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Immunological Imbalance (immunological + imbalance)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Introducing a mouse model for pre-eclampsia: adoptive transfer of activated Th1 cells leads to pre-eclampsia-like symptoms exclusively in pregnant mice

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2004

Abstract Pre-eclampsia (PE) is the most severe pregnancy-related disease, leading to high maternal and fetal morbidity/mortality. Immunological imbalances associated with endothelial cell dysfunction have been hypothesized as a cause for the onset and perpetuation of PE. Valid and reliable animal models are urgently required to test this hypothesis and to better understand the mechanisms underlying PE. We developed a novel PE-model by adoptively transferring activated BALB/c Th1-like splenocytes into allogeneically pregnant BALB/c female mice during late gestation; the model mimicked the symptoms of PE, i.e. increased blood pressure and glomerulonephritis accompanied by proteinuria. Interestingly, these PE-like symptoms were not detectable in non-pregnant recipients of activated Th1-like cells. Adoptive cell transfer adversely affected the outcome of pregnancy by increasing fetal rejection, with uterine immune cells showing an inflammatory profile. In conclusion, we have established a valid and reliable PE mouse model, which opens vast opportunities for therapeutic interventions. [source]

Biological agents in the treatment of Crohn's disease

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2002
R. Caprilli
SUMMARY The main aim of the management of Crohn's disease is to reduce inflammation. Current approaches with corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, mesalazine and antibiotics have limited therapeutic benefit for many patients. Considerable progress has been made with regard to our knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the disease, which is associated with immunological imbalance characterized by an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent advances in bio-technology have led to the development of many new therapeutic agents, so-called biological agents, which selectively target single key processes involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. A growing number of biological agents are under investigation in both randomized controlled trials and uncontrolled studies. The aim of this review is to provide the clinician with an insight into the randomized controlled trials published in the literature on the use of biological agents in the treatment of Crohn's disease. [source]

A Possible Role of CD4+CD25+ T Cells as Well as Transcription Factor Foxp3 in the Dysregulation of Allergic Rhinitis

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2007
Geng Xu MD
Abstract Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a Th2 predominant disease, and its pathogenic mechanism is still poorly understood. CD4+CD25+ T cells account for approximately 5% to 10% peripheral CD4+ T cells and has been shown to regulate the activation of effector T cells in the periphery. The activity of CD4+CD25+ T cells is associated with the transcription factor Foxp3. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible role of CD4+CD25+ T cells as well as Foxp3 in the pathogenesis of AR. Methods: Nasal tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 17 patients with AR and 11 control subjects. Foxp3 was detected in nasal tissues by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CD4+CD25+ T cells and Foxp3 were evaluated in PBMCs by using flow cytometry. Concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-, (IFN-,) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in cultured PBMCs in the presence or absence of stimulation with phorbol ester (PMA) and Ionomycin. Results: The numbers of Foxp3+ cells was 129.5 ± 35.6 and 44.2 ± 20.5 cells/mm2 in nasal mucosa of two groups (P < .05). There were less Foxp3+ lymphocytes and decreased Foxp3 mRNA in AR compared with the control (P < .05). The frequencies of the CD4+CD25+ population in PBMCs of two groups were 1.99 ± 0.95% and 3.55 ± 1.27% (P < .05). There was significant difference in the frequencies of the Foxp3+CD4+ CD25+ population (1.81 ± 0.77 vs 3.37 ± 1.04, P < .05) and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Foxp3 (5.93 ± 2.64 vs 11.72 ± 4.29, P < .05) in PBMCs of two groups. After stimulation, the concentrations of IL-2 and IFN-, were 182.72 ± 85.11 pg/mL and 348.94 ± 151.88 pg/mL in PBMCs with AR, while those were 90.6 ± 61.5 pg/mL and 155.64 ± 68.33 pg/mL in controls (P < .05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells as well as Foxp3 may play a crucial role in immunological imbalance of AR. These findings suggest that increasing Foxp3 and CD4+CD25+ T cells have the potential to be new therapeutic targets for the treatment of AR. [source]

Clinical impact of altered immunoglobulin levels in Henoch,Schönlein purpura

PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2009
Andrew Fretzayas
Abstract Background:, The aim of the present study was the identification of immunological features, present at the time of diagnosis, that would predict the severity of Henoch,Schönlein purpura and its outcome. Methods:, A cohort study was carried out in a tertiary pediatric hospital of 69 children with Henoch,Schönlein purpura, in whom serum complement components C3, C4 and IgA, IgM, IgG were repeatedly determined. Results:, During the acute phase of the disease in 54/69 patients (78.3%) immunological imbalances were observed. In 24/54 cases (44.4%) certain complications involving the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract were noted as opposed to in 3/15 children (20%) without immunologic abnormalities. In 50/69 children (72.5%), elevated serum IgA was detected and 16 of them (32%) developed renal involvement while only 1/19 children (5.3%) with normal IgA concentration had renal involvement. Considering separately the group of 9/69 children (13%) with increased IgM and those with normal IgM levels (53/69; 76.8%), irrespective of IgA and IgG concentration, we found a comparable percentage of children who had both renal and intestinal involvement without, however, developing severe complications, which were exclusively seen in patients with increased IgA (5/7 children) and reduced IgM levels. Serum C3 fraction was elevated in 26 children (37.7%) and in 73% of cases it was associated with increased serum IgA values. Conclusion:, Renal involvement was seen in 32% of children with increased IgA values. Most importantly, elevated IgA concentration along with reduced IgM levels was associated with higher prevalence of severe complications. [source]