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Trp-Arg-Trp-Trp-Trp-Trp antagonizes formyl peptide receptor like 2-mediated signaling.

Although formyl peptide receptor like 2 (FPRL2) has been regarded as an important classical chemoattractant receptor, its functional role and signaling pathway have not been fully investigated, because of the lack of its specific ligand. Recently F2L, a heme-binding protein fragment peptide, has been reported as an FPRL2-selective endogenous agonist. In the present study, we examined the effect of Trp-Arg-Trp-Trp-Trp-Trp-CONH2 (WRWWWW, WRW4), on F2L-induced cell signaling. WRW4 inhibited the activation of FPRL2 by F2L, resulting in the complete inhibition of intracellular calcium increase and chemotactic migration induced by F2L. WRW4 also completely inhibited F2L-induced NF-kappaB activation in FPRL2-transfected HEK293 cells. WRW4 specifically inhibited F2L-induced intracellular calcium increase and chemotactic migration in mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells, which express FPRL2 but not the other FPR family. Taken together, WRW4 is the first FPRL2 antagonist and is expected to be useful in the study of FPRL2 signaling and in development of drugs against FPRL2-related cellular responses.

Calcium↗

Pseudolymphomatous phase of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto lymphadenitis is a distinctive entity which is easily recognised in its classical histology. However, cases which are biopsied in the early stage of the disease, before entering the necrotic phase may be misdiagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ten cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease which mimicked non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and in which less than 10% of the lymph node was occupied by necrosis were chosen for this study. The patients included 4 males and 6 females with an age range of 15-40 years. Eight patients presented with cervical lymphadenopathy. The pathologic areas ranged from 70% to 95% of the total nodal area. The features that helped distinguish this lesion from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were: 1) a sprinkling of karyorrhectic debris throughout the node 2) plasmacytoid monocytes as well as "histiocytes" in the company of transformed lymphocytes (immunoblasts) 3) enlarged mottled T-zone areas, and 4) presence of residual lymphoid follicles. Follow up on six patients revealed no evidence of disease.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous heat shock protein synthesis by alveolar macrophages in interstitial lung disease associated with phagocytosis of eosinophils.

Synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is induced in all cells and tissues after exposure to elevated temperatures, or a variety of other types of injury, including oxidative injury. We have previously reported that stress proteins are induced in monocytes-macrophages during phagocytosis of red blood cells. Receptor-mediated phagocytosis is associated with activation of the respiratory burst, generation of the lipid mediators of inflammation, and increased production of cytokines. Similar activation events have been described in the alveolar macrophage (AM) during pulmonary fibrosis. We therefore analysed the pattern of proteins synthesized by human AMs recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in interstitial lung disease, both under basal conditions and after in vitro exposure to heat or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In two out of the 17 cases studied, we observed a high alveolar eosinophilia (10 and 24%, respectively) and phagocytosis, by the AMs, of eosinophilic material. Whereas exposure to heat or H2O2 induced in all AMs the synthesis of the classical HSPs, in these two cases, we found spontaneous synthesis of HSPs and of a 32 kD oxidation-specific stress protein, haeme oxygenase (HO). Exposure of AM to purified eosinophil-derived proteins, such as major basic protein (MBP), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), alone or in combination, did not induce stress protein synthesis, further suggesting that phagocytosis is involved in this induction. Stress protein synthesis by AMs may represent a new cellular marker of pulmonary injury and eosinophilic inflammation, and an autoprotective mechanism against oxidative stress.

Adult↗

Measurement of complement receptor 1 on neutrophils in bacterial and viral pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: A reliable prediction of the causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is not possible based on clinical features. Our aim was to test, whether the measurement of the expression of complement receptors or Fcgamma receptors on neutrophils and monocytes would be a useful preliminary test to differentiate between bacterial and viral pneumonia. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with CAP were studied prospectively. Thirteen patients had pneumococcal pneumonia; 13 patients, influenza A pneumonia; 5 patients, atypical pneumonia, and 37 patients, aetiologically undefined pneumonia. Leukocyte receptor expression was measured within 2 days of hospital admission. RESULTS: The mean expression of complement receptor 1 (CR1) on neutrophils was significantly higher in the patients with pneumococcal pneumonia than in those with influenza A pneumonia. The mean expression of CR1 was also significantly higher in aetiologically undefined pneumonia than in influenza A pneumonia, but there was no difference between pneumococcal and undefined pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the expression of CR1 is higher in classical bacterial pneumonia than in viral pneumonia. Determination of the expression of CR1 may be of value as an additional rapid tool in the aetiological diagnosis, bacterial or viral infection, of CAP. These results are preliminary and more research is needed to assess the utility of this new method in the diagnostics of pneumonia.

Adolescent↗

Classical morphology, esterase cytochemistry, and interphase cytogenetics of peripheral blood and bone marrow smears.

We used peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) smears in the development of two methods based on cytomorphology and esterase cytochemistry in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The first method involves photodocumentation of May-Grünewald-Giemsa (MGG)-stained cells, followed by destaining in methanol-acetic acid, fixation in paraformaldehyde, and digestion with protease and RNAse before FISH using alpha-satellite probes that specify chromosomes X, 7, 8, and 17. On average, two hybridization signals were seen in 94.5% of disomic BM cells. The hybridization sensitivity was found to vary, however, both among morphologically defined hematopoietic cell lineages and among differentation levels within a lineage. In the second method, an esterase staining technique was followed by the same treatment as for MGG-stained cells. The esterases and FISH signals could be simultaneously visualized and the method was found suitable for rapid screening of in situ signals in cytochemically defined granulocytes and lymphocytes but not in monocytes. The combined methods proved very useful in elucidating the clinical significance of chromosomal abnormalities seen in two cases of leukemia.

Blood Cells↗

CD68+ cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage in the environment of AIDS-associated and classic-sporadic Kaposi sarcoma are singly or doubly infected with human herpesviruses 7 and 6B.

Earlier studies have shown that Kaposi sarcomas contain cells infected with human herpesvirus (HHV) 6B, and in current studies we report that both AIDS-associated and classic-sporadic Kaposi sarcoma contain HHV-7 genome sequences detectable by PCR. To determine the distribution of HHV-7-infected cells relative to those infected with HHV-6, sections from paraffin-embedded tissues were allowed to react with antibodies to HHV-7 virion tegument phosphoprotein pp85 and to HHV-6B protein p101. The antibodies are specific for HHV-7 and HHV-6B, respectively, and they retained reactivity for antigens contained in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. We report that (i) HHV-7 pp85 was present in 9 of 32 AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcomas, and in 1 of 7 classical-sporadic HIV-negative Kaposi sarcomas; (ii) HHV-7 pp85 was detected primarily in cells bearing the CD68 marker characteristic of the monocyte/macrophage lineage present in or surrounding the Kaposi sarcoma lesions; and (iii) in a number of Kaposi sarcoma specimens, tumor-associated CD68+ monocytes/macrophages expressed simultaneously antigens from both HHV-7 and HHV-6B, and therefore appeared to be doubly infected with the two viruses. CD68+ monocytes/macrophages infected with HHV-7 were readily detectable in Kaposi sarcoma, but virtually absent from other normal or pathological tissues that harbor macrophages. Because all of the available data indicate that HHV-7 infects CD4+ T lymphocytes, these results suggest that the environment of the Kaposi sarcoma (i) attracts circulating peripheral lymphocytes and monocytes, triggers the replication of latent viruses, and thereby increases the local concentration of viruses, (ii) renders CD68+ monocytes/macrophages susceptible to infection with HHV-7, and (iii) the combination of both events enables double infections of cells with both HHV-6B and HHV-7.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Gingival overgrowth as the initial paraneoplastic manifestation of Hodgkin's lymphoma in a child. A case report.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper is to present the first case of gingival overgrowth, premature root resorption, and alveolar bone loss, which preceded the diagnosis of a stage IVB Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in a 9-year-old boy. METHODS: The child presented complaining of gingival pain which first appeared 3 months prior. Clinical examination revealed inflamed, hyperplastic gingivae, while x-ray showed premature root resorption and alveolar bone loss. Medical work-up was significant for cervical lymphadenopathy. Gingival biopsy, followed by lymph node resection, was performed twice. RESULTS: Histological examination of both gingival biopsies disclosed a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, while classical Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nodular sclerosis type was diagnosed from the second lymph node biopsy. Chemotherapy was instituted with mustard-vincristine-procarbazine-prednizone and adriamycine-bleomycine-vinblastine-dacarbazine. Remission of the lymphoma was observed with concomitant regression of the gingival overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory gingival overgrowth, premature root resorption of deciduous teeth, and alveolar bone loss in this case, in conjunction with the regression of gingival overgrowth which followed the completion of chemotherapy, are strongly indicative of a paraneoplastic manifestation of HL. The postulated mechanism for the development of the manifestation is the constitutive activation of the transcription factor NF-kB. The gingival inflammatory reaction was probably further aggravated by the bacterial-stimulated cytokine secretion released by monocytes.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 promotes prostaglandin E1-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Human promyelocytic HL-60 cells can be induced by biochemical agents to differentiate in vitro towards divergent types of myelomonocytic cells. It has been reported that prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) can induce granulocytic differentiation and that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) can induce monocytic differentiation. We have now examined the effects of these compounds, both alone and in combination, on HL-60 cell differentiation. PGE1 (1 microgram/ml) or 1,25(OH)2D3 (10 nM) each inhibited cell proliferation over 48-96 hours of treatment, but combined treatment with both agents was necessary to produce a strong inhibition. The percentage of HL-60 cells that can reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) (a characteristic index of early monocytic or granulocytic differentiation) increased 13-fold within 72 hours of PGE1 treatment, and 1,25(OH)2D3 produced a five-fold stimulation. However, combined treatment (PGE1 plus 1,25(OH)2D3) produced a dramatic 35-fold increase. HL-60 cells did not produce significant levels of nitric oxide (NO) before 48 hours in culture, and treatment with PGE1 or 1,25(OH)2D3 did not significantly increase cellular NO elaboration over control levels. However, combined treatment produced a striking 12-fold increase over control levels. Similarly, combined treatment was necessary to obtain the maximal time-dependent stimulation of cellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (a marker of granulocytic differentiation) as well as acid phosphatase (ACP) activity. During this same period of time, PGE1, but not 1,25(OH)2D3, markedly stimulated cellular elaboration of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and 1,25(OH)2D3 cotreatment strongly augmented these effects. Thus, combined treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 plus PGE1 generally augmented the apparent conversion of these cells, producing synergistic (multiplicative) or additive effects. Furthermore, PGE1 induced within 48 hours the more general phenotypic changes classically associated with the differentiation of these cells: increased expression of chloroacetate esterase (ChAE) (a granulocytic marker), decreases in the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio (characteristic of development beyond the promyelocyte/myelocyte stage), and major alterations in morphology from floating spherical cells to loosely adherent, elliptical polygons. 1,25(OH)2D3 had little effect itself on most of these parameters, but augmented the morphological changes induced by PGE1 treatment. Within 48 hours, the ability of these cells to reduce the tetrazolium salt WST-1, a general measure of cellular metabolic activity, was increased by PGE1, but not by 1,25(OH)2D3; however, the combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and PGE1 again produced the strongest stimulation. Similarly, only PGE1 significantly reduced intracellular ATP levels, but combined treatments produced a more pronounced decrease. In summary, our findings suggest that PGE1, not 1,25(OH)2D3, is sufficient to promote rapid in vitro differentiation of HL-60 cells along the granulocyte pathway; however, the PGE1-induced conversion of these cells is markedly augmented by cotreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. In addition, these converted HL-60 cells preferentially utilize the glycolytic pathway, rather than the citric acid cycle, for production of ATP, a metabolic characteristic that resembles that described for mature granulocytes.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Familial pseudohypoaldosteronism: a review on the heterogeneity of the syndrome.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism is thought to be a rare salt-losing disorder, caused by resistance to the action of aldosterone. Defective aldosterone receptor binding is present in familial as well as sporadic cases and it has been suggested that the pathogenesis is due to a defect in the aldosterone receptor system. To date, however, molecular genetic analysis has been unable to identify a mutation in the aldosterone receptor gene itself. We have reviewed the findings in patients with pseudohypoaldosteronism, for clues which might enable us to identify the underlying pathogenesis. Although aldosterone receptor binding is regularly decreased or absent in monocytes of patients with pseudohypoaldosteronism, in some patients receptor protein can be detected with a fluorescence-labeled antibody. Receptor protein was detected in patients from familial autosomal dominant families and in sporadic cases, but was undetectable in two patients with the familial recessive form. To further elucidate the pattern of inheritance we studied the response of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to the stimulation by sodium depletion in the familial autosomal dominant form and in two families with sporadic cases. In both "sporadic" families investigated, one parent and one sibling had an exaggerated response of renin and aldosterone to sodium depletion indicating a defect of sodium conservation apparent only during stress, leading to reclassification as familial cases. No additional family member in the "classical" autosomal dominant families responded abnormally to sodium depletion. These findings indicate that pseudohypoaldosteronism is unusually heterogeneous in its clinical, biochemical, and genetic presentations and findings and suggest that its pathogenesis is heterogeneous as well.

Genes, Dominant↗

Chemokines as risk factors for type 2 diabetes: results from the MONICA/KORA Augsburg study, 1984-2002.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8 and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) are released by adipocytes and appear to be involved in atherosclerosis. We hypothesised that these chemokines may be risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a case-cohort design based on data from the population-based Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA)/Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung in der Region Augsburg/Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA Augsburg) study, chemokine levels at baseline were analysed in 526 individuals with and 1,695 individuals without incident type 2 diabetes. The mean follow-up time was 10.8 years. RESULTS: MCP-1 was associated with type 2 diabetes, largely independently of classic risk factors, whereas various clinical and metabolic parameters as well as lifestyle factors were major confounders of the association of IL-8 and IP-10 with type 2 diabetes. Further adjustment for C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6 had no impact on the observed associations. The hazard ratio (HR) for subjects with systemic concentrations of all three chemokines (MCP-1, IL-8 and IP-10) above the respective median compared with those with all chemokines below or equal to the median was 1.79 (95% CI 1.18-2.72) and was comparable with the HR for elevated CRP and IL-6 together (adjusted for age, sex, survey, BMI, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking and parental history of diabetes). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Elevated concentrations of MCP-1, IL-8 and IP-10 are associated with incident type 2 diabetes. Whereas the association of IL-8 and IP-10 with diabetes was attenuated by multivariable adjustment, high MCP-1 levels contributed to diabetes risk independently of previously described clinical, metabolic and immunological risk factors.

Blood Pressure↗

Expression of NK and lymphoid-associated antigens in blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia.

In the present study, the expression of two NK-associated antigens (CD56 and CD16) together with six 'classically' considered lymphoid-related markers (TDT,CD19,CD10,CD7,CD2,CD4) has been analyzed by appropriate dual combinations in 265 acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients. Among the lymphoid markers, CD4 and CD7 were those most frequently expressed by AML blast cells (58% and 21.6%, respectively) while the incidence of positivity for the other markers was lower: CD19 (7.8%), CD10 (10.9%), CD2 (11.4%), and TDT (11.3%). Regarding NK-associated antigens, CD56 was present in 41% of AML cases analyzed whereas CD16 was detected in only 23%. All but one of the CD16+ cases coexpressed the CD56 antigen. The expression of these antigens was not associated with the degree of cell differentiation assessed either by morphological or immunophenotypical criteria, with the exception of the correlation observed between monocytic leukaemias and the expression of the CD4, CD56, and CD16 antigens. Regarding the prognostic value of the markers investigated, CD56 expression was associated with a tendency for a better outcome whereas CD7 was the only antigen that had an adverse influence on the survival of AML patients.

Antigens, CD↗

Myeloperoxidase: expression and modulation in a large panel of human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is found exclusively in the azurophilic granules (primary lysosomes) of normal myelomonocytic cells. Cytochemical staining for MPO activity is used clinically to distinguish myeloid from lymphoid leukemias. We studied the expression of MPO at the RNA and protein level in 140 continuous human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines using classical cytochemistry, immunofluorescent staining with a specific monoclonal antibody, Northern blot analysis, and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification assay. Seventy-eight lymphoid leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma cell lines were negative; only 3 pre-B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines were MPO-positive. Two of these MPO-positive pre-B-ALL cell lines showed a trace expression after RT-PCR and Southern blotting corresponding to 4% to 6% of the transcripts found in other positive myeloid cell lines. The third pre-B-ALL cell line was positive in Northern blots and cytochemical/immunofluorescent staining; however, only few cells were weakly positive in the latter assay. Although 15 of 59 cell lines assigned to the myeloid, monocytic, megakaryocytic, or erythroid lineages were MPO-positive in Northern blots, those 15 and 13 additional cell lines showed bands of mRNA after RT-PCR. MPO protein was detected in all 16 Northern-positive cell lines; on the other hand, there were 4 cell lines that were protein-positive, but Northern-negative. Differentiation induced by protein kinase C activators 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and Bryostatin 1 or by all-trans retinoic acid was associated with a decrease in MPO mRNA in all 7 initially positive cell lines studied, even leading to the complete absence of transcripts, but the enzymatic activity of the differentiated cells was only slightly less than that of unstimulated cells. MPO expression could not be induced in 10 initially negative cell lines. The half-life of MPO mRNA was found to be about 6 hours and was not shortened by prior exposure of the cells to the differentiation-inducing agents. These results confirm that MPO expression is mainly associated with myelomonocytic cells, but also underline the notion that MPO cannot be used as an absolutely lineage-specific marker for the distinction of leukemic cells. MPO can be used as an excellent parameter to characterize the various stages of normal and induced differentiation.

Base Sequence↗

Chemokines in immunity.

Chemokines are a superfamily of small, heparin-binding cytokines that induce directed migration of various types of leukocytes through interactions with a group of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. At present, over 40 members have been identified in humans. Until a few years ago, chemokines were mainly known as potent attractants for leukocytes such as neutrophils and monocytes, and were thus mostly regarded as the mediators of acute and chronic inflammatory responses. They had highly complex ligand-receptor relationships and their genes were regularly mapped on chromosomes 4 and 17 in humans. Recently, novel chemokines have been identified in rapid succession, mostly through application of bioinformatics on expressed sequence tag databases. A number of surprises have followed the identification of novel chemokines. They are constitutively expressed in lymphoid and other tissues with individually characteristic patterns. Most of them turned out to be highly specific for lymphocytes and dendritic cells. They have much simpler ligand-receptor relationships, and their genes are mapped to chromosomal loci different from the traditional chemokine gene clusters. Thus, the emerging chemokines are functionally and genetically quite different from the classical "inflammatory chemokines" and may be classified as "immune (system) chemokines" because of their profound importance in the genesis, homeostasis and function of the immune system. The emergence of immune chemokines has brought about a great deal of impact on the current immunological research, leading us to a better understanding on the fine traffic regulation of lymphocytes and dendritic cells. The immune chemokines and their receptors are also likely to be important future targets for therapeutic intervention of our immune responses.

Animals↗

Behavioral teratologic studies using microwave radiation: is there an increased risk from exposure to cellular phones and microwave ovens?

The objective of the investigations presented in this review was to determine if there are adverse effects due to chronic prenatal microwave exposure in rats at term and/or alterations in neonatal and adult offspring psychophysiologic development and growth. Following the establishment of a nonhyperthermal power density level of microwave radiation, pregnant rats were exposed throughout pregnancy to continuous wave 915 MHz, 2450 MHz, or 6000 MHz radiation at power density levels of 10, 20, or 35 mW/cm2, respectively. Teratologic evaluation included the following parameters: maternal weight and weight gain; mean litter size; maternal organ weight and organ weight/body weight ratios; body weight ratios of brain, liver, kidneys, and ovaries; maternal peripheral blood parameters including hematocrit, hemoglobin, and white cell counts; number of resorptions and resorption rate; number of abnormalities and abnormality rate; mean term fetal weight. Mothers were rebred, and the second, nonexposed litters were evaluated for teratogenic effects. Exposed offspring were evaluated using the following perinatal and adult tests: eye opening, surface righting, negative geotaxis, auditory startle, air righting, open field, activity wheel, swimming, and forelimb hanging. Offspring were also monitored for weekly weight and weight gain. Animals exposed to 915 MHz did not exhibit any consistent significant alterations in any of the above parameters. Exposure to 2450 MHz resulted only in a significantly increased adult offspring activity level compared to nonexposed offspring. Offspring exposed to 6000 MHz radiation exhibited an initial slight, but significant, retardation in term weight, while mothers had a significantly reduced monocyte count. No changes in any of the other term parameters were observed. A few postnatal parameters were affected in offspring exposed to 6000 MHz. Weekly weights were lower in the exposed offspring, but they recovered by the fifth week. Eye opening was delayed, and there were changes in the water T-maze and open field performance levels. Several organ/body weight ratios differed from those of the control offspring. These results indicate that exposure to 6000 MHz radiation at this power density level may result in subtle long-term neurophysiologic alterations. However, in the absence of a hyperthermic state, the microwave frequencies tested, which included frequencies used in cellular phones and microwave ovens, do not induce a consistent, significant increase in reproductive risk as assessed by classical morphologic and postnatal psychophysiologic parameters.

Animals↗

Differential tumor necrosis factor production by human monocyte subsets.

The human monocyte (M phi subset rosetting with anti RH-coated human erythrocytes via high-affinity, 72 kD receptors (FcRI+), contains the PGE2-producing immunosuppressive subpopulation, while the non-rosetting M phi subset (FcRI-) is the major plasminogen activator-producing and antigen-presenting M phi. This study gives additional evidence for the functional disparity of the FcRI- and FcRI+ M phi subsets. We are demonstrating that the normal human M phi subset isolated by rosetting via the FcRI receptor (FcRI+) produces greater quantities of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) than the non-rosetting (FcRI-) M phi. TNF production by the FcRI+ M phi subset is greater than that of the FcRI- M phi subset whether secreted (P less than .001) or cell-associated (P less than .001) TNF is assessed. The rosetting M phi subset that expresses high densities of FcRI (FcRI+) produced the majority of normal human peripheral blood M phi TNF whether the stimulation was an interferon gamma (IFN gamma) prime followed by MDP or followed by interleukin-2 (IL-2). The Fc rosetting technique itself resulted in some TNF induction in the FcRI+ M phi subset accounting for some of the increased TNF production of this subset. However, increasing the stimulation level of the FcRI very-low-density (FcRI-) M phi subset did not induce it to produce TNF levels equivalent to the moderately stimulated FcRI+ M phi subset. These data, therefore, imply that only stimulation through the type I Fc gamma receptor can augment or induce TNF activity. The difference in the M phi subset's TNF response remained even after the FcRI- M phi subset received a 2.5-fold increase in stimulation with the classical M phi induction regimen of IFN gamma plus bacterial cell wall product. Although stimulation of the FcRI+ M phi subset via crosslinking of their FcRI receptors might represent a unique TNF stimulation pathway, this stimulation does not occur in the low-density FcRI (FcRI-) M phi subset, again indicating functional disparity between these subsets. Greater TNF production by the FcRI+ M phi subset was induced concomitant to elevation of its prostaglandin E2 production. Since both TNF and PGE2 are increased in some patient groups, a pathological shift in the FcRI+ versus FcRI- M phi ratio in these patients coupled to the functional differences in FcRI+ and FcRI- M phi subsets could be one mechanism for the development of immunoincompetence.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Renin-angiotensin blockade lowers MCP-1 expression in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Glomerular macrophage accumulation in diabetes implicates monocyte recruitment mechanisms in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To test the hypothesis that overexpression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a monocyte chemoattractant, is attenuated by renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition, we assessed expression of genes regulating monocyte transmigration in the glomeruli of diabetic rats. METHODS: Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to semiquantitate mRNA expression in glomeruli harvested by sieving at serial intervals after the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin in Munich-Wistar rats. Although subject to limitations, competitive RT-PCR provides an objective measure suited to the minute quantities of RNA extractable from glomerular isolates. RESULTS: Time-dependent elevation of MCP-1 expression was dramatically suppressed by treatment with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril or the AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan, and was closely associated with effects on proteinuria and glomerular macrophage number. By contrast, no sustained suppression of the cell adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 or the classic MCP-1 stimulators tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1beta followed RAS inhibition, and suppression of transforming growth factor-beta1 expression was transient. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that glomerular macrophage recruitment in experimental diabetes is largely determined by angiotensin-stimulated MCP-1 expression. We conclude that the RAS is an important regulator of local MCP-1 expression, either directly or through glomerular hemodynamic effects, and that our data strongly implicate macrophage recruitment and activation in the pathogenesis of early diabetic glomerular injury.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Low-Grade Myofibroblastic Sarcoma Represents an Epigenetically Distinct Myofibroblastic Tumor With USP6 Upregulation and Stable Genome.

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare, indolent mesenchymal neoplasm exhibiting myofibroblastic differentiation, with a propensity for local recurrence. The molecular basis of LGMS and its precise relationship with other histological mimics have remained largely undefined. To address this gap, we conducted the first comprehensive multiomics analysis of 6 LGMS cases, integrating whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and Illumina Methylation EPICv2 array profiling with comparative analysis against public sarcoma methylation cohorts and related fibroblastic tumors. Clinically, patients (median age 35.5 years) presented with small tumors (median size 1.45 cm), predominantly located in the head and neck, displaying classic histological features of diffusely infiltrative spindle cell fascicles with patchy mononuclear inflammation. Two of the 5 patients with follow-up developed local recurrence, and none metastasized (median follow-up duration 92.5 months). Genomically, all LGMS exhibited a low tumor mutational burden (median 2.31 mut/Mb) and a minimal fraction of genome altered, with TP53 and TSC2 deletions and NTRK1 and ERBB3 amplifications found in a subset of cases. No pathogenic fusions were detected. Transcriptomic profiling revealed a distinct signature featuring prominent USP6 overexpression and upregulation of inflammatory and immune-related genes, including CD274 (PD-L1), and enrichment of inflammatory and interferon-gamma response signatures. Epigenetically, LGMS formed a unique methylation cluster closest to inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, with numerous differentially methylated regions and higher immune infiltration, particularly monocytes, compared with other fibroblastic tumors. These findings establish LGMS as a genomically stable, epigenetically distinct myofibroblastic sarcoma driven by USP6 overexpression and an inflammation-enriched transcriptome. They support its recognition as a standalone entity, facilitate integration into methylation-based sarcoma classifiers for improved diagnostic precision, and nominate USP6-associated pathways and immune checkpoint blockade as promising therapeutic strategies for recurrent or unresectable disease.

Humans↗

Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis.

The clinical and histological features of idiopathic mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN) have been reviewed, with a survey of the most recent literature, including the retrospective analysis of the data of the Italian Study Group of Renal Immunopathology on 368 patients. In both major types of MCGN, six morphological variants have been characterized (classical MCGN, nodular MCGN, exudative MCGN, focal segmental MCGN, MCGN with massive deposits, and crescentic MCGN) that have different etiologic, pathogenetic, or clinical outcome correlates. Actuarial renal survival 10 yr after renal biopsy has been calculated with life-table analysis to be 60 to 65% in type I MCGN, without significant differences between treated and untreated patients; none of the therapeutic regimens tested up to now for this disease have been independently demonstrated to be efficacious. As for the pathogenesis, the interrelationships between the three mechanisms that contribute to the development of the morphological features of the disease (accumulation of electron-dense deposits on the subendothelial side of the glomerular basement membrane or within the glomerular basement membrane; mesangial proliferation and peripheral interposition; and inflow of inflammatory cells, mainly monocytes) have been discussed, and the role of hypocomplementemia and circulating nephritic factors (NFa and NFt) has been analyzed. Available evidence suggests that MCGN is an immunocomplex-mediated disease, the deposition of immune deposits being the initiating phenomenon, whereas the morphologic changes and complement system activation are secondary events.

Complement System Proteins↗