TGF-beta1 protein expression is significantly associated with Peyronie's disease, which may provide a new insight and the potential for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

TGF-beta1 protein expression is significantly associated with Peyronie's disease, which may provide a new insight and the potential for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

The percentage of TUNEL positive chondrocytes following intraarticular fracture is much higher than that reported for chronic degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These data provide strong evidence that chondrocyte apoptosis is a consequence of intraarticular fracture and suggest that chondrocyte apoptosis may play a particularly significant role in the subsequent development of post-traumatic arthritis.

A B S T R A C T Anti-RNA antibodies were found in 82% of 28 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) probands and in 16% of 124 of their family members. The incidence in 76 control family members was only 5%. In the SLE family members, the antibodies were found exclusively in 21% of the 94 close household contacts of the probands. The incidence of anti-native DNA (nDNA) antibodies was 68% for the SLE probands. The incidence of anti-nDNA antibodies in close household contacts of the probands was 6%, which was not significantly different from the 1% incidence found in control families. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies occurred in 57% of the SLE family members as a whole and in 68% of the close household contacts. In the SLE probands, lymphocytotoxic antibodies correlated with anti-singlestranded RNA (poly A) and anti-nDNA but not with anti-double-stranded RNA (poly A-poly U). On the other hand, lymphocytotoxic antibodies in the household contacts correlated with anti-double-stranded RNA (poly A-poly U) but not with anti-poly A or anti-nDNA. The anti-RNA antibodies were present in consanguineous household contacts but not in nonconsanguineous household contacts. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that both an environmental agent, possibly a virus, as well as the genetic response are important in the pathogenesis of SLE. Family members may therefore be a logical population in whom to search for specific antibodies to a viral agent.

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