Biomedical subjects

C Chelucci

Publications and source records attributed to C Chelucci.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) inhibits expression of fibrinogen and factor VII in a hepatoma cell line.

We have investigated the effect(s) of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 and interleukin (IL)-6 on the expression of fibrinogen and blood coagulation factors VII, IX, X mRNAs in a hepatoma cell line (Hep 3B). The results indicate that TGF-beta induces a decrease of the basal level of fibrinogen and factor VII mRNAs, but does not affect factor X expression. Furthermore, TGF-beta efficiently antagonizes the IL-6 induction of fibrinogen mRNA at late (12-48 h) but not early (6 h) times: this effect is apparently mediated by posttranscriptional mechanism(s). These findings, together with previously reported data on the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on acute phase genes (e.g., ApoA1 and albumin), suggest a role for TGF-beta in the regulation of liver genes expression. The early stimulatory and late inhibitory effect exerted by IL-6 and TGF-beta respectively on fibrinogen mRNA level may play a role in the regulatory mechanism(s) of clot formation in a variety of conditions.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1992

Astrocyte cultures from human embryonic brain: characterization and modulation of surface molecules by inflammatory cytokines.

Astrocyte-enriched cultures were established upon passaging of primary cultures from the myelencephalon and mesencephalon of 7-9-week-old human embryos. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that third-fourth passage cultures were composed of a highly enriched population of proliferating, epithelioid cells, up to 90% of which expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); no macrophages and very few fibroblasts (less than 2%) were present. GFAP expression and proliferation declined upon further culturing in serum-containing medium but could be transiently reinduced by growing the cells in a serum-free chemically defined medium. Large numbers of GFAP+ astrocytes were obtained from each embryo and could be stored frozen and recultured. Using flow cytometric analysis, human astrocyte cultures were examined for basal and cytokine [interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)]-induced expression of molecules that may be involved in astrocyte-T-lymphocyte interactions. Cultured human astrocytes spontaneously expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens and variable levels of MHC class II; MHC class I levels were increased upon IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha treatment, whereas MHC class II antigens were induced on most of the astrocytes by IFN-gamma. Among the molecules involved in antigen-independent interactions between T lymphocytes and target cells, lymphocyte function-associated molecule-3 (LFA-3) was spontaneously expressed by most cultured human astrocytes, whereas intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was present at variable levels in non-stimulated astrocytes and was greatly induced by IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta. In this study we also show that the above cytokines upregulate astroglial expression of adhesion molecules of the integrin family (VLA-1, VLA-2, and VLA-6) that may be involved in astrocyte-extracellular matrix interaction and play a role in the astrocyte reactive changes occurring at sites of brain injury and inflammation. The human astrocyte cultures developed here represent a useful in vitro model to further investigate mechanisms involved in bidirectional communication between central glia and cells of the immune system.

Astrocytes↗

PubMed1992

PCR analysis of HIV-1 sequences and differential immunological features in seronegative and seropositive haemophiliacs.

We have compared the immunological features of two matched groups of seronegative and seropositive haemophilia A individuals. Both groups were exposed from 1981 to 1985 to comparable amounts and batches of FVIII concentrates not subjected to virus inactivation procedures, and had therefore a 100% probability of receiving HIV-contaminated material. The presence of proviral HIV-1 sequences was evaluated by PCR in the DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes and/or monocytes. After hybridization with specific probes, DNA from all seropositive haemophiliacs revealed HIV sequences; no HIV sequences were observed from the DNA of seronegative patients, even after two rounds of amplification, thus suggesting that these patients were not affected by a latent HIV infection. Seronegative/PCR- and seropositive/PCR+ patients showed a normal and reduced number of CD4+ lymphocytes, and a slight and marked increase of CD8+ cells respectively. Activated T cells expressing the HLA-DR antigen were elevated in both groups. Interestingly, a significant reduction of circulating CD56+/CD3- NK lymphocytes was observed only in seropositive haemophiliacs, whereas NK lymphocytes with CD56+/CD3+ phenotype were within normal levels in both groups. In seropositive patients no correlation was found between the number of CD4+ and CD56+/CD3- lymphocytes. The marked reduction of CD56+/CD3- lymphocytes observed in seropositive haemophiliacs in addition to the CD4+ cell depletion may represent a key pathogenetic factor which facilitates the onset and/or the progression of HIV-1 infection in haemophiliacs, and is related to the capacity of HIV to infect NK cells.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1990

Blood coagulation factors in human embryonic-fetal development: preferential expression of the FVII/tissue factor pathway.

The expression of a number of blood coagulation factors (F) (FX, FIX, FVIII, FVII, alpha-, beta-, gamma-fibrinogen chains, protein C, and antithrombin III [AT III]) was analyzed at RNA and protein level in 5- to 10-week-old human embryos and fetuses. FX, FIX, and FVII were also analyzed at protein level. Total and poly(A)+ RNA, extracted from embryonic-fetal (FL) and adult liver (AL), were analyzed by dot and Northern blot hybridization with specific cDNA probes. The results indicate that: (1) the size of the messenger RNAs of these factors is equivalent in FL and AL; (2) in the 5- to 10-week period, their abundance in FL increases from 30% to 50% of the adult level except for FIX (from 2% to 10%) and FX (always 100% of the adult value). Western blot analysis of FIX, FX, and FVII in 5- to 10-week soluble liver proteins and 6- to 8-week plasma showed a low level of FIX versus a higher concentration of both FVII and FX, when compared with corresponding adult values, ie, a liver protein level of 10% versus 100% and a plasma concentration level of 10% versus 40%. Although little is known so far on the activity and the functional role of the clotting factors in early human ontogenic development, these studies suggest an activation of FX via the FVII/tissue factor activity rather than the FIXa/FVIIIa phospholipid complex in human embryonic and early fetal life.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

PubMed1988

Multiple polymorphic sites in factor X locus.

The structure of factor X (FX) gene was analyzed in five FX deficient pedigrees with four different variants of the disease, as well as in 50 normal subjects. Genomic DNA from the deficient patients and the normal controls was digested with 12 restriction endonucleases and hybridized with a FX cDNA probe. The results seemingly exclude gross gene deletions or rearrangements in the deficient patients. A variety of polymorphic sites (ie, EcoRI, HindIII, PstI, PvuII, TaqI) was observed within the FX locus and their relative frequency was established. Intriguingly, a highly polymorphic region for the PvuII endonuclease was identified and located approximately 3 kilobases (kb) from the last 3' exon. These polymorphisms allowed us to analyze the allelic segregation in a FX deficient family and to identify a homozygous subject.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Intragenic Factor IX restriction site polymorphism in hemophilia B variants.

This study includes 47 normal subjects and 25 hemophilia B patients without inhibitor(s), showing different factor IX coagulant activity and antigen levels. Genomic DNA, digested with various restriction endonucleases, was hybridized with two different factor IX probes, ie, the cDNA and the subgenomic probe for the intragenic TaqI polymorphic site. cDNA restriction patterns suggest absence of gross rearrangements and/or deletions in all hemophilic patients. The frequency of the X chromosome bearing the TaqI polymorphic site is 0.32 +/- 0.09 in hemophilic subjects v 0.36 +/- 0.06 in normal control subjects, the latter value being comparable to that reported for the normal British population. No association between this polymorphism and hemophilia B variants has been observed, thus indicating that a wide spectrum of mutations underlies this blood-clotting disorder and particularly each of its variants.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed1985

Hemophilia B with inhibitor: molecular analysis of the subtotal deletion of the factor IX gene.

The structure of factor IX gene was analyzed in a hemophilia B patient with inhibitor. Genomic DNA, digested with a variety of restriction endonucleases, was hybridized with the cDNA and various genomic factor IX probes. A large subtotal deletion of the gene was observed. The borders of the deletion span from a approximately 125 nucleotide region within the last exon to an unknown domain at least 7.5 kb upstream from the first exon: it thus involves approximately 33 kb of the factor IX locus. The abnormal gene was inherited by the daughter of the propositus, who showed both the normal and the deleted allele.

Chromosome Deletion↗