Macrophage activation syndrome

Macrophage-activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, potentially life-threatening, complication of several chronic rheumatic diseases of childhood. It occurs most commonly with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA), which is also known as Still's disease. In addition, MAS has been described in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Kawasaki disease, and adult-onset Still's disease. It is thought to be closely related and pathophysiologically very similar to reactive (secondary) hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).^[1] The incidence of MAS is unknown as there is a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, and episodes may remain unrecognized.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Astragalus gypsicolus Hydroalcoholic

Several studies have demonstrated that herbal extracts possess various biological effects

including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The present study was aimed to

investigate the protective effects of the

early allergic sensitized mice induced by ovalbumin.

Phytochemical assay was used to recognize the main active constituents in the AG

hydroalcoholic extract. Mice were immunized with subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and

aluminum hydroxide. Efficiency of sensitization was assessed by serum IgE levels and

eosinophil count. After sensitization, two doses of extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) were

injected intrapritoneally.

On day 14, mice were challenged with intrapritoneal injection of ovalbumin. IL-4 and

IFN2 levels in broncoalveolar lavage fluid, which had been collected on day 15, were

assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit.

Our results indicate two main active constituents including flavonoids and terpenoids are

present in the AG hydroalcoholic extract. Intrapritoneal injection of the AG hydroalcoholic

extract was able to decrease IL-4 and increase IFN2. It seems the AG hydroalcoholic extract

has the potential to modulate the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines in allergy.

Astragalus gypsicolus (AG) hydroalcoholic extract in

Metabolite profiles of human immunodeficiency virus infected CD4

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infects both activated CD4+ T cells and macrophages. We tested if liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) technology can monitor metabolic alterations induced by HIV-1 in the infected cells. Here we monitored glucose uptake and conducted LC–MS/MS-based metabolomic analysis in HIV-1 infected primary human CD4+ T cells and a macrophage model system: differentiated U1 (HIV-1 producing) and differentiated U937 (control) cells. HIV-1 infected CD4+ T cells have higher glucose uptake and increases in several metabolite pool sizes, whereas HIV-1 producing macrophages had substantial reductions in glucose uptake and steady state glycolytic intermediates. This data suggests that the two HIV-1 target cell types exhibit very different metabolic outcomes during viral production. This study also validates the LC–MS/MS technology as an effective metabolomic approach to monitor various metabolic alterations made by HIV-1 infection.