Patients who have had splenectomy may be at increased risk for developing pulmonary hypertension.

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SUMMARYIn this paper we report that interferon-c(IFN-c) maintains and enhances functional properties of terminally differentiated polymorphonuclear cells (PMN ). Such effects are obvious when compared with untreated PMN declining in their functional response. Culture for 18 hr with 100 IU/ml of recombinant IFN-c resulted in the expression of about 15 000 FccRI per PMN. IFN-c maintained viability of PMN and prevented reduction of FccRIIIb caused by apoptosis. No alterations were found in the level of FccRIIa. Next, functional properties of FccRI were evaluated. Calcium mobilization was detected in fura-2/acetoxymethylester (AM )-loaded PMN using a spectrophotometer and the respiratory burst was measured as luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Crosslinking of an F(ab∞) 2 fragment of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 22.2 to FccRI gave similar results to those obtained with intact monomeric human immunoglobulin G (mhIgG) when subsequently cross-linked. Moreover, after blocking FccRIIa and FccRIIIb with respective mAb fragments, mhIgG was still effective in triggering a calcium flux demonstrating that second messenger generation was caused by FccRI engagement. Even though FccRI expression was lower than that of FccRIIa, FccRI induced a higher increase of the respiratory burst. In addition, the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 was able to inhibit both responses when it was co-cross-linked with CD64, suggesting involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in early signalling steps.

Work-related symptoms and diseases of 190 currently exposed compost workers, 59 former compost workers, and 38 nonexposed control subjects were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Using a standardized questionnaire, participants were asked for work-related symptoms, exposures to bioaerosols, atopic diseases, and smoking habits. The subjects underwent a physical examination and a lung function test. In addition, total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, IgE specific to environmental allergens and moulds, and IgG specific to molds and actinomycetes were quantified. Compared to controls, compost workers suffered more often from cough and irritation of the eyes in terms of mucosal membrane irritation (MMI). Former compost workers reported similar work-related complaints, but most MMI symptoms had improved after termination of bioaerosol exposure. In contrast, cough and dyspnea persisted, indicating a chronic process. Lung function parameters of compost workers were within the reference ranges. Nevertheless, forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly lower than for controls. Specific IgE to environmental allergens and molds was positive in 25.3% and 7.4%, respectively, of currently exposed compost workers. There were no marked differences in IgE and IgG concentrations among the three groups. Compost workers suffered with a higher frequency from cough and MMI symptoms. The findings that MMI symptoms improved in former compost workers after leaving the job confirmed the association with bioaerosol exposure. Further, the reduced FVC may be produced by this exposure. There was no higher frequency of mold sensitization in the group of compost workers compared to controls, which may be an indication of a healthy worker survivor effect.