Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P15088 (mast cell)
 14,925 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Asthma bronchiale (a.b.) is defined as paroxysmal or permanent, partly or completely reversible dyspnoea due to a bronchospasm resulting from pathological hyperreactivity of the bronchial system. In the pathogenesis participate allergic, immuno-infiltrative and genetic factors, irritating substances (environment) and infectious. The allergic constituent acts via sensitization and allergization of the mast cell, to its degranulation with release of mediators (histamine, serotonin, leukotrienes, thromboxane, PAF) with subsequent bronchoconstriction and production of viscous mucus. As to adrenergic factors, a block of beta-adrenergic receptors and reduced adrenal function is involved. As to non-adrenergic factors an increased sensitivity of the parasympathetic--vagus is involved which conditions bronchoconstriction and hyperkrinia. From the clinical aspect extrinsic (atopic) and intrinsic (cryptogenic) asthma bronchiale can be differentiated. The former is encountered more frequently in childhood and adolescence, in subjects with a positive family-history, high IgE and positive skin tests and a known allergen. The latter type of a.b. is found in adolescence, in subjects with a negative family-history, with eosinophilia; it is conditioned by infection (e.g. chronic bronchitis), strain, cold and takes a dangerous course (aspirin). As to the course, attacks of a.b. are involved with a symptom-free interval (extrinsic a.) easily controlled by treatment. Then there is the chronic form with a variable course and the necessity of permanent treatment. Status asthmaticus is in recent years with increasing frequency the cause of death and thus calls for maximal treatment. It is the third most serious form of a.b. Assessment of arterial blood gases is very important as a check of treatment as well as from the prognostic aspect (cross-over intubation). From the differential diagnostic aspect we must consider the asthmoid component in chronic bronchitis, pulmonary embolism, left-sided cardiac failure, tracheal or bronchial compression by an aortal aneurysm, tumour. The differential diagnosis is not always easy.
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PMID:[Bronchial asthma. Pathogenesis and clinical aspects]. 145 62

Coagulation factor XII (FXII, Hageman factor, EC = 3.4.21.38) is the zymogen of the serine protease, factor XIIa (FXIIa). FXII is converted to FXIIa through autoactivation induced by "contact" to charged surfaces. FXIIa is of crucial importance for fibrin formation in vitro, but deficiency in the protease is not associated with excessive bleeding. For decades, FXII was considered to have no function for coagulation in vivo. Our laboratory developed the first murine knockout model of FXII. Consistent with their human counterparts, FXII(-/-) mice have a normal hemostatic capacity. However, thrombus formation in FXII(-/-) mice is largely defective, and the animals are protected from experimental cerebral ischemia and pulmonary embolism. This murine model has created new interest in FXII because it raises the possibility for safe anticoagulation, which targets thrombosis without influence on hemostasis. We recently have identified platelet polyphosphate (an inorganic polymer) and mast cell heparin as in vivo FXII activators with implications on the initiation of thrombosis and edema during hypersensitivity reactions. Independent of its protease activity, FXII exerts mitogenic activity with implications for angiogenesis. The goal of this review is to summarize the in vivo functions of FXII, with special focus to its functions in thrombosis and vascular biology.
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PMID:In vivo roles of factor XII. 2299 91