| 1. |
- Lampinen, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Downregulated eosinophil activity in ulcerative colitis with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Leukocyte Biology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0741-5400 .- 1938-3673. ; 104:1, s. 173-183
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic bile duct inflammation strongly connected to ulcerative colitis (UC). PSC is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, but the link between the intestinal and the bile duct inflammation is still unknown. Also, the involvement of intestinal immune cells in the pathogenesis of PSC remains to be determined. The eosinophil granulocyte is one of the immune cells implicated in the inflammatory process of ulcerative colitis. This study was performed to determine how the accumulation and activation of intestinal eosinophils may differ between UC with and without concomitant PSC, and how this may be influenced by the cytokine/chemokine profile of the intestinal compartment. Eosinophils from peripheral blood and multiple parts of the colon were analyzed by flow cytometry. The intestinal level of inflammatory mediators was assessed using a multiplex proximity extension assay and a quantitative immunoassay. We found that colonic eosinophils were more abundant in both UC and PSC-UC compared with controls, but that their expression of activation markers was significantly increased in UC only. The colonic level of pro-inflammatory cytokines was increased in active UC but not in PSC-UC. In conclusion, we show for the first time that eosinophil activation phenotype discriminates between UC and PSC-UC, and that this may depend on the local cytokine profile of the colonic mucosa. Lower expression of activation markers on eosinophils in UC with concomitant PSC may depend on the local protein profile of the colonic mucosa.
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| 2. |
- Markasz, Laszlo, et al.
(författare)
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Diminished DEFA6 Expression in Paneth Cells Is Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis
- 2018
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Ingår i: Gastroenterology Research and Practice. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 1687-6121 .- 1687-630X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in premature infants with a high morbidity and mortality. Paneth cell dysfunction has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of NEC. Defensin alpha-6 (DEFA6) is a specific marker for Paneth cells acting as part of the innate immunity in the human intestines. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DEFA6 in infants with NEC.Materials and Methods: Infants who underwent bowel resection for NEC at level III NICU in Sweden between August 2004 and September 2013 were eligible for the study. Macroscopically vital tissues were selected for histopathological evaluation. All infants in the control group underwent laparotomy and had ileostomy due to dysmotility, and samples were taken from the site of the stoma. DEFA6 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Digital image analysis was used for an objective and precise description of the samples.Results: A total of 12 infants were included in the study, eight with NEC and four controls. The tissue samples were taken from the colon (n = 1), jejunum (n = 1), and ileum (n = 10). Both the NEC and control groups consisted of extremely premature and term infants (control group: 25-40 gestational weeks, NEC group: 23-39 gestational weeks). The postnatal age at the time of surgery varied in both groups (control group: 4-47 days, NEC group: 4-50 days). DEFA6 expression in the NEC group was significantly lower than that in the control group and did not correlate with gestational age.Conclusion: The diminished DEFA6 expression in Paneth cells associated with NEC in this study supports the hypothesis that alpha-defensins are involved in the pathophysiology of NEC. Future studies are needed to elucidate the role of alpha-defensins in NEC aiming at finding preventive and therapeutic strategies against NEC.
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| 3. |
- Nordling, Sofia, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Enhanced protection of the renal vascular endothelium improves early outcome in kidney transplantation : Preclinical investigations in pig and mouse
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ischemia reperfusion injury is one of the major complications responsible for delayed graft function in kidney transplantation. Applications to reduce reperfusion injury are essential due to the widespread use of kidneys from deceased organ donors where the risk for delayed graft function is especially prominent. We have recently shown that coating of inflamed or damaged endothelial cells with a unique heparin conjugate reduces thrombosis and leukocyte recruitment. In this study we evaluated the binding capacity of the heparin conjugate to cultured human endothelial cells, to kidneys from brain-dead porcine donors, and to murine kidneys during static cold storage. The heparin conjugate was able to stably bind cultured endothelial cells with high avidity, and to the renal vasculature of explanted kidneys from pigs and mice. Treatment of murine kidneys prior to transplantation reduced platelet deposition and leukocyte infiltration 24 hours post-transplantation, and significantly improved graft function. The present study thus shows the benefits of enhanced protection of the renal vasculature during cold storage, whereby increasing the antithrombotic and anti-adhesive properties of the vascular endothelium yields improved renal function early after transplantation.
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