Protein leukocytes

These interactions involve adhesion proteins called selectins, which are found both on the rolling leukocytes and on the endothelial cells of the vascular walls. Selectins have a characteristic domain structure, consisting of an N-terminal extracellular lectin domain, a single epidermal growth factor (EGR) domain, a series of two to nine short consensus repeat (SCR) domains, a single transmembrane segment, and a short cytoplasmic domain. Lectin domains, first characterized in plants, bind carbohydrates... 

Interferon (IFN) differs from bona fide antiviral diugs since it is a natural defense protein of the host organism and does not directly interfere with the viral replication steps. Interferons are small glycoproteins inducing immune modulatory and antiviral activities. They are secreted by lymphocytes, leukocytes and fibroblasts in response to foreign nucleic acids (dsRNA). 

Airway inflammation is a characteristic clinical feature of asthma. The distinction between the LAR and chronic inflammation becomes more difficult as the disease progresses. Infiltrated leukocytes release ototoxic mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cationic (basic) proteins causing epithelial damage and cyfo/cmas that perpetuate the inflammation. Sustained inflammation leads to airway hyperrespon-siveness and airway remodeling. 

CC, and one CX3C and XC chemokine receptors have been cloned so far [2]. Receptor binding initiates a cascade of intracellular events mediated by the receptor-associated heterotrimeric G-proteins. These G-protein subunits trigger various effector enzymes that lead to the activation not only of chemotaxis but also to a wide range of fimctions in different leukocytes such as an increase in the respiratory burst, degranulation, phagocytosis, and lipid mediator synthesis. 

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease that results from prolonged and repeated inhalation of particles and gases, chronic (or latent) infection or an interaction of these factors. In many cases, the inflammation persists even when the exposure (in most cases smoking) is stopped. Prominent among the infiltrating leukocytes are neutrophils, CD8+ lymphocytes (Co-receptor for the T-cell receptor. CD8+ is specific for the class IMHC protein. It is expressed on the surface of cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells.) and CD68+ monocytic cells (A lysosomal antigen. All cells that rich in... 

Secretory leukocyte inhibitory protein (SLPI) Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)... 

Many low weight compounds produced by microor-ganism-like formylated peptides as well as endogenous mediators are chemotactic for leukocytes and promote the inflammatory process. The main endogenous compounds are listed in Table 1 and are derived from activated plasma protein cascades that function as amplification mechanisms, are performed and released from activated cells or are de novo synthesized on demand by cells participating in or being affected by inflammatory events. The major modulators of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells are listed in Table 2. 

Vinca alkaloids are derived from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus. The main alkaloids are vincristine, vinblastine and vindesine. Vinca alkaloids are cell-cycle-specific agents and block cells in mitosis. This cellular activity is due to their ability to bind specifically to tubulin and to block the ability of the protein to polymerize into microtubules. This prevents spindle formation in mitosing cells and causes arrest at metaphase. Vinca alkaloids also inhibit other cellular activities that involve microtubules, such as leukocyte phagocytosis and chemotaxis as well as axonal transport in neurons. Side effects of the vinca alkaloids such as their neurotoxicity may be due to disruption of these functions. 

Leukocytes are activated on exposure to bacteria and other stimuh NADPH oxidase plays a key role in the process of activation (the respiratory burst). Mutations in this enzyme and associated proteins cause chronic granulomatous disease. 

Ebnet K, Kaldjian EP, Anderson AO, Shaw S (1996) Orchestrated information transfer underlying leukocyte endothelial interactions. Annu Rev Immunol 14 155-177 Edinger AL, Blanpain C, Kunstman KJ, Wohnsky SM, Parmentier M, Dorns RW (1999) Functional dissection of CCR5 coreceptor function through the use of CD4-independent simian immunodeficiency virus strains. J Virol 73(5) 4062 073 Edwards TG, Hoffman TL, Baribaud E, Wyss S, LaBranche CC, Romano J, Adkinson J, Sharron M, Hoxie JA, Dorns RW (2001) Relationships between CD4 independence, neutralization sensitivity, and exposure of a CD4-induced epitope in a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein. J Virol 75(ll) 5230-5239... 

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