Transfer factor (TF) treatment of patients with HBs-Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis

Summary It is a clinically and experimentally well supported working hypothesis that infection with hepatitis B virus may result in chronic active hepatitis in patients with suspected immune deficiencies. On this basis, a pilot study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of specific transfer factor (TF) in the treatment of HB_s-Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis. From the leukocytes of 500 ml venous blood each of 40 volunteers that had completely recovered from acute virus hepatitis B within the last 6 months, a unique TF pool (40 units of TF) was prepared according to the method of Lawrence. Preexaminations indicated that this preparation was able to enhance cellular immune reactions in vitro. Thirteen patients with HB_s-antigenemia and chronic active hepatitis (i.e., two liver biopsies within the last 6 or more months with the histological criteria of chronic aggressive hepatitis according to de Groote, elevated serum levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, transaminase activities, and/or -globulines) were randomized: Seven received s.c. injections of two units of TF each on days 1 and 15, the other six saline. Conversion of skin reactions to some ubiquitous antigens occurred in the TF group, but no significant and constant drop of HB_s-Ag serum titers was observed. Although some of the biochemical parameters seemed to ameliorate in the TF group, the differences versus the control group did not prove to be significant within the limited number of patients under observation. The in vitro reactivity of patients' lymphocytes to HB_s-Ag, tested by means of the³H-thymidine uptake, was never found enhanced after TF application. In the used doses, specific TF was not effective in the treatment of HB_s-Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis; unfavorable side-effects were not observed.     

介绍一种制备特异性TF和特异性iRNA的方法

以乙肝疫苗、人喉癌细胞膜抗原为抗原，猪脾细胞为效应细胞，经体外免疫后收集应答细胞，制备ＰＳＨＢＶ－ＴＦ ＰＳＡＣ－ｉＲＮＡ。通过抗原特异性细胞免疫功能试验证实，ＰＳＨＢＶ－ＴＦ和ＰＳＡＣ－ｉＲＮＡ都能转移特异性细胞免疫功能。采用体外免疫法制备ＰＳＨＢＶ－ＴＦ和ＰＳＡＣ－ｉＲＮＡ是可行的，并且具有诸多优点。     

Different hypersensitivities against homologous proteins of MGL_1304 in patients with atopic dermatitis

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is exacerbated by sweating, and the skin of most patients with AD are resided by Malassezia (M.) fungi. Recently, MGL_1304 produced by Malassezia globosa was identified as the major histamine releasing antigen in human sweat.

R-相热处理镍钛锉预备S形树脂根管成形能力的体外研究

目的 比较TF、K3和EndoWave 3种机用镍钛锉预备S形树脂模拟根管的成形能力.方法 120个S形树脂模拟根管,随机分为3组,每组40例,使用TF、K3和EndoWave 3种器械分别进行根管预备,记录预备时间;数码显微镜获取预备前、后根管图像,使用Photoshop和ImageJ软件进行图像重叠,测量预备后根管冠方弯曲角度和根方弯曲角度的变化值;从根尖止点开始,每隔1 mm测量根管内、外侧壁树脂去除量,共10个测量点.以外弯量减去内弯量,表示中心定位能力.单因素方差分析进行统计学检验,显著性水平0.05.结果 TF预备时间为(14.00 ±4.56)s,显著短于K3和EndoWave[(59.53±35.92)s和(44.00±14.38)s] (P ＜0.05).3种器械预备后根管冠方和根方弯曲角度变化差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).3种器械预备后,根尖弯曲处,TF在内侧壁树脂去除量显著小于EndoWave和K3(P＜0.05);冠部弯曲处,TF在外侧壁去除量显著小于K3(P＜0.05);根管直线段,TF在内侧壁的去除量显著小于EndoWave和K3(P＜0.05).中心定位能力方面,TF在距根尖孔L 5～ 9mm位点均显著优于EndoWave(P＜0.05);除距根尖止点6mm位点以外,其他位点TF均与K3差异无统计学意义.结论 TF预备S形树脂模拟根管效率高,不良预备形较少且根管偏移较小.     

Target-mediated clearance and bio-distribution of a monoclonal antibody against the Kunitz–type protease inhibitor 2 domain of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor

Introduction

A humanised monoclonal antibody, concizumab, that binds with high affinity to the Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (KPI) 2 domain of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is in clinical development. It promotes coagulation by neutralising the inhibitory function of TFPI and may provide a subcutaneous prophylaxis option for patients with haemophilia. We aimed to study biodistribution and pharmacokinetics (PK) of concizumab.

Materials and Methods

Blockage of cellular TFPI by concizumab was measured by tissue factor/Factor VIIa-mediated Factor X activation on human EA.hy926 cells. Biodistribution of concizumab was analysed in rabbits by immunohistology, and the PK was measured in rabbits and rats.

Results and Conclusions

Concizumab bound to cell surface TFPI on EA.hy926 cells and neutralised TFPI inhibition of Factor X activation. The antibody cross-reacted with rabbit TFPI, but not with rat TFPI, allowing for comparative PK studies. PK data in rats described a log-linear profile typical for a non-binding antibody, whereas PK data in rabbits revealed a non-linear, dose-dependent profile, consistent with a target-mediated clearance mechanism. Immunohistology in rabbits during target-saturation showed localisation of the antibody on the endothelium of the microvasculature in several organs. We observed a marked co-localisation with endogenous rabbit TFPI, but a negligible sub-endothelial build-up. Concizumab binds and neutralises the inhibitory effect of cell surface-bound TFPI. The PK profile observed in rabbits is consistent with a TFPI-mediated drug disposition. Double immunofluorescence shows co-localisation of the antibody with TFPI on the endothelium of the microvasculature and points to this TFPI as a putative target involved in the clearance mechanism.     

Significance of platelet and monocyte activation for therapeutic immunoglobulin-induced thromboembolism

Objectives

Thromboembolic events (TEE) in patients receiving infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products have recently been associated with contaminating factor XIa. We studied whether platelet and monocyte activation could also be involved.

Methods

Twenty IVIG samples from five manufacturers were tested for the induction of visible whole blood clot formation. A selection of TEE-associated and not associated lots was further analyzed for effects on thromboelastometry, platelet activation and adhesion, as well as monocyte tissue factor surface expression. Pure factor XIa was included for comparison. Western blotting was applied to analyze anti-CD154-reactive proteins in IVIG.

Results

In whole blood, IVIG enhanced macroscopic clotting additively with factor XIa. In monocytes, all IVIG products induced the FcγRII-dependent tissue factor expression to a similar extent, which was not affected by addition of factor XIa. Testing platelet aggregation, IVIG strengthened the ADP and TRAP-6-elicited response. Furthermore, IVIG increased platelet-monocyte adhesion and annexin V binding to platelet microvesicles, and promoted platelet adhesion to IVIG-coated surfaces. The strongest effects were observed with TEE-associated lots. CD154-related proteins were detected in all IVIG products. CD154-related high molecular weight complexes were particularly found in the TEE-associated IVIG. In platelet aggregation, recombinant soluble CD154 enhanced aggregate formation and stability.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that IVIG modulate platelet and monocyte activation and can thereby affect the hemostatic balance. These effects are either additive to or independent from factor XIa. CD154-related proteins are assumed to be involved in these interactions, the mechanism of which needs to be elucidated in further studies.     

三氧化二砷联合化疗治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病的疗效观察

目的:观察三氧化二砷(As2O3)联合化疗治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病(APL)的疗效.方法:46例初治APL患者均采用As2O3诱导治疗,完全缓解(CR)后用DA或MA方案巩固1个疗程,以后As2O3与化疗交替治疗,每3月1次,连续治疗3年.再继以甲氧蝶呤片与巯嘌呤片维持治疗1年.结果:46例患者有38例(82.6％)达到CR,34例坚持治疗者持续缓解,缓解时间17～119个月,中位缓解时间67个月;4例CR2患者缓解时间43～ 71个月,中位缓解时间54个月.38例患者仍处于CR,生存时间131～ 18个月,中位生存时间65个月.结论:APL患者CR后,采取每年4个周期的巩固和维持方案序贯治疗,减少了化疗及As2O3的疗程,避免了长期连续用药所致的耐药,减少了药物的副作用,复发率很低.     

Hypercoagulation following brain death cannot be reversed by the neutralization of systemic tissue factor

Background

Cerebral injury and brain death is associated with apparent hypercoagulation and poor organ outcome. This experimental study challenges the hypotheses that i) brain death causes hypercoagulation and microvascular thrombosis and that ii) neutralizing systemic tissue factor (TF) by in vitro addition of a TF inhibitor (recombinant active site-inhibited factor VIIa (ASIS)) can reverse the hypercoagulable profile.

Methods

Using a validated pig model of intracranial hemorrhage and brain death, 20 pigs were randomized to either control or brain death. The primary endpoints were coagulation parameters measured with whole blood thromboelastometry (ROTEM), thrombin generation and a porcine TF-sensitive plasma clotting time assay. In vitro spiking experiments with ASIS were performed in parallel with the latter two assessments. The kidneys were examined histologically for microvascular thromboses.

Results

Brain death induced hypercoagulation, as demonstrated with ROTEM, thrombin generation, and reduced TF-sensitive plasma clotting time. In vitro inhibition of TF with ASIS did not reverse the hypercoagulation. No microvascular thromboses were found in the kidneys.

Conclusion

Brain death causes hypercoagulation; however, inhibition of TF does not reverse the coagulopathy. Thus, TF release does not seem to be the primary cause of this hypercoagulation. Minor changes in the levels of protein C suggest that the protein C pathway may be linked to the observed coagulopathy.