bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atypical X-linked SCID phenotype associated with growth hormone hyporesponsiveness
Authors: URSINI M V , GAETANIELLO L , AMBROSIO R , MATRECANO E , APICELLA A J , SALERNO M C , PIGNATA C 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by defect of T- and B-cell immunity. In many cases of autosomal recessive SCID, thus far described, the molecular alteration involves genes encoding for molecules that participate in the signal transduction. We report on a patient affected by a combined immunodeficiency, characterized by severe T-cell functional impairment, in spite of a close to normal number of circulating mature type T and B cells. NK cells were absent. Associated with the immunodeficiency, this patient also showed short stature characterized by very low growth velocity, delayed bone age and absence of increase of the plasma levels of Insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) after growth hormone (GH) in vivo stimulation indicating peripheral hyporesponsiveness to GH. Evaluation of the protein tyrosine phosphorylation events occurring following either T-cell receptor (TCR) or GH receptor (GHR) triggering revealed striking abnormalities. No molecular alteration of GHR gene was found, thus suggesting the presence of postreceptorial blockage. Mutational screening and expression analysis failed to reveal any molecular alteration of JAK2 and STAT 5 A/B genes thus ruling out the involvement of these genes in the pathogenesis of this form of SCID. Mutational analysis of IL2Rγ chain gene revealed the presence of a L183S missense mutation, thus indicating an atypical and a more complex clinical presentation of this X-linked form of SCID. At our knowledge, this is the first report on the GH hyporesponsiveness in this disease.
Cellular immune responses against hepatitis C virus: the evidence base 2002
Authors: WARD S , LAUER G , ISBA R , WALKER B , KLENERMAN P 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYHepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus which is estimated to persistently infect about 170 million people worldwide. After acute infection, there is an initial period during which long-term outcome is decided. There is strong evidence that the cellular immune responses, involving both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, are involved at this stage and it is their effectiveness which determines outcome. What is not understood is what determines their effectiveness. The most important component of this is likely to be some aspect of epitope selection, itself dictated by host MHC. Thus, to understand host immunity to HCV, we need to have a detailed understanding of the peptides involved in T lymphocyte responses. In this review, we discuss the peptide epitopes that have been identified so far, and their potential significance. We relate this to a scheme of host defence which may be useful for understanding natural and vaccine-induced immunity.
Regulation ofα1-proteinase inhibitor release by proinflammatory cytokines in human intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: FAUST D , RASCHKE K , HORMANN S , MILOVIC V , STEIN J 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYα1-Proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) is the main serine proteinase inhibitor in human plasma. Apart from its synthesis in the liver, this anti-inflammatory protein is also synthesized by and excreted from human intestinal epithelial cells. Antiinflammatory actions of α1-PI are thought to be of relevance in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. To investigate the role of macrophage-derived cytokines on α1-PI secretion from intestinal epithelial cells, we cultured Caco-2 cells until differentiation (14 days in culture) on permeable filter supports. Monolayers of differentiated Caco-2 cells were then co-cultured with human peritoneal macrophages, grown on plastic in the basolateral chamber. Under these conditions, α1-PI secretion from Caco-2 cells was enhanced by 45%, probably by a direct action of macrophage-derived cytokines on Caco-2 cells. To extend this observation further, we treated differentiated Caco-2 cells with macrophage-derived proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α), as well as with lymphocyte-derived cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ. As early as after 24h treatment, IL-2 and IL-8 induced a significant and dose-dependent increase of α-1-PI secretion into cell culture medium; this effect was completely reversed after immunoneutralization by the antibodies against IL-2 and IL-8 α1-PI secretion was only slightly decreased after treatment with IFN-γ, while IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α had no effect. α1-PI secretion correlated well with the expression of this protein in differentiated Caco-2 cells after cytokine treatment, as confirmed by Western blot. Our data imply that, in vitro, α1-PI secretion in enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells is up-regulated by IL-2 and IL-8. Our results suggest that both lymphocyte- and macrophage-derived cytokines regulate secretion of the anti-inflammatory protein α1-PI in intestinal epithelial cells.
Takes your breath away – the immunology of allergic alveolitis
Authors: MCSHARRY C , ANDERSON K , BOURKE S J , BOYD G 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYExtrinsic allergic alveolitis (synonym: hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is caused by inhaling antigenic aerosols which induce hypersensitivity responses in susceptible individuals. It is an interstitial inflammatory disease affecting the distal, gas-exchanging parts of the lung, in contrast to allergic asthma where the inflammation is more proximal, affecting the conducting airways. The aims of this review are to describe current concepts of the immunology of this model of lung inflammation, to describe some of the constitutional and environmental characteristics which affect disease susceptibility and development, and to describe topics for prospective study.
Normal and SV40 transfected human peritoneal mesothelial cells produce IL-6 and IL-8 :  implication for gynaecological disease
Authors: ZHANG X Y , GUCKIAN M , NASIRI N , LOVELL P A , DALGLEISH A G , BARTON D P J 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYHigh levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) have been demonstrated in the peritoneal fluid of benign and malignant gynaecological disease. Peritoneal monocytes and macrophages, endometrial cells, endometrial and peritoneal stromal cells and tumour cells produce these cytokines in vitro. To investigate whether normal human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) produce IL-6 and IL-8, HPMC were isolated from omental biopsies. Primary HPMC (P-HPMC) were transfected with pSV3-neo encoding SV40 large T antigen (T-HPMC) to generate sufficient cells. T-HPMC preserved the characteristics of P-HPMC as assessed by phase contrast microscopy, electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry (FACS) analysis. T-HPMC retained a stable phenotype up to passage 14–19, whereas P-HPMC proliferated poorly and became senescent by passage 4–6. T-HPMC and P-HPMC constitutively expressed IL-6 and IL-8 at both protein and mRNA level. IL-6 and IL-8 production was stimulated by recombinant human interleukin-1β (hIL-1β) or human tumour necrosis factor-α (hTNF-α) alone in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, hIL-1β or hTNF-α up-regulated IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression as determined by competitive PCR. In contrast, human interferon-γ (hIFN-γ) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed no effect. These data indicate that (1) T-HPMC lines mimic the morphological and functional features of P-HPMC, (2) P-HPMC and T-HPMC constituitively produce IL-6 and IL-8, which is enhanced by hIL-1β and hTNF-α and (3) HPMC in vivo may participate in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant gynaecological disease.
Profiles of cell-to-cell interaction ofMycobacterium intracellulare-induced immunosuppressive macrophages with target T cells in terms of suppressor signal transmission
Authors: OGASAWARA K , TOMIOKA H , SHIMIZU T , SANO C , KAWAUCHI H , SATO K 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYPreviously, we have found that immunosuppressive macrophages (Mφs) induced by Mycobacterium intracellulare-infection (MI-Mφs) required cell contact with target T cells to express their suppressor activity against concanavalin A (Con A)-induced T cell mitogenesis. In this study, we examined the profiles of cell-to-cell interaction of MI-Mφs with target T cells. First, MI-Mφs displayed suppressor activity in an H-2 allele-unrestricted manner, indicating that MHC molecules are not required for cell contact. The suppressor activity of MI-Mφs was reduced markedly by paraformaldehyde fixation or treatment with cytochalasin B or colchicine, indicating that vital membrane functions are required for their suppressor activity. Secondly, the suppressor activity of MI-Mφs was independent of cell-to-cell interaction via CD40 ligand/CD40 and Mφ-derived indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, which causes rapid degradation of tryptophan in T cells. Thirdly, precultivation of splenocytes with MI-Mφs, allowing cell-to-cell contact, reduced Con A- or anti-CD3 antibody-induced mitogenesis but not phorbol myristate acetate/calcium ionophore A23187-elicited proliferation of T cells. In addition, co-cultivation of T cells with MI-Mφs caused marked changes in profiles of the tyrosine phosphorylation of 33 kDa, 34 kDa and 35-kDa proteins and, moreover, the activation of protein kinase C and its translocation to the cell membrane. It thus appears that suppressor signals of MI-Mφs, which are transmitted to the target T cells via cell contact, principally cross-talk with the early signalling events before the activation of PKC and/or intracellular calcium mobilization.
Inhibition of human natural killer cell activity by cereulide, an emetic toxin fromBacillus cereus
Authors: PAANANEN A , MIKKOLA R , SARENEVA T , MATIKAINEN S , HESS M , ANDERSSON M , JULKUNEN I , SALKINOJA-SALONEN M S , TIMONEN T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe lipophilic toxin, cereulide, emitted by emetic food poisoning causing strains of Bacillus cereus, is a powerful mitochondria toxin. It is highly lipophilic and rapidly absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. We tested how this toxin influences natural killer (NK) cells, which are important effectors in defence against infections and malignancy. Cereulide inhibited cytotoxicity and cytokine production of natural killer cells, caused swelling of natural killer cell mitochondria, and eventually induced natural killer cell apoptosis. The suppressive effect on cytotoxicity was fast and toxic concentration low, 20–30 μg/l. As the emesis causing concentration of cereulide is around 10 μg/kg of total body mass, our results suggest that emesis causing or even lower doses of cereulide may also have a systemic natural killer cell suppressive effect.
Activation of pulmonary T cells in corticosteroid-resistant and -sensitive interstitial pneumonitis in dermatomyositis/polymyositis
Authors: KURASAWA K , NAWATA Y , TAKABAYASHI K , KUMANO K , KITA Y , TAKIGUCHI Y , KURIYAMA T , SUEISHI M , SAITO Y , IWAMOTO I 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYTo study the activation states and cytokine profiles of pulmonary T cells in corticosteroid-resistant and corticosteroid-sensitive interstitial pneumonitis (IP) in dermatomyositis (DM)/polymyositis (PM), we examined the activation markers and cytokine profiles of T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from patients with IP in DM/PM before prednisolone therapy and then compared the activation states of T cells according to the therapeutic response of IP to prednisolone therapy. CD25+ CD4+ T cells in BALF were significantly increased in both corticosteroid-resistant and corticosteroid-sensitive IP in DM/PM as compared with those in controls without IP. Furthermore, CD25+ CD4+ T cells in BALF were significantly more increased in corticosteroid-resistant IP than those in cortico teroid- sensitive IP. Moreover, CD25+ CD8+ T cells in BALF were significantly increased only in corticosteroid-resistant IP, but not in corticosteroid-sensitive IP or controls without IP. IFN-γ mRNA was detected in BALF T cells in corticosteroid-resistant and corticosteroid-sensitive IP but not in controls without IP, whereas IL-4 mRNA was virtually undetected in BALF T cells in both the IP groups. However, there were no significant differences in CD4/CD8 ratio of BALF T cells, HLA-DR+ BALF T cells or CD25+ and HLA-DR+ peripheral blood T cells between the two IP groups. These results indicate that activated Th1-type pulmonary T cells play an important role in the development of corticosteroid- resistant IP in DM/PM and that the increase in CD25+ CD8+ T cells in BALF is a useful indicator for corticosteroid-resistant IP in DM/PM and hence may be an indicator for early use of cyclosporin.
The strength of the OVA-induced airway inflammation in rats is strain dependent
Authors: HYLKEMA M N , HOEKSTRA M O , LUINGE M , TIMENS W 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYTo examine the influence of genetics on the OVA-induced allergic inflammatory response in lungs we compared rats that are genetically Th2-predisposed (Brown Norway, inbred) or not genetically predisposed (Sprague Dawley, outbred). Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged four weeks later with OVA aerosol. Eighteen hours after challenge, lung tissue was studied for evaluation of numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages and mast cells, as well as for expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on endothelial cells. From a separate portion of the pulmonary tissue, leucocytes were isolated to analyse numbers of IFNγ and IL-4 producing cells (ELISPOT assay) and frequencies of T-cell subsets and B cells. We found increased numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils in the lung, an increased number of IL-4 producing cells in lung cell isolates and increased levels of serum (OVA- specific)-IgE in both rat strains. In addition, expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1 was up regulated in both rat strains whereas expression of VCAM-1 was only up regulated in the BN rat. Although the ‘allergic’ Th2 response to OVA was detectable in both rat strains, it was more pronounced in the BN rat than in the SD rat. However, the SD rat, which is not predisposed to respond in either a Th2 or Th1-like way, appeared capable of mounting an allergic response to OVA. This suggests that other factors than genetic contribute to allergic disease.
Thalidomide and its analogues have distinct and opposing effects on TNF-αand TNFR2 during co-stimulation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells
Authors: MARRIOTT J B , CLARKE I A , DREDGE K , MULLER G , STIRLING D , DALGLEISH A G 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThalidomide (Thd) is clinically useful in a number of conditions where its efficacy is probably related to its anti-TNF-α activity. More recently, Thd has also been shown to co-stimulate T cells and second generation co-stimulatory (IMiD™) analogues are currently being assessed in the treatment of cancer patients. However, in contrast to their known suppressive effects during inflammatory stimuli, the effects of Thd/IMiDs on TNF-α and TNF receptors (TNFRs) during T cell co-stimulation are not known. We sought to determine the effect of Thd, two clinically relevant IMiDs (CC-4047, ACTIMID™ and CC-5013, REVIMID™) and a non-stimulatory SelCID analogue (CC-3052) on TNF-α production and on the expression and shedding of TNFRs during co-stimulation. We found that co-stimulation of PBMC with Thd/IMiDs, but not CC-3052, prevented αCD3-induced T cell surface expression of TNFR2 and thereby reduced soluble TNFR2 (sTNFR2) levels. However, there was no effect on total (surface/intracellular) TNFR2 protein expression, suggesting inhibition of trafficking to the cell membrane. The extent of co-stimulation by Thd/IMiDs (assessed by CD69/CD25 expression and IL-2/sIL-2Rα production) was similar for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and correlated with TNFR2 inhibition. Co-stimulation, but not the early inhibitory effect on TNFR2, was IL-2-dependent and led to increased TNF-α production by both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. The clinical relevance of this observation was confirmed by the elevation of serum TNF-α during REVIMID™ treatment of patients with advanced cancer. Together, these results suggest a possible role for TNF-mediated events during co-stimulation and contrast with the TNF inhibitory effects of Thd and its analogues during inflammatory stimuli.
Pimecrolimus inhibits up-regulation of OX40 and synthesis of inflammatory cytokines upon secondary T cell activation by allogeneic dendritic cells
Authors: KALTHOFF F S , CHUNG J , STUETZ A 
Published: March 2003

SummaryPimecrolimus is a new non-steroidal inhibitor of T cell and mast cell activation. In the present study, we compared the potency of pimecrolimus and cyclosporin A (CyA) to inhibit cytokine synthesis of alloantigen-primed T cells and the expression of CD134 (OX40), an inducible co-receptor molecule thought to be critical for the survival and expansion of inflammation-mediating T cells. To mimic the physiological situation of recurrent antigenic stimulation, we have used dendritic cells (DC) as stimulators of purified CD4+ T cells in the primary and secondary allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (allo-MLC). Pimecrolimus inhibited surface expression of OX40 and prevented the up-regulation of CD25 and CD54 with a 10-fold higher potency compared to CyA. Similarly, 50% inhibition of allo-DC-mediated T cell proliferation by pimecrolimus was obtained at 0·55 nm, compared to about 12 nm for CyA. Furthermore, pimecrolimus blocked the increase of OX40 on primed T cells restimulated on day 10 in secondary allo-MLC. Allo-DC-primed T cells showed a restricted cytokine profile characterized by the production of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 but low to undetectable levels of IL-4 and IL-10. The synthesis of TNF-α and IFN-γ and the up-regulation of OX40 on T cells after secondary allogeneic stimulation were almost entirely blocked by 10 nm pimecrolimus. Taken together, pimecrolimus inhibits T cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine synthesis and also prevents the up-regulation of the OX40 co-receptor on primed T cells indicating its potential in the therapy of chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.
The level of IgA antibodies to human umbilical vein endothelial cells can be enhanced by TNF-α treatment in children with Henoch–Schönlein purpura
Authors: YANG Y-H , WANG S J , CHUANG Y-H , LIN Y-T , CHIANG B-L 
Published: March 2003

Summary
Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been found to play an important role in many vascular disorders. In order to determine the presence of AECA in children with Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), and to elucidate the pathogenic and clinical value of their measurement in this disease, AECA were detected by immunofluorescence staining and a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 20 children with HSP, 10 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) without vasculitis and 10 normal healthy children. Antibodies against another endothelial cells, human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-d) were also detected by cell-based ELISA. In some experiments, we compared the binding activity of antibodies to HUVEC with and without tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-1 (IL-1) pretreatment. Patients with acute onset of HSP had higher serum levels of IgA antibodies, both against HUVEC and against HMVEC-d, than healthy controls (P = 0·001, P = 0·008, respectively). Forty-five per cent of patients had positive IgA AECA to HUVEC, and 35% had positive IgA AECA to HMVEC-d. The titres of IgA antibodies to HUVEC paralleled the disease activity. After TNF-α treatment, the values of IgA AECA to HUVEC in HSP patients were significantly increased (P = 0·02). For IgG and IgM AECA, there was no difference between HSP patients and controls (P = 0·51, P = 0·91). Ten JRA children without vasculitis had no detectable IgG, IgM or IgA AECA activity. The results of this study showed that children with HSP had IgA AECA, which were enhanced by TNF-α treatment. Although the role of these antibodies is not clear, IgA AECA provide another immunological clue for the understanding of HSP.
Alteration of Fas and Fas ligand expression during human visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: EIDSMO L , WOLDAY D , BERHE N , SABRI F , Satti I , El Hassan A M , SUNDAR S , CHIODI F , Akuffo H 
Published: March 2003

SummarySeveral studies in murine systems have suggested a role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis. However, the role of apoptosis in visceral leishmaniasis in man has not been explored. In this study, we show that patients with visceral leishmaniasis demonstrate significant dysregulation of Fas and Fas ligand. Levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) were elevated in plasma of patients with active visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and individuals co-infected with VL-HIV-1 compared to healthy controls. The levels of sFas and sFasL were normalized 6 months after successful treatment. In VL patients, the expression of membrane bound Fas, and to a lower extent FasL, were up-regulated on Leishmania donovani-infected spleen cells, the site of parasite multiplication. Expression of Fas and FasL on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was within normal range, probably reflecting that the blood is not a normal site of L. donovani infection. Furthermore, this is suggested by the finding that in vitro infection of macrophages with L. donovani up-regulated Fas expression on the surface of infected cells and enhanced the levels of sFasL in supernatants from infected cultures. How this dysregulation may affect the pathogenesis of human visceral leishmaniasis is discussed.
The role of anti-endothelial cell antibodies in Kawasaki disease –in vitroandin vivostudies
Authors: GRUNEBAUM E , BLANK M , COHEN S , AFEK A , KOPOLOVIC J , MERONI P L , YOUINOU P , SHOENFELD Y 
Published: March 2003

SummaryKawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis with cardiac and noncardiac complications. Anti-­endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) are found among many patients with KD. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenic role of AECA in KD using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. F(ab)2 fragments of IgG-AECA and IgM-AECA were affinity purified from a patient with active KD. Their endothelial binding and ability to induce a pro-adhesive and a pro-inflammatory phenotype were evaluated in vitro. Twenty Balb/C mice were immunized with KD-AECA or with control Ig (N-Ig) to induce AECA in a murine model by the idiotypic manipulation method. Both KD-AECA isotypes bind significantly to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) compared to N-Ig. The in vitro activity was demonstrated by the antibodies ability to activate endothelial cells resulting in increased IL-6 secretion, adhesion molecule expression and monocytic cell line (U937) adherence to HUVEC. Five of the mice that received KD-AECA developed murine AECA after 3 months. None of the mice that received N-Ig produced AECA. The murine AECA increased monocyte adhesion to EC in vitro, similarly to the AECA used for immunization. Furthermore, all the mice that developed AECA had proteinuria and IgG deposition in the renal mesangium. No histological or immunofluorescence evidence of cardiac vasculitis could be detected. AECA might play a role in the emergence of some of KD manifestations.