Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine with pleiotropic functions in hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Although its role in rheumatoid arthritis is not well defined, TGF-β activation leads to functional immunomodulatory effects according to environmental conditions. The function of TGF-β in the development of arthritis in murine models has been extensively studied with controversial results. Recent findings point to a non-relevant role for TGF-p in a mice model of collagen-induced arthritis. The study of TGF-β on T-cell responses has shown controversial results as an inhibitor or promoter of the inflammatory response. This paper presents a review of the role of TGF-β in animal models of arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
The most frequent cutaneous lymphoma of T cells is mycosis fungoide, a chronic disease with an inadequate name and different phases of evolution. This paper reports the case of a 69 year-old male patient with mycosis fungoide, patch stage, who has developed three basal cell carcinomas, one treated with imiquimod, another treated with surgical excision and primary closure and the last one reconstructed with a rotation flap type O-Z. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
HELICOBACTER, COLITIS, COLON diseases, INTESTINAL diseases, T cells, MICE
Abstract
This article focuses on a study related to a Helicobacter causing colitis. Although causes of inflammatory bowel diseases remains to be established, it is recognized that the intestinal flora plays a pivotal role. In an elegant series of experiments, researchers have shown that a T cell clone specific for soluble H hepaticus antigen transferred colitis to T cell deficient H hepaticus infected RAG knockout mice. The study concludes that an aberrant T cell response to specific components of the gut flora is likely to cause some forms of colitis in humans, but it seems too much to hope that H hepaticus is also the culprit.