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Aims: In this paper, we review the literature on the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents as neuroprotectors in clinical and preclinical stages of schizophrenia. Method: A synthetic and integrative approach was applied to review studies stemming from epidemiology, phenomenology, cognition, genetics and neuroimaging data. We provide conclusions and future directions of research on early-onset schizophrenia. Results: Abnormal inflammatory activation has been demonstrated in schizophrenia. Increases or imbalances in cytokines before birth or during childhood may impact neurodevelopment and produce vulnerability to schizophrenia. The specificity of inflammatory abnormalities in psychiatric disorders is controversial. Similar increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines have been described in other disorders, especially mood and anxiety disorders. One of the most important challenges at this point is the understanding of neurobiological correlates of prodromal stages of schizophrenia. Conclusion: Although future research should investigate the exact role of different cytokines in pathophysiology of schizophrenia, these mediators emerge as promising molecular targets to its prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Larcombe et al. (2011) Sexual dimorphism in lung function responses to acute influenza A infection. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 334-342. Background Males are generally more susceptible to respiratory infections; however, there are few data on the physiological responses to such infections in males and females. Objectives To determine whether sexual dimorphism exists in the physiological/inflammatory responses of weanling and adult BALB/c mice to influenza. Methods Weanling and adult mice of both sexes were inoculated with influenza A or appropriate control solution. Respiratory mechanics, responsiveness to methacholine (MCh), viral titre and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellular inflammation/cytokines were measured 4 (acute) and 21 (resolution) days post-inoculation. Results Acute infection impaired lung function and induced hyperresponsiveness and cellular inflammation in both sexes at both ages. Males and females responded differently with female mice developing greater abnormalities in tissue damping and elastance and greater MCh responsiveness at both ages. BAL inflammation, cytokines and lung viral titres were similar between the sexes. At resolution, all parameters had returned to baseline levels in adults and weanling males; however, female weanlings had persisting hyperresponsiveness. Conclusions We identified significant differences in the physiological responses of male and female mice to infection with influenza A, which occurred in the absence of variation in viral titre and cellular inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a review of papers published in "Arthritis & Rheumatism" (A&R) from July 1995 through June 2000, focusing on the documentation of the advances in anticytokine therapeutics for rheumatic diseases. It is said that the evolution of knowledge about the role of cytokines in inflammation and tissue damage in rheumatic diseases led to the application of the principles of rational drug design to the development of therapeutic approaches for the diseases.

Introduction: Inflammation is an important constituent of the pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to alveolar destruction and airway remodelling. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the difference in plasma biomarkers of inflammation between asymptomatic smokers and patients with COPD. Methods: We used commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits to measure the plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) on two occasions with a 2-week interval in patients with COPD ( n = 20), asymptomatic smokers ( n = 10) and healthy lifelong non-smokers ( n = 10). The participants were characterised clinically, physiologically and by quantitative computed tomography by measuring the relative area of emphysema below −910 Hounsfield units (RA-910). Results: The results of the biomarker measurements on the two occasions were highly reproducible. Patients with COPD had significantly higher plasma levels of IL-8 ( P = 0.004) and significantly lower levels of TIMP-1 ( P = 0.02) than smokers and non-smokers. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in the level of TNF-α, MMP-9, MCP-1 and TIMP-2. The IL-8/TIMP-1 ratio correlated significantly with the degree of airway obstruction measured as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted ( r = −0.47, P < 0.01); with the diffusion capacity ( r = −0.41, P < 0.01); and with the grade of emphysema measured as RA-910 ( r = 0.39, P = 0.01). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the measurement of plasma biomarkers, such as IL-8/TIMP-1, may aid to discriminate patients with COPD from smokers at lower risk of developing COPD. Please cite this paper as: Shaker SB, von Wachenfeldt KA, Larsson S, Mile I, Persdotter S, Dahlbäck M, Broberg P, Stoel B, Bach KS, Hestad M, Fehniger TE and Dirksen A. Identification of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by measurement of plasma biomarkers. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 17–25. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innate and adaptive immune functions decline with age, leading to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancer, and reduced responses to preventive vaccination in the elderly population. Macrophages function as ‘pathogen sensors’ and play an important role in the initiation of inflammatory responses, elimination of pathogens, manipulation of the adaptive immune response and reparation of damaged tissue. In this paper, we review the literature addressing the impact of aging on the macrophage population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked Content This article is linked to Cremon et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13958. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]