Human leukocyte antigen and autoantibodies association with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

In this study we investigated the association between autoantibodies production and MHC class II alleles in fifty three Egyptian children patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A significant association was found between expression of HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR13 genes and the generation of anti-ribonucleoprotein and IgG cardiolipin antibodies respectively, in contrast to the negative association of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) with HLA-DR8 and HLA-DR14. Analysis of HLA-DR alleles and autoantibodies frequencies in relation to different clinical manifestations revealed significant association between HLA-DR13 and vasculitis, while, HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR3 were significantly associated with seizures.

An immunogenetic and molecular basis for differences in outcomes of invasive group A streptococcal infections.

The role of host genetic factors in conferring predisposition or protection in infectious diseases has become evident. Infection with group A streptococci causes a wide spectrum of disease ranging from pharyngitis to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The release of inflammatory cytokines triggered by streptococcal superantigens has a pivotal role in invasive streptococcal disease.

Lectin ligands on human dendritic cells and identification of a peanut agglutinin positive subset in blood.

As only a few cell surface markers for dendritic cells (DC) have been identified to date, this study examined the expression of ligands for lectin on different human DC populations. The ability of Concanavalin A (Con A), Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), and Helix pomatia (HPA) to bind to cell lines and PBMC and DC populations was analyzed by flow cytometry and specificity of binding confirmed using inhibitory and noninhibitory sugars. The cell lines showed non-lineage-restricted binding with Con A and WGA, independent of sialidase treatment.

Role of atrial natriuretic factor in sodium and water retention in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.

Fifty subjects divided into three groups were studied: Group I: 10 normal adult subjects as controls. Group II: 20 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis (SHF) without ascites (compensated stage). Group III: 20 patients with SHF with ascites.

Inhibition of erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase by 5-hydroxytryptamine.

The inhibition of human erythrocytes and plasma cholinesterase (ChE) by 5-hydroxytryptamine in vitro was studied. Constants characterising this inhibition, namely the inhibition rate for red blood cells RBCs (2.5 x 10(4) (mol/l)-1 min-1) and plasma ChE (1.