Lymphocyte-fibroblast interaction in the pathogenesis of inflammatory gingival disease

Zusammenfassung Eine morphometrische Analyse menschlicher, entzündeter Gingiva ergab im Vergleich zu normalem Bindegewebe 70% weniger Kollagenfasern, dreifach vergrösserte und pathologisch veränderte Fibroblasten und eine kleine Population charakteristischer Immunoblasten mit einer Zellansammlung, die zu 76% aus Zellen der Lymphozytenserie bestand. Die Grösse der Fibroblasten war positiv mit der steigenden Zahl der Lymphozyten korreliert. Diese Befunde weisen auf eine Immunreaktion mit zytotoxischen Auswirkungen auf Fibroblasten des gingivalen Bindegewebes hin.     

On the role of non-specific factors in the pathogenesis of infectious disease

Zusammenfassung Es wird einleitend darauf hingewiesen, dass mehr und mehr die Bedeutung von unspezifischen Faktoren für die Resistenz gegen Infektionen erkannt wird. Solche Faktoren können wohl auch in der Pathogenese von Infektionskrankheiten eine Rolle spielen, so zum Beispiel eine erhöhte Sensibilität gegen Endotoxin, die während den verschiedensten experimentellen Infektionen in Tieren nachgewiesen werden kann. An Hand von Experimenten an Mäusen wird dargestellt, in welchem Ausmass eine vorausgehende Impfung mit BCG den Ablauf einer nachfolgenden Infektion mitSalmonella typhimurium in verschiedenster Weise beeinflussen kann. Dies hängt weitgehend davon ab, ob grosse oder kleine Dosen zur Infektion verwendet werden.     

Periostin in the pathogenesis of skin diseases

Skin is an organ that is susceptible to damage by external injury, chronic inflammation, and autoimmunity. Tissue damage causes alterations in both the configuration and type of cells in lesional skin. This phenomenon, called tissue remodeling, is a universal biological response elicited by programmed cell death, inflammation, immune disorders, and tumorigenic, tumor proliferative, and cytoreductive activity. In this process, changes in the components of the extracellular matrix are required to provide an environment that facilitates tissue remodeling. Among these extracellular matrix components, periostin, a glycoprotein that is predominantly secreted from dermal fibroblasts, has attracted attention. Periostin localizes in the papillary dermis of normal skin, and is aberrantly expressed in the dermis of lesional skin in atopic dermatitis, scar, systemic/limited scleroderma, melanoma, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and skin damage caused by allergic/autoimmune responses. Periostin induces processes that result in the development of dermal fibrosis, and activate or protract the immune response. The aim of this review was to summarize recent knowledge of the role of periostin in the pathogenesis of dermatoses, and to explore whether periostin is a potential therapeutic target for skin diseases.     

On the pathogenesis of the renoprival hypertension in dogs

Riassunto L'ipertensione arteriosa non compare nel cane nefrectomizzato bilateralmente, se non si associa la iperidratazione. La iperidratazione, peraltro, non produce ipertensione nel cane con ureteri legati. Solo nei cani renoprivi e iperidratati si ha un aumento del volume del sangue.      

The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world and cerebral malaria is responsible for the majority of malaria-associated deaths. There is a strong association between thrombocytopenia and outcome in malaria, suggesting a role for platelets in the pathogenesis of malaria. This thrombocytopenia is likely due to platelet activation possibly through an interaction between PfEMP1 on plasmodium and CD36 on platelets. Platelet activation by plasmodium has two potential consequences. It can lead to the formation of micro-aggregates of infected red blood cells and platelets which can occlude blood vessels and it also leads to binding to and activation of the endothelium.     

DNA hypomethylation in the origin and pathogenesis of human diseases

The pathogenesis of any given human disease is a complex multifactorial process characterized by many biologically significant and interdependent alterations. One of these changes, specific to a wide range of human pathologies, is DNA hypomethylation. DNA hypomethylation signifies one of the major DNA methylation states that refers to a relative decrease from the “normal” methylation level. It is clear that disease by itself can induce hypomethylation of DNA; however, a decrease in DNA methylation can also have an impact on the predisposition to pathological states and disease development. This review presents evidence suggesting the involvement of DNA hypomethylation in the pathogenesis of several major human pathologies, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric disorders. The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily represent those of the US Food and Drug Administration.     

Catheptic activity in the cerebral tissue of the rabbit during allergic encephalomyelitis

Zusammenfassung Gehirnhomogenate von Kaninchen mit experimenteller allergischer Encephalomyelitis weisen eine deutlich erhöhte katheptische Aktivität auf, wahrscheinlich als Folge des allergischen Entzündungsprozesses.     

The cytotoxicity of eosinophil cationic protein/ribonuclease 3 on eukaryotic cell lines takes place through its aggregation on the cell membrane

Human eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)/ ribonuclease 3 (RNase 3) is a protein secreted from the secondary granules of activated eosinophils. Specific properties of ECP contribute to its cytotoxic activities associated with defense mechanisms. In this work the ECP cytotoxic activity on eukaryotic cell lines is analyzed. The ECP effects begin with its binding and aggregation to the cell surface, altering the cell membrane permeability and modifying the cell ionic equilibrium. No internalization of the protein is observed. These signals induce cell-specific morphological and biochemical changes such as chromatin condensation, reversion of membrane asymmetry, reactive oxygen species production and activation of caspase-3-like activity and, eventually, cell death. However, the ribonuclease activity component of ECP is not involved in this process as no RNA degradation is observed. In summary, the cytotoxic effect of ECP is attained through a mechanism different from that of other cytotoxic RNases and may be related with the ECP accumulation associated with the inflammatory processes, in which eosinophils are present. Received 26 October 2007; accepted 23 November 2007     

Molecular aspects of pathogenesis in osteoarthritis: the role of inflammation

Arthritic diseases cause enormous burdens in terms of pain, crippling, and disability. Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is characterized by a slow progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. The exact etiology of OA is not known, but the degradation of cartilage matrix components is generally agreed to be due to an increased synthesis and activation of extracellular proteinases, mainly matrix metalloproteinases. Insufficient synthesis of new matrix macromolecules is also thought to be involved, possibly as a consequence of deficient stimulation by growth factors. Although OA is defined as a noninflammatory arthropathy, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 have been implicated as important mediators in the disease. In response to interleukin-1, chondrocytes upregulate the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂, two factors that have been shown to induce a number of the cellular changes associated with OA. The generation of these key signal molecules depends on inducible enzymes and can be suppressed by pharmacological inhibitors.     

Blood clotting system in the pathogenesis of the Sanarelli-Shwartzman reaction of the rabbit

Zusammenfassung Chromatographiertes, Autoprothrombin-C-freies Thrombin wurde Versuchstieren allein bzw. in Verbindung mit Endotoxin oder nach Blockierung des RES mittels Thorotrast, infundiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Thrombin in der angegebenen Dosierung vorbereitende, nicht aber auslösende Eigenschaften besitzt.     

Migration of lymphocytes through the endothelium of venules in experimental allergic neuritis

Zusammenfassung Bei der experimentellen allergischen Neuritis verlassen die Lymphozyten das zirkulierende Blut der Venolen der peripheren Nerven, indem sie eher durch die als zwischen den Endothelzellen austreten. Der Durchtritt durch das Zytoplasma der Endothelzellen ist ein Beispiel von Emperipolesis.

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Supported by parts by NIH grant No. NB-03789-05, Inst. grant No. FRO5486-04, and a grant from the Swedish Medical Research Council. I thank Mr.L. Cherkas for help with the photography.