Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cell kinetics during the collection of peripheral blood stem cells by leukapheresis.

The plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined during 41 collections of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) by standard volume (two blood volumes) leukaphereses (SVL) in 29 donors (7 allogeneic and 22 autologous) mobilized with the granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The association between MMP-9 levels and cell counts in donor's blood was explored. During the processing of the first blood volume (BV), MMP-9 levels declined on average by 31% and persisted at the same level during the processing of the second BV.

Anti-Diego a red blood cell alloantibody as a possible cause of anemia in a 3-week-old infant.

Our aim in this case report was to describe anemia caused by anti-Diego(a) red blood cell (RBC) antibody in a 3-week-old infant derived during pregnancy to low-frequency Diego(a) RBC antigen. Pre- and postnatal maternal serum screening for unexpected RBC antibodies and determination of RBC antibody specificity in the sera of the mother and child and in the elute of the child were performed by use of microcards (Diamed, Basel, Switzerland; BioVue, Ortho Clinical Diagnosis, Raritan, NJ, USA) with commercially prepared test RBCs (Diamed, Ortho Clinical Diagnosis, and Gamma Biologicals, Houston, TX, USA) at 37 degrees C and indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) according to manufacturer instructions. Direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was performed by use of microcards (Diamed, Ortho Clinical Diagnosis) with both polyspecific and monospecific IgG anti-human globulin.

Perforin expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in rejecting and tolerant kidney transplant recipients.

Perforin (P) is a cytolytic molecule expressed in the granules of cytolytic T cells and natural killer cells. Although cytotoxic cells have been implicated in graft rejection, no prospective clinical study has been published that examines the dynamics of perforin expressing cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes of transplanted patients. The cytofluorimetric assay developed in our laboratory previously for the simultaneous detection of intracellular perforin together with cell surface molecules was used for posttransplantation monitoring of patients, for the assessment of the efficiency of immunosuppressive treatment, and for the prediction of acute kidney transplant rejection and the stability of tolerance to long lived kidney transplants.