CD8(+) T cells implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

Fungi in paranasal sinuses are characteristic and considered a major pathogenic factor in a subset of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients, known as allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). CD8(+) T cells are enriched in AFRS sinuses but their role in fungal-specific responses is unknown. Alternaria alternata- and Aspergillus fumigatus-specific T lymphocyte responses were investigated in 6 AFRS patients, 10 eosinophilic mucus CRS (EMCRS) patients, 10 CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs) patients, 6 allergic rhinitis with fungal allergy (ARFA) patients, and five controls.

Accumulation of effector memory CD8+ T cells in nasal polyps.

Background: T lymphocytes are prevalent in sinus mucosa and are implicated in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) pathogenesis. However, the major T-cell subpopulations, helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic (CD8+), have not been adequately examined in CRS. This study was designed to characterize human sinus mucosa and peripheral blood (PB) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and their level of differentiation in CRS with nasal polyps (NPs), CRS without NPs, and control patients.

Antibody-functionalized porous silicon nanoparticles for vectorization of hydrophobic drugs.

We describe the preparation of biodegradable porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNP) functionalized with cancer cell targeting antibodies and loaded with the hydrophobic anti-cancer drug camptothecin. Orientated immobilization of the antibody on the pSiNP is achieved using novel semicarbazide based bioconjugate chemistry. To demonstrate the generality of this targeting approach, the three antibodies MLR2, mAb528 and Rituximab are used, which target neuroblastoma, glioblastoma and B lymphoma cells, respectively.

Sorted cell microarrays as platforms for high-content informational bioassays.

We report on surface-engineered microarrays that provide in situ cell sorting, localization, and immobilization of various subsets of human primary lymphocytes, followed by an on-chip bioassay for ionizing-radiation-induced cytogenetic damage. The microarray format eliminates the necessity of separating cell sub-populations by alternative means (such as fluorescence- or magnetic-activated cell sorting) prior to performing informational bioassays. To exemplify the potential of this on-chip cytometry approach, we have integrated the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMNcyt) assay with the microarray platform for analysis of the chromosome damage profile of specific subsets of human peripheral lymphocytes.

Clinical utility of molecular and flow cytometric markers in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. While immunoglobulin variable region heavy chain (IgVH) mutational status remains the 'gold standard' in molecular prognostication, a range of additional markers is increasingly being used in clinical trials. As awareness of trial data increases, requests to determine these prognostic markers for new CLL patients are becoming more prevalent in Australia.