Interleukin-4 and interferon- γ levels in Epstein-Barr virus-associated infectious mononucleosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background: Cytokines have been suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Serum levels and gene expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were assessed by immunologic and PCR assays, respectively in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated IM and NPC and EBV nega-tive controls. RESULTS: The serum levels of IFN- γ were elevated, but those of IL-4 were decreased in IM and NPC patients as compared with those of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that serum levels of IFN-γ may be predominant over those of IL-4 during the cours of IM and NPC

Uji hipersensitivitas kontak dan spesifisitas terhadap merkuri (Hg) pada tikus Wistar

ABSTRACT Mercury is one of the potent allergens which can induce contact hypersensitivity. This substance however, is commonly used for cosmetics and medical purposes. The exact mechanisms underlying the mercury-induced hypersensitivity remain unclear. Studies on mercury contact hypersensitivity in human were hampered due to ethical reason. This investigation was, therefore, aimed at studying hypersensitivity reactions In animal model. Thirty five female Wistar rats, aged three months were divided into three groups of treated animals and two groups of controls. The treated groups were sensitized with 2,5%, 5%, and 10% HgCl2 In petrolatum for 10 days. At day 14, animals were challenged with 5% HgCl2 in 97% ethanol. Contact hypersensitivity was assessed by measuring the ear swelling before and after ear challenge. Specificity test was carried out by challenging the sensitized animals with K2Cr207. The results showed that the, peak levels of ear swelling could be achieved by applying 10% HgCl2 as compared to other groups of animals. Chromium (K2Cr207) ear challenge following 10% HgC12 sensitization failed to induce ear swelling. It can be concluded that the mercury hypersensitivity reaction in this animal model is antigen-specific. Key words: allergy - contact hypersensitivity-mercury - DTH reaction - Wistar rats Di Indonesia merkuri (Hg) masih banyak dipakai sebagai campuran pada bahan kosmetik dan restorasi gigi. Di lain pihak merkuri merupakan alergen yang poten untuk menimbulkan hipersensitivitas. lmunopatogenesis hipersensitivitas kontak (HK) terhadap merkuri belum diketahui secara pasti. Untuk mempelajari HK terhadap merkuri sulk dilakukan pada manusia secara tuntas karena alasan etika. Penelitian Ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari HK terhadap merkuri pada binatang model. Digunakan tikus Wistar umur 3 bulan sebanyak 35 ekor yang dibagl menjadi 5 kelompok yaitu 2 kelompok kontrol dan 3 kelompok perlakuan. Tiga kelompok perlakuan masing-masing dilnduksi dengan salep HgCl2 2,5%, 5% dan 10% selama 10 had. Pada had ke 14 dilakukan paparan ulang pada daun telinga dengan larutan HgCl2 5%. Sebelum dan sesudah paparan ulang tebal telinga diukur dengan mikrometer. Uji spesifisitas reaksi dilakukan dengan cara memberi paparan ulang K2Cr207 pada tikus yang sebelumnya dlinduksi dengan HgCl2. Dad hasil penelitian int dapat dislmpulkan bahwa pengolesan merkuri pada kulit tikus Wistar dapat menimbulkan reaksi hipersensitivitas kontak. Reaksi tertinggi dicapal setelah pemberian salep HgC12 10%. Reaksi hipersensitivitas kontak terhadap merkuri pada tikus Wistar bersifat spesifik antigen

Effect of fish oil on lipopolysaccharide-induced hydroxyapatite loss in rat alveolar bone: A Preliminary Study

Dietary fish oil has been shown to inhibit bone resorption and, therefore, the aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that fish oil alters lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hydroxyapatite loss in rat alveolar bone. Rats were divided into four groups. The animals injected with saline or Escherichia coli-derived LPS into the maxillary alveolar mucosa on the buccoapical site of the molar region daily for 8 days were served as a negative or positive control, respectively. Other groups of animals were injected with LPS and orally treated with fish oil at the same day with or after LPS injection. The results of the present study showed that the hydroxyapatite contents of alveolar bone in rats treated with fish oil at the same day with or before LPS injection were significantly higher than those in rats injected with LPS alone, but still lower than those in untreated animals. Therefore, the present study suggests that oral treatment with fish oil may reduce LPS-induced hydroxyapatite loss in rat alveolar bon

An association between the levels of sub-gingival plaque Porphyromonas gingivalis and clinical parameters in periodontal diseased patients

The aim of this study was to determine whether the levels of sub-gingival plaque Porphyromonas gingivalis were associated with clinical parameters in periodontal diseased patients. Twenty-three adult subjects were participated and intra-oral examinations for recording clinical parameters of the selected tooth were then carried out. Sub-gingival plaque samples were obtained from the selected tooth and the levels of P. gingivalis of these samples were detected by ELISA. The results showed that increased levels of sub-gingival plaque P. gingivalis were significantly associated with increased dental plaque scores (r2 = 0.7981), severity of gingival inflammation (r2 = 0.6703), and gingival pocket depth (r2 = 0.7787), but weakly with increased sub-gingival calculus (r2 = 0.2659) and tooth mobility (r2 = 0.4201) scores. The levels of this periodontopathogen in the subjects with gingival bleeding upon probing were significantly higher than those of without gingival bleeding (

An ELISA-based detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the dental plaques of periodontal diseased patients

Murine hybriden:as producing lipopolisaccharides of Porphyromonas gingivalis (LPS-Pg)-specific monoclonal antibodies were established. Dental plaques were obtained from periodontal healthy subjects and patients with gingivitis or periodontitis. The levels of P. gingivalis were semiquantitatively detected by ELISA. The results showed that antibodies produced by clone Pg.C.5 were lgG2a and recognized specifically LPS-Pg, but not LPS from other periodontopathic or enteric bacteria. The presence of P. gingivalis in the dental plaque of periodontal diseased patients was able to be detected by ELISA using these antibodies. The levels of this bacterium in patients with periodontitis were much higher than those of patients with gingivitis or periodontal healthy subjects (

CD4, CD8 and MHC Class I Expression in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Immunohistochemical Study

Aim: The exact immunopathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)- associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of CD4, CD8, and MHC class I molecules in NPC. Method: Biopsies were obtained from patients with NPC as well as the Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-seronegative patients as a control. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were classified using the World Health Organization (WHO) pathological assessment and clinical stag- ing of NPC. The expression of CD4, CD8, and MHC class I in the biop- sies were assessed immunohistochemically. Result: The results showed that the number of CD4 positive, CD8 pos- itive, and MHC class I positive cells in NPC patients were higher than those in EBV-negative subjects (p<0.05). The number of these positive cells in NPC patients with WHO Type II or early clinical stage was not significantly differences with those with WHO Type III or late clinical stage, respectively (p>0.05). No statistical differences between the number of CD4 positive and CD8 positive cells in NPC patients could be found (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest, therefore, that the expression of CD4, CD8 and MHC class I molecules may not be as- sociated with the pathologic classification and clinical staging of NPC and that the CD4:CD8 ratio in nasopharyngeal carcinoma may indicate decreased functions of these infiltrating T cell subsets. Key words: CD4; CD8; MHC class I; NP

Short Communication Interleukin-4 and interferon-γ levels in Epstein-Barr virus-associated infectious mononucleosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract BACKGROUND: Cytokines have been suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)

The mechanisms of autoimmune response: Insights into an enigmatic repertoire

[no abstract available

The effect of immune status, age and genetic background on induction of oral tolerance to actinomyces viscosus in mice

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of immune status, age and genetic background on the induction of oral tolerance to Actinomyces viscosus. Suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and antigen-specific serum antibody levels could be induced in DBA/2 mice intragastrically and systemically immunized with A.viscocus, suggesting the induction of oral tolerance. In contrast, this immune suppression could be abrogated if the animals had been systemically immunized prior to the induction of oral tolerance with the same bacterium. Long-term systemic immunization prior to intragastric immunization with A.viscocus suppressed DTH response only. Cell transfer of this group of animals also suppressed DTH response in the donors, indicating the action of suppressor cells for inhibition of DTH response. Furthermore, oral tolerance to A.viscocus failed to occur in mice aged at 3days and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 36weeks old. Mice bearing H-2d haplotype were the most susceptible to oral tolerization, followed by H-2b and H-2k. Therefore, the results of the presence study suggest that the induction of oral tolerance to A.viscosus in mice may be dependence on the immune status and genetic background but not age