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Biomedical subjects

R Ferlinz

Publications and source records attributed to R Ferlinz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Spontaneous monokine release by alveolar macrophages in chronic sarcoidosis.

In pulmonary sarcoidosis an activation of alveolar T lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages (AM) has been demonstrated. There is evidence that in contrast to acute disease a heightened T-cell response cannot be observed in the chronic phase of sarcoidosis. The role of AM in the inflammatory process of chronic sarcoidosis is not yet intensively evaluated. To address this question we measured the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) by AM of 39 patients with chronic sarcoidosis (duration greater than 4 years; 30 active, 9 inactive diseases) without therapy and correlated the monokine release with parameters of T-cell alveolitis and the course of the disease. The T4/T8 ratio was higher in the active than in the inactive group without reaching statistical significance. TNF alpha as well as IL-1 is spontaneously released by AM of the active group 2,099 +/- 518 pg/ml TNF alpha/10(6) cells/24 h and 8/13 (IL-1+/total) respectively. In the inactive group the AM release 375 +/- 246 pg/ml TNF alpha/10(6) cells/24 h which is in the range of the control and 1 out of 5 patients was IL-1-positive. There was no correlation between the monokine release and any parameter of T-cell alveolitis. These data support the hypothesis that the inflammatory process in chronic sarcoidosis is dominated by the activity of AM and that this activity determines the course of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Correlation of clinical and immunologic parameters of the inflammatory activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The evaluation of activation markers such as T4/T8 ratio and HLA-DR expression of lymphocytes of bronchoalveolar lavage (L-BAL) is an important clinical approach for the staging of sarcoidosis. However, it is not known to what extent this is paralleled by an exaggerated lymphocyte function. We investigated the dependence of L-BAL activation markers on the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by L-BAL and on the soluble IL-2 receptor serum level (sIL-2R) in 116 patients with sarcoidosis. In none of the combinations tested was a correlation between the two groups of parameters found; r less than 0.5, upper 90% confidence limit of r less than 0.8. Interestingly, IL-2 production is independent of HLA-DR+ T4 L-BAL, and sIL-2R production is independent of the percentage of IL-2+ L-BAL. Our data indicate that the L-BAL activation markers and the functional activity of T-cells represent independent phenomena.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Diabetes insipidus in sarcoidosis].

Sarcoidosis is a generalized disorder which involves the central nervous system in 5 per cent of patients presenting with the disease. We describe the case of a 22-year-old man who developed central diabetes insipidus with a daily urine production of 14,81 seven weeks after diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and parotid gland enlargement. Computed tomography showed a contrast enhancement of pituitary gland and stalk, no other intracranial manifestations were demonstrated. Intranasal administration of synthetic antidiuretic hormone (ADH) reduced urine volume to normal levels immediately. After discontinuation of 15 months therapy with corticosteroids and administration of ADH for 29 months spontaneous urine volume didn't exceed 31. The patient has been free of symptoms since discontinuation of therapy.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1990

Assessment of local cellular immunity in lung cancer by bronchoalveolar lavage.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant of the pulmonary neoplasms and is associated with a poor local cellular immune response. 16 patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 11 patients with SCLC underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the lung which harbored the tumor in order to investigate the lymphocyte surface antigens utilizing the immunoperoxidase technique. Analysis of blood lymphocytes was performed in parallel. 8 patients with previous sarcoidosis in complete remission who underwent BAL and 10 normal blood donors served as controls. Among blood lymphocytes the CD3+, CD4+ and CD16+ cell populations were elevated significantly and the T4/T8 ratio was elevated in NSCLC patients, but only CD16+ were augmented in SCLC. Cell populations expressing the activation markers transferrin (TF) receptor, interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor and the very late antigen VAL-1 were also increased in NSCLC, while SCLC was associated with antigen distributions similar to controls. No differences between the cohorts were seen in the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR. In BAL the population of CD3+ and CD4+ cells were reduced in SCLC and the T4/T8 ratio was diminished in contrast to controls and NSCLC patients, whereas these two latter groups did not differ from each other. The distribution pattern of CD16, TF receptor and IL-2 receptor in the study groups resembled that of cells of the blood stream, but CD16+ natural killer cells were additionally down regulated to control values in SCLC. No differences were seen in the distribution of VLA-1. HLA-DR+ cells were clearly elevated in both cancer groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Oxygen radical production by alveolar inflammatory cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic inflammatory interstitial lung disease characterized by the accumulation of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and neutrophils in the lower respiratory tract, parenchymal cell injury, and fibrosis of the alveolar structure. Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) are claimed to be a major cause of tissue damage in IPF; however, the source of ROI has not been unequivocally identified. AMs, as well as neutrophils, are capable of releasing these agents. The contributions of these possible sources are not known. To address this question, we evaluated the spontaneous and stimulated (PMA or zymosan) ROI release of total bronchoalveolar cells and isolated AMs in 14 patients with IPF by means of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from 17 individuals without any signs of inflammation served as controls. In comparison with the controls, the spontaneous as well as the stimulated ROI release of total BAL cells in IPF are markedly increased (20,763.9 +/- 5,079.3 versus 2,509.5 +/- 300.6 counts/10 s/2.10(5) cells, spontaneously, IPF versus control; 106,819.3 +/- 33,802.8 versus 8,919 +/- 1,357.9 PMA induced; 41,597.1 +/- 8,442.6 versus 6,223.8 +/- 1,025.1 zymosan induced, p less than 0.001). Measurement of the ROI release of purified AMs revealed that these cells produce the bulk part of ROI released by BAL cells (84%). In spite of the fact that, on a per cell basis, the ROI release of neutrophils is 1.7-fold of that of AMs, there is no correlation between the ROI production of total BAL cells and the percentage of neutrophils in BAL, demonstrating a minor role of these cells in the generation of the total ROI burden in IPF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Oral therapy with beta-2-sympathomimetic drugs: comparative study of the bronchospasmolytic effect of tulobuterol and fenoterol in patients with reversible airway obstruction].

In a multicentre, single-blind study, the bronchospasmolytic effect of a single oral dose of tulobuterol 2.0 mg and of fenoterol 2.5 mg was compared in 26 patients suffering from reversible airways obstruction. The bronchospasmolysis achieved with the oral application of tulobuterol and fenoterol is qualitatively satisfactory and reliable, the effect of tulobuterol persisting for a longer period than that of fenoterol.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

[The serum level of the secreted interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R): a lymphocyte activity parameter in sarcoidosis].

Current concepts of the immunopathology of sarcoidosis indicate that activated pulmonary T-lymphocytes play a central role in the maintenance of inflammatory processes. For the clinical management of the disease parameters which reflect the compartmentalized T-cell activation in the lung and which can be obtained from the peripheral blood are desired. Activated T-cells are known to release sIL-2R. Thus, we hypothesized that in pulmonary sarcoidosis disease activity could be monitored by the measurement of serum levels of sIL-2R. Our results demonstrate that disease activity is reflected more accurately by the serum level of sIL-2R than that of ACE, suggesting that phenomena of T-cell activation determining the course of the disease are monitored by this approach.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

[Oxygen radical production by alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis in relation to activity status of bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes].

Mediators of lymphocytic alveolitis in sarcoidosis are able to activate alveolar macrophages. In sarcoidosis, there is a pre-activation of the alveolar macrophages, which is reflected in an elevated production of O2 by the alveolar macrophages. There is a positive correlation between this radical load in the distal respiration tract and parameters of lymphocytic alveolitis.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1990

[Does medical study change behavior, attitude and knowledge about smoking? A survey of medical students in the first and next to last year of study].

At the present time, the major effect of studying medicine is to promote the students' knowledge about smoking and its injurious effects. The task of the future doctors in informing patients of the dangers of smoking and counsel them accordingly, receives too little attention. The students' own smoking habits are in no way modified by their studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Cytokine release in sarcoid alveolitis].

In sarcoidosis a compartmentalized activation of the immune system exists which yields clinical parameters of disease activity. By means of the spontaneous interleukin-1 and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha release the same phenomenon could be demonstrated for the macrophage/monocyte system.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Secreted interleukin-2 receptor as a parameter of the activity of sarcoidosis].

Serum sIL-2-R levels were measured in 28 sarcoidosis patients at multiple time points before, during, and after therapy, with a mean follow-up time of 10.2 +/- 5.2 months, and the results compared with the clinical activity of the disease. Before therapy, 20 out of 24 episodes with active disease exhibited elevated levels of sIL-2-R (918 +/- 362 U/ml). In inactive disease after tapering off corticoid therapy the sIL-2-R levels were 453 +/- 274 U/ml. Disease activity under therapy also correlated with sIL-2-R serum levels. 23 out of 29 episodes with signs of activity under therapy had elevated sIL-2-R levels (808 +/- 409 U/ml). Only three of 28 patients in whom disease activity ceased after therapy had been initiated had raised sIL-2-R levels (mean: 401 +/- 140 U/ml). These results demonstrate that the activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis is reflected accurately by the serum levels of sIL-2-R, suggesting that the course of the disease can be monitored by this approach.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1989

Interleukin-2 receptor gene expression by bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Current concepts of the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis favor a central role of activated, interleukin-2 (IL-2) producing helper T-cells at sites of inflammation. Normally, activated T-cells release IL-2 and express IL-2 receptors (IL-2R). IL-2R+ cells, however, are not uniformly found in patients with clinically active disease. To determine whether the lack of IL-2R+ cells is caused by a dysregulation of the IL-2R gene or by the mode of T-cell activation in pulmonary sarcoidosis, we quantified IL-2 and IL-2R m-RNA transcripts, IL-2 release, and IL-2R surface protein in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with sarcoidosis and normal control subjects before and after in vitro stimulation as a function of time. Additionally, we determined the percentage of IL-2R+ bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes in our study population and evaluated the in vivo transcriptional activity of the IL-2R gene. In peripheral blood lymphocytes, maximal IL-2R mRNA accumulation is found between 6 and 24 h, and maximal accumulation of IL-2 mRNA is found between 24 and 48 h. No differences emerged between normal subjects and patients with sarcoidosis. In six of 19 patients, we observed elevated numbers of IL-2R+ BAL lymphocytes and found IL-2R mRNA in those cells. These results are in accordance with the concept of a compartmentalized T-cell activation in sarcoidosis, resulting in IL-2 and IL-2R positive BAL cells and quiescent peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Adult↗