Mycophenolic acid reverses TGF beta-induced cell motility, collagen matrix contraction and cell morphology in vitro.

The aim of this study was to elucidate functional and molecular effects of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on non-lymphatic, kidney epithelial cells treated with transforming growth factor (TGF). MPA effects were studied using HK2 cells incubated with EGF and TGF. The reversibility of these effects was verified using guanosine and 8-aminoguanosine.

Lack of correlation between Treg quantification assays in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Aim: To compare the number of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) measured by flow cytometry with those obtained using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Tregs percentages obtained by both flow cytometry and qPCR methods in 35 adult IBD patients, 18 out of them with Crohn´s disease (CD) and 17 with ulcerative colitis (UC) were compared to each other as well as to scores on two IBD activity questionnaires using the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) for CD patients and the Simple Colitis Clinical Activity Index (SCCAI) for UC patients. The Treg percentages by flow cytometry were defined as CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low)FOXP3(+) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, whereas the Treg percentages by qPCR method were determined as FOXP3 promoter demethylation in genomic DNA.

Can the Roche hemolysis index be used for automated determination of cell-free hemoglobin? A comparison to photometric assays.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a novel method for automated quantification of cell-free hemoglobin (fHb) based on the HI (Roche Diagnostics).

Methods: The novel fHb method based on the HI was correlated with fHb measured using the triple wavelength methods of both Harboe [fHb, g/L = (0.915 * HI + 2.

Circulating regulatory T cells are reduced in obesity and may identify subjects at increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

Objective: Reduced numbers of regulatory T (Treg ) cells have been observed in visceral adipose tissue of obese mice and humans. However, it is unknown whether human obesity affects circulating Treg cells and whether their number is associated with markers of systemic inflammation or glucose intolerance.

Design And Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from venous blood of obese (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m(2) ; n = 30) and nonobese (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m(2) ; n = 13) individuals and analyzed using flow cytometry for the expression of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3.