The calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, rapamycin, improve the course of AIP in MRL/Mp mice via different mechanisms. These findings further support the concept of autoreactive T cells as key players in the pathogenesis of AIP and suggest that cyclosporine A and rapamycin should be considered for treatment of AIP in humans.

Intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG Multiple sclerosis (MS)1 is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically affects young adults, especially women. The disease is characterized by discrete areas of inflammation (lesions), demyelination, axonal loss, and astrogliosis in the brain and spinal cord. The clinical correlate of these processes is a wide range of neurological signs and symptoms involving mobility problems, vision problems, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and pain (1, 2). This

Investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the diagnostic work-up in suspected multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has regained attention in the latest version of the diagnostic criteria due to its good diagnostic accuracy and increasing issues with misdiagnosis of MS based on over interpretation of neuroimaging results. The hallmark of MS-specific changes in CSF is the detection of oligoclonal bands (OCB) which occur in the vast majority of MS patients. Lack of OCB has a very high negative predictive value indicating a red flag during the diagnostic work-up, and alternative diagnoses should be considered in such patients. Additional molecules of CSF can help to support the diagnosis of MS, improve the differential diagnosis of MS subtypes and predict the course of the disease, thus selecting the optimal therapy for each patient.

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are involved in, among other things, the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis. Here, we present the generation of immortalized PSCs 7 and 14 days after isolation by retroviral gene transfer of the SV40 large T antigen encoding region. Propagated cell lines [large T immortalized cells (LTC)-7, LTC-14] retained characteristics of primary cells in terms of morphology, responsiveness to mediators regulating cellular functions such as proliferation, and expression profile of a number of investigated genes. Whereas LTC-14 kept the morphological features of the differentiation status of the primary cells they were made of, LTC-7 appeared similar to an earlier stage. Thus the established cell lines represent a versatile tool to investigate various aspects of PSC biology.

This study has identified QTLs and putative candidate genes of murine AIP. Their functional role and relevance to human AIP will be studied further.

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Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare cause of chronic pancreatitis and mimics pancreatic cancer. Although there is strong interest in research, etiology and pathophysiology of AIP are still unknown. Therefore, we analyzed a total of 92 MRL/Mp-mice of either sex, which are prone to develop AIP, in four different age groups (8-12, 16-20, 24-28, and 32-40 wk). Using intravital fluorescence microscopy, histology, laboratory analysis, and Western blot, onset, severity, and pathophysiological mechanisms of AIP were evaluated. Female animals showed in vivo an age-dependent increase of intrapancreatic leukocyte accumulation, as well as a loss in functional capillary perfusion. In contrast, intrapancreatic inflammation in male mice was less pronounced and not age dependent. Furthermore, pancreatic tissue specimen of female animals exhibited major organ destruction with significantly higher values of mean pathological scores (1.5 +/- 0.3 vs. < or =0.2; P < 0.05), as well as significantly increased CD4-, CD8-, CD11b-, and CD138-positive cells compared with male animals of the same age. Interestingly, there was a significant positive correlation between intravascular leukocyte adherence and the histopathological score of the pancreas, indicating a determining role of the innate immune system for the late onset of AIP. The present study shows that the onset of AIP is characterized by an inflammatory response and microcirculatory failure, most probably constituting initiators and propagators of this autoimmune disease.

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a key role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis, a constant feature of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In response to pro‐fibrogenic mediators, PSCs undergo an activation process that involves proliferation, enhanced production of extracellular matrix proteins and a phenotypic transition towards myofibroblasts. Ligands of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), such as thiazolidinediones, are potent inhibitors of stellate cell activation and fibrogenesis in pancreas and liver. The effects of PPARγ ligands, however, however, are at least in part mediated through PPARγ‐independent pathways. Here, we have chosen a different approach to study regulatory functions of PPARγ in PSCs. Using immortalised rat PSCs, we have established a model of tetracycline (tet)‐regulated PPARγ over‐expression. Induction of PPARγ expression strongly inhibited proliferation and enhanced the rate of apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, PPARγ‐overexpressing cells synthesised less collagen than controls. To monitor effects of PPARγ on PSC gene expression, we employed Affymetrix microarray technology. Using stringent selection criteria, we identified 21 up‐ and 19 down‐regualated genes in PPARγ‐overexpressing cells. Most of the corresponding gene products are either involved in lipid metabolism, play a role in signal transduction, or are secreted molecules that regulate cell growth and differentition. In conclusion, our data suggest an active role of PPARγ in the induction of a quiescent PSC phenotype. PPARγ‐regulated genes in PSCs may serve as novel targets for the development of antifibrotic therapies.