An analysis of the lymphoid cell histones in patients with different forms of lupus erythematosus]

The study was made of lisine- and arginine-rich histone fractions and DNA in lymphocytes of peripheral blood in patients with lupus erythematosus. The findings showed intranuclear changes of immunocompetent cells in various forms of the disease. The above parameters may be used in the diagnosis, evaluation of treatment efficacy, prognosis.     

Are neuronal intranuclear inclusions the common neuropathology of triplet-repeat disorders with polyglutamine-repeat expansions?

Neuronal intranuclear inclusions have been found in the brain of a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease and in necropsy brain tissue of patients with Huntington's disease. We suggest that neuronal intranuclear inclusions are the common neuropathology for all inherited diseases caused by expansion of polyglutamine repeats. We also suggest that patients with a pathological diagnosis of neuronal intranuclear hyaline inclusion disease may also have polyglutamine repeat expansions.     

Stimulus-dependent disorganization of actin filaments induced by overexpression of cofilin in C2 myoblasts

Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin is a widely distributed family of actin-binding proteins which regulate actin polymerization in a pH-dependent manner. In cultured cells, cofilin, as well as ADF, translocates from the cytoplasm into the nucleus together with actin and forms rod-like structures in response to heat shock or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) treatment. In order to study in vivo interaction of cofilin with actin, we examined the effects of cofilin overexpression on actin cytoskeleton in C2 myoblasts. Interestingly, no remarkable effect was observed on phalloidin-stained patterns in cells overexpressing cofilin as compared with normal cells. However, upon treatment with DMSO, cytoplasmic actin filaments were disrupted and intranuclear rod structures containing cofilin and actin were apparently larger and thicker in cells overexpressing cofilin than in normal cells. Heat shock also stimulated disruption of microfilaments and formation of both intranuclear and prominent cytoplasmic cofilin-actin rods in cofilin-transfected cells, suggesting that DMSO-treatment or heat shock triggers cofilin-actin interaction. We further found that a myosin ATPase inhibitor (BDM) induced a reduction in cytoplasmic staining with phalloidin in cofilin-transfected cells. The results suggest that myosin activity might be involved in the regulation of cofilin-actin interactions in vivo.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with 'rheumatoid nodules'

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with subcutaneous nodules over the flexor aspect of the fingers in association with arthritis and Raynaud's phenomenon is described. Histopathological examination of the nodules showed appearances consistent with rheumatoid nodules. Further investigations revealed leucopenia and circulating anti-nuclear antibody but negative rheumatoid factor. Immunofluorescence studies of normal non-light exposed skin showed the presence of IgM deposits at the dermo-epidermal junction consistent with systemic lupus erythematosus. The nodules almost disappeared following treatment with hydroxychloroquine. Rheumatoid-like nodules have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus, although rarely. However, the distribution of the nodules and the patient's clinical course differ from the few cases previously reported in the literature.     

Favorable response to corticoid therapy in a patient with transverse myelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Transverse myelitis is one of the most unusual neurologic complications of systemic lupus erythematosus. Its pathogenetic mechanisms are controversial. Several therapeutic regimens have been attempted with contradictory results. Corticotherapy appears to improve prognosis, although some authors question its beneficial effects. The case of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and transverse myelitis, who presented a favourable clinical course following early treatment with high-dose corticoids, is reported.     

Intravenous immunoglobulin administration to a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and pneumococcal septicemia

A case history is presented of a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, sepsis and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Conventional treatment was supplemented with intravenous human immunoglobulin with remarkable effect. The treatment is discussed.     

High-resolution analysis of T-cell receptor beta-chain repertoires using DNA heteroduplex tracking: generally stable, clonal CD8+ expansions in all healthy young adults

Harringtonine (HT), an anticancer drug with high chemotherapeutic efficiency to human chronic granulocytic/myelomonocytic leukemia, has been reported to rapidly induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells in a wide scope/range of dosage by investigators from our lab and others. In the present studies, by using video enhancement contrast (VEC) microscopy, we dynamically analyzed changes in intracellular calcium distribution in a single HL-60 cell over the period from the initiation of apoptosis to the obvious appearance of chromatin condensation. The results from this paper demonstrated the striking distinction of intracellular calcium distribution at different time points after treatment with HT. Before treatment in normal HL-60 cells the highest [Ca2+]i accumulation was observed in the peri-nuclear area and the lowest was observed in the nucleus; after treatment with 1 microg/ml HT for 30 min intracellular calcium diffused all over the cell compartments, while intranuclear calcium increased comparatively and significantly. The phenomenon of intranuclear calcium accumulation was further confirmed by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). In addition, co-localization of the highest calcium region with condensed chromatin in apoptotic HL-60 cells was also observed by LSCM. Our results suggest that two sequential alterations of intracellular calcium distribution occurred in apoptotic HL-60 cells induced by HT, i.e. (a) accumulation of calcium in the nucleus and (b) regionalization in a specific nuclear region.     

Myocardial involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. A noninvasive study of left ventricular function

A relatively high incidence of heart failure is noted among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without clearly defined clinical causes. To evaluate left ventricular performance in patients with SLE without evidence of cardiovascular disease, noninvasive measurement of the systolic time intervals was carried out. Simultaneous recording of the electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram and carotid arterial pulsation were obtained in 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and compared with 22 normal subjects. The patients with SLE had a shorter left ventricular ejection time (P less than 0.05), a longer pre-ejection period (P less than 0.02) and an increased ratio of pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time (P less than 0.005). These abnormalities on ventricular function were independent of age, duration of the disease, hypertension, renal involvement, anemia, immunologic activity and corticosteroid treatment. Several etiologic possibilities are discussed and the clinical usefulness of this method to detect and follow-up the cardiac dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus is emphasized.     

Esophagitis due to a herpesvirus associated with mortality in a psittacine aviary

In a disease outbreak at a psittacine aviary, eight Pionus sp. and Amazon parrots became sick. Three of four Amazon parrots died with severe esophagitis, and epithelial intranuclear inclusion bodies containing herpesvirus were prominent. Focal liver necrosis with rare hepatocyte intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in two of the dead Amazon parrots.     

Lymphocytes' cytotoxicity towards cells of human lymphoblastoid lines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

A research study and discussion of antiinterferon immunoglobulin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and its possible value in the treatment of allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases and other diseases where it is presumed there may be an autoimmune genesis.     

Successful treatment with immunosuppression, anticoagulation and vasodilator therapy of pulmonary hypertension in SLE associated with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome

Severe pulmonary hypertension (PHT) occurring in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is uncommon. Different modalities have been tried in the treatment for this condition but have not been effective because of progressive increase of pulmonary resistance over time. Our patient with SLE and PHT with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a condition which has previously never been described, responded rapidly to combination treatment with immunosuppression, anticoagulation and vasodilator therapy.     

Cytologic application of p53 overexpression using immunocytochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy

OBJECTIVE: p53 Protein plays an important role in cellular growth control. This study investigated p53 protein expression in cell smears of endometrial carcinomas supplemented by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). STUDY DESIGN: Imprints from surgical specimens of 20 endometrial carcinomas were used. p53 Protein expression was investigated immunocytochemically using the monoclonal antibody pAb1801. Using CLSM, three-dimensional morphology was studied. RESULTS: Of the 20 cases of endometrial carcinoma, 8 stained positively for p53 protein. p53 Showed heterogeneous intranuclear localization, which appeared to be associated with chromatin structure. CONCLUSION: Immunocytochemical detection of p53 overexpression in cell samples is practical, and CLSM has vast potentials in studying the intranuclear arrangement of chromatin.     

Management of systemic lupus erythematosus: Part 1

This is the first of two articles examining the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. This week's article explores the history, aetiology, symptoms and treatment of the disease and next week, the importance of patient education programmes is described.     

Acute transverse myelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case of rapid diagnosis and complete recovery

Acute transverse myelitis is a rare and serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Earlier diagnosis is facilitated by magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus-related acute transverse myelitis remains controversial. The use of steroids alone may result in incomplete recovery. We report a patient who was promptly diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus-related acute transverse myelitis by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient had complete resolution of her symptoms following aggressive treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide. Review of published treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus-related acute transverse myelitis suggests aggressive therapy with steroids and cyclophosphamide may provide the best outcome.     

Medical epistemology for food animal veterinarians

The pathogenesis and therapy of shrinking lungs syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus remains controversial. It has been previously reported that corticosteroid treatment can be effective. We report a patient with shrinking lungs syndrome who presented a good response to inhaled beta-agonist therapy. Therapeutic approach to this syndrome is discussed.     

Localization of human cytomegalovirus structural proteins to the nuclear matrix of infected human fibroblasts

The intranuclear assembly of herpesvirus subviral particles remains an incompletely understood process. Previous studies have described the nuclear localization of capsid and tegument proteins as well as intranuclear tegumentation of capsid-like particles. The temporally and spatially regulated replication of viral DNA suggests that assembly may also be regulated by compartmentalization of structural proteins. We have investigated the intranuclear location of several structural and nonstructural proteins of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Tegument components including pp65 (ppUL83) and ppUL69 and capsid components including the major capsid protein (pUL86) and the small capsid protein (pUL48/49) were retained within the nuclear matrix (NM), whereas the immediate-early regulatory proteins IE-1 and IE-2 were present in the soluble nuclear fraction. The association of pp65 with the NM resisted washes with 1 M guanidine hydrochloride, and direct binding to the NM could be demonstrated by far-Western blotting. Furthermore, pp65 exhibited accumulation along the nuclear periphery and in far-Western analysis bound to proteins which comigrated with proteins of the size of nuclear lamins. A direct interaction between pp65 and lamins was demonstrated by coprecipitation of lamins in immune complexes containing pp65. Together, our findings provide evidence that major virion structural proteins localized to a nuclear compartment, the NM, during permissive infection of human fibroblasts.     

Acupuncture in treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Seventeen studies were examined with regard to efficacy and scientific quality of acupuncture in rheumatoid arthritis, spondarthropathy, lupus erythematosus, local and progressive systemic scleroderma. Acupuncture cannot be recommended for treatment of these diseases. By far, the most studies examined failed to show sufficient quality.     

Chloroquine cardiomyopathy with conduction disorders

A 58 year old woman on long term treatment with chloroquine for systemic lupus erythematosus presented with cardiac conduction disorders and heart failure with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which was confirmed by histology to be related to chloroquine toxicity. The heart failure improved on stopping chloroquine treatment.     

Drug-related lupus in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis under sulfasalazine treatment

The induction of lupus-like syndromes with the appearance of single-stranded DNA antibodies is a well-known complication of drug therapy. In this report we present a patient with an erosive seropositive rheumatoid arthritis developing the clinical and serological features of systemic lupus erythematosus including the occurrence of double-stranded DNA antibodies under sulfasalazine treatment.     

Mandatory continuing education--why?

Cutaneous calcinosis is reported in the lesions of a woman with long-standing discoid lupus erythematosus. Calcium deposits were found in the middle and deep parts of the dermis surrounded by homogeneous collagen staining positively with Alcian blue solution. In contrast to the relative frequency of this event in patients with scleroderma or dermatomyositis, calcinosis cutis occurs very rarely in lupus erythematosus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of calcinosis cutis in discoid lupus erythematosus.