6 research outputs found
Correlation of lymphocyte proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression with dietary cow's milk antigen load in infants with allergy to cow's milk
Background: Controversial results have been reported on the
participation and diagnostic value of lymphocyte reactivity in cow’s
milk (CM) allergy. In this study, we used a specific nuclear marker to
evaluate lymphocyte proliferation in IgE-mediated CM allergy in infants,
and examine its relation with diets containing different CM antigen
loads. Methods: Infants with IgE-mediated CM allergy, as assessed by
open provocation and RAST, were grouped according to their exclusive
diet, either CM formulae, breast feeding, or hydrolysed whey formulae. A
group of non-atopic infants receiving CM was also examined. Lymphocyte
proliferation to B-lactoglobulin was evaluated by quantitation of the
proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in peripheral blood
mononuclear cells, by flow cytometry. Immunophenotypic surface markers
were also examined. Results: A marked difference of PCNA expression
between CM-fed allergic infants and healthy controls was observed
(p<0.001). In this setting, PCNA expression greater than or equal to
10% was highly specific and sensitive as a marker of CM allergy in
CM-fed infants. Moreover, a significant correlation (p<0.001) between
antigen load and PCNA was established in CM-allergic infants under
different diets, higher values obtained with increasing antigen loads.
In addition, within the group fed hydrolyzed formulae,
low-molecular-weight products resulted in marginally lower PCNA
expression than higher-molecular-weight formulae. No differences in
immunophenotype were found, with the exception of a higher CD23
expression in the breast-fed group. Conclusions: PCNA could be a useful
marker in the assessment of lymphocyte proliferation to CM antigens. Low
CM antigen diets are related with reduced lymphocyte reactivity, which
may partly explain the clinical benefit observed with such diets
Clinical significance of heat shock protein-70 expression in bladder cancer
Objectives. To investigate the expression of heat shock protein-70
(HSP-70) in transitional cell bladder cancer and correlate it with
normal and inflammatory bladder tissue samples.
Methods. We used a three-step avidin-biotin method to examine the
localization of a rabbit anti-HSP-70 polyclonal antibody in normal (n =
10), inflammatory (n = 10), and malignant (n = 67) bladder tissue
samples.
Results. Fifty-eight percent of the bladder cancer samples and only 10%
and 20% of the normal and inflammatory bladder tissue samples,
respectively, expressed HSP-70. Localization of the antibody correlated
with the grade (P <0.001), stage (P <0.001), and survival (P <0.05) of
the patients with malignancy.
Conclusions. HSP-70 is frequently overexpressed by bladder cancer cells
and could be used as biochemical marker in patients with bladder cancer.
(C) 2003, Elsevier Science Inc
EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE ADMINISTRATION, PRENATALLY AND POSTNATALLY, ON THE IMMUNE-SYSTEM OF RATS
This study was undertaken to investigate and compare in vitro and in
vivo immune parameters between female and male rats. We analysed the
T-cell proliferative responses to syngeneic and allogeneic cellular
antigens (syngeneic and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction), as well
as the IgG levels in the sera of our study groups. It has also been
studied the influence of gonadectomy and the effect of testosterone
administration pre- and postnatally on the above parameters. Our
findings showed that hormonal manipulations, can alter the differences
observed in immune response between female and male rats. In addition,
it is demonstrated that pre- and postnatal sexual steroid manipulations
could provoke long lasting immunological effects
Elevated serum neopterin levels in children with functional constipation: association with systemic proinflammatory cytokines
Background Functional constipation is a clinical problem with an incompletely understood etiology. Functional bowel diseases have been shown to be related to inflammation in many studies in adults. In this study, we aimed to evaluate leukocytes, C-reactive protein, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and neopterin levels in children with functional constipation