Activation of the Fas receptor on lung eosinophils leads to apoptosis and the resolution of eosinophilic inflammation of the airways.

While considerable progress has been made in understanding the events by which eosinophils accumulate in various pathophysiological conditions, the mechanisms controlling the resolution of eosinophilic inflammation are poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that lung eosinophils obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) after aerosol allergen provocation of immunized mice expressed the Fas receptor. Stimulation of purified eosinophils in vitro with a monoclonal anti-Fas mAb (1 ng-1 microg/ml) induced a dose/time dependent loss of cell viability from 24-72 h.

Pharmacokinetics and immunomodulatory effects on monocytes during prolonged therapy with liposomal muramyltripeptide.

The macrophage activator muramyl tripeptide-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (MTP-PE) was infused in liposomal form in 14 metastatic cancer patients (4 mg i.v. during 30 min twice weekly for 12 weeks).

Prolonged interferon-gamma application by subcutaneous infusion in cancer patients: differential response of serum CD14, neopterin, and monocyte HLA class I and II antigens.

This study reports on biological response modification induced by prolonged continuous subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) with particular attention to changes of soluble CD14.

Cytokine regulation of the myeloid glycoprotein CD14.

Monocyte membrane CD14 (mCD14) antigen expression was measured in normal human monocytes and blood monocyte-derived macrophages. Seven-day culture of monocytes in serum-containing medium lead to an increase in mCD14. Addition of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) or interleukin-4 (IL-4) to monocytes caused a dose-dependent reduction in mCD14 within 3 or 45 h respectively.

Recombinant interferon gamma up-regulates in vivo and down-regulates in vitro monocyte CD14 antigen expression in cancer patients.

The expression of the monocyte membrane glycoprotein CD14 was measured and related to the serum interferon gamma (IFN gamma) concentration in thirteen patients with disseminated cancer during treatment with human recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN gamma). The drug was administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion using an escalating dose schedule, starting at 50 micrograms/day or 100 micrograms/day and increasing weekly up to 600 micrograms/day, if tolerated. Treatment was continued at a mean maximal tolerated dose of 200 micrograms/day for a median duration of 43 days.