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Results for “Immune function”

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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Suppressive effects of morphine pellet implants on in vivo parameters of immune function.

Chronic morphine treatment elicits a variety of immunosuppressive effects in mice. Most of the work describing this immuno-suppressive activity of the opioid is based on in vitro assessments of the performance of certain components of the immune system in morphine-treated animals. Relatively little has been done by way of tracking the effects of chronic morphine treatment on immunologic parameters in the intact animal. Therefore, this study used several classic in vivo determinations of immune function in mice treated chronically with morphine. Morphine pellet (75 mg) implantation led to a significant inhibition (91%) of paw swelling in a picryl chloride-induced delayed type hypersensitivity response. Uptake of iododeoxyuridine in an in vivo lymphocyte proliferation assay and splenomegaly in a graft vs. host reaction were also significantly suppressed by morphine pellet implantation (34 and 52%, respectively). Coimplantation of a naltrexone pellet (10 mg) completely reversed the suppressive responses to morphine in each assay. Naltrexone alone had no significant effect in any of the assays. The suppressive effects of morphine were less pronounced in adrenalectomized mice in the graft vs. host assay (51% vs. 9% reduction in morphine-pelleted shams relative to morphine-pelleted adrenalectomized mice). These findings indicate the pathophysiologic significance of the previously reported suppression of in vitro correlates of immune function in morphine-pelleted mice. The results further demonstrate that the immunosuppressive effects observed after morphine pellet implantation are naltrexone reversible and suggest that activation of the adrenal is one potential mechanism for this effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Adrenal steroid receptor activation in vivo and immune function.

Recent studies have indicated significant differences among immune and other tissues in in vivo adrenal steroid receptor activation after a given hormone exposure. Nevertheless, the relationship between in vivo receptor activation and functional measures of the immune response has not been determined. Type I and type II adrenal steroid receptor binding in conjunction with mitogen-induced T-cell proliferative responses were measured in the spleens of Sprague-Dawley rats that were administered various concentrations of dexamethasone (DEX). A linear relationship between type II receptor binding and splenocyte proliferation was found, with decreases in measurable type II receptors (indicating in vivo receptor activation) being highly correlated with decreases in immune function. There was no evidence of spare type II receptors. In vitro studies using the type II receptor antagonist RU 486 confirmed that the inhibitory effect of DEX on splenocyte proliferation was mediated via the type II receptor. These findings provide a foundation for future studies evaluating glucocorticoid effects on immune system function and suggest that evidence of in vivo receptor activation may be critical for predicting when and in which tissues adrenal steroid hormones may be capable of modulating the immune response.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Prostaglandins in experimental syphilis: treponemes stimulate adherent spleen cells to secrete prostaglandin E2, and indomethacin upregulates immune functions.

Incubation of microorganisms with macrophages enhances the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Previous research had indicated that macrophages from syphilitic rabbits suppressed spleen cell synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2); this suppressive activity was reversed by indomethacin. Experiments were designed to further characterize the involvement of prostaglandins in immune processing. When Treponema pallidum was incubated with unfractionated spleen preparations, PGE2 production was accelerated, and within 24 h, pharmacologic concentrations of the prostaglandin were detected. When cytochalasin B was used to block phagocytosis, decreased levels of PGE2 were apparent. Commercial preparations of PGE2, in the range generated by macrophage-treponeme interaction, inhibited concanavalin A-induced IL-2 secretion by splenic cells. T. pallidum stimulated IL-1 production by adherent cells, and indomethacin markedly enhanced this effect. In vivo, indomethacin upregulated immune function. Two groups of rabbits were infected, and one was given daily injections of indomethacin for 18 days. Both groups were treated with penicillin to terminate infections. One week later, rabbits were challenged with viable organisms to determine their immune status. The indomethacin-treated group was more resistant to reinfection. In further research, indomethacin enhanced the immunogenicity of vaccine preparations containing heat-killed T. pallidum. Results are discussed in terms of the role of PGE2 as it impinges on immune functions involving macrophage activation (IL-1 production) and T lymphocyte activation (IL-2 production).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of plasma from normal individuals and lymphoma patients on immune function].

The effect of plasma from 21 normal donors, 19 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 11 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on interleukin 2 (IL-2) responsiveness, T cell proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity was studied. IL-2 responsiveness was enhanced by plasma from both normal and patients. The positive rate was 90.4% in normal, 89.5% in lymphoma and 90.9% in SLE, respectively. The same enhancing results were obtained in T cell proliferative assay. In contrast, effect of three kinds of plasma on NK cell activity showed inhibition. The inhibitory positive rate was 52.4% in normal, 36.8% in lymphoma and 81.8% in SLE, respectively. These results indicated that both enhancing and inhibitory effects on different immune functions showed certain specificity. The effect of plasmic substances on various immune responses is beneficial to the investigation of normal and abnormal immunoregulation. Furthermore, it is possible to isolate and purify these immunoregulatory substances as biological regulatory modifiers to modulate the abnormal immune functions.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1975

[Acute leukemia in the terminal phase of Hodgkin's disease: a consequence of the depressed immune function?].

A 52 year old patient suffering from Hodgkin's disease received ionizing radiation and chemotherapy. 7 years after the diagnosis was made he died of acute leukemia. In the recent past similar cases were reported in the literature. There it was suggested that the leukemogenic effect of treatment may be an etiological factor for the development of leukemia. The clinical and experimental data show that the immune function of thymus-dependent lymphocytes is depressed in patients with Hodgkin's disease. According to the Burnet's immune surveillance theory the T-lymphocytes eliminate malignant cells in an early stage. If this T-dependent immune function is depressed - as in Hodgkin's disease - further malignancies may develop.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1983

Adenosine deaminase deficiency with normal immune function. An acidic enzyme mutation.

In most instances, marked deficiency of the purine catabolic enzyme adenosine deaminase results in lymphopenia and severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Over a 2-yr period, we studied a white male child with markedly deficient erythrocyte and lymphocyte adenosine deaminase activity and normal immune function. We have documented that (a) adenosine deaminase activity and immunoreactive protein are undetectable in erythrocytes, 0.9% of normal in lymphocytes, 4% in cultured lymphoblasts, and 14% in skin fibroblasts; (b) plasma adenosine and deoxyadenosine levels are undetectable and deoxy ATP levels are only slightly elevated in lymphocytes and in erythrocytes; (c) no defect in deoxyadenosine metabolism is present in the proband's cultured lymphoblasts; (d) lymphoblast adenosine deaminase has normal enzyme kinetics, absolute specific activity, S20,w, pH optimum, and heat stability; and (e) the proband's adenosine deaminase exhibits a normal apparent subunit molecular weight but an abnormal isoelectric pH. In contrast to the three other adenosine deaminase-deficient healthy subjects who have been described, the proband is unique in demonstrating an acidic, heat-stable protein mutation of the enzyme that is associated with less than 1% lymphocyte adenosine deaminase activity. Residual adenosine deaminase activity in tissues other than lymphocytes may suffice to metabolize the otherwise lymphotoxic enzyme substrate(s) and account for the preservation of normal immune function.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immune function in adult highland Papua New Guinea patients with pneumonia.

Immune function and nutritional indices were studied in adult highland Papua New Guinea (PNG) patients with pneumonia, PNG highland controls and expatriate controls living in the Papua New Guinea highlands. Compared to PNG controls, pneumonia patients had higher serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G concentrations, higher salivary IgA:albumin ratios, lower total body weights and a haematological pattern suggesting iron deficiency. PNG controls and pneumonia patients had fewer circulating CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes than expatriate controls. The proportion of lymphocytes carrying neither T nor B cell markers was higher in PNG subjects than in expatriate controls. These observations indicate that PNG adult pneumonia patients are a distinguishable subpopulation of PNG adults who may be more susceptible than the general population to pneumonia. Decreased circulating T lymphocyte numbers may be, or reflect, a separate risk factor for the entire population.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Influence of nutritional status on immune functions in patients with Crohn's disease.

Nutritional status and immune function were correlated with clinical features in 56 patients with Crohn's disease. These were divided arbitrarily into either undernourished or well nourished groups according to whether their midarm circumference was below or above 90% of ideal standard. Results were also compared with 33 patients with ulcerative colitis and 28 normal subjects. Undernourished patients with Crohn's disease had significantly reduced total lymphocyte and T lymphocyte counts and a reduced proportion of monocytes that ingested latex particles. Well nourished patients with Crohn's disease were similar to the two control groups. Twenty one undernourished patients with Crohn's disease were also followed during the course of two to four months' nutritional treatment with an enteral supplement. Nutritional therapy was associated with significant anthropometric gains as well as significant rises in total lymphocyte and T lymphocyte counts. Serum orosomucoids were significantly higher in undernourished patients and decreased significantly during nutritional therapy. The results show that undernutrition and disease acuity may be associated with reduced immunological competence in patients with Crohn's disease, but all these measurements can be improved by short term nutritional treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of soman on neuroendocrine and immune function.

We have previously reported that plasma growth hormone (GH) and prolactin levels were markedly decreased in rats two weeks following a single dose (100 micrograms/kg, SC) of soman. We have now conducted additional experiments to attempt to determine whether neuroendocrine responses to physiological or pharmacological challenge are altered in rat survivors of soman exposure, and whether immune function, which can be affected by circulating hormones, is altered in the soman-exposed rats. In the present study, basal prolactin levels were not significantly lower in the soman-treated rats although prolactin increases in response to physiological or pharmacological challenge were attenuated. Also, basal growth hormone levels in soman survivors were similar to control levels in 2 of 3 experiments in the present report. In the third experiment, growth hormone levels were lower in soman-treated animals. Endocrine abnormalities appeared to be related to the severity of soman insult as assessed by changes in body weight following exposure. Both ACTH and prolactin responses to stress were impaired in a severely affected subpopulation of soman survivors. The thymus, an important immune organ, was decreased in weight in severely affected soman survivors, but other tests of immune function did not show differences between control and soman-exposed rats.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Analysis of Epstein-Barr virus-specific and non-specific immune functions in a patient during the development of a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A 57-year-old woman who presented with a reactive non-malignant lymphadenopathy was observed subsequently during the development of a nodular centroblastic non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibody profile and EBV-specific and non-specific cell-mediated immune functions were determined at first presentation, and at various times during progression, in order to determine whether EBV was causally involved in the lymphoma and to assess in general the patient's cell-mediated immune function. At presentation, an immunodeficient status was suggested by an EBV-specific antibody profile indicative of an activated persistent infection; high antibody titers to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigens (EA), but a low level of antibodies to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) confirmed by lack of leukocyte migration inhibition in response to EBNA (LMI-EBNA). The number of positive cells reactive with OKIa1 monoclonal antibody was significantly depressed, as was also the natural and interferon-activated killing (NK-IAK). After emergence of the lymphoma, NK-IAK reactivity and spontaneous lymphocyte DNA synthesis augmented in parallel with an increase in the frequency of Leu-7+ blood lymphocytes. The EBV-specific cell-mediated response, reflected by the outgrowth inhibition (OI) test was abolished in parallel with a decrease in the frequency of OKT3- and OKT4-positive lymphocytes.

Cell Migration Inhibition↗
PubMed1976

Lymphocyte transformation in human plasma without addition of synthetic medium. A study of immune function in patients with chronic uraemia or diabetes mellitus.

The in vitro response of lymphocytes obtained from normal subjects, uraemic patients on haemodialysis and diabetic patients was studied using cultures containing either medium plus plasma (medium cultures) or plasma alone (plasma cultures). The study demonstrated that plasma alone can adequately support lymphocyte transformation induced by nonspecific mitogens (PHA and PWM) and allogeneic lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reaction. This investigation further confirms our previously reported findings that uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis have a normal lymphocyte response in MLC and to PHA and PWM. Plasma cultures give results similar to conventional medium cultures in subjects where lymphocyte transformation is normal. The lymphocyte hyporactivity observed in diabetics is, however, better shown in the plasma cultures. The suppressed response of the diabetic patient's lymphocytes to PHA and PWM both in the presence of autologous and normal AB plasma suggests intrinsic lymphocyte dysfunction as the explanation for impaired immune function. Plasma cultures may provide a better in vitro system for the evaluation of immune function in certain groups of patients where it is desirable to distinguish between intrinsic abnormalities of lymphocyte function and the effect of humoral immunosuppressive factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Immune function in ankylosing spondylitis: apparent relationship between streptococcal responses and HLA B27.

Immune function has been evaluated in 54 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 26 controls. Cell-mediated immunity was assessed by skin testing with ubiquitous antigens, and humoral immunity by antibody responses to tetanus toxoid and Salmonella typhi vaccinations, and resting titres of anti-Streptolysin O, anti-E Coli, and isohemagglutinins. The AS patients had reduced delayed hypersensitivity responses to Candida, augmented responses to Streptococcal antigen and relatively low ASO titres. There was no generalized depression of humoral immunity, as indicated by the normal tetanus and Salmonella O responses and hyper-response to Salmonella H antigen. The E. Coli and isohemagglutinin titres were normal. These results indicate that patients with AS present a complex immunological profile, including exaggerated responses to some antigens and impaired responses to others. In view of the very high incidence of HLA-B27 in AS, it is possible that these findings are related to the effects of HLA associated immune response genes.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Sex-dependent association between immune function and paw preference in two substrains of C3H mice.

Asymmetry in brain modulation of the immune system has been previously described in mice. Paw preference is known to be associated with immune reactivity but the respective roles of sex and genetic background in this association remain to be elucidated. In this work, male and female mice of the C3H/He and C3H/OuJIco substrains were selected as right- and left-handers. Mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation and natural killer cell activity were then tested. Left-handed female mice of both C3H substrains exhibited higher mitogenesis than right-handers but no association between paw preference and NK cell activity was found in females. Conversely, in males of both substrains, right-handers showed enhanced NK cell activity compared to left-handers but no association between paw preference and mitogenesis was observed in males. Only small differences in the strength, but not in the direction, of the association between paw preference and immune functions were observed between the two C3H substrains. These results show that the association between paw preference and immune reactivity in mice varies according to the immune parameters tested and is a sex-dependent phenomenon in which the genetic background may be involved.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Life events, depressive symptoms, and immune function.

Because both bereavement and depression have been associated with impaired immune responses, the authors studied two indicators of immune function, natural killer (NK) cell activity and measures of T cell subpopulations, in 37 women who differed in the magnitude of recent life events. Women who had experienced major life changes had lower NK cell activity than women who had few changes. Severity of depressive symptoms in these women was associated with an impairment of NK cell activity, an absolute loss of suppressor/cytotoxic cells, and an increase in the ratio of T helper to T suppressor/cytotoxic cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Time-course of the recovery of cellular immune function after high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation for high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Chemotherapy induces high remission rates in high-grade lymphoma. However relapse remains a major problem. One approach to this is myeloablative chemotherapy with transplantation of autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). Immunological mechanisms have been suggested to play a role in the prevention of relapse after transplantation. We investigated the recovery of cellular immune functions after high-dose chemotherapy and PBPC transplantation in 5 patients with high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. All patients showed rapid reconstitution of natural killer (NK) and inducible lymphokine-activated killer (LAK)-activity 10-14 days after transplantation. Four of 5 patients showed higher levels of LAK-generation in the post-transplant period compared with levels prior to myeloablative treatment. Absolute lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood reached 1.0 x 10(9)/l between days 10 and 13 with a predominance of CD8+ cells and an inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio. Four of 5 patients had a transient increase in CD56+ and CD16+ cell counts post-transplant. No change in the proportion of CD25+ cells was noted. These results show that PBPC transplantation leads to a rapid recovery of cellular immune functions after myeloablative chemotherapy and provides evidence for an increased presence of LAK precursor cells early in the post-transplant period which can be activated by IL-2 to exert high levels of cytotoxicity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Disorders of immune function in children with selective IgA deficiency].

Numerous additional alterations of immune function in patients with selective IgA deficiency (serum IgA less than 0.05 g/l) have been described. In this group of patients we have investigated the connection with allergic diseases and alterations of the other immunoglobulin isotypes. Sera of 44 children from 1 3/12 to 18 years were analysed. In all patients serum IgA was below the nephelometric detection limit of 0.05 g/l). Using a more sensitive ELISA, IgA could be detected in all sera in concentrations ranging from 10 micrograms/l to 0.04 g/l. 25 children (57%) revealed a profound elevation of IgG serum levels, in 27 (61%) IgM was elevated above the upper age related normal value. In 7 patients (16%) with normal IgG serum levels a combined IgG2-IgG4 deficiency was found. In most cases these patients had unusually frequent and severe infections. Total IgE serum levels were determined by a RIA technique. In addition, an IgE-mediated sensitization to the most common food and inhalation antigens was detected by a standardized procedure (Phadiatop, Pharmacia). In 9/44 children (20%) IgE was less than 2 U/ml (lowest detection limit), 27 patients (62%) revealed levels of 6-86 U/ml within the age-related normal range. In 8 patients (18%) total IgE was above 381 U/ml. Four patients demonstrated a sensitization to inhalants, specific IgE antibodies to nutritive antigens were detected in three children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Immune function of cancer patients with spleen-deficiency syndrome].

According to this study, the immunological function was aberrant in cancer patients with Spleen-deficiency syndrome. The TII cell in normal persons (n = 26) was 30, 86 +/- 9.70% (means +/- S) and in these cases (n = 43) was 22.62 +/- 9.92%, P less than 0.002. The cytotoxicity of NK cell in patients (n = 59) was 17.65 +/- 10.58%, in normal controls (n = 43) was 25.51 +/- 14.10%. The combining ability of NK cell in patients (n = 48) was 39.11 +/- 19.43%, the normal persons (n = 41) was 55.88 +/- 17.94%. It showed that the immune function of the cancer patients with Spleen-deficiency syndrome were markedly lower than that of normal persons. The serum IgA in saliva of patients (n = 37) was 0.44 +/- 0.17 microgram/ml. It was much higher than that of normals' (n = 24, 0.30 +/- 0.06 microgram/ml), P less than 0.001. Some patients' NK cell function and the level of level of SIgA in saliva were recovered to normal after treatment of Shengxue Tang which could strengthen the Spleen and replenish the Kidney. These studies proved that the TCM played an important role for modulating immune function in treating cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Studies of immune function and host resistance in B6C3F1 mice exposed to formaldehyde.

A series of immune function and host resistance parameters were examined in female B6C3F1 mice following a 21-day (6 hr/day) inhalation exposure to 15 ppm of formaldehyde (HCHO). Immune parameters examined included delayed hypersensitivity to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, antibody plaque-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes (T-lymphocyte-dependent antigen) and TNP-Ficoll (T-lymphocyte-independent antigen), lymphoid organ weights and histopathology, routine hematology, bone marrow cellularity and CFU progenitor cell enumeration, lymphocyte subpopulation quantitation by cell surface markers, mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, macrophage function parameters, and host resistance to challenge with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and transplantable tumor cells. Lymphoid organ weight, bone marrow cellularity, and hematology parameters were unchanged in HCHO exposed mice. Similarly, the percentage of T and B lymphocytes and their proliferative responses to mitogens were not significantly altered. Antibody (IgM) plaque-forming cell response following antigen challenge was unchanged. Macrophage function was normal although some evidence of enhanced H2O2 production associated with elevated bactericidal activity was observed in resident macrophages. Resistance to challenge with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes was significantly enhanced, while resistance to tumor challenge remained unchanged. No evidence of immunosuppression following short-term exposure to HCHO was observed.

Animals↗