Binding of interleukin-8 to heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate in lung tissue.

Interleukin (IL)-8, a member of the CXC chemokine family, is a potent neutrophil chemotactic factor. Mechanisms that regulate the activity of chemokines in tissue are not clear. The goal of this study was to determine whether IL-8-glycosaminoglycan interactions are responsible for the binding of IL-8 in lung tissue.

Fas/Fas ligand system mediates epithelial injury, but not pulmonary host defenses, in response to inhaled bacteria.

The Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system has been implicated in alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis during pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, Fas ligation can also lead to cell activation and cytokine production. The goal of this study was to determine the role of the Fas/FasL system in host defenses against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Recombinant human Fas ligand induces alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis and lung injury in rabbits.

This study investigated whether recombinant human soluble Fas ligand (rh-sFasL) induces apoptosis of primary type II pneumocytes in vitro and lung injury in vivo. Type II cells isolated from normal rabbit lung expressed Fas on their surface and became apoptotic after an 18-h incubation with rh-sFasL. Fas expression in normal rabbit lungs was localized by immunohistochemistry to alveolar and airway epithelia and alveolar macrophages.

Developmental expression of neurokinin A and functional neurokinin-2 receptors in lung.

Peribronchial smooth muscle constriction causes airway stretch, an important mechanical force in developing lung. Little is known about factors influencing these spontaneously active muscle elements. We measured contractile activity of neurokinin (NK) receptors on fetal intrapulmonary smooth muscle by tracheal perfusion assay (n = 11).

Heterogeneity of islet pathology in two infants with recent onset diabetes mellitus.

The mechanisms by which the beta cells of pancreatic islets are destroyed in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) are poorly understood. In this report the pancreatic histo- and immunopathology of two children, both HLA-DR 3/4, DQ 2/8 positive and who both died from cerebral oedema within a day of clinical diagnosis of IDDM, were investigated. Patient 1, a 14-month-old girl, had a 4-week history of polydipsia and polyuria.