Antibodies anti HTLV-I/II in Sicilian residents, in drug addicts, and in African immigrants

Effects of in vitro treatment with fluticasone propionate on natural killer and lymphokine-induced killer activity in asthmatic and healthy individuals.

Background: Topical corticosteroids are beneficial in the treatment of allergic respiratory disorders; they exert effects on a number of cells involved in allergic inflammatory reactions. On the other hand, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted cytotoxicity (i.e., natural killer [NK] cell activity) may play a role in the inflammatory allergic reaction. The objective was to gain insight into the mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of fluticasone propionate (FP), an inhaled corticosteroid used in asthma and rhinitis therapy. Therefore, we evaluated the NK and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity of effector cells in vitro treated or not with FP. Methods: Evaluations were…