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Biomedical subjects

I Sekigawa

Publications and source records attributed to I Sekigawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

DNA methylation: its contribution to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Recent studies on epigenetics, including the methylation of DNA and the enzymes regulating methylation, seem likely to contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In fact, the relationship between DNA methylation and SLE has long been the subject of investigation. To obtain a deeper understanding of the role of DNA methylation in the onset of SLE, we reviewed the findings reported in the literature and our own data about DNA methylation and SLE. Various studies have indicated the possible importance of DNA methylation, especially hypomethylation, in the aetiology of SLE. Epigenetic studies may provide clues for elucidating the pathogenesis of SLE and for developing new strategies to treat this disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Possible importance of immunoglobulin E in foetal loss by mothers with anti-SSA antibody.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of foetal loss and/or adverse foetal outcomes, including congenital heart block (CHB), has been investigated in mothers with anti-SSA antibody detected by immunodiffusion or counter-immunoelectrophoresis methods. We investigated the relationship between several serum parameters (such as autoantibodies and immunoglobulins) and foetal loss in patients with anti-SSA antibody, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven women who showed positivity for anti-SSA antibody and had a history of pregnancy were included in this study. Immunoglobulins and several autoantibodies were assayed by routine laboratory methods at our hospital. RESULTS: Our data indicated that immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly higher in the anti-SSA antibody positive women with foetal loss than in those without, and that a strong positive correlation between IgE and anti-SSA antibody levels was observed in the former group, but not in the latter. CONCLUSION: The serum IgE level seems to be an important factor in the occurrence of foetal loss in mothers with anti-SSA antibody detected by ELISA.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Possible mechanisms of gender bias in SLE: a new hypothesis involving a comparison of SLE with atopy.

The prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is far higher in females than in males, and numerous investigations of this gender bias have been performed from several perspectives. Sex hormones, particularly estrogens, may be significant in causing the gender discrepancy. This article discusses the possible importance of estrogens in regulating the expression of and responsivity to autoantigens in SLE and in atopic disorders, which are associated with hyperreactivity to exogenous antigens. Estrogens seem to play an important role in the overexpression of endogenous autoantigens, such as human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), and this may be related to the existence of a gender bias in the incidence of SLE but not atopy.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed2003

DNA methylation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Recent studies on epigenetics, including DNA methylation and its regulatory enzymes, seem likely to contribute to elucidation of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), although the relationship between DNA methylation and SLE has long been the subject of investigation. To obtain a deeper understanding of the role of DNA methylation in the induction of SLE, we reviewed the relationship between DNA methylation and SLE based on findings reported in the literature and our own data. Various studies, including ours, have indicated the possible importance of DNA methylation, especially hypomethylation, in the etiology of SLE. These epigenetic studies may give us clues towards elucidation of the pathogenesis of SLE and development of new therapeutic strategies for this disease.

DNA Methylation↗
PubMed2002

Lessons from similarities between SLE and HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to obtain deeper understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through comparative studies between both diseases. METHOD: For this purpose, we reviewed and discussed lessons from similarities in both diseases based on our own and reported findings in literatures. RESULT: Such comparative studies may contribute to the progress in understanding the clinical or pathogenetic features of these diseases. CONCLUSION: Further studies into the relationship between SLE and HIV infection may bring to light important clues to assist in the development of better treatments for each disease.

HIV Infections↗
PubMed2002

Allergic disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence and family history.

The relationship between allergic disorders (such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unclear and controversial. We investigated the prevalence of these allergic disorders in SLE patients and their families. A questionnaire about the history of allergy was completed by 52 SLE patients and by 52 matched (including race, age, sex and region) non-SLE controls. Our results indicated that there was a significantly lower incidence of these allergic diseases in SLE patients, especially those who had an allergic family histories, when compared with the controls. These findings may be related to the immunological similarities and differences between SLE and various allergic diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Possible triggering effect of cytomegalovirus infection on systemic lupus erythematosus.

We report on a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who showed elevated titers of IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), suggesting CMV infection at the onset of SLE. Serum CMV antigens were also detected in the patient. These findings raise the possibility that CMV infection may be related to the onset of SLE in certain patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Pseudolymphoma of the liver associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is known to be associated with pseudolymphoma in several organs. We describe a patient with SS complicated by a hepatic pseudolymphoma. Although the development of a hepatic pseudolymphoma is extremely rare, this disorder should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of space occupying lesions related to autoimmune diseases such as SS.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Retroviruses and autoimmunity.

The investigation of human retroviruses has shown dramatic progress since the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These studies have also contributed to the exploration of the role of retroviruses, including endogenous retroviruses, in the induction of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This review describes the potential role of retroviruses in autoimmunity, based on recent findings including our own results.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Quantitative analyses of messenger RNA of human endogenous retrovirus in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) has emerged as a possible causative agent of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To investigate the role of HERV in the etiology of SLE, we performed quantitative analyses of messenger RNA (mRNA) of the HERV clone 4-1 in patients with SLE. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR; TaqMan methodology) were used in this experiment. RESULTS: The quantities of mRNA of the HERV clone 4-1 gag region in patients with SLE were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and the amounts of such mRNA in the patients were decreased by steroid treatment. CONCLUSION: These phenomena may be related to the production of viral components derived from HERV clone 4-1 and contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE; studies using a larger number of patients are required to confirm these points.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Changes of CD4/CD8 ratio and interleukin-16 in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The authors investigated changes in the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells (CD4/CD8 ratio) and T-cell activation, indicated by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) following treatment. An increase was observed in the CD4/CD8 ratio as well as a decrease in the expression of HLA-DR on T cells with the improvement of clinical manifestations on treatment with steroids or cyclosporine (CSA). In addition, steroid treatment suppressed whereas CSA treatment exerted no perceptible influence on the serum interleukin (IL)-16 level, concurrent with changes in T-cell phenotypes. This indicated that the mechanism of the change in the CD4/CD8 ratio differed depending on the drug, and CD8+ T cells could play an important role in reducing this ratio. The CD4/CD8 ratio and HLA-DR expression may be good indicators of therapeutic efficacy in some SLE patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗