Daniel Wendling

Histone deacetylases in viral infections

Chromatin remodeling and gene expression are regulated by histone deacetylases (HDACs) that condense the chromatin structure by deacetylating histones. HDACs comprise a group of enzymes that are responsible for the regulation of both cellular and viral genes at the transcriptional level. In mammals, a total of 18 HDACs have been identified and grouped into four classes, i.e., class I (HDACs 1, 2, 3, 8), class II (HDACs 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10), class III (Sirt1–Sirt7), and class IV (HDAC11). We review here the role of HDACs on viral replication and how HDAC inhibitors could potentially be used as new therapeutic tools in several viral infections.

Agents anti-TNFα et traitement des spondylarthropathies

Les agents anti-TNFα ont demontre une efficacite clinique sans egal jusqu’alors dans la spondylarthrite, ayant conduit a l’obtention d’une AMM dans cette indication. La tolerance et les precautions d’utilisation sont identiques a celles des autres indications de ces agents biologiques. L’efficacite se manifeste sur tous les aspects cliniques de la maladie, les parametres de l’inflammation biologique et IRM. Cependant, l’effet structural radiologique n’est pas formellement demontre a ce jour. Certains facteurs predictifs de bonne reponse sont identifies, en particulier une CRP elevee a l’inclusion. Certaines questions concernant l’utilisation en pratique restent ouvertes et justifient des etudes complementaires.

The shared epitope revisited: shared epitope negative HLA-DR alleles influence susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis

We propose to classify HLA-DRB1 alleles into 3 groups: shared epitope positive (SE), shared epitope negative with a positively charged HLA-DR P4 pocket (XP4p) and shared epitope negative with a negative or neutral HLA-DR XP4 pocket (XP4n). Using this classification to analyse 3 different French populations, we find that: -SE/SE or SE/XP4p genotypes are associated with a high risk to develop RA. -XP4p/XP4p or SE/XP4n genotypes are neutral -XP4p/XP4p or XP4n/XP4n genotypes are protective with respect to the development of RA.