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Biomedical subjects

P Kemppinen

Publications and source records attributed to P Kemppinen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

T(H)1 cytokines are produced in labial salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome, but also in healthy individuals.

The aim of the present study was to assess the T cell cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 in labial salivary glands (LSG) in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and healthy controls using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. IFN-gamma is always or almost always produced in SS and in healthy controls. IL-2 was also found in some samples, but IL-4 and IL-5 were not. Less than 2% of all inflammatory mononuclear cells contained immuoreactive IFN-gamma or IL-2. Cytokine mRNA profile in LSGs in SS is skewed towards a T(H)1 pattern. The classical T(H)1 cytokines are also produced in normal glands, even in the absence of foci. T(H)1 type response may play an active role as part of the mucosal associated lymphoid tissue/responses, perhaps in prevention of reactivation of latent viruses. This may also make the exocrine glands a locus minoris resistentiae when the self tolerance is broken.

Antisense Elements (Genetics)↗

Transforming and epidermal growth factors in degenerated intervertebral discs.

We studied the presence of anabolic growth factors in human herniated intervertebral discs (IVD) using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Messenger RNA (mRNA) was isolated from the nucleus pulposus using oligo (dT)25 superparamagnetic beads and probing with gene-specific primers in RT-PCR. mRNA coding for TGF-alpha (3/10), EGF (0/10), TGF-beta1 (0/10) and TGF-beta3 (2/10) or the EGF receptor (EGF-R; 0/10) and TGF-beta type-II receptor (0/10) was found only occasionally. Beta-actin was always present and positive sample controls confirmed the validity of the RT-PCR assay. These RT-PCR findings were confirmed using immunohistochemical staining of EGF and TFG-beta, whereas TGF-alpha protein was always found associated with discocytes. We conclude that the nucleus pulposus of the herniated IVD is vulnerable to proteolytic degradation and depletion of proteoglycans due to the lack and/or low production of anabolic growth factors/receptors which could increase the local synthesis of the extracellular matrix.

Actins↗

High levels of expression of collagenase-3 (MMP-13) in pathological conditions associated with a foreign-body reaction.

A foreign-body-type host response can contribute to the induction and release of collagenolytic tissue-destructive enzymes of pathogenetic significance. Our aim was to analyse collagenase-3 in two conditions with putative involvement of foreign-body reactions. Synovial membrane-like tissue samples were obtained from cases of aseptic loosening of a total hip replacement (THR) and osteoarthritis (OA). The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) disclosed that all the samples from patients contained collagenase-3 mRNA compared with only three out of ten control samples. The identity of the RT-PCR amplification product was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. Immunohistochemical staining showed that collagenase-3 was present in endothelial cells, macrophages and fibroblasts, including those found in the synovial lining. This finding was confirmed by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex-alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase double staining and the specificity of the staining by antigen preabsorption using recombinant human collagenase-3. Collagenase-3 was released into the extracellular space and thus found in the synovial fluid in all patient samples as shown by Western blotting. The similar extent of collagenase-3 expression in aseptic loosening and OA compared with the low expression in control synovial membrane suggests involvement of a similar, foreign-body-based pathogenetic component in both. Comparative analysis of collagenase-3 and of foreign particles indicates that paracrine factors rather than phagocytosis per se are responsible for the induction of collagenase-3. We suggest that due to its localisation and substrate specificity, collagenase-3 may play a significant pathogenetic role in accelerating tissue destruction in OA and in aseptic loosening of a THR.

Adult↗

Mast cells in bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis (BE) is a chronic severe inflammatory lung disease characterized by frequent bacterial infections and polymorphonuclear neutrophil-dominated inflammatory reaction. We have attempted to elucidate the role of mast cells (MCs) in BE lung inflammation by measuring in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) the MC-derived tryptase levels by radioimmunoassay and immunoblotting and also by measuring the tryptase-like activities in 36 BE patients and in 14 healthy controls. The amount of MC in the lung tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of resected lung tissue samples. Based on the clinical and radiological parameters the patients were divided into subgroups according to the severity of the disease. The MC tryptase concentrations (microg/L; median (range)) in BALF of BE patients were higher compared to healthy controls (4.7(1.4-20.1) and 2.0 (0.1-3.5), respectively, P < 0.01). Tryptase concentrations in the groups of mild, moderate and severe BE were 3.8 (0.9-10.8), 4.3 (3.0-12.6) and 9.6 (1.2-20.1), respectively. All the values differed significantly from those observed in the healthy controls. The tryptase-like activities (nmol/sec/L) in BE patients were also markedly increased (174 (31-2874)) compared to healthy controls (28 (9-45) P < 0.0001). The tryptase-like activities in the patient subgroups were 45 (36-598) in mild, 91 (31-1437) in moderate and 1336 (37-2874) in severe BE. Again, all values differed significantly from those observed in the healthy controls. Moreover, immunoblot experiments disclosed the most intensive immunoreactivity of the 27.5 kD tryptase monomer in BALF of patients with severe BE followed by weaker immunoreactivity in groups of moderate and mild BE and in healthy controls. No significant difference could be observed in the amount of tryptase-positive cells between BE patients and controls. However, the presence of degranulated MCs was more evident in BE lung tissue. Significant correlation could also be observed between the degree of activation of latent procollagenase and tryptase concentration (r = 0.8, P = 0.0004) in BALF of individual BE patients. The observed strong correlation between tryptase levels and disease severity suggests that MCs may be involved in the inflammatory reaction in the BE lung. Importantly, the high levels of tryptase, observed also in patients with mild BE, suggests that activation of and proteinase release from MCs may be one of the reasons for the perpetuation of tissue injury even during the clinically quiescent periods in BE.

Adult↗

Prevalence and etiology of bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment in a Finnish childhood population.

A retrospective study was performed on the prevalence and etiology of bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment (> 25 dB at 0.5-4 kHz in the better ear) among children born 1974-1987 in a province of eastern Finland. A total of 98 children with hearing impairment were identified, which gave a prevalence of 2.1 per 1000 live births. This prevalence was higher than reported form most of other developed countries but slightly lower than reported from Sweden. A slight decline from the prevalence of 2.3 per 1000 in the 1970s to the prevalence of 1.9 per 1000 in the 1980s was observed. Contrary to several earlier studies, no male predominance was noted, there were even slightly more females than males (52 vs. 46). Etiology of the hearing loss was estimated to be genetic in 41%, congenital nongenetic in 13%, delayed-onset nongenetic in 16% and remained unknown in 30%. On average, children with a congenital disorder had more severe hearing impairment than those with delayed-onset hearing loss, e.g. 31% of the former patients had profound (> 95 dB) hearing loss compared to 6% of the latter. A very gratifying finding was that no case of congenital hearing impairment caused by maternal rubella was identified after 1982, obviously due to general vaccinations. Also, a decline in cases of hearing loss attributed to perinatal and neonatal complications was observed.

Child, Preschool↗

Neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11) in labial salivary glands in healthy controls and in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Neuropeptides from nerve fibres can cause neurogenic inflammation. The potency of these peptides in vitro has led to the hypothesis that enzyme degradative systems are operative in vivo to limit their action. To consider this question neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in labial salivary glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome was studied. METHODS: Synthesis of NEP mRNA in situ in labial salivary glands was studied using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical staining was used to localise the NEP enzyme protein and its neuropeptide substrates and fluorophotometry to measure the corresponding enzyme activities in saliva. RESULTS: NEP was found in nerve fibres and in perivascular, periductal, and periacinar axon terminal varicosities. Double labelling of PGP 9.5 and NEP confirmed this neuronal localisation of NEP. Although some fibroblast-like cells and occasional intravascular neutrophils were NEP positive, NEP mRNA was not found in labial salivary glands. Patients with Sjögren's syndrome and healthy controls did not have nerves containing NEP or neuropeptides (vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, or calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)) in lymphocyte foci. Salivary NEP activity was not decreased in patients compared with controls. CONCLUSION: NEP in labial salivary glands is almost totally of neuronal origin and plays a part in proteolytic modulation of neuropeptides in salivary glands and saliva. These regulatory interactions seem to be altered in focal lymphocyte accumulations in Sjögren's syndrome.

Base Sequence↗

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activity in loose hip endoprostheses.

OBJECTIVE: To study tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in relation to collagenolytic and gelatinolytic potential, namely dinitrophenyl-Pro-Gln-Gly-Ile-Ala-Gly-Gln-D-Arg (DNP-S) sensitive proteolytic activity, in loose total hip arthroplasty (THA) endoprostheses. METHODS: Tissue localization of TIMP-1 was investigated immunohistochemically. TIMP-1 level of the periprosthetic tissues and fluid samples from 9 loose THA endoprostheses was measured by competitive ELISA, and DNP-S sensitive collagenolytic and gelatinolytic potential was evaluated by the degradation of synthetic DNP-S and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed moderate to marked immunoreactivity of TIMP-1 in pseudosynovial lining cells, and weak to moderate immunoreactivity often in monocyte/macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts in both interface tissues between bone and implant and pseudocapsular tissues around the artificial joints. TIMP-1 level was low in interface tissue samples (795 +/- 203 ng/ml) compared to pseudosynovial fluid samples (2026 +/- 584 ng/ml). Degradation rate of the substrate was higher in interface tissue samples (56 +/- 6%) than in pseudocapsular tissue samples (32 +/- 4%) and pseudosynovial fluid samples (6 +/- 2%). CONCLUSION: Low TIMP-1 level combined with high percentage of degradation of synthetic substrate DNP-S leads to high collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activity in interface tissue samples. This may in part explain the weakening of periprosthetic connective tissue. Weakening combined with cyclic mechanical loading may lead to loosening of THA endoprostheses.

Aged↗

Influence of various experimental parameters on the incidence of thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia induced by a constriction mononeuropathy of the sciatic nerve in lightly anesthetized rats.

In the current investigation we examined a peripheral mononeuropathy induced by four loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve. The nerve was treated with lidocaine or saline before implementing the ligatures (silk or chromic gut). The latency of the hindlimb withdrawal to noxious mechanical and radiant heat stimuli was tested under light pentobarbital anesthesia 3-10 days following the surgery. A latency/threshold difference > or = 15% between the hindlimbs was considered to represent a change in the nocifensive response. The adapting skin temperature of the hindlimbs was also measured. Pieces of hindpaw skin and the sciatic nerve were taken for histological evaluation. The results indicate that the incidence of hyperalgesia induced by a constriction mononeuropathy depended on the noxious submodality tested, and that the thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia were not coupled in all cases. Use of only one test modality led to false negative results. Furthermore, mononeuropathy-induced changes in the adapting skin temperature produced a considerable number of false positive results (an artefactual hyperalgesia) when radiant heat alone was used to determine the nocifensive withdrawal latency without paying attention to the abnormality of the skin temperature. A preemptive lidocaine treatment of the sciatic nerve before the nerve ligation significantly reduced the incidence of mononeuropathy-induced hyperalgesia. The nerve ligation material (silk vs chromic gut) was not a significant factor for the development of hyperalgesia induced by a constriction injury of a peripheral nerve. In histological evaluation the constriction injury-induced damage of the sciatic nerve was verified, and the inflammatory reaction caused by chromic gut was not stronger than that caused by silk ligatures. In general, immunohistochemical staining for substance P decreased whereas that for VIP increased. The results support the hypothesis that ligation-induced mechanical trauma and the afferent barrage induced by it, especially during the perioperative period, plays an important role in the development of postoperative hyperalgesia.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Peptide-containing nerves in labial salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The presence and spatial distribution of peptide-containing nerves in labial salivary glands from 10 Sjögren's syndrome patients were compared with those in salivary glands from 7 healthy controls. METHODS: Immunoperoxidase staining was used to demonstrate vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive (IR) fibers, postganglionic sympathetic fibers containing the C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y (CPON), and sensory fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P. RESULTS: Acini, intralobular ducts, small arteries, and postcapillary veins were richly innervated by VIP-IR fibers, whereas CPON-, CGRP-, and substance P-IR fibers were restricted to blood vessels. Peptide-containing nerves were found surrounding, but not in the middle of, the highly inflamed mononuclear cell areas. CONCLUSION: This topologic distribution suggests involvement of VIP-IR fibers in vascular, motor, and secretory components of the reflex salivary secretion, whereas the distribution and the vasoactive actions of CPON, CGRP, and substance P suggest a role in the regulation of the salivary gland circulation, and thus of transcapillary flow. Excessive release may contribute to a neurogenic inflammation. Local depletion and absence of trophic neuropeptide stimuli may contribute to acinar atrophy.

C-Peptide↗

Relationship between neuropeptide immunoreactive nerves and inflammatory cells in adjuvant arthritic rats.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of neuropeptide nerves and inflammatory leukocytes in PVG rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerves and inflammatory leukocytes were studied, using peroxidase (ABC) and/or alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) staining. Inflamed synovial tissue proper was infiltrated with neutrophils, ED1 macrophages and focal accumulations of CD2 T lymphocytes. In such tissue, the relationship between peptide-immunoreactive nerves and inflammatory cells was such that substance P and CGRP nerves were absent in heavily infiltrated villous synovial tissue, whereas healthy synovial tissue and non-inflammatory areas in adjuvant arthritic rats were innervated by substance P and CGRP nerves close to normal synovial tissue resident cells. In order to elucidate an eventual mechanism for lost immunoreactivity, healthy synovial tissue was exposed to chymotrypsin or oxygen derived free radicals (ODFR) in vitro. The former treatment caused total loss of immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that neuropeptides and neuropeptide containing nerves may be destroyed by locally produced proteolytic enzymes and various reactive oxygen species in the vicinity of inflammatory cells.

Animals↗

Collagenase reserves in polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes from synovial fluid and peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Degradation of cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be in part due to release of collagenase from specific granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMNs) during degranulation. We decided to study, not synovial fluid (SF) collagenase, but PMN collagenase reserves. PMN were isolated from parallel SF and peripheral blood (PB) samples obtained from 7-arthritis patients. PMNs were stimulated in vitro by tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Collagenase activity in the supernatant without and with phenylmercuric chloride activation was studied. Compared to PB PMNs, there was no consistent decrease in the total collagenase reserves in the inflammatory SF PMNs. This suggests that the release of collagenase in the inflammatory synovial fluid does not deplete SF PMNs of the collagenase synthesized at the myelocyte stage. The role of PMN collagenase in pathogenesis of cartilage destruction would then seem to be more dependent on local release and autoactivation at cartilage surface by adherent PMNs and not excessive collagenase release from free floating SF PMNs at single cell level. Furthermore, under the experimental conditions used the proportion of collagenase released in active form was higher in SF PMN specimens than in PB PMN specimens (p less than 0.01). The predominant collagenous component of adult cartilage, native type II collagen, was degraded by PMN collagenase as fast as native type I collagen. These findings suggest an important role for this enzyme in destruction of the free cartilage surface in RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Serum zinc, copper and selenium in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by low serum Zn and high serum Cu. In multiple linear regression both were explained by disease activity parameters. It is suggested that interleukin-1 causes both changes by 1) increasing the metallothionein-mediated hepatic uptake to serum Zn and 2) upregulating ceruloplasmin (acute phase reactant) gene and synthesis in liver and subsequently the level of ceruloplasmin-Cu complexes in the blood. Cu absorption was diminished by zinc intake. Cu- and Zn-dependent erythrocyte SOD was increased in RA. In contrast to plasma GSHPx serum selenium was low in RA and this was associated with disease activity parameters.

Aging↗

Spontaneous and in vitro activation of synovial fluid and peripheral blood lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) were compared in parallel samples in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The kinetics of in vitro T-cell activation was assessed in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated PB or SF mononuclear cell cultures on days 0, 1, 3 and 5. The early lymphocyte activation as assessed by interleukin-2 receptor expression was faster in SF than in PB cell cultures. In particular, IFN-gamma secretion was higher in SF than in PB cell cultures (p less than 0.01). Accordingly, lymphocyte major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus II antigen expression was higher in SF than in PB cell cultures (53 +/- 7% vs. 21 +/- 5%; p less than 0.01). Our results suggest that lymphocytes, which are particularly effective producers of IFN-gamma when stimulated in vitro are sequestered in the diseased joints in RA.

Adult↗

Lymphocyte activation in discordant multiple sclerosis twin pairs.

Phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte activation sequence was studied in monozygotic and dizygotic discordant multiple sclerosis (MS) twin pairs in a quiescent disease phase. The study group included all available 11 pairs listed in a nation-wide twin register. Lymphocyte activation markers, DNA synthesis and gamma-interferon secretion were studied using avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) stainings, [3H]thymidine incorporation, and a solid-phase double-antibody immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), respectively. The level and kinetics of interleukin-2 receptor expression, DNA synthesis, gamma-interferon secretion, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus II antigen expression were similar (Wilcoxon's test for paired samples) in both the diseased and healthy monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Our results suggest that the cell-mediated immune system may not be primarily at fault, but rather that both MS itself and its exacerbations are caused by an unknown triggering stimulus facing a properly functioning immune system.

Antigens, CD↗

MS and SLE in twins of successive generations.

During a nationwide twin study on multiple sclerosis (MS) in Finland a dizygotic pair discordant for MS was found. The affected co-twin had dizygotic twin daughters. The affected co-twin of the second generation had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both pairs were thoroughly examined. No evidence of CNS involvement in the healthy co-twins was found. In pairwise comparisons, virus-specific IgG antibodies to measles and mumps were significantly increased in the MS patient whereas the same was true for rubella in the SLE patient. Both MS and SLE patient expressed HLA alleles most often found to be associated with these disorders. Reversed CD4/CD8 ratios were observed in both MS and SLE patient. No difference in interleukin-2 receptor expression were found but gamma-interferon secretion in the MS patient showed marked increase whereas that of the SLE patient was of the same magnitude as in the healthy members. A different triggering stimulus rather than the dissimilarity in the immunogenetic predisposition may be decisive as to whether or not they develop MS or SLE.

Adult↗

Immune response to polyglycolic acid implants.

Cytological analysis of material aspirated from the effusion which occasionally develops around a polyglycolic acid (PGA) osteosynthesis implant showed a predominance of inflammatory monocytes and in particular lymphocytes. In order to discover whether PGA implants are immunologically inert, density gradient-isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in 0.2 ml of 10% delta FCS-RPMI 1640 culture medium supplemented with 10 mg PGA. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) lectin, a purified protein derivate of tuberculin (PPD) antigen and culture medium alone were used as positive and negative controls. We studied lymphocyte activation kinetics on days 0, 1, 3 and 5. Major histocompatibility complex locus II antigen (MHC locus II antigen) and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression were analysed using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method and lymphocyte DNA synthesis by using 3H-thymidine incorporation and beta-scintillation counting. Especially on culture days 0 and 1, lymphocytes and monocytes were seen by light microscopy to be attached to PGA particles. However, our results show no PGA-induced lymphocyte DNA synthesis, but PGA-induced MHC locus II antigen and IL-2R activation marker expression was seen, greater than in negative controls, but less than that seen in PPD antigen driven lymphocyte response. This suggests that PGA is an immunologically inert implant material, but it does seem to induce inflammatory mononuclear cell migration and adhesion, leading to a slight non-specific lymphocyte activation. This activation is lower than that seen in mitogen and antigen-driven lymphocyte responses.

Cells, Cultured↗