Selective reduction of V alpha 14+ NK T cells associated with disease development in autoimmune-prone mice.

A novel peripheral T cell subset characterized by the expression of a NK marker and invariant TCR encoded by V alpha 14 J alpha 281 gene segments with a 1-base N-region was investigated in relation to autoimmune disease development. First, we observed that invariant V alpha 14+ NK T cells are specifically reduced with aging in C57BL/6 lpr/lpr or MRL lpr/lpr mice, whereas no change was observed in age-matched control C57BL/6 or MRL +/+ mice as determined by FACS analysis and RNase protection assay. This reduction precedes the disease development and could also be detected in other autoimmune disease-prone mice, such as C3H gld/gld and (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. These results suggest that the specific decrease in invariant V alpha 14+ NK T cells correlates strongly with the development of autoimmunity. Second, injection of MRL lpr/lpr mice with anti-V alpha 14 mAb resulted in the early onset and exacerbation of lymphosplenomegaly due to the accumulation of abnormal CD3+ B220+ CD4-CD8- T cells as well as an increase in the titers of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies. These results indicate that V alpha 14+ NK T cells regulate autoimmune responses and play a crucial role in controlling the development of autoimmune diseases.

A role for mel-18, a Polycomb group-related vertebrate gene, during theanteroposterior specification of the axial skeleton.

Segment identity in both invertebrates and vertebrates is conferred by spatially restricted distribution of homeotic gene products. In Drosophila, the expression of Homeobox genes during embryogenesis is initially induced by segmentation gene products and then maintained by Polycomb group and Trithorax group gene products. Polycomb group gene homologs are conserved in vertebrates. Murine mel-18 and closely related bmi-1 are homologous to posterior sex combs and suppressor two of zeste. Mel-18 protein mediates a transcriptional repression via direct binding to specific DNA sequences. To gain further insight into the function of Mel-18, we have inactivated the mel-18 locus by homologous recombination. Mice lacking mel-18 survive to birth and die around 4 weeks after birth after exhibiting strong growth retardation. Similar to the Drosophila posterior sex combs mutant, posterior transformations of the axial skeleton were reproducibly observed in mel-18 mutants. The homeotic transformations were correlated with ectopic expression of Homeobox cluster genes along the anteroposterior axis in the developing paraxial mesoderm. Surprisingly, mel-18-deficient phenotypes are reminiscent of bmi-1 mutants. These results indicate that the vertebrate Polycomb group genes mel-18 and bmi-1, like Drosophila Polycomb group gene products, might play a crucial role in maintaining the silent state of Homeobox gene expression during paraxial mesoderm development.

[Bone marrow biopsy in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, chronic lymphoid leukemia and mycosis fungoides. 1. Incidence and infiltration patterns]. / Biópsia de medula óssea nos linfomas não-Hodgkin, leucemia linfóide crônica e micose fungóide. 1. Incidência e padrões de infiltração.

Seventy bone marrow biopsies belonging to 53 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and micosis fungoides were studied. Bone marrow involvement was analyzed in correlation to staging before and after treatment. Bone marrow involvement was most frequently seen in CLL and IL followed by WDLL and PDLL/N and PDLL/D. Highest incidences after treatment were in CLL, WDLL, and PDLL/N and PDLL/D. With respect to staging, WDLL disseminated to bone marrow only in the late stages (III or IV), whereas the nodular and diffuse forms of PDLL presented similar infiltration in all stages. HLL and IL presented a slight trend to infiltrate only in the later stages. The pattern of bone marrow infiltration was also analyzed considering staging before and after treatment. No clear correlation was observed between staging and a specific pattern of bone marrow involvement in most cases, and disease evolution and treatment do not seem to change infiltration pattern.

Alguns aspectos anatomopatologicos das leucemias. / Anatomopathological aspects of leukemias

Quinze autopsias de pacientes leucemicos foram estudadas. Os principais achados macro e microscopicos sao analisados quanto a frequencia e intensidade de acometimento de diferentes orgaos. As principais causas de obito sao comentadas, bem como a relacao entre terapeutica e o grau de infiltracao leucemica

Renal failure in diabetes after intravenous urography.

A review of the literature reveals that patients with juvenile onset diabetes with azotemia, associated vascular disease, and proteinuria, are at great risk of sustaining acute renal failure following intravenous pyelography. Predisposing factors are identified, but the exact mechanism of acute renal failure remains obscure. Since no prophylactic measures or effective treatment exist, the benefits and risk must be weighed prior to the procedure.