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Biomedical subjects

J Podwińska

Publications and source records attributed to J Podwińska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Study on risk factors for transplacental viral infections; effect of bacterial factors and double viral infections on virus replication in placenta and amniotic membranes.

Among risk factors for vertical transmission of HIV there are listed concomitant viral and bacterial infections. Therefore the influence on the viruses replication in human placenta and amniotic membrane cultures of double viral infection with two unrelated viruses - encephalomyocarditis (EMCV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) - was studied and compared with the replication of the viruses in single virus infection (EMCV or VSV) in the same organ cultures. Additionally effect of bacterial factors - lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Escherichia coli and sonicated Treponema pallidum antigens (Tpa) - on VSV replication in the same culture system was studied and compared with VSV replication in untreated explants. Two effects were observed in double-virus infected cultures and also in bacterial factors treated cultures: inhibition and stimulation of virus replication. The kind of effect in the both cases was dependent on the presence or absence of innate antiviral immunity. In virus-sensitive organs double infected or treated with LPS or Tpa, inhibition of virus titer (2-5 log TCID(50)/ml) was observed. In the organs expressing the innate immunity, stimulation (1-4 log TCID(50)/ml) of virus replication was noticed. Contribution of endogenous TNFalpha in both reactions (stimulation and inhibition) was confirmed using antibodies against the TNF.

Amnion↗
PubMed2001

Interleukin 10 and its role in the regulation of the cell-mediated immune response in syphilis.

Data concerning interleukin 10 (IL-10), a cytokine of Th2 lymphocytes, and its inhibition of Th1 lymphocytes from secreting IL-2 and interferon (IFN) are presented. It has been indicated that IL-10 also inhibits other cells from producing IL-12 and nitric oxide (NO). It is known that all these factors take part in the cell-mediated immune response and immunity. This inhibition may facilitate the multiplication of Treponema pallidum and the development of disease despite the presence of immunologically competent cells. It has also been demonstrated that in late latent syphilis, when Th1 lymphocytes are not able to produce IL-2 and IFN, the cells are able to produce only IL-12 and NO. This fact seems to suggest that these factors take over the immune function when cells are stimulated again by treponemes which, after many years of latency, begin to multiply. Thus, a high level of IL-12 and NO seems to be an indicator of the development of the third stage of disease.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

The study of cell-mediated immune response in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

The aim of this work was to examine in vitro the ability of cells from patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) to cell-mediated immune response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and whole blood cells (WBC) of 37 RVVC patients in acute infection and 14 in remission were examined for the ability to proliferation and cytokines production (IFN, TNF, IL-6). As a control, a group of 25 healthy women were examined. The cells were stimulated with Candida antigen (HKCA), LPS and PHA. To indicate the level of cytokines, the following cell-lines were used: A549 for IFN, WEHI 164 for TNF and 7TD1 for IL-6. The proliferation/death of cells was determined by colorimetric test using MTT. Distinct suppression of cell-mediated immune response (CMI) was shown in all patients comparing to the control. Greatest suppression was found in the acute phase of the disease. The ability of cells to proliferate and produce IFN increases only in remission. The data seem to suggest that in this phase of disease, the ability of cell-mediated immune response is restored. It was also indicated that IFN may take part in protection against Candida infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Syphilis and AIDS.

Evidence is shown that syphilis has become a major public health problem again. From 1988 to 1995 the permanently growing number of new cases of syphilis in the world was observed. The majority of the syphilitic cases in the patients are difficult for curing. The central nervous system is often involved in early syphilis. Previously the neurosyphilis was very rare. The reason for development of this stage of syphilis, may be an inadequate treatment as well as a weakening of the immunological responses. The latter one very often is caused by additional non-symptomatic infection including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Syphilitic ulcers act as a portal of entry for HIV. Analysis of cases with double infection with Treponema pallidum and HIV indicate that HIV infection may accelerate the course of syphilis and the presence of syphilis may also have influence on progression of the chronic HIV infection to AIDS. Taking into account that HIV infection alters the response to the treatment also, one can suggest that all of the patients with syphilis should be examined for the presence of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

The ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of syphilitic patients to produce IL-2.

The cell-mediated immune response of importance in protection against Treponema pallidum, is distinctly suppressed in some stages of the disease. This may be a result of decreased ability of cells to produce IL-2, or IL-2 absorption by different factors. The experiments were designed to evaluate the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with different stages of syphilis to produce IL-2, and to investigate the causes which could possibly limit its activity. The ability of the PBMC of syphilitic patients to produce IL-2 develops at the beginning of the disease, reaching a maximum in primary seropositive syphilis. In the next stages of the disease this capability is distinctly lowered. The lowest was in malignant syphilis and tabes dorsalis, i.e. during severe disease. Absorption of adherent cells from PBMC increased the ability of lymphocytes to produce IL-2. The highest level of this interleukin was observed at the stages of the disease where suppression was the deepest. Sera of both control and syphilitic patients contained IL-2 inhibitor. Its level was the highest in early and late latent syphilis where no symptoms of disease were present. In all syphilitic sera a distinctly elevated level of soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2R) was also found. Its high level was noted in sera of patients in which PBMC had the weakest ability to produce IL-2. These findings suggest that sIL-2R may be bound to IL-2 and in this way would lead to weakening of T cell function and of resistance against Treponema pallidum infection.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1994

Attempts to isolation and characterization of autolymphocytotoxins from syphilitic sera.

To solve problem if autolymphocytotoxins (AL) present in syphilitic sera are not circulating immune complexes (CIC), sera containing strong AL activity and weak CIC were precipitated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Received PEG-precipitates were filtrated on Bio-Gel A-1.5 column to separate CIC from AL. The Al were found in the first three after void volume fractions of the column. The fractions were examined on content of protein, sugar and sialic acid. The only correlation seen refers to the sugar and protein. The fraction which display the AL activity have the ratios of sugar to protein higher than non active fractions. The data indicated besides that AL is not CIC because it is not immunoglobulin nor Treponema pallidum antigen. For further biochemical characterization of these factors more material is needed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum to produce IL-2.

It was previously found that the cell-mediated immune response involved in protection against Treponema pallidum is distinctly suppressed during some periods in the course of syphilis infection in rabbits. This may be a result of the weak ability of cells to produce Interleukin-2 (IL-2) as well as of IL-2 absorption. The ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of syphilitic rabbits to produce IL-2 develops within the first two weeks after infection reaching a maximum in about the eleventh week. In infection of longer duration, this capability was distinctly lowered. This low level of activity (no higher than in PBMC of normal rabbits) was maintained for 31 weeks. The ability of PBMC to absorb IL-2, in parallel with its production, was found at the same time in the course of syphilis infection (7-11 weeks). In long-lasting syphilis (more than 12 weeks) both abilities seem to be inhibited. Sera of syphilitic rabbits were found to have a higher level of IL-2 inhibitor than those of normal rabbits. Only in syphilis lasting 9 to 11 weeks, when the production of IL-2 was the greatest, was the level of IL-2 inhibitor nearly the same as in normal rabbit sera. In syphilis lasting longer, the increased level of inhibitor was accompanied by a decreased ability of cells to produce IL-2. These findings suggest that IL-2 inhibitor may be bound to IL-2 or IL-2 receptor on T lymphocytes and in this way would lead to weakening of T cell function and resistance against Treponema pallidum infection.

Absorption↗
PubMed1992

Treponemicidal activity of anti-treponemal lymphotoxins and their relation to circulating immune complexes and autolymphocytotoxins.

It was previously reported that spleen cells of rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum produced anti-treponemal lymphotoxins (ATL). This ability was distinctly disturbed when circulating immune complexes (CIC) and autolymphocytotoxins (AL) were present in the sera of cell donors. ATL liberated from cells of donors without CIC and AL displayed a marked ability to immobilize treponemes. The percentage of immobilized treponemes varied according to the type of cells used for ATL liberation and their density. The most active was ATL from T cells (density 4 x 10(8) ml-1) and the weakest was the one from B lymphocytes. In the presence of CIC in sera of cell donors the weakest ATL was from macrophages and in the presence of AL from T lymphocytes. When both factors (CIC and AL) were present ATL from T lymphocytes did not immobilize treponemes. This seems to suggest that the impairment of the cells' ability to produce ATL may facilitate the survival of treponemes in the host despite the presence of immunologically competent cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Circulating immune complexes in experimental syphilis and their relation to immunological response against Treponema pallidum.

It was found that circulating immune complexes (CIC) were formed in rabbits at different times after infection with Treponema pallidum. The CIC which appeared at the beginning of the disease were short-lived (2-6 weeks) but those appearing later than 20 weeks after infection remained for 10-25 weeks. CIC contained both IgM and IgG classes of immunoglobulin. The antibodies present in CIC were found to be specific and nonspecific for T. pallidum. The presence of CIC led to a marked decline of treponemal antibodies in rabbit sera. The cell-mediated immune response measured by the macrophage migration inhibition (MMI) test at the beginning of the disease (up to 12 weeks) was not decreased. However, when syphilis lasted for more than 14 weeks and when CIC were formed mainly from IgG, a distinct decrease in the ability of lymphocytes to cause MMI was observed. These findings strongly suggest that IgG-complexes suppress the immunological responsiveness of lymphocytes against T. pallidum which in turn facilitates the multiplication of treponemes in the host.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Identification of cells producing anti-treponemal lymphotoxin (ATL).

Identification of cells producing ATL was carried out on suspensions of cells enriched with lymphocytes T, B and macrophages. The cells were isolated from the spleen of syphilitic rabbits and from their testes when the rabbits were infected intratesticularly. The isolation of lymphocytes and macrophages was performed on different days after infection. It has been found that all examined cells are able to produce ATL but most active are T lymphocytes. These cells isolated from the testes were able to produce ATL already 6 days after infection, whereas lymphocytes B and macrophages acquired this capability not before day 10-13. The ability of cells to produce ATL was followed by marked reduction of treponemes from testes. The isolated treponemes were also immobilized and destroyed. Dependence between capability of cells to produce ATL and disappearance of treponemes from infected organ indicated that ATL kills treponemes also in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of serum lymphocytotoxic activity on T and B cells in rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum.

The correlation between the level of cold autolymphocytotoxic activity in the sera of rabbits infected with T. pallidum, and the percentage of B and T cells in the peripheral blood of the same animals was determined. The percentage of cells was estimated by the E and EAC rosette techniques and by the immunofluorescence test on immunoglobulin-bearing (B) cells. It was found that the increase of the autolymphocytotoxic activity was connected with the proportional decrease of B lymphocytes and increase of T lymphocytes. Since the decrease of B cells was significant (p less than 0.05) it is suggested that the autolymphocytotoxic activity may be involved in killing of B lymphocytes also in vivo. The possible role of the complement-dependent autolymphocytotoxic serum activity in regulation of humoral response in syphilis is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Studies on autolymphocytotoxic activity occurring in Treponema pallidum infection.

It was found that in sera of majority of syphilitic rabbits cold lymphocytotoxic activity occurs. This activity appears usually 3 to 10 weeks after infection and it is present for 9 to 10 weeks. Lymphocytotoxic activity was found in undiluted sera or diluted from 1/2 to 1/8. This activity was directed against B lymphocytes only. Lymphocytotoxicity was found only in sera with high level of VDRL antibodies. The role of this activity in syphilis is not known. The killing effect exerted on B lymphocytes producing syphilitic reagins directed not only against T. pallidum, suggests that lymphocytotoxic activity may take part in the regulation of humoral response at the beginning of syphilitic infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Characterization of anti-treponemal lymphotoxin from lymphocytes of syphilitic rabbits.

The effect of various treatments on the activity of anti-treponemal lymphotoxin (ATL) produced by lymphocytes of syphilitic rabbits was studied. Treponema pallidum-killing activity of ATL was slightly reduced after heating at 56 degrees C and completely abolished at 100 degrees C. The significant reduction of the activity was also obtained after exposure of ATL to acidic conditions (pH 1-5) at room temperature, or by treatment with papain and neuraminidase. Activity of ATL was completely resistant to deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease and trypsin treatment. ATL was eluted from the Sephadex G-100 column together with hemoglobin, that suggested the apparent molecular weight of ATL of about 65,000. The active fraction from the Sephadex G-100 column was further fractionated on DEAE-Sephadex A-50. The activity of ATL was widely spread in the column eluate, indicating the charge heterogeneity. All these data indicate that ATL is a relatively low molecular weight protein. The sensitivity to neuraminidase and heterogeneity of charge suggest that it is a glycosylated protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Agglutination of murine and guinea pig peritoneal cells by alpha-L-fucose-binding lectin: Evonymus europaea.

Among lectins from Lotus tetragonolobus, Ulex europaeus I and Evonymus europaea, agglutinating cells with blood group H determinants containing L-fucose alpha 1 leads to 2-linked to subterminal D-galactose, only the last lectin agglutinates thioglycolate- and paraffin oil-stimulated murine and guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). The agglutination is inhibited by specific inhibitors of Evonymus lectin only: lacto-N-fucopentaose I and lactose. These results suggest the presence of a determinant on the surface of PEC, containing L-fucose alpha 1-linked at the nonreducing end which is different from blood group H determinants. Nonstimulated murine peritoneal cells (PC) are not agglutinated by the lectin but become agglutinable after neuraminidase treatment. Unstimulated guinea pig PC from different animals are agglutinated to a different extent by the same lectin concentration and show increased agglutinability after neuraminidase digestion. These results show that receptor for Evonymus lectin also exists on the nonstimulated PC but access to it is hindered by sialic acid. Trypsin- and pronase-digested PEC show increased agglutinability with Evonymus lectin. These results suggest that the lectin receptor is a glycolipid. Since alpha-linked L-fucose has been suggested as a part of the macrophage receptor for migration inhibitory factor in the guinea pig (Remold, J. Exp. Med. 1973. 138: 1065), the effect of Evonymus europaea lectin on the migration of PEC was studied. It was found that lectin inhibits the migration of PEC in the capillary tube assay up to 80%.

Agglutination↗
PubMed1983

The role of protein component of T. pallidum in inducing skin reaction for delayed hypersensitivity.

The protein component of T. pallidum was shown to be an important agent in inducing the skin reaction for delayed type of hypersensitivity (SDH) in syphilis. Treponema preparations which contained T. pallidum deprived of this component by treating the organisms with merthiolate, formalin or heat, were found unable to produce a distinct positive skin reaction in syphilitic rabbits. Using preparations containing treponemes with preserved protein component, it was possible to induce the skin reaction for DH in rabbits as early as 4 weeks after inoculation of T. pallidum and during the subsequent 64 weeks of the infection (and of the observation period). The SDH was fairly well correlated with the results of the MMI test in the whole course of the syphilitic infection; a disagreement of results of these two tests occurred only between the 16th and 26th week of the infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Treponemicidal activity of supernatants from cultures of sensitized lymphocytes.

It was found that lymphocytes secured from lymphoid organs or syphilitic rabbits, when cultured with ultrasonicate of T. pallidum (Tp-S) or phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), released to the supernatant fluid a substance (ATL-anti-treponemal lymphotoxin) which exerted a direct killing effect on T. pallidum. Splenic lymphocytes were found much more active than lymphocytes isolated from popliteal and mesenteric lymph nodes, and the peripheral blood. The effect of some factors on release of the ATL by sensitized lymphocytes was established.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Development of immunological responsiveness and resistance to infection with Treponema pallidum in rabbits given immune lymphocyte preparations.

Three groups of normal rabbits were administered: 1. viable lymphocytic cells; 2. lysates of lymphocytes obtained by freezing and thawing, and 3. low molecular weight dialyzable transfer factor (TF). The lymphocytes were derived from peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and spleens of rabbits: 1. cured of longlasting syphilitic infection by penicillin treatment, and 2. immunized with nonviable T. pallidum, exhibiting a good reactivity by tests for humoral and cell-mediated responses. All the three lymphocyte preparations were found to be able to transfer cell-mediated response as measured by the Macrophage Migration Inhibition Test (MMI) and the Skin Test for Delayed Hypersenitivity to Treponemal Antigens (SDH), from a reactive donor to the nonreactive recipient rabbit; the intensity of the response found in the recipient was roughly the same as in the donor. None of the lymphocyte preparations transferred humoral response, as measured by the TPI and VDRL tests. Only whole lymphocytic cells were found to be able to confer a stat of resistance to infection with T. pallidum on normal recipients.

Animals↗