Search results for "Neutrophils"
showing 6 items of 316 documents
Studies on the mechanism of PMN activation II. by triggering the alternative pathway of complement activation
1982
By means of cobra venom factor (CVF) it is demonstrated that the stimulation of hexosemonophosphate shunt (HMPS) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by zymosan (Z) and dextran sulfate (DS) is caused by at least two modes of activation: (a) via activation caused by phagocytosis, (b) via activated alternative pathway of complement activation (APC). Active factors of APC presented with phagocytizable objects strongly enhance activation of PMN. The effect of APC can be observed in serum-containing as well as in serum-free cultures. It can be demonstrated that in serum-free cultures the factors of APC participating in the activation of PMN are supplied by monocytes. By the use of synthet…
Increased leptin/leptin receptor pathway affects systemic and airway inflammation in COPD former smokers
2011
Andreina Bruno1, Marinella Alessi2, Simona Soresi2, Anna Bonanno1, Loredana Riccobono1, Angela Marina Montalbano1, Giusy Daniela Albano1, Mark Gjomarkaj1, Mirella Profita11Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Italian National Research Council, Palermo, Italy; 2Dipartimento Biomedico di Biomedicina Interna e Specialistica, University Palermo, ItalyBackground: Leptin, a hormone produced mainly by adipose tissue, regulates food intake and energy expenditure. It is involved in inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to the infection. The leptin receptor is expressed in the lung and in…
Histamine up-regulates phosphodiesterase 4 activity and reduces prostaglandin E2-inhibitory effects in human neutrophils.
2000
Objective: To investigate whether histamine produces up-regulation of phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity with functional consequences in human peripheral blood neutrophils.¶Methods: PDE activity was studied by a radioisotopic method following anion-exchange chromatography. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for detection of mRNA transcripts of PDE4 subtypes. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels were measured by enzyme-immunoassay, and superoxide generation by cytochrome c reduction.¶Treatment: Neutrophils were incubated for 4 h with histamine (1 μM).¶Results: PDE4 was the only isoenzyme activity increased in treated neutrophils. Kinetic analysis showed a ∼1.5-fold increase …
Longitudinal investigation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in older patients in the province of Palermo (So…
2020
IntroductionClinical presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in old adults from Southern Italy is little known. This study aims to investigate the mortality risk related to risk factors, therapy and clinical course and to suggest prognostic indicators based on day-to-day follow-up of clinical and laboratory findings.Material and methodsIt was designed as a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of adult SARS-CoV-2 patients admitted at Partinico COVID Hospital in Palermo, Southern Italy. Patients were recruited between 4 March and 25 April and followed up until 31 May 2020, day-to-day until death or hospital discharge. Clinical data, laboratory…
The soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) up-regulates osteoprotegerin expression and release by endothelial cells: Implications in rheumatoid…
2009
Objective. Complement activation products contribute to a large number of inflammatory diseases, including RA. We have investigated whether osteoprotegerin (OPG) may concur with the soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) to the inflammatory cascade characterizing RA. Methods. Levels of SC5b-9 and OPG in the plasma and SF of patients with active RA were determined by ELISA. The presence of SC5b-9 and OPG in RA synovial lesions was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Cultured endothelial cells were used for in vitro leucocyte/endothelial cell adhesion assays. In addition, endothelial cells were exposed to SC5b-9 in order to evaluate the effects on the production of OPG protein, as well as…
Mucin 1 deficiency mediates corticosteroid insensitivity in asthma
2019
BACKGROUND: The loss of corticosteroid efficacy is an important issue in severe asthma management and may lead to poor asthma control and deterioration of airflow. Recent data indicate that Mucin 1 (MUC1) membrane mucin can mediate corticosteroid efficacy in chronic rhinosinusitis, but the role of MUC1 in uncontrolled severe asthma is unknown. The objective was to analyze the previously unexplored role of MUC1 on corticosteroid efficacy in asthma. METHODS: Mucin 1 expression was evaluated by real-time PCR in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) and blood neutrophils from uncontrolled severe asthma (n=27), controlled mild asthma (n=16), and healthy subjects (n=13). IL-8, MMP9, and GM-CSF …