[The role of the granulocytes in ischemic cardiopathy].

Recent studies suggest that granulocytes (PMNs) play a role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic myocardial ischemia and extension of myocardial injury. Granulocytes can release a variety of mediators tissue injury and synergize with these different mediators, cytokines and other cells resulting in amplification of neutrophil stimulation and rising to additional products with enhanced endothelial injury. Free radicals released by PMNs during ischemia or reperfusion produce deleterious effects on cell membranes, endothelial cells and myocardium.

[Correlations between membrane integrins and granulocyte defects in myelodysplastic syndromes].

The aim of the present study was to evaluate some functions of neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs), such as aggregation, superoxide production, chemotaxis and adhesion molecules involved in these processes, in 22 patients suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), to clarify if granulocytes alterations described in this syndrome is really correlated with the expression of surface membrane integrins. Several patients suffering from MDS present granulocytopenia and/or absolute monocytoses; neutrophil granulocytes can have typical nuclear and cytoplasmatic alterations. These granulocytic anomalies are valuable in about 90% of patients suffering from MDS.

Increased expression of neutrophil and monocyte adhesion molecules in unstable coronary artery disease.

Background: A rapid increase in leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells is one of the first events in the acute inflammatory response and in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. A subgroup of cell surface glycoproteins (the CD11/CD18 complex) play a major role in the leukocyte adhesion process; in particular, the CD11b/CD18 receptor can be upregulated severalfold in response to chemotactic factors. The purpose of this study was to assess whether upmodulation of granulocyte and monocyte CD11b/CD18 receptors takes place during the passage of blood through the coronary tree of patients with clinical manifestations of ischemic heart disease.

The role of integrins in granulocyte dysfunction in myelodysplastic syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the function of granulocytes in 20 patients affected by myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and correlate this with the expression of surface membrane integrins. The granulocytes showed a deficit in chemotaxis (34 +/- 12 vs 84 +/- 10, p < 0.01) in superoxide release (12 +/- 7 vs 30 +/- 10, p < 0.