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Biomedical subjects

I Poizot-Martin

Publications and source records attributed to I Poizot-Martin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

In situ expression of the IL-1-alpha and TNF-alpha genes by Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease.

The histopathologic pattern of tissues involved by Hodgkin's disease (HD) suggests excessive activation of environmental cells by cytokines released by Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, which are considered as the neoplastic component of HD lesions. This hypothesis has been supported by many studies performed in vitro using HD cell lines. In this study, we have tried to demonstrate the cytokine-producing cells in an environment as close as possible to the in vivo conditions, using in situ hybridization onto frozen sections of HD samples. [35S]-labelled single-stranded RNA probes were prepared by transcribing human cDNA fragments of the TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha genes subcloned into appropriate vectors. A total of 19 specimens of HD lesions, including 7 cases of nodular sclerosing (NS) type and 12 cases of mixed cellularity (MC), were tested with both types of probes. Clinical stages included stage I (6 cases), stage II (4 cases), stage III (6 cases) and stage IV (3 cases). TNF-alpha and/or IL-1 alpha expression was observed in 12 among 19 HD cases. However, neither the histological type nor the clinical status of the patients was correlated with the profile of cytokine secretion. Most of the cytokine-producing cells could be identified as HRS cells due to their morphological appearance. In 3 cases, simultaneous analysis by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that IL-1 alpha/TNF-alpha mRNA-producing cells simultaneously expressed the CD30 antigen, thereby confirming the HRS nature of these cells.

Antigens, CD↗

Endothelial cell dysfunction in HIV infection.

We have investigated plasma levels of endothelial cell products playing a role in hemostasis in 125 HIV-positive patients and 30 controls. Antigenic von Willebrand factor increased significantly with disease progression and was closely correlated with CD4+ cell counts and beta 2-microglobulin levels. Tissue-type plasminogen activator was normal in CDC II/III and CDC IVC2 patients and was slightly increased in AIDS patients, whereas plasminogen activator inhibitor was increased in each group, the stage of the disease not having any effect. Mean total protein S levels were lower in HIV-positive patients and, in 27.2% of the cases, were associated with a decrease in free protein S levels. Such abnormalities could be responsible for a hypercoagulable state in these patients and could be explained by endothelial cell damage during HIV infection. Whether this injury is due to HIV itself remains to be further investigated.

Adult↗

[Cutaneo-mucosal hyperpigmentation in AIDS. 4 cases].

Four cases of pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes in homosexuals of the IVC1 group (CDC classification) are reported. The aetiological investigation, although incomplete, pointed to a medicinal origin which could not be formally confirmed. The drugs suspected were azidothymidine, pyrimethamine and ketoconazole. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of adrenal insufficiency. The few published cases of cutaneo-mucosal pigmentation in HIV infection, often mimicking adrenal insufficiency, emphasize the need for thorough toxicological investigation; this may avoid prescribing an unnecessary and dangerous corticosteroid therapy which might be harmful in these deeply immunocompromized patients who often have multiple infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Kaposi's sarcoma in AIDS. 70 cases].

Although Kaposi's sarcoma is the most frequent of malignant diseases associated with AIDS and one of the first recognized manifestations of the syndrome, its management has not yet been standardized. This study concerns 70 AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma followed up in the author's hospital department between june 1985 and december 1989. Most of these patients were homosexual or bisexual males. The mean time elapsed between the finding of a positive HIV test and the discovery of Kaposi's sarcoma was 15 +/- 3.2 months. Systematic evaluation disclosed visceral lesions in 50 percent of the patients. Chemotherapy was used in 55 cases, interferon-alpha in 23 cases and radiotherapy in 13 cases. The presence of visceral lesions clearly reduced survival time, although deaths were mainly due to opportunistic infections. Atypical forms of Kaposi's sarcoma sometimes make its diagnosis difficult, but the main problem is that of treatment, in view of the underlying immunodepression. The authors advocate the setting up of multicentre trials aimed at determining the best therapeutic approach in these patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗