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G Colonna Romano

Publications and source records attributed to G Colonna Romano.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A genetically determined high setting of TNF-alpha influences immunologic parameters of HLA-B8,DR3 positive subjects: implications for autoimmunity.

The 8.1 ancestral haplotype (AH) is a common Caucasoid haplotype carried by most people who type for HLA-B8,DR3. It seems unique in its association with a wide range of immunopathologic diseases. Healthy subjects bearing this haplotype demonstrate several alterations of immune response. This article will focus on the identification of the mechanism(s) of disease susceptibility of 8.1 AH. In 13 carriers of 8.1 AH, and 43 negative patients, enzyme immune assays serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, soluble endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (sELAM-1), cortisol, and interleukin(IL)-10 were determined. In addition, quantification of cytokine produced in vitro after mitogen stimulation was studied, and all subjects were genotyped for alleles at -592, -819, and -1082 nucleotides of IL-10 gene 5' flanking region, which is known to control IL-10 production. Results revealed that 8.1 AH is associated with a high in vivo and in vitro production of TNF-alpha, which in turn seems responsible for increased serum levels of sELAM-1, cortisol, and IL-10. On the contrary, in vitro production of IL-10 is not increased in these patients and there are no differences in allele promoter frequencies between the two groups that might explain the differences in IL-10 serum values. Thus, serum values seem to be the result of the effects of increased serum levels of TNF-alpha and cortisol. In conclusion, the increased spontaneous release of TNF-alpha, which modifies a certain number of immunologic parameters, may be the most characterizing feature of 8.1 AH. The consequent modification of the immunologic scenario might be involved in the predisposition to the impressive number of diseases and the changes in immune response observed in the patients studied.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

HLA, aging, and longevity: a critical reappraisal.

Despite a large number of studies, available data do not allow at present to reach definitive and clear conclusions on role of HLA on longevity, owing to major methodological problems, such as serological and molecular typing of different loci, insufficient sample sizes, different inclusion criteria and age cut-off, inappropriate mixing of data referred to people from 58 to over 100 years of age, inappropriate control matching, and neglected consideration of sex-related effects and the different genetic make-up of studied populations. However, within this confused scenario, some data emerge. First, two studies that do not fit the biases above discussed show that some HLA alleles are associated with longevity. However, some of these alleles may confer an increased risk to undergo a variety of diseases. Second, longevity may be associated with an increased homozygosity at HLA loci. Third, an intriguing association between longevity and the 8.1 ancestral haplotype (AH), which has been proven to be associated with a variety of immune dysfunctions and autoimmune diseases, apparently emerges. This association appears to be a sex-specific (males) longevity contributor, and it is particularly interesting, taking into account that a type 2 (early infancy) --> type 1 (adulthood) --> type 2 (aging) shift of cytokine profile occurs lifelong, and that individuals bearing this haplotype show a type 2 immune responsiveness (note that type 1 cytokines mainly enhance cellular responses, whereas type 2 cytokines predominantly enhance humoral responses). On the whole, the (sex specific) association of longevity with alleles or haplotypes of several genes related to risk factors for a variety of diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer), including HLA alleles and haplotypes, is not unexpected on the basis of previous studies on the genetics of longevity in centenarians. This association can be interpreted under the perspective of a well known evolutionary theory of aging (antagonistic pleiotropy). This theory predicts that the same gene (or allele or haplotype) can have different roles (positive or negative) in different periods of the life span. Thus, the 8.1 AH should exert a positive effect during the infancy and aging but not in adulthood, when, indeed it is associated to susceptibility to a variety of diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Impairment of contrasuppressor activity in mice infected with the paramyxovirus of Newcastle disease.

Spleen cells from mice infected with the virus of Newcastle disease (NVD) fail to mediate the passive transfer of contact sensitivity to simple chemical haptens such as picryl chloride (Pcl) and oxazolone (Ox). The inhibitory effect of NDV can be bypassed by treating recipient mice with low doses of cyclophosphamide (Cy), suggesting that the T-effector cell which mediates the passive transfer of contact sensitivity is not affected by NDV infection. Vicia Villosa-adherent cells from immune mice display contrasuppressor activity and restore the ability of cells from NDV-infected mice to transfer contact sensitivity to naive recipients. In contrast, Vicia Villosa-adherent cells from NDV-infected mice fail to exert any contrasuppressor activity. Furthermore, contrasuppressor activity can also be detected in the culture supernatants of Vicia Villosa-adherent cells from uninfected, sensitized mice, but not in culture supernatants of Vicia Villosa-adherent cells from NDV-infected mice. The present results suggest that a Vicia Villosa-adherent contrasuppressor cell population is impaired by NDV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Inhibition of lymphocyte mitogenesis in mice infected with Newcastle disease virus: viral interference with the interleukin system.

Spleen cells from mice infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) fail to proliferate when cultured with allogeneic cells or with concanavalin A (Con A). This failure is not due to impairment of interleukin-1 (IL-1) production or to a lack of accessory cell function as stimulator cells from NDV-infected mice induce DNA synthesis in the mixed lymphocyte reaction. However, spleen cells from NDV-infected mice fail to produce detectable amounts of interleukin-2 (IL-2) when stimulated with mitogenic doses of Con A and do not respond to exogenous IL-2-containing preparations. Furthermore, absorption experiments suggest that cells from NDV-infected mice fail to bind appreciable amounts of exogenous IL-2. All these events seem to be infection-dependent, as cells from mice injected with ultraviolet-inactivated NDV (UV-NDV) behave normally.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Infection of mice with Newcastle disease virus inhibits the T suppressor afferent cell circuit which regulates contact sensitivity to picryl chloride.

The interaction between Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and the suppressor cell circuit which regulates the induction phase of contact sensitivity reaction to picryl chloride (Pcl) was investigated. NDV infection impairs the activity of the T suppressor afferent cells (Ts-aff) which inhibit DNA synthesis in the draining lymph nodes of mice specifically sensitized with Pcl and the development of contact sensitivity. The inhibitory effect of NDV was evident when the virus was administered up to 2 days before or at the same time as the injection of picrylsulfonic acid; this effect required infectious virus, as NDV inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation failed to inhibit Ts-aff activity. Taken together with the previous finding that the T suppressor efferent cell is unaffected by NDV, the present results support the view that contact sensitivity reaction to picryl chloride is regulated by two distinct T-suppressor-cell circuits.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Activation of the alternative complement pathway by Newcastle disease virus. I) Effect of the virus on the complement system in vivo and in vitro].

The authors have studied the effect of the paramyxovirus of Newcastle disease on the complement system in the mouse. The results obtained show that NDV activate both in vivo and in vitro the alternative complement pathway, suggesting that the intervention of complement system during viral infections represents a general biological phenomenon.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Complement activation by cell-associated immune complexes in contact sensitivity.

Lymph node cells collected 4 days after painting the skin with picryl chloride activate the first components of the classical pathway of complement cascade, as shown by consumption of C4 of rabbit complement with total sparing of C5 and factor B activity. In contrast, lymph node cells collected 1 or 6 days after sensitization fail to do so. The ability of "4-day" cells to activate complement is inhibited by treating the cells with specific low-molecular-weight hapten, which is known to dissociate the immune complex present on the cell surface. When mouse serum was used as source of complement, a different behavior in complement activation between CBA/J and B10.D2-New/SnJ serum was observed: "4-day" cells failed to consume CBA/J serum whereas a normal complement activation was detected when B10.D2-New/SnJ serum was used. Using these two sera which differ in the level of C4, an inverse relationship between the ability of "4-day" cells to activate complement and their capacity to induce contact sensitivity when injected into the footpad of normal recipients was reported. Experiments performed using sera from C5 genetically deficient mice demonstrate that only the early complement components are involved, suggesting that membrane immune complexes are solubilized as a result of complement activation; on the other hand, membrane bound activated complement components could alter the immunizing potential of "4-day" cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Analysis of the T suppressor cell circuit which regulates contact sensitivity in mice infected with the virus of Newcastle disease.

The interaction between the virus of Newcastle disease (NDV) and the different cellular elements involved in the T suppressor cell circuit which regulates the expression phase of contact sensitivity has been investigated. NDV does not interfere with the production of the antigen-specific T suppressor factor (TsF) but inhibits its binding to T acceptor cells (Tacc). This cell when armed with TsF and exposed to the antigen corresponding to TsF releases a non-specific inhibitor of the transfer of contact sensitivity. More detailed analysis of the effect of NDV on the Tacc system showed that not only Tacc activity is impaired by NDV, but also the ability of antigen presenting cells (APC) to trigger Tacc armed with TsF is inhibited. The impairment of APC activity by NDV has been also investigated using another system, such as the induction of contact sensitivity by footpad cell transfer. The possibility that a virus-induced membrane modification might be responsible for the effect of NDV on the regulation of contact sensitivity is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Production of T suppressor factor specific for the hapten picryl chloride requires both T suppressor cells and an antigen-specific, genetically restricted second signal.

We investigated the requirement for activation of T suppressor cells specific for the hapten picryl chloride and the release of hapten-specific T suppressor factor. Using an in vivo experimental system, we report that activation of T suppressor cells and the consequent release of T suppressor factor required two signals: one was provided by primed T suppressor cells, i.e. spleen cells from mice injected with the tolerogen picrylsulphonic acid, and the other was provided by the specific antigen in the context of H-2 gene products. Mechanisms by which the interaction between these two signals led to activation of T suppressor cells and the production of T suppressor factor, as well as a comparison with other antigen-specific suppressor systems, are discussed.

Animals↗