Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0038002 (splenomegaly)
 9,873 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

It has previously been reported that inhibition of delayed-type hypersensitivity-mediating functions of T cells during mycobacterial infection in mice is haplotype dependent. In the present study, we show that Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection induced, in susceptible C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice but not in resistant C3H/HeJ and DBA/2 mice, an important splenomegaly. An in vitro defect in T-cell proliferation in response to T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation with mitogens or anti-CD3 antibodies was associated with enhanced levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell apoptosis in susceptible but not in resistant mice 2 weeks after infection. Further investigations of C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ mice revealed that in vivo splenomegaly was associated with destruction of the lymphoid tissue architecture, liver cellular infiltrates, and increased numbers of apoptotic cells in both spleen and liver tissue sections. Infection of C57BL/6 mice but not of C3H/HeJ mice induced massive production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum, as well as an increase in Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression in T cells. In vitro addition of neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha antibodies led to a significant reduction in CD3-induced T-cell apoptosis of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells of C57BL/6 mice, while the blockade of Fas-FasL interactions reduced apoptosis only in CD4(+) but not in CD8(+) T cells. Together, these results suggest that TNF-alpha and Fas-FasL interactions play a role in the activation-induced cell death (AICD) process associated with a defect in T-cell proliferation of the susceptible C57BL/6 mice. T-cell death by apoptosis may represent one of the important components of the ineffective immune response against mycobacterium-induced immunopathology in susceptible hosts.
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PMID:Ineffective cellular immune response associated with T-cell apoptosis in susceptible Mycobacterium bovis BCG-infected mice. 1085 44

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by immune abnormalities explained by the overproduction of Th(2)cytokines such as autoantibody production and polyclonal B cell activation. We examined the effect of administering a DNA plasmid encoding IL-12 on the lupus-like disease of MRL/MP-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice. Treatments were delivered intramuscularly every 4 weeks, starting at 4 weeks of age. This intervention significantly inhibited the accumulation of CD4(-)CD8(-)T cells, and reduced lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. A significant decrease in serum IgG anti-DNA autoantibody titers was observed, and plasmid IL-12 therapy was also associated with a reduction in the proteinuria and glomerulonephritis characteristic of this disease. Serum IFN-gamma level was increased by inoculating IL-12 encoding plasmid, suggesting that the cytokine balance was skewed towards Th(1). The clinical implications of this suppression of autoimmune disease are also discussed.
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PMID:IL-12-encoding plasmid has a beneficial effect on spontaneous autoimmune disease in MRL/MP-lpr/lpr mice. 1088 Feb 49

The present study reports the hematopoietic response to the exogenous administration of recombinant rhesus interleukin-3 (rrIL-3) or a combination of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF)/erythropoietin (Epo)/thrombopoietin (Tpo) at two different stages of SIV infection: Early-stage (n = 6, CD4 + > 1000/microl and mild splenomegaly) and late-stage (n = 6, CD4 + < 500/microl, progressive hepatosplenomegaly and/or weight loss). SIV-infected animals exhibited significantly impaired bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) responses to both rrIL-3 and rhG-CSF/Epo/Tpo administration, as compared to historic controls. In addition, compared to early-stage SIV-infected animals, late-stage SIV-infected macaques demonstrated a more marked dysfunction, as assessed by PB and BM CD34 + content and clonogenic progenitors (colony-forming unit). Neither rrIL-3 nor rhG-CSF/Epo/Tpo administration during either early-stage or late-stage SIV infection increased the viral load, as assessed by bDNA assay. These data suggest that hematopoietic reserve and the response to various cytokines is decreased even in early-stage SIV infection, with the hematopoietic dysfunction progressing in parallel to SIV infection.
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PMID:Hematopoietic response to lineage-non-specific (rrIL-3) and lineage-specific (rhG-CSF, rhEpo, rhTpo) cytokine administration in SIV-infected rhesus macaques is related to stage of infection. 1095 Apr 51

It has been suggested that HIV plays a role in the generation of myeloproliferative disorders, including polycythemia vera (PV). Seven cases of polycythemia in HIV patients have been described in the literature, but only 3 of these met criteria for determining a primary origin (vera) of polycythemia. We report a case of PV in a patient infected with HIV. A 45 year old non-smoking homosexual male presented with 15.7 g/dl hemoglobin in 1991, and was diagnosed with HIV. After 7 years, he presented with plethora, splenomegaly, an erythrocyte mass of 71 ml/kg, and an oxygen saturation of 93.9% (the latter three constituting the major criteria for the diagnosis of PV). Erythrocytes 7.35 x 10(6)/ml hemoglobin, 21.4 g/dl, hematocrit 63%, leukocytes 12,400, erythropoietin < 5 nmoll/ml. These values are all compatible with a diagnosis of PV. The CD4 count was 321 cells/mm(3) and HIV viral load was undetectable. The patient was initially treated with zidovudine. He was then treated with didanosine, lamivudine, and saquinavir, but all of them failed to slow the increase in erythrocyte levels. After a diagnosis of PV, he was treated with hydroxyurea and phlebotomy, which normalized the hemogram. CD4 count rose to 474 cells/mm(3) and HIV viral load remained at undetectable levels. The patient remains in stable condition with combination treatment after 1 year. We suggest that this is a case of HIV infection which may have led to the emergence of polycythemia vera. Treatment of the HIV did not prevent the appearance of the myeloproliferative disorder.
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PMID:Polycythemia vera in a patient with the human immunodeficiency virus: a case report. 1118 68

In October 1998, a 37-year-old man was admitted because of petechiae and thrombocytopenia following flu-like symptoms. On admission, there were numerous petechiae on the back and extremities. The WBC count was 3,700/microliter with 3% atypical lymphocytes, the lymphocyte CD4/CD8 ratio 0.37, and the platelet count 1,000/microliter. Mild splenomegaly was detected by CT. Results of blood chemistry and coagulation tests were normal. A bone marrow aspirate was normocellular with no signs of dysplasia, and the megakaryocyte count was normal. The patient was initially diagnosed as having virus infection-associated thrombocytopenia. Steroid therapy was started immediately, and the platelet count rose to 15 x 10(4)/microliter on day 21. The PA-IgG level was 652 ng/10(7) platelets. Mild liver dysfunction developed, and atypical lymphocytes increased in number thereafter. Because IgM anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody (Ab) was positive and IgG CMV Ab was negative, a diagnosis of CMV mononucleosis was made. Gancyclovir was therefore started. Four months later, steroid therapy was discontinued, and partial remission has since been maintained. In healthy individuals, CMV infection is usually latent, and the development of mononucleosis is rare. So far, 11 cases of CMV-induced mononucleosis associated with severe thrombocytopenia have been reported in immunocompetent adults.
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PMID:[Cytomegalovirus mononucleosis with severe thrombocytopenia]. 1119 35

This retrospective study included eight HIV-positive patients with a M. genavense infection. Seven of these patients had a CT scan of the abdomen and a US examination, whereas one patient with pulmonary symptoms had conventional chest radiographs and thin-section CT scan of the thorax. Multiple large retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes were demonstrated in seven patients; low-attenuation centers within enlarged nodes were identified in two patients. On CT scans two cases showed circumferential wall thickening of the proximal small bowel with a deep ulceration in one of these patients. Additional findings included focal lesions in the liver (n = 1), spleen (n = 2), splenomegaly (n = 6), and hepatomegaly (n = 4). The CT scans from the thoracic examination demonstrated multiple diffuse nodular infiltrates in both lungs. M. genavense infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of AIDS patients with CD4 counts below 100 cells/mm3 presenting with abdominal lymphadenopathy, multinodular or homogeneous hepatosplenic enlargement and circumferential thickening of the small bowel wall.
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PMID:Mycobacterium genavense infection in AIDS: imaging findings in eight patients. 1121 13

We here present an extremely rare case of granular lymphocytic leukemia derived from gamma delta T-cell (gamma delta T-GLL). The blood picture at diagnosis was as follows; white cell count 25.7 x 10(9)/l containing 94% atypical lymphocytes with cytoplasmic granules, hemoglobin 11.8 g/dl and platelet count 124 x 10(9)/l. The atypical lymphocytes were positive for CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7, CD56 and TCR gamma delta, but negative for CD4, CD8, CD57, TCR alpha beta and B-cell antigens. The cytotoxic molecules, T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) and granzyme B, were positive by immunocytochemical analysis. Southern blot analysis showed rearrangement of T-cell receptor J gamma and C beta genes but germline configuration of the JH gene. Neither serum antibody against human T-cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I) nor the integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA was detected. CT scan showed splenomegaly but no lymph node enlargement. A diagnosis of gamma delta T-GLL was made, and she has been followed up without any therapies for more than 4 years.
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PMID:Granular lymphocytic leukemia derived from gamma delta T-cell expressing cytotoxic molecules. 1122 23

Emk is a serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in regulating polarity, cell cycle progression, and microtubule dynamics. To delineate the role of Emk in development and adult tissues, mice lacking Emk were generated by targeted gene disruption. Emk(-/-) mice displayed growth retardation and immune cell dysfunction. Although B- and T-cell development were normal, CD4(+)T cells lacking Emk exhibited a marked upregulation of the memory marker CD44/pgp-1 and produced more gamma interferon and interleukin-4 on stimulation through the T-cell receptor in vitro. In addition, B-cell responses to T-cell-dependent and -independent antigen challenge were altered in vivo. As Emk(-/-) animals aged, they developed splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and lymphocytic infiltrates in the lungs, parotid glands and kidneys. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the Emk protein kinase is essential for maintaining immune system homeostasis and that loss of Emk may contribute to autoimmune disease in mammals.
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PMID:Immune system dysfunction and autoimmune disease in mice lacking Emk (Par-1) protein kinase. 1128 24

The immunodeficiency syndrome murine AIDS (MAIDS), caused by the BM5 retrovirus preparation, involves the activation, division, and subsequent anergy of the entire CD4(+) T cell population as well as extensive B cell hyperproliferation and hypergammaglobulinemia, resulting in splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, followed many weeks later by death. The development of MAIDS requires CD4(+) T cells and MHC class II expression by the infected host, supporting a role for T-B interaction in disease development or progression. To explore this possibility, we examined development of MAIDS in mice deficient in CD4 (CD4 knockout), in which T-B interactions are compromised. We find that in CD4 knockout hosts, BM5 causes T cell immunodeficiency in the remaining T cells but has only a limited ability to induce B cell phenotypic changes, hyperproliferation, hypergammaglobulinemia, or splenomegaly. There is also delayed death of infected mice. This implies that CD4 dependent T-B interaction is needed to induce the B cell aspects of disease and supports a multistep mechanism of disease in which B cell changes follow and are caused by CD4(+) T cell effects.
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PMID:B cell immunodeficiency fails to develop in CD4-deficient mice infected with BM5: murine AIDS as a multistep disease. 1134 21

Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular protozoan. The definitive hosts, cats, produce hardy oocysts and sporozoites. Ingestion by a nonfeline leads to the formation of tachyzoites acutely, which cause parasitemia and further dissemination, and bradyzoites, which lead to latent infection with the formation of tissue cysts in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and central nervous system (CNS) tissue. Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to humans by ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or inadequately cooked infected meat or in uncooked foods that have come in contact with contaminated meat, by inadvertent ingestion of oocysts and sporozoites in cat feces, or transplacentally. Immunocompetent adults and adolescents with primary infection are generally asymptomatic, but symptoms may include mild malaise, lethargy, and lymphadenopathy. Specific treatment for nonpregnant adults and adolescents is not required. Immunosuppressed patients may experience more severe manifestations, including splenomegaly, chorioretinitis, pneumonitis, encephalitis, and multisystem organ failure. These patients are also prone to reactivation of latent infection involving the CNS. All patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and CD4 counts <100 cells per cubic millimeter should be treated prophylactically with pyrimethamine-sulfonamide. Congenital toxoplasmosis is marked by the classic triad of chorioretinits, intracranial calcifications, and hydrocephalus. Current studies have determined that prolonged treatment (1-2 years) of neonates with fansidar is important to prevent serious sequelae. Diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis is mainly by antibody detection and generally only undertaken in pregnant patients with risk factors for transplacental transmission. All positive screening tests in pregnant women must be confirmed at a toxoplasma reference laboratory. Recent studies have shown that polymerase chain reaction testing of amniotic fluid is useful for identification or exclusion of fetal T. gondii infection. Ultrasound can be used as an adjunct to serological screening but cannot itself definitively diagnose disease. Early-first-trimester maternal infections are less likely to result in congenital infection, but the sequelae are more severe. Transplacental passage is more common when maternal infection occurs in the latter half of pregnancy, but fetal injury is usually much less severe. Typically, infected pregnant patients are treated with pyrimethamine-sulfonamide for positive PCR-amniotic-fluid testing and with spiramycin for negative PCR-AF testing.
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PMID:Toxoplasmosis. 1137 31


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