Skin cancer following kidney transplantation: a single-center experience

One of the major problems associated with prolonged immunosuppression is a high occurrence of skin malignancies among kidney recipients. Studies have shown that nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most frequently occurring tumor after organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of and identify possible risk factors for skin malignancies among a population of kidney recipients. This retrospective, single-center cohort comprised 1672 patients transplanted from 1994 to 2011. Only patients with a confirmed diagnosis of skin cancer were selected for medical records review. Among 836 kidney transplant recipients remaining under our care since 1994, skin malignancies were diagnosed in 16 patients (1.9%). The histological diagnoses included squamous cell carcinoma (n=8; 50.0%); basal cell carcinoma (n=6; 37.5%) or malignant melanoma (n=2; 12.5%). The slightly lower incidence of skin malignancies noted in our study compared with other reports might result from differences in the length of follow-up. Some patients diagnosed with skin cancer were treated in local dermatology clinics. Also, a lower exposure to the sun characteristic for the latitude and differences in immunosuppressive therapies could be partially responsible for the lower skin cancer incidence. We also did not observe any association between other reported risk factors, such as age, human leukocyte antigen mismatch, duration of pretransplant hemodialysis, particular immunosuppressive therapies and the skin cancer occurrence among our kidney recipients.

Possible defect of T suppressor cell subpopulation in patients with kidney acute rejection

CD8(+)CD28(-) forkhead box P3 (Foxp3(+)) T suppressor (Ts) lymphocytes are antigen-specific cells capable of inducing tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells by up-regulation of inhibitory receptors immunoglobulin-like-transcripts -3 and -4 and down-regulation of costimulatory molecules. Our study sought to investigate the relation between the level of peripheral CD8(+)CD28(-)Foxp3(+) Ts cells and kidney allograft outcomes. The project included 44 kidney transplantation patients. During the 6-month period following transplantation an acute rejection episode (ARE) was diagnosed in 11 patients based on biopsy results using the Banff criteria. Peripheral blood samples collected at 1 day before as well as 14 and 30 days after transplantation were tested for CD8(+)CD28(-)Foxp3(+) T cells by means of flow cytometry. Values were considered significant when P < .05. Cytometric analysis did not show significant differences between the groups in pretransplant levels of peripheral CD8(+)CD28(-)Foxp3(+) Ts cells (P > .05); however, the posttransplantation analysis showed a higher mean level of Ts cells in nonrejection (NONARE) versus acute rejection (ARE) patients (P < .0001). This observation suggested that dysfunction of CD8(+)CD28(-)Foxp3(+) Ts cells observed in ARE patients may contribute to these episodes. Interestingly, we observed similar results with respect to peripheral CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells in ARE patients, suggesting impairment of immunoregulatory mechanisms (especially within the inducible Foxp3 system) in this group, leading to acute renal allograft rejection episodes.

Role of TH1/TH2 cytokines in kidney allograft rejection

One of the major issues in contemporary kidney transplantation is prevention of acute allograft rejection episodes (AREs). Cytokines are crucial mediators of immune reactions leading to AREs. We correlated serum Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations with AREs. The project included 44 patients undergoing kidney transplantation. During the 3-month period following the transplantation, ARE was diagnosed in 11 patients. Serum samples collected 1 day before and 2, 7, 14, and 30 days after transplantation were tested for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations using flow cytometry. Nonrejection (NONAR) and rejection (ARE) groups of patients did not show significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics. We observed that higher pretransplantation serum levels of IFN-gamma (P = .000003) and IL-10 (P = .000001) were associated with AREs. Our analysis also showed slightly higher IL-4 serum levels among NONAR patients up to 7 days posttransplantation, followed by a drop in concentrations in NONAR patients. In contrast, there was a continuous increase among ARE patients. No significant differences were observed in plasma levels of IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, or TNF-alpha between the two groups. Higher pretransplantation levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 observed in ARE patients indicated ongoing nondetected, probably nonspecific, inflammatory processes able to intensify an immune response directed against the transplanted organ leading to its acute rejection. Higher levels of IL-4 prior to and shortly after transplantation may have protective effects on graft survival. However, a prolonged, increased production of IL-4 after transplantation can also contribute to AREs.

No evidence of HTLV-I infection in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome

The involvement of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in the etiology of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) is still controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of HTLV-I in the pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) in Polish patients. The studied group consisted of 42 patients with MF, 5 with SS and 25 with chronic dermatitis. DNA was extracted from snap-frozen and paraffin-embedded skin biopsies and from peripheral blood. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR or nested PCR) was carried out for amplification of different regions of HTLV-I genome. Primer sets flanking pX, p 19, U5, tax and pol genes were used in the investigation. The presence of HTLV-I antibody was examined in 46 sera samples with the use of anti-HTLV-I/II EIA test. HTLV-I antibodies were not detected in any collected sera samples. PCR with two primer sets homologous to the pX region of HTLV-I showed negative results in all samples investigated. To confirm these results two other primer pairs specific for U5 and gag regions were designed. With these primer pairs no PCR product, except that in positive control, was observed. For more sensitive amplification a nested-PCR with pol and tax specific primers was performed. HTLV-I probably does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of MF in Polish patients.

The interactions of phthalocyanines with stimulated and resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The interactions of two metal-free phthalocyanines [(H2Pc) and Solar Pc (with four peripherical groups: SO2N(CH2CH2OH)2)] and of one metal substituted dye (CoPc) with resting and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were compared. The absorption, fluorescence, photoacoustic and EPR spectra of both resting cells and cells stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin, incubated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with very low or 95% water content and with or without dye addition, were measured. The fate of the light absorbed by the samples was investigated. It is known that singlet oxygen production is crucial for photodynamic action of dyes. Thermal deactivation and luminescence emission compete with this process, so investigation of these alternative paths of sensitizer deactivation provides information about photodynamic action. The incorporation of the investigated dyes into cells and the perturbation of the cell structure caused by the dyes, the incubation solvent and the activator were investigated by comparing the spectral properties of PBMC before and after stimulation and incubation. Incubation of the cells for 1 h in a solution of Solar Pc in 99.5% aqueous DMSO, resulted in an efficient dye incorporation which was highly selective. Solar Pc being introduced much more efficiently into stimulated cells than into resting cells.

[Evaluation of expression of polymorphonuclear neutrophil surface receptors in patients with type 1 diabetes]

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. Stimulation of these cells is associated with the appearance of specific receptors on their surface. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of the receptors specific for PMN: CD 11b, CD 18. The study was performed in a group of 23 type 1 diabetic patients, aged from 19 to 47 years (mean 30.7 +/- 8.6 years), including 15 females and 8 males (mean diabetes duration time 13.7 +/- 7.5 years; mean HbA1c 7.9 +/- 2.5%). The expression of PMN surface receptors was measured by flow cytometry using a ORTHO DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM cytofluorimeter. The results were presented as a PMN percentage indicating expression of CD 11b and CD 18. In comparison to healthy controls, there was a significant increase in the number of PMN, both with CD 11b and CD 18 receptors present--(CD 11b: 93.2 +/- 3.4 vs 98.0 +/- 1.9% p < 0.05), (CD 18: 98.5 +/- 0.47 vs 99.4 +/- 0.7%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In patients with type 1 diabetes, PMNs demonstrate a pronounced expression of surface receptors which may indicate an enhanced activity of these cells. The increase of expression of surface receptors is independent of diabetes duration time and HbA1c.

The interactions of phthalocyanines with stimulated and resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The interactions of two metal-free phthalocyanines [(H2Pc) and Solar Pc (with four peripherical groups: SO2N(CH2CH2OH)2)] and of one metal substituted dye (CoPc) with resting and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were compared. The absorption, fluorescence, photoacoustic and EPR spectra of both resting cells and cells stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin, incubated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with very low or 95% water content and with or without dye addition, were measured. The fate of the light absorbed by the samples was investigated. It is known that singlet oxygen production is crucial for photodynamic action of dyes. Thermal deactivation and luminescence emission compete with this process, so investigation of these alternative paths of sensitizer deactivation provides information about photodynamic action. The incorporation of the investigated dyes into cells and the perturbation of the cell structure caused by the dyes, the incubation solvent and the activator were investigated by comparing the spectral properties of PBMC before and after stimulation and incubation. Incubation of the cells for 1 h in a solution of Solar Pc in 99.5% aqueous DMSO, resulted in an efficient dye incorporation which was highly selective. Solar Pc being introduced much more efficiently into stimulated cells than into resting cells.

[Microheterogeneity of two acute phase proteins in patients with ovarian carcinoma]

Concentrations of two acute phase proteins: alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and transferrin (Tf) as well as glycosylation profiles of alpha 2M and Tf were studied in sera samples from 13 patients suffering from ovarian cancer. In the observed group of patients with ovarian cancer in whom the progression of disease was noticed low concentrations of both investigated proteins were present. On the contrary, the microheterogeneity of both alpha 2M and Tf was changed towards variants of both proteins more weakly reacting with ConA, what was previously described for AGP and ACT in all chronic inflammatory conditions including cancer.

Analysis of the distribution of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets associated with chronic ethanol treatment in rats with a disturbed circadian cycle

The present study examined the composition of lymphoid subsets in the peripheral blood of alcohol-preferring (PRF) and non-preferring (NPF) rats, in an experimental model of alcoholism involving the disruption of the circadian cycle. The absolute and relative number of lymphocytes in specific subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, NK, CD45RA) were measured using the flow cytometry method. When control animals with a disrupted circadian cycle (KN) were compared with a normal diurnal cycle group (KD), it was noticed that this disruption led to an increase in the absolute number of lymphocytes T (CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells) and lymphocytes B (CD45RA(+)). After the period of time when the alcohol preference was seen, there was a change in response - as measured by the numbers and the percentage of lymphoid subsets in NPF rats - involving a lowering of NK and CD45RA(+) cells. It seems that these animals exhibit higher sensitivity towards prolonged ethanol intoxication. However, the PRF animals - for whom the analysed values were close to those of the control group (KN) - tolerated the toxic effects of ethanol better and this may be related to their genetic predisposition.

[Monitoring of the inflammation in children before and after tonsillectomy]

A group of 54 children aged from three to 13 years was qualified to tonsillectomy for laryngological indications. In sera of all children following measurements were performed: the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) were measured using rocket immunoelectrophoresis according to Laurell, also concentrations of three main immunoglobulin classes (IgA, IgG, IgM) and antistreptolysin titer. The microheterogeneity of both AGP and ACT was investigated, using crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis according to Bog-Hansen with Concanavalin A (Con A) as a ligand. Results were expressed as reactivity coefficients (RC), being the proportion of all Con A-reacting variants to the non-reacting variant. It is worth mentioning that there was no difference in all investigated parameters as well between groups obtained by categorizing children according to the presence or absence of elevated antistreptolysin titer. It may mean that at least in some cases the chronic inflammation was caused by streptococci non-producing streptolysin O. The results obtained suggest that the absence of the arthritic pain does not exclude the need of antibiotic therapy in children after tonsillectomy. Generally it is postulated that estimation of acute phase proteins concentrations and glycosylation profiles, which were previously shown to be useful in clinical assessment of various diseases may serve as additional marker in laryngology in cases where indications to tonsillectomy are still controversial.

[Prognostic significance of DNA analysis in neoplastic cells of patients with squamous cell lung neoplasms treated surgically]

The aim of our study was the assessment of the ploidia and its influence on the remission time and the survival of surgically treated patients with squamous cell lung cancer. The results were then related to the clinical staging, grading, size and localization of the tumor. The tissue samples (n = 60) of squamous cell lung carcinoma resected between 1995-1996 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery at University of Medical Sciences in Poznań were prepared using modified Hedley's method. The measurement was done in Cytoron Absolute flow cytometer. The abnormal DNA (aneuploid) was found in 40% of tumors. In two-year observation period more patients died with aneuploid tumors (54.6% deaths) than with diploid tumors (35.2% deaths). No significant correlation was found between the ploidy and frequency of metastasis to regional lymph nodes, tumor size, localization and grading. The estimation of the DNA content in the cancer cells seems to be a significant and valuable prognostic factor. The measurement of the DNA content can be useful in patients to estimate risk of recurrence after surgery.

The incorporation of various porphyrins into blood cells measured via flow cytometry, absorption and emission spectroscopy

The incorporation of the five following porphyrins: meso-tetra(4-phenyl)porphyrin (TPP); meso-tetra(4-sulfonato-phenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4); meso-tetra(4-naphthyl)porphyrin (TNP); tri-sulfo-tetra-phenyl porphyrin (TPPS3) and tetra-sulfonato-naphthyl porphyrin (TNPS4) into human blood cells was investigated using flow cytometry, and absorption and emission spectroscopy. The percentage of stained cells, measured in a fluorescence cytometer, provided information on the efficiency of incorporation of fluorescent dye molecules into different types of cells. The yield of the incorporation of a dye was dependent on the type of dye and the solvent used for cell incubation. The degree of dye aggregation and ionization varied with the incubation medium, but dye molecules incorporated into cells seemed to be restricted to those in the monomeric state, exhibiting similar fluorescence yield. Of the three sulfonated porphyrins investigated only TPPS4 was efficiently incorporated into leukocytes. In the incubation solvent, this dye was in monomeric and neutral form. TPPS3 which was also in monomeric form, practically was not incorporated into cells. TPP and TNP dissolved in 5% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide were present mostly in aggregated forms but they penetrated the cells with a high efficiency.

Intense acute phase response in ischemic patients

The aim of this study was to estimate the qualitative and quantitative changes of acute phase proteins in patients suffering from coronary heart disease. The study was carried out on 74 patients and 12 healthy volunteers. The patients were divided into three groups as follows: patients with myocardial infarction (n=37), Group I--without heart failure, Group II--with heart failure (II-III NYHA), Group III--patients with unstable angina pectoris (n=35); controls-healthy volunteers (n=12). The immunological measurements were performed at the beginning of hospitalisation (point 0), after 4, 8, 12 and 72 h, and after 6, 9 and 12 days of hospitalisation. The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) were measured using rocket immunoelectrophoresis according to Laurell. Glycosylation profiles of AGP and ACT were determined using crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis with Con A as ligand according to Bøg-Hansen. Between Groups I and II statistically significant differences were observed for all investigated parameters. Highest concentration values were observed for Groups II and III; for Group II they appeared earlier than for Group III. The maximal values for reactivity coefficients (AGP-RC and ACT-RC) were observed earlier than the respective maximal values of concentrations. Continuous activation occurring in unstable angina leads to a more rapid increase in the concentrations of acute phase proteins and more marked alterations in their glycosylation profiles. In a way these patients seem to be 'primed' with constant stimulation, so that they respond dramatically to the stimulus of ischemia.

The incorporation of various porphyrins into blood cells measured via flow cytometry, absorption and emission spectroscopy

The incorporation of the five following porphyrins: meso-tetra(4-phenyl)porphyrin (TPP); meso-tetra(4-sulfonato-phenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4); meso-tetra(4-naphthyl)porphyrin (TNP); tri-sulfo-tetra-phenyl porphyrin (TPPS3) and tetra-sulfonato-naphthyl porphyrin (TNPS4) into human blood cells was investigated using flow cytometry, and absorption and emission spectroscopy. The percentage of stained cells, measured in a fluorescence cytometer, provided information on the efficiency of incorporation of fluorescent dye molecules into different types of cells. The yield of the incorporation of a dye was dependent on the type of dye and the solvent used for cell incubation. The degree of dye aggregation and ionization varied with the incubation medium, but dye molecules incorporated into cells seemed to be restricted to those in the monomeric state, exhibiting similar fluorescence yield. Of the three sulfonated porphyrins investigated only TPPS4 was efficiently incorporated into leukocytes. In the incubation solvent, this dye was in monomeric and neutral form. TPPS3 which was also in monomeric form, practically was not incorporated into cells. TPP and TNP dissolved in 5% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide were present mostly in aggregated forms but they penetrated the cells with a high efficiency.

Influence of recipient pretreatment with donor spleen cells and 15-deoxyspergualin on rat skin graft survival

Experimental studies performed in rat kidney transplantation showed that treatment with 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DOS) for 14 days after grafting may induce both permanent graft function and specific immune tolerance. The aim of this study was to check if donor spleen cell transfer and 15-DOS pretreatment before transplantation prolong skin graft survival. Pretreatment of the recipient with donor cells induced slight prolongation of subsequent skin graft survival. Addition of 15-DOS pretreatment for 14 days in a dose of 2.0 mg/kg b.w. to cell transfer did not influence survival of the graft. On the other hand, in the recipients receiving allogeneic spleen cells before transplantation and subtherapeutic doses of 15-DOS directly after grafting the prolongation of skin graft survival was observed. These results indicate that pretreatment of the recipients with donor cells before allogeneic skin transplantation allows for reduction of immunosuppression after grafting.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in the blood of women with HPV 16 positive and negative cervical cancer

In this study the morphologic features and subpopulation of lymphocytes in the blood of women with uterine cervical cancer HPV 16 positive and HPV 16 negative was compared. The essential morphological differentiation in two groups of cancer was not found, but a statistically significant increase in CD 19 lymphocytes in the blood of women with cervical cancer HPV 16 positive was discovered. The authors suggest, that an increase in CD 19 might be connected with stronger expression of virus-oncogenic antigens on the neoplasma cells.

The differences in the expression of CD45 isoforms on peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from patients with seasonal or perennial atopic allergy

In order to determine the role of memory/naive T cells in atopic allergy patients we analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and during the grass pollen season. The study comprised 28 patients with seasonal symptoms of atopic allergy and 18 with perennial symptoms. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the expression of CD3, CD4, CD4CD45RA, CD4CD45RO, CD8, CD16, and CD19 molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes. Allergic patients showed a decreased proportion of memory (CD4+CD45RO+) T cells compared with healthy subject (p < 0.05). The proportion of naive (CD4+CD45RA+) helper T cells did not differ between allergic patients and controls. The percentage of CD4+CD45RO+ cells increased during natural antigen exposure (grass pollen season) in allergic patients with seasonal symptoms. The results show at least two important observations. A potential homing tendency to nasal, bronchial and conjunctival mucosa of memory T cells (CD45RO) in atopic allergy patients may explain their deficiency in peripheral blood. Secondly, the grass pollen season may switch their phenotype from naive into memory T cells causing the increase of CD45RO cells. These events do not occur in non-allergic individuals and may thus constitute new insight into the basic mechanism of atopic allergy.

Indicators of immune activation in major depression

Immune-inflammatory markers and their correlations were examined in patients with major depression. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), transferrin receptor (TfR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), as well as the microheterogeneity of AGP, were measured in 49 major depressed patients during an acute phase of the illness and compared with concentrations in 15 normal control subjects. Plasma concentrations of IL-6, sIL-6, sIL-2R, TfR, CRP, and AGP were significantly higher in major depressed patients than in healthy control subjects. Patients with higher values of AGP microheterogeneity coefficient (AGP-RC > 1.5) had significantly higher concentrations of AGP, IL-6, and TfR. The correlations between cytokines and acute phase proteins studied point to a significant role of elevated IL-6 secretion in the induction of Type I AGP microheterogeneity changes that are characteristic of some inflammatory conditions.

[Immunological system activity in anorexia nervosa]

The immunological system of patients with anorexia nervosa seems to react in a non typical and, up to now, obscure way. We do not observe greater ability to catch infectious diseases while damage due to other reasons leads as a rule to breakdown of resistance mechanisms thus giving increased receptivity to infections. The works concerning the immunological functions in anorexia nervosa are not heterogeneous and concern small groups of patients. The research was made upon 29 female patients aged 12 to 20 with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa due to DSM-IV criteria. The research was made before starting the treatment and 6 weeks after the withdrawal of all anorexia nervosa symptoms. The research results showed that in the female patients there were no essential disturbances in the scope of electrophoresis of serum protein. Testing the protein of acute phase CRP as well as the estimation of their main microheterogeneity did not show significant deviation from the norm, which shows any features of early and later activation of the immunological system. However, a slight decrease of CD3 and low coefficient CD 4/8 during the disease were observed. After the symptoms retreated the coefficient became normal. Summing up we can state that the immunological system in patients with anorexia nervosa, in spite of great cachexia, did not show significant changes. The stated specific dysfunctions may be connected with a subtype of disease and other neurotransmitter mechanisms, which still requires to be confirmed in further research.

Concentration and microheterogeneity glycophorms of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in major depressive disorder

Serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) concentration and its microheterogeneity were measured in 46 patients with major depressive disorder and in 20 age- and sex-matched controls. The changes in major microheterogeneity of AGP were expressed as reactivity coefficient (AGP-RC). Also measured were the levels of C-reactive protein as well as leukocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts. The results obtained showed that two thirds of the depressed patients studied, exhibited some immune disturbances during acute episode: first with a high AGP and high AGP-RC, and secondly with a low AGP-RC. The patients with the highest AGP-RC and higher AGP values had a longer duration of the illness and of the last depressive episode, a higher resistance to previous treatments, and a higher monocyte count. The character of the changes in the microheterogeneity of AGP bears some similarity to those observed in other diseases with immunological disturbances.

Influence of mitogenic activators on the structure of leukocytes

The membrane structures of resting and activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (leukocytes) were investigated using polarized light spectroscopy. Absorption, fluorescence and delayed luminescence spectra of leukocytes embedded in isotropic and stretched films of polyvinyl alcohol were measured. Polymer films were prepared using H2O and D2O. The perturbations of the membrane by the two mitogenic activators phytohaemagglutinin and phorbol-myristate-13-acetate were compared. Scattergrams taken using a flow cytometry method for both the resting and activated samples did not show leukocyte fragmentation or a change in the cell volume as a result of the first hour of activation. The polarized fluorescence spectra clearly showed a perturbation of the membrane structure by the activators. The absorption spectra were much less affected by activation. The delayed luminescence emission intensity of the leukocytes was low with a decay time of about 5 microseconds. The influence of phorbol-myristate-13-acetate addition on all spectral properties of the leukocytes was greater than that of phytohaemagglutinin at the same activator concentration. Polymer film deuteration influences the spectra, which shows the important role of water in maintaining the natural membrane structure. This influence is different in various regions of the emission spectrum, which shows that the various chromophores have different contacts with the environment.

Incorporation of stilbazolium merocyanines into human leukocytes measured by flow cytometry

Human peripheral blood leukocytes were incubated with thirteen various merocyanines of the stilbazolium betaine type and the fluorescence intensities of the cells were measured by flow cytometry. The fluorescence intensity of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes depended on the time and temperature of incubation with the dyes. An increase in the incubation temperature enhanced the fluorescence intensity whereas washing of the cells after incubation had little influence on the observed emission. This points to incorporation of the dye molecules into the cell membrane. From the measured fluorescence intensities corrected for relative fluorescence yields, the relative efficiencies of incorporation into the cells of the various merocyanines tested were evaluated. The efficiency was dependent on the type of the cells and the lenght and side groups of the merocyanine molecules studied.

Changes of acute phase proteins glycosylation profile as a possible prognostic marker in myocardial infarction

In 24 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction, the concentrations of C-reactive protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, as well as acid alpha 1-glycoprotein and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin glycosylation profiles were estimated. Blood samples were taken at admission, after 4, 8, 12 and 24 h, on 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of hospitalization. All studied patients were divided into 2 groups: 12 patients without clinical or radiological symptoms of acute heart failure and 12 patients with acute heart failure. The results of all investigations were tested statistically to appraise significance of differences between the two investigated groups. At admission, as well as after 6 and 12 h, C-reactive protein concentration was significantly higher in patients who developed heart failure. Similarly, the glycosylation profile of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, reported as reactivity coefficient, was of good prognostic value from the first time-point on. Development of acute cardiac failure seemed to correlate more with the magnitude of inflammatory reaction (measured by changes in acute phase proteins) than with enzymatically estimated infarct size.

Incorporation of stilbazolium merocyanines into resting and stimulated mononuclear leukocytes

Stimulated and resting mononuclear leukocytes were incubated with a stilbazolium merocyanine dye 1-(6'-hydroxyhexyl)-4-[(4-oxocyclohexa-2,5- dienylidene)ethylidene]-1,4-dihydropyridine and immobilized in isotropic and stretched polyvinyl alcohol film. Polarized absorption, fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra were collected and the anisotropy of absorption and emission were calculated. Analysis of the spectra pointed to: i. the occurrence of perturbation of the membrane structure by incubation with the dye, and ii. influence of the blood serum addition, during the process of incubation with the dye, on the efficiency of incorporation of merocyanine into the cells and the degree of the dye orientation in the membrane. A small fraction of the dye molecules introduced into resting cells was found oriented to a higher degree than a large fraction incorporated into stimulated cells. The incubation time longer than 15 min caused strong changes in the membrane structure both of the resting and stimulated cells.

Microheterogeneity of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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Immunological studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate or cyclophosphamide

One-hundred-and-two-patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were observed for 12 months. Forty-eight pts were treated with a weekly low-dose of methotrexate (MTX), 23 pts with cyclophosphamide (CTX) (eight pts with one single intravenous dose, and 15 pts orally with a single daily dose), and 31 pts with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) only. In all individuals acute phase response, i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) serum levels, and AGP microheterogeneity using affinoimmunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A were evaluated. The phenotype of lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood was characterized using immunofluorescence technique. Following treatment the increased level of CRP significantly decreased whereas AGP serum level remained unchanged. Among the patients, microheterogeneity of AGP expressed as reactivity coefficient (RC) was lower before treatment when compared with 17 controls (0.95 +/- 0.23 vs. 1.35 +/- 0.15, p < 0.01). After 12 months of MTX therapy AGP-RC rose significantly (1.19 +/- 0.13, p < 0.01). No changes were observed in AGP-RC levels in CTX and NSAID treated individuals. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells in all the patient groups, except in CTX intravenously treated patients. In this group of patients a decrease of CD4+ cells was noticed (60.1 +/- 11.5% and 43.8 +/- 12.5% before and after treatment respectively -p < 0.01). The percentage of CD19 positive cells decreased significantly during 12 months of treatment with MTX and CTX. The percentage of activated T cells (CD25+ cells and HLA-DR+ cells) remained unchanged in MTX treated patients and was reduced in both CTX groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

C-reactive protein increases production of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha, and expression of mRNA by human alveolar macrophages

The concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) increases in human plasma up to a thousandfold during inflammatory states. Because tissue macrophages have been shown to have receptors for CRP, the question arises of whether these cells may respond to increased local concentrations of CRP by producing cytokines capable of participating in the inflammatory response. Accordingly, we examined the capacity of alveolar macrophages--relatively accessible human macrophages--to produce interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in response to CRP. We found that production of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha, as measured by bioassay and immunoassay, increased in a dose-dependent manner after stimulation by CRP and that the levels of the respective mRNAs analyzed by Northern blot increased proportionally. These findings suggest that one of the functions of CRP may be to stimulate the production of IL-1 and TNF by macrophages at inflammatory sites where alterations of capillary permeability combined with an increased serum level lead to enhanced local concentrations of this acute-phase protein.

Optimal conditions for in vitro mitogen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in breeding foxes

The proliferative response of fox peripheral blood lymphocytes to nonspecific mitogens: leucoagglutinin (LA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was studied. Microcultures were kept at 39 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2. The highest 3H-thymidine incorporation was observed, when Con A was used, while LA and PWM showed weaker but significant stimulatory action. Optimal doses of mitogens were: 5 micrograms/ml for Con A, 5 micrograms/ml for LA and a dilution of 1:100 for PWM. The maximal stimulation index for Con A was about 240 and up to 100 for LA or PWM. The maximal lymphocyte proliferation was observed when culture media were supplemented with 10% serum. When proliferation kinetics were studied, the peak response was observed on Day 2.

Microheterogeneity forms of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein as indicators of rheumatoid arthritis activity

The microheterogeneity of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) has been studied in the sera of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and of 12 healthy individuals. For each rheumatoid patient the disease activity has been assessed and each patient has been assigned to one of four activity grades: I, inactive; II, mildly active; III, moderately active; and IV, severe. Concanavalin A-affinity electrophoresis revealed three microheterogeneity variants of AGP: non-reactive with Con A, weakly reactive with Con A and strongly reactive with Con A. The relative amounts of AGP-variants observed in the healthy donors were similar to those observed in the patients with activity grade I, but differed significantly from patients with grades II, III and IV. The differences between the AGP-patterns of patients with activity grades II, III and IV were also statistically significant.

Effect of cyclosporine on wound healing

Two prophylactic immunosuppressive drugs, cyclosporine and methylprednisolone (MP), were compared for their effect on the in situ inflammatory reaction of granulation tissue formation and on wound healing. Granulation tissue was generated via implantation of viscous cellulose sponges in Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into six groups: One group received 40 mg/kg/day of cyclosporine, the second 10 mg/kg/day of cyclosporine, the third 2.5 mg/kg/day of cyclosporine, the fourth 12 mg/kg/day of MP, the fifth received the cyclosporine solvent, and the sixth group was given only saline. All drugs were given i.p. No reduction in the number of inflammatory cells was observed in the cyclosporine-treated sponges compared with the controls, whereas MP suppressed the inflammation strongly. Differential counts demonstrated a relative enrichment of macrophages in the cyclosporine-treated versus the MP-treated or control sponges. Chemical analyses of the sponge extracts agreed well with the cytological data: MP suppressed the total DNA content of the sponges, a marker of total cellularity, as well as the content of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, both markers of macrophages, but no such suppression was seen in the cyclosporine-treated sponges. The alkaline phosphatase content, a marker for granulocytes, was similar in all groups. A remarkable suppression in the contents of hydroxyproline, reflecting the amount of collagen, and in that of hemoglobin, reflecting the amount of neovascularization, was observed in the MP-treated sponges, whereas no such suppression--but possibly a slight enhancement of the second parameter--was observed in the cyclosporine-treated sponges. We conclude that, in contrast to MP, cyclosporine does not inhibit the inflammatory reaction of granulation tissue formation or the regenerative process of wound healing.

The binding of SRBC by human peripheral blood monocytes

In a population of E-rosette forming human peripheral blood cells, about 20% of the rosettes were formed by monocytes. About 60% of the peripheral blood monocytes bound SRBC in a standard E-rosette test.

Low constitutive activity of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in phytohaemoagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

In six children in the first remission after treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) the constitutive activity of aryl hydrocarbon (benzo-[alpha]pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) (0.14 +/- 0.04 U, i.e. pmol of 3-OH-benzo[alpha] pyrene x 10(-6) cells x min-1) in phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was significantly lower (P 0.05) than the constitutive activities in the parents of the children (0.25 +/- 0.09 U) and in the control adult group (0.26 +/- 0.09 U). In methylcholanthrene (MC)-induced activities of AHH no significant differences were observed between the above groups.

Small nuclear RNAs synthesis in PHA-stimulated and nonstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Five fractions of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) were identified in nuclei of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. They have been designated as: H, G', D, C and A (nomenclature according to Weinberg) in order to decreasing electrophoretic mobility. Their synthesis was observed from the first day of treatment with mitogen and was continued with different intensity during four days of culture. In nonstimulated lymphocytes exclusively A and G' fractions were detected but no (14C)-uridine incorporation was observed.