bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid response of circulating myeloid dendritic cells to inhaled allergen in asthmatic subjects
Authors: Upham J. W. , Denburg J. A. , O'Byrne P. M. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Dendritic cells (DC) are thought to play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of T cell immunity to inhaled antigens. While the density of DC within the bronchial mucosa is increased in stable asthma, there is little information currently available concerning the effects of allergen inhalation on DC in subjects with asthma.Objectives To enumerate changes in the numbers of circulating CD33+ myeloid DC in asthmatics, before and after allergen challenge.Methods Blood DC numbers were enumerated by flow cytometry before and at 3, 6 and 24 h after inhaled allergen and diluent in 10 mild, allergic asthmatic subjects.Results Blood DC numbers rapidly fell from 3.42 ± 0.30 × 107/L at baseline, to 2.10 ± 0.17 × 107/L by 3 h post‐challenge (P < 0.01), and remained significantly below baseline values at both 6 and 24 h following allergen challenge. No such changes in DC numbers were noted after diluent challenge. A similar, early fall in circulating lymphocytes was also noted post‐allergen challenge, whereas changes in circulating eosinophil and neutrophil numbers occurred more slowly.Conclusions A significant proportion of myeloid DC rapidly ‘disappear’ from the circulation following allergen inhalation, suggesting that margination of circulating myeloid DC, and their recruitment into the airway mucosa, is an important feature of the immune response to inhaled allergen.
Improvement in psoriasis after intradermal administration of delipidated, deglycolipidated Mycobacterium vaccae (PVAC™): results of an open-label trial
Authors: Balagon M. V. , Tan P. L. , Prestidge R. , Cellona R. V. , Abalos R. M. , Tan E. V. , Walsh G. P. , Watson J. D. , Walsh D. S. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The aim of new treatments for psoriasis is to induce extended remissions with fewer side-effects. Previous studies suggest that Mycobacterium vaccae, a harmless organism prepared as a heat-killed suspension, may induce periods of remission in some psoriasis patients after intradermal administration. To assess a more potent derivative of M. vaccae, we conducted an open-label study in which 20 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of 12–35) received two intradermal inoculations of heat-killed, delipidated, deglycolipidated M. vaccae (DD-MVAC or ‘PVAC’) in lesion-free deltoid skin, separated by a period of 3 weeks. Twelve weeks after the injections, 13 out of 20 patients (65%) showed marked improvement in the PASI score (&gt; 50% reduction), three were unchanged (&lt; 25% reduction), three had worsened (&gt; 5% increase), and one was withdrawn from the trial because of an exfoliative flare. At 24 weeks, 13 out of 19 patients continued to show &gt; 50% improvement that, in some, lasted for 6 months or longer. Patients classified as good responders at 12 or 24 weeks were then offered additional PVAC injections after 24 weeks if the PASI reached 8 or higher. Intra-dermal administration of PVAC was safe, well tolerated, and induced clinically significant improvement in many psoriasis patients. A randomized, double-blind, controlled study is warranted.
Severe cutaneous reaction to CS gas
Authors: Varma S. , Holt P. J. A. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Tear gas is used throughout the World for control of riots and civil disobedience. CS gas as used by the UK police force is issued as a ‘spray’ and is 5% CS in methylisobutylketone (MIBK), a potent irritant. Assaults on police officers in forces issued with CS spray have fallen significantly over the past 3 years, whilst having risen in areas without it. Thus, CS gas appears to be an effective deterrent. However, significant cutaneous reactions can occur as a result of exposure. We report a severe contact dermatitis to CS gas to highlight the clinical features. The nature of CS gas and potential cutaneous adverse reactions are discussed.
Subclass distribution of IgA antibodies in saliva and serum after immunization withHaemophilus influenzaetype b conjugate vaccines
Authors: Kauppi-Korkeila M , Saarinen L , Eskola J , KÄyhty H 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYIgA subclass distribution of antibodies against capsular polysaccharide (PS) of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was studied in saliva and serum samples of children vaccinated with two (n = 58) or three doses (n = 53) of Hib vaccine. One month after the second dose of Hib conjugate vaccine, at 7 months old, 40% of the children had IgA1 and 41% had IgA2 anti-Hib PS antibodies in saliva. One month after the third dose, at 15–25 months old, IgA1 was the predominating subclass; 72% of the children had IgA1, 26% had IgA2 anti-Hib PS in saliva. The mean concentration of IgA1 anti-Hib PS, expressed as optical density (OD) values, was significantly higher after three doses (OD 80.7) than after two doses (OD 18.9). The mean concentration of IgA2 did not change significantly after the third dose (OD 23.8 after two doses, OD 18.1 after three doses). In serum, IgA1 anti-Hib PS predominated both after two (17% had IgA1, none had IgA2) and three doses (72% had IgA1, 4% had IgA2) of Hib vaccine. In conclusion, both IgA1 and IgA2 anti-Hib PS were found in saliva of immunized children after two doses of Hib conjugate vaccine, whereas the third vaccine dose induced a shift towards IgA1 anti-Hib PS dominance in saliva.
Suppression of IL-6 biological activities by activin A and implications for inflammatory arthropathies
Authors: YU E W , Dolter K E , Shao L-E , YU J 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYActivin A is a cytokine whose multiple functions have yet to be fully determined. In this study, the role of proinflammatory cytokines in regulatory control of activin A production was shown in synoviocytes and chondrocytes. Additional facets of functional inflammation-related activities of activin A were also determined. Results showed that activin A concentrations in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and gout were elevated relative to those in patients with osteoarthritis. Further studies showed that production of activin A by synoviocytes and chondrocytes in culture was stimulated by cytokines such as IL-1, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and IL-8, consistent with previous studies in regard to the control of activin A production in marrow stromal cells and monocytes by cytokines, glucocorticoids and retinoic acid. In addition, the relationship of activin A to IL-6-induced biological activities was investigated. Three major IL-6 activities involved in inflammatory responses were found to be suppressed by activin A. In a dose-dependent manner, activin A efficiently suppressed IL-6-induced proliferation of 7TD1 B lymphoid cells, phagocytic activity of monocytic M1 cells, and fibrinogen production in HepG2. Therefore, it is likely that activin A serves as a suppressor for IL-6, dampening inflammatory responses, and has the potential to perform some previously unrecognized roles in inflammation.
A 75-kD autoantigen recognized by sera from patients with X-linked autoimmune enteropathy associated with nephropathy
Authors: Kobayashi I , Imamura K , Yamada M , Okano M , Yara A , Ikema S , Ishikawa N , Kobayashi K , Sakiyama Y 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY
Autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) is a rare disorder characterized by intractable diarrhoea and anti-enterocyte autoantibody. In this study, we detected a 75-kD autoantigen which distributed through the whole intestine and the kidney, as assessed by Western blot analysis using sera from two unrelated cases of AIE associated with nephropathy. Our results suggest that the detection of the autoantibody against the 75-kD antigen has a diagnostic value in AIE and that the autoimmune reaction against the 75-kD antigen may be implicated in the development of intestinal and renal tissue damage in this rare disorder.
Cellular immunity in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
Authors: Corrigan E M , Clancy R L , Dunkley M L , Eyers F M , Beagley K W 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYImpaired T cell function has been reported to predispose women to recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, but conflicting results have been noted in the literature. Most clinical episodes occur in the late luteal phase, suggesting hormonal influence on host resistance. The present study assesses the cellular immune responses of 28 women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis (patients) and 25 control women (controls), noting results in relation to whether the women were in the follicular or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle at the time of sampling. Candida-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation was significantly reduced in patients compared with controls. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in response to both Candida and purified protein derivative (PPD) stimulation was significantly lower in patients compared with controls. Skin test responses were comparable in both groups. A significant reduction in Candida-stimulated IFN-γ production was seen in patients but not controls in the follicular phase compared with those in the luteal phase. There was also a trend towards lower proliferation in response to Candida in patients but not controls in the follicular phase compared with patients in the luteal phase. These results suggest that there is a partial T cell dysregulation in recurrent vaginal candidiasis which may be exacerbated by the hormonal balance present during the follicular phase, correlating with the risk of clinical infection.
Heterogeneity in the occurrence of a subset of autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in autoimmune polyendocrine patients with islet cell antibodies
Authors: Davenport C , Radford P M , AL-Bukhari T A M A , Lai M , Bottazzo G F , Todd I 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYGlutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD-65) is a major target for autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Autoantibodies to GAD are also found in patients with stiff man syndrome (SMS) or polyendocrine autoimmunity (PE). The epitope specificities of autoantibodies to GAD in IDDM and SMS have been well documented, but the locations of autoantibody epitopes of GAD in PE patients have not been mapped. Thus, the properties of anti-GAD antibodies in PE patients (with or without diabetes) were investigated. The ability of PE serum antibodies to inhibit the binding of the mouse monoclonal antibody, GAD-6, to native GAD in ELISA was determined. For PE patients without diabetes, levels of inhibition of GAD-6 binding ranged from 0% to almost 70% and were unrelated to the level of binding of serum antibodies to GAD (P = 0.351) or to the functional affinities of these antibodies. This suggests differences in the epitope specificities of anti-GAD antibodies in different patients. Levels of inhibition were also unrelated to clinical condition. SMS antibodies showed similar levels of inhibition of GAD-6 binding. Similar analysis was applied to PE patients with diabetes and levels of inhibition of GAD-6 binding to GAD were determined. These ranged from 0% to 80%, and levels of inhibition were similar in samples taken before or after diabetes onset. There was no significant difference between anti-GAD antibodies from PE patients with or without diabetes in the range of abilities to inhibit GAD-6 binding to GAD, although the highest levels of inhibition were given by sera from non-diabetic patients. This raises the possibility of differential expression of subsets of anti-GAD antibodies in progressive versus slow or non-progressive anti-islet autoimmune responses. Serum antibodies of PE and SMS patients did not inhibit the binding of antibodies specific for the extreme C-terminus of GAD, indicating that this is not the site of the epitopes for the patients' antibodies or for GAD-6.
Effective prophylaxis of influenza A virus pneumonia in mice by topical passive immunotherapy with polyvalent human immunoglobulins or F(ab′)2 fragments
Authors: Ramisse M , Deramoudt F-X , Szatanik M , Bianchi A , Binder P , Hannoun C , Alonso J-M 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe effectiveness of polyvalent plasma-derived human immunoglobulins (IVIG) in passive immunotherapy of influenza virus pneumonia was assessed, using the Strain Scotland (A/Scotland/74 (H3N2)) adapted to BALB/c mice by repeated lung passages. Haemagglutinin antibodies in two batches of IVIG at 10 mg/ml had a titre of 1/16. Intravenous injection of 1000–5000 μg of IVIG, 3 h after infection, gave 60–70% protection, whereas intranasal injection of 25–50 μg protected 90% of mice infected with a lethal dose of influenza virus. F (ab′)2 fragments were at least as protective as intact IVIG, suggesting that complement or Fcγ receptor-bearing cells were not required. Topical passive immunotherapy with IVIG or F(ab′)2 gave protection up to 8 h after infection, but not at 24 h, suggesting that anti-influenza A antibodies in IVIG, delivered locally, are only effective at early stages of the infectious process. The potential value of topical administration of IVIG or F(ab′)2 fragments for influenza A pneumonia prophylaxis was further demonstrated by the protective effects of their intranasal administration 24 h before challenge.
Differential expression of cytokine transcripts in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma by solid tumour specimens, peritoneal exudate cells containing tumour, tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL)-derived T cell lines and established tumour cell lines
Authors: Nash M A , Lenzi R , Edwards C L , Kavanagh J J , Kudelka A P , Verschraegen C F , Platsoucas C D , Freedman R S 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYT cell lines derived in low concentrations of recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) from TIL of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) often exhibit specific cytotoxicity against autologous tumour cells. However, the ability of T cells at the tumour site to respond to ovarian carcinoma cells may be affected by the production of cytokines by the various cell types present. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we investigated cytokine transcripts in: (i) established EOC tumour cell lines; (ii) solid tumour specimens or peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from ascites or peritoneal washings of patients with EOC; and (iii) CD4+ TCRαβ+ and CD8+ TCRαβ+ TIL-derived T cell lines developed in rIL-2. We have found that (i) established EOC tumour cell lines expressed transcripts for transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) (7/7), but not IL-10 (0/7) or interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (0/7) and rarely IL-2 (1/7); (ii) PEC expressed transcripts for IL-2 (12/13), IL-10 (9/13), and TGF-β2 (12/13), and less often, IFN-γ (3/13), whereas solid tumour specimens from eight patients with EOC expressed transcripts for IL-2 (4/8), TGF-β2 (4/8), and IL-10 (5/8), but not for IFN-γ (0/8); (iii) CD4+ TCRαβ+ T cell lines expressed transcripts for IFN-γ (4/4), IL-2 (4/4) and IL-10 (3/4), whereas CD8+ TCRαβ+ T cell lines expressed transcripts for IFN-γ (5/5), IL-2 (1/5) and IL-10 (2/5). None of these T cell lines expressed TGF-β2 transcripts. The frequency of IL-2 and TGF-β2 transcripts in solid tumours was significantly lower than in the PEC (P = 0.0475). CD4+ or CD8+ T cell lines expressing IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 transcripts were derived in culture with rIL-2 from the TIL of specimens that did not necessarily express these cytokines in the absence of rIL-2. The frequency of cytokine transcripts in T cell lines compared with these same transcripts in the PEC was significantly higher for IFN-γ (P = 0.0005) and lower for TGF-β2 (P = 0.0001). An association was observed between the expression of cytokine transcripts in vivo or by TIL-derived cell lines and functions exhibited by either production of cytokines or in vitro cytotoxicity.
Increased eosinophil activity in acutePlasmodium falciparuminfection—association with cerebral malaria
Authors: Kurtzhals J A L , Reimert C M , Tette E , Dunyo S K , Koram K A , Akanmori B D , Nkrumah F K , Hviid L 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYTo assess the eosinophil response to Plasmodium falciparum infection a cohort of initially parasite-free Ghanaian children was followed for 3 months. Seven of nine children who acquired an asymptomatic P. falciparum infection showed increase in eosinophil counts, while a decrease was found in seven of nine children with symptomatic malaria, and no change was observed in 14 children who remained parasite-free. In a hospital-based study, paediatric patients with cerebral malaria (CM), severe anaemia (SA), or uncomplicated malaria (UM) had uniformly low eosinophil counts during the acute illness followed by eosinophilia 30 days after cure. Plasma levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) were measured as indicators of eosinophil activation. In spite of the low eosinophil counts, ECP levels were increased on day 0 and significantly higher in patients with CM (geometric mean (95% confidence interval) 8·5 ng/ml (6·8–10·7 ng/ml)) than in SA (4·7 ng/ml (3·0–7·5 ng/ml)) and UM patients (4·3 ng/ml (3·6–5·3 ng/ml), P &lt; 0·001). A similar pattern was found for EPX. It thus appears that the low eosinophil counts may be due to tissue sequestration and destruction rather than decreased production. The plasma levels of the granule proteins correlated with levels of tumour necrosis factor and soluble IL-2 receptor, implicating inflammatory responses and T cell activation as causes of the eosinophil activation. By contrast, the eosinophil induction did not appear to be part of a Th2-like response. Eosinophil granule proteins may be important in both control of malaria infection and the pathogenesis of severe malaria.
Detection and characterization of antibodies specific to food antigens (gliadin, ovalbumin and β-lactoglobulin) in human serum, saliva, colostrum and milk
Authors: Rumbo M , Chirdo F G , Añón M C , Fossati C A 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY
Antibodies against food antigens are usually produced in healthy people. This humoral response can be detected both in serum and secretions. The characterization of this response can be useful for a better understanding of food-related immunological alterations. In this study, IgA and IgG antibodies specific to ovalbumin, β-lactoglobulin or gliadin were measured in serum, saliva, colostrum and milk from 40 healthy breast-feeding women. Specific IgA and IgG to the three antigens were measured by indirect ELISA. Specific IgG levels were highest in serum and very low in the other biological fluids. No correlation between the IgG specific to the different antigens was found. Specific IgA reactivity was found in all the samples analysed. Levels observed were higher in colostrum and milk than in serum and saliva. In spite of being three different unrelated food antigens, a correlation between the levels of specific IgA was found in saliva, colostrum and milk samples of all subjects studied. The specificity of IgA anti-gliadin antibodies from serum, saliva and colostrum was analysed by immunoblotting of SDS–PAGE-separated wheat proteins. Each sample presented a unique pattern of recognition. No common pattern of recognition was found either among the same biological fluids of the different subjects tested, or among the different samples—either serum, colostrum or saliva—of the same individual. Different degrees of specificity to wheat proteins among IgA from colostrum, saliva or serum were observed, suggesting that the local IgA-producing populations are functionally different in the different tissues of the organism.
Aminoguanidine reduces glomerular inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) mRNA expression and diminishes glomerulosclerosis in NZB/W F1 mice
Authors: Yang C-W , YU C-C , KO Y-C , Huang C-C 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYOver-expression of iNOS is implicated in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis in animal models of systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aminoguanidine, a selective inhibitor of iNOS, for the protection from glomerulosclerosis in NZB/W F1 mice. Female NZB/W F1 mice (n = 8) were treated with aminoguanidine (1 g/l) in drinking water for 4 months starting at age 2 months before the onset of glomerulonephritis. Controls were age- and sex-matched mice (n = 10) without aminoguanidine treatment. By glomerular microdissection and reverse-transcription competitive polymerase chain reaction, we found that glomerular iNOS/β-actin and TGF-β1/β-actin mRNA ratios were reduced 15.1% (P &lt; 0.05) and 61.3% (P &lt; 0.01), respectively, in aminoguanidine-treated mice. Aminoguanidine significantly reduced the glomerular iNOS staining, urinary nitrite production and degree of glomerulosclerosis. In addition, the glomerular volume and mean glomerular cell number were reduced 33.2% (P &lt; 0.01) and 32.8% (P &lt; 0.01), respectively. Likewise, the urinary proteinuria was also significantly reduced by aminoguanidine. These results indicate that administration of aminoguanidine may reduce the progression of glomerulosclerosis in NZB/W F1 mice, possibly through inhibition of glomerular nitric oxide production.
Effects of anti-IL-4 receptor monoclonal antibody onin vitroT cell cytokine levels: IL-4 production by T cells from non-atopic donors
Authors: Bullens D M A , Kasran A , Peng X , Lorré K , Ceuppens J L 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYIL-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine which is involved in the development of atopic diseases. Only limited data exist on IL-4 production in humans, and the relative contribution to atopy of either unbalanced IL-4 production, or increased IL-4-responsiveness of target cells, is still unknown. The use of a MoAb to the IL-4 receptor α-chain (IL-4Rα) enabled us to demonstrate that IL-4 production in vitro is usually underestimated, due to in vitro consumption, even in cultures of purified T cells. When IL-4 consumption was blocked, it became evident that CD80 and CD86 both provide effective costimulatory signals for high IL-4 production. Moreover, we found that even stimulation with a soluble antigen (tetanus toxoid) induces IL-4 production by T cells from healthy non-atopic donors. Both sets of data imply that IL-4 is not required for IL-4 production by memory and/or effector T cells. Our data further show that endogenous IL-4 activity modulates IL-10 and interferon-gamma production by T cells in opposite directions. The use of this receptor-blocking antibody will thus be helpful for in vitro studies on IL-4 regulation. Consumption of IL-4 by different cell types during in vitro cultures might have interfered with previous attempts to quantify IL-4 production by human T cells.