[Presence of immune complexes in ischemic stroke].

There is increasing evidence that inflammatory responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cerebral infarct. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of immunocomplexes (i.c.

Phenotyping analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous disease thought to be elicited by an autoimmune process. Many studies in recent years have concentrated on finding the alterations in the peripheral blood immune profile in MS patients that would reflect disease activity. In the present study, we investigated surface antigen expression on lymphocytes and granulocytes from MS patients and control subjects.

Increased expression of adhesion molecule CD18 (LFA-1beta) on the leukocytes of peripheral blood in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether adhesion molecules play a role in acute ischemic stroke.

Material And Methods: Using immunofluorescence phenotyping and flow cytometry, the expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules CD54, CD11a, CD11b and CD18 in peripheral blood were measured within 12 h after onset of ischemia in 20 patients with stroke. Follow-up measurements were performed at 7 and 30 days after ictus.

Pargyline pretreatment prevents immunological changes induced by MPTP in mice.

The relationship between the central dopaminergic and the immune system is poorly understood. Experimental work suggest that damage of the nigrostriatal system may influence immunity. Immunological abnormalities have been described in Parkinson's disease and in a mouse model of this disorder induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).

[Detection of oligoclonal immunoglobulin G in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multifocal vascular lesions of the CNS].

Vascular diseases of CNS are usually a result of certain risk factors. In a number of cases vascular diseases are caused by inflammatory process within arteries. Establishing the intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins is an important indicator of the inflammatory process in the CNS.

Gamma delta + T cells in Wilson's disease.

Little is currently known about the role of gamma delta + T cells in disease pathogenesis. We have demonstrated elevated levels of gamma delta + T cells in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Wilson's disease compared with other neurological diseases. The percentage of V delta 1 +/ gamma delta + T cells was between 20% and 50% in all patient groups; gamma delta + T cells in blood correlated with copper concentrations.

[The alpha-fetoprotein level analysis in open neural tube defects and chromosomal aberrations in the fetus].

During the last 12 years 4258 amniocenteses were performed between the 12th and 20th week of gestation (including 323 early amniocenteses carried out before 15th week). In every case, cytogenetical examination was performed and concentration of AFP was determined. In cases with elevated AFP level electrophoresis of AchE izoenzymes was performed.

[The application of immunoblotting micromethod for the detection of oligoclonal Igg in cerebrospinal fluid in multiple sclerosis].

Unlabelled: The demonstration of the presence of intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins as oligoclonal band (OB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered to be important as an aid to multiple sclerosis diagnosis. We used the Phast System equipment for OB detection in the CSF. Separation was performed on polyacrylamide gels pI 3-9.

[Diagnostic value of oligoclonal band detection in cerebrospinal fluid using PhastSystem device].

The study confirming the presence of oligoclonal IgG in cerebrospinal fluid by isoelectric focusing (IEF) with PhastSystem equipment was carried out in 68 patients with clinically definite MS, in 23 with clinically probable MS and in 23 with other neurological diseases. Other indicators intrathecal synthesis of IgG were olso marked. According to the results it was confirmed that the most sensitive method of detection of intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins is finding of the oligoclonal IgG.

Immunological changes in the MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model.

The role of the central dopaminergic system in modulating immune response is not completely established. We examined the influence of central dopamine depletion on selected parameters of immune functions in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treated and untreated mice. IgM antibody production of splenocytes to sheep red blood cells was reduced in MPTP-treated mice (P < 0.

[Lack of interleukin-1 activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and multiple sclerosis].

Interleukin-1 activity in cerebrospinal fluid of 30 subacute sclerosis panencephalitis and 27 multiple sclerosis patients was measured. ELISA and costimulation thymocyte test revealed no presence of interleukin-1 activity in the cerebrospinal fluid in the tested groups.

[Secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by peripheral blood monocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis and subacute sclerosis panencephalitis].

TNF alpha production by peripheral blood monocytes was studied in seventeen patients with a recent exacerbation of MS, thirteen with remission of MS and fourteen patients with SSPE. Monocytes from both MS groups spontaneously secreted high amounts of TNF alpha in vitro. Addition of lipopolisaccharide could not stimulate further synthesis of TNF alpha.

The immunological status in Parkinson's disease.

It has been suggested that patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease have altered functions of the immune system. We determined certain immunological parameters in groups of Parkinson's disease patients who have been i) treated and ii) not been treated, with levodopa. Changes in the immune functions were observed to be more profound in Parkinson's disease patients than in age-matched controls.

Immunological status in Huntington's disease.

The immunological status of patients with Huntington's disease was studied and compared with that of an age-matched control group. No remarkable abnormalities in lymphocyte subpopulations were observed. The percentage of B cells, CD4+, CD8+, DR+ cells and stimulated cells bearing Tac receptors remained unchanged.

Interleukin 1 and 2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and exacerbation of multiple sclerosis.

Il-1 and Il-2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was studied in 10 patients with SSPE and 15 patients in the acute stage of MS. Both SSPE and MS cells in vitro released spontaneously high amounts of Il-1, and could not be further stimulated to synthesis of Il-1 by latex. The Il-2 production was decreased in both processes but in MS after the recovery from the acute stage the production of Il-2 increased.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and progressive multiple sclerosis: T cell subsets in blood and CSF.

We studied the distribution of T, T helper (TH), and T suppressor (TS) cells in blood and CSF using an immunoperoxidase slide assay and monoclonal antibodies. In subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, we found an elevated level of TS and a decreased level of TH cells in both CSF and blood. In MS, the TH/TS ratio was increased.

[Sensitization of lymphocytes of the cerebrospinal fluid and blood to myelin basic proteins and glycolipids in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis].

Using the test of active E rosettes stimulated with antigen the sensitization was studied of lymphocytes from the cerebrospinal fluid and blood to basic protein of myelin, galactocerebroside and cerebral gangliosides. The investigations were conducted in groups of patients with SSPE and with other non-inflammatory neurological diseases and in a control group without evidence of organic brain damage. It was shown that in SSPE sensitization of these lymphocytes from the CSF and from the blood to the studied antigens occurred with a frequency approaching that in the group of non-inflammatory neurological diseases and less frequently than this was formerly observed in multiple sclerosis.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: influence of the clinical course and treatment with isoprinosine on non-specific cell-mediated and humoral immunity.

Cell-mediated and humoral immunity were studied in 30 patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Marked changes in cell-mediated immunity were observed, manifested as a decrease in total lymphocyte count, decrease of proportion of T cells forming late E rosettes, depression in lymphocyte blastogenesis, production of migration inhibition factor and delayed-type skin reactivity. The humoral immune responses was not so markedly changed and only increased levels of serum IgG, IgM and the C3c fragment of complement were noticed.

Sensitization of cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood lymphocytes to myelin basic protein in multiple sclerosis.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) lymphocyte sensitization to rabbit myelin basic protein (MBP) in 44 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, 21 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) and 14 persons with neurosis was studied with the antigen-active rosette forming cells (Ag-ARFC) assay. The frequency of sensitization of CSF lymphocytes to MBP in groups of MS patients in the relapse stage and the chronic progressive stage was higher than in the group of MS patients in the stable stage and the OND patients. None of the healthy subjects showed a positive reaction with MBP.

Differences between lymphocyte subsets of the cerebrospinal fluid in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and acute aseptic meningitis.

In CSF of patients with acute aseptic meningitis (AAM) an increase in the percentage of total and active T lymphocytes was observed, whereas in SSPE a decrease in T cells was noted. In SSPE there was the increase in the relative number of lymphocytes bearing "avid" FcIgG receptor and decrease in alpha-naphthyl nonspecific esterase-positive cells, but in AAM the cell proportions were not disturbed. The changes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes subsets were less evident.

[Effect of phenytoin and carbamazepine treatment on nonspecific immunological reactivity in epilepsy].

Immunological investigations were carried out assessing the humoral and cell-mediated immunity in 22 patients with epilepsy before starting treatment and at least one year after the onset of treatment with phenytoin or carbamazepine. Sixteen patients were treated with phenytoin and 6 with carbamazepine. In the group treated with phenytoin a statistically significant fall was observed in the serum level of IgG and a decrease in the value of blastic transformation of lymphocytes after stimulation with PHA and PPD with a rise in the number of lymphocytes forming total rosettes with sheep erythrocytes.

[Lymphocyte subpopulations in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood in lymphocytic meningitis].

Lymphocyte subpopulations were evaluated in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood in 22 patients in the initial stage of aseptic meningitis and during convalescence. In the acute stage of the disease the proportion of lymphocytes T, including their active forms, was increased, during convalescence a further significant rise was observed in the subpopulation of lymphocytes T with a fall of the proportion of lymphocytes bearing the high "avid" Fc IgG receptor. In patients with acute meningitis and during convalescence a rise was observed in the proportion of lymphocytes T in the peripheral blood.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood in multiple sclerosis.

Subpopulations of lymphocytes in the CSF and peripheral blood were studied in 30 patients with MS, 16 with other neurological diseases (OND) and 15 control subjects without any neurological abnormalities. In patients with relapse of MS, the absolute numbers of total lymphocytes, alpha-naphthyl acid esterase (ANAE) positive, E-rosette forming and bearing the "avid" FcIgG receptor lymphocytes were significantly increased in the CSF as compared with stable or slowly progressive MS patients, patients with other OND and control subjects. The relative number of ANAE-positive cells was higher, and "avid"FcIgG receptor bearing cells lower in the CSF of all patients with MS than in the two other groups.

[Non-specific immunologic reactivity in epilepsy].

Humoral and cell-mediated immunity was determined in 28 epileptics, in 22 patients observed and investigated because of an only one seizure, and 26 healthy controls. Anticonvulsants had not been used in the treatment of these cases up to that time. The total lymphocyte count and the count of lymphocytes forming spontaneously rosettes with sheep erythrocytes were found to be significantly lower in the group of patients with epilepsy of unknown aetiology in relation to controls.