Studien über die Pest

Ohne ZusammenfassungHierzu Taf. I–IV.     

Human salivary gland morphogenesis: myoepithelial cell maturation assessed by immunohistochemical markers

Ianez R F, Buim M E, Coutinho‐Camillo C M, Schultz R, Soares F A & Lourenço S V
(2010) Histopathology 57 , 410–417
Human salivary gland morphogenesis: myoepithelial cell maturation assessed by immunohistochemical markers Aims: Myoepithelial cells are important components of salivary gland structure, aiding the expulsion of saliva from acinar lobules. The aim was to evaluate the expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA), calponin, caldesmon, CD10, CD29, S100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and p63 in myoepithelial cells during salivary gland morphogenesis to understand the maturation process of these cells and their possible use in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. Methods and results: Major and minor human salivary glands at various stages of development, derived from fetuses at 8–26 weeks of gestation, were studied immunohistochemically. Fully developed salivary glands were used as controls. The protein p63 was present in all stages of salivary gland morphogenesis from initial bud to terminal bud stage. CD29, S100 and calponin were detected increasingly as salivary gland structure matured and in fully developed salivary gland. Proteins GFAP, CD10 and caldesmon were not observed in myoepithelial cells of salivary glands. Conclusions: The proteins SMA, calponin, CD29, S100 and p63, which are present from the earliest stages of salivary gland maturation, are valuable myoepithelial markers but, although very specific, are not exclusive markers for this cell type.     

Long-term survival and function of intrahepatic islet allografts in rhesus monkeys treated with humanized anti-CD154

Reported effects of anti-CD154 treatment on autoimmunity, alloreactivity, and inflammatory events mediated by macrophages and endothelial cells indicated that it might be an ideal agent for the prevention of intrahepatic islet allograft failure. This hypothesis was tested in MHC-mismatched rhesus monkeys. Transplantation of an adequate number of viable islets resulted in engraftment and insulin independence in six of six recipients treated with anti-CD154 (hu5c8) induction plus monthly maintenance therapy (post-operative day >125, >246, >266, >405, >419, >476). Anti-CD154 (hu5c8) displayed no inhibitory effect on islet cell function. For monkeys followed for >100 days, continued improvement in graft function, as determined by first phase insulin release in response to intravenous glucose, was observed after the first 100 days post-transplant. No evidence of toxicity or infectious complications has been observed. All recipients treated with anti-CD154 became specifically nonresponsive to donor cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions. Furthermore, three monkeys are now off therapy (>113, >67, and >54 days off anti-CD154), with continued insulin independence and donor-specific mixed lymphocyte reaction hyporeactivity. In striking contrast to all previously tested strategies, transplantation of an adequate number of functional islets under the cover of anti-CD154 (hu5c8) monotherapy consistently allows for allogeneic islet engraftment and long-term insulin independence in this highly relevant preclinical model.     

Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia in cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia and the relationship between calcium and magnesium serum levels in 82 hospitalized cancer patients, 61 of whom were in the terminal phase of the disease. The frequency of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia was 13.4% and 17.1% respectively. The incidence of hypocalcemia in patients with hypomagnesemia was 28.6%, while in those with normal or high magnesium serum levels it was 10.3%. The lowest magnesium serum level was observed in hypocalcemic patients. It may thus be concluded that hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are a frequent complication of malignant tumors mostly in the terminal stage of the disease, and that even hypomagnesemia could contribute to the development of tumor-associated hypocalcemia.     

Islet cell transplantation: the future?

BACKGROUND: Islet of Langerhans' cell transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of type-1 diabetes mellitus. Results of this procedure have yet to match those of whole organ pancreas transplantation, but are rapidly improving, as witnessed by increasing rates of insulin independence and graft function (i.e., C-peptide production) after islet transplantation. DISCUSSION: Identification of obstacles to the success of islet transplantation, such as primary nonfunction, immunosuppression-related metabolic workload, or recurrence of autoimmunity, will allow the development of new strategies tailored to overcome them. In particular, novel immunosuppressive protocols, with or without the aim of inducing tolerance, and immunoisolation devices are reaching the stage of clinical applicability. Finally, several strategies, such as utilization of porcine xenogeneic islets or genetically engineered beta-cell lines, or in vitro expansion of cultured beta-cells could theoretically expand indefinitely the pool of islet tissue for transplantation.