Biomedical subjects

E Andersson

Publications and source records attributed to E Andersson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Rapid subcutaneous IgG replacement therapy at home for pregnant immunodeficient women.

The use of slow or rapid, subcutaneous, IgG (SCIG) infusions in pregnant women with primary antibody deficiencies has been described earlier, though only in single-case reports. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of rapid, SCIG infusions during 11 pregnancies in nine women [six women with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), two with IgG-subclass deficiencies, and one with combined IgA and IgG2 deficiency]. The weekly infusions were given by the women themselves at a dose of 100 mg/kg/week throughout the pregnancy. No adverse systemic reactions or pronounced, local tissue reactions were recorded during or after the more than 400 infusions. The 11 babies were healthy and were born after 38-42 weeks of uneventful gestation. The concentrations of maternal S-IgG at the time of delivery in the four women with CVID ranged from 6.0 to 8.3 g/L, with cord/maternal S-IgG ratios of 1.0-1.5. The IgG subclasses were transferred to the infants. The SCIG home-therapy regime was greatly appreciated by the women.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Discrepancy between molecular structure and ligand selectivity of a testicular follicle-stimulating hormone receptor of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

A putative FSH receptor (FSH-R) cDNA was cloned from African catfish testis. Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence with other (putative) glycoprotein hormone receptors and analysis of the African catfish gene indicated that the cloned receptor belonged to the FSH receptor subfamily. Catfish FSH-R (cfFSH-R) mRNA expression was observed in testis and ovary; abundant mRNA expression was also detected in seminal vesicles. The isolated cDNA encoded a functional receptor since its transient expression in human embryonic kidney (HEK-T) 293 cells resulted in ligand-dependent cAMP production. Remarkably, African catfish LH (cfLH; the catfish FSH-like gonadotropin has not been purified yet) had the highest potency in this system. From the other ligands tested, only human recombinant FSH (hrFSH) was active, showing a fourfold lower potency than cfLH, while hCG and human TSH (hTSH) were inactive. Human CG (as well as cfLH, hrFSH, eCG, but not hTSH) stimulated testicular androgen secretion in vitro but seemed to be unable to bind to the cfFSH-R. However, it was known that hCG is biologically active in African catfish (e.g., induction of ovulation). This indicated that an LH receptor is also expressed in African catfish testis. We conclude that we have cloned a cDNA encoding a functional FSH-R from African catfish testis. The cfFSH-R appears to be less discriminatory for its species-specific LH than its avian and mammalian counterparts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Genetic diversity in populations of plants with different breeding and dispersal strategies in a free-flowing boreal river system.

We have studied the genetic diversity of three plant species: Angelica archangelica (Apiacieae), Bistorta vivipara (Polygonaceae) and Viscaria alpina (Caryophyllaceae) along the free-flowing Vindel River in northern Sweden. The plants differ in reproductive strategy. A archangelica and V. alpina are insect pollinated outbreeders while B. vivipara reproduces with apomixis through bulbils. The seeds of A. archangelica may float for over a year, while the propagules (seeds and bulbils, respectively) of V. alpina and B. vivipara float for less than two days. Genetic diversity was assessed using starch gel electrophoresis. The clonal diversity of B. vivipara measured by Simpson's index (D) ranged between 0.78 and 0.99. Only a few clones were shared between localities. The average percentages polymorphic loci and mean He based on polymorphic loci for V. alpina over all localities were 23.1 and 0.15, respectively. Wright's F-statistics showed a significant overall deficit of heterozygotes. The diversity of A. archangelica was found to increase downstream. Genetic diversity of each species is sufficiently high to be used in studies on hydrochory. Dispersal appears to be related to the floating ability of progagules.

Genes, Plant↗

PubMed2001

A case-referent study of cancer mortality among sulfate mill workers in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether workers in Swedish sulfate mills have an increased risk of death from certain malignancies that have previously been linked to the pulping process. METHODS: Subjects of the study (n=2480) were men aged 40-75 at death during 1960-89 in the parishes surrounding four sulfate mills. Exposure assessment was based on information from the personnel files in the mills- 35% of the subjects were recognised there, and work categories were created. RESULTS: Among all sulfate mill workers, the odds ratio (OR) (90% confidence interval (90% CI)) for death from lung cancer was 1.6 (1.1 to 2.3), pleural mesotheliomas 9.5 (1.9 to 48), brain tumours 2.6 (1.2 to 5.3), and liver or biliary tract cancer 2.3 (1.0 to 5.2). There was an increased mortality from leukaemia among workers in the soda recovery plant (5.9 (2.6 to 13)) and bleaching plant and digester house (2.8 (1.0 to 7.5)). CONCLUSIONS: Sulfate mill workers were at increased risk of dying from lung cancer and pleural mesotheliomas, probably due to exposure to asbestos. Increased risks of brain tumours and cancers of the liver or biliary tract were also found but the aetiology is not obvious.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Beta-carotene uptake and bioconversion to retinol differ between human melanocytes and keratinocytes.

beta-Carotene is one of the carotenoids that has been considered to play a role in the natural defense against ultraviolet-induced skin cancer. It is not known whether epidermal cells are able to accumulate beta-carotene and, subsequently, convert it to vitamin A. We used normal cultured human keratinocytes and melanocytes to study the uptake, and possible bioconversion to retinol, of authentic or [14C]beta-carotene. The uptake was much higher in melanocytes than in keratinocytes, corresponding to a fivefold difference in the intracellular fraction after two days of incubation. An increased level of cellular retinol was noted after one day of beta-carotene incubation. The conversion of [14C]beta-carotene to [14C]retinol peaked at 24 hours of incubation in keratinocytes and melanocytes. The results suggest that beta-carotene can function as a local supply of vitamin A in the skin and that melanocytes are especially likely to store beta-carotene.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

PubMed2001

Reference values for IGF-I throughout childhood and adolescence: a model that accounts simultaneously for the effect of gender, age, and puberty.

We have constructed a reference model to facilitate comparison of serum IGF-I values among children, and thereby to improve the value of IGF-I measurements for diagnosis. The data set consists of serum values measured in 969 samples from 468 healthy children and adolescents (232 males, 236 females; ages, 1.1-18.3 yr). One sample per child was used for the model, each being selected so as to provide sufficient observations for each stage of puberty. The samples not selected were used to validate the reference data. The IGF-I values were log transformed, and multiple regression analysis was used in the model-building process. The best linear model, which converts serum IGF-I concentrations into SD scores and explains 66% of the variation in logIGF-I values, includes the variables of age, gender, and puberty, and takes the interactions among these variables into account. In prepubertal and early pubertal children, the relationship between age and logIGF-I was positive, with greater effect in girls older than 8 yr. In mid-puberty, logIGF-I values were higher in girls than in boys of the same age, up to 16 yr of age. Among boys, the most pronounced positive relationship between age and logIGF-I occurred in mid-puberty, whereas the relationship between age and logIGF-I among girls in mid-puberty is fairly constant. In late puberty, logIGF-I values were higher than earlier in puberty, and there was a negative relationship with age in both boys and girls. Instead of separate models for each combination of puberty and gender, estimating a single regression model permits simultaneous estimation of all explanatory variables and uses all observations in the data set, thereby making it easier to select those variables that have a significant effect on logIGF-I. Our model shows that IGF-I levels are related to age during each stage of puberty. The model also accounts for the fact that serum IGF-I concentrations during puberty are different for boys and girls.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Development and validation of a sensitive ELISA for quantification of secretory IgA in rat saliva and faeces.

Non-invasive measures of immunological markers are an attractive means of stress assessment in laboratory animals. Salivary IgA has been used successfully as a stress marker in the human, and several reports indicate the potential of secretory IgA as a non-invasive measure of stress in animals. The present paper describes the development of an ELISA using commercially available components for the quantification of rat IgA and validation of this assay for the quantification of rat secretory IgA in saliva and faeces. The concentration of IgA in rat saliva varied significantly between duplicate samples obtained from individual rats, and the viscosity and small total volume of rat saliva gave unsatisfactory results for IgA. Faecal IgA was present in high concentrations, and duplicate samples varied by only 2-3%. However, faecal IgA seemed less stable than IgA in other biological compartments, and this finding must be taken into consideration when using quantitative measurements of IgA as a marker of mucous humoral immune status.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Right ventricular function in patients with first inferior myocardial infarction: assessment by tricuspid annular motion and tricuspid annular velocity.

BACKGROUND: Unlike left ventricular function, right ventricular (RV) function has not been widely studied after a myocardial infarction (MI). The current study describes RV function determined by tricuspid annular motion and tricuspid annular velocity after MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients with a first acute inferior MI were prospectively compared with 33 patients with a first anterior MI and 24 age-matched healthy individuals. Association of RV infarction in inferior MI was defined as the presence of >/=1-mm ST-segment elevation at the right precordial lead, V(4)R, of the electrocardiograms. From the echocardiographic apical 4-chamber views, the systolic motion of the tricuspid annulus was recorded at the RV free wall with the use of 2-dimensional guided M-mode recordings. Peak systolic and peak early and late diastolic velocities of the tricuspid annulus at the RV free wall also were recorded with the use of pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging. The tricuspid annular motion was reduced in inferior MI compared with that in healthy individuals (20.5 and 25 mm, P <.001). The peak systolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus was significantly reduced in inferior MI compared with that in healthy individuals (12 vs 14.5 cm/s, P <.001) and patients with anterior MI (12 and 14.5 cm/s, P <.001). Patients with inferior MI were divided into 2 subgroups: those with and those without electrocardiographic signs of RV infarction. The tricuspid annular motion was significantly lower in patients with RV infarction than in patients without RV infarction (17 and 22.7 mm, P <.001). In addition, compared with patients without electrocardiographic signs of RV infarction, patients with RV infarction also had a significantly decreased peak systolic tricuspid annular velocity (13.3 and 10.3 cm/s, P <.001) and peak early diastolic velocity (13 and 8.2 cm/s, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tricuspid annular motion and tricuspid annular velocity can be used to assess RV function in association with inferior MI.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Effects of first myocardial infarction on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function with the use of mitral annular velocity determined by pulsed wave doppler tissue imaging.

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of a first myocardial infarction (MI) on the systolic and diastolic velocity profiles of the mitral annulus determined by pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging and thereby evaluate left ventricular (LV) function after MI. Seventy-eight patients with a first MI were examined before discharge. Peak systolic, peak early diastolic, and peak late diastolic velocities were recorded at 4 different sites on the mitral annulus corresponding to the septum, anterior, lateral, and inferior sites of the left ventricle. In addition, the amplitude of mitral annular motion at the 4 above LV sites, the ejection fraction, and conventional Doppler diastolic parameters were recorded. Nineteen age-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Compared with healthy subjects, the MI patients had a significantly reduced peak systolic velocity at the mitral annulus, especially at the infarction sites. A relatively good linear correlation was found between the ejection fraction and the mean systolic velocity from the 4 LV sites (r = 0.74, P <.001). The correlation was also good when the mean peak systolic mitral annular velocity was tested against the magnitude of the mean mitral annular motion (r = 0.77, P <.001). When the patients were divided into 2 different groups with respect to an ejection fraction > or =0.50 or <0.50, a cutoff point of mean systolic mitral annular velocity of > or =7.5 cm/s had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 88% in predicting a preserved global LV systolic function. Similar to systolic velocities, the early diastolic velocity was also reduced, especially at the infarction sites. The peak mitral annular early diastolic velocity correlated well with both LV ejection fraction (r =.66, P <.001) and mean systolic mitral annular motion (r = 0.68, P <.001). However, no correlation existed between the early diastolic velocity and conventional diastolic Doppler parameters. The reduced peak systolic mitral annular velocity seems to be an expression of regionally reduced systolic function. The peak early diastolic velocity is also reduced, especially at the infarction sites, and reflects regional diastolic dysfunction. Thus, quantification of myocardial velocity by Doppler tissue imaging opens up a new possibility of assessing LV function along its long axis.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMed2000

The stability of some selected amino acids under attempted redox constrained hydrothermal conditions.

In order to evaluate the stability of aspartic acid, serine, leucine, and alanine under redox buffered hydrothermal conditions, a series of experiments have been performed. The pyrite-pyrrhotite-magnetite (PPM) mineral assemblage was used in the experimental systems in order to constrain the oxygen fugacity. Likewise, the K-feldspar-muscovite-quartz (KMQ) assemblage was added to control the hydrogen ion activity during the experiments. The purpose was to compare the relative stabilities in buffered and unbuffered experiments. The experiments were conducted at 200 degrees C and 50 bar in Teflon coated autoclaves. Glycine, which was not present initially, started to appear at an early stage in the experimental systems and is believed to be the result of decomposition of serine. Similarly, the increase in relative abundance of alanine is likely to be the result of decomposition of serine. Decomposition rates of leucine, alanine and aspartic acid were found to be lower in experiments containing the redox buffer assemblage pyrite-pyrrhotite-magnetite than in non-redox buffered experiments. The decomposition rate of serine was higher in buffered experiments, which indicates that a transformation pathway via dehydration of serine to dehydroalanine followed by reduction to alanine is promoted by reducing conditions.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2000

Experiences from treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during 17 years in Göteborg.

AIMS: To describe changes in different factors at resuscitation and survival in a 17-year survey of patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHOD: The investigation was carried out in the community of Göteborg with 450 000 inhabitants during 1981-1997 on all patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in whom resuscitation was attempted. RESULTS: The number of cases per year, the proportion of witnessed arrests and the proportion of arrests of cardiac aetiology remained similar over time. There was an increase in median age from 68 to 73 years (P<0.0001), in the proportion of females from 27% to 33% (P=0.035) and in the proportion of patients receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation from 14% to 28% (P<0.0001) with time. There was a shortening of the median interval from collapse until defibrillation from 9 min to 6 min (P<0.0001) over time but a decrease in the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation as the initially recorded arrhythmia from 39% to 32% (P=0.022). There was an increase in the proportion of patients having a bystander witnessed cardiac arrest of cardiac aetiology being hospitalized alive from 32% to 45% (P<0. 0001 for change over time). The proportion of patients discharged alive from hospital increased from 16% to 29% until 1993, but thereafter decreased to 13% in 1997 (P=0.002 for change over time). CONCLUSION: In a survey covering 17 years of resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients we found that the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation as the initially recorded arrhythmia decreased. There was an increase in age, in the proportion of females and in the use of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The interval between collapse and defibrillation was shortened. Survival changed over time with an increase until 1993 but with a decrease thereafter.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of OAE-recording as a complementary test method for adults with moderate to profound mental retardation.

The recording of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) was evaluated as a complementary test method for adults with moderate to profound mental retardation (MR). A portable apparatus, ILO 288 Echoport linked to a Compaq LTE 5100 notebook with software ILO 88 V 4.2, was used. Otoscopy and tympanometry were also performed. Criteria for emissions were S/N 3 dB or more and reproducibility 60% or more for at least three frequency-bands. The criteria for partial emissions were the same, but for only one or two frequencies. Two examiners were needed: one to keep the tested person calm and quiet and the other to handle the keyboard. Thirty-eight people with different degrees of MR in connection with other disabilities were included. They had all exhibited incomplete results in a previous hearing screening of more than 1,000 adults with MR. Reproducible transiently evoked OAEs (TEOAE) were recorded from 11 ears (7 people), partial TEOAEs from 6 ears (4 people) and no emissions from 15 ears (10 people). Registration from 24 ears (13 people) could not be evaluated because of too much external and internal noise. Eight people rejected the examination. Only four people showed emissions in both ears. Accordingly, 34 people (89.5%) had to be re-tested or referred for further investigation, 21 of them (55%) because of noisy recordings or no co-operation. It is concluded that the TEOAE-test in its present form cannot fulfil the demands for a functioning test method for this population. In single cases, however, TEOAE-recording can complement other audiological tests.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2000

Lentivirus vector gene expression during ES cell-derived hematopoietic development in vitro.

The murine embryonal stem (ES) cell virus (MESV) can express transgenes from the long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter/enhancer in undifferentiated ES cells, but expression is turned off upon differentiation to embryoid bodies (EBs) and hematopoietic cells in vitro. We examined whether a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-based lentivirus vector pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G) could transduce ES cells efficiently and express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene from an internal phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter throughout development to hematopoietic cells in vitro. An oncoretrovirus vector containing the MESV LTR and the GFP gene was used for comparison. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of transduced CCE ES cells showed 99.8 and 86.7% GPF-expressing ES cells in the VSV-G-pseudotyped lentivirus (multiplicity of infection [MOI] = 59)- and oncoretrovirus (MOI = 590)-transduced cells, respectively. Therefore, VSV-G pseudotyping of lentiviral and oncoretrovirus vectors leads to efficient transduction of ES cells. Lentivirus vector integration was verified in the ES cell colonies by Southern blot analysis. When the transduced ES cells were differentiated in vitro, expression from the oncoretrovirus LTR was severely reduced or extinct in day 6 EBs and ES cell-derived hematopoietic colonies. In contrast, many lentivirus-transduced colonies, expressing the GFP gene in the undifferentiated state, continued to express the transgene throughout in vitro development to EBs at day 6, and many continued to express in cells derived from hematopoietic colonies. This experimental system can be used to analyze lentivirus vector design for optimal expression in hematopoietic cells and for gain-of-function experiments during ES cell development in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Immediate effect of topical budesonide on allergen challenge-induced nasal mucosal fluid levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-5.

The nasal antiinflammatory effects produced by maintenance treatment with topical steroids include reduced production of cytokines. The present study explored nasal mucosal effects induced during the first 9 h after a single dose of topical budesonide. Nine subjects with allergic rhinitis due to birch or timothy pollen were given budesonide (256 microg; Rhinocort Aqua) or placebo in a double-blind, randomized, crossover (4 wk washout) manner. Nasal allergen challenges were performed 30 min after the steroid/placebo pretreatment. Before and 30 min, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 h after challenge, filter paper strips were placed on the nasal septum and inferior turbinates for 10 min to sample undiluted mucosal fluids. Strips were then extracted in 1 ml buffer for cytokine analysis (ELISA). Allergen challenge produced acute nasal symptoms that peaked at 30 min and then tapered off. Conversely, both GM-CSF and IL-5 were increased only at 3, 5, 7 and 9 h (p < 0.05 compared with baseline). Budesonide did not affect the nasal symptoms but inhibited (p < 0. 05; compared with placebo treatment) the allergen challenge-induced mucosal output of GM-CSF and IL-5. These data demonstrate that GM-CSF and IL-5 are induced in a nonsymptomatic, late phase response to nasal allergen challenge, and that this cytokine response is prevented by single dose budesonide pretreatment.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1999

[Intensified insulin treatment is cost-effective].

Both the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) in USA/Canada, and Stockholm Diabetes Intervention Study (SDIS) showed intensified insulin treatment and reduced glycaemia to prevent complications in patients with insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus. In the DCCT, the intensified treatment was considered cost-effective. In the SDIS, investigation of the direct increase in costs due to the intensified insulin treatment showed the saving in direct costs due to the reduction in photocoagulation requirements, and in the prevalence of renal insufficiency and of amputation, to correspond to 10 years' intensive insulin treatment. Thus, as intensified insulin treatment in type I diabetes reduces direct suffering at a low cost, it may be regarded as 'evidence-based' and mandatory.

Canada↗

PubMed1999

A tandem repeat of MUC1 core protein induces a weak in vitro immune response in human B cells.

We have recently described an efficient method to study the human humoral immune response in vitro and to generate isotype-switched, antigen-specific human B cells, which has allowed us to produce high-affinity IgG antibodies against different peptides. In an attempt to study the in vitro immune response against self-antigens, such as tumour-associated antigens, this protocol was used to immunise resting human peripheral blood B cells with a peptide epitope from the human-adenocarcinoma-associated antigen, MUC1. After the two-step in vitro immunisation, the secondary immunised cultures were tested for MUC-1-specific antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Phage molecular libraries were subsequently constructed, using the variable parts of Ig genes derived from cells taken from ELISA-positive wells. The libraries were selected on the MUC1 core peptide. Antigen-specific Fab fragments, specific for the self antigen MUC1, were found in the library of secondary immunised IgG+ B cells and these antibodies were evaluated by BIAcore analysis. The specific Fab fragments exhibited an unusually rapid dissociation rate constant and the overall response frequency was lower, as compared to other antibodies generated by this protocol, which might be explained by the repetitive nature of the core peptide used for immunisation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Experimental common cold increases mucosal output of eotaxin in atopic individuals.

BACKGROUND: In view of recent observations demonstrating that rhinovirus infections are associated with increased local activity of eosinophils, we hypothesized that eotaxin, a selective eosinophil chemoattractant, may be involved in eosinophil recruitment/activation in common cold infections. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were inoculated with human rhinovirus 16 (HRV 16) outside the pollen season. Sequential diluent and allergen (10(3) SQ-U) challenges, each followed by nasal lavage, were carried out about 3 months before and 4 days after virus inoculation. RESULTS: Seventeen patients developed common cold and were further analyzed. Lavage fluid levels of eotaxin were increased at the height of active common cold (day 4 after inoculation) both at baseline (after diluent challenge) (P<0.01) and acutely after allergen challenge (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Common cold symptoms after nasal HRV 16 inoculation are associated with increased nasal mucosal output of eotaxin, suggesting that this chemokine is partly responsible for recruitment/activation of airway mucosal eosinophils in common cold infections.

Blood Proteins↗

PubMed1999

Circulating eosinophil/basophil progenitors and nasal mucosal cytokines in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Accumulation of eosinophils in the airways is characteristic of allergic rhinitis and asthma. The tissue eosinophilia may involve both recruitment of mature eosinophils and proliferation of their progenitors. This study examines mature eosinophils (nasal and circulating), their circulating progenitors, and a potential role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in stimulating these progenitors. Twelve subjects with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis and positive skin prick test for birch pollen were studied during four periods: shortly before, in the early and intense phase, at the end, and well after the Swedish birch-pollen season. Nasal mucosal and circulating eosinophils were examined in both nasal brushings and peripheral blood samples. Eosinophil/basophil progenitors were determined by counting colony-forming units in nonadherent mononuclear blood-cell cultures in methylcellulose at 14 days. The nasal mucosal cytokines GM-CSF, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES were analyzed (ELISA) in nasal lavage (NAL) fluids. All patients developed severe symptoms of rhinitis at the height of the season, with increased numbers of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa (P<0.05) and in the circulation (P<0.05). At this time point, the number of circulating progenitors (P<0.05) and the NAL fluid level of GM-CSF (P<0.05) were also increased. In contrast, there was no change in the NAL fluid levels of IL-1beta, IL-3, IL-6, or IL-8. Neither IL-5 nor RANTES could be detected in any of the NAL fluids. At the end of or after the season, there was no increase in nasal eosinophils or circulating eosinophils or progenitors (P>0.05). Ex vivo addition of GM-CSF (10-100 U) increased the number of blood progenitors grown before (P<0.01) and after (P<0.05) the season, compared with during the season. The in vitro GM-CSF responsiveness of progenitors may be related to whether or not these already have been stimulated endogenously by GM-CSF. Taken together, our data thus suggest that GM-CSF may play a role in vivo to increase production of eosinophilic progenitors in allergic airway disease.

Adult↗