OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the accumulation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in the lungs at the early stage of burns.

METHODSMyeloperoxidase content in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected. ICAM-1 and its mRNA expression in lung tissues were determined by immunohistochemical method and in situ hybridization. CD11b/CD18 expression on the peripheral PMNs was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe levels of myeloperoxidase in lung tissues and BALF after burn injury were markedly higher than those of control. Expression of ICAM-1 and its mRNA in the lung tissues and CD11b/CD18 on peripheral PMNs surface was significantly increased at 2, 6, 12, 24 h after burns.

CONCLUSIONSPMNs accumulation in the lungs is related to increased ICAM-1 expression on pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and CD11b/CD18 expression on PMN at the early stage of burn injury.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Burns ; blood ; immunology ; Cell Adhesion ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Lung ; blood supply ; Macrophage-1 Antigen ; analysis ; Neutrophils ; immunology ; pathology ; Peroxidase ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo research the maturation regulation of dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell soluble antigens.

METHODSBCG HSP 70 was purified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and its biological activity was determined with ELISA. Phenotypes of DCs pulsed with antigens or with both antigens and BCG HSP 70 were analysed with flow cytometry. MTT assay was used to estimate the proliferation of self lymphocytes and the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of BCG HSP 70 primed DCs.

RESULTSThe characteristics of DCs had changed after loaded with soluble antigens of HCC. There were about 10% DCs which had lost their specific markers. The expression levels of CD54, CD83, CD86 molecules and the stimulatory ability in allogeneic MLR decreased. However, after being activated by BCG HSP 70, the DCs pulsed with antigens could keep their special markers and the expression levels of CD54, CD83, CD86 molecules increased too. The stimulatory abilities in allogeneic MLR and proliferation of self lymphocytes also improved.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows that BCG HSP 70 can induce DCs pulsed with antigens maturation and improve their antigen-presenting ability, which may be a useful maturation inducer for dendritic cells.

Antigen Presentation ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; B7-2 Antigen ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Mycobacterium bovis ; immunology

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a pineal neurohormone, is a hydroxyl radical scavenger and antioxidant, and plays an important role in the immune system. We studied the effect of exogenous melatonin on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with rat spinal cord homogenates. Subsequent oral administration of melatonin at 5 mg/kg significantly reduced the clinical severity of EAE paralysis compared with administration of the vehicle alone (p<0.01). Infiltration of ED1 macrophages and CD4 T cells into spinal cords occurred both in the absence and presence of melatonin treatment, but melatonin-treated rats had less spinal cord infiltration of inflammatory cells than did the control group. ICAM-1 immunoreactivity in the blood vessels of EAE lesions was decreased in melatonin-treated rats compared to vehicle-treated rats. These findings suggest that exogenous melatonin ameliorates EAE via a mechanism involving reduced expression of ICAM-1 and lymphocyte function associated antigen-1a in autoimmune target organs.
Animals ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/*immunology/prevention & control ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/analysis/*immunology ; Male ; Melatonin/administration & dosage/*physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Spinal Cord/chemistry/pathology

Adult ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; B7-1 Antigen ; analysis ; B7-2 Antigen ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; HLA-DR Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo detect the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sI- CAM-1) in the seminal plasma of infertile men and explore the role of inflammatory cytokines in male immune infertility.

METHODSBased on the results of the sperm-bound antibody immunobead test, 123 males with clinically suspected infertility were divided into an immune infertility group (n = 41), other infertility group A (n = 37), and other infertility group B (n = 45). The immune infertility patients were further subdivided into a leukocyte-positive and a leukocyte-negative group according to the results of leukocyte peroxidase staining. The control group included 31 males confirmed to be fertilein the clinic. Statistical analyses were conducted on the differences in inflammatory cytokines expressions and main parameters in the seminal plasma among different groups. The seminal liquefaction time was measured by visual and microscopic observation, sperm concentration and motility detected using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system, sperm viability determined by hypotonic swelling assay, and the expression levels of IL-6 and sICAM-1 meas- ured by ELISA.

RESULTSThe infertility groups showed significantly lowers perm viability (P < 0.05) and progressive motility (P < 0.01) than the fertile control, but no remarkable differences from the latter in sperm concentration (P > 0.05) and semen liquefaction time (P > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in seminal parameters between the immune infertility group and other infertility groups (P > 0.05). The IL-6 and sICAM-1 levels in the seminal plasma were extremely significantly higher in the im- mune infertility group ([37.92 ± 17.01] ng/L and [89.15 ± 41.82] ng/ml), other infertility group A ([22.23 ± 13.77] ng/L and [67.81 ± 33.24] ng/ml), and other infertility group B ([18.75 ± 14.32] ng/L and [53.25 ± 27.09] ng/ml) than in the normal control group ([9.47 ± 5.76] ng/L and [19.46 ± 9.77] ng/ml) (P <0.01) , with remarkable differences between the immune infertility group and the other two infertility groups (P < 0.05). The leukocyte-positive patients showed significantly increased levels of IL-6 ([49.25 ± 21.46] ng/L) and sICAM-1 ([104.36 ± 46.41] ng/ml) as compared with the leukocyte-negative ones ([31.38 ± 15.54] ng/Land [80.38 ± 35.52] ng/ml) (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIL-6 and sICAM-1 in the seminalplasma are involved in male immune infertility.

Biomarkers ; analysis ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; classification ; immunology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; immunology ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa

To establish reference values of various immunophenotypic markers in B lymphocyte population in healthy Chinese adults and build background information for accurate interpretation of B cell immunophenotyping data in clinical practice, peripheral blood from 41 healthy adults were collected separately into test tubes containing EDTA-K(2) and stored in room temperature no more than 24 hours before analysis. Whole blood lysis technique and multiparameter flow cytometry were applied to immunophenotype B cells gated on CD19/SSC dot-plot. The results showed that CD22, CD20, CD62L, CD40, CD24, CD79b, CD79a, and FMC-7 were almost positive in the circulating B cell population, whereas CD11a, CD80, CD103, CD10, CD40L, CD54, CD95L, CD86, and CD95 were almost negative in the peripheral blood B lymphocytes. CD18, CD44, CD23, CD5, CD11c and CD43 were positive in different B cell subpopulations. 78% of B cells were IgD positive and ratio kappa/lambda was 1.26. The significance of all these markers in the differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases was discussed. The conclusion is that it is necessary to consider the qualitative and quantitative levels of expression of various markers in normal B cell population in order to accurately interpret the pathological immunophenotypic data in clinical practice. It is also important to note the immunotypic differences of B cells between Chinese and Western populations.
Adult ; Aged ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD5 Antigens ; analysis ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; immunology ; Lymphoma ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, IgE ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe the postburn changes in the plasma levels of ICAM-1, IL-10 and TNFalpha during early postburn stage.

METHODSNineteen burn patients were enrolled in the study. The plasma levels of the above 3 kinds of factors were determined with ELISA in the peripheral plasma of the patients, plasma samples from 11 healthy volunteers were taken as the control.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of ICAM-1, IL-10 and TNFalpha increased obviously postburn, especially in those patients who were complicated with hypovolumic shock, sepsis and MODS (P < 0.05 - 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe monitoring of the postburn changes in plasma levels of ICAM-1, IL-10 and TNFalpha might be helpful in the forecast of postburn sepsis and the development of MODS.

Adult ; Burns ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; immunology ; Sepsis ; immunology ; Shock ; immunology ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

Effect of M. tuberculosis infection was studied on the expression of intercellular adhesion molocule-1 (ICAM-1) and Mac-1 markers on murine peritoneal macrophages. Intraperitoneal administration of M. tuberculosis resulted in a marked increase in the proportion of Mac-1+ cells whereas the proportion of ICAM-1+ cells declined sharply 4 h post infection. Absolute numbers of Mac-1+ and ICAM-1+ cells however increased at all time points after the infection. Comparison of kinetics of changes observed in Mac-1+ and ICAM-1+ cell populations with differential leukocyte counts in peritoneal cells indicated that these alterations could be due to cellular influx, especially that of neutrophils, or up regulation of these markers on macrophages and other peritoneal cells. In adherent peritoneal macrophages infected in vitro with M. tuberculosis, proportion of Mac-1+ and ICAM-1+ cells increased markedly within 24 h of infection. Mean expression of these markers on per cell basis also increased significantly. Similar results were obtained by using RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line, suggesting that the enhanced expression of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 markers was a direct effect of M. tuberculosis infection and not mediated by contaminating cell types present in adherent macrophage preparations. Mac- 1 and ICAM-1 expression was further studied on macrophages that had actually engulfed M. tuberculosis and compared with bystander macrophages without intracellular M. tuberculosis. For this purpose M. tuberculosis pre-stained with DilC18 fluorescent dye were used for infecting adherent peritoneal macrophages. Mac-1 and ICAM-1 expression on gated DilC18 positive and negative cell populations was analyzed. Our results indicate that the expression of Mac-1 and ICAM- 1 markers was significantly enhanced on all macrophages incubated with M. tuberculosis but was more pronounced on macrophages with internalized mycobacteria. Taken together, our results suggest that the expression of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 markers is significantly up regulated
Animals ; Biological Markers/analysis/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/analysis/*biosynthesis ; Macrophage-1 Antigen/analysis/*biosynthesis ; Macrophages, Peritoneal/*immunology/*microbiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; *Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Peritoneum/microbiology ; Phagocytosis/physiology ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tuberculosis/*immunology ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on differentiation and function of dendritic cells derived from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells.

METHODSAfter isolation from umbilical cord blood with a high-gradient magnetic cell sorting system (MACS), the CD34+ cells were cultured with a cocktail cytokines for differentiating into dendritic cells (DC). The cells were stimulated by VEGF (25 ng/ml) either at the beginning or at day 9 of culture. Kinetics analysis of cell proliferation was performed during the process of cell culture, and the expression of DC differentiation antigens including CD1alpha, CD83, CD80, CD54 and HLA-DR was examined by flow cytometry. DC function was evaluated by the ability to induce proliferation of allogeneic T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay, and the production of IL-12 by ELISA.

RESULTSVEGF added at day 1 of culture induced an increase of total cell numbers by (1.51 +/- 0.23)-folds (P = 0.001). VEGF added at the initial but not the late stage of culture could dramatically down-regulate the expression of CD1a [(33.00 +/- 2.12)% vs (81.20 +/- 6.93)%], CD83 [(42.23 +/- 1.15)% vs (87.98 +/- 7.97)%], CD80 (42.93 +/- 1.32)% vs (94.53 +/- 0.87)%], and HLA-DR [(37.93 +/- 5.30)% vs (74.15 +/- 3.74)%], while obviously up-regulate the expression of CD14. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of VEGF on DC function was confirmed by a reduced ability to induce proliferation of allogeneic T cells and production of IL-12 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSVEGF could induce the expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells and inhibit at the early stage their differentiation into mature DC.

Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD1 ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; blood ; B7-1 Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; HLA-DR Antigens ; analysis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Interleukin-12 ; analysis ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology