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Biomedical subjects

M Lazzari

Publications and source records attributed to M Lazzari.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reduction of platelet surface GPIb expression induced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

It has been demonstrated that soluble factors released from PMNs such as proteases, free radicals and arachidonic acid metabolites are able to induce platelet activation (1). More recently, it has been demonstrated that PMNs can also inhibit platelet functional responses. It has been suggested that the inhibitory effect of PMNs could be related to the release of nitric oxide (NO) (2-3). In contrast, we have previously observed that coincubation of platelets with unstimulated PMNs, results in the inhibition of platelet aggregation and ATP release by a yet non-identified mechanism that does not involves NO (4). Considering that an alteration in surface receptors could be one of the phenomena accounting for impaired platelet responses, in the present study we evaluated the ability of PMNs to modulate the expression of the glycoproteins (GP) involved in platelet adhesion and aggregation, GPIb-IX and GPIIb-IIIa.

Blood Platelets↗

Deep vein thrombosis in a 13-year-old boy with hereditary protein S deficiency and a review of the pediatric literature.

We report a 13-year-old boy with hereditary deficiency of protein S, who developed a deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb after a varicella with severe cutaneous lesions. Hereditary protein S deficiency is an established cause of thrombophilia; however thrombotic events are seldom described in pediatric patients. A review of previous literature revealed 35 cases, 16 girls and 19 boys, with a first episode below of the age of 18 years old (x = 10y). The 57% of the patients had venous thrombosis, 20% arterial thrombosis, and 14% both and in 9% the type of thrombosis was not reported. Predisposing factors were referred in only 12 cases. The deficiencies can be classified as type I in 25 patients and type III in 8.

Adolescent↗

Histochemical study by lectin binding of surface glycoconjugates in the developing olfactory system of rat.

Lectin-binding histochemistry was used to investigate the distribution and density of defined carbohydrate sequences on the cell surface glycoproteins of the olfactory receptors of rat during development. The olfactory and vomeronasal receptors showed a positive labelling after biotinylated Lycopersicum esculentum lectin binding on embryonic day 16 (E16), while horseradish peroxidase-labelled Glycine max, Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSA-I) and its B4 isomer BSA-I-B4 agglutinins started to label from day 18 (E18). From this stage onward there was a progressive increase in the intensity and number of lectin-binding olfactory receptors. The first lectin-labelled bundles of axons penetrating the olfactory bulb were observed on E20; from E21 it was possible to identify the first labelled glomeruli that, on the first day (P1) of postnatal life, showed a feature very similar to that of the adult. The lectin staining patterns indicate that during development there are differences in the kind and distribution of saccharidic moieties on the surface of rat olfactory neurons. The possible role of carbohydrate-containing glycoproteins in the reception and transduction of the odours and in the modulation of the cell-cell interactions in the olfactory system is discussed.

Animals↗

Activation of human platelets by immune complexes prepared with cationized human IgG.

The present study shows that the ability of soluble immune complexes (IC), prepared with human IgG and rabbit IgG antibodies against human IgG, to trigger platelet activation was markedly higher for IC prepared with cationized human IgG (catIC) compared with those prepared with untreated human IgG (cIC). CatIC induced platelet aggregation and adenosine triphosphate release in washed platelets (WP), gel-filtered platelets (GFP), or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) at physiologic concentrations of platelets (3 x 10(8)/mL) and at low concentrations of catIC (1 to 30 micrograms/mL). On the contrary, under similar experimental conditions, cIC did not induce aggregation in PRP, WP, or GFP. Low aggregation responses were only observed using high concentrations of both WP (9 x 10(8)/mL) and cIC (500 micrograms/mL). Interestingly, catIC were also able to induce platelet activation under nonaggregating conditions, as evidenced by P-selectin expression. Cationized human IgG alone did not induce platelet aggregation in PRP but triggered either WP or GFP aggregation. However, the concentration needed to induce these responses, was about eightfold higher than those required for catIC. The responses induced either by catIC or cationized human IgG were completely inhibited by treatment with heparin, dextran sulphate, EDTA, prostaglandin E1, or IV3, a monoclonal antibody against the receptor II for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma RII). The data presented in this study suggest that IgG charge constitutes a critical property that conditions the ability of IC to trigger platelet activation.

Animals↗

Choroidal and iris angioarchitecture of the newt: a scanning electron-microscopic study of vascular corrosion casts.

The corrosion cast technique provided for the first time an excellent three-dimensional visualization of the vascular pattern of the choroid and iris in the newt eye. The results show the presence of a single arterial afference to the choroidal and iris capillaries: the ophthalmic artery is the origin of both ciliary arteries and the long posterior ciliary artery. Slightly behind the equatorial circumference of the eyeball the venous drainage consists of a single vessel on the dorsal side and two distinct vessels on the ventral one. It receives blood from both iris and choroid. The surface of the plastic endocasts shows some details of fine luminal structures of the endothelial cells. Shallow depressions may be regarded as imprints of endothelial cell nuclei, and they are distinctly different for arteries and capillaries. The angioarchitecture of the newt eye differs from that of brain in that hairpin-shaped capillary loops are not observed at all.

Animals↗

Activation of human neutrophils and monocytes induced by immune complexes prepared with cationized antibodies or antigens.

We have recently showed that soluble immune complexes (IC) prepared with cationic antibodies (catIC) induce high levels of neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity against nonsensitized target cells. In the present work we extended our previous findings by studying the ability of catIC to induce different responses mediated by monocytes and/or neutrophils: monocyte cytotoxicity against nonsensitized target cells, chemiluminescence emission by monocytes and neutrophils, and elastase release from neutrophils. Our results showed that, in all cases, cell responses induced by catIC were markedly higher than those induced by control IC, indicating that cationized antibodies enhance IC ability to trigger phagocytic cell activation. A second aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of antigen cationization on IC properties. Interestingly, we found that all the phagocytic cell responses induced by IC prepared with cationized ovalbumin (OA) were significantly higher than those induced by IC prepared with untreated OA. Our results suggest that the charge of antibody and/or antigen constitutes a critical property that conditions the biological activity of IC. Furthermore, these findings support an important role of cationic antibodies and antigens in the development of inflammatory events associated with certain IC-induced diseases.

Animals↗

Pneumonia complicating abdominal sepsis: an experimental model of hematogenous contamination of the lung.

Pulmonary infection complicating intra-abdominal sepsis is a major clinical problem. An experimental model for intra-abdominal sepsis was created with implantation of gelatin capsules, containing 3 x 10(8) cfu E. coli strain no. 2554, in the peritoneal cavity of 20 rats (10 animals received and 10 did not receive antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone) in order to verify the role of the primary site of infection in the pathogenesis of pneumonia. Ten rats were sacrificed to determine the relative pulmonary weight and 10 were submitted to simple laparotomy and insertion of a germ-free capsule (sham-operated group). In this group of animals there was only one death (10%). All the rats that received antibiotic therapy survived until sacrifice while all the rats that did not receive ceftriaxone died, 7 within the 2nd and 3 on the 6th postoperative day. Pneumonia and peritonitis developed only in the animals that did not receive ceftriaxone. Bacteriological findings of material obtained from peritoneal and pleural cavities revealed the same strain of E. coli used for the experiment, suggesting that bacteria involved in the pleuro-pulmonary infections may originate in the primary site of infection and that antibiotic therapy started at the moment of contamination, can prevent this major complication.

Abdomen↗

Congenital factor XIII deficiency associated with von Willebrand disease.

A boy with umbilical bleeding and severe hemorrhages after minor trauma, without family bleeding history, was studied. Coagulation tests showed abnormalities in FXIII subunits and FVIII/vWF complex. Both parents presented results compatible with a heterozygote state for FXIII deficiency and the father had abnormalities of FVIII/vWF. The propositus was diagnosed as congenital FXIII deficiency associated with vWD. No severe hemorrhagic complication was observed after a prophylactic regimen with cryoprecipitates.

Factor XIII Deficiency↗

Cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase and Na+, K+-ATPase activities in the blood-brain barrier of Rana esculenta.

The ultrastructural distribution of alkaline phosphatase and Na+, K+-ATPase on the brain capillaries in Rana esculenta was investigated. Alkaline phosphatase activity appears both on the luminal and abluminal walls of the endothelial capillary cells; Na+, K+-ATPase is, instead, only present on the abluminal side. This different enzymatic distribution indicates that endothelial cells of the brain capillaries are polarized and the luminal and abluminal endothelial membranes are functionally different. The role of these two enzymatic activities is discussed in relation to the blood-brain barrier.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Ultrastructural localization of acetylcholinesterase in Axolotl brain capillaries.

The ultrastructural distribution of cholinesterases on the brain capillaries of Axolotl has been studied. The Axolotl brain contains branching, Anastomosing capillary network and capillary loops. The presence of acetylcholinesterases is seen on the basal lamina and in the spaces between the endothelial cells and the pericytes of both types of vessels. The role of this enzyme in the blood-brain barrier is discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Purification and partial characterization of a bioactive substance from rat's vessel wall independent of prostacyclin production.

The bioactive substance from rat's vessel wall was purified by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and by a combination of DEAE Cellulose ion exchange and Sephadex G-50 gel filtration chromatographies. Purifications of 12.5 fold and 70 fold over the initial material were achieved. PAGE of the purified material resulted in a single major band with a molecular weight estimated at 55kd-65kd. Trypsin (0.3 mg/ml) and chymotrypsin (30 mg/ml) abolished platelet antiaggregating activity. Neuraminidase (1.2 units) had no effect on platelet antiaggregating activity. This is the report of purification of aortic vessel wall antiaggregating activity independent of prostacyclin production.

Animals↗

Opening of blood-brain barrier in Triturus cristatus carnifex by hyperosmolar mannitol solutions.

The permeability of the newt cerebral capillaries to lanthanum ion has been studied after perfusion with mannitol solutions of increasing molarity. In the control specimens lanthanum deposits were limited to the luminal side of the capillaries and tracer did not spread to the pericapillary spaces due to the tight junctions. Treatment with hypertonic solutions of mannitol (0.25M, 0.5M, 1M) caused opening of the blood brain barrier with a progressive increase in lanthanum between the endothelial cell edges, in the basal lamina and in the extracellular spaces of the nervous parenchyma in relation to the molarity of the mannitol solution. The spread of lanthanum is probably due to opening of the tight junctions between the endothelial cells, since pinocytotic vesicles labelled with tracer were not evident.

Animals↗