Rheumatoid Arthritis: Renner W

Mangge H, Hubmann H, Pilz S, Schauenstein K, Renner W, März W. · Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnosis, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. · Clin Chem Lab Med. · Pubmed #15202781 No free full text.

Abstract: The development of atherosclerotic lesions encompasses a cascade of cellular and molecular responses that can at best be characterized as an inflammatory process, and exhibits striking similarities to autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chemokines, cytokines and their receptors are critically involved in initiation and perpetuation of atherosclerosis, and they play important roles at all levels in the pathogenesis of this disease. In the present article, the currently available information on cytokines and chemokines as key mediators in atherosclerosis is reviewed. Furthermore, based on recent experiences of our own with very early stages of atherosclerosis, possible new ways to make use of these parameters toward improved early detection, prevention and treatment of this disease are indicated.

Yazdani-Biuki B, Brickmann K, Wohlfahrt K, Mueller T, März W, Renner W, Gutjahr M, Langsenlehner U, Krippl P, Wascher TC, Paulweber B, Graninger W, Brezinschek HP. · Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University Graz, Austria. · Arthritis Res Ther. · Pubmed #16776848 links to  free full text

Abstract: An association between susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a common -168A>G polymorphism in the MHC2TA gene with differential major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II molecule expression was recently reported in a Swedish population. The objective of the present study was to replicate this finding by examining the -168A>G polymorphism in an Austrian case-control study. Three hundred and sixty-two unrelated RA cases and 351 sex-matched and age-matched controls as well as 1,709 Austrian healthy individuals were genotyped. All participants were from the same ethnic background. Genotyping was performed using 5' allelic discrimination assays. The association between susceptibility to RA and the -168A>G single nucleotide polymorphism was examined by chi-square test. Comparison was made assuming a dominant effect (AG + GG genotypes versus AA genotype). In contrast to the primary report, the frequency of MHC2TA -168G allele carriers was not significantly different between patients and controls in the Austrian cohort. The homozygous MHC2TA -168 GG genotype was more frequent in matched controls than in Austrian RA patients. There was no association between the presence of RA-specific autoantibodies and the MHC2TA -168 GG genotype. In this cohort of Austrian patients, no association between the MHC2TA polymorphism and RA was found.

Yazdani-Biuki B, Brickmann K, Langsenlehner U, Renner W, Truschnig M, Krippl P, Fürst F, Graninger WB, Brezinschek HP. · No affiliation provided · Ann Rheum Dis. · Pubmed #18556450 No free full text.

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