Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Abstract: The study was aimed to characterize tumor response after combined treatment employing electrochemotherapy with IL-12 gene electrotransfer in dogs with spontaneous mast cell tumors (MCT). Materials and methods. Eleven dogs with eleven MCTs were included in the study. Histological changes were investigated in biopsy specimens collected before the treatment (T0), and 4 (T1) and 8 weeks (T2) later. Cellular infiltrates were characterized immunohistochemically by using anti CD3, CD20, Foxp3 (Treg), CD68 and anti MHC-class II antibodies. Proliferation and anti-apoptotic activity of neoplastic cells were assessed using anti Ki-67 and Bcl-2 antibodies. Angiogenetic processes were investigated immunohistochemically by using anti Factor VIII and anti CD31 antibodies and micro vessel density quantification. Results. Histopathological examination of samples at T0 confirmed the diagnosis and the presence of scanty infiltrates consisted mainly of T-lymphocytes and macrophages. At T1 and T2 neoplastic cells were drastically reduced in 7/11 cases, small clusters of neoplastic cells were detected in 3/11 cases and 1/11 cases neoplastic cells were still evident. Proliferation activity of neoplastic cells was significantly reduced at T1 and T2 and expression of anti-apoptotic protein at T1. Microvessel density was drastically reduced in all samples after treatment. The number of T-lymphocytes increased at T1, although not significant, while Treg were significant higher at T1 and macrophages at T2. Conclusions. The combined electrochemotherapy and IL-12 gene electrotransfer effectively induced a cellular response against neoplastic cells characterized mainly by the recruitment of T-lymphocytes and macrophages and a fibrotic proliferation with reduction of microvessels.
Keywords: histopathology, interleukin-12, elektroporation, electrochemotherapy, immune cells
Published in DiRROS: 31.05.2024; Views: 38; Downloads: 15
Full text (956,49 KB)

Abstract: Background. The immune response to Helicobacter pylori importantly determines the outcome of infection as well as the success of eradication therapy. We demonstrate the role of a cysteine protease cathepsin X in the immune response to H. pylori infection. Materials and methods. We analysed how the inhibition of cathepsin X influenced the immune response in experiments when THP-1 cells or dendritic cells isolated from patients were stimulated with 48 strains of H. pylori isolated from gastric biopsy samples of patients which had problems with the eradication of bacteria. Results. The experiments, performed with the help of a flow cytometer, showed that the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), especially TLR-4 molecules, on the membranes of THP-1 cells or dendritic cells was higher when we stimulated cells with H. pylori together with inhibitor of cathepsin X 2F12 compared to THP-1 cells or dendritic cells stimulated with H. pylori only, and also in comparison with negative control samples. We also demonstrated that when we inhibited the action of cathepsin X in THP-1 cells, the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines were lower than when THP-1 cell were stimulated with H. pylori only. Conclusions. We demonstrated that inhibition of cathepsin X influences the internalization of TLR-2 and TLR-4. TLR-2 and TLR-4 redistribution to intra-cytoplasmic compartments is hampered if cathepsin X is blocked. The beginning of a successful immune response against H. pylori in the case of cathepsin X inhibition is delayed.
Keywords: cathepsin X, macrophage, dendritic cells
Published in DiRROS: 22.03.2024; Views: 131; Downloads: 60
Full text (564,38 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Background. Human breast cellular model, comprising four cell lines originating from spontaneously immortalized human breast epithelial MCF10A cell line, its c-Ha-ras transfectant, MCF10AT, and two tumourigenic derivatives, cultured from two sequential mouse xenographs, MCF10AT-Ca1a and MCF10AT-Ca1d, were used to compare the relative protein concentration of cathepsins and stefins in single cells. Methods. The relative protein concentration of cathepsins and stefins in single cells was analysed by confocal microscopy, and compared to their protein expression in cell homogenates. Results. The most invasive, MCF10AT cell line contained several fold higher protein concentration of cathepsin B and increased levels of stefins, but similar levels of cathepsin L, compared with the parental MCF10A cells. This was associated with five fold higher endocytosis of Matrigel-DQ-collagen IV (DQC) and a simultaneous increase in signal overlap between DQC and cathepsin L as well as DQC and stefin B, but a decrease in that of DQC and cathepsin B overlap in the MCF10AT cells. Simultaneously, increased signal overlaps between both cathepsins and between cathepsins-stefins pairs, were observed in this cell line. Conclusions. These results suggest that the increased collagen endocytosis and degradation in theinvasive phenotype significantly affect also the subcellular localization of cysteine cathepsins and stefins. Based on these and the reports of other authors, we hypothesize that the intracellular degradation may also be assoeiated with cathepsin L, whereas cathepsin B in the ras transformed breastcells is involved in both, the intracellular and pericellular degradation of extracellular matrix during cell migration and invasion.
Keywords: breast neoplasms, tumor cells cultured, neoplasms invasiveness, cathepsins, extracellular matrix
Published in DiRROS: 15.02.2024; Views: 195; Downloads: 46
Full text (209,41 KB)

Abstract: The natural porcine motogen induced gamma interferon (PoIFN gamma) was studied and compared with the human inerferons gamma (HuIFN gamma) and alpha (HuIFN alpha). A comparison was performed by the following criteria: pH 2.0 and 56 C stability, molecular weight, dot-blot reactions and cross reactivity (neutralisation index). The biological activity of porcine and human interferons in vitro (antiviral and antiproliferative) was correlated on humannontransformed (HEF) and transformed cells (FL).
Keywords: interferon type II-analysis, cells, cultured-drug effects
Published in DiRROS: 10.01.2024; Views: 191; Downloads: 49
Full text (335,59 KB)

Abstract: Mast cell-activating signals in cold urticaria are not yet well defined and are likely to be heterogeneous. Cold agglutinins and cryoglobulins have been described as factors possibly associated with cold urticaria, but their relevance has not been explained. We performed a single-center prospective cohort study of 35 cold urticaria patients. Cold agglutinin and cryoglobulin test results, demographics, detailed history data, cold stimulation test results, complete blood count values, C-reactive protein, total immunoglobulin E levels, and basal serum tryptase levels were analyzed. Forty six percent (n = 16) of 35 tested patients had a positive cold agglutinin test and 27% (n = 9) of 33 tested patients had a positive cryoglobulin test. Cold agglutinin positive patients, when compared to cold agglutinin negative ones, were mainly female (P = 0.030). No gender-association was found for cryoglobulins. A positive cold agglutinin test, but not a positive cryoglobulin test, was associated with a higher rate of reactions triggered by cold ambient air (P = 0.009) or immersion in cold water (P = 0.041), and aggravated by increased summer humidity (P = 0.007). Additionally, patients with a positive cold agglutinin test had a higher frequency of angioedema triggered by ingestion of cold foods or drinks (P = 0.043), and lower disease control based on Urticaria Control Test (P = 0.023). Cold agglutinin levels correlated with erythrocyte counts (r = -0.372, P = 0.028) and monocyte counts (r = -0.425, P = 0.011). Cryoglobulin concentrations correlated with basal serum tryptase levels (r = 0.733, P = 0.025) and cold urticaria duration (r = 0.683, P = 0.042). Results of our study suggest that cold agglutinins and cryoglobulins, in a subpopulation of cold urticaria patients, are linked to the course and possibly the pathogenesis of their disease.
Keywords: urticaria, mast cells, cold-induced urticaria, cold urticaria, cryoglobulins, cold agglutinin, degranulation, clinical parameters, laboratory parameters
Published in DiRROS: 10.05.2021; Views: 1360; Downloads: 1127
Full text (1,61 MB)
This document has many files! More...