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M Haftek

Publications and source records attributed to M Haftek.

80 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Immunological studies in psoriasis. The quantitative evaluation of cell-mediated immunity in patients with psoriasis by experimental sensitization to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene.

Quantitative techniques of sensitization to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was used to determine in psoriasis the intensity and frequency of allergic reactions to DNCB following primary challenge with 2,000 microgram allergen and secondary challenge with decreasing doses of DNCB. 56 patients with psoriasis and 23 healthy volunteers were examined. Frequency of positive reactions to DNCB was similar in both groups, since all normal controls were sensitized, whereas only 8 of 56 psoriasis cases failed to develop delayed hypersensitivity to DNCB. However, the intensity of acquired contact allergy was significantly diminished in psoriasis in comparison with controls. The patients with stationary skin lesions resembled the normal population in the intensity of reaction to DNCB. Decreased intensity of DNCB sensitization seemed to be related to the activity of the disease, but not correlated with the extent of the lesions. A relationship was found between reduced reactivity to DNCB and decrease in E rosette-forming lymphocytes. The data suggest that the impaired function of T lymphocytes in active psoriasis could be responsible for both, defective recognition of contact antigens, such as DNCB, and the alteration of secondary response to DNCB.

Dinitrochlorobenzene↗
PubMed1976

Cell-mediated immunity in epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

Investigations were performed in 6 cases of epidermodysplasia verruciformis and 2 healthy family members. Nonspecific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was studied by measuring response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), percentrages of E- and EAC-rosette-forming lymphocytes, bacterial skin tests, and allergic reactions to dinitrochloro-benzene (DNCB). Impairment of CMI was manifested by reduction in the percentage of E rosettes, and lowered response to PHA, and- to a lesser degree- to Con A. The immune response to DNCB sensitization was invariably negative. Impairment of CMI was greater in cases of long duration and with extensive lesions. The cases of similar duration and extent of lesions, which never showed tendency to tumor formation, were not different in CMI in comparison with cases with numerous tumors. Only in cases with very advanced tumors CMI was impaired parallel to the gravity of the patient's general condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cyclosporin A inhibits DNA synthesis by epidermal Langerhans cells.

Cyclosporin A, a potent immunosuppressive drug currently used in organ transplant recipients, has been shown to exert in vitro a direct antiproliferative effect on a number of cell types present in the skin, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Although in vitro studies suggest that cyclosporin A may interfere with the functional capacities of epidermal Langerhans cells, there is no evidence that the treatment influences the distribution or number of Langerhans cells in vivo. We used a model of normal human skin graft to "nude" mice, which is free of the human systemic control mechanisms, for studies on the DNA synthesis of human Langerhans cells under the influence of cyclosporin A. The grafted animals were given daily subcutaneous (50 mg/kg) or intraperitoneal (5, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg) drug injections during three weeks, which resulted in mean blood levels comparable to those observed in treated patients with organ transplants or psoriasis, respectively. BrdU administered during the last week of the experiment was incorporated by all cells synthesizing DNA, including those passing through S-phase. Langerhans cells were detected on deparaffinized or frozen tissue sections of xenografts with anti-CD1a and anti-HLA DR monoclonal antibodies, and the number of BrdU-positive cells was determined by double labeling. Our results indicate that the Langerhans cell DNA synthesis is impaired by therapeutic levels of cyclosporin A.

Adult↗