Neurohypophysial Receptor Gene Expression by Thymic T Cell Subsets and Thymic T Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines

Abstract Neurohypophysial oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) genes are transcribed in thymic epithelium, while immature T lymphocytes express functional neurohypophysial receptors. Neurohypophysial receptors belong to the G protein-linked seven-transmembrane receptor superfamily and are encoded by four distinct genes, OTR, V1R, V2R and V3R. The objective of this study was to identify the nature of neurohypophysial receptor in thymic T cell subsets purified by immunomagnetic selection, as well as in murine thymic lymphoma cell lines RL12-NP and BW5147. OTR is transcribed in all thymic T cell subsets and T cell lines, while V3R transcription is restricted to CD4+ CD8+ and CD8+ thymic cells. Neither V1R nor V2R transcripts are detected in any kind of T cells. The OTR protein was identified by immunocytochemistry on thymocytes freshly isolated from C57BL/6 mice. In murine fetal thymic organ cultures, a specific OTR antagonist does not modify the percentage of T cell subsets, but increases late T cell apoptosis further evidencing the involvement of OT/OTR signaling in the control of T cell proliferation and survival. According to these data, OTR and V3R are differentially expressed during T cell ontogeny. Moreover, the restriction of OTR transcription to T cell lines derived from thymic lymphomas may be important in the context of T cell leukemia pathogenesis and treatment

Interleukin and Growth Factor Levels in Subretinal Fluid in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a major cause of visual loss in developed countries. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), an eye-sight threatening complication of RRD surgery, resembles a wound-healing process with inflammation, scar tissue formation, and membrane contraction. This study was performed to determine the possible involvement of a wide range of cytokines in the future development of PVR, and to identify predictors of PVR and visual outcome. METHODOLOGY: A multiplex immunoassay was used for the simultaneous detection of 29 different cytokines in subretinal fluid samples from patients with primary RRD. Of 306 samples that were collected and stored in our BioBank between 2001 and 2008, 21 samples from patients who developed postoperative PVR were compared with 54 age-, sex-, and storage-time-matched RRD control patients who had an uncomplicated postoperative course during the overall follow-up period. FINDINGS: Levels of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, VEGF, and ICAM-1 were significantly higher (P<0.05) in patients who developed postoperative PVR after reattachment surgery than in patients with an uncomplicated postoperative course, whereas levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-33, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IGF-1, bFGF, HGF, and NGF were not (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that IL-3 (P = 0.001), IL-6 (P = 0.047), ICAM-1 (P = 0.010), and preoperative visual acuity (P = 0.026) were independent predictors of postoperative PVR. Linear regression analysis showed that ICAM-1 (P = 0.005) and preoperative logMAR visual acuity (P = 0.001) were predictive of final visual outcome after primary RRD repair. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings indicate that after RRD onset an exaggerated response of certain cytokines may predispose to PVR. Sampling at a time close to the onset of primary RRD may thus provide clues as to which biological events may initiate the development of PVR and, most importantly, may provide a means for therapeutic control

Deficient maternal care resulting from immunological stress during pregnancy is associated with a sex-dependent enhancement of conditioned fear in the offspring

Activation of maternal stress response systems during pregnancy has been associated with altered postpartum maternal care and subsequent abnormalities in the offspring’s brain and behavioral development. It remains unknown, however, whether similar effects may be induced by exposure to immunological stress during pregnancy. The present study was designed to address this issue in a mouse model of prenatal immune activation by the viral mimic polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidilic acid (PolyI:C). Pregnant mice were exposed to PolyI:C-induced immune challenge or sham treatment, and offspring born to PolyI:C- and sham-treated dams were simultaneously cross-fostered to surrogate rearing mothers, which had either experienced inflammatory or vehicle treatment during pregnancy. We evaluated the effects of the maternal immunological manipulation on postpartum maternal behavior, and we assessed the prenatal and postnatal maternal influences on anxiety- and fear-related behavior in the offspring at the peri-adolescent and adult stage of development. We found that PolyI:C treatment during pregnancy led to changes in postpartum maternal behavior in the form of reduced pup licking/grooming and increased nest building activity. Furthermore, the adoption of neonates by surrogate rearing mothers, which had experienced PolyI:C-induced immunological stress during pregnancy, led to enhanced conditioned fear in the peri-adolescent and adult offspring, an effect that was exclusively seen in female but not male subjects. Unconditioned (innate) anxiety-related behavior as assessed in the elevated plus maze and open field explorations tests were not affected by the prenatal and postnatal manipulations. Our results thus highlight that being raised by gestationally immune-challenged surrogate mothers increases the vulnerability for specific forms of fear-related behavioral pathology in later life, and that this association may be mediated by deficits in postpartum maternal care. This may have important implications for the identification and characterization of early-life risk factors involved in the developmental etiology of fear-related neuropsychiatric disorders

Developing a computer program of laser aplication imaged with fundus fluorescein angiography test for retinal diseases [Retina hastaliklarinda fundus floresein anjiografi testi üzerinden lazer uygulamasini destekleyen bilgisayar programinin gelistirilmesi]

Purpose: The aim was to design a model which facilitates laser treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy and the treatment technique was conducted during education of assistant doctors. Materials and Methods: 127 patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy had their eyes scanned by Fundus Floresein Angiography before treatment. Kowa VX-10 device was used for scanning / these images. This study had two steps one of which was to detect optic disc and macula region and the other was to design a model which was compatible with laser treatment over image/ display. Matlab software was used. Results: Optic disc and macula regions in 80% of the 127 FFA images with diabetic retinopathy were correctly detected (Standart Deviation: 240 micron). A model which enables laser shot region to be marked and tasks to be stored was designed. Conclusions: During laser treatment, the regions which need protection, are automatically detected and guarded. with this model it provides coordination of information by enabling places which required laser shot to be marked, and is used to develop less risky and more effective treatments. © 2015 Gazi Eye Foundation. All rights reserved

Developing a computer program of laser aplication imaged with fundus fluorescein angiography test for retinal diseases [Retina hastaliklarinda fundus floresein anjiografi testi üzerinden lazer uygulamasini destekleyen bilgisayar programinin gelistirilmesi]

Purpose: the aim was to design a model which facilitates laser treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy and the treatment technique was conducted during education of assistant doctors. Materials and Methods: 127 patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy had their eyes scanned by Fundus Floresein Angiography before treatment. Kowa VX-10 device was used for scanning / these images. This study had two steps one of which was to detect optic disc and macula region and the other was to design a model which was compatible with laser treatment over image/ display. Matlab software was used. Results: Optic disc and macula regions in 80% of the 127 FFA images with diabetic retinopathy were correctly detected (Standart Deviation: 240 micron). A model which enables laser shot region to be marked and tasks to be stored was designed. Conclusions: During laser treatment, the regions which need protection, are automatically detected and guarded. with this model it provides coordination of information by enabling places which required laser shot to be marked, and is used to develop less risky and more effective treatments. © 2015 Gazi Eye Foundation. All rights reserved

Intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to choroid rupture after blunt-head trauma

PubMed ID: 18825317Purpose: To describe and report the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) as primary treatment for secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after choroidal rupture due to blunt-head trauma. Design: Interventional case report. Methods: The study was ofthe left eye of a patient who presented with choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal rupture due to blunt-head trauma. The patient received single intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) bevacizumab as treatment for CNV after informed consent was signed. The patient underwent fundus fluorescein angiography (FA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT) before the bevacizumab injection and then again three months after. Visual acuity was also measured before and after treatment. The patient was re-examined on the first day, and monthly thereafter. After intravitreal injection of bevacizumab the visual and anatomic responses were observed. Results: The patient showed regression of the neovascularization three months after injection of bevacizumab. There was no loss of vision in the immediate postoperative period and at the 3rd month vision improved from 20/60 to 20/20. Central retinal thickness decreased. No cataract progression, endophthalmitis, or injection-related complications were observed. Conclusions: Our study shows that intravitreal 1.25 mg bevacizumab can be an effective alternative treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to choroidal rupture. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

The effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) administration on systemic hypertension

WOS: 000268915900016PubMed ID: 19079149Aims To determine the short-term effect of intravitreal bevacizumab administration on systemic blood pressure levels of patients and to evaluate the safety of the drug in these patients. Methods Study population was divided into two groups: group A comprised patients who had hypertension and were under medication with antihypertensive drugs; group B comprised patients with normal blood pressure and were not under medication with antihypertensive drugs. All patients were graded according to their blood pressure levels before single dose of bevacizumab (0.05 ml; 1.25 mg) injection, and at day 1 and weeks 1, 3, and 6 thereafter. The blood pressure levels were analysed using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results The study population included 82 patients with a mean age of 67.2 +/- 5.2 years. In group A, the systolic blood pressure levels showed significant increases at weeks 1, 3, and 6 (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively) compared with baseline. Similarly, diastolic blood pressure levels were significantly higher at weeks 3 (P < 0.001) and 6 (P = 0.016). In group B, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels showed significant elevations only at week 3 (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively). The percentages of both group A and B patients with normal blood pressure decreased at week 3 compared with baseline (P < 0.001 and P = 0.012 for groups A and B, respectively). Conclusions The findings of this study show that there is a risk of disregulation of blood pressure levels or persistence of hypertension in hypertensive patients after intravitreal bevacizumab injections. Eye (2009) 23, 1714-1718; doi: 10.1038/eye.2008.360; published online 12 December 200

Association between Stargardt's disease and Retinitis Pigmentosa: Is common genetic mutation responsible? [Stargardt hastali?i ve Retinitis Pigmentosa birlikteli?i: Ortak genetik mutasyon mu sorumlu?]

In this study the association between Stargardt's disease (STGD) and Retinisitis Pigmentosa (RP), both of which is seen in a case with a mutated ABCA4 gene, is analysed. Fundus exaimination was performed to a 23 years old male whose dark vision are severely impaired and found beaten metal appearance on his right and left macula with bony specules in peripheral retina. Therefore fundus fluorescein angiography and electrophysiologic tests was performed to him. He was diagnosed with both STGD and RP based on clinical and diagnostic test findings. Genetic research of the patient revealed a mutation in ABCA4 gene. We consider that a possible association between STGD and RP in patients diagnosed with STGD or RP and that the major role of genetic research in diagnosis of retinal diseases should be kept in mind

Results of intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration [Yaşa bağli maküla dejenerasyonuna i?kincil gelişen koroid neovaskülarizasyonlarinda i?ntravitreal ranibizumab tedavi sonuçlarimiz]

Purpose: To report the efficacy and results of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injection for choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight eyes of 43 ARMD patients received 287 injections of 0.5 mg/0.05 mL IVR and were followed up for at least one year prospectively. the mean age was 67.64 ± 8.14. All patients received three consecutive monthly IVR injections. IVR injections were readministered based on visual acuity (VA) measurements, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and optic coherence tomography (OCT) results. Results: By three months, 28 eyes (48.3%) had an increase in VA of 5 letters or more, 27 eyes (46.5%) had no change, and 3 eyes (5.2%) had a decrease of 5 letters or more. After the 12-month follow-up VA results were as follows: 26 eyes (44.8%) had an increase of 5 letters or more, 28 eyes (48.3%) had no change, and 4 eyes (6.9%) had a decrease of 5 letters or more. in 44 eyes (75.9%), central macular thickness (CMT) decreased by 100 ?m or more, in 12 eyes (20.7%) there was no change, and in 2 eyes (3.4%) CMT increased by 100 ?m or more at the third month. After the 12-month follow-up, CMT decreased by 100 ?m or more in 42 eyes (72.4%) and increased by 100 ?m or more in 3 eyes (5.2%), while 13 eyes (22.4%) had no change. Conclusions: IVR provides significant anatomic and functional improvement compared the baseline in choroidal neovascularization due to ARMD