Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Lung Cancer Patients.

Background: The main function of the HLA-G molecule in its membrane-bound and soluble forms is to inhibit the immune response by acting on CD4+ T cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells. Lung cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and annual incidence is high in both women and men. Some studies have reported an increase of HLA-G serum levels in lung cancer, probably generated by tumor cells escaping the antitumor immune response.

The nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccination is associated with impaired lymphocyte activation.

Nonresponsiveness against hepatitis B vaccination has been described in 4-10% of immunized subjects. We have explored the specific cell response to hepatitis B surface antigen by analyzing: PBMC proliferation, cytokine production (Th1, Th2 profiles, and TGF-beta), and activation molecules on Th cells. A poor proliferative response was demonstrated in nonresponders (P < 0.

Uncoupling activation-induced modulation of CD16 and CD69 in CD56+ cells during AIDS.

The immune system of HIV+ patients is chronically activated, which has been associated with a detrimental effect on both innate and acquired immunity during AIDS. We analyzed the expression and modulation of the triggering markers CD69 and CD16 in CD56+ cells from 18 asymptomatic HIV+ individuals and 8 AIDS patients, compared with 21 seronegative subjects. We observed a diminished PMA-induced CD16 downregulation in AIDS patients (p<0.

Nongranulomatous anterior uveitis associated with alendronate therapy.

We describe a case of acute nongranulomatous anterior uveitis associated with alendronate therapy, in an adult woman, without medical history of previous diseases, except for intercurrent problems of osteoporosis. The symptoms disappeared abruptly after anti-inflammatory therapy and discontinuation of alendronate. Side effects associated with ocular inflammation have been recently documented in 3 patients under alendronate therapy.