Role of the D1A dopamine receptor in the pathogenesis of genetic hypertension.

Since dopamine produced by the kidney is an intrarenal regulator of sodium transport, an abnormality of the dopaminergic system may be important in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), in spite of normal renal production of dopamine and receptor density, there is defective transduction of the D1 receptor signal in renal proximal tubules, resulting in decreased inhibition of sodium transport (Na+/H+ exchanger [NHE] and Na+/K+ATPase activity) by dopamine. To determine if impaired D1 receptor regulation of NHE in proximal tubules is related to hypertension, studies were performed in a F2 generation from female Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and male SHR crosses. A D1 agonist, SKF 81297, inhibited (37.6 +/- 4.7%) NHE activity in brush border membranes of normotensive F2s (systolic blood pressure < 140 mm Hg, n = 7) but not in hypertensive F2s (n = 21). Furthermore, a D1 agonist, SKF 38393, when infused into the renal artery, dose dependently increased sodium excretion in normotensive F2s (n = 3) without altering renal blood flow but was inactive in hypertensive F2s (n = 21). Since the major D1 receptor gene expressed in renal proximal tubules is the D1A subtype, we determined the importance of this gene in the control of blood pressure in mice lacking functional D1A receptors. Systolic blood pressure was greater in homozygous (n = 6) and heterozygous (n = 5) mice compared to normal sex matched litter mate controls (n = 12); moreover, the mice lacking one or both D1A alleles developed diastolic hypertension. The cosegregation with hypertension of an impaired D1 receptor regulation of renal sodium transport and the development of elevated systolic and diastolic pressure in mice lacking one or both D1A alleles suggest a causal relationship of the D1A receptor gene with hypertension.

[In vitro proliferation of human bone marrow cells--inhibition by components of Candida albicans]. / In-vitro-Proliferation menschlicher Knochenmarkzellen--Hemmung durch Candida-albicans-Bestandteile.

Candida albicans (CA) components influence the proliferation of human bone marrow cells in vitro (colony-forming assay). Number of colonies per 10(5) bone marrow cells after cultivation with rHuGM-CSF (maximal plateau colony formation): 46.2 +/- 9.1 (n = 6); after cultivation with rHuGM-CSF in combination with CA proteins: 0.05 mg protein/ml: 33.4 +/- 4.6 (n = 3); 0.10 mg protein/ml: 20.8 +/- 3.6 (n = 3).

[Precipitating keratin antibodies in psoriasis vulgaris]. / Präzipitierende Keratin-Antikörper bei Psoriasis vulgaris.

A microprecipitation method was used to test sera of psoriasis patients and control persons for precipitating keratin interfilament antibody (KIF-Ab). Precipitating KIF-Ab were detected in 83% of the psoriasis patients. The sera of only 20.5% of controls without dermatological diseases and 40% of nonpsoriatic patients contained KIF-Ab. The mean KIF-Ab titer of the control and psoriasis group did not differ significantly. The different therapy had different effects on the detectability of precipitating KIF-Ab. Upon completion of dithranol treatment and clinical healing, all sera reacted with KIF from psoriasis scales (pso-sc). PUVA treatment lowered the Ab-titer as well as the number of seropositive sera. These results were confirmed by means of immunoblot and immunodot techniques. Sera from psoriasis patients contained Ab of the IgG and IgM-types against 65, 55 and 45 kD proteins. KIF-IgA-Ab were found frequently in the cases of severe forms of psoriasis.

[Phototherapy of parapsoriasis]. / Fototherapie der Parapsoriasis.

The effectiveness of photo(chemo)therapy was tested on 69 patients with different forms of parapsoriasis (parapsoriasis guttata, n = 14; pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, n = 6; and parapsoriasis en plaques, n = 49). The forms of parapsoriasis differed in their response to phototherapy and in their relapse rates. Whereas parapsoriasis guttata can be regarded as a definite indication for UVA therapy, much higher UVA doses are required for pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis and the probability of relapses is higher. It was not possible to interrupt the relapsing course of parapsoriasis en plaqes in the majority of patients. Relapses occurred within 7 months in 63.2% of the cases. A healing effect that lasted for more than one year was achieved only in 18 patients.

[Cryptococcosis of the skin]. / Hautkryptokokkose.

In a woman patient who had received a kidney transplant 9 years previously, we diagnosed a cryptococcosis of the skin on the right arm. The results of clinical and mycological investigations and the forms of treatment applied are discussed.

[Actinic keratoses--sequelae of long-term PUVA therapy]. / Aktinische Keratosen--Folgen einer PUVA-Langzeittherapie.

Multiple actinic keratoses occurred on skin regions that were not exposed to the sun in one (0.15%) of 672 psoriasis patients receiving long term PUVA treatment after receiving a cumulative UVA dose of 883 J/cm2. Apart from skin type II, no risk factors were found. Besides clinical signs of chronic, light-induced skin damage, there were minor indications of epidermal dystrophy. Acantholysis was abnormally common in the regions affected by actinic keratosis.

[Re-expression of the sheep red blood cell receptor--a diagnostic marker of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas?]. / Reexpression des SRBC-Rezeptors--ein diagnostisches Merkmal kutaner T-Zell-Lymphome?

T-Lymphocytes of 5 patients with cutaneous T-cell-lymphomas showed after trypsinization and incubation with a purified dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE) and transfer factor (TF) respectively a decreased and delayed reexpression of the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) receptor. The suitability of these test as diagnostic acid for early recognition of CTCL was investigated.

[North American blastomycosis]. / Nordamerikanische Blastomykose.

We report the case of an African patient with North American blastomycosis. The clinical and mycological results and presented and the therapy explained.