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Carlo Avolio

Publications and source records attributed to Carlo Avolio.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Consensus recommendations of the Italian Association for Neuroimmunology for immunochemical cerebrospinal fluid examination.

In 2002-2003, the Italian Association for Neuroimmunology (AINI) ran a program for procedure and method standardization in neuroimmunology. The main purposes of the program were: a) to improve the overall quality of analytical performance and, simultaneously, to reduce costs by resource optimization; b) to establish the bases for clinical guidelines in neurology; c) to promote the formation of laboratory networks and of joint research projects; d) to facilitate the procedures for certification required by governmental/non-governmental agencies. This report summarizes the consensus recommendations of a panel of AINI neuroimmunologists/biochemists involved in the field of cerebrospinal fluid examination. The collection process for said recommendations was guided by "impact-factored" literature and the knowledge of the experts involved. Communication was by email and face-to-face at two dedicated AINI workshops.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 are elevated in different multiple sclerosis subtypes.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in tissues is the result of a balance between MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). MMP-9 predominates in acute MS lesions and is inhibited by TIMP-1, while MMP-2 may participate in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as in chronic disease and is inhibited by TIMP-2. These differences may be reflected in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We have tried to characterize MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities, in relation to their respective TIMPs, 2 and 1, as a factor of different types of the disease, as this information was not previously clearly stated. We found the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio in serum to show higher values in secondary progressive (SP, p=0.02) and primary progressive (PP, p=0.01) MS than short disease duration (SDD) relapsing-remitting (RR) MS, but not different from the healthy control (HC) group. Whereas the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in serum showed higher (p=0.04) values in SDD RR MS than PP but also in active patients, evaluated either clinically (p=0.006) or from the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, p<0.05), compared to inactive disease. CSF MMP to TIMP ratios did not differ between MS subtypes, suggesting systemic rather CNS-restricted changes. These results show that an increase in MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio marks chronic progression in MS, but it is as high as in HC, and also confirm that high MMP-9 activity characterizes short duration relapsing and active forms of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Interferon beta in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: an independent postmarketing study in southern Italy.

This independent, population-based surveillance study monitored the efficacy and safety of interferon beta (IFNbeta) products in 1033 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) from 15 centres in Italy. Relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and adverse events were evaluated for up to 24 months. Data of patients with a baseline EDSS score < or = 3.5 are reported. The proportions of relapse-free patients were similar among the groups at 12 and 24 months (P = 0.10). IFNbeta products produced significant reductions from baseline in relapse rates at 12 and 24 months (P < 0.001), with no differences among treatments (P = 0.2). There were no significant differences in mean EDSS change among groups at 12 or 24 months. The IFNbeta-1b group showed a higher incidence of adverse events during the first year of treatment (P < 0.05) than IFNbeta-1a groups, and more withdrawals (10%) compared with Avonex (5%) at 24 months. IFNbeta products are equally effective in low disability RRMS, but IFNbeta-1a may have a more favorable efficacy/tolerability ratio.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2002

Age-related disability in multiple sclerosis.

There is evidence that the clinical course of multiple sclerosis is age related. The present study evaluated the relationship between age and rate of disability progression in a large hospital-based cohort of definite cases of multiple sclerosis (n= 1,463). Patients were followed every 6 to 12 months for a total period of observation of 11,387.8 person-years. Expanded Disability Status Scale scores increased significantly with increasing current age and longer duration of disease (p=0.007). Median times to reach Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 4.0 and 6.0, assessed using an extended Kaplan-Meier method with age as a categorical time-varying covariate, were significantly longer among patients aged 20 to 35 years compared with patients aged 36 to 50 and 51 to 65 years (p < 0.0001). Significant associations were observed between mean Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and age at disease onset, current age, and the interaction of age at disease onset and current age (p < 0.001). Current age had a greater effect (59% of variability in the model) on disease severity than did age at disease onset. Furthermore, a multiplicative effect on Expanded Disability Status Scale score was observed for age at disease onset and current age combined, indicating a faster rate of disease progression in older patients. In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrate the impact of age on rate of disability progression in multiple sclerosis and suggest that an age-adjusted progression index may be a more relevant criterion for defining differences between multiple sclerosis groups.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Differential regulation of membrane bound and soluble ICAM 1 in human endothelium and blood mononuclear cells: effects of interferon beta-1a.

The membrane-associated Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (mICAM 1) is fundamental for adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. A soluble form of ICAM 1 (sICAM 1) exists in the human serum, and is seen as marker of disease activity in patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). High levels of sICAM 1 have been detected in MS patients benefiting from interferon beta (IFNbeta) treatment, but little is known on the molecular origins of sICAM 1. This study investigated the interrelationship and the mechanisms of production of sICAM 1 and mICAM 1 in human endothelium (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, HUVECs) and mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) upon stimulation with IFNbeta-1a and other inducers. We found that the expression of mICAM 1 and the release of sICAM 1 are differentially regulated in both these cytotypes. HUVECs and MNL express specific mRNA for both mICAM 1 and sICAM 1, and modification of the content of each of these transcripts results in regulation of both the ICAM 1 isoforms. We show that IFNbeta-1a is strong regulator of the ICAM 1 RNA splicing machinery. Effect of IFNbeta-1a over expression of the ICAM 1 isoforms might have a relevant immunomoregulatory role in Multiple Sclerosis.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serial immunoprecipitation assays for interferon--(IFN)-beta antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients.

We devised a sensitive, radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) for anti-interferon (IFN)-beta-binding antibody (BAB) detection. Our RIPA showed good agreement with a reference RIPA (mean difference, -3.2 +/- 10.6 AU), and detected BAB to both IFN-beta-1a and IFN-beta-1b. Neutralizing antibodies to IFN-b (NAB) were also determined with a standard method. BAB and NAB were measured in 393 serum samples from 77 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with IFN-beta-1a or -1b, who were studied over two years, and subsequently classified as responders and non-responders. BAB were found at higher concentrations, and more frequently detected, in IFN-beta-1b- than in IFN-beta-1a-treated patients, and, at highest titres, preferentially in patients who were positive for NAB. However, in our series of MS patients, both titres and frequency of detection of BAB or NAB did not differ between IFN-b responders and non-responders.

Autoantibodies↗