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Papers of the Month - September 1998
1. Hingorani A, Ascher E, Scheinman M, et al. The effect of TNF-
binding protein and IL-1 receptor antagonish on the development of
AAA's in a rat model. J Vasc Surg 1998; 28: 522-6.
Abstract (abridged from authors):
Purpose: TNF, IL-1, and MMP's are elevated in AAA tissue by
comparison to normal and occlusive disease aortic tissue. TNF and
IL-1 may each contribute to the release of matrix-destructive
MMP's. The present studies were carried out to evaluate their
separate roles in a well-described (Anidjar/Dobrin) rat model.
Methods and Results: The following groups were studied a 6
days post infusion of porcine elastase:
Diam @ 6 days in mm
Controls (elastase only) (n=8) 2.20 +/- 0.296
Same + IP L-1 Recep antag (n=8) 2.31 +/- 0.178
Same + IP TNF binding prot (n=8) 1.91 +/- 0.067
Same + IP vehicle only (n=6) 2.71 +/- 0.074
"This represents a 62% reduction in the mean diameter in the
treated [TNF BP group] animals vs that of controls when compared
with pre-perfusion diameters (p < 0.0002 by two tailed Student's t-
test) and complete inhibition of the post-elastase dilatation."
Conclusion: "TNF-BP, but not IL-1RA, may inhibit the
development of AAA's in this model."
Comment by mdt: Nice going, Anil. Its always great to see one of
my former students making important and original contributions to
the aneurysm research field. The reader is referred to the
original paper to see your beautiful histochemical
photomicrographs, as well as the gross photos and CAT RAT scans.
2. Bobryshev YV, Lord RSA, Parsson H. Immunophenotypic analysis of
the aortic aneurysm wall suggests that vascular dendritic cells are
involved in immune responses. Cardiovascular Surgery 1998; 6: 240-
9.
Very brief summary, *highly* abridged from original:
"This study reports the presence of vascular dendritic cells
in AAA's and their participation in immune responses." The usual
inflammatory response was found in the adventitia of the AAA's,
containing B cells and T cells (with their CD4+ and CD3+
populations). CD1a + /S-100 cells of dendritic appearance were
also detected; and double immunostaining demonstrated that these
cells contained different lymphocyte populations.... Conclusions:
"Vascular dendritic cells contact both T cells and B cells,
suggesting that these vascular dendritic cells differ from other
dendritic cells, subtypes of which associate with T cells
(Langerhans cells, interdigitating cells) and B cells (follicular
dendritic cells).
Comment by mdt: *Very* interesting paper. The reader is referred
for a first hand look at the elegant immunohistochemical studies -
really beautiful. It's not totally clear to me whether the authors
have observed two different phenotypes of aortic dendritic cells,
one associating with B-cells and another associating with T-cells,
or whether one aortic phenotype is capable of interacting with
both. In any case, its a stimulating observation on our way to a
better understanding of autoimmunity in AAA.