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Biomedical subjects

E Berti

Publications and source records attributed to E Berti.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

CD56/neural cell adhesion molecule expression in primary extranodal Ki-1/CD30+ lymphoma. Report of a pediatric case with simultaneous cutaneous and bone localizations.

We describe the clinicopathologic features of an unusual case of CD30+/CD50+ T-cell lymphoma in a child who presented with simultaneous primary extranodal cutaneous and bone localizations. The expression of CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule, or NCAM) is rare in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas other than in a group of haematopoietic/lymphoid neoplasms of natural killer and natural killer-like T-cells, which usually involve extranodal sites and often pursue an aggressive clinical behavior. Coexpression of CD30 and CD56 in T-cell lymphomas is exceedingly rare, and its biological significance is unknown. Our patient responded well to an intensive chemotherapy regimen, and she is now in complete remission 4 years after discontinuation of chemotherapy. Expression of NCAM could be regarded as responsible, in part, for the extranodal localization of lymphoma cells; expression of CD56 also might contribute to the definition of a subset of CD30+ lymphomas with distinctive clinicopathologic features.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical study of skin lesions in acute and chronic graft versus host disease following bone marrow transplantation.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the therapy of choice for a variety of malignant and nonmalignant disorders; however, a major constraint to successful BMT is graft versus host disease (GVHD). Skin lesions are the earliest presentation of GVHD. Donor-derived cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the effector cells responsible for lesions in the skin and other tissues. Here we show that most skin-infiltrating lymphocytes, in all forms of GVHD, are memory T cells with a predominance of CD4+ cells in the dermis and CD8+ cells in the epidermis. Relatively little attention has been focused on the adhesive phenotype of keratinocytes in GVHD. In this study, immunohistochemical analyses of skin biopsies from BMT patients with acute or chronic GVHD were conducted, with particular emphasis on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and on keratinocytes. The distribution of APCs in the epidermis (Langerhans' cells) was investigated. Keratinocytes were analyzed for the expression of human leukocyte antigen DR locus (HLA-DR) and of a novel integrin, alpha10.1.2 beta1, which is detected in the basal layer of normal epidermis. Langerhans' cells were decreased in all grades of acute GVHD, but the epidermal APC network was reconstituted in chronic GVHD. HLA-DR was expressed by keratinocytes in grade 2 and 3 acute GVHD lesions, but not in two of three chronic GVHD cases, and in the regression phase of acute GVHD. Integrin chains alpha10.1.2 and beta1 were detected in the epidermal basal cell layer of most GVHD cases but they were also expressed in suprabasal keratinocytes of both acute and chronic GVHD. This latter finding indicates that a proliferative response uncoupled from differentiation occurs in keratinocytes in the course of GVHD.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

In situ expression of transforming growth factor beta is associated with melanoma progression and correlates with Ki67, HLA-DR and beta 3 integrin expression.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta), which is secreted by cultured melanoma cells constitutively, inhibits the proliferation of normal melanocytes and of most melanoma cells in vitro, but some melanoma cells from advanced stages of the disease develop resistance to TGF beta-dependent growth inhibition, without developing any change in TGF beta cell surface binding. In vitro TGF beta also downregulates the expression of HLA-DR molecules on melanoma cells, and upregulates the expression of the beta 3 integrin subunit on some cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of 53 melanocytic lesions (12 naevi, 30 primary melanomas and 11 metastases) revealed a trend of increasing expression of TGF beta and TGF beta receptor type III with tumour progression, and a significantly higher expression of both TGF beta (P < 0.0001) and the receptor (P < 0.05) in metastatic and thick (> 1 mm) primary melanomas compared with thin (< 1 mm) primary melanomas. The expression of TGF beta correlated with expression of a marker of proliferation, Ki67, and with HLA-DR and beta 3 integrin subunit expression. Coexpression of the four molecules was observed in all metastases and in most thick primary melanomas. These findings argue against an inhibitory effect of TGF beta on cell proliferation or HLA-DR antigen expression in melanoma, and suggest the upregulation of the beta 3 subunit. TGF beta protein appears to be a biological marker of melanoma progression in situ.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Paduan Aristotelianism and the birth of experimental medicine].

Padua University was the place of the scientific revolution not only for astronomy and mechanics with Galilei, but also and most of all for medicine. Here the traditional Aristotelianism created the favourable conditions for the discovery of blood circulation by W. Harvey, because of the strict connection established by Aristotle between medicine and philosophy of nature, the importance attributed to empirical observation, carefully and systematically pursuited, the primacy of the heart among other body organs and the attention payed to the function of various organs. The defect of these conditions was the cause of some Descartes' errors concerning blood circulation, which were avoided by Harvey.

Blood Circulation↗
PubMed1997

Fibrogenic cytokines in vulvar lichen sclerosus. An immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of fibrogenic cytokines in lichen sclerosus (LS) infiltrate as compared with lichen planus (LP) infiltrate. STUDY DESIGN: Eight cases of vulvar LS (early stage, n = 3; well developed or old, n = 5) and 4 of vulvar LP were studied. Monoclonal antibodies directed against some of the major fibrogenic cytokines (IL-4, TGF-beta, IL-6) and against IFN-gamma, which inhibits collagen synthesis, were used per the alkaline phosphatase/anti-alkaline phosphatase technique on frozen sections. RESULTS: Staining for IL-4 revealed higher expression of fibrogenic cytokines (more than 50% infiltrating cells) in the LS infiltrate, mainly in early lesions, than in LP. Conversely, staining for IFN-gamma in LS was poor (less than 10% infiltrating cells), while strong positivity (more than 60% infiltrating cells) was found in LP. Staining for TGF-beta, a mediator of fibrosis in scleroderma, was similar in both LS and LP dermis. CONCLUSION: This study showed the immunohistochemical expression of fibrogenic cytokines in vulvar LS, with a different pattern as compared to that of LP. It is conceivable that dermal infiltrating cells actively participate, via cytokine production, in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in LS.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[The surgical treatment of a rare primary cardiac tumor: hemangioma. A report of 2 cases].

Primary benign tumors of the heart are particularly rare; cardiac hemangioma is one of the most rare primary benign cardiac tumors. Natural history, symptoms and prognosis of the disease depend on the potential complications due to the location and diffusion of the mass. We report on 2 cases of cardiac hemangioma, diagnosed occasionally in the first patient or due to gastroenteric symptoms in the second patient. The diagnosis was obtained by 2-D-echo and magnetic resonance imaging. In both cases the hemangioma was located on the right ventricle. Both patients underwent tumor resection in hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. In one case, a graft to the right coronary artery was associated; in the other case, the right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with an infundibular patch. Histology showed mixed hemangioma in one case and cavernous hemangioma in the other. The postoperative course was uneventful. At a follow-up of 8 years and 1 year, respectively, both patients are classified as NYHA 1 and both 2-D-echo and magnetic resonance imaging did not show any residual tumoral mass. This experience demonstrates that, depending on their location, benign neoplastic masses may be radically resected with acceptable operatory risks and excellent long-term results.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Unique digital skin lesions associated with systemic sclerosis.

A 40-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis presented with multiple, large soft skin lesions with a cystic appearance over the interphalangeal joints of both hands. Aspiration of one of these lesions revealed the presence of a yellowish mucoid material which rapidly reappeared. Surgical dissection and excision of the masses was followed by recurrence a few months later. Pre-operative diagnosis was that of myxoid cysts, but the histological picture was reminiscent of cutaneous focal mucinosis, another form of primary mucinosis. The origin of these unique skin lesions is unclear, but speculation on a possible aetiological relationship between them and systemic sclerosis is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Simultaneous onset of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and human herpesvirus 8-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

We report the simultaneous occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) of the leg in a 79-year-old woman, seronegative for HIV-1, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. The CBCL underwent complete clinical remission after local radiotherapy, whilst the KS became disseminated within a year following diagnosis. However, 2 years after the diagnosis of KS, the patient died with neurological symptoms. These were presumed to be due to involvement of the central nervous system by lymphoma, although in the absence of an autopsy, this could not be proven. Skin biopsies from the original KS and CBCL lesions, as well as short-term culture of spindle cells from the KS lesion and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), were studied by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific for DNA sequences of a novel gamma-herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). PCR studies were strongly positive for the virus on KS cells and PBMC; conversely, a low viral load was found on CBCL cells. A high titre of serum IgG antibodies reacting with the nuclei of the HHV-8 positive cell line BCP-1 was found. These data suggest that reactivation of latent infection with HHV-8 had occurred in this patient, and that HHV-8 is directly involved in KS, but not in CBCL of the leg, an aggressive variant of CBCL.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Posttransplantation cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with monoclonal Epstein-Barr virus infection, responding to acyclovir and reduction in immunosuppression.

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) represent an important complication of solid organ transplantation. The main causative factor of PTLDs seems to be the intensity and type of immunosuppressive therapy and the frequent occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus infection. PTLDs that are disseminated at diagnosis or present late after transplantation generally share an unfavorable prognosis and are unlikely to regress in response to reduction in immunosuppressive therapy. We describe a case of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma occurring 4 years after heart transplantation in which molecular analysis revealed a monoclonal pattern of Epstein-Barr virus infection and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. In spite of its monoclonal nature and late occurrence, the lymphomatous lesions regressed completely after antiviral treatment and a reduction in immunosuppressive therapy.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1996

Restricted tissue distribution of extralesional Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.

Specific herpesvirus-like DNA sequences have been found in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions of AIDS patients, suggesting that a novel gamma herpesvirus, homologous to Epstein-Barr virus and herpesvirus saimiri, could be implicated in the pathogenesis of KS. To better understand the role of this putative etiological agent, named Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), we investigated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the presence of viral DNA sequences in various organs obtained at autopsy from seven AIDS patients with KS and six without KS. For each sample, to exclude positive results due to visceral KS dissemination, the presence of microscopic foci of KS cells was rules out by histology and CD34 immunohistochemistry on serial frozen sections immediately adjacent to those employed for DNA extraction. PCR and nested PCR were performed with primers specific for the HIV-8 330 Bam fragment originally described by Chang et al. (Science 1994;266:1865-1869). As quality control, the extracted DNA was amplified with primers for human beta-globin. All KS legions were HHV-8 positive. In addition, extralesional KSHV DNA sequences were detected in seven of seven lymphoid organs and in five of five prostate glands of KS patients. Normal skin was positive in three of five cases and bone marrow in two of three tested cases, all other tissues being negative by PCR and nested PCR. By contrast, no virus was detected in tissue samples of AIDS cases without KS. The restricted organ distribution here documented argues for a selective tissue tropism of HHV-8 in vivo in AIDS patients and suggests that in the infected host lymphoid organs and the prostate gland may represent privileged sites of viral latency and persistence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Amicrobial pustular dermatosis of cutaneous folds associated with autoimmune disorders: a new entity?

BACKGROUND: An unclassified amicrobial pustular dermatosis particularly affecting the main cutaneous folds, external auditory canals and scalp and coexisting with systemic lupus erythematosus has been recently described. OBJECTIVE: We studied 3 young females bearing such cutaneous manifestations in association with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, celiac disease and various serum autoantibodies, respectively, in order to further characterize this possibly new entity. METHODS: Various routine and immunological laboratory tests, histopathologic and direct immunofluorescence examinations and in vitro studies of neutrophil function were performed in each patient. RESULTS: We reported our findings and compared our cases with the few others appearing in the literature. We documented an impaired neutrophil chemotaxis in 2 subjects, but neutrophil dysfunction does not seem to be one of the verifying criteria. CONCLUSIONS: All of these cases may represent a distinctive form in the clinicopathological spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses (ND) because of the typical distribution and the close link with different autoimmune disorders. Cimetidine in combination with ascorbic acid can be indicated as an effective and safe alternative to the classic medications of ND, although the action of both drugs remains unexplained.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Human epidermal Langerhans cells express the ICAM-3 molecule. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopical demonstration.

Three ligands have been described for the leucocyte integrin LFA-1, namely intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, ICAM-2, and ICAM-3. ICAMs show differences in tissue distribution and inducibility. The recently described ICAM-3 is highly expressed on resting lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. Here, we demonstrate that the whole human epidermal Langerhans cell (LC) population expresses this molecule. Immunohistochemical staining of skin sections with an anti-ICAM-3 monoclonal antibody displayed reactivity with dendritic epidermal cells regularly distributed along the epidermis. Highly-sensitive immunoelectron microscopy procedures, performed on freshly suspended epidermal cells both at transmission and scanning electron microscopic levels, enabled demonstration that the whole LC population expresses cell surface ICAM-3. In contrast, keratinocytes and melanocytes were consistently negative. The prominent expression of ICAM-3 by resident LC could imply a crucial part for this molecule in leucocyte-intercellular interactions in the skin.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1995

Heterogeneity of spindle cells in Kaposi's sarcoma: comparison of cells in lesions and in culture.

The immunophenotype of spindle cells in epidemic, endemic, and classic (sporadic) Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions was defined by the demonstration of various cell markers and compared with that of KS-derived cell lines. No significant histological or immunophenotypic differences were observed between the three clinical types of KS at comparable stages. The spindle-cell compartment of the different KS types was composed predominantly of a mixture of proliferating CD45+/CD68+ bone-marrow-derived monocytes and TE7+/collagen+ fibroblastic cells with varying expression of EN4/PAL-E/CD31/CD34/CD36 endothelial-associated antigens and/or smooth-muscle-specific alpha-actin (alpha-actin). The latter cells appeared to represent transitional forms of fibroendothelial and fibromyocytic cells. The in vitro cultured KS-derived cell lines (KS-3, KS-6, and KS-8) expressed the fibroblastic antigen TE7 and smooth-muscle-specific alpha-actin but not leukocytic or endothelial-associated antigens consistent with the phenotype of fibromyoid spindle cells of primary lesions. Neither HIV antigen nor provirus DNA was demonstrable in the epidemic KS lesions. The observed heterogeneity of the spindle-cell compartment further substantiates the view that Kaposi's sarcoma, irrespective of clinical setting, expresses salient features more compatible with reactive, tumor-like lesion than clonal sarcoma.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗