Different inhibitory actions of cyclosporine A and cyclosporine A-acetate on lipopolysaccharide-, interleukin 1-, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3- and parathyroid hormone-stimulated calcium and lysosomal enzyme release from mouse calvaria in vitro

The effect of cyclosporine initiation time on the outcome of matched allogeneic stem-cell transplantation following fludarabine-based conditioning

Cyclosporine (CSA) is the most commonly used medication for GVHD prophylaxis. The initiation time varies from day -4 to day 0. Initially, we gave CSA starting on day -1. However, since 2003 we have changed CSA initiation timing policy in most of our protocols to day -4, to achieve stable and controlled pretransplant CSA levels. Here, we assessed if initiation time impact the outcome of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Data of 261 patients who underwent allo-SCT for hematological malignancies from a fully matched donor, treated with CSA as a single agent for GVHD prophylaxis were prospectively collected. Patients were divided according to CSA initiation time and analyzed for outcome. The acute GVHD severity, cGVHD extent, GVHD-associated mortality were significantly lower in the CSA -4 group. There was no difference in the rate and timing of acute or chronic GVHD. Overall survival did not differ between the groups. We conclude that the initiation of CSA at day -4 reduced the severity of aGVHD, extent of cGVHD, and GVHD-associated mortality without impact on overall survival.

The anti-inflammatory activity of N-substituted indazolones in mice

N-Substituted indazolones were shown to be potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents in mice at 8 mg/kg. In addition, the agents were able to protect against death caused by endotoxins similar to those found in chronic infections. In part, the ability of these agents to suppress the inflammatory process is due to their blockage of cytokine release, e.g.TNF alpha and IL-1, as well as their inhibition of high affinity binding to receptors on target cells of inflammation. Suppressing these receptors can be linked to the inhibition by the agents of lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes, prostaglandin cyclooxygenase and 5'-lipoxygenase activities. Free radical generation involved in inflammation was also stabilized in the presence of most of these agents.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of 3-imino-1-oxoisoindolines in CF1 mice

A series of 3-imino-1-oxoisoindolines were shown to be potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents at 8 mg/kg, intraperitoneally in mice. The compounds were also able to protect against lipopolysaccharide induced endotoxic shock and death better than the current clinical agents. These agents appear to function by blocking the release of TNF alpha and IL-1 from macrophages as well as competition with their respective high affinity receptors on target tissue, eg. fibroblasts, and macrophages. In addition lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes were inhibited as well as leukotriene synthesis in macrophages by the agents.

Cathepsin B and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in human synovial cells in culture: effects of interleukin-1

Human synovial cells were cultured in vitro and tested for the activities of two lysosomal enzymes, cathepsin B and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGA) under various conditions. Unstimulated synovial cells display intracellular and extracellular activities of both enzymes. However, cathepsin B was secreted in a latent pepsin-activatable form, whereas NAGA was secreted in an active form. Most of the cell strains analysed secreted rather limited amounts of the enzymes (less than 25% of total activity); some strains, however were highly secretory, the secreted activity reaching up to 50% of total activity. Cells were then stimulated with human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (rhIL-1 alpha) or beta. Only the levels of secreted NAGA were clearly increased. Results are to be interpreted in view of the role played by synovial cells and by the lysosomal enzymes they release in inflammatory joint diseases and it would be worthwhile in the future to check for secreted NAGA in various body fluids, such as the synovial fluid of the inflamed joint.