sq-23377 and Syndrome

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) vasculitis have a higher mortality rate and more frequent incidence of cirrhosis than their cryoglobulin-negative counterparts. To compare the cytokine profile of liver-infiltrating T cells in HCV-infected patients with or without MC vasculitis.. Hepatic biopsy specimens were obtained from HCV infected patients with and without MC vasculitis. Using intracellular staining and flow cytometry, we assessed the ability of freshly isolated liver T cells from these biopsies to produce IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in response to stimulation with PMA and ionomycin.. HCV-MC vasculitis patients compared to HCV-MC negative controls have an enhanced hepatic T cells production of Th1-type cytokines [i.e. TNF-alpha(30.3 +/- 13% vs. 15.5 +/- 5%, P = 0.01), IL-2 (20.2 +/- 9% vs. 10 +/- 4%, P = 0.01) and IFN-gamma (22.2 +/- 11% vs. 9.4 +/- 4%, P = 0.008)], whereas IL-10, a representative Th2-type cytokine, was significantly lower (7.2 +/- 4% vs. 17 +/- 7%, P = 0.01).. T cell from the liver of HCV-MC vasculitis patients display a significantly augmented liver Th1 profile compared to MC-negative controls. This enhanced production of type-1 cytokines may account for a more severe course of liver disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arthralgia; Asthenia; Case-Control Studies; Cryoglobulinemia; Cytokines; Female; Hepatitis C; Humans; Ionomycin; Ionophores; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Purpura; Syndrome; T-Lymphocytes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Th1 Cells; Vasculitis

Scott syndrome is a bleeding disorder, characterized by impaired surface exposure of procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS) on platelets and other blood cells, following activation with Ca(2+)-elevating agents. Since store-mediated Ca(2+) entry (SMCE) forms an important part of the Ca(2+) response in various blood cells, it has been proposed that deficiencies in Ca(2+) entry may relate to the impaired PS exposure in the Scott syndrome. Here, we have tested this hypothesis by investigating the relationship between Ca(2+) fluxes and PS exposure in platelets as well as B-lymphoblasts derived from the original Scott patient (M.S.), a newly identified Welsh patient (V.W.) with similar bleeding symptoms, and two control subjects. Procoagulant activity of V.W. platelets in suspension, measured after stimulation with collagen/thrombin or Ca(2+)-ionophore, ionomycin, resulted in 52% or 17%, respectively, compared to that of correspondingly activated control platelets. Procoagulant activity of V.W. erythrocytes treated with Ca(2+)-ionophore resulted in less than 6% of the activity of control erythrocytes. Single-cell Ca(2+) responses of M.S. and V.W. platelets, adhering to collagen, were similar to those of platelets from control subjects, while PS exposure was reduced to 7% and 15%, respectively, compared to controls. Stimulation of non-apoptotic B-lymphoblasts derived from both patients and controls with Ca(2+)-ionophore or agents causing Ca(2+) mobilization and SMCE, resulted in similar Ca(2+) responses. However, in lymphoblasts from M.S. and V.W. Ca(2+)-induced PS exposure was reduced to 7% and 13% of the control lymphoblasts, respectively. We conclude that i. patient V.W. is a new case of Scott syndrome, ii. Ca(2+) entry in the platelets and lymphoblasts from both Scott patients is normal, and iii. elevated [Ca(2+)](i) as caused by SMCE is not sufficient to trigger PS exposure.

Topics: Adult; B-Lymphocytes; Blood Coagulation; Blood Platelets; Calcium; Case-Control Studies; Coagulants; Collagen; Erythrocytes; Female; Flow Cytometry; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Ionomycin; Ionophores; Phosphatidylserines; Syndrome; Thrombin; Time Factors

The CD40 ligand expressed on activated T cells plays a pivotal role in B cell proliferation and differentiation. Mutations in the CD40 ligand gene, which alter its expression on the surface of activated T cells, are associated with the X-linked form of Hyper-IgM syndrome (XHIM). A rapid and simple, three-color whole blood flow cytometry procedure was developed for maximal expression and detection of the CD40L on the surface of in vitro activated CD4+ T cells. Approximately 90% of in vitro activated CD4+ T cells obtained from healthy controls expressed the CD40L compared to only 5% of in vitro activated CD4+ T cells obtained from the XHIM patients. The CD40L was expressed on approximately 50% of the in vitro activated CD4+ T cells obtained from the mothers of XHIM patients, consistent with a diagnosis of their carrier status. This is the first report of a whole blood procedure adapted for routine clinical use which is able to detect abnormal CD40L expression in XHIM patients and carriers.

Topics: Adult; Carcinogens; Carrier State; CD3 Complex; CD40 Antigens; CD40 Ligand; Female; Flow Cytometry; Genetic Linkage; Humans; Hypergammaglobulinemia; Immunoglobulin M; Ionomycin; Ionophores; Ligands; Lymphocyte Activation; Membrane Glycoproteins; Syndrome; T-Lymphocytes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Up-Regulation; X Chromosome