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Defect in lectin-induced interleukin 2 production by peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with invasive urinary bladder carcinoma.

The production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 21 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (BTCC) and 16 control blood donors was measured with a solid phase enzyme immunoassay based on the dual antibody immunometric sandwich principle. PBMC from patients with invasive BTCC (grade III-IV) showed a defect in the production of IL-2. The concentration of IL-2 in the supernatants of PBMC cultures from these patients was substantially lower (0.4 +/- 0.1 U/ml) than that observed in the supernatants of PBMC cultures from patients with non-invasive BTCC, grade II (1.5 +/- 0.7 U/ml), and from tumour-free controls (1.4 +/- 0.8 U/ml). These results suggest an immune dysfunction based on quantitatively impaired IL-2 production in patients with invasive BTCC and indicate that exogenous IL-2 could be used as an immunological response modifier for the treatment of these patients.

Aged↗

Human retrovirus-related synthetic peptides inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation.

Immunosuppression frequently accompanies infections with the human retroviruses HTLV-1 and HIV. Previous studies have shown that UV-inactivated and detergent-disrupted preparations of either virus can produce immune dysfunction in vitro although the active component of such preparations has not yet been identified. We now report that synthetic peptides corresponding to a conserved sequence within the transmembrane envelope proteins of both HTLV-1 (CS-1) and HIV (CS-3) are capable of suppressing the in vitro proliferative responses of human T lymphocytes to mitogenic or allogeneic stimulation. CS-1 inhibits proliferation in response to stimulation by anti-CD3 antibody by up to 57% a concentration of 3 nmol per culture well. CS-3 inhibits by up to 49% at a similar concentration. CS-1 and CS-3 inhibit two-way mixed leukocyte culture reactions by 81 and 88%, respectively, at the 3 nmol per well concentration. The inhibition by such human retrovirus-related peptides appears to be T cell-specific in that B cell proliferation in response to stimulation with anti-IgG is not affected by the CS-3 peptide. The release of such immunosuppressive peptides may thus play a role in the pathogenesis of human exogenous retroviral disease such as AIDS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cancer predisposition of ataxia-telangiectasia heterozygotes.

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a progressive neurologic disorder in which there is varied immune dysfunction, an excess sensitivity to ionizing radiation, and a striking predisposition to cancer. It is the autosomal recessive syndrome for which there is the strongest evidence, derived from retrospective studies of cancer incidence and mortality in A-T families, that the heterozygote is predisposed to cancer. We present, in tabular form, the specific cancer sites or types most likely to be associated with A-T heterozygosity. These include solid tumors of the breast, pancreas, stomach, bladder, and ovary, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We also introduce a new method to test these associations. As soon as molecular probes for the A-T allele(s) are available, this new research design will be used to test rigorously each association, hypothesized on the basis of previous data, between a specific cancer site and A-T heterozygosity.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

Human neutrophil and macrophage chemokinesis induced by cardiopulmonary bypass: loss of DAME and IL-1 chemotaxis.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces both cellular immunosuppression and an inflammatory response. In an effort to better characterize CPB-induced immune dysfunction, we examined the chemotaxic ability of human granulocytes and macrophages to D-Ala2-Met-enkephalin (DAME) and interleukin (IL)-1 alpha with computer-assisted microscopic image analysis before, during and after CPB. Spontaneous granulocyte and macrophage activation increased from 6% and 8% (before) to 52% and 44% (during) and then 39% and 31% after (38 h) CPB, respectively. These activated cells, characterized by conformational changes and locomotion, exhibited chemokinesis. Furthermore, no direct response to either DAME or IL-1 alpha was observed in the bypass and postoperative specimens. Cellular velocity was 0.14 and 0.07 microns s-1 for control spontaneously activated granulocytes and macrophages, respectively, and equal to the velocity observed for DAME and IL-1 alpha exposed cells, during and after CPB. CPB-unexposed cells, influenced only by the chemotaxic agents, exhibited a 3-4-fold increase in their velocity. Additionally, the migratory path of the activated cells obtained during and after CPB exhibited chemokinesis, rather than chemotaxis, when placed in a concentration gradient of either signal molecule. Cells exposed to fentanyl, the anesthetic agent, exhibited the same behavior as controls, as did those treated with morphine sulphate. However, at higher concentrations (> or = 10 ng ml-1) fentanyl and morphine reduced granulocyte and macrophage activity, demonstrating that CPB caused the opposite effect of fentanyl and also that CPB exposure overcame the pharmacological inhibitory effect of the mu opiate ligands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

Deoxynucleoside overproduction in deoxyadenosine-resistant, adenosine deaminase-deficient human histiocytic lymphoma cells.

Deoxyadenosine toxicity toward lymphocytes may produce immune dysfunction in patients with adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4) deficiency. The relationship between endogenous deoxynucleoside synthesis in adenosine deaminase-deficient cells and sensitivity to adenosine and deoxyadenosine toxicity is unclear. The human histiocytic lymphoma cell line (DHL-9) naturally lacks adenosine deaminase, and has minimal levels of thymidine kinase. Dividing DHL-9 cells excrete deoxyadenosine and thymidine into the extracellular space. The present experiments have analyzed nucleoside synthesis and excretion in a mutagenized clone of DHL-9 cells, selected for increased resistance to deoxyadenosine toxicity. The deoxyadenosine-resistant cells excreted both deoxyadenosine and thymidine at a 6-7-fold higher rate than wild-type lymphoma cells. The deoxyadenosine overproduction was accompanied by a reduced ability to form dATP from exogenous deoxyadenosine, and a 2.5-fold increase in ribonucleotide reductase activity. The pace of adenosine excretion, the growth rate, and the levels of multiple other enzymes involved in deoxyadenosine and adenosine metabolism were equivalent in the two cell types. These results suggest that the excretion of deoxyadenosine and thymidine, but not adenosine, is exquisitely sensitive to alterations in the rate of endogenous deoxynucleotide synthesis. Apparently, small changes in deoxynucleotide synthesis can significantly influence cellular sensitivity to deoxyadenosine toxicity.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Pathogenesis of the natural killer cell deficiency in AIDS.

Deficiency in natural killer (NK) cell activity is a common feature of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This is part of a general immune dysfunction in AIDS and may lead to progression of the disease, since NK cells are known to be involved in protection against tumors and against viral infections. The lack of immunological surveillance by NK cells of the growth of pathogens that activate the HIV-1 tat infectivity gene may also favor progression to AIDS. The pathogenesis of NK cell deficiency in AIDS is not known. Previous studies have shown that NK cells from AIDS patients are able to bind but not to lyse the target cell line K562. This results from an inability to rearrange the cytoskeleton microtubular (MT) system and to release the natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF). This report by Maria Caterina Sirianni and colleagues evaluates the possible mechanisms leading to this NK cell deficiency.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The role of G-proteins versus protein tyrosine kinases in the regulation of lymphocyte activation.

The relative roles of G-proteins and protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) in the regulation of antigen receptor-mediated signalling in B and T cells is controversial. As they, and the biochemical events they control, are potential targets for intervention in various immune dysfunctions, the resolution of the controversy is of great interest. Here, Margaret Harnett and Kevin Rigley provide a timely assessment of current understanding, and propose a model for the interaction of G-proteins and PTKs in antigen receptor-mediated signalling.

Animals↗

Immunosuppressive retroviral peptides: cAMP and cytokine patterns.

The mechanism(s) by which retroviral proteins exert immunosuppressive influences has remained enigmatic. Here, Soichi Haraguchi, Robert Good and Noorbibi Day propose that induction of intracellular cAMP by a synthetic, immunosuppressive, retroviral envelope peptide causes a shift in the cytokine balance, leading to suppression of cell-mediated immunity by upregulation of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and downregulation of IL-2, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha production. This may be a crucial step towards generation of immune dysfunction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunopathology of Entamoeba histolytica infections.

Entamoeba histolytica infects almost 10% of the world's population and results in about 100 000 deaths annually(1). Relatively little information is available concerning the immune response and the immunopathology elicited by this parasite, probably due in part to the lack of a truly appropriate animal model(2-4). However, there has been some progress - particularly concerning the interaction of this parasite with cells of the immune system(5,6). This review summarizes the salient features of the cellular immune response and immunopathology, largely from in vitro studies and studies using the gerbil model for invasive amoebiasis(7,8). Overall, the results suggest that invasive amoebtasis induces profound immune dysfunction both at the effector level of macrophages and on their accessory cell potential.

Journal Article↗

Castleman's disease associated with pemphigus vulgaris.

Castleman's disease is a rare, benign, lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown cause. The hyaline-vascular type is frequently associated with a localized mediastinal mass. The plasma-cell type is associated with constitutional symptoms, multicentric lymph node involvement, lymphoma development, and autoimmune disease-like laboratory abnormalities such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. We report a case of hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease associated with a cutaneous autoimmune disease, pemphigus vulgaris. We also reviewed the clinicopathologic features of four similar cases. Among these five reports of Castleman's disease, five patients had severe erosive stomatitis diagnosed as oral pemphigus, three had keratoconjunctivitis, and three had circulating pemphigus antibodies. All were young, ranging in age from 15 to 21 years, and four of the five were women. Two had hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease, whereas three had plasma-cell Castleman's disease. All five had surgical resection of the Castleman's disease mass. After surgery, remission of pemphigus vulgaris could be achieved with reduced dosages of steroids in all cases. In at least two cases steroid treatment could be completely discontinued. We postulate that an underlying immune dysfunction in Castleman's disease facilitates the expression of pemphigus.

Adult↗

Thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 in serum: comparison of normal, cord, homosexual and AIDS serum.

Thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 were first isolated from thymosin fr. 5 and have demonstrated biological activities on the immune system. They are chemically distinct and differ in their immunological activity profiles. The levels of thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin beta 4 were assessed by radioimmunoassay in the same serum samples. Normal thymosin alpha 1 levels were 670 +/- 163 pg/ml for males and 652 +/- 162 pg/ml for females. Normal thymosin beta 4 levels were 974 +/- 400 ng/ml for males and 889 +/- 345 ng/ml for females. No correlation between the levels of the peptides in serum from normal donors was observed. Although many samples of serum from neonates (cord blood), homosexuals and AIDS patients had elevated levels of one or both peptides, no correlation between the two peptides was found. Of potential significance is the observation that while thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 are elevated in many individuals with AIDS (57 and 48% respectively), the individuals with AIDS related immune dysfunctions had predominantly elevated thymosin alpha 1 (54 vs 15%). These studies suggest that serum levels of the two peptides are modulated separately and that both are of potential value in defining the risk of individuals for developing AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Modulation of T-cell ontogeny by transplacental benzo(a)pyrene.

Transplacental exposure to the carcinogen, benzo(a)pyrene BaP, leads to depressed immune function and increased tumor incidence in mice. This paper reports ontogenetic T-cell changes in BALB/c mice after exposure to BaP in utero. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced to fetal liver T-cells (FLT) and newborn spleen (NBS) lymphocytes purified from offspring of pregnant BALB/c mice that were given one injection of BaP (150 mg/kg body weight) in mid-gestation (day 11-13). The MAbs reacted with two T-cell membrane antigens (FLT and NBS) found in fetal liver, neonatal and adult thymus and spleen. Lymphocytes of BaP-exposed 19-day fetuses showed decreased subpopulation frequencies (P < 0.05) in fetal liver total T-cells (from 56% to 16%), Ly1 cells (from 33% to 9%), and Ly2 cells (from 56% to 1%) compared with untreated controls. In contrast, BaP increased the subpopulation frequencies (P < 0.05) in FLT cells in fetal liver (from 20% to 52%) and in newborn spleen (from 21% to 51%), and increased NBS cells in newborn spleen (from 24% to 59%). The increased frequency in FLT and NBS cells was due to their relative resistance to BaP toxicity and/or BaP-enhanced proliferation in the neonatal period. Compared with untreated controls, BaP treatment resulted in reduced numbers of T-cells in fetal liver and showed a selective toxicity for Ly1 cells (89% reduction) and Ly2 cells (99% reduction), whereas FLT cells were not reduced and NBS cells were reduced by 60%. Six-week-old juvenile mice exposed to BaP in utero showed recovery of total T-cells to control levels in spleen and thymus, but showed depletion (P < 0.01) in thymic FLT cells (from 81% to 12%) and in splenic NBS cells (from 55% to 16%). The monoclonal antibodies developed for this study recognize novel cellular changes in the murine immune system that are associated with transplacental BaP. The FLT and NBS antigens may be useful biomarkers for developmental immune dysfunctions in progeny exposed to BaP in utero.

Animals↗

Molecular genetics of C4B deficiency in IgA nephropathy.

The fourth component of complement (C4) occurs in two functionally distinct isotypes, C4A and C4B. The two closely linked genes are located on chromosome 6p, between HLA-B and -DR. Several reports have established complete C4B deficiency as the major genetic risk factor for IgA nephropathy (RR = 6.5; p = 0.0004). It is not clear whether this association derives from immune dysfunction related to the absent isotype or from another disease susceptibility gene closely linked to C4B. To help distinguish between these mechanisms, we examined the molecular basis of complete C4B deficiency in five patients with IgA nephropathy and eight healthy individuals. C4 and Bf protein typing were performed by immunofixation electrophoresis of plasma. Genomic DNA was digested with several restriction enzymes, chosen to produce informative restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). After electrophoresis and Southern blotting, digests were hybridized to a series of cDNA probes specific to the 5' and 3' ends of the C4 genes, the C4d region, and the adjacent 21-hydroxylase genes. Availability of DNA from family members allowed assignment of RFLPs to specific haplotypes. The 10 C4B-deficient IgA nephropathy-associated haplotypes displayed seven different protein phenotype/RFLP patterns. Three haplotypes consisted of the common C4B/21-hydroxylase deletion on the Bf*S, C4A*3, C4B*Q0 complotype. Two haplotypes were characterized by the C4A*3,2 duplication, with two C4 genes present but a C4A protein being produced by the gene at the usual C4B locus. All of the remaining haplotypes had unique Bf, C4, and 21-hydroxylase patterns. C4B-deficient IgA nephropathy patients display a variety of molecular genetic bases for their protein deficiency. This observation speaks against linkage of C4B deficiency with a locus encoding disease susceptibility and supports a primary role for the complement abnormality in this disease.

Child↗

Combined injury syndrome in space-related radiation environments.

The risk of combined injury (CI) to space travelers is a function of exposure to anomalously large surges of a broad spectrum of particulate and photon radiations, conventional trauma (T), and effects of weightlessness including decreased intravascular fluid volume, and myocardial deconditioning. CI may occur even at relatively low doses of radiation which can synergistically enhance morbidity and mortality from T. Without effective countermeasures, prolonged residence in space is expected to predispose most individuals to bone fractures as a result of calcium loss in the microgravity environment. Immune dysfunction may occur from residence in space independent of radiation exposure. Thus, wound healing would be compromised if infection were to occur. Survival of the space traveler with CI would be significantly compromised if there were delays in wound closure or in the application of simple supportive medical or surgical therapies. Particulate radiation has the potential for causing greater gastrointestinal injury than photon radiation, but bone healing should not be compromised at the expected doses of either type of radiation in space.

Bone Demineralization, Pathologic↗

Subchronic 90 day toxicity of dichloroacetic and trichloroacetic acid in rats.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either dichloroacetic acid (DCA) or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in the drinking water at levels of 0, 50, 500 and 5000 ppm for a period of 90 days to determine the toxicities associated with subchronic exposure. All animals were sacrificed and examined for gross and histopathologic lesions, serochemical changes, immune dysfunction, hepatic peroxisomal and mixed function oxidase enzyme induction and organ-body weight changes. Animals treated with DCA had decreased body weight gains (500 and 5000 ppm) and decreased total serum protein (all doses). Rats given either TCA (5000 ppm) or DCA (500 or 5000 ppm) had increased liver and kidney organ to body weight ratios. Rats offered DCA had significantly elevated alkaline phosphatase (500 and 5000 ppm) and alanine-amino transferase (5000 ppm). No consistent immunotoxicity was observed in animals exposed to either compound. Rats treated with 5000 ppm TCA or DCA had significantly increased hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation activity. These data, along with histopathologic changes, suggest that TCA and DCA produce substantial systemic organ toxicity to the liver and kidney during a 90-day subchronic exposure, although only at doses greater than those expected to occur in the environment.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Metabolic defects in severe combined immunodeficiency in man and animals.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was originally thought to be one disease. Accumulating evidence indicates that SCID is a heterogeneous group of diseases that are clinically similar but are caused by quite different biochemical abnormalities. The best-studied form of SCID is that associated with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. Several biochemical mechanisms have been postulated to explain how a deficiency of ADA causes immune dysfunction. In forms of SCID not associated with ADA deficiency, other biochemical abnormalities have been detected. These abnormalities include deficiency in biotin-dependent carboxylases, alteration in lymphocyte surface membranes and irregularities in cytokine production. Two animal models for SCID now exist. Neither of these models is associated with ADA deficiency. Evidence for a possible defect in purine metabolism in one model has been demonstrated.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Cytoskeletal actin: the influence of major burns on neutrophil structure and function.

It has been noted that major trauma and burns patients who survive beyond 48 h most frequently succumb to sepsis and multiple organ failure. Furthermore, such patients are usually markedly hypermetabolic and in negative nitrogen balance at the time of their demise. Along with many other systemic and immune dysfunctions, the polymorphonuclear white blood cells in this setting become functionally impaired. Given that the motile white blood cells contain significant proportions of the contractile protein, actin, we speculated that the leucocyte dysfunction might in part be related to the overall systemic catabolism of actin stores. Accordingly, this hypothesis was explored by comparing the functions and cytoskeletal structure of neutrophilic leucocytes from normal control adults and victims of fresh, major thermal injuries. On days 1 and 7 after a burn of > 25 per cent of total body surface area, peripheral blood was drawn from 10 patients (mean age 33 years, mean burn area 44.2 per cent), and seven unburned controls (mean age 35.2 years). Neutrophils isolated from these specimens were tested for stimulated chemotactic rate, efficacy of intracellular killing as determined by superoxide production rate, and the levels of soluble and insoluble intracellular actin. In addition, both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualize the actin cytoskeleton. The results indicated that both chemotactic rate (12 mu/min vs. 38 mu/min--P < 0.05) and superoxide production rate (9 vs 43 mumol/ml10E6 cells--P < 0.05), were significantly reduced in the burn patients by day 7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

Epstein-Barr virus as a cause of autoimmune disease and other medical morbidity in patients with affective disorders.

We hypothesize that psychiatric patients suffering from the major affective disorders (depression and manic-depressive illness) may commonly also suffer from a chronic active infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. This infection would be a consequence of the immune dysfunction known to be associated with these disorders of mood. According to this hypothesis, the increased medical morbidity and mortality reported in these psychiatric patients would be attributable in part to diseases in which Epstein-Barr virus is implicated or suspected as a cause.

Autoimmune Diseases↗