CD4+CD69+ T cells and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells imbalance in peripheral blood, spleen and peritoneal lavage from pristane-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mice

Abstract Background: Adaptive immune cells, including CD4+CD69+ and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, are important for maintaining immunological tolerance. In human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells are reduced, whereas CD69 expression is increased, resulting in a homeostatic immune imbalance that may intensify autoreactive T cell activity. To analyze the mechanisms implicated in autotolerance failure, we evaluated CD4+CD69+ and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells and interleukin profiles in a pristane-induced SLE experimental model. Methods: For lupus induction, 26 female Balb/c mice received a single intraperitoneal 0.5 ml dose of pristane, and 16 mice received the same dose of saline. Blood and spleen samples were collected from euthanized mice 90 and 120 days after pristane or saline inoculation. Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMC), peritoneal lavage (PL) and splenocytes were obtained by erythrocyte lysis and cryopreserved for further evaluation by flow cytometry using the GuavaEasyCyte TM HT. After thawing, cells were washed and stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD28, CD69, FoxP3, CD14 and Ly6C (BD Pharmingen TM). Interleukins were quantified using Multiplex® MAP. The Mann-Whitney test and the Pearson coefficient were used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Compared with the controls, SLE-induced animals presented increased numbers of CD4+CD69+ T cells in the blood on T90 and T120 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.008) and in the spleen on T120 (p = 0.049), but there were decreased numbers in the PL (p = 0.049) on T120. The percentage of Treg was lower in blood (p < 0.005 and p < 0.012) on T90 and T120, in spleen (p = 0.043) on T120 and in PL (p = 0.001) on T90. Increased numbers of CD4+ CD69+ T cells in the PL were positively associated with high IL-2 (p = 0.486) and IFN-γ (p = 0.017) levels, whereas reduced Treg cells in the blood were negatively correlated with TNFα levels (p = 0.043) and positively correlated with TGFβ1 (p = 0.038). Conclusion: Increased numbers of CD4+CD69+ T cells and reduced numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells with an altered interleukin profile suggests loss of autotolerance in pristane-induced lupus mice, which is similar to human lupus. Therefore, this model is useful in evaluating mechanisms of cellular activation, peripheral tolerance and homeostatic immune imbalance involved in human SLE.

Cell Derived Microparticles in Gingival Crevicular Fluid from Periodontitis Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Cell-derived microparticles (MPs) have been described as vital contributors to the inflammatory process. However, its role in the periodontal disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to detect the presence neutrophil (CD66b+) and platelet (CD41b+) derived microparticles in gingival crevicular fluid from individuals having periodontitis aggravated by type 2 diabetes. Twelve patients (56.2 ±7.2 yrs) with severe form of chronic periodontitis aggravated by type 2 diabetes were included. Clinical and metabolic data were gathered. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected using filter strips from deep and shallow sites. MPs were detected by flow cytometry according to their size (< 1 µm) and the expression of surface markers (CD66b for neutrophil-derived MPs and CD41b for platelet-derived MPs). All samples were positive for the antibodies. Median levels of CD66b+ MPs and CD41b+ MPs were, respectively, 3,677.0 (2,553.2 - 9,059.8) MP/µL and 520.7 (432.9 - 766.1) MP/µL in deep sites. In shallow sites, the corresponding values were 2,644.9 (1,451.5 - 3,858.9) MP/µL and 371.2 (287.2 - 692.7) MP/µL. There was no significant difference between deep and shallow sites (p>0.05). In conclusion, this study reported the presence of neutrophil and platelet derived microparticles in gingival crevicular fluid from individuals having severe periodontitis and type 2 diabetes.

Resumo As micropartículas derivadas de células (MPs) têm sido descritas como contribuintes vitais para o processo inflamatório. No entanto, seu papel na patogênese da doença periodontal permanece obscuro. Por isso, nosso objetivo foi detectar a presença de micropartículas derivadas de neutrófilos (CD66b +) e plaquetas (CD41b +) no fluido gengival de indivíduos com periodontite e diabetes tipo 2. Doze pacientes (56,2 ± 7,2 anos) com periodontite crônica severa e diabetes tipo 2 foram incluídos no estudo. Foram coletados dados clínicos e metabólicos. O fluido gengival foi coletado usando tiras de filtro de papel em sítios rasos e profundos. As MPs foram detectadas por citometria de fluxo de acordo com o seu tamanho (<1 μm) e pela expressão de marcadores de superfície (CD66b para MPs derivadas de neutrófilos e CD41b para MPs derivadas de plaquetas). Todas as amostras foram positivas para os anticorpos. Os níveis médios de CD66b + MPs e CD41b + MPs foram, respectivamente, 3.677.0 (2,553.2 - 9,059.8) MP/μL e 520.7 (432.9 - 766.1) MP/μL nos sítios profundos. Nos sítios rasos, os valores correspondentes foram 2,644.9 (1,451.5 - 3,858.9) MP/μL e 371.2 (287.2 - 692.7) MP/μL. Não houve diferença significativa entre os sítios rasos e profundos (p>0.05). Concluindo, o presente estudo reportou a presença de micropartículas derivadas de neutrófilos e plaquetas no fluido gengival de pacientes com periodontite e com diabetes tipo 2 .

Hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases and the coverage by the family health strategy / Internações por doenças cardiovasculares e a cobertura da estratégia saúde da família / Internaciones por enfermedades cardiovasculares y la cobertura de la estrategia salud de la familia

AbstractObjective: to verify the correlation between the rates of hospitalization for primary care-sensitive cardiovascular diseases and the coverage by the Family Health Strategy of residents of the State of Paraná, by regional health divisions, from 2000 to 2011.Method: ecological study developed from data of the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and the Department of Primary Care of the Ministry of Health. The rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases were correlated with the annual coverage by the Family Health Strategy using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients.Result: there was a strong and negative correlation in the State of Paraná (r=-0.91; p <0.001) and in most regional health divisions, with the highest correlations observed in the Metropolitan and Toledo (r =-0.93; p<0.001) and Paranaguá (r=-0.92, p<0.001) regional health divisions.Conclusion: the results suggest that the increase in the coverage by the Family Health Strategy was an important factor for decrease in the hospitalizations for cardiovascular conditions among residents of the State of Paraná and in most regional health divisions. Other studies should be performed to analyze the factors and causes in regional health divisions where there was no correlation with increase in the Family Health Strategy.

ResumoObjetivo:verificar a correlação entre taxas de internação por doenças cardiovasculares sensíveis à atenção primária e a cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família de residentes no estado do Paraná, por regionais de saúde, no período de 2000 a 2011.Método:estudo ecológico, desenvolvido a partir de dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde e do Departamento de Atenção Básica do Ministério da Saúde. Correlacionaram-se as taxas de internação por doenças cardiovasculares com as coberturas anuais da Estratégia Saúde da Família, utilizando-se os coeficientes de correlação de Pearson e Spearman.Resultado:houve correlação negativa e forte no estado do Paraná (r=-0,91; p<0,001) e na maioria das regionais de saúde, sendo maior na Metropolitana e Toledo (r=-0,93; p<0,001) e Paranaguá (r=-0,92; p<0,001).Conclusão:os resultados sugerem que o aumento da cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família foi fator importante para a diminuição das internações por condições cardiovasculares em residentes no estado do Paraná e na maioria das regionais de saúde. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para analisar fatores e causas nas regiões do estado onde não houve correlação com incremento da Estratégia Saúde da Família.

ResumenObjetivo:verificar la correlación entre tasas de internación por enfermedades cardiovasculares sensibles a la atención primaria y la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia de residentes en el estado de Paraná, por regionales de salud, en el período de 2000 a 2011.Método:estudio ecológico, desarrollado a partir de datos del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único de Salud y del Departamento de Atención Básica del Ministerio de la Salud. Se correlacionaron las tasas de internación por enfermedades cardiovasculares con las coberturas anuales de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, utilizando los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson y Spearman.Resultado:hubo correlación negativa y fuerte en el estado de Paraná (r=-0,91; p<0,001) y en la mayoría de las regionales de salud, siendo mayor en la Metropolitana y Toledo (r=-0,93; p<0,001) y Paranaguá (r=-0,92; p<0,001).Conclusión:los resultados sugieren que el aumento de la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia fue un factor importante para la disminución de las internaciones por condiciones cardiovasculares en residentes en el estado de Paraná y en la mayoría de las regionales de salud. Otros estudios deben ser realizados para analizar factores y causas en las regiones del estado en donde no hubo correlación con incremento de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia.

Oral chronic graft-versus-host disease: analysis of dendritic cells subpopulations

The graft-versus-host disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Aiming at contributing to the understanding of the role of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and natural killer cells in chronic graft-versus-host disease, we examined biopsies of jugal mucosa of 26 patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had undergone allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Half of these patients developed oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. Microscopic sections were immunohistochemically stained for anti-CD1a, anti-CD123 and anti-CD56. We calculated the number of immunostained cells in the corium per square millimeter and applied the Mann-Whitney test. Results showed a statistically significant increase of myeloid dendritic cells (CD1a+; p=0,02) and natural killer cells (CD56; p=0,04) in patients with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. CD123 immunostaining showed no statistical difference between groups. It was concluded that myeloid dendritic cells and natural killer cells participate in the development of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Inflammation in disseminated lesions: an analysis of CD4+, CD20+, CD68+, CD31+ and vW+ cells in non-ulcerated lesions of disseminated leishmaniasis

Disseminated leishmaniasis (DL) differs from other clinical forms of the disease due to the presence of many non-ulcerated lesions (papules and nodules) in non-contiguous areas of the body. We describe the histopathology of DL non-ulcerated lesions and the presence of CD4-, CD20-, CD68-, CD31- and von Willebrand factor (vW)-positive cells in the inflamed area. We analysed eighteen biopsies from non-ulcerated lesions and quantified the inflamed areas and the expression of CD4, CD20, CD68, CD31 and vW using Image-Pro software (Media Cybernetics). Diffuse lymphoplasmacytic perivascular infiltrates were found in dermal skin. Inflammation was observed in 3-73% of the total biopsy area and showed a significant linear correlation with the number of vW+ vessels. The most common cells were CD68+ macrophages, CD20+ B-cells and CD4+ T-cells. A significant linear correlation between CD4+ and CD20+ cells and the size of the inflamed area was also found. Our findings show chronic inflammation in all DL non-ulcerated lesions predominantly formed by macrophages, plasmacytes and T and B-cells. As the inflamed area expanded, the number of granulomas and extent of the vascular framework increased. Thus, we demonstrate that vessels may have an important role in the clinical evolution of DL lesions.

Imunopatogênese da psoríase: revisando conceitos / Reviewing concepts in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis

O conhecimento sobre a fisiopatogenia da psoríase possibilitou o desenvolvimento de ferramentas terapêuticas que visam ao bloqueio do seu gatilho imunológico. Paralelamente, citocinas como o TNF têm sido reconhecidas como integrantes da etiopatogenia da psoríase e comorbidades a ela relacionadas. Estudos genéticos e epidemiológicos contribuíram efetivamente para as conclusões a que se tem chegado atualmente sobre esta complexa patologia.

Insights into the pathogenesis of psoriasis led to the development of therapeutic tools aimed at blocking its immunological trigger. In parallel, cytokines such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been recognized as playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its associated comorbidities. Genetic and immunological studies have contributed effectively towards establishing the currently held concepts regarding this complex disease.

Caso para diagnóstico / Case for diagnosis

Relatamos um caso de histiocitose cefálica benigna em uma criança do sexo masculino, de um ano e três meses de idade que desenvolveu múltiplas pápulas na região malar bilateralmente, sem outros comemorativos associados. A histopatologia caracterizou-se pelo padrão derme papilar, com imuno-histoquímica negativa para S100 e CD1a, e positiva para CD68, ficando assim estabelecido o diagnóstico desta histiocitose não- Langerhans, baseado nos aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos característicos.

The present paper reports a case of benign cephalic histiocytosis in a 15-month baby boy, who developed multiple papules bilaterally in the malar region with no other associated manifestations. Histopathology revealed a papillary dermal pattern, while immunohistochemistry was negative for S100 and CD1a and positive for CD68. Therefore, diagnosis was established as non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, based on the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features present.

Systemic therapy for melanoma.

Advanced melanoma is a disease with a poor prognosis. Most of the currently available chemotherapy agents are ineffective. In contrast to other cancers, immune-based and novel, targeted therapies appear to have some effect in melanoma. Exciting research in the past few years holds hope for the future. We provide an overview of the current management principles of this condition with special emphasis on the emerging options in the systemic therapy of advanced disease.

Local lymphocytes and nitric oxide synthase in the uterine cervical stroma of patients with grade III cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVES: Precancerous and cancerous cells can trigger an immune response that may limit tumor development and can be used as a prognostic marker. The aims of the present study were to quantify the presence of B and T lymphocytes, macrophages and cells expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cervical stroma of women with grade III cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) or in the intratumoral and peritumoral tissue of women with stage I invasive carcinoma. METHODS: Cervical tissue specimens were obtained from 60 women (20 each from control tissues, CIN III and invasive carcinomas). The average ages in the control, CIN III and invasive groups were 43.9 (± 4.3), 35.5 (± 9.5), and 50 (± 11.2) years, respectively. The specimens were immunohistochemically labeled with antibodies to identify T lymphocytes (CD3), cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8), B lymphocytes (CD20), macrophages (CD68) and iNOS. We evaluated the markers in the stroma above the squamocolumnar junction (control), at the intraepithelial lesion (CIN cases), and in the nfiltrating tumor. Two independent observers performed the immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages and iNOS were present more frequently (P<0.05) in the stroma of peritumoral invasive tumors compared to the controls and intratumoral invasive cancer samples. CD3+ and CD20+ lymphocytes were present more frequently in CIN III patients compared to samples from patients with intratumoral invasive cancer (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High numbers of T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and iNOS-expressing cells in the peritumoral stroma of the invasive tumors were observed. Cell migration appeared to be proportional to the progression of the lesion.

Polimorfismo +49 A/G del gen del antígeno 4 del linfocito T citotóxico (CTLA-4) en la diabetes tipo 1: Asociación con el perfil de anticuerpos y citoquinas / +49 A/G genetic polymorphism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in type 7 diabetes: Association with autoantibodies and cytokines

Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) has been one ofthe non HLA genes more commonly studied in type 1 diabetes mellitus (TID). CTLA-4 is a co-stimulation protein that has a key role in the negative regulation ofT cells and is related with a functional cytokine imbalance, generating a T helper (Th) 1 over Th2 dominance. Aim: To analyze the association of +49 A/G polymorphism of CTLA-4 and its relationship with autoantibodies and cytokine expression in recently diagnosed TID patients. Patients and Methods: CTLA-4 genetic variants and auto-antibody levéis were studied in 260 chiídren with TID and 255 healthy chiídren matched by age and gender +49 A/G polymorphism of CTLA-4 was studied by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragmentpolymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Autoantibody levéis were measured by conventional ELISA. A panel of60 cytokines was studied simultaneously by serum array analysis in 15 TID and 15 healthy controls stratified according CTLA-4 genotype. Results: The +49 A/G genetic frequency was similar in TID cases and healthy chiídren. A positive anti-GAD65 and anti-IA-2 level was observed in 673 percent of TID group. This percentage was increased among GG carriers (79.4 percent to GAD65 and 70.6 percent to IA-2). Finally, TID patients carrying this genotype showed a high expression of interleukin 2, 10, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma. Conclusions: The +49 A/G polymorphism of CTLA-4 was similar in diabetic and control chiídren. Among patients with TID and carriers of GG genotype, a higher frequency of anti-GAD65 and a preferential Thl cytokine expression profile was observed.

Legionella lipoprotein activates toll-like receptor 2 and induces cytokine production and expression of costimulatory molecules in peritoneal macrophages

Legionella bacterium, an intracellular pathogen of mononuclear phagocytes, causes acute fatal pneumonia, especially in patients with impaired cellular immune responses. Until recently, however, the toll-like receptor (TLR) engagement of bacterial proteins derived from Legionella is uncertain. We previously showed that a 19-kDa highly conserved peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) of Legionella pneumophila induced the PAL-specific B cell and T cell responses in mice. In this study, we observed that the rPAL antigen of L. pneumophila, as an effector molecule, activated murine macrophages via TLR2 and produced proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha. In both BALB/c and TLR4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice, pretreatment of macrophages with anti-TLR2 mAb showed severely impaired cytokine production in response to the rPAL. In addition, in vitro the rPAL treatment increased the cell surface expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC I/II molecules. We further showed that the synthetic CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) coadministered with the rPAL enhanced IL-12 and IL-6 production and expression of CD40, CD80 and MHC II compared to the rPAL treatment alone. In conclusions, these results indicate that Legionella PAL might activate macrophages via a TLR2-dependent mechanism which thus induce cytokine production and expression of costimulatory and MHC molecules.

Cytokines produced by CD4+ T cells against a synthetic GTF-I (1301-1322) peptide of Streptococcus mutans in naturally sensitized humans

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) es el principal agente etiologico de la caries dental. Las proteínas PAc y glucosiltransferasas (GTFs) son factores de virulencia de este microorganismo relacionados con su fisiopatogenia y han sido usados en investigaciones de una vacuna para la caries dental. El objetivo de este estudio fue observar si GTFs (1301-1322) tiene la capacidad de activar las células T CD4+ en CMSP de humanos naturalmente sensibilizados, identificar el tipo de respuesta y establecer su relación con la caries dental. 30 individuos clasificados en los siguientes 3 grupos, fueron estudiados: caries activa (AC), historia de caries (HC) y libres de caries (H). Muestras de sangre fueron tomadas de cada individuo. La estimulación antígeno específico y la citometría de flujo fueron usadas para determinar las células productoras de citoquina IFN-y (citoquinas tipo 1) e IL-13 (citoquinas tipo 2). Se encontró respuesta de memoria celular frente a GTF-I (1301-1322) en humanos naturalmente sensibilizados. Tres tipos de respuesta fueron detectados: TH0, TH1 y NR. Se encontró un mayor porcentaje de LTCD4+ productores de IFN-y que de IL-13 (p=0.006). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para las otras variables estudiadas para los tres grupos (p<0.05). Se concluye que la respuesta inmune celular específica frente al péptido sintético GTF-I (1301-1322) de S, mutans, no es diferente entre los individuos sensibilizados naturalmente, resistentes a caries y con caries.

Impact of cytomegalovirus and grafts versus host disease on the dynamics of CD57+CD28-CD8+ T cells after bone marrow transplant

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of CD28 and CD57 expression in CD8+ T lymphocytes during cytomegalovirus viremia in bone marrow transplant recipients. METHODS: In a prospective study, blood samples were obtained once weekly once from 33 healthy volunteers and weekly from 33 patients. To evaluate the expression of CD57 and CD28 on CD8+ T lymphocytes, flow cytometry analysis was performed on blood samples for four months after bone marrow transplant, together with cytomegalovirus antigenemia assays. RESULTS: Compared to cytomegalovirus-seronegative healthy subjects, seropositive healthy subjects demonstrated a higher percentage of CD57+ and a lower percentage of CD28+ cells (p<0.05). A linear regression model demonstrated a continuous decrease in CD28+ expression and a continuous increase in CD57+ expression after bone marrow transplant. The occurrence of cytomegalovirus antigenemia was associated with a steep drop in the percentage of CD28+ cells (5.94 percent, p<0.01) and an increase in CD57+ lymphocytes (5.60 percent, p<0.01). This cytomegalovirus-dependent effect was for the most part concentrated in the allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients. The development of acute graft versus host disease, which occurred at an earlier time than antigenemia (day 26 vs. day 56 post- bone marrow transplant), also had an impact on the CD57+ subset, triggering an increase of 4.9 percent in CD57+ lymphocytes (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found continuous relative changes in the CD28+ and CD57+ subsets during the first 120 days post- bone marrow transplant, as part of immune system reconstitution and maturation. A clear correlation was observed between the expansion of the CD57+CD28-CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation and the occurrence of graft versus host disease and cytomegalovirus viremia.

Low expression of antigen-presenting and costimulatory molecules by lung cells from tuberculosis patients

Costimulatory and antigen-presenting molecules are essential to the initiation of T cell immunity to mycobacteria. The present study analyzed by immunocytochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies and alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase method, the frequency of costimulatory (CD86, CD40, CD40L, CD28, and CD152) and antigen-presenting (MHC class II and CD1) molecules expression on human lung cells recovered by sputum induction from tuberculosis (TB) patients (N = 22) and non-TB controls (N = 17). TB cases showed a statistically significant lower percentage of HLA-DR+ cells than control subjects (21.9 ± 4.2 vs 50.0 ± 7.2 percent, P < 0.001), even though similar proportions of TB cases (18/22) and control subjects (16/17, P = 0.36) had HLA-DR-positive-stained cells. In addition, fewer TB cases (10/22) compared to control subjects (16/17) possessed CD86-expressing cells (P = 0.04; OR: 0.05; 95 percentCI = 0.00-0.51), and TB cases expressed a lower percentage of CD86+ cells (P = 0.04). Moreover, TB patients with clinically limited disease (£1 lobe) on chest X-ray exhibited a lower percentage of CD86-bearing cells compared to patients with more extensive lung disease (>1 lobe) (P = 0.02). The lower expression by lung cells from TB patients of HLA-DR and CD86, molecules involved in antigen presentation and activation of T cells, may minimize T cell recognition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fostering an immune dysfunctional state and active TB.

CD99 activates T cells via a costimulatory function that promotes raft association of TCR complex and tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR zeta

We investigated the co-stimulatory role of a cell-surface protein, CD99. Co-ligation of CD99 and suboptimal CD3 induced T-cell activation to a level comparable to that obtained with optimal CD3 or CD3+CD28. We also noted concomitant enhancement of the earliest T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling events. In addition, co-ligation of CD99 and CD3 led to translocation of TCR complexes into the lipid raft, without concomitant migration of CD99 to the raft, and consequent enhancement of TCR zeta-mediated signal 1. These data demonstrate the unique properties of CD99 co-stimulation that distinguish this molecule from CD28 and other raft-resident co-stimulatory factors.

Asynchronous expression of myeloid antigens in leukemic cells in a PML/RARalpha transgenic mouse model

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the expansion of blasts that resemble morphologically promyelocytes and harbor a chromosomal translocation involving the retinoic acid receptor a (RARa) and the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) genes on chromosomes 17 and 15, respectively. The expression of the PML/RARa fusion gene is essential for APL genesis. In fact, transgenic mice (TM) expressing PML/RARa develop a form of leukemia that mimics the hematological findings of human APL. Leukemia is diagnosed after a long latency (approximately 12 months) during which no hematological abnormality is detected in peripheral blood (pre-leukemic phase). In humans, immunophenotypic analysis of APL blasts revealed distinct features; however, the precise immunophenotype of leukemic cells in the TM model has not been established. Our aim was to characterize the expression of myeloid antigens by leukemic cells from hCG-PML/RARa TM. In this study, TM (N = 12) developed leukemia at the mean age of 13.1 months. Morphological analysis of bone marrow revealed an increase of the percentage of immature myeloid cells in leukemic TM compared to pre-leukemic TM and wild-type controls (48.63 ± 16.68, 10.83 ± 8.11, 7.4 ± 5.46 percent, respectively; P < 0.05). Flow cytometry analysis of bone marrow and spleen from leukemic TM identified the asynchronous co-expression of CD34, CD117, and CD11b. This abnormal phenotype was rarely detected prior to the diagnosis of leukemia and was present at similar frequencies in hematologically normal TM and wild-type controls of different ages. The present results demonstrate that, similarly to human APL, leukemic cells from hCG-PML/RARa TM present a specific immunophenotype.

Activación de la respuesta inmune innata y específica en los pacientes con sindrome urémico hemolítico: papel dual a traves de la paticipacion en los mecanismos pagogenicos y protectores / Activation of innate and specific immune responses in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)-patients

The central role of the immune system is the preservation of the health against several pathogenic microbes and injury agents. However, on special conditions defensive mechanisms triggered towards the foreign agent can damage the host. Clinical and experimental evidence indicate that inflammatory reaction triggered by the main components of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coil (STEC), participate in the evolution to the complete form of HUS. When children are diagnosed of HUS, they present evidence that have suffered a very strong and early inflammatory response. These features include: the presence of a marked neutrophilia, the polymorfonuclear leucocytes (PMN) are "deactivated or exhausted" and the monocytes are differentiated towards an inflammatory phenotype (CD14-reduced and CD16-enhanced membrane expression). In addition, HUS-patients show a marked reduction in the absolute and relative number of leucocytes carrying the receptor (CX3CR1) for the chemokine "Fractalkine" (FKN, CX3CL1), which are the classic monocytes and Natural Killer cells (NK). All these cells express a high cytotoxic potencial. The chemokine FKN is expressed in endothelial and epithelial renal cells, and is involved in the pathogenic mechanism of different nephropathies. Noteworthy, we found a significant correlation between the severity of the renal damage (as days of anuria) and the alterations described above. Finally, the protective role of specific immune response, mainly through the antibody production with Stx-neutralizing capacity, is discussed.

Oligonucleotide imt504 induces an immunogenic phenotype and apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Los oligonucleótidos (ODNs) de tipo PyNTTTTGT estimulan directamente las células B y las células dendríticas plasmacitoides del sistema inmune de primates. En este trabajo, investigamos la habilidad del IMT504, prototipo de los ODN tipo PyNTTTTGT, para regular la expresión demoléculas de superficie y la apoptosis en células B de leucemia linfocítica crónica (LLC). La expresión de lasmoléculas de superficie CD25, CD40, CD80 y CD86 fue aumentada al incubar las células B-LLC con IMT504. La co-estimulación con IL-2 provocó un aumento mayor. Las células B-LLC activadas fueron buenas estimuladorasde las células T en cultivo mixto de linfocitos alogeneicos y la co-estimulación con IL-2 mejoró esta capacidad. La apoptosis de las células B-LLC también fue estimulada por incubación con IMT504. En este caso, la coestimulación con IL-2 no fue significativa. Más aún, las células B-LLC de todos los pacientes estudiados,desarrollaron un fenotipo inmunogénico y entraron en apoptosis luego de la incubación in vitro con IMT504,independientemente del estado mutacional de sus genes IgVH , un indicador del pronóstico de la patología.

Origen y desarrollo de linfocitos B1: una población celular involucrada en defensa y autoinmunidad / Origin and development of B1 lymphocytes: a cell population involved in defence and autoimmunity

Las células B1, responsables de la producción de IgM sérica en ausencia de aparente estimulaciónantigénica, son linfocitos B maduros con ubicación anatómica y características fenotípicas y funcionalesparticulares. Los linfocitos B1 se ubican mayoritariamente en cavidad peritoneal y pleural, presentancaracterísticas de células activadas y son de mayor tamaño y complejidad citoplasmática que las células B convencionales.Mientras que estos últimos deben diferenciarse a células plasmáticas para poder secretarinmunoglobulinas, los linfocitos B1 liberan espontáneamente anticuerpos al medio extracelular operando bajoun programa de diferenciación particular. Los anticuerpos producidos por los linfocitos B1 tendrían un rol protector,ya que están implicados en la remoción de células envejecidas y apoptóticas, en mecanismos deinmunomodulación y en resistencia a infecciones, sin embargo su participación en procesos autoinmunes tambiénha sido sugerida. Muchos estudios han aportado información sobre el origen, desarrollo y diferenciaciónde los linfocitos B1, los cuales son analizados en esta revisión.

B1 lymphocytes are an anatomically, phenotypically, and functionally distinct subset ofB cells producing the bulk of natural serum IgM in the absence of any apparent stimulation by specific antigens.These cells are a dominant population of B cells in peritoneal and pleural cavities and they have characteristicsof activated cells and higher cell size and cytoplasmic complexity than conventional B cells. B1 cells spontaneouslysecrete antibodies and operate under a differentiation program that is unique and differs from the paradigmassociated with Ig-secreting B-2 cells. The antibodies produced by B1 cells may participate in a variety ofphysiological activities since they are involve in immune regulation, clearance of senescent and apoptotic cellsand resistance to infection. However, it has been suggested that they are also involved in autoimmunity. Manyadvances have been made to describe the origin, development and differentiation of B1 cells, which will beexamined here.