Activation of human peripheral blood T cells does not lead to increased P-glycoprotein expression.

The expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) on normal human lymphocytes, and its drug exclusion capacity, implies that Pgp might be involved in cytokine secretion. We used two-color flow cytometry to detect simultaneously Pgp expression and IL-2 accumulation in resting and mitogen-activated human lymphocytes. Among resting lymphocytes from five healthy donors less than 1% were Pgp+ as determined by reactivity with the anti-Pgp monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4E3.

Effects of P-glycoprotein modulators on etoposide elimination and central nervous system distribution.

In this study, P-glycoprotein modulator effects on pharmacokinetics and central nervous system distribution of the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide were evaluated. The multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein is expressed in normal tissues, and its physiological function is thought to be an excretory and/or protective one. To examine this further, we evaluated etoposide under steady-state and bolus dose conditions.

Analysis of blood T-cell cytokine expression in B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: evidence for increased levels of cytoplasmic IL-4 in resting and activated CD8 T cells.

The cytoplasmic cytokines of purified blood T cells (CD4/CD8) in B-CLL patients (n = 5) and controls (n = 5) were evaluated by flow cytometry. The mean levels of cytoplasmic IL-4 were significantly elevated in resting and activated B-CLL CD8 cells compared to control CD8 cells. IL-4 cytoplasmic levels were comparable for resting B-CLL and control CD4 cells but greater for B-CLL activated CD4 cells.

Studies evaluating high-dose acyclovir, intravenous immune globulin, and cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin for prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus in kidney transplant recipients.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and critically analyze the studies evaluating the cost, safety, and efficacy of high-dose acyclovir, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and CMV hyperimmunoglobulin (CMVIG) for prophylaxis against CMV in kidney transplant recipients.

Data Sources: Appropriate articles were identified by searching MEDLINE. Various combinations of the following medical subject heading terms were used: immunoglobulins, intravenous; acyclovir; CMVIG; CMV infections; kidney transplantation; IVIG; and prophylaxis.

ATP-dependent transport of beta-estradiol 17-(beta-D-glucuronide) in rat canalicular membrane vesicles.

The ATP-dependent transport of beta-estradiol 17-(beta-D-glucuronide) (E217G), a cholestatic metabolite of estradiol, was investigated in rat liver canalicular membrane vesicles. ATP-dependent transport was dependent on time and temperature and occurred into an osmotically sensitive space; kinetic analysis indicated a saturable transport system (Michaelis-Menten constant value, 75 microM; maximum transport rate, 598 pmol.min-1.