Identification of GP2, the major zymogen granule membrane glycoprotein, as the autoantigen of pancreatic antibodies in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aetiopathogenesis of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is not yet fully understood. Autoimmune mechanisms are thought to play a role in the development of Crohn's disease, but the target antigens and the underlying pathways have not been sufficiently identified. METHODS: Based on data from immunoblotting and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, the major antigenic target of pancreatic autoantibodies (PABs), which are specific for Crohn's disease, was identified. Specificity of autoantibody reactivity was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) using purified rat and human recombinant GP2 synthesised in transiently transfected mammalian HEK 293 cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) and IIF were used to detect mRNA and antigen localisation in human colon biopsies. RESULTS: The major zymogen granule membrane glycoprotein 2 (GP2) was identified as the autoantigen of PABs in Crohn's disease. PAB-positive sera from patients with Crohn's disease (n = 42) displayed significantly higher IgG reactivity to rat GP2 in ELISA than either PAB-negative sera (n = 31), or sera from patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 49), or sera from blood donors (n = 69) (p<0.0001, respectively). Twenty-eight (66%) and 18 (43%) of 42 PAB-positive sera demonstrated IgG and IgA reactivity to human recombinant GP2 in IIF, respectively. Patients with PAB-negative Crohn's disease (n = 31) were not reactive. GP2 mRNA transcription was significantly higher in colon biopsies from patients with Crohn's disease (n = 4) compared to patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 4) (p = 0.0286). Immunochemical staining confirmed GP2 expression in human colon biopsies from patients with Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: Anti-GP2 autoantibodies constitute novel Crohn's disease-specific markers, the quantification of which could significantly improve the serological diagnosis of IBD. The expression of GP2 in human enterocytes suggests an important role for anti-GP2 response in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.

Anti-proteasome autoantibodies contribute to anti-nuclear antibody patterns on human larynx carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Autoantibodies to the 20S proteasome represent an unspecific but common serological phenomenon in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, a high prevalence of these antibodies have been observed in patients with connective tissue diseases, where anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) serve as an important diagnostic screening test. OBJECTIVE: To disclose interference of anti-proteasome antibodies with known ANA patterns. METHODS: Anti-proteasome antibodies were isolated for comprehensive immunofluorescence analyses. The immunofluorescence pattern of human anti-proteasome antibodies was compared with a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal reference antibodies, and colocalisation was analysed using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Anti-proteasome antibodies clearly contributed to the ANA patterns of their respective serum samples from patients with different rheumatic disorders. In addition to the nuclear pattern, proteasomal staining was also detectable in the cytoplasm, at the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear regions showing features overlapping with other known autoantibodies such as those to mitochondria. The specificity of anti-proteasome antibodies was proved by competition experiments and by colocalisation with monoclonal reference antibodies in confocal microscopy. CONCLUSION: In ANA diagnostics, interference of anti-proteasome antibodies will have to be taken into account, especially in the differentiation of anti-cytoplasmatic autoantibodies.

Interventional treatment of infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hemangioendothelioma is the most frequent liver tumor in infancy. Untreated symptomatic patients with heart failure have a high mortality rate. Symptomatic forms may request nonoperative treatment, because surgery is burdened with high risks in patients with heart failure. The authors report their experience with interventional coil occlusion of infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma (IHE). METHODS: Four patients (age range, 2 to 146 days; mean, 53 days) suffering from IHE associated with heart failure were treated by endovascular coil occlusion of arterial feeders. Catheter intervention was performed via an arterial (n = 2) or venous (n = 2) approach. RESULTS: Signs of heart failure resolved within 2 to 8 days after occlusion in 3 patients. Tumor regression could be observed sonographically within 4 weeks postinterventionally. In 3 children, tumor size was reduced from a mean of 544 mL (65 to 1,350) to a mean of 4 mL (2 to 6); Mean systolic peak velocity in the hepatic artery was decreased from 170 cm/s (140 to 200) before occlusion to 45 cm/s (36 to 70) during follow-up. In the fourth patient, endovascular intervention could not control a rapidly progressing hemangioendotheliomatosis, and finally a liver transplantation had to be performed. CONCLUSIONS: Interventional occlusion of feeding arteries in symptomatic IHE is a safe and effective alternative to early open surgery. The efficacy of endovascular intervention in multifocal tumors seems questionable.

Multicentre analysis of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in children following treatment according to the nephroblastoma studies SIOP No.9/GPOH and SIOP 93-01/GPOH.

BACKGROUND: To study cardiac function and the incidence of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in children following treatment according to the nephroblastoma studies SIOP No.9/GPOH and SIOP 93-01/GPOH. PROCEDURE: Analysis of clinical status, echocardiography, and ECG findings prior to administration of anthracyclines (median cumulative doxorubicin dose: 250 mg/m(2) [range: 90-411 mg/m(2)] and after a median posttherapeutic interval of 2.9 years [range: 0-10.2 years]. Data on cardiac function before and/or after therapy could be obtained of 186 patients. RESULTS: Posttherapy left ventricular fractional shortening was reduced in 4/157 (2.5%) patients. Out of the 4 children, 2 had clinically reduced tolerance to exercise and received anticongestive therapy. Abnormal ECG findings that were not detectable prior to therapy were found in 7/124 (5.6%) children. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of abnormal findings is low in our study group in comparison to data from the literature and might be due to the comparably short posttherapeutic interval.

[Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects with the CardioSEAL occluder]. / Katheterinterventioneller Verschluss von Vorhofseptum-Defekten mit dem CardioSEAL-Okkluder.

Data on mid- and long-term follow-up for the recent devices for closure of secundum-type atrial septal defects are limited. The purpose of our retrospective study was to report the effectiveness of transcatheter closure in patients with various morphological types of atrial septal defect other than centrally located defects within the oval fossa using the CardioSEAL and CardioSEAL-Starflex occluder. A total of 91 patients (age 1.5-71 years, median 6 years) underwent transcatheter closure. On the transesophageal echocardiogram, defect size varied from 6 to 18 mm with an estimated stretched diameter of 11 to 24 mm, median 15 mm; the ratio of the stretched diameter to septal length ranged from 0.28 to 0.68. Mean follow-up was 28.7 +/- 11,9 months (range 3-46 months). Isolated secundum-type defects were present in 59 patients (65%), multiple septal defects including patients with perforated atrial septal aneurysms and defects with deficient atrial rim in 32 patients (35%). Occlusion rate using device diameters from 23 to 40 mm increased from 66% (60/91 patients) immediately after implantation to 86% (48/56 patients) 24 months after implantation. Patients with isolated secundum-type defects presented with a significantly higher primary closure rate (45/59 patients, 76%) compared to patients with various defect morphology. Closure rate did not depend on the type of implanted device modification. No thrombus formation, sustained atrial arrhythmia or infective endocarditis occurred. Serial transthoracic echocardiographic findings revealed protrusion of one left-sided arm onto the right atrial aspect in 5 patients; malposition of one right-sided superior arm of the device was observed in 7 patients. Fluoroscopy showed single fatigue fracture in 7 patients (7.7%) within the first 6 months after implantation. These results demonstrate that transcatheter closure with the double umbrella device was effective and safe on medium-term follow-up and could be extended to atrial septal defects of various morphology.

[Systemic lupus erythematosus-associated endocarditis in a 7-years-old girl]. / Lupus erythematodes-assoziierte Endokarditis bei einem 7 Jahre alten Mädchen.

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease, caused by a fault of the immune regulation. The etiology of the SLE is still unknown, a possible virus infection is discussed. Libman Sacks endokarditis is the most important cardiac manifestation of this illness. Diagnosis, therapy and clinical course of a 7 years old so far healthy girl, which suffered from an acute Libman-Sacks-Endocarditis, are presented.

Strong acceleration of murine lupus by injection of the SmD1(83-119) peptide.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms of IgG anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody induction are incompletely understood. We recently demonstrated a high prevalence of autoantibodies to the C-terminus of SmD1 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that was closely associated with anti-dsDNA reactivity. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of the SmD1 C-terminus on the generation of pathogenic anti-dsDNA antibodies in a murine model of SLE. METHODS: Female lupus-prone prenephritic (NZB x NZW)F1 mice (NZB/NZW mice) as well as female control BALB/c, NZW, and (BALB/c x NZW)F, mice (CWF1 mice) were subcutaneously injected with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-coupled SmD1(83-119). Controls received injections of recombinant SmD1 (rSmD1), KLH-rSmD1, KLH-coupled randomized peptide of SmD1(83-119), ovalbumin, or saline. Animals were monitored for survival and proteinuria and for levels of plasma creatinine, urea, and autoantibodies. In addition, histologic examinations were performed and T cell responses against SmD1(83-119) peptide and rSmD1 protein were determined in SmD1(83-119)-treated and -untreated NZB/NZW mice. RESULTS: Immunization with KLH-SmD1(83-119), but not with control peptide, significantly accelerated the natural course of lupus in NZB/NZW mice, with premature renal failure and increased development of anti-dsDNA antibodies. Control strains of mice remained healthy, with no relevant anti-SmD1(83-119) antibodies detectable even after immunization. In contrast to findings in control mice, a T cell response against SmD1(83-119) was already present in unmanipulated NZB/NZW mice, and this response was further amplified after immunization. CONCLUSION: The SmD1(83-119) peptide can influence the pathogenic anti-dsDNA response in the NZB/NZW murine lupus model. The data suggest that an SmD1(83-119)-specific T cell response is critical. Therefore, modulation of these autoantigen-specific T cells by tolerance induction may provide a therapeutic approach to specific immunosuppression in lupus.

A novel approach to temporary stenting: degradable cardiovascular stents produced from corrodible metal-results 6-18 months after implantation into New Zealand white rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether corrodible materials may be safely used as biodegradable cardiovascular implants. DESIGN: Corrodible iron stents (> 99.8% iron) were produced from pure iron and laser cut with a stent design similar to a commercially available permanent stent (PUVA-AS16). A total of 16 NOR-I stents were implanted into the native descending aorta of 16 New Zealand white rabbits (mean luminal diameter at the implantation site 3.4 mm, balloon diameter to vessel diameter ratio 1.13). RESULTS: No thromboembolic complications and no adverse events occurred during the follow up of 6-18 months. All stents were patent at repeat angiography after 6 (n = 9), 12 (n = 5), and 18 months (n = 2) with no significant neointimal proliferation, no pronounced inflammatory response, and no systemic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This initial in vivo experience suggests that degradable iron stents can be safely implanted without significant obstruction of the stented vessel caused by inflammation, neointimal proliferation, or thrombotic events.

Primary repair of tetralogy of fallot in infancy--the effect on growth of the pulmonary arteries and the risk for late reinterventions.

We sought to analyse the long-term follow-up after primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy in the first year of life, paying particular attention to growth of the pulmonary arteries and the need for reintervention. We performed a combined retro- and prospective echocardiographic study, including measurements of the pulmonary valve and right and left pulmonary arteries, indexed to the square root of body surface area, in 62 patients prior to primary repair, 18 to 24 months after this event, and at the most recent follow-up, with a mean of 80.4+/-24 months. Of these, 38 patients, with an age at operation of 5.0+/-3.4 months, had presented preoperatively with hypoxic spells or increasing cyanosis. The remaining 24 patients had been asymptomatic, with adequate flow of blood to the lungs. Their age at elective operation was 7.4+/-3.0 months. A transannular patch was needed in 37 patients (63%). There were 3 early postoperative deaths (4.8%). Cross-sectional echocardiography revealed a significantly smaller diameter for the pulmonary valve in patients who had been symptomatic preoperatively compared to the asymptomatic patients (1.09 versus 1.3 cm/BSA0.5; p = 0.019). The diameters of the right and left pulmonary arteries did not differ significantly between the groups. Examination of echocardiographic data obtained 18 to 24 months postoperatively in 43 patients revealed a significant increase in the diameter of the pulmonary arteries; 0.83+/-0.17 cm/BSA0.5 versus 1.1+/-0.26 cm/BSA0.5 for the diameter of the right pulmonary artery, 0.85+/-0.2 cm/BSA0.5 versus 1.0+/-0.25 cm/BSA0.5 for the left pulmonary artery. On comparison between individuals, 18.6% and 25.6% of the patients, respectively, did not show any change in the diameters of their right and left pulmonary arteries, whereas the increase in diameter reached or exceeded the measurements in normal controls in 55.8% and 46.5% of the patients, respectively. On recent follow-up, with a range from 56 to 147 months, no further increase in the indexed diameters of the pulmonaries could be documented in 21 of 33 patients. Of these, 9.1% and 18.2%, respectively, presented with small right and left pulmonary arteries compared with measurements obtained in normal controls. Moderate pulmonary incompetence was found on colour flow mapping in one-third. Of 56 longterm survivors, 8 (14%) had required reinterventions, which were surgical in 6 and achieved by transcatheter techniques in the other 2 patients. Thus, primary correction of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy, with restoration of normal pressures and flows, resulted in sustained increase in the diameters of the right and left pulmonary arteries. It allowed for early normal development of the proximal pulmonary arterial system in most patients regardless of their age and symptomatic status at operation. Patients with persistent subnormal diameter of the pulmonary arteries did not present with significantly elevated right ventricular pressure. Early one-stage repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy was associated with a low rate of reinterventions.

[A new combined surgical interventional method for univentricular palliation of congenital heart defects]. / Eine neue kombinierte chirurgisch-interventionelle Methode zur univentrikulären Palliation angeborener Herzfehler.

UNLABELLED: Total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis is frequently performed to palliate patients with a broad variety of congenital heart defects with functionally univentricular hearts precluding biventricular circulation. In patients with risk factors for primary repair a stepwise approach is frequently chosen with initial creation of an aorto-pulmonary shunt followed by a Glenn anastomosis or hemifontan procedure. Finally a total cavo-pulmonary connection is completed surgically. The aim of this feasibility study was to develop a combined surgical-interventional approach for creation of a total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis which reduces the number of surgical interventions, precludes extracorporeal circulation and intracardiac sutures, putting the patients at risk for subsequent rhythm disturbances. METHODS: A Glenn anastomosis was created in 10 sheep without cardio-pulmonary bypass. The superior vena cava was banded superior to the cavo-atrial junction leaving a minimal lumen for subsequent interventional balloon dilatation and implantation of a stent graft. A 15 mm Gore-Tex tube was sutured around the inferior vena cava intrapericardially to provide resistance for subsequent interventional stent implantation. Total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis was completed interventionally by dilating the banded vena cava superior and connection of the inferior vena cava to the superior vena cava by implanting an Aneurx covered stent graft. RESULTS: All animals survived the combined surgical-interventional procedure. Stent deployment was possible without causing obstruction to the hepatic veins. Neither stent dislocation nor rhythm disturbances were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis can be achieved without intracardiac sutures and cardio-pulmonary bypass by use of a combined surgical-interventional approach using the Aneurx covered stent graft.

[Late complications after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect]. / Spätkomplikation nach katheterinterventionellem Vorhofseptumdefektverschluss.

The transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects is generally accepted as an alternative to surgical therapy in selected patients. Potential complications of these devices are a matter of concern, as well as the very complicated implantation technique required for some systems. We report on a 17 year old patient in whom embolization of a fractured umbrella arm into a peripheral branch of the left pulmonary artery occurred. A 35 mm-ASDOS-Device (protected trademark of the Dr. Osypka GmbH/Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany) had been implanted 4 years ago. The perfusion scintigraphy of the left lung showed normal pulmonary blood flow. Echocardiography failed to demonstrate instability of the double-umbrella device. The patient was always free of any symptoms. Due to the permanent stresses between device and heart, late fractures of the device and embolizations of fragments are possible. It can be concluded that patients who underwent transcatheter closure of an ASD require lifelong follow-up.

Transcatheter occlusion of a large pulmonary arteriovenous malformation with use of a Cardioseal device.

Large pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) carry a significant risk of neurologic complications and present technical difficulties in transcatheter treatment with use of coils or detachable balloons. A 26-year-old man with a giant PAVM, who had undergone unsuccessful attempted closure with use of a Gianturco-Grifka occlusion device in the past, underwent successful transcatheter embolization with two Cardioseal double umbrella devices designed for occlusion of intracardiac communications. The procedure was technically easy, had no complications, and provided sustained improvement in arterial saturation and exercise tolerance during follow-up. Transcatheter double umbrella device occlusion of large arteriovenous malformations is feasible and should be considered, especially for very large fistulas.

Transcatheter recanalization of the left main pulmonary artery after four years of complete occlusion.

A technique for transcatheter "reconstruction" of a completely occluded left pulmonary artery using radiofrequency perforation with subsequent balloon dilation and stent implantation is reported in a 7-year-old child. It is shown that transcatheter radiofrequency perforation can still be effective years after the occlusion of a vessel.

Abbreviated combined anatomical/electrophysiological approach for catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in children.

Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia was proven during electrophysiologic study in 41 children, aged from 3.7 to 16 years, who were referred for catheter ablation of symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia. Using an abbreviated combined anatomical and electrogram-guided approach for selective ablation of the slow pathway, a steerable ablation catheter was placed at the inferior region of the vestibule of the tricuspid valve close to the orifice of the coronary sinus, with the intention of recording a multicomponent local atrial electrogramm during sinus rhythm. If application of radiofrequency current of 500 kHz at 70 degrees C at this site did not result in a slowly accelerated junctional rhythm, at a rate of less than 120 beats per minute, the catheter was stepwise advanced up to a position midway towards the apex of the triangle of Koch for additional applications of energy. Ablation was achieved in 35 of the patients. In 6 patients, the slow pathway was modulated such that the tachycardia could no longer be induced. The number of applications of energy ranged from 1 to 19, with a median of 6 applications. The mean period of fluoroscopy was reduced to 15.6 (4.3 to 39.8) minutes, while the overall duration of the catheterization procedures ranged from 88 to 280 (mean 173.2) minutes. In none of the patients did we observe permanent high grade atrioventricular block. During follow-up over a mean of 4.1 years, two patients had recurrence of tachycardia, corresponding to a 95% rate of success in the midterm. We conclude that selective radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway using the abbreviated anatomical and electrophysiological approach is a safe and curative therapeutic approach in children with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Periods required for fluoroscopy can be significantly reduced, and mid-term results are excellent.

Transcatheter closure of various types of defects within the oval fossa using the double umbrella device (CardioSEAL)--feasibility and echocardiographic follow-up.

Data on long-term follow-up for closure of so-called secundum type" atrial septal defects within the oval fossa using recently developed devices are limited, and results focused on presence of residual shunting. The purpose of our study was to report the experience from a single center establishing the effectiveness of transcatheter closure in patients with various types of defect other than those located centrally within the oval fossa. A total of 72 patients was included in this study. On transesophageal echocardiography, the size of the defects varied from 6 to 18 mm, with estimation of the stretched diameter from 11 to 21 mm. The ratio of stretched diameter to the extent of the residual septum ranged from 0.28 to 0.54. Mean follow-up was 30.5+7.4 months, with a range from 13 to 42 months. The rate of closure using devices with diameters from 28 to 40 mm increased from 80% immediately after implantation to 93% in the 57 patients examined 24 months after implantation. For further analysis, we compared the 44 patients with a solitary, centrally located, defect to 28 having morphological variations, including superiorly located defects with deficient superior and aortic rims, multifenestrated and aneurysmal defects, or isolated additional defects. There was no incidence of formation of thrombus, sustained atrial arrhythmia, or infective endocarditis. Residual shunting was not influenced by location or morphology of the defects, but increased with size, stretched diameter, and the ratio of pulmonary to systemic flows. Serial transthoracic echocardiographic findings revealed malposition of one right-sided superior arm of the device in 8 patients, while protrusion of one left-sided arm onto the right atrial aspect was observed in 3 patients. Fluoroscopy showed fatigue fracture of a single arm in 7 patients (9.7%) within the first 6 months after implantation. These results demonstrate that transcatheter closure with the non self-centering double umbrella device was effective and safe on medium-term follow-up, and could be extended to defects within the oval fossa having various morphologies. Residual shunting resolved with time, and was not related to either morphology or the position of the device.

Coronary artery stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways in children with Ebstein's malformation.

BACKGROUND: Complications concerning the coronary arteries that are directly related to radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures have not been reported in children. Coronary artery lesions, however, have been demonstrated after the endocardial application of radiofrequency current in young animals. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two boys with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve developed clinically asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation of right-sided accessory atrioventricular pathways with standard catheter technology. CONCLUSIONS: The complication of coronary artery stenosis demonstrates a substantial risk after right atrial free wall radiofrequency current application in children. The risk of late coronary alterations should be considered when the use of catheter ablation procedures to young patients is proposed.

Experimental preseeding of the STARFlex atrial septal occluder device with autologous cells.

Devices used in interventional cardiology are permanent implants. However, most of the devices fulfill only a temporary function. For example, atrial septal defect (ASD) occluders serve as mechanical shields until complete in- and overgrowth of the occluding device by endogenous tissue from the defect edges has occurred. Thereafter, the foreign body material of the devices is no longer needed and bears potential long-term adverse effects. The concept of "biodegradable" occluder devices that act as transient mechanical shields to close the defects and as scaffolds for overgrowth with autologous tissue is, therefore, tempting. Since rapid and complete ingrowth as well as coverage by firm tissue is a prerequisite for any such "biological" occluder devices, the feasibility and short-term in vivo response to STARFlex devices preceeded with autologous cells was studied in an experimental sheep model. The experiments demonstrated that autologous cell preceeding of cardiovascular implants is technically feasible. Cells survived the mechanical stress of device implantation. A precoating of conventional STARFlex occluders led to an increased cellular density after cell seeding of the device, an increased resistance of the precultured cytolayer against mechanical stress, and a significantly higher poststress viability of "implanted" cells. Experimental closure of ASD using autologous-cell preseeded STARFlex devices was uncomplicated. In the sheep model this led to rapid, complete, and firm ingrowth of the device into the adjacent atrial tissue. A thicker layer of young fibrous granulation tissue in organization was found on the preceeded devices compared with the unseeded control group after 4 weeks in vivo. Currently, an increased thrombogenicity limits in vivo application.