Presence of Cytoadhesins (IIb-IIIa-like glycoproteins) on Human Metastatic Melanomas but not on Benign Melanocytes

Glycoproteins IIb and IIIa, a heterodimer complex, play a vital role in blood platelet aggregation and are members of a wide family of membrane receptors known as integrins or cytoadhesins. Cellular interaction to extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesive proteins is mediated by integrins. Certain tumor cells are known to interact with ECM and blood platelets in the process of metastasis. However, it is not known if tumor cells, compared with their normal counterparts, acquire IIb-IIIa-like receptors to help them in their metastatic spread. In this study, monoclonal antibodies directed against the IIb-IIIa platelet glycoprotein complex were used on frozen biopsies of normal and various tumor tissues to detect the presence of these integrins. These studies demonstrate the presence of IIb-IIIa-like glycoproteins on the cells of metastatic malignant melanoma but not on benign melanocytes and rarely on other tumors. The presence of integrins on melanomas may help explain their propensity for frequent metastasis

Placental malaria is associated with attenuated CD4 T-cell responses to tuberculin PPD 12 months after BCG vaccination

BackgroundPlacental malaria (PM) is associated with prenatal malaise, but many PM+ infants are born without symptoms. As malaria has powerful immunomodulatory effects, we tested the hypothesis that PM predicts reduced T-cell responses to vaccine challenge. MethodsWe recruited healthy PM+ and PM- infants at birth. At six and 12 months, we stimulated PBMCs with tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) and compared expression of CD154, IL-2 and IFN? by CD4 T-cells to a negative control using flow cytometry. We measured the length, weight and head circumference at birth and 12 months.ResultsIL-2 and CD154 expression were low in both groups at both timepoints, without discernable differences. Expression of IFN? was similarly low at 6 months but by 12 months, the median response was higher in PM- than PM + infants (p = 0.026). The PM+ infants also had a lower weight (p = 0.032) and head circumference (p = 0.041) at 12 months, indicating lower growth rates. At birth, the size and weight of the PM+ and PM- infants were equivalent. By 12 months, the PM+ infants had a lower weight and head circumference than the PM- infants. ConclusionsPlacental malaria was associated with reduced immune responses 12 months after immune challenge in infants apparently healthy at birth. <br/

Ethanol, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Their Combination: Long-Term Behavioral, Neurochemical and Neuropharmacological Effects in the Rat

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