bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism and mortality in patients with severe sepsis
Authors: ARNALICH F , LÓPEZ-MADERUELO D , CODOCEO R , LOPEZ J , SOLIS-GARRIDO L M , CAPISCOL C , FERNANDEZ-CAPITÁN C , MADERO R , MONTIEL C 
Published: March 2003

Summary
This study aims to determine the influence of the polymorphism within the intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1RN*) on the outcome of severe sepsis, and to assess its functional significance by correlating this polymorphism with the total production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein determined in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). A group of 78 patients with severe sepsis (51 survivors and 27 nonsurvivors) was compared with a healthy control group of 130 blood donors, and 56 patients with uncomplicated pneumonia. We found a significant association between IL-1RN* polymorphism and survival. Thus, after adjusting for age and APACHE II score, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that patients homozygotes for the allele *2 had a 6·47-fold increased risk of death (95% CI 1·01–41·47, P = 0·04). Besides, compared with patients homozygous or heterozygous for the allele *1, IL-1RN*2 homozygotes produced significantly lower levels of IL-1Ra from their PBMC. Our results suggest that insufficient production of this cytokine might contribute, among other factors, to the higher mortality rate found in severe sepsis patients with the IL-1RN*2 homozygous genotype.
Characterization of the phenotypic and lymphokine profile associated with strong CD8+anti-HIV-1 suppressor activity (CASA)
Authors: Wilkinson J , Zaunders J J , Carr A , Guillemin G , Cooper D A 
Published: March 2003

SummaryA panel of 22 CD8+ T cell lines, with a broad range of CD8+ anti-HIV-1 suppressor activity (CASA) were generated from a single patient with HIV-1 infection. CD8+ T cell lines with either strong or weak CASA were examined and compared for cell surface and intracellular markers, constitutive chemokine and lymphokine mRNA levels and inducible lymphokine expression. Strong CASA significantly correlated with CD8+ T cell lines that highly coexpressed the molecule CD28+ (r = 0·52, P = 0·01) and Ki67+ (r = 0·88, P = 0·02), with strong CASA CD8+ T cell lines demonstrating significantly higher (P &lt; 0·05) expression of CD8+CD28+ and CD8+Ki67+ compared to those with weak activity. No such correlations or findings were observed for the markers CD38, HLA-DR, CD57 or perforin. The Th1 cytokines were expressed at greater levels than the Th2 cytokines, with strong CASA significantly associated with an increased inducible level of IL-2 production (P = 0·05). Constitutive RANTES, IP-10 and I-309 mRNA expression were significantly (P &lt; 0·05) elevated in CD8+ T cell lines exhibiting strong CASA compared to those with weak CASA. There was no significant difference in the mRNA expression of the lymphokines IL-2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, or chemokines MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, and Ltn. Strong CASA was therefore associated with rapidly replicating CD8+ T cells of the phenotype CD8+CD28+Ki67+ that expressed greater levels of IL-2 and the ligands RANTES and I-309.
IgE is expressed on, but not produced by, fetal cells in the human placenta irrespective of maternal atopy
Authors: EKSTRÖM E SVERREMARK , NILSSON C , HOLMLUND U , PLOEG I VAN DER , SANDSTEDT B , LILJA G , SCHEYNIUS A 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe prevalence of atopic diseases in children has increased during the last decades. Atopic symptoms usually appear early in life. This implies an early priming for atopic disease, possibly even at the fetal level. We therefore compared the presence and production of IgE in the local in utero environment during pregnancy in atopic and non-atopic women. Eighty-six women were included in the study. Fifty women were demonstrated to be atopics, based on clinical symptoms of atopic disease together with a positive Phadiatop and/or skin prick test. Placentas from these term pregnancies were obtained. Slices covering the full thickness of the placenta were cut clockwise around the umbilical cord and were analysed with immunohistochemistry. Surprisingly, numerous IgE+ cells, located primarily in the fetal villous stroma, were detected in a majority of the investigated placentas irrespective of the atopy of the mother or maternal or fetal total serum IgE levels. The placental IgE could not be demonstrated to be bound to IgE receptors, but was shown to be bound to fetal macrophages, possibly via FcγRI. No evidence was found for local fetal IgE production, although cells producing epsilon transcripts were occasionally detected in the decidua. We describe here the novel finding of numerous IgE+ cells in the human placenta, suggesting an hitherto unknown role for IgE in a successful pregnancy outcome, irrespective of whether or not the mother is atopic.
Proliferation and telomere length in acutely mobilized blood mononuclear cells in HIV infected patients
Authors: SØNDERGAARD S R , ESSEN M V , SCHJERLING P , ULLUM H , PEDERSEN B K 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe aim of the study was to investigate the mobilization of T cells in response to a stressful challenge (adrenalin stimulation), and to access T cells resided in the peripheral lymphoid organs in HIV infected patients. Seventeen patients and eight HIV seronegative controls received an adrenalin infusion for 1 h. Blood was sampled before, during and 1 h after adrenalin infusion. Proliferation and mean telomere restriction fragment length (telomeres) of blood mononuclear cells (BMNC) and purified CD8+ and CD4+ cells were investigated at all time points. In patients, the proliferation to pokeweed mitogens (PWM) was lower and decreased more during adrenalin infusion. After adrenalin infusion the proliferation to PWM was restored only in the controls. In all subjects telomeres in CD4+ cells declined during adrenalin infusion. Additionally, the patients had shortened telomeres in their CD8+ cells, and particularly HAART treated patients had shortened telomeres in all cell-subtypes. The finding that patients mobilized cells with an impaired proliferation to PWM during and after adrenalin infusion has possible clinical relevance for HIV infected patients during pathological stressful conditions, such as sepsis, surgery and burns. However, this study did not find a correlation between impaired proliferation and telomeres. It is concluded that physiological stress further aggravates the HIV-induced immune deficiency.
Interleukin-10 inhibits experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis
Authors: KITCHING A R , KATERELOS M , MUDGE S J , TIPPING P G , POWER D A , HOLDSWORTH S R 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYConflicting reports exist regarding the effects of interleukin-10 (IL-10) on mesangial cells. There have been reports of both proliferative and antiproliferative effects, and both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of IL-10 on mesangial cells. However, the potential for IL-10 to affect glomerulonephritis characterized by mesangial proliferation is not known. To test the hypothesis that IL-10 would limit experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, IL-10 was administered to rats in which mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was induced by administration of anti-Thy 1 antibody. Compared to control treated rats, IL-10 treated rats showed less proliferation, with fewer cells in glomeruli. Glomerular cellular proliferation was reduced, assessed by the numbers of cells within glomeruli expressing either proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or bromodeoxyuridine. Glomerular macrophage influx (but not the proportion of glomerular macrophages that were PCNA positive) was reduced by IL-10 administration. There was no significant reduction in glomerular α-smooth muscle actin staining. IL-10 treatment resulted in reduced renal IL-1β mRNA expression and reduced glomerular ICAM-1 expression, but renal expression of MCP-1 and osteopontin mRNA was unaltered. This study demonstrates that in experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis IL-10 diminishes inflammatory cell recruitment and mesangial cell proliferation. The effects of IL-10 in inhibiting mesangial cell proliferation are likely to be due to a combination of direct effects of IL-10 on mesangial cells and effects mediated by macrophages.
Mechanisms of villous atrophy in autoimmune enteropathy and coeliac disease
Authors: CICCOCIOPPO R , D'ALÒ S , SABATINO A D I , PARRONI R , ROSSI M , DOGLIONI C , CIFONE M G , CORAZZA G R 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYSince in coeliac disease mucosal flattening has been suggested to result from an increased enterocyte apoptosis triggered by Fas/Fas ligand system and perforin cytolytic granules, we looked for a similar mechanism in autoimmune enteropathy. Moreover, we tried to assess whether enterocyte autoantibodies, which are the hallmark of autoimmune enteropathy, may be involved in triggering enterocyte apoptosis in this condition. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-Fas, -FasL and -perforin MoAb, and TUNEL technique were applied on endoscopic duodenal biopsies of two autoimmune enteropathy patients, two untreated coeliac patients and two biopsied controls. Cytotoxicity assays were carried out by incubating peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a healthy subject (effectors) with enterocytes primed with patient or control sera (targets). In autoimmune enteropathy a large number of enterocytes were apoptotic, as in coeliac disease, whereas neither Fas/Fas ligand or perforin expressions were up-regulated. On the other hand, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay revealed the ability of sera from patients with autoimmune enteropathy to mediate enterocyte death through apoptosis. These results point to enterocyte autoantibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity as the prevalent mechanism of increased enterocyte apoptosis in autoimmune enteropathy but not in coeliac disease.
Combination of molecular mimicry and aberrant autoantigen expression is important for development of anti-Fas ligand autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: MIHARA S , SUZUKI N , TAKEBA Y , SOEJIMA K , YAMAMOTO S 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYWe have reported previously that circulating anti-Fas ligand (FasL) autoantibodies able to inhibit Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis were present in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present study, we describe the epitopes recognized by these anti-FasL autoantibodies. Rabbit antihuman antibody, raised against a FasL fragment consisting of amino acids (aa) 103–179 (fragment 2·0), inhibited Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis, whereas an antibody against a FasL aa 103–146 fragment (fragment 1·0) did not. This suggested that an epitope around aa 146–179 was important for Fas/FasL interaction. Epitope mapping of anti-FasL autoantibodies using deletion mutants indicated that the epitope was located around aa 163–179. Three-dimensional molecular modelling of the Fas/FasL complex revealed that the aa 162–169 region was located on the outermost side of FasL, which suggested that the anti-FasL autoantibody would easily have access to the epitope. FasL point mutants involving aa positions 162–169 resulted in complete loss of apoptosis-inducing capability, which suggested that the aa 162–169 region was important for Fas/FasL interaction. A synthetic FasL peptide consisting of aa 161–170 blocked the binding of anti-FasL autoantibodies to FasL fragment 2·0 (aa 103–179). The FasL aa 161–170 sequence was found to be highly homologous with aa sequences from several infectious agents. Synthetic peptides derived from some of these microorganisms cross-reacted with the epitope recognized by the autoantibodies, suggesting that several foreign infectious agent-derived proteins may share an epitope with human FasL. As lymphocytes from SLE patients aberrartly expressed FasL, it is possible that infection by one of several infectious agents may trigger cross-reactive antibody responses, after which aberrantly expressed endogenous FasL might induce the shift from a cross-reactive response to an authentic autoimmune response. Therefore, a combination of molecular mimicry and aberrant autoantigen expression may be important for the development of anti-FasL autoantibodies in SLE patients.
The effects of CD40- and interleukin (IL-4)-activated CD23+ cells on the production of IL-10 by mononuclear cells in Graves’ disease: the role of CD8+ cells
Authors: UCHIMURA K , ITOH M , YAMAMOTO K , IMAMURA S , MAKINO M , KATO T , FUJIWARA K , SAWAI Y 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe possible roles of CD8+ cells in the abnormal T cell-dependent B-cell activation in Graves’ disease were investigated by analysing lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their production of soluble factors and cytokines such as IL-10 in patients with Graves’ disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and normal controls. The PBMC were separated into CD8+ and CD8-depleted cells by magnetic separation columns, and cultured for 7 days with or without anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies and IL-4. The culture supernatant was assayed for sCD23 and IL-10 using EIA, and the remaining cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Stimulation with anti-CD40 antibody together with IL-4 increased sCD23 levels and the number of CD23+ cells. The latter was further augmented by depletion of CD8+ cells. This combination of B cell stimulants increased production of IL-10 by PBMC from patients with Graves’ disease. The CD40- and IL-4-activated production of IL-10 was decreased by CD8+ cell depletion. In contrast, constitutive production of IL-10 was increased after CD8+ cell depletion in a group of patients with low basal secretion levels (&lt;35 ng/ml). It was, however, decreased in a group with higher basal production levels, but such a relationship was not found in the normal control group. Thus, T cell-dependent B-cell activation via a CD40 pathway activates CD23+ cells, leading to over-production of IL-10 and a shift of the Th1/Th2 balance to Th2 dominance, while CD8+ cells may suppress this activation to counteract the Th2 deviation in Graves’ disease.
Effects of human placental lactogen on the expression of CD163 and CD14 on human monocytes in culture
Authors: CRANNY A , CROWLEY P , WHELAN A 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe effect of human placental lactogen (hPL), a member of the somatomammotrophin family, on the regulation of the scavenger receptor molecules CD14 and CD163 on human monocytes cultured for 48h was investigated. Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of the hormone and also in the presence or absence of IFN-γ and dexamethasone. Monocytes cultured in the presence of hPL showed a significant increase in the expression of CD14 in both males and females compared to background. When IFN-γ and dexamethasone were added to the cultures, CD14 expression was decreased and was not rescued by the presence of hPL. hPL alone had no effect on the expression of CD163 on cultured monocytes from either gender, although cells cultured in the presence of IFN-γ and dexamethasone showed a profound increase in their expression of CD163. This expression was augmented further by the presence of hPL in the cultures over a 48-h period. These results support the hypothesis of a potential role of this hormone in the regulation of the innate immune response.
The Th1/Th2 cytokine balance changes with the progress of the immunopathological lesion of Sjogren's syndrome
Authors: MITSIAS D I , TZIOUFAS A G , VEIOPOULOU C , ZINTZARAS E , TASSIOS I K , KOGOPOULOU O , MOUTSOPOULOS H M , THYPHRONITIS G 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYExpression of type-1 and type-2 cytokines at the mRNA level in labial salivary glands (LSG) of patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS), as reported by several groups, have generated conflicting results. In the present study we have directly examined the production of IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ by lymphocytes infiltrating the LSG of 44 consecutive patients referred for SS evaluation. Cytokines production was evaluated following in vitro culture of LSG in the presence of IL-2. IFN-γ and IL-13 were detected in the majority of SN (24/44 and 26/44, respectively) while IL-4 was present in 5/44 SN. The presence of IFN-γ was significantly higher in SS patients, as opposed to patients who did not fulfil the criteria for SS (P &lt; 0·01). In addition, almost all cultured lymphocytes expressed mRNA for IFN-γ (17/19 cultures) and IL-13 (18/19) while IL-4 mRNA was also expressed at high frequency (14/19 cultures). Interestingly, the IFN-γ mRNA copies in cultured lymphocytes correlated significantly with the intensity of lymphocytic infiltration as evaluated by Chisholm's score (P &lt; 0·01). Furthermore, RT-PCR of RNA extracted from whole LSG from 14 SS patients also demonstrated the presence of all cytokines in the majority of the cases and the prevalence of IFN-γ in LSG with high-grade infiltration. Because IL-13 was produced by the majority of the cultured LSG, IgE production was also evaluated. Interestingly, IgE was detected in 21/44 LSG culture SN and mainly in those biopsies that had Chisholm's score less than 0·5 (P &lt; 0·05). We conclude that lymphocytes infiltrating the LSG are capable of producing both Th1 and Th2 cytokines and that the balance between them shifts in favour of Th1 in LSG with high infiltration score and in patients with SS.
Molecular study of an IgG1κcryoglobulin yielding organized microtubular deposits and glomerulonephritis in the course of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: GALEA H R , BRIDOUX F , ALDIGIER J-C , PARAF F , BORDESSOULE D , TOUCHARD G , COGNÉ M 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYGlomerulonephritis with organized microtubular monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits (GOMMID) and glomerulonephritis related to type I cryoglobulin are well-known but rare complications of B cell derived chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. In these disorders, monoclonal Ig have never been studied at the molecular level. We conducted a pathological and molecular analysis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, glomerulonephritis and a single circulating monoclonal Ig. Unusual IgG1κ kidney deposits were observed. The heavy and light chain variable region sequences of that cryoprecipitating monoclonal Ig were characterized. Light microscopy revealed glomerulonephritis typical of cryoglobulinaemia, with neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, endocapillary hyperplasia and few protein thrombi. Electron microscopic study clearly evidenced numerous subepithelial mixed granular and organized deposits with a unique microtubular organization, reminiscent of the GOMMID. The Ig molecule sequence revealed alterations of charge and hydrophobicity potentially promoting a crystal-like aggregation and the aggregation of microtubules. This description suggests that common mechanisms are involved in various forms of precipitation and/or deposition of complete Ig molecules, with a variable extent of organization and with a possible overlap between pathological patterns of either glomerulonephritis with microtubular deposits or type I cryoglobulinic glomerulonephritis.
Continuous nasal administration of antigen is critical to maintain tolerance in adoptively transferred autoimmune arthritis in SCID mice
Authors: BÁRDOS T , CZIPRI M , VERMES C , ZHANG J , MIKECZ K , GLANT T T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYMucosal tolerance is a natural mechanism that prevents immunological reactions to antigens by altering the activity of immune cells of pathogenic clones without modulating the entire immune system. This ‘natural immune suppression’ can be exploited when antigen(s) of the target organ in an autoimmune disease is used for mucosal treatment. Being inspired by the experimental results in animal models, clinical trials using type II collagen for mucosal treatment have been conducted in rheumatoid arthritis. High-density proteoglycan (aggrecan) is another major macromolecular component in articular cartilage, and may be a candidate autoantigen for provoking immune reactions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Indeed, like type II collagen, systemic immunization of genetically susceptible mice with proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan induces progressive autoimmune polyarthritis. Here, we investigated whether intranasally applied PG can be effective in suppressing PG-induced arthritis (PGIA) in BALB/c mice. We found that nasal administration of 100μg PG exerted a strong suppressive effect on both the incidence and severity of the disease, most probably by reducing responsiveness towards the immunizing PG antigen. When we transferred PGIA into genetically matched but immunodeficient SCID mice, we were able to establish a tolerized state, but only if the recipient SCID mice received lymphocytes from tolerized animals and intranasal treatment with PG was continued. Without nasally administered antigen, the transferred anergic cells recovered and arthritis rapidly developed in a severe form. Intranasal PG treatment of recipient SCID mice was ineffective when cells from non-tolerized arthritic donors were transferred, in which case the regular weekly ‘tolerizing’ dose of PG made the disease worse. Our results suggest that mucosal treatment in an already existing disease may result in paradoxical outcomes.
Allelic family-specific humoral responses to merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) in Gabonese residents withPlasmodium falciparuminfections
Authors: EKALA M-T , JOUIN H , LEKOULOU F , MERCEREAU-PUIJALON O , NTOUMI F 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYMerozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) expressed by Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood stages has been identified as a promising vaccine candidate. In order to explore allelic family-specific humoral responses which may be responsible for parasite neutralization during natural infections, isolates from individuals with either asymptomatic infections or uncomplicated malaria and residing in a Central African area where Plasmodium transmission is high and perennial, were analysed using MSP2 as polymorphic marker. The family-specific antibody responses were assessed by ELISA using MSP2 synthetic peptides. We observed an age-dependence of P. falciparum infection complexity. The decrease of infection complexity around 15 years of age was observed simultaneously with an increase in the mean number of MSP2 variants recognized. No significant difference in the P. falciparum genetic diversity and infection complexity was found in isolates from asymptomatic subjects and patients with uncomplicated malaria. The longitudinal follow-up showed a rapid development of immune responses to various regions of MSP2 variants within one week. Comparing humoral responses obtained with the other major antigen on the merozoite surface, MSP1, our findings suggest that different pathways of responsiveness are involved in antibody production to merozoite surface antigens.