5 It is important to highlight that we were only able to examine

5 It is important to highlight that we were only able to examine h-mϕ at a single time point and in a cohort of patients with severe and advanced acute liver injury and therefore the data cannot be assumed to represent events at earlier time points in the evolution of AALF. Figure 7 summarizes the postulated mechanisms that result in the expansion and functional differentiation of h-mϕ during AALF. Taken together, the increase in both circulation-derived and resident h-mϕ within

areas of necrosis and the preferential expression of anti-inflammatory/regenerative cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β1 suggests that h-mϕ are modulated by, or themselves alter the inflammatory microenvironment in favour of tissue repair processes. Functional and phenotypic analysis of freshly extracted h-mϕ will establish Rucaparib research buy their role in resolution of inflammation and tissue

repair processes in AALF. We gratefully acknowledge the Imperial National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for infrastructure support and the King’s College Hospital Research & Development Department and Institute of Liver Studies Histopathology Department for ongoing support. Charalambos Gustav Antoniades personally acknowledges Dr. G. Antoniades for help and support. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. “
“Changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression have been detected in a broad range of biological processes including cancer. Here we determined the role of miRNA dysregulation find more in hepatocellular 上海皓元 carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the expression of nine cancer-related miRNAs in HCC. Among these, miR-224 was the most significantly uprgulated in HCC tissues (n = 18), compared with

normal (n = 9) and HCC adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues (n = 18). After leading-in currently reported gene targets from Sanger miRBase, we characterized the expression profiles of target genes of miR-224 using cDNA microarray. The altered expression was subsequently validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The phenotypic changes by miR-224 expression were identified by cell viability, apoptosis, and in vitro scratch assays. The microarray analysis and miRNA target prediction analysis allowed the identification of significant changes in 68 putative gene targets after overexpression of miR-224. The high-ranking genes CDC42, CDH1, PAK2, BCL-2, and MAPK1 were confirmed as important targets of miR-224 and involvement in hepatocarcinogenesis. Overexpression of miR-224 significantly in Hek293 and Huh7 cells altered the expression levels of CDC42, CDH1, PAK2, and BCL-2 at both mRNA and protein levels.

This approach also presupposes that low rates of bleeding prevent

This approach also presupposes that low rates of bleeding prevent arthropathy in primary prophylaxis and delay the progression of arthropathy in secondary prophylaxis. Long-term follow up studies are required to confirm the efficacy of any prophylactic regimen or strategy with both clinical and radiological monitoring. These studies will

require considerable resources to conduct. Many pharmaceutical companies are developing FVIII and IX concentrates with prolonged half-lives and, if successful, this is likely to lead to improved patient care. The possible implications that these products have for patients on prophylaxis need to be considered. If prevention of bleeds is dependent on time with low factor levels, then there is a risk that this relationship will be exaggerated by prolonged see more half-life products as, although it will take longer for the level to fall below 1 IU dL−1, the length of time spent at low

levels will be substantially increased and these low levels would occur during both day and night as opposed to BAY 80-6946 cell line night alone. For example (Fig. 3), if a hypothetical new FVIII analogue has a median half-life of 36 h with a range of 24–48 h and an IVR of 2 IU dL−1 per IU kg−1, then following an infusion of 30 IU kg−1, the time taken to reach 1 IU dL−1 will vary between 6 and 11.8 days. This example assumes a modest twofold variation in half-life; if anything, the variation is likely to be greater and the difference in time to reach 1 IU dL−1 greater. It is not known whether this would have an impact on the efficacy of prophylaxis. This analysis makes the assumption that the shape of the FVIII curve is the same for long-acting FVIII as it is for

the native molecule, and whether this is the case will need to be investigated when these products come to clinical trial. Reducing the frequency of peaks with prolonged half-life products may affect the efficacy of prophylaxis and this may differ between patients. For example, a relatively sedentary patient on stable prophylaxis with few breakthrough bleeds may do well, but a patient with target joints starting secondary prophylaxis or a highly active adolescent might benefit from recurrent peaks as well as sustained trough levels. Knowledge of individual patient medchemexpress FVIII half-life with these products would appear to be even more important than with conventional products when designing prophylactic regimens. This needs to be taken into account when clinical trials with these products are devised and it is unlikely that once weekly infusions will be suitable for all patients. The evaluation of FVIII/IX PK can be useful when assessing whether a patient has achieved full tolerance at the end of Immune Tolerance Induction (ITI). Some have defined tolerance to FVIII inhibitors as a negative Bethesda assay, a recovery of more than 66% of expected and a half-life greater than 6 h (http://www.itistudy.com/).

All patients were assigned to one of three liver disease severity

All patients were assigned to one of three liver disease severity cohorts on the basis of diagnosis or procedure codes (Table 2). Patients with ESLD were subdivided into those with and without HCC and with and without liver transplantation (Supporting Table S1). A consensus panel of three clinical hepatologists (S.G., P.P., and N.T.) defined the ICD-9 codes used to assign patients to the three disease severity strata and substrata. Patients were assigned to the highest severity category for which they had a qualifying code. The index date for patients with NCD was the

date on which the first claim with an HCV diagnostic code occurred during the patient identification period, after a minimum of 1 year of continuous enrollment. PF-01367338 mouse selleck inhibitor The index date for patients with CC or ESLD was the date of the first claim for

a condition or service in their assigned severity level. Patients with CC or ESLD who had a claim for a condition or service in their severity level during the year prior to their index date were excluded. This limited the analysis to individuals who were just entering that severity category. Patients with more severe disease may have had a shorter enrollment period following the index date because of death or disability-related health plan changes, which could have biased the results by limiting the analysis to less severe patients if all patients were required to have the same amount of follow-up enrollment. To minimize the risk of this potential bias, patients were allowed to have variable durations of follow-up. Patients were observed for a 1-year fixed period prior to the index date (baseline period), and for a minimum of 30 days after the index date

(follow-up period) until disenrollment, death, or the end of the study period (August 31, 2010). The analysis used a deidentified commercial healthcare claims database, including electronic pharmacy and medical claims and enrollment data, from U.S. managed care providers affiliated with OptumInsight (Optum). The constituent MCE health plans were primarily fee-for-service independent practice association model plans. The database included claims for all prescription medications and all medical services that were submitted to the health plans for payment. Medical claims and encounter data were collected from all available healthcare sites (physician’s office, emergency room, hospital inpatient and outpatient, etc.) for all types of services, including specialty, preventive, and office-based.

Among the analysis subjects, FL was diagnosed in 806 males (45%)

Among the analysis subjects, FL was diagnosed in 806 males (45%) and 273 females (23%). Tables 1 and 2 show a comparison of the gender-related prevalence of FL according to age, height, body weight, BMI, BF, weight gain ≥ 10 kg since the age of 20, systolic blood pressure, drinking status, smoking status, and regular physical exercise. The median height and weight in males Trichostatin A purchase and females with FL were 169.6 cm and 72.1 kg, and 156.7 cm and 57.3 kg, respectively. In both sexes, the incidence of FL was twice that of no FL in patients with elevated BMI and BFP (Tables 1 and 2). Table 3 (for males) and Table 4 (for females) show the

associations between the eight explanatory variables and FL. Univariate analysis of males (Table 3) indicated significantly higher ORs for age, BMI, BFP, weight gain ≥ 10 kg since the age of 20 and systolic blood pressure (crude OR: 1.3, 14, 11, 4.7, and 2.5, respectively), and a significantly lower OR for regular physical activity (crude OR: 0.7). Multivariate analysis adjusted for several potential confounders showed significant positive associations with

weight gain ≥ 10 kg since the age of 20 in all models in males, as compared AZD3965 cell line to the respective reference values (adjusted OR: 1.7). In regard to the association between FL and BMI/BFP, both BMI and BFP in males had significant positive associations with FL in all of Models 1, 2, and 3. Model 3 simultaneously includes BMI and BFP as adjustment variables in males. In addition, although the adjusted OR of model 3 was lower than the OR of models 1 and 2, it indicated a significantly positive association with FL in males.

Regular physical activity in males had a significantly negative association with FL in models 1 and 3, while age had significantly positive associations with FL in model 1. In addition, while drinking status in men showed a significant trend with FL, no significant relationship was observed. Smoking status also was not significantly related to FL. Univariate analysis of females (Table 4) indicated a significantly higher OR for age, BMI, BFP, and weight gain ≥ 10 kg since MCE the age of 20 (crude OR: 2.4, 8.4, 6.9 and 5.0, respectively), along with significant trends. In females, multivariate analysis indicated a significantly positive association between BMI and weight gain ≥ 10 kg since 20 years of age and FL in all models (adjusted OR: 4.7 and 3.1, respectively). BFP was significantly associated with FL in model 2 (adjusted OR: 3.1), although the association disappeared in model 3, which simultaneously included BMI and BFP in females (adjusted OR: 1.1 [95% CI 0.5–2.1]; P for trend = 0.988). In addition, drinking and smoking status in women was not significantly related to FL. Table 5 (for males) shows our analysis stratifying the BFP and BMI of subjects with FL in separate 2 × 3 tables, to evaluate their interaction according to gender. For males, when setting BMI < 23.2 and BFP < 22.

Inhibitor titres were defined by the dilution of inhibitor sample

Inhibitor titres were defined by the dilution of inhibitor samples until 50% of the initial FVIII:C activity was neutralized. In all instances, incubation of samples with rhFVIII in the presence of VWF resulted in higher residual FVIII:C activity and lower apparent inhibitor titres compared with incubation with rhFVIII in the absence of VWF. The ratio of inhibitor titres with and without VWF was sevenfold lower in the presence of inhibitors from immunized VWFnullFVIIInull mouse plasma, fivefold lower in the presence of purified plasma click here IgG from human inhibitor patients, and sixfold lower

in the presence of cloned human monoclonal antibodies from inhibitor patients (Fig. 4). Thus, VWF has a protective effect on FVIII, reducing inactivation by inhibitors in both

mouse and human samples. This protective effect against inhibitor inactivation of FVIII was dose-dependent and similar irrespective of VWF source (rhVWF, plasma-derived human VWF, plasma-derived VWF from mouse) [31]. The protective effect of preformed complex of VWF and FVIII was then investigated by mixing up the experiments: rhVWF and rhFVIII were mixed together and allowed to form a non-covalent preformed complex. The mixture was then incubated with inhibitors from VWFnullFVIIInull mice. rhVWF was mixed together with inhibitors from VWFnullFVIIInull VX-809 nmr mice, then incubated with rhFVIII. Control samples with no added VWF were assayed in parallel. The time dependence of the antigen-antibody reaction was assessed using the standard Bethesda assay method with assays performed immediately after the mixture and after a 2-hour incubation period. In all cases, FVIII levels were higher in the presence of VWF than in the absence of VWF, resulting in lower inhibitor titres (Fig. 5). Specifically, inhibitor titres were fivefold lower with preformed VWF/FVIII complex compared with when FVIII was MCE exposed to VWF and

antibodies at the same time. Simultaneous exposure of rhFVIII to VWF and inhibitory antibodies resulted in competition for binding to the FVIII molecule. The protective effect of VWF against inhibitory antibodies was more evident (50% better protection) when samples were assayed immediately after the mixture compared with after a 2-h incubation, highlighting the time dependency of VWF protection [31]. The effect of the presence of VWF in assay reagents on measured inhibitor titres was also explored. In this experiment, samples of immunized VWFnullFVIIInull mouse plasma with inhibitors ranging from 20 to 2000 BU mL−1 were incubated with rhFVIII in the presence and absence of VWF from plasma-derived and recombinant sources. The remaining FVIII activity was higher when VWF was present in the assay reagents, resulting in lower apparent inhibitor titres.

38 Aberrant induction of FoxM1 following PHx and the associated d

38 Aberrant induction of FoxM1 following PHx and the associated defects in the expression of cell cycle factors (delayed induction of cyclin B1 and Cdc25C combined with sustained expression of p21) found in regenerating

c-rel−/− livers resembles the phenotype described in mice with hepatocyte-targeted disruption of foxm1.38 We conclude that c-Rel is required for appropriate timing of the induction of FoxM1 and exerts a regulatory influence on hepatocyte DNA synthesis during the regenerative response. Recent work provides conflicting data for the effects of hepatocyte-targeted blockade of NF-κB on proliferative responses to Selleckchem XL765 injury and PHx.39-41 These studies employed inducible hepatocyte-selective transgenic expression of a degradation-resistant IκBα transgene or hepatocyte-targeted deletion of IKK2, both of which lead to inhibition of the canonical (RelA/p50) NF-κB pathway. However, functions for IKK2 are emerging outside of the NF-κB system, including influences of proteins intimately selleck associated with cell cycle control.42 Further investigation of distinct NF-κB subunit-specific functions

may help better define the role of the NF-κB system in liver homeostasis and regeneration. In summary, c-Rel may now be considered an important regulator of hepatic wound-healing. Moreover, the potential for c-Rel activities to influence pathological features of the chronic injured liver—including hepatitis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma—should be explored. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. “
“Liver fibrosis is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but at what fibrotic stage the risk for HCC is increased has been poorly investigated quantitatively. This study aimed to determine the appropriate cut-off value of liver stiffness for HCC concurrence by FibroScan,

and its clinical significance in hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and non-B, non-C (NBNC) liver disease. Subjects comprised 1002 cases (246 with HCC and 756 without HCC) with chronic liver disease (HBV, 104; HCV, 722; and NBNC, 176). Liver stiffness was significantly greater in all groups with HCC, medchemexpress and the determined cut-off value for HCC concurrence was more than 12.0 kPa in those with HCV, more than 8.5 kPa in those with HBV and more than 12.0 kPa in those with NBNC. Liver stiffness of more than 12.0 kPa was an independent risk factor for new HCC development in HCV. For HCV, risk factors for HCC concurrence were old age, male sex, low albumin, low platelets and liver stiffness, while for HBV they were old age, low platelets and liver stiffness, and for NBNC they were old age, elevated α-fetoprotein and liver stiffness. Liver stiffness cut-off values and their association with HCC concurrence were different depending on the etiology. In HCV, liver stiffness of more than 12.

001) The 3-year overall survival rate was 640% in cohort A and

The 3-year overall survival rate was 64.0% in cohort A and 89.2% in cohort B+C (P < 0.001). The 5-year follow-up was not yet finished in cohort C; therefore, only cohort B was compared with cohort A in the analyses of 5-year survival time. The 5-year survival rates with native liver in cohorts A and B were 37.5% and 64.3%, respectively (P = 0.01). The 5-year

jaundice-free survival Decitabine rate with native liver was significantly higher in cohort B than in cohort A (64.3% versus 27.3%; P < 0.001) and the 5-year overall survival rates were 89.3% and 55.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). However, 15 cases in cohort B+C, despite their birth after the launch of the stool card screening program, were not successfully screened using the stool card. In order to clearly demonstrate this website the effect of the stool card screening program, we further analyzed the outcome by redividing our total cases from 1990 to 2005 into two groups for comparison: one group representing BA children without the screening program or not screened out by the stool card, the other group representing BA children who benefited from stool card screening (Supplement Table 1). The results are similar to the comparisons of cohort A and cohort B+C (Table 1). Logistic regression analyses revealed that patients who underwent Kasai operation before 60 days of age had a higher jaundice-free

rate at 3 months after surgery compared with those who underwent surgery after 60 days of age (odds ratio [OR] 2.62; P = 0.001) (Table 2). Patients born in the stool card screening era (cohort B+C) had a significantly higher jaundice-free rate at 3 months postsurgery than patients born before the screening era (cohort A) (OR 2.90; P < 0.001). The 3-year survival rates with native liver in patients who received Kasai operation before 60 days of age and after 60 days of age were 64.9% and 46.3%, respectively (OR 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-3.86; P = 0.01). The 5-year survival rates with native liver in

patients who underwent surgery before 60 days old and after 60 days old were 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 55.0% and 32.1%, respectively (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.21-5.50; P = 0.01). The 3-year survival rates with native liver in patients who were and were not jaundice-free at 3 months after Kasai operation were 84.9% and 30.6%, respectively (OR 12.79; 95% CI 6.27-26.08; P < 0.001). The 5-year survival rates with native liver in patients who were and were not jaundice-free at 3 months postsurgery were 77.6% and 19.4%, respectively (OR 14.35; 95% CI 5.81-35.43; P < 0.001). Jaundice-free survival with native liver was considered as quality outcome. Cohort B+C had higher rates of 3- and 5-year jaundice-free survival with native liver than cohort A (OR 2.87, P = 0.001, and OR 4.80, P = 0.001, respectively) (Table 3). Patients who received Kasai operation before 60 days of age had better 3- and 5-year jaundice-free survival with native liver than patients who received an operation after 60 days of age (OR 3.25, P < 0.001 and OR 2.63, P = 0.


“The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of th


“The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the number of supporting implants and different retentive mechanisms on load transfer characteristics of mandibular overdentures. Two photoelastic models of edentulous mandibles were fabricated having two

and four cylindrical implants (Calcitek, 4 × 13 mm) embedded in the parasymphyseal area. Four attachment systems were evaluated: single anchor attachment (ERA), bar-clip, bar with distally placed ball attachments, and bar with distally placed extracoronal rigid attachments (Easy Slot). A 133 N vertical force was applied unilaterally to the selleck screening library central fossa of the right first molar. The resulting stresses of the models were observed and recorded photographically in the field of a circular polariscope. The highest stresses were observed with the bar with distally placed extracoronal rigid attachment (Easy Slot) design, followed by bar-ball, bar, and the single anchor attachment (ERA) for both models. The lowest stress was observed with the single anchor attachment (ERA) design for both models. There were slight differences in stress values around implants in both models. For all tested

attachments on both models, the stress was concentrated on the ipsilateral implant. The bar-clip system allowed the distribution of load to all supporting implants in both models. Although the highest stress level observed with all attachment GS-1101 molecular weight systems was moderate, the bar-Easy Slot attachment showed the highest stresses. The lowest stress was observed with the single anchor attachment (ERA) design for both models. Varying the

number of implants had no significant effect on stress values around supporting implants. “
“This in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different demineralization-inhibiting methods on the shear bond strength (SBS) of glass-ceramics. Ninety extracted intact human mandibular lateral insicors were randomly divided into six equal groups. Group C was left untreated, while enamel subsurface demineralization was induced in the other groups. In group D, porcelain discs (3 mm in diameter) were cemented to demineralized enamel by using total-etch photopolymerizing luting composite resin without pretreatment. Demineralized specimens in groups F, CA, M, and I were pretreated MCE with fluoride gel, CPP-ACP paste, microabrasion, and resin infiltration, respectively, and then porcelain discs were cemented. SBS (MPa) was calculated from the failure load (N) per bonded area (mm2). Fracture types were examined by optical microscopy (40× magnification). Data were analyzed with ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and G-test. ANOVA revealed significant intergroup differences (p < 0.01). No significant differences in SBS (MPa) were found between groups C (19.48 ± 2.0) and I (20.02 ± 1.6). Lower SBS values were recorded in groups D (7.93 ± 0.8), F (12.51 ± 1.5), CA (17.08 ± 1.3), and M (14.84 ± 1.4).

The general literature was reviewed for articles in English descr

The general literature was reviewed for articles in English describing temperatures achievable in the skin and IA space using clinically relevant ice protocols, and the effect of cooling on haemostasis and coagulation. The literature demonstrates that typical methods of ice application can cool both the Neratinib supplier skin and IA space. Published, general literature studies have also consistently demonstrated that experimental cooling of blood and/or tissue, both in vitro and in vivo in humans and in animal models, can significantly impair coagulation and prolong bleeding. In PWH with acute haemarthrosis, ice application has potential to increase haemorrhage morbidity by further

impairing coagulation and haemostasis. Ice has not been shown to improve overall outcome, stop bleeding nor swelling from haemarthrosis. Although ice can help manage acute, haemarthrosis-related pain, there are other available interventions that will not impair coagulation and haemostasis. “
“Summary.  Joint bleeding, or haemarthrosis, is the most common type of bleeding episode experienced

by individuals selleck chemicals with haemophilia A and B. This leads to changes within the joints, including synovial proliferation, which results in further bleeding and chronic synovitis. Blood in the joint can also directly damage the cartilage, and with repeated bleeding, there is progressive destruction of both cartilage and bone. The end result is known as haemophilic arthropathy which is characterized by pain, stiffness and deformity. The

joint most commonly affected is the knee. Haemophilic arthropathy can be prevented through regular prophylaxis and physiotherapy. However, when necessary, there are multiple surgical and non-surgical options available. These procedures are indicated to improve the joint function and quality of life for haemophilic patients worldwide. In this review, the role of surgical and non-surgical treatment of advanced knee arthropathy and its complications will be described. Haemophilia A and B are X-linked coagulation disorders caused by the deficiency of factor VIII (FVIII) medchemexpress and factor IX (FIX) respectively. The degree of clotting factor deficiency influences the phenotype and in the severe form of the disease (FVIII/FIX < 1 IU dL−1) spontaneous bleedings occurring into joints and muscles represent the more common manifestations of these diseases [1]. This presence of blood within the joint has also been shown to damage articular cartilage directly [2]. Recurrent bleeding into joints causes synovial proliferation and neoangiogenesis, increasing the joint’s susceptibility to further bleeding and leading to the development of so called ‘target joints’ [3,4]. Iron from repeated haemarthroses accumulates in the synovium and promotes a cytokine-mediated inflammatory response leading to the progressive destruction of both cartilage and bone [5,6].

Fibrosis related transcripts were measured in LX-2 HSCs 24 hours

Fibrosis related transcripts were measured in LX-2 HSCs 24 hours after addition of 1 × 103 or 50 × 103 S100-MP from Jurkat T cells using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). S10-MPs, plain medium, and ST alone served as controls. MPs were obtained from PHA-activated and/or apoptotic (ST-treated) Jurkat T cells. After induction of T cell apoptosis, significant changes in fibrosis-related transcripts were found with 50 × 103 S100-MP, whereas equivalent amounts of S10-MPs had no effect (Fig.

4A). S100-MPs induced a significant (2.05- to 4.9-fold) up-regulation of fibrolytic genes (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13) in HSCs, whereas Roxadustat nmr transcript see more levels of the profibrogenic genes tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and procollagen α1(I) were unaffected (Fig. 4A). Similar results were obtained when S100-MPs

were incubated with freshly isolated primary rat HSCs. Here, the human S100-MPs induced MMP-3 even nine-fold (Supporting Fig. 2). S100-MPs from apoptotic T cells that had been preactivated by PHA did not induce up-regulation of MMPs in human HSCs, but rather down-regulated MMP-3 (Supporting Fig. 4). A similar response was found with S100-MPs derived from merely PHA-activated T cells (data not shown). As non–T cell controls, MPs derived from THP-1 monocytes and macrophages did not induce significant changes in MMP, TIMP-1, or procollagen α1(I) transcript levels, except for induction of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 by macrophage-derived MPs (Supporting Fig. 4). Human HSCs were exposed to 5 ng/mL TGFβ1, which elicits a strong fibrogenic response. Jurkat T cell-derived S100-MPs not only blunted the TGFβ1 response by reducing procollagen α1(I) expression, they induced fibrolytic MMP transcripts beyond the levels produced by unstimulated HSCs (Fig. 4B). Therefore, TGFβ1 enhanced HSC procollagen α1(I) expression 2.7-fold, which after MP addition was reduced by almost 40%, and MPs increased the expression of MMP-3

and MMP-13 almost 2.5- MCE and 2.1-fold, respectively. In addition, both in TGFβ1-treated and TGFβ1-untreated HSCs the addition of S100-MPs significantly reduced profibrogenic TIMP-1 expression by 30%-35% (Fig. 4B). Overall, apoptotic CD4+ T cell–derived MPs induced MMP expression in HSCs much less efficiently than MPs from CD8+ T cells, irrespective of their mode of generation (with or without prior activation by PHA). Therefore, MPs from CD4+ T cells did not significantly affect MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, or procollagen α1(I) expression (data not shown). If MPs were induced only by CD4+ T cell activation with PHA, a significant induction was observed for MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 messenger RNA (mRNA) (between 1.7- and three-fold), whereas procollagen α1(I) and TIMP-1 transcript levels remained unchanged (Supporting Fig. 5).