Evolution of the Macrophage CD163 Phenotype and Cytokine Profiles in a Human Model of Resolving Inflammation.

Cantharidin skin blisters were examined over two days to model the acute and resolving phases of inflammation in human skin. Four blisters were created by topical administration of cantharidin (0.1% v/v) to the forearm of healthy volunteers, with IRB approval.

Shedding of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in a human inflammatory response.

Shedding of adhesion molecules has been described for members of the selectin and immunoglobulin superfamilies, but integrins are not known to be shed. Here, we describe shedding of the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) from human leukocytes during the cutaneous inflammatory response to the blistering agent cantharidin. Expression of LFA-1 was significantly diminished on blister-infiltrated neutrophils (P < .

Macrophage release of transforming growth factor beta1 during resolution of monosodium urate monohydrate crystal-induced inflammation.

Objective: It has previously been shown that as monocytes differentiate into macrophages, they lose the ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in response to monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether MSU crystals induce macrophages to secrete antiinflammatory factor instead.

Methods: Human monocyte or macrophage isolates were prepared from samples obtained from healthy volunteer donors either by differentiation of blood monocytes in vitro or by collecting cells from skin blisters during the early or late phase of the dermal inflammatory response to cantharidin.

Surgical clearance of invasive cardiac leiomyosarcoma with concomitant pneumonectomy.

The management of cardiac leiomyosarcoma is still controversial. Due to the rare occurrence and late presentation of such tumours the treatment is essentially palliative. We report on a case in a young female who presented with catastrophic haemodynamic instability and pulmonary venous obstruction by a large mass in her left atrium.