Enhanced apoptosis of peripheral CD5-negative B lymphocytes from chronically hepatitis C virus-infected patients: reversal after antiviral treatment.

Whereas enhanced peripheral T-cell apoptosis and its association with autoimmunity have recently been reported, the apoptotic status of peripheral B cells in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains ambiguous. We therefore sought to investigate the sensitivity of peripheral B cells to apoptosis and to assess the possible benefits of antiviral treatment in mitigating these effects. Spontaneous apoptosis, the extent of apoptosis rescue, and NF-kappaB expression in peripheral B cells were studied in patients with chronic HCV infections (group 1), in sustained responders after antiviral treatment (group 2), and in healthy controls (group 3).

Increased CD8+ T cell apoptosis in scleroderma is associated with low levels of NF-kappa B.

Our objectives were (1) to compare lymphocyte subpopulation apoptosis rates in SSc patients versus healthy controls and (2) to compare Bcl-2 and NF-kappa B expression in cultured CD8 lymphocytes of SSc patients versus controls. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 27 SSc patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for SSc and 28 healthy individuals. Mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient separation and cultured for 48 hr.

Enhanced peripheral T-cell apoptosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: association with liver disease severity.

Background/aims: It has been suggested that enhanced T-cell apoptosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may lead to down-regulation of their cellular immune response, thus contributing to the persistency of HCV infection. In the present study we have investigated the role of bcl-2 and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) in dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of peripheral T cells in chronic HCV infection.

Methods: The expression of bcl-2 and NFkappaB in peripheral T cells as well as spontaneous and dexamethasone-induced T-cell apoptosis were studied in HCV-infected patients (n=21), hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients (n=14) and healthy individuals (n=19).

Immune aberrations in B and T lymphocytes derived from chronic urticaria patients.

To investigate the pathophysiology of chronic urticaria (CU) in light of the abundant evidences that it is an autoimmune disease and to define some cellular markers in B/T lymphocytes that could be of pathogenic significance, we investigated 14 patients suffering from CU, compared to 7 contact dermatitis patients and 10 normal control individuals. We tested the expression of CD5, B7.1 (CD80), CD23, and CD25 on B cells and of CD(40L)) and CD25 on T cells from all studied individuals.

Anticardiolipin antibodies and acute myocardial infarction in non-systemic lupus erythmatosus patients: a controlled prospective study.

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) in relatively young patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and their role in subsequent coronary and thromboembolic events in the post-MI period.

Patients And Methods: In 124 relatively young survivors (aged 65 or younger) of acute MI, ACLA were measured in a controlled prospective study on admission and 3 months later. Myocardial reinfarction and thromboembolic events during a mean follow-up period of 19 +/- 3 months were diagnosed by standard tests.

Increased thromboembolic incidence in anti-cardiolipin-positive patients with malignancy.

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACLAs) in patients with malignancy and to investigate a possible association of ACLAs with thromboembolic events in such patients. The study included 216 patients with solid and non-solid malignancies and an age-matched control group of 88 healthy subjects. ACLA levels were measured and related to thromboembolic phenomena (diagnosed by imaging methods) that occurred within 12 months of the diagnosis of cancer.

Premature ovarian failure--the prognostic application of autoimmunity on conception after ovulation induction.

Objective: To assess whether the presence of autoimmune activity in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) can predict the response to ovulation induction and conception.

Design: Assessment of autoimmune activity in patients with POF, correlating the response to ovulation induction with this autoreactivity.

Setting: Tertiary care academic center.

Immunofluorescent antigluten antibody test. Titer and profile of gluten antibodies in celiac disease.

Circulating antibodies to gluten fractions have been detected in most patients with celiac disease during gluten ingestion. The various detection techniques, however, are rather complex and inadequate for routine clinical use. Recently, a new indirect immunofluorescent method, named the antigluten antibody (AGA) test, has been developed.

Autoantibodies to epithelial cells (intercellular substance) and their correlation with clinical activity of pemphigus vulgaris.

The presence of autoantibodies to intercellular substance of squamous epithelium was studied in the sera of 46 patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris. This study suggests that in the majority of patients suffering from the severe form of the disease the autoantibody titer can be used as a guide to prednisone therapy. However, in patients with a mild or moderate form, no such correlation is established.

Aspects of immunosuppression during Plasmodium berghei infection in rats.

Depression in immunological responsiveness was manifested in phase with parasitaemia in rats infected with Plasmodium berghei. The spleen was the most affected organ. The response of spleen cells to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and the number of plaque forming cells among spleen cells of rats injected with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), were reduced especially at peak parasitaemia.