Acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica. Section C, Immunology最新文献

The effect of several antimalarial drugs, commonly used for prophylaxis and therapy of human malaria, on polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis was studied. A modified, reversible Boyden chamber method was used. Various concentrations of each drug was mixed with neutrophils and incubated in the chambers for 2 1/2 hours. After the incubation period percent inhibition of chemotaxis was determined. It was shown that chloroquine, quinine, proguanil, and tetracycline at concentrations frequently obtained in clinical situations significantly inhibited chemotaxis of neutrophils towards casein. There was a direct correlation between increasing drug concentration and percent inhibition of chemotaxis. Drugs such as pyrimethamine and fansidar at any concentration tested had no effect on chemotaxis.

Two strains of guinea-pigs selectively bred for either high (IMM/S) or low (IMM/R) responsiveness to ovalbumin-induced respiratory anaphylaxis were examined for their immune response to a copolymer of L-glutamic acid and L-alanine (GA), a copolymer of L-glutamic acid and L-tyrosine (GT), and to a dinitro-phenyl derivative of a homopolymer of L-lysine (DNP-PLL). Considerable differences between the strains in development of cellular hypersensitivity and in the production of antibodies were observed. Guinea-pigs from IMM/S were all responders to GA and DNP-PLL and non-responders to GT, while guinea-pigs from two of three lines from IMM/R were responders to GT and non-responders to GA and DNP-PLL. The third IMM/R line showed an immune response pattern similar to guinea-pigs of strain IMM/S. Preliminary breeding studies confirmed that the immune response to these three antigens is under the control of dominant autosomal genes, since (IMM/S x IMM/R) F1 animals responded to all three antigens. It is concluded that these three antigens may serve as immune response markers in genetic studies of the differences between guinea-pigs from IMM/S and IMM/R in their ability to develop respiratory anaphylaxis.

Natural killer (NK) activity of human peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by measuring 3H-thymidine incorporation into proliferating highly NK-sensitive K 562 target cells alone and in the presence of effector cells. Although the absolute figures varied, depending mostly on the strength of DNA-synthesis of the target cells on the day of the assay, the results were highly reproducible and compared well with those of the 51Cr-release assay (CRA). The method was extremely simple and less tedious than CRA. The interpretation of the data was facilitated by including known control cells of low and high NK activity. The cells less sensitive to NK activity did not seem to be suited for this kind of assay.

HLA-DR antigens and receptors for the Fc part of IgG (Fc gamma R) were examined in cryostat sections and imprints of 12 thymuses from fetuses, infants and children. A double-marker technique, with an anti-T cell serum produced in rabbit and the monoclonal antibody OKIal, was used to study the localization of the thymocytes and the HLA-DR antigens. Membrane-bound HLA-DR antigens were found on about 5% of the thymocytes. A larger proportion of the thymocytes were surrounded by HLA-DR-positive material, probably associated with the thymic epithelial cells. Fc gamma R detected by human aggregated IgG were found on most epithelial cells, but only on a few thymocytes. However, in some areas Fc gamma R were demonstrated on most of the cells stained by the anti-T cell serum. A similar pattern for staining of Fc gamma R was obtained using an anti-Fc gamma R serum produced in rabbit. Fc gamma R were detected on one-third to one-half of the OKT3+ or OKT8+ thymocytes, but only on a few OKT4+ cells. Fc gamma R were present on nearly all the OKT6+ thymocytes at 11 weeks of gestation, whereas in thymuses from older individuals only a few OKT6+ cells had Fc gamma R. The proportions of double-stained cells did not vary much in fetuses older than 14 weeks of gestation, in infants or in children. The results indicate that HLA-DR antigens and Fc gamma R are not correlated to any specific stage of cell maturation.

The T cell proliferative response to Chlamydia trachomatis was studied in otherwise healthy persons. A suspension of partially purified C. trachomatis subtype LGV-2 particles was used throughout the study. Studies of cord blood lymphocytes demonstrated that the preparation was not mitogenic. The proliferative capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) and T + non-T cells from adults was tested; in about 70% a proliferative response was observed. The proliferative responses were dependent upon antigen presenting cells (APC) and were mainly mediated by T cells, even though B cells proliferated to a lesser extent. Using antigen-pulsed non-T cells as APC, a significant and consistent specific proliferative response could be obtained. High responders could be separated from low responders with different T cell concentrations. We also found that the T cell response was restricted by the HLA-D/DR determinants of the T cell donor.

Human monocyte-mediated antibody dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) to K-562 cells has been examined using 51Cr-release assays and electron microscopy. Non-activated monocytes lysed antibody-coated K-562 cells rapidly, the observed lysis reaching a constant level of 28% after 6 h of co-culture. Lymphokine-activated monocytes mediated ADCC with a similar time course but with higher cytolysis level (42%) compared to non-activated monocytes. The cytolysis was dependent on the amount of antibody on the K-562 cells and on the number of effector cells present in the assay. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that sensitized target cells in contact with monocytes lost their microvilli. Lysis was probably extracellular, but a small number of completely engulfed intact target cells were observed. Lymphokine-activation of the monocytes led to a dissociation of the phagocytic and cytotoxic activity, indicating that phagocytosis is not directly involved in ADCC. Thin section- and freeze-fracture electron microscopy of the contact area between effector and target cells revealed no membrane specializations. The cells were always separated by a gap of 20-30 nm interrupted by characteristic invaginations in the opposing plasma membranes.

Two strains of guinea-pigs selectively bred for either high (IMM/S) or low (IMM/R) responsiveness to ovalbumin-induced respiratory anaphylaxis were examined for genetic homogenicity by skin transplantation experiments and screened for polymorphism of erythrocyte enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase, esterase D, and phosphoglucomutase). According to the transplantation data it can be concluded that the brother x sister matings have resulted in lines of guinea-pigs with a high degree of genetic homogenicity. The results from the typing of polymorphic enzymes showed that only phosphoglucomutase exhibited different allelic forms among the tested animals, but no correlation was found between this polymorphism and responsiveness to ovalbumin.

Rats were treated for 3-4 months with ethanol or carbon tetrachloride or kept on a high fat-low protein diet. The cell distribution of the liver was investigated with special emphasis on the Kupffer cells with reference to lipids and collagen. Lipids were increased both histologically and chemically in all groups treated. All three treatments caused an increase of Kupffer cells, especially in the high fat-low protein group. The number of Kupffer cells and the content of liver lipids were strongly correlated. Collagen rose in the CCl4- and high fat-low protein groups. Cirrhosis was observed in CCl4--treated rats only.

Samples of blood were obtained from 100 healthy full-term women in labour and, after delivery, from the umbilical cord of their infants. By electroimmunoassay, complement components were quantitated in serum (C1q, C1r, C1s, C1 IA, C2, P, D. I, H, C6 and C7) or in EDTA-plasma (C4, C3, B, C5. and C). The concentrations of C7 in cord serum was twice that found by others using a functional assay. Concentrations of C1r, I and C6 in the cord sample were 50-60 per cent of those in healthy blood donors used as reference, and that of D was about 130 per cent. The cord serum and plasma concentrations of the remaining components agreed with previously reported values. The maternal levels of C2, C4, C3, B, H, C5 were 40-60 per cent higher than those of the reference.

Lymphocyte transformation in patients with recent yersiniosis was studied. A micromethod using washed blood cells and Yersinia enterocolitica antigen was employed. The washed blood cells were incubated in the presence of various dilutions of heat-treated whole bacteria; these proved as antigen superior to gentamicin- or formalin-treated bacteria. Patients with recent yersiniosis had a significantly higher response against Yersinia antigen as compared to 20 healthy controls, who had either no response or a low response. No difference could be observed in responses against PPD or streptokinase-streptodornase, or in the mitogen responses between these two groups. A marked cross-reaction was observed between Yersinia and Escherichia coli antigen. The results show that patients with recent yersiniosis develop lymphocyte transformation response against Yersinia. Lymphocyte transformation test can be used in the study of host responses against infecting Yersinia in patients with different clinical pictures of yersiniosis.