Clearance of maternal leukaemic cells in a neonate.

A 36-week pregnant woman was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Delivery was initiated prematurely, and a healthy child was born. Cord blood and peripheral blood samples from the neonate (obtained at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months) were analysed for the presence of minimal residual disease by polymerase chain reaction analysis of a leukaemia-specific IGH gene rearrangement and the E2A--PBX1 fusion gene transcript.

Selective development of a strong Th2 cytokine profile in high-risk children who develop atopy: risk factors and regulatory role of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10.

Background: The immunological processes in early life and their relation to allergic sensitization leading to a Th2 cytokine profile are still not well understood.

Objective: To analyse the environmental and genetic risk factors and immunological responses at birth in relation to the development of atopic disease at 12 months of age in a longitudinal study of high-risk children.

Methods: High-risk children were followed from birth till 12 months of age.

Targeting of the CD33-calicheamicin immunoconjugate Mylotarg (CMA-676) in acute myeloid leukemia: in vivo and in vitro saturation and internalization by leukemic and normal myeloid cells.

Antibody-targeted chemotherapy is a promising therapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In a phase II study of Mylotarg (CMA-676, gemtuzumab ozogamicin), which consists of a CD33 antibody linked to calicheamicin, saturation and internalization by leukemic and normal myeloid cells were analyzed in 122 patients with relapsed AML. Peripheral blood samples were obtained just before and 3 and 6 hours after the start of the first and second Mylotarg treatment cycles.

Human keratinocytes are major producers of IL-18: predominant expression of the unprocessed form.

The cytokine network in the skin is a tightly regulated system in which IL-1 isoforms, as well as their receptors and antagonists have a central role. The recently discovered IL-1 isoform IL-18 (also known as interferon gamma-inducing factor (IGIF) or IL-1gamma), promotes IFN-gamma expression by T cells in concert with IL-12. Because IFN-gamma plays an important role in many inflammatory skin diseases by facilitating the development of Th1 cells, it is important to elucidate the role of mediators which regulate the production of this cytokine.

Peptidase activities in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from allergic asthmatics--comparison with healthy non-smokers and smokers and effects of inhaled glucocorticoids.

Background: Neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma by evoking neurogenic inflammation. Since the effects of neuropeptides are limited by peptidases, reduced activity of peptidases may contribute to the inflammatory process.

Objective: We hypothesized that soluble peptidase activities are decreased in asthmatics and that inhaled glucocorticoids exert part of their anti-inflammatory action by increasing soluble peptidase activities.

Autonomic innervation of human airways: structure, function, and pathophysiology in asthma.

The human airways are innervated via efferent and afferent autonomic nerves, which regulate many aspects of airway function. It has been suggested that neural control of the airways may be abnormal in asthmatic patients, and that neurogenic mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of asthma. In this review, the autonomic innervation of the human airways and possible abnormalities in asthma are discussed.

Bronchial epithelium: morphology, function and pathophysiology in asthma.

Human bronchial epithelium has a number of mechanical functions, including mucociliary clearance and protection against noxious agents. Bronchial epithelial cells are also able to release a variety of mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and arachidonic acid metabolites, which are able to regulate the recruitment, activation, and differentiation of inflammatory cells. They also modulate the function of the underlying smooth muscle cells by the release or metabolism of bronchoactive mediators.

Interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma differentially regulate release of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8 by human bronchial epithelial cells.

Airway inflammation is characterized by an accumulation of activated leukocytes. Bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to this process by releasing chemokines and by expressing surface membrane molecules involved in the adhesion and activation of the recruited leukocytes. In this study, we analyzed the effects of cytokines and glucocorticoids on the release of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent chemoattractant for predominantly monocytes and lymphocytes, by human bronchial epithelial cells and compared this with the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8), which potently attracts neutrophils.

Interleukin 4 receptors on human bronchial epithelial cells. An in vivo and in vitro analysis of expression and function.

Asthma is considered a Th2-like disease, characterized by locally increased levels of interleukin (IL) 4. The bronchial epithelium plays an important role in the initiation and perpetuation of inflammatory reactions within the airways. However, little is known about the presence of IL-4 receptors on human bronchial epithelial cells, or the effects of IL-4 on these cells.

Glucocorticoids: mechanisms of action and anti-inflammatory potential in asthma.

GLUCOCORTICOIDS are potent inhibitors of inflammatory processes and are widely used in the treatment of asthma. The anti-inflammatory effects are mediated either by direct binding of the glucocorticoid/glucocorticoid receptor complex to glucocorticoid responsive elements in the promoter region of genes, or by an interaction of this complex with other transcription factors, in particular activating protein-1 or nuclear factor-kappaB. Glucocorticoids inhibit many inflammation-associated molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, arachidonic acid metabolites, and adhesion molecules.

Expression of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in the healthy and asthmatic bronchus.

Background: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and chronic inflammation of the airways. Since peptides are able to produce many of the pathophysiological features which are characteristic of asthma, peptide-mediated inflammation is thought to play a role in this disease. The effects of peptides are modulated by peptidases, which are able to degrade peptides, mostly resulting in their inactivation.

Cytokines and glucocorticoids modulate human bronchial epithelial cell peptidases.

Peptidases play an important role in the regulation of peptide-mediated effects. Modulation of peptidase activity may therefore be a major mechanism to control peptide actions. Our aim was to analyse the effects of cytokines and glucocorticoids on peptidases expressed by human bronchial epithelial cells, which have been shown to be an important site for peptidase activity.