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Biomedical subjects

M Marazuela

Publications and source records attributed to M Marazuela.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Expression of vascular adhesion molecules on human endothelia in autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Cellular activation and expression of certain adhesion molecules within vascular endothelium is a critical event in leucocyte recruitment and emigration. A wide array of different adhesion receptors has been identified to mediate the interaction between endothelial cells (EC) and leucocyte subpopulations. In this study, the tissue expression of E-selectin, P-selectin, CD31, and endoglin endothelial cell adhesion molecules was studied on thyroid tissue from patients with Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). We found an up-regulated expression of E-selectin in EC in GD and HT thyroids, specifically in those areas more severely inflamed, with no reactivity in control thyroids. P-selectin was basally expressed in postcapillary venules in control glands, with an increased expression in HT and GD glands. On the other hand, increased CD31 expression was found on perifollicular, small and large venule EC from GD and HT glands, that correlated with the severity of mononuclear infiltration. In addition, CD31 expression was observed in some intrathyroidal macrophages and T cells in close proximity to CD31+ EC. Furthermore, a markedly enhanced expression of endoglin, a transforming growth factor-beta binding protein, was mainly located on perifollicular EC and EC from small venules as well as in adjacent macrophages from GD and HT thyroid glands. This enhanced expression of E- and P-selectins, CD31 and endoglin by thyroid EC in GD and HT may reflect their ability to regulate leucocyte trafficking and activation.

Antigens, CD↗

Impaired natural killer cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Graves' disease.

We studied the natural killer (NK) activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with Graves' disease (GD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 untreated hyperthyroid patients with GD showed a significantly reduced NK activity against 51 Cr-labeled K562 cells (33.9 +/- 15.9%), while in 32 euthyroid patients under antithyroid drug therapy. NK activity was similar to that of controls (46.9 +/- 17.3 and 49.9 +/- 20.2%, respectively). Furthermore, normalization of thyroid function with antithyroid drugs was associated with a significant increase and normalization of NK activity during the follow-up of nine GD patients (from 29.2 +/- 17.9 to 48.1 +/- 16.5%). This phenomenon could not be ascribed to a defective number of NK cells because the amounts of CD56+ and CD16+ cells in PBMC from both hyperthyroid and euthyroid GD patients were within normal ranges. Natural killer activity of PBMC from patients with toxic multinodular goiter was similar to that of normal controls (45 +/- 12.8 to 49.9 +/- 20%). No correlation was found between natural killer activity and serum levels of free thyroxine, TSH-inhibitory immunoglobulins, thyroidal antibodies to thryoglobulin and thyroidal microsomal antigen, dose or duration of antithyroid drug therapy. Natural killer activity from both controls and GD patients was enhanced in vitro by addition of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2), reaching control levels in hyperthyroid patients. These abnormalities were not associated with a defective IL-2 production by T cells, nor with a decreased IL-2R expression. We conclude that in untreated Graves' disease there is a decrease in NK cell activity in PBMC, probably dependent on the autoimmune process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Adhesion molecules from the LFA-1/ICAM-1,3 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathways on T lymphocytes and vascular endothelium in Graves' and Hashimoto's thyroid glands.

Lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroid disorders requires, as a first step, their attachment to endothelial cells (EC) and subsequently, their interaction with thyrocytes and extracellular matrix proteins. A number of different ligand molecules have been identified to mediate the interaction between EC and leukocyte subpopulations. In this study, we examined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical techniques, the expression of integrin receptors and their counter-receptors by infiltrating lymphocytes and vascular endothelium in thyroid glands from patients with Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). A high proportion of GD intrathyroidal T lymphocytes expressed the CD69 and gp95/85 (Ea2) activation antigens as well as an increased number of LFA-alpha L, VLA-alpha 1, -alpha 4, -alpha 5, and beta 1 integrin receptors, as compared with peripheral blood T lymphocytes from the same patients. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 was increased in EC from GD and HT thyroids. In addition, an up-regulated de novo expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 was found in EC in GD and HT thyroids, with no reactivity in control thyroids. Dendritic cells in thyroid lymphoid follicles were also positive for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. In addition, most of intrathyroidal mononuclear cells expressed the ICAM-3 adhesion molecule. This enhanced expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 by thyroid EC in GD and HT may reflect their ability to regulate leukocyte trafficking and activation by means of the expression of specific ligand molecules. Our data suggest that both the LFA-1/ICAM-1, ICAM-3 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathways could play a relevant role in localizing and perpetuating the autoimmune response in the thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Antigens, CD↗

Recovery of visual and endocrine function following transsphenoidal surgery of large nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.

A series of 35 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas undergoing transsphenoidal surgery is presented. In most cases, the presenting symptoms were related to the mass effect of the tumor. There was no operative mortality. Before surgery, visual field defects were documented in 21 patients (60%). After surgery, excluding 3 patients with preoperative blindness, 28% regained normal vision and 67% showed variable improvement. Preoperatively, 24 patients (69%) had abnormal pituitary function, 24 (69%) had hypogonadism, 7 (20%) adrenal insufficiency, 8 (23%) hypothyroidism and 2 (6%) panhypopituitarism. After pituitary surgery, all but one patient with normal preoperative function retained it. Of the patients with hypopituitarism, 11 (46%) had variable improvement and 13 (54%) had persistent deficits. After surgery, 4 patients (57%) with adrenal insufficiency recovered normal adrenal function, 7 patients (29%) with hypogonadism recovered gonadal function and 1 patient (13%) with hypothyroidism recovered thyroid function. Prior to surgery, the presence of a normal or slightly elevated PRL and a rise in TSH after TRH and in LH after GnRH stimulation were of value in predicting possible recovery of pituitary function after surgery. These observations suggest the presence of viable pituitary tissue in these cases and point out that, in some instances, the mechanism of hypopituitarism may be compression of the portal circulation, rather than destruction of the normal pituitary gland.

Adenoma↗

T lymphocyte activation in Graves' disease.

We examined the proliferative response of T lymphocytes from thirty-eight patients with Graves' disease (17 untreated thyrotoxic and 30 euthyroid on antithyroid medication) to phytohemagglutinin, anti-CD3 MoAb and phorbol esters, as well as the capacities of these lymphocytes to produce interleukin 2 and the density of interleukin 2 receptors and major histocompatibility class II antigens. We found that the response of T lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and phorbol esters from untreated thyrotoxic Graves' disease was significantly enhanced as compared to treated patients and normal controls. Interleukin 2 production by mitogen-triggered T lymphocytes in both treated and untreated patients with Graves' disease was comparable to that of the control population. Interleukin 2 receptor density was found to be normal, whereas that of human leukocyte antigen-DR was increased in both untreated and treated patients. Following lymphocyte stimulation, there was an increase in human leukocyte antigen-DR and interleukin 2 receptor expression in patients with untreated Graves' disease. Significant correlations were found between thyroid hormone concentration and the proliferative responses to the polyclonal mitogen phytohemagglutinin, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and phorbol esters in untreated Graves' patients. Furthermore, during the follow-up of 9 patients, attainment of normal thyroid function after antithyroid treatment was associated with a decrease in and normalization of T-proliferative responses. Our data reveal that active Graves' disease is associated with T cell activation and this is probably related to immunological dysregulation as well as to hyperthyroxinemia.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

B lymphocyte binding to E- and P-selectins is mediated through the de novo expression of carbohydrates on in vitro and in vivo activated human B cells.

Cell adhesion to endothelium regulates the trafficking and recruitment of leukocytes towards lymphoid organs and sites of inflammation. This phenomenon is mediated by the expression of a number of adhesion molecules on both the endothelium and circulating cells. Activation of endothelial cells (EC) with different stimuli induces the expression of several adhesion molecules (E- and P-selectins, ICAM-1, VCAM-1), involved in their interaction with circulating cells. In this report, we have studied the binding of nonactivated and activated B cells to purified E- and P-selectins. Activated but not resting B cells were able to interact with both selectins. This binding capacity of activated B cells paralleled the induction of different carbohydrate epitopes (Lewisx, sialyl-Lewisx, CD57 and CDw65) as well as other molecules bearing these or related epitopes in myeloid cells (L-selectin, alpha L beta 2 and alpha X beta 2 integrins, and CD35) involved in the interaction of different cell types with selectins. B cells infiltrating inflamed tissues like in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also expressed these selectin-binding carbohydrates in parallel with the expression of E-selectin by surrounding follicular dendritic cells. Moreover, the crosslinking of these selectin-binding epitopes resulted in an increased binding of B cells to different integrin ligands. Thus, in addition to the involvement of integrins, E- and P-selectins could play an important role in the interaction of B lymphocytes with the endothelium during B cell extravasation into lymphoid tissues and inflammatory foci as well as in their organization into lymphoid organs.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Serum bone Gla protein as a marker of bone turnover in acromegaly.

Serum bone Gla protein, a sensitive and specific marker of bone turnover, was measured in 35 acromegalic patients (14 untreated, 8 clinically active, and 13 cured) and 21 controls. We also examined 10 acromegalic patients before and after transsphenoidal surgery. Untreated and clinically active acromegalic patients had significantly higher serum bone Gla protein concentrations than the control subjects. Other nonspecific biochemical markers of bone metabolism, such as urinary hydroxyproline and urinary calcium, were also present in significantly greater amounts in active acromegalic patients. After treatment, a significant decrease in levels was observed, with return to control levels. In acromegalic patients, positive correlations were found among serum bone Gla protein and serum growth hormone and serum insulin-like growth factor I levels, as well as among levels of insulin-like growth factor I and serum phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase, and urinary hydroxyproline. These results suggest that serum bone Gla protein is a sensitive marker of the action of growth hormone in bone metabolism in acromegaly, a role that is probably mediated by insulin-like growth factor I.

Acromegaly↗

Anterior pituitary function after adrenalectomy in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

We assessed anterior pituitary function in five patients with Cushing's syndrome before and after the removal of cortisol-secreting adrenal adenomas. Before surgery, all patients lacked response of growth hormone to hypoglycaemia, four had low responses of thyrotrophin to thyrotrophin releasing hormone, three had hypogonadism and two had low prolactin reserve. After successful removal of the adrenal adenoma, all patients developed postoperative hypoadrenocorticism and recovered all impaired anterior pituitary hormones within a period of 3 months. Our results point to a direct inhibiting action of glucocorticoids at the pituitary level as the explanation for the impaired anterior pituitary function. Moreover, direct gonadal suppression by glucocorticoids may be an additional mechanism of hypogonadism in some patients.

Adrenalectomy↗

Late relapse with nodular lymphoma after treatment for diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Histologic conversion from a low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) into a more aggressive histologic pattern is a common, well-documented event in NHL. The converse phenomenon, appearance of a low-grade, follicular NHL after treatment for diffuse, intermediate, or high-grade NHL, has only recently been recognized. The clinical, morphologic, and immunologic features of a patient in whom relapse with an indolent nodular lymphoma was noticed after combination chemotherapy for diffuse lymphoma are presented. Immunologic markers at presentation and relapse were similar. Other previously reported cases are reviewed. Implications for diagnosis and therapy as well as the pathogenesis of this unique form of conversion are discussed.

Aged↗

Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas: a clinicopathologic study of 23 patients.

Twenty-three patients with characteristic hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas were studied. Q fever accounted for 10 cases (43%), visceral leishmaniasis for five cases (22%), boutonneuse fever for two cases (9%), and toxoplasmosis, Hodgkin's disease, and allopurinol hypersensitivity for one case each (4%). The etiology remained undetermined in three cases (13%). This report broadens the range of etiologies of hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas to include boutonneuse fever and toxoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of ring granulomas, and it could serve as a guideline to the clinician and pathologist for the most frequent categories of disease associated with this morphologic pattern.

Adult↗

Anterior pituitary function in Cushing's syndrome: study of 36 patients.

We studied the anterior pituitary function in 36 patients (25 females and 11 males, mean age: 35 years) with untreated Cushing's syndrome by simultaneous triple stimulus with insulin, TRH and LHRH. Thirty-one patients (86%) had Cushing's disease and five (14%) had an adrenal adenoma. We observed a lack of response of GH to hypoglycemia in 88%, TSH to TRH in 91%, LH to LHRH in 30%, FSH to LHRH in 12% and PRL to TRH in 6% of the patients. Low-to-normal total thyroxine (T4) values were obtained in 37%, with low triiodothyronine levels in 87%. The free-T4 index was normal in all patients. Total testosterone was low in only one adult man, while estradiol and progesterone were low in 45% and 15% of premenopausal women, respectively. We observed no differences in either axis among patients with Cushing's syndrome of different etiologies. Nor was there any statistical difference between the frequency of alteration of each axis and the levels of urinary free cortisol or the duration of the disease. We conclude that hypercortisolism is responsible for the abnormalities in anterior pituitary function in Cushing's syndrome.

Adenoma↗

Results of external pituitary irradiation after unsuccessful transsphenoidal surgery in Cushing's disease.

Fourteen adult patients (10 females and 4 males; age range 20-60 years) with persistent Cushing's disease after transsphenoidal microsurgery were treated with pituitary irradiation. Supervoltage multiportal administration was employed at a total dose of 50 Gy (+/- 0.65 SD). The interval between microsurgery and pituitary irradiation was less than 6 months in 6 patients and more than 6 months in 8. The pituitary-adrenal axis was evaluated postsurgically, before irradiation and every 6 months thereafter. The remaining anterior pituitary function was simultaneously tested. Remission rates at 12 months and 24 months after radiotherapy were 61 and 70%, respectively. Two patients developed TSH deficiency and another gonadotropin deficiency during the follow-up after radiation. We conclude that pituitary irradiation is the treatment of choice for persistent Cushing's disease after unsuccessful surgery because of its high efficiency and low incidence of adverse reactions when compared with other forms of treatment.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Pericardial tamponade and systemic sclerosis].

We report a case with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) presented with an acute pericarditis and pericardial tamponade with haemodynamic impairment that required pericardial drain. The frequency of pericardial disease in scleroderma is high, but the clinical recognition is rare, and tamponade with haemodynamic impairment requiring aspiration for relief is exceptional, but should be considered in patients with scleroderma that present an acute pericarditis. It is suggested that pericardial fibrosis in scleroderma may predispose to pericardial tamponade.

Acute Disease↗

Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography of the brain in embolic left atrial myxoma.

A case of left atrial myxoma presenting exclusively with neurological symptoms, studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with cerebral angiography and computed tomography (CT) is reported. Typical angiographic findings suggested the diagnosis of myxoma. MRI showed multiple ischemic lesions disseminated throughout the entire brain, some of which had been clinically asymptomatic. Because of its sensitivity in identifying small cerebral infarcts, MRI should prove in the future to be a first-choice technique in the evaluation of the presence of and extent of cerebral involvement in embolic left atrial myxoma.

Adult↗