Synovial tissues from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) were divided into three groups based on their histopathological findings and compared for their expression of IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF) by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The levels of IL-8 as well as those of MCAF were markedly higher in the synovial fluid from RA joints. Synovial lining cells (SLC) and macrophages had an ability to produce IL-8 at an early phase of the disease. The presence of MCAF was restricted in macrophages at this stage. On the other hand, the production of IL-8 as well as MCAF were prominent in most components of the joints such as SLC, migrated monocytes, sublining fibroblastoid cells, endothelial cells or migrated neutrophils at an active phase. The expression of IL-8 or MCAF was low in fibrotic synovitis of RA. These data indicate that IL-8 generated from SLC and macrophages may participate to the inflammatory process in the early synovitis of RA.
-A histochemical studies clarified the peripheral distribution of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves in the human male genital organs. In the human testis, there was a minimal distribu tion of catecholamine fluorescent fibers and acetylcholinesterase positive fibers around the blood vessels and in the interstitium. In the epididymis and the vas deferens, both nerve fibers were abundant in the muscle layer and interstitium. However, no difference in the distribution of these nerve fibers was noted according to the anatomical site of these organs. In the prostate, acetylcholinesterase positive fibers were abundant; but catecholamine fluorescent fibers were relatively few, and found in the interstitium and the muscle layer. These two types of nerve fibers were not found in the epithelial cell layer of the organs. catecho lamine; acetylcholinesterase; testis; epididymis; vas deferens; prostate Little is known about the innervation of the human male gential organs, especially of the testis, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate and penis, though the functions of these organs, i.e., spermatogenic function, ejaculation and erection are well known to be controlled by the nerves. There have been few histochemical studies on the distribution and course of the peripheral nerve supply to these organs.The silver staining method, which was used in the past for studies of the nervous system, is inadequate for accurate classification of the sympathetic and parasym pathetic peripheral nerve distribution in the genital organs.Recently, however, it has become possible to use catecholamine (CA) fluores cence as a histochemical index in order to demonstrate the distribution of adrenergic nerves. The distribution of cholinergic nerves has been demonstrated, using acetylcholinesterase (ACNE) as an index.The authors have already shown histochemically the localization of adrener gic and cholinergic nerves in the human penis . In the present study, the authors have demonstrated histochemically the localization of adrener-
Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), a ligand for lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), plays an important role in a variety of immune-mediated mechanisms such as lymphocyte attachment to cultured Graves' thyroid cells. We report the detection of a soluble form of the ICAM-1 molecule (sICAM-1) in sera from patients with Graves' disease (GD) and other thyroid disorders. The mean (+/- SD) sICAM-1 concentration in 28 euthyroid control subjects was 1931 +/- 681 pmol/L. The mean sICAM-1 concentration in 25 untreated hyperthyroid patients with GD was significantly elevated (3065 +/- 890 pmol/L), and decreased significantly (2489 +/- 845 pmol/L) after treatment with antithyroid drugs and/or 131I. Of 14 GD patients who had been in remission following administration of antithyroid drugs, 12 had recurrent disease. In 10 of the 12 patients in whom GD recurred, the sICAM-1 concentration (3807 +/- 796 pmol/L) increased significantly. The mean sICAM-1 concentration in patients with hypothyroidism due to chronic thyroiditis (n = 15:2895 +/- 569 pmol/L) was significantly elevated over that of control subjects, and not different from untreated hyperthyroid patients. The mean sICAM-1 concentration in patients with subacute thyroiditis (n = 13: 3036 +/- 441 pmol/L) was significantly elevated, while the mean sICAM-1 concentration in patients with nodular goiter (n = 10: 2318 +/- 490 pmol/L) was within the normal range. These results indicate that mean serum sICAM-1 concentration was significantly elevated in patients with untreated GD, and it decreased after treatment and increased at the time of recurrence. Therefore, the elevated serum concentration of sICAM-1 in patient with GD probably reflects ongoing immune processes.
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