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The integrity of the vasculature plays an important role in the success of allogeneic organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Endothelial cells (EC) have previously been shown to be the target of activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) resulting in extensive cell lysis. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent cells which can be isolated from multiple sites, each demonstrating immunomodulatory capabilities. They are explored herein for their potential to protect EC from CTL-targeted lysis. CD8+ T cells isolated from human PBMC were stimulated with mitotically inactive cells of a human microvascular endothelial cell line (CDC/EU.HMEC-1, further referred to as HMEC) for 7 days. Target HMEC were cultured in the presence or absence of MSC for 24 h before exposure to activated allogeneic CTL for 4 h. EC were then analysed for cytotoxic lysis by flow cytometry. Culture of HMEC with MSC in the efferent immune phase (24 h before the assay) led to a decrease in HMEC lysis. This lysis was determined to be MHC Class I restricted linked and further analysis suggested that MSC contact is important in abrogation of lysis, as protection is reduced where MSC are separated in transwell experiments. The efficacy of multiple sources of MSC was also confirmed, and the collaborative effect of MSC and the endothelium protective drug defibrotide were determined, with defibrotide enhancing the protection provided by MSC. These results support the use of MSC as an adjuvant cellular therapeutic in transplant medicine, alone or in conjunction with EC protective agents such as defibrotide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common side effect of therapeutic use of ionizing irradiation is endothelial cell damage resulting in a variety of clinical complications. Thus, preservation of endothelial function after irradiation could potentially limit toxicity. Using the murine endothelioma cell line bEnd2 we show here that induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by cobalt protoporphyrine IX (CoPP) inhibits irradiation-induced apoptosis. In contrast, HO-1 induction by tin protoporphyrine IX (SnPP), a HO-1 inhibitor, does not affect survival after irradiation. The protective effects of CoPP could be partially reversed by blockade of HO-1 function with SnPP after induction by CoPP. Vice versa, blockade of HO-1 function by SnPP was reversible using CoPP. Treatment with CoPP inhibited cytochrome c release induced by irradiation. These results demonstrate that HO-1 induction and activation prior to irradiation inhibits endothelial apoptosis and might be used for possible cell protection in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we investigated the influence of the PKC-inhibitor GF109203X on cytokine- and endotoxin-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and on the adhesion of lymphocytes to cytokine-activated endothelial cells. We found that tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ICAM-1 expression on a human endothelium-derived cell line (EA.hy926) were unaffected by the PKC-inhibitor and thus appeared to be independent of PKC activation. In contrast, GF109203X significantly reduced ICAM-1 expression induced by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). The functional relevance of these findings was evaluated in an adhesion assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In fact, the IFN-γ- and IL-1-induced adhesion of PBMC to cytokine treated HUVEC could be down-regulated by the PKC-inhibitor, whereas TNFα- and LPS-mediated adhesion was not affected. Additionally, the IL-1-driven ICAM-1 expression on HUVEC as well as the IL-1 induced adhesion of PBMC to HUVEC was found to be TNF-dependent, as both effects could be inhibited by an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody (MoAb) (MAK195). Based on these data on differential regulation of cytokine-induced lymphocyte-endothelium interactions our study supports the use of PKC-inhibitors as additive modulators in cytokine related pathophysiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the findings of a study on the variations in 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 serum levels during allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Effects of active form of 1.25(OH)2 D3 in BMT; Measurement of both vitamins in consecutive serum samples of patients before and after allogenic BMT; Observation of marked decline in serum levels; Superior effects on bone density and modulation of graft-versus-host disease with supplementation of patients with 1,25(OH)2 D3 analogs or 25(OH) D3.

Discusses the influence of bacterial endotoxin on the allogenicity of human endothelial cells. Findings of research on the topic; Implications of the findings.