NEWS/PUBLICATIONS UPTO JUNE 29TH 2015

Efficiency and safety of subconjunctival injection of anti-VEGF agent | DDDT

Efficiency and safety of subconjunctival injection of anti-VEGF agent - bevacizumab - in treating dry eye Xiaodan Jiang,* Huibin Lv,* Weiqiang Qiu, Ziyuan Liu, Xuemin Li, Wei Wang Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally as first authors Purpose: Dry eye is a chronic inflammatory ocular surface disease with high prevalence.

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NEWS/PUBLICATIONS UPTO JUNE 29TH 2015

1.	Eye (Lond). 2015 Jun 26. A review of therapies for diabetic macular oedema and rationale for combination therapy. Amoaku WM1, Saker S1, Stewart EA1. Author information:  1Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. Abstract Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is responsible for significant visual impairment in diabetic patients. The primary cause of DMO is fluid leakage resulting from increased vascular permeability through contributory anatomical and biochemical changes. These include endothelial cell (EC) death or dysfunction, pericyte loss or dysfunction, thickened basement membrane, loss or dysfunction of glial cells, and loss/change of EC Glycocalyx. The molecular changes include increased reactive oxygen species, pro-inflammatory changes: advanced glycation end products, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, Complement 5-9 deposition and cytokines, which result in increased paracellular permeability, tight junction disruption, and increased transcellular permeability. Laser photocoagulation has been the mainstay of treatment until recently when pharmacological treatments were introduced. The current treatments for DMO target reducing vascular leak in the macula once it has occurred, they do not attempt to treat the underlying pathology. These pharmacological treatments are aimed at antagonising vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or non-VEGF inflammatory pathways, and include intravitreal injections of anti-VEGFs (ranibizumab, aflibercept or bevacizumab) or steroids (fluocinolone, dexamethasone or triamcinolone) as single therapies. The available evidence suggests that each individual treatment modality in DMO does not result in a completely dry macula in most cases. The ideal treatment for DMO should improve vision and improve morphological changes in the macular (eg, reduce macular oedema) for a significant duration, reduced adverse events, reduced treatment burden and costs, and be well tolerated by patients. This review evaluates the individual treatments available as monotherapies, and discusses the rationale and potential for combination therapy in DMO. A comprehensive review of clinical trials related to DMO and their outcomes was completed. Where phase III randomised control trials were available, these were referenced, if not available, phase II trials have been included.Eye advance online publication, 26 June
	PMID: 26113500

2.	Drug Des Devel Ther. 2015 Jun 12; Efficiency and safety of subconjunctival injection of anti-VEGF agent - bevacizumab - in treating dry eye. Jiang X1, Lv H1, Qiu W1, Liu Z1, Li X1, Wang W1. Author information:  1Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Abstract PURPOSE:  Dry eye is a chronic inflammatory ocular surface disease with high prevalence. The current therapies for dry eye remain to be unspecific and notcomprehensive. This study aims to explore safety and efficacy of a novel treatment - subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab - in dry eye patients. METHODS:  Sixty-four eyes of 32 dry eye patients received subconjunctival injection of 100 μL 25 mg/mL bevacizumab. Dry eye symptoms, signs (corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, conjunctival vascularity, corneal staining, tear break-up time, Marx line score, and blood pressure), and conjunctival impression cytology were evaluated 3 days before and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after injection. RESULTS:  Significant improvements were observed in dry eye symptoms, tear break-up time, and conjunctival vascularization area at all the visits after injection compared to the baseline (P<0.05). The density of the goblet cell increased significantly at 1 month and 3 months after injection (P<0.05). There was no visual and systemic threat observed in any patient. CONCLUSION:  Subconjunctival injection of 100 μL 25 mg/mL bevacizumab is a safe and efficient treatment for ocular surface inflammation of dry eye disease.
	PMID: 26109847

3.	Optom Vis Sci. 2015 Jun 23.  Comparison of Topical Cyclosporine and Diquafosol Treatment in Dry Eye. Yang JM1, Choi W, Kim N, Yoon KC. Author information:  1*MD †PhD ‡MD, PhD Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea (JMY, WC, KCY); Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea (NK); and Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea (NK, KCY). Abstract PURPOSE:  To compare the treatment effects of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) and diquafosol sodium (DQS) for the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED). METHODS:  This prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study involved 60 eyes of 60 patients with moderate to severe DED who were treated with topical CsA 0.05% (group 1, 31 patients) or DQS 3% (group 2, 29 patients) in addition to artificial tears for 3 months. Before treatment, and at 1 and 3 months after treatment, the Ocular Surface Disease Index, tear breakup time, Schirmer score, tear clearance rate, and corneal and conjunctival staining scores were compared. RESULTS:  Significant improvements in Ocular Surface Disease Index score, tear clearance rate, and corneal staining score were observed 1 month after treatment in group 2 (p = 0.014, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively), when compared with group 1. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups 3 months after treatment (p > 0.05). Tear breakup times were significantly higher in group 2 compared with group 1 for the duration of the study (p < 0.001). Three months after treatment, Schirmer score was significantly higher and conjunctival staining score was significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:  Both topical CsA 0.05% and DQS 3% are effective in patients with moderate to severe DED. However, the timing and degree of therapeutic effects on tear film and ocular surface parameters, as well as symptoms, can be different between the two treatments.
	PMID: 26107023 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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4.	J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Jun 23. Effect of Viscous Agents on Corneal Density in Dry Eye Disease. Wegener AR1, Meyer LM2, Schönfeld CL2,3. Author information:  11 University Eye Clinic Bonn , Bonn, Germany . 22 Herzog Carl-Theodor Eye Clinic , Munich, Germany . 33 Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany . Abstract PURPOSE:  To investigate the effect of the viscous agents, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carbomer, povidone, and a combination of HPMC and povidone on corneal density in patients with dry eye disease. METHODS:  In total, 98 eyes of 49 patients suffering from dry eye and 65 eyes of 33 healthy age-matched individuals were included in this prospective, randomized study. Corneal morphology was documented with Scheimpflug photography and corneal density was analyzed in 5 anatomical layers (epithelium, bowman membrane, stroma, descemet's membrane, and endothelium). Corneal density was evaluated for the active ingredients HPMC, carbomer, povidone, and a combination of HPMC and povidone as the viscous agents contained in the artificial tear formulations used by the dry eye patients. Data were compared to the age-matched healthy control group without medication. RESULTS:  Corneal density in dry eye patients was reduced in all 5 anatomical layers compared to controls. Corneal density was highest and very close to control in patients treated with HPMC containing ocular lubricants. Patients treated with lubricants, including carbomer as the viscous agent displayed a significant reduction of corneal density in layers 1 and 2 compared to control. CONCLUSION:  HPMC containing ocular lubricants can help to maintain physiological corneal density and may be beneficial in the treatment of dry eye disease.
	PMID: 26102300

5.	Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015 Jun 23.  Orbital lobe resection provides a definite diagnosis of lacrimal gland lesions: a report of three cases. Schnabl C1, Kühn C, Rustemeyer J. Author information:  1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, School of Medicine of the University of Göttingen, Bremen, Germany. Abstract BACKGROUND:  Entities of lacrimal gland lesions comprise almost inflammatory and lymphoproliferative processes as well as benign and malignant solid tumors and usually cannot be differentiated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exclusively. Hence, representative tissue samples are needed to arrive at sufficient histopathological diagnosis for further treatment decisions. CASE REPORT:  Three women aged between 18 and 67 years were admitted to our center with clinical signs of a space-occupying mass in the lacrimal fossa. MRI revealed a circumscribed lacrimal gland lesion in all three cases. The orbital lobe was resected through a lateral orbitotomy approach for histopathological evaluation. Findings confirmed the diagnoses of pleomorphic adenoma, dacryoadenitis, and low-grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Further surgery was not necessary. No recurrence or symptoms of "dry eye" were observed over the course of a 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION:  In cases of non-specific masses in the lacrimal gland on MRI, histopathological diagnoses are vital and can be sufficiently provided by resection of the orbital lobe. Symptoms of dry eye are uncommon, and secondary surgical intervention can be avoided in cases of the presented entities. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are warranted to confirm these findings.
	PMID: 26099348

6.	Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2015 Jun 22: Thymosin β4 significantly reduces the signs of dryness in a murine controlled adverse environment model of experimental dry eye. Sosne G1, Kim C, Kleinman HK. Author information:  1Wayne State University School of Medicine, Kresge Eye Clinic , Detroit, MI , USA. Abstract OBJECTIVE:  Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects up to 20% of the population aged 45 and older. There are no successful treatments to date. The goal of this research was to determine the efficacy of various doses and the optimal frequency of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) treatment in a murine severe dry eye model. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:  The study was performed using a controlled adverse environment chamber (CAE) in combination with scopolamine to induce moderate to severe dry eye in mice. The study included five mice per group and tested six different doses of Tβ4 twice per day for 12 days. Tβ4 at 0.1% was also administered 2 - 4 times per day for 12 days. Healing was measured by fluorescein staining. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:  Tβ4 significantly reduced the signs of dry eye relative to controls. The treatment effect was more pronounced than the positive controls, doxycycline and Restasis (cyclosporine 0.05%). Active doses of 0.1 and 0.5% were determined, and it was found that the frequency of dosing at 2 times per day was the most effective for healing. CONCLUSIONS:  Tβ4 has the potential to be an important new effective therapeutic for dry eye.
	PMID: 26096547

7.	Transfus Apher Sci. 2015 Jun 9.  Animal models to assess the therapeutic efficacy of human serum and serum-converted platelet lysates for dry eye syndrome: Seeing is believing. Tseng CL1, Seghatchian J2, Burnouf T3. Author information:  1Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. 2International Consultancy in Blood Components Quality/Safety Improvement, Audit/Inspection and DDR Strategy, London, UK. Electronic address: jseghatchian@btopenworld.com. 3Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. Electronic address: thburnouf@gmail.com. Abstract There is much interest in the clinical use of serum-converted human blood or platelet concentrates in regenerative medicine, most specifically for wound healing and tissue repair of soft and hard tissues. The scientific rationale supporting the clinical efficacy of these preparations is based on the expectation that their physiological mixture of natural growth factors can orchestrate cell expansion and differentiation in vivo. However, a lack of standardization and regulatory oversight of these blood materials maintain a perception of uncertainty in the scientific and medical community on the value of these preparations for some clinical indications. More studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action underlying their expected efficacy and standardize their use, and benefit from their biological versatility. One application of serum is as eye drop for treating dry eye syndrome (DES), a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface, which has a prevalence of 15% of more in the population. DES can lead to chronic inflammation of the ocular surface, surface impairment in the cornea and conjunctiva, and, in patients with Sjogren syndrome, result in a disruption of the ocular surface epithelium. Objective experimental assessment of safety and efficacy of serum eye drops can help establish scientific rationale in optimal product composition and use. This can be achieved, first, through cell cultures with relevant cell models, before considering, then, animal studies using DES animal models. Several models have been evaluated and are reported in this concise review. The model we have developed encompasses the use of rabbits, where their eyes are treated with 0.1% benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a common preservative in ophthalmic agents, 3 times daily for 4 weeks. This relatively mild treatment results in moderate DES pathology, with a stable shortage of tear secretion throughout a 7-week study period, which we found suitable for assessing efficacy of serum eye drops. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
	PMID: 26096279

8.	Comput Biol Med. 2015 Jun 4; Local configuration pattern features for age-related macular degeneration characterization and classification. Mookiah MR1, Acharya UR2, Fujita H3, Koh JE4, Tan JH4, Noronha K5, Bhandary SV6, Chua CK4, Lim CM7, Laude A8, Tong L9. Author information:  1Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore 599489, Singapore. Electronic address: mkm2@np.edu.sg. 2Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore 599489, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Science and Technology, SIM University, Singapore 599491, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. 3Faculty of Software and Information Science, Iwate Prefectural University (IPU), Iwate 020-0693, Japan. 4Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore 599489, Singapore. 5Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, St. Francis Institute of Technology, Mumbai 400103, India. 6Department of Ophthalmology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal 576104, India. 7School of Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore 599489, Singapore. 8National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore. 9Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore 168751, Singapore; Ocular Surface Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 168751, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore. Abstract Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an irreversible and chronic medical condition characterized by drusen, Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) and Geographic Atrophy (GA). AMD is one of the major causes of visual loss among elderly people. It is caused by the degeneration of cells in the macula which is responsible for central vision. AMD can be dry or wet type, however dry AMD is most common. It is classified into early, intermediate and late AMD. The early detection and treatment may help one to stop the progression of the disease. Automated AMD diagnosis may reduce the screening time of the clinicians. In this work, we have introduced LCP to characterize normal and AMD classes using fundus images. Linear Configuration Coefficients (CC) and Pattern Occurrence (PO) features are extracted from fundus images. These extracted features are ranked using p-value of the t-test and fed to various supervised classifiers viz. Decision Tree (DT), Nearest Neighbour (k-NN), Naive Bayes (NB), Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) to classify normal and AMD classes. The performance of the system is evaluated using both private (Kasturba Medical Hospital, Manipal, India) and public domain datasets viz. Automated Retinal Image Analysis (ARIA) and STructured Analysis of the Retina (STARE) using ten-fold cross validation. The proposed approach yielded best performance with a highest average accuracy of 97.78%, sensitivity of 98.00% and specificity of 97.50% for STARE dataset using 22 significant features. Hence, this system can be used as an aiding tool to the clinicians during mass eye screening programs to diagnose AMD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
	PMID: 26093788

9.	BMC Res Notes. 2014 Nov 5 Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with docetaxel chemotherapy: a case report. Wong NY, Parsons LM, Trotter MJ, Tsang RY1. Author information:  1Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Calgary, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2, Canada. roger.tsang@albertahealthservices.ca. Abstract BACKGROUND:  Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is an uncommon disorder associated with the use of pharmacological agents including systemic chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION:  We report a case of docetaxel-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a 60-year-old Caucasian female with Sjögren's syndrome diagnosed 2 months after receiving docetaxel as part of the adjuvant FEC-D (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel) chemotherapy protocol for early stage breast cancer. Although the exact mechanisms behind the autoimmune response elicited by docetaxel are unclear, the involvement of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies has been implicated. CONCLUSION:  This case highlights the symptom severity and clinical course of docetaxel-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and highlights the importance of recognizing this uncommon but potentially severe chemotherapy-associated cutaneous reaction. PMCID: PMC4232622 Free PMC Article
	PMID: 25369825

10.	Intern Med. 2014;53(20):2377-80. Epub 2014 Oct 15. Patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder combined with Sjögren's syndrome relapse free following tacrolimus treatment. Zheng X1, Zhang X, Liu X, Mu W, Yang W, Liu Y, Ge P, Li H. Author information:  1Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, China. Abstract Tacrolimus, a novel immunosuppressant agent, has been widely used in organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. We herein present a case of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) combined with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) successfully treated with tacrolimus. This patient repeatedly presented with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Her NMO-IgG and anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies were seropositive. Considering the frequency of relapses and severe disability, tacrolimus was initiated after failure of intravenous cyclophosphamide. Her status was steady for over 36 months after tacrolimus treatment. This report indicates that tacrolimus may be a potentially effective immunosuppressant for NMOSD with systemic autoimmune diseases. Free Article
	PMID: 25318807

11.	Intern Med. 2014;53(19):2237-40. Withdrawal of epoprostenol therapy in a patient with pulmonary hypertension associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Fujita T1, Tanabe N, Kasahara Y, Sugiura T, Sakao S, Tatsumi K. Author information:  1Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan. Abstract Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare complication, but a significant prognostic factor in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SjS). Despite its efficacy, the long-term use of intravenous epoprostenol is sometimes complicated by adverse effects, such as catheter-related infection. This case involves a 38-year-old woman with PAH associated with SjS (PAH-SjS) who was transitioned from treatment with long-term intravenous epoprostenol therapy to combination oral therapy containing bosentan and tadalafil. She has remained in stable condition for more than two years following epoprostenol discontinuation. The details of this report suggest that long-term epoprostenol therapy can be safely tapered off and replaced with combination oral therapy in carefully selected patients with PAH-SjS.  Free Article
	PMID: 25274237

12.	Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2014 Oct;156(10): Usefulness of facial nerve monitoring for confirmation of greater superficial petrosal nerve in anterior transpetrosal approach. Tomio R1, Akiyama T, Ohira T, Horikoshi T, Yoshida K. Author information:  1Department of Neurosurgery, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan, tomy0807@hotmail.com. Abstract INTRODUCTION:  The greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN) is especially important in anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) as the most reliable superficial landmark of Kawase's triangle. The GSPN can be considered as the superficial lateral border of anterior petrosectomy on the middle fossa to avoid internal carotid artery (ICA) injury. Although experienced operators can find the GSPN, its confirmation is not always easy to achieve. METHODS:  We introduce our recent GSPN confirmation methods using facial nerve monitoring. In 10 recent cases, antidromic GSPN stimulation and free-running facial muscle electromyography (EMG) monitoring were performed. RESULTS:  Facial nerve evoked-EMG by antidromic GSPN stimulation confirmed the location of the GSPN course with precision in all cases. Free-running facial muscle EMG informed the mechanical stress of facial nerves through the GSPN. There was no postoperative facial palsy or dry eye in these cases. CONCLUSIONS:  GSPN confirmation and preservation are not always easy to achieve. These monitoring methods are useful for the confirmation of the GSPN, which is a landmark for safe extradural anterior petrosectomy, and for the preservation of the GSPN itself.
	PMID: 24969175

13.	CMAJ. 2014 Oct 7 Five things to know about...dry eye disease. Sharma RA1, Mather R2. Author information:  1Department of Ophthalmology (Mather), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Sharma), London, Ont.; Ivey Eye Institute (Mather), London, Ont. rsharma2014@meds.uwo.ca. 2Department of Ophthalmology (Mather), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Sharma), London, Ont.; Ivey Eye Institute (Mather), London, Ont. PMCID: PMC4188654 [Available on 2015-10-07]
	PMID: 24821862 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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14.	Arthritis Res Ther. 2013 Jan 25;15(1):103. doi: 10.1186/ar4122. IgG4-related disease: why high IgG4 and fibrosis? Koike T. Comment on Analysis of IgG4 class switch-related molecules in IgG4-related disease. [Arthritis Res Ther. 2012] Abstract The hallmarks of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) are lymphoplasmacytic tissue infiltration with a predominance of IgG4-positive plasma cells, accompanied by fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, dacryoadenitis, and elevated levels of IgG4. In a recent issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy, Tsuboi and colleagues demonstrated that regulatory T (Treg) cell-and T helper 2 (Th2) cell-derived cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of Mikulicz's disease, an activation pathway that appears to be common for IgG4-RD. Additional organ-specific factors may account for the different organ involvement of IgG4-RD.  PMCID: PMC3672717 Free PMC Article
	PMID: 23351335

15.	Arthritis Res Ther. 2012 Jul 24 Gene therapy using IL-27 ameliorates Sjögren's syndrome-like autoimmune exocrinopathy. Lee BH, Carcamo WC, Chiorini JA, Peck AB, Nguyen CQ. Abstract INTRODUCTION:  Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by decreased salivary and lacrimal gland secretions, resulting in severe dry mouth and dry eyes. Recent studies have suggested that TH17 cells and its signature cytokine IL-17 are involved in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms leading to destructive inflammation and autoimmunity. In the present study, we examined whether IL-27, a natural inhibitor of TH17 activity, could down-regulate or reverse SjS in C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice, a model of primary-SjS. METHODS:  Recombinant serotype 2 adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vectors expressing either IL-27 (rAAV2-IL27) or LacZ (rAAV2-LacZ) were injected into 6 or 14 week-old C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice. Changes in IL-27, IL-17, and IL-10 cytokine levels in peripheral blood were determined by ELISAs, while flow cytometry analyses were used to quantify cytokine-positive splenocytes. Histological assessment of salivary glands, anti-nuclear autoantibody (ANA) staining, and stimulated saliva flow rates were used to profile SjS disease severity. RESULTS:  Mice systemically treated with intravenous rAAV2-IL27 injections at either 6 or 14 weeks of age exhibited long-term elevated levels of serum IL-27 with concomitantly reduced levels of IL-17 compared with sera from mice injected with rAAV2-LacZ or saline out to 20 weeks post-inoculation. Most importantly, disease profiles revealed that rAAV2-IL27 treatment had little effect on lymphocytic focus (LF) scores, but resulted in structural changes in LF, lower titers of ANAs with changes in staining patterns, and a less severe clinical disease as determined by saliva flow rates. CONCLUSIONS:  These data support the concept that IL-27, when provided exogenously, can induce a suppressive effect on SjS development and thus may be an effective therapeutic agent for regulating TH17 pro-inflammatory activity in autoimmune diseases where the TH17 system has been shown to play an important role in their pathogenesis. PMCID: PMC3580566 Free PMC Article
	PMID: 22827855

16.	Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue. 2011 Apr;20 [The curative effects of bone mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into rats with Sjogren's syndrome]. [Article in Chinese] Yang ZA1, Xia BQ, Lv HX, Zhen EM, Cui LJ, Zhang L. Author information:  1Department of Stomatology, the First Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China. yangzhaoan83@hotmail.com Abstract PURPOSE:  To study the curative effects, survival rate, migration and differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplanted into rats with Sjogren's syndrome. METHODS:  Model of Sjogren's syndrome was created in rats. BMSCs were isolated and cultured by using the preceding method. Then the pretreated BMSCs were identified and labeled by enhanced green fluorescent protein. BMSCs marked with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or PBS were injected into the SMG of the Sjogren's syndrome rats via open surgery.Total static saliva flow rate was determined in rats. The daily amount of water in the normal group, the model group, the model treatment group and the model treatment control group was recorded. The survival rate, migration and differentiation of the BMSCs transplanted in the treatment group under fluorescence microscope was recorded. Student's t test was used for data analysis using SPSS 12.0 software package. RESULTS:  Compared with the model treatment control group, the total static saliva flow rate of the model treatment group increased significantly, and the water they drank decreased significantly (P<0.05). In addition, BMSCs were distributed along the injection tract mostly in the first week,then BMSCs were mainly distributed in the stroma between the acinar in the second week and were distributed over other areas four weeks later. Immunohistochemical staining of amylzyme was not observed at the first week after transplantation. And at the 8th week the expression of amylzyme in the cytoplasm of the transplanted BMSCs was observed by immunohistochemical only in the model treatment group. CONCLUSION:  Transplantation of BMSCs has certain treatment effect on Sjogren's syndrome.
	PMID: 21566864