Rationale: Recently, models of macrophage activation have been revised. Macrophages
stimulated with Th2 cytokines have been classified as alternatively activated. Objectives: This …

Activated macrophages have been characterized as M1 and M2 according to their inflammatory
response pattern. Here we analyzed the M2 marker expression and intracellular signal …

Objective In diffuse parenchymal lung diseases, the evolution of pulmonary fibrosis is often
devastating and may result in death. In this study the role of CCL18 as a biomarker of …

Background A subgroup of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
experience immune dysregulation manifesting as autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, and organ …

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered a clinically important feature of
Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS). We aimed to determine prevalence, characteristics …

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune mediated inflammatory disease of unknown
origin, which is predominantly affecting the joints. Antibodies against citrullinated peptides …

Background Two randomised controlled trials showed a glucocorticoid-sparing effect of
tocilizumab in patients with giant cell arteritis. In the GUSTO trial we aimed to evaluate the …

BACKGROUND: In patients with COPD, chronic anemia is known as an unfavorable prognostic
factor. Whether the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and long-term survival …

Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) accompanied by other systemic autoimmune rheumatic connective
tissue diseases has historically been termed ‘secondary’ in contrast to ‘primary’ SjS as a …

Objectives To characterize the effect of ultra-short glucocorticoids followed by Tocilizumab
monotherapy on the intima-media thickness (IMT) in GCA. Methods Eighteen GCA patients …