New Research from Catholic University of Korea Explores Angiogenesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Silicotic Nodules Formation

Recent studies from the Catholic University of Korea have shed light on the mechanisms underlying rheumatoid arthritis (RA) angiogenesis and the formation of silicotic nodules in rats. In the first study, researchers investigated the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in driving angiogenesis in RA synovial fibroblasts. They found that IL-18 induces the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via AP-1-dependent pathways, suggesting that IL-18 is an angiogenic factor in RA. The study's findings suggest that down-regulating IL-18 activity or AP-1 signal pathways may be potential therapeutic targets for RA.

In the second study, scientists examined the roles of plasma proteins in the formation of silicotic nodules in rats. They found that the silica particles are encapsulated with extracellular protein composites, including fibrinogen, albumin, and prealbumin (transthyretin), which are stabilized by transglutaminase (TGase) E and plasma factor XIII (F-XIII) catalyzed crosslinking. These findings suggest that plasma proteins play a crucial role in the formation of silicotic nodules in rats.

The third study describes the development of an inducible vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) L cell line for packaging of recombinant VSV. This cell line can produce vector particles without a transfection step, making it an ideal approach for VSV vector production. The researchers demonstrated that the cell line can replicate recombinant VSV in the presence of tetracycline or doxycycline, and that the viral supernatants contain infectious VSV.

Key Takeaways:

• IL-18 is a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of RA, and its blockade may be a promising therapeutic strategy.
• Plasma proteins, including fibrinogen, albumin, and prealbumin (transthyretin), play a crucial role in the formation of silicotic nodules in rats.
• The inducible VSV L cell line developed in this study can be used for the packaging of recombinant VSV, making it an ideal approach for VSV vector production.
• The findings of these studies have implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies for RA and the understanding of the mechanisms underlying silicotic nodules formation.
• Researchers from the Catholic University of Korea, including H.Y. Kim, S.Y. Lee, and Seong-Karp Hong, are contributing to the understanding of various aspects of human diseases, including RA and silicosis.
• The studies highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration between researchers from different fields, including immunology, virology, and proteomics.

Statistics:

• IL-18 levels in sera and synovial fluids of RA patients were significantly higher than those of OA patients.
• VEGF levels in sera and synovial fluids of RA patients were also significantly higher than those of OA patients.
• The presence of TGase E and plasma factor XIII (F-XIII) in silicotic nodules was evidenced by direct chemical methods and immunoreactivity for anti-isopeptide bonds.
• The silica particles were encapsulated with extracellular protein composites, including fibrinogen, albumin, and prealbumin (transthyretin), which are stabilized by TGase E and plasma factor XIII (F-XIII) catalyzed crosslinking.

Sources:

• Cho, M.L., et al. (2006). Interleukin-18 induces the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts via AP-1-dependent pathways. Immunology Letters, 103(2), 159-166.
• Kim, Y.M., et al. (2005). Roles of plasma proteins in the formation of silicotic nodules in rats. Toxicology Letters, 158(1), 1-9.
• Hong, S.K., et al. (2005). Inducible vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) L cell line for packaging of recombinant VSV. Virus Genes, 31(2), 195-201.