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Mononuclear cells infiltrating human mammary carcinomas: immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies.

Breast carcinomas were examined by the immunoperoxidase technique using antisera specific for lymphocyte subsets, monocytes, NK cells and major histocompatibility antigens (HLA-A, -B, -C; Ia-like). Sixty-four per cent of the patients had a moderate or strong mononuclear cell infiltration, 77% of the patients without mononuclear cell infiltration had receptors for estrogens as compared to 51% of the patients with infiltration. The majority of the infiltrating mononuclear cells were T cells; generally the OKT8 cells were predominant. The Leu 3A/OKT8 cell ratio was not related to histological type, tumor size, age of the patient or presence of metastases. Some of the T cells had the Ia antigen and were thus probably activated. The B cells were either absent or less numerous than the T cells. There was no relation between their distribution and the various parameters studied. A few monocytes were heterogeneous according to their markers (OKM I and acid phosphatase). In 6 cases only there was a strong infiltration of mononuclear cells positive for acid phosphatase. The number of the natural killer cells was also low. Only a few mononuclear infiltrating cells had receptors for transferrin. There was a positive correlation between the inflammatory infiltration and the presence of HLA class-I antigens on tumor cells. Some of the antisera specific for lymphocyte subsets also stained the breast carcinoma cells. The great variations in the subsets of mononuclear cells in breast carcinomas may correspond to various systems of defense against neoplasm.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Thyroid carcinoma infiltrating the trachea: clinical, histologic, and morphometric analyses.

Forty-five patients with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinomas with tracheal infiltration were examined by clinical, histologic, and morphometric analyses. Twenty-four patients with completely encapsulated carcinomas (encapsulated cases) and 26 patients with carcinomas confining within the thyroid capsule (nonencapsulated cases) were examined as controls. Patients with tracheal infiltration were significantly more often male and older than the patients without (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively). The histologic grade of differentiation did not correlate with tracheal infiltration. The nuclear area of tumor cells was significantly larger in the cases with tracheal infiltration than in the cases without (P less than 0.01). In 12 recurrent cases with tracheal infiltration, the nuclear area of recurrent tumors was significantly larger than those of their own primary tumors (P less than 0.01). These results confirm that thyroid carcinomas with tracheal infiltration were more frequent in male and older patients and had more significant nuclear atypia than the tumors without tracheal infiltration.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistological investigation of mononuclear cell infiltrates in meningiomas.

Immunohistochemical analysis of inflammatory cell density and infiltrate subpopulations in 42 meningiomas was performed. Evaluation of infiltrating cell density was carried out by cell counting. Meningothelial and fibroblastic meningiomas contained an average of 3% mononuclear cells; the few lymphocytes were localized in the perivascular spaces. In subtypes with cellular atypies and recurrent tumors, the inflammatory cells increased up to 9%. We found small mononuclear cell clusters in the tumor parenchyma in addition to the perivascular infiltrates. Marked degrees of infiltration were found in anaplastic meningiomas (average 13.5% of total cells). The lymphocytic infiltrates were localized in multilayered perivascular cuffings and intraparenchymal cell clusters. The composition of the infiltrates, i.e., predominantly a mixed staining of cytotoxic/suppressor and helper cell phenotypes, did not vary in the different subtypes. We conclude: (1) that inflammatory infiltration is more frequent and denser in malignant than in benign meningiomas; and (2) that the tumor defense mechanisms in meningiomas are mediated particularly by T cell mediated immunity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Dendritic cells in colorectal cancer correlate with other tumor-infiltrating immune cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most efficient antigen-presenting cells and play a key role in a cellular antitumor immune response. In this study we investigated the exact localization of DCs within colorectal tumors and their relationship to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as well as clinical outcome of the patients. Primary tumor specimens of 104 patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer were identified retrospectively and analyzed with the dendritic cell markers S-100 protein and human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II. The markers were individually combined with laminin as a second marker to facilitate the observation of the different tumor localizations. S-100 or HLA class II positive cells were found in the three different compartments of colorectal tumors: tumor epithelium, tumor stroma, and advancing tumor margin, but mainly present in tumor stroma and advancing tumor margin. S-100-positive tumor-infiltrating DCs in direct contact with tumor cells, i.e., in tumor epithelium, significantly correlated to the intraepithelial infiltration of CD4+ (p=0.02) and CD8+ (p=0.01) lymphocytes. High HLA class II+ cell infiltration in the tumor stroma correlated to a lower intraepithelial infiltration of CD8+ (p=0.02) lymphocytes. High intraepithelial infiltration of S-100-positive DCs suggested increased disease-free survival, but was not statistically significant, while high amounts of HLA class II+ cells in the tumor stroma correlated with an adverse survival outcome. Our results show that the infiltration of DCs in colorectal cancer, depending on both location and type of marker, is correlated with local immune interactions and patient prognosis, suggesting a central role for DCs in controlling local tumor immunity.

Adult↗

Modified device for easy infiltration of tumescent solution in liposuction.

BACKGROUND: Managing large amounts of tumescent fluid may be cumbersome and a waste of time. To solve the problems of an easy, quick, reliable, and cost-effective jet infiltration technique for large tumescent volumes, the authors describe a simple handpiece that connects with standard air-driven wound irrigation systems. On the basis of former observations with a modified irrigation system previously published by our group, a newly developed multi-use irrigation infiltration cannula handpiece was used successfully for 63 patients without any complications. METHODS: An infiltration cannula with a handpiece and standard luer lock adapter that connects with an air-driven wound irrigation system required for liposuction procedures was developed and clinically tested. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2005, a total of 63 patients with moderate- to large-volume suction (1,500-4,500 ml) were treated by subcutaneous infiltration of tumescent solution using the air-driven irrigation system and the newly developed infiltration cannula. The device proved to be reliable and efficient. No disconnection of the system was seen. The time savings and ease of use were most noticeable in cases of larger volume infiltration. Wiring and tubing of this device was facilitated in any case. No adverse side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: A simple infiltration cannula system that connects with standard wound irrigation systems facilitates the liposuction procedure in terms of cost effectiveness and time savings.

Equipment Design↗

The value of nerve root infiltration for leg pain when used with a nerve stimulator.

Randomized comparative study of the efficacy of nerve root infiltration (NRI) guided by neurostimulator to find the value of nerve stimulators in nerve root infiltration was undertaken. The response to nerve root infiltration using local anaesthetics and steroid is unpredictable, partly because the exact nerve root giving rise to pain may not be truly infiltrated. The nerve stimulator is advocated to identify the nerve root of concern prior to infiltration. The current study assessed the results of NRI with and without the nerve stimulator. Ninety-six patients with leg pain awaiting selective nerve root infiltration using long acting local aesthetic, were prospectively randomized into two groups, in the first one, the nerve root block was carried out without nerve stimulator (n = 39) and in the second group the block was carried out with the guidance of a nerve root stimulator (n = 57). Seventy-seven of the patients who had lateral canal stenosis (a total 81) responded to NRI; within this group nerve stimulator was used for 50 patients. Nerve root infiltration was used to relieve post-discetomy leg pain (ten), post-disc prolapse (four) and in one patient post-nucleotomy leg pain. Overall 89% of the patients were responders of NRI. Responders of around 65% had the NRI performed with the aid of stimulator. The response rate to pain was 96% when NRI was guided by a neurostimulator and 79% when no neurostimulator was used. When responded there was no significant statistical difference using the Oswestry disability score between both groups. After excluding disc bulge in patients who respond partially to NRI, it is worthwhile repeating the injection. There was a significant difference in response rate when NRI was done under guidance of a nerve stimulator, the stimulator is safe to use and increases the specificity of the block.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Disodium cromoglycate inhibits capsaicin-induced eosinophil infiltration of conjunctiva independent of mast cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) inhibits capsaicin-induced eosinophil infiltration of the conjunctiva independent of mast cells. METHODS: We administered 5 microl of capsaicin solution (10(-5) M) into the conjunctival sacs of mast cell-deficient W/W(v) mice (12 animals) and wild-type mice (12 animals). As controls, the eyes of 12 wild-type and 12 W/W(v) mice were treated with phosphate-buffered saline. Following treatment, the eyelids and eyeballs were removed en bloc at 3, 9, or 24 h, and were histologically examined. The number of infiltrated eosinophils and the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-l (VCAM-1) in the conjunctiva were quantified by the staining method of Hansel and immunohistochemical analysis. We also investigated whether treatment by depletion of neuropeptides or by DSCG administration could suppress the capsaicin-induced eosinophil infiltration of the conjunctiva. RESULTS: In both W/W(v) and wild-type mice, eosinophil infiltration of conjunctival tissues was observed 3 h after capsaicin administration. In both strains of mice, the number of infiltrated eosinophils increased over time, with VCAM-1 expression on vascular endothelial cells peaking at 9 h after treatment, and decreasing gradually within 24 h after treatment. In both the neuropeptide-depleted and the DSCG-treated groups, eosinophil infiltration and VCAM-1 expression were suppressed in comparison with the nontreated group. CONCLUSION: DSCG can directly inhibit neuropeptide-induced eosinophil infiltration of the conjunctiva independent of mast cells.

Animals↗

Prognostic value of round cell (lymphocyte) infiltration in malignant gliomas.

The biopsy specimens of 342 patients with malignant glioma were evaluated to determine the extent and prognostic significance of round cell infiltration within these representative tissues: (a) tumor, (b) peritumoral, (c) hypervascular, (d) necrotic, and (e) normal tissue. Thirty-six percent of all biopsy specimens showed at least one tissue area with round cell infiltration. Patients in age groups 0 to 25 years and 71 years and older tended to show less round cell infiltration than did patients 41 to 55 years old. The presence of round cell infiltration in tissue was associated with a poor prognosis. Patients showing any infiltration had mean survival times of 8.4 months as opposed to 11.9 months for those showing no infiltration. The relationship between round cell infiltration and poor prognosis is true, irrespective of postoperative therapy, sex, and age.

Adult↗

Inflammatory infiltrates of experimental mammary cancers.

The purpose of this review was to summarize observations on the type and function of inflammatory infiltrates of mouse mammary tumors and to speculate on the underlying mechanisms and the significance of infiltrates to mammary tumor biology. Although the major conclusion is that much more work is needed, certain themes seem to be emerging. The number of infiltrating cells can be very high but is unrelated to biological behavior of the tumors. What seems to be important is the relative contributions of inflammatory cell subsets. In the case of T-cell subsets and NK cells, the infiltrates from tumors of long-term cell lines so far seem uninformative. The general characteristics are similar to those of infiltrates from rapidly proliferating, normal mammary tissues. These characteristics do not correlate with diverse biological behavior or malignant potential. A more informative model appears to be one in which the development of tumors from preneoplastic tissue can be observed. Here our attention is currently focused on NK cells. By contrast, the correlation between activated TAM and metastatic behavior suggests that our transplantable MMT lines may be biologically relevant in the study of infiltrating macrophages. We are especially interested in the role of TAM in the generation of tumor cell variability. Overall, our data indicate that the host infiltrate is another manifestation of both inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity and, as such, is not simply a response to, but, rather, a part of the tumor ecosystem. Unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the inflammatory cell component of tumors should provide insight into the types of cellular interactions that result in tumor development and progression.

Animals↗

Transvascular catheter infiltration of the ductus arteriosus with formalin in the newborn lamb: a novel method of establishing and maintaining ductal patency.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to establish and maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus by a new method of transvascular formalin infiltration of the ductus arteriosus wall. BACKGROUND: Maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus postnatally is necessary with many forms of congenital heart disease to ensure survival until definitive surgical repair. A variety of approaches have to date met with variable success. METHODS: Seven newborn lambs underwent catheterization at 1 to 5 days of age. A functionally closed ductus arteriosus was traversed with a specially designed porous balloon catheter, and the wall was infiltrated with 10% formalin. The ductus was then further dilated with either a 7- or 8-mm diameter balloon. RESULTS: The ductus arteriosus wall was successfully infiltrated and dilated in all animals. Two lambs were euthanized within 24 h with congestive heart failure from a large ductus, and one lamb was electively euthanized 5 days after transvascular infiltration. Four lambs underwent serial follow-up catheterizations, one of which required repeat balloon dilation 47 days after infiltration. At latest follow-up (mean age [+/- 1 SD] 83 +/- 34 days, range 33 to 108), the pulmonary/systemic flow ratio (2.7 +/- 1.2) was unchanged from immediately after infiltration (1.9 +/- 0.5, p > 0.1). The narrowest diameter of the ductus arteriosus (4.3 +/- 0.4 mm vs. 6.9 +/- 2.6 mm, p > 0.1) and its ratio to that of the adjacent descending aorta (0.5 +/- 0.1 vs 0.4 +/- 0.1, p > 0.1) were also unchanged at latest follow-up. No systemic toxicity was observed. At postmortem study, the ductus was patent, and histologic analysis showed variable intimal and medial destruction, endothelial regeneration, loss of elastic tissue and calcification. Adjacent pulmonary artery and aorta were normal. Based on the small sample size and the observed maximal effect size of 70%, the power of the study is at most 40% to detect significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first time that transvascular formalin infiltration of the ductus arteriosus wall has been applied successfully to maintain ductal patency in the newborn lamb. This method may provide a means of palliation for neonates with certain forms of congenital heart disease.

Animals↗

Honokiol protects rat brain from focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and reactive oxygen species production.

We have previously shown that honokiol, an active component of Magnolia officinalis, displayed protective effect against focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (FCI/R) injury in rats. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and infiltration of neutrophils to injured tissue play deleterious roles during cerebral ischemia. To study the mechanism(s) in mediating neuroprotective effect of honokiol, FCI/R-induced neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation in brain tissue, and activation of neutrophils in-vitro were examined. Intravenous administration of honokiol (0.01-1.0 microg/kg) 15 min before (pretreatment) or 60 min after (post-treatment) middle cerebral artery occlusion reduced the total infarcted volume by 20-70% in dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment or post-treatment of honokiol at concentration of 0.1 and 1.0 microg/kg significantly decreased the neutrophil infiltration in the infarcted brain. Time course of neutrophil infiltration was performed in parallel with the lipid peroxidation in infracted brain tissue during FCI/R injury. The results indicate that honokiol can protect brain tissue against lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration during FCI/R injury and cerebral infarction induced by FCI/R is accompanied with a prominent neutrophil infiltration to the infarcted area during FCI/R course. In-vitro, honokiol (0.1-10 microM) significantly diminished fMLP (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine)- or PMA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate)-induced neutrophil firm adhesion, a prerequisite step behind neutrophil infiltration, and ROS production in neutrophils. Intracellular calcium overloading activates calcium-stimulated enzymes and further exaggerates FCI/R injury. Honokiol (0.1-10 microM) impeded the calcium influx induced by fMLP (a receptor agonist), AlF(4)(-) (a G-protein activator) or thapsigargin (an intracellular calcium pool releaser). Therefore, we conclude that the amelioration of FCI/R injury by honokiol can be attributed to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions through, at least in part, limiting lipid peroxidation and reducing neutrophil activation/infiltration by interfering firm adhesion, ROS production, and calcium overloading that may be primed/activated during FCI/R injury.

Animals↗

Clinical significance of leukocyte infiltrative response in deep wound of patients with major burns.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the time course of infiltrated leukocytes and the subpopulations of infiltrated lymphocytes in deep wounds, and their relationship with injury severity in seriously burned patients. METHODS: Six patients with major burns were enrolled in the study. Specimens were taken from deep partial-thickness burn wounds of all patients at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after burn. The appearance time and cellular components of infiltrated leukocyte zone in the burn wound were evaluated by histological and immunohistochemistry examination with lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: The infiltrated leukocyte zone of burn wound formed 1-2 weeks after burn. The more severe the degree of injury (including burn area, depth and combined injuries) was, the later the infiltrated leukocyte zone appeared. The infiltrated cells mainly consisted of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) during the early period after burn while macrophages and lymphocytes appeared later. There were some changes of the T lymphocyte subsets and their activation degree in the burn wound. CONCLUSION: The changes of infiltrated leukocyte zone of wound following burns were closely related to the injury severity, and represented alteration of the anti-infection ability and immune rejection of local wound. These results provide important evidence for appropriate wound treatment and prolonging the survival of skin allograft.

Adolescent↗

Proliferating endothelial cells and leukocyte infiltration as prognostic markers in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Leukocyte infiltration in tumors is dependent on angiogenic potential. In this study we aimed to retrospectively investigate the angiogenic potential in archival colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and its relationship to amount and composition of the inflammatory infiltrate. METHODS: In tumor tissues of 117 CRC patients with a 12-year follow-up, microvessel density (MVD) and proliferating endothelial cells (ECs) were assessed by CD31/CD34 double staining with the proliferation marker Ki-67. Leukocyte infiltration was determined by using CD45, CD3, CD8, CD16, CD20, and CD68 antibodies in peritumoral, tumor stroma, and intratumoral areas. RESULTS: Proliferating ECs, but not MVD, are correlated to Dukes' stage and survival in CRC (P < .05). This parameter correlated significantly with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (r = 0.82; P < .012). The number of inflammatory cells in the tumor stroma and cells infiltrated into the tumor cell nests, but not of peritumoral leukocytes, predicted patient survival. This was most obvious for T lymphocytes (CD3; P < .05) and polymorphonuclear cells (CD16; P < .04). We found a significant relationship between angiogenesis parameters and infiltrated leukocytes (r = -0.70; P < .02). Combination of high numbers of infiltrated leukocytes and low amounts of proliferating ECs demonstrated to be an improved prognostic value compared with either parameter alone (P < .006). CONCLUSIONS: We found a correlation between the intrinsic tumor parameters of ongoing angiogenesis and leukocyte infiltration with prognosis and survival in CRC. These findings have a potential impact on therapeutic applications for both antiangiogenesis as well as immunotherapy.

Adult↗

MRI patterns in orbital malignant lymphoma and atypical lymphocytic infiltrates.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of MRI in differentiating between malignant lymphomas and atypical lymphocytic infiltrates in the orbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI, clinical and histopathological findings in 30 patients presenting with orbital lymphoproliferative diseases (malignant lymphoma and atypical lymphocytic infiltrates) were evaluated. RESULTS: MRI detected 28 out of 30 (93%) orbital lymphoid tumors. Seven out of eight (87.5%) atypical lymphocytic infiltrates and 21/22 (95.4%) of malignant lymphomas were detected. One conjunctival malignant lymphoma and one conjunctival atypical lymphocytic infiltrate were missed. Only malignant lymphoma lesions were hyperintense compared to the extraocular muscles on precontrast and postcontrast T1-weighted images. The lacrimal duct was involved only with malignant lymphoma. Bilateral disease was more likely to be malignant lymphoma. Intraconal lesions were more likely to be associated with lesions elsewhere. No malignant lymphoma involved the extraconal fat. Only intraconal atypical lymphocytic infiltrates had indistinct margins. CONCLUSION: In the orbit, MRI features alone may not allow clear-cut differentiation of malignant lymphomas from atypical lymphocytic infiltrates. However, certain imaging features increase the likelihood of distinguishing them. MRI may miss conjunctival disease. Both orbits should be imaged when orbital lymphoid disease is a probability. The presence of intraconal disease should prompt a search for lesions elsewhere. The use of a head coil instead of a superficial coil may be advantageous by eliminating coil shine effect and allowing evaluation of both orbits. Comparison of lesion signal to extraocular muscle signal appears to be a better alternative than cerebral gray matter or periorbital fat in differentiating malignant lymphoma from atypical lymphocytic infiltrates. Since imaging findings overlap, histopathological diagnosis is necessary in all cases.

Adult↗

Kinetics of mononuclear cell infiltration and cytokine expression in iodine-induced thyroiditis in the NOD-H2h4 mouse.

Mononuclear cell infiltration of the thyroid gland is a common histologic feature of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Although the infiltrating mononuclear cells have been implicated in the destruction of the thyroid, information concerning the progression of infiltration into the thyroid is limited. In this report, we examine the composition and kinetics of mononuclear cell infiltration in the thyroid and the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (I-Ak), IL-12, and IFN-gamma in the thyroid of the NOD-H2h4 mouse, a model of spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis accelerated by the administration of excess dietary iodine. Mice were given a low dose of 0.015% NaI in their drinking water for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 16 weeks, and thyroids were removed, serially sectioned, and stained in an avidin-biotin peroxidase assay. The thyroid infiltrate included CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, F4/80+ macrophages, and B220+ B cells. After 2 weeks of iodine treatment, CD4+ T cells were the first seen in the thyroid, followed by CD8+ T cells and F4/80+ macrophages. B220+ B cells entered the thyroid after 4 weeks of iodine treatment. IL-12 and IFN-gamma positive cells were located in the thyroid early in disease and were up-regulated in the focal accumulations of infiltrating cells. Thyrocytes clearly expressed I-Ak after 4 weeks of iodine treatment near the location of mononuclear cell infiltration.

Animals↗

Anterior chamber infiltrates associated with systemic lymphoma: report of two cases and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinicopathologic features of two patients with systemic lymphoma who developed anterior chamber (AC) infiltrates of lymphoma cells. DESIGN: Two case reports and literature review. METHODS: The clinical and pathologic findings in two patients with AC infiltrates secondary to systemic B-cell lymphoma are reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical observation and cytologic/flow cytometric examination of the infiltrate after AC aspiration. RESULTS: One patient presented with uveal infiltration, an exudative retinal detachment and an AC infiltrate. Systemic evaluation revealed a follicular lymphoma involving several groups of lymph nodes. The second patient with a known history of abdominal lymphoma was found to have blurred vision, photophobia and an AC infiltrate. Flow cytometric analysis of the AC infiltrate in both patients showed phenotypes consistent with the patients' systemic lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS: A pseudohypopyon in an adult may represent either the initial manifestation or a later complication of systemic lymphoma, similar to what has been reported in acute leukemia.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Uveal lymphoid infiltration. Report of four cases and clinicopathologic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to report the clinicopathologic features of four patients with uveal lymphoid infiltration who were diagnosed by a conjunctival biopsy. DESIGN: A case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients at four institutions participated. MEASURES: The histopathologic findings of the conjunctival and episcleral biopsy specimens from four patients with the diagnosis of uveal lymphoid infiltration were recorded. The conjunctival specimens were placed in 10% neutral buffered formaldehyde solution or B5 solution and processed routinely for light microscopic examination and immunohistochemical analysis for B cells and T cells and kappa and lambda light chains. The clinical and histopathologic findings were compared with 47 previously reported cases of uveal lymphoid infiltration. RESULTS: Two men and two women (average age = 57 years) presented with diffuse punctate to coalescent yellow uveal infiltrates and epibulbar pink fleshy lesions. Ultrasonography of the lesions showed diffuse choroidal thickening and a lack of choroidal or scleral excavation. The conjunctival biopsy specimens showed diffuse infiltration of the substantia propria with B lymphocytes with variable kappa and lambda restriction. Scattered T lymphocytes also were present. Plasmacytoid cells and a prominent Grenz zone were present. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with solitary or multiple yellow uveal infiltrates should have careful conjunctival evaluation for the presence of pink conjunctival lesions. Biopsy specimens of the conjunctival lesion may establish the diagnosis of uveal lymphoid infiltration.

Adult↗

Destruction of basement membrane and cell infiltrates in oral lichen planus.

Immunohistochemical staining analysis of oral lichen planus (OLP) using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against the components of basement membrane (BM) and infiltrated cells was performed in 27 cases. Integrity of lining epithelial BM was more strictly elucidated by staining for laminin and type IV collagen than by fibronectin. Staining patterns of laminin were similar to type IV collagen. In the cases examined, continuity of BM was proven by laminin staining in 10 cases, partially destructive BM was seen in 9 cases and complete destruction of BM in 8 cases. Dividing OLP into 20 symptomatic (ulcerative/erosive) and 7 asymptomatic (non-ulcerative/-erosive) cases, intact BM could be observed in only 5 cases of the symptomatic group, while 5 cases of the other group possessed undamaged BM. The difference between the two groups was significant. Stromal and epidermal cell infiltrates, which were mainly composed of T cell subsets with accompanying Leu-M5 and 6-positive cells, were correlated with the condition of BM. Stromal Leu-M5+ and Leu-6+ cell infiltrates were clearly more dominant in laminin-negative (BM-destructed) cases than infiltrates in BM-intact cases. This relation was also found in epidermal infiltrates with the same manner of Leu-4 infiltration. From the above, it seems that the integrity of BM is concerned with cell infiltrates and clinical manifestations of OLP.

Basement Membrane↗