Human leucocytic antigens (HLA) in breast cancer.

HLA frequencies of fifty (50) female breast cancer patients were compared with 200 age matched female controls. A total of 20 HLA-A locus, 35 HLA-B locus and 8 HLA-C locus antigens were studied. The HLA-A2, A11, Aw19 and A30; HLA-B8, B14 and HLA Cw6 were found significantly higher than the controls. The HLA-A11, HLA-Aw19 and HLA-B8 were found protective whereas, HLA-A2, HLA-B14 and HLA-Cw6 were a risk for breast cancer. The prective antigens' probable involvement through immunogenic mechanism in breast cancer is emphasized in this article.

Metabolic factors in the development of retinopathy of juvenile-onset type I diabetes mellitus.

Thirty-five patients of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were investigated for the effect of various metabolic factors on retinopathy. The severity of retinopathy increased with duration and age of onset of IDDM. Degree of glycaemia (fasting blood sugar, FBS) was similar in patients with or without retinopathy. All IDDM patients as a group showed severe carbohydrate intolerance with lower basal and post glucose serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels and serum C-peptide radioimmunoreactivity (CPR) as compared to controls. The insulin secretory response was similar in no retinopathy, mild retinopathy and severe retinopathy groups. Patients with retinopathy had higher incidence of hyperlipidemia but mean serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride were similar. This study does not suggest a direct relationship between the various metabolic factors studied and retinopathy due to IDDM.

HLA-B5 and B21 antigens in aortoarteritis.

The distribution of class I HLA antigens (HLA-A, B) were determined in 50 patients of Aortoarteritis in an Indian population. This included 29 females and 21 males. The difference in antigen frequency was observed between patients and controls with reference to HLA-A19, B5 and B21 antigens. A decreased frequency of HLA-A19 was observed in the patients as compared to controls (14% vs 33.25%, X2 = 6.81, P less than 0.025). Of the B locus antigens, an increased frequency of HLA B5 was observed in the patients as compared to controls (48% vs 29.5%, X2 = 6.2, P less than 0.025). HLA-B21 was also increased in the patients as compared to the controls (18% vs 6.5%, X2 = 6.67, P less than 0.025). These data suggest the involvement of genetic factor (s) in the aetiopathogenesis of this disease. Further, the observations indicate that HLA-B5 and B21 may be associated with Aortoarteritis.

HLA antigens in Indian population with non-specific aortoarteritis.

HLA typing of Class I antigens (HLA - A & -B loci) was done for 65 patients suffering from nonspecific aortoarteritis, in Indian population. The diagnosis of these patients was based on clinical findings and confirmed by angiographic studies. Decreased phenotype frequency of HLA-A19 (p less than 0.005, relative risk 0.28), increased frequency of HLA-B5 (p less than 0.005, relative risk 2.46) and B21 (p less than 0.005, relative risk 3.25) was observed when compared with the control group. A decreased frequency of two other alleles of B locus i.e. B35 (p less than 0.005, relative risk 0.27) and B40 (p less than 0.05, relative risk 0.04) was seen in patient group as compared to control. The data indicate the possible association of HLA-B5 and B21 antigens with the nonspecific aortoarteritis.

Genetic marker in juvenile diabetic retinopathy.

Thirty five patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were investigated for development of retinal microangiopathy by fluorescein angiography. HLA typing (A,B.C antigens) was done as a genetic marker. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of HLA antigens between patients without retinopathy (Gr.I) and with retinopathy (Gr.II) Frequency of various HLA antigens did not differ significantly in the mild and severe retinopathy groups or in comparison with controls. HLA B8 was significantly over represented in the patients of IDDM as a single group (GrI + II) when compared with controls (26% vs 8%). HLA profile was not a predictor of either the development or the severity of retinopathy in IDDM.

Mast cell and Mycobacterium leprae in experimental leprosy.

A asociacao de mastocitos e bacilos de Hansen foi estudada na pele do coxim plantar de camundongos timectomizados e submetidos a 900r de radiacao total inoculados com 10 elevado a 5 M. leprae. Os camundongos foram mortos em intervalos que variaram de 2 e meio a 14 meses apos a inoculacao. Bacilos foram encontrados em grande quantidade nos nervos, vasos sanguineos, fibras musculares, foliculos pilosos, glandulas sudoriparas e sebaceas.Mastocitose e granulacao extensa foram observadas nesses sitios. Ja que estas estruturas sao as mais afetadas na hanseniase, nas quais os bacilos e os mastocitos granulosos se acumulam, parece haver uma estreita correlacao entre os dois. Isto pode ser devido ao desempenho multiplo dos mastocitos na resposta dos tecidos hospedeiros; a mastocitose e a granulacao podem estar relacionadas com esses fatos