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Biomedical subjects

A Kaiser

Publications and source records attributed to A Kaiser.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Auditory and vestibular defects in the circling (ci2) rat mutant.

The circling rat is an autosomal recessive mutant (homozygous ci2/ci2) that displays lateralized circling behaviour, locomotor hyperactivity, ataxia and stereotypic head-movement. These abnormal behaviours occur in phases or bursts either spontaneously or in response to stress. Heterozygous (ci2/+) littermates display normal spontaneous behaviours. We have previously found that ci2/ci2 rats of both genders have a lower tissue content of dopamine in the striatum ipsilateral to the preferred direction of rotation, indicating that the rats turn away from the brain hemisphere with higher striatal dopaminergic activity. In view of the similarities of the motor syndrome of the ci2/ci2 mutant rat to that of mouse deafness mutants, the present study evaluated the hearing ability of the circling rat mutant by recording brainstem auditory-evoked potentials. To test for vestibular dysfunction, a swimming test was conducted. Histological methods were used to examine the cochlear and vestibular parts of the inner ear and the cochlear and vestibular brainstem nuclei for defects. The absence of auditory-evoked potentials demonstrated a complete hearing loss in the adult ci2/ci2 mutant rat, whereas heterozygous littermates exhibited auditory-evoked potentials with thresholds resembling those of other laboratory strains. Furthermore, the mutant rats were unable to swim. Histological analysis of the inner ear of adult mutants revealed virtually complete loss of the cochlear neuroepithelium, while no such hair cell degeneration was seen in the vestibular parts of the inner ear. However, part of the vestibular hair cells showed protrusions into the endolymphatic space, suggesting alterations in the cytoskeletal architecture. The histological findings in mutant circling rats strongly indicate that the hearing loss of the mutants is of the sensory neural type, the most prevalent type of hearing loss. In the cochlear nuclei of the brain stem of mutant rats, neurons exhibited an abnormal shape, reduced size and increased density compared to controls. In contrast, no abnormal neuronal morphology was seen in the vestibular nuclei, but a significantly reduced neuronal density was found in the medial vestibular nucleus. Abnormal vestibular function would be a likely explanation for the disturbed balance of mutant rats as exemplified by the ataxia and the inability to swim, whereas the previous data on these rats strongly indicate an involvement of the basal ganglia in the abnormal circling behaviour. The genetic defect in the mutant rats, thus, results in a clinical syndrome with features also seen in human genetic disorders with deafness and hyperkinesia, making the ci2/ci2 rat an excellent model for investigating both cochlear/vestibular dysfunction and hyperkinetic movement disorders.

Animals↗

[Opportunistic infections and HIV-associated malignancies. An evaluation of 58 autopsy cases within 10 years].

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of all patients who died of HIV infection within 10 years (1. 1. 1988 to 31. 12. 1997) at the Klinikum Nürnberg 58 autopsy cases were reviewed at the Institute of Pathology of the above mentioned hospital. RESULTS: The male:female ratio was 2.1:1, the mean age being 40.5 years. Most of the patients showed an advanced stage of lymphadenopathy at the moment of death. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma, both HIV-related malignant diseases, were diagnosed in 6/58 cases, 10.3% each. HIV-related myelodysplastic changes existed in 28/58 patients (48.3%). Twelve patients showed an HIV-associated encephalopathy (20.7%). Opportunistic infections (pneumocystis carinii, cytomegaly, toxoplasmosis, atypical mycobacteriosis) were found in 28/58 patients (48.3%). A mycosis was diagnosed in 9/58 cases (15.5%). Tuberculosis was identified in 4/58 patients (6.9%). Cirrhosis of the liver was ascertained in 8/58 patients (13.8%). 24/58 patients (41.4%) died of respiratory disorder. CONCLUSION: In the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome numerous morphological findings will be helpful in diagnosis and therapy.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

NS3 serine protease of bovine viral diarrhea virus: characterization of active site residues, NS4A cofactor domain, and protease-cofactor interactions.

The gene expression of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus, occurs via translation of a hypothetical polyprotein that is processed cotranslationally and posttranslationally by viral and cellular enzymes. A protease located in the N-terminal region of nonstructural (NS) protein NS3 catalyzes the cleavages, leading to the release of NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. Our study provides experimental evidence that histidine at position 1658 and aspartic acid at position 1686 constitute together with the previously identified serine at position 1752 (S1752) the catalytic triad of the pestiviral NS3 serine protease. Interestingly, a mutant protease encompassing an exchange of the active site S1752 to threonine still showed residual activity. This finding links the NS3 protease of pestiviruses to the capsid protease of Sindbis virus. Furthermore, we observed that the minimal protease domain of NS3 encompasses about 209 amino acids. The NS3 protease was found to be sensitive to N-terminal truncation because a deletion of 6 amino acids significantly reduced the cleavage efficiency at the NS4A/4B site. Larger N-terminal deletions also impaired the activity of the enzyme with respect to the other cleavage sites but to a different degree at each site. The NS3 protease of BVDV has previously been shown to depend on NS4A as cofactor. We demonstrate here that the central region of NS4A represents the cofactor domain. Furthermore, coprecipitation studies strongly suggest an interaction between NS4A and the N-terminal region of NS3. Besides the remarkable similarities observed between the pestiviral NS3 protease and the corresponding enzyme of hepatitis C virus (HCV), our results suggest a common ancestry between these enzymes and the capsid protease of Sindbis virus.

Animals↗

[Multilocular thyroid gland ectopy].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 86-year-old woman was hospitalized two days before death. Her past history included essential hypertension and joint pain. Electrocardiography and laboratory findings revealed an acute myocardial infarction. Chemical laboratory examination demonstrated hyperthyroidism. The x-ray of the chest showed a tumor-like mass in the right lung and a nodular goiter with focal changes. Sonographically a tumor in the left colon was diagnosed. Inspite of intensive care the patient died two days later of cardiogenic shock. AUTOPTIC DIAGNOSIS: The autopsy revealed a transmural myocardial infarction with rupture of the heart wall. An adenocarcinoma of the rectum infiltrating the perirectal fatty tissue was diagnosed. Metastases were absent. Additional to an eutopic nodular goiter there was ectopic thyroid tissue in the lung, as a tumour mass under the visceral pleura, in the pelvic cavity and in the skeleton. The histologic findings revealed a close resemblance to the thyroid gland in normal anatomical position. In small foci in the eutopic and ectopic thyroid tissues there were signs of hyperthyroidism. There was no evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSION: One should always keep in mind that manifest hyperthyroidism, not explicable on the grounds of the thyroid findings in normal anatomical position can point to ectopic (multilocular) thyroid tissue, especially when there are "tumours" of uncertain origin.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Neuronal death in newborn striatum after hypoxia-ischemia is necrosis and evolves with oxidative stress.

The mechanisms for neurodegeneration after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in newborns are not understood. We tested the hypothesis that striatal neuron death is necrosis and evolves with oxidative stress and selective organelle damage. Piglets ( approximately 1 week old) were used in a model of hypoxia-asphyxia and survived for 3, 6, 12, or 24 h. Neuronal death was progressive over 3-24 h recovery, with approximately 80% of putaminal neurons dead at 24 h. Striatal DNA was digested randomly at 6-12 h. Ultrastructurally, dying neurons were necrotic. Damage to the Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum occurred at 3-12 h, while most mitochondria appeared intact until 12 h. Mitochondria showed early suppression of activity, then a transient burst of activity at 6 h, followed by mitochondrial failure (determined by cytochrome c oxidase assay). Cytochrome c was depleted at 6 h after HI and thereafter. Damage to lysosomes occurred within 3-6 h. By 3 h recovery, glutathione levels were reduced, and peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative damage to membrane proteins, determined by immunoblots for nitrotyrosine, occurred at 3-12 h. The Golgi apparatus and cytoskeleton were early targets for extensive tyrosine nitration. Striatal neurons also sustained hydroxyl radical damage to DNA and RNA within 6 h after HI. We conclude that early glutathione depletion and oxidative stress between 3 and 6 h reperfusion promote damage to membrane and cytoskeletal proteins, DNA and RNA, as well as damage to most organelles, thereby causing neuronal necrosis in the striatum of newborns after HI.

Animals↗

[Portal vein resection in the framework of surgical therapy of pancreatic head carcinoma: clarification of indication by improved preoperative diagnostic procedures?].

Tumor invasion of the portal vein by ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head is classically known as a criterion for inoperability. Despite improvement in operation techniques for portal vein resection during Whipple's procedure and acceptable mortality and morbidity, in the case of uncertain tumor infiltration vascular resection cannot be recommended in general. The problem is the preoperative detection of tumor infiltration of the portal vein. Often the surgeon is confronted with unsuspected macroscopic portal vein infiltration or tumor adhesion during the operation. Between 1986 and 1995 105 patients underwent Whipple's procedure for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head in our department. In eight of these cases partial portal vein resection was performed because of macroscopic tumor infiltration or tumor adhesion. In all eight cases the preoperative diagnostic procedures with CT and portography did not show any suspicion of tumor infiltration. In four of the eight cases histological tumor infiltration of all vascular layers was found. In the others we found no or only adventitial tumor invasion. The patients without tumor infiltration of the portal vein showed a survival time after surgery of 27.78 months in contrast to 6.67 months in the group with histologically proven tumor infiltration. Endovascular, intraportal ultrasound (IPEUS), a new diagnostic procedure, can give helpful information regarding portal vein involvement. Although the IPEUS is not a standard diagnostic procedure it was shown to detect portal vein infiltration with high sensitivity and specificity. Our results indicate that in such cases where portal vein infiltration has been excluded by IPEUS, patients with macroscopic tumor adhesion do benefit from partial portal vein resection.

Adult↗

Molecular mechanism of interferon alfa-mediated growth inhibition in human neuroendocrine tumor cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although human neuroendocrine tumors respond to interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment in vivo, the underlying mechanisms of growth inhibition are poorly understood. To characterize the antiproliferative effects at a molecular level, we explored the growth-regulatory action of IFN-alpha in the human neuroendocrine tumor cell lines BON and QGP1. METHODS: IFN-alpha receptor expression and signal transduction were examined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, subcellular fractionation, and transactivation assays. Growth regulation was evaluated by cell numbers, soft agar assays, and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. Expression and activity of cell cycle-regulatory molecules were determined by immunoblotting and histone H1-kinase assays. RESULTS: Both cell lines expressed IFN-alpha receptor mRNA transcripts. Ligand binding initiated phosphorylation of Jak kinases and Stat transcription factors, resulting in Stat activation, nuclear translocation, and transcription from an ISRE-reporter construct. Prolonged IFN-alpha treatment dose-dependently inhibited both anchorage-dependent and -independent growth. Cell cycle analysis of IFN-alpha-treated, unsynchronized cultures revealed an increased S-phase population, which was further substantiated in G(1) synchronized QGP1 cells. IFN-alpha-treated cells entered S phase in parallel to control cultures, but their progress into G(2)/M phase was delayed. Both cellular cyclin B levels and CDC 2 activity were substantially reduced. The extent and time course of this reduction corresponded to the observed S-phase accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-alpha directly inhibits growth of human neuroendocrine tumor cells by specifically delaying progression through S phase and into G(2)/M. These cell cycle changes are associated with inhibition of cyclin B expression, resulting in reduced CDC2 activity.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein (LTBP-1); a new marker for intra-and extraocular PEX deposits].

BACKGROUND: Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is a generalized process of the extracellular matrix characterized by the accumulation of an abnormal pathognomonic material in various intraocular and extraocular tissues. Whereas the intraocular manifestations can be directly diagnosed by biomicroscopic observations, the extraocular manifestations can presently only be diagnosed by electron microscopic methodology. In order to better evaluate the distribution and precise localization of PEX deposits in the various organ systems, we searched for a relatively specific immunohistochemical marker for PEX material on the light microscopic level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eyes and tissue specimens of various organ systems (skin, heart, lungs, liver, kidney, abdominal aorta, cerebral artery, plexus choroideus, meninges) obtained from 4 organ donors with ocular PEX syndrome and age-matched control tissues were investigated by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against various elastic microfibrillar components. RESULTS: Out of a panel of antibodies tested, the immunolabeling of both intra- and extraocular PEX deposits with antibodies against latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein (LTBP-1) was particularly prominent. In addition to the known intraocular sites of PEX material accumulations, focal plaque-like LTBP-1 positive deposits could be observed in the conjunctival stroma, optic nerve meninges, skin, heart muscle, lungs, kidney as well as in the adventitia of the aorta and cerebral artery from donors with PEX syndrome; such plaque-like deposits positive for LTBP-1 were not present in the control tissues. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of typical fibrillar PEX aggregates in the respective tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies against LTBP-1 provide a new and relatively specific marker for PEX deposits both in intraocular and extraocular locations. Systematic screening of PEX accumulations in a larger number of extraocular tissue specimens obtained from PEX patients may help to elucidate the functional implications and consequences of the systemic manifestations.

Aged↗

Activation of protein kinase Calpha inhibits growth of pancreatic cancer cells via p21(cip)-mediated G(1) arrest.

We have analyzed human pancreatic cancer cells to explore the growth regulatory function of protein kinase C (PKC)alpha. PKCalpha subcellular redistribution, activation kinetics and downregulation were examined in detail and correlated to immediate and delayed effects on cell-cycle regulatory pathways. TPA treatment resulted in transient PKC(&agr;) activation accompanied by translocation of the enzyme into membrane and nuclear compartments, and was followed by subsequent downregulation. TPA-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis was prevented by a PKC-antagonist and was reproduced by microinjection of recombinant PKCalpha, indicating that activation of this isoenzyme was required and sufficient for growth inhibitory effects. PKC(&agr;) activation arrested cells in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle as a consequence of selective inhibition of cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)2 activity with concomitant hypophosphorylation of Rb. The inhibition of CDK2 activity resulted from induction of p21(cip1) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Levels of p21(cip1) remained elevated and CDK2 activity repressed in spite of PKCalpha downregulation, indicating that downstream effectors of PKCalpha are the primary determinants for the duration of PKC-mediated growth inhibition. The PKCalpha-induced block in cell proliferation persisted even though cells were kept in the presence of growth factors, suggesting that induction of PKCalpha results in a permanent withdrawal of pancreatic cancer cells from the cell cycle.

Apoptosis↗

Mechanisms for neuronal degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in models of motor neuron death (Review).

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as motor neurone disease, is a fatal neurological disease that is characterized clinically by progressive muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and eventual paralysis. The neuropathology of ALS is primary degeneration of upper (motor cortical) and lower (brainstem and spinal) motor neurons. The amyotrophy refers to the neurogenic atrophy of affected muscle groups, and the lateral sclerosis refers to the hardening of the lateral white matter funiculus in spinal cord (corresponding to degeneration of the corticospinal tract) found at autopsy. Because the mechanisms for the motor neuron degeneration in ALS are not understood, this disease has no precisely known causes and no effective treatments. Very recent studies have identified that the degeneration of motor neurons in ALS is a form of apoptotic cell death that may occur by an abnormal programmed cell death (PCD) mechanism. In order to treat ALS effectively, we need to understand the mechanisms for motor neuron apoptosis more completely. Future studies need to further identify the signals for PCD activation in neurons as they relate to the pathogenesis of ALS and to clarify the molecular pathways leading to motor neuron apoptosis in animal and cell culture model systems. These studies should lead to a better understanding of motor neuron death and to the design of new therapeutic experiments critical for the future treatment of ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Design, expression, and renaturation of a lesion-targeted recombinant epidermal growth factor-von Willebrand factor fusion protein: efficacy in an animal model of experimental colitis.

In the present study, the mature epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein was engineered to incorporate a high affinity collagen-binding domain (CBD) derived from co-agulation von Willebrand factor, to specifically target EGF to colonic lesions. The fusion protein was expressed in an E. coli bacterial expression system, purified by metal chelate chromatography, and renatured by oxidative refolding into a soluble biologically active growth factor. The EGF-CBD fusion protein bound tightly to collagen matrices under conditions in which native non-targeted EGF was washed away. In biologic assays, the EGF-CBD fusion protein stimulated NIH3T3 cell proliferation with near wild-type biological activity. In vivo binding studies showed that the collagen-targeted EGF, but not the non-targeted EGF, accumulated at areas of exposed collagen on the luminal surface of the inflamed colon. Finally, a single colonic instillation of the collagen-targeted EGF-induced a more rapid regeneration of intestinal crypts 24 h after treatment (no. of crypts = 89.2+/-8.1) compared to the non-targeted EGF (no. of crypts = 52.2+/-29.8; p=0.027), and the PBS control (no. of crypts = 24. 0+/-22.9; p=0.001). Taken together, these findings indicate that intracolonic delivery of collagen-targeted EGF represents a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for acute or chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

3T3 Cells↗

What the courts need to know about mental health diagnoses of abused women.

Abused women may appear before the courts because of family or criminal matters. It is not uncommon for an abused woman to be diagnosed as having a mental health condition, including a mental disorder. In this paper, we consider the implications of the use of mental health diagnoses in the court system. We discuss the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-IV and ICD-10 classification systems and examine what other information is needed by the courts to interpret the behaviour and thought processes of abused women. This other information includes: whether the abuse is continuing and the likely impact of its continuance, diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the woman's survival strategies, her coping mechanisms, her support systems, and the severity of the physical and/or psychological abuse. This information needs to be stated within the context of what we currently know about abuse, including up-to-date knowledge about its epidemiology (e.g., prevalence, physical and psychological manifestations, and complex psychological responses). Information about other intervening factors is essential for the courts; and in order to present meaningful testimony on these factors, it is critical for clinicians to have a thorough understanding of the complex dynamics of spousal abuse.

Battered Women↗

Chlorella virus PBCV-1 encodes a functional homospermidine synthase.

Sequence analysis of the 330-kb genome of chlorella virus Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1) revealed an open reading frame, A237R, that encodes a protein with 34% amino acid identity to homospermidine synthase from Rhodopseudomonas viridis. Expression of the a237r gene product in Escherichia coli established that the recombinant enzyme catalyzes the NAD(+)-dependent formation of homospermidine from two molecules of putrescine. The a237r gene is expressed late in PBCV-1 infection. Both uninfected and PBCV-1-infected chlorella, as well as PBCV-1 virions, contain homospermidine, along with the more common polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and cadaverine. The total number of polyamine molecules per virion ( approximately 539) is too small to significantly neutralize the virus double-stranded DNA (>660,000 nucleotides). Consequently, the biological significance of the homospermidine synthase gene is unknown. However, the gene is widespread among the chlorella viruses. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a virus encoding an enzyme involved in polyamine biosynthesis.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Retinoic acid receptor alpha mediates growth inhibition by retinoids in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells.

Although retinoids have been suggested to inhibit chemically induced colon carcinogenesis, the molecular mechanisms underlying retinoid-mediated growth regulation in colon carcinoma cells are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the biological effects of retinoids on growth in HT29 colon carcinoma cells. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment of HT29 cells resulted in a profound inhibition of anchorage-independent growth without biochemical or morphological evidence for induction of differentiation. Treatment with the selective RARalpha agonist Ro 40-6055 completely mimicked the effects of ATRA on growth and transactivation of a betaRAREx2-luciferase reporter construct, while RARbeta- and gamma-specific analogues were ineffective. Furthermore, ATRA-regulated growth and transactivation could be completely blocked by a RARalpha-selective receptor antagonist. Thus, ATRA potently inhibits anchorage-independent growth in HT29 cells and this effect is mainly if not exclusively mediated by the retinoic acid receptor alpha.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Identification of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 from non-small cell lung carcinomas as a flavopiridol-binding protein.

The synthetic flavone flavopiridol can be cytostatic or cytotoxic to mammalian cells, depending on the concentration of the drug and the duration of exposure. It has been shown to inhibit the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family of cell cycle regulatory enzymes. However, the existence of additional potential targets for drug action remains a matter of interest to define. To identify cellular targets, flavopiridol was immobilized. CDKs, particularly CDK 4, bound weakly to immobilized flavopiridol when ATP was absent but not in its presence. Two proteins with molecular weights of 40 kDa and 120 kDa had high affinities to the immobilized flavopiridol independent of the presence of ATP. They were present in all cell lines analyzed: cervical (HeLa), prostate and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines. A 60-kDa protein, which was present only in NSCLC cells and bound similarly well to immobilized flavopiridol, was identified as cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase class 1 (ALDH-1). The level of this protein correlated with the resistance of NSCLC cell lines to cytotoxicity caused by 500 nM flavopiridol but not higher flavopiridol concentrations. Despite binding to ALDH-1, there was no inhibition of dehydrogenase activity by flavopiridol concentrations as high as 20 microM and flavopiridol was not metabolized by ALDH-1. The results suggest that high cellular levels of ALDH-1 may reduce cytotoxicity of flavopiridol and contribute to relative resistance to the drug. This is the first report that flavopiridol binds to proteins other than CDKs.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗

All-trans-retinoic acid-mediated growth inhibition involves inhibition of human kinesin-related protein HsEg5.

In this study we used differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to search for differentially expressed all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-responsive genes in pancreatic carcinoma cells. We identified the kinesin-related protein HsEg5, which plays an essential role in spindle assembly and spindle function during mitosis, as a novel molecule involved in ATRA-mediated growth inhibition. Using Northern and Western blot analysis we demonstrated that ATRA significantly inhibits HsEg5 expression in various pancreatic carcinoma cell lines as well as in HaCat keratinocytes. Inhibition of HsEg5 expression by ATRA occurs at the posttranscriptional level. As a consequence, tumor cells synchronized in S-phase revealed a retarded progression through G2/M phase of the cell cycle indicating that HsEg5 inhibition results in a delayed progression through mitosis. Furthermore, a significant decrease of HsEg5 protein expression achieved by antisense transfection revealed a significant growth inhibition compared with control cells. Therefore, HsEg5 represents a novel molecule involved in ATRA-mediated growth inhibition, suggesting that vitamin A derivatives can interact with the bipolar spindle apparatus during mitosis.

Cell Cycle↗

Fra-1: a novel target for retinoid action.

Using a cDNA gene expression array system, we identified fra-1 as a novel target molecule for retinoid action in the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line Dan-G. Retinoid treatment resulted in a significant and time-dependent induction of the fra-1 expression on the post-transcriptional level. Supershift assays revealed that fra-1 participates in the activator protein 1 complex together with c-fos, c-jun and junB. Transient transfection experiments using a reporter plasmid containing an activator protein site upstream of the CAT reporter gene revealed that the phorbolester-induced CAT activity was suppressed by retinoids. Since fra-1 lacks a transactivation function, we therefore suggest that the retinoid-mediated induction of fra-1 might function as a negative regulator of the activator protein 1 activity in human pancreatic carcinoma cells.

Gene Expression Regulation↗

A quantitative immunohistochemical study on the time-dependent course of acute inflammatory cellular response to human brain injury.

The time-dependent inflammatory cell reaction in human cortical contusions has been investigated during the first 30 weeks after blunt head injury. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using CD 15 for granulocytes and LCA, CD 3 and UCHL-1 for mononuclear leucocytes. In order to provide reliable data for a forensic wound age estimation, the intensity of the cellular reaction was evaluated with a quantitative image analysis system. CD 15-labelled granulocytes were detectable earliest 10 min after brain injury, whereas significantly increased numbers of mononuclear leucocytes occurred in cortical contusions after a postinfliction interval of at least 1.1 days (LCA), 2 days (CD 3) or 3.7 days (UCHL-1), respectively.

Adolescent↗