Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with ulcerative colitis receiving immunosuppressive drugs: report of a case

Kaposi's sarcoma is an unusual tumor principally affecting the skin of the lower extremities. Although the association between Kaposi's sarcoma and renal transplant has been well documented, there are few Kaposi's sarcoma cases in the literature associated with ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel diseases. This report presents a patient with ulcerative colitis who developed Kaposi's sarcoma following treatment with long-term medium-dose azathioprine and additional corticosteroids. Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare complication in inflammatory bowel diseases that may (or may not) be related to immunosuppression. Hence, immunomodulatory agents should be planned carefully in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and avoided if they are not essentially necessary. Cases of colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma complicating inflammatory bowel disease should be managed with a conservative approach and discontinuation of the immunosuppressive treatment.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞内HBV DNA存在的意义

目的探讨外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）内HBVDNA与HBV标志物的关系及在慢性肝病发展过程中的作用．方法应用RCR技术结合斑点杂交技术测定血清HBVDNA及PBMC内HBVDNA血清学标志物采用ELISA法结果在HBsAg＋，HBeAg十组48例中，血清与PBMC内HBVDNA阳性检出率分别为93．8％和83．3％；在HBsAg＋，抗-HBe 组41例中，其阳性检出率分别为48．8％和58．5％.两组间存在显著性差异（P＜0．01）在其他各组中血清及PBMC内HBVDNA检出率均较抵有6例呈单纯PBMC内HBVDNA阳性.在不同类型慢性乙肝患者中，CSH和CMoH组PBMC-HBVDNA检出率分别为78．6％和61．8％，与CMiH组（25．0％）、ASC组（14．3％）比较，存在非常显著性差异（P＜0．01），呈随病情加重而检出率增高的趋势结论PBMC清除HBVDNA较血液缓慢，在病毒持续感染及造成肝细胞损伤过程中可能起一定作用．     

General anesthesia-associated DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of surgical patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate retrospectively the effect of general anesthesia on DNA damage in the blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of surgical patients in order to provide evidence for a better nursing care during the procedure.MethodsClinical charts of 76 patients who underwent operation under general anesthesia and 76 healthy control subjects with documented results of DNA damage extent in PBMCs from the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) or comet assay and serum contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) from biochemical analyses were reviewed. The percentage of comet PBMCs and tail DNA and serum contents of SOD and MAD were analyzed by student t-test.ResultsCompared with healthy control subjects, generally anesthetized surgical patients had significantly higher % comet PBMCs and % tail DNA (P <0.05) and significantly lower serum concentrations of SOD (P<0.05) and significantly higher serum concentrations of MAD (P<0.05). Compared with levels before general anesthesia in surgical patients, % comet PBMCs, % tail DNA, and serum levels of MAD were significantly higher (P<0.05 or 0.01, and serum levels of SOD were significantly lower (P<0.05, after general anesthesia.ConclusionsGeneral anesthesia during surgery causes a certain degree of hypoxia and PBMC damage. Particular attention should be paid to monitoring and maintenance of blood oxygen saturation in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.     

Extrachromosomal sequences of hepatitis B virus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients.

The primary etiologic agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (the AIDS virus). However, the pathogenesis of this virus suggests that other cofactors may contribute to the development of clinically overt disease. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been implicated as a potential cofactor because HBV and AIDS virus infections frequently coexist, striking similarities exist in their epidemiologic patterns, and recent data indicate that HBV is lymphotropic. To establish the prevalence of HBV infections in lymphoid cells from individuals with AIDS-related disorders, sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 16 males with AIDS virus infections were examined for the presence of HBV DNA by DNA X DNA blot hybridization. Fifteen (94%) of these individuals had serologic evidence of a recent or prior HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in the PBMC of all of these patients, regardless of existing HBV serology. Among the 36 control individuals without AIDS-related symptomatology, PBMC-associated HBV DNA was detected in 8 of 14 carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and in 3 of 10 individuals immune to HBV, but it was absent from the PBMC of 12 individuals without HBV infection. In all instances, the HBV DNA was extrachromosomal and existed as replicative intermediates or high molecular weight oligomers of the viral genome. Replicative intermediates and serum-associated HBV DNA were detected in all hepatitis B e antigen-positive carriers, regardless of their clinical status. In contrast, the high molecular weight oligomers of HBV DNA were detected in the PBMC of all of the AIDS virus-infected patients examined, but in only 33% of those in the control group who had evidence of HBV infection. This finding suggests that a unique and complex HBV-host-cell interaction exists in patients infected with the AIDS virus.     

Decreased expression of c-myc oncoprotein by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in thalassaemia patients receiving desferrioxamine

Abstract: Desferrioxamine (DFX) is an iron chelation agent widely used in the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with thalassaemia major and other severe refractory anaemias. DFX has been shown to induce inhibition of DNA synthesis and apoptosis in vitro; however, the molecular targets of DFX action are not well known. The c-myc proto-oncogene is involved in a number of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation and apoptotic cell death. We have examined the expression of c-myc in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 71 patients with homozygous β-thalassaemia in regular transfusion and iron chelation therapy with DFX, 5 non-transfusion, non-chelation-dependent thalassaemic patients, and 15 healthy volunteers using an APAAP immunocytochemical method. We have found that mononuclear cells from thalassaemic patients receiving DFX express significantly lower levels of c-myc protein compared to control healthy volunteers or thalassaemics receiving no DFX. In vitro treatment of HL60 or K562 leukaemic cells with 100 μl DFX also induced a rapid decrease in c-myc mRNA and protein levels, followed by apoptosis and inhibition of DNA synthesis. These effects were blocked by simultaneous addition of ferric chloride. Our data suggest that deprivation of cellular iron induces downregulation of c-myc expression in vitro and in vivo and may influence haemopoietic cell growth and survival.     

Detection of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in peripheral blood cells in human immunodeficiency virus infection: association with Kaposi's sarcoma, CD4 cell count, and HIV RNA levels

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA, consistently found in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tissues, was sought in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-infected individuals. To determine quantitative relationships between the presence of KSHV DNA in PBMCs, CD4 cell counts, plasma HIV RNA levels, and the development of KS, we designed a cross-sectional study of prospectively collected PBMC samples from ongoing cohort studies. PBMCs were collected from 142 HIV-seropositive individuals in California, 7 of whom had a clinical diagnosis of KS. KSHV sequences were detected in extracted PBMC DNA by nested polymerase chain amplification using two nonoverlapping primer sets. KSHV DNA was detected in PBMCs of 5 of 7 (71%) subjects with KS and in 18 of 135 (13%) HIV-infected subjects without KS. Among HIV-seropositive individuals without KS, detection of KSHV was more common in men than women (19 versus 4%, p = 0.01) and was associated with lower mean CD4 percent (14.8 versus 20.7% CD4 cells, p = 0.03), lower mean CD4 cell count (244 versus 334 CD4 cells/microl, p = 0.05), and higher geometric mean plasma HIV RNA (4.83 versus 4.03 1og10 copies/ml, p = 0.0002). Semiquantitative analysis found 5 to 15,625 copies of KSHV per microgram of PBMC DNA with increased plasma HIV RNA levels and a trend toward increased subsequent development of KS in subjects with higher KSHV loads. The association of the presence of KSHV DNA in PBMCs with lower CD4 cell counts and higher plasma HIV RNA provides evidence of a relationship between immunosuppression, HIV replication, and KSHV expression.     

Detection of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus DNA sequences in multiple myeloma bone marrow stromal cells

Whether Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with multiple myeloma (MM) remains controversial. We assayed for KSHV DNA sequences in long-term bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from 26 patients with MM and 4 normal donors. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers which amplify a KSHV gene sequence to yield a 233-bp fragment (KS330233 within open reading frame 26) was negative in all cases. Aliquots of these PCR products were used as templates in subsequent nested PCR, with primers that amplify a 186-bp product internal to KS330233. BMSCs from 24 of 26 (92%) patients with MM and 1 of 4 normal donors were KSHV PCR+. DNA sequence analyses showed interpatient specific mutations (2 to 3 bp). Both Southern blot and sequence analyses confirmed the specificity of PCR results. The presence of the KSHV gene sequences was further confirmed by amplifying T 1.1 (open reading frame [ORF] K7) and viral cyclin D (ORF 72), two other domains within the KSHV genome. Immunohistochemical studies of KSHV PCR+ MM BMSCs demonstrate expression of dendritic cell (DC) lineage markers (CD68, CD83, and fascin). Serological studies for the presence of KSHV lytic or latent antibodies were performed using sera from 53 MM patients, 12 normal donors, and 5 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/KSHV+ patients. No lytic or latent antibodies were present in sera from either MM patients or normal donors. Taken together, these findings show that KSHV DNA sequences are detectable in BMSCs from the majority of MM patients, but that serologic responses to KSHV are not present. Ongoing studies are defining whether the lack of antibody response is caused by the absence of ongoing infection, the presence of a novel viral strain associated with MM, or underlying immunodeficiency in these patients.     

Bone marrow and peripheral blood dendritic cells from patients with multiple myeloma are phenotypically and functionally normal despite the detection of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus gene sequences

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells express idiotypic proteins and other tumor-associated antigens which make them ideal targets for novel immunotherapeutic approaches. However, recent reports show the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) gene sequences in bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) in MM, raising concerns regarding their antigen-presenting cell (APC) function. In the present study, we sought to identify the ideal source of DCs from MM patients for use in vaccination approaches. We compared the relative frequency, phenotype, and function of BMDCs or peripheral blood dendritic cells (PBDCs) from MM patients versus normal donors. DCs were derived by culture of mononuclear cells in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4. The yield as well as the pattern and intensity of Ag (HLA-DR, CD40, CD54, CD80, and CD86) expression were equivalent on DCs from BM or PB of MM patients versus normal donors. Comparison of PBDCs versus BMDCs showed higher surface expression of HLA-DR (P =.01), CD86 (P =. 0003), and CD14 (P =.04) on PBDCs. APC function, assessed using an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), demonstrated equivalent T-cell proliferation triggered by MM versus normal DCs. Moreover, no differences in APC function were noted in BMDCs compared with PBDCs. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of genomic DNA from both MM patient and normal donor DCs for the 233-bp KSHV gene sequence (KS330233) was negative, but nested PCR to yield a final product of 186 bp internal to KS330233 was positive in 16 of 18 (88.8%) MM BMDCs, 3 of 8 (37.5%) normal BMDCs, 1 of 5 (20%) MM PBDCs, and 2 of 6 (33.3%) normal donor PBDCs. Sequencing of 4 MM patient PCR products showed 96% to 98% homology to the published KSHV gene sequence, with patient specific mutations ruling out PCR artifacts or contamination. In addition, KHSV-specific viral cyclin D (open reading frame [ORF] 72) was amplified in 2 of 5 MM BMDCs, with sequencing of the ORF 72 amplicon revealing 91% and 92% homology to the KSHV viral cyclin D sequence. These sequences again demonstrated patient specific mutations, ruling out contamination. Therefore, our studies show that PB appears to be the preferred source of DCs for use in vaccination strategies due to the ready accessibility and phenotypic profile of PBDCs, as well as the comparable APC function and lower detection rate of KSHV gene sequences compared with BMDCs. Whether active KSHV infection is present and important in the pathophysiology of MM remains unclear; however, our study shows that MMDCs remain functional despite the detection of KSHV gene sequences.     

Oxidative DNA base modifications in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients treated with high-dose infusional doxorubicin

In prior studies, it was demonstrated that the redox metabolism of doxorubicin leads to the formation of promutagenic oxidized DNA bases in human chromatin, suggesting a potential mechanism for doxorubicin-related second malignancies. To determine whether a similar type of DNA damage is produced in the clinic, peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA from 15 women treated with infusional doxorubicin (165 mg/m(2)) as a single agent was examined for 14 modified bases by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. Prior to the 96-hour doxorubicin infusion, 13 different oxidized bases were present in all DNA samples examined. Chemotherapy, producing a steady-state level of 0.1 microM doxorubicin, increased DNA base oxidation up to 4-fold compared to baseline values for 9 of the 13 bases studied. Maximal base oxidation was observed 72 to 96 hours after doxorubicin treatment was begun; the greatest significant increases were found for Thy Gly (4.2-fold), 5-OH-Hyd (2.5-fold), FapyAde (2.4-fold), and 5-OH-MeUra (2.4-fold). The level of the promutagenic base FapyGua increased 1.6-fold (P < .02), whereas no change in 8-OH-Gua levels was observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA during the doxorubicin infusion. These results suggest that DNA base damage similar to that produced by ionizing radiation occurs under clinical conditions in hematopoietic cells after doxorubicin exposure. If doxorubicin-induced DNA base oxidation occurs in primitive hematopoietic precursors, these lesions could contribute to the mutagenic or toxic effects of the anthracyclines on the bone marrow.     

肝移植患者外周血单个核细胞中HBV DNA检测及临床意义

目的研究乙型肝炎肝硬化终末期患者肝移植后外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)HBV DNA状态及临床意义.方法应用荧光PCR技术检测乙型肝炎肝硬化终末期肝移植术后30例患者血清及PBMC标本HBV DNA,并用细胞计数法和管家基因β-actin标定PBMC HBV DNA,观察PBMC HBV DNA与血清HBV DNA定量关系;观察患者肝移植术后不同时间PBMC HBV DNA水平.30例对照组为肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者.结果移植后患者19份(63%)PBMC标本HBVDNA阳性,低于对照组(87%,26/30).以Ct值为定量参数,移植后患者PBMC HBV DNA水平显著低于对照组(P=0.02);肝移植术后患者PBMC HBV DNA长期维持于103～104拷贝/106细胞水平,与肝移植后时间无明显关系.移植后患者血清HBV DNA均阴性,而对照组血清阳性率为48%.结论乙型肝炎肝硬化终末期患者肝移植术后,经有效预防HBV再感染治疗后,虽然血清中不能测出HBV DNA,但PBMC中HBV DNA阳性,这可能成为肝外"病毒池",导致供肝再感染;对移植后患者监测PBMC HBV DNA,可能有助于早期诊断HBV再感染或复发.     

Adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to vascular endothelium in patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

Objective. Perivascular infiltrates in skin, subcutaneous tissue, and internal organs are a characteristic feature of early systemic sclerosis (SSc). We studied the first step of migration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) through the vessel wall to the extravascular space, i.e., adhesion of PBMC to endothelial cells (EC), in patients with various forms of SSc (limited scleroderma, diffuse scleroderma, and the transitional form). Methods. Radioisotope-labeled patient PBMC were coincubated with umbilical cord EC in vitro, and the percentage adhesion was measured. Results. Adhesion of PBMC to EC was markedly decreased, while adhesion of isolated active rosetteforming cells (ARFC) was significantly increased, in SSc patients compared with healthy controls. Decreased adhesion of PBMC to EC was found to correlate with a diminished percentage of ARFC in the peripheral blood. Preincubation of PBMC from healthy donors with interleukin-2 (IL-2) enhanced their adhesion to EC, while preincubation of PBMC from SSc patients with this cytokine resulted in a decrease in adhesion in 10 of 14 individuals. IL-1, interferon-γ, and transforming growth factor β had no significant effect on adhesion of SSc patient PBMC to EC. Differences in adhesion of PBMC to EC among the SSc subgroups were not significant. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that in SSc, activation of subpopulations of PBMC leads to their enhanced adhesion to vascular endothelium in vivo and to migration of these cells to the extravascular space, resulting in the elimination from the peripheral blood of those PBMC with high ability to adhere to EC.     

Kaposi's sarcoma: a review of gene expression and ultrastructure of KS spindle cells in vivo.

The ultrastructural features and the gene expression pattern of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) spindle cells in vivo suggest that KS is a tumor of the mixed cell type. The expression pattern of cytokines and cytokine receptors in the tumor lesion, together with the results obtained from in vitro characterization of KS-derived cells, provide evidence that paracrine mechanisms of growth factor action are important for the maintenance of KS. The reports on virus infection of KS cells suggest an indirect role of virus infection in the induction of KS, most likely mediated by immunostimulation and subsequent production of cytokines.     

Presence of TTV DNA in serum, liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis

The main site of TT virus (TTV) replication remains unknown. Therefore, we have studied the presence and titres of TTV DNA in paired serum, liver and PBMC samples from 50 patients with liver disease (32 with chronic hepatitis B or C, seven with cryptogenic hepatitis and 11 with nonviral liver disease) were included. TTV DNA was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers from the open reading frame 1 (ORF 1) and from the untranslated region (UTR) and titres were semiquantified by PCR using an external standard. TTV DNA was detected in 26% of serum, 24% of liver and 14% of PBMC samples with ORF 1 primers. When UTR primers were used, 70% of serum and liver samples and 64% of PBMC were TTV DNA positive. No differences between TTV positive and negative patients were found regarding epidemiological or biochemical parameters. Trypsin treatment and fluorescent in situ hybridization confirm the intracellular location of TTV in PBMC. The mean of TTV DNA titres was statistically higher in liver than in serum or PBMC. TTV titres in serum correlated with those in PBMC but not with those in liver. In conclusion, although the liver seems to be the main site for TTV replication, this virus is also able to infect PBMC.     

乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞端粒酶活性的研究

目的 了解乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）端粒酶活性的表达情况。方法 通过扩增端粒重复序列（TRAP）及光度酶联免疫法，分别检测健康人及各类乙型肝炎患者PBMC的端粒酶水平。结果 各组患者PBMC在植物血凝素（PHA）刺激前均有端粒酶活性的表达，以急性型肝炎组最高，重型肝炎组最低，二者差别具有显著性（P〈0．001）。PHA刺激后与刺激前比较各组端粒酶活性均有显著性升高（P〈0．001），刺激后的端粒酶水平以重型肝炎组为最低，与其他三组比较差别具有显著性（P〈0．05）。慢性重型乙型肝炎经胸腺五肽（TP5）治疗后端粒酶活性显著增高（P〈0．05）。结论 HBV急性感染期PBMC的端粒酶水平升高；慢性感染期PBMC的端粒酶水平在体内被抑制。TP5具有免疫调节作用，能使过低的端粒酶水平趋向于正常。     

Measurement of peripheral blood mononuclear cells producing IFN-Gamma in patients with tuberculosis

The type of immune response induced by tuberculosis (Th1 or Th2) and its correlation with the clinical outcome is unclear. We studied 13 patients with active tuberculosis (TBC). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells producing IFN-gamma (PBMC-IG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) technique. The control group had ten healthy individuals vaccinated against tuberculosis. We collected blood samples of each patient in two moments: a) in the hospital admission without treatment (TBC1); b) after seven to 20 days of treatment (TBC2). The comparison of the spots forming units of PBMC-IG between TBC group and controls showed that there was a significant difference between TBC1 and control group (p < 0.001) and between TBC2 and control group (p < 0.005), but there was no difference between TBC1 and TBC2 (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between PBMC-IG and hemoglobin value, as well as between PBMC-IG and weight loss. There was no correlation between PBMC-IG and other variables [age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)]. We conclude that tuberculosis activates Th1 immune response due to increase of PBMC producing IFN-gamma. There was no difference between the first sample (TBC1) and the second sample (TBC2) of PBMC-IG. This result can have occurred due to treatment influence, or can indicate that the immune response reachs a plateau. The positive correlation among PBMC-IG and both hemoglobin level and weight loss indicates that may exist a link between patient's clinical status and the immune response intensity.