Immunoelectron microscopic study of Fc gamma receptors on the macrophages and fibronectin in murine hepatic schistosomiasis

This study dealt with the in vivo determination and distribution of Fc gamma receptors on macrophage, and the fibronectin expression by macrophage, in liver granuloma, in the acute [8 weeks] and chronic [20 weeks] stages of Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice. The application of electron microscopic immunoperoxidase technique delineated the location and distribution of Fc gamma receptors on macrophage surface membrane in both acute and chronic immunomodulated granuloma. In the acute granuloma, it revealed an increased density of Fc gamma receptors on macrophage surface denoting its activation. Whereas in chronic granuloma the Fc gamma receptors on macrophage were demonstrated to be less dense. This diminished expression can be taken as a monitor of immunomodulation and is attributed to diminished expression of the receptors on the macrophage surface itself and not only to decrease in number of cells. Immunoelectron labelling of tissue fibronectin displayed intracellular deposition in macrophage, endothelial cells and fibroblast cells in the 8 weeks granuloma. It decreased in the immunomodulated granuloma in correlation with Fc gamma receptors. Thus understanding of the complex interactions between Fc gamma receptors, fibronectin and macrophage may be helpful in attempts to manipulate fibrous tissue deposition in granulomatous lesions

Significance of the clinical aspect and cytochemical pattern of Gaucher's Disease among Egyptian children

The demonstration that Gaucher's disease can be reversed by enzyme replacement guided this work. It was arranged to explore possible clinical aspects and cytochemical pattern in Egyptian children with Gaucher's disease that might help in selection of patients for whom this high cost therapy would be ideal. This study included 19 pediatric patients with Gaucher's disease. They were 8 cases with the neuropathic infantile form [type 2], 10 cases with the juvenile form [type 3] and a single case with the adult form [type 1]. All the patients with type 2 and a single case with type 1 died throughout follow up. After thorough clinical assessment, complete blood count and bone marrow examination, all the Gaucher patients and 10 selected patients with different causes of splenomegaly [as a comparative group] were subjected to the technique of splenic aspirate. The aspirate were subjected to morphological and cytochemical studies. The latter included acid phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activities as well as periodic acid Schiff reaction. The mean scores of acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase and PAS were significantly increased in the Gaucher patients as compared with the other comparative cases. Also, the mean scores of both esterase and PAS were significantly elevated in the juvenile form of Gaucher than that in the neuropathic infantile cases associated with fatal outcome. Marked increase of the cytochemical indicators might represent a compensatory mechanism needed for better course of the disease. The presence of early neurological signs, elevated ESR, detection of Gaucher cells in the bone marrow and limited elevation of both esterase and PAS scores were considered as poor prognostic factors associated with progressive rapid fatal course. It necessitates early bone marrow transplantation or enzyme replacement therapy