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Lymphocyte Cultures (lymphocyte + culture)
Kinds of Lymphocyte Cultures Selected AbstractsPrenatal diagnosis of trisomy 20 by chorionic villus sampling (CVS): a case report with long-term outcomePRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 13 2001Nancy Steinberg Warren Abstract A case of prenatally diagnosed non-mosaic trisomy 20 in cells cultured from a chorionic villus sample (CVS)is presented. The term placental karyotype was also non-mosaic trisomy 20. The karyotype of thenewborn was 46,XY/47,XY,+20 in foreskin cultures and in a second skin culture; blood lymphocyte culture was 46,XY. Aside from diffuse, hypopigmentary swirls along the lines of Blaschko observed on hisextremities and trunk, referred to as hypomelanosis of Ito, the patient is clinically normal at 8¾ years ofage. In addition, he is one of the oldest reported cases of mosaic trisomy 20 confirmed after birth forwhich the clinical outcome has been monitored. This case demonstrates that these trisomy 20 findings are compatible with normal psychomotor development and phenotype. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Placental Trophoblast from Successful Human Pregnancies Expresses the Tolerance Signaling Molecule, CD200 (OX-2),AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2003David A. Clark Problem: Th1 cytokine-dependent abortions in the CBA × DBA/2 mouse model have been linked to down-regulation of expression of the CD200 (OX-2) ,tolerance' signal on trophoblast and in decidua prior to onset of the abortion process. Abortions could be prevented by administration of a soluble CD200. Is CD200 expressed on trophoblast in successful human pregnancy? Method of study: As one cannot easily obtain trophoblasts in large quantities from successful human pregnancies in the first trimester prior to the onset of the abortion process at 6 weeks gestation, we examined as a first step, trophoblast isolated from term placentae (i.e. successful pregnancies). CD9, trophoblasts were isolated by affinity column and stained for intracellular cytokeratin, and surface CD200 using PE-anti-human CD200 monoclonal antibody. mRNA was extracted from CD9+ and CD9, cells and tested by reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction for CD200 mRNA. CD9, placental cells were separated by velocity sedimentation and test for CD200-dependent suppression of an allogeneic human mixed lymphocyte culture where cytotoxic T cell (CTL) generation, and Th1 , Th2 cytokine production shift were measured. Results: CD9, but not CD9+ placental cell populations contained cells with mRNA for CD200, both a normal length transcript and a truncated transcript. Flow cytometry showed a CD200+ cytokeratin+ moderate-to-large-sized cell population compatible with trophoblasts and a smaller subset of cytokeratin, cells that expressed CD200 at normal and at high levels. The moderate-sized population proved most potent at inhibiting CTL generation and caused a Th1,Th2 cytokine shift. These effects were blocked by monoclonal anti-CD200. Conclusions: A subpopulation of cytokeratin+ placental trophoblasts express bioactive CD200 able to alter maternal immune responses in a favorable (Th2 > Th1) direction. Two populations of CD200+ small- and medium-small-sized cytokeratin, placental cells remain to be identified. Studies of karyotyped first trimester elective termination and spontaneous miscarriage tissues are needed. [source] Pretreatment With Portal Venous Ultraviolet B Irradiated Donor Alloantigen Promotes Donor-Specific Tolerance to Rat Nerve Allografts,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2001Eric M. Genden MD Abstract Objective To determine if a single intraportal inoculation of ultraviolet B-irradiated (UVB) donor splenocytes can prevent nerve allograft rejection and confer donor-specific immunotolerance to rat nerve allograft segments. Methods Age-matched, class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatched Buffalo (RT1b) rats were transplanted with a syngeneic nerve isograft, a Lewis (RT1l) nerve allograft, or a Brown-Norway (RT1n) rat nerve allograft segment. Control Buffalo rats in group I received a 3.0-cm Lewis (RT11) sciatic-posterior tibial interposition nerve allograft without pretreatment;group II Buffalo rats received a syngeneic Buffalo nerve isograft without pretreatment. Group III Buffalo recipients were inoculated with 2.5 × 107 UVB-irradiated Lewis donor splenocyte cells by portal venous administration 7 days before transplantation with a 3.0-cm sciatic-posterior tibial nerve allograft from a Lewis (RT11) or a third party Brown-Norway rat (RT1n) donor (group IV). Nerve graft regeneration was assessed with walking track analysis, nerve conduction studies, retrograde neural tracing, nerve graft histology, and morphometry. Recipient immune tolerance was assessed through in vitro immunological assessment. Results Pretreatment with UVB-irradiated donor splenocytes 7 days before transplantation prevented nerve allograft rejection. Pretreated animals receiving a nerve allograft recovered limb function, and demonstrated morphological, histological, and electrophysiologic parameters of nerve regeneration similar to that measured in rats receiving a nerve isograft. In vitro immunological assessment by mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay, limiting dilution analysis (LDA) of helper (pTH) and cytotoxic (pCTL) precursor frequencies, and IL-2 production demonstrated a marked donor-specific suppression in allografted animals pretreated with intraportal UVB-irradiated donor splenocytes. These assessments correlated with indefinite acceptance of donor nerve allografts. Conclusions A single pretreatment with a single intraportal dose of UVB-modified donor antigen specifically induces tolerance to peripheral nerve allografts in rats. [source] In vitro induction of T cells that are resistant to A2 adenosine receptor-mediated immunosuppressionBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Akio Ohta Background and purpose:, The increased levels of extracellular adenosine in inflamed tissues down-regulate activated immune cells via the A2A adenosine receptor. This A2A adenosine receptor-mediated immunosuppression is a disqualifying obstacle in cancer immunotherapy as it protects cancerous tissues from adoptively transferred anti-tumour T cells. The aim of this study was to test whether the negative selection of T cells will produce T cells that are resistant to inhibition by extracellular adenosine. Experimental approach:, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were developed by mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence or absence of the adenosine receptor agonist 5,-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA). The sensitivity of CTL to adenosine analogues was characterized by cAMP induction, interferon-, production and cytotoxicity. Key results:, CTL that could proliferate even in the presence of NECA were less susceptible to inhibition by A2A adenosine receptor agonists, as shown by a much smaller accumulation of cAMP and less inhibition of interferon-, production compared with control CTL. The successful protocol to produce CTL that are both resistant to adenosine-mediated immunosuppression and maintain strong cytotoxicity and interferon-, secretion required NECA to be added only during the expansion stage after the establishment of CTL. In contrast, the priming of resting T cells in the presence of NECA resulted in T cells with impaired effector functions. Conclusions and implications:, Adenosine-resistant effector T cells were successfully obtained by exposure of activated T cells to NECA. These in vitro studies form the basis for future attempts to produce anti-tumour T cells that are more effective in adoptive immunotherapy. [source] After discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors, tapering of mycophenolate mofetil further impairs donor-directed cytotoxicityCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2008Nicole M Van Besouw Abstract:, Background:, Recently, we described a significant decrease in donor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursor frequency (CTLpf) after discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), while the proliferative capacity in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), and the number of interferon-, (IFN-,) producing cells (pc) in Elispot remained unchanged. Methods:, We tested T-cell reactivity in CNI free patients with stable renal graft function, on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (AZA) plus prednisone, who were tapered to 50% of their MMF or AZA dose. Results:, Furthermore, tapering of the MMF or AZA dose resulted in a decrease of donor-reactive CTLpf in all patients with detectable CTLpf. Detectable numbers decreased from a median of 32 to 8 CTLp/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). No effect on third-party reactive CTLpf was found, while the T-cell reactivity to donor and third-party cells as tested in MLC and in IFN-, Elispot was not affected either by tapering of immunosuppression. Third-party reactivity was significantly higher than donor-specific reactivity in all tests. A control group showed no changes in any of the in vitro assays. Conclusion:, Both withdrawal of CNI and tapering of MMF or AZA dose decreases the donor-specific CTLpf. Our data suggest that reduction of immunosuppression results in a specific decrease of donor-directed cytotoxic capacity of immunocompetent cells, while their proliferation and cytokine production capacity remained unchanged. Immunosuppression hinders development of cytotoxic non-responsiveness. [source] In vitro evaluation of the clastogenicity of fumagillinENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 8 2008Jevrosima Stevanovic Abstract Fumagillin, an antibiotic compound produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, is effective against microsporidia and various Amoeba species, but is also toxic when administered systemically to mammals. Furthermore, a recent in vivo study by Stanimirovic Z et al. 2007: (Mutat Res 628:1,10) indicated genotoxic effects of fumagillin. The aim of the present study was to investigate and explain the clastogenic effects of fumagillin (in the form of fumagillin dicyclohexylamine salt) on human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro by sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CA), and micronucleus (MN) tests. The mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI), and nuclear division index (NDI) were calculated to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of fumagillin. Five concentrations of fumagillin (0.34, 0.68, 1.02, 3.07, and 9.20 ,g/ml) were applied to lymphocyte cultures. All the tested concentrations of fumagillin increased the frequency of SCE per cell significantly (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01) compared with the negative control. A significant (P < 0.001) increase in frequency of structural CA was observed at the three highest concentrations in comparison with the negative control. In addition, the three highest test concentrations increased MN formation and decreased MI, PI, and NDI significantly compared with the negative control. The present results indicate that fumagillin is clastogenic and cytotoxic to cultured human lymphocytes. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Study of cord blood natural killer cell suppressor activityEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2001S. El Marsafy Abstract: We tested the immunosuppressive effect of cord blood (CB) natural killer (NK) cells using highly purified CB NK cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) containing autologous CB T cells as responders. Control cultures were done without NK cells. Our findings revealed that CB NK cells induced a dose-dependent inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation as evidenced by decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation in MLC. The T cell alloproliferation was significantly decreased in the presence of an NK cell to responder cell ratio of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 compared with control cultures done without NK cells (p=0.02, 0.003 and 0.0002, respectively). T lymphocyte inhibition was also achieved using irradiated CB NK cells and still demonstrable on addition of disparate CB NK and T cells to the MLC. In agreement with previous reports, adult blood NK cells inhibited the alloreactive T cells in the MLC using adult T lymphocytes as responders. Compared to control cultures done without NK cells, statistically significant inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation in MLC was observed at a ratio of NK cells to responder cells ratio of 0.2 or 0.4 (p=0.02). To investigate the mechanism whereby CB NK cells can interfere with the development of alloreactive T cells in MLC, we measured the tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) concentrations in MLC supernatants using NK cell-depleted or unseparated CB mononuclear cells (MNC) as responders. The results revealed significantly high levels of TNF-, in the absence of NK cells (p=0.007). We conclude that CB NK cells suppress alloreactive T lymphocytes as do their counterparts in adult blood. However, the high NK to T cell ratio in CB could contribute to a more marked suppressive potential compared to that in adult blood. The mechanism of NK-mediated inhibition is likely related to disruption of the TNF-, pathway of T-lymphocyte activation. [source] Allergenicity testing of supermethrin, phenoxyacetic acid and DNCB using in vivo and in vitro modifications of the local lymph node assays, maximization and epicutaneous testingJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2001M. Kuricova Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of testing for allergenicity: in vivo and in vitro modifications of local lymph node assays (LLNA) in mice and the maximization and epicutaneous skin tests in guinea pigs as per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (1981). Two pesticides,the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide supermethrin (SM) and the herbicide phenoxyacetic acid (PAA),were evaluated using this testing battery. 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) was selected as a reference allergen for the local lymph node assay. In vitro modification of LLNA proliferative response per standard cell count in lymphocyte cultures derived from treated Balb/c mice did not differ from control mice. Results of the in vivo modification showed that treatment with 50% PAA and 50% SM resulted in a lower proliferation response of lymphocytes in lymph nodes compared with control animals. The vigour of the proliferative response varied more in in vivo modification of LLNA. Stimulation indices were <3, so PAA and SM did not indicate classification as allergens. Lymphocyte proliferation in 1% DNCB-activated lymph nodes was approximately fivefold higher than in those derived from control mice. Proliferation response in vitro calculated as stimulation index was higher in DNCB-treated mice than those observed in vivo, but differences were not dramatic. Auricular lymph node weight and cellularity in mice treated with PAA and SM were similar to controls. The DNCB stimulation index for lymph node cellularity was 5.5. Lymph node weight was three times higher in comparison with controls. In the maximization test in guinea pigs SM and PAA acid resulted in 40% and 50% of animals demonstrating sensitization, respectively. Epicutaneous administration resulted in weaker reaction. Both SM and PAA are mildly strong sensitizers by this battery. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of cytogenetic effects of lambda-cyhalothrin on human lymphocytesJOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Rambabu Naravaneni Abstract The genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was investigated on human lymphocytes cultured in vitro. Utilizing the trypan blue dye exclusion technique assay, the LC50 of LCT was found to be 28 , M. Based on the LC50 value, it is seen that LCT was highly toxic to lymphocyte cultures, among other pyrethroid group of pesticides. Chromosomal aberrations induced by LCT were determined using metaphase plate-spreads of lymphocytes. The chromosomal analysis was recorded using Medi-Image software technology. The analysis revealed that more satellite associations and gaps were found, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared to controls. Comet assay was used to assess the possibility of LCT to induce the damage in DNA, where the increase in comet tail length relates to the extent of DNA single strand breaks. The results presented here indicate that in vitro assays could be used as indicators of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the pesticide. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 19:304,310, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20095 [source] Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Use in Food Packaging FilmsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Renata De Lima Abstract:, The use of nanoparticles in food packaging has been proposed on the basis that it could improve protection of foods by, for example, reducing permeation of gases, minimizing odor loss, and increasing mechanical strength and thermal stability. Consequently, the impacts of such nanoparticles on organisms and on the environment need to be investigated to ensure their safe use. In an earlier study, Moura and others (2008a) described the effect of addition of chitosan (CS) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties, water vapor, and oxygen permeability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films used in food packaging. Here, the genotoxicity of different polymeric CS/PMAA nanoparticles (size 60, 82, and 111 nm) was evaluated at different concentration levels, using the,Allium cepa,chromosome damage test as well as cytogenetic tests employing human lymphocyte cultures. Test substrates were exposed to solutions containing nanoparticles at polymer mass concentrations of 1.8, 18, and 180 mg/L. Results showed no evidence of DNA damage caused by the nanoparticles (no significant numerical or structural changes were observed), however the 82 and 111 nm nanoparticles reduced mitotic index values at the highest concentration tested (180 mg/L), indicating that the nanoparticles were toxic to the cells used at this concentration. In the case of the 60 nm CS/PMAA nanoparticles, no significant changes in the mitotic index were observed at the concentration levels tested, indicating that these particles were not toxic. The techniques used show promising potential for application in tests of nanoparticle safety envisaging the future use of these materials in food packaging. [source] TNF-, from monocyte of patients with pre-eclampsia-induced apoptosis in human trophoblast cell lineJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2007Hiroyuki Seki Abstract Objective:, In pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction is frequently observed, and the possible involvement of inhibitory substances on trophoblast cell proliferation and differentiation has been suggested. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects humoral factors, such as cytokines, produced in immune cells on proliferation of an immortalized trophoblastic cell line (TCL) that we established. Methods:, Serum and lymphocyte layers were isolated from the blood of normal pregnant and preeclamptic women. The lymphocyte layer was further fractionated into different immune cell populations by the Stem Sep method. Immortalized trophoblastic cells were cultured with the sera diluted. The cytokine concentrations in the supernatants of lymphocyte cultures were compared between normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The number, DNA content and induced apoptosis were examined on the immortalized trophoblastic cells at the end of culture. Results:, The sera from preeclamptic women significantly inhibited the immortalized trophoblastic cell proliferation in comparison with those from normal pregnancy. Among the lymphocyte fractions, monocytes significantly inhibited the immortalized trophoblastic cell proliferation. The monocytes from preeclamptic women were found to produce higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) in the culture supernatant than those from normal pregnant women. The coculture with the monocytes from preeclamptic women increased the frequency of TUNEL-positive TCL cells. TNF-, inhibited immortalized trophoblastic cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. Conclusion:, The present results suggest that monocytes are activated and that cytokines, such as TNF-,, which is produced by monocytes, induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of trophoblast cells in pre-eclampsia. [source] Complex de novo cryptic subtelomeric rearrangements in a fetus with multiple ultrasonographic abnormalities and a normal karyotype at amniocentesisPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 12 2005M. Anwar Iqbal Abstract Objective Prenatal diagnosis is usually offered to the majority of pregnancies with fetal structural abnormalities detected by prenatal ultrasound; however, only a small proportion show an abnormal karyotype. We wanted to detect cryptic subtelomeric rearrangements (CSTR) in a fetus with multiple abnormal ultrasonographic findings that revealed a normal karyotype at amniocentesis. Methods Fetal chromosome analysis was performed from amniotic fluid cells. Parental chromosome analysis was done on PHA stimulated lymphocyte cultures. For fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, ToTelVysion multicolor DNA probe mixture was used to hybridize the p and q telomeres of each chromosome. Results The amniotic fluid chromosome analysis revealed an apparently normal 46,XY karyotype. A follow-up FISH analysis showed three apparently balanced complex translocations involving (1) the chromosome 4p and 22q telomeres (2) 4q and 11q telomeres and (3) 8p, 20p and 20q telomeres. Parental chromosome and subtelomere FISH analysis was found to be normal. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first report of complex de novo cryptic translocations in an abnormal fetus. These CSTR identified by FISH with subtelomere-specific probes are not detected by other cytogenetic and/or molecular cytogenetic approaches. However, to confirm the balanced nature of CSTR, array-CGH can be helpful. Further studies are in progress to determine the frequency of CSTR and its significance in the etiology of fetal abnormalities. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Childhood hyperuricemia and acute renal failure resulting from a missense mutation in the HPRT geneAMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2002Tarak Srivastava Abstract A 6-year-old boy was determined to have partial hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) enzyme deficiency without the phenotypic features of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. He presented with recurrent acute renal failure (ARF) from hyperuricemia. Treatment with allopurinol prevented further attacks of renal failure. T lymphocyte cultures were used to sequence the HPRT cDNA and a novel single nucleotide substitution at codon 65 in exon 3 was found (193C,>,T, 65leu,>,phe). This mutation was confirmed by genomic DNA sequencing and was also detected in his heterozygous, asymptomatic mother and sister. Unlike the cells from patients with classic Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, the in vitro cultures of our patient's T-lymphocytes did not proliferate in the presence of purine analogue 6-thioguanine (TG). This report highlights the unusual occurrence of recurrent ARF in a child with partial HPRT enzyme deficiency. The absence of TG resistance in vitro with this mutation shows that even small alterations in enzyme activity in vivo can result in disease symptoms, in this instance, hyperuricemia sufficient to cause ARF. Atypical HPRT mutations should also be considered in cases of unusual renal failure, because correct diagnosis can allow appropriate treatment, as well as informed genetic counseling. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] BAFF Is Increased in Renal Transplant Patients Following Treatment with AlemtuzumabAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2009D. Bloom Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that depletes T and B cells and is used as induction therapy for renal transplant recipients. Without long-term calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) therapy, alemtuzumab-treated patients have a propensity to develop alloantibody and may undergo antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). In pursuit of a mechanistic explanation, we analyzed peripheral B cells and serum of these patients for BAFF (Blys) and BAFF-R, factors known to be integral for B-cell activation, survival, and homeostasis. Serum BAFF levels of 22/24 alemtuzumab-treated patients were above normal range, with average levels of 1967 pg/mL compared to 775 pg/mL in healthy controls (p = 0.006). BAFF remained elevated 2 years posttransplant in 78% of these patients. BAFF-R on CD19+ B cells was significantly downregulated, suggesting ligand/receptor engagement. BAFF mRNA expression was increased 2,7-fold in CD14+ cells of depleted patients, possibly linking monocytes to the BAFF dysregulation. Addition of recombinant BAFF to mixed lymphocyte cultures increased B-cell activation to alloantigen, as measured by CD25 and CD69 coexpression on CD19+ cells. Of note, addition of sirolimus (SRL) augmented BAFF-enhanced B-cell activation whereas CNIs blocked it. These data suggest associations between BAFF/BAFF-R and AMR in alemtuzumab-treated patients. [source] Allograft-Specific Cytokine Profiles Associate with Clinical Outcome After Islet Cell TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2009V. A. L. Huurman Islet cell transplantation can cure type 1 diabetes, but allograft rejection and recurrent autoimmunity may contribute to decreasing insulin independence over time. In this study we report the association of allograft-specific proliferative and cytokine profiles with clinical outcome. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained of 20 islet recipients. Cytokine values in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were determined using stimulator cells with graft-specific HLA class II. Qualitative and quantitative cytokine profiles were determined before and after islet transplantation, blinded from clinical outcome. Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte precursor (CTLp) assays were performed to determine HLA class I alloreactivity. Allograft-specific cytokine profiles were skewed toward a Th2 or regulatory (Treg) phenotype after transplantation in insulin-independent, but not in insulin-requiring recipients. IFN,/IL10 ratio and MLC proliferation decreased after transplantation in insulin-independent recipients (p = 0.006 and p = 0.01, respectively). Production of the Treg cytokine IL10 inversely correlated with proliferation in alloreactive MLC (p = 0.008) and CTLp (p = 0.005). Production of IL10 combined with low-MLC reactivity associated significantly with insulin independence. The significant correlation between allograft-specific cytokine profiles and clinical outcome may reflect the induction of immune regulation in successfully transplanted recipients. Islet donor-specific IL10 production correlates with low alloreactivity and superior islet function. [source] Effect of coexposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields and an aneugen on human lymphocytes, determined by the cytokinesis block micronucleus assayBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 3 2003G.R. Verheyen Abstract Interference of 50 Hz extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) with the known aneugen vinblastine (VBL) on micronucleus formation was tested with the in vitro cytokinesis block micronucleus assay in human lymphocyte cultures. Isolated lymphocyte cultures were prepared from 18 individuals. Three groups of quadruplicate cultures from six unrelated individuals were exposed to 50 Hz ELF-MF of background (bkg), 80 and 800 ,T, respectively, during the complete incubation period (72 h). Twenty-four hours after culture initiation, one replicate culture from each individual within each ELF-MF group was exposed to 0, 5, 10, or 15 ng/ml VBL. The isolated lymphocyte cultures were scored for the presence of micronuclei, the nuclear division index (NDI), and apoptosis. As expected, increased VBL concentration resulted in an increased micronucleus and apoptosis frequency and in a decreased NDI. In the presence of VBL, there was a systematic tendency for increased micronucleus and apoptosis frequency in the ELF-MF exposed groups compared to the bkg group. In the absence of VBL, we observed no statistically significant effect of ELF-MF on micronucleus induction or apoptosis frequency, but the NDI was significantly higher in the 800 ,T group compared to the other groups, suggesting an effect of ELF-MF on cell proliferation. An interaction between ELF-MF and VBL on NDI was observed. This interaction reflected the drastic decrease in NDI due to coexposure to VBL. Bioelectromagnetics 24:160,164, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Analysis of intracellular regulatory proteins by immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detectionBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 2-3 2003Terry M. Phillips Abstract Measurement of intracellular regulatory proteins is of great importance in many areas of biomedical research. In this communication we describe an antibody-based capillary electrophoresis system equipped with an on-line laser-induced fluorescence detector capable of measuring intracellular proteins in cultures as low as 100 cells. The system demonstrated a high degree of precision and accuracy, being capable of detecting the fluorochrome-labeled analytes of interest at concentration of approximately 0.5,pg. We have used this instrument to study concentrations of the intracellular regulatory proteins STAT-1 and STAT-3, following stimulation of lymphocyte cultures with the inflammatory cytokine, IL-6. Using a combination of four antibodies specific for either STAT-1 or STAT-3 in both their nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated forms, we were able to demonstrate the differential expression of these proteins over time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] |