Biomedical subjects

Z Humlová

Publications and source records attributed to Z Humlová.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Immunological profiles of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. I. State before the start of treatment.

In view of the increasing interest in the immunotherapy of CML it seems highly desirable to broaden the present knowledge on the immune reactivity of CML patients. A group of 24 patients and 24 healthy controls were studied for the total of 15 immunological parameters, including the prevalence of antibodies against human herpesviruses and papillomaviruses. To clearly discriminate between changes associated with the disease and those induced by the therapy, all patients were enrolled prior to the start of any anti-leukaemic therapy. Statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found in the levels of IgA, C4 component of complement, CRP and IL-6, the production of Th1 cytokines in stimulated CD3 cells and the E. coli stimulatory index. The analysis of the interrelationship between the results obtained in the individual patients presented some unexpected findings, such as the lack of correlation between the CRP and IL-6 levels. It will be the purpose of a follow-up to determine whether and how the immune status of the patients prior to the treatment correlates with their response to therapy and how the individual immunological profiles change in the course of the disease. These observations will be utilized in the future immunotherapeutic studies to constitute the vaccine- and placebo-treated groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Bacteria and their role in allergic diseases].

From the beginning of life, human immune system is affected by interactions with different microorganisms. Immediately after the birth bacteria colonize mucous tissues and namely the gastrointestinal tract, which was antenatally sterile. Bacteria are involved in allergic inflammation by two different ways. They can either initiate the allergic response or they can diminish it. To the negative factors, which can trigger the allergic response belong superantigens, namely the bacterial enterotoxins. Positive factors include mycobacterial antigens, intestinal microflora, pathogen-associated molecular patterns and CpG motives that belong to components of the bacterial genome DNA. The effect of lipopolysaccharide from gram-negative bacteria on the development of allergic inflammation is two faced. Lipopolysaccharide has a protective role when the infection precedes the contact with allergen for a long time. Short period between the infection and allergen exposition leads in a sensitized person to the provocation of allergic disease. These and other factors are important in relation to the so-called hygiene hypothesis where the T regulatory lymphocytes seem to play the key role in the balance between Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2002

Protooncogene Bcl-2 induces apoptosis in several cell lines.

Using a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing protooncogene Bcl-2, we demonstrate opposite effects of the expressed Bcl-2 in two cell lines: apoptosis induction in BSC-40 cells and apoptosis prevention in HeLa G cells. The apparent molecular weight of the expressed Bcl-2, its amounts and its effects on the mitochondrial membrane potential are comparable in both cell lines, suggesting that the consequences of Bcl-2 expression depend on the cellular environment. To further support these findings we demonstrate the pro-apoptotic effect of the expressed Bcl-2 in several other cell lines.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Protooncogene bcl-2 in process of apoptosis. Review article.

The process of apoptosis is genetically regulated form of cell death, which is tightly connected, with maintaining of tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Mitochondria play a key role in this process being involved in ATP synthesis, production of oxygen free radicals, control of Ca2+ ions, extrusion of apoptogenic molecules such as cytochrome c, apoptosis inducing factor, Smac/DIABLO protein and several procaspases. Changes in the flux of ions and water across the inner mitochondrial membrane characterize the early phase of apoptosis, during which an increase in matrix volume may precede a collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m). These changes are suppressed by Bcl-2/Bcl-XL facilitated by Bax, and mediated at least by so-called permeability transition pore complex which is one of possible mechanisms involved in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP).

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2001

[Viral interactions with the host's immune system].

Viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites, which differ in their structure and strategy of replication. The establishment of an antiviral state in uninfected cells and the elimination of virally infected cells are critical tasks in the host defence. Against the extensive array of immune modalities, viruses have successfully learned how to manipulate host immune control mechanisms. The study of viral strategies of immune evasion can provide insights into host-virus interactions and also illuminates essential functions of the immune system.

Humans↗