Do regulatory T cells from active non-segmental vitiligo exhibit lower suppressive ability on CD8+CLA+ T cells?
The functional activity of Tregs is compromised in active vitiligo patients. TGF-β1 plays an important role in the autoimmune mechanism of the disease.
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis frequently have cardiac abnormalities, but they more often consist of disease-related aortic regurgitation or conduction system abnormalities than manifestations of atherosclerotic heart disease. Because aortic regurgitation or conduction abnormalities might cause insidious symptoms not easily interpreted as of cardiac origin, we suggest that both electrocardiography and echocardiography evaluation should be part of the routine management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.