Occupational asthma in greenhouse tomato growing

An employee working in a commercial tomato growing greenhouse developed asthma of increasing severity over a period of 8 years. She was diagnosed as having occupational asthma by a chest physician. The cause was obscure and initial allergy testing was negative. Further investigation of the workplace gave rise to suspicion of allergy to insects. Immunological testing confirmed sensitization to Red Spider Mite.

Thromboxane and prostacyclin synthesis in experimental pancreas transplantation. Changes in parenchymal and vascular prostanoids

The principal causes of failure of a pancreas transplant are rejection and vascular thrombosis. There is an unusually high attrition rate for pancreas transplants, but study models have been difficult to develop. In a rat model that allows study of acute rejection to the exclusion of nonspecific effects of transplant surgery on the pancreas, in vitro synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) by transplanted pancreas and the blood vessels transplanted with it was measured using an RIA for their stable hydrolysis products 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). TXB2 synthesis was significantly greater in allotransplanted pancreas than isotransplanted pancreas from the 5th day after transplantation. Rejection was complete in the allografted group 7-9 days after transplantation. 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha synthesis was similar in the pancreas for both allografts and isografts. Similar changes were seen in aorta, celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and portal vein transplanted with the pancreas. In the transplanted aorta, TXB2 was significantly greater in the allograft group from the third posttransplant day. A group of CsA-treated allografts sampled after 9 days had transplanted pancreatic parenchymal and vascular prostanoid synthesis in the isograft range. The changes in PGI2 and TXA2 synthesis that accompany cellular rejection may mediate vascular failure in rejecting pancreas transplants, and changes in PGI2 and TXA2 synthesis in blood vessels transplanted with the pancreas could promote early vascular thrombosis.

The in-vitro inhibition of rat alloantigen presentation by immunotoxins--implications for allografting

The removal of graft interstitial dendritic cells (IDC) prior to transplantation into a recipient has been shown to improve graft survival in a number of experimental studies. We report the in-vitro properties of two immunotoxins (IT) which could be used to deplete graft IDC when administered ex vivo by hypothermic perfusion in an experimental rat transplantation model. Ricin A chain (RAC) IT targeted at either class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules or leukocyte common antigens (LCA) were prepared. These IT had similar equilibrium constants, binding kinetics and inhibiting activity of cell-free protein synthesis. IT cytotoxicity was assessed by inhibition of alloantigen presentation by targeted low density spleen cells (LDSC) in a one way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). When LDSC were hypothermically incubated for 2 h with IT only the anti class II MHC IT inhibited the MLC and the maximum inhibition depended on the cell allotypes. The inhibition was increased to almost 100% when chloroquine was incorporated throughout the culture period.

Cortical and vascular prostaglandin synthesis during renal allograft rejection in the rat

Alterations in local prostacyclin and thromboxane synthesis could mediate the changes in vascular perfusion and platelet deposition in acutely rejecting renal allografts and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been implicated in the regulation of the immune response. 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6 KetoPGF1 alpha), thromboxane B2 (TxB2) (the stable degradation products of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 [TxA2], respectively) and PGE2 were measured in incubates of cortical slices taken from rat renal allografts or isografts one to seven days after transplantation. 6 KetoPGF1 alpha and TxB2 synthesis was also measured in incubates of blood vessels supplying and transplanted with the kidney in these animals. During the phase of cellular rejection (3-5 days), TxB2 synthesis was selectively elevated in allografted renal cortex, renal artery, renal vein, and abdominal aorta in comparison with isografted tissues. There was also a small but significant rise in cortical PGE2 synthesis at this time, but vascular and cortical 6 KetoPGF1 alpha production remained unchanged. Renal infarction, occurring 7 days after transplantation, was accompanied by a nonspecific rise in the synthesis of all three prostaglandins by renal cortical slices. Increased tissue TxA2 synthesis may contribute to local thrombosis and decreased graft perfusion during acute rejection, thereby potentiating graft destruction.