stress affects disease susceptibility, activity, and outcome of various immune-related diseases.
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PMID:Stress system activity, innate and T helper cytokines, and susceptibility to immune-related diseases. 1685 35

Bacteremia frequently occurs after dental treatment. Periodontal inflammation may influence the incidence, magnitude and duration of bacteremia. The presence of circulating oral bacteria or bacterial components may induce cytokine synthesis in blood cells, which may contribute to the development or exacerbation of atherosclerosis. The present study tested the hypothesis that bacteremia occurring after scaling in periodontitis patients results in altered plasma levels of cytokines. Twenty periodontitis patients were subjected to scaling. Blood samples at baseline and at 0.5, 10 and 30 minutes postscaling were examined for bacteremia whereas baseline and eight-hour postscaling blood samples were examined for the levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12p70. IL-6 levels were significantly increased eight hours after scaling, while IL-8 was significantly decreased. No systematic changes occurred in the levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-2p70. IL-6 levels may be increased while IL-8 may be decreased due to scaling, which may have implications for general health.
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PMID:Increased plasma levels of IL-6 in bacteremic periodontis patients after scaling. 1690 Dec 99

To describe how peripheral immune-parameters reflect the inflammatory alterations of the atherosclerotic plaques in coronary atherosclerosis. We measured general inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and granulocyte activity, lymphocyte subpopulations and their state of activation, evaluated circulating Th1/Th2-type cytokines, and specific intracytoplasmic cytokines. We investigated the association of immune-parameters with disease outcome and mortality. Thirty-three patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 62 with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 58 healthy controls were studied. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups were quantified by flow cytometry, soluble cytokines and autoantibodies were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while intracellular cytokine levels were measured by flow cytometry after intracellular staining. We found elevated levels of CRP and granulocyte activity in ACS versus CAD (P < 0.001, P = 0.017, respectively). Natural killer (NK) cell percentages were elevated, while percentage of T cells to the total lymphocyte count was slightly decreased in ACS compared to controls (P < 0.0001, P = 0.012, respectively). Both forms of coronary atherosclerosis showed significantly higher percentages of activated T cells than controls when stained for the activation markers HLA-DR3 and CD69(+) (ACS: P < 0.0001, P = 0.002, CAD: P < 0.0001, P = 0.018, respectively). IL-1, IL-4 and IL-10 proved significantly higher in ACS versus controls (P = 0.036, P = 0.01, P < 0.0001 respectively). Th1 to Th2 ratio shifted towards a Th1 dominance in both diseases. Both general proinflammatory markers and activated T cells signify CAD. The orchestrated proinflammatory cascade eventually leads to the development of the disease.
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PMID:TH1/TH2 imbalance, measured by circulating and intracytoplasmic inflammatory cytokines--immunological alterations in acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary artery disease. 1691 3

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus develop accelerated atherosclerosis independent of traditional risk factors. The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are widely prescribed for hyperlipidemia, but they also exhibit anti-inflammatory actions that appear to be independent of their suppressive actions on plasma cholesterol levels. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin on disease manifestations in gld.apoE-/- mice that lack functional Fas ligand and apolipoprotein E and exhibit accelerated atherosclerosis and aggravated lupus-like features. Wild-type, gld, apoE-/-, and gld.apoE-/- mice were maintained on a high cholesterol Western diet and received daily simvastatin (0.125 mg/kg) or saline for 12 wk. Serum cholesterol levels were unaffected by simvastatin treatment, but atherosclerotic lesion area was reduced in both apoE-/- and gld.apoE-/- mice treated with simvastatin. Simvastatin also reduced the lymphadenopathy, renal disease, and proinflammatory cytokine production seen in gld.apoE-/-, but not gld, mice. The immunomodulatory effects in gld.apoE-/- mice were associated with enhanced STAT6 and decreased STAT4 induction in submandibular lymph node cells. Along with reductions in serum TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels, there was also an increase in IL-4 and IL-10 transcript levels in lymph nodes. These data indicate that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ameliorate atherosclerosis and lupus-like autoimmunity independent of their cholesterol-lowering effects via a shift from a Th1 to a Th2 phenotype in the gld.apoE-/- model. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activities of statins may have utility for the treatment of both autoimmunity and atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
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PMID:Simvastatin treatment ameliorates autoimmune disease associated with accelerated atherosclerosis in a murine lupus model. 1692 Sep 39

Investigation of the mechanisms of atherosclerosis has determined that inflammation plays a central role in the development, progression, and outcome of acute coronary syndrome. Although C-reactive protein will remain over time a useful marker, cytokines will continue to be studied in order to understand the mechanisms of acute coronary syndrome and cytokine balance. This short review summarizes the experimental and clinical evidence regarding the role of some cytokines in acute coronary syndrome (interleukin [IL]-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma).
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PMID:[The pro-inflammatory role of cytokines in the mechanism of atherosclerosis]. 1712 81

Monocytes and macrophages play a key role in the progression of atheromatous changes. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) can limit macroangiopathy through the control of cytokine transcription. The objectives of this study were to examine the influence of PPAR gamma and its agonist (rosiglitazone) on the TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 gene expression in monocytes of patients with diabetic macroangiopathy and to analyse obtained results in context of selected atherogenic factors ant direct indicators of endothelial lesion. TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and PPAR gamma gene expression was assessed in peripheral blood monocytes in 45 patients with type 2 diabetes before and following 22 weeks of rosiglitazone therapy (real-time PCR [Applied Biosystems]). As indicators of endothelial lesion, concentration of thrombomodulin (immunoassay [Diagnostica Stago]) and amount of circulating blood endothelial cells (immunofluorescence method with MoAb CLB-HEC19) were determined. Following rosiglitazone therapy, a statistically significant downward tendency of TNFalpha (p=0.026) and IL-8 (p=0.008) gene expression was noted. Before and following rosiglitazone treatment, PPAR gamma, IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression was undetectable in studied monocytes in vivo. In conclusion, TNFalpha and IL-8 play an important role in monocyte atherogenic activity. Rosiglitazone reduces monocyte proinflammatory readiness by influencing the expression of selected atherogenic cytokines (PPAR gamma-independent pathway).
Atherosclerosis 2007 Oct
PMID:Stimulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and the expression of selected blood monocyte cytokine genes in diabetic macroangiopathy. 1714 Dec 46

Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation is a feature of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise offers protection against all-cause mortality, primarily by protection against atherosclerosis and insulin resistance and there is evidence that physical training is effective as a treatment in patients with chronic heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise induces anti-inflammatory actions. During exercise, IL-6 (interleukin-6) is produced by muscle fibres. IL-6 stimulates the appearance in the circulation of other anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ra (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) and inhibits the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha). In addition, IL-6 enhances lipid turnover, stimulating lipolysis as well as fat oxidation. It is suggested that regular exercise induces suppression of TNF-alpha and thereby offers protection against TNF-alpha-induced insulin resistance. Recently, IL-6 was introduced as the first myokine, defined as a cytokine, that is produced and released by contracting skeletal muscle fibres, exerting its effects in other organs of the body. Myokines may be involved in mediating the beneficial health effects against chronic diseases associated with low-grade inflammation such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
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PMID:The anti-inflammatory effect of exercise: its role in diabetes and cardiovascular disease control. 1714 83

Oral tolerance is classically defined as the suppression of immune responses to antigens (Ag) that have been administered previously by the oral route. Multiple mechanisms of tolerance are induced by oral Ag. Low doses favor active suppression, whereas higher doses favor clonal anergy/deletion. Oral Ag induces Th2 (IL-4/IL-10) and Th3 (TGF-beta) regulatory T cells (Tregs) plus CD4+CD25+ regulatory cells and LAP+T cells. Induction of oral tolerance is enhanced by IL-4, IL-10, anti-IL-12, TGF-beta, cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), Flt-3 ligand, anti-CD40 ligand and continuous feeding of Ag. In addition to oral tolerance, nasal tolerance has also been shown to be effective in suppressing inflammatory conditions with the advantage of a lower dose requirement. Oral and nasal tolerance suppress several animal models of autoimmune diseases including experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), uveitis, thyroiditis, myasthenia, arthritis and diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, plus non-autoimmune diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, colitis and stroke. Oral tolerance has been tested in human autoimmune diseases including MS, arthritis, uveitis and diabetes and in allergy, contact sensitivity to DNCB, nickel allergy. Positive results have been observed in phase II trials and new trials for arthritis, MS and diabetes are underway. Mucosal tolerance is an attractive approach for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases because of lack of toxicity, ease of administration over time and Ag-specific mechanism of action. The successful application of oral tolerance for the treatment of human diseases will depend on dose, developing immune markers to assess immunologic effects, route (nasal versus oral), formulation, mucosal adjuvants, combination therapy and early therapy.
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PMID:Oral tolerance: therapeutic implications for autoimmune diseases. 1716 57


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