Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) induced hematopoietic stem cell mobilization is widely used for clinical transplantation; however, the mechanism is poorly understood. We report here that G-CSF induced a reduction of the chemokine stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and an increase in its receptor CXCR4 in the bone marrow (BM), whereas their protein expression in the blood was less affected. The gradual decrease of BM SDF-1, due mostly to its degradation by neutrophil elastase, correlated with stem cell mobilization. Elastase inhibition reduced both activities. Human and murine stem cell mobilization was inhibited by neutralizing CXCR4 or SDF-1 antibodies, demonstrating SDF-1 CXCR4 signaling in cell egress. We suggest that manipulation of SDF-1 CXCR4 interactions may be a means with which to control the navigation of progenitors between the BM and blood to improve the outcome of clinical stem cell transplantation.

Transverse myelitis is a rare clinical syndrome in which an immune-mediated process causes neural injury to the spinal cord. The pathogenesis of transverse myelitis is mostly of an autoimmune nature, triggered by various environmental factors, including vaccination. Our aim here was to search for and analyze reported cases of transverse myelitis following vaccination. A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE and DynaMed for all English-language journals published between 1970 and 2009 was preformed, utilizing the key words transverse myelitis, myelitis, vaccines, post-vaccination, vaccination and autoimmunity. We have disclosed 37 reported cases of transverse myelitis associated with different vaccines including those against hepatitis B virus, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and others, given to infants, children and adults. In most of these reported cases the temporal association was between several days and 3 months, although a longer time frame of up to several years was also suggested. Although vaccines harbor a major contribution to public health in the modern era, in rare cases they may be associated with autoimmune phenomena such as transverse myelitis. The associations of different vaccines with a single autoimmune phenomenon allude to the idea that a common denominator of these vaccines, such as an adjuvant, might trigger this syndrome.

Systemic thromboembolism is an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and an important cause of patient morbidity and mortality. The underlying basis for the hypercoagulable state in IBD is complex, and involves altered activity of all three components that govern hemostasis: platelets, fibrinolysis, and the coagulation cascade. Currently, there are no distinct guidelines for treating or preventing thromboembolic (TE) events in IBD patients compared with the general population. However, the prothrombotic state in IBD stems, at least in part, from several modifiable factors, such as hyperhomocysteinemia and an active inflammatory state. In this review we summarize the mechanisms that favor thrombosis in IBD, and the principles that need to be applied for the primary and secondary prevention of TE in this selected group of patients.

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For more than 2,000 years, it was thought that malignant spirits caused diseases. By the end of nineteenth century, these beliefs were displaced by more modern concepts of disease, namely, the formulation of the "germ theory," which asserted that bacteria or other microorganisms caused disease. With the emergence of chronic degenerative and of autoimmune diseases in the last century, the causative role of microorganisms has been intensely debated; however, no clear explanatory models have been achieved. In this review, we examine the current available literature regarding the relationships between infections and 16 autoimmune diseases. We critically analyzed clinical, serological, and molecular associations, and reviewed experimental models of induction of and, alternatively, protection from autoimmune diseases by infection. After reviewing several studies and reports, a clinical and experimental pattern emerges: Chronic and multiple infections with viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, and bacteria, such as H. pylori, may, in susceptible individuals, play a role in the evolvement of autoimmune diseases. As the vast majority of infections pertain to our resident microbiota and endogenous retroviruses and healthy carriage of infections is the rule, we propose to focus on understanding the mechanisms of this healthy carrier state and what changes its configurations to infectious syndromes, to the restoration of health, or to the sustaining of illness into a chronic state and/or autoimmune disease. It seems that in the development of this healthy carriage state, the infection or colonization in early stages of ontogenesis with key microorganisms, also called 'old friends' (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria among others), are important for the healthy living and for the protection from infectious and autoimmune syndromes.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of several autoantibodies. Among the multiple factors involved in SLE development, apoptotic defects and impaired clearance of cellular debris have gained considerable interest, as they contribute to autoantigen overload. Several molecules of the innate immunity, also participate in the removal of damaged and apoptotic cells. Among them are C1q, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid P protein (SAP), mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and apolipoprotein A1 (APO A1). To evaluate the prevalence of autoantibodies against CRP, SAP, MBL, APO A1, and C1q among SLE patients, and their relationship with disease activity, a total of 150 SLE patients were screened for the presence of elevated antibody titers against C1q, CRP, SAP, MBL, and APO A1, utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Disease activity was assessed using the ECLAM or SLEDAI scores. The study population comprised two groups of patients: 100 patients with quiescent disease (median ECLAM score 2) comprised the first group, and 50 patients with active disease (median SLEDAI score 16) comprised group 2. Elevated titers of anti-CRP antibodies were significantly elevated only in group 1 (10% versus 4% of controls). Antibodies against SAP were evaluated only among patients in group 1, and were found at a significant high prevalence (20%). Elevated titers of anti-MBL antibodies were significantly elevated only in group 1 (15% versus 3.6%); and antibodies directed against APO A1 were significantly elevated in 21% of group 1, and 50% of group 2 patients. Elevated titers of anti-C1q were evaluated only in group 2, and were found at a significant prevalence of 66%. Significant correlation with disease activity was found only for anti-APO A1 antibodies, and only in group 1. Several patients harbored more than one of the autoantibodies tested. In patients with SLE, autoantibodies directed against protective molecules, that is, acute-phase proteins involved in the disposal of cellular and nuclear debris, can be detected. These autoantibodies may play a pathogenic role in the development or perpetuation of autoimmunity in SLE.

Atopy and asthma result from the effects of environmental factors on genetically susceptible persons, and different prevalence rates have been documented worldwide. In developed and industrialized countries a higher prevalence of atopy and asthma is observed as compared with undeveloped and less affluent countries. Migration involves exposure to a new set of pollutants and allergens. In addition, it involves several socioeconomic and cultural issues such as housing conditions, diet and accessibility to medical services, all of which are likely to affect migrants’ health. Migration studies provide information on the role of environmental factors in the development of atopy and asthma. Immigration to allergy-prevalent countries causes more allergies and asthma in immigrants as compared to the prevalence of atopy in their countries of origin. The increase in allergy and asthma is usually not related to ethnicity, but in certain populations may play an important role. Studies on migrants support the notion that lifestyle and environmental factors in western industrialized countries facilitate atopy and asthma. The effect is time-dependent. Acquiring allergy is influenced by the age at the time of immigration. Migrants, in general, are more prone to the development of allergies than the local population. Low hygiene prior to immigration does not seem to protect against the development of atopy or asthma. Vaccinations do not affect the development of atopy or asthma in the general population and in migrants. Migrants should be aware of the potential of developing allergies and/or asthma. Strategies for primary prevention in high-risk atopic individuals and secondary prevention guidelines should be developed both for populations in developing countries as well as for immigrants from such countries to atopy-prevalent developed countries.

Autoimmunity encompasses a wide spectrum of diseases from organ-specific diseases like Hashimoto thyroiditis, to systemic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. These diseases are characterized by inflammation and the production of a wide range of autoantibodies directed against multiple autoantigens. Although their etiology is still poorly understood, genetic, immunological, hormonal, and environmental factors are major predisposing and triggering factors. These multiple factors, like pieces in a mosaic, may interplay in different forms, leading to the expression of various autoimmune manifestations and diseases. This phenomenon, which has been referred by us as the "mosaic of autoimmunity", illuminates the diversity of autoimmune manifestations among susceptible individuals. From this theoretical framework we conducted a wide search of the literature, on the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity, the commonest of the autoimmune conditions, among other autoimmune diseases, and discuss the possible clinical significance of this association.