RESUMEN
Differentiation of naive CD4+ helper T (Th) cells into Th1 or Th2 effectors, as characterized by their opposite pattern of cytokine production, can be influenced by several factors, including hormones. In this study, we demonstrate that porcine relaxin, at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-6) M, favors the in vitro development of human antigen-specific T cells into Th1-like effectors and enhances both IFN-gamma mRNA expression and IFN-gamma production by established human T cell clones. The promoting effect of relaxin on the development of IFN-gamma-producing cells was not due to a relaxin-induced release of IL-12 and/or IFN-alpha by antigen-presenting cells. These results suggest that relaxin may contribute to the regulation of the immune homeostasis during pregnancy and may also play some role in counteracting Th2-dominated disorders.
Asunto(s)
Relaxina/farmacología , Linfocitos T/efectos de los fármacos , Linfocitos T/inmunología , Células TH1/efectos de los fármacos , Células TH1/inmunología , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Linfocitos T CD4-Positivos/citología , Linfocitos T CD4-Positivos/efectos de los fármacos , Linfocitos T CD4-Positivos/inmunología , Diferenciación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular , Células Clonales , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Femenino , Humanos , Interferón gamma/biosíntesis , Interferón gamma/genética , Interleucina-4/biosíntesis , Activación de Linfocitos , Embarazo , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Porcinos , Linfocitos T/citología , Toxoide Tetánico/inmunología , Células TH1/citología , Células Th2/inmunologíaRESUMEN
An investigation into the existence of spectral differences and differences in response in terms of water and lipid content between normal and atopic skin is described. Since NIR radiation penetrates complex structured matrices down to a depth of 0.15-0.20 mm, it is evident that the method lends itself to spectral detection of skin components down to the deepest level. First the reproducibility of readings made with the instrument was tested and it was also checked whether the use of the probe caused changes in skin equilibrium due to occlusion. Analysis of the NIR spectra did not enable normal and atopic subjects to be distinguished unequivocally but provided important information on the use of NIR spectrometry in these subjects and insights into the stratum corneum. Although the responses of water and lipid structures could not be read directly from the spectra, it was possible to decompose the global spectral information into components by principal components analysis. It was possible to observe a fraction of variance associated in different ways with water.
Asunto(s)
Hipersensibilidad/metabolismo , Metabolismo de los Lípidos , Piel/química , Agua/metabolismo , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Espectroscopía Infrarroja CortaRESUMEN
An investigation into the existence of spectral differences and differences in response in terms of water and lipid content between normal and atopic skin after interaction with chemical agents is described. Three compounds were taken as models: a prevalently hydrophilic solvent (polyethylene glycol, PEG 400), a prevalently lipophilic solvent (isopropyl myristate) and a hydrophilic pharmaceutical (gel) used to promote contact in electrocardiography. Using principal component analysis it was possible to distinguish atopic and normal subjects by simple contact of the skin with chemical agents.
Asunto(s)
Hipersensibilidad/metabolismo , Miristatos/química , Excipientes Farmacéuticos/química , Polietilenglicoles/química , Piel/química , Femenino , Humanos , Hidrogel de Polietilenoglicol-Dimetacrilato , Hipersensibilidad/diagnóstico , Masculino , Espectroscopía Infrarroja CortaRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to define the different prevalence of hypertension when conventional office measurement and ambulatory monitoring are performed in a population of unselected workers. All the workers of a Florentine chemical company were invited to participate in the study. Enrolled subjects underwent blood pressure measurement using a conventional sphygmomanometer and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Of 191 workers, 145 agreed to participate in the study (76%). Six of the 145 were excluded from further analysis because they were undergoing antihypertensive therapy. Confidence limits for ambulatory monitoring were defined at 95% on normotensive workers. Thirty-five (25%) workers were found to be hypertensive according to World Health Organization parameters (diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg) but only 14 of the 35 had higher 24-h diastolic ambulatory blood pressure than the 95% confidence limits of controls.