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Biomedical subjects

P Kuna

Publications and source records attributed to P Kuna.

118 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Relationship of histamine-releasing factors and histamine-releasing inhibitory factors to chemokine group of cytokine.

The release of mediators from mast cells and basophils represents the central event in the development of immediate hypersensitivity reactions with release of substances such as histamine, Leukotrienes C4/D4, Platelet Activating Factor (PAF), and Prostaglandin D2. Cytokines such as IL-1, TNF alpha, and IL-4 may also be secreted. Histamine Releasing Factors (HRF) are cytokine-like molecules that interact with basophils and/or mast cells to cause cell activation and secretion of mediators. Histamine release is the best characterized of these and has been used as the assay for HRFs, but a wide variety of inflammatory mediators can potentially be secreted. We believe this type of cell to cell communication to be important in tissue inflammation, in which infiltrating cells may produce HRFs in proximity to infiltrating basophils and/or mast cells and cause them to degranulate. Such a reaction appears to be independent of IgE antibody, may no longer require the presence of any inciting antigen, and appears to be pertinent to the allergic late phase reaction as it occurs in the nose, lungs, and skin. It is thought that an ongoing antigenic stimulus, as seen in seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma, or in certain types of urticaria, or in atopic dermatitis, leads to a perpetuating inflammatory reaction that persists for many weeks or months. A chronic inflammatory reaction of this sort appears to be required for an allergic reaction (IgE mediated) to manifest as an allergic disease. The relationship of HRF to the chemokine group of cytokine-like molecules and the importance of HRF in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma has been reviewed in this paper.

Basophils↗

Cell analysis with the new Leipzig high-energy ion nanoprobe.

The high-energy ion nanoprobe LIPSION at the University of Leipzig has been in operation since 1998. The ultrastable, 3.5 MV SINLETRON accelerator supplies the H+ or He+ ion beam. A magnetic scanning system moves the focused beam across the sample. At present, a resolution of 41 +/- 4 nm in the low current mode and 300 nm at 5 pA can be achieved. The experimental chamber is equipped with electron-, energy dispersive X-ray-, and particle detectors. They can be used simultaneously to analyse the sample by means of PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission), RBS (Rutherford backscattering), and in the case of thin sections or monolayer samples STIM (scanning transmission ion microscopy). A goniometer allows the application of channeling measurements in single crystals in combination with these methods. In contrast to previous publication describing microbeam facility at LIPSION, the current biomedical research has concentrated on microscopy and tomography on chondrocytes in pig cartilages and fixed single endothelial cells (HUVEC). For the irradiation of single living cells, an external beam facility with irradiation platform, fast beamgate and mini-Petri dishes is under construction.

Animals↗

Histamine releasing lymphokines: a new approach to some old problems.

Studies carried out in recent years reveal that some endogenous substances can degranulate mast cells and basophils. Lymphokines produced in vitro by T lymphocytes in presence of an antigen or a mitogen, which are capable of provoking histamine liberation in basophils and mast cells have been described. Lastly the mechanisms for histamine release not mediated by IgE in bronchial asthma and which can be mediated by these factors, is discussed.

Animals↗

Histamine release from human pulmonary mast cells induced by bacterial antigens.

Antigens of four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus viridans, Branhamella catarrhalis) were tested for their ability to release histamine from human pulmonary mast cells recovered by means of bronchoalveolar lavages. For the sake of comparison the action of bacterial antigens on human mesenteric and adenoidal mast cells obtained by enzymatic dispersion of the tissues was studied. BAL mast cells released histamine in response to all studied bacterial antigens. Haemophilus influenzae antigens were the most effective histamine releasers. From among three populations of human mast cells pulmonary mast cells were the most sensitive to the challenge with bacterial antigens. Mesenteric mast cells were markedly more reactive than adenoidal cells. Adenoidal cells had low sensitivity to bacterial antigens.

Adenoids↗

[Acute toxicity and radioprotective effectiveness of gammaphos on intramuscular administration to mice].

In experiments on mice it was shown that acute toxicity of gammaphos (WR-2721) was 790 mg/kg and 862 mg-kg after intraperitoneal and intramuscular administration, respectively. Gammaphos in the dose of 100 mg/kg, injected intramuscularly, increased the radioresistance of mice in nearly the same way as cystamine, in the dose of 150 mg/kg, did. The increase in the dose of gammaphos up to 200 or 300 mg/kg, injected intramuscularly, enhanced the radioprotective effect. No change was observed in the radioprotective efficiency of gammaphos after intramuscular injection as compared to intraperitoneal administration of the protective agent in the same dose.

Amifostine↗

[Morphological changes in the lungs after single whole-body irradiation in rabbits].

Morphological changes in rabbit lungs were studied after whole-body nonuniform irradiation (24 Gy) the head and the abdomen being shielded. Acute pneumonitis was shown to develop between the 17th and the 24th day after irradiation. No pulmonary fibrosis was registered 60 days following irradiation. Embolised megakaryocytes were found in the lung capillaries between the 8th and the 24th day after irradiation.

Acute Disease↗

[Allergic reaction to products made of natural rubber].

In the previous few years, there has been a startling escalation in intraoperative and radiologic anaphylactic episodes, some of them lethal, that have been assigned to rubber exposure. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber pose a significant risk to patient with spina bifida and urogenital abnormalities, health care workers, and rubber industry workers. It has been estimated that 2% to 10% of physicians and nursing personnel are latex allergic. The clinical syndromes associated with reactions to latex may be divided into three broad categories a) contact dermatitis--limited to skin directly in contact with latex, b) contact urticaria syndrome a broad spectrum of contact reactions including not only immediate wheal and flare reactions, but also dyshidrotic vesiculation, and accelerated contact reactions including erythema, burning or pruritus occurring within 10-30 minutes after contact, c) systemic allergic reactions-including generalized urticaria or pruritus, rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma, as well as the multiple presentations of anaphylaxis. Contact dermatitis reactions are thought to be a T-cell mediated type IV reaction, systemic reactions to latex appear to be an IgE-mediated phenomenon. Contact urticaria syndrome seems to be a heterogeneous group of reactions. Diagnosis of latex allergy is made on clinical grounds, however, history alone is insufficient to recognize all patients at risk, and conscientious testing materials are not yet available. Prick tests utilizing extracts from latex gloves or from raw latex preparation can be used but the specificity of this test remains unknown. Skin prick testing must be considered experimental and should be only done by experienced physician. Serologic testing for latex allergy remains a safe alternative, although the sensitivity and specificity of this procedure is still undefined. Prophylactic regimes to avoid rubber exposure and decrease the antigen content of natural rubber products by the rubber industry should be implemented to decrease the rate of sensitization in the future and prevent allergic reactions.

Anaphylaxis↗

Monocyte chemotactic and activating factor/monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCAF/MCP-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with atopic asthma and chronic bronchitis.

Monocyte chemotactic and activating factor/monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCAF/MCP-1) is a member of the beta (C-C) subfamily of chemokines. The biological roles played by MCAF/MCP-1 in a number of inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases states is not well known. Several studies have confirmed that inflammation is present in the airways of subjects with atopic asthma and with chronic bronchitis. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is an effective method of sampling lower respiratory tract inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine associations among MCAF/MCP-1, BALF cells and spirometry parameters and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with atopic asthma and chronic bronchitis. Twenty patients with atopic asthma, 10 patients with chronic bronchitis and 10 patients of the control group, took part in this study. An ELISA test was used to assess MCAF/MCP-1 in BALF. The levels of MCAF/ MCP-1 (mean +/- SEM) were 150 +/- 18.6 pg/ml in patients with atopic asthma, 320 +/- 39.7 pg/ml in chronic bronchitis and 74.9 +/- 3.3 pg/ml in the control group (p < 0.05). When all patients with disease were considered, there was negative correlation with FEF50 (Kendall's correlation coefficient = - 0.4; p < 0.01). Regression analysis has shown that a level of MCAF/MCP-1 over 100 pg/ml was correlated with duration of illness (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.7; p < 0.02). In conclusion, MCAF/MCP-1 probably possesses proinflammatory properties in atopic asthma and chronic bronchitis. The elevated level of this chemokine may support the clinical suspicion of specific diagnosis.

Adult↗