Herpes simplex virus type-1 and apoptosis in pemphigus: a causal relationship

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of herpes simplex virus type-I [HSV-I] infection and apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris [PV]. The study included 29 patients with PV and 7 apparently healthy subjects as controls. The patients were grouped into three groups: Group I [recent acute onset [6 cases]], group II [chronic exacerbated under steroid therapy [16 cases]] and group III [chronic controlled with steroid therapy [7 cases]]. Apoptosis was detected in peripheral blood monocytes [PBMC] using flow cytometry and that in the skin by TUNEL. HSV-I DNA was detected in PBMC and the skin using PCR. The antibody titer of serum IgG for HSV-I was detected using indirect immunofluorescence technique [IF]. The study concluded that apoptosis is increased in PV. Both HSV-I and apoptosis have to be considered in the immune-pathogenesis and can be used for immuno-modulation and suggestion of strategy of therapy or even to prevent exacerbation

Development of uteroplacental vasuclature, granulated metrial gland cells and trophoblasts in the uterine wall of the mouse during pregnancy

The development of the uteroplacental vasculature was studied by Indian ink injection method. The non-pregnant [estrus] endometrium was supplied by radial and terminal arteries. On day 5 of pregnancy the radial arteries became spiral arteries. All these changes appeared as an indication for the increased uterine blood volume. In this early five days interval of rapid development prior to blastocyst attachment, the endometrium underwent a decidual reaction by transforming its fusiform stromal cells into large polyhedral cells [decidual cells]. Ultrastructurally, their processes appeared to penetrate the basement membranes of the uterine epithelial cells and might aid in its disintegration. In the subsequent stages [days 6-8 of pregnancy] during the initial stages of invasion of the endometrial stroma by the embryo, most trophoblastic cells surrounding the blastocyst were flat [or roughly low cuboidal]. As pregnancy proceeded [on day 8], the area occupied by the trophoblasts became larger and some of these cells became giant. This was associated with an activation of the giant cells and their aquistion of invasive behavior, to complete the process of implantation previously experienced by decidual cells. From day 8 to day 14, the products of conception continued to enlarge at the expence of th surrounding endometrium. On day 8 erosion of endometrial blood vessels became more extensive. The outward growth of the trophoblasts from the trophoblastic shell forming primary villi. When the latter villi were invaded by mesenchymal connective tissue and branches of the umbilical arteries, they were termed chorionic villi. This was the anatomical bases for the achievement of the labyrinthine hemochorial placenta which increases in size in the subsequent stages [11-14 days]. It was considered the first step towards establishing the uteroplacental circulation on which the growth of the embryo will later depend. Numerous GMG cells characterized by their PAS positive cytoplasmic granules were found to differentiate in the deciduas basalis and metrial glands of the uterine wall during the first half of pregnancy [till day 8]. By day 8 and the subsequent stages of pregnancy some of the GMG cells were lying adjacent to the labyrinthine placenta

Structural changes of lung alveoli and alveolar macrophages of the albino rat following invivo and invitro exposure to sodium fluoride

In this work both the effect of ingestion of sodium fluoride [NaF] for three months on the ultrastructure of lung alveoli and, the effect of NaF on macrophages isolated from the lung and cultured invitro were studied. The results revealed that ingestion of NaF led to distortion of alveolar epithelia, thickening of the blood air barrier and interstitial edema due to transudation of fluid from the dilated blood capillaries into the interstitial spaces. Also, Pneumocyte type II [P2] were degenerated and their secretory granules showing amellar structure [lamellar bodies] were decreased. This was an indication of increased surfactant secretion without a corresponding increase in the rate of synthesis. There was increase of pulmonary alveolar macrophages [PAM] and most of them showed heterogeneity of their cytoplasmic inclusions mainly in the form of heterophagic vacuoles, Most of PAM showed apoptotic changes [in the form of nuclear pyknosis or even fragmentation of the nuclei] after NaF ingestion and after invitro culture with NaF, From this work it could be concluded that NaF ingestion caused damage of the lung alveoli. Also, NaF particles acted as a stimulating factor for the proliferation of macrophages to engulf these foreign particles. Eventually the toxicity of fluoride leads to apoptosis of macrophages. So it could be concluded that NaF acts as an environmental toxicant that carries the risk of occurance of pulmonary dysfunction

IL-10 gene expression as a marker for detection of protective immunity levels with irradiated cercarial vaccine against experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection

Cercariae were obtained in a large number from the maintained life cycle of S. mansoni. They were attenuated at different doses [20 Kr, 50 Kr,60Kr, 70 Kr and 80 Kr] of gamma radiation. Laboratory bred Swiss Albino mice were classified into 7 groups. Five groups were immunized with +/- 500 S. mansoni cercariae. Two groups were used as positive and negative controls. All animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks. Spleen cell proliferative responses to Phytohaemagglutinin [PHA] were assessed in all groups. IL-10 was measured by ELISA in serum and splenic cells secretion in vitro. RNA extracted from freshly isolated liver cells was analyzed for detection of m RNA of IL-10 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]. The results showed augmentation of proliferative cell from the spleen in all vaccinated groups except with 80 Kr. irradiated cercariae group. The highest percentage of lymphocytes transformation was recorded among the mice immunized with 60 Kr. irradiated cercariae. After challenge, splenic reasponses in all groups declined progressively to the control level. IL-10 secretion from spleen cells of all vaccinated groups increased after challenge with the least level in 60 Kr. immunized challenged group IL-10 m RNA expression was higher among 60 Kr. immunized with irradiated cercariae group than 70 Kr. one, but with no expression among 80 Kr. cercariae immunized ones

Electron microscopic study of the toxicological effects of sodium fluoride on lungs of adult albino rats

Since sodium fluoride [NaF] is implicated in the acute respiratory failure, the toxic effects of NaF ingestion on lung tissues were investigated. This experimental study was conducted on 40 adult albino rats. Experimental fluorosis was induced by daily oral administration of 18 mg/kg NaF for three successive months to twenty rats, while the other twenty rats were served as reference group with no medication. Electron microscopic study of the lung revealed injury of type I and II pneumocytes, haemorrhage, increase collagen fibers and apoptotic changes in alveolar macrophages in the form of fragmentation of nuclei. It was concluded that prolonged fluoride ingestion damages pulmonary tissues of rats

Ultrastructural study of the toxicological effect of formalin on liver and kidney of adult albino rat

Formalin which is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde [HCHO] in water is used as disinfectant.Antiseptic and as a food preservative. This study was conducted on 40 adult albino rats to evaluate formalin ultrastructural effect on liver and kidney. Formalin was administered orally for three successive weeks at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight in fresh cow's milk to the treated group [twenty rats] while the other twenty rats served as a control group which orally received milk only [1 cc / rat/day]. At the end of the experiment, light microscopic examination revealed dilatation, congestion of the central vein and hydropic degeneration of liver cells. Also hypercellularity of the glomeruli and cloudy swelling of renal tubules can be observed. Electron microscopic study showed, degeneration of most hepatocytes, mitochondriae were degenerated and cristae were absent. Also glomeruli with degenerated podocyte, proximal convoluted tubules with vacuolation of the cytoplasm and necrotic debris in the lumen of convoluted tubules can be detected. So, it can be concluded that the chronic oral administration of formalin causes toxic effects in the liver and kidneys of albino rats

Dendritic reticulum cells of lymph nodes in the rat using zinc iodide - osmium technique

Ten adult Sprague - Dawly rats of both sexes, weighing between 180 - 220 g were used in this study. They were maintained under convential laboratory conditions with free access to water and commercial rat food. The morphological architecture of dendritic reticulum cells [DRCs] in the rat lymph nodes was studied by light and electron microscopy after tissue impregnation and staining by zinc iodide-osmium [ZIO] method. DRCs represented the main stromal cell population. These cells were located both in the cortex and in the medulla and exhibited various configurations. In the cortex they appeared elongated and fusiform in shape with slender and long dendritic processes that ramify in a complex fashion. They were observed in the lymphoid follicles [especially in the germinal centre], lymphatic sinuses and the deep cortex, the DRCs were detected in close association with the subcapsular sinus, they might be located just underneath the sinus endothelium or directly share in forming the sinus lining. In the medulla, the DRCs appeared irregular in shape with coarse or delicate cytoplasmic processes forming an extensive cellular reticulum. This cellular reticulum spanned the region between the sinuses and the blood vessels such as capillaries and / or high endothelial venules [HEVs]. In this instance they were organized in a discontinuous sheath - like fashion around the vessel wall. By light and electron microscopy, DRCs have been observed to come in close spatial relationship with each other and with various other cell types including small, medium sized and large lymphocytes, lymphoblasts, plasma cells, interdigitating cells, sinus endothelial cells, the endothelium of HEVs and capillaries. These microanatomical features were consitent with the proposal that DRCs might be involved in the communicative networks between the different lymph node compartments. In particular, DRCs were thought to provide efficient anatomical arrangements which influence the lymphocyte traffic patterns and might be involved in the transport of molecules from the sinus compartment to the HEVs or to the distinct cell populations in the lymphoid parenchyma. From the previous data, it was suggested that the DRCs serve as accessory cells for the development of immune responses. Further studies should be performed to clarify the role of these cells in the regulation of lymphocyte mediated immunity