Showing papers by "Andrea Cossarizza published in 1993"
TL;DR: A new method for the cytofluorimetric analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential in intact cells has been developed by using the lipophilic cationic probe 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1), whose monomer emits at 527 nm after excitation at 490 nm.
1,035 citations
TL;DR: The increased production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by stimulated mononuclear cells of healthy aged subjects may be relevant to several aspects of age‐associated pathological events, including atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, fibrosis and dementia.
Abstract: The production of cytokines during aging, except interleukin (IL)-2, has been neglected in humans. We measured the in vitro production of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-1 beta by peripheral mononuclear cells from selected healthy young (mean age 26.8 years) and aged (mean age 80.2 years) subjects. Significant increases of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta levels were found in mitogen-stimulated cultures from aged donors, occurring at 24 to 72 h after stimulation. No significant differences were observed for IFN-gamma production. Proliferative capability of cells stimulated with PHA was not impaired in aged subjects. Since the amounts of all cytokines studied were similar in unstimulated cultures from young and aged subjects, and also serum levels of TNF-alpha did not differ, these data indicate that the cellular machinery for the production of these cytokines is well preserved in aging, and also that cells from old people are able to up-regulate their production in response to appropriate stimuli. The increases in cytokine synthesis were not dependent on changes in the number of monocytes, nor were they related to the significant rise of CD45RO+, and the concomitant decrease of CD45RA+, occurring in both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from aged subjects. The increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by stimulated mononuclear cells of healthy aged subjects may be relevant to several aspects of age-associated pathological events, including atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, fibrosis and dementia.
628 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that in centenarians some immune responses are kept at a high level of efficiency, likely contributing to their successful aging, as shown by the progressive derangement of a variety of immune parameters.
422 citations
TL;DR: The hypothesis may be put forward that these two subsets of CD4+,CD8+ T lymphocytes represent an effort of the immune system to cope with different requirements, i.e., of viral or neoplastic origin, while it is not clear the meaning of these cells in healthy subjects.
115 citations
TL;DR: The exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields increased both the spontaneous and the PHA- and TPA-induced production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6.
92 citations
TL;DR: A role for CRH as a paracrine mediator for human immune cells is suggested, increasing the evidence of a clear correlation between immune and neuroendocrine system.
87 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the exposure to 50-Hz AC sinusoidal electric fields over a wide range of intensities does not increase the spontaneous frequency of micronuclei, suggesting that they did not exert any synergistic or antagonistic effect.
Abstract: Electromagnetic fields produce a variety of effects in several biological systems, including human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A great concern exists regarding possible carcinogenic effects in subjects exposed environmentally to such fields in the vicinity of power lines and electric domestic appliances. Using human lymphocytes from 33 healthy donors and a sensitive cytogenetic method, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, we have demonstrated that the exposure to 50-Hz AC sinusoidal electric fields over a wide range of intensities (0.5-10 kV/m in air) does not increase the spontaneous frequency of micronuclei. Moreover, these fields did not affect the mitomycin-C-induced micronucleus formation, suggesting that they did not exert any synergistic or antagonistic effect.
45 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: By using PCR assay, no HIV-1 DNA was detected in 32 female partners of HIV positive patients including three pregnant women who were also studied during pregnancy and after delivery and HIV- 1 DNA was found in 12 out of 38 children born to seropositive mothers.
Abstract: We investigated the presence of the HIV-1 infection using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in seronegative sexual partners of HIV-infected subjects and in children born to seropositive mothers. By using PCR assay, no HIV-1 DNA was detected in 32 female partners of HIV positive patients including three pregnant women who were also studied during pregnancy and after delivery. HIV-1 DNA was found in 12 out of 38 children born to seropositive mothers; five of them also had detectable serum HIV-1 p24 Ag levels. On the whole, our data stress the importance of using a very sensitive technique, i.e. PCR, for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection.
2 citations