[Each individual passes through developmental or transient immunodeficiency due to the immaturity of the immune system in early childhood, expecially in the neonatal period. Therefore, neonates contract infections by intracellular and extracellular microorganisms more easily than older children and adults, and develop more severe disease with a high mortality rate. A number of abnormalities in the neonate’s host defense systems have been described suggesting that the immune system at birth functionally differs from that in adults. Neonatal T and B cells show decreased reactivity to antigens and mitogens and have deficienct IgM-IgG isotype switching. Newborns have decreased functional capacities of the hemolytic complement system. Under the same in vitro and in vivo conditions neonatal granulocytes show functional deficiency earlier than adult cells. Effector mechanisms of the cell-mediated immunity involve activation of macrophages by T helper1 cytokines, particularly interferon- γ (IFN-γ). IFN-γ is the most important macrophage-activating cytokine in vivo. Neonatal T cells express lower levels of IFN-γ and macrophages are hyporesponsive to activation by this cytokine. This deficiency may be explained by decreased phosphorilation of STAT1 despite comparable expression of STAT1 protein in neonatal and adult macrophages.]

[The author describes the genetic background of hereditary angioneurotic edema, an autosomal dominant disorder. The pathomechanism of edemaformation and the significance of major mediator substances are explained along with clinical manifestations and their management. A special emphasis is placed on prophylaxis, the mainstay of which is the elimination of precipitating factors. The latter include mechanical trauma, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions performed in the cephalic-cervical region, mental stress, and sex hormones. The effect of endocrine therapies, ACE inhibitors, and infections - Helicobacter pylori in particular - on the natural course of the disease is also discussed.]

[INTRODUCTION - The CD44 molecule - the physiologic hialuronic acid receptor - is one of key mediators that direct the traffic of leukocytes into inflamed tissues. When applied in animal models of autoimmune arthritis, parenteral anti-CD44 antibody treatment exerts a dramatic antiinflammatory effect, but at high doses also a leukopenic effect. The goal of the present work is to elucidate the cellular basis of these phenomena. METHODS - In this study the authors used Western blot, immunoprecipitation, cell adhesion studies, flow chamber system studies (leukocyte rolling) and fluorescence microscopy following fluorescent labeling of actin cytoskeleton. RESULTS - Adhesion of CD44-expressing leukocytes to immobilized hialuronic acid does not result marked changes in cellular morphology. When incubated on immobilized anti-CD44 antibody, however, these cells spread, reorganize the actin cytoskeleton, and they adhere strongly to the surface. Studying the mechanisms of signal transduction, the authors found that engagement of CD44 with anti- CD44 antibody results in its enhanced association with numerous cytoskeletal regulator proteins, including ezrin, ankyrin, spectrin and focal adhesion kinase, thereby increasing the interaction between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane. Strong adhesion of the cells to immobilized anti-CD44 also prevents the rolling movement of these cells, mediated by CD44-hialuronic acid interactions, which precedes the extravasation of leukocytes to sites of inflammation. CONCLUSION - These results may provide insight into the antiinflammatory mechanisms of anti- CD44 antibody treatment. Based on these results and results published by other investigators, anti- CD44 antibodies may be uselful in the immunotherapy of rheumatic diseases.]