We have demonstrated that induction of mucosal tolerance to E-selectin, a cytokine-inducible adhesion molecule restricted to activating blood vessels, prevents ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in spontaneously hypertensive, genetically stroke-prone (SHR-SP) rats. We now examine whether mucosal tolerance to E-selectin has protective effects in ischemic brain damage after permanent middle cerebral...

BACKGROUND The interactions between CD40 and its ligand, CD40L, control humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. CD40 ligation may promote asthma-associated inflammatory responses in the airways. Many reports confirm the inflammatory basis of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in asthmatics. METHODS The study was conducted in a group of 19 asthmatic patients (11 with EIB, 8 without...

Platelet activation and thrombin generation are crucial steps in primary and secondary haemostasis. However, both also play major roles in intravascular thrombus formation and therefore in the development of adverse cardiovascular events. In the current study, we first sought to investigate the associations of the platelet biomarkers platelet factor (PF)-4, thrombospondin (TSP)-1, soluble CD40 ...

Venomous snakebites are lethal and occur frequently worldwide each year, and receiving the antivenom antibody is currently the most effective treatment. However, the specific antivenom might be unavailable in remote areas. Snakebites by Viperidae usually lead to hemorrhage and mortality if untreated. In the present study, challenges of rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom markedly increased the c...

BACKGROUND Factors contributing to the generation of soluble P- and E-selectins remain unclear. RESULTS This work demonstrates that mice lacking P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (Psgl-1(-/-)) are deficient in soluble P-selectin (sP-sel), which is due to a defective binding interaction between PSGL-1 and P-sel, because mice lacking alpha(1,3)-fucosyltransferase-VII are also deficient in sP-sel...

The aim of the study was the assessment of the von Willebrand antigen (vWF Ag), E-selectin, and P-selectin concentration in blood plasma of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). The group studied comprised 30 patients with PEX, aged from 50 to 86 years (mean 73, SD ± 8 years). Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, infectious disease, cancer, ren...

BACKGROUND We assessed the impact of sample storage conditions on soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules (sVCAM), soluble intracellular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1), soluble (s)E-selectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and sP-selectin. METHODS Markers were measured by ELISA in venous blood from 10 healthy volunteers on aliquots stored as plasma or whole blood at 4, 21, or 30 degrees C for 1-5 d...

INTRODUCTION Platelet activation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Thus, it is very important to identify novel pharmacological targets for platelet inhibition to improve ischemic stroke treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between metabolic disorders and platelet activity markers in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERI...

OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetic subjects have an increased propensity to premature atherothrombosis. alpha-Tocopherol (AT), a potent antioxidant, has anti-inflammatory properties at high doses. The aim of the study was to test the effect of natural (RRR)-AT supplementation (1,200 IU/day) on markers of thrombosis, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) in type ...