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Biomedical subjects

C Hilvering

Publications and source records attributed to C Hilvering.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of the CD11/CD18 cell surface adhesion glycoprotein family and MHC class II antigen on blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages in interstitial lung diseases.

The expression of molecules of the CD11/CD18 cell surface adhesion glycoprotein family and HLA/DR antigen was studied on peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) and alveolar macrophages (AM) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA). Patients with these interstitial lung diseases showed increased numbers of macrophages in BAL fluid. This was probably caused by an increased influx of PBM to the alveoli since the numbers of cells with a monocytic morphology were also significantly increased in BAL samples from patients with interstitial lung disease, most prominently in IPF and EAA. The increased influx of PBM into the alveoli in patients with interstitial lung diseases was not reflected by an increased expression of the CD11/CD18 leukocyte function antigens on PBM. In healthy volunteers as well as in those with sarcoidosis, IPF, and EAA, the percentages of AM positive for CD11b (the C3bi complement receptor) and CD11c were lower than among PBM. This indicates that the expression of these cell surface adhesion molecules is downregulated during maturation and migration of PBM to the alveoli. The absolute numbers of AM positive for CD11b were increased in BAL fluid of IPF and EAA patients compared to healthy volunteers. EAA patients also showed increased absolute numbers of AM positive for CD11a and CD11c. This differentially increased expression of these leukocyte function antigens on AM suggests the influence of locally produced cytokines.

Adult

Cystic fibrosis in a 70 year old woman.

A 68 year old woman with a lifelong history of chronic bronchitis was diagnosed as having cystic fibrosis. The diagnosis was based on a suggestive family history, steatorrhoea, bronchiectasis with respiratory insufficiency, and very high sweat sodium content. The patient was found to be heterozygous for the delta F 508 gene defect.

Aged

Diffusion capacity in heart transplant recipients.

Preoperative diffusion capacity per liter alveolar volume (Kco) in cardiac transplant recipients with an intrinsic normal lung is within the normal range. In the first postoperative year, Kco showed a significant mean decrease of 12 percent (p less than 0.004). Lung function (TLC, VC, FEV1) tended to normalize after heart transplantation. Ventilation distribution remained stable before and after heart transplantation. Preoperatively, weak correlations were found between Kco and diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure (dPAP) and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Postoperatively, correlation between Kco and PCWP was weak, and between Kco and dPAP it was not significant at all. These pressures determine the capillary blood volume before and after transplantation. Probably these weak correlations indicate that intrapulmonary factors, not cardiac factors, are of primary importance in the regulation of blood distribution. The percentage of decrease in Kco in the first postoperative year correlated with the change in dPAP and PCWP, but also with the cyclosporine level in the first posttransplant year. No correlation was found between cyclosporine level and pulmonary vascular resistance. It is suggested that higher levels of cyclosporine influence the alveolar capillary membrane, so that Kco decreases. The percentage of decrease in Kco was significantly more outspoken in patients who had rales on auscultation preoperatively. Using multiple regression analysis, we found that the factors most strongly related to the percentage of change in Kco in the first posttransplant year were the preoperative Kco, the cyclosporine level in the first postoperative year, and the change in dPAP in that year.

Adult

Long-term multicentre trial in chronic nonspecific lung disease: methodology and baseline assessment in adult patients. Dutch CNSLD Study Group.

Airways obstruction and airways hyperresponsiveness are two dominant features in patients with chronic nonspecific lung disease (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)). We set up a study to determine whether long-term (3 yrs) therapeutic intervention directed at airways obstruction and hyperresponsiveness is superior to one directed at airways obstruction alone. Patients were selected on functional criteria (age, baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and airways hyperresponsiveness) and, furthermore, extensively characterized by history, smoking habits, allergy, reversibility of airways obstruction and quality of life. The methodology and practical problems of setting up this large multicentre study are outlined, together with an analysis of baseline data. Standardization of methods and techniques and recruitment of patients required much effort, recruitment taking about twice as long as expected. A 3 month feasibility study allowed us to eliminate minor problems in the protocol. Over a 16 month period, 274 adult patients (18-60 yrs) from the out-patient clinics of six university centres entered the study; 99 met the diagnostic criteria for asthma, 51 for COPD, 88 for asthmatic bronchitis, and 36 could not be classified. Their mean (SD) FEV1% pred was 65.1 (15.2)%. Their geometric mean provoking concentration of histamine producing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20 histamine) was 0.28 mg.ml-1. In a multiple regression analysis, more severe airways hyperresponsiveness was associated with lower prechallenge FEV1% pred (p less than 0.0001), higher pack-years of smoking (p = 0.0099), blood eosinophil count (p = 0.0004), skin test reactivity (p = 0.0047) and with female sex (p = 0.0302). We conclude that setting up long-term multicentre trials in chronic nonspecific lung disease (CNSLD) is feasible and that these may offer valuable information on treatment and outcome of the disease.

Adult

Expression of the CD11/CD18 cell surface adhesion glycoprotein family on alveolar macrophages in smokers and nonsmokers.

The CD11/CD18 leukocyte surface adhesion glycoprotein family consists of three different heterodimeric molecules that play an essential role in adhesion-related functions such as migration, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis. This suggests an important role of these molecules in inflammatory processes. The three molecules consist of a specific alpha chain (CD11a, CD11b, or CD11c) and share a common beta chain (CD18). The expression of the cell adhesion glycoprotein family on alveolar macrophages (AM) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) was studied in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples and PB from 11 smokers and 10 nonsmoking healthy volunteers. Smokers showed increased numbers of macrophages in their BAL fluid as compared with nonsmokers. This is probably due to an increased recruitment of blood monocytes to the alveoli, since the numbers as well as percentages of cells with a monocyte-like morphology were significantly increased in BAL fluid samples from smokers. The proportion of CD11+/CD18+ AM in the BAL fluid from smokers, however, was decreased as compared with AM from nonsmokers and PBM. This suggests that tobacco smoke might play a role in the downregulation of these leukocyte adhesion glycoproteins on AM.

Adult

Choriocarcinoma with lung metastases during pregnancy with successful delivery and outcome after chemotherapy.

A patient with an intrauterine pregnancy of 27 weeks had a coexisting pulmonary metastatic choriocarcinoma. On the chest radiograph the lung metastases appeared as pulmonary infiltrates, simulating atypical pneumonia. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin levels were normal for gestational age. Treatment with methotrexate was successful. This is the first reported case of choriocarcinoma in a woman with a pregnancy of less than 35 weeks in which both mother and child survived. The case emphasises the need to consider choriocarcinoma in any pregnant woman who presents with haemoptysis and pulmonary nodules or infiltrates.

Adult

Pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis. Demonstration of smooth muscle antigens by immunofluorescence technique.

A case is reported of pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis in 44-year-old woman presenting with progressive exertional dyspnoea, unproductive cough and haemoptysis. The patient showed no symptoms or signs of tuberous sclerosis, a condition often found in association with pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis. A pulmonary biopsy specimen showed disruption of alveolar septa and fibrosis. Subpleural lymph vessels and pulmonary venules showed cuffs of spindle-shaped cells. The leiomyomatous nature of these cells was evident from their appearance and staining reactions with light microscopy, and the presence of smooth muscle antigens as demonstrated by immunofluorescence technique. Since the lesion is not restricted to lymphatics, but can also be present in blood vessels, the condition may more appropriately be designated as pulmonary angiomyomatosis.

Adult