BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is known that patients with malignant tumor often have depressed antitumor immunity. Much information has been generated about a biologically-based therapy, which can induce or activate antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) capable of recognizing the antigens associated with the major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC). Optimal induction of CTL seems to require contact with antigenic peptides presented by antigen presenting cell (APC). Dendritic cells (DC) are currently considered to be the most effective and professional APC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With an injection of SCC cells (1x105) to the back of C3H mouse, a consistent and immunocompetent experimental animal tumor model was achieved. DCs were successfully cultured from the bone marrow of C3H mouse, and phenotypically they expressed high levels of co-stimulatory molecules and abundant MHC. Cultured DCs were intraperitoneally injected into the tumor-established mouse. RESULTS: In the treated group, tumor sizes were smaller, infiltration to the adjacent structures were limited. T cells extracted from the spleen of the treated group showed better proliferative and cytolytic activity toward tumor cells. The results of this study suggest that DCs have an effect to suppress the growth of tumors and to induce higher T cell reactivity toward tumor cells. CONCLUSION: These results may help in proceeding further immunologic approaches to reduce the morbidity and mortality in patients with the head and neck SCC.
Animals ; Bone Marrow* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Dendritic Cells* ; Head ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive* ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Mortality ; Neck ; Peptides ; Spleen ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

BACKGROUND: Despite proposing clonal depletion, anergy, and alternation of cytokines in peripheral tolerance, the precise mechanism for the immunosuppressive effect of blood transfusion remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the effect of transfusion on the immune system indirectly via quantitation of leukocyte cytokine mRNA expression before and after allogeneic transfusion. METHODS: Samples were obtained from eight patients, being ordered one to four units of leukocytefree erythrocytes, before, 1, and 7 days after transfusion, from November to December, 2002 at Inha University Hospital. We explored the changes in mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). RESULTS: In four patients who received blood transfusions among eight, significant changes were observed in the blood mRNA levels of INF-gamma and IL-10. The amounts of IFN-gamma mRNA were significantly decreased a day after transfusion to 78.5% and then recovered to 110.9% 7 days later (P=0.032), whereas, that of IL-10 was increased to 151.5% a day after and recovered to 119.1% 7 days later (P=0.034). mRNA expressions of IL-2, IL-4, and TNF-alpha were not detected in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant decrease in leukocyte IFN-gamma mRNA expression and an increase in IL-10 mRNA after transfusion. These findings indirectly represent that down-regulation of the Th1 cells and the up-regulation of the Th2 cells could be caused by allogeneic transfusion.
Blood Transfusion ; Cytokines ; Down-Regulation ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Immune System ; Interferons ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Leukocytes ; Peripheral Tolerance ; RNA, Messenger* ; Th1 Cells ; Th2 Cells ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With the increasing survival of preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has become an important complication. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and outcome of PH in preterm infants with BPD and to identify the risk factors for PH. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 116 preterm infants with BPD cared for at a single tertiary center between 2004 and 2008. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (25%) infants had PH >2 months after birth. PH occurred initially at a median age of 65 days (range, 7-232 days). Severe BPD, a birth weight <800 g, long-term ventilator care and oxygen supplementation, a high ventilator setting, infection, and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were related to PH based on univariate analysis (p<0.05). The infants who had longer oxygen supplementation were significantly more likely to have PH (odds ratio, 18.5; 95% confidence interval, 4.1-84.6; p<0.001). PH was improved in 76% of infants after a median of 85 days (range, 20-765 days). Four infants (14%) died. The death of 3 infants was attributed to PH. CONCLUSION: BPD was frequently complicated by PH. Although PH resolved in the majority of infants, PH in preterm infants with BPD can be fatal. Regular screening for PH and adequate management are required.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Mass Screening ; Oxygen ; Parturition ; Risk Factors ; Ventilators, Mechanical