Abstract ARDS is a life-threatening respiratory condition associated with pulmonary vascular hyperpermeability and loss of aerated lung tissue. Ricin plant-toxin derived from the seeds Ricinus communis, irreversibly inactivates ribosomes arrests protein synthesis. Pulmonary exposure to ricin represents bona fide model for ARDS, characterized by inflammation massive neutrophil recruitment severe...

The subcellular pattern of cytosolic free Caz+ ([Caz+li) changes in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) was studied using imaging of fura-2 fluorescence (time resolution 12.5 ratiosls) to determine whether PMNs could obtain directional information from the [Ca2+li signal. [Ca2+li changes were observed during initial adherence, the subsequent chemotactic movement, and the phagocytosis ...

PURPOSE Three membrane-associated mucins (MAMs)--MUC1, MUC4, and MUC16--are expressed at the ocular surface epithelium. Soluble forms of MAMs are detected in human tears, but the mechanisms of their release from the apical cells are unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify physiologic agents that induce ocular surface MAM release. METHODS An immortalized human corneal-limbal epithel...

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) have become important diagnostic markers of small vessel vasculitides characterized by focal necrotizing lesions of vessel walls and accumulation of lymphocytes and macrophages around the affected vessels. IgG class ANCA directed to proteinase 3 (PR3) of neutrophils and monocytes seem to be directly involved in the pathophysiology of vascular damage...

Netosis is a recently described type of neutrophil death occurring with the release to the extracellular milieu of a lattice composed of DNA associated with histones and granular and cytoplasmic proteins. These webs, initially named neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), ensnare and kill microorganisms. Similarly, other cell types, such as eosinophils, mast cells, and macrophages, can also dye ...

BPI (bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein) is a 55 kDa anti-infective molecule expressed in neutrophil and eosinophil granules and on some epithelial cells. BPI's high affinity for the lipid A region of endotoxin targets its opsonizing, microbicidal and endotoxin-neutralizing activities towards Gram-negative bacteria. Several immunocompromised patient populations demonstrate BPI deficie...