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Biomedical subjects

M A Scheinberg

Publications and source records attributed to M A Scheinberg.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Fine structural analysis of rabbit synovial cells. II. Fine structure and rosette-forming cells of explant and monolayer cultures.

The fine structure and plasma membrane receptors of explant and monolayer cells of normal rabbit synovium were studied. In explants about 10% of the cells were round and formed rosettes with IgC and C3 markers, whereas the remaining cells were stellate, resembled young fibroblasts, and had no receptors for IgG and complement. Monolayer cells looked like fibroblasts, produced fine extracellular fibrils and hyaluronate, and formed no rosettes. Thus early cultures contain both macrophages and fibroblasts but only the latter persist in monolayer.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunological status of ENL (erythema nodosum leprosum) patients: its relationship to bacterial load and levels of circulating IL-2R.

Recent data suggest that the clinical course of reactional states in leprosy is closely related to the cytokine profile released locally or systemically by the patients. In the present study, patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) were grouped according to the intensity of their clinical symptoms. Clinical and immunological aspects of ENL and the impact of these parameters on bacterial load were assessed in conjunction with patients' in vitro immune response to mycobacterial antigens. In 10 out of the 17 patients tested, BI (bacterial index) was reduced by at least 1 log from leprosy diagnosis to the onset of their first reactional episode (ENL), as compared to an expected 0.3 log reduction in the unreactional group for the same MDT (multidrug therapy) period. However, no difference in the rate of BI reduction was noted at the end of MDT among ENL and unreactional lepromatous patients. Accordingly, although TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor) levels were enhanced in the sera of 70.6% of the ENL patients tested, no relationship was noted between circulating TNF-alpha levels and the decrease in BI detected at the onset of the reactional episode. Evaluation of bacterial viability of M. leprae isolated from the reactional lesions showed no growth in the mouse footpads. Only 20% of the patients demonstrated specific immune response to M. leprae during ENL. Moreover, high levels of soluble IL-2R (interleukin-2 receptor) were present in 78% of the patients. Circulating anti-neural (anti-ceramide and anti-galactocerebroside antibodies) and anti-mycobacterial antibodies were detected in ENL patients' sera as well, which were not related to the clinical course of disease. Our data suggest that bacterial killing is enhanced during reactions. Emergence of specific immune response to M. leprae and the effective role of TNF-alpha in mediating fragmentation of bacteria still need to be clarified.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in late rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the serum levels of VEGF in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of long duration. METHODS: Serum VEGF levels were measured in 118 patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis according to the ACR criteria (mean duration 12 years). The disease activity score was evaluated by the method of van der Heijde et al. RESULTS: Serum levels of VEGF in patients with RA were significantly higher than in healthy controls. VEGF levels showed no correlation with CRP, SAA amyloid protein, or the disease activity score. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, contrary to the results reported in patients with early onset RA, where VEGF appears to play an active part in joint inflammation, in long-standing RA elevated VEGF serum levels may be an independent marker although its significance remain to be established.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Simultaneous evaluation of membrane bound and soluble interleukin 2 receptor expression in the blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We studied the levels of membrane-bound and soluble-form interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors in forty patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Levels of IL-2 receptors in the sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were elevated when compared to values observed in normal sera and synovial fluid derived from the osteoarthritic joint. Simultaneous elevation of IL-2 receptor expression in blood and synovial fluid lymphoid cells was also detected, but no correlation was found between the two parameters nor between serum IL-2 receptor levels and the hemosedimentation rate. We conclude that measurement of serum concentrations of soluble IL-2 receptors should be used with caution as an index of disease activity, but may be useful when used in conjunction with other parameters in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[In vivo T-lymphocyte activation in patients with multiple sclerosis].

Patients with multiple sclerosis present changes in lymphocyte subtypes in the peripheral blood. In this study, the authors demonstrate that patients with clinical activity or under an episode show marked increases in the percentages of activate lymphocytes detected through monoclonal antibodies against transferrin and interleukin 2 receptors.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of gold salts on casein-induced macrophage activation and serum amyloid protein SAA levels.

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated a marked inhibitory activity of Auranofin (Au) and Gold Sodium Aurothiomalate (GST) on monocyte-macrophage function and an important role for macrophages in the pathogenesis of casein-induced experimental amyloidosis. In the present study we have looked at the in vivo effect of Au and GST on the inhibition of casein-induced macrophage activation and serum SAA levels. Au and GST markedly inhibited casein-induced macrophage activation while only Au reduced serum SAA levels to a significant degree. The present data raises the possibility that Au may be helpful in the treatment of secondary amyloid disease.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasmapheresis vs total lymphoid irradiation in the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis.

In an ongoing study patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had previously failed conventional therapy including gold salts and penicillamine were randomly assigned on an open basis to a plasma exchange or fractionated total lymphoid irradiation protocol. Nine patients (eight female, one male) with erosive RA of long duration exchanged 40 ml/kg of plasma over a period of two to four weeks. Nine patients (eight female, one male) with similar characteristics, received 2,000 rads to lymphoid tissues in fractionated doses (200 rads each) over 4 to 5 weeks. Treatment was completed in all patients and follow-up ranged from two to twelve months for plasma exchange and eight to sixteen months for radiation. Results of the study showed subjective and objective improvement including morning stiffness, joint score, and pertinent laboratory evaluation in six patients admitted to plasmapheresis with duration of remission lasting as long as seven weeks. Three patients failed to show any improvement in the activity of the disease. Eight patients on the radiation protocol showed a marked decrease in disease activity which has been maintained until the present time. Side effects for the plasma exchange group included mild febrile reactions during the exchange and one non-A non-B Hepatitis. In the radiation group occipital alopecia, loss of appetite and nausea was seen in all patients and severe leucopenia in one (WBC 500/mm3). The present results suggest that both procedures can reduce disease activity in severe RA. Plasma exchange efficacy appears to be short-lived when compared to total lymphoid radiation. The latter was poorly tolerated by all patients submitted to the program.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Articular manifestations of intestinal diseases].

The articular manifestations of the intestinal diseases can be quite variable affecting primarily either the pripheral joints, or sacroiliac areas and the spine. The presence of the haplotype HLA-B27 is associated in the majority of cases with the presence of spinal involvement. The treatment of the arthritis does not usually follow the natural history of the inflammatory bowel disease.

Arthritis↗