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J Zeromski

Publications and source records attributed to J Zeromski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Significance of alterations in PBMC immunophenotype of children with chronic viral hepatitis C-- the role of dendritic cells.

There are differences in the clinical course of chronic viral hepatitis C between adults and children, but it is generally accepted that the disease has cell-mediated immune background. The aim of this study was to evaluate PBMC subsets in children with chronic hepatitis C before treatment in order to find some predictive factors, useful for patients management. Several PBMC subsets, in particular lymphoid and dendritic cell (DC) ones, were tested by flow cytometry in HCV(+) paediatric patients (n = 46) and in control children matched in terms of age and sex (n = 20). Data were subjected to extensive statistics. It was found that cells with cytotoxic potential such as CD8(+)CD28(-) T cells, NK and NKT cells as well as lineage(-)HLA-DR(+) DC were increased in per cent values, while CD4(+) T cells and CD4:CD8 ratio were decreased in hepatitis C group. In HCV(+) patients, CD4(+) T cells were inversely correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and with viraemia. DC subset of myeloid origin (CD11c(+)) assessed both in per cent values and as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLA-DR expression was shown to be downregulated in hepatitis patients, in spite of increased numbers. To conclude, PBMC subsets, and in particular DC, are affected by HCV chronic infection in children, reflected by the correlation with clinical parameters, such as ALT and viraemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Tissue localization of Toll-like receptors in biopsy specimens of liver from children infected with hepatitis C virus.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are important tools of innate immunity, localized mainly on cells of the immune system, but also have been shown on cells of other origin. In the current study, they have been searched in biopsy specimens of liver from children bearing chronic viral hepatitis of C type (HCV). TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 were traced by means of polyclonal antibodies and avidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunohistochemistry. Besides, mRNA for TLR was looked for using specific primers and polymerase chain reaction. Several controls, including neutralization of primary antibody with respective blocking peptide, confirmed the specificity of the immunohistochemical reaction. All TLR tested could be visualized in a focal distribution in single hepatocytes and some cells of inflammatory infiltrates. There was no reaction whatsoever in liver samples not infected with hepatotropic virus. In molecular studies, mRNA for TLR2 and TLR4 was detected in both noninfected and hepatitis B virus-infected established cell lines of human hepatoma as well as in HCV(+) biopsy samples. These data indicate that TLR can be traced in liver cells, both at the protein and at the mRNA level. Their irregular and focal distribution in HCV(+), but not in HCV(-), liver suggests some role of TLR in the pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis, at least in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Significance of cell adhesion molecules, CD56/NCAM in particular, in human tumor growth and spreading.

Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) represent a large group of cell surface protein moieties with distinctive biological functions. In physiological terms they ascertain cell to cell contact such as cell cohesion of epithelia, condition cell migration and transmigration via biological membranes such as blood vessel walls, provide means for homing cells in a new microenvironment etc. These features of CAM are exploited by tumor cells to grow and spread in a tumor bearing host. CD56/N-CAM antigen is 140 kD isoform of neural cell adhesion molecule. N-CAM belongs to the large Ig superfamily of CAMs. CD56 can be traced at various sites, including nervous tissue, neuro-muscular junctions, neuroendocrine and endocrine organs. It is well known as a differentiation antigen of natural killer (NK) cells. Its role and function are far from clear, but its adhesion properties are evident in cell-cell (homophilic) interactions. CD56 has been, however, demonstrated the cells various human malignancies. Tumors of the nervous system such as neuroblastoma, are well known to express this marker. Malignant lymphomas of T-NK cell origin bear CD56, as well as multiple myeloma, melanoma and some cancers of epithelial origin. These data suggest that CD56/N-CAM antigen is, in some unknown manner involved in tumor biology.

CD56 Antigen↗
PubMed2001

[Tumor escaping mechanisms present in microenvironment of laryngeal cancer].

In tumor tissue obtained from a group of 21 patients treated surgically for laryngeal carcinoma, the expression of Fas, Fas-L, CD3, TCR zeta chain and Bcl-2 were estimated. It has been shown that tumor often express: Fas-L, Fas, Bcl-2, the molecules which may influence increased tumor survival. On the other hand lack of MHC class I antigen expression on tumor cells frequently has been observed. As it is known, such tumor cells can not be recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Frequently observed decreased expression of TCR zeta chain and high level of apoptosis among T cells present in tumor microenvironment seems to depend on direct interactions with molecules expressed by tumor. Understanding of these interactions may be of great importance in evaluation of tumor aggressiveness, patients follow up and the approach to treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

CD56(NCAM) antigen in glandular epithelium of human thyroid: light microscopic and ultrastructural study.

CD56 antigen, an isoform of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was previously found by us in human thyroid by APAAP immunohistochemistry in light microscopy on frozen tissue sections. In the current study, it was attempted to trace the antigen in question using another light microscopic immunohistochemical procedure and to validate the results at the ultrastructural level. For light microscopy, cryostat sections of 12 surgical samples of human thyroid were subjected to ABC (preformed avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex) method. For immunoelectron microscopy, immunoperoxidase reaction was carried out on prefixed, small thyroid tissue blocks. Following preliminary inspection of semithin sections, ultrathin sections were examined in the transmission electron microscope. ABC reaction revealed distinct specific CD56 staining of thyrocyte cell membranes. The staining was weak or absent in thyroid papillary carcinoma cells. The results were confirmed in semithin sections by indirect immunoperoxidase. The latter reaction in ultrathin sections at the ultrastructural level has shown that specific reaction product was confined to free and lateral surfaces of thyroid follicular cells. Endothelial cell membranes of thyroid capillary vessels were totally devoid of the reaction product. The reaction was weakly positive in thyroid follicular and papilllary carcinomas but absent from medullary carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in HLA+ and HLA- laryngeal cancer--quantitative approach.

In search of factors governing the accumulation of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), frozen sections from fresh surgical specimens of laryngeal carcinoma (n = 36) were tested by alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) immunohistochemistry for monomorphic determinants of HLA class I and class II expression on tumor cells and for the distribution of lymphoid cells bearing CD differentiation antigens. Cell subsets were quantitated in two tumor compartments, tumor mass and tumor stroma, by computer-assisted image analysis. In a portion of examined samples lymphoid cell suspension was isolated from cancerous tissues and assessed by flow cytometry. It has been found that T cells, localized mostly in tumor stroma, were predominant cell population in the tumor microenvironment. Their ability to penetrate tumor mass but not tumor stroma, by CD8+ T cells in particular, but also by natural killer (NK) cells, was associated with HLA class I antigen expression on tumor cells. In flow cytometric analysis activated T lymphocytes (CD3+DR+) were abundant in HLA+ tumors as compared to HLA- ones. In 4 year follow up of 20 patients the mortality was higher in HLA- group but the data were not statistically significant. These results show that HLA class I expression on tumor cells favor penetration of cytotoxic lymphoid cells into tumor mass, at least in the laryngeal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Immunofluorescent analysis of antibodies against neurons in the case of paraneoplastic syndrome.

The authors report clinical and neuropathological findings especially immunofluorescent detection of antineuronal antibodies in the case of paraneoplastic syndrome in course of the small-cell lung carcinoma. The clinical symptoms, observed in 48-year-old woman, covered bilateral pyramidal syndrome, cerebellar syndrome, myasthenic syndrome and impairment of the cranial nerves. Neuropathological investigation revealed paraneoplastic encephalopathy in the form of encephalitis. Immunofluorescent analysis showed brightly fluorescent neurons standing out against a dull background.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1998

Correlation between DNA content, expression of Ki-67 antigen of tumor cells and immunophenotype of lymphocytes from malignant pleural effusions.

Malignant cells isolated from 26 malignant pleural effusions, collected from patients bearing metastatic carcinoma, were examined using flow cytometry. Expression of Ki-67 antigen, DNA ploidy, S phase fraction, DNA index of tumor cells and the percentage of aneuploid cell populations were determined. Lymphoid cells from the same malignant effusions and from 10 nonmalignant ones were examined using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) versus several CD antigens. While the percentages of T cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) and B cells (CD19+) did not differ significantly in malignant versus nonmalignant effusions, those of CD56+ lymphocytes were found to be significantly depressed in malignant diploid and malignant aneuploid effusions as compared to benign ones. Expression of IL-2 receptors on lymphocytes, demonstrated by anti-CD25 mAb, was significantly higher in malignant diploid and malignant aneuploid effusions as compared with nonmalignant ones. An increase in the percentage of Ki-67-positive malignant cells was significantly correlated with the decrease of NK cells. S phase fraction, DNA index and the percentage of aneuploid populations did not correlate with the picture of lymphoid cells from pleural effusion. On the other hand, the percentage of Ki-67-positive tumor cells in pleural effusions was inversely proportional to the patients' survival time, although it was not statistically significant. Our data suggest that the poor prognosis of cancer characterized by the presence of an aneuploid cell population of malignant cells and the high percentage of proliferating cells in pleural effusions can be linked to the depression of NK cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Expression of Fas and Fas ligand and apoptosis in tumor-associated lymphocytes and in tumor cells from malignant pleural effusions.

The CD95 (APO-1/Fas)-Fas ligand (FasL) system is an important mediator of antitumor T cell cytotoxicity. The aim of the current study was to assess its significance in human cancer. Malignant effusions were selected as an environment allowing direct cell-to-cell contact in a fluid phase. Malignant pleural effusions collected from 23 patients with metastatic carcinoma of the bronchus, ovary, stomach or breast were examined by means of flow cytometry. The expression ofFas and FasL, probed with the appropriate antibodies, apoptosis of tumor cells and the characteristics of tumor-associated lymphocytes (TAL) were determined by TUNEL reaction in malignant and nonmalignant (control) effusions. All malignant cells had partially or completely lost the expression of CD95 and expressed an elevated level of FasL. In contrast, TAL obtained from malignant pleural effusions demonstrated a marked decrease in the expression of surface FasL and an increase in surface-bound Fas. The percentage of apoptotic malignant cells was significantly decreased, as compared to TAL and lymphocytes from nonmalignant pleural effusions. There were also differences in the expression of Fas and FasL among mononuclear cells from malignant and nonmalignant pleural effusions. The ability of TAL from malignant pleural effusions to induce apoptosis of K562 cells was diminished, as compared to peripheral blood lymphocytes. Taken together, these data suggest that tumor cells in the microenvironment of malignant pleural effusions can evade immune attack by downregulation of the CD95 receptor and by killing lymphocytes through the expression of FasL. These results confirm earlier reports which showed that lymphocytes from a tumor microenvironment appear to have a depressed cytotoxic action.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1998

Expression of CD56/N-CAM antigen and some other adhesion molecules in various human endocrine glands.

CD56/N-CAM antigen, 140 kDa isoform of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) has been previously traced by some of us in follicular epithelium of human thyroid by immunohistochemistry. The reaction product was cell membrane bound, being stronger in hyperactive thyroid as compared to colloid goiter. In the current study, CD56 was searched in other endocrine glands and their tumors including parathyroids, adrenal cortex and parafollicular C cells of the thyroid (TT cell line). The antigen was also examined in the tissue extracts of endocrine and nonendocrine organs by dot blot immunoassay and anti CD56 monoclonal antibody. Besides, some other cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) were looked for in the tissues and cells tested. It has been found that CD56 is expressed in all zones of adrenal cortex, albeit in various intensity. The reaction was cell membrane bound in cortical hyperplasia and adenoma but cytoplasmic in the carcinoma of adrenal cortex. Other endocrine tissues and cells tested were devoid of CD56. Presence of CD56 antigen could be confirmed by dot blot assay with 3M KCl and NP40 extracts of both, thyroid and adrenal glands. Apart from CD56 some other CAMs could be traced in thyroid cell membranes including CD44, VLA-3 integrin and E-cadherin, what was not the case in the adrenal cortex. In parathyroids and parathyroid adenoma, diffuse immunostaining of E-cadherin and irregular, focal expression of CD44 was observed. These results show, apart from CD56, abundance of other CAMs in the thyroid gland and their relative scarcity in other endocrine tissues tested.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1998

[Immunophenotype of blood lymphocytes in elderly patients with laryngeal cancer].

In a group of 42 patients with surgically treated laryngeal carcinoma, who were divided into those before their 50 and after 60 years of age, main lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes were assessed by means of flow cytometry. In the group after 60 years of age significantly increased percentage and raised total number of NK (natural killer) cells were found. In the whole group increased total number of all lymphocyte subsets was found. These data indicate that older patients despite an increased number of total to lymphocytes NK cells show higher percentage and total number as compared with normal population at that age.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

DNA ploidy, S-phase, and Ki-67 antigen expression in the evaluation of cell content of pleural effusions.

Cells from pleural effusions (28 malignant and 14 nonmalignant with reactive mesothelial cells) were examined in parallel by means of conventional cytology and multiparametric flow cytometry. The latter included the evaluation of DNA ploidy, the calculation of DNA index (DI), the determination of S phase fraction (SPF), and cell proliferation associated with Ki-67 antigen expression. Propidium iodide was used for the DNA staining, and fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal mouse antibodies were applied to the human Ki-67 antigen staining. The specimens were analyzed by the Becton Dickinson (BD) FACScan apparatus. 10(4) events were collected, and thereafter the obtained data were analyzed by the software Lysis II and CellFit (BD) for DNA and Ki-67 data analysis, respectively. Out of the 28 cases examined, 18 (64%) of the malignant effusions were aneuploid. All of the benign effusions were typically diploid. The average SPF of benign, malignant diploid, and malignant aneuploid cases was 6, 6, and 30 respectively. The comparison between SPF and DI in malignant cases showed a significant correlation (p < 0.001). The average of Ki-67-positive cells that were benign, malignant diploid, and malignant aneuploid were 11, 19, and 35, respectively. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 expression, SPF (p < 0.05), and the percent of the aneuploid cell population (p = 0.01). The sensitivity of conventional cytology, the determination of DNA ploidy and of Ki-67 expression, was 80, 64, and 92%, respectively; specificity was 100% for cytology and DNA ploidy and 46% for Ki-67 expression. These data show that Ki-67 antigen expression is a potentially useful adjunct to cytometric DNA content analysis, determination of SPF, and conventional cytology in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1996

[An attempt of immunological monitoring of patients with laryngeal carcinoma by flow cytometry].

In a group of 60 patients with surgically treated laryngeal carcinoma blood lymphocyte subsets were assessed on the day of surgery (day 0) and six weeks thereafter by means of flow cytometry. Blood cells at day 0 were also compared to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from surgical specimens. Significant alterations were found in postoperative period as compared to day 0 manifested by the fall of B cells, increase of activated T lymphocytes and NK cells. There were also marked changes between blood cells at day 0 and TIL, evidence in rise of B cells, of activated T lymphocytes and decline of NK cells within the latter. These data suggest that the assessment of lymphocyte subsets may be of value in immunological monitoring of laryngeal carcinoma patients.

B-Lymphocytes↗