[Fractalkine--structure, functions and biological activity]. / Fraktalkina--budowa, wlasnosci i biologiczna rola.

Although chemokines, as chemotactic factors, were already known in 70's of the past century, it was only the progress in molecular biology, genetics and immunology which occurred in the past few years that opened the way to discover new molecules, their chemical structure and biological functions. Fkn (fractalkine, CX3CL1) is a unique chemokine and the only representative of CX3C group. It exists as a membrane-bound and soluble form. It interacts with cells expressing CX3CR1, a G-coupled protein receptor. The polymorphism of CX3CR1 gene modulates Fkn affinity to its receptror, which influences the risk of development and progression of various diseases. Its unique character is determined by its functions. Fkn is not only a chemotactic factor, but it also participates in leukocyte trafficking, adhesion and cytotoxic activities, modulates expression of cytokines, adhesion molecules, free oxygen radicals, iNOS and influences apoptosis. Its elucidation should not only help understanding of molecular events occurring in many autoimmune inflammatory, neoplasmatic diseases, but would allow to use Fkn, its receptor, or anti-Fkn antibodies in treatment of those diseases.

[Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) in inflammatory process]. / Bialko adhezji naczyniowej-1 (VAP-1) w procesie zapalnym.

VAP-1 is an adhesion molecule expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. It plays an important role in the adhesion and migration of leukocytes to the sites of inflammation. The purpose of this article is to present current knowledge of structure, biological function of VAP-1 and its use in clinical practice.

[Intercellular adhesion molecules sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sICAM-3 and IFNgamma in neuroborreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis]. / Czasteczki adhezji miedzykomórkowej sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sICAM-3 oraz IFNgamma w neuroboreliozie i kleszczowym zapaleniu mózgu.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum and CSF concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecules sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sICAM-3 and proinflammatory cytokine IFNgamma in patients with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and neuroborreliosis. METHODS: The study group consisted of 40: 20 with TBE meningitis and 20 with Lyme meningitis. The serum and CSF levels of adhesion molecules and IFNgamma were determined by ELISA assay twice: before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment the concentrations of adhesion molecules and IFNgamma in serum as well as in CSF were significantly higher in both studied groups than in control group (with the exception of the serum level of sICAM-2 in TBE group). After the treatment, the serum parameters in TBE group decreased to the control level. CSF levels were also reduced, but still remained higher than in the control group. In patients with neuroborreliosis serum concentration of sICAM-1 and sICAM-2 did not change as compared with its level before treatment but other studied parameters in serum and CSF decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study confirm the participation of intercellular adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of viral (TBE) and bacterial (neuroborreliosis) neuroinfections.

[Concentration of interleukin-18, interleukin-1beta, soluble receptor for interleukin-1 (sIL-1RII) and C-reactive protein in patients with neuroborreliosis]. / Ocena stezenia interleukiny-18, interleukiny-1beta, rozpuszczalnego receptora dla interleukiny-1 (sIL-1RII) oraz bialka C-reaktywnego u chorych z neuroborelioza.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and its soluble receptor sIL-1RII in the pathogenesis of neuroborreliosis as well as the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) determination in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of Lyme neuroborreliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 20 patients with Lyme meningitis (age range 16-72 years, mean age 42.6 years). For measurements of IL-18, IL-1beta and sIL-1RII levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) the control group consisted of 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with infection of the central nervous system ruled out, respectively. Cytokines and sIL-1RII levels in serum and CSF were measured twice, before and after the 30-day treatment period. Serum and CSF levels of IL-18, IL-1beta and sIL-1RII were measured using ELISA, and CRP serum levels were measured using the immunoturbidimetric method. RESULTS: Before the treatment the concentration of IL-18, IL-1beta and sIL-1RII in serum as well as in CSF was significantly higher as compared to the controls. After the treatment end the level of IL-18, IL-1beta and sIL-1RII was reduced but the serum level of sIL-1RII and CSF level of IL-18 and sIL-1RII remained significantly higher than in the control group. The serum level of CRP was increased only in 15% of patients and after the treatment CRP concentration returned to a basal level (except one patient in whom CRP was slightly higher than in the control group). No correlation between CRP and IL-18, IL-1beta and sIL-1RII was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the involvement of IL-18, IL-1beta and sIL-1RII in the pathogenesis of neuroborreliosis and uselessness of CRP determination in the diagnosis of Lyme meningitis.

[Structure and biologic function of IFNgamma]. / Budowa i biologiczna rola IFNgamma.

IFNgamma is a pro-inflammatory, pleiotropic cytokine mainly produced by the CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes and NK cells, that play an important role in macrophage activation, antigen presentation enhance and induce innate, and acquired immune responses. IFNgamma by interaction with they cell-surface receptors (IFNgammaR) activates cellular effects including stimulation of antiviral and antimicrobial mechanisms, inhibition of cellular proliferation, regulates cells apoptosis and leukocyte trafficing to sites of inflammation. The purpose of this article is to present the current understending of structure and biological function of IFNgamma in the light of current opinions regarding this matter.

[Role of interleukin-18, interleukin-1beta and its soluble receptor (sIL-1RII) in early and late Lyme borreliosis]. / Udzial interleukiny 18, interleukiny 1beta i jej rozpuszczalnego receptora (sIL-1RII) u chorych we wczesnej i póznej postaci boreliozy z Lyme.

Although borreliosis was first described as a separate entity more than 20 years ago its pathogenesis still remains unknown. In recent years the role of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of borreliosis has been discussed. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of IL-1beta, IL-18 and sIL-1RII in the development of early and late stages of borreliosis. The study group consisted of 60 patients divided into 3 groups: patients with erythema migrans, Lyme arthritis and neuroborreliosis. In all groups serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-18 and sIL-1RII were determined and in the patients with neuroborreliosis additionally in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The levels of cytokines and sIL-1RII were measured before the start of treatment and after its termination. Before the treatment the levels of IL-1beta, IL-18 and sIL-1RII in serum and CSF were significantly higher in all studied groups compared with the control. After the treatment, despite the regression of the clinical symptoms and significant reduction of initially high levels of the cytokines and sIL-1RII, only the levels of IL-1beta in all patients and the serum level of IL-18 in the patients with neuroborreliosis were comparable with the values in the control group. It could suggest that the inflammatory process was not inhibited completely and confirms the role of IL-1beta, IL-18 and sIL-1RII in the pathogenesis of borreliosis.

[ICAM-1: structure, biological role and clinical significance]. / ICAM-1: budowa, rola biologiczna i znaczenie w praktyce klinicznej.

ICAM-1 is an immunoglobulin-like protein expressed on the surface of several cell types including endothelial cells and cells involved in the immune response. It plays an important role in the adhesion and migration of leukocytes to the sites of inflammation. ICAM-1 is expressed as membrane-bound and soluble form. The latter was detected in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid in the course of infectious, autoimmune as well as proliferative diseases. This article describes the role of ICAM-1 in the pathogenesis of various disease entities and its clinical significance.