ABSTRACT
Aquaporins are a family of homologous membrane proteins that function as highly selective water channels. Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is uniquely present in lacrimal and salivary glands, where it accounts for normal tear and saliva production. We tested the hypothesis that orally administered human interferon-alpha (HuIFN-alpha) benefits persons with xerostomia by augmenting the production of AQP5 protein by parotid gland epithelium. Cells from three human parotid glands were cultured with and without human lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha, and assayed for AQP5 mRNA levels by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and AQP5 protein levels by Western blot. Intracellular localization of AQP5 protein was done using confocal microscopy. The functional integrity of the glandular tissue was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis of alpha-amylase 1 and basic proline-rich protein transcripts. AQP5 was constitutively expressed in human parotid gland tissue, with AQP5 protein restricted to the plasma membranes and cytoplasmic vesicles of acinar cells. IFN-alpha augmented AQP5 transcription and protein production in a concentration-dependent manner, and increased the size of intensity of staining of AQP5-containing cytoplasmic vesicles in acinar cells. We conclude that IFN-alpha upregulates AQP5 gene expression in human parotid acinar cells in vitro. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that IFN-alpha regulates the gene expression of an aquaporin.
Subject(s)
Aquaporins/genetics , Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use , Membrane Proteins , Parotid Gland/drug effects , Administration, Oral , Aquaporin 5 , Cells, Cultured , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Gene Expression/drug effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Parotid Gland/cytology , Parotid Gland/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Orbital cellulitis as a complication of ophthalmic surgery is uncommon. We treated a patient who had orbital cellulitis and cavernous sinus thrombosis three weeks after uncomplicated cataract extraction and lens implantation. Sinus x-rays showed sphenoid sinus opacification. Computed tomographic scan confirmed the sphenoid sinus disease, and no abscess was found. The patient recovered completely after treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Most orbital cellulitis is secondary to sinus disease. The trauma of surgery and the retrobulbar block must be considered possible causative factors in this patient, but sinus disease is still the most likely cause. Intraocular inflammation did not increase during the illness although the intraocular pressure rose from 14 to 23mmHg.
Subject(s)
Cataract Extraction/adverse effects , Cavernous Sinus , Cellulitis/etiology , Lenses, Intraocular/adverse effects , Orbital Diseases/etiology , Thrombosis/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications , Sphenoid Sinusitis/etiologySubject(s)
Mouth Neoplasms , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms , Pharyngeal Neoplasms , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Mouth Neoplasms/diagnosis , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Pharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Pharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
There are many known complications of tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration. A patient developed hypertrophic scarring with subsequent vocal failure, an as yet unreported complication.
