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Biomedical subjects

R L Baer

Publications and source records attributed to R L Baer.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of triggering epidermal Fc gamma receptors on the interleukin-2- and interleukin-6-induced upregulation of Ia antigen expression by murine epidermal Langerhans cells: the role of prostaglandins and cAMP.

Following incubation of murine epidermis in medium containing either interleukin-2 or interleukin-6, there is significant upregulation in the density of Ia+ epidermal Langerhans cells (to 159% and 175% of control, respectively). This cytokine-induced upregulation is abrogated by either rabbit or human IgG due to triggering of Fc gamma receptors. In contrast, human IgA does not inhibit the effect of interleukin-2 or interleukin-6. Using different isotypes of murine IgG, we have demonstrated that all subclasses are capable of inhibiting the cytokine-induced enhancement of Ia antigen, although IgG1 and IgG2b must be heat aggregated to be effective. The IgG-mediated events are dependent on prostaglandin synthesis because they can be blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, 10 micrograms/ml. The responsible PG appears to be PGD2; in contrast to its known inhibitory effect on macrophages, PGE2 does not inhibit the upregulation of Ia antigen on Langerhans cells. In addition, these IgG-mediated events are dependent upon the generation of cAMP because they can be blocked by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, 1 mM. Despite the apparently central role of PGD2 and cAMP in this process, triggering of the Fc gamma R by different isotypes of IgG blocks upregulation of Ia via at least two different pathways. The inhibition caused by aggregated IgG1 or IgG2b, which bind to Fc gamma RII on Langerhans cells, is abrogated by para-bromophenacylbromide, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2. In contrast, the inhibition caused by monomeric IgG2a, which binds to Fc gamma RI most likely on keratinocytes, or monomeric IgG3, which probably binds to this same Fc gamma RI, is abrogated by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, as well as by W7, a calmodulin antagonist. Finally, 1,2 dioctanoyl-rac-glycerol, an activator of protein kinase C, mimics the Ig-mediated events. Based on these findings, as well as studies using monoclonal antibodies to the murine Fc gamma receptors I and II, we conclude that, as is the case in murine macrophages, triggering of an epidermal Fc gamma RI, most likely on keratinocytes, results in the generation of cAMP via a Ca(++)-dependent protein kinase C pathway, whereas triggering of an epidermal Fc gamma RII, most likely on Langerhans cells, results in the elevation of cAMP via a phospholipase A2-mediated pathway. In contrast to the situation for macrophages, PGD2 is a vital intermediate in both pathways, perhaps because Langerhans cells have receptors for only this prostaglandin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Route of contact sensitization and in vitro lymphocyte transformation.

A guinea pig skin extract conjugate with dinitrofluorobenzene elicited significant in vitro transformation of cultured lymphnode lymphocytes from 19 of 27 guinea pigs sensitized by footpad injection of dinitrochlorobenzene in Freund's complete adjuvant, as compared to only 1 of 26 guinea pigs topically sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene. Topically sensitized guinea pigs appear to be more appropriate models for contact allergy in man than guinea pigs sensitized by other methods. Other sensitization procedures are likely to produce more heterogeneous forms of sensitization, with features of contact allergy, tuberculin-type allergy, antibody-mediated hypersensitivity and cutaneous basophile hypersensitivity.

Animals

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.

A 24-year old woman had the major features of the hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome: recurrent staphylococcal skin infections (from the age of 6 months), an extremely elevated serum immunoglobulin E level (25,000 units/ml), and defective neutrophil chemotaxis. This patient also had peripheral blood eosinophilia and cutaneous candidiasis. There was a family history of asthma, but the patient herself did not have a history of asthma or hay fever, and, on examination, had no evidence of atopic dermatitis. The patient has not had any systemic infections. Results of the skin biopsy showed dermal edema and a perivascular infiltrate with eosinophils and an increased number of mast cells. The clinical spectrum of the hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome may include atopic dermatitis, mucocutaneous candidiasis, systemic infections, and/or the features of Job's syndrome.

Adolescent

Eruptive nevocytic nevi after severe bullous disease.

In two patients, hundreds of nevocytic nevi (melanocytic nevi) appeared in sites of severe bullous dermatoses that were considered to be toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme exudativum, respectively. This phenomenon may result from benign melanocytic hyperplasia accompanying keratinocytic hyperplasia during the healing process of some of the denuded areas of the skin.

Child

The role of Langerhans cells in allergic contact hypersensitivity. A review of findings in man and guinea pigs.

Evidence in favor of a role for Langerhans cells in contact allergic hypersensitivity reactions has been reviewed. This includes mononuclear cell to Langerhans cell apposition and damage to some Langerhans cells at sites of specific challenge to a variety of contact allergens. Such apposition occurs in actively sensitized patients and guinea pigs and in passively sensitized guinea pigs. In addition, in passively sensitized guinea pigs Langerhans cells circulate in dermal vessels resembling lymphatics and are much increased in the dermis after challenge with the contact allergen. These observations, together with the existing knowledge that Langerhans cells occur in the lymph nodes and thymus, suggest that these cells may be involved not only in contact allergic reactions but also in other immunologic reactions, particularly in cell-mediated reactions in the skin.

Animals

High-dose tetracycline therapy in severe acne.

High daily doses of tetracycline (in most instances 2,000 mg) were administered over periods of 3 to 33 months to 31 patients suffering from unusually severe, disfiguring, and treatment-resistant forms of acne (papulopustular, cystic, and conglobated). The acne cleared in 14 patients, improved greatly in 13, improved only insignificantly in 3, and failed to improve in 1. Side-effects occurred in 15 of the 31 patients but necessitated cessation of treatment in only three.

Acne Vulgaris