1
|
Silberstein J, Wee C, Gupta A, Seymour H, Ghotra SS, Sá dos Reis C, Zhang G, Sun Z. Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Detection of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures on Lateral Chest Radiographs in Post-Menopausal Women. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7730. [PMID: 38137799 PMCID: PMC10743975 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247730] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) are often not reported by radiologists on routine chest radiographs. This study aims to investigate the clinical value of a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Ofeye 1.0, for automated detection of OVFs on lateral chest radiographs in post-menopausal women (>60 years) who were referred to undergo chest x-rays for other reasons. A total of 510 de-identified lateral chest radiographs from three clinical sites were retrieved and analysed using the Ofeye 1.0 tool. These images were then reviewed by a consultant radiologist with findings serving as the reference standard for determining the diagnostic performance of the AI tool for the detection of OVFs. Of all the original radiologist reports, missed OVFs were found in 28.8% of images but were detected using the AI tool. The AI tool demonstrated high specificity of 92.8% (95% CI: 89.6, 95.2%), moderate accuracy of 80.3% (95% CI: 76.3, 80.4%), positive predictive value (PPV) of 73.7% (95% CI: 65.2, 80.8%), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 81.5% (95% CI: 79, 83.8%), but low sensitivity of 49% (95% CI: 40.7, 57.3%). The AI tool showed improved sensitivity compared with the original radiologist reports, which was 20.8% (95% CI: 14.5, 28.4). The new AI tool can be used as a complementary tool in routine diagnostic reports for the reduction in missed OVFs in elderly women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Silberstein
- Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia;
| | - Cleo Wee
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia; (C.W.); (A.G.)
| | - Ashu Gupta
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia; (C.W.); (A.G.)
- Radiology Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA 6105, Australia
| | - Hannah Seymour
- Department of Geriatrics and Aged Care, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia;
| | - Switinder Singh Ghotra
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of Yverdon-les-Bains (eHnv), 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland;
- School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Cláudia Sá dos Reis
- School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Guicheng Zhang
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia;
| | - Zhonghua Sun
- Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia;
- Curtin Health Research Innovation Institute (CHIRI), Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hollands M, Wee C, Breidahl W, Xu D. Presentation of multiple painful subcutaneous nodules: Dercum's disease, a rare variant of lipoma. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e254263. [PMID: 37562864 PMCID: PMC10423791 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254263] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A woman in her 50s presented to her general practitioner (GP) with an 8-month history of multiple painful subcutaneous nodules of various sizes in her trunk and limbs. Her previous GP made the clinical diagnosis of lipoma when they presented as non-painful nodules 2 years ago. Initial ultrasound demonstrated multiple lipomata with the largest size in the left upper thighs displaying features of subtle internal vascularity, entirely contained within the subcutaneous layer. MRI scan of thigh lesions showed multiple angiolipomas consistent with the entity of Dercum's disease. Subsequent biopsy histology confirmed the image diagnosis of angiolipoma. She was referred to a musculoskeletal oncological surgeon for evaluation and reassurance regarding optimising medical management of her associated obesity. Her angiolipoma and obesity are well managed by her GP. This case highlights the diagnostic workup of a rare variant of lipoma, Dercum's disease. The differential diagnosis of multiple painful lipomas was reviewed and discussed, consequently leading to the discussion of managing the associated obesity in this case.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maddison Hollands
- St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Cleo Wee
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University Bentley Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - William Breidahl
- Perth Radiological Clinic, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dan Xu
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University Bentley Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical Education & General Practice, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun Z, Wee C. 3D Printed Models in Cardiovascular Disease: An Exciting Future to Deliver Personalized Medicine. Micromachines (Basel) 2022; 13:1575. [PMID: 36295929 PMCID: PMC9610217 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
3D printing has shown great promise in medical applications with increased reports in the literature. Patient-specific 3D printed heart and vascular models replicate normal anatomy and pathology with high accuracy and demonstrate superior advantages over the standard image visualizations for improving understanding of complex cardiovascular structures, providing guidance for surgical planning and simulation of interventional procedures, as well as enhancing doctor-to-patient communication. 3D printed models can also be used to optimize CT scanning protocols for radiation dose reduction. This review article provides an overview of the current status of using 3D printing technology in cardiovascular disease. Limitations and barriers to applying 3D printing in clinical practice are emphasized while future directions are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Sun
- Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia
| | - Cleo Wee
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dong X, Wee C, Xu D, Wan P. Rare cause of left eye floaters and blurred vision in an immunocompromised patient: acute retinal necrosis (ARN). BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e248636. [PMID: 35236705 PMCID: PMC8895929 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-248636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a clinical syndrome featuring severe vitritis and occlusive vasculitis characterised by full thickness necrotising retinitis. ARN is usually caused by an acute infection by either varicella zoster virus or herpes simplex virus, rarely cytomegalovirus (CMV). ARN often occurs in healthy adults; occasionally affecting immunocompromised patients with poor prognosis including significant visual loss and detachment of the atrophic retina regardless of antiviral treatment. We presented a man in his early 30s with a history of left eye floaters and blurred vision. He was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 1 year ago and treated with chemotherapy and allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplant 5 months ago. His clinical diagnosis was left eye ARN caused by acute viral infection with CMV being the most likely cause, which is rarely seen in immunocompromised patients. Our case highlighted a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the absence of guideline or evidence-based literature to follow.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cleo Wee
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University Bentley Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dan Xu
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University Bentley Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical Education & General Practice, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengxia Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu D, Chandler O, Wee C, Ho C, Affandi JS, Yang D, Liao X, Chen W, Li Y, Reid C, Xiao H. Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor (SGLT2i) as a Primary Preventative Agent in the Healthy Individual: A Need of a Future Randomised Clinical Trial? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:712671. [PMID: 34497814 PMCID: PMC8419219 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.712671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a relatively novel class of drug for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that inhibits glucose reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule to promote glycosuria and reduce blood glucose levels. SGLT2i has been clinically indicated for treating T2DM, with numerous recent publications focussing on both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and renal events in Type 2 diabetic patients. The most recent clinical trials showed that SGLT2i have moderately significant beneficial effects on atherosclerotic major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with histories of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In this review and analysis, SGLT2i have however demonstrated clinically significant benefits in reducing hospitalisation for heart failure and worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) irrespective of pre-existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or previous heart failure history. A meta-analysis suggests that all SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated the therapeutic benefit on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, as shown in EMPAREG OUTCOME study with a significant decrease in myocardial infarction, without increased stroke risk. All the above clinical trial recruited type 2 diabetic patients. This article aims to postulate and review the possible primary prevention role of SGLT2i in healthy individuals by reviewing the current literature and provide a prospective overview. The emphasis will include primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Failure, CKD, Hypertension, Obesity and Dyslipidaemia in healthy individuals, whom are defined as healthy, low or intermediate risks patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, CCRE, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Medical Education, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Owain Chandler
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Cleo Wee
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Chau Ho
- Faculty of Health Sciences, CCRE, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jacquita S Affandi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, CCRE, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Daya Yang
- Department of Medical Education, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinxue Liao
- Department of Medical Education, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Medical Education, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Renal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanbing Li
- Department of Medical Education, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Christopher Reid
- Faculty of Health Sciences, CCRE, Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Medical Education, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The epidemiology of esophageal adenocarcinoma demonstrates a strong gender bias with a sex ratio of 8-9:1 in favor of males. A potential explanation for this is that estrogen might protect against esophageal adenocarcinoma. Estrogen has previously been shown to stimulate apoptosis in esophageal squamous cancer cells. However, the effect of estrogen on esophageal adenocarcinoma cells has not been determined. We used immunoblotting analysis to determine the expression of estrogen receptors, cell adhesion marker E-cadherin, and proliferation marker Ki-67 in cell lines derived from esophageal adenocarcinoma (OE-19, OE-33) and Barrett's esophagus (QhTRT, ChTRT, GihTRT). Estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)-dependent effects on cell growth were determined by the CellTiter-96 Aqueous Proliferation Assay. Apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/Propidium Iodide cell labeling and flow cytometry. We detected that physiological and supra-physiological concentrations of 17β-estradiol and SERM decreased cell growth in esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. In Barrett's esophagus cells (QhTRT, ChTRT), decreased growth was also detected in response to estrogen/SERM. The level of estrogen receptor expression in the cell lines correlated with the level of anti-growth effects induced by the receptor agonists. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed estrogen/SERM stimulated apoptosis in esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Estrogen/SERM treatments were associated with a decrease in the expression of Ki-67 and an increase in E-cadherin expression in esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. This study suggests that esophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett's esophagus cells respond to treatment with selective estrogen receptor ligands, resulting in decreased cell growth and apoptosis. Further research to explore potential therapeutic applications is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O A Sukocheva
- Department of Surgery, Flinders Centre for Cancer Prevention and Control, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Van Meerbeke J, Gibbs R, Plasterer H, Feng Z, Lin MY, Wee C, Xia B, Jacques V, Rusche J, Ko CP, Sumner C. The Therapeutic Effects of RG3039 in Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy Mice and Normal Human Volunteers (SC01.002). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.sc01.002] [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: 11/15/2022] Open
|
8
|
Van Meerbeke J, Gibbs R, Plasterer H, Feng Z, Lin MY, Wee C, Xia B, Jacques V, Rusche J, Ko CP, Sumner C. The Therapeutic Effects of RG3039 in Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy Mice and Normal Human Volunteers (S25.003). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.s25.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
9
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare atropine with placebo as an adjunct to ketamine sedation in children undergoing minor painful procedures. Outcome measures included hypersalivation, side effect profile, parental/patient satisfaction, and procedural success rate. METHODS Children aged between 1 and 16 years of age requiring ketamine procedural sedation in a tertiary emergency department were randomised to receive 0.01 mg/kg of atropine or placebo. All received 4 mg/kg of intramuscular ketamine. Tolerance and sedation scores were recorded throughout the procedure. Side effects were recorded from the start of sedation until discharge. Parental and patient satisfaction scores were obtained at discharge and three to five days after the procedure, with the opportunity to report side effects encountered at home. RESULTS A total of 83 patients aged 13 months to 14.5 years (median age 3.4 years) were enrolled over a 16 month period. Hypersalivation occurred in 11.4% of patients given atropine compared with 30.8% given placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 0.91). A transient rash was observed in 22.7% of the atropine group compared with 5.1% of the placebo group (OR 5.44, 95% CI 1.11 to 26.6). Vomiting during recovery occurred in 9.1% of atropine patients compared with 25.6% of placebo patients (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.02). There was a trend towards better tolerance in the placebo group. No patient experienced serious side effects. CONCLUSION Ketamine sedation was successful and well tolerated in all cases. The use of atropine as an adjunct for intramuscular ketamine sedation in children significantly reduces hypersalivation and may lower the incidence of post-procedural vomiting. Atropine is associated with a higher incidence of a transient rash. No serious adverse events were noted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Heinz
- Department of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospital Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
|
11
|
Macaubas C, de Klerk NH, Holt BJ, Wee C, Kendall G, Firth M, Sly PD, Holt PG. Association between antenatal cytokine production and the development of atopy and asthma at age 6 years. Lancet 2003; 362:1192-7. [PMID: 14568741 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)14542-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various lines of evidence suggest that antenatal factors are important in determining susceptibility to atopy and asthma. One possible mechanism is cytokines, production of which in the placenta is high throughout gestation and which protect placental integrity via control of local immunological homoeostasis. We investigated antenatal cytokine concentrations in a prospective birth cohort, intensively monitored for atopy and asthma outcomes at age 6 years. METHODS Cryopreserved cord-blood serum samples from 407 children were assayed for interleukins 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, and 13, interferon gamma, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). Associations between family, antenatal, and perinatal factors, cord-blood cytokine concentrations, and atopy or asthma outcomes were analysed by logistic regression. Causal effects of cytokines on outcomes were estimated by propensity scores based on family, antenatal, and perinatal factors. FINDINGS Detectable cord-blood concentrations of interleukin 4 and interferon gamma were each associated with lower risk of physician-diagnosed asthma (adjusted odds ratios 0.60 [95% CI 0.37-0.99] and 0.60 [0.37-0.97] respectively), current asthma (0.59 [0.33-1.00] and 0.39 [0.22-0.71]), and current wheeze (0.55 [0.32-0.93] and 0.52 [0.31-0.90]) and atopy (sensitisation to some inhalant allergens) outcomes at 6 years. High concentrations of TNFalpha were associated with lower risk of atopy but not with asthma risk. These associations were broadly unaltered by propensity-score adjustment. Maternal smoking was associated with higher risk of both wheeze at 6 years and lower concentrations of interleukin 4 and interferon gamma in cord blood. INTERPRETATION The mechanism underlying attenuated T-helper-1/T-helper-2 cytokine production in high-risk children also apparently operates in control of cytokine production in the fetoplacental unit. The finding that this mechanism is dysregulated by maternal smoking suggests it is a target for antenatal environmental factors relevant to asthma aetiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Macaubas
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, and Centre for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Macaubas C, Lee PT, Smallacombe TB, Holt BJ, Wee C, Sly PD, Holt PG. Reciprocal patterns of allergen-induced GATA-3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from atopics vs. non-atopics. Clin Exp Allergy 2002; 32:97-106. [PMID: 12002746 DOI: 10.1046/j.0022-0477.2001.01288.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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
BACKGROUND T helper (Th)2 cytokines are considered to play a central role in the induction and expression of allergic disease. However, the relative importance of individual cytokines is unclear, and overall disease pathogenesis appears to involve the coordinate activities of a range of Th2 cytokines acting in sequence or in parallel. The present study examines an alternative approach to the study of cytokine gene function in atopy, focusing instead upon T cell transcription factors (TFs) which play a role in the regulation of multiple cytokine genes. OBJECTIVE To investigate the allergen-induced expression of the TF GATA-3 and c-Maf in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in cytokine-driven Th polarization. METHODS PBMC from house dust mite (HDM)-atopic and non-atopics were stimulated in vitro with allergen or anti-CD3/IL-2. TF expression was analysed by semiquantitative RT-PCR and major findings were validated by real-time PCR. Cell separations were performed to analyse the contribution of CD45RO+ cells. CD4+ cord blood cells were Th1 or Th2 polarized in vitro by exogenous cytokines and TF expression analysed by Northern blot and real-time PCR. Results We demonstrate for the first time that during differentiation of CD4+ CD45RA+ naïve human T cells towards Th2 commitment, and during allergen-specific reactivation of peripheral CD4+ CD45RO+ Th2 memory cells in established atopics, expression of the Th2-associated TF GATA-3 is rapidly up-regulated, whereas T cells from non-atopics display equally rapid GATA-3 down-regulation under identical conditions of allergen stimulation. CONCLUSION These findings identify Th2-associated TFs as key determinants of the atopic phenotype, suggesting their unique potential as therapeutic targets for disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Macaubas
- TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rudin A, Macaubas C, Wee C, Holt BJ, Slya PD, Holt PG. "Bystander" amplification of PBMC cytokine responses to seasonal allergen in polysensitized atopic children. Allergy 2001; 56:1042-8. [PMID: 11703216 DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.00991.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [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: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic children show increased expression and production of the Th2-associated cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-9 from PBMCs after stimulation with allergen, but it has previously not been clearly determined whether the Th2-cytokine production is restricted to the inhalant allergen the child is sensitized to, and whether perennial or seasonal allergens induce different cytokine responses. Our purpose was to determine whether in vitro Th2 cytokine production is specific to the sensitizing allergen, and to compare the cytokine responses to a perennial and a seasonal allergen in monosensitized and polysensitized children. METHODS Using semiquantitative RT-PCR, we analyzed the expression of the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-9, IL-10, and IFN-gamma after stimulation of PBMCs with house-dust-mite (HDM) or ryegrass allergen. The cells were sampled from groups of 6-year-old children sensitized to either HDM (n=20) or ryegrass (n=24), or to both allergens (n=20), as well as from a nonatopic group (n=20). RESULTS After stimulation with HDM allergen, PBMCs from children sensitized only to HDM expressed increased mRNA levels of the Th2 cytokines, but not of IL-10 and IFN-gamma, whereas ryegrass stimulation did not result in increased cytokine expression. PBMCs from children sensitized to HDM and ryegrass expressed increased Th2 cytokines after stimulation with either of the two allergens. In contrast, PBMCs from children sensitized only to ryegrass did not express increased levels after stimulation with either of the allergens. CONCLUSIONS The expression of Th2 cytokines after in vitro stimulation of PBMCs from atopic children is specific to the sensitizing allergen, indicating that atopic status per se does not affect the type of T-cell response. In addition, T cells specific to seasonal allergens circulate in the blood out of season only if the child is concomitantly sensitized to a perennial allergen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Rudin
- TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, and Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
|
15
|
Wee C, Muise ES, Coquelet O, Ennis M, Wagner J, Lemieux N, Branton PE, Nepveu A, Tremblay ML. Promoter analysis of the murine T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase gene. Gene 1999; 237:351-60. [PMID: 10521659 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(99)00332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC PTP) is expressed ubiquitously at all stages of mammalian development. However, mRNA levels fluctuate in a cell-cycle-dependent manner, reaching peak levels in late G1, and rapidly decreasing in S phase. Furthermore, TC PTP being present in higher amounts in lymphoid tissues, we have recently shown that it is essential for proper maintenance of both the bone marrow micro-environment and B- and T-cell functions. In order to better understand the elements controlling the expression pattern of this gene, we have isolated and characterized approx. 4kb of the murine TC PTP promoter. DNA sequencing of the proximal 5' region revealed the absence of both TATAA and CAAT boxes. Primer extension analysis and S1 nuclease mapping techniques identified multiple transcription initiation sites. Functional promoter activity was determined using transfection experiments of promoter deletion constructs fused to a CAT reporter construct. Our results indicate that the minimal promoter sequence required for functional expression is contained within the first 147bp of the TC PTP promoter. In addition, consistent with the cell-cycle-dependent expression of TC PTP, we localized a domain between 492 and 1976bp from the transcription initiation site through which repression occurs. In conclusion, although initiator-driven transcription allows for ubiquitous expression of TC PTP, we define general transcription motifs present within the promoter that may mediate specific modulations of the TC PTP gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Wee
- Department of Biochemistry, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|