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Adorisio R, Cantarutti N, Cicenia M, D'Anna C, Bellettini E, Mencarelli E, D'Amico A, Kirk R, Amodeo A. Cardiac Atrophy and ACE Inhibitors in Duchenne Cardiomyopathy: 10 Years is the Right Age to Start Therapy? J Heart Lung Transplant 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.01.1263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Giannattasio A, Rosa M, Esposito S, Di Mita O, Angrisani F, Acierno S, D'Anna C, Barbato F, Tipo V, Ametrano O. Concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection and crusted scabies in a 4-month infant. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 36:e188-e190. [PMID: 34862990 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Giannattasio
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - M Rosa
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - S Esposito
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - O Di Mita
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - F Angrisani
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - S Acierno
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - C D'Anna
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - F Barbato
- Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - V Tipo
- Pediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - O Ametrano
- Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
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Di Sano C, D'Anna C, Ferraro M, Chiappara G, Sangiorgi C, Di Vincenzo S, Bertani A, Vitulo P, Bruno A, Dino P, Pace E. Impaired activation of Notch-1 signaling hinders repair processes of bronchial epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke. Toxicol Lett 2020; 326:61-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Rinaldi M, Petrarca M, Romano A, Vasco G, D'Anna C, Schmid M, Castelli E, Conforto S. EMG-based Indicators of Muscular Co-Activation during Gait in Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2020; 2019:3845-3848. [PMID: 31946712 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8856892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Muscular weakness is one of the main signs associated with the onset and progression of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. During motor functions, this disease also determines deviations in muscular activity, especially in terms of coordination and activation between muscles acting on the same joints. In this study, surface EMG activity of the lower limb muscles of 10 children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at different times from disease onset were recorded along with kinematics during unconstrained gait. Muscular co-activation of muscle pairs was then evaluated by extracting different co-activation indicators, and linking them with kinematic markers of motor function. The combination of disease progression and pharmacological treatment resulted in a significant decrease in terms of co-activation indexes for two pairs of agonist-antagonist muscles, and for one of these two pairs the decrease in co-activation was correlated with a decrease in the motor function of gait.
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Dino P, D'Anna C, Sangiorgi C, Di Sano C, Di Vincenzo S, Ferraro M, Pace E. Cigarette smoke extract modulates E-Cadherin, Claudin-1 and miR-21 and promotes cancer invasiveness in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Toxicol Lett 2019; 317:102-109. [PMID: 31574306 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigarette smoke is considered a risk factor for lung and colorectal cancer. A convincing link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with colorectal cancer progression and therapeutic resistance has emerged. Deregulated expression of E-Cadherin and Claudin-1 and increased miR-21 expression and invasiveness represent hallmarks of EMT. The effects of cigarette smoke exposure on EMT in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells are largely unknown. AIM The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on miR-21, Claudin-1 and E-Cadherin, molecules associated to EMT in colorectal cancer cells. METHODS A human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2) was treated with CSE at different concentration (5% and 10%) and for different time points (3 h and 24 h). Metabolic activity (by MTS assay), cell necrosis/cell apoptosis (evaluating Propidium Iodide/Annexin V expression by flow cytometry), miR-21, Claudin-1 and E-Cadherin gene expression were evaluated by Real time PCR. Cell permeability, actin polymerization and cancer cell migration was assessed by Trans-Epitelial Electrical Resistance (TEER), Phalloidin expression and matrigel system, respectively. RESULTS CSE at all the tested concentrations and at all time points reduced cell necrosis. CSE at 10% increased miR-21 and reduced the metabolic activity, cell necrosis, Claudin-1 and E-cadherin mRNA at 3 h. Cell permeability, actin polymerization and cancer cell migration were all increased upon CSE exposure. CONCLUSION These results showed that CSE increasing miR-21, Claudin-1 and E-Cadherin and enhancing the aggressiveness of cancer cells, may concur to colorectal cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Dino
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - C D'Anna
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Sangiorgi
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Di Sano
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Di Vincenzo
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Ferraro
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - E Pace
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica (IRIB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
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Rinaldi M, D'Anna C, Schmid M, Conforto S. Assessing the influence of SNR and pre-processing filter bandwidth on the extraction of different muscle co-activation indexes from surface EMG data. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2018; 43:184-192. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Chiappara G, Sciarrino S, Di Sano C, Gallina S, Speciale R, Lorusso F, Di Vincenzo S, D'Anna C, Bruno A, Gjomarkaj M, Pace E. Notch-1 signaling activation sustains overexpression of interleukin 33 in the epithelium of nasal polyps. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:4582-4596. [PMID: 30259982 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in the nasal epithelial barrier homeostasis and increased interleukin 33 (IL-33) expression contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). AIMS As Notch-1 signaling is crucial in repair processes of mucosa, the current study assessed Notch-1/Jagged-1 signaling and IL-33 in the epithelium of nasal polyps biopsies from allergic (A-CRSwNP; n = 9) and not allergic (NA-CRSwNP; n = 9) subjects by immunohistochemistry. We also assessed, in a model of nasal epithelial cells, the effects of stimulation of Notch-1 with Jagged-1 on the expression of IL-33 (by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry), Jagged-1 (by flow cytometry), and p-CREB transcription factor (by western blot analysis). RESULTS Ex vivo (a) in normal epithelium, the expression of Notch-1 and IL-33 were higher in NA-CRSwNP than in A-CRSwNP; (b) in metaplastic epithelium, the expression of Notch-1, Jagged-1, and IL-33 were higher in NA-CRSwNP than in A-CRSwNP; (c) in hyperplastic epithelium, the expression of Notch-1, Jagged-1, and IL-33 were higher in A-CRSwNP than in NA-CRSwNP; and (d) in basal epithelial cells, no differences were observed in the expression of Jagged-1, IL-33, and Notch-1. The expression of Notch-1 significantly correlated with the expression of IL-33. In vitro, stimulation of Notch-1 with Jagged-1 induced the expression of (a) Jagged-1; (b) IL-33; and (c) p-CREB transcription factor. The inhibitor of Notch-1, DAPT, reduced all the effects of Jagged-1 on nasal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS The data herein provided support, for the first time, a putative role of Notch-1/Jagged-1 signaling in the overexpression of IL-33 in the epithelium of nasal polyps from patients with CRSwNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Chiappara
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Sciarrino
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Di Sano
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Gallina
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Otorinolaringoiatria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - R Speciale
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Otorinolaringoiatria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Otorinolaringoiatria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Di Vincenzo
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - C D'Anna
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Bruno
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Gjomarkaj
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - E Pace
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
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Maurici M, Paulon L, Carlino C, Campolongo A, Catapano R, Sgricia S, Franco E, Bagnato B, Benigni M, D'Anna C, Di Marzio L, Ferrante M, Fraioli A, Giordani A, Laudati F, Mangia M, Marchetti C, Meleleo C, Papa R, Perrelli F, Pozzato S, Rabbiosi S, Rossi S, Seminara L, Serino L, Sinopoli M, Sorbara D. Measuring and benchmarking the quality of two different organizational ways in delivering infant vaccination. J Prev Med Hyg 2016; 57:E75-80. [PMID: 27582632 PMCID: PMC4996043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was the quality of service evaluation of two different organizational ways in delivering infant vaccination according to a Regional Vaccination Plan. Eleven vaccination centres were selected in two Local Health Units (ASLs) belonging to the Regional Health Service of the Lazio Region, Italy. The services offering paediatric vaccinations for children under three years of age, delivered without an appointment (VACP) or with the need for an appointment (VACL), were investigated. The quality aspects under evaluation were communicational efficiency, organisational efficiency and comfort. Subjective data were collected from different stakeholders and involve the elicitation of best and worst feasible performance conditions for the ASLs when delivering VACP/VACL services. Objective data consists in the observation of current performances of the selected vaccination centres. Quality scorecards were obtained from the combination of all data. Benchmarking between VACP and VACL, i.e., two different organisational ways in delivering infant vaccination, can be performed as a result of the probabilistic meaning of the evaluated scores. An expert of vaccination services, i.e., a virtual combination of patients, doctors and nurses, claims the quality of service delivery of the ASLs under investigation with probability 78.03% and 69.67% for VACP and VACL, respectively. In other words, for short, the quality scores of the ASLs were 78.03% for VACP and 69.67% for VACL. Furthermore our results show how to practically improve the current service delivery. The QuaVaTAR approach can result in improvements of the quality of the ASLs for the two different ways of delivering paediatric vaccinations in a simple and intuitive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Maurici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory SOS-NHS, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - L. Paulon
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Laboratory SOS-NHS, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - C. Carlino
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - A. Campolongo
- Service of Medical Statistics and Information Technology, Fatebenefratelli Foundation for Health Research and Education, AFaR Division, Rome, Italy
| | - R. Catapano
- Local Health Units (ASL) RMH, Lazio region, Italy
| | - S. Sgricia
- Local Health Units (ASL) RMF, Lazio region, Italy
| | - E. Franco
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
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Scorza A, Conforto S, D'Anna C, Sciuto SA. A Comparative Study on the Influence of Probe Placement on Quality Assurance Measurements in B-mode Ultrasound by Means of Ultrasound Phantoms. Open Biomed Eng J 2015; 9:164-78. [PMID: 26312078 PMCID: PMC4541336 DOI: 10.2174/1874120701509010164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To check or to prevent failures in ultrasound medical systems, some tests should be scheduled for both clinical suitability and technical functionality evaluation: among them, image quality assurance tests performed by technicians through ultrasound phantoms are widespread today and their results depend on issues related to scanner settings as well as phantom features and operator experience. In the present study variations on some features of the B-mode image were measured when the ultrasound probe is handled by the technician in a routine image quality test: ultrasound phantom images from two array transducers are processed to evaluate measurement dispersion in distance accuracy, high contrast spatial resolution and penetration depth when probe is handled by the operator. All measurements are done by means of an in-house image analysis software that minimizes errors due to operator’s visual acuity and subjective judgment while influences of ultrasound transducer position on quality assurance test results are estimated as expanded uncertainties on parameters above (measurement reproducibility at 95 percent confidence level): depending on the probe model, they ranged from ±0.1 to ±1.9 mm in high contrast spatial resolution, from ±0.1 to ±5.5 percent in distance measurements error and from ±1 to ±10 mm in maximum depth of signal visualization. Although numerical results are limited to the two examined probes, they confirm some predictions based on general working principles of diagnostic ultrasound systems: (a) measurements strongly depend on settings as well on phantoms features, probes and parameters investigated; (b) relative uncertainty due to probe manipulation on spatial resolution can be very high, i.e. from 10 to more than 30 percent; (c) Field of View settings must be taken into account for measurement reproducibility as well as Dynamic Range compression and phantom attenuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Scorza
- Department of Engineering, ROMA TRE University, Via della Vasca Navale 62, Roma, Italy
| | - S Conforto
- Department of Engineering, ROMA TRE University, Via della Vasca Navale 62, Roma, Italy
| | - C D'Anna
- Department of Engineering, ROMA TRE University, Via della Vasca Navale 62, Roma, Italy
| | - S A Sciuto
- Department of Engineering, ROMA TRE University, Via della Vasca Navale 62, Roma, Italy
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D'Anna C, Cigna D, Costanzo G, Ferraro M, Siena L, Vitulo P, Gjomarkaj M, Pace E. Cigarette smoke alters cell cycle and induces inflammation in lung fibroblasts. Life Sci 2015; 126:10-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Piccolo R, Niglio T, Di Gioia G, D'Anna C, De Rosa R, Strisciuglio T, Trimarco B, Piscione F, Galasso G. Radial versus femoral approach in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome: meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized trials. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht307.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Piccolo R, Di Gioia G, Niglio T, D'Anna C, De Rosa R, Strisciuglio T, Piscione F, Trimarco B, Galasso G. Do changes in high on-treatment platelet reactivity predict cardiovascular events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention? A meta-regression analysis of 30 randomized clinical trials. Eur Heart J 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht310.p4860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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De Rosa R, Piccolo R, Cassese S, Petretta A, D'Andrea C, D'Anna C, Piscione F, Chiariello M. Coronary flow reserve evaluation: basics, techniques and clinical applications. Minerva Cardioangiol 2011; 59:569-580. [PMID: 19946255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Coronary flow reserve is a useful physiologic parameter providing information on coronary stenoses severity. To date, the gold standard to evaluate coronary flow reserve consists of fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement, assessed with a pressure-wire. The FFR has a high lesion specificity, due to insensitivity to patient hemodynamic status and to coronary microvascular resistance; it shows low inter- and intraindividual variability and a well-defined, bound cut-off range values (0.75-0.80). Several reports confirmed that FFR has high reproducibility and feasibility in patients with either single- or multi-vessel coronary artery disease, or with both stable and instable coronary artery disease and that is significantly associated with patient outcome. More recently, the FFR has been used as a sensitive marker of successful percutaneous coronary intervention, since postprocedural FFR value strongly predicts patients event-free survival rate after angioplasty. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that abnormal FFR ratios can be also associated with diffused atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in the absence of unique angiographically detectable stenoses requiring revascularization. There are strong evidences supporting that the FFR provides crucial functional information that could be related with morphological endovascular ultrasound findings, with the possibility to achieve same information in a cheaper, easier and more available manner. This review will focus on the current available literature regarding coronary flow reserve quantification and its clinical validation, suggesting and highlighting its current and future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- R De Rosa
- Clinical Medicine Department, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy
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Napoli R, Guardasole V, Zarra E, Matarazzo M, D'Anna C, Saccà F, Affuso F, Cittadini A, Carrieri PB, Saccà L. Vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction in patients with migraine. Neurology 2009; 72:2111-4. [PMID: 19528518 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181aa53ce] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migraine is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms are unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the activity of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in patients with migraine. METHODS Case-control study of 12 patients with migraine without aura and 12 matched healthy control subjects. Endothelial and VSMC components of vascular reactivity were explored by plethysmography measurement of forearm blood flow (FBF) during infusions of vasoactive agents into the brachial artery. Forearm production of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was also quantified. RESULTS In patients with migraine, the vasodilating effect of acetylcholine (ACh), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, was markedly reduced (p < 0.001 by analysis of variance). In response to the highest dose of ACh, FBF rose to 8.6 +/- 2.2 in patients with migraine and to 22.7 +/- 3.0 mL x dL(-1) x min(-1) in controls (p = 0.001). The dose-response curve to nitroprusside, a vasodilator directly acting on VSMCs, was depressed in patients with migraine (p < 0.001 by analysis of variance). The maximal response of FBF to nitroprusside was 12.1 +/- 2.0 in patients with migraine and 24.1 +/- 1.8 mL x dl(-1) x min(-1) in controls (p < 0.001). During ACh infusion, NO release from the endothelium was similar in patients and controls. In contrast, there was a marked release of cGMP from VSMCs in controls, but not in patients with migraine (-1.9 +/- 2.2 in patients with migraine and -19.1 +/- 5.4 nmol x dL(-1) x min(-1) in controls; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Patients with migraine are characterized by a distinct vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction, revealed by impaired cyclic guanosine monophosphate and hemodynamic response to nitric oxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Napoli
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Federico II School of Medicine, Naples, Italy.
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Romano V, Lio D, Calì F, Scola L, Leggio L, D'Anna C, DeLeo G, Salermo A. A methodological strategy for PAH genotyping in populations with a marked molecular heterogeneity of hyperphenylalaninemia. Mol Cell Probes 2001; 15:13-9. [PMID: 11284432 DOI: 10.1006/mcpr.2000.0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The elucidation of the molecular basis of hyperphenylalaninemia in various world populations (PKU Consortium Database: http://www.mcgill/ca/pahdb/) has revealed a remarkable molecular heterogeneity at the locus encoding for phenylalanine hydroxylase. As a consequence, genotyping of HPA patients has prompted the establishment of an impressive number of mutatIon detection protocols. In spite of the large variety of methods proposed so far, no comprehensive strategy has been yet developed for the detection of PAH gene mutations. Therefore, new approaches, combining the advantages of individual methods are required, especially in populations with a high number of PAH gene mutations. In this study, we propose the use of Reverse Dot Blot Analysis within a general mutation protocol to simplify the genotyping of hyperphenylalaninemics in the very heterogeneous population of Sicily (Italy).
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Affiliation(s)
- V Romano
- Diaprtimento de Biopatologia e metodologie Biomediche, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Candore G, Romano GC, D'Anna C, Di Lorenzo G, Gervasi F, Lio D, Modica MA, Potestio M, Caruso C. Biological basis of the HLA-B8,DR3-associated progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Pathobiology 2000; 66:33-7. [PMID: 9577964 DOI: 10.1159/000027992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors influencing the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are not fully known, but the host genotype undoubtedly plays a role in determining the outcome of the disease by affecting the immune response to HIV. The role of the host human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype in the regulation of susceptibility to HIV infection and expression has been studied extensively in different major risk groups. Certain HLA alleles and haplotypes, being associated with aberrant immune responses independently from HIV infection, have been reported to facilitate the rapid progression of disorders related to HIV infection. Particularly, the association of rapid acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) progression with genes from the HLA-B8,DR3 haplotype has been reported by different research groups. It is well known that this haplotype is associated in all Caucasian populations with a wide variety of diseases with autoimmune features and in healthy subjects with a number of immune system dysfunctions, as a reduced production of T helper (Th)1 type cytokine. HIV infection may act on this genetic background triggering immunopathogenetic mechanisms leading to AIDS with a dominant Th2 profile as a common feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Candore
- Istituti di Patologia Generale, Università di Palermo, Italia
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Lio D, Balistreri CR, Candore G, D'Anna C, Di Lorenzo G, Gervasi F, Listì F, Scola L, Caruso C. In vitro treatment with interleukin-2 normalizes type-1 cytokine production by lymphocytes from elderly. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2000; 22:195-203. [PMID: 10952026 DOI: 10.3109/08923970009016415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
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 harvested and stored at -70 degrees C until assay. Type 1 cytokine, i.e. IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by anti-CD3 stimulated lymphocytes from old subjects was significantly reduced when compared to that from young ones. This impaired production was reversed by adding rIL-2 in the culture medium. In previous studies on aged subjects, we have been able to demonstrate that in vitro treatment with rIL-2 completely restores proliferative responses and partially rescues the increased apoptosis of T cell cultures. Present and previous results suggest that rIL-2 completely restores Type 1 responses by overcoming the well known costimulation deficit of aged lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche dell'Università di Palermo, Italy
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18
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Potestio M, Pawelec G, Di Lorenzo G, Candore G, D'Anna C, Gervasi F, Lio D, Tranchida G, Caruso C, Romano GC. Age-related changes in the expression of CD95 (APO1/FAS) on blood lymphocytes. Exp Gerontol 1999; 34:659-73. [PMID: 10530791 DOI: 10.1016/s0531-5565(99)00041-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with alterations of the immune system, thought to be related to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, and possibly to cancer and autoimmunity in the elderly. In the present paper we report data obtained on freshly collected blood from 148 healthy subjects of different ages (from cord blood to 102 years old). The subjects were divided into seven age classes (cord blood, 3-11 years, 15-39 years, 41-60 years, 61-74 years, 75-84 years, 85-102 years) and their lymphocyte subsets and the expression of the apoptosis-related molecule CD95 were evaluated. In respect of lymphocyte subsets, the major differences were found in the cord-blood samples compared with the oldest old groups. In the cord-blood group, the absolute number of all the lymphocyte subsets was enhanced, but in the oldest group, an increase of CD16+ lymphocytes was observed, whereas CD19+ lymphocytes, which progressively decrease with age, continue to decrease further in the very old. The data show that the expression of CD95 increases until age 74 years, whereas in the oldest old it tends to decrease again. The trend of CD95 expression seems to be related to the change of expression of CD95 on CD4+ lymphocytes, because the CD8+/CD95+ population rose steadily throughout the entire age range. The evaluation of CD95+/CD45R0+ lymphocytes shows similar results to those observed analyzing CD95 on total lymphocytes. Furthermore, a constant increase of CD95+/CD28+ and a related decline of CD28+ lymphocytes was observed in all age groups. These data suggest that the expression of CD95 on the different subsets of lymphocytes can be considered a good marker for studies of immunosenescence, because it may be predictive of successful aging, and can partially explain the change in lymphocytes subsets in elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Potestio
- Sezione di Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche dell'Università di Palermo, Italy
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19
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Lio D, D'Anna C, Scola L, Di Lorenzo G, Colombo A, Listì F, Balistreri CR, Candore G, Caruso C. Interleukin-5 production by mononuclear cells from aged individuals: implication for autoimmunity. Mech Ageing Dev 1999; 106:297-304. [PMID: 10100157 DOI: 10.1016/s0047-6374(98)00122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that in the elderly a deterioration of immune functions may occur. Particularly, stimulation of T cells from aged individuals leads to different kind and/or size of responses if compared with the responses obtained from T cells from young individuals. At the same time, an increase in prevalence of autoantibodies occurs in elderly. The altered production of certain cytokines might explain this paradox of decreased responsiveness to foreign antigens in the face of an increased response to self-antigens. We and others have suggested that this kind of immune response might depend on an age-associated impairment of Th-1 type function that selectively affects production of cytokines involved in the control of cellular responses. In contrast, Th-2 type function is seemingly not affected in elderly, as suggested by normal in vitro production of cytokines involved in humoral responses. To strengthen this hypothesis, in this study we have analysed the influence of age on the ability of mitogen-stimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from human beings to produce another Th-2 type cytokine, i.e. interleukin-5 (IL-5). IL-5 content of both 24- and 48-h stimulated cultures from old individuals was greater than that of young ones, although this difference attained significance only at 48 h. We suggest that the decreased production of Th-1 type cytokines in the presence of a normal or even increased production of Th-2 type cytokines might account for the pattern of immune response which may be observed in elderly, i.e. a normal or increased humoral response, including an autoimmune one, in the face of a low cell mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Instituto di Patologia Generale dell'Università di Palermo, Italy
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20
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Lio D, D'Anna C, Leone F, Currò MF, Candore G, Caruso C. Hypothesis: interleukin-5 production impairment can be a key point in the pathogenesis of the MHC-linked selective IgA deficiency. Autoimmunity 1998; 27:185-8. [PMID: 9609136 DOI: 10.3109/08916939809003866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Selective IgA deficiency (IgA-D) is associated with the expression of some human leukocyte antigens (HLA) haplotypes and Major Hystocompatibility Complex (MHC) gene products have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of IgA synthesis. Recently, we have obtained evidences indicating that MHC influences the production of IgA and interleukin-5 (IL-5) both in humans and in mice. Lymphnode cells from pychril chloride (PC1) immunised BALB/c mice (bearing the H-2d haplotype) fail to produce IL-5 when stimulated in vitro with PC1 and this correlates with low antigen specific IgA production in vivo. In contrast using congenic BALB/k mice (bearing the H-2k haplotype) an high production both of IL-5 and of PC1-specific IgA is observed. Moreover, in vivo or in vitro administration of IL-5 to BALB/c mice was able to increase the production of antigen specific IgA. Similar evidences have been obtained by evaluation of the HLA influence on circulating immunoglobulin levels and interleukin production in normal HLA typed subjects. In fact HLA-B8, DR3 positive subjects show reduced level of serum IgA and their peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with mitogen produce significantly reduced amounts of IL-5, IL-12, IL-2 and Interferon-gamma. We hypothesise that HLA-B8, DR3 associated IgA deficiency, known to be asymptomatic, can be due to a lack of subsequent signals, in particular of IL-5, involved in the late regulation of B cell differentiation. Preliminary evidences demonstrating that low amounts of human recombinant IL-5 are able to reconstitute IgA production by cells from HLA-B8, DR3 IgA-D subjects, seem to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- General Pathology Institute, Palermo, Italy
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21
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Lio D, D'Anna C, Gervasi F, Scola L, Potestio M, Di Lorenzo G, Listì F, Colombo A, Candore G, Caruso C. Interleukin-12 release by mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cells in the elderly. Mech Ageing Dev 1998; 102:211-9. [PMID: 9720653 DOI: 10.1016/s0047-6374(98)00016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Defects involving cellular expression of activation molecules, cell mediated immune response and natural killer (NK) activity are commonly observed in the elderly. Herein, data are reported on the evaluation of IL-12 production by old subjects. IL-12 is, actually, considered the key molecule for the induction of a T helper 1 (Th1) -type and NK response. IL-12 production from old subjects peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) was evaluated using T-independent (bacterial lipopolysaccharide, LPS) or -dependent (phytoemagglutinin, PHA; immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, anti-CD3) mitogens. The IL-12 production after LPS stimulation was not reduced in cultures from old subjects when compared to that from young ones. On the contrary, IL-12 production by PHA or anti-CD3 stimulated PBMNC from old subjects was decreased. Furthermore, we have demonstrated a reduced CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression on PBMNC from old subjects. This finding fits very well with the reduced cytokine production observed in the T-dependent stimulation systems, being the CD40-CD40L interaction mandatory for an efficient IL-12 production. All together, these results seem to suggest that defects in cell expression of activation molecules can affect the IL-12 secretion and in consequence other Th1-type cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Istituto di Patologia Generale dell'Università di Palermo, Italy
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22
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Abstract
Stimulation of T cells from aged individuals leads to different kinds and/or size of responses if compared with the responses of T cells obtained from young individuals. In fact elderly is associated with a progressive decline of immune response besides an increasing incidence of autoimmune phenomena. These differences might be the result of modified cellular mechanisms controlling the immune system in the course of ageing. The apoptotic deletion of activated T cells has been proposed as the key mechanism to maintain T cell homeostasis, and in this respect CD95 (Fas antigen) seems to play a major role in this course of events. In this study we show that just collected lymphocytes from old subjects displayed an increased expression of the apoptosis molecule CD95. The expression of CD95 and the spontaneous apoptosis showed the same trend. In fact the percentage of apoptotic cells in blood collected from old subjects was enhanced too. The lymphocyte subpopulation analysis by flow cytometry did not show significant changes in T subset percentages between old and young subjects. Moreover mononuclear cells obtained from aged individuals underwent apoptosis in culture in response to a single stimulation with mitogen or anti-CD3, more than mononuclear cells from young controls. To gain insight into mechanisms of this increased apoptosis, experiments were performed to evaluate the behaviors of lymphocytes from old and young donors in respect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) rescue from apoptosis. Results show that IL-2 rescued only a little fraction of cells of old donors from apoptosis when activated by anti-CD3 and that this effect was not related to a different expression of CD95. Thus, during the course of ageing the different regulation of T cell homeostasis might be also explained by the modified proneness of lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis. The contemporaneous demonstration of a reduced Ca2+ influx in lymphoid cells of these subjects allows to suppose that multiple defects play a role in the pathogenesis of immunosenescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Potestio
- Istituto di Patologia generale dell'Università di Palermo, Italy
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Lio D, Bonanno CT, D'Anna C, De Luca S, Gervasi F, Cavataio F, Iacono F, Salerno A. Gluten stimulation induces an in vitro expansion of peripheral blood T gamma delta cells from HLA-DQ2-positive subjects of families of patients with celiac disease. Exp Clin Immunogenet 1998; 15:46-55. [PMID: 9619399 DOI: 10.1159/000019052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal gluten sensitivity formally known as celiac disease (CD) is characterized by an evident involvement of local immune response and it is associated with the expression of HLA-DQ2 allele. The major role in the disease seems to be played by the T lymphocyte population bearing gamma delta T cell receptor (T gamma delta cells) which are increased both in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosae of celiac patients. In this paper data on the effects of in vitro gluten stimulation on lymphocytes expressing the T gamma delta phenotype are reported. Gluten seems to be able to induce the expansion of the T gamma delta cell population both in CD patients and their HLA-DQ2-positive asymptomatic relatives, in spite of the absence of clinical evidence of the disease. In addition, the evaluation of gluten-induced cytokine production shows that interleukin-4 could be implied in the early phases of pathogenesis of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Institute of General Pathology, University of Palermo, Italy
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24
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Lio D, Candore G, Romano GC, D'Anna C, Gervasi F, Di Lorenzo G, Modica MA, Potestio M, Caruso C. Modification of cytokine patterns in subjects bearing the HLA-B8,DR3 phenotype: implications for autoimmunity. Cytokines Cell Mol Ther 1997; 3:217-24. [PMID: 9740350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The factors influencing the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease are not fully known, but the host genotype undoubtedly plays a role in determining the outcome of these diseases. The role of the host's major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype in the regulation of susceptibility to autoimmune diseases has been extensively studied in different populations, and certain HLA (the human MHC) alleles and haplotypes have been reported to be associated with several autoimmune diseases. In particular, the association with genes from the HLA-B8,DR3 haplotype has been reported by different research groups. This haplotype is associated in all Caucasian populations with a wide variety of diseases with autoimmune features, and in healthy subjects it is associated with a number of immune system dysfunctions. Mainly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-B8,DR3-positive and -negative individuals differ in their ability to produce interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-12 and interferon-gamma upon stimulation with the mitogen phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA), while producing similar amounts of IL4, IL-6 and IL-10. Furthermore, in HLA-B8,DR3-positive subjects tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion is increased both with and without PHA stimulation. Accurate control of the functional repertoire of an immune response is a critical parameter in the response to infections as well as in immunopathology. MHC control of the class of the immune response at the level of cytokine production is a sophisticated way in which this occurs. This control might be involved in adaptive immune responses to infections as well as in immunopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Istituto di Patologia generale, Palermo, Italy
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25
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Lio D, Candore G, Cigna D, D'Anna C, Di Lorenzo G, Giordano C, Lucania G, Mansueto P, Melluso M, Modica MA, Caruso C. In vitro T cell activation in elderly individuals: failure in CD69 and CD71 expression. Mech Ageing Dev 1996; 89:51-8. [PMID: 8819106 DOI: 10.1016/0047-6374(96)01726-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A large number of T cell dysfunctions have been observed in the elderly. The most widely observed is the inability of these cells to proliferate at a level comparable to T cells from young individuals after stimulation by mitogens. To better characterize T cell impairment, we have focused on the in vitro T cell activation, analyzing by flow cytometry the activation molecules CD69 and CD71 on mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes from young and elderly subjects. The results show that the percentages of CD69+ and CD71 + T cells were significantly decreased in cultures from elderly subjects when compared to values obtained culturing cells from young individuals. The differences observed seem not due to differences in CD4 and CD8 rates in the "old' cells that underwent activation, since, following activation, the pattern of CD4 and CD8 phenotypes was the same in both groups of subjects. Signals from CD69 are relevant in controlling cytokine gene expression because its stimulation leads to interleukin-2 production and increases its receptor expression. The interaction of this cytokine with its cellular receptor is an essential requirement for T lymphocytes to express CD71 and to start proliferation. Thus, a key role in the age-associated impairment of T cell activation could be played by an ineffective modulation of CD69 expression suggesting a defect in the signal transduction pathway of the T cell receptor-CD3 complex in elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Istituto di Patologia generale, dell' Universita' di Palermo, Italy
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Lio D, D'Anna C, Gervasi F, Cigna D, Modica MA, Candore G, Caruso C. In vitro impairment of interleukin-5 production in HLA-B8, DR3-positive individuals implications for immunoglobulin A synthesis dysfunction. Hum Immunol 1995; 44:170-4. [PMID: 8666553 DOI: 10.1016/0198-8859(95)00084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Healthy subjects carrying the HLA-B8,DR3 haplotype may show a large number of immune dysfunctions. Concerning T-cell dysfunctions, the most intriguing is a defect of the early phases of T-cell activation, responsible for the impairment of in vitro mitogen-stimulated cytokine production. Regarding B-cell dysfunctions, one the most fascinating topics is the association between this haplotype and IgA deficiency in healthy blood donors. Accordingly, HLA-B8,DR3-positive healthy subjects show significantly lower values of serum IgA than HLA-B8,DR3-negative ones. Because IL-5 is a stimulating factor for the secretion of IgA by committed B cells, we have analyzed the in vitro mitogen-stimulated IL-5 production by MNCs from healthy HLA-B8,DR3-positive individuals to study whether they display an impaired production of IL-5. The results clearly demonstrate that MNCs from HLA-B8,DR3-positive individuals display significant reduction of IL-5 production, suggesting that IgA synthesis dysregulation observed in HLA-B8,DR3-positive subjects could be due to an impairment of IL-5 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lio
- Institute of General Pathology, University of Palermo, Italy
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