Sudden bilateral deafness from hyperleukocytosis in chronic myeloid leukemia

Sudden-onset bilateral deafness as a clinical manifestation of hyperleukocytosis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare occurrence. We found only 27 clinical descriptions in 16 published papers. In this work, the authors present a review on deafness in CML and describe a new case with prominent hyperleukocytosis, where the neurological findings suggest slowing of the circulation through small blood vessels in the brainstem as the cause of deafness. The evolution was good after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the second case documented with electrical auditory brainstem-evoked potentials and the first with magnetic resonance imaging. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.

A novel biological activity for galectin-1: Inhibition of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in experimental inflammation

Galectin-1 (Gal-1), the prototype of a family of β -galactoside-binding proteins, has been shown to attenuate experimental acute and chronic inflammation. In view of the fact that endothelial cells (ECs), but not human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), expressed Gal-1 we tested here the hypothesis that the protein could modulate leukocyte-EC interaction in inflammatory settings. In vitro, human recombinant (hr) Gal-1 inhibited PMN chemotaxis and trans-endothelial migration. These actions were specific as they were absent if Gal-1 was boiled or blocked by neutralizing antiserum. In vivo, hrGal-1 (optimum effect at 0.3 μg equivalent to 20 pmol) inhibited interleukin-1β-induced PMN recruitment into the mouse peritoneal cavity. Intravital microscopy analysis showed that leukocyte flux, but not their rolling velocity, was decreased by an anti-inflammatory dose of hrGal-1. Binding of biotinylated Gal-1 to resting and post-adherent human PMNs occurred at concentrations inhibitory in the chemotaxis and transmigration assays. In addition, the pattern of Gal-1 binding was differentially modulated by PMN or EC activation. In conclusion, these data suggest the existence of a previously unrecognized function of Gal-1, that is inhibition of leukocyte rolling and extravasation in experimental inflammation. It is possible that endogenous Gal-1 may be part of a novel anti-inflammatory loop in which the endothelium is the source of the protein and the migrating PMNs the target for its anti-inflammatory action.

Clonagem e expressão da glicoproteína transmembrana do retrovírus HTLV-1 em células de mamíferos

The retrovirus HTLV-1 is the etiological agent of the adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. The proviral genome has 9,032 base pairs, showing regulatory and structural genes. The env gene encodes for the transmembrane glycoprotein gp 21. The development of methodologies for heterologous protein expression, as well as the acquisition of a cellular line that constituently expresses the recombinant, were the main goals of this work. The DNA fragment that encodes for gp 21 was amplified by nested-PCR and cloned into a pCR2.1-TOPO vector. After which, a sub-cloning was realized using the expressing vector pcDNA3.1+. The transfection of mammalian cells HEK 293 was performed transitorily and permanently. Production of the recombinant gp 21 was confirmed by flux cytometry experiments and the cell line producing protein will be used in immunogenicity assays.

Bothrops leucurus venom induces nephrotoxicity in the isolated perfused kidney and cultured renal tubular epithelia

Bites from snake (Bothrops genus) cause local tissue damage and systemic complications, which include alterations such as hemostatic system and acute renal failure (ARF). Recent studies suggest that ARF pathogenesis in snakebite envenomation is multifactorial and involves hemodynamic disturbances, immunologic reactions and direct nephrotoxicity. The aim of the work was to investigate the effects of the Bothrops leucurus venom (BlV) in the renal perfusion system and in cultured renal tubular cells of the type MDCK (Madin-Darby Canine kidney). BlV (10 μg/mL) reduced the perfusion pressure at 90 and 120 min. The renal vascular resistance (RVR) decreased at 120 min of perfusion. The effect on urinary flow (UF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) started 30 min after BlV infusion, was transient and returned to normal at 120 min of perfusion. It was also observed a decrease on percentual tubular transport of sodium (%TNa+) at 120 min and of chloride (%TCl-) at 60 and 90 min. The treatment with BlV caused decrease in cell viability to the lowest concentration tested with an IC50 of 1.25 μg/mL. Flow cytometry with annexin V and propidium iodide showed that cell death occurred predominantly by necrosis. However, a cell death process may involve apoptosis in lower concentrations. BlV treatment (1.25 μg/mL) led to significant depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and, indeed, we found an increase in the expression of cell death genes in the lower concentrations tested. The venom also evoked an increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ in a concentration dependent manner, indicating that Ca2+ may participate in the venom of B. leucurus effect. The characterization of the effects in the isolated kidney and renal tubular cells gives strong evidences that the acute renal failure induced by this venom is a result of the direct nephrotoxicity which may involve the cell death mechanism. © 2012.

Estudo da equivalência entre a lectina artin M obtida a partir da semente da jaca e a sua forma recombinante na afinidade por glicanas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização e validação de anticorpo monoclonal murino anti-Linfócitos B humanos para uso em citometria de fluxo e imunoquímica

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB

Validação de anticorpo monoclonal anti-CD45 obtido in house para utilização em citometria de fluxo e imuno-histoquímica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação do efeito de derivados de parede celular de levedura de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) sobre a resposta imune de cães adultos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dificuldades na obtenção e caracterização de anticorpos monoclonais murinos anti-proteína F recombinante do vírus (RSV) para diagnóstico laboratorial

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação hematológica e imunofenotípica de cães com linfoma

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Expressão de ZAP 70 e relação com a expressão de CD 38, ploidia e índice de fase S em pacientes com lucemia linfocítica crônica

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB

Avaliação imunofenotípica de subpopulações linfocitárias no sangue do cordão umbilical e periférico de suínos neonatos (Sus scrofa)

Considering the importance of umbilical cord blood as a potential source of stem cell and, on the other hand, the use of the domestic swine (Sus scrofa) as a useful model for biomedical research in regenerative medicine and aiming to contribute about the quantification of lymphocyte subsets in umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood of newborn piglets, this study aimed to quantify CD4+, CD5+ and CD8+ cells from umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood from pigs at term blood samples. Were analyzed samples of the umbilical cord blood and peripheral of 48 piglets of Topigs lineage, from healthy mothers, artificially inseminated and natural birth. Blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord at birth, by the umbilical vein, and peripheral blood by venous sinus retro-ophthalmic. The immunological measurements of CD4+, CD5+ and CD8+ were obtained by flow cytometry. The relative average values for the CD4+, CD5+ e CD8+ counts in umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood of newborn piglets were inferior to those reported for peripheral blood in adult pigs, suggesting immunological immaturity. The ratio CD4+:CD8+ in umbilical cord blood (3.2±1.2%) and peripheral blood (3.2±1.7%) showed a predominance of TCD4+ over TCD8+. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was 1.37±0.86% and 1.15±0.57%, respectively, in umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood.

Bothropoides pauloensis venom effects on isolated perfused kidney and cultured renal tubular epithelial cells

Coordenadação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos neuroprotetor e regenerativo do selante de fibrina derivado da peçonha de serpente combinado com células tronco mononucleares após reparo do nervo isquiático de ratos neonatos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

An experimental study to compare inflammatory response due to liquid or gas joint distension in horses submitted to arthroscopy

PURPOSE: To assess comparatively the inflammatory response that follows CO2 or Ringer's lactate joint capsular distension of horses submitted to experimental arthroscopy METHODS: Each animal was submitted to a bilateral tarsocrural arthroscopy employing gas distention in one joint and fluid distention in the contralateral joint. Synovial fluid was evaluated at 0, six, 12, 24 and 48 hours post-operative. RESULTS: The use of CO2 for arthroscopy causes an acute and mild synovitis alike to the liquid capsular distension, showing similar synovial fluid increase of leukocytes, TP, and TNF-alpha. Although synovial fluid PGE(2) content was higher in joints submitted to CO2 distension, lower levels of hemoglobin and leukocytes oxidative burst after surgery indicates that CO2 arthroscopy decreased intra-articular bleeding and activation of infiltrating leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CO2 for arthroscopic examination causes acute and mild synovitis that is similar to the effects caused by the liquid capsular distension. CO2 also seems to decrease intra-articular bleeding and activation of leukocytes.