RESUMO
Several groups have demonstrated that healthy individuals can present the t(14;18) translocation. In this report, the presence of the translocation was examined in healthy blood donors in Brazil, a country considered an ethnic melting pot. The translocation was detected by nested PCR in 227 peripheral blood samples from individuals with different ethnic backgrounds. The t(14;18) translocation was found in 45 of 85 White individuals (52.94%); in 57 of 72 Black individuals (79.17%); and in 68 of 70 individuals (97.14%) of Japanese-descent. In conclusion, the frequency of the t(14;18) translocation in the Brazilian population varies according to the ethnic background.
Assuntos
Cromossomos Humanos Par 14 , Cromossomos Humanos Par 18 , Linfoma Folicular/etnologia , Linfoma Folicular/genética , Translocação Genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Doadores de Sangue , Brasil/etnologia , Etnicidade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Strongyloides venezuelensis is a parasitic nematode of rodents that is frequently used to obtain heterologous antigens for immunological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. The aim of this study was to identify antigens from filariform larvae of S. venezuelensis for immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Soluble and membrane fractions from filariform larvae of S. venezuelensis were obtained in phosphate saline (SS and SM) and in Tris-HCl buffer (TS and TM), and were analysed by Western blotting. Different antigenic components were recognized by IgG antibodies from the sera of strongyloidiasis patients. Highest recognition was observed for a 30-40 kDa mass range present in all antigenic fractions. The band encompassing this mass range was then excised and subjected to mass spectrometry for protein identification. Immunoreactive proteins identified in the soluble fractions corresponded to metabolic enzymes, whereas cytoskeletal proteins and galectins were more abundant in the membrane fractions. These results represent the first approach towards identification of S. venezuelensis antigens for use in immunodiagnostic assays for human strongyloidiasis.
Assuntos
Strongyloides/imunologia , Estrongiloidíase/sangue , Estrongiloidíase/diagnóstico , Animais , Antígenos de Helmintos , Biomarcadores/sangue , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Proteínas de Helminto/imunologia , Humanos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Estrongiloidíase/imunologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with congenital cardiac communications and right-to-left shunting (Eisenmenger syndrome - PAH-ES) is associated with hypoxemia and decreased circulating levels of thrombomodulin (TM), probably reflecting decreased endothelial TM production. The combination of these two factors has been shown to induce fibrin deposition, with increased risk of thrombosis, a well known complication in this syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We tested the hypothesis that vasodilator therapy with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil, an approved drug for management of PAH could improve endothelial dysfunction markers, in particular plasma TM, in addition to improving the physical capacity (expected effect of pulmonary vasodilatation) in PAH-ES patients. This was a prospective observational study of treatment-naïve patients subjected to specific PAH therapy. Fifteen patients aged 12 to 51years (median 30years) were treated for 6months with a single daily dose of 40mg oral tadalafil. The physical capacity (distance walked during the 6-min walk test - 6MWD), systemic oxygen saturation and laboratory parameters were measured at baseline, and 90days and 180days of treatment. RESULTS: Plasma TM, which was decreased at baseline compared to controls (p<0.001) increased at 90 and 180days (p=0.003), and this was directly related (r=0.57, p=0.026) to improvement of oxygen saturation (p=0.008). Heightened baseline tissue-type plasminogen activator decreased during treatment (p=0.010), while heightened von Willebrand factor antigen remained unchanged. The 6MWD improved significantly (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Tadalafil therapy improved circulating TM and tissue-type plasminogen activator, in addition to improving the physical capacity and oxygen saturation in PAH-ES patients.
Assuntos
Hipóxia Celular/genética , Hipertensão Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Tadalafila/uso terapêutico , Trombomodulina/metabolismo , Vasodilatadores/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Tadalafila/administração & dosagem , Resultado do Tratamento , Vasodilatadores/administração & dosagemRESUMO
We measured circulating endothelial precursor cells (EPCs), activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs), and mature circulating endothelial cells (mCECs) using four-color multiparametric flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of 84 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and 65 healthy controls; and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by quantitative real-time PCR in 50 CML patients and 32 healthy controls. Because of an increase in mCECs, the median percentage of CECs in CML blast crisis (0.0146%) was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (0.0059%, P<0.01) and in the accelerated phase (0.0059%, P=0.01). There were no significant differences in the percentages of CECs in chronic- or active-phase patients and healthy subjects (P>0.05). In addition, VEGF gene expression was significantly higher in all phases of CML: 0.245 in blast crisis, 0.320 in the active phase, and 0.330 in chronic phase patients than it was in healthy subjects (0.145). In conclusion, CML in blast crisis had increased levels of CECs and VEGF gene expression, which may serve as markers of disease progression and may become targets for the management of CML.
Assuntos
Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Crise Blástica/patologia , Células Endoteliais/patologia , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/patologia , Células Neoplásicas Circulantes/patologia , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Crise Blástica/sangue , Crise Blástica/genética , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Contagem de Células , Citometria de Fluxo/métodos , Expressão Gênica/genética , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/sangue , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/genética , Neovascularização Patológica/patologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Valores de Referência , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/análiseRESUMO
We measured circulating endothelial precursor cells (EPCs), activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs), and mature circulating endothelial cells (mCECs) using four-color multiparametric flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of 84 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and 65 healthy controls; and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by quantitative real-time PCR in 50 CML patients and 32 healthy controls. Because of an increase in mCECs, the median percentage of CECs in CML blast crisis (0.0146%) was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (0.0059%, P<0.01) and in the accelerated phase (0.0059%, P=0.01). There were no significant differences in the percentages of CECs in chronic- or active-phase patients and healthy subjects (P>0.05). In addition, VEGF gene expression was significantly higher in all phases of CML: 0.245 in blast crisis, 0.320 in the active phase, and 0.330 in chronic phase patients than it was in healthy subjects (0.145). In conclusion, CML in blast crisis had increased levels of CECs and VEGF gene expression, which may serve as markers of disease progression and may become targets for the management of CML.
Assuntos
Crise Blástica/patologia , Células Endoteliais/patologia , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/patologia , Células Neoplásicas Circulantes/patologia , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Adulto , Idoso , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Crise Blástica/sangue , Crise Blástica/genética , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Contagem de Células , Feminino , Citometria de Fluxo/métodos , Expressão Gênica/genética , Humanos , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/sangue , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neovascularização Patológica/patologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Valores de Referência , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/análise , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Changes in plasma von Willebrand factor concentration (VWF:Ag) and ADAMTS-13 activity (the metalloprotease that cleaves VWF physiologically) have been reported in several cardiovascular disorders with prognostic implications. We therefore determined the level of these proteins in the plasma of children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) undergoing surgical treatment. Forty-eight children were enrolled (age 0.83 to 7.58 years). Measurements were performed at baseline and 48 h after surgery. ELISA, collagen-binding assays and Western blotting were used to estimate antigenic and biological activities, and proteolysis of VWF multimers. Preoperatively, VWF:Ag and ADAMTS-13 activity were decreased (65 and 71% of normal levels considered as 113 (105-129) U/dL and 91 ± 24% respectively, P < 0.003) and correlated (r = 0.39, P = 0.0064). High molecular weight VWF multimers were not related, suggesting an interaction of VWF with cell membranes, followed by proteolytic cleavage. A low preoperative ADAMTS-13 activity, a longer activated partial thromboplastin time and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass correlated with postoperative bleeding (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, ADAMTS-13 activity increased but less extensively than VWF:Ag (respectively, 2.23 and 2.83 times baseline, P < 0.0001), resulting in an increased VWF:Ag/ADAMTS-13 activity ratio (1.20 to 1.54, respectively, pre- and postoperative median values, P = 0.0029). ADAMTS-13 consumption was further confirmed by decreased ADAMTS-13 antigenic concentration (0.91 ± 0.30 to 0.70 ± 0.25 µg/mL, P < 0.0001) and persistent proteolysis of VWF multimers. We conclude that, in pediatric CCHD, changes in circulating ADAMTS-13 suggest enzyme consumption, associated with abnormal structure and function of VWF.
Assuntos
Proteínas ADAM/sangue , Cardiopatias Congênitas/sangue , Fator de von Willebrand/análise , Proteína ADAMTS13 , Biomarcadores/sangue , Western Blotting , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Cardiopatias Congênitas/cirurgia , Humanos , Lactente , Valor Preditivo dos TestesRESUMO
Changes in plasma von Willebrand factor concentration (VWF:Ag) and ADAMTS-13 activity (the metalloprotease that cleaves VWF physiologically) have been reported in several cardiovascular disorders with prognostic implications. We therefore determined the level of these proteins in the plasma of children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) undergoing surgical treatment. Forty-eight children were enrolled (age 0.83 to 7.58 years). Measurements were performed at baseline and 48 h after surgery. ELISA, collagen-binding assays and Western blotting were used to estimate antigenic and biological activities, and proteolysis of VWF multimers. Preoperatively, VWF:Ag and ADAMTS-13 activity were decreased (65 and 71% of normal levels considered as 113 (105-129) U/dL and 91 ± 24% respectively, P < 0.003) and correlated (r = 0.39, P = 0.0064). High molecular weight VWF multimers were not related, suggesting an interaction of VWF with cell membranes, followed by proteolytic cleavage. A low preoperative ADAMTS-13 activity, a longer activated partial thromboplastin time and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass correlated with postoperative bleeding (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, ADAMTS-13 activity increased but less extensively than VWF:Ag (respectively, 2.23 and 2.83 times baseline, P < 0.0001), resulting in an increased VWF:Ag/ADAMTS-13 activity ratio (1.20 to 1.54, respectively, pre- and postoperative median values, P = 0.0029). ADAMTS-13 consumption was further confirmed by decreased ADAMTS-13 antigenic concentration (0.91 ± 0.30 to 0.70 ± 0.25 µg/mL, P < 0.0001) and persistent proteolysis of VWF multimers. We conclude that, in pediatric CCHD, changes in circulating ADAMTS-13 suggest enzyme consumption, associated with abnormal structure and function of VWF.
Assuntos
Criança , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Lactente , Proteínas ADAM/sangue , Cardiopatias Congênitas/sangue , Fator de von Willebrand/análise , Western Blotting , Biomarcadores/sangue , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Cardiopatias Congênitas/cirurgia , Valor Preditivo dos TestesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is an important cause of graft loss. Considering the immune inflammatory events involved in the development of CAV, therapeutic approaches to target this process are of relevance. Human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs), a class of fetal, pluripotent stem cells with intermediate characteristics between embryonic and adult stem cells, display immunomodulatory properties. hAFSCs express mesenchymal and embryonic markers, show high proliferation rates; however, they do not induce tumor formation, and their use does not raise ethical issues. Thus, we sought to investigate the effect of hAFSC on CAV in a model of aorta transplantation. METHODS: Orthotopic aorta transplantation was performed using Fisher (F344) rats as donors and Lewis rats as recipients. Rats were divided into three groups: syngeneic (SYNG), untreated F344 receiving aorta from F344 (n = 8); allogeneic (ALLO), Lewis rats receiving allogeneic aorta from F344 (n = 8); and ALLO + hAFSC, ALLO rats treated with hAFSC (10(6) cells; n = 8). Histological analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed 30 days posttransplantation. RESULTS: The ALLO group developed a robust aortic neointimal formation (208.7 ± 25.4 µm) accompanied by a significant high number of ED1+ (4845 ± 841 cells/mm2) and CD43+ cells (4064 ± 563 cells/mm2), and enhanced expression of α-smooth muscle actin in the neointima (25 ± 6%). Treatment with hAFSC diminished neointimal thickness (180.7 ± 23.7 µm) and induced a significant decrease of ED1+ (1100 ± 276 cells/mm2), CD43+ cells (1080 ± 309 cells/µm2), and α-smooth muscle actin expression 8 ± 3% in the neointima. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results showed that hAFSC suppressed inflammation and myofibroblast migration to the intima, which may contribute to ameliorate vascular changes in CAV.
Assuntos
Líquido Amniótico/citologia , Aorta Abdominal/transplante , Doenças da Aorta/prevenção & controle , Células-Tronco Fetais/transplante , Transplante de Órgãos/efeitos adversos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/transplante , Actinas/metabolismo , Animais , Aorta Abdominal/imunologia , Aorta Abdominal/metabolismo , Aorta Abdominal/patologia , Doenças da Aorta/etiologia , Doenças da Aorta/imunologia , Doenças da Aorta/metabolismo , Doenças da Aorta/patologia , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Movimento Celular , Células Cultivadas , Células-Tronco Fetais/imunologia , Células-Tronco Fetais/metabolismo , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Masculino , Miofibroblastos/metabolismo , Miofibroblastos/patologia , Neointima , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/imunologia , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos F344 , Ratos Endogâmicos Lew , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Biomarkers have been identified for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but are less well defined for specific etiologies such as congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHDPAH). We measured plasma levels of eight microvascular dysfunction markers in CHDPAH, and tested for associations with survival. A cohort of 46 inoperable CHDPAH patients (age 15.0 to 60.2 years, median 33.5 years, female:male 29:17) was prospectively followed for 0.7 to 4.0 years (median 3.6 years). Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), P-selectin, reactive C-protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 and -10 were measured at baseline, and at 30, 90, and 180 days in all subjects. Levels of six of the eight proteins were significantly increased in patients versus controls (13 to 106 percent increase, P < 0.003). Interleukin-10 level was 2.06 times normal (P = 0.0003; Th2 cytokine response). Increased levels of four proteins (t-PA, PAI-1, P-selectin, and interleukin-6) correlated with disease severity indices (P < 0.05). Seven patients died during follow-up. An average VWF:Ag (mean of four determinations) above the level corresponding to the 95th percentile of controls (139 U/dL) was independently associated with a high risk of death (hazard ratio = 6.56, 95 percentCI = 1.46 to 29.4, P = 0.014). Thus, in CHDPAH, microvascular dysfunction appears to involve Th2 inflammatory response. Of the biomarkers studied, plasma vWF:Ag was independently associated with survival.
Assuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Cardiopatias Congênitas/sangue , Hipertensão Pulmonar/sangue , Fator de von Willebrand/imunologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Cardiopatias Congênitas/mortalidade , Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/mortalidade , Fator de von Willebrand/análiseRESUMO
Biomarkers have been identified for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but are less well defined for specific etiologies such as congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHDPAH). We measured plasma levels of eight microvascular dysfunction markers in CHDPAH, and tested for associations with survival. A cohort of 46 inoperable CHDPAH patients (age 15.0 to 60.2 years, median 33.5 years, female:male 29:17) was prospectively followed for 0.7 to 4.0 years (median 3.6 years). Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), P-selectin, reactive C-protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 and -10 were measured at baseline, and at 30, 90, and 180 days in all subjects. Levels of six of the eight proteins were significantly increased in patients versus controls (13 to 106% increase, P < 0.003). Interleukin-10 level was 2.06 times normal (P = 0.0003; Th2 cytokine response). Increased levels of four proteins (t-PA, PAI-1, P-selectin, and interleukin-6) correlated with disease severity indices (P < 0.05). Seven patients died during follow-up. An average VWF:Ag (mean of four determinations) above the level corresponding to the 95th percentile of controls (139 U/dL) was independently associated with a high risk of death (hazard ratio = 6.56, 95%CI = 1.46 to 29.4, P = 0.014). Thus, in CHDPAH, microvascular dysfunction appears to involve Th2 inflammatory response. Of the biomarkers studied, plasma vWF:Ag was independently associated with survival.