Treatment Of Several Autoimmune Diseases Research Articles

The Effect of Linomide, an Immunoregulator in Experimental Autoimmune Diseases, on Humoral Antibody Responses in Mice

Linomide (quinoline-3-carboxamide), a well tolerated, orally administered compound was recently shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of several autoimmune diseases in experimental animal models. We have investigated its effect on specific humoral immune responses directed to T-cell-dependent soluble or particulate antigens and to a T cell-independent antigen in several mouse strains. Linomide administered after antigen priming did not affect primary and secondary antibody responses directed to T-cell particulate antigens (SRBC) or soluble antigens given with or without complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Linomide treatment given prior to antigen priming did not affect the antibody response to a soluble antigen (TNP-KLH) given with an adjuvant. In contrast, dose-dependent down regulation of primary antibody responses was observed when T cell-dependent (BSA-dextran) or T-cell-independent (TNP-Ficoll) antigens were administered in an immunogenic form without adjuvant after starting Linomide treatment. The primary anti-SRBC antibody response was also suppressed by high dose Linomide given prior to immunization although normal secondary responses were retained. It is worth noting that no immunosuppressive effects on antibody responses were found at low dose ranges which effectively reversed T cell dependent autoimmune manifestation.

Early Recurrence or Persistence of Autoimmune Diseases After Unmanipulated Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Autologous stem cell transplantation with or without in vitro lymphocyte depletion has been suggested as a new treatment option for severe autoimmune diseases. We describe five patients with autoimmune diseases (CREST syndrome, myasthenia gravis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis) who underwent autologous bone marrow (n = 1) or peripheral blood progenitor cell (n = 4) transplantation with unmanipulated grafts as treatment for the autoimmune disease in one case or as treatment for a malignant disorder with a concomitant autoimmune disorder in four cases. In all patients serological and clinical signs of the autoimmune disease recurred early or persisted. These observations should be regarded as a cautionary note concerning the efficacy of high-dose therapy followed by transplantation of unmanipulated autologous stem cells for treatment of severe autoimmune diseases.

Haemopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases.

Haemopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases.

Immune ablation followed by allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation: a new treatment for severe autoimmune diseases?

Immune ablation followed by allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation: a new treatment for severe autoimmune diseases?

Mechanism of action and rationale for cyclosporin A in psoriasis

Cyclosporin A (CyA) is the forerunner of a new generation of immunosuppressive drugs. It is highly effective in both antibody- and cell-mediated immunity and in inhibiting chronic inflammatory reactions. Cyclosporin A is, therefore, widely used to prevent rejection in clinical organ transplantation and appears to be very promising in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, in particular psoriasis. Cyclosporin A is not only effective when given at the time of sensitization (prevention of rejection), but also when administered therapeutically during an immune response, such as during the active course of an autoimmune disease. The most important aspect of its immunosuppressive mechanism is the inhibition of lymphokine production secreted by activated T cells. The pharmacological effects of CyA are rapid in onset, dose-dependent and often quickly reversible when treatment is stopped.