Autoimmune polyendocrine disorders are characterized by the presence of more than one autoimmune endocrine disease. Study of such disorders has provided unique insight into the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and the development of tolerance in the normal individual. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes …

This chapter addresses the psychological effects of social stigma. Stigma directly affects the stigmatized via mechanisms of discrimination, expectancy confirmation, and automatic stereotype activation, and indirectly via threats to personal and social identity. We review and organize recent theory …

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inflammatory condition of the central nervous system with similarities to multiple sclerosis. In both diseases, circulating leukocytes penetrate the blood-brain barrier and damage myelin, resulting in impaired nerve conduction and paralysis. We s …

Both the type I (IFN-alpha beta) and type II (IFN-gamma) IFNs have been heavily implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. To test the relative roles of these systems, congenic lupus-prone MRL/CD95(lpr/lpr) (MRL/lpr) mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (IFN-RI), type II IFN rec …

Immunization with heat-shock protein (HSP) gp96 elicits protective immunity to the cancer or virus-infected cells from which it is derived. Low doses of gp96 generate immunity, while doses 10 times the immunizing dose do not. We show here that injection of high doses of gp96 generates CD4(+) T cells …

Lewis rats immunized with T cell receptor (TCR) variable region peptide V beta 8 in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) were protected against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced with myelin basic protein in CFA, although variable protection was also observed in rats injected with c …

A new immunosuppressive compound, FK-506, is a macrolide produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis. It is reported that FK-506 prolongs the viability of allogenic grafts of the heart and kidney in vivo and inhibits the development of autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, immunosuppressive therapy of myocard …

These results show that short-term prophylactic insulin treatment cannot prevent diabetes and thyroiditis development in DP-BB rats. The prophylactic treatment must start well before 60 days of age and be prolonged into the phase when the rats normally become diabetic to reduce diabetes incidence. T …

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO(2)) therapy on the immune system are reported including potential changes to the CD4/CD8 ratio and a decreased proliferation of lymphocytes during exposure. The immunosuppressive effect of HBO(2) had been suggested to be applicable for the treatment of certain a …

Nicotinamide (NCT) has been shown to be effective in preventing the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in mice with non-obese diabetic (NOD) and beta cell damage, mediated by the diabetogenic agents including streptozotocin. NCT therapy in man has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the …

Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) induced in rats by injection of cardiac myosin is an animal model of human myocarditis and post-myocarditis dilated cardiomyopathy. It has been reported that proinflammatory cytokines play crucial roles in the induction of EAM and in the progression of myoca …

Insulin-dependent mellitus diabetes is an autoimmune disease resulting from the destruction of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans by autoreactive T cells. Various approaches are being investigated in order to slow down the progression of diabetes using immunotherapy. The most promising resul …

The terms "diabetic control" and "diabetic management" are not synonymous. Diabetic control implies normal glucose metabolism, typically monitored by periodic determinations of plasma glucose and urine reducing sugar concentrations. A group of 220 diabetic children attending a camp complied 74% of t …

ENDIT ("European Nicotinamide Diabetes Intervention Trial") is a large placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial that aimed at studying the efficacy of nicotinamide in the prevention of type 1 diabetes mellitus among first-degree relatives of type 1 diabetic patients with positive islet cell anti …

This review is an evidence- and experience-based approach to the management of SLE, particularly its kidney manifestations. Specific protocols in substantial clinical detail are provided for management and monitoring, according to the severity of the SLE manifestations. The protocols are adapted fro …

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of complex pathologies, which involves infiltration by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells of and response within the central nervous system. Expression in the CNS of cytokines, reactive nitrogen species and costimulator molecules have all been described in MS. Notably, th …

Autoimmunity accounts for a significant percentage of human disease and remains a challenging syndrome to treat. While systemic immunosuppression can be beneficial, the associated toxicity of the pharmacologic agents necessitates an antigen-specific approach to silence, eradicate or prevent the gene …

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressant that inhibits interleukin (IL)-2 signaling of T-cell proliferation but not IL-2-induced T-cell apoptosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that administration of IL-2, together with sirolimus, might shift T-cell proliferation to apoptosis and prevent autoimmune destructio …

Data are presented demonstrating the prevention of spontaneous autoimmune disease in NZB/Swiss mice treated natural double-stranded RNA. The successful treatment of animals was followed both by improvement in clinical manifestations and by the migration inhibition test performed with DNA as antigen. …

The onset and course of pemphigus are often the result of an interaction between predisposing genetic factors and environmental triggering agents. The latter are heterogeneous, numerous and increasing, ranging from drug intake (the commonest cause of pemphigus induction) to the exposure to physical …