Hematopoietic stem cells and solid organ transplantation.

Solid organ transplantation provides lifesaving therapy for patients with end stage organ disease. In order for the transplanted organ to survive, the recipient must take a lifelong cocktail of immunosuppressive medications that increase the risk for infections, malignancies and drug toxicities. Data from many animal studies have shown that recipients can be made tolerant of their transplanted organ by infusing stem cells, particularly hematopoietic stem cells, prior to the transplant.

Effects of end-stage renal disease and haemodialysis on dendritic cell subsets and basal and LPS-stimulated cytokine production.

Background: Although bacterial infections have dramatically declined as a cause of death in the general population, they remain a major cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Moreover, the response to vaccination is profoundly impaired in this population. Dendritic cells (DC) are the major antigen-presenting cells that bridge the innate and adaptive immune responses.

Effect of end-stage renal disease on B-lymphocyte subpopulations, IL-7, BAFF and BAFF receptor expression.

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) results in increased susceptibility to infections, impaired response to vaccination and diffuse B-cell lymphopenia. However, the precise nature and mechanism of ESRD-induced B-cell lymphopenia remains unclear. Therefore, we studied the distribution of major B-cell subsets, B-cell growth, differentiation and survival factors, IL-7 and BAFF, and their receptors in 21 haemodialysis patients and 21 controls.

Impaired antioxidant activity of high-density lipoprotein in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. CKD results in oxidative stress, inflammation, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) deficiency, which work in concert to promote atherosclerosis. Normal HDL confers protection against atherosclerosis by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids and lipoproteins and by retrieving surplus cholesterol and phospholipids from lipid-laden cells in the artery wall for disposal in the liver (reverse cholesterol transport).

Effect of exercise training on aortic tone in chronic renal insufficiency.

Background: Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is associated with a high incidence of hypertension (HTN), endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Sedentary life style increases, whereas regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to test the effect of regular exercise on vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive responses of the thoracic aorta in rats with renal mass reduction.