Biomedical subjects

A Gerblich

Publications and source records attributed to A Gerblich.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Antigen-induced T-cell changes: modulation by pharmacologic agents.

To determine the effect of pharmacologic modulation of alterations of peripheral blood T-cell subsets caused by antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, we administered albuterol immediately after antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in a double-blind to protocol to 12 atopic asthmatic subjects. We also administered cromolyn sodium before antigen to 7 of the same subjects. Peripheral blood T-cell subset composition (CD4, CD8, Ia) of a highly purified T-cell preparation was determined before, 24, 48, 72, and 168 h after bronchoconstriction. We found that placebo inhalation immediately after antigen-induced bronchoconstriction did not affect subsequent peripheral blood T-cell subset changes (decrease in CD4+ and increase in Ia+ T lymphocytes). In contrast, inhaled albuterol abolished these T-cell subset changes. Although cromolyn sodium significantly decreased the severity of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, it did not affect T-cell subset composition changes at the dosage used. We conclude that albuterol can ablate T-cell subset changes associated with antigen-induced bronchoconstriction. Cromolyn sodium ameliorates bronchoconstriction, but has no affect on T-cell subset composition changes. This implies that T-cell changes and bronchoconstriction caused by antigen inhalation are mediated through different pathways.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1988

Focus of bronchial carcinoma in situ eradicated by endobronchial biopsy.

Bronchial carcinoma in situ is not frequently diagnosed in a clinical setting. A bronchoscopic biopsy of a small mucosal abnormality in a patient with hemoptysis yielded a diagnosis of carcinoma in situ. The involved lobe was resected. On thorough histologic examination of the surgical specimen, no residual carcinoma could be found. To our knowledge, this is unprecedented in the literature. This case emphasizes the importance of biopsying subtle abnormalities and raises questions about the optimal management of in situ bronchial carcinoma.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

Atopic asthma: T lymphocyte subpopulations.

Atopy is associated with diminished cell-mediated immunity and increased amounts of IgE, both of which may be caused by imbalances of T lymphocyte subsets. We compared the composition of highly purified peripheral-blood T cells of fifteen atopic asthmatics with ten non-atopic control subjects. Each subject was examined on five separate occasions. Indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies was used to define T cell subsets. We examined the proportion of T cells with T3 (most T cells), T4 (helper/inducer), T8 (suppressor/cytotoxic), M1 (natural killer), and Ia (activated T cells) surface antigens. Blood was obtained at the same time of day to eliminate the effects of circadian rhythm. Subjects were taking no medications. We found no difference between the groups of the percentage of T cells with T4, T8, M1, and Ia antigens, nor the ratio of T4+ (helper) to T8+ (suppressor) cells. T3 percent was slightly (94.3 vs 92.5%) higher in the atopic group. We conclude that atopic asthma is not associated with imbalances of peripheral-blood T cell subsets.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Atopic asthma: T-cell response to corticosteroids.

Atopic asthma is associated with diminished cell-mediated immunity and elevated levels of IgE, both of which may be caused by imbalances of T-lymphocyte subsets. We analyzed the response of peripheral blood T-cell subsets to two commonly used corticosteroid preparations as a probe of T-cell subset regulation. We administered prednisone (P) 60 mg or 20 mg, beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) aerosol, 336 micrograms, placebo, or BDP vehicle in a double-blind protocol to 15 atopic asthmatic patients and ten nonatopic subjects. No difference was found between the groups of the baseline number of T-cells with T4, T8, M1, and Ia antigens, nor the ratio of T4+ (helper) to T8+ (suppressor) cells. Five hours after administration of BDP aerosol, BDP vehicle, and oral placebo, there was no change of these values in either the atopic or in the nonatopic group. In contrast, P, 20 and 60 mg, caused a fall of T4/T8 ratio in the atopic, but not in the nonatopic population. Atopic asthma is not associated with baseline imbalances of peripheral blood T-cell subsets, but is associated with an abnormal response to systemic, but not inhaled corticosteroid.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Elastolysis of insoluble elastin.

We developed an assay for measurement of elastolytic activity using insoluble 3H-labelled particulate elastin adherent to plastic that is capable of detecting 150 picograms of pancreatic elastase. This equals or exceeds the sensitivity of the most sensitive previously reported systems, without requiring sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment of the elastin. Elastin digestion is dependent upon substrate and elastase concentration, but is not linearly related to time. This is partially attributable to elastase denaturation or autolysis under the assay conditions. The assay could easily detect elastase secreted by either peritoneal or alveolar macrophages. Compared to previously described assays using substrates that closely resemble the physiologic substrate, this represents a considerable increase of sensitivity of detection of elastolytic activity of enzymes.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Prednisone and T-cell subpopulations.

Alteration of T-cell subset relationships may cause many of the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of glucocorticosteroids. The effect of oral administration of lactose or 60 mg of prednisone on peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subset profile and total eosinophil count (TEC) was examined. A purified T-cell peripheral blood population was obtained and the proportion of T cells with T3, T4, T8, M1, and la surface antigens was determined before and five hours after ingestion of lactose or prednisone. Lactose caused no change of any of the measured values. Prednisone caused a large (72%) decrease of the total lymphocyte number and the TEC (97%) but no change of the proportion of T cells with the previously mentioned antigens. Administration of 60 mg of prednisone does not acutely selectively deplete subclasses of T lymphocytes from peripheral blood.

Adult↗