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Biomedical subjects

I Lehmann

Publications and source records attributed to I Lehmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Association of neuropeptides with Th1/Th2 balance and allergic sensitization in children.

BACKGROUND: Among neurogenic factors, the neuropeptides have an important regulatory influence on immune system activity and may lead to allergic sensitization. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM) and substance P (SP) on modulation of Th1/Th2 balance and allergic sensitization in children. METHODS: Within the LISAplus (Life style-Immune system-Allergy) study, blood samples of 321 six-year-old children were analysed for concentration of neuropeptides, Th1 and Th2 cytokines, transcription factors for T cell regulation and suppressors of cytokine signalling. In addition, samples were screened for specific IgE against inhalant and food allergens. RESULTS: Children with high SOM values showed a Th2 polarization and a reduced expression of FOXP3, the marker for regulatory T cells. High (VIP) levels correlated inversely with the expression of T cell transcription factors (Tbet and SOCS3). In contrast, elevated levels of SP were associated with reduced GATA3 and SOCS3 expression and with increased IFN-gamma concentrations. Allergic sensitization was more prevalent in children with higher SOM and VIP concentrations but not associated with SP levels. CONCLUSION: Our data reveal an association between neuropeptides and modulatory effects on immune cells in vivo, especially on Th1/Th2 balance with a correlation to allergic sensitization in children. We suggest that elevated SOM and VIP concentrations and the inducing factors should be considered as allergy risk factors.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2005

Measurement of the analyzing power in p-->d-->(p p)n with a fast forward 1S0 proton pair.

A measurement of the analyzing power A(y) of the p-->d--> (p p) + n reaction was carried out at the ANKE spectrometer at COSY at beam energies of 0.5 and 0.8 GeV by detection of a fast forward proton pair of small excitation energy E(pp) < 3 MeV. The S-wave dominance in the fast diproton is experimentally demonstrated in this reaction. While at T(p) = 0.8 GeV the measured analyzing power almost vanishes, it rises to nearly unity at T(p) = 0.5 GeV for neutrons emitted at theta(c.m.)(n) = 167 degrees. The results are compared with a model taking into account one-nucleon exchange, single scattering, and Delta(1232) excitation in the intermediate state. The model describes fairly well the unpolarized cross section obtained earlier and the analyzing power at 0.8 GeV; it fails to reproduce A(y) at 0.5 GeV.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Immunological evaluation of the new stable ultrasound contrast agent LK565: a phase one clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) allow the enhancement of vascular definition, thereby providing more diagnostic information. LK565 is a new second-generation UCA based on synthetic polymers of aspartic acid which is eliminated from the blood stream via phagocytosis. LK565 forms very stable air-filled microspheres and is capable of repeated passage through the pulmonary capillary bed after peripheral intravenous injection. This characteristic allows examination of the cardiac function or extracardiac vessel abnormalities up to 15 minutes. METHODS: A phase one clinical study was conducted on 15 healthy volunteers to identify the development of an undesirable immune response. Phagocytosis capacity, TNF-alpha secretion, and MHC class II upregulation of monocytes was monitored, as well as microsphere specific antibody development (IgM, IgG). Furthermore, the kinetics of the activation surface markers CD69, CD25, CD71, and CD11b on leukocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Due to LK565-metabolism the administration of the UCA led to saturation of phagocytes which was reversible after 24 hrs. Compared to positive controls neither significant TNF-alpha elevation, neither MHC class II and activation surface markers upregulation, nor specific antibody development was detectable. CONCLUSION: The administration of LK565 provides a comfortable duration of signal enhancement, esp. in echocardiography, without causing a major activation cascade or triggering an adaptive immune response. To minimize the risk of undesirable adverse events such as anaphylactoid reactions, immunological studies should be included in clinical trials for new UCAs. The use of LK565 as another new ultrasound contrast agent should be encouraged as a safe means to provide additional diagnostic information.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Determination of Ochratoxin A in small volumes of human blood serum.

A new simple and rapid method for analysing Ochratoxin A (OTA) in small volumes of human blood serum using capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence is described. The clean-up procedure solely consists of a double extraction step. To improve the reproducibility of migration times and quantification, two internal standards were used. The limit of detection was 0.55 ng/ml, with a linear range of 1-100 ng/ml of OTA in spiked human blood serum. The method is used to rapidly screen suspected patients.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Inflammatory activity in river-water samples.

Contamination of the urban aquatic environment with chemical and biological substances could have a long-term impact on human health because these substances threaten the integrity of the urban ecosystem and the availability of high-quality water for recreation and consumption. In light of this, the aim of the present study was to assess the potential immunological effects of water sampled at various sites along the River Saale near the city of Halle (in the state of Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany). For the control, Ficoll-separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors were cultured for 24 h in either filter-sterilized river water or drinking-water samples. Cell vitality was assessed using the MTT bioassay. Cytokines in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Endotoxin concentrations in the water samples were assessed by the limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test. River water and drinking water showed comparably weak cytotoxic effects on PBMC. Drinking water did not exert any effect on cytokine secretion. In contrast, all river-water samples triggered secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, as shown for TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6. Free endotoxin was detected in all river-water samples. However, the highest inflammatory activity regarding induction of all three cytokines, as well as the highest endotoxin content as determined by LAL, was found in a water sample taken immediately downstream of a wastewater treatment plant. Inhibition studies using the monoclonal anti-CD14 antibody biG14, which is known to suppress binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to CD14 via binding CD14 itself, revealed that free endotoxin was indeed the major inducer of proinflammatory cytokines in the river-water samples. Taken together, the results suggest that the microorganism-derived endotoxin is a widely distributed contaminant in the urban aquatic environment that should be considered in routine monitoring and in assessing ecosystem and human health.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2003

Early endotoxin exposure and atopy development in infants: results of a birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to endotoxin in childhood is currently discussed to protect from the development of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of early endotoxin exposure on incidence of atopic sensitization, atopic dermatitis and wheezing until the age of 2 years in infants with different risk status in terms of parental atopy. METHODS: Data of 1942 infants of an ongoing birth cohort study were analysed by logistic regression. Endotoxin was measured in settled dust of the mothers' mattresses at infants' age of 3 months. Data on allergic symptoms and physicians' diagnoses were gathered by questionnaire. Sensitization to common food and inhalant allergens was assessed by specific serum IgE. RESULTS: High endotoxin levels increased the risk of repeated wheeze [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for 4th exposure quartile (Q4) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.14], but were associated with neither sensitization to food allergens nor atopic dermatitis. Stratification by parental atopy showed that there was an association of endotoxin exposure with incidence of repeated wheeze as well as with sensitization to inhalant allergens (P for trend = 0.008 and 0.044, respectively) only in infants with parental atopy, with the highest risk in the 4th exposure quartile (repeated wheeze: ORQ4 1.77, 95% CI 1.14-2.73; sensitization to inhalant allergens: ORQ4 1.69, 95% CI 0.70-4.11). CONCLUSION: Early endotoxin exposure in terms of mattress dust endotoxin levels seemed to increase the risk of atopic reactions to inhalant allergens at the age of 2 years, especially in infants at risk due to parental atopy. Our data disagree with an early protective effect of endotoxin on atopy development until the age of 2 years.

Bedding and Linens↗
PubMed2002

The mycotoxins citrinin, gliotoxin, and patulin affect interferon-gamma rather than interleukin-4 production in human blood cells.

Exposure to molds diminishes the numbers of T-helper type 1 (Th1) cells in the peripheral blood of children and is a risk factor for the development of allergic diseases (results of LARS: Leipzig Allergy Risk Children Study, Mueller et al. 2002). We hypothesized that mycotoxins are responsible for this effect and therefore investigated the influence of citrinin, gliotoxin, and patulin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMC of healthy donors were incubated for 24 h with the mycotoxins in serial dilutions and triplicates. Vitality and proliferation were tested using the MTT assay and T-cell function by the expression of cytokines (ELISA, intracellular cytokine staining, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). The cytokine secretion was inhibited at concentrations 2-130 times lower compared to vitality (ELISA versus MTT assay). The strongest inhibition of cytokine expression was found for IFN-gamma: 8.3 microg/mL citrinin, 34.2 ng/mL gliotoxin, and 64.8 ng/mL patulin caused a 50% inhibition of the IFN-gamma release (50% inhibitory dose, ID(50)). For IL-4 release the corresponding ID(50) values were 21.6 microg/mL citrinin, 82.8 ng/mL gliotoxin, and 243.2 ng/mL patulin. Furthermore, 3 ng/mL patulin caused a significant increase of IL-4 but a significant suppression of IFN-gamma. On the mRNA level, after 24 h an unaltered or enhanced IL-4 was observed compared to a reduced IFN-gamma expression. Using a method of intracellular cytokine staining, we were able to show that the described effects are caused by a reduction of the number of IFN-gamma-producing T lymphocytes rather than by a reduced functional capacity of the single cell. We suggest that mycotoxins primarily cause stronger inhibition of IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells, which may lead to T-cell polarization toward the Th2 phenotype and may raise the risk for the development of allergies.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

The influence of maternal exposure to volatile organic compounds on the cytokine secretion profile of neonatal T cells.

Indoor VOC (volatile organic compound) exposure has been shown to be correlated with airway symptoms and allergic manifestations in children. An investigation was conducted within an ongoing birth cohort study (LISA: Lifestyle-Immune System-Allergy) of the association between maternal exposure to VOCs and immune status at birth, in particular the cytokine secretion profile of cord-blood T cells. In a randomly selected group of 85 neonates, cytokine-producing cord-blood T cells were analyzed using intracellular cytokine detection. VOC exposure was measured in children's dwellings by passive sampling, while parents were asked to complete questionnaires about possible sources of VOC exposure. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression based on categorized quartiles. A positive association was found between elevated percentages of interleukin-4-producing (IL-4) type 2 T cells and exposure to naphthalene (OR = 2.9) and methylcyclopentane (OR = 3.3). Exposure to tetrachloroethylene was associated with reduced percentages of interferon-gamma-producing (IFN-gamma) type 1 T cells (OR = 2.9). In addition, smoking during pregnancy was correlated with a higher indoor air concentration of naphthalene (OR = 3.8), new carpets in infants' bedrooms with elevated methylcyclopentane concentrations (OR = 4.1), and home renovation with a higher trichloroethylene burden (OR = 4.9). Our data suggest that maternal exposure to VOC may have an influence on the immune status of the newborn child.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Analysis of T-cell receptor V-beta 2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes as a diagnostic marker for Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most frequent cause of acquired heart disease in children, yet there are no specific diagnostic markers for it. There is controversy whether and by what mechanism selective expansion of T-cell subsets occurs and whether this phenomenon might be helpful for early diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To obtain age-related normal values of V-beta 2(+) T-lymphocytes in healthy children and to investigate expansion in KD, we measured expression in 228 children. Peripheral CD3(+) cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies to V-beta 2.1 and the percentage of V-beta 2(+) T-cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: In a control group of 184 healthy subjects (0 to 17 years; median age 6.0 years) we found age-related changes. Levels were highest from 0-2 years (9.02+/-2.80%) and declined towards adolescence (7.56+/-2.42% in 11-15 year olds) (p < 0.001). Results were compared with 24 patients with acute febrile diseases of origin other than KD and with 20 patients with presumed diagnosis KD at admission. Interestingly, while all seven patients whose clinical picture retrospectively confirmed KD showed elevated levels, none of the other children, including none of the patients with initially suspected but not clinically confirmed KD, had levels higher than normal, with the exception of two teenage girls with toxic shock syndrome, a classical superantigen-mediated disease. CONCLUSION: When compared with appropriate age-matched controls, estimation of V-beta 2(+) T-cells might be a valuable tool when making diagnostic decisions suspecting KD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

T cell reactivity in neonates from an East and a West German city--results of the LISA study.

BACKGROUND: Within an ongoing birth cohort study (LISA) the cytokine production of cord blood T cells was compared between neonates from Leipzig (East Germany) and Munich (West Germany). The aim of this study was to analyse regional differences and influencing factors of the immune status. METHODS: Cytokine production was measured in a randomly selected subgroup of 158 children from the LISA (Life style - Immune system - Allergy) cohort by intracellular cytokine staining. Information on family "atopy" history (FAH) and home characteristics was obtained from questionnaires. RESULTS: Reduced numbers of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) producing T cells were found in association with biparental FAH and housing renovation during pregnancy. In addition, cytokine production was influenced by season. In Munich, the frequency of biparental FAH and of renovation measures during pregnancy was significantly higher as compared to Leipzig. Neonates from Munich showed significantly decreased amounts of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and elevated levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) producing T cells. Differences in cytokine production between Munich and Leipzig were influenced by season (IL-4) and housing renovation (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha). CONCLUSIONS: Since differences in the T cell cytokine production of neonates in Munich and Leipzig are independent from FAH our findings may provide evidence for the impact of environmental factors upon the fetal immune system.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2002

Allergens and endotoxin on mothers' mattresses and total immunoglobulin E in cord blood of neonates.

The current authors examined whether mite and cat allergen and bacterial endotoxin levels in dust of the mothers' mattresses were associated with cord blood immunoglobulin (Ig)E (CB-IgE) levels in newborns. Data from 1,332 term and normal weight neonates, from an ongoing birth cohort study, influences of life-style related factors on the immune system and the development of allergies in childhood (LISA), with complete information on exposure to biocontaminants in mattress dust and CB-IgE were analysed. Two thirds of CB-IgE were undetectable (<0.35 kU x L(-1)). Thus, 0.35 and 0.45 kU x L(-1) (4th quartile) were chosen as cut-offs. Nonparametric smoothing (generalised additive models) showed statistically significant confounder-adjusted associations between elevated CB-IgE levels (> or = 0.45 kU x L(-1)) and log-transformed exposures to cat (linear), mite (inverse u-shaped), and endotoxin (u-shaped). After adjustment for covariables, elevated CB-IgE levels (logistic regression using the 1st-4th quartiles of exposure) were positively associated with high cat-allergen exposure and medium exposure to mite allergen, but were inversely associated with exposure to endotoxin. The associations were similar, but somewhat weaker, when 0.35 kU x L(-1) was used as cut-off. These results, showing an association between prenatal allergen and endotoxin exposures and immunoglobulin E production, suggest that the development of foetal immune responses may be affected.

Allergens↗
PubMed2002

Reduced expression of Th1-associated chemokine receptors on peripheral blood lymphocytes at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

We investigated the expression of Th1- and Th2-associated chemokine receptors on peripheral blood lymphocytes at diagnosis and in the first phase of type 1 diabetes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 25 patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, 10 patients with longstanding type 1 diabetes, and 35 healthy control subjects were examined for expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR4 (naive T-cells), CCR5 and CXCR3 (Th1 associated), and CCR3 and CCR4 (Th2 associated) on CD3+ lymphocytes. Furthermore, we analyzed chemokine serum levels (monocyte chemoattractant protein [MCP]-1, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES [regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted]) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cytokine secretion of Th1- (gamma-interferon [IFN-gamma] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) and Th2 (interleukin [IL]-4 and -10)-associated cytokines by PBMC. The patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were followed for these parameters at 6-12 months after diagnosis. The PBMCs of patients with newly diagnosed but not with longstanding type 1 diabetes showed reduced expression of the Th1-associated chemokine receptors CCR5 (P < 0.001 vs. control subjects) and CXCR3 (P < 0.002 vs. control subjects). This reduction correlated with reduced IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production of PBMCs after PHA stimulation and reversed 6-12 months after diagnosis to normal levels. CCR4 cells were reduced in both newly diagnosed and longstanding type 1 diabetic patients, which correlated to reduced PHA-stimulated IL-4 production. MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta levels were considerably elevated in a subgroup of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. We assume that Th1-associated peripheral T-cells are reduced in a narrow time window at the time of diagnosis of diabetes, possibly due to extravasation in the inflamed pancreas. Thus, chemokine receptor expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes may be a useful surrogate marker for the immune activity of type 1 diabetes (e.g., in intervention trials).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Enhanced in vivo IgE production and T cell polarization toward the type 2 phenotype in association with indoor exposure to VOC: results of the LARS study.

The association between indoor exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC), prevalence of allergic sensitization and cytokine secretion profile of peripheral T cells was studied in 3 year old children of the LARS study (Leipzig Allergy Risk Children Study) to investigate the role of VOC exposure as a risk factor for the development of atopic disease. Indoor VOC exposure was measured over a period of 4 weeks in infants' bedrooms using a passive sampling system. Specific IgE antibodies to food, indoor and outdoor allergens were measured by the Pharmacia CAP system and correlated to VOC exposure (n = 120). In addition, cytokine producing peripheral T cells (interleukin(IL)-4, interferon(IFN)-gamma) were measured in a subgroup of 28 children by means of intracellular cytokine staining. For the first time we were able to show that exposure to alkanes (C6, C9, C10) and aromatic compounds (toluene, o-xylene, m + p-xylene, 2-, 3- and 4-ethyl-toluene, chlorobenzene) may contribute to the risk of allergic sensitization to the food allergens milk and egg white (Odds ratios between 5.7 and 11.2). Moreover, significantly reduced numbers of CD3+/CD8+ peripheral T cells were found in children exposed to alkanes (C9-C13), naphthalene and chlorobenzene. Exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene and chlorobenzene was associated with higher percentages of IL-4 producing CD3+ T cells. Both an increase in IL-4 producing type 2 T cells and a reduction of IFN-gamma producing type 1 T cells may contribute to a type 2 skewed memory in response to allergens. Therefore, we suggest exposure to VOCs in association with allergic sensitization to be mediated by a T cell polarization toward the type 2 phenotype.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2000

Grafting of fibroblasts isolated from the synovial membrane of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients induces chronic arthritis in SCID mice-A novel model for studying the arthritogenic role of RA fibroblasts in vivo.

The objective of this study was to verify whether isolated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fibroblasts induce chronic arthritis in SCID mice, in analogy to whole tissue pieces. Fibroblasts were isolated from the synovial membrane of four RA patients (or controls) by out-growth and repeated-passage culture. Following flow-cytometry characterization, 2x10(6)cells were transferred into the left knee joint of SCID mice. The development of arthritis was assessed by joint swelling and histological changes. Human and murine cytokines were measured in vitro in co-cultures (or Transwelltrade mark systems) of human and murine cells. Purified RA synovial fibroblasts, but not healthy synovial or skin fibroblasts, induced hu/mu arthritis within 6 weeks. In-vitro secretion of murine and human interleukin(IL)-6, as well as murine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, indicated cross-activation between murine macrophages and human RA fibroblasts. Soluble-factor mechanisms proved more effective than cell-contact mechanisms. Purified RA fibroblasts can, alone, induce hu/mu SCID arthritis. The cytokine profile suggests that xenogeneic interaction between human fibroblasts and murine macrophages may determine the sequence of events leading to hu/mu arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The capacity to produce IFN-gamma rather than the presence of interleukin-4 determines the resistance and the degree of susceptibility to Leishmania donovani infection in mice.

The immune response against Leishmania donovani infection has been investigated in one resistant mouse strain (C3H/HeJ) and three susceptible mouse strains (C57BL/6, BALB/c, and B10D2/n). In order to correlate the strain-specific course of infection with the individual T cell response phenotype, the ex vivo cytokine secretion patterns of splenic lymphocytes were assessed by ELISA (interferon-y [IFN-gamma], interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-10) or by bioassay (IL-2). The strain-dependent differences in the course of infection correlated closely with the potency of T cells to produce IFN-gamma. C3H/HeJ mice produced high amounts of IFN-gamma before and during infection, whereas susceptible mice produced low amounts of IFN-gamma early during L. donovani infection. However, C57BL/6 mice, which recovered from the infection rapidly after the acute stage, developed marked IFN-gamma response within the first 30 days of infection. In contrast, in BALB/c and B10D2/n mice, the IFN-gamma production diminished during the acute stage, and this was associated with a delay in recovery and with subsequent switching into the chronic stage. Interestingly, CD8+ T cells contributed significantly to IFN-gamma production during this phase. In contrast to IFN-y, the levels of IL-4 in response to antigen or mitogen ex vivo were always very low. Moreover, neutralization of endogenous IL-4 in vivo by treatment with soluble murine IL-4 receptor did not result in significant decreases in the parasite burdens in spleen and liver but did cause a decrease in the serum IgE level of L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice. These results confirm that in visceral leishmaniasis a Thl-dominated immune response is protective against the L. donovani parasites and, furthermore, that the capacity to produce IFN-gamma rather than the presence of IL-4 determines the efficacy of the immune response in susceptible mice. The data show that CD8+ T cells represent an important source of IFN-gamma during L. donovani infection in susceptible mice, implying a role for this cell type in healing and development of protective immunity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Expression and regulation of regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted in thyroid tissue of patients with Graves' disease and thyroid autonomy and in thyroid-derived cell populations.

Thyroid glands affected by Graves' disease (GD) show striking lymphocytic infiltration, mainly by CD45RO(+) T cells. The mechanisms by which the various lymphocytic subsets are recruited and maintained in the thyroid are unknown. RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted) in interaction with its receptors (CCR1, CCR3, CCR4 and CCR5) may be one of the favorite chemokines involved in the cell trafficking and maintenance. RANTES messenger RNA (mRNA) was quantified in the thyroid tissue of 16 patients with GD and 7 patients with thyroid autonomy (TA), using competitive RT-PCR. We found a clear correlation between the RANTES mRNA level and 1) the degree of T-cell infiltration (r = 0.68), and 2) the level of serum antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (r = 0.76) in GD but not in TA patients. There was no difference between the autonomous nodules and the quiescent surrounding tissue in TA patients. To define the cellular source of RANTES mRNA and protein, we examined various thyroid-derived cells. Lymphocytes showed a markedly higher basal RANTES mRNA and protein level (mean +/- SEM; pg/mL, n = 3; 140 +/- 30) than thyrocytes (12 +/- 5) and fibroblasts (9 +/- 2). Lymphocyte stimulation with PMA enhanced RANTES secretion significantly (4490 +/- 200). Fibroblasts responded to stimulation with interleukin 1 (530 +/- 220) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (2780 +/- 1790), whereas thyrocytes did not. However, some thyroid carcinoma cell lines showed very high basal and stimulated RANTES expression. Lymphocytes expressed the mRNA of all chemokine receptors that bind RANTES. The number of CCR3(+) and CCR5(+) T cells was significantly higher in thyroid-derived leukocytes than in those in the peripheral blood stream. We conclude that RANTES expression, mainly by lymphocytes, is perhaps involved in the maintenance of lymphocytic infiltration and, therefore, in the autoimmune responses in GD.

Cells, Cultured↗