ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To determine whether interleukin-13 (IL-13) possesses anti-inflammatory properties with respect to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Effects of IL-13 on production of the chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha), by PMNs were analyzed. SUBJECTS: Human peripheral blood PMNs obtained from healthy volunteers. METHODS: PMNs were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or IL-13 for selected periods of time, and MIP-1alpha expression was assessed by ELISA and Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: IL-13 suppressed expression and production of PMN-derived MIP-1alpha mRNA and protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inhibition of protein synthesis caused significant enhancement of MIP-1alpha mRNA expression. The inhibitory activity of IL-13 was abrogated, however, in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting that IL-13's effect was via synthesis of de novo repressor protein(s). CONCLUSIONS: PMN-derived chemokines are regulated by both proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines. The coordinated production of these substances is likely to be important in the orchestration of inflammatory and immune responses.
Subject(s)
Interleukin-13/physiology , Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins/biosynthesis , Neutrophils/metabolism , Blotting, Northern , Cells, Cultured , Chemokine CCL3 , Chemokine CCL4 , Cycloheximide/pharmacology , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/antagonists & inhibitors , Dactinomycin/pharmacology , Down-Regulation , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Interleukin-13/pharmacology , Interleukin-8/biosynthesis , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Neutrophil Activation , Neutrophils/drug effects , Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
A case of primary mediastinal germ cell tumor, which demonstrated spontaneous regression, is presented. The serum human chorionic gonadotropin level was elevated on admission and then decreased to the normal range with decrease in the size of the anterior mediastinal mass. Thoracotomy was performed with artificial replacement by grafts between the bilateral brachiocephalic veins and the right atrium. Histological diagnosis of combined teratoma with seminoma was made. After subsequent chemotherapy, the patient has remained alive without recurrence for over 10 years.
Subject(s)
Germinoma/physiopathology , Mediastinal Neoplasms/physiopathology , Adult , Combined Modality Therapy , Germinoma/drug therapy , Germinoma/surgery , Humans , Male , Mediastinal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Mediastinal Neoplasms/surgery , Neoplasm Regression, SpontaneousABSTRACT
A 39-year-old woman, who suffered from a sudden episode of severe left-sided back pain, was admitted to our hospital because of hemothorax. Chest CT scans revealed a mass extending from the left hilum to the posterior thoracic wall. The mass occluded the left pulmonary artery at the left main bronchus. Examination of a frozen section of a specimen obtained during a thoracotomy showed a sarcomatous tumor. A left pneumonectomy was then performed. Microscopic examination of a specimen revealed that the tumor was composed of spindle cells with cellular atypia and mitosis forming fascicles and storiform arrays. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (storiform-pleomorphic pattern) was diagnosed. Chemotherapy was carried out six times during the year after surgery. No recurrence of the tumor has been seen during 20 months of follow-up.
Subject(s)
Hemothorax/etiology , Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/complications , Lung Neoplasms/complications , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Dacarbazine/administration & dosage , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Female , Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/therapy , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Pneumonectomy , Vincristine/administration & dosageABSTRACT
We report two cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome with pulmonary involvement, in which open lung biopsies were done. The patient in the first case was a 58-year-old woman and the patient in the second case was a 54-year-old woman. Both patients were admitted to our hospital because of dry coughing and exertional dyspnea. Chest X-ray films and CT scans showed interstitial shadows in both cases and multiple bullae in the first case. Pulmonary-function tests showed decreased diffusing capacity, and examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed increased percentages of lymphocytes. Open-lung biopsy specimens showed thickening of the alveolar septa and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration, composed predominantly of lymphocytes, with lymphoid follicles in both cases, and peribronchiolar mononuclear cell infiltration in the first case. Therefore, the histopathological diagnosis was cellular interstitial pneumonia with lymphoid follicles. Both patients were treated with oral corticosteroids. Symptoms were relieved and laboratory findings improved.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases/pathology , Lung/pathology , Sjogren's Syndrome/pathology , Biopsy , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The clinical study and in vitro study used with leukocytes were made of a case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis induced by shrimp. A 26-year-old man experienced anaphylactic reaction of nasal obstruction, face edema and dyspnea while running 90 minutes after eating shrimp. He experienced similar episodes two years ago in his past history. IgE-RAST was positive for shrimp. Anaphylactic reaction and elevation of plasma histamine levels were verified by exercise challenge test after eating 100 g shrimp. At the same time, we verified the dedine of plasma cAMP levels after eating shrimp. In leukocyte stimulating test used with shrimp antigen, histamine level elevations, which were lower compared with calcium ionophore A23187 (Ca I 10(-6) M) stimulation, were recognized in dose dependent manner in this patient. But in normal subject, histamine level elevations were not recognized. We diagnosed him food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. It was suggested that there was relation between histamine release and decline of cAMP levels of plasma after eating shrimp in this case.
