| 1. |
- Bengnér, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Independent skewing of the T cell and NK cell compartments associated with cytomegalovirus infection suggests division of labor between innate and adaptive immunity.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Age (Omaha). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0161-9152 .- 1574-4647. ; 36:2, s. 571-582
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection induces profound changes in different subsets of the cellular immune system. We have previously identified an immune risk profile (IRP) where CMV-associated changes in the T cell compartment, defined as a CD4/CD8 ratio < 1, are associated with increased mortality in elderly people. Since natural killer (NK) cells have an important role in the defense against viral infections, we examined whether the expansion of CD8 + T cells seen in individuals with CD4/CD8 ratio < 1 is coupled to a parallel skewing of the NK cell compartment. A number of 151 subjects were examined with CMV serology and a flow cytometry panel for assessment of T cell and NK cell subsets. CMV-seropositive individuals had higher frequencies of CD57 + and NKG2C + NK cells and lower frequencies of NKG2A + NK cells, in line with a more differentiated NK cell compartment. Intriguingly, however, there was no correlation between CD4/CD8 ratio and NK cell repertoires among CMV-seropositive donors, despite the profound skewing of the T cell compartment in the group with CD4/CD8 ratio < 1. Conversely, donors with profound expansion of NK cells, defined as NKG2C + NK cells with high expression of CD57 and ILT-2, did not display more common changes in their T cell repertoire, suggesting that NK cell expansion is independent of the T cell-defined IRP. Altogether, these results indicate that the effect of CMV on CD8 T cells and NK cells is largely nonoverlapping and independent.
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| 2. |
- Buse, Eberhard, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part I : Animal models in toxicology
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 314-326
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The immune system represents a key defense mechanism against potential pathogens and adverse non-self materials. During pregnancy, the placenta is the point of contact between the maternal organism and non-self proteins of the fetal allograft and hence undoubtedly fulfils immune functions. In the placenta bacteria, foreign (non-self) proteins and proteins that might be introduced in toxicological studies or by medication are barred from reaching the progeny, and the maternal immune system is primed for acceptance of non-maternal fetal protein. Both immunologic protection of the fetus and acceptance of the fetus by the mother require effective mechanisms to prevent an immunologic fetomaternal conflict and to keep both organisms in balance. This is why the placenta requires toxicological consideration in view of its immune organ function. The following articles deal with placenta immune-, control-, and tolerance mechanisms in view of both fetal and maternal aspects. Furthermore, models for experimental access to placental immune function are addressed and the pathological evaluation is elucidated. "The Placenta as an Immune Organ and Its Relevance in Toxicological Studies" was subject of a continuing education course at the 2012 Society of Toxicologic Pathology meeting held in Boston, MA.
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| 3. |
- Cline, J Mark, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part III : Pathologic assessment of the placenta
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 339-344
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This short review is derived from the peer-reviewed literature and the experience and case materials of the authors. Brief illustrated summaries are presented on the gross and histologic normal anatomy of rodent and macaque placentas, including typical organ weights, with comments on differences from the human placenta. Common incidental findings, background lesions, and induced toxic lesions are addressed, and a recommended strategy for pathologic evaluation of placentas is provided.
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| 4. |
- Göhner, Claudia, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part IV : Battery of toxicological test systems based on human placenta
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 345-351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This review summarizes the potential and also some limitations of using human placentas, or placental cells and structures for toxicology testing. The placenta contains a wide spectrum of cell types and tissues, such as trophoblast cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, stem cells, endothelial cells, vessels, glands, membranes, and many others. It may be expected that in many cases the relevance of results obtained from human placenta will be higher than those from animal models due to species specificity of metabolism and placental structure. For practical and economical reasons, we propose to apply a battery of sequential experiments for analysis of potential toxicants. This should start with using cell lines, followed by testing placenta tissue explants and isolated placenta cells, and finally by application of single and dual side ex vivo placenta perfusion. With each of these steps, the relative workload increases while the number of feasible repeats decreases. Simultaneously, the predictive power enhances by increasing similarity with in vivo human conditions. Toxic effects may be detected by performing proliferation, vitality and cell death assays, analysis of protein and hormone expression, immunohistochemistry or testing functionality of signaling pathways, gene expression, transport mechanisms, and so on. When toxic effects appear at any step, the subsequent assays may be cancelled. Such a system may be useful to reduce costs and increase specificity in testing questionable toxicants. Nonetheless, it requires further standardization and end point definitions for better comparability of results from different toxicants and to estimate the respective in vivo translatability and predictive value.
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| 5. |
- Kempe, Per, et al.
(författare)
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T cell subset-associated transcription factors, cytokines and chemokines in relation to the menstrual cycle and use of combined hormonal contraceptives in women with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Study question: Do peripheral blood levels of cytokines, chemokines, and transcription factors for different T helper (Th) cell subsets change in relation to high and low estrogen/progestogen states in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls with and without combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC)?Summary answer: Our findings indicate a general activation of peripheral blood T cells and B cells during high estrogen/progestogen phases with higher levels of transcription factors associated with both Th1 (TBX21) and Th2 (GATA3) subsets of T cells and the B cell-associated chemokine CXCL13.What is known already: There are some indications that sex steroids may positively affect MS clinically and immunologically.Study design, size, duration: A total of 60 women were included. Paired blood samples were drawn in high and low estrogen/progestogen phases during the same cycle in women using or not using CHC.Participants/materials, setting, methods: Participants were female MS patients and healthy controls with and without CHC. Concentrations of cytokines and chemokines were measured using multiplex bead technology and expression of transcription factors in blood cells was determined by qPCR. Owing to possible differences in cell composition, expression of Th-associated transcription factors were normalized to the T cell-specific transcription factor CD3E.Main results and the role of chance: Sixty women were included but 13 women dropped out, leaving 47 women to the statistical analyses. In healthy controls using CHC, both TBX21, and GATA3 expression was higher in the high estrogen/progestogen phase than in the low estrogen/progestogen phase. TBX21 expression in high estrogen/progestogen phase differed significantly between groups with the highest levels in healthy controls without CHC. In all MS patients as well as in healthy controls using CHC, the concentrations of CXCL13 was significantly higher in the high estrogen/progestogen phase compared to the low estrogen/progestogen phase.Limitations, reasons for caution: The low number of participants. A majority of the MS patients were using immunomodulatory drugs which may have interfered with the results. The study design makes it impossible to differ between estrogenic and progestogenic effects.Wider implications of the findings: Our findings show that high and low levels of estrogens and/or progestogens differently affect immune parameters related to Th cell subsets as well as B cells. The differences between high- and low estrogen/progestogen phases were most obvious in women using CHC indicating that CHC is more potent than 17β-Estradiol/progesterone in inducing immune changes in both MS patients and healthy women.Study funding/competing interest(s): This study was funded by the County Councils of Östergötland and Västernorrland, Sweden. No author have any conflicts of interest to declare.
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| 6. |
- Nestor, Colm E, et al.
(författare)
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Sublingual immunotherapy alters expression of IL-4 and its soluble and membrane-bound receptors
- 2014
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Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 69:11, s. 1564-1566
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is a disease of increasing prevalence, which results from an inappropriate T-helper cell, type 2 (Th2) response to pollen. Specific immunotherapy (SIT) involves repeated treatment with small doses of pollen and can result in complete and lasting reversal of SAR. Here, we assayed the key Th2 cytokine, IL-4, and its soluble and membrane-bound receptor in SAR patients before and after SIT. Using allergen-challenge assays, we found that SIT treatment decreased IL-4 cytokine levels, as previously reported. We also observed a significant decrease in the IL-4 membrane-bound receptor (mIL4R) at both the level of mRNA and protein. SIT treatment resulted in a significant increase in the inhibitory soluble IL-4 receptor (sIL4R). Reciprocal changes in mIL4R and sIL4R were also observed in patient serum. Altered mIL4R and sIL4R is a novel explanation for the positive effects of immunotherapy with potential basic and clinical research implications.
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| 7. |
- Strindhall, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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The inverted CD4/CD8 ratio and associated parameters in 66-year-old individuals : the Swedish HEXA immune study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Age (Omaha). - : Springer Netherlands. - 0161-9152 .- 1574-4647. ; 35:3, s. 985-991
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Swedish OCTO and NONA immune longitudinal studies were able to identify and confirm an immune risk profile (IRP) predictive of an increased 2-year mortality in very old individuals, 86–94 years of age. The IRP, was associated with persistent cytomegalovirus infection and characterized by inverted CD4/CD8 ratio and related to expansion of terminally differentiated effector memory T cells (TEMRA phenotype). In the present HEXA immune longitudinal study, we have examined a younger group of elderly individuals (n = 424, 66 years of age) in a population-based sample in the community of Jönköping, Sweden, to examine the relevance of findings previously demonstrated in the very old. Immunological monitoring that was conducted included T cell subsets and CMV-IgG and CMV-IgM serology. The result showed a prevalence of 15 % of individuals with an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio, which was associated with seropositivity to cytomegalovirus and increases in the level of TEMRA cells. The proportion of individuals with an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in men whereas the numbers of CD3+CD4+ cells were significantly higher in women. In conclusion, these findings are very similar to those previously found by us in the Swedish longitudinal studies, suggesting that an immune profile previously identified in the very old also exists in the present sample of hexagenerians. Therefore, it will be important to examine clinical parameters, including morbidity and mortality, to assess whether the immune profile also is a risk profile associated with higher mortality in this sample of hexagenerians.
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| 8. |
- Svensson-Arvelund, Judit, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part II : Systemic and local immune adaptations in pregnancy
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 327-338
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During pregnancy, the maternal immune system is challenged by the semiallogeneic fetus, which must be tolerated without compromising fetal or maternal health. This review updates the systemic and local immune changes taking place during human pregnancy, including some examples in rodents. Systemic changes are induced by contact of maternal blood with placental factors and include enhanced innate immunity with increased activation of granulocytes and nonclassical monocytes. Although a bias toward T helper (Th2) and regulatory T cell (Treg) immunity has been associated with healthy pregnancy, the relationship between different circulating Th cell subsets is not straightforward. Instead, these adaptations appear most evidently at the fetal-maternal interface, where for instance Tregs are enriched and promote fetal tolerance. Also innate immune cells, that is, natural killer cells and macrophages, are enriched, constituting the majority of decidual leukocytes. These cells not only contribute to immune regulation but also aid in establishing the placenta by promoting trophoblast recruitment and angiogenesis. Thus, proper interaction between leukocytes and placental trophoblasts is necessary for normal placentation and immune adaptation. Consequently, spontaneous maladaptation or interference of the immune system with toxic substances may be important contributing factors for the development of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, and recurrent miscarriages.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Abelius, Martina S, et al.
(författare)
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Gene expression in placenta, peripheral and cord blood mononuclear cells from allergic and non-allergic women
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The influence of maternal allergy on the development of immune responses and allergy in the offspring is not understood.Objective: To investigate (i) if maternal allergy influences the gene expression locally in placenta, systemically in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and fetally in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC), (ii) if the gene expression in the placenta and PBMC influences the gene expression in CBMC and (iii) how the gene expression at birth relates to allergy development during childhood.Methods: A real-time PCR array was used to quantify forty immune regulatory genes in placenta, PBMC (gestational week 39) and in CBMC from 7 allergic and 12 non-allergic women and their offspring. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure mRNA expression of Tbx21, GATA-3, Foxp3, RORC and CCL22 in CBMC, selected based on present PCR array results and previous protein findings in cord blood, in 13 children who developed and 11 children who did not develop allergy during childhood.Results: The gene expression profile in the placenta revealed a T-helper (Th) 2-/anti-inflammatory environment as compared with gene expression systemically, in PBMC. Maternal allergy was associated with increased expression of p35 in PBMC and CBMC and p40 in placenta. Placental p35 expression correlated with fetal Tbx21 expression (Rho=-0.88, p<0.001) and maternal IL-5 expression in PBMC with fetal Galectin-1 (Rho=0.91, p<0.001) expression. Allergy development in the children was preceded by high mRNA expression of the Th2-associated chemokine CCL22 at birth.Conclusion and clinical relevance: Gene expression locally and systemically during pregnancy influenced the offspring’s gene expression at birth, indicating an interplay between maternal and fetal immunity. Children developing allergy during childhood had an increased expression of the Th2-associated chemokine CCL22 at birth, indicating a Th2 skewing before disease onset. Maternal allergy was not associated with a Th2-dominance in placenta, PBMC or CBMC.
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| 11. |
- Abelius, Martina S, et al.
(författare)
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High cord blood levels of the T-helper 2-associated chemokines CCL17 and CCL22 precede allergy development during the first 6 years of life
- 2011
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Ingår i: Pediatric Research. - 0031-3998 .- 1530-0447. ; 70:5, s. 495-500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to a strong T-helper 2 (Th2)-like environment during fetal development may promote allergy development. Increased cord blood (CB) levels of the Th2-associated chemokine CCL22 were associated with allergy development during the first 2 y of life. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CB Th1- and Th2-associated chemokine levels are associated with allergy development during the first 6 y of life, allowing assessment of respiratory allergic symptoms usually developing in this period. The CB levels of cytokines, chemokines, and total IgE were determined in 56 children of 20 women with allergic symptoms and 36 women without allergic symptoms. Total IgE and allergen-specific IgE antibody levels were quantified at 6, 12, 24 mo, and 6 y of age. Increased CB CCL22 levels were associated with development of allergic sensitization and asthma and increased CCL17 levels with development of allergic symptoms, including asthma. Sensitized children with allergic symptoms showed higher CB CCL17 and CCL22 levels and higher ratios between these Th2-associated chemokines and the Th1-associated chemokine CXCL10 than nonsensitized children without allergic symptoms. A pronounced Th2 deviation at birth, reflected by increased CB CCL17 and CCL22 levels, and increased CCL22/CXCL10 and CCL17/CXCL10 ratios might promote allergy development later in life.
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| 12. |
- Abelius, Martina S, et al.
(författare)
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Th2-like chemokine levels are increased in allergic children and influenced by maternal immunity during pregnancy
- 2014
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Ingår i: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0905-6157 .- 1399-3038. ; 25:4, s. 387-393
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The influence of the intra-uterine environment on the immunity and allergy development in the offspring is unclear. We aimed to investigate (i) whether the pregnancy magnifies the Th2 immunity in allergic and non-allergic women, (ii) whether the maternal chemokine levels during pregnancy influenced the offspring’s chemokine levels during childhood and (iii) the relationship between circulating Th1/Th2-associated chemokines and allergy in mothers and children.Methods: The Th1-associated chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and the Th2- associated chemokines CCL17, CCL18 and CCL22 were quantified by Luminex and ELISA in 20 women with and 36 women without allergic symptoms at gestational week (gw) 10–12, 15–16, 25, 35, 39 and 2 and 12 months post-partum and in their children at birth, 6, 12, 24 months and 6 yr of age. Total IgE levels were measured using ImmunoCAP Technology.Results: The levels of the Th2-like chemokines were not magnified by pregnancy. Instead decreased levels were shown during pregnancy (irrespectively of maternal allergy status) as compared to post-partum. In the whole group, the Th1-like chemokine levels were higher at gw 39 than during the first and second trimester and post-partum. Maternal CXCL11, CCL18 and CCL22 levels during and after pregnancy correlated with the corresponding chemokines in the offspring during childhood. Increased CCL22 and decreased CXCL10 levels in the children were associated with sensitisation and increased CCL17 levels with allergic symptoms during childhood. Maternal chemokine levels were not associated with maternal allergic disease.Conclusions: Allergic symptoms and sensitisation were associated with decreased Th1-and increased Th2-associated chemokine levels during childhood, indicating a Th2 shift in the allergic children, possibly influenced by the maternal immunity during pregnancy.
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| 13. |
- Backteman, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Cytomegalovirus seropositivity is a major determinant of CD28null T cell expansion in patients with coronary artery disease
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objective: Accumulation of CD4+28null cells, with a proinflammatory and senescent phenotype, has been associated with unstable conditions of coronary artery disease (CAD). Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is known to exert profound effects on T cells, including loss of CD28. Here, we longitudinally assessed the proportions of CD28null and CD28nullCD57+ cells in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations of patients with CAD and related the findings to HCMV seropositivity.Methods: HCMV antibody levels and expression of CD28 and CD57 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were analysed in 31 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 34 patients with stable angina (SA) and 37 healthy controls. Samples were taken prior to 34 coronary angiography and after 3 and 12 months. In a subsample, HCMV-specific IFN-γ and TNF production was assessed ex vivo.Results: Increased proportions of CD4+CD28null, but not CD8+CD28null cells, were significantly associated with presence of CAD. Significant increases in CD28null 37 and CD28nullCD57+ cells occurred within CD4+ and CD8+ T cell compartments in both ACS and SA patients during 12-month follow-up. HCMV was the major determinant of CD28null and CD28nullCD57+ T cell levels in both patients and controls (p <0.001). There were no obvious signs of CMV reactivation in patients.Conclusion: HCMV was a major determinant of the presence of CD28null and CD28nullCD57+ T cells in patients with CAD, independent of clinical stage. Findings also indicate that HCMV might have a large impact on the T cell aging process that occurred in patients after a cardiac event.
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| 14. |
- Backteman, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Lymph Nodes and Peripheral Blood: A Comparison between Patients with Stable Angina and Acute Coronary Syndrome
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 7:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Atherosclerosis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response involving activated T cells and impairment of natural killer (NK) cells. An increased T cell activity has been associated with plaque instability and risk of acute cardiac events. Lymphocyte analyses in blood are widely used to evaluate the immune status. However, peripheral blood contains only a minor proportion of lymphocytes. In this study, we hypothesized that thoracic lymph nodes from patients with stable angina (SA) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) might add information to peripheral blood analyses. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: Peripheral blood and lymph nodes were collected during coronary by-pass surgery in 13 patients with SA and 13 patients with ACS. Lymphocyte subpopulations were assessed by flow cytometry using antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16/56, CD25, Foxp3, CD69, HLA-DR, IL-18 receptor (R) and CCR4. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Lymph nodes revealed a lymphocyte subpopulation profile substantially differing from that in blood including a higher proportion of B cells, lower proportions of CD8(+) T cells and NK cells and a 2-fold higher CD4/CD8 ratio. CD4(+)CD69(+) cells as well as Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells were markedly enriched in lymph nodes (p andlt; 0.001) while T helper 1-like (CD4(+)IL-18R(+)) cells were more frequent in blood (p andlt; 0.001). The only significant differences between ACS and SA patients involved NK cells that were reduced in the ACS group. However, despite being reduced, the NK cell fraction in ACS patients contained a significantly higher proportion of IL-18R(+) cells compared with SA patients (p andlt; 0.05). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: There were several differences in lymphocyte subpopulations between blood and lymph nodes. However, the lymphocyte perturbations in peripheral blood of ACS patients compared with SA patients were not mirrored in lymph nodes. The findings indicate that lymph node analyses in multivessel coronary artery disease may not reveal any major changes in the immune response that are not detectable in blood.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Backteman, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Natural killer (NK) cell deficit in coronary artery disease: no aberrations in phenotype but sustained reduction of NK cells is associated with low-grade inflammation
- 2014
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Immunology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0009-9104 .- 1365-2249. ; 175:1, s. 104-112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although reduced natural killer (NK) cell levels have been reported consistently in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), the clinical significance and persistence of this immune perturbation is not clarified. In this study we characterized the NK cell deficit further by determining (i) differentiation surface markers and cytokine profile of NK cell subsets and (ii) ability to reconstitute NK cell levels over time. Flow cytometry was used to analyse NK cell subsets and the intracellular cytokine profile in 31 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI), 34 patients with stable angina (SA) and 37 healthy controls. In blood collected prior to coronary angiography, the proportions of NK cells were reduced significantly in non-STEMI and SA patients compared with controls, whereas NK cell subset analyses or cytokine profile measurements did not reveal any differences across groups. During a 12-month follow-up, the proportions of NK cells increased, although not in all patients. Failure to reconstitute NK cell levels was associated with several components of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, interleukin (IL)-6 levels remained high in patients with sustained NK cell deficit, whereas a decline in IL-6 (P < 0·001) was seen in patients with a pronounced increase in NK cells. In conclusion, we found no evidence that reduction of NK cells in CAD patients was associated with aberrations in NK cell phenotype at any clinical stage of the disease. Conversely, failure to reconstitute NK cell levels was associated with a persistent low-grade inflammation, suggesting a protective role of NK cells in CAD.
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| 17. |
- Backteman, Karin, 1960-
(författare)
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T Cells and NK Cells in Coronary Artery Disease : Longitudinal and methodological studies in humans
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and most often due to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that involves the arteries, inclouding those that supply blood to the heart muscle. Although inflammation is an important contributing factor to atherosclerosis, the mechanisms are not fully understood. One mechanism contributing to atherogenesis may involve some infectious microorganisms such as cytomegalovirus (CMV). In atherosclerosis, the arterial wall becomes infiltrated with lipids followed by different types of leukocytes and inflammatory mediators (atherogenesis). Leukocytes recirculate continuously between the blood and lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes, where the adaptive immune response is started and regulated.The general aim of this thesis was to increase the understanding of associations between lymphocyte populations and different conditions of CAD (unstable and stable). To assess changes over time, a longitudinal follow up design was mostly used. Therefore, also perspectives of longitudinal variation were included in the thesis.Paper I showed that flow cytometric evaluation of lymphocyte populations is a robust technique that can be used in longitudinal studies, both in clinical and research settings. It was also shown that the time of sampling over the year did not have a major impact on the findings.In paper II, thoracic lymph nodes were investigated to assess whether CAD-associated changes were more prominent in comparison with blood. As expected, there were several major differences in lymphocyte composition between lymph nodes and blood. However, the analysis of thoracic lymph nodes did not reveal any further changes that were not detected in blood. Thus, blood is still the most reliable compartment for studies of lymphocyte populations in CAD since it is not possible to examine the local findings in the artery wall.Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with both regulatory and effector functions. In paper II and III we confirmed previous findings that CAD patients have lower proportions of NK cells in blood. However, the NK subtype and cytokine profile (paper III, measured by subtype markers and intra-cellular cytokine staining) did not differ between patients and controls. During a 12-month follow-up, the proportions of NK cells increased, although not in all patients. Failure to reconstitute NK cell levels was associated with several components of the metabolic syndrome and with a persistent low-grade inflammation as measured by plasma IL-6 levels. The findings support the notion of a protective role for NK cells in inflammation.CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in patients with both unstable and stable conditions compared with healthy individuals (paper IV). Subpopulations of CD4+ T cells (CD4+CD28null) have previously been associated with CAD. However, we show that CD28null and CD28null57+ cells within the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations were similar in CAD patients and healthy controls. Instead, CMV seropositivity was the major determinant of expanded CD28null and CD57+ T cell fractions in both patients and healthy individuals. During the 1 year follow up the proportion of CD4+CD28null and CD8+CD28null cells increased in patients, which may reflect an accelerated immunological ageing occurring after the cardiac event.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Bergström, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Annexin A1 expression in blood mononuclear cells : a potential marker of glucocorticoid activity in patients with coronary artery disease
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- An imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory actions is believed to drive progression of atherosclerosis. Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a key player in resolution of inflammation and a mediator of anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. Here, we investigated whether expression of AnxA1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was altered in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and also related findings to glucocorticoid sensitivity ex vivo.We included 57 patients 6-12 months after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 10 patients with ACS, and healthy controls. AnxA1 mRNA was measured in PBMCs and AnxA1 protein was assessed in monocytes and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. In post-ACS patients and controls, glucocorticoid sensitivity was determined by measuring inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on LPS46 induced cytokine secretion.AnxA1 mRNA levels in PBMCs were higher in patients compared with controls, although most pronounced in ACS patients. AnxA1 protein was most abundant in the monocyte fraction. ACS patients exhibited the highest levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1 protein while levels in post-ACS patients and controls were similar. Ex vivo assays showed that PBMCs from post-ACS patients were more prone to release IL-6. Glucocorticoid sensitivity correlated with cell surface-associated AnxA1 protein in peripheral monocytes. Dexamethasone also induced upregulation of AnxA1 mRNA.AnxA1 expression in PBMCs is closely associated with glucocorticoid actions and cell surface associated AnxA1 appears to be a marker of glucocorticoid sensitivity. Although still speculative, a “normal” expression of cell surface-associated AnxA1 in post-ACS patients may suggest that glucocorticoid actions in vivo are insufficient to provide adequate anti-inflammatory effects in these patients.
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| 21. |
- Bergström, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Higher expression of annexin A1 in 1 CD56+ than in CD56-T cells : Potential implications for coronary artery disease
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Increased proportions of circulating proinflammatory CD56+ T cells have been reported in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Yet, little is known about regulation of these cells. In the present study, we investigated the expression and potential role of the glucocorticoid-mediated protein annexin A1 (AnxA1) in CD56+ and CD56-T cell subsets, with focus on CAD.Methods and Results: We included totally 52 healthy individuals, 28 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 57 patients with a history of ACS. AnxA1 mRNA expression was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. AnxA1 protein expression (total and cell surface-associated) was measured by whole blood flow cytometry in circulating CD56+ and CD56- T cell subsets. Furthermore, inhibitory effects of dexamethasone and/or recombinant AnxA1 on cytokine secretion by CD56+ and CD56- T cells were explored in vitro. We found that CD56+ T cells (the majority CD8+), expressed higher levels of AnxA1 mRNA and protein than did CD56- T cells. When comparing CAD patients with healthy controls, significantly higher levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1 expression were seen in patients, most pronounced in ACS patients. In vitro, dexamethasone reduced cytokine secretion by CD56+ T cells, whereas AnxA1 alone had no effect, and AnxA1 combined with dexamethasone abolished the dexamethasone-induced suppressive effects.Conclusion: AnxA1 was expressed more abundantly in proinflammatory CD56+ T cells. Patients with ACS exhibited increased levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1, thus indicating increased activation of the AnxA1 pathway. Our data further suggested that AnxA1 might counteract glucocorticoid mediated anti-inflammatory effects in T cells.
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| 22. |
- Bergström, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Persistent accumulation of interferon-gamma-producing CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells in blood from patients with coronary artery disease
- 2012
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Ingår i: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9150 .- 1879-1484. ; 224:2, s. 515-520
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: There is emerging evidence for CD8(+) T cell alterations in blood from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined whether the distribution and phenotype of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells differed according to the clinical manifestation of CAD. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n = 30), stable angina (SA, n = 34) and controls (n = 36) were included. Blood was collected before and up to 12 months after referral for coronary investigation. CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells were assessed by flow cytometry for expression of surface markers, apoptosis, and intracellular expression of cytokines. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: The proportions of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells were significantly higher in both ACS and SA patients compared with controls, and remained so after 3 and 12 months. This was independent of age, sex, systemic inflammation and cytomegalovirus seropositivity. CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells differed from CD8(+)CD56(-) T cells in terms of lower CD28 expression and fewer apoptotic cells. Both CD8(+) T cell subsets were positive for interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor, although IFN-gamma was significantly more confined to the CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: The persistent accumulation of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells in ACS and SA patients share several features with immunological aging. It also contributes to a larger IFN-gamma(+) pool in blood, and may thereby hypothetically drive the atherosclerotic process in a less favorable direction.
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| 24. |
- Boij, Roland, et al.
(författare)
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Biomarkers of Coagulation, Inflammation, and Angiogenesis are Independently Associated with Preeclampsia
- 2012
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Ingår i: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY. - : John Wiley and Sons. - 1046-7408 .- 8755-8920. ; 68:3, s. 258-270
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Problem Although preeclampsia has been associated with inflammation, coagulation, and angiogenesis, their correlation and relative contribution are unknown. Method of Study About 114 women with preeclampsia, 31 with early onset (EOP) and 83 with late onset preeclampsia (LOP), and 100 normal pregnant controls were included. A broad panel of 32 biomarkers reflecting coagulation, inflammation, and angiogenesis was analyzed. Results Preeclampsia was associated with decreased antithrombin, IL-4 and placental growth factor levels and with increased C3a, pentraxin-3, and sFlt-1 levels, with more marked differences in the EOP group. The Th1-associated chemokines CXCL10 and CXCL11 were significantly higher in the preeclampsia and EOP group than in controls, respectively. No correlations between the biomarkers were found in preeclampsia. Multivariate logistic regression tests confirmed the results. Conclusions Cytokines, chemokines and complement activation seem to be part of a Th1-like inflammatory reaction in preeclampsia, most pronounced in EOP, where chemokines may be more useful than cytokines as biomarkers. Biomarkers were not correlated suggesting partly independent or in time separated mechanisms.
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| 25. |
- Dahlén, Elsa M, et al.
(författare)
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Abdominal Obesity and low grade Systemic Inflammation as Markers for Subclinical Organ Damage in type 2 diabetes
- 2014
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Ingår i: Diabetes & Metabolism. - : Elsevier. - 1262-3636 .- 1878-1780. ; 40:1, s. 76-81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to explore associations between abdominal obesity, inflammatory markers, and subclinical organ damage in 740 patients with type 2 diabetes. Waist circumference (WC) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) was measured. Blood samples were analyzed for; C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) -1β and IL-6. Carotid intimamedia thickness (IMT) was evaluated by ultrasonography. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured with applanation tonometry.Abdominal obesity were significantly correlated with; IL-6, CRP (both p= <0.001, WC and SAD, respectively), IMT (WC p=0.012, SAD p=0.003) and PWV (p<0.001, for WC and SAD, respectively). In multiple linear regressions with IMT as dependent variable and age, sex, statins, systolic blood pressure (SBP), Body Mass Index (BMI), CRP and HbA1c, as independent variables, SAD (p=0.047) but not WC, remained associated with IMT. In stepwise linear regression, entering both SAD and WC, the association between SAD and PWV was stronger than the association between WC and PWV.We conclude that SAD and WC are feasible measures of obesity that provides information on inflammation, atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes. However, SAD was slightly more robustly associated to subclinical organ damage, compared with WC.
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