[Arthroscopy: a current technic for the diagnosis of pathology of the knee joint].
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Arthritis↗
Biomedical subjects
A Facchini
Publications and source records attributed to A Facchini.
The role of interleukin-8 and other cytokines in the pathogenesis of Felty's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: Felty's syndrome (FS) is defined as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with neutropenia and, in some cases, splenomegaly; the outcome is primarily determined by the risk of infection, which is related to the degree of neutropenia. We analysed whether the clinical manifestations of FS, especially neutropenia, could be explained by abnormalities in cytokine production. METHODS: We examined the production in FS of five cytokines involved in the maturation and activation of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs): IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, IL-8, G-CSF and GM-CSF. Because of the role of systemic IL-8 in neutrophil migration, serum IL-8 levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: Spontaneous and anti-CD16 stimulated cytokine production was similar in FS, RA and healthy controls (NC). However, anti-CD3 stimulated IL-8 production was significantly increased compared to NC in both RA and FS. FS patients who spontaneously produced G-CSF in culture were protected from bacterial infections. Serum IL-8 levels were elevated in FS and RA compared to NC (p < 0.001 for both groups). In FS, serum IL-8 was higher in patients with a history of bacterial infections compared to those without (p < 0.01) and there was a weak inverse correlation between neutropenia and serum IL-8 levels (Kendal's tau B = -0.31, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The neutropenia of FS cannot be explained by changes in peripheral blood cytokine production, although changes in the bone marrow microenvironment cannot be excluded. Our data do suggest a possible role for G-CSF and IL-8 in the development of certain FS complications.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
In vitro cytolytic activity of human NK cells against osteosarcoma cell lines.
NK lymphocytes present CD16, CD56 and lack CD3 surface molecules and are able to spontaneously lyse tumor or virus infected cells. In this study we evaluated the susceptibility of some human osteosarcoma cell lines to NK cytolytic activity and standardized the assay conditions. NK lymphocytes were used as effector cells in a cytotoxicity test against HOS, U-2 OS and Saos-2 osteosarcoma targets. While HOS cells were susceptible on the contrary U-2 OS and Saos-2 were osteosarcoma resistant lines. Our preliminary results support a model for the study of a possible interaction between the immune system and these tumors.
Bone Neoplasms↗
Evaluation of prognostic significance of circulating interleukin-6 in patients with accident spine injuries.
Our study aimed to verify whether patients with spine accident injury present altered plasma levels of IL-6 and whether the levels of this cytokine are related with the production of acute phase proteins which are elevated after trauma and infection. 34 subjects admitted to an Intensive Care Unit for spine injuries were examined: 26 presented fever over 38.5 degrees C and in 13 of them blood or local cultures were positive for pathogenic bacteria. IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (HPT), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2Mg), C3c and C4 Complement factors were determined on admission and in the course of their hospital stay. No changes in IL-6 systemic levels were present in the subjects examined and only CRP was constantly high. Although within the normal range IL-6 levels inversely correlated with fever. Our results show the difficulty to utilize the IL-6 circulating levels as prognosis parameter in patients subjected to spine accident injuries.
Accidents↗
Immunohistochemical analysis of an additional case of focal myositis.
We present an additional case of focal myositis which, after surgical excision of the muscular mass, did not evolve to generalized polymyositis. To our knowledge immunological evaluations of this disease have never before been carried out. Immunohistochemical analysis of the muscular mass showed the presence of activated endothelial cells, CD4 and macrophage cells in the perivascular and endomysial areas, suggesting an immune-mediated mechanism of muscular damage. At the same time the normal distribution of the peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and the normal levels of serum IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, soluble IL-2R and soluble CD8 underline the non-systemic nature of the disease.
Adolescent↗
Facs analysis of osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63) integrin subfamilies.
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Flow Cytometry↗
Immunohistochemical analysis of extracellular matrix components and cytoskeletal products of bone marrow stromal cells.
We analysed the cytoskeletal proteins and extracellular matrix components of in vitro cultured BMSC both in resting state and after activation with IFN gamma and TNF alpha, using an immunoperoxidase procedure. BMSC expressed fibronectin, alpha-actin, beta-tubulin, vimentin and vinculin while cytokeratinpan, GFAP, neurofilament, desmin and laminin were not expressed. This pattern of expression was not affected by addition of TNF alpha and IFN gamma, but differs from human tonsil stromal cells for laminin expression and alpha-actin localization.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Differential expression of IL-1 and TNF receptors in inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Pathological joint events in both inflammatory arthritis and degenerative arthritis are perpetuated by complex cytokine interactions. Two cytokines, IL-1 and TNF alpha, appear to be the major culprits in the pathogenesis of synovitis and in cartilage damage in these joint diseases. To analyze the expression of IL-1 and TNF alpha and their receptors on synovial and cartilage tissue, we performed an immunohistochemical study on knee biopsies from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Results identified a prevalent positivity to cytokines and their receptors of synovial cells from RA and PsA with respect to OA patients. In cartilage specimens, most RA and PsA patients showed no expression of the studied receptors, whereas the majority of OA biopsies were positive for all types of examined receptors except IL-1R2. Our study suggests that the cartilage is the main target of these cytokines in OA, while in IA IL-1 and TNF alpha exert their action in synovial tissue. In all the studied pathologies (RA, PsA, OA) the synovial tissue and the cartilage were differentially involved, indicating the importance of investigating both structures in joint disease studies.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
Lytic activity of IL-2 and IL-12 stimulated NK cells against HOS osteosarcoma cell line.
NK cells are CD16, CD56 positive lymphocytes that spontaneously lyse tumor or virus infected cells. In this study we investigated whether IL-2 and/or IL-12 stimulated NK cells increased their lytic efficiency against HOS osteosarcoma cell line. Our results demonstrate that both 18 hour and 5 day incubation times enhanced the lytic activity of human PBL against HOS and K562 target cells and that IL-12 appears to be more efficient than IL-2 in augmenting NK cytotoxicity.
Adult↗
Effect of stromal cells from human lymph nodes on the growth of osteosarcoma cell lines.
We investigated whether stromal cells obtained from human tonsils could interact and modulate the proliferation of the osteosarcoma cell in order to determine why lymph node metastases usually have a low incidence and remain occult using routine examinations. The effects of the supernatant of resting or activated stromal cells were analysed on osteoblastic cell proliferation of three different cell lines (HOS, U2, OS, MG-63). Only the proliferation of MG-63 was significantly inhibited. The direct adhesion of stromal cells to the osteosarcoma cell lines caused a greater inhibition of the proliferation of all three lines tested.
Cell Communication↗
Osteoblastic cell lines are not susceptible to HIV-1 infection.
Osteoblastic cells are in direct or indirect contact with lymphocytes and bone marrow cells that are the main targets of HIV-1. Therefore we analysed whether HIV-1 could infect these cells using three bone cell lines (HOS, MG-63, U2 OS) as a model. These cells were infected with HIV-1 (strain NL4-3) and the supernatants were harvested every day for 20 days for p24 antigen measured using an ELISA immunoassay. The DNA of infected cells was extracted at days 3, 9, and 12 and the PCR for gag gene was performed using Jurkat cell line as a negative control and ACH-2 cell line as a positive control. Our results demonstrated that HOS, MG-63 and U2 OS are not infected by HIV-1. These data were confirmed using PCR that is currently the most sensitive procedure available.
HIV Infections↗
Age-related changes in human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) collagen fibrils.
The correlation between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) collagen fibril diameter and aging were studied in subjects aged 15 to 87 years. The samples processed for light and electron microscopy showed statistically significant differences in collagen fibril diameter among young (< 20 years), adult (20-60) and elderly subjects (> 60 years). In the young, the ACL was made up of collagen fibrils which were highly variable in size (range 20-180 nm); the diameter distribution curve was very asymmetrical (mean asymmetry +0.895). In adults and elderly subjects, the maximum diameter had decreased remarkably (120 and 110 nm, respectively) and the diameter distribution curve had become less asymmetrical (mean asymmetry +0.527 and +0.297 respectively). Fibril concentration increased considerably from young (68 fib/mu 2) and elderly subjects (140 fib/mu 2). This reduction in diameter and the relative change in collagen fibril concentration may be related to changes in elastic stiffness. The increase in small collagen fibrils and the marked rise in their concentration may make the ligament more pliable. These findings are similar to those we obtained in Achilles tendon. They demonstrate that both ACL and Achilles tendon, a tissue which responds to unidirectional mechanical forces more than ACL does, show a reduction in diameter value during ageing. These data further suggest that collagen fibril diameter is related to the aging process.
Achilles Tendon↗
Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase expression by different human osteosarcoma cell lines.
Oxidative stress has been frequently implicated in the initiation and promotion phases of carcinogenesis. Antioxidant enzymes, which can antagonize this process, are lowered in a number of malignancies even though different findings have been reported in the literature. It has been shown that tumors have less copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) in comparison with the more metabolically active tissues, but there is a large overlap between normal and tumor tissue. In order to examine the relationship between osteosarcoma at different degrees of proliferation and differentiation and Cu/Zn SOD levels, four different human ostosarcoma cell lines: HOS, U-2 OS, MG63, Saos-2 were studied for their production and release of Cu/Zn SOD. A normal human stromal cell line was used as control. Osteosarcoma cells were stimulated with TNF alpha, a cytokine previously shown to have antiproliferative activity. The release of Cu/Zn SOD into the supernatant was higher for the HOS and U-2 OS lines when compared to the other cell lines evaluated both in basal condition and after incubation with TNF alpha. Elevated intracellular levels of Cu/Zn SOD were shown except for the HOS and U-2 OS which possess high concentrations of the enzyme at 24 hours declining during the other incubation periods. These concentrations were increased after TNF alpha treatment. The different behaviour of the four cell lines evaluated might be explained by their degree of differentiation.
Bone Neoplasms↗
Elevated serum concentrations of the chemokine RANTES in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of serum concentrations of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica at disease diagnosis and during a six-month period of corticosteroid treatment. METHODS: Sera were obtained from patients at the time of PMR diagnosis and subsequently after one week, two weeks, one month, three months and six months. At each time point a clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed. Serum concentrations of IL-8, GRO alpha, RANTES, MCP-1, and MIP1 alpha were evaluated by commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: Only RANTES serum levels were significantly higher in PMR patients than in controls. No correlation was found between RANTES concentrations and laboratory and clinical features. Chemokine levels reached their lowest level after one month of steroid treatment and remained in the normal range thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: The production of RANTES is enhanced in untreated PMR patients; corticosteroid treatment results in a normalization of chemokine levels.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗