Effects of exogenous estrogen on uterine leukocyte recruitment

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of estrogen in leukocyte recruitment to the human endometrium. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled in vivo study. SETTING: Academic research laboratory. PATIENT(S): Ten patients presenting for donor oocytes. INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial biopsies for the evaluation of leukocyte populations were collected from perimenopausal women in two consecutive regulated cycles who were given two different regimens of estrogen with identical progesterone treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immunohistochemical identification of endometrial leukocyte populations and relative levels of expression of three chemokine genes. RESULT(S): The total uterine leukocyte population increased significantly when the women received oral estrogen, which resulted in higher serum estrogen levels. This rise in leukocytes was due to a significant increase in both the uterine natural killer cells and the macrophage populations. T-cell numbers did not change relative to circulating estrogen levels. The relative abundance of mRNA from three chemokines was also determined. No changes were found in the expression of M-CSF or MCP-1. Interleukin 8 decreased in glands relative to estrogen levels. CONCLUSION(S): These data demonstrate that changes in circulating levels of estrogen can regulate the recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells to the uterine endometrium; however, the mechanism whereby that occurs remains elusive.     

Leukocyte density and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in human fetal membranes,decidua, cervix and myometrium before and during labour at term

Accumulating evidence suggests that human parturition represents an inflammatory process. Leukocytes are known to infiltrate uterine tissues but the exact timing, nature and quantity of these cells has not been formally characterized. We have previously demonstrated an apparent increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines within tissues of the labouring uterus. The aims of this study were to quantify and compare the leukocyte subpopulations before and during labour in fetal membranes, decidua and cervix and to quantify and compare mRNA expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in myometrium, cervix, chorio-decidua and amnion. Biopsies of each of these tissues were obtained from pregnant women delivered by Caesarean section before and after the onset of spontaneous labour at term. Subpopulations of leukocytes were identified using immunohistochemistry and cytokine mRNA expression was quantified using Northern analysis. We found that parturition was associated with a significant increase in IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression in cervix and myometrium, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression in chorio-decidua and IL-1beta and IL-8 mRNA expression in amnion. Histological analysis demonstrated that leukocytes (predominantly neutrophils and macrophages) infiltrate the uterine cervix coincident with the onset of labour. These data lend further support to the hypothesis that labour is an inflammatory process.     

Evidence for the early onset of gingival inflammation following short-term plaque accumulation

AIM: A study was undertaken to examine cytokine markers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during the early stages of plaque accumulation. METHODS: A panel of five subjects with good oral hygiene went without brushing for 1 or 3 days, after which GCF samples were taken by placing paper strips into the gingival margins of the maxillary premolars and first molar for 30 s. GCF flow rates were determined with a Periotron instrument (Oraflow, Inc., Plainview, New York), and neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) were determined as myeloperoxidase activity. Interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and IL-8 were eluted from the paper strips and assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems. RESULTS: The plaque index rose to 2.7 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SE) after 3 days without brushing, and the GCF flow rate increased to 146.8% of baseline. PMN and IL-8 concentrations fell but, when corrected for dilution as a result of increased GCF flow, were not statistically different from baseline. IL-1b was slightly elevated after 1 day, and increased to 223.8 +/- 54.3% (from 6.8 +/- 1.7 to 13.8 +/- 3.6 pg/30 s; p = 0.04) after 3 days of plaque accumulation. Resumption of tooth brushing led to a return of IL-1b to baseline (109.1% after 2 days of brushing). When subjects rinsed with 0.12% chlorhexidine during the 3-day no-brushing period, the increases in plaque index, GCF flow rates and IL-1b release rates did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that IL-1b release rates increase in the GCF after 3 days of plaque accumulation, before any clinical signs of inflammation appear.     

Laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy: an overview

Innovative and important aspects of laser scanning confocal fluorescence imaging (LSCFI) are presented here as a general overview. We have described and discussed the technology of the procedure in some detail. We also report some of our original work with transmembranous uptake of 5S gamma-globulin on living human leukocytes as an example of one specific application of LSCFI. These original data and results are presented, as well as citing other uses and applications, to show the power of LSCFI technique. The article will hopefully be useful for those not familiar with the methodology and utility of laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy. Applications of LSCFI are very diverse, and there are new applications of this technology constantly being developed. Interest is growing in LSCFI, particularly in the pharmacologic and therapeutic areas, as demonstrated in this article.     

LPS、TNF-α、IL-1β对大鼠多核白细胞环氧合酶2表达的影响

为探讨LPS、TNF-α、IL-1β对多核白细胞（PMN）环氧合酶2（COX-2）表达及前列腺素（PGs）的影响,以LPS、TNF-α、IL-1β刺激大鼠PMN24h后,采用RT-PCR检测PMN COX-2mRNA表达情况并观察PGs的变化。结果发现,静息状态下PMN仅表达极少量的COX-2mRNA;受炎性刺激后,PMN大量表达COX-2mRNA,同时伴有PGs的升高。说明炎性刺激可诱发PMN的COX-2高表达和PGs升高,提示COX-2在PMN参与的炎症反应中可能起重要作用。     

脓毒症与炎性细胞

脓毒症是指各种致病微生物或其毒素存在于血液或组织中,是世界范围内重症病患的首位死亡原因,是ICU所面临的医学难题之一。脓毒症是机体对感染的一种全身性炎性反应,发病机制相当复杂,既可由感染因素引起,亦可由非感染因素所引起,往往不是由单一的因素所造成,可能同时存在促炎性反应及抗炎性反应,免疫麻痹、凝血机制的异常亦可能参与了脓毒症的发生发展。单核细胞、多形核白细胞和多种免疫细胞受炎性介质的作用,在脓毒症的炎性反应的过程中发挥了重要的作用。     

HUMAN COLOSTRAL AND BREAST MILK CELLS A Light and Electron Microscopic Study

Abstract. Colostrum and breast milk samples were obtained from 74 women, 18 of whom gave sequential samples. The mean total leukocyte count in colostrum was 3190 cells/mm³. Proportions of macrophages, polymorphs and lymphocytes varied widely; macrophages usually predominated. Serial sampling showed (1) a small fall in total counts through delivery, (2) a fall in total counts and the proportion of PMNs at the onset of lactation, (3) after 1 to 2 weeks of lactation the appearance of cytoplasmic fragments together with epithelial cells which later constituted the main cell type. It was estimated that the total number of leukocytes available to the neonate remained approximately constant during the first 2 weeks of lactation and fell thereafter. Functionally, morphologically and histochemically macrophages in colostrum and breast milk resembled macrophages elsewhere. Their ultrastructure was characterised by filiform surface projections, numerous endocytic vacuoles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm.     

白细胞和血液的杀菌功能

用离子法制备少白细胞血和浓缩白细胞,以菌落计数技术,观察了白细胞数量和血液杀菌能力之间的关系。结果显示液具有相当的杀菌能力,３７℃１ｈ后,细菌的残存数为金黄色葡萄菌能力之间的关系。结果显示血液具有相当的杀菌能力,３７℃１ｈ后,细菌的残存数淡金黄色葡萄球菌不足５０％,大肠埃杀菌在５０％左右,铜绿假单胞菌不足１０％,但未见白细胞数量和血液杀菌能力间的明显关系。     

山柰酚拮抗血小板活化因子与其受体结合的作用

目的 :观察山柰酚对氚标记的血小板活化因子与血小板膜上受体结合作用的影响 ,试图证明该药为一新型血小板激活因子 (PAF)受体拮抗剂。方法 :以放射配基结合试验观察 [³H]PAF与家兔血小板受体的特异性结合 ;分光光度法测定PAF诱发的血小板黏附强度 ;Fura-2荧光分光光度法测定PAF介导的兔多形核白细胞 (PMNs)内钙离子浓度的升高。结果 :山柰酚可浓度依赖地抑制 1,2 ,4nmol·L^-1[³H]PAF与血小板受体的特异性结合 ,IC50 分别为 30 .8,74 .6 ,92 .0 μmol·L^-1;该药可明显抑制PAF诱发的兔血小板黏附及PMNs内游离钙升高 ,且均呈明显的量效关系 ,其抑制血小板黏附的IC50 为 65μmol·L^-1。结论 :山柰酚具抗PAF的作用 ,为一新的PAF受体拮抗剂。