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1.
Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed ; 115(Suppl 3): 132-138, 2020 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33156352

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The clinical manifestation of COVID-19 is nonspecific and varies greatly, which makes it more difficult to discriminate from other (virus) infections. Neither individual findings nor combinations of findings are specific enough to be able to diagnose COVID-19 with a high degree of certainty. The goal was to identify patients in the emergency department, who are at risk for COVID-19 disease, early by using a score, so that they could be isolated pre-emptively. METHOD: Development and implementation of a symptom-based COVID-19 score based on a multicentric retrospective evaluation in three German emergency departments from 9 March until 30 April 2020 of patients suspected of having COVID-19 and subsequent SARS-CoV­2 PCR testing. RESULTS: The study population included 697 patients and 9.4% of these patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. A COVID-19 score of ≥5 points was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of illness. The sensitivity of the score was 98.4% with a moderate specificity of 48.3%. DISCUSSION: The score, which is easy to obtain during the initial assessment, supports the assessment of the pretest probability for a COVID-19 infection as part of the risk stratification and can influence the treatment pathway in terms of pre-emptive isolation, PCR testing and other treatment options at an early stage. Due to the nonspecific symptoms of the disease; however, it must be accepted that the goal of high sensitivity results in a relatively low specificity of the score.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Virus Diseases , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , SARS-CoV-2
3.
Int Immunopharmacol ; 35: 127-136, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27039211

ABSTRACT

Passiflora alata Curtis (P. alata) leaves have anti-inflammatory properties; the present study aimed to investigate the anti-diabetogenic properties of P. alata aqueous leaf extract. HPLC analysis identified the phenolic compounds catechin, epicatechin and rutin. The aqueous extract was administered for 30weeks to non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice presenting a decrease of 28.6% in diabetes incidence and the number of inflammatory cells in pancreatic islets, when compared with the control group (water). The P. alata group presented an antioxidant effect and decreased lipid peroxidation in the serum of NOD mice. Increased numbers of insulin-positive cells were also observed in the pancreatic islets of the treated group. The diabetic group exhibited higher levels in the glucose tolerance test and glycemic index, in comparison to the P. alata-treated group and non-diabetic control BALB/c mice. In addition, the P. alata extract reduced the percentage and the proliferation index of NOD mice lymphocytes submitted to in vitro dose/response mitogenic stimulation assays. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of P. alata has anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to the protection of beta cells in pancreatic islets in NOD mice, and presents potential for use a supporting approach to treat type 1 diabetes.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/drug therapy , Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects , Passiflora/immunology , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Cytoprotection , Female , Humans , Insulin/blood , Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred NOD , Plant Leaves
4.
Free Radic Res ; 48(12): 1494-504, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25236567

ABSTRACT

Beta cell destruction in type 1 diabetes (TID) is associated with cellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial pathway of cell death. The aim of this study was to determine whether oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are present in T1D model (non-obese diabetic mouse, NOD) and if they are related to the stages of disease development. NOD mice were studied at three stages: non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and diabetic and compared with age-matched Balb/c mice. Mitochondria respiration rates measured at phosphorylating and resting states in liver and soleus biopsies and in isolated liver mitochondria were similar in NOD and Balb/c mice at the three disease stages. However, NOD liver mitochondria were more susceptible to calcium-induced mitochondrial permeability transition as determined by cyclosporine-A-sensitive swelling and by decreased calcium retention capacity in all three stages of diabetes development. Mitochondria H2O2 production rate was higher in non-diabetic, but unaltered in pre-diabetic and diabetic NOD mice. The global cell reactive oxygen species (ROS), but not specific mitochondria ROS production, was significantly increased in NOD lymphomononuclear and stem cells in all disease stages. In addition, marked elevated rates of 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (H2DCF) oxidation were observed in pancreatic islets from non-diabetic NOD mice. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) and lipidomic approach, we identified oxidized lipid markers in NOD liver mitochondria for each disease stage, most of them being derivatives of diacylglycerols and phospholipids. These results suggest that the cellular oxidative stress precedes the establishment of diabetes and may be the cause of mitochondrial dysfunction that is involved in beta cell death.


Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Animals , Female , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred NOD , Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore , Permeability , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
5.
Int Immunopharmacol ; 18(1): 106-15, 2014 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24269180

ABSTRACT

Leaves of Passiflora alata Curtis were characterized for their antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant analyses of DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, ORAC and phenolic compounds were made in three different extracts: aqueous, methanol/acetone and ethanol. Aqueous extract was found to be the best solvent for recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, when compared with methanol/acetone and ethanol. To study the anti-inflammatory properties of this extract in experimental type 1 diabetes, NOD mice were divided into two groups: the P. alata group, treated with aqueous extract of P. alata Curtis, and a non-treated control group, followed by diabetes expression analysis. The consumption of aqueous extract and water ad libitum lasted 28 weeks. The treated-group presented a decrease in diabetes incidence, a low quantity of infiltrative cells in pancreatic islets and increased glutathione in the kidney and liver (p<0.05), when compared with the diabetic and non-diabetic control-groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that the consumption of aqueous extract of P. alata may be considered a good source of natural antioxidants and compounds found in its composition can act as anti-inflammatory agents, helping in the control of diabetes.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/drug therapy , Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage , Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects , Passiflora/immunology , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Animals , Cell Movement , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD , Oxidative Stress , Passiflora/chemistry , Phenol , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Leaves , Water
6.
Diabetes Res Clin Pract ; 89(3): e39-40, 2010 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20557967

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the occurrence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis as an outcome of type III allergy to insulin in a patient with type II diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis was made on the basis of anatomo-pathological examination of a skin biopsy.


Subject(s)
Hypersensitivity/complications , Immune Complex Diseases/complications , Insulin/immunology , Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous/diagnosis , Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous/etiology , Adult , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/immunology , Humans , Male
7.
Clin Exp Immunol ; 150(3): 422-8, 2007 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17900300

ABSTRACT

Recently we reported that monocyte phagocytosis and chemotaxis are impaired in X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) and common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) patients. Few data exist on the in vivo expression of receptors for the constant region of immunoglobulin (IgG) (Fc gammaR) and complement receptors (CR) in these patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Fc gammaR and CR on monocytes from XLA and CVI patients and compare it to that of healthy controls. Whole blood samples were obtained from 10 patients with XLA, 12 with CVI and 18 healthy controls. Monocyte phenotype was determined by flow cytometry with gating on CD14+ cells. Surface expression of Fc gammaRI (CD64), Fc gammaRII (CD32) and Fc gammaRIII (CD16), CR1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11b and CD18) was measured by determination of the proportion of CD14+ cells positive for each receptor and by receptor density. Compared to controls, a significantly higher percentage of CD16 and CD35+ monocytes from XLA (P = 0.002 and P = 0.007, respectively) were observed. The relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) expression of Fc gammaRII (CD32) and Fc gammaRIII (CD16) were significantly lower on CVI monocytes compared to controls (P = 0.001 and P = 0.035, respectively). XLA patients, who have a reduction of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), showed normal or increased percentages of monocytes expressing Fc gamma and complement receptors. CVI patients, who have normal expression of Btk, showed reduced expression of CD16 and CD32 on monocytes. Inefficient chemotaxis and phagocytosis, reported previously in XLA patients, could be due to defects of cytoplasmatic transduction mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Agammaglobulinemia/immunology , Common Variable Immunodeficiency/immunology , Monocytes/immunology , Receptors, Complement/blood , Receptors, IgG/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Agammaglobulinemia/genetics , Antigens, CD/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , GPI-Linked Proteins , Genetic Diseases, X-Linked/immunology , Humans , Immunophenotyping , Male
8.
Clin Exp Immunol ; 149(3): 570-8, 2007 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17590177

ABSTRACT

We have described previously the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of a DNA vaccine encoding the Mycobacterium leprae 65 kDa heat shock protein (DNA-HSP65) in experimental murine tuberculosis. However, the high homology of this protein to the corresponding mammalian 60 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp60), together with the CpG motifs in the plasmid vector, could trigger or exacerbate the development of autoimmune diseases. The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse develops insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) spontaneously as a consequence of an autoimmune process that leads to destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. IDDM is characterized by increased T helper 1 (Th1) cell responses toward several autoantigens, including Hsp60, glutamic acid decarboxylase and insulin. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of DNA-HSP65 injection to modulate diabetes in NOD mice. Our results show that DNA-HSP65 or DNA empty vector had no diabetogenic effect and actually protected NOD mice against the development of severe diabetes. However, this effect was more pronounced in DNA-HSP65-injected mice. The protective effect of DNA-HSP65 injection was associated with a clear shift in the cellular infiltration pattern in the pancreas. This change included reduction of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells infiltration, appearance of CD25(+) cells influx and an increased staining for interleukin (IL)-10 in the islets. These results show that DNA-HSP65 can protect NOD mice against diabetes and can therefore be considered in the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/prevention & control , Tuberculosis Vaccines/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Bacterial/biosynthesis , Autoantigens/immunology , Bacterial Proteins/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Chaperonin 60 , Chaperonins/immunology , Disease Progression , Immunoglobulin G/biosynthesis , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/analysis , Islets of Langerhans/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , Vaccines, DNA/immunology
9.
Allergy ; 59(1): 107-10, 2004 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14674942

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Frequent exposure to latex causes various reactions such as respiratory symptoms and anaphylactic shock. In these cases, proteins found in natural latex are responsible for the serious systemic antilatex-mediated immediate hypersensitive reactions. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive survey focusing on 96 Brazilian health care workers (HCW) in the neonatal intensive care unit at CAISM, State University of Campinas UNICAMP, Brazil. All subjects were interviewed, donated blood samples for the latex-specific immunoglobulin E measurement and underwent the skin prick test (SPT) with an antigen extracted from latex gloves. RESULTS: The prevalence of latex positive SPT was 8%. There were eight SPT positive and only one serologic test was in agreement with the SPT. Overall, there was evidence of an association between the latex SPT and reported eczema (P = 0.01); food allergy (P = 0.009) with pineapple (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the identification of reactions of immediate hypersensitivity mediated by antilatex antibodies in HCW should be encouraged to prevent occupational exposure to latex products.


Subject(s)
Latex Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Latex Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Adult , Allergens/pharmacology , Antigens/analysis , Brazil/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Latex/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Personnel, Hospital , Prevalence , Probability , Risk Assessment , Skin Tests , Statistics, Nonparametric
10.
J Liposome Res ; 13(3-4): 199-211, 2003 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14670227

ABSTRACT

Affinity diacetylene liposomes were prepared with 10,12-tricosadiynoic acid and cardiolipin as the affinity ligand for anticardiolipin antibodies at a molar ratio of 80:20. Polymerization was carried out under UV irradiation, and the color transitions were monitored by visible absorption spectroscopy. Peaks at 635 nm (blue form), 540 nm (purple form), and 480 nm (red form) were observed as a function of time. These polymerized liposomes were used in a noncompetitive immunoassay for detection of anticardiolipin antibodies. Color changes were observed when reference serum containing specific immunoglobulin G, IgG, was added to polymerized liposome dispersions. The colorimetric signal due to IgG adsorption on the liposome surface was quantified as a colorimetric response defined as the change in percentage of blue color related to the initial percentage of blue color in the solutions. The colorimetric response was 10 times higher for specific IgG compared with nonspecific ones. These results suggest the unique potentialities of affinity diacetylene polymerized liposomes in the development of biosensors for diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.


Subject(s)
Acetylene/chemistry , Autoantibodies/analysis , Liposomes/chemical synthesis , Polymers/chemical synthesis , Acetylene/analogs & derivatives , Autoantibodies/immunology , Cardiolipins/chemistry , Cardiolipins/immunology , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/chemistry , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Ligands , Liposomes/chemistry , Liposomes/immunology , Molecular Structure , Polymers/chemistry , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet , Time Factors
11.
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 36(10): 1349-1357, Oct. 2003. ilus, tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-346496

ABSTRACT

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the most important proinflammatory cytokines which plays a central role in host defense and in the acute inflammatory response related to tissue injury. The major source of TNF-alpha are immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages. We tested the hypothesis that pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine expression during acute lung injury in rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 450 g were anesthetized ip with 50 mg/kg sodium thiopental and randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (N = 7): tidal volume (V T) = 7 ml/kg, respiratory rate (RR) = 50 breaths/min and normal saline infusion; group 2 (N = 7): V T = 42 ml/kg, RR = 9 breaths/min and normal saline infusion; group 3 (N = 7): V T = 42 ml/kg, RR = 9 breaths/min and pentoxifylline infusion. The animals were ventilated with an inspired oxygen fraction of 1.0, a positive end-expiratory pressure of 3 cmH2O, and normal saline or pentoxifylline injected into the left femoral vein. The mRNA of TNF-alpha rapidly increased in the lung tissue within 180 min of ventilation with a higher V T with normal saline infusion. The concentrations of inflammatory mediators were decreased in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the presence of higher V T with pentoxifylline infusion (TNF-alpha: plasma, 102.2 ± 90.9 and BAL, 118.2 ± 82.1; IL-1ß: plasma, 45.2 ± 42.7 and BAL, 50.2 ± 34.9, P < 0.05). We conclude that TNF-alpha produced by neutrophil influx may function as an alert signal in host defense to induce production of other inflammatory mediators


Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Interleukin-1 , Pentoxifylline , Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/drug therapy , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Blood Gas Analysis , Bronchoalveolar Lavage , Lung Volume Measurements , Rats, Wistar , Respiration, Artificial , Tidal Volume , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
12.
Braz J Med Biol Res ; 36(10): 1349-57, 2003 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14502367

ABSTRACT

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the most important proinflammatory cytokines which plays a central role in host defense and in the acute inflammatory response related to tissue injury. The major source of TNF-alpha are immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages. We tested the hypothesis that pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine expression during acute lung injury in rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 450 g were anesthetized ip with 50 mg/kg sodium thiopental and randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (N = 7): tidal volume (V T) = 7 ml/kg, respiratory rate (RR) = 50 breaths/min and normal saline infusion; group 2 (N = 7): V T = 42 ml/kg, RR = 9 breaths/min and normal saline infusion; group 3 (N = 7): V T = 42 ml/kg, RR = 9 breaths/min and pentoxifylline infusion. The animals were ventilated with an inspired oxygen fraction of 1.0, a positive end-expiratory pressure of 3 cmH2O, and normal saline or pentoxifylline injected into the left femoral vein. The mRNA of TNF-alpha rapidly increased in the lung tissue within 180 min of ventilation with a higher V T with normal saline infusion. The concentrations of inflammatory mediators were decreased in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the presence of higher V T with pentoxifylline infusion (TNF-alpha: plasma, 102.2+/-90.9 and BAL, 118.2+/-82.1; IL-1 : plasma, 45.2+/-42.7 and BAL, 50.2+/-34.9, P < 0.05). We conclude that TNF-alpha produced by neutrophil influx may function as an alert signal in host defense to induce production of other inflammatory mediators.


Subject(s)
Interleukin-1/blood , Pentoxifylline/pharmacology , Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/drug therapy , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/analysis , Animals , Blood Gas Analysis , Bronchoalveolar Lavage , Lung Volume Measurements , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Respiration, Artificial , Tidal Volume , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/drug effects
13.
J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol ; 35(1): 25-7, 2003 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12762648

ABSTRACT

The role of the basement membrane as an antigenic structure in autoimmune diseases is controversial. To determine possible structural changes in the endocrine pancreatic basement membrane (PBM) in autoimmune diabetes, we studied the expression of laminin in the islets of 42 NOD mice, aged between 4 to 42 weeks, as an animal model of spontaneous diabetes. Insular lymphocytic inflammatory infiltration of variable intensity was present in 24 of these mice. An immunohistochemical staining using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections, with a polyclonal antilaminin antibody. Staining for laminin was restricted to the basement membrane. In islets with no inflammatory infiltration, laminin was observed as a thin, continuous and uniform brown layer, covering the pericapsular basement membrane of the islets and their capillaries. The continuity of the PBM was lost in the islets with insulitis and the immunostaining showed clearcut interruption and destruction, particularly when the islets were in contact with inflammatory infiltrate. Our findings suggest that the loss of integrity of the PBM in islets with inflammatory infiltrate could facilitate antigenic exposure contributing towards the start o f autoimmune DM in NODmice.


Subject(s)
Basement Membrane/pathology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/pathology , Islets of Langerhans/pathology , Mice, Inbred NOD , Pancreatitis/pathology , Animals , Basement Membrane/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism , Female , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Laminin/metabolism , Male , Mice , Pancreatitis/etiology , Pancreatitis/metabolism
14.
Braz J Med Biol Res ; 35(11): 1347-55, 2002 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12426635

ABSTRACT

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice spontaneously develop diabetes similar to the human disease. Cytokines produced by islet-infiltrating mononuclear cells may be directly cytotoxic and can be involved in islet destruction coordinated by CD4+ and CD8+ cells. We utilized a semiquantitative RT-PCR assay to analyze in vitro the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma cytokine genes in isolated islets (N = 100) and spleen cells (5 x 10(5) cells) from female NOD mice during the development of diabetes and from female CBA-j mice as a related control strain that does not develop diabetes. Cytokine mRNAs were measured at 2, 4, 8, 14 and 28 weeks of age from the onset of insulitis to the development of overt diabetes. An increase in IFN-gamma expression in islets was observed for females aged 28 weeks (149 +/- 29 arbitrary units (AU), P<0.05, Student t-test) with advanced destructive insulitis when compared with CBA-j mice, while TNF-alpha was expressed in both NOD and CBA-j female islets at the same level at all ages studied. In contrast, TNF-alpha in spleen was expressed at higher levels in NOD females at 14 weeks (99 +/- 8 AU, P<0.05) and 28 weeks (144 +/- 17 AU, P<0.05) of age when compared to CBA-j mice. The data suggest that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression in pancreatic islets of female NOD mice is associated with beta cell destruction and overt diabetes.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , Age Factors , Animals , Female , Gene Expression , Interferon-gamma/genetics , Kinetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred CBA , Mice, Inbred NOD , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Spleen/cytology , Spleen/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics
15.
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 35(11): 1347-1355, Nov. 2002. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-326260

ABSTRACT

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic ß cells. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice spontaneously develop diabetes similar to the human disease. Cytokines produced by islet-infiltrating mononuclear cells may be directly cytotoxic and can be involved in islet destruction coordinated by CD4+ and CD8+ cells. We utilized a semiquantitative RT-PCR assay to analyze in vitro the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma cytokine genes in isolated islets (N = 100) and spleen cells (5 x 10(5) cells) from female NOD mice during the development of diabetes and from female CBA-j mice as a related control strain that does not develop diabetes. Cytokine mRNAs were measured at 2, 4, 8, 14 and 28 weeks of age from the onset of insulitis to the development of overt diabetes. An increase in IFN-gamma expression in islets was observed for females aged 28 weeks (149 ± 29 arbitrary units (AU), P<0.05, Student t-test) with advanced destructive insulitis when compared with CBA-j mice, while TNF-alpha was expressed in both NOD and CBA-j female islets at the same level at all ages studied. In contrast, TNF-alpha in spleen was expressed at higher levels in NOD females at 14 weeks (99 ± 8 AU, P<0.05) and 28 weeks (144 ± 17 AU, P<0.05) of age when compared to CBA-j mice. The data suggest that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression in pancreatic islets of female NOD mice is associated with ß cell destruction and overt diabetes


Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Interferon-gamma , Islets of Langerhans , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Age Factors , Gene Expression , Interferon-gamma , Kinetics , Mice, Inbred NOD , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, Messenger , Spleen , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
16.
Braz J Med Biol Res ; 35(3): 289-95, 2002 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11887206

ABSTRACT

Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and a derived strain, NOD.H.2h4, have been used as a model for experimental spontaneous thyroiditis and thyroiditis induced by iodide excess after a goiter-inducing period. Some authors have proposed that iodide, given after methimazole or propylthiouracil, is capable of inducing apoptosis in thyroid cells and that anti-thyroid drugs can modulate the expression of apoptosis components such as Fas and its ligand (Fas-L). Here we evaluated the effect of potassium iodide (20 microg/animal for 4 days, i.p.) given to NOD mice at the 10th week of life after exposure to methimazole (1 mg/ml) in drinking water from the 4th to the 10th week of life. Fas, Fas-L and Bcl-w expression were analyzed semiquantitatively by RT-PCR immediately after potassium iodide administration (group MI44D) or at week 32 (MI32S). Control groups were added at 10 (C10) and 32 weeks (C32), as well as a group that received only methimazole (CM10). An increase in the expression of Fas-L and Bcl-w (P<0.01, ANOVA) was observed in animals of group MI44D, while Fas was expressed at higher levels (P = 0.02) in group C32 (72.89 +/- 47.09 arbitrary units) when compared to group C10 (10.8 +/- 8.55 arbitrary units). Thus, the analysis of Fas-L and Bcl-w expression in the MI44D group and Fas in group C32 allowed us to detect two different patterns of expression of these apoptosis components in thyroid tissue of NOD mice.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Potassium Iodide/pharmacology , RNA, Messenger/drug effects , Thyroid Gland/drug effects , Thyroiditis/immunology , fas Receptor/drug effects , Animals , Antithyroid Agents/pharmacology , Apoptosis/physiology , Disease Models, Animal , Electrophoresis , Fas Ligand Protein , Gene Expression , Male , Membrane Glycoproteins , Methimazole/pharmacology , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , fas Receptor/analysis
17.
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 35(3): 289-295, Mar. 2002. ilus, tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-304669

ABSTRACT

Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and a derived strain, NOD.H.2h4, have been used as a model for experimental spontaneous thyroiditis and thyroiditis induced by iodide excess after a goiter-inducing period. Some authors have proposed that iodide, given after methimazole or propylthiouracil, is capable of inducing apoptosis in thyroid cells and that anti-thyroid drugs can modulate the expression of apoptosis components such as Fas and its ligand (Fas-L). Here we evaluated the effect of potassium iodide (20 æg/animal for 4 days, ip) given to NOD mice at the 10th week of life after exposure to methimazole (1 mg/ml) in drinking water from the 4th to the 10th week of life. Fas, Fas-L and Bcl-w expression were analyzed semiquantitatively by RT-PCR immediately after potassium iodide administration (group MI44D) or at week 32 (MI32S). Control groups were added at 10 (C10) and 32 weeks (C32), as well as a group that received only methimazole (CM10). An increase in the expression of Fas-L and Bcl-w (P<0.01, ANOVA) was observed in animals of group MI44D, while Fas was expressed at higher levels (P = 0.02) in group C32 (72.89 ± 47.09 arbitrary units) when compared to group C10 (10.8 ± 8.55 arbitrary units). Thus, the analysis of Fas-L and Bcl-w expression in the MI44D group and Fas in group C32 allowed us to detect two different patterns of expression of these apoptosis components in thyroid tissue of NOD mice


Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , fas Receptor , Apoptosis , Potassium Iodide , RNA, Messenger , Thyroid Gland , Thyroiditis , Antithyroid Agents , Apoptosis , Disease Models, Animal , Electrophoresis , Gene Expression , Membrane Glycoproteins , Methimazole , Mice, Inbred NOD , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
18.
Biomol Eng ; 17(2): 71-4, 2001 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11163754

ABSTRACT

Histidine was immobilized onto PEVA membrane to obtain an affinity support for human IgG removal from serum with a view to clinical apheresis for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. These membranes were able to remove in vitro several autoantibodies from the serum of SLE patients.


Subject(s)
Filtration/methods , Histidine/chemistry , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/isolation & purification , Polyvinyls/chemistry , Amino Acids/chemistry , Antibodies/isolation & purification , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/blood , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapy
19.
J Immunol ; 164(4): 1653-7, 2000 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10657606

ABSTRACT

By the genetic selection of mouse cDNAs encoding secreted proteins, a B7-like cDNA clone termed mouse GL50 (mGL50) was isolated encoding a 322-aa polypeptide identical with B7h. Isolation of the human ortholog of this cDNA (hGL50) revealed a coding sequence of 309 aa residues with 42% sequence identity with mGL50. Northern analysis indicated GL50 to be present in many tissues including lymphoid, embryonic yolk sac, and fetal liver samples. Of the CD28, CTLA4, and ICOS fusion constructs tested, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated only mouse ICOS-IgG binding to mGL50 cell transfectants. Subsequent phenotyping demonstrated high levels of ICOS ligand staining on splenic CD19+ B cells and low levels on CD3+ T cells. These results indicate that GL50 is a specific ligand for the ICOS receptor and suggest that the GL50-ICOS interaction functions in lymphocyte costimulation.


Subject(s)
Antigens, CD/isolation & purification , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism , B7-1 Antigen/isolation & purification , Membrane Glycoproteins/isolation & purification , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antigens, CD/chemistry , Antigens, CD/genetics , Antigens, CD/metabolism , B7-1 Antigen/chemistry , B7-1 Antigen/genetics , B7-1 Antigen/metabolism , B7-2 Antigen , Blotting, Northern , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary/isolation & purification , Humans , Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand , Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein , Ligands , Lymph Nodes/chemistry , Lymph Nodes/metabolism , Membrane Glycoproteins/chemistry , Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics , Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Sequence Data , Proteins/chemistry , Sequence Alignment , Transcription, Genetic/immunology , Tumor Cells, Cultured
20.
Cancer Res ; 59(19): 4964-72, 1999 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10519410

ABSTRACT

Fusion proteins consisting of the extracellular region of murine B7.1 or B7.2 and the Fc portion of murine IgG2a (B7-IgG) were evaluated for their ability to promote antitumor responses. Therapeutic administration of soluble B7-IgG in mice with established tumors induced complete regression of the tumor and increased the survival of mice. In three models, MethA, P815, and MB49, mice with 7-day-old established tumors were cured with two to three treatment cycles of B7-IgG, given twice a week. Even in mice with an established B16/F10 tumor (a poorly immunogenic melanoma), therapeutic treatment with B7-IgG alone slowed tumor growth and increased survival significantly. Still stronger antitumor activity was achieved when B7-IgG was used as a vaccine adjuvant mixed with irradiated tumor cells. In 80% of mice with 7-day-old B16 tumors, tumors regressed completely, and mice survived for at least 80 days. In all tumor models, B7.1-IgG and B7.2-IgG had similar antitumor activity. B7-IgG-mediated tumor rejection was dependent on T cells, specifically CD8 cells, as demonstrated by the failure of B7-IgG to induce tumor regression in severe combined immunodeficient or CD8-depleted mice. In addition, mice that were cured of an established tumor were protected against a rechallenge with the same tumor for at least 4 months, suggesting the generation of memory responses. Surprisingly, the antitumor activity of B7-IgG was independent of IFN-gamma, as demonstrated by tumor rejection in IFN-gamma knockout mice. Our findings demonstrate the potent capacity of B7-IgG to generate or enhance antitumor immune responses and suggest the clinical value of B7-IgG.


Subject(s)
Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use , Melanoma, Experimental/immunology , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use , Sarcoma, Experimental/immunology , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Female , Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments/therapeutic use , Immunoglobulin G/therapeutic use , Interferon-gamma/deficiency , Interferon-gamma/genetics , Interferon-gamma/physiology , Lymphocyte Depletion , Melanoma, Experimental/therapy , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred DBA , Mice, Knockout , Sarcoma, Experimental/therapy , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/therapy
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