Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by synovium inflammation due to the infiltration of immune cells that secrete Th17 cytokines like IL-22 and IL-6. The dynamics of these cytokines during the treatment remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of IL-22 and IL-6 serum and synovial fluid (SF) in correlation with different biochemical and clinical parameters and treatment-associated changes. Material and methods: Seventy-seven RA patients and 30 controls were recruited. Thirty patients were evaluated after 3 months of treatment and SF was collected of 12 patients. ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP hs, IL-22 e IL-6 were measured. DAS28 was used to assess disease activity and response to treatment followed EULAR criteria. Results: There were not differences in serum IL-22 and IL-6 levels between patients and controls. Cytokine levels decreased after treatment, mainly in responder patients. IL-22 was decreased and IL-6 was increased in SF compared to serum. IL-6 correlated positively with CRP and anti-CCPhs. ESR, CRP and DAS28 were increased in patients with detectable IL-6 compared to those with undetectable IL-6. Conclusion: In patients with detectable serum IL-22 and IL-6 levels before treatment initiation, follow-up of cytokine levels could be an useful additional tool to evaluate treatment response.

Introducción: La artritis reumatoidea se caracteriza por inflamación de la membrana sinovial debido al infiltrado de células inmunitarias que secretan citocinas relacionadas a perfil Th17 como IL-22 e IL-6. La dinámica de estas citocinas durante el tratamiento permanece incomprendida. El objetivo fue evaluar los niveles séricos y en líquido sinovial (LS) de IL-22 e IL-6, correlacionarlos con diferentes parámetros bioquímicos y clínicos y medir sus cambios post-tratamiento. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 77 pacientes con AR y 30 controles. A 30 pacientes se los evaluó nuevamente luego de 3 meses de tratamiento y a 12 se les extrajo LS. Se midió VSG, PCR, FR, anti-CCPhs, IL-22 e IL-6. Se evaluó la actividad con DAS28 y respuesta al tratamiento con criterios EULAR. Resultados: IL-22 e IL-6 fueron similares entre pacientes y controles. Sus niveles disminuyeron luego del tratamiento, principalmente en pacientes respondedores. IL-22 fue menor e IL-6 mayor en LS que en sangre. IL-6 correlacionó positivamente con PCR y anti-CCPhs. Los niveles de VSG, PCR y DAS28 fueron mayores en pacientes con valores dosables de IL-6 que en no dosables. Conclusión: En pacientes con valores basales dosables de IL-22 e IL-6, los niveles de estas citocinas podrían utilizarse como marcador adicional de respuesta al tratamiento.

The Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/RANK/Osteoprotegerine (OPG) system has been proposed as essential for osteoclast biology and identified as key part in regulating the physiology and pathology of the skeletal system. The study of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system has increased the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the bone remodeling process, especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis and periodontal disease. Bisphosphonates have become the mainstay of the treatment and prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis. They inhibit the formation and dissolution of calcium phosphate crystals in bone and also osteoclasts, thus reducing bone turnover.Current investigations relate osteoporosis with the appearance and progression of periodontal disease. Although the etiology of both is different, the bone loss present in both shares several characteristics. Thus, therapy used for osteoporosis can be considered of value in the treatment of periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of RANKL, OPG and their relationship in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with periodontal disease and postmenopausal osteoporosis/ osteopenia in relation to consumption of bisphosphonates. We studied 66 periodontal active sites obtained from 17 postmenopausal women patients aged between 45-70 years old with osteoporosis/osteopenia and periodontal disease. GCF samples were collected using sterile filter paper strips. To determine the concentration of RANKL and OPG, a commercial ELISA assay was used. The values of RANKL, OPG and their ratio (RANKL/ OPG) were compared with Mann-Whitney U Test. The values of RANKL, OPG and their ratio obtained in patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia and periodontal disease with or without bisphosphonates treatment showed no differences. Bisphosphonates do not alter the concentration of RANKL and OPG and their ratio in the GCF of patients with osteoporosis/ osteopenia and periodontal disease, probably because these cytokines may not be the main target of bisphosphonates to inhibit bone resorption in periodontal disease.

El sistema: Receptor activador del factor nuclear kappa-B ligando (RANKL)/RANK/Osteoprotegerina (OPG) ha sido propuestos como esencial para la biologia osteoclastica, ya que ha sido identificado como participante clave en la regulacion fisiologica y patologica del sistema oseo. El estudio del sistema RANKL-RANK-OPG ha facilitado la comprension de los mecanismos intervinientes en el proceso de remodela - cion osea, especialmente en la osteoporosis post-menopausica y la enfermedad periodontal. Los bisfosfonatos se han convertido en el pilar principal del tratamiento y prevencion de la osteoporosis post-menopausica. Ellos inhiben la formacion y disolucion de los cristales de fosfato de calcio en el hueso y tambien inhiben a los osteoclastos reduciendo el recambio oseo. Actualmente, varios trabajos de investigacion asocian la osteoporosis con el inicio y la progresion de la enfermedad periodontal. Aunque la etiologia de ambas es diferente, la perdida de masa osea comparte varias caracteristicas y la terapeutica utilizada para la osteoporosis puede ser considera de valor para el tratamiento de la enfermedad periodontal. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del consumo de bifosfonatos en fluido crevicular (FC) sobre los niveles de RANKL, OPG y la relacion RANKL/OPG en pacientes post-menopausicas con enfermedad periodontal y osteoporosis/ osteopenia. Se estudiaron 66 sitios periodontalmente activos obtenidos de pacientes mujeres post-menopausicas con edades entre 45-70 anos de edad con enfermedad periodontal y osteoporosis/ osteopenia. La toma del FC se realizo mediante tiras de papel de filtro esteriles. Para determinar la concentracion de RANKL y OPG se utilizo el ensayo de ELISA comercial siguiendo las instrucciones del fabricante. Los valores obtenidos de las citoquinas y su relacion fueron comparados con el Test U de Mann-Whitney. No se observaron diferencias en las concentraciones de RANKL y OPG encontradas, ni en su relacion, en pacientes con enfermedad periodontal y osteoporosis/osteopenia con y sin tratamiento de bifosfonatos. Esto sugiere que probablemente estas citoquinas no serian el blanco principal de los bifosfonatos para inhibir la resorcion osea en la enfermedad periodontal.

B1 lymphocytes are an anatomically, phenotypically, and functionally distinct subset of B cells producing the bulk of natural serum IgM in the absence of any apparent stimulation by specific antigens. These cells are a dominant population of B cells in peritoneal and pleural cavities and they have characteristics of activated cells and higher cell size and cytoplasmic complexity than conventional B cells. B1 cells spontaneously secrete antibodies and operate under a differentiation program that is unique and differs from the paradigm associated with Ig-secreting B-2 cells. The antibodies produced by B1 cells may participate in a variety of physiological activities since they are involve in immune regulation, clearance of senescent and apoptotic cells and resistance to infection. However, it has been suggested that they are also involved in autoimmunity. Many advances have been made to describe the origin, development and differentiation of B1 cells, which will be examined here.

Las células B1, responsables de la producción de IgM sérica en ausencia de aparente estimulación antigénica, son linfocitos B maduros con ubicación anatómica y características fenotípicas y funcionales particulares.Los linfocitos B1 se ubican mayoritariamente en cavidad peritoneal y pleural, presentan características de células activadas y son de mayor tamaño y complejidad citoplasmática que las células B convencionales. Mientras que estos últimos deben diferenciarse a células plasmáticas para poder secretar inmunoglobulinas, los linfocitos B1 liberan espontáneamente anticuerpos al medio extracelular operando bajo un programa de diferenciación particular. Los anticuerpos producidos por los linfocitos B1 tendrían un rol protector, ya que están implicados en la remoción de células envejecidas y apoptóticas, en mecanismos de inmunomodulación y en resistencia a infecciones, sin embargo su participación en procesos autoinmunes también ha sido sugerida. Muchos estudios han aportado información sobre el origen, desarrollo y diferenciación de los linfocitos B1, los cuales son analizados en esta revisión.

As respostas humorais e celulares, assim como a resistência à infecção a formas sanguícolas do T. cruzi foram estudadas em camundongos imunizados com as frações antigênicas ácidas do Citosol parasitário, F III e F IV com Bordetella pertussis como adjuvante. A imunização com F III induziu respostas positivas ITH e DTH aos antígenos homólogos. Em camundongos imunizados com F IV o ITH foi negativo e quatro dos seis animais apresentaram reações DTH positivas. Em ambos os grupos de camundongos a análise de IgG contra T. cruzi mostrou que o principal isotipo produzido foi IgG1. IgE específico foi também detectado em soros de camundongos imunizados com F III, portanto confirmando a presença de anticorpos homocitotrópicos. As parasitemias atingidas pelos camundongos imunizados por F III e F IV após desafio foram mais baixas do que aquelas dos controles mostrando proteção parcial contra a infecção aguda. Os estudos histológicos do coração e do músculo esquelético realizados dois meses depois da infecção revelaram infiltrado mononuclear de intensidade variável em todos os camundongos infectados a despeito da imunização.

The humoral and cellular immune responses as well as the resistance to infection with bloodstream forms of T. cruzi were studied in mice immunized with acidic antigenic fractions from parasite cytosol, F III and F IV, plus Bordetella pertussis as adjuvant. The immunization with F III induced positive ITH and DTH responses to homologous antigens. In mice immunized with F IV, the ITH was negative and four out of six animals presented positive DTH reactions. In both groups of mice the analysis of IgG aginst T. cruzi showed that the major isotype elicited was IgG1. Specific IgE was also detected in sera from F III immunized mice, thus confirming the presence of homocytothropic antibodies. The parasitemias reached by F III and F IV immunized mice after challenge were lower than those of the controls showing in this way a partial protection against the acute infection. The histological studies of heart and skeletal muscle performed two months after the infection revealed variable mononuclear infiltration in all infected mice despite immunization.