Search results for "Cytokines"
showing 10 items of 845 documents
Pathological implications of Th1/Th2 cytokine genetic variants in Behçet's disease: Data from a pilot study in a Sicilian population
2013
Cytokines act as pleiotropic polypeptides able to regulate inflammatory/immune responses and to provide important signals in physiological and pathological processes. Several cytokines (Th1, Th2, and Th17) seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of Behçet's disease, a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by oral and genital lesions and ocular inflammation. Its individual susceptibility seems to be modulated by genetic variants in genes codifying these cytokines. Th1 and Th17 seem to be involved in the disease's active phases, and Th2 seems to affect the development or severity of the disease; however, contrasting data are reported. In this study, some genetic variants of the Th1…
Peripheral blood dendritic cells are phenotypically and functionally intact in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
2007
Summary Persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with reduced anti-viral T cell responses. Impaired dendritic cell (DC) function was suggested as the cause of reduced T cell stimulation in chronic HBV carriers. Thus, we compared myeloid (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) from chronic HBV carriers and controls. Frequency and phenotype of isolated DC were analysed by fluorescence activated cell sorter staining, DC function by mixed lymphocyte reaction, cytokine bead array, intracellular cytokine staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme-linked immunospot. Expression of HBV DNA and mRNA was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Circulating total DC, mDC or…
Phenotypical analysis and cytokine release of liver-infiltrating and peripheral blood T lymphocytes from patients with chronic hepatitis of different…
2008
Cytokines released by infiltrating T cells may contribute to the hepatic injury in chronic hepatitis. Therefore, we characterized peripheral blood- and liver-infiltrating T cells from patients with chronic hepatitis of different etiology and determined the T cell phenotypes and the cytokine release. Liver tissue and peripheral blood-derived T cells from patients with autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis predominantly expressed CD4-molecules and the alpha- and beta-chains of the T cell receptor (TCR). In chronic viral hepatitis B and C, liver- and blood-derived T cells were preferentially CD8+ T cells expressing the alpha beta TCR. Mitogenic stimulation with irradiated Daudi ly…
Stress-induced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in panic disorder patients
2018
Abstract Background An attenuated responsivity of the hypothalamus–hypophysis-adrenal (HPA) axis upon challenge and an increased risk for cardiac events are relatively consistent findings in panic disorder (PD) patients. Due to cytokine-HPA interactions, an altered HPA-axis responsivity may be accompanied by altered cytokine concentrations. Immunological reactions under stress might be considered the missing link for explaining an increased cardiac risk. This study analyzed stress-induced cytokine levels in PD patients. Methods A total of n = 32 PD patients and n = 32 healthy control individuals performed the Trier Social Test (TSST). Blood sample collection accompanied the TSST for the col…
Differential up-regulation of circulating soluble selectins and endothelial adhesion molecules in Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse fever
1999
SUMMARYIn 150 patients with Boutonneuse fever (BF), caused by Rickettsia conorii, we studied the plasma levels of soluble l-selectin (s l-selectin), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin) in various phases of disease to clarify their role in disease evolution. Results indicate that during the acute phase of BF there is a significant increase in the serum levels of s l-selectin, sE-selectin, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1. s l-selectin and sVCAM-1 returned to normal levels in the third week of disease, whereas sE-selectin and sICAM-1 persisted at significantly high levels even after the third week. The secretion of these sol…
In vitro treatment with interleukin-2 normalizes type-1 cytokine production by lymphocytes from elderly
2000
The term immunosenescence is taken to mean the deterioration of immune function seen in elderly, which is manifested in increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, neoplasias, and autoimmune diseases. It is only recently that we have begun to understand the cellular and molecular changes involved. Of special interest in this regard are observations of a decline in synthesis of Type-1 cytokines which predisposes to diminished cell mediated immunity. We have evaluated the production of type 1 cytokines in old and young donors either in presence or in absence of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). Lymphocytes were stimulated with plastic bound anti-CD3 and after 48 h the supernatants were …
Enhanced inflammatory and T-helper-1 type responses but suppressed lymphocyte proliferation in patients with seasonal affective disorder and treated …
2015
Abstract Background Animals show seasonal changes in the endocrine and immune system in response to winter stressors. Even though increased inflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, whether immune disorder is a key mediator in seasonal affective depression (SAD) is unknown. Here, we hypothesized that short photoperiods in winter may induce inflammatory response, which contributes to SAD, and that light treatments should normalize immune function and improve depressive symptoms. Methods Twenty patients with a diagnosis of SAD, and a score on the HAM-29 of 20 or higher were recruited for this study. Twenty-one healthy subjects with no personal and family history o…
In vitroresponse toCandida albicansin cultures of whole human blood from young and aged donors
2007
Invasive infections with opportunistic fungi, such as Candida albicans, have become an increasing problem in aged adults in recent years. This work investigates the influence of human ageing on C. albicans recognition by toll-like receptors (TLRs), essential components of the innate immune system, using a cohort of 96 young (15-42 years) and aged (70 years) human volunteers. No significant differences between aged and young donors were observed on (1) cell surface TLR2, TLR6 and TLR4 expression on lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes, (2) production of cytokines [IL-8, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-12p70] and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) by whole human b…
The Acute Phase Response in Sicilian Patients with Boutonneuse Fever Admitted to Hospitals in Palermo, 1992–1997
2001
Abstract Objectives : To study the modifications of some components of the acute phase response (APR) in Sicilian patients with boutonneuse fever (BF) caused by Rickettsia conorii . Methods : Sera from 500 Sicilian patients with confirmed BF were studied at the time of diagnosis and every week after treatment, and after recovery for the presence of various inflammatory mediators. Tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1α, IL-8, soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-R) and sIL-6R were assayed by commercially ELISA kits. C3, C4, factor B, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin (Cp) and α 1 -antitrypsin (AAT) were assayed by a rate nephelometry. Results : Interferon gamma (I…
Effect of highly active anti-retroviral therapy and hepatitis C virus co-infection on serum levels of pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines…
2006
ABSTRACTThis study aimed to determine the effect of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection on peripheral levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-18 and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type II (sTNFRII). Serum levels were monitored for a 1-year period in 25 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) who were naive for HAART at the initiation of the study, and in four HIV-1-infected long-term non-progressors. Serum levels of both IL-18 and sTNFRII at baseline were significantly higher in HIV-1-infected patients than in controls. Baseline levels of IL-18 and sTNFRII were not significantly different in long-…