Autoimmune disease sclerosis

American co net lower, black susans) angustifolia shortens symptoms and duration of upper respiratory Infections (URIs) including colds mild gastrointestinal (Gl) upsets individuals with autoimmune diseases such as tuberculosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and HIV infection. 

CCR5 expression likely plays a role in T-cell recruitment and may be involved in the development of autoimmune diseases. There is a negative association between the CCR5A32 mutation and rheumatoid arthritis (Prahalad 2006). Furthermore, additional studies reviewed elsewhere suggest the involvement of CCR5 in multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and transplant rejection (Ribeiro and Horuk 2005). As such, it is likely that CCR5 antagonists developed for the treatment of HIV-1 infection can also be used for other diseases. 

A recent report by the National Institutes of Health estimated that at 14 to 22 million people in the United States are affected by an autoimmune disease.1 As a group, these diseases represent a leading cause of death among women under age 65, with systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes being the major sources of this impact on mortality.2 The autoimmune thyroid diseases, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common of the autoimmune diseases (Table 25.1).3-5 Most autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women. In the thyroid diseases, primary biliary cirrhosis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren s syndrome, more than 85% of patients are female, but it is not known why the female predominance is so high in these specific diseases. 

For some autoimmune diseases, little is known about environmental factors involved in the initiation or progression of the disease. For other diseases, however, considerable research has been conducted on one or more types of exposures. Most epidemiologic studies of environmental influences have focused on multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and small vessel vasculitis, but experimental studies using murine models of these diseases is limited (Table 25.1). 

Strong mechanistic evidence from rodent models of autoimmune disease of viral or other infectious agents affecting autoimmunity or progression to overt disease, but harder to demonstrate in humans. Enterovirus (Coxsackie virus) focus of epidemiologic studies in type 1 diabetes, Epstein-Barr virus focus of epidemiologic studies in multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. 

Similarly, under certain disease conditions, altered NA innervation and/or AR signaling capacity impairs sympathetic communication with cells of the immune system, influencing disease progression. Altered catecholamine communication with the immune system is evident in autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis [5-7] and in infectious diseases, such as leprosy and a mouse model of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [15, 43, 44], The impact of altered NA innervation of... 

As a consequence of their immunosuppressive activity, Tregs may function as a cellular therapeutic agent that ameliorates allergies and autoimmune diseases. This has been proven in several disease models including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and CHS reactions. Others and we have studied the effects of in vivo applied Tregs as a possible therapeutical means to curb... 

Andrographolide, thus, has different mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity. It can inhibit the activation of NF-kB, suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, inhibit COX-2 expression in human fibroblast cells and also prevent oxygen radical production by human. The compound is also able to modulate T-cell activation both in vitro as well as in vivo, it is evident that it could prevent initial T-cell priming by interfering with DC maturation and antigen presentation capacity. Therefore, andrographolide may have utility as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. " ... 

Autoimmune disease—One of a number of illnesses caused by the immune system targeting the patient s own tissues for destruction, such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. 

Interferons—Family of immune system signal proteins that interfere with the ability of viruses to infect cells. Interferons have been genetically engineered to provide treatments by weakening immune response in autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis, or by strengthening immune response in diseases like hepatitis C. 

Polyspecific Response Associated with CNS Autoimmune Diseases. The oligoclonal, intrathecally synthesized IgG contains numerous specific antibodies and autoantibodies. Antibodies are frequently found with specificities against measles, the rubella virus and the varicella-zoster virus, but seldom against the herpes simplex virus. The occurrence of one, two, or three of these antibodies is referred to as the MRZ reaction. The corresponding antigens are not present in these cases. The MRZ reaction is typical of multiple sclerosis as well as cerebral lupus erythematosus and is a chronically evolving immune process (F5, KIO, S16). 

Slow viruses are becoming increasingly suspect in the instances of much more common diseases, particularly the autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease may be defined as a disease wheiein the immune system of the body does not direct its attack on an invading foreign substance, but instead at the body s own tissue. Many authorities consider rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis as autoimmune diseases. The precise causes of these diseases have remained obscure. Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease and has variously been described as an autoimmune disease, a viral disease, or an autoimmune disease provoked by a virus. Epidemiological studies indicate that from 3 to 23 years may elapse between the time of exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms. Further evidence points to involvement of a myxovirus. Measles virus is of this kind. 

Clinical Use. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) is an anticancer alkylating agent that is commonly used in a variety of neoplastic disorders (see Chapter 36). This drug may also be helpful in suppressing the immune response in certain autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.12 43 High doses of cyclophosphamide are also used to prevent tissue rejection in patients receiving bone marrow transplants and other organ transplants. 

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