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Biomedical subjects

A Afeltra

Publications and source records attributed to A Afeltra.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in various immunological parameters in patients with recurrent vaginal candidiasis].

An immunological study has been performed in a group of 14 patients suffering from recurring vaginal candidiasis. Cellular immunity has been evaluated by skin test. Mononuclear cells of peripheral blood have been studied by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Moreover granulocytes phagocytosis and NK activity have been determined. We observed a significant reduction of cellular immunity and phagocytosis comparing to the control group. This association may represent the basis of a compromised immunological response in patients with recurring vaginal candidiasis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The adjunctive role of antiphospholipid antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus cardiac involvement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of cardiac alterations by trans thoracic echocardiography (TTE) and the possible role of aPLs in determining heart damage in SLE patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 34 consecutive Caucasian SLE patients and 34 age and sex- matched controls. All patients underwent TTE. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) was assayed. IgG and IgM antiphospholipid antibodies against cardiolipin (aCL), phosphatidylinositol (aPI), phosphatidylserine (aPS), phosphatidic acid (aPA), and anti-Beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aBeta2GPI) were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Nineteen (56%) SLE patients showed at least one cardiac abnormality (P < 0.0001 - RR 19; OR 41.8; 95% CI 5.1-342). The predominant valve dysfunctions were represented by mitral (21%) and tricuspidal (18%) regurgitation. Aortic regurgitation was observed in 12% of patients, pericardial effusion and left atrial enlargement were identified in 15% and 12% of cases, respectively. Mitral valvular strands were detected in one patient. The prevalence of cardiac abnormalities correlated with disease duration. Echocardiographic alterations were more common in aPLs positive than in aPLs negative patients (P = 0.02 - RR 2.5; OR 6.1; 95% CI 1.2-30.1). Patients with IgG-aPA, -aPI and -aPS had a higher prevalence of left atrial enlargement (P < 0.05); IgG-aPA and -aPI were significantly associated with increased interventricular septum thickness (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that the heart is one of the main target in SLE patients. The association between aPLs and cardiac impairment suggests an adjunctive role of these autoantibodies in determining heart damage. SLE vasculopathy is a multifactorial process leading to accelerated atherosclerosis. Heart involvement over the course of disease requires a comprehensive screening and management of traditional and new cardiovascular risk factors to prevent cardiac damage, which represents the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immune imbalance in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients: effects of intra-articular injection of thymopentin.

T cell subsets in the synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood (PB) of RA patients and controls suffering from different forms of chronic synovitis have been investigated. The immunological evaluation showed a reduction of CD4 subsets in RA-SF compared to RA-PB (p less than 0.001), and an almost complete absence of the suppressor-inducer/naive T cells in RA-SF compared to RA-PB and SF from patients with other forms of chronic synovitis. The CD8 subpopulation showed an increased proportion of cytotoxic cells only in RA-SF. On the basis of these results, an intra-articular immunomodulating treatment with thymopentin has been performed: its effects were characterized by an increase of CD8+CD11b+ T cells in the CD8 subset parallel to the enhancement of the suppressor-inducer/naive T cells in the CD4 subset with a statistically significant correlation. The enhanced levels of soluble CD8 decreased after treatment in RA-SF, whereas the soluble IL-2R levels were not significantly modified. Clinical evaluation showed a significative amelioration in all considered parameters.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical course and phenotypic instability in 4 cases of multiple myeloma: a biological model of tumors].

Four cases of multiple myeloma (MM) are reported in which the coexistence and/or the alternance of different plasma cell clones were observed. Genetic instability is typical of all tumors but in MM it is particularly striking due to the M component marker. In this respect, malignancies reveal the presence of an unremitting competition of different cell populations for the phenotype prevalence. When this phenomenon is related to the clinical picture it is possible, as in our cases, to ascertain that the appearance of new clones often corresponds to significant changes in the disease evolution.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[CD5 positive b-lymphocytes in autoimmunity: possible role in Graves' disease].

CD5+B cells, recently defined B-1a cells, are the main clonotype in the early B cell repertoire and persist throughout adult life. This subset is committed to the production of antibodies, defined "natural antibodies", that bind a lot of exogenous antigens, isologous and heterologous serum proteins, tissues and/or self antigens, such as hormones, nucleic acids and phospholipids. These antibodies, mostly IgM, but also IgG and IgA, are polyreactive: their role is likely that of first line of defence against invading microorganisms. Natural antibodies produced by CD5+ B cells may be involved in maintenance functions such as removal of dead cells. Because of their ability to bind self antigens, they may be important in the establishment of autoimmune phenomena. An increase of CD5+ B cells has been demonstrated in some autoimmune disorders. The authors examine the functional characteristics and the expansion of this subset in different diseases. In particular they report the increase in active Graves' disease and discuss the role of CD5+ B lymphocytes in the immune imbalance present in this thyropathy.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vascular endothelial growth factor: a key mediator of neoangiogenesis. A review.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that exerts in vivo a key role in physiological and pathological neoangiogenesis by stimulating endothelial cell proliferation and vessel hyperpermeability. VEGF exists as one of four different isoforms, respectively, VEGF 121, VEGF 165, VEGF 189, VEGF 206, and seems to be a crucial mediator of physiological neoangiogenesis during the embryonic development and the female cycle. VEGF also has a major role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including hypervascularized tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, cutaneous diseases and proliferative retinopathies. Anti-VEGF anti-bodies or VEGF agonists may represent a novel approach in the treatment of these diseases.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anti-TNF-alpha antibodies are not associated with Helicobacter pylori induced gastritis.

Over the past few years, it has been suggested that increased gastric production of some cytokines, including tumor factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori associated gastroduodenal diseases. On the other hand, it has been postulated that the presence of autoantibodies directed against several cytokines could represent or a down-regulatory response of the host to limit the damage associated with chronic bacterial infection or a specific cytokine inhibitor. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum anti-TNF-alpha antibodies are produced in response to H. pylori infection. The anti-TNF-alpha antibody titer among H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative patients showed no statistically significant difference. Interestingly, after eradication of H. pylori, no significant modification in anti-TNF-alpha antibody levels was found. In H. pylori positive patients, no correlations (either positive or negative) was demonstrated between anti-TNF-alpha antibody and activity of gastritis, nor between these antibodies levels and presence of duodenal ulcer. The lack of correlation between anti-TNF-alpha antibody levels and activity of gastritis indicates that these autoantibodies do not affect the clinical course of the H. pylori associated gastroduodenal diseases. Therefore, the biological and clinical relevance (if any) of anti-TNF-alpha antibodies in H. pylori associated gastritis remains to be better elucidated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Methimazole treatment in Graves' disease: behaviour of CD5+B lymphocytes and regulatory T cell subsets.

In the present study we analyzed some circulating lymphocyte subsets in eleven patients affected by Graves' disease before and after three and six months of methimazole treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied by a panel of monoclonal antibodies with single and double fluorescence cytometric analysis. Our results demonstrated an increased percentage of CD5+B cells and HLADR+T lymphocytes at the beginning of the disease in comparison to the normal controls (p < 0.001), and a significant decrease after six months of treatment (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). The CD4+ CD45RA+ subset was significantly reduced in untreated Graves' patients in comparison to the normal group (p < 0.01), and increased towards normalization after six months of treatment. The significant modifications of lymphocyte subsets, as well as the reduction of thyroid autoantibodies, support a direct or mediated effect of methimazole on the immune system.

Antithyroid Agents↗