Some selected publications

HIV infection

Aukrust P, Liabakk NB, Müller F, Lien E, Espevik T, Frøland SS (1994)
Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and soluble TNF receptors in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection--correlations to clinical, immunologic, and virologic parameters
J Infect Dis, 169 (2), 420-4
PubMed 7906293

Aukrust P, Müller F, Lien E, Nordoy I, Liabakk NB, Kvale D, Espevik T, Froland SS (1999)
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) system levels in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients during highly active antiretroviral therapy: persistent TNF activation is associated with virologic and immunologic treatment failure
J Infect Dis, 179 (1), 74-82
PubMed 9841825

These studies show that persistent TNF activation is an important characteristic of HIV infection.

Aukrust P, Svardal AM, Müller F, Lunden B, Berge RK, Ueland PM, Frøland SS (1995)
Increased levels of oxidized glutathione in CD4+ lymphocytes associated with disturbed intracellular redox balance in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection
Blood, 86 (1), 258-67
PubMed 7795231

Aukrust P, Svardal AM, Müller F, Lunden B, Nordøy I, Frøland SS (1996)
Markedly disturbed glutathione redox status in CD45RA+CD4+ lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection is associated with selective depletion of this lymphocyte subset
Blood, 88 (7), 2626-33
PubMed 8839856

These study show that CD4+ T cell dysfunction in HIV-infected patients may be related to markedly disturbed intracellular glutathione metabolism.

Holme PA, Müller F, Solum NO, Brosstad F, Frøland SS, Aukrust P (1998)
Enhanced activation of platelets with abnormal release of RANTES in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection
FASEB J, 12 (1), 79-89
PubMed 9438413

This study shows the involvement of platelet-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of HIV infection.

Aandahl EM, Aukrust P, Skålhegg BS, Müller F, Frøland SS, Hansson V, Taskén K (1998)
Protein kinase A type I antagonist restores immune responses of T cells from HIV-infected patients
FASEB J, 12 (10), 855-62
PubMed 9657525

Johansson CC, Bryn T, Yndestad A, Eiken HG, Bjerkeli V, Frøland SS, Aukrust P, Taskén K (2004)
Cytokine networks are pre-activated in T cells from HIV-infected patients on HAART and are under the control of cAMP
AIDS, 18 (2), 171-9
PubMed 15075533

These studies relate cAMP/protein kinase A type 1 to impaired T cell function in HIV infected patients.

Aukrust P, Luna L, Ueland T, Johansen RF, Müller F, Frøland SS, Seeberg EC, Bjørås M (2005)
Impaired base excision repair and accumulation of oxidative base lesions in CD4+ T cells of HIV-infected patients
Blood, 105 (12), 4730-5
PubMed 15705786

This study shows that CD4+ T cells in HIV-related immunodeficiency have impaired capacity for repair of oxidative stress induced DNA damage.

Aukrust P, Frøland SS, Liabakk NB, Müller F, Nordøy I, Haug C, Espevik T (1994)
Release of cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist after intravenous immunoglobulin administration in vivo
Blood, 84 (7), 2136-43
PubMed 7919327

This study shows that intravenous immunoglobulin administration has potent immunomodulatory effects in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

Aukrust P, Lien E, Kristoffersen AK, Müller F, Haug CJ, Espevik T, Frøland SS (1996)
Persistent activation of the tumor necrosis factor system in a subgroup of patients with common variable immunodeficiency--possible immunologic and clinical consequences
Blood, 87 (2), 674-81
PubMed 8555490

Aukrust P, Svardal AM, Müller F, Lunden B, Berge RK, Frøland SS (1995)
Decreased levels of total and reduced glutathione in CD4+ lymphocytes in common variable immunodeficiency are associated with activation of the tumor necrosis factor system: possible immunopathogenic role of oxidative stress
Blood, 86 (4), 1383-91
PubMed 7632946

These studies show that cAMP/protein kinase A type 1 could contribute to immunodeficiency in CVID.

Aukrust P, Aandahl EM, Skålhegg BS, Nordøy I, Hansson V, Taskén K, Frøland SS, Müller F (1999)
Increased activation of protein kinase A type I contributes to the T cell deficiency in common variable immunodeficiency
J Immunol, 162 (2), 1178-85
PubMed 9916750

Holm AM, Aukrust P, Aandahl EM, Müller F, Taskén K, Frøland SS (2003)
Impaired secretion of IL-10 by T cells from patients with common variable immunodeficiency--involvement of protein kinase A type I
J Immunol, 170 (11), 5772-7
PubMed 12759461

These studies show the involvement of TNF activation and oxidative stress and their bidirectional interaction in the pathogenesis of CVID.

Damås JK, Eiken HG, Oie E, Bjerkeli V, Yndestad A, Ueland T, Tonnessen T, Geiran OR, Aass H, Simonsen S, Christensen G, Froland SS, Attramadal H, Gullestad L, Aukrust P (2000)
Myocardial expression of CC- and CXC-chemokines and their receptors in human end-stage heart failure
Cardiovasc Res, 47 (4), 778-87
PubMed 10974226

Aukrust P, Ueland T, Müller F, Andreassen AK, Nordøy I, Aas H, Kjekshus J, Simonsen S, Frøland SS, Gullestad L (1998)
Elevated circulating levels of C-C chemokines in patients with congestive heart failure
Circulation, 97 (12), 1136-43
PubMed 9537339

These studies establish chemokines as pathogenic mediators in chronic heart failure.

Gullestad L, Aass H, Fjeld JG, Wikeby L, Andreassen AK, Ihlen H, Simonsen S, Kjekshus J, Nitter-Hauge S, Ueland T, Lien E, Frøland SS, Aukrust P (2001)
Immunomodulating therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with chronic heart failure
Circulation, 103 (2), 220-5
PubMed 11208680

Aukrust P, Gullestad L, Lappegård KT, Ueland T, Aass H, Wikeby L, Simonsen S, Frøland SS, Mollnes TE (2001)
Complement activation in patients with congestive heart failure: effect of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment
Circulation, 104 (13), 1494-500
PubMed 11571242

Gullestad L, Ueland T, Fjeld JG, Holt E, Gundersen T, Breivik K, Følling M, Hodt A, Skårdal R, Kjekshus J, Andreassen A, Kjekshus E, Wergeland R, Yndestad A, Frøland SS, Semb AG, Aukrust P (2005)
Effect of thalidomide on cardiac remodeling in chronic heart failure: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Circulation, 112 (22), 3408-14
PubMed 16301340

These studies show the potential of immunomodulatory therapy in chronic heart failure

Yndestad A, Ueland T, Øie E, Florholmen G, Halvorsen B, Attramadal H, Simonsen S, Frøland SS, Gullestad L, Christensen G, Damås JK, Aukrust P (2004)
Elevated levels of activin A in heart failure: potential role in myocardial remodeling
Circulation, 109 (11), 1379-85
PubMed 14993131

Florholmen G, Halvorsen B, Beraki K, Lyberg T, Sagen EL, Aukrust P, Christensen G, Yndestad A (2006)
Activin A inhibits organization of sarcomeric proteins in cardiomyocytes induced by leukemia inhibitory factor
J Mol Cell Cardiol, 41 (4), 689-97
PubMed 16926021

These studies suggest that activin A could be involved in myocardial remodeling during chronic heart failure

Omland T, Ueland T, Jansson AM, Persson A, Karlsson T, Smith C, Herlitz J, Aukrust P, Hartford M, Caidahl K (2008)
Circulating osteoprotegerin levels and long-term prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes
J Am Coll Cardiol, 51 (6), 627-33
PubMed 18261681

Ueland T, Yndestad A, Øie E, Florholmen G, Halvorsen B, Frøland SS, Simonsen S, Christensen G, Gullestad L, Aukrust P (2005)
Dysregulated osteoprotegerin/RANK ligand/RANK axis in clinical and experimental heart failure
Circulation, 111 (19), 2461-8
PubMed 15883214

These studies suggest a role for the TNF related receptor osteoprotegerin in heart failure, both as mediator and marker of disease progression.

Damås JK, Otterdal K, Yndestad A, Aass H, Solum NO, Frøland SS, Simonsen S, Aukrust P, Andreassen AK (2004)
Soluble CD40 ligand in pulmonary arterial hypertension: possible pathogenic role of the interaction between platelets and endothelial cells
Circulation, 110 (8), 999-1005
PubMed 15302794

Aukrust P, Müller F, Ueland T, Berget T, Aaser E, Brunsvig A, Solum NO, Forfang K, Frøland SS, Gullestad L (1999)
Enhanced levels of soluble and membrane-bound CD40 ligand in patients with unstable angina. Possible reflection of T lymphocyte and platelet involvement in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes
Circulation, 100 (6), 614-20
PubMed 10441098

These studies show that platelet derived soluble CD40L could contribute to inflammation and endothelial cell activation in atherosclerosis and related vascular disorders.

Scholz H, Sandberg W, Damås JK, Smith C, Andreassen AK, Gullestad L, Frøland SS, Yndestad A, Aukrust P, Halvorsen B (2005)
Enhanced plasma levels of LIGHT in unstable angina: possible pathogenic role in foam cell formation and thrombosis
Circulation, 112 (14), 2121-9
PubMed 16186421

Otterdal K, Smith C, Oie E, Pedersen TM, Yndestad A, Stang E, Endresen K, Solum NO, Aukrust P, Damås JK (2006)
Platelet-derived LIGHT induces inflammatory responses in endothelial cells and monocytes
Blood, 108 (3), 928-35
PubMed 16861346

Otterdal K, Andreassen AK, Yndestad A, Oie E, Sandberg WJ, Dahl CP, Pedersen TM, Ueland T, Gullestad L, Brosstad FR, Aukrust P, Damås JK (2008)
Raised LIGHT levels in pulmonary arterial hypertension: potential role in thrombus formation
Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 177 (2), 202-7
PubMed 17962639

Sandberg WJ, Halvorsen B, Yndestad A, Smith C, Otterdal K, Brosstad FR, Frøland SS, Olofsson PS, Damås JK, Gullestad L, Hansson GK, Oie E, Aukrust P (2009)
Inflammatory interaction between LIGHT and proteinase-activated receptor-2 in endothelial cells: potential role in atherogenesis
Circ Res, 104 (1), 60-8
PubMed 19023130

These studies show that LIGHT, a ligand in the TNF superfamily promotes lipid accumulation, vascular inflammation and thrombin activation in atherosclerosis and related disorders contributing to a state of non-resolving inflammation.

Sandberg WJ, Yndestad A, Øie E, Smith C, Ueland T, Ovchinnikova O, Robertson AK, Müller F, Semb AG, Scholz H, Andreassen AK, Gullestad L, Damås JK, Frøland SS, Hansson GK, Halvorsen B, Aukrust P (2006)
Enhanced T-cell expression of RANK ligand in acute coronary syndrome: possible role in plaque destabilization
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 26 (4), 857-63
PubMed 16424351

Omland T, Ueland T, Jansson AM, Persson A, Karlsson T, Smith C, Herlitz J, Aukrust P, Hartford M, Caidahl K (2008)
Circulating osteoprotegerin levels and long-term prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes
J Am Coll Cardiol, 51 (6), 627-33
PubMed 18261681

Semb AG, Ueland T, Aukrust P, Wareham NJ, Luben R, Gullestad L, Kastelein JJ, Khaw KT, Boekholdt SM (2009)
Osteoprotegerin and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand and risk for coronary events: a nested case-control approach in the prospective EPIC-Norfolk population study 1993-2003
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 29 (6), 975-80
PubMed 19325145

These studies show the involvement of the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis in atherogensis and plaque destabilization both as a maker and mediator.

Dahl TB, Yndestad A, Skjelland M, Øie E, Dahl A, Michelsen A, Damås JK, Tunheim SH, Ueland T, Smith C, Bendz B, Tonstad S, Gullestad L, Frøland SS, Krohg-Sørensen K, Russell D, Aukrust P, Halvorsen B (2007)
Increased expression of visfatin in macrophages of human unstable carotid and coronary atherosclerosis: possible role in inflammation and plaque destabilization
Circulation, 115 (8), 972-80
PubMed 17283255

Dahl TB, Haukeland JW, Yndestad A, Ranheim T, Gladhaug IP, Damås JK, Haaland T, Løberg EM, Arntsen B, Birkeland K, Bjøro K, Ulven SM, Konopski Z, Nebb HI, Aukrust P, Halvorsen B
Intracellular Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Protects against Hepatocyte Apoptosis and Is Down-Regulated in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
J Clin Endocrinol Metab
PubMed 20392873

These studies establish Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase/visfatin as a mediator in atherogeneis and related metabolic disorders.

Waehre T, Damås JK, Gullestad L, Holm AM, Pedersen TR, Arnesen KE, Torsvik H, Frøland SS, Semb AG, Aukrust P (2003)
Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors down-regulate chemokines and chemokine receptors in patients with coronary artery disease
J Am Coll Cardiol, 41 (9), 1460-7
PubMed 12742282

Waehre T, Yndestad A, Smith C, Haug T, Tunheim SH, Gullestad L, Frøland SS, Semb AG, Aukrust P, Damås JK (2004)
Increased expression of interleukin-1 in coronary artery disease with downregulatory effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Circulation, 109 (16), 1966-72
PubMed 15051633

Breland UM, Halvorsen B, Hol J, Øie E, Paulsson-Berne G, Yndestad A, Smith C, Otterdal K, Hedin U, Waehre T, Sandberg WJ, Frøland SS, Haraldsen G, Gullestad L, Damås JK, Hansson GK, Aukrust P (2008)
A potential role of the CXC chemokine GROalpha in atherosclerosis and plaque destabilization: downregulatory effects of statins
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 28 (5), 1005-11
PubMed 18276907

These studies show the involvement of chemokines in atherogensis and plaque destabilization involving platelet-mediated inflammation

Aukrust P, Berge RK, Ueland T, Aaser E, Damås JK, Wikeby L, Brunsvig A, Müller F, Forfang K, Frøland SS, Gullestad L (2001)
Interaction between chemokines and oxidative stress: possible pathogenic role in acute coronary syndromes
J Am Coll Cardiol, 37 (2), 485-91
PubMed 11216967

Damås JK, Waehre T, Yndestad A, Ueland T, Müller F, Eiken HG, Holm AM, Halvorsen B, Frøland SS, Gullestad L, Aukrust P (2002)
Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha in unstable angina: potential antiinflammatory and matrix-stabilizing effects
Circulation, 106 (1), 36-42
PubMed 12093767

Damås JK, Smith C, Øie E, Fevang B, Halvorsen B, Waehre T, Boullier A, Breland U, Yndestad A, Ovchinnikova O, Robertson AK, Sandberg WJ, Kjekshus J, Taskén K, Frøland SS, Gullestad L, Hansson GK, Quehenberger O, Aukrust P (2007)
Enhanced expression of the homeostatic chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 in clinical and experimental atherosclerosis: possible pathogenic role in plaque destabilization
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 27 (3), 614-20
PubMed 17170367

Breland UM, Michelsen AE, Skjelland M, Folkersen L, Krohg-Sørensen K, Russell D, Ueland T, Yndestad A, Paulsson-Berne G, Damås JK, Oie E, Hansson GK, Halvorsen B, Aukrust P (2010)
Raised MCP-4 levels in symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis: an inflammatory link between platelet and monocyte activation
Cardiovasc Res, 86 (2), 265-73
PubMed 20139115

These studies show immunomodulatory effects of statins in patients with coronary artery disease.