Distribution and density of CD1a+ and CD83+ dendritic cells in HPV-associated laryngeal papillomas.

Background: Respiratory papillomatosis associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most common benign laryngeal neoplasm. The age of patients at disease onset, HPV type, number of surgeries are well known prognostic factors of the disease course. The correlation between dendritic cell (DC) density in tumor tissue and clinical prognosis was established.

Impact of persistent cytomegalovirus infection on human neuroblastoma cell gene expression.

In a model of human neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines persistently infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) we previously showed that persistent HCMV infection is associated with an increased malignant phenotype, enhanced drug resistance, and invasive properties. To gain insights into the mechanisms of increased malignancy we analyzed the global changes in cellular gene expression induced by persistent HCMV infection of human neuroblastoma cells by use of high-density oligonucleotide microarrays (HG-U133A, Affymetrix) and RT-PCR. Comparing the gene expression of different NB cell lines with persistently infected cell sub-lines revealed 11 host cell genes regulated in a similar manner throughout all infected samples.

Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor regulates activity of the nervous system.

Objectives: The peripheral administration of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), widely used for the treatment of cytopenias, is often associated with neurological effects [Lieschke et al., N Engl J Med 1992;327:28-34]. This cytokine has recently been reported to affect neurotransmitter metabolism in the nervous system [Bianchi, Neuroreport 1997;8:3587-3590].