PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

A Pituch-Noworolska

Publications and source records attributed to A Pituch-Noworolska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[The diagnostic significance of blast immunophenotype assay in patients with acute leukemia].

A detailed analysis of immunophenotypes of 120 adult newly diagnosed patients with acute leukaemias was performed. Using the immunopheno-typing, it was possible to defined 96,7% of leukemia cases. The proportion of leukemia subtypes was: AML in 62,5%, ALL in 32,5%, acute biphenotypic leukaemia 1,7% and acute undifferentiated leukaemia (AUL) in 3,3%. The diagnosis initially made according FAB criterias in 12,5% cases after the immunophenotyping was verified. Above analyses showed the existence of the atypical blasts phenotypes in 31%: co-expression of CD 19, CD2 and CD7 markers in AML, co-expression of CD 33 marker in ALL, co-expression of CD 19 marker in T cell ALL and biphenotypic (mixed-lineage) leukaemia.

Adolescent

Isotype-specific regulation of MHC class II gene expression in human monocytes by exogenous and endogenous tumor necrosis factor.

The control of expression of MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells is important for the induction of immunity, while aberrant expression of these molecules plays a role in the immunopathology of autoimmune diseases. This study explored the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) in controlling the level of HLA class II mRNA in human monocytes. Exposure of monocytes to exogenous recombinant TNF (rTNF) selectively up-regulated DR alpha-mRNA but not DP or DQ alpha-mRNA. Inhibitors of TNF synthesis, pentoxifylline (PTX) and thalidomide, inhibited TNF mRNA accumulation in LPS-activated monocytes and down-regulated DR mRNA but not DP or DQ mRNA. The inhibitory effect of anti-TNF monoclonal antibody (MAb) indicated that endogenously generated TNF acted extracellularly. Anti-p75 TNF-R2 receptor and to a lesser extent anti-p55 TNF-R1 MAbs inhibited TNF-mediated up-regulation of DR mRNA and TNF mRNA. Taken together, this implies that endogenously generated TNF plays a role in controlling isotype-specific MHC class II gene expression in human monocytes/macrophages. These results may have some implications for anti-tumor response and autoimmunity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Prevalence of autoantibodies in the very elderly: association with symptoms of ischemic heart disease.

The mechanisms leading to the increased expression of autoantibodies in the elderly are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is associated with the prevalence of autoantibodies in the elderly over 85 years of age. Anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle (SMA), anti-mitochondrial (AMA), thyroid anti-microsomal autoantibodies (anti-Tg) and antibodies to gastric parietal cells (PCA) were determined in selected groups of healthy subjects and patients with IHD. In IHD patients, the following autoantibodies were detected: ANA in 42.1% of subjects, SMA in 10.5%, AMA in 5.3%, anti-Tg in 5.3%, and PCA in 5.3%. In control healthy subjects, ANA were detected in 10%, AMA in 5%, and PCA in 15%. In conclusion, autoantibodies were more common in patients with IHD than in control healthy subjects, but no significant differences were found.

Aged

The expression of multidrug resistance (MDR) molecule in acute leukemia and lymphoma.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is associated with expression of P-glycoprotein in the malignant cells as the one of known mechanisms for this phenomenon. The isolated blast cells of 60 patients with acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were assayed for the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-170) with MRK16 antibody. The frequency of P-170 expression was studied in the different subtypes of leukemia and NHL based on blasts phenotype. In acute leukemia and lymphoma with B cell lineage of blast cells the percentage of P-170 positive samples was 41.3%, in the non-lymphoblastic leukemia--35.3% and the T cell lineage--75% of P-170 positive samples. The expression of P-170 molecule was associated with: 1. T cell origin of blasts, 2. lymphoma form of proliferation. The P-170 assay selects the group of patients with higher risk of drug resistance for modified therapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem

[Bone marrow stem cells].

The paper summarizes the up-to-date knowledge about the stem cells of human bone marrow. The role of bone marrow stromal cells, their products in the regulation of hematopoiesis and the role of growth factors and cytokines are discussed.

Cytokines

Immunological classification of high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in children.

The immunological classification of 28 high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in children was shown. The morphological classification was based on Working Formulation, the immunological classification--on acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtypes. The phenotypes were assayed cytofluorometrically with monoclonal antibodies and compared to ontogenic stages in B and T cell development. Small non-cleaved cell lymphoma (Burkitt's type) was seen in 13 patients, lymphoblastic lymphoma in 12 patients, low differentiated in 3 patients. Immunological classification showed B-lymphocyte origin of blast cells in 15 patients including 11 small non-cleaved Burkitt's lymphoma (mature B and cALL phenotype), 3 undifferentiated cases (pro-B and mature B cell) and 1 case of lymphoblastic lymphoma (cALL type). T-cell origin of blast cells was demonstrated in 13 patients. The immunological classification used routinely was helpful in selection of patients with unfavourable prognosis. The more precise description of blast cells was valuable for better adjustment of therapy and better prognosis.

Adolescent

[Evaluation of cell cycle in acute leukemias and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in children].

The DNA profile of blast cells was assayed in 61 children with acute leukemias (51 patients) and non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL--10 patients). The value of S phase (synthesis of DNA) and G2M phase (mitotic stage) was compared between the subtypes of acute leukemia and lymphoma based on blast cell phenotype. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) the lowest S phase of blast cells was seen in null-ALL subtype, the highest in T-ALL. In non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) the value of S phase was below S phase observed in ALL. B cell NHL showed higher S phase as compared to T-lymphocyte derived NHL cells. Aneuploidy was noted as hyperdiploidy (8 cases), hypodiploidy (4 cases) and two leukemia cell lines (3 ALL patients). The DNA profile as marker of proliferative activity of blastic cells provides an important information associated with the prognosis of patient.

Adolescent

Reactivity of bronchoalveolar space cells in lung asbestosis.

Preliminary studies to evaluate lymphocyte subsets bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood were carried out in a group of patients with lung asbestosis. The assessments were made by an indirect immunofluorescent method using monoclonal antibodies as a marker. The results were recorded on a flow cytofluorometer FASC-can. As compared with a control group, the patients with lung asbestosis showed a slight decrease in the total level of T lymphocytes (CD3) in BAL, however with a clearly disturbed proportion between T-helper (CD4) and T-suppressor (CD8) lymphocytes, which led to a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio. The blood level of T lymphocytes and their subsets in these patients approximated that in the controls. Heavy smoking was also found to enhance disorders in their number and proportion. The assessment of B lymphocytes (by using polyclonal antihuman immunoglobulins (sIg/FITC) showed a significantly high level of these lymphocytes in BAL with simultaneously low levels in blood in the same patients with lung asbestosis. We did not find a clear synergic effect of cigarette smoking on the levels of B lymphocytes in the studied group.

Adult

MHC class II determinants on peripheral blood monocytes from newly diagnosed IDDM patients.

The expression of MHC class II determinants (HLA-DR, HLA-DP and Ia7) on peripheral blood monocytes (OKM1+ cells) was studied in 20 children with newly diagnosed IDDM. Monocytes of 10 children with IDDM and familial predisposition showed a statistically significant increase of HLA-DR expression when compared to control group (10 healthy children). There were no significant differences concerning Ia7 expression. HLA-DP expression was similar in all studied groups.

Adolescent

Monocyte-T-cell interactions in pokeweed mitogen-activated cultures.

Monocyte-T-cell interactions were studied in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-activated cell cultures. We addressed the question of monocyte changes in PWM-stimulated cultures of T cells and monocytes and found, by flow cytometric analysis, that PWM activation led to a loss of cells with monocyte or macrophage phenotype (CD14, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ) within 48 hr of culture in the presence of T cells (CD4+ T cells), but not in cultures of pure monocytes. Chemiluminescence measurements revealed that phagocytic stimulation of monocytic superoxide release was impaired in PWM-stimulated cultures of monocytes plus T cells, but not in PWM-stimulated cultures of pure monocytes. Furthermore, PWM induced the secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in primary cultures of T cells supplemented with 20% of monocytes, whereas in subsequent secondary cultures of these cells PWM induced IFN-gamma only when monocytes were added. We conclude from these flow cytometric and functional analyses that monocytes are efficiently eliminated from PWM-activated T-cell/monocyte cultures by CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic

The altered expression of MHC-class II determinants on monocytes of cancer patients.

The expression of MHC class II determinants Ia.7 (detected by cross reactive mouse anti-Iak antibody) and HLA-DR on monocytes (MO) of gastric and colorectal cancer patients was examined. An increased proportion of MO bearing the Ia.7 determinant was found, while the number of MO expressing DR was not elevated. In gastric cancer patients the increased expression of the Ia.7 determinant was most pronounced in advanced cancer (stage IVA and IVB). The increased expression of this determinant was related to the presence of the tumour as the number of MO expressing Ia.7 decreased 6 months following surgical resection of the tumour. Further, the increased expression of Ia.7 on MO correlated with the tumour infiltration of the serosa. The Ia.7 determinants were mainly expressed on MO which also expressed the receptor for the Fc part of immunoglobulin. Immunostaining in cellular infiltrates surrounding the tumour revealed that Ia.7+ macrophages (MO) were more numerous than in normal gastric mucosa and severe chronic gastritis and were mostly present in close proximity to tumour cells, while DR+MO were mainly localized within the stromal tissue of the tumour and their number was not increased in cancer infiltrates. These observations indicate that the Ia.7+ subpopulation of MO may be involved in the anti-tumour response of the host.

Epitopes

Human recombinant interferon-alpha-2 in the treatment of patients with hairy cell leukemia.

During the last 2 years, we have treated 14 hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients with human recombinant interferon-2 alpha (Boehringer Ingelheim). The above group consisted of eight nonsplenectomized and six previously splenectomized progressive HCL patients. The patients received daily doses of 5 x 10(6) units of IFN for 3 months and two doses per week for the next 3 months thereafter by i.m. route. The therapy resulted in the complete (nine cases, = 64.3%) or partial (two cases = 14.3%) clinical and hematological remission (response rate 78.6%), with either disappearance or marked reduction in circulating and bone marrow hairy cells, decreased spleen size, and recovery of normal hemopoiesis. Apart from a transient flulike syndrome during the first 2 weeks of therapy, no other side effects were observed.

Adult

Pokeweed mitogen activated suppressor T-cells preferentially reduce immunoglobulin secretion by differentiated B-lymphocytes.

In contrast to pokeweed mitogen (PWM), S. aureus Cowan I (SAC) does not activate suppressor T-cells in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, although the SAC induced response leading to the appearance of immunoglobulin secreting cells (ISC) is suppressed by PWM activated suppressor T-cells. Therefore, cultures co-stimulated by SAC and PWM were chosen to find out which stage of the SAC triggered B-cell response is controlled by PWM activated suppressor T-cells. By incorporation of [3H]thymidine and determination of B-cell number in culture it was shown that neither PWM itself nor PWM induced suppressor T-cells interfere with SAC induced B-cell proliferation. The final stages of B-cell maturation were monitored by parallel evaluation of cells producing immunoglobulins (cells with intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins) and secreting them (plaque assay). It was shown that PWM activated suppressor T-cells reduce the number of ISC more effectively than the number of immunoglobulin producing cells, indicating that these two features of differentiated B-lymphocytes may be independently controlled.

Antibody-Producing Cells

Serial immunological testing in patients with gastric cancer.

Standard immunological parameters measuring non-specific cellular immune reactivity were determined in 175 patients with different stages of gastric cancer prior to surgery and during follow-up. Several tests measuring monocyte activity were also employed. The total number of T cells and their subpopulations Ta and T29o was unchanged except depression of T29o in stage IV. The blastogenic response of lymphocytes to PHA as assessed by stimulation of protein synthesis was only depressed in stage IV. In contrast the PHA-induced lymphokine production was increased in all patients but the differences were significant for stage III and IV. Monocyte Fc receptor expression was increased in stages II-IV, while nitro blue tetrazolium reduction and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity of monocytes was elevated in stage IV. The number of extractable monocytes was not increased. Longitudinal studies suggested that most of the parameters normalized during follow-up. No major long-term impact of chemoimmunotherapy (5-FU + BCG) on the immune parameters was observed except a transient increase in PPD reactivity approximately 1 year after commencement of treatment. In patients with stage III gastric cancer the increased occurrence of suppressor cells (mostly monocytes) and elevated cytostatic activity of monocytes was associated with a longer survival while the increased lymphokine production and Fc receptor expression were seen in the group of patients succumbing earlier. We concluded that most of the changes in immune parameters were seen only in advanced disease and paradoxically disappeared in the course of disease. The determination of monocyte activity seems to be a sensitive indicator of immune system dearrangements in earlier stages of cancer and a useful prognostic factor in gastric cancer.

Adult

Suppression of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-induced immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro: discrimination between the presence of suppressor T cell precursors and effectors.

In co-cultures with control cells lymphocytes obtained from some patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia can suppress PWM but not S. aureus Cowan I-induced polyclonal immunoglobulin production. When such co-cultures were stimulated at the same time with both mitogens, the response was greatly suppressed. This phenomenon was further studied in cultures of lymphocyte populations isolated from healthy donors. It was found that suppressor T lymphocytes activated by PWM in cultures co-stimulated with Con A, with high T:B cell ratio, or with an increased proportion of OKT8+ T cells can suppress the S. aureus-induced response. In contrast, under the same conditions S. aureus did not activate suppressor cells. Moreover, in cultures stimulated with this polyclonal B-cell activator OKT8+ lymphocytes could serve as helper cells.

Agammaglobulinemia

The regulation of polyclonal immunoglobulin synthesis by FcR+ and FcR- monocyte subsets.

FcR+ and FcR- monocyte subsets were added to the pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-stimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or to PBMC depleted of monocytes. The numbers of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) and cells with intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins (PC) were evaluated 6 days later. The addition of FcR- subset increased the number of ISC in cultures of PBMC stimulated with PWM and reconstituted the response of monocyte depleted PBMC. In contrast, FcR+ monocytes suppressed PWM-induced response and, when added in high dose, also that induced by S. aureus. The FcR+ monocytes suppressed the response by inhibition of immunoglobulin secretion but not the development of PC. This suggests that FcR+ monocytes may modulate humoral response by preferential inhibition of the final differentiation of B lymphocytes into ISC.

B-Lymphocytes