Delayed allograft rejection by the suppression of class II transactivator

We examined the effect of class II transactivator (CIITA) down-modulation on allograft rejection. To inhibit the function of CIITA, we constructed a series of CIITA mutants and found one exhibiting the dominant-negative effect on the regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression. To test whether the CIITA dominant-negative mutant reduces immunogenecity, CIITA-transfected melanoma cells were injected into allogeneic host and assessed for immune evading activity against host immune cells. We demonstrated that the CIITA dominant-negative mutant allowed tumor nodules to develop earlier in the lung than control by this tumor challenge study. Furthermore, skin grafts deficient for CIITA also survived longer than wild-type in allogeneic hosts. Both the tumor challenge and skin graft studies suggest the inhibition of CIITA molecules in donor tissue would be beneficial to the control of allo-response.

Homophilic Interaction of CD99 via Its Extracellular Domain / 대한면역학회지

No abstract available.

Visual Loss Related to Papilledema:Report of 5 Cases

Five cases of complete visual loss related to papilledema were presented. The diagnoses of cases were an intracranial arachnoid cyst(1 case), brain tumors(3 cases) and benign intracranial hypertension(BIICP) followed by a minor head trauma(1 case). All cases had marked papilledema at admission and their range of age was from 4 to 27 years. The timings of visual loss were preadmission in 2 cases, during admission following removal of posterior fossa tumor(1 case) and revision of cysto-peritioneal shunt in a case of an arachnoid cyst(1 case), and during follow-up after conservative management of a minor head trauma(BIICP) in 1. Their visual function had not improved during the follow-up from 3 months to 9 years. Optic nerve sheath decompression should be considered in the case of BIICP for improving the vision. In cases who have well developed chronic papilledema, visual loss that is abrupt may be followed by cranial decompression. We stress neurosurgeons should predict a tragic outcome of visual loss during the management of cases who have well developed chronic papilledema, especially in children and young adult patients.

Clinical Evaluation of Antihypertensive Effects of Prazosin Hydrochloride

Prazosin hydrochloride, a new antihypertensive agent with a unique sympatholytic mode of action, was evaluated in 35 cases with essential hypertension. The treatment was started with 3 or 4 mg of prazosin daily divided into 2 or 3 doses, and the dosage was gradually increased weekly up to 20 mg per day depending on the response of the blood pressure. Observations with this drug varied from three to ten weeks, the average being five weeks. In 21 out of 35 cases (60.0%), satisfactory reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures with prazosin were noted in both supine and standing positions. These were accompanied by no significant postural hypotension. In 15 out of 21 cases of satisfactory responders, the diastolic blood pressure fell to 90mmHg or less, and in five cases out of 14 poor responders prazosin was given only for three weeks. The average time lapse before effectiveness of the drug in mild, moderate and severe hypertensive cases was 3.3, 3.5 and 6.5weeks, respectively. The average daily effective dosage of prazosin in these groups was 7.1, 9.1 and 12.0mg, respectively. The cardinal unpleasant symptoms appeared in eight out of 35 cases during the medication. These included postural dizziness, weakness, headache, drowsiness and urinary frequency. However, in all cases, except one in which urinary frequency was noted, the symptoms were mild and transient disappearing spontaneously despite continued administration of prazosin. No significant changes were noted in complete blood conuts and routine urinalysis as well as in S-GOT, S-GPT, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels examined during and after medication.

Clinical Evaluation of Antihypertensive Effects of Prazosin Hydrochloride

Prazosin hydrochloride, a new antihypertensive agent with a unique sympatholytic mode of action, was evaluated in 35 cases with essential hypertension. The treatment was started with 3 or 4 mg of prazosin daily divided into 2 or 3 doses, and the dosage was gradually increased weekly up to 20 mg per day depending on the response of the blood pressure. Observations with this drug varied from three to ten weeks, the average being five weeks. In 21 out of 35 cases (60.0%), satisfactory reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures with prazosin were noted in both supine and standing positions. These were accompanied by no significant postural hypotension. In 15 out of 21 cases of satisfactory responders, the diastolic blood pressure fell to 90mmHg or less, and in five cases out of 14 poor responders prazosin was given only for three weeks. The average time lapse before effectiveness of the drug in mild, moderate and severe hypertensive cases was 3.3, 3.5 and 6.5weeks, respectively. The average daily effective dosage of prazosin in these groups was 7.1, 9.1 and 12.0mg, respectively. The cardinal unpleasant symptoms appeared in eight out of 35 cases during the medication. These included postural dizziness, weakness, headache, drowsiness and urinary frequency. However, in all cases, except one in which urinary frequency was noted, the symptoms were mild and transient disappearing spontaneously despite continued administration of prazosin. No significant changes were noted in complete blood conuts and routine urinalysis as well as in S-GOT, S-GPT, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels examined during and after medication.