The genetic and phenotypic variability of interspecific hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) used on golf course putting greens.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Some interspecific hybrid bermudagrass cultivars used on golf course putting greens are genetically unstable, which has caused phenotypically different off-type grasses to occur in production nurseries and putting surfaces. Management practices to reduce the occurrence of off-type grasses in putting green surfaces and the effect they can have on putting quality and performance need to be researched until genetically stable cultivars are developed. Golf course putting green surfaces in subtropical and tropical climates are typically planted with an interspecific hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy), because of the superior putting quality and performance of these cultivars. 'Tifgreen' was one of the first interspecific hybrids developed for putting green use in lieu of common bermudagrass. However, off-type grasses began appearing in established Tifgreen stands soon after commercial release. Off-type grasses are those with different morphology and performance when compared to the surrounding, desirable cultivar. Off-types have the potential to decrease surface uniformity, which negatively affects putting surface quality. However, several unique off-types from Tifgreen have been selected as commercial cultivars, the first being 'Tifdwarf'; then 'Floradwarf', 'MS-Supreme', 'Pee Dee-102', and 'TL-2', identified later. The cultivars 'Champion Dwarf', 'P-18', 'RJT', and 'Emerald Dwarf' were subsequently selected as off-types in Tifdwarf. The naturally occurring off-types and cultivars that have been identified within the Tifgreen family have widely differing phenotypes; however, they are reported to be genetically similar, supporting the hypothesis that their occurrence is a result of somatic mutations. Genetic instability in currently available commercial cultivars is likely to lead to the continued presence of off-types in production nurseries and putting greens. Additional research is needed to understand the nature of genetic instability in Tifgreen-derived cultivars and how to manage its consequences to develop new cultivars, but also strategies for eradication of off-types in pedigree nursery production and end-site putting greens.

In vitro microbial inhibition and cellular response to novel biodegradable composite wound dressings with controlled release of antibiotics.

About 70% of all people with severe burns die from related infections, despite advances in treatment regimens and the best efforts of nurses and doctors. Although silver-eluting wound dressings are available for addressing this problem, there is growing evidence of the deleterious effects of such dressings in delaying the healing process owing to cellular toxicity. A new concept of antibiotic-eluting composite wound dressings is described here. These dressings are based on a polyglyconate mesh coated with a porous poly-(dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid) matrix loaded with antibiotic drugs. The effect of antibiotic release on bacterial inhibition was studied, and cell cytotoxicity was examined. The dressings resulted in a 99.99% decrease in the viable counts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus albus at very high initial inoculations of 107-108 CFU ml⁻¹ after only 1 day, while such a decrease in Staphylococcus aureus was obtained within 3 days. Bacterial inhibition zones around the dressing material were found to persist for 2 weeks, indicating a long-lasting antimicrobial effect. Despite severe toxicity to bacteria, the dressing material was found to have no toxic effect on cultured fibroblasts, indicating that the new antibiotic-eluting wound dressings represent an effective option for selective treatment of bacterial infections.

A novel quantitative approach for evaluating contact mechanics of meniscal replacements.

One of the functions of the meniscus is to distribute contact forces over the articular surfaces by increasing the joint contact areas. It is widely accepted that total/partial loss of the meniscus increases the risk of joint degeneration. A short-term method for evaluating whether degenerative arthritis can be prevented or not would be to determine if the peak pressure and contact area coverage of the tibial plateau (TP) in the knee are restored at the time of implantation. Although several published studies already utilized TP contact pressure measurements as an indicator for biomechanical performance of allograft menisci, there is a paucity of a quantitative method for evaluation of these parameters in situ with a single effective parameter. In the present study, we developed such a method and used it to assess the load distribution ability of various meniscal implant configurations in human cadaveric knees (n=3). Contact pressures under the intact meniscus were measured under compression (1200 N, 0 deg flexion). Next, total meniscectomy was performed and the protocol was repeated with meniscal implants. Resultant pressure maps were evaluated for the peak pressure value, total contact area, and its distribution pattern, all with respect to the natural meniscus output. Two other measures--implant-dislocation and implant-impingement on the ligaments--were also considered. If any of these occurred, the score was zeroed. The total implant score was based on an adjusted calculation of the aforementioned measures, where the natural meniscus score was always 100. Laboratory experiments demonstrated a good correlation between qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the same pressure map outputs, especially in cases where there were contradicting indications between different parameters. Overall, the proposed approach provides a novel, validated method for quantitative assessment of the biomechanical performance of meniscal implants, which can be used in various applications ranging from bench testing of design (geometry and material of an implant) to correct implant sizing.

n-Nonanoyl-CCL14 (NNY-CCL14), a novel inhibitor of allergic airway inflammation is a partial agonist of human CCR2.

BACKGROUND: Modulation of leukocyte recruitment through blocking of chemokine receptors has been proposed as an attractive therapeutic strategy. We have previously demonstrated that n-Nonanoyl-CC chemokine ligand 14 (NNY-CCL14), a modified analog of the naturally occurring chemokine CCL14(9-74) internalizes and desensitizes human CCR3 resulting in the inactivation of eosinophils. However, inhibitory effects of NNY-CCL14 in murine models of allergic airway inflammation are assigned to its interaction with CCR1 and CCR5. AIM OF THE STUDY: As CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 have been shown to play important roles in the development of Th2 inflammation, we further evaluated the effects of NNY-CCL14 treatment on CCL2-mediated activation of CCR2. METHODS: Effects of NNY-CCL14 treatment were studied on cell lines transfected with human CCR2 and primary leukocytes. Functional effects were assessed by calcium efflux assays, flow cytometry and chemotaxis. RESULTS: Prestimulation with NNY-CCL14 desensitized CCR2-mediated responses to further stimulation with its selective ligand CCL2. No significant internalization of CCR2 was observed when the cells were stimulated with NNY-CCL14, even at concentrations eliciting maximal [Ca(2+)]i mobilization. Above all, NNY-CCL14 pretreatment blocked CCL2-induced chemotaxis of monocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that NNY-CCL14 is a partial agonist of CCR2, inhibiting responses of monocytes to the CCR2-selective ligand CCL2. NNY-CCL14 attenuates CCR2-mediated responses by rapidly desensitizing the receptor and preventing chemotaxis, although it is able to induce calcium mobilization but does not lead to CCR2 internalization. Hence this study provides further insights into the possible mechanisms of action of NNY-CCL14, which interacts with multiple chemokine receptors inhibiting the migration and activation of different cell populations involved, thus acting as a potential therapeutic compound to alleviate allergic inflammation.

Effect of steady torque twisting on the orientation of cortical microtubules in the epidermis of the sunflower hypocotyl.

Orientation of cortical microtubules (cMTs) is suggested to be affected by mechanical stress existing in cell walls. However, in mutants exhibiting helical (chiral) growth, there is a correlation between orientation of cMTs in outer tissues and helical growth direction. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of a chiral mechanical stimulation on cMTs. For this purpose, the orientation of cMTs was investigated in hypocotyls subjected to either a right- or a left-handed twist, resulting from a steady torque. cMTs were visualised in fixed material using the immunofluorescence method. The cMTs in untouched control hypocotyls were mostly transverse with respect to the cell long axis. In immobilised, but not twisted control hypocotyls, the transverse orientation was also most frequent, while applied twisting resulted in a change in cMT orientation from transverse to oblique. The data provide additional evidence that changes in tissue stress can be reorganized by cortical microtubules.

The allergy-associated chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR5 can be inactivated by the modified chemokine NNY-CCL11.

BACKGROUND: CC chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) is the outstanding member of all described CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) ligands and is shown to be selective for this receptor. However, it also activates CCR5 but only in the micromolar range. The in vivo activity of CCL11 is expected to be temporally restricted, as it is degraded by specific proteases such as the dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DP4), also termed CD26. Based on the approach to inactivate chemokine receptors in allergic disease models as has been demonstrated for DP4-resistant n-nonanoyl (NNY)-CCL14 and for amino-oxypentane (AOP)-CCL5, it is tempting to study similar compounds derived from CCL11. METHODS: Synthesis of NNY-CCL11 was performed and it was characterized for biological functions in human and mouse eosinophils as well as in cell lines stably transfected either with human CCR3 or CCR5. Resistance to DP4 treatment was also investigated. RESULTS: The functional activities of NNY-CCL11 mediated via CCR3 show an almost identical pattern to CCL11 with respect to intracellular calcium mobilization and CCR3 internalization. N-terminal cleavage of CCL11 by preincubation with DP4 results in a reduced capacity to internalize CCR3, while preincubation of NNY-CCL11 shows no influence. In contrast to CCL11, NNY-CCL11 also activates CCR5+ cell lines and human monocytes in the nanomolar range, being about 100 times more potent than CCL11. CONCLUSIONS: n-Nonanoyl-CCL11 represents a compound with dual activity restricted to CCR3 and CCR5. Because of its receptor-inactivating capacity and stability against DP4 degradation, NNY-CCL11 is a suitable tool for the decoding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of allergic diseases.

[Cutaneous side effects of EGF-receptor inhibition and their management]. / Kutane Nebenwirkungen einer EGF-Rezeptor-Blockade und deren Management.

The receptor of the epidermal growth factor (EGF-receptor) plays a role in the pathogenesis of many human carcinomas. Recent strategies in anti-tumor therapy target the EGF-receptor, e.g., by the EGF-receptor blocking monoclonal antibody cetuximab or by small molecules inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of the EGF-receptor, such as gefitinib and erlotinib. The EGF-receptor is also expressed in normal human skin; in clinical trials with different EGF-receptor inhibitors, cutaneous side effects were common. We report on cutaneous side effects of EGF-receptor blockade, in particular acneiform lesions, xerosis and paronychia, and discuss their management.

Differential pattern of CCR1 internalization in human eosinophils: prolonged internalization by CCL5 in contrast to CCL3.

BACKGROUND: Whereas recent studies underlie the fundamental importance of the CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) for the recruitment of eosinophils in allergic diseases, controversial data exist about the relevance of CCR1 on eosinophils. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and regulation of CCR1 on eosinophils. METHODS: Flow cytometric analysis of whole blood eosinophils and CD16-negative selected eosinophils from healthy nonatopic donors and from patients with atopic disorders was performed and CCR1 receptor internalization and re-expression were studied. RESULTS: Flow cytometric analysis of whole blood eosinophils revealed that 17.8% of the donors expressed high levels of CCR1 (CCR1high) and 82.2% low levels of CCR1 (CCR1low). A significant down-regulation of CCR1 was induced by 24 h preincubation of isolated eosinophils from CCR1high donors either with IL-3, CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3), CCL5, CCL7, or CCL13. Internalization experiments using eosinophils from CCR1high donors revealed that CCL5 is more effective to induce CCR1 internalization than CCL3. Whereas CCR1 re-expression after stimulation with CCL3 reached prestimulation levels (120 min: 81.3% relative CCR1 surface expression) CCL5 induced a prolonged CCR1 internalization (120 min: 15.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a distinct pattern of CCR1 internalization and re-expression in human eosinophils between CCL3 and CCL5, as CCL5 induces a prolonged CCR1 internalization and the basic value is not reached after 24 h. Since prolonged receptor internalization plays a central role in chemokine-mediated inhibition of receptor function, CCR1 seems to be an attractive target on human eosinophils for chemokine receptor blockade besides CCR3.

Chemokine receptor antagonists: a novel therapeutic approach in allergic diseases.

The aim of this review is to give an overview of the role of chemokines, particularly ligands of the CC chemokine receptor CCR3, in allergic diseases and to show the new concept in the treatment of allergies using chemokine receptor antagonists. Allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are characterized by a complex interaction of different cell types and mediators. Among this, Th2 cells, mast cells, basophils and eosinophils are found in the inflamed tissue due to the attraction of chemokines. Of all the known chemokine receptors, the chemokine receptor CCR3 seems to play the major role in allergic diseases which is supported by the detection of this receptor on the cell types mentioned above. Therefore, academic and industrial research focus on compounds to block this receptor. To date, certain chemokine receptor antagonists derived from peptides and small molecules exist to block the chemokine receptor CCR3. However, the in vivo data about these compounds and the mechanisms of receptor interaction are poorly understood, as yet. For the development of additional chemokine receptor antagonists, more details about the interaction between the ligands and their receptors are required. Therefore, additional studies will lead to the identification of novel CCR3 chemokine receptor antagonists, which can be therapeutically used in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.

T-helper 2 cytokines attenuate senescent eosinophil activation by the CXCR4 ligand stromal-derived factor-1alpha (CXCL12).

BACKGROUND: Different chemokine receptors have been suggested to play a pivotal role in allergic diseases and therefore to be relevant for the activation of effector cells and propagation of the inflammatory response. The CXC chemokine receptor CXCR4 has recently been found on the surface of eosinophils implicating a role in allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the functional expression of CXCR4 on senescent eosinophils. Moreover, we questioned whether the cytokine profile--T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines--affect the activation of eosinophils via the CXCR4 that could be important for the different phases of the allergic reaction. METHODS: CXCR4 expression on human eosinophils was analysed by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Functional analyses of intracellular calcium fluxes, actin polymerization, release of reactive oxygen species and, chemotaxis were carried out using spectrofluorometry, flow cytometry, chemiluminescence and modified Boyden chamber technique. RESULTS: Whole blood and freshly isolated eosinophils weakly express CXCR4 surface protein. Incubation in culture medium without addition of cytokines for 24 h always lead to strong CXCR4 surface expression that paralleled with stromal-derived factor-1alpha (CXCL12)-induced eosinophil activation. Stimulation of eosinophils with CXCL12 leads to an internalization of CXCR4, which could be prevented by phenylarsine oxide. Co-incubation of eosinophils with Th2 cytokines such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor prevented the expression of CXCR4 and affected eosinophil activation after stimulation with the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. From these cytokines, IL-3 was the only cytokine completely inhibited intracellular calcium fluxes and chemotaxis of eosinophils in response to CXCL12. CONCLUSION: Senescent eosinophils express functional CXCR4 receptors, which are prevented by Th2 cytokines that are found in the early phase of allergic reaction. Therefore, CXCR4 activation of eosinophils seems to be important in the chronic phase of allergic reaction, which is dominated by a Th1 cytokine profile.

IL-3 induces down-regulation of CCR3 protein and mRNA in human eosinophils.

Cytokines and chemokines are responsible for the attraction and activation of eosinophils in allergic and inflammatory diseases. Whereas cytokines such as IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF activate eosinophils via heterodimeric receptors containing a distinct alpha-chain (binding domain) and a common beta-chain (signaling domain), chemokines such as eotaxin activate eosinophils via seven-transmembrane G(i) protein-coupled CCRs. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of CCR3 on human eosinophils that undergo receptor recycling after chemokine activation, but the modulation of this receptor by cytokines has not yet been addressed. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-3 induces a dose- and time-dependent down-regulation of CCR3 from the surface of human eosinophils comparable to the CCR3-specific ligand eotaxin, whereas IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha had no effect. Maximal down-regulation of CCR3 in response to IL-3 was reached at 24 h. Reduction of CCR3 surface protein in response to IL-3 could be prevented by an anti-IL-3 mAb and was neither due to the release of CC chemokines nor to nonspecific binding of IL-3 to CCR3. Moreover, down-regulation was prevented by phenylarsine oxide, a nonspecific inhibitor of receptor internalization. After 24 h, IL-3-induced decrease of CCR3 surface expression correlated with diminished mRNA expression, suggesting a transcriptional regulation mechanism. Since wortmannin partially inhibited IL-3- but not eotaxin-induced CCR3 down-regulation, receptor down-modulation seems to underlie different signaling events. Therefore, these data suggest a novel role for the cytokine IL-3 in the activation process of eosinophils and its predominant chemokine receptor CCR3.

The chemokine network in eosinophil activation.

Eosinophils are predominant effector cells in allergic and autoimmune diseases attracted by several chemokines into the inflammatory tissue. In the past many new biologically active chemokines have been cloned exploring the gnomic DNA sequence data base in the vicinity of already-known chemokine sequences. This article will help to better understand the chemokine network in eosinophil activation according to the new nomenclature of chemokines. Moreover, possible new therapies, such as chemokine receptor antagonists, for the treatment of allergies are discussed.

[Hereditary C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency type I. Divergence of clinical symptoms and laboratory chemical findings]. / Hereditärer C1-Esterase-Inhibitor-Mangel Typ I. Divergenz klinischer Symptomatik und laborchemischer Befunde.

A 35- and a 29-year-old woman presented with longstanding recurrent angioedema refractory to therapy with steroids and antihistaminic drugs. Laboratory data revealed in both cases a functional and immunohistochemical deficiency of C1-esterase-inhibitor protein (C1-INH). Further investigations of their families showed some individuals with the same pathological findings without any clinical symptoms. Thus we identified striking differences in degree of severity of clinical features in hereditary C1-INH-deficiency type I. These case-reports emphasize the importance of knowing further diagnostic steps in angioedema refractory to therapy with steroids and antihistamines drugs. Furthermore we give a picture of the different clinical courses of C1-INH-deficiency type I and underline that there is no correlation between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings.

Aminooxypentane-RANTES induces CCR3 activation and internalization of CCR3 from the surface of human eosinophils.

Eosinophils are predominant effector cells in allergic diseases attracted by several CC chemokines into the inflammatory tissue. According to their important role in attracting leukocytes, several kinds of chemokine receptor antagonists have been developed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aminooxypentane (AOP)-RANTES on the activation of the CC chemokine receptor 3, CCR3, exemplary on human eosinophils, because they represent the dominant CCR3+ cell type. AOP-RANTES dose-dependently induced an increase of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and a release of reactive oxygen species, which could be inhibited by pertussis toxin, in human eosinophils from normal nonatopic donors. AOP-RANTES was as effective as RANTES but less effective than eotaxin and eotaxin-2 in the activation of the respiratory burst. Flow-cytometric analyses revealed that eosinophils constitutively expressed the CC chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR3, whereas CCR5 was not expressed. AOP-RANTES, RANTES, eotaxin and eotaxin-2, but not Met-RANTES, induced a downregulation of CCR3 at 37 degrees C. Reexpression of CCR3 on eosinophils was observed within 120 min. Whereas no differences of CCR3 downregulation and recycling after stimulation with AOP-RANTES, RANTES, eotaxin and eotaxin-2 were found there exists a distinct profile of activity with respect to the activation of the respiratory burst in human eosinophils.

Detection of mRNA for eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 in human dermal fibroblasts and their distinct activation profile on human eosinophils.

As many new biologically active chemokines have been cloned exploring the genomic DNA sequence database in the vicinity of already known chemokine sequences without demonstrating their natural origin, it is important to transfer findings from in vitro experiments with chemokines into the in vivo situation. With respect to eosinophils and fibroblasts that play an important part in the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases, the role of the recently discovered members of the eotaxin family, eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3, is not really understood. In order to elucidate the origin and biologic potency of the eotaxin family this study was performed. Conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was suitable to detect mRNA for eotaxin and eotaxin-3 but not for eotaxin-2 in dermal fibroblasts. In contrast to conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, LightCycler analysis revealed that dermal fibroblasts constitutively expressed mRNA not only for eotaxin and eotaxin-3 but also for eotaxin-2. Moreover, with this technique we investigated mRNA expression levels after stimulation of fibroblasts with interleukin-4 and interleukin-4 plus tumor necrosis factor-alpha: the rank order of expression levels within the eotaxin family was eotaxin > eotaxin-3 > eotaxin-2. To address the question of the efficacy of eotaxin-3, we compared its activity with eotaxin, eotaxin-2, monocyte chemotactic protein-3, monocyte chemotactic protein-4, and RANTES in different test systems for eosinophils. The efficacy of the CC chemokines at equimolar concentrations with respect to the chemotactic response of human eosinophils was eotaxin-3 = eotaxin = eotaxin-2 > RANTES > monocyte chemotactic protein-4. The rank order of activity with respect to actin polymerization and release of toxic reactive oxygen species was eotaxin-3 = eotaxin = eotaxin-2 and eotaxin = eotaxin-2 > eotaxin-3 = monocyte chemotactic protein-3 = monocyte chemotactic protein-4 = RANTES, respectively. This study indicated a distinct profile in expression levels of the members of the eotaxin family in dermal fibroblasts. Indeed, all three eotaxin ligands demonstrated activation of human eosinophils with similar efficacies for chemotaxis, cytoskeletal rearrangements, activation of Gi proteins and transients of [Ca2+]i, but a distinct profile of activity with respect to the binding to CCR3 and the release of toxic reactive oxygen species. These findings may help to understand further the role of CC chemokines in fibroblast/eosinophil activation, which is of interest particularly in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Characterization of the CC chemokine receptor 3 on human keratinocytes.

CC chemokine receptors are expressed on hematopoietic cells, and these may impart selective homing of monocyte, leukocyte, and lymphocyte subsets to sites of inflammation. CC chemokine receptor 3 is the major receptor on eosinophils and is also expressed on other inflammatory cells suggesting its important role for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Eotaxin, eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 have been identified as ligands that only activate CC chemokine receptor 3. CC chemokine receptor 3 is also activated by other promiscuous ligands, however, such as RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein 4. To date, CC chemokine receptor 3 has not been reported to be expressed on nonhematopoietic cells. In this study, we investigated whether keratinocytes possess autocrine and paracrine mechanisms for CC chemokine secretion and receptor expression as reported for the expression of interleukin 8 and its receptors. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that CC chemokine receptor 3 mRNA is expressed constitutively in cultured keratinocytes. The signal quantities of the CC chemokine receptor 3 amplicons showed lower intensities for keratinocytes than for eosinophils. In situ hybridization techniques exhibited that basal cell layers of the epidermis were stained homogeneously for CC chemokine receptor 3 mRNA with a decreasing signal to the upper epidermis showing that differentiating and proliferating keratinocytes did express mRNA specific for CC chemokine receptor 3. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed low expression of CC chemokine receptor 3 protein on epidermal keratinocytes compared to the high level observed on infiltrating eosinophils. Furthermore, stimulation of cultured keratinocytes with eotaxin resulted in an increased [3H]thymidine incorporation indicating a role of CC chemokine receptor 3 in epidermal proliferation and differentiation. These data demonstrate that CC chemokine receptor 3 is expressed not only on hematopoietic cells but also on keratinocytes as nonhematopoietic cells with ectodermal origin. Therefore, the identification of CC chemokine receptor 3 on epidermal keratinocytes may indicate a role for CC chemokine receptor 3 and its ligands in skin physiology and pathophysiology.

Distinct amplification of the C5a-receptor pathways in normodense and hypodense eosinophils of patients with atopic dermatitis.

In patients with atopic dermatitis two different types of blood eosinophils with distinct density can be isolated. The normodense cells represent the huge majority in count, whereas the hypodense eosinophils are characterized by higher effector activity. To understand the altered functional responsiveness of these two cell subtypes, the expression of C5a receptors as well as C5a-induced signal pathways and the production of reactive oxygen metabolites have been analyzed. Chemiluminescence measurements revealed significant higher production of reactive oxygen metabolites in hypodense eosinophils in comparison to normodense cells. However, no difference in the expression level of C5a receptors as well as in the C5a-induced Ca2+-transients between normodense and hypodense eosinophils were found. In contrast, hypodense eosinophils showed a significantly higher actin polymerization response and phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate 3-kinase activation after stimulation with C5a than normodense eosinophils. Therefore, normodense and hypodense eosinophils from the blood of patients with atopic dermatitis are characterized by differential amplification of C5a-receptor signal pathways, which might explain the differences in their proinflammatory activity.

Coronary vascular stunning in bypass operations during reperfusion and treatment with nitroglycerin.

OBJECTIVE: A compromised blood flow after ischemia and reperfusion caused by an increased coronary artery resistance can additionally jeopardize the recovery of myocytes. During routine bypass operations, we investigated the effect of various nitroglycerin doses on elevated coronary resistance before and after ischemia and after a defined reperfusion period. METHODS: 46 patients with a low-risk profile scheduled for routine coronary artery bypass grafting were investigated. During normothermic total extracorporeal circulation, the completely relieved and fibrillating heart was completely isolated from the systemic circulation and the coronary artery system was perfused at 300 ml/min and flow-controlled. The perfusion pressures were monitored continuously. This protocol was performed at three time points: I. Control (ctr) = 10 minutes after institution of extracorporeal circulation, II. Early reperfusion (early rep) = immediately after an myocardial ischemia of 46 +/- 8 minutes, and III. Late reperfusion (late rep) = after a reperfusion period of 25 +/- 4.5 minutes. In 12 randomly chosen patients in a second step, 3 microg per kg heart weight per min of nitroglycerin (low-dose NTG) was added to the perfusate at time points I and III. In another 12 patients, we applied a bolus injection of 2 mg into the aortic root instead of low-dose NTG. RESULTS: Compared to ctr, vascular resistance had decreased at early rep by 17% (0 - 48%) (p < 0.005). At late rep, resistance had increased by 46% (5 - 94%) (p < 0.001) compared to early rep and by 23% (3 - 36%) (p < 0.005) compared to ctr. Resistances had risen in particular in patients with hypertension. Application of low-dose NTG lowered resistances by 5% (0-8%) (non-significant) at ctr, and by 6% (0 - 11%) (non-significant) at late rep. Bolus NTG decreased resistances at ctr by 11% (2 - 21%) (p < 0.05) and at late rep by 21% (6 - 48%) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In routine heart surgery, coronary vascular constriction is regularly present during postischemic reperfusion despite myocardial protection measures. NTG abolishes this coronary vascular stunning only in part if systemically applicable dosages are given. High-dose intracoronary application of NTG relieves the coronary vasoconstriction completely, but the dosages needed cannot be applied systemically. In this study, vasoconstriction after reperfusion was markedly increased in patients with hypertension.