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Biomedical subjects

E Smogorzewska

Publications and source records attributed to E Smogorzewska.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Neonatal thymectomy: does it affect immune function?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether thymectomy in the newborn has a negative effect on immune function. METHODS: Twenty-five neonates (<30 days) who had thymectomy at congenital heart repair were prospectively studied to determine immune function. The percentage of T-cell subtypes including CD3 (all T cells), CD4 (helper T cells), and CD8 (suppressor T cells) was determined. In six patients, further testing of CD4 cells was done to determine whether they were newly formed, recent thymic emigrants (CD4, CD45, and RA+), or older educated lymphocytes (CD4, CD45, and RO+). Response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin and to tetanus toxoid were determined, as were antibody titers to tetanus. Samples were drawn before the thymectomy, at approximately 3 months after immunization and at 1 year. Ten age-matched control patients were tested. At follow-up, parents were asked about infections. RESULTS: Prethymectomy T-cell subsets were all normal and comparable to controls. At 12 months, the percent of CD3 was significantly less than in the control group (48% +/- 3% versus 64% +/- 2% [mean +/- standard error of the mean]; p < 0.01) as was CD4 (31% +/- 2% versus 46% +/- 2% [mean +/- standard error of the mean]; p = < 0.01). CD8 did not drop. Surprisingly, the percent of CD4 that were recent thymic emigrants did not decrease significantly (50% +/- 8% versus 60% +/- 6% [mean +/- standard error of the mean]; p = not significant). Lymphocyte blastogenesis to phytohemagglutinin and tetanus toxoid and antibody to tetanus were all normal at 12 months. No patient required readmission for infection, and there were the expected number of minor infectious events (median 3; 95% confidence interval 1,4). CONCLUSION: Thymectomy in neonates results in a modest but significant decrease in T-lymphocyte levels, but there is no compromise in immune function.

Antigens, CD↗

[Transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity in guinea pigs].

In the first description of transfer factor in 1955, Lawrence defined it as "the active principle in viable leukocytes, leukocyte extracts and leukocyte dialysates obtained from immune human donors which has the capacity to transfer cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in vivo to nonimmune recipients". The dialysates are reported to contain a number of antigen-independent activities affecting monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes. In some cases these "nonspecific" activities separate out with the fraction causing skin test conversion, but it has not been shown that the same molecule is responsible for both effects. Chemical structure of transfer factor (TF) has not been defined, yet. Its m.w. is 2000-3500. TF has been used to treat a wide range of clinical disorders, including immunodeficiency diseases, neoplasms, chronic fungal, viral and bacterial infections with varying degrees of reported success. The reports on the efficacy of TF in the prevention of varicella in childhood leukemia evoked renewed interest in possible clinical applications of this leukocyte derived material. There is no convenient animal in vivo model of TF activity investigations, and there is no sensitive and reproducible in vitro assay in regard to its activity and specificity. In presented paper the passive transfer of DTH to tuberculin in guinea pigs was reported, both by intact lymphocytes as well as by its crude homogenate. Sephadex column fractionation of crude leukocyte extract have been done. Attempts to define the in vitro activity of leukocyte extract as well as its fractions by leukocyte migration inhibition test have been made.

Animals↗

[Evaluation of immune response after thymectomy].

Immunological status of children after thymectomy performed at the age between 2 months and 15 years for teratoma in 5, and hyperplasia in 1. Cellular immunity parameters--as percent and total T lymphocyte count and their PHA reactivity, humoral immunity--as IgG, IgA, IgM concentrations, and phagocytosis--as phagocytosis index, NBT test, complement components--C3c, C4--concentration were evaluated between 6 and 12 years following surgery. No abnormalities within investigated parameters, nor the history of more frequent infections or other immunological disorder were detected.

Adolescent↗

[Interferon].

Twenty five years ago Isaas and Lindenmann discovered that virus-infected cells may release a protein capable of reacting with normal cells and render them resistant to infection by a variety of viruses. That protein, a major mediator of viral interference was called interferon. Three main types of interferon have been identified and originally designated as fibroblast, leukocyte and immune interferon. According to the newly adopted nomenclature (as defined by the International Committee on Interfern Nomenclature) these interferons are now called beta, alpha and gamma interferon, respectively. The use of interferon as a therapeutic agent for tumor-bearing patients has gained considerable interest after reports demonstrated potent enhancing effects of interferon on the immunologic system. Thus, besides its direct effect on tumor cell multiplication, interferon may influence the host-tumor relationship by activating cells with potential antitumor activity such as natural-killer (NK) cells, killer (K) cells or macrophages. Interferon can also modify the metabolism of molecules involved in immunologic functions, such as antigen receptors, histocompatibility antigens or receptors for Fc fragment of immunologlobulins. Systematic clinical trials with interferon have been greatly expanded over the last three or four years. At this time the data support a cautious optimism for the therapeutic value of interferon in both viral and neoplastic diseases.

Herpes Simplex↗

[T and B lymphocytes in the ontogenetic development of man].

The study of the ontogenesis of immunity in man is still in progress and development. In this paper the two major subpopulations of human lymphocytes--T (thymus dependent) and B (bursal equivalent or thymus independent) were examined during the ontogenetic development of man. These subpopulations can be examined in vitro by the methods distinguishing superficial receptors on these cells--namely by the rosseting methods. B lymphocytes with the receptor for Fc of immunoglobulin can be distinguished by the EA test, and with receptor for C3 by the the EAC test. T lymphocytes can be detected in blood by the E test using their capacity to bind sheep red cells forming rossetes. This phenomena is very dependent upon temperature changes during the experimental procedures and this may partly explain the widely different proportions of E rosseting forming cells found by different authors ranging from 37% to 81% in blood of healthy adults. So there is a great necessity for each laboratory to have their own normal value in the healthy children in different age to compare it with those estimated in different states of the disease. Percentages of T and B lymphocytes were evaluated in children in 5 different age groups: below 1 year, 2-3 years, 4-5 years and over 10 years. Moreover the number of T and B lymphocytes was evaluated in the peripheral blood of pregnant women (2 and 3 trimester), of women at delivery, in the cord blood and the blood of newborns on 5-th day of life. The normal control group consisted of 71 healthy adults. In some children of four age groups the absolute counts of T and lymphocytes were estimated. The results are presented in Tabl. I, II and. fig. 1, 2. We found significantly decreased percentage of T lymphocytes in some estimated groups versus control--it is in peripheral blood of pregnant women, women at delivery, in cord blood, in newborns at 5-th day of life (p less than 0.001) and in the groups of children below 5 years (0,01 less than p less than 0,02 and 0,02 less than p less than or equal to 0,05). In children older than 5 years the number of T lymphocytes was within normal limits. Total number of peripheral T lymphocytes was significantly increased in children age 2-5 years (p less than 0.001) and in children below 10 years (0.02 less than p less than or equal to 0.05). Percent of B lymphocytes estimated by the EA and EAC tests was elevated in pregnant women and women at delivery. The statistical difference between these two groups from one site and the group of healthy adults was highly significant (p less than 0.001). In some newborns we found also elevated percent-age of B lymphocytes with the receptor for C3 (EAC test) on 5-th day of life. The difference between this group and adults was not so great (0,02 less than p less than or equal to 0.05). It was also stated that absolute counts of B lymphocytes estimated by EA and EAC tests was elevated in children below 10 years of age.

Adult↗

[Immunochemical properties and therapeutic usefulness of the preparation Igalina produced by Biomed].

In order to obtain higher concentration of IgA-antibodies in commercial gammaglobulin preparations, used for treatment of hipo - and dysimmunoglobulinemia states, there are produced two preparations: "Gamma-A- Konzentrat " of Behringwerke and " Igalina " of Biomed . The first one was examined and described by us previously (4, 12). Now we present our studies on Igalina . The examinations were performed using electrophoresis on cellulose acetate, double diffusion in agar gell using 15 specific antisera to plasma proteins and immunoelectrophoresis with anti-IgG, IgA and IgM. There were detected traces of albumin, transferin , alfa2 macroglobulin, haptoglobin fibrinogen and presence of IgA, IgG and IgM. We also observed the split of IgG line in immunoelectrophoresis at the cathode and to Fc and Fab fragments. The concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM were evaluated using Mancini method (IgA--920 IU/ml, IgG--1640 IU/ml IgM 2500 IU/ml). Concentrations of chosen antibodies in Igalina were: ASO--1000 U/ml, anti- Staphylolisins 8 U/ml, agglutinins antistaphilococal 1 : 320, diphtheria antitoxins 42 U/ml, agglutinins antithyphi 1 : 20----1 : 640. They were 4 to 100 times higher than in plasma serum. Isohaemagglutinins were not detected. Igalina was used for preventive treatment of children contacted with viral infections or therapeutically for children who demonstrated first symptoms of viral infections of respiratory tracts. Preparation was given 48 times to 40 children. This group included 19 newborns and 10 children with I and IV type of dysimmunoglobulinemia or hipoimmunoglobulinemia . Doses ranged from 0,5 ml up to 1,0 ml/kg body weight. Estimations of IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations in serum and saliva of children (using Mancini method) were carried out before injection of Igalina and on the third and seventh day after injection. Results of studies were statistically evaluated, and besides the lack of significant differences we found some rise of IgA and IgG concentrations. We would like to underline also that in 6 children with hipo or dysimmunoglobulinemia the levels of IgA and IgG reached normal value on the third day after injection of Igalina . Investigations of secretory piece in saliva in the same period were carried out too. In three patients we could find the presence of secretory piece just after injection of Igalina . We did not found antibodies to IgA in patients' sera after treatment. The clinical results of treatment as well as toleration of the drug were good and very good.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Levamisole as an immunostimulating factor].

Levamisole--(L)--1-2, 3, 5, 6--tetrahydro-6- phenylimidazo (2, 1-b)-- thiazol monohydrochloride, a simple chemical, first introduced as a broad spectrum antihelmintic , has been recently on the list of the nonspecific active immunostimulants together with BCG, Corynebacterium parvum, polyribonucleosides and transfer factor (TF). This, however, is oversimplification and may cause some confusion because levamisole, in contrast to the so-called immunostimulants, does not stimulate immunity above the normal level in man or prevent the primary growth of most experimental tumors in immunologically normal animals. Levamisole acts as an antianergic chemotherapeutic agent as it restores cell-mediated immunity in immunodepressed patients and prolongs the remission period. It even increases the number of long-term survivors when used as an adjunct to cytoreductive therapy in several animal cancer models. Levamisole is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and from injection site and is very well distributed in all tissues. Levamisole increases phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear cells or macrophages when added to these cells or given to donor animals and humans. The effect was pronounced on hypofunctional cells from patients and it was weak or absent on cells from normal donors. Chemotactic responsiveness of polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes from patients with defective leucocyte motility could be enhanced by levamisole added in vitro or given in vivo. The leucocyte migration inhibition in response to antigenic stimulation could be restored when levamisole was administered to anergic patients or added to their cells in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗