Influence of polyclonal antithymocyte globulins on the expression of adhesion molecules of isolated human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Objectives: Polyclonal antithymocyte globulins (ATGs) are immunosuppressive agents applied for the treatment and prevention of organ rejection after transplantation. ATGs induce complement-mediated cell death in T lymphocytes and decrease leukocyte adhesion. However, little is known about the effects of ATGs on endothelial cells (EC).

Antithymocyte globulins bind to human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Objective: Polyclonal antithymocyte globulins (ATGs) are immunosuppressive agents used for the treatment of organ rejection after transplantation. ATGs induce complement-mediated cell death of T lymphocytes and may decrease leukocyte adhesion. However, little is known about their effects on endothelial cells (ECs).

Relation of early Photofrin uptake to photodynamically induced phototoxicity and changes of cell volume in different cell lines.

For efficacy of photodynamic therapy, selective uptake and retention of photoactive substances has been postulated. Therefore, measurements were performed to find out whether the photosensitiser Photofrin is taken up differently in malignant and non-malignant cells in vitro. In addition, the sensitivity of malignant cells and non-malignant cells to photodynamic exposure was investigated, by quantifying viability and volume alterations of the cells.

Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin: evaluation of effects on the microcirculation of striated muscle.

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers such as diaspirin-crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) have been proposed for blood substitution due to their plasma expansion and oxygen transport capacity. This study investigates the effects of DCLHb on the microcirculation of striated muscle after moderate topload infusion and isovolemic exchange transfusion in awake hamsters. The skinfold chamber model in hamsters and intravital fluorescence microscopy were used for analysis of vessel diameter, red blood cell velocity (RBCV), leukocyte sticking to the microvascular endothelium, and macromolecular leakage in striated skin muscle.