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Background: Beta-defensins (BDs) are antimicrobial peptides secreted upon epithelial injury. Both chemotactic and antimicrobial properties of BDs function as initial steps in host defense and prime the adaptive immune system in the body. Psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease, has both visible cutaneous manifestations as well as known associations with higher incidence of cardiometabolic complications and vascular inflammation. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the circulating expression of beta-defensin-2 (BD2) in psoriasis at baseline compared to control subjects, along with changes in BD2 levels following biologic treatment at one-year. The contribution of BD2 to subclinical atherosclerosis is also assessed. In addition, we have sought to unravel signaling mechanisms linking inflammation with BD2 expression. Methods: Multimodality imaging as well inflammatory biomarker assays were performed in biologic naïve psoriasis (n=71) and non-psoriasis (n=53) subjects. A subset of psoriasis patients were followed for one-year after biological intervention (anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα), n=30; anti-Interleukin17A (IL17A), n=21). Measurements of circulating BD2 were completed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Using HaCaT transformed keratinocytes, expression of BD2 upon cytokine treatment was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and ELISA. Results: Herein, we confirm that human circulating BD2 levels associate with psoriasis, which attenuate upon biologic interventions (anti-TNFα, anti-IL-17A). A link between circulating BD2 and sub-clinical atherosclerosis markers was not observed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IL-17A-driven BD2 expression occurs in a Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and Rac1 GTPase-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our findings expand on the potential role of BD2 as a tractable biomarker in psoriasis patients and describes the role of an IL-17A-PI3-kinase/Rac signaling axis in regulating BD2 levels in keratinocytes.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atherogenesis, once thought to be a passive process, is now recognized as a dynamic, immune-driven process. The critical innate immune cells, including neutrophils, normal-density granulocytes, and their newly identified subset low-density granulocytes, are moving to the forefront of interest in cardiovascular medicine due to their abundance in atherosclerotic plaques and chronic inflammatory diseases associating with early cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as psoriasis. In this review, we discuss the emerging roles of neutrophils in CVD and how they play a potential role in early CVD observed in psoriasis patients. This review aims to describe the roles of neutrophils in both early atherosclerosis and psoriasis. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent work has demonstrated mechanistic links between vascular inflammation and neutrophil frequency. Evolving mouse models and clinical trials targeting IL-17-associated pathways continue to elucidate contributions of neutrophils in both atherosclerosis and psoriasis. Early animal, in vitro and human studies suggest an important emerging role of neutrophils in atherosclerosis and psoriasis.

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Inflammation is a critical component in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), specifically in the process of atherogenesis. Human translational and preclinical studies have demonstrated that inflammation contributes to the development, sustainment, and progression of atherosclerosis, and epidemiological studies demonstrate that human diseases associated with increased systemic inflammation increase the risk of CHD-related events. Therefore, over the last decade, multiple clinical studies were designed to target the inflammatory cascade in order to reduce the risk of CHD and to identify which populations may benefit from these preventative treatment strategies. This review briefly summarizes inflammation as a risk factor in atherosclerosis, human disease states associated with accelerated atherosclerosis, and current treatment strategies for CHD targeting the inflammatory cascade.

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B-1 and B-2 B cell subsets carry out a diverse array of functions that range broadly from responding to innate stimuli, antigen presentation, cytokine secretion and antibody production. In this review, we first cover the functional roles of the major murine B cell subsets. We then highlight emerging evidence, primarily in preclinical rodent studies, to show that select B cell subsets are a therapeutic target in obesity and its associated co-morbidities. High fat diets promote accumulation of select murine B cell phenotypes in visceral adipose tissue. As a consequence, B cells exacerbate inflammation and thereby insulin sensitivity through the production of autoantibodies and via cross-talk with select adipose resident macrophages, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. In contrast, interleukin (IL)-10-secreting regulatory B cells counteract the proinflammatory profile and improve glucose sensitivity. We subsequently review data from rodent studies that show pharmacological supplementation of obesogenic diets with long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators synthesized from endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids boost B cell activation and antibody production. This may have potential benefits for improving inflammation in addition to combating the increased risk of viral infection that is an associated complication of obesity and type II diabetes. Finally, we propose potential underlying mechanisms throughout the review by which B cell activity could be differentially regulated in response to high fat diets.

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A new technique using the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for the treatment of aural hematomas is described. The laser is used to make an incision into the hematoma to allow for evacuation of the blood, and then multiple, small incisions are made over the surface of the hematoma to stimulate adhesions between the tissue layers. The CO2 laser was used in this fashion to treat 10 aural hematomas in eight dogs. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 23 months. Owners evaluated the cosmetic results following CO2 laser surgery as excellent in three ears, good in five ears, and fair in two ears. Hematomas were resolved in all 10 cases, although two cases developed serosanguineous fluid accumulation that required percutaneous drainage in one case and a second laser procedure in the other case.

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Lung lobe torsion, although rare in cats, can be seen as a sequela to chronic respiratory disease. Clinical signs may include lethargy, coughing, hemoptysis, and respiratory distress. Lung lobe torsion may be diagnosed using radiography, ultrasonography, contrast bronchography, bronchoscopy, or thoracoscopy. Stabilization with fluids, oxygen, and supportive care followed by thoracotomy and lobectomy of the affected lobe(s) are necessary for a successful outcome. Diagnosis and treatment of lung lobe torsion is described in a 12.5-year-old cat with a history of feline asthma.

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Clinically normal dogs underwent dorsal laminectomy, durotomy, and full-thickness midline myelotomy between either the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebrae or the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. The myelotomy was 1 1/2 vertebral bodies long and was performed with a microbalance spatula. Neurologic and histopathologic changes were recorded. Full-thickness midline myelotomy done by this technique was found to cause severe necrosis of spinal gray matter.

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