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Query: UMLS:C0019621 (Langerhans cell histiocytosis)
 3,250 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Histological features of tuberculosis are caseation necrosis and epithelioid cell granuloma formation. Both phenomena are interpreted as expression of cellular immunity. Caseation necrosis is thought to be immunopathology and epithelioid cell granuloma formation is considered to be expression of protective immunity. Recently roles of cytokines for granuloma formation are gradually elucidated. In this symposium, mechanisms and functions of necrosis and granuloma formation Dr. Akagawa reported differentiation of two types of phenotypically different macrophages from human monocytes by GM (granulocyte-macrophage)-CSF or M (macrophage)-CSF. Interestingly such a basic differentiation induced by CSF was affected by IL-4 (interleukin-4). Langerhans-like dendritic cells were generated by cooperation of GM-CSF and IL-4, and multinucleated cells were generated by cooperation of IL-4 and M-CSF. Dr. Fukuda reported human Langerhans cell granulomatosis (LCG) from the pathological and immunohistochemical standpoints. In situ proliferation of LCs in the LCG was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry using antibody to PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) which is used to detect proliferating cells. In the course of granuloma formation, damage and disruption of lung structure such as alveolar basement membrane and elastic tissue framework, and reactive intraluminar fibrosis was observed. Mechanism of cystic dilation was also reported. Cytokines might play important roles in these events. Dr. Ina demonstrated experimental epithelioid cell granuloma formation. Extract (granuloma inducing factor, GIF) from Schistosoma mansoni Egg-induced granuloma, TNF -alpha, or IL-1 beta were coated, individually on the surface of beads, then these beads were inoculated to rat's skins or cultured with rat's monocytes. Four weeks later, epithelioid cell granuloma was demonstrated histologically and electronmicroscopically around beads in vitro and in vivo. GIF-induced granuloma was more organized than cytokine-induced ones. In vitro using human monocytes, activated macrophages accumulated around beads of which cytokines or GIF were coated. It was suspected that many cytokines or other factors are needed to make epithelioid cell granuloma. Dr. Sakamoto showed the presence of acid fast bacilli and various inflammatory cells including lymphocytes and macrophages in the tuberculous caseous necrosis after exudative reaction (E-necrosis) by immunohistochemistry. But no acid fast bacilli or inflammatory cells were found in the caseous necrosis after productive reaction (P-necrosis). TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and IL-4 were stained in the E-necrosis and IL-4 and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) were positively stained in the cytoplasm of epithelioid cells by immunohistochemistry. It was suspected that many cells and cytokines were involved in epithelioid cell granuloma formation and caseous necrosis formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:[The 69th annual meeting symposium. II: Mechanism of necrotizing granuloma formation and its function]. 779 74

GM-CSF induces proliferation and activation of Langerhans' cells in vitro. The density of Langerhans' cells in human tumours is correlated to the in situ density of GM-CSF, and intradermal injection of GM-CSF induces local accumulation of Langerhans' cells. Therefore, we investigated the presence of GM-CSF in the sera of children with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH). We detected GM-CSF in the sera of all children with disseminated and active LCH, but not in the sera of patients with localized (i.e. bone) LCH. These results suggest that GM-CSF level is related to extent and the activity of LCH.
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PMID:Detection of GM-CSF in the sera of children with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. 795 57

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterised by an accumulation of cells ('LCH cells') with the same phenotypic features as normal Langerhans cells found in skin and other organs. The pathogenesis of LCH is unknown but there is increasing evidence to implicate the involvement of lymphokines and proinflammatory cytokines in the tissue damage seen in this disorder. Apart from histiocytes, the lesions contain giant cells, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and occasional mast cells that are the hallmark of an inflammatory process. The role of cytokines in the recruitment of haemopoietic cells within inflammatory lesions has only recently been recognised. In this article, we review the possible role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of LCH, and provide an overview of the methods currently used to detect and quantitate them. An appreciation of the type, distribution and amount of different cytokines released within lesions can provide clues to the possible aetiology of LCH. Using immunoassays, in situ hybridisation and RT-PCR, increased amounts of IL-1, IL-3, IL-4, IL-8, GM-CSF, TNF alpha, TGF beta and LIF have been demonstrated in LCH lesions. Lymphocytes constitutively produce GM-CSF and IL-3 and, to a lesser degree, IL-1, IL-4 and LIF whilst histiocytes produce TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and GM-CSF.
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PMID:The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. 807 4

Cytokines are decisive for the regulation of the immune system as well as the renewal and maturation of the haematopoietic cells. The most important groups of substances, several of which are already produced by gentechnology, are the interferons, the interleukins and the haematopoietic growth factors. The main indications for the application of alpha-(less often beta-)Interferon in children are the juvenile larynx papillomatosis, chronic hepatitis B, viral encephalitis, and also chronic myeloic leukemia, extended haemangiomas, recurrent Langerhans cell histiocytosis and nasopharynx carcinomas. gamma-Interferon is administered successfully for chronic granulomatous disease and has recorded positive effects in therapy resistant rheumatoid arthritis, in kidney cell carcinoma and in osteopetrosis. G-CSF, GM-CSF and Interleukin 3 are the most effective haematopoietic growth factors currently in use. Through G-CSF congenital agranulocytosis (Kostmann syndrome) has become a treatable disease. Other proven applications are in the reduction of aplastic phases after chemotherapy and in critical situations of primary bone marrow failure as well as myelodysplastic syndromes, for prevention of transplant rejections after bone marrow transplantation and for mobilisation of stem cells into peripheral blood before apheresis. Erythropoietin is established in the treatment of chronic renal anaemia and is currently used in the treatment of anaemia in preterm infants. Finally, Interleukin 2 is also used for adoptive immunotherapy in children with minimal residual tumors. The future will show us, whether the spectrum of indications will expand and whether a definite benefit for sick children will result from a wider application of these substances. As long as the cost/benefit ratio for certain indications is not clear, the use of these drugs should be tested in prospective studies.
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PMID:[Clinical applications of cytokines in pediatrics]. 815 1

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by an accumulation and/or proliferation of cells with a Langerhans' cell (LC) phenotype. The aetiology and pathogenesis of LCH are unknown; it is suggested that LCH is caused by an immunological dysregulation. Production of cytokines is a central feature of immunological regulation. LCH lesions and normal LCs were studied for the presence of cytokines known to influence the functioning of LCs: IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-4, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta, bFGF, and TNF-alpha. Cytokines were abundantly present within LCH lesions; LCH cells stained for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-4, GM-CSF, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. Macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophil granulocytes, and, surprisingly, multinucleated giant cells were also sources of cytokines. These results suggest that cytokines play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of LCH and may explain phenomena that often occur in LCH, such as osteolysis and fibrosis and the recruitment of typical inflammatory infiltrates. The results also suggest that a 'down-regulatory' signal is lacking in LCH, resulting in an accumulation and/or proliferation of abnormal LCs.
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PMID:The presence of cytokines in Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. 901 61

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an uncommon disorder occurring most often in young smokers. Histologically, the disease is characterized by granulomatous lesions containing LC that destroy distal bronchioles. The etiology of the disease remains unknown, but progress has been made in understanding its pathogenesis. Modifications in the bronchiolar epithelium induced by smoking, such as the increased secretion of GM-CSF by these cells, are probably responsible for the initial accumulation of large numbers of LC. However, given the rarity of pulmonary LCH compared with the frequency of smoking, an as yet unidentified genetic predisposition may also be necessary for the development of the disease. Although LC in LCH granulomas may be clonal in origin, several observations argue against the idea that the disease, which can regress spontaneously, is a malignant process. Cells of dendritic cell lineage (including LC), are potent antigen presenting cells, suggesting that pulmonary LCH results from an uncontrolled immune response initiated by LC. Consistent with this idea, LC and T-cells are the predominant cell populations found in the early lesions of pulmonary LCH, and unlike LC in the normal bronchial mucosa and those accumulating in other pathologic situations, LC in pulmonary LCH granulomas express surface molecules important for the activation of T-lymphocytes. A number of mediators are produced in the microenvironment of granulomas that probably influence the outcome of the local immune and inflammatory reaction. Ultimately, precise knowledge of the pathogenesis of this disorder should permit the development of specific treatment. In the interim, therapies aimed at modifying the state of activation of LC in the granulomatous lesions may prove useful.
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PMID:[Pathogenesis of adult pulmonary Langerhans-cell histiocytosis]. 1033 58

Smoking-related interstitial lung diseases are characterized by the accumulation of macrophages and Langerhans cells, and fibrotic remodeling, which are linked to osteopontin (OPN) expression. Therefore, OPN levels were investigated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells in 11 patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH), 15 patients with desquamative interstitial pneumonitis (DIP), 10 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 5 patients with sarcoidosis, 13 otherwise healthy smokers, and 19 non-smoking controls. Furthermore, OPN overexpression was examined in rat lungs using adenoviral gene transfer. We found that BAL cells from patients with either PLCH or DIP spontaneously produced abundant amounts of OPN. BAL cells from healthy smokers produced 15-fold less OPN, and those cells from non-smoking healthy volunteers produced no OPN. BAL cells from patients with either idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or sarcoidosis produced significantly less OPN, as compared with patients with PLCH. These data were confirmed by immunochemistry. Nicotine stimulation increased production of both OPN and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor by alveolar macrophages from smokers. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression resembled the pattern of spontaneous OPN production and was dramatically increased in both PLCH and DIP. OPN overexpression in rat lungs induced lesions similar to PLCH with marked alveolar and interstitial accumulation of Langerhans cells. Our findings suggest a pathogenetic role of increased OPN production in both PLCH and DIP by promoting the accumulation of macrophages and Langerhans cells.
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PMID:Essential role of osteopontin in smoking-related interstitial lung diseases. 1935 22