Inflammatory immunity

Inflammatory-immune injury Rheumatoid arthritis Organ transplantation... 

The study of protein function as it applies to covalent and noncovalent molecular changes associated with specific binding is of fundamental interest to those involved with the discovery of therapeutic proteins. Discovering soluble receptors that bind the cytokines that elicit inflammatory immune responses is one of many... 

TGF-P on T cells [189]. All three of these effects are mediated via HR2, which is relatively highly expressed on Th2 cells and suppresses IL-4 and IL-13 production and T-cell proliferation [49]. Apparently, these recent findings suggest that HR2 may represent an essential receptor that participates in peripheral tolerance or active suppression of inflammatory/immune responses. 

Stevia Stevia rebaudiana) Uses Natural sweetener, hypoglycemic and hypotensive properties Actions Multiple chemical components sweetness d/t glycoside, stevioside hypotensive effect may be d/t diuretic action or vasodilation action Available forms Liq extract, powder, caps Notes/SE HA, dizziness, bloating Interactions T Hypotensive effects W/ antihypertensives esp CCB, diuretics EMS Monitor BP does not encourage dental caries may -1-glucose St. John s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Uses Mild-mod depression, anxiety, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant/anti-HIV/antiviral, gastritis, insomnia, vitiligo Action MAOI in vitro, not in vivo bacteriostatic bactericidal, T capillary blood flow, uterotonic activity in animals Efficacy Variable benefit w/ mild-mod depression in several trials, but not always seen in clinical practice Available forms Teas, tabs, caps, tine, oil ext for topical use Dose 2-4 g of herb or 0.2-1 mg of total hypericin (standardized extract) daily Notes/SE Photosensitivity (use sunscreen) rash, dizziness, dry mouth, GI distress Interactions Enhance MAOI activity, EtOH, narcotics, sympathomimetics EMS T Risk of photosensitivity Rxns t effects of opioids and sympathomimetics... 

Figure 18.3. Endocrine-immune inter-relationship in depression. In depression, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is up-regulated with a down-regulation of its negative feedback controls. Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) is hypersecreted from the hypothalamus and induces the release of adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary. ACTH interacts with receptors on adrenocortical cells and cortisol is released from the adrenal glands adrenal hypertrophy can also occur. Release of cortisol into the circulation has a number of effects, including elevation of blood glucose. The negative feedback of cortisol to the hypothalamus, pituitary and immune system is impaired. This leads to continual activation of the HPA axis and excess cortisol release. Cortisol receptors become desensitized leading to increased activity of the pro-inflammatory immune mediators and disturbances in neurotransmitter transmission.

Inflammatory immune response capsid proteins, viral genes expressed by target cells... 

Acute toxic contact dermatitis may be induced by a single application of a toxic material. One local inflammatory skin reaction is characterized by erythema and oedema. This type of reaction occurs following contact with materials such as acids, alkalis, solvents, and cleansers and is rarely associated with topical application of medicinal or cosmetic products. In contrast, irritant contact dermatitis (a superficial non-immuno-logically based reaction) may occur after repeated exposure to many substances, including topical pharmaceutical agents. The reaction is usually localized to the site of exposure and usually diminishes after the stimulus has been removed. Some materials can stimulate an immune response following an initial topical application. Any future exposure may result in an inflammatory immune reaction, an allergic contact dermatitis, or sensitization. 

Human eosinophils were found to elaborate chemoattractants for lymphocytes (Lim etal., 1994). Eosinophils contained mRNA transcripts for LCF and RANTES detectable by RT-PCR amplification and released bioactive LCF neutralized both by antibodies to LCF and CD4, the LCF receptor on migrating lymphocytes (Lim et al., 1994). In addition, eosinophils released RANTES protein detectable by ELISA and by functional lymphocyte migration assay. Thus, eosinophils are a source of cytokines capable of specificaUy affecting the function of CD4 lymphocytes. The recognition that eosinophils are a source of lymphocyte chemoattractant activity identifies an additional mechanism whereby eosinophils may contribute to lymphocyte responses. Since eosinophils are recruited early in certain allergic inflammatory immune responses, the release of LCF and RANTES by human eosinophils may enable eosinophils to recruit and activate not only other eosinophils but also CD4 lymphocytes (Lim etal., 1994). 

Some clinical benefits of theophylline, including anti-inflammatory, immun-emodulatory, and bronchodilatory effects, already occur at serum concentrations above 5 ag/ml. Thus, these concentrations may be adequate for some patients. In patients receiving theophylline as monotherapy for chronic asthma, however, doses resulting in serum concentrations beyond 10 pg/ml have clearly been shown as most likely to prevent asthma symptoms and decrease the occurrence and severity of exacerbations. 

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