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1.
Clin Exp Immunol ; 204(2): 251-257, 2021 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33497464

RESUMO

Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by recurrent infections, autoimmunity, increased lymphoproliferative disorders and other malignancies. PID is classified into cellular or humoral disorders or a combination of both. We evaluated the clinical differences among adult patients with three variants of PID: common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia (ICL) and combined immunodeficiency (CID). We retrospectively compared demographics, immunological characteristics, clinical presentations and outcomes of CVID, CID and ICL patients followed from 2012 to 2018. In our cohort, we identified 44 adult patients diagnosed with CVID (22), CID (11) and ICL (11). Malignancy was associated with CID, as seven of 11 patients in this group were diagnosed with malignancy compared to CVID (three of 22) or ICL (two of 11) (P = 0·002 and 0·03, respectively). Malignancies were also linked to male gender [odds ratio (OR) = 5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·12-22·18) P = 0·0342] and a low ratio of CD4/CD8 < 0·8 (OR = 5·1, 95% CI = 1·22-21·28, P = 0·025). Among CID and ICL, two of 11 patients died in each group, while no death was documented among CVID group (P = 0·04). Autoimmune manifestations did not differ between groups. Similarly, the rate of infections was similar between groups, although infectious agents vary. CID is associated with a high risk of malignancy compare to CVID or ICL. Among adults with PID, male gender, low CD4 and a CD4/CD8 ratio of < 0·8 may serve as risk factors of concomitant malignancy. Surveillance of lymphocyte subpopulations should be considered for all adults.


Assuntos
Imunodeficiência de Variável Comum/imunologia , Linfopenia/imunologia , Neoplasias/imunologia , Doenças da Imunodeficiência Primária/imunologia , Adulto , Autoimunidade/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fenótipo , Estudos Retrospectivos
2.
Br J Dermatol ; 180(5): 1077-1082, 2019 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30560994

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) carries many risk factors for osteoporosis, but data on the relationships between CU and osteoporosis are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between CU and osteoporosis in a large community-based study. METHODS: A nationwide observational longitudinal cohort study was conducted. CU was defined as four pairs of urticaria diagnoses; each pair was recorded within a period of 6 weeks and was registered by physicians in a primary-care setting. Patients with CU and their age- and sex- matched controls were followed for the incidence of osteoporosis and other laboratory data between 2002 and 2017. Data regarding systemic steroid exposure and other relevant risk factors for osteoporosis were obtained. Analyses of risk for osteoporosis were performed in Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, exposure to systemic corticosteroids, obesity, smoking and hyper- and hypothyroid disease. RESULTS: The study included 11 944 patients with CU and 59 829 controls. During the study's observation period, 1035 (8·7%) patients with CU were diagnosed with osteoporosis, compared with 4046 (6·8%) controls. The adjusted multivariate analysis demonstrated that CU was significantly associated with a higher risk for osteoporosis (hazard ratio 1·23, 95% confidence interval 1·10-1·37, P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: CU may impose a risk for osteoporosis. Appropriate targeted screening should be considered.


Assuntos
Urticária Crônica/complicações , Osteoporose/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Israel/epidemiologia , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Osteoporose/etiologia , Fatores de Risco , Adulto Jovem
3.
Immunol Res ; 65(1): 150-156, 2017 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28332072

RESUMO

The autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) is an entity that includes different autoimmune conditions observed after exposure to an adjuvant. Patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) present many signs and symptoms of ASIA, alluding to the idea that an exposure to adjuvants can be a trigger also for UCTD. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate exposure to adjuvants prior to disease onset in patients affected by UCTD. Ninety-two UCTD patients and 92 age- and sex-matched controls with no malignancy, chronic infections, autoimmune disease nor family history of autoimmune diseases were investigated for exposure to adjuvants. An ad hoc-created questionnaire exploring the exposure to vaccinations, foreign materials and environmental and occupational exposures was administered to both cases and controls. Autoantibodies were also analyzed (anti-nuclear, anti-extractable nuclear antigens, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-cardiolipin, anti-ß2 glycoprotein I). UCTD patients displayed a greater exposure to HBV (p = 0.018) and tetanus toxoid (p < 0.001) vaccinations, metal implants (p < 0.001), cigarette smoking (p = 0.006) and pollution due to metallurgic factories and foundries (p = 0.048) as compared to controls. UCTD patients exposed to major ASIA triggers (vaccinations, silicone implants) (n = 49) presented more frequently with chronic fatigue (p < 0.001), general weakness (p = 0.011), irritable bowel syndrome (p = 0.033) and a family history for autoimmunity (p = 0.018) in comparison to non-exposed UCTDs. ASIA and UCTD can be considered as related entities in the "mosaic of autoimmunity": the genetic predisposition and the environmental exposure to adjuvants elicit a common clinical phenotype characterized by signs and symptoms of systemic autoimmunity.


Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/efeitos adversos , Adjuvantes Farmacêuticos/efeitos adversos , Exposição Ambiental/efeitos adversos , Doenças do Tecido Conjuntivo Indiferenciado/etiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Itália/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/efeitos adversos , Próteses e Implantes/efeitos adversos , Silicones/efeitos adversos , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Síndrome , Toxoide Tetânico/efeitos adversos , Vacinação/efeitos adversos
4.
Clin Genet ; 91(6): 868-880, 2017 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28229453

RESUMO

The group of chondrodysplasia with multiple dislocations includes several entities, characterized by short stature, dislocation of large joints, hand and/or vertebral anomalies. Other features, such as epiphyseal or metaphyseal changes, cleft palate, intellectual disability are also often part of the phenotype. In addition, several conditions with overlapping features are related to this group and broaden the spectrum. The majority of these disorders have been linked to pathogenic variants in genes encoding proteins implicated in the synthesis or sulfation of proteoglycans (PG). In a series of 30 patients with multiple dislocations, we have performed exome sequencing and subsequent targeted analysis of 15 genes, implicated in chondrodysplasia with multiple dislocations, and related conditions. We have identified causative pathogenic variants in 60% of patients (18/30); when a clinical diagnosis was suspected, this was molecularly confirmed in 53% of cases. Forty percent of patients remain without molecular etiology. Pathogenic variants in genes implicated in PG synthesis are of major importance in chondrodysplasia with multiple dislocations and related conditions. The combination of hand features, growth failure severity, radiological aspects of long bones and of vertebrae allowed discrimination among the different conditions. We propose key diagnostic clues to the clinician.


Assuntos
Deficiência Intelectual/genética , Anormalidades Musculoesqueléticas/genética , Osteocondrodisplasias/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Estudos de Associação Genética , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Deficiência Intelectual/diagnóstico , Deficiência Intelectual/diagnóstico por imagem , Deficiência Intelectual/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Anormalidades Musculoesqueléticas/diagnóstico , Anormalidades Musculoesqueléticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Anormalidades Musculoesqueléticas/fisiopatologia , Osteocondrodisplasias/diagnóstico , Osteocondrodisplasias/diagnóstico por imagem , Osteocondrodisplasias/fisiopatologia , Radiografia , Sequenciamento do Exoma
5.
Ann Rheum Dis ; 76(3): 476-485, 2017 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27457513

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: Develop recommendations for women's health issues and family planning in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS: Systematic review of evidence followed by modified Delphi method to compile questions, elicit expert opinions and reach consensus. RESULTS: Family planning should be discussed as early as possible after diagnosis. Most women can have successful pregnancies and measures can be taken to reduce the risks of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Risk stratification includes disease activity, autoantibody profile, previous vascular and pregnancy morbidity, hypertension and the use of drugs (emphasis on benefits from hydroxychloroquine and antiplatelets/anticoagulants). Hormonal contraception and menopause replacement therapy can be used in patients with stable/inactive disease and low risk of thrombosis. Fertility preservation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues should be considered prior to the use of alkylating agents. Assisted reproduction techniques can be safely used in patients with stable/inactive disease; patients with positive antiphospholipid antibodies/APS should receive anticoagulation and/or low-dose aspirin. Assessment of disease activity, renal function and serological markers is important for diagnosing disease flares and monitoring for obstetrical adverse outcomes. Fetal monitoring includes Doppler ultrasonography and fetal biometry, particularly in the third trimester, to screen for placental insufficiency and small for gestational age fetuses. Screening for gynaecological malignancies is similar to the general population, with increased vigilance for cervical premalignant lesions if exposed to immunosuppressive drugs. Human papillomavirus immunisation can be used in women with stable/inactive disease. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for women's health issues in SLE and/or APS were developed using an evidence-based approach followed by expert consensus.


Assuntos
Síndrome Antifosfolipídica/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias dos Genitais Femininos/diagnóstico , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/tratamento farmacológico , Complicações na Gravidez/tratamento farmacológico , Anticoncepcionais Orais Hormonais/uso terapêutico , Técnica Delphi , Detecção Precoce de Câncer , Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios , Serviços de Planejamento Familiar , Feminino , Preservação da Fertilidade , Monitorização Fetal , Humanos , Menopausa , Cuidado Pré-Concepcional , Gravidez , Técnicas de Reprodução Assistida , Medição de Risco
6.
Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg ; 10(7): 1127-40, 2015 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25408305

RESUMO

PURPOSE: Minimal invasion computer-assisted neurosurgical procedures with various tool insertions into the brain may carry hemorrhagic risks and neurological deficits. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of computer-based surgical trajectory planning tools in improving the potential safety of image-based stereotactic neurosurgery. METHODS: Multi-sequence MRI studies of eight patients who underwent image-guided neurosurgery were retrospectively processed to extract anatomical structures-head surface, ventricles, blood vessels, white matter fibers tractography, and fMRI data of motor, sensory, speech, and visual areas. An experienced neurosurgeon selected one target for each patient. Five neurosurgeons planned a surgical trajectory for each patient using three planning methods: (1) conventional; (2) visualization, in which scans are augmented with overlays of anatomical structures and functional areas; and (3) automatic, in which three surgical trajectories with the lowest expected risk score are automatically computed. For each surgeon, target, and method, we recorded the entry point and its surgical trajectory and computed its expected risk score and its minimum distance from the key structures. RESULTS: A total of 120 surgical trajectories were collected (5 surgeons, 8 targets, 3 methods). The surgical trajectories expected risk scores improved by 76% ([Formula: see text], two-sample student's t test); the average distance of a trajectory from nearby blood vessels increased by 1.6 mm ([Formula: see text]) from 0.6 to 2.2 mm (243%). The initial surgical trajectories were changed in 85% of the cases based on the expected risk score and the trajectory distance from blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based patient-specific preoperative planning of surgical trajectories that minimize the expected risk of vascular and neurological damage due to incorrect tool placement is a promising technique that yields consistent improvements.


Assuntos
Procedimentos Neurocirúrgicos/métodos , Técnicas Estereotáxicas , Cirurgia Assistida por Computador/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Encéfalo/cirurgia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estimulação Encefálica Profunda/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Imageamento Tridimensional , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Segurança do Paciente , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto Jovem
7.
Immunol Res ; 60(2-3): 177-83, 2014 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25388964

RESUMO

Ferritin has a key role in Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). Its production seems related to macrophage activation of which sCD163 is a major serum marker. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the role of sCD163 in AOSD and its relationship with ferritin. Furthermore, we determined the expression of CD163 and ferritin in a lymph-node from an AOSD patient. sCD163 and serum ferritin were measured in 34 patients with AOSD (21 active, 13 non-active), 18 sepsis and 22 healthy controls (HC). Immunohistology was performed on a lymph-node from an AOSD patient in order to detect CD163 and ferritin. A tonsil from an HC was used as control. Mean sCD163 (8.6 ± 5.4 mg/L) was higher in active AOSD than "non-active" patients (4.6 ± 2.7 mg/L, p = 0.02). The mean sCD163 in AOSD (6.9 ± 4.9 mg/L) and sepsis (7.1 ± 5.6 mg/L) were higher than in HC (2.56 ± 1.17 mg/L, p < 0.001), but no difference between AOSD and sepsis was detected. sCD163 positively correlated with ferritin (p = 0.0045; r = 0.4755) only in AOSD. Serum ferritin (mean 3,640.1 ± 6,896.9 µg/L) was higher in active AOSD than in sepsis (1,720.2 ± 3,882.1 µg/L, p < 0.007). CD163 was equally distributed in the B and T areas of both lymph-node and tonsil. Differently from the tonsil, ferritin was expressed only in the lymph-node B area. sCD163 is a marker of disease activity in AOSD. The correlation with ferritin may lead to hypothesize a macrophage activation related to hyperferritinemia. Ferritin was found expressed only in the B area of the AOSD lymph-node, suggesting a role for this molecule as an antigen in the disease pathogenesis.


Assuntos
Antígenos CD/sangue , Antígenos CD/imunologia , Antígenos de Diferenciação Mielomonocítica/sangue , Antígenos de Diferenciação Mielomonocítica/imunologia , Receptores de Superfície Celular/sangue , Receptores de Superfície Celular/imunologia , Doença de Still de Início Tardio/sangue , Doença de Still de Início Tardio/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Biomarcadores/sangue , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Ferritinas/sangue , Humanos , Linfonodos/imunologia , Linfonodos/metabolismo , Linfonodos/patologia , Linfócitos/imunologia , Linfócitos/metabolismo , Ativação de Macrófagos/imunologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tonsila Palatina/imunologia , Tonsila Palatina/metabolismo , Tonsila Palatina/patologia , Sepse/complicações , Doença de Still de Início Tardio/complicações , Adulto Jovem
9.
Am J Med Genet A ; 158A(12): 3061-4, 2012 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22965642

RESUMO

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common cancer predisposing syndromes with an incidence of 1 in 3,500 worldwide. Certain neoplasms or malignancies are over-represented in individuals with NF1; however, an increased risk of breast cancer has not been widely recognized or accepted. We identified 76 women with NF1 seen in the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) from 1990 to 2009, and linked them to the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry covering the metropolitan Detroit area. Fifty-one women (67%) were under age 50 years at the time of data analysis. Six women developed invasive breast cancer before age 50, and three developed invasive breast cancer after age 50. Using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) calculated based on the SEER age-adjusted invasive breast cancer incidence rates, our findings demonstrated a statistically significant increase of breast cancer incidence occurring in NF1 women (SIR = 5.2; 95% CI 2.4-9.8), and this relative increase was especially evident among those with breast cancer onset under age 50 (SIR = 8.8; 95% CI 3.2-19.2). These data are consistent with other reports suggesting an increase in breast cancer risk among females with NF1, which indicate that breast cancer screening guidelines should be evaluated for this potentially high-risk group.


Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/epidemiologia , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias/epidemiologia , Neoplasias/genética , Neurofibromatose 1/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idade de Início , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Humanos , Incidência , Michigan , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/patologia , Sistema de Registros , Estudos Retrospectivos , Programa de SEER , Adulto Jovem
11.
Lupus ; 21(1): 93-6, 2012 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21844116

RESUMO

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), is diagnosed following different degrees of central venous system obstruction, which traditionally was caused by infections, tumors or fibrosing mediastinitis. Recently the role of SVC thrombosis secondary to indwelling central venous devices or pacemaker leads as well as different hypercoagulable states have drawn much attention. In the current review we present a 58-year-old female patient who underwent recurrent pacemaker replacements due to recurrent infections. The patient was hospitalized with superior vena cava syndrome and multiple thrombi in the upper body circulation. Additionally the evaluation was conducted for thrombophilia, which revealed the presence of high titers of antiphospholipid antibodies, suggesting the concurrent diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This case reflects the changes in the etiology of SVCS, and the need for a comprehensive evaluation of patients, in the search for additional factors that may complicate a pacemaker insertion, such as the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. We review the relevant literature and highlight the importance for an interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of SVCS nowadays.


Assuntos
Síndrome Antifosfolipídica/complicações , Marca-Passo Artificial/efeitos adversos , Síndrome da Veia Cava Superior/etiologia , Síndrome Antifosfolipídica/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síndrome da Veia Cava Superior/diagnóstico , Resultado do Tratamento
12.
Lupus ; 18(13): 1181-5, 2009 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19880565

RESUMO

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multi-systemic autoimmune disease distinguished by the presence of various autoantibodies. Like most autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus is believed to be induced by a combination of genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors, mainly infectious agents. Molecular mimicry between an infectious antigen and self-components is implicated as a pivotal mechanism by which autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus are triggered. Here we review the current evidence of molecular mimicry between different infectious agents and systemic lupus erythematosus.


Assuntos
Autoanticorpos/imunologia , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/imunologia , Mimetismo Molecular , Animais , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/imunologia , Antígenos Virais/imunologia , Glicoproteínas/imunologia , Herpesvirus Humano 4/imunologia , Humanos , Infecções/genética , Infecções/imunologia
13.
Lupus ; 18(13): 1198-204, 2009 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19880568

RESUMO

Transverse myelitis is a rare clinical syndrome in which an immune-mediated process causes neural injury to the spinal cord. The pathogenesis of transverse myelitis is mostly of an autoimmune nature, triggered by various environmental factors, including vaccination. Our aim here was to search for and analyze reported cases of transverse myelitis following vaccination. A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE and DynaMed for all English-language journals published between 1970 and 2009 was preformed, utilizing the key words transverse myelitis, myelitis, vaccines, post-vaccination, vaccination and autoimmunity. We have disclosed 37 reported cases of transverse myelitis associated with different vaccines including those against hepatitis B virus, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and others, given to infants, children and adults. In most of these reported cases the temporal association was between several days and 3 months, although a longer time frame of up to several years was also suggested. Although vaccines harbor a major contribution to public health in the modern era, in rare cases they may be associated with autoimmune phenomena such as transverse myelitis. The associations of different vaccines with a single autoimmune phenomenon allude to the idea that a common denominator of these vaccines, such as an adjuvant, might trigger this syndrome.


Assuntos
Mielite Transversa , Vacinação/efeitos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Autoimunidade/imunologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Bases de Dados Factuais , Humanos , Lactente , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mielite Transversa/etiologia , Mielite Transversa/imunologia , Mielite Transversa/patologia , Vacinas/imunologia , Adulto Jovem
14.
Lupus ; 18(13): 1217-25, 2009 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19880572

RESUMO

Some adjuvants may exert adverse effects upon injection or, on the other hand, may not trigger a full immunological reaction. The mechanisms underlying adjuvant adverse effects are under renewed scrutiny because of the enormous implications for vaccine development. In the search for new and safer adjuvants, several new adjuvants were developed by pharmaceutical companies utilizing new immunological and chemical innovations. The ability of the immune system to recognize molecules that are broadly shared by pathogens is, in part, due to the presence of special immune receptors called toll-like receptors (TLRs) that are expressed on leukocyte membranes. The very fact that TLR activation leads to adaptive immune responses to foreign entities explains why so many adjuvants used today in vaccinations are developed to mimic TLR ligands. Alongside their supportive role, adjuvants were found to inflict by themselves an illness of autoimmune nature, defined as 'the adjuvant diseases'. The debatable question of silicone as an adjuvant and connective tissue diseases, as well as the Gulf War syndrome and macrophagic myofaciitis which followed multiple injections of aluminium-based vaccines, are presented here. Owing to the adverse effects exerted by adjuvants, there is no doubt that safer adjuvants need to be developed and incorporated into future vaccines. Other needs in light of new vaccine technologies are adjuvants suitable for use with mucosally delivered vaccines, DNA vaccines, cancer and autoimmunity vaccines. In particular, there is demand for safe and non-toxic adjuvants able to stimulate cellular (Th1) immunity. More adjuvants were approved to date besides alum for human vaccines, including MF59 in some viral vaccines, MPL, AS04, AS01B and AS02A against viral and parasitic infections, virosomes for HBV, HPV and HAV, and cholera toxin for cholera. Perhaps future adjuvants occupying other putative receptors will be employed to bypass the TLR signaling pathway completely in order to circumvent common side effects of adjuvant-activated TLRs such as local inflammation and the general malaise felt because of the costly whole-body immune response to antigen.


Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/efeitos adversos , Autoimunidade/imunologia , Imunidade Adaptativa , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/química , Animais , Humanos , Imunidade Inata , Síndrome do Golfo Pérsico/imunologia , Receptores Toll-Like/imunologia
15.
J Autoimmun ; 33(3-4): 178-82, 2009.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19846277

RESUMO

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune liver disease characterized by selective destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts and highly specific serum anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA). Several studies have attempted to determine the cytokine pattern characterizing PBC, yet no definitive data have been gathered. The present study was designed to evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R, e.g. soluble CD25), and complement components (C1q, C3, factor B, properdin) levels in sera from 84 patients with PBC and 41 controls. PBC was characterized by significantly higher levels of all pro-inflammatory cytokines when compared to controls; these included IL-1beta (433.3 +/- 13.2 vs. 316.6 +/- 14.7 pg/ml, P < 0.001), IL-6 (701 +/- 17.4 vs. 158 +/- 22.5 pg/ml, P < 0.001), TNFalpha (3.38 +/- 0.6 pg/ml vs. undetectable, P = 0.001), and sIL-2R (1527.1 +/- 106 vs. 566.4 +/- 28.7 U/ml, P < 0.001). Similarly, all complement components were also significantly higher in PBC compared to control sera. In conclusion, PBC sera manifest higher levels of sIL-2R and complement components and this may reflect a perpetuated immune activation. As expected, we also report that all major pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are enhanced in PBC. Further longitudinal analyses could demonstrate a correlation between these markers and disease stage or inflammatory activity, to predict histological staging, disease activity, and response to treatment.


Assuntos
Proteínas do Sistema Complemento/análise , Interleucina-1beta/sangue , Interleucina-6/sangue , Cirrose Hepática Biliar/imunologia , Receptores de Interleucina-2/sangue , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue , Humanos , Inflamação/sangue , Inflamação/imunologia , Cirrose Hepática Biliar/sangue
16.
Int J STD AIDS ; 20(7): 473-6, 2009 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19541889

RESUMO

The objective of the study was to investigate the HIV-mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate in Israel. This was a retrospective study of HIV-infected pregnant women, mainly immigrants from Ethiopia, in six Israeli AIDS centres, in 2000-2005. Medical records of mothers and newborns were evaluated for HIV status, treatment and MTCT rates. Three hundred pregnancies of 241 HIV-infected women, resulting in 304 live births, were studied. In 86/241(36%) women, HIV diagnosis was made during the current pregnancy or shortly after labour. Thirty others were diagnosed during previous pregnancies. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was prescribed in 76% of pregnancies. The mean viral load before labour was 23,000 +/- 100,000 copies/mL with a mean CD4 of 406 +/- 223 (range 4-1277) cells/mm(3). Caesarian sections were preformed in 175/300 pregnancies (103/175 with viral load <1000 copies/mL). During labour, azidothymidine (AZT) was given to 80% and nevirapine to 8% of the women. Eighty-eight percent of the neonates received AZT for six weeks. The overall HIV-MTCT rate was 3.6%. MTCT correlated significantly with delayed HIV diagnosis, low CD4, lack of HAART during pregnancy and lack of perinatal treatment. HIV treatment of mothers and their newborns throughout pregnancy, labour and perinatal period are crucial for effective prevention of MTCT, emphasizing the need for early HIV screening, diagnosis and treatment.


Assuntos
Terapia Antirretroviral de Alta Atividade , Infecções por HIV , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas/prevenção & controle , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas/estatística & dados numéricos , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , Adulto , Fármacos Anti-HIV/uso terapêutico , Emigrantes e Imigrantes , Etiópia , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Infecções por HIV/transmissão , Infecções por HIV/virologia , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Israel/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Programas Nacionais de Saúde , Nevirapina/uso terapêutico , Gravidez , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/virologia , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Inibidores da Transcriptase Reversa/uso terapêutico , Carga Viral , Adulto Jovem , Zidovudina/uso terapêutico
17.
J Cell Mol Med ; 12(5B): 2037-51, 2008 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19012730

RESUMO

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that similar to other mechanical loads, notably cyclic stretch (simulating pre-load), glass microspheres simulating afterload will stimulate the secretion of angiogenic factors. Hence, we employed glass microspheres (average diameter 15.7 microm, average mass 5.2 ng) as a new method for imposing mechanical load on neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) in culture. The collagen-coated microspheres were spread over the cultures at an estimated density of 3000 microspheres/mm2, they adhered strongly to the myocytes, and acted as small weights carried by the cells during their contraction. NRVM were exposed to either glass microspheres or to cyclic stretch, and several key angiogenic factors were measured by RT-PCR. The major findings were: (1) In contrast to other mechanical loads, such as cyclic stretch, microspheres (at 24 hrs) did not cause hypertrophy. (2) Further, in contrast to cyclic stretch, glass microspheres did not affect Cx43 expression, or the conduction velocity measured by means of the Micro-Electrode-Array system. (3) At 24 hrs, glass microspheres caused arrhythmias, probably resulting from early afterdepolarizations. (4) Glass microspheres caused the release of angiogenic factors as indicated by an increase in mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (80%), angiopoietin-2 (60%), transforming growth factor-beta (40%) and basic fibroblast growth factor (15%); these effects were comparable to those of cyclic stretch. (5) As compared with control cultures, conditioned media from cultures exposed to microspheres increased endothelial cell migration by 15% (P<0.05) and endothelial cell tube formation by 120% (P<0.05), both common assays for angiogenesis. In conclusion, based on these findings we propose that loading cardiomyocytes with glass microspheres may serve as a new in vitro model for investigating the role of mechanical forces in angiogenesis and arrhythmias.


Assuntos
Indutores da Angiogênese/metabolismo , Arritmias Cardíacas/metabolismo , Ventrículos do Coração/metabolismo , Microesferas , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Células Cultivadas , Materiais Revestidos Biocompatíveis/metabolismo , Colágeno/metabolismo , Conexina 43/metabolismo , Meios de Cultura Livres de Soro , Desenho de Equipamento , Vidro/química , Guias como Assunto , Ventrículos do Coração/citologia , Imuno-Histoquímica , Miócitos Cardíacos/citologia , Ratos , Estresse Mecânico
18.
Int J Gynecol Cancer ; 15(6): 1124-6, 2005.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16343193

RESUMO

We present a case history of a woman who developed dermatomyositis following the diagnosis of stage IV ovarian cancer. Dermatomyositis is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that usually precedes the diagnosis of ovarian cancer by several months or years. Ours is the fifth reported case of dermatomyositis after an established diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the literature.


Assuntos
Dermatomiosite/etiologia , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Síndromes Paraneoplásicas/etiologia , Idoso , Antineoplásicos/administração & dosagem , Biomarcadores Tumorais/sangue , Antígeno Ca-125/sangue , Dermatomiosite/tratamento farmacológico , Progressão da Doença , Evolução Fatal , Feminino , Humanos , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Terapia Neoadjuvante , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Ovarianas/sangue , Neoplasias Ovarianas/complicações , Neoplasias Ovarianas/tratamento farmacológico , Síndromes Paraneoplásicas/tratamento farmacológico
19.
Transplant Proc ; 37(7): 3226-9, 2005 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16213354

RESUMO

Transplant patient plasma produces an increased rate of mononuclear cell apoptosis despite a normal serum creatinine value. Immunosuppressive medications may be one factor that causes an altered apoptotic pattern. We evaluated the in vitro effects of various doses of cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids on apoptosis of a cultured human monocytic U937 cell line, using estimates by fluorescence microscopy and annexin V assays. Increasing cyclosporine concentrations (100 to 800 ng/mL) progressively increased apoptosis rates (16% to 32%). The combination of steroid (0.01 microg/mL) and cyclosporine increased the apoptosis rate to 45%. Mycophenolate mofetil alone (0.3 microg/mL) led to an apoptosis rate of 34%. Therapeutic levels of mycophenolate mofetil from 3 to 7 microg/mL led to apoptosis rates from 56% to 67%. The combination of cyclosporine, steroid, and mycophenolate mofetil increased the rate of apoptosis to 95%. Immunosuppressive therapy may contribute to the high rate of apoptosis observed among mononuclear cells of transplanted patients. This effect may alter patient susceptibility to infections and contribute to a unique mechanism of immunosuppression.


Assuntos
Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Ciclosporina/farmacologia , Ácido Micofenólico/análogos & derivados , Anexina A5/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Humanos , Ácido Micofenólico/farmacologia , Esteroides/farmacologia , Células U937
20.
J Cell Biol ; 155(4): 661-73, 2001 Nov 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11706054

RESUMO

The L1 adhesion molecule plays an important role in axon guidance and cell migration in the nervous system. L1 is also expressed by many human carcinomas. In addition to cell surface expression, the L1 ectodomain can be released by a metalloproteinase, but the biological function of this process is unknown. Here we demonstrate that membrane-proximal cleavage of L1 can be detected in tumors and in the developing mouse brain. The shedding of L1 involved a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM)10, as transfection with dominant-negative ADAM10 completely abolishes L1 release. L1-transfected CHO cells (L1-CHO) showed enhanced haptotactic migration on fibronectin and laminin, which was blocked by antibodies to alpha v beta 5 and L1. Migration of L1-CHO cells, but not the basal migration of CHO cells, was blocked by a metalloproteinase inhibitor, indicating a role for L1 shedding in the migration process. CHO and metalloproteinase-inhibited L1-CHO cells were stimulated to migrate by soluble L1-Fc protein. The induction of migration was blocked by alpha v beta 5-specific antibodies and required Arg-Gly-Asp sites in L1. A 150-kD L1 fragment released by plasmin could also stimulate CHO cell migration. We propose that ectodomain-released L1 promotes migration by autocrine/paracrine stimulation via alpha v beta 5. This regulatory loop could be relevant for migratory processes under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.


Assuntos
Movimento Celular/fisiologia , Integrinas/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Moléculas de Adesão de Célula Nervosa/metabolismo , Receptores de Vitronectina , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases , Comunicação Autócrina , Sítios de Ligação , Transporte Biológico , Encéfalo/embriologia , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Células CHO , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Cricetinae , Citoplasma/metabolismo , Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Fibrinolisina/metabolismo , Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Integrinas/imunologia , Complexo Antígeno L1 Leucocitário , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/antagonistas & inibidores , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Camundongos , Moléculas de Adesão de Célula Nervosa/antagonistas & inibidores , Moléculas de Adesão de Célula Nervosa/genética , Oligopeptídeos/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Solubilidade , Células Tumorais Cultivadas
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