[AIDS, a problem without boundaries].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E J Ruitenberg.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
To study the local immunological effects of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy in superficial bladder cancer patients, the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) was investigated in the urine. Urine specimens were collected during the six weekly BCG instillations, before instillation, and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h thereafter. Results were standardized to urine creatinine. In general, the concentration of IL-1 increased markedly during the first three BCG instillations, reaching a plateau from instillations 3 to 6. IL-2 was not detected after the first BCG instillation, but from the second instillation onwards the mean IL-2 concentration increased rapidly. With respect to IL-6, patients had relatively high levels in the urine after the first BCG instillation. A relatively moderate increase of the IL-6 concentration was observed during the following weeks. Like IL-2, TNF alpha was only detected after repeated BCG instillations. Generally the highest TNF levels were found after BCG instillation 5. The presence of IFN gamma could not be demonstrated. With respect to the occurrence of the cytokines during the first 24 h after the BCG instillation, TNF, IL-2, and IL-6 were detectable 2 h after the instillation. In contrast, IL-1 seemed to appear later, i.e. from 4 h onwards. TNF decreased most rapidly; it was nearly absent in 6-h samples. Generally IL-2 was not detectable in the 8-h samples, whereas IL-1 and IL-6 were present up to 8 h after instillation of BCG. The presence of TNF was found less frequently than the presence of IL-1, IL-2, and IL-6. Neutralization experiments indicated that most of the IL-1 present in the urine after BCG treatment was IL-1 alpha. In conclusion, activation of BCG-specific T cells was indicated by the detection of IL-2. The presence of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF alpha might suggest activation of macrophages by intravesically administered BCG, although production by other cell types cannot be excluded. It is suggested that these cytokines, in combination with the leucocytes that are known to be recruited to the bladder in reaction to the BCG treatment, may play an important role in the antitumour activity of BCG against bladder cancer. For monitoring purposes, collection of urine might be performed during the first 6 h after BCG instillations 4-6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
At present, isoniazid (INH) is being used prophylactically to reduce the side effects of intravesical BCG therapy for superficial bladder cancer, although it is not clear whether or not this reduces the antitumor efficacy of BCG. In this study the impact of INH treatment on the immune response after repeated intravesical BCG administration was investigated in guinea pigs. INH was given on the 3 days around each BCG instillation. We found that the administration of INH severely impaired the immunological effects of BCG. The induction of mononuclear cell infiltration in the bladder wall was reduced. Enlargement of the regional lymph nodes (weight and number of cells), and increase of MHC Class II expression on the lymph node cells, normally observed after intravesical BCG administration, were inhibited by INH. Systemic immunity, measured by the DTH reaction in the skin to PPD, was also diminished due to the combined treatment of BCG with INH. When INH was administered during the last 4 of 6 BCG instillations, the immune response to BCG was still impaired. A five-fold increase of the dose of BCG did not overcome the effect of INH. INH probably did not exert a direct suppression of the immune system of the guinea pig as the DNCB skin reactivity was not influenced. Although INH concentrations in the urine were high at the onset of the instillation, in vitro experiments indicated that the effect of INH may not be caused by killing of the BCG organisms shortly after application in the bladder. In conclusion, our data in guinea pigs suggest that the use of INH may impair the immune response to intravesical BCG. As this response may be important for the antitumor effect of BCG, urologists should be cautious with the prophylactic use of INH. The influence on the antitumor efficacy is now investigated in man.
At present, isoniazid (INH) is being used prophylactically to reduce the side effects of intravesical BCG therapy for superficial bladder cancer, although it is not clear whether or not this reduces the antitumor efficacy of BCG. In this study the impact of INH treatment on the immune response after repeated intravesical BCG administration was investigated in guinea pigs. INH was given during 3 days starting on the day prior to the BCG administration. It was found that the administration of INH severely impaired the immunological effects of BCG. The induction of mononuclear cell infiltration in the bladder wall was reduced. Enlargement of the regional lymph nodes (weight and number of cells), and increase of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II expression on the lymph node cells, normally observed after intravesical BCG administration, were inhibited by INH. Systemic immunity, measured by the DTH reaction in the skin to PPD, was also diminished due to the combined treatment of BCG with INH. A five-fold increase of the dose of BCG did not overcome the effect of INH. INH probably did not exert a direct suppression of the immune system of the guinea pig as the DNCB skin reactivity was not influenced. Although INH concentrations in the urine were high at the onset of the instillation, in vitro experiments indicated that the effect of INH was probably not caused by killing of the BCG organisms shortly after application in the bladder. In conclusion, our data in guinea pigs suggest that the use of INH may impair the immune response to intravesical BCG. As this response may be important for the antitumor effect of BCG, urologists should be cautious with the prophylactic use of INH. The influence on the antitumor efficacy is now investigated in man.
Although the cause of bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (BOSCC) is attributed to viruses in addition to cofactors (eg, UV light), to our knowledge, the final causative agent has not been described. Bovine papilloma virus (BPV)-like particles were detected in approximately 33% of various putative precursor lesions of BOSCC. In contrast, it was reported that, using BPV-specific antibodies, it was not possible to detect viral antigens in BOSCC. Fourteen established BOSCC and 9 BOSCC-derived cell lines were examined for BPV DNA. Probes of all 6 known BPV types were used in various hybridization assays. Neither Southern blot analysis, under high and low stringency conditions, nor in situ hybridization resulted in detection of BPV DNA. Papilloma viruses were not observed in electron microscopic studies. Results exclude direct association between BOSCC and BPV types 1 to 6, or as yet unknown closely related BPV types. However, BPV may contribute to induction of precursor lesions or events leading to carcinogenic transformation, without being relevant for maintenance of the tumor.
Cellular immunologic reactions occurring in the bladder after intravesical treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) were investigated by flow cytofluorometric analysis of leukocytes present in the urine. Urine specimens from 11 superficial bladder cancer patients were collected before and 5, 24, 48 and 72 h after repeated BCG instillations. Monoclonal antibodies specific for granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and T-and B-lymphocytes were used to characterize and quantify leukocyte subpopulations. The total number of cells in urine was found to be 2- to 485-fold increased 24 h after BCG administration. The predominant cell type present was the polymorphonuclear granulocyte, probably representing a defense mechanism against mycobacteria. The main mononuclear leukocytes in urine specimens were monocytes/macrophages and T-lymphocytes, indicating an ongoing immune response in the bladder wall. Although percentages of lymphocytes were low, T- and B-cells could be identified using a selective cell measurement procedure. In conclusion, a clear increase in the numbers of granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages and T-lymphocytes in urine after intravesical BCG administration was demonstrated, indicating local activation of the immune system.
To study the mode of action of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy in the prevention and cure of superficial bladder cancer, flow-cytofluorometric analysis of the cellular immunological reaction in the urine of patients was performed. Fresh urine-derived leucocytes were obtained from eight patients before (t0) and 24 h (t24) and 48 h (t48) after repeated intravesical BCG instillations (at least 5 instillations). For two patients urine-derived leucocytes were investigated at the first BCG instillation. The number of leucocytes in the urine was markedly increased 24 h after repeated BCG instillations, indicating a local cellular immunological reaction induced by BCG. The mean number of cells per milliliter of urine at that time was 2.9 x 10(6) +/- 3.6 x 10(6) (n = 8). These leucocytes consisted mainly of granulocytes (75 +/- 11%, n = 8). In addition monocytes/macrophages (4 +/- 2%, n = 8) and T lymphocytes were present (1 +/- 1%, n = 5). The relative increase of monocytes/macrophages in the urine after BCG application tended to be higher compared to the other leucocyte subtypes. As T lymphocytes may play an important role in the BCG-mediated anti-tumour activity, subsets of lymphocytes were further characterized at t0, t24, and t48 after repeated BCG instillations. The lymphocyte population consisted mainly of T cells (86% CD3+, t0). Most of the T cells were CD4+ (helper/inducer) and were significantly decreased at 48 h (62 +/- 9% at t0 vs 49 +/- 6% at t48). Lymphocytes partly expressed HLA-DR antigens (44%, t0). The percentage of lymphocytes with interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors (CD25+) was significantly increased at 24 h and 48 h, compared to pre-instillation values (19 +/- 11% and 10 +/- 4% vs 3 +/- 3% respectively). Natural killer cells (CD16+ and/or CD56+) and B cells (CD19+) were less numerous (10% and 19% at t0 respectively). After the first BCG instillation the increase in the number of leucocytes in urine seemed to be less compared to the numbers after repeated BCG instillations. Lymphocytes could not be detected in the urine collected before or after the first BCG instillation. In conclusion, we demonstrated the presence of considerable numbers of leucocytes in the urine 24 h after repeated BCG instillations, i.e. shortly after immunological activation. The antigen expression of the lymphocytes suggested that they may represent the lymphocytes in the bladder wall. Expression of HLA-DR and IL-2 receptors on lymphocytes indicated activation of T cells by the intravesical BCG treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
UNLABELLED: Thirty cows of the Dutch Friesian and the Maas-Rijn-Ijssel breed with histologically confirmed ocular squamous cell carcinoma were treated by repeated intralesional injection of live bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) (n = 14) or a BCG cell-wall vaccine (n = 16). Complete regression of the primary tumour was observed in 64% and 57% of the animals respectively. In the 2-year follow-up period there was no recurrence of primary tumours. This sharply contrasts with the recurrence frequency (40%-50%) after complete remission induced by a single intralesional injection with BCG, observed in an earlier study. In 1 animal a new primary tumour developed. At necropsy metastases were present in 33% of the treated animals: in 3 of 17 animals that showed complete regression of the primary tumour and in 7 of 13 animals with partial regression or progressive disease. This did not differ significantly from results obtained after a single treatment (27%). Delayed-type hypersensitivity to M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) was more persistent in animals showing regression of the primary tumour than in non-responding animals. Of the animals with a positive PPD response 6 months after treatment, 79% showed tumour regression. Regression was observed in only 28% of the animals not responding to PPD after the same period of time. IN CONCLUSION: (a) recurrence of the primary tumour was not observed after repeated BCG treatment; (b) the frequency of metastases was not decreased compared to results obtained with a single treatment; (c) regression was correlated with a positive delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to PPD (P less than 0.05) 6 months after treatment; (d) no significant differences were observed when the clinical results of treatment with live BCG and the BCG cell wall vaccine were compared.
We investigated the cellular composition and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression in the draining lymph node and the tumour during potentiation of the immune response by intralesional bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) administration in the line 10 hepatocellular carcinoma in the strain 2 guinea-pig. Five days after its injection BCG induced a ninefold increase in the number of draining lymph node cells and an increased MHC class II expression. This increased MHC class II expression was mostly due to the selective increase of B cells in the lymph nodes, and to a lesser extent to the increase of T cells expressing MHC class II antigens. Taking into account this nine-fold increase, intralesional treatment of BCG increased considerably the number of T helper/inducer (anti-CT7) and T suppressor/cytotoxic (anti-CT6) lymph node cells expressing MHC class II antigen. The percentage of tumour-infiltrating T cells expressing MHC class II antigen in the tumour was higher than the percentage of T cells in the regional draining lymph node of non-treated guinea-pigs, indicating the presence of activated T cells in the tumour. After treatment with BCG no further increase in MHC class II expression was measured in the tumour, nor was any phenotypical change of the tumour-infiltrating T cells found. In conclusion, with the use of two-colour flow cytofluorometry we have shown that the potentiation of the already existing immune response to line 10 is accompanied by a considerable increase in T helper/inducer, T suppressor/cytotoxic cells and MHC class II antigen in the regional lymph node. Whether this is essential for the potentiation of the immune response causing tumour regression and long-lasting immunity is a subject for further study.
Neutrophil (PMN) counts, immune complex (IC) uptake by PMN, and serum opsonising activity for promoting yeast uptake were used to evaluate infection clearing capacity in 16 lambs prior to colostrum feeding (two lambs fed bovine colostrum, 14 suckled lambs) and at 2 days of age. At 2 days of age lambs had more circulating PMN than they had prior to colostrum uptake (P less than 0.01). Colostrum feeding caused a significant increase in the percent of lamb PMN phagocytosing IC, although at Day 2 the percent phagocytosis was significantly lower (32.2%) than for adult controls (90%). Yeast opsonophagocytosis was greater when 24-36 h post-feeding serum was the source of opsonin than when pre-feeding serum was used (P less than 0.001). When adult serum was the opsonin, yeast opsonophagocytosis was approximately twice the phagocytosis mediated by 24-36 h post-feeding serum. The peripheral neutrocytosis and the enhancement of opsonophagocytosis generated by absorption of either ovine or bovine colostrum did not differ. The results of this study suggest that the parameters evaluated may be used for indicating the presence (or absence) of passively acquired protective immunity.
Considerable progress has been achieved in immunology and the development of novel immunological intervention strategies. In this review some new concepts in immunology, and particularly the role played by T cells, are discussed: new ideas on the pathogenesis and possible treatment of autoimmune diseases, on the pathogenesis and immunological treatment of HIV infections, new approaches to transplantation, novel concepts in tumour immunology and cancer immunotherapy and the development of new (molecular) vaccines against infectious diseases. It is anticipated that these new concepts will lead to novel immunological drugs.
A short review is presented describing the novel immunological concepts related to vaccine development. Trichinella is used as an example.
Intestinal hypersensitivity reactions during parasitic helminth infections are T-cell-dependent. Little is known about the characteristics of T-cells that initiate and regulate intestinal inflammation or about how they do this. In this paper data are presented that indicate that during Trichinella spiralis infections in mice T-cells regulate intestinal inflammation in the same way that they regulate delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in the skin and cellular immune responses against tumors.
A historical review on the preparation and use of vaccines is presented. The example of smallpox vaccination in man is interesting, as it affords an insight into the development of the principle of vaccination, the improvement of the vaccine and the eradication of the disease. Moreover, the various stages of vaccinology were described. Initially, vaccines were prepared on the basis of the attenuated or inactivated pathogens. After the introduction of animal cell culture techniques among others it became possible to realise an amplification of the preparation of virus vaccines. Since the introduction of recent biotechnological methods, including monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA technology, the development and preparation of well characterised and purified vaccines became possible. Immunology, including the development of adjuvants and the immunogenetic aspects, is essential in the further development of vaccines. Furthermore, it should be stressed that in using vaccines, the control aspects of the new generation of vaccines including the application of so-called Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), directives for their preparation should be strictly adhered to.
A multigroup transmission model is described to study the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in linked risk groups. The model permits simultaneous investigation of the increase in the number of persons infected with HIV in three main risk groups: promiscuous homo/bisexual men (two levels of promiscuity), intravenous drug users (men and women) and promiscuous heterosexual men and women. Three modes of transmission are considered: anal and vaginal intercourse and needle sharing. The high dimensional parameter space is connected with the HIV incidence through a transmission matrix. This matrix summarizes the annual effective contact rates due to the three transmission modes. The model helps to clarify which data are needed to disentangle the relative contribution of the within- and between-group transmission routes. The model can be used to perform theoretical experiments. Given a specification of a baseline, the potential use of the model is illustrated by a simulation describing the effect of blocking the transmission through needle sharing. Reference is made to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in The Netherlands. The results of the study show that the model can play a part in the classification of HIV prevalence patterns in linked risk groups, in the study of the interaction between the main risk groups and in the theoretical evaluation of intervention measures.
Tumor immunity induced by bacillus Calmette-Guérin was studied in the line 10 hepatocellular carcinoma (line 10) in the strain-2 guinea pig. Line 10 immunity was investigated in vitro with a lymphocyte proliferation assay using line 10 tumor protein extracted with 3 M KCl and in vivo by adoptive transfer of line-10-immune spleen cells. Monoclonal antibodies against guinea pig leucocyte markers were used to block functional properties of the immune cells in order to determine which cell types or cell markers are involved in the immune response to the line 10 tumor. In vitro cells from the spleen, peripheral blood and regional lymph node of immune animals reacted with a proliferative response to line 10 protein. This antigen-specific response was caused by T cells and was regulated by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. In blocking experiments it was found that CT5 (anti-PanT), or MSgp4 [anti-(MHC class I antigen)] monoclonal antibodies did not block but sometimes stimulated the proliferative response. The effect of H159 (anti-PanT) was irregular, while H155 [anti-(T helper)], and 5C3 [anti-(IL-2 receptor)] monoclonal antibodies blocked the response almost completely. We studied the relevance of the results in vitro obtained and found that mAb 5C3 [anti-(IL-2 receptor)] inhibited the adoptive transfer of line 10 immunity, suggesting that the rejection of line 10 cells is caused by a mechanism that is interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent. Moreover, complement lysis of MHC-class-II-antigen-positive immune spleen cells inhibited completely the rejection of the line 10 tumor cell challenge in the adoptive-transfer experiments. In conclusion, our data show that MHC class II molecules or cells possessing these molecules are involved in immunity against line 10 tumor cells, as (a) monoclonal antibodies against MHC class II antigens inhibited the in vitro proliferative response of T cells to tumor antigens and (b) removal of MHC-class-II-positive immune spleen cells abrogated the antitumor effect in the adoptive-transfer experiments. Interleukin-2-dependent proliferation of immune T cells is required for the rejection of line 10 tumor cells.
Urine samples were obtained from patients with superficial bladder cancer after immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). The patients were repeatedly (once a week for 6 consecutive weeks) treated with intravesical administration of approximately 5 X 10(8) culturable particles of BCG. Some patients received more than six BCG instillations. The urine samples were investigated for the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in an in vitro bioassay using a murine cytotoxic T cell line (CTTL-16) that shows IL-2-dependent growth. Preliminary experiments indicated the presence of inhibitory factors in the urine. This inhibitory activity was abolished after 24 h dialysis. In a neutralization assay with both polyvalent and monoclonal anti-(human IL-2) antibody it was demonstrated that there was indeed IL-2 in the urine samples. In 8 of 11 patients the presence of IL-2 in the urine was demonstrated. The IL-2 production was directly related to the BCG administration as samples obtained just before the BCG instillation were always negative. In IL-2-positive samples a maximum level of IL-2 was observed between 2 h and 6 h after the BCG instillation. In urine samples obtained 24 h after the BCG IL-2 was not detected. In most patients the urine became positive after the third or fourth PCG instillation.
Tumor regression was induced by intralesional injection with BCG, 7 days after inoculation of line 10 hepatocellular carcinoma cells into strain 2 guinea pigs. Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILS) were characterized immunohistochemically with 11 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) during the induction phase of line 10-immunity, and during immune-mediated regression of the tumor, at days 12 and 28 after tumor cell inoculation, respectively. At day 5 after BCG-injection (day 12 after tumor cell inoculation), there were no major differences between the TIL subpopulations of the BCG-treated and untreated tumors. The TILS were mainly T-cells, as identified by MoAbs against Pan T-cells (CT5), T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells (CT6) and T-helper/inducer cells (H155). A limited number of macrophages was also present. However, at day 21 after BCG-treatment (28 days after tumor cell inoculation), the fibrous stroma was increased dramatically in most of the BCG-treated tumors, and as a result, the tumor cell islets were smaller than in control tumors. In the BCG treated tumors, the numbers of T-cells and macrophages were increased. In growing and regressing tumors, MHC class I and II antigens were strongly expressed in TILS and in the tumor stroma. Line 10 tumor cells prior to inoculation expressed no MHC class I or II antigens. In the centers of the tumor islets at days 12 and 28, expression of these antigens was not found. However, MHC class I and II antigens were expressed on tumor cells at sites where they lay close to the fibrous stroma or TILS. This observation was made in progressively growing tumors and was most apparent in BCG-treated tumors.