AIM: To investigate the association between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) by measurement of serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4). METHODS: The serum level of IgG4 was measured in 61 ...AIM: To investigate the association between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) by measurement of serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4). METHODS: The serum level of IgG4 was measured in 61 patients with SAIDs of different types who had not yet participated in glucocorticosteroid treatment. Patients with an elevated IgG4 level were examined by abdominal ultrasonography (US) and, in some cases, by computer tomography (CT). RESULTS: Elevated serum IgG4 levels (919 ± 996 mg/L) were detected in 17 (28%) of the 61 SAID patients. 10 patients had Sj gren's syndrome (SS) (IgG4: 590 ± 232 mg/L), 2 of them in association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and 7 patients (IgG4: 1388 ± 985.5 mg/L) had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The IgG4 level in the SLE patients and that in patients with SS were not significantly different from that in AIP patients (783 ± 522 mg/L). Abdominal US and CT did not reveal any characteristic features of AIP among the SAID patients with an elevated IgG4 level. CONCLUSION: The serum IgG4 level may be elevated in SAIDs without the presence of AIP. The determination of serum IgG4 does not seem to be suitable for the differentiation between IgG4-related diseases and SAIDs.展开更多
Objective:The gene for mast cell chymase (CMA1) is an ideal candidate for investigating the genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease (CHD),as activated mast cells have been found to be present in a greater pro...Objective:The gene for mast cell chymase (CMA1) is an ideal candidate for investigating the genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease (CHD),as activated mast cells have been found to be present in a greater proportion in the shoulder region of atheroma than in normal coronary intimae.Previous studies have indicated that CMA1 promoter polymorphism rs1800875 may be involved in regulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in patients with eczema,and it is associated with the progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.Methods:The association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800875,serum chymase,and serum IgE levels was examined in 175 CHD subjects and 95 non-CHD subjects.Results:Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in allele frequency between CHD and non-CHD.However,a significant association was found between CMA1 genotypes and total IgE levels in CHD subjects.Meanwhile,crossover analysis revealed that,in GG homozygotes,CHD risk was nearly six times higher in those with IgE (U/ml) level <2.58 (natural logarithm conversion),while no association was found with chymase level.Conclusions:Polymorphism rs1800875 of CMA1 may be associated with serum IgE level in CHD subjects,but not with chymase level in both groups.In GG homozygotes,high IgE level is a protective factor against coronary disease.展开更多
基金Supported by Grants TáMOP-4.2.1./B-09/1/KONV and 4.2.2-08/1-2008-0002 (partly)
文摘AIM: To investigate the association between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) by measurement of serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4). METHODS: The serum level of IgG4 was measured in 61 patients with SAIDs of different types who had not yet participated in glucocorticosteroid treatment. Patients with an elevated IgG4 level were examined by abdominal ultrasonography (US) and, in some cases, by computer tomography (CT). RESULTS: Elevated serum IgG4 levels (919 ± 996 mg/L) were detected in 17 (28%) of the 61 SAID patients. 10 patients had Sj gren's syndrome (SS) (IgG4: 590 ± 232 mg/L), 2 of them in association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and 7 patients (IgG4: 1388 ± 985.5 mg/L) had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The IgG4 level in the SLE patients and that in patients with SS were not significantly different from that in AIP patients (783 ± 522 mg/L). Abdominal US and CT did not reveal any characteristic features of AIP among the SAID patients with an elevated IgG4 level. CONCLUSION: The serum IgG4 level may be elevated in SAIDs without the presence of AIP. The determination of serum IgG4 does not seem to be suitable for the differentiation between IgG4-related diseases and SAIDs.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30670867) to Mei-xiang XIANGthe Major Program of Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province,China(No. 2007C13058) to Mei-xiang XIANG
文摘Objective:The gene for mast cell chymase (CMA1) is an ideal candidate for investigating the genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease (CHD),as activated mast cells have been found to be present in a greater proportion in the shoulder region of atheroma than in normal coronary intimae.Previous studies have indicated that CMA1 promoter polymorphism rs1800875 may be involved in regulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in patients with eczema,and it is associated with the progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.Methods:The association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800875,serum chymase,and serum IgE levels was examined in 175 CHD subjects and 95 non-CHD subjects.Results:Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in allele frequency between CHD and non-CHD.However,a significant association was found between CMA1 genotypes and total IgE levels in CHD subjects.Meanwhile,crossover analysis revealed that,in GG homozygotes,CHD risk was nearly six times higher in those with IgE (U/ml) level <2.58 (natural logarithm conversion),while no association was found with chymase level.Conclusions:Polymorphism rs1800875 of CMA1 may be associated with serum IgE level in CHD subjects,but not with chymase level in both groups.In GG homozygotes,high IgE level is a protective factor against coronary disease.
