Phenotype Of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Research Articles

Addition of CD14 improves discrimination of lymphocytes in the TBNK phenotyping panel.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping panels typically include CD45 for discrimination of the lymphocyte population, and fluorophore-conjugated monoclonal antibodies to identify T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) cells. While CD45 combined with side scatter is generally sufficient to clearly distinguish lymphocytes from monocytes in the majority of peripheral blood samples, it is challenging to accurately gate lymphocytes in samples from patients with monocytosis or significant lymphopenia, or from very young infants. Addition of a monocyte marker to lymphocyte phenotyping panels for monocyte exclusion has previously been evaluated for improved discrimination of lymphocytes, albeit largely in healthy donor adult samples. Here we evaluate the effect of the addition of CD14 to a standard lymphocyte phenotyping panel on total lymphocyte, T, B, and NK cell percentages in a predominantly pediatric population of patients under evaluation chiefly for immunodeficiency, immune-depletion, or immune reconstitution. Addition of CD14 to the standard lymphocyte phenotyping improved discrimination of lymphocytes from monocytes, resulted in decreased NK cell percentages, likely because CD16+ and/or CD56+ monocytes were included in the CD56+CD16+ NK cell gate with conventional gating, and although less significant, resulted in an increased percentage of B cells, since relatively larger B cells were likely gated out by more restrictive light scatter gating used with the conventional gating approach. The change in NK and B cell percentages were more pronounced in samples from patients below a year of age, and in patients who were relatively lymphopenic. These data suggest that addition of CD14 to conventional lymphocyte phenotyping panels that utilize CD45 versus side scatter gating results in significant improvement in the accuracy of lymphocyte gating, and accurate quantification of NK and B cells particularly in samples from infants and lymphopenic individuals.

Dynamics of the innate immune response profile in patients with coronary heart disease at different terms after coronary artery stenting

Atherosclerosis is accompanied by damage to the vascular endothelium of arteries followed by development of inflammatory response and formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Innate immunity is an important component of this response being the earliest non-specific key mechanism. Our objective was to perform a comprehensive assessment of the cellular link of innate immunity, and to compare the results obtained at various terms after coronary stenting.The study involved 50 patients with coronary atherosclerosis (Group 1), who had clinical indications for stenting of coronary arteries, and 20 volunteers (Group 2), who have no signs of coronary artery disease. The study of immune parameters was carried out before surgery, at 4-5, 9-10 and 28-30 days after operation (during early postoperative period), as well as 6 and 12 months after stenting, i.e. over the late post-surgical period. Phenotyping of peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes was performed by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies (Beckman Coulter, USA). Intracellular content of Granzyme B was carried out with an FC500 flow laser cytofluorimeter. Metabolic activity of neutrophils was assessed by the NBT test. Alpha defensin was determined in blood plasma by ELISA technique (Hycult Biotech, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 12.0 program (StatSoft, USA). Statistical significance was considered significant at p ≤ 0.05.The numbers of natural killer cells and their activity, as well as those of monocytes, were increased in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. We have also shown a suppression of antigen presentation processes, an imbalance in microbicidal activity of neutrophils, with predominant secretion of antimicrobial peptides. Over the early post-surgical period, significant changes included only decreased content of intracellular Granzyme B on days 4-5, and expression of TLR4 and HLA-DR on days 4-5 and 9-10. During the late period, the patients with coronary artery disease exhibited a significant decrease in the content of some lymphocyte subsets: CD3+CD16+, CD16+Gr+ as well as amounts of monocytes: CD14+CD282+, CD14+CD284+, CD14+CD289+, along with HBT-test activity and α-defensin contents, and increased numbers of HLA-DR-expressing monocytes.There are changes in cellular component of innate immunity, indicating persistent inflammation in patients with coronary heart disease. The dynamics of revealed changes following coronary artery stenting may reflect a lability of assessed indicators mostly over the late postoperative period, thus serving a basis for predicting the outcome of coronary stenting.

Intracranial injection of natural killer cells engineered with a HER2-targeted chimeric antigen receptor in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GB) is incurable at present without established treatment options for recurrent disease. In this phase I first-in-human clinical trial we investigated safety and feasibility of adoptive transfer of clonal chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells (NK-92/5.28.z) targeting HER2, which is expressed at elevated levels by a subset of glioblastomas. Nine patients with recurrent HER2-positive GB were treated with single doses of 1 × 107, 3 × 107, or 1 × 108 irradiated CAR-NK cells injected into the margins of the surgical cavity during relapse surgery. Imaging at baseline and follow-up, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping and analyses of the immune architecture by multiplex immunohistochemistry and spatial digital profiling were performed. There were no dose-limiting toxicities, and none of the patients developed a cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Five patients showed stable disease after relapse surgery and CAR-NK injection that lasted 7 to 37 weeks. Four patients had progressive disease. Pseudoprogression was found at injection sites in 2 patients, suggestive of a treatment-induced immune response. For all patients, median progression-free survival was 7 weeks, and median overall survival was 31 weeks. Furthermore, the level of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in recurrent tumor tissue prior to CAR-NK cell injection positively correlated with time to progression. Intracranial injection of HER2-targeted CAR-NK cells is feasible and safe in patients with recurrent GB. 1 × 108 NK-92/5.28.z cells was determined as the maximum feasible dose for a subsequent expansion cohort with repetitive local injections of CAR-NK cells.

Kidney allograft rejection is associated with an imbalance of B cells, regulatory T cells and differentiated CD28-CD8+ T cells: analysis of a cohort of 1095 graft biopsies.

The human immune system contains cells with either effector/memory or regulatory functions. Besides the well-established CD4+CD25hiCD127lo regulatory T cells (Tregs), we and others have shown that B cells can also have regulatory functions since their frequency and number are increased in kidney graft tolerance and B cell depletion as induction therapy may lead to acute rejection. On the other hand, we have shown that CD28-CD8+ T cells represent a subpopulation with potent effector/memory functions. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that kidney allograft rejection may be linked to an imbalance of effector/memory and regulatory immune cells. Based on a large cohort of more than 1000 kidney graft biopsies with concomitant peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping, we investigated the association between kidney graft rejection and the percentage and absolute number of circulating B cells, Tregs, as well as the ratio of B cells to CD28-CD8+ T cells and the ratio of CD28-CD8+ T cells to Tregs. Kidney graft biopsies were interpreted according to the Banff classification and divided into 5 biopsies groups: 1) normal/subnormal, 2) interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy grade 2/3 (IFTA), 3) antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), 4) T cell mediated-rejection (TCMR), and 5) borderline rejection. We compared group 1 with the other groups as well as with a combined group 3, 4, and 5 (rejection of all types) using multivariable linear mixed models. We found that compared to normal/subnormal biopsies, rejection of all types was marginally associated with a decrease in the percentage of circulating B cells (p=0.06) and significantly associated with an increase in the ratio of CD28-CD8+ T cells to Tregs (p=0.01). Moreover, ABMR, TCMR (p=0.007), and rejection of all types (p=0.0003) were significantly associated with a decrease in the ratio of B cells to CD28-CD8+ T cells compared to normal/subnormal biopsies. Taken together, our results show that kidney allograft rejection is associated with an imbalance between immune cells with effector/memory functions and those with regulatory properties.

Transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of the young in a Thoroughbred yearling

SummaryA 12‐month‐old Thoroughbred colt was presented for chronic recurrent respiratory disease characterised by persistent nasal discharge, intermittent pyrexia and coughing of several months' duration. These episodes were responsive to empirical antimicrobial therapy but returned once therapy was discontinued. History, physical examination and initial diagnostics were suggestive of bacterial pneumonia and possible underlying immunodeficiency. Serum immunoglobulin analysis and peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping revealed low serum IgG and IgM concentrations. In this 12‐month‐old colt, low serum IgG concentration was the most diagnostic parameter and supported a presumptive diagnosis of transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of the young. The colt responded favourably to repeated treatment with antimicrobials for bacterial pneumonia, and serial immunologic testing over the following months showed gradual increase in serum IgG and IgM concentrations, supporting the diagnosis of delayed development of humoral immunity in this patient.

Phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes in angina

The phenotype of peripheric blood lymphocytes is studied in 87 patients with angina by cytofluorimetry. It is shown that the course of the disease is accompanied by significant changes of the phenotype of lymphocytes: the increase of expression of activation markers, the increase of the content of CD16+cells. However, the changes of the phenotype of lymphocytes in groups of patients with lacunar and ulceromembranous anginas are ambiguous in the acute period of the disease as well as late in the observation.

FEATURES OF TIM-3, CD9, CD49a MOLECULE EXPRESSIONS BY PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES DURING PHYSIOLOGICAL PREGNANCY

Physiological pregnancy is characterized by significant changes in the phenotype and functions of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Thus, the number of lymphocytes migrating from peripheral blood in the uterus and expressing Tim-3, CD49a, CD9 molecules which limit their cytotoxicity and participate in their migration, is significantly increased in the first half of pregnancy. However, the expression of these molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes during physiological pregnancy has not been studied. The aim of the work was to study the expression of Tim-3, CD49a, CD9 molecules in the total pool of lymphocytes and on CD3⁺T-lymphocytes of peripheral blood of women in the I and III trimesters of physiological pregnancy. The object of the study was the peripheral blood of healthy women with physiological pregnancy in the I and III trimesters. The comparison group is healthy non-pregnant women in the first phase of the menstrual cycle. The expression of Tim3, CD49a, and CD9 molecules was analyzed in a pool of lymphocytes and on CD3⁺T-lymphocytes of peripheral blood by flow cytometry. It was found that in the first trimester, the expression of Tim-3 and CD49a in the total pool of lymphocytes was higher, and CD9 did not change compared to non-pregnant women. In the third trimester, the expression of Tim-3 and CD49a in the total pool of lymphocytes did not change, and CD9 was lower than in non-pregnant women. The expression of Tim-3 did not change on CD3⁺-T lymphocytes in both I and III trimesters, and CD49a and CD9 were lower compared to non-pregnant women. Thus, the expression of Tim-3, CD49a, and CD9 molecules varied during the trimesters of pregnancy both in the total pool of lymphocytes and CD3⁺-T lymphocytes of peripheral blood, which is significant for the regulation of their cytotoxic function and migration activity.

Preoperative administration of corticosteroids in thoracic anesthesiology

Annotation. One lung ventilation (OLV) is one of the most difficult intraoperative methods of respiratory support for anesthesiologists. OLV should provide the most comfortable surgical field, maintaining proper gas exchange and minimizing damage to both lungs. This anesthetic procedure has a significant inflammatory response, so using perioperative corticosteroid therapy to suppress inflammatory mediators is recommended as an approach to improving prognosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how the preoperative administration of methylprednisolone affects the systemic proinflammatory response of cytokines during thoracic surgery. The analysis was performed for 80 patients who underwent surgeries in the thoraco-abdominal department of the Shalimov National Institute of Surgery and Transplantology. Patients were divided into 2 groups (study – 40 patients who were administered methylprednisolone 10 mg / kg intravenously during induction of anesthesia and control – 40 patients without methylprednisolone). Before surgery and in the postoperative period on days 1, 3 and 5, the surface phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the expression of IL-6 by monocytes were determined by flow cytofluorometry. The author's MedStat package was used for statistical analysis (Lyakh Yu.E., Guryanov V.G., 2004–2012). Postoperative indicators of IL-6 monocyte expression in the blood of patients administered methylprednisolone were significantly lower on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day (p<0.001). Thus, preoperative administration of methylprednisolone reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improves the condition of patients after thoracic surgery. We consider it expedient to conduct further research on the administration of methylprednisolone for several days in the postoperative period.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes in Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases

IntroductionNeuroinflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Alterations in the blood-brain barrier may allow peripheral blood lymphocytes to enter the central nervous system; these may participate in disease pathogenesis. ObjectiveTo evaluate the peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of patients with AD and PD and their association with the disease and its progression. MethodsThe study included 20 patients with AD, 20 with PD, and a group of healthy individuals. Ten of the patients with AD and 12 of those with PD were evaluated a second time 17 to 27 months after the start of the study. Lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation status were determined by flow cytometry. All patients underwent neurological examinations using internationally validated scales. ResultsCompared to healthy individuals, patients with AD and PD showed significantly higher levels of activated lymphocytes, lymphocytes susceptible to apoptosis, central memory T cells, and regulatory T and B cells. As the diseases progressed, there was a significant decrease in activated cells (CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38+ in PD and AD, CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ in PD), T cells susceptible to apoptosis, and some regulatory populations (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ in PD and AD, CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ in PD). In patients with AD, disease progression was associated with lower percentages of CD4+ CD38+ cells and higher percentages of effector CD4 cells at the beginning of the study. Significant differences were observed between both diseases. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes associated with AD and PD and their severity. Considering effective blood-brain communication, our results open new avenues of research into immunomodulation therapies to treat these diseases.

Phenotypic profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

Mechanisms of recognition and effector responses of immune system upon initiation and maintenance of immune-mediated inflammation and tissue damage in inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), have been actively studied over recent time. Existing evidence suggests these diseases to be caused by abnormal immune response against intestinal flora microorganisms in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite available data on the features of immune disorders in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, there are still many questions about the involved minor lymphocyte subpopulations and contribution of various functionally active molecules, which play a key role in recognition and initiation of the immune response and can be considered biomarkers of a pathological process in inflammatory bowel diseases. The populations of T lymphocytes with γδT cell receptor, B1 cells and NK T lymphocytes are of greatest interest, as well as functionally active TLRs (Toll-like receptors), CD89, CD314, etc. Due to substantial progress in studying the nature of recognition and activation of the immune cells, the paper presents phenotypic and functional characteristics of major and minor subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes observed in 25 patients treated at the Surgery Department of the State Institution “Minsk Regional Clinical Hospital” (Republic of Belarus) from 2018 to 2020. The detected changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype of inflammatory bowel diseases patients suggest distinct immunological profiles prevailing in the damage mechanisms in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. I.e., in Crohn’s disease patients, B1 lymphocytes with CD19+CD5+ and NK cells in combination with increased CD56bright population, as well as NK T cells with anti-inflammatory and regulatory activity are involved into genesis of the disease. In ulcerative colitis, T, B, NK lymphocytes with pro-inflammatory phenotype and T lymphocytes with γδ T cell receptor may play a pathogenetic role in maintenance of chronic inflammation. With respect to functional significance of activating receptors, the number of TLR4- и CD89-positive cells may be used for developing immunological criteria/ biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy of new drugs. Studying interactions between innate and adaptive immunity will open new perspectives in understanding immunological disorders associated with chronic gastrointestinal inflammation.

SUBPOPULATION STRUCTURE OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES OF DONORS

Introduction.Long-term monitoring of immune system parameters in cancer patient in FSBI “N.N. Blokhin Medical Research Center of Oncology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia, as well as the absence of an immunological research algorithm and a spectrum of significant markers, served as the basis for this study.Purpose.To present reference values and determine the normal range for subpopulations of systemic immunity lymphocytes.Materials and methods.The phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied in 186 healthy donors (86 men and 100 women), mean age 41,9 ± 12,5 years. To assess the multivariate phenotype by flow cytometry, monoclonal antibodies to CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD56, CD19, CD25, CD28, CD11b, CD127, HLA-Dr, TCR-γ / δ, Perforin and Granzime B labeled various fluorochromes.Results.A panel of markers of immunocompetent cells of systemic immunity was developed as a basis for assessing the state of the immune system of cancer patients. Reference values and normal boundaries are given for characterizing the linearity of cells with detailing of the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of the population of CD8+-lymphocytes, activation markers and the pool of naive cells; characteristics of various types of regulatory cells, functional activity of cells of the effector link of immunity. A comparative analysis of immunoregulatory indices was carried out and the vulnerability of the formula CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+to the CD4+/CD8+index was proved.Conclusion.The spectrum of the proposed indicators is the product of many years of research carried out in the laboratory of clinical immunology of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology” оf the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, in order to search for significant criteria for assessing the state of the immune system in cancer.

Therapeutic and Immunoregulatory Effects of Tacrolimus in Patients with Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Objectives: The aim of this study wasto investigate the efficacy of tacrolimus treatment in patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) and explore its impact on lymphocytic phenotypes and related cytokines mRNA expression. Methods: A total of 24 refractory generalized MG patients were enrolled. Before treatment and at 2, 6, and 12 months after tacrolimus treatment, the therapeutic effect was evaluated by the quantitative MG score of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (QMG), Manual Muscle Test (MMT), MG-specific Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL), 15-item Myasthenia Gravis Quality-of-Life Scale (MG-QOL15), and changes of prednisone dosage. Also, we used the flow cytometer for the lymphocytic immunophenotyping and real-time PCR for the qualification of cytokine mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at different time points during the treatment. Results: Significantly decreased QMG, MMT, MG-ADL, and MG-QOL15 were observed at all time points during the tacrolimus treatment. The dosage of prednisone also reduced at the end of the observation period with only 6 adverse events reported. The immunological impact of tacrolimus was revealed by reduced percentages of Tfh, Breg, CD19⁺BAFF-R⁺ B cells, and increased percentages of Treg cells as well as down-regulated expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA levels in PBMCs during the treatment. Conclusion: Our study indicated the clinical efficacy of tacrolimus in patients with refractory generalized MG. The underlying immunoregulatory mechanism of tacrolimus may involve alterations in the phenotypes of peripheral blood lymphocytes and Th1/Th2-related cytokine expression of PBMCs.

The application of CytoDiff for the differential diagnosis of reactive and tumor lymphocytosis.

CytoDiff reagent was developed to optimize the performance of a WBC differential evaluation. It determines the main population of white blood cells by the expression of linear markers. One of the additional possibilities of using CytoDiff is the differential diagnosis of reactive and tumor lymphocytosis. We studied peripheral blood samples of 76 patients of the All-Russian Central Research Center A.M. Nikiforova EMERCOM of Russia with absolute lymphocytosis of more than 3,0x109/l. The control group included 26 practically healthy people. All performed a clinical blood test on a 5Diff hematology analyzer with smear microscopy, and determination of leukocyte populations by phenotype using CytoDiff. Reference intervals were determined for subpopulations of lymphocytes using CytoDiff. An algorithm has been developed for evaluating the results obtained when determining leukocyte populations by phenotype using CytoDiff for differential diagnosis of reactive and tumor lymphoproliferation. To detect B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases, the use of a cut-off value of 13% or more of the number of leukocytes is optimal. At low values of the relative number of B-lymphocytes, it is important to take into account the results of microscopy of blood smears. If atypical mononuclear cells are absent in smears, then additional clinical and laboratory studies are necessary to establish the cause of lymphocytosis, including phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes to exclude T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. The expediency of using the CytoDiff reagent for the differential diagnosis of the reactive and tumor nature of lymphocytosis is shown. Already at the stage of primary screening studies, the use of CytoDiff makes it possible to efficiently collect blood samples from patients with possible lymphoproliferative diseases, which significantly reduces the time required for a diagnostic search.

Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Phenotype Differentiates Secondary Antibody Deficiency in Rheumatic Disease from Primary Antibody Deficiency.

The phenotype of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID), and especially common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), may be dominated by symptoms of autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, autoimmunity may be the first manifestation of PID, frequently preceding infections and the diagnosis of hypogammaglobulinemia, which occurs later on. In this case, distinguishing PID from hypogammaglobulinemia secondary to anti-inflammatory treatment of autoimmunity may become challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping in resolving the diagnostic dilemma between primary and secondary hypogammaglobulinemia. Comparison of B and T cell subsets from patients with PID and patients with rheumatic disease, who developed hypogammaglobulinemia as a consequence of anti-inflammatory regimes, revealed significant differences in proportion of naïve B cells, class-switched memory B cells and CD21low B cells among B cells as well as in CD4+ memory T cells and CD4+ T follicular cells among CD4+ T cells. Identified differences in B cell and T cell subsets, and especially in the proportion of class-switched memory B cells and CD4+ T follicular cells, display a considerable diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing PID from secondary hypogammaglobulinemia due to anti-inflammatory regimens for rheumatic disease.

Transportation and Routine Veterinary Interventions Alter Immune Function in the Dog

Rapid activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system are hallmarks of the acute stress response and these systems interact with the immune system by signaling though glucocorticoid and adrenergic receptors on immune cells. There is limited information about the effect of these physiologic responses on immunologic parameters of pet dogs enrolled in clinical studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate how travel, instrumentation, and hospitalization alter immunologic parameters in pet dogs. Blood was collected from healthy dogs in a home environment and from healthy dogs at the time of presentation to the hospital and after instrumentation and 24 hours of hospitalization. We found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced downregulation of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) was blunted in dogs exposed to stress. Neutrophil and monocyte major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) expression increased after transportation to the veterinary hospital but then became similar to that of the control dogs at the end of hospitalization. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytotoxicity function was blunted in dogs exposed to the stress of transportation as well as hospitalization. Neutrophil apoptosis was greater in dogs exposed to stress compared to controls although this effect significantly decreased after hospitalization stress. Conversely, stress did not alter induced or spontaneous cytokine production from leukocytes, neutrophil or monocyte expression of TLR4, LPS-induced downregulation of monocyte TLR4, LPS-induced neutrophil and monocyte expression of MHCII or peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype. Transportation and instrumentation/hospitalization stress should be considered when interpreting immunologic studies in pet dogs.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei on the Peripheral Immune Response in Children with Celiac Disease Autoimmunity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Two Lactobacillus strains have proven anti-inflammatory properties by reducing pro-inflammatory responses to antigens. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial tested the hypothesis that L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 suppress ongoing celiac disease autoimmunity in genetically at risk children on a gluten-containing diet in a longitudinally screening study for celiac disease. Seventy-eight children with celiac disease autoimmunity participated of whom 40 received 1010 CFU/day of L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 (probiotic group) and 38 children maltodextrin (placebo group) for six months. Blood samples were drawn at zero, three and six months and phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes and IgA and IgG autoantibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG) were measured. In the placebo group, naïve CD45RA+ Th cells decreased (p = 0.002) whereas effector and memory CD45RO+ Th cells increased (p = 0.003). In contrast, populations of cells expressing CD4+CD25highCD45RO+CCR4+ increased in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Changes between the groups were observed for NK cells (p = 0.038) and NKT cells (p = 0.008). Median levels of IgA-tTG decreased more significantly over time in the probiotic (p = 0.013) than in the placebo (p = 0.043) group whereas the opposite was true for IgG-tTG (p = 0.062 respective p = 0.008). In conclusion, daily oral administration of L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 modulate the peripheral immune response in children with celiac disease autoimmunity.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with bipolar disorder type II

We investigated the phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with bipolar disorder type II in different phases of the disease in order to check whether there are specific changes in the immune parameters. Lymphocytes subpopulations were analyzed ex vivo with flow cytometry in patients in euthymic, depression or hypomanic phase of the disease and compared with healthy controls. All BD patients were characterized by lower percentage of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cells compared with healthy people. But only patients in depression and remission had higher percentage of B cells (CD19+ cells) compared with healthy people. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells was decreased in patients in hypomanic phase compared with healthy control. Patients in remission were characterized by increased concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 and decreased level of TNF in blood serum. Significant correlations between immunologic parameters and the results of Hamilton or Young scale have also been found. Our results demonstrate that there are significant differences in lymphocyte subpopulations which depend on the phase of the disease the patient is currently in.

Fenotipos de linfocitos periféricos en las enfermedades de Alzheimer y Parkinson

IntroductionNeuroinflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, in particular Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in the blood-brain barrier may allow peripheral blood lymphocytes to enter the central nervous system; these may participate in disease pathogenesis. ObjectiveTo evaluate the peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles of patients with AD and PD and their association with the disease and its progression. MethodsThe study included 20 patients with AD, 20 with PD, and a group of healthy individuals. Ten of the patients with AD and 12 of those with PD were evaluated a second time 17 to 27 months after the start of the study. Lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation status were determined by flow cytometry. All patients underwent neurological examinations using internationally validated scales. ResultsCompared to healthy individuals, patients with AD and PD showed significantly higher levels of activated lymphocytes, lymphocytes susceptible to apoptosis, central memory T cells, and regulatory T and B cells. As the diseases progressed, there was a significant decrease in activated cells (CD4+ CD38+ and CD8+ CD38 + in PD and AD, CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ in PD), T cells susceptible to apoptosis, and some regulatory populations (CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ in PD and AD, CD19+ CD5+ IL10+ FoxP3+, CD4+ FoxP3+ CD25+ CD45RO+ in PD). In patients with AD, disease progression was associated with lower percentages of CD4+ CD38+ cells and higher percentages of effector CD4 cells at the beginning of the study. Significant differences were observed between both diseases. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes associated with AD and PD and their severity. Considering effective blood-brain communication, our results open new avenues of research into immunomodulation therapies to treat these diseases.

Atherosclerosis of brachiocephalic arteries and arterial stiffness in patients with breast cancer

Te study involved 43 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) (II-III stage) with overexpression of HER2; median age 50 (40;57) years. All patients underwent neoadjuvant drug therapy with antracyclines, taxanes and trastuzumab followed by surgery, radiation and hormone therapy according to the indications. Before anticancer therapy the general clinical examination was conducted and lipid profle, plasma lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] level, titres of autoantibodies IgM and IgG to lipoproteins and their oxidized derivatives were estimated. Te vascular wall stiffness (pulse wave velocity on the carotid-femoral (PWVcf) and shoulder-ankle (PWVsa) segments, the central pressure, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the degree of stenosis of the brachiocephalic arteries) were determined at baseline and at each stage of anticancer therapy. Te atherosclerosis progression was determined if the new stenosis (≥15%) or increase of preexisting stenosis (≥5%) were revealed; CIMT increase ≥ 0.1 mm. Te parameters of cellular immunity (peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping via direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry), lipid spectrum parameters, serum concentration of Lp (a), autoantibodies IgM and IgG against lipoproteins and their oxidized derivatives, as well as PWVсf and PWVsa were assessed in 17 BC patients before the onset of neoadjuvant therapy and in 20 healthy women. BC patients and healthy women were comparable in traditional cardiovascular risk factors but differed in PWVsa and PWVcf levels (p<0.05). In BC patients the activation of T-cell immunity with the stimulation of both subpopulations with pro-inflammatory and regulatory properties was observed (p<0.05). Te direct correlations between the content of activated T-lymphocytes (T-act), T-helpers (T) 1 and PWVsa (p<0.05), as well as T-act, T1 and T2 and PWVcf (p<0.05) were revealed in the general group. Te decrease of systolic blood pressure (SBP), central SBP (SBPc), central diastolic blood pressure (DBPc), PWVcf and PWVsa levels accompanied with a temporary heart rate increase were observed during anticancer therapy; SBP, SBPc, PWVcf levels restored by the end of the follow-up period. Te CIMT increase was detected in 22 (51%), and the atherosclerosis progression in 26 (60%) BC patients during anticancer therapy. Lp (a) level above 12.8 mg/dl was associated with CIMT increase (p<0.05). Age > 48 years and radiation therapy were risk factors for CIMT increase and atherosclerosis progression (p<0.05), respectively. Te vascular stiffness is increased in BC patients, which is associated with the activation of effector subpopulations of T-lymphocytes and the elevation of circulating level of both pro-atherogenic and anti-atherogenic T-cells. Te level of Lp (a) above 12.8 mg/dl is associated with atherosclerosis progression, which requires further research. Age and radiation therapy are the risk factors for atherosclerosis progression during anticancer therapy.

Immune Function in Critically Ill Dogs.

BackgroundPeople with critical illness (CI) commonly develop various forms of immune dysfunction, however, there is limited information concerning immune dysfunction in dogs with CI.HypothesisThe immune response in CI dogs differs from that of healthy dogs.AnimalsImmunologic variables were compared between 14 dogs with CI, defined as APPLEfast score of >20 points, admitted to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center Small Animal Clinic Intensive Care Unit and healthy controls (n = 15).MethodsCohort study evaluating constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 production, phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli and respiratory burst capacity after opsonized E. coli or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) stimulation, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype, and monocyte expressions of HLA‐DR and TLR‐4.ResultsLipopolysaccharide‐stimulated leukocyte TNF‐α (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 120; control, 655, 446, 1174 pg/mL; P = < 0.001), IL‐6 (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 64; control, 100, 49, 166 pg/mL; P = 0.029), and IL‐10 (CI, 49, 49, 56; control, 96, 49, 203 pg/mL; P = 0.014) production and both E. coli (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 60.5, 43, 88.5; control, 86.6, 81, 89.2%; P = 0.047) and PMA (CI, 40, 11.7, 70; control, 93, 83, 97.6%; P = < 0.001)‐stimulated respiratory burst capacity significantly decreased in CI dogs. Percentage of monocytes expressing TLR‐4 greater in the CI dogs (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 46.9, 24.3, 64.2; control, 16.4, 9.4, 26.2%; P = 0.005).ConclusionThese findings suggest dogs with CI develop immune system alterations that result in reduced respiratory burst function and cytokine production despite upregulation of TLR‐4.