RESUMO
An increasing number of evidences suggest a genetic predisposition in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that might favor the occurrence of the driver genetic alterations. Such genetic background might also translate into phenotypic alterations of residual hematopoietic cells. Whether such phenotypic alterations are present in bone marrow (BM) cells from childhood B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL remains to be investigated. Here we analyzed the immunophenotypic profile of BM and peripheral blood (PB) maturing/matured neutrophils from 118 children with BCP-ALL and their relationship with the features of the disease. Our results showed altered neutrophil phenotypes in most (77%) BCP-ALL cases. The most frequently altered marker was CD10 (53%), followed by CD33 (34%), CD13 (15%), CD15/CD65 (10%) and CD123 (7%). Of note, patients with altered neutrophil phenotypes had younger age (p = 0.03) and lower percentages of BM maturing neutrophils (p = 0.004) together with greater BM lymphocyte (p = 0.04), and mature B-cell (p = 0.03) counts. No significant association was found between an altered neutrophil phenotype and other disease features. These findings point out the potential existence of an altered residual hematopoiesis in most childhood BCP-ALL cases.
Assuntos
Neutrófilos/imunologia , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/imunologia , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Imunofenotipagem , MasculinoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Heparins from porcine and bovine intestinal mucosa differ in their structure and also in their effects on coagulation, thrombosis and bleeding. However, they are used as undistinguishable drugs. METHODS: We compared bovine and porcine intestinal heparin administered to patients undergoing a particular protocol of haemodialysis. We compared plasma concentrations of these two drugs and also evaluated how they affect patients and the dialyzer used. RESULTS: Compared with porcine heparin, bovine heparin achieved only 76% of the maximum plasma concentration as IU mL⻹. This observation is consistent with the activities observed in the respective pharmaceutical preparations. When the plasma concentrations were expressed on weight basis, bovine heparin achieved a maximum concentration 1.5 fold higher than porcine heparin. The reduced anticoagulant activity and higher concentration, on weight basis, achieved in the plasma of patients under dialysis using bovine instead of porcine heparin did not affect significantly the patients or the dialyzer used. The heparin dose is still in a range, which confers security and safety to the patients. DISCUSSION: Despite no apparent difference between bovine and porcine intestinal heparins in the haemodialysis practice, these two types of heparins should be used as distinct drugs due to their differences in structure and biological effects. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced anticoagulant activity achieved in the plasma of patients under dialysis using bovine instead of porcine heparin did not affect significantly the patients or the dialyzer.
Assuntos
Heparina/farmacologia , Diálise Renal , Animais , Bovinos , Heparina/sangue , Humanos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Preparações Farmacêuticas , SuínosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm is associated with changes of several components of arterial wall. Vascular glycosaminoglycans contribute to the non-thrombogenic activity of blood vessels. We investigated whether modifications of glycosaminoglycans in human abdominal aortic aneurysm affect their anticoagulant properties. METHODS: Glycosaminoglycans were extracted from abdominal aortic aneurysms (n=11) derived from reconstitution surgeries, human abdominal aortas (n=9) from normal organ transplant donors and from preserved (n=10) and atherosclerotic (n=17) segments obtained from autopsy of an old patient. Glycosaminoglycan composition, concentration and anticoagulant activity were determined. RESULTS: Glycosaminoglycans extracted from aneurysms have a more potent anticoagulant activity than those from normal arteries of young adults, mostly due to a relative enrichment of dermatan sulfate, which potentiates heparin cofactor II inhibition of thrombin. Arterial segments of aged patient with severe atherosclerosis showed a glycosaminoglycan composition similar to aneurysms samples. Glycosaminoglycans extracted from these regions showed also a more potent heparin cofactor II-dependent anticoagulant activity than lesion-free areas due to the relative enrichment of dermatan sulfate. CONCLUSION: The anticoagulant activity from abdominal aortic aneurysms is preserved. No modifications particular to the aneurysms were dissociated from those observed in atherosclerosis.