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Cell Percentage (cell + percentage)
Selected AbstractsImpact of parturition on iron status in nonanaemic iron deficiencyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2003A. Krafft Abstract Background, Iron-deficient nonanaemic parturients risk underdiagnosis as a result of the reliance on postpartum ferritin and haemoglobin as markers of iron status. Ferritin is an acute-phase protein whose levels increase during the inflammatory response, as occurs after delivery. Our aims were to evaluate the impact of parturition on iron status, erythropoiesis and the inflammatory response, and identify the optimal parameters and timing for diagnosing iron deficiency in the presence of postpartum inflammation. Materials and methods, Conventional parameters of iron status, erythropoiesis and the inflammatory response (serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein) were compared with more recent parameters [soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), hypochromic red cells, reticulocyte indices] within 48 h either side of delivery in 64 iron-deficient nonanaemic women (defined by a prepartum serum ferritin , 15 µg L,1, and a pre- and postpartum haemoglobin of , 11·0 g dL,1 and , 10·0 g dL,1, respectively). Results, Mean sTfR decreased pre to postpartum from 7·3 to 5·8 µg mL,1 (P < 0·01), while mean serum ferritin increased from 9·7 to 16·9 µg L,1 (P < 0·01). Serum ferritin did not correlate with haemoglobin pre or postpartum (r = 0·04, P = 0·7; r = 0·2, P = 0·09), but a correlation persisted postpartum between hypochromic red blood cells and haemoglobin (r = ,0·26; P < 0·05). The percentage of hypochromic red cells remained virtually unchanged pre- and postpartum (4·0% vs. 3·8%; NS). Postpartum mean reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) was 27·1 ± 1·6 pg. Conclusion, Iron status should be tested prepartum, in the absence of an inflammatory response, rather than in the early postpartum. A valuable additional parameter, where available, might be the hypochromic red cell percentage, which is virtually uninfluenced by the inflammatory response. Furthermore, hypochromic red cell percentage, CHr and sTfR can be helpful to differentiate between functional iron deficiency and depleted iron stores. [source] Morphological and Morphometric Changes of Pituitary Lactotrophs of Viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) in Relation to Reproductive Cycle, Age, and SexTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Verónica Filippa Abstract Lactotrophs in pituitary pars distalis (PD) of viscacha were studied by immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis in the following groups: 1) adult males throughout the reproductive cycle (reproductive, gonadal regression, and recovery periods), 2) melatonin-treated adults, 3) castrated adults, 4) prepubertal, 5) non-pregnant females, and 6) pregnant females (early, mid, and late pregnancy). Immunopositive percentage area (%IA), cell percentage in PD (% PDC), number of cells per reference area (no.cell/RA), major cellular and nuclear diameters were analyzed. Lactotrophs were mainly localized in the ventro,medial region and the caudal extreme of PD. In the male viscachas, they were isolated in small and big groups, close to blood vessels and near follicles. These cells were pleomorphic and with a heterogeneous cytoplasmic immunolabeling pattern. In the adult males of the gonadal regression period the morphometric parameters were the lowest. Most parameters of lactotrophs in the prepubertal were significantly lower than in the adult males in the reproductive period. In the melatonin-treated animals and in castrated animals there was a decrease in %IA, %PDC, and no.cell/RA. In the females, the morphometric parameters increased at the end of pregnancy. Non-pregnant females exhibited a higher immunopositive area and number, but a smaller size of cells than males. Our results showed that in the adult male viscacha, lactotrophs vary seasonally, probably due to the photoperiod effect through melatonin. Besides the changes observed after castration, in prepubertal animals, in adults of different sex, and during pregnancy suggest that the gonadal steroid hormones might modify the lactotrophs activity. Anat Rec, 293:150,161, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] In vitro measurement of post-natal changes in proliferating satellite cell frequency during rat muscle growthANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010Takahiro SUZUKI ABSTRACT Satellite cells, resident myogenic stem cells found in postnatal skeletal muscle, are most abundant during early postnatal development and sharply decline in frequency thereafter to adult levels in mice and rats. Therefore, postnatal changes in satellite cell mitotic activities are important aspects for further understanding a muscle growth strategy. In large meat-production animals, however, the traditional in vivo proliferation assay may be less realistic because it requires intra-peritoneal (ip) injection of huge dosage of mutagenic nucleosides, 3H-labeled thymidine or bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), at each age-time of sacrifice. We report in the present pilot study using rats that in vivo proliferation activity of satellite cells can be evaluated by an in vitro BrdU-incorporation assay in early cultures. Briefly, satellite cells were prepared from upper hind-limb and back muscles and maintained for 24 h with imposing by BrdU addition for the last 2 h, followed by the regular immunocytochemistry for determining BrdU-incorporated cell percentage. This in vitro assay demonstrated a rapid decrease in proliferating satellite cell frequency to the adult level during about 3-month period after birth, and yielded a high correlation to the measurements by the in vivo BrdU ip-injection method during the postnatal period examined from day-2 to month-11. The in vitro proliferation assay may be further adaptable for large domestic animals by the combination with a muscle biopsy technique that enables age-interval sampling from the same growing animals. [source] T-helper 17 cells expand in multiple sclerosis and are inhibited by interferon-,,ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2009Luca Durelli MD Objective T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 lymphocytes are involved in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the model of multiple sclerosis (MS). We characterized the Th1/Th17 cell populations in peripheral blood (PB), their interferon (IFN) receptor expression sensitivity to IFN-, in MS patients. Methods In 30 untreated patients with active MS (AMS) and 32 with inactive MS (IMS), and in 22 healthy subjects, we measured intracellular cytokine expression, interleukin-17,producing myelin basic protein,stimulated PB lymphocytes, surface IFN type I receptor chain1 (IFN-,R1) expression, IFN-,-dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation, and apoptosis of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody,stimulated PB lymphocytes. Results Th17 cell percentage increased around sevenfold in AMS compared with IMS or healthy subjects, but there was no change in Th1 cells. Th17 cells in AMS were myelin basic protein specific. The longitudinal follow-up of 18 MS patients shifting between AMS and IMS showed that the percentage of Th17 but not Th1 cells always increased in AMS. IFN-,R1 expression, IFN-,,induced STAT1 activation, and apoptosis were significantly greater in Th17 than Th1 cells. IFN-,R1 expression and IFN-,,dependent STAT1 activation progressively increased in vitro with a highly significant positive correlation only in developing Th17 but not in Th0 or Th1 cells. Interpretation Evidence that an expansion of peripheral Th17 cells, a Th subset that can infiltrate brain parenchyma and damage cells, is associated with disease activity in MS. The greater IFN-,R1 level expressed by Th17 compared with Th1 cells might make them a selective target for IFN-, therapy. Ann Neurol 2009;65:499,509 [source] Glucocorticoids increase CD4+CD25high cell percentage and Foxp3 expression in patients with multiple sclerosisACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2009M. Braitch Objectives,,, To determine whether percentages of CD4+CD25high T cells (a group of regulatory T cells, Treg) differ in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in relapse vs remission after glucocorticoid treatment and whether treatment for relapses changes Treg population and the expression of Foxp3, a key Treg-associated molecule. Materials and methods,,, Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 20 patients with MS during relapse, just before and 2 days after starting steroid treatment (i.v. methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 3 days) and then 6 weeks after treatment. CD4+CD25hi cells were analysed by using flow cytometry. Cytokines were measured by using an ELISA and Foxp3, CD3 and CD25 expression by using quantitative real-time PCR. Results,,, The percentage of CD4+CD25hi cells, plasma IL-10 and Foxp3/CD3 ratio increased 48 h after methylprednisolone initiation and returned to baseline values by 6 weeks post-treatment. Conclusions,,, Results suggest that glucocorticoids increase Treg cell functional molecules and percentages. This may be a mechanism whereby steroids expedite recovery from MS relapses. [source] Spleen lymphocyte function modulated by a cocoa-enriched dietCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2007E. Ramiro-Puig Summary Previous studies have shown the down-regulating in vitro effect of cocoa flavonoids on lymphocyte and macrophage activation. In the present paper, we report the capacity of a long-term rich cocoa diet to modulate macrophage cytokine secretion and lymphocyte function in young rats. Weaned rats received natural cocoa (4% or 10% food intake), containing 32 mg flavonoids/g, for 3 weeks. Spleen immune function was then evaluated through the analysis of lymphocyte composition, their proliferative response and their ability to secrete cytokines and Ig. In addition, the status of activated peritoneal macrophages was established through tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-, secretion. The richest cocoa diet (10%) caused a reduction of TNF-, secretion by peritoneal macrophages showing anti-inflammatory activity. Similarly, although a 10% cocoa diet increased lymphocyte proliferation rate, it down-regulated T helper 2 (Th2)-related cytokines and decreased Ig secretion. These changes were accompanied by an increase in spleen B cell proportion and a decrease in Th cell percentage. In summary, these results demonstrate the functional activity of a cocoa-high dosage in down-regulating the immune response that might be beneficial in hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. [source] Performance of the Panleucogating protocol for CD4+ T cell enumeration in an HIV dedicated laboratory facility in Barbados,,CYTOMETRY, Issue S1 2008Namrata Sippy-Chatrani Abstract Objective: To compare the Panleucogating (PLG) protocol with the routinely used four-color protocol for CD4+ T cell count enumeration. Design and Methods: One hundred fifty-three blood samples were randomly selected from samples received at the National HIV Laboratory for routine immunological monitoring. Samples were prepared using Coulter CYTO-STAT® tetraCHROME monoclonal antibodies and FlowCAREÔ PLG CD4 reagent for four-color and PLG, respectively, and analyzed on the Beckman Coulter EPICS XL flow cytometer. The PLG protocol used a sequential gating strategy where CD4+ T cells were identified using side scatter properties of cells and CD45 staining. The four-color protocol used CD45 and CD3 to identify CD4+ T cells. Results: Absolute CD4+ T cell counts and percentages ranged from 4 to 1,285 cells/,L and 0.9 to 46.7%, respectively. Linear regression analyses revealed good correlation of PLG with the four-color protocol (absolute counts, R2 = 0.95; percentages, R2 = 0.98) over the entire range including the clinically relevant range. Bland Altman statistics revealed no bias for CD4 counts <500 cells/,L and a slight underestimation by PLG for counts >500 cells/,L (Bias = ,32.7 cells/,L; 95% agreement limits = ,151.3, +86.0). CD4+ T cell percentages were the similar over the entire range (Bias = 0.6%; 95% agreement limits = ,1.97 ± 3.18). Conclusions: PLG is an accurate method for enumerating CD4+ T cells and has resulted in major cost savings to the Government of Barbados. This has implications for the sustainability of the National HIV containment program in Barbados and the other resource limited Caribbean countries. The PLG technique is now being routinely used in Barbados. © 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society [source] CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells: an important NK cell subsetIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Aurélie Poli Summary Human natural killer (NK) cells can be subdivided into different populations based on the relative expression of the surface markers CD16 and CD56. The two major subsets are CD56bright CD16dim/, and CD56dim CD16+, respectively. In this review, we will focus on the CD56bright NK cell subset. These cells are numerically in the minority in peripheral blood but constitute the majority of NK cells in secondary lymphoid tissues. They are abundant cytokine producers but are only weakly cytotoxic before activation. Recent data suggest that under certain conditions, they have immunoregulatory properties, and that they are probably immediate precursors of CD56dim NK cells. CD56bright NK cell percentages are expanded or reduced in a certain number of diseases, but the significance of these variations is not yet clear. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: CD3, CD56+ CD16+ Natural Killer Cells and Improvement of Pregnancy Outcome in IVF/ICSI Failure After Additional IVIG-TreatmentAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Lothar Heilmann Citation Heilmann L, Schorsch M, Hahn T. CD3, CD56+ CD16+ Natural killer cells and improvement of pregnancy outcome in IVF/ICSI failure after additional IVIG-treatment. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 263,265 Problem, The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to investigate whether additional treatment with intravenous immunglobulin (IVIG) increased the rate of successful pregnancies after repeated implantation failure (RIF). The retrospective data were compared with data of patients without IVIG-therapy from the meta-analysis of Clark et al. Method of study, A total of 188 women with 226 treatment cycles between 2007 and 2009 were evaluated for IVIG therapy. The percentage of NK cells was measured two times before a new embryo transfer (only women with NK cell percentages >12% were included) and after embryo transfer at a positive pregnancy test. Results, In comparison with the meta-analysis of Clark et al., we observed a pregnancy rate of 50.5%, an implantation rate of 21% and a miscarriage rate of 16.8%. In 42%/IVIG- patient or 34.9%/embryo transfer, we observed a live born baby. The live born rate per embryo was 16.6%. In accordance with the study of Kwak et al., we indicate a decrease in the NK cells in patients with improved pregnancy outcome. Conclusion, In a subgroup of RIF-patients with high level of CD56+ CD16+ NK-cells the additional application of IVIG leads to a favourable pregnancy outcome. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Changes in Endometrial Natural Killer Cell Expression of CD94, CD158a and CD158b are Associated with InfertilityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Emma McGrath Problem, Cycle-dependent fluctuations in natural killer (NK) cell populations in endometrium and circulation may differ, contributing to unexplained infertility. Method of study, NK cell phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry in endometrial biopsies and matched blood samples. Results, While circulating and endometrial T cell populations remained constant throughout the menstrual cycle in fertile and infertile women, circulating NK cells in infertile women increased during the secretory phase. However, increased expression of CD94, CD158b (secretory phase), and CD158a (proliferative phase) by endometrial NK cells from infertile women was observed. These changes were not reflected in the circulation. Conclusion, In infertile women, changes in circulating NK cell percentages are found exclusively during the secretory phase and not in endometrium; cycle-related changes in NK receptor expression are observed only in infertile endometrium. While having exciting implications for understanding NK cell function in fertility, our data emphasize the difficulty in attaching diagnostic or prognostic significance to NK cell analyses in individual patients. [source] HLA-DR expression on lymphocyte subsets as a marker of disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosusCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2001J. F. Viallard A major problem in the management of SLE patients is to predict a flare or to distinguish between active and quiescent disease. Serological markers are widely used to assess disease activity, but many patients have close to or normal values for these parameters while exhibiting obvious disease-related signs and symptoms. This study aimed to determine which serological parameters, among ESR, ANA and anti-dsDNA antibody titres, CH50 and the HLA-DR expression on circulating T-lymphocyte subsets, best reflected the development of SLE flares. Sixty SLE patients were included, 34 with quiescent disease throughout the entire follow-up period and 26 who experienced an SLE flare defined as having active disease. According to univariate analysis, all parameters were significantly higher for patients with active disease, with the percentage of CD8+DR+ cells being the most significant parameter (P = 10,7). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three independent variables enabling the identification of a lupus flare: CH50, the CD8+DR+ and CD4+DR+ cell percentages among total lymphocytes. The CD8+DR+ cell percentage is the biological parameter most significantly associated with a flare (P < 0·001), even more powerful than CH50 (P < 0·01). HLA-DR expression on CD8+ lymphocytes clearly coincided with disease evolution in seven patients enrolled as having quiescent disease, but who experienced one flare during follow-up that subsequently resolved. The percentage of circulating CD8+DR+ lymphocytes appears to be a biological marker which accurately reflects disease activity. A larger prospective study is needed to demonstrate the real efficacy of this marker in predicting an exacerbation in SLE patients. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||