Measurement of inflammatory mediators of eosinophils and lymphocytes in blood in acute asthma: serum levels of ECP influence the bronchodilator response.

The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of immunoinflammatory markers on the response to short acting beta(2)-agonist in acute asthma exacerbation. Thus, we measured serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and sIL-2R at acute exacerbation in 52 adult patients with atopic asthma, and assessed forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) before and after the administration of aerosolized salbutamol. After a cumulative dose of salbutamol causing a 10% improvement in FEV(1) from baseline [CD10, i.

Gender-specific association between -1082 IL-10 promoter polymorphism and longevity.

Ageing is characterized by a pro-inflammatory status, which could contribute to the onset of major age-related diseases. Thus, genetic variations in pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines might influence successful ageing and longevity. IL-10 is an appropriate candidate because it exerts powerful inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory function.

Association between the MHC class I gene HFE polymorphisms and longevity: a study in Sicilian population.

Classes I and II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) genes encode highly polymorphic heterodimeric glycoproteins involved in the control of immune responses. The HLA class I gene HFE seemingly no longer participates in immunity because it has lost its ability to bind peptides and it has acquired the ability to form complex with the receptor for iron-binding transferrin by regulating iron uptake by intestinal cells. Thus, it indirectly regulates immune responses too, because iron availability plays a role in specific and non-specific immune responses.

Allele frequencies of +874T-->A single nucleotide polymorphism at the first intron of interferon-gamma gene in a group of Italian centenarians.

Ageing is characterized by a pro-inflammatory status which could contribute to the onset of major age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and diabetes. Thus, it can be hypothesized that genetic variations in pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines might influence successful ageing and longevity. We have studied the distribution of +874T-->A interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) polymorphisms in a large number of Italian centenarians to evaluate if the two alleles might be differently represented in people selected for longevity.

Gamma/delta T lymphocytes are affected in the elderly.

gammadelta T lymphocytes are considered to represent a link between the inflammatory response and adaptive immunity. In the present paper we investigated whether these cells play any role in the remodeling of the immune system described in the elderly. We show that the absolute number of gammadelta T cells in peripheral blood of old and very old subjects is reduced.

Measurement of inflammatory mediators of mast cells and eosinophils in native nasal lavage fluid in nasal polyposis.

Background: Nasal polyposis (NP) often coexists with asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. Polyp histology typically shows chronic, eosinophilic inflammation. The inflammatory cell infiltrate generally includes eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and mast cells.

A genetically determined high setting of TNF-alpha influences immunologic parameters of HLA-B8,DR3 positive subjects: implications for autoimmunity.

The 8.1 ancestral haplotype (AH) is a common Caucasoid haplotype carried by most people who type for HLA-B8,DR3. It seems unique in its association with a wide range of immunopathologic diseases.

Immunogenetics of longevity. Is major histocompatibility complex polymorphism relevant to the control of human longevity? A review of literature data.

Literature data suggest that human longevity may be directly correlated with optimal functioning of the immune system. Therefore, it is likely that one of the genetic determinants of longevity resides in those polymorphisms for the immune system genes that regulate immune responses. Accordingly, studies performed on mice have suggested that the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), known to control a variety of immune functions, is associated with the life span of the strains.

Effects of in vitro treatment with fluticasone propionate on natural killer and lymphokine-induced killer activity in asthmatic and healthy individuals.

Background: Topical corticosteroids are beneficial in the treatment of allergic respiratory disorders; they exert effects on a number of cells involved in allergic inflammatory reactions. On the other hand, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted cytotoxicity (i.e.

Early activation of gammadelta T lymphocytes in the elderly.

T cell function is altered in vivo and in vitro in elderly compared with young subjects, and this alteration is believed to contribute to morbidity and mortality in man due to the greater incidence of infection, as well as autoimmunity and cancer in elderly. The majority of T cells express TCRalphabeta whereas TCRgammadelta is expressed on a minority of T cells. Moreover, it is known that gammadelta T lymphocytes display major histocompatibility complex (MHC)- unrestricted cytotoxicity that is reminiscent of natural killer (NK) activity.

HLA, aging, and longevity: a critical reappraisal.

Despite a large number of studies, available data do not allow at present to reach definitive and clear conclusions on role of HLA on longevity, owing to major methodological problems, such as serological and molecular typing of different loci, insufficient sample sizes, different inclusion criteria and age cut-off, inappropriate mixing of data referred to people from 58 to over 100 years of age, inappropriate control matching, and neglected consideration of sex-related effects and the different genetic make-up of studied populations. However, within this confused scenario, some data emerge. First, two studies that do not fit the biases above discussed show that some HLA alleles are associated with longevity.

In vitro treatment with interleukin-2 normalizes type-1 cytokine production by lymphocytes from elderly.

The term immunosenescence is taken to mean the deterioration of immune function seen in elderly, which is manifested in increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, neoplasias, and autoimmune diseases. It is only recently that we have begun to understand the cellular and molecular changes involved. Of special interest in this regard are observations of a decline in synthesis of Type-1 cytokines which predisposes to diminished cell mediated immunity.

Age-related changes in the expression of CD95 (APO1/FAS) on blood lymphocytes.

Aging is associated with alterations of the immune system, thought to be related to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, and possibly to cancer and autoimmunity in the elderly. In the present paper we report data obtained on freshly collected blood from 148 healthy subjects of different ages (from cord blood to 102 years old). The subjects were divided into seven age classes (cord blood, 3-11 years, 15-39 years, 41-60 years, 61-74 years, 75-84 years, 85-102 years) and their lymphocyte subsets and the expression of the apoptosis-related molecule CD95 were evaluated.

Comparison of the effects of fluticasone propionate, aqueous nasal spray and levocabastine on inflammatory cells in nasal lavage and clinical activity during the pollen season in seasonal rhinitics.

Background: Treatment options for allergic rhinitis include antihistamines, decongestants, anticholinergics, cromolyn sodium and corticosteroids. As the nose is a small organ, comprising less than 1% of total body mass and surface area, it seems logical to confine treatment of rhinitis to the diseased organ.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of therapy with intranasal fluticasone propionate (FP), both on subjective symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms, in rhinitis patients during pollen season when the patients were symptomatic.

Granulocyte and natural killer activity in the elderly.

The deterioration of the immune system in ageing, 'immunosenescence', is thought to contribute to increased morbidity and mortality from infections and possibly autoimmune diseases and cancer. The most profound changes involve effector and immunoregulatory T-cell functions. Immunosenescence appears also to be related to changes in non specific immunity as well.

Serum levels of soluble CD23 in patients with asthma or rhinitis monosensitive to Parietaria. Its relation to total serum IgE levels and eosinophil cationic protein during and out of the pollen season.

The diagnostic value for allergies of the low affinity IgE receptor and its soluble circulating fragment (sCD23) remains unclear. In particular, little is know about seasonal influences on serum sCD23 levels in subjects with pollen allergy. In the present study, to gain insight into pathophysiological role of sCD23, we have analyzed, in blood from patients allergic to Parietaria sCD23, IgE, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) serum levels.

Interleukin-5 production by mononuclear cells from aged individuals: implication for autoimmunity.

It is well known that in the elderly a deterioration of immune functions may occur. Particularly, stimulation of T cells from aged individuals leads to different kind and/or size of responses if compared with the responses obtained from T cells from young individuals. At the same time, an increase in prevalence of autoantibodies occurs in elderly.

Modification of cytokine patterns in subjects bearing the HLA-B8,DR3 phenotype: implications for autoimmunity.

The factors influencing the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease are not fully known, but the host genotype undoubtedly plays a role in determining the outcome of these diseases. The role of the host's major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype in the regulation of susceptibility to autoimmune diseases has been extensively studied in different populations, and certain HLA (the human MHC) alleles and haplotypes have been reported to be associated with several autoimmune diseases. In particular, the association with genes from the HLA-B8,DR3 haplotype has been reported by different research groups.

Apoptosis and ageing.

Stimulation of T cells from aged individuals leads to different kinds and/or size of responses if compared with the responses of T cells obtained from young individuals. In fact elderly is associated with a progressive decline of immune response besides an increasing incidence of autoimmune phenomena. These differences might be the result of modified cellular mechanisms controlling the immune system in the course of ageing.

Interleukin-12 release by mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cells in the elderly.

Defects involving cellular expression of activation molecules, cell mediated immune response and natural killer (NK) activity are commonly observed in the elderly. Herein, data are reported on the evaluation of IL-12 production by old subjects. IL-12 is, actually, considered the key molecule for the induction of a T helper 1 (Th1) -type and NK response.

Non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness in mono-sensitive Sicilian patients with allergic rhinitis. Its relationship to total serum IgE levels and blood eosinophils during and out of the pollen season.

Background: Initial attempts to evaluate the association between allergic rhinitis and non-specific bronchial responsiveness has produced conflicting results. In fact, some studies showed a strong correlation and other failed to find an association. However, little is known about the effect of natural specific allergen exposure on the bronchial reactivity of mono-sensitive patients with rhinitis in the southern Mediterranean area, in relation to skin reactivity to allergens, total serum IgE levels and blood eosinophils.

Hypothesis: interleukin-5 production impairment can be a key point in the pathogenesis of the MHC-linked selective IgA deficiency.

Selective IgA deficiency (IgA-D) is associated with the expression of some human leukocyte antigens (HLA) haplotypes and Major Hystocompatibility Complex (MHC) gene products have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of IgA synthesis. Recently, we have obtained evidences indicating that MHC influences the production of IgA and interleukin-5 (IL-5) both in humans and in mice. Lymphnode cells from pychril chloride (PC1) immunised BALB/c mice (bearing the H-2d haplotype) fail to produce IL-5 when stimulated in vitro with PC1 and this correlates with low antigen specific IgA production in vivo.

Biological basis of the HLA-B8,DR3-associated progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The factors influencing the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are not fully known, but the host genotype undoubtedly plays a role in determining the outcome of the disease by affecting the immune response to HIV. The role of the host human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype in the regulation of susceptibility to HIV infection and expression has been studied extensively in different major risk groups. Certain HLA alleles and haplotypes, being associated with aberrant immune responses independently from HIV infection, have been reported to facilitate the rapid progression of disorders related to HIV infection.

Allergic rhinitis to grass pollen: measurement of inflammatory mediators of mast cell and eosinophils in native nasal fluid lavage and in serum out of and during pollen season.

Background: In allergic rhinitis, mast cells, activated by cross-linking of allergen to mast cell-bound specific IgE, release both vasoactive mediators related to the early nasal symptoms and chemotactic mediators that attract inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils, related to the late-phase response.

Objective: We have analyzed, during and out of pollen season, in blood and nasal fluid from patients allergic to grass pollen, histamine and tryptase to monitor the early phase markers and eosinophil and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) to monitor the late phase.

Methods: Twenty patients were enrolled in the study.