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M Rotunno

Publications and source records attributed to M Rotunno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

In vivo localization of C3 on the brush border of proximal tubules of kidneys from nephrotic patients.

Deposits of C3 but not of C1q and C4 were detected on the proximal tubules of kidneys from nephrotic patients with non-selective proteinuria. The incidence of tubular C3 deposits was significantly higher in patients with membranous glomerulonephritis, focal glomerulosclerosis, membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis and non-selective proteinuria than in patients with minimal change disease, nephrotic syndrome and selective proteinuria or in patients with glomerular disease, but without nephrotic syndrome. The occurrence of tubular C3 deposits was positively correlated with the amount of urinary C3 excretion. In vitro studies showed that the human normal kidney as well as pathologic specimens negative for in vivo tubular C3 deposits were able to bind C3 on the brush border of proximal tubules when incubated with fresh heterologous serum. In contrast, in patients with non-selective proteinuria and in vivo tubular C3 deposits, the binding of heterologous C3 to the brush border of proximal tubules was markedly reduced. The positive correlation between the occurrence of tubular C3 deposits and the urinary complement excretion, together with the detection of the C3 breakdown products in the urines further supported the hypothesis that complement components, once filtrated through the glomerular barrier, might be activated by the brush border of the proximal tubule.

Adolescent

In vitro alternative pathway activation of complement by the brush border of proximal tubules of normal rat kidney.

The purpose of this study was to investigate which structures of the nephron, if any, are capable of directly activating the complement (C) system. To this end, two sets of experiments were performed. First, activation of C was assessed on sections of frozen kidney tissue, using the indirect immunofluorescence technique for the demonstration of C fixation. Second, glomerular or tubular fractions of kidney were incubated with normal fresh serum, and subsequent C consumption was measured. The data obtained support the interpretation that the brush border of proximal tubules activates the alternative pathway of the C system. This phenomenon may have pathogenic significance in conditions of aselective proteinuria.

Anaphylatoxins

Coagulation and fibrinolysis study in systemic lupus erythematosus: haematological, urinary and tissue parameters.

Haematochemical, urinary and tissue parameters were examined in the elaboration of the coagulation and fibrinolysis profile in 33 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus in different stages of the disease. Coagulation abnormalities varied from hypo- to hyper-coagulability, these being often associated in the same patient, either simultaneously or at different stages of the disease. Activation of coagulation, closely related to the immunological activity of the disease, was present in 80% cases in the acute stage, and 36% of those in the remission stage. The lupus-like anticoagulant was not much involved, and platelets were the prime figures in the haemostatic abnormalities of lupus, those being the preferred target of direct antibody activities, or possibly of immune complexes as well. Activation of the coagulatory cascade is not uncommonly accompanied by a thrombophilic tendency coupled with signs of consumption, this being the expression of a continuously stimulated haemostatic balance.

Autoantibodies

[Hormonal modulation of inflammation].

The tissue damage during the inflammation is determined by the enzymes and the mediators of anaphylaxis released from polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), platelets, basophils and mastocytes. The control of this release involves the cAMP and cGMP. The cyclic nucleotides independently or synergically regulate the polymerisation of the microtubules and the microfilaments. Drugs increasing the intracellular concentration of cAMP or cGMP inhibit or enhance respectively the enzymatic release from PMN, basophils and mastocytes. In the platelets, cAMP plays a very important role, whereas the cGMP function is controversial.

Adenylyl Cyclases

[Analysis of the composition of 2700 urinary calculi examined by infrared spectrophotometry, 1979-1989].

Two thousand seven hundred samples, received as urinary calculi, in a Turin based laboratory, in the period between March 1979 and February 1989, were examined by infrared spectroscopy to identify components even of difficult characterization: a special procedure was used and it is described. Knowing the composition of each calculus, a comparison was made between the incidence of each compound in the first 1500 samples (1979-1984) and in the remaining 1200 ones (1984-1989). Besides an increase in calcium oxalate as main component, a marked reduction in incidence of struvite was found in the calculi belonging to the second period of observation. The possible interference in calculi composition by various therapy for renal infection is discussed.

Calcium Oxalate