Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Caruso

Publications and source records attributed to C Caruso.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Increased soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in the sera of type 1 diabetic patients.

Recently, the presence of a soluble form of IL-2 receptor (IL-2RS) in human sera and in supernatants of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes has been demonstrated. It has been suggested that autoimmune diseases could be characterized by a defect in production of IL-2RS, unlike immunoproliferative disorders which are characterized by overproduction. Our aim was to investigate serum IL-2RS levels in 35 newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic patients, in 25 age-matched healthy blood donors and in five patients with Hodgkin's disease. We found that newly diagnosed diabetic patients have higher IL-2RS levels (424.8 +/- 203 U/ml) than normal controls (252.4 +/- 38.4 U/ml) (p less than 0.005). In 22 out of 35 patients (62.8%) the IL-2RS values were above the higher 95% tolerance limit of controls. Furthermore, the persistence of high IL-2RS levels was observed in 18/35 diabetic patients six months after diagnosis (470 +/- 195.6 U/ml). The increased levels were not correlated with glycaemic and HbA1c levels and patients' age. Our findings suggest a potentially significant role for the released IL-2R in the regulation of IL-2 dependent lymphocyte functions in Type 1 diabetes. The study of IL-2RS in Type 1 diabetes may provide a new tool for the knowledge of cytokine involvement in the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR3 phenotypes and insulin antibody production in diabetic Sicilian patients.

We have evaluated the role played by HLA antigens in the control of humoral response to exogenous insulin in a sample of Sicilian insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. The results demonstrate that HLA-DR1-positive patients show the highest mean values of insulin antibody, whereas HLA-B18,DR3-positive patients show the lowest. Thus, present observations show that HLA-DR1- and HLA-DR3-linked genes do play opposite roles in the humoral immune response to an exogenous protein, i.e. injected insulin. These results might be consistent with the findings concerning the mechanisms involved in the resistance and/or susceptibility to immunological diseases. In this regard, the fact that no immunological spontaneous disorder has been shown to be associated with HLA-DR1, whereas several have been shown to be associated with HLA-DR3, is intriguing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Chemical modification of phosphorylase b by tetranitromethane. Identification of a functional tyrosyl residue.

Tetranitromethane, C(NO2)4, a reagent for tyrosyl residues, was found to inactivate irreversibly rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase b. Under the chosen conditions seven tyrosyl residues, namely Tyr-75, 203, 262, 280, 403, 552 and 647, were found to be nitrated. Inactivation was prevented by the presence of the allosteric activator 5'-AMP during nitration. Under these latter conditions one of the reactive tyrosyl residues was not modified by C(NO2)4; thus, this residue appeared to be essential for either catalytic activity or allosteric activation. Tryptic digests of phosphorylase b, reacted with C(NO2)4 in the absence and presence of 5'AMP, were fractionated by gel filtration. The peptide mixtures were further purified by reverse-phase HPLC. One of the peptides contained the tyrosyl residue which was modified by C(NO2)4 only in the absence of 5'AMP. The sequence of this peptide was determined. The amino acid residue which is responsible for the loss of activity upon reaction with C(NO2)4 was identified in the amino acid sequence of phosphorylase b as tyrosine-75. Of the other residues modified in the presence and in the absence of C(NO2)4, tyrosine-403 contributes to the glycogen-storage site whereas Tyr-280 is close to the alpha-D-glucose-binding site. These residues, exposed to the solvent both in the presence and in the absence of 5'AMP, are not essential for catalytic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

HLA-DR-linked genes are involved in the control of T lymphocyte blood levels.

In the present study we have evaluated the association of HLA-DR antigens with circulating leukocyte levels in 113 HLA-typed normal healthy Sicilians. By two methods of statistical analysis (chi 2 test and Student t test) it has been possible to demonstrate clearly a significant association between high levels of mononuclear cells and HLA-DR1 phenotype. This increased number of mononuclear cells in HLA-DR1-positive subjects is due to the increase of blood T cells, whereas monocytes, B cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils are unmodified. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that HLA-DR-linked gene(s) are involved in the control of blood T-cell levels.

Eosinophils↗
PubMed1987

HLA antigens in Sicilian patients affected by chronic myelogenous leukaemia.

HLA antigens were investigated in Sicilian patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and in Sicilian healthy controls. The frequency of the HLA-DRw6 antigen was significantly decreased in the group of patients. These results suggest that DRw6 may be a marker for decreased susceptibility to the etiological or pathogenic mechanism(s) which produce CMLs.

Gene Frequency↗
PubMed1987

MHC-linked genetic factors (HLA-B35) influencing recurrent circumoral herpetic lesions.

The frequencies of HLA-A, B, C, DR, and DQ lymphocyte alloantigens were determined in 31 Sicilian patients with recurrent herpetic lesions (RHL) and compared to frequencies observed in normal individuals. A significant negative association was found for HLA-B35 (pc = 0.049). The relationships between HLA and immune responses to viral infections are discussed in light of the results revealed by the present investigation suggesting that HLA-linked genetic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of RHL. The results seem to indicate that genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are influential against developing RHL.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sequence and structure of a human glucose transporter.

The amino acid sequence of the glucose transport protein from human HepG2 hepatoma cells was deduced from analysis of a complementary DNA clone. Structural analysis of the purified human erythrocyte glucose transporter by fast atom bombardment mapping and gas phase Edman degradation confirmed the identity of the clone and demonstrated that the HepG2 and erythrocyte transporters are highly homologous and may be identical. The protein lacks a cleavable amino-terminal signal sequence. Analysis of the primary structure suggests the presence of 12 membrane-spanning domains. Several of these may form amphipathic alpha helices and contain abundant hydroxyl and amide side chains that could participate in glucose binding or line a transmembrane pore through which the sugar moves. The amino terminus, carboxyl terminus, and a highly hydrophilic domain in the center of the protein are all predicted to lie on the cytoplasmic face. Messenger RNA species homologous to HepG2 glucose transporter messenger RNA were detected in K562 leukemic cells, HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells, and human kidney tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

HLA-A, B, C, DR, MT, and MB antigens in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

In this report we have investigated the frequencies of HLA-A, B, C, DR, MT, and MB markers in 26 Sicilian subjects affected by recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and in 84 healthy controls. Our data show that the frequency of HLA-DR7 antigen is significantly increased in RAS-affected persons (61.5% versus 21.4%; pc less than 0.0025), whereas the B5 antigen frequency is decreased significantly (absent in patients versus 27.3% in controls; pc = 0.04). Thus, present results suggest that HLA-linked genetic factors may play a role in the development of RAS.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

HLA antigens in ulcerative colitis: a study in the Sicilian population.

HLA antigens were investigated in 41 Sicilian patients with ulcerative colitis and in 151 healthy controls. Frequencies of HLA-B5 and DR2 were increased in the group of patients with ulcerative colitis whereas the DR3 antigen frequency was decreased. However the corrected p values were not significant. Thus, present results indicate that in ulcerative colitis HLA linked genetic factors play a marginal role, if any.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗
PubMed1985

OKT4+ and OKT8+ cell subset values and HLA-DR phenotypes.

Blood levels of T cell subsets evaluated by use of monoclonal antibodies OKT4 and OKT8 were analyzed according to HLA-DR phenotypes. The results suggest that gene(s) associated with HLA-DR could be one of the factors which affects blood levels of T cell subsets, modulating the absolute values of T cell population.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Attempt to arrest eye growth by means of ocular hypotony.

Attempt to retard growth of the eye in 4 young rabbits by means of prolonged ocular hypotony maintained by timolol-maleate were not successful. The eyes treated with 0.5 timolol twice a day showed a sustained hypotensive response of 4-5 mm Hg which lasted for the 4 months experimental period. No significant differences in size and on rate of growth in the treated and the untreated eyes were noted. In fact, over the 4 months postnatal period, both groups of eyes increased 0.5 mm per week in axial length. Our experiment suggests that in developing rabbit eyes, at least reduction of IOP is not a factor in effecting a smaller globe.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Characterization of cell suspensions adhering to nylon obtained from mononuclear cells in toto or depleted of monocytes].

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of monocyte depletion on the preparation of B cell enriched suspensions for DR typing. Nylon fiber adherent-cells obtained from total, or monocyte depleted, MNC were identified using different surface markers and cytochemical staining (SIg, DR, ANAE). The results demonstrate that no significant improvement in B enrichment is obtained by monocyte depletion.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1984

Amino acid sequence of the carboxy-terminal end of human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity by a simplified procedure, consisting of 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose affinity chromatography, followed by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The carboxy-terminal region of the protein was identified by carboxypeptidase digestion: the sequence -Lys-Leu-COOH was found instead of the reported -Gly-COOH, thus showing identity with the carboxy-terminal sequence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from human leukocytes and platelets. In addition, the carboxyl-terminal peptide was isolated from a tryptic digest of the protein and sequenced. The sequence is: Trp-Val-Asp-Pro-His-Lys-Leu.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

HLA-DR phenotypes and blood levels of T cell subsets.

Blood mononuclear cell and T cell subsets values were analyzed in 53 Sicilian individuals according to HLA-DR phenotypes. The results demonstrate that DR1-positive subjects show a significant increase of blood T cell subsets whereas DR3-positive subjects show a non-significant decrease of these values. These results suggest that gene(s) associated with HLA-DR could be one of the factors which affect blood levels of T cell subsets.

HLA-DR Antigens↗
PubMed1984

Renal handling of urate during water immersion in the nephrotic syndrome.

Renal handling of urate was examined in 11 patients with nephrotic syndrome before, during, and after 4 h of water immersion up to the neck. Urinary urate excretion, urate clearance, and fractional excretion of urate all increased significantly during water immersion, and decreased in the hour following water immersion. During water immersion fractional excretion of urate rose to a maximum of 16 ml/ml of glomerular filtrate, and fell towards control levels on removal from the bath. It is concluded that either there is a decrease in proximal tubular urate reabsorption or secretion caused by water immersion. In contrast, diurnal control studies showed no significant change in fractional excretion of urate during the same period of the day. It is postulated that the increased fractional excretion of urate on water immersion is due to hypervolemia induced by the hydrostatic pressure of the water on the lower limbs and abdomen.

Adolescent↗