T cell regulation of B cell activation. I-A-restricted T suppressor cells inhibit the major histocompatibility complex-restricted interactions of T helper cells with B cells and accessory cells

The present studies were carried out to characterize the cellular interactions involved in the activation and function of the antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific T suppressor (Ts) cells that regulate the IgG responses of Lyb-5-B cells. The in vitro activation of both Lyt-1+2- antigen-nonspecific Ts cells and Lyt-1-2+ antigen-specific Ts cells was shown to require the interaction of accessory cells and antigen-primed T cells. It was further demonstrated that this interaction was major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted in that T cell recognition of I-A-encoded determinants on accessory cells was required for Ts cell activation. The activation of antigen-primed (A X B)F1 T cells with antigen in the presence of parentA or parentB accessory cells resulted, respectively, in the generation of parentA-restricted or parentB-restricted Ts cells. ParentA-restricted F1 Ts cells suppressed the responses generated by (A X B)F1 T helper (Th) cells cooperating with parentA (B + accessory) cells but did not suppress responses by the same (A X B)F1 Th cell population cooperating with parentB (B + accessory) cells. Neither parentA-restricted Ts cells alone nor parentB-restricted Ts cells alone suppressed the responses of (A X B)F1 (B + accessory) cells, whereas a mixture of these two Ts cell populations was able to significantly suppress the responses of F1 (B + accessory) cells. In contrast, responses of (A X B)F1 leads to parentA Th cells (restricted to recognizing parentA but not parentB MHC determinants on F1 cells) and (A X B)F1 (B + accessory) cells was suppressed by parentA-restricted Ts cells but not by parentB-restricted Ts cells. Collectively these findings suggest that the Ts cell populations characterized here do not function by directly inhibiting the activity of Th cells, B cells or accessory cells of a given MHC genotype, but rather that they appear to function through a unique mechanism involving highly specific inhibition of the interaction between MHC-restricted Th cells and the (B + accessory) cells required for these responses.

T cell regulation of B cell activation: antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific suppressor pathways are mediated by distinct T cell subpopulations

The present studies were carried out to characterize the cellular events involved in the induction and function of carrier-specific Ts cells, which selectively regulate the generation of IgG responses by Lyb-5- B cells. It was demonstrated that this regulation is in fact mediated by two distinct suppressor pathways. In one pathway, carrier-primed Lyt-1 + 2 - Ts cells are specifically activated by in vitro reexposure to the priming antigen. After this specific activation, these Lyt-1 + 2 - Ts cells are able to suppress IgG responses in an antigen-nonspecific manner. This suppression requires the participation of unprimed Lyt-1 - 2 + T cells, and is effective in both the early and the late phases of antibody responses. A second suppressor pathway requires the antigen-specific activation of primed Lyt-1 - 2 + Ts cells. Suppression of antibody responses by activated Lyt-1 - 2 + Ts cells is highly carrier specific, in contrast to the nonspecific effector function of Lyt-1 + 2 - Ts cells, appears to act without requirement for additional T cell populations; and is effective only early in the course of the antibody response. Thus, it appears that two Ts cell populations may function through distinct mechanisms to regulate the generation of IgG Lyb-5- B cell responses.

T cell regulation of B cell activation: antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific suppressor pathways are mediated by distinct T cell subpopulations

The present studies were carried out to characterize the cellular events involved in the induction and function of carrier-specific Ts cells, which selectively regulate the generation of IgG responses by Lyb-5- B cells. It was demonstrated that this regulation is in fact mediated by two distinct suppressor pathways. In one pathway, carrier-primed Lyt-1 + 2 - Ts cells are specifically activated by in vitro reexposure to the priming antigen. After this specific activation, these Lyt-1 + 2 - Ts cells are able to suppress IgG responses in an antigen-nonspecific manner. This suppression requires the participation of unprimed Lyt-1 - 2 + T cells, and is effective in both the early and the late phases of antibody responses. A second suppressor pathway requires the antigen-specific activation of primed Lyt-1 - 2 + Ts cells. Suppression of antibody responses by activated Lyt-1 - 2 + Ts cells is highly carrier specific, in contrast to the nonspecific effector function of Lyt-1 + 2 - Ts cells, appears to act without requirement for additional T cell populations; and is effective only early in the course of the antibody response. Thus, it appears that two Ts cell populations may function through distinct mechanisms to regulate the generation of IgG Lyb-5- B cell responses.

Role of the major histocompatibility complex in T cell activation of B cell subpopulations. Ir gene regulation of the T cell-dependent activation of distinct B cell subpopulations

Antibody responses to (T,G)-A--L and (H,G)-A--L or to the TNP conjugates of these polypeptides, are regulated in the mouse by Ir genes encoded in the I-A subregion of the mouse MHC. To study the mechanism by which Ir genes function, it is essential to identify the cell interactions that are regulated by these genes. In the present report, it was specifically determined whether Ir gene function is expressed differently in the activation of B cell subpopulations that participate in two different pathways of B cell activation for in vitro antibody responses to TNP-(T,G)-A--L and TNP- (H,G)-A--L. The results of these studies demonstrate that under conditions that activate the Lyb-5- b cell subpopulation via MHC-restricted TH cell-B cell and TH cell-APC interactions, Ir gene function regulates TH cell interactions with these B cells as well as with APC. In addition, under conditions that activate the Lyb-5+ B cell subpopulation via MHC-restricted TH cell-APC but not TH cell-B cell interaction, Ir gene function regulates only TH cell interactions with APC but not with B cells.

Role of the major histocompatibility complex in T cell activation of B cell subpopulations. Ir gene regulation of the T cell-dependent activation of distinct B cell subpopulations

Antibody responses to (T,G)-A--L and (H,G)-A--L or to the TNP conjugates of these polypeptides, are regulated in the mouse by Ir genes encoded in the I-A subregion of the mouse MHC. To study the mechanism by which Ir genes function, it is essential to identify the cell interactions that are regulated by these genes. In the present report, it was specifically determined whether Ir gene function is expressed differently in the activation of B cell subpopulations that participate in two different pathways of B cell activation for in vitro antibody responses to TNP-(T,G)-A--L and TNP- (H,G)-A--L. The results of these studies demonstrate that under conditions that activate the Lyb-5- b cell subpopulation via MHC-restricted TH cell-B cell and TH cell-APC interactions, Ir gene function regulates TH cell interactions with these B cells as well as with APC. In addition, under conditions that activate the Lyb-5+ B cell subpopulation via MHC-restricted TH cell-APC but not TH cell-B cell interaction, Ir gene function regulates only TH cell interactions with APC but not with B cells.

Fronto-ethmoidal mucocele--observation of its mode of enlargement

From a study of the roentgenographic findings of fronto-ethmoidal mucoceles and anatomical specimens of the paranasal sinuses the authors surmised that many of the fronto-ethmoidal mucocele probably originate either in one of the deeply seated supra-orbital frontal or ethmoidal recesses, or in an ethmoid cell whose ostium has been obstructed by postoperative, post-traumatic or post-inflammatory osteoneogenesis or cicatrization. When isolated, the cell with secreting mucosa would increase its cavity slowly but steadily, and eventually blocks the naso-frontal duct from without. The characteristic localization of the mucoceles, frequent erosion of the superomedial wall of the orbit with inferolateral displacement of the globe, our roentgenographic findings of a mucocele within the frontal sinus, pseudostratified columnar epithelium that lines the mucocele, occasional multilocularity, and the long interval, over ten years, that is required for the mucocele to show any symptoms in most instances would support this hypothesis.

Potentiation of neutralization of Varicella-Zoster virus to antibody to immunoglobulin

Antibody to varicella-zoster virus was measured in Vero cell cultures by a conventional and an enhanced plaque neutralization test. In the latter, heterologous antibody to human immunoglobulin was added to the virus-serum mixture to potentiate the neutralization reaction. The antibody to human immunoglobulin enhanced the sensitivity of the neutralization test seven- to 107-fold as compared with the conventional procedure. The test was highly reproducible in that individual serum titers fluctuated in a twofold range on repeated testing. A prozone phenomenon was observed in the enhanced neutralization test in low-titered sera, but not with high-titered sera or with specimens of cerebrospinal fluid. The specificity of the test was confirmed by the detection of seroconversion in recipients of live varicella virus vaccine.

Role of the major histocompatibility complex in T cell activation of B cell subpopulations. A single monoclonal T helper cell population activates different B cell subpopulations by distinct pathways

It has recently been demonstrated that the Lyb-5+ and Lyb-5- B cell subpopulations differ in their requirements for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted activation by T helper (TH) cells. To determine whether these MHC-restricted and -unrestricted pathways of B cell activation result from differences in the participating TH cell populations or reflect differences exclusively in the responding B cell subpopulations, experiments were carried out using cloned TH cells for in vitro antibody responses to trinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The same cloned T helper cells were able to activate both CBA/N (Lyb-5-) B cells and CBA/CaHN (Lyb-5+ + Lyb-5-) B cells under different experimental conditions. The activation of Lyb-5-B cells by cloned T helper cells required both MHC-restricted TH cell-B cell interaction and carrier-hapten linkage. In contrast, the activation of Lyb-5+ B cells required only MHC-restricted T helper cell interaction with accessory cells, while T-B interaction was MHC unrestricted and did not require carrier-hapten linkage. Thus, the differences in activation requirements observed for the Lyb-5- and Lyb-5+ B cell subsets do not result from differences in the TH cell populations activating these B cells, but rather reflect differences in the ability of these B cells to respond to signals from the same TH cells.

T cell regulation of B cell activation. T cells independently regulate the responses mediated by distinct B cell subpopulations

The present studies have been carried out to characterize the regulatory influences acting upon defined pathways of T cell-dependent B cell activation. In these studies, it was demonstrated that high concentrations of free carrier strongly inhibited the MHC-restricted in vitro T cell-dependent antibody responses of primed Lyb-5- B cells to the corresponding carrier-hapten conjugate. In contrast, these same concentrations of free carrier failed to inhibit the T cell dependent responses of Lyb-5+ B cells to the same antigen. The inhibition of Lyb-5- B cell responses by free carrier was shown to result from active suppression mediated by carrier-specific primed Lyt-1+2- T cells and to require the additional participation of unprimed Lyt-1-2+ T cells. The activation of this suppression was antigen-specific, but suppression once activated was antigen nonspecific in its effect. These findings thus demonstrate that distinct pathways of B cell activation can be independently regulated by T suppressor network influences, and that these pathways therefore constitute potentially independent components of the immune response to a given antigenic stimulus.

Protective effect of immediate inoculation of a live varicella vaccine in household contacts in relation to the viral dose and interval between exposure and vaccination

The protective effect on 45 household contacts of immediate inoculation of a live varicella vaccine was examined in relation to the viral dose and days after exposure to varicella. The viral doses used were 300 PFU to 15,000 PFU, and the intervals between exposure and vaccination were 0 to 5 days. All 30 contacts given viral doses of 800 to 15,000 PFU within 3 days after exposure were protected from clinical varicella. With lower viral doses of 300 to 600 PFU within 3 days after exposure, 6 to 10 contacts developed rashes 13 to 25 days after vaccination, but all showed mild symptoms. When vaccine was given 5 days after exposure, even with a dose of 1,500 to 4,000 PFU, typical varicella symptoms appeared 6 to 9 days after vaccination. These results suggest that vaccination of household contacts with viral doses of over 500-800 PFU within 3 days after exposure is effective in preventing manifestation of clinical varicella and that clinical symptoms may be modified to a mild form by vaccination with even a lower viral dose when given within 3 days after exposure.

Efficacy of charcoal hemoperfusion in paraquat poisoning

We studied the efficiency of in vitro and in vivo charcoal hemoperfusion for the removal of paraquat. At a flow rate of 200 ml/min, 93-99% of paraquat in 4 L of solution (5, 10, 100 ppm) was removed in less than 160 min. The disappearance half-time was 16 min 10 sec. At 100 ml/min, it was 49 min 30 sec. Of 23 paraquat poisoning cases, 15 patients underwent hemoperfusion (HP) of which 10 died of respiratory failure within 28 days (7.6 +/- 2.9) and 5 survived without pulmonary complications. Of eight patients who did not receive HP, six died of respiratory failure within 97 days (33.4 +/- 18.8), even when their general condition was good upon admission. Two who vomited the ingested paraquat immediately survived without HP, and their paraquat concentration in urine was less than one ppm on admission. In one patient, whose paraquat concentration in blood was followed serially, 99% of the paraquat was removed from circulating blood by a single hemoperfusion. We conclude that charcoal hemoperfusion is effective for the removal of paraquat from blood in vivo and from solution in vitro. Hemoperfusion may also improve survival after paraquat ingestion, but further data are needed.

Role of the major histocompatibility complex in T cell activation of B cell subpopulations. Major histocompatibility complex-restricted and -unrestricted B cell responses are mediated by distinct B cell subpopulations

The present study has evaluated the identity of the B cell subpopulations participating in T dependent antibody responses that differ in their requirements for major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cell recognition. In vitro responses of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-primed T cells and trinitrophenyl (TNP)-primed B cells were studied to both low and high concentrations of the antigen TNP-KLH. It was first demonstrated that for responses to low concentrations of TNP-KLH, (A x B)F(1) {arrow} parent(A) chimeric helper T cells were restricted in their ability to recognize parent(A) but not parent(B) H-2 determinants expressed by both B cells and antigen-presenting cells (APC). In contrast, at higher antigen concentrations, helper T cells were not restricted in their interaction with B cells. It was then determined whether these observed differences in T cell recognition resulted from the activation of distinct B cell subpopulations with different activation requirements. At low concentrations of TNP-KLH it was demonstrated that Lyb-5(-) B cells were activated, and that it was thus the activation of the Lyb-5(-) subpopulation that required T cell recognition of B cell H-2 under these conditions. In contrast, responses to high concentration of antigen required the participation of Lyb-5(+) B cells, and these Lyb-5(+) B cells were activated by a pathway that required H-2- restricted T cell interaction with APC, but not with B cells. The findings presented here have demonstrated that Lyb-5(-) and Lyb-5(+) B cells constitute B cell subpopulations that differ significantly in their activation requirements for T cell-dependent antibody responses to TNP-KLH. In so doing, these findings have established that the function of genetic restrictions in immune response regulation is critically dependent upon the activation pathways employed by functionally distinct subpopulations of B, as well as T, lymphocytes.

[Changes in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and inorganic phosphate following antiepileptic therapy (author's transl)]

Relationship of antiepileptics to serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphate (P) were studied in 172 epileptic patients treated with antiepileptics for clarifying the related factors to produce osteomalacia following antiepileptics administration. Laboratory findings of ALP, Ca, and P were compared with normal value and determined as abnormal by exceeding the normal limit (mean +2SD (ALP), mean-2SD (Ca, P)). The following results were obtained: 1) In the 172 patients, 20 cases (11.6%) showed abnormal value of ALP, 12 cases (7.0%) of Ca and 41 cases (23.8%) of P (Single abnormal groups). On the other hand, 47 cases (27.3%) were found abnormal in two or three of ALP, Ca and P (Combined abnormal group). The rest 52 cases (30.2%) of the patients showed all normal value (Normal group). 2) Abnormal value of ALP and/or Ca were observed mostly before 20 years of age. The patients with abnormal P were more distributed in age than others. 3) The earlier and/or the longer administration of antiepileptics is prone to produce the more abnormal value. 4) Acetazolamide, metharbital, primidone, carbamazepine and mephobarbital were more used in combined group than in normal group, and polypharmaceutical use of these antiepileptics was supposed to be related to the abnormality of ALP, Ca and P. There was no different use of diphenyl-hydantoin and phenobarbital in frequency and amount between combined group and normal group. 5) Mental retardation and epileptic personality changes were observed more frequently in combined abnormal group than in normal group. 6) No significant relations were observed between clinical seizure types, seizure frequencies and abnormal laboratory findings.

Induction of idiotype-bearing, nuclease-specific helper T cells by in vivo treatment with anti-idiotype

Treatment of BALB/c mice with purified pig anti-(BALB/c anti-nuclease) anti-idiotypic antibodies has been found to induce the appearance of idiotype-bearing immunoglobulins (Id') in the serum of these mice in the absence of detectable antigen binding activity. This phenomenon appeared to require T cells in the hosts because no Id' was detected in the serum of nude mice similarly treated. Furthermore, the spleens of BALB/c mice treated with anti-idiotype were found to contain helper T cells capable of providing help in an in vitro plaque-forming cell response to trinitrophenyl-nuclease equivalent to that provided by helper T cells from the spleens of nuclease-primed animals. Helper T cells from both anti-idiotype-treated and nuclease-treated animals were found to be antigen-specific and to be similarly susceptible to elimination by treatment with anti-idiotype plus complement. Therefore, treatment with both antigen and anti-idiotype appeared to prime similar populations of antigen-specific helper T cells, while having different effects on the induction of antibody. These findings are consistent with the network theory of receptor interactions in the immune response, and may provide a means for studying individual cell populations involved in such interactions.

Soluble skin test antigen of varicella-zoster virus prepared from the fluid of infected cultures

A soluble varicella virus antigen for skin testing was developed using culture fluid from varicella-zoster virus-infected human diploid cells. The culture fluid was centrifuged at a high speed (100,000 g for 2 hr) to remove viral particles, and the supernatant, after heating at 56 C for 30 min, was used as the soluble skin test antigen. No virion or nucleocapsid was found by electron microscopy, and very little 3 H-labeled DNA in the soluble antigen hybridized with viral DNA. By immunoprecipitation, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and fluorography, several viral glycoprotein bands were detected in the soluble antigen. In a comparative skin test on 10 medical students and 10 children using soluble and crude antigens prepared from culture fluid or infected cells, the skin reaction to the soluble antigen tended to be less than that to the crude antigens, but the former reaction correlated well with a history of varicella and the presence or absence of virus-neutralizing antibodies.

Ia antigens on antigen-presenting cells do not carry the same Ia specificities as detected on suppressor and helper T cells

The passage of spleen cells through a tightly packed nylon wool column partially separated two populations of cells required for the antigen-induced secondary proliferative response of T cells. The proliferating T cells were in the nylon wool column-passed cell population, but the addition of a small number of nylon-wool-adherent cells was required for their maximal proliferative response. Such adherent cells were non-T, non-B, Ia antigen-positive cells serving as antigen-presenting cells. Ia determinants on this cell type are encoded in two separate I subregions, I-A and I-E/C, and they are expressed simultaneously on the same cells. Antisera specific for I-J subregion gene products having as a known activity the killing of antigen-specific suppressor and helper T cells were unable to kill antigen-presenting adherent cells. The results indicated that at least I-J subregion gene products expressed on suppressor and helper T cells are not present on antigen-presenting accessory cells. The Ia specificities detected on accessory cells follow the cross-reactive pattern found in Ia molecules of B cells, and thus antigen-presenting cells carry Ia antigen identical to those of B cells, and not those of T cells.

Spread of varicella in hospitalized children having no direct contact with an indicator zoster case and its prevention by a live vaccine

Varicella spread from a child with zoster to a total of 3 susceptible infants in another room in a children's ward, although they had been strictly isolated. To prevent spread of the disease, the staffs and patients were doing their own washing and no source of natural infection could be found. The cases indicate that it is difficult to predict nosocomial varicella infection or to prevent spread of the disease simply by isolation in a children's ward. A total of 11 other children without history of varicella in the ward were given live varicella vaccine before or immediately after this event. None of these children developed symptoms of varicella and all the susceptible children who were vaccinated showed an antibody response.

Studies on the polypeptides of varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus. II. Syntheses of viral polypeptides in infected cells

Synthesis of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-induced polypeptide was examined at intervals after infection by immunoprecipitation, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and fluorography. Human embryonic lung (HEL) cells were inoculated with VZV-infected cells at a ratio of about 1 infected cell to 5 uninfected cells and pulse-labelled with 35S-methionine or 14C-glucosamine. Under this experimental condition, virus-induced protein and glycoprotein began to appear 4 to 6 and 18 to 20 h after infection, respectively, and a capsid protein (MW 145,000) was prominent 18 h after injection. The synthesis of these proteins reached maxima at 46 to 48 h after infection. In all, 34 polypeptides and 10 to 13 glycoproteins with molecular weight of 145,000 to 22,000 and 115,000 to 38,000, respectively, were detected. A few polypeptides (MW 130,000, 95,000, 72,000) were detected in infected cells treated with phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) at an early stage of infection. Proteins and glycoproteins of virion of VZV were analyzed by immunoprecipitation with antisera against partially purified virion of VZV. At least 12 polypeptides with MW of 145,000 to 35,000 and 7 glycoproteins (MW 105,000, 90,000, 84,000, 72,000, 70,000, 60,000 and 56,000) were identified. A polypeptide with a molecular weight of 145,000 was considered to be the major capsid protein.

Uremic pericardial effusion: detection and evaluation of uremic pericardial effusion by echocardiography

Echocardiography (UCG) was performed prior to and during hemodialysis therapy to detect and evaluate volumetrically the grade of pericardial effusion in 150 patients with chronic renal failure. The actual incidence of uremic pericardial effusion during the observation period was 62% and was higher during the first 3 months of therapy than at later stages. Pericardial effusion was classified from grade 0 (no effusion) to grade 5 (massive effusion). We compared the grade of effusion with laboratory test results, blood pressure, cardiothoratic ratio, left atrial and ventricular dimensions, and thickness of the intraventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall. Significant differences between the patients with and without effusion were detected in the degree of systolic hypertension, dilatation of the left atrial chamber, anemia and hypoproteinemia. There was no correlation between the grade of effusion and creatinine, uric acid and calcium levels and changes of body weight. Our results confirm that insufficient dialysis as indexed by the degree of hypoproteinemia, anemia, hypertension and central overhydration, may play a role in the etiology of uremic pericardial effusion.

The age distribution of neutralizing antibodies against varicella-zoster virus in healthy individuals

A seroepidemiological survey of varicella was made in the Nagoya area by the neutralization (NT) test. Of 1,473 recorded cases of varicella, 81.4% were under 6 years old and 9.6% were under one year old; of the 168 recorded cases under one year old, about 30% were under 5 months old. Examination of 11 pairs of mother and cord sera and 13 pairs of mother and infant sera showed that transfer of NT antibody was in general good, even in babies that were small for their age or smnall at birth after 28 weeks gestation. The transferred maternal antibody decreased rapidly, becoming undetectable in babies of 4 months old. Then with increase in age the percentgage of seropositive children gradually increased, being 53.3% at 4 to 5 years old, and 100% in those of over 9 years old, with a temporary decrease in young adults in their twenties.

[A case of spontaneous hematomyelia (author's transl)]

A case of spontaneous hematomyelia was reported with a review of the literature. A 39-year-old woman, with sudden onset of pain in her left neck and arm 13 days previously, presented with a progressive flaccid tetraplegia below C5, dissociated sensory loss from C7 through Th4 dermatome and a minimal deep sensory loss in her right leg. Myelography revealed a symmetrical enlargement of the spinal cord at the leve of C5, C6 and C7. Laminectomy was performed and intramedullary blood clot, which was located in the region of C6 and C7, was evacuated. However, there were no vascular anomalies not only in macroscopic findings but also in histological examination. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient gradually improved in her motility. At 5 month' follow-up examination she continued to do well with a minimal sensory loss of all modalities below the level of C7. Report of 16 patients with spontaneous hematomyelia including our case have been reviewed. Incidence of spontaneous hematomyelia without vascular anomalies or hemorrhagic diathesis very rare, being found in only 4 cases. In cases with good outcome the intramedullary hematoma was found to be located below the lower cervical region and limited within 2 spinal segments in its extent. Good postoperative results were obtained in 5 out of 7 patients who received surgical intervention, suggesting an essential importance of early diagnosis and surgery.

Studies on the polypeptides of varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus. 1. Detection of varicella-zoster virus polypeptides in infected cells

Virus-induced polypeptides in cells infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autoradiography. When human embryonic lung (HEL) cells infected with the Oka strain of VZV were labelled with 35S-methionine or 14C-glucosamine from 40 hr to 46 hr after infection, at least 18 VZV-induced polypeptides and 10 glycoproteins could be identified in the infected cells. The molecular weights of the polypeptides and glycoproteins ranged from about 145,000 to 23,000, and from about 105,000 to 48,000, respectively. Lysates of VZV-infected cells were treated with specific antisera prepared in green monkeys or guinea-pigs, and analysed by SDS-PAGE and fluorography. In all, 33 polypeptides (with molecular weight of about 145,000 to 22,000) and 13 glycoproteins (molecular weight, about 105,000 to 38,000) were found in the immunoprecipitates. None of these polypeptides and glycoproteins were detected when infected cells cultured in the presence of phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) were treated in the same way.

Relationship between Na+-dependent respiration and Na+ + K+-adenosine triphosphatase activity in the action of thyroid hormone on rat jejunal mucosa

Administration of three successive doses of triiodothyronine (T3) (50 micrograms/100 g body wt), given on alternate days to thyroidectomized and euthyroid rats, stimulated oxygen consumption (QO2) and Na+ transport-dependent respiration (QO2 [5]) in the stripped jejunal mucosa, a preparation that consisted mostly of epithelial cells. The increase in QO2(t) accounted for 57% of the increment in QO2 in the transition from the hypothyroid to the euthyroid state and for 29% of the increment in the transition from the euthyroid to the hyperthyroid state. Administration of T3 to hypothyroid rats also increased the yield of epithelial cells. Injection of T3 into thyroidectomized and euthyroid rats increased the specific activity (at Vmax) of the (Na+ + K+)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (NaK-ATPase) in jejunal crude membrane preparations. No significant change was recorded in the activity of Mg-ATPase in the same preparation. The ratio of QO2/NaK-ATPase and QO2(t)/NaK-ATPase in the various thyroid states remained constant, indicating proportionate increased in the respiratory and enzymatic indices. The effect of administration of T3 to thyroidectomized rats on the number of NaK-ATPase units (recovered in the crude membrane preparation) was estimated by: (a) Na+ + Mg++ + ATP-dependent binding of [3H]-ouabain to crude membrane fractions, and (b) the amount of the phosphorylated intermediate formed in the NaK-ATPase reaction from AT32P(gamma). Estimates were obtained of the maximal number of [3H]ouabain binding sites (Nm) and dissociation constants (Kd). Nm for [3H]ouabain and Nak-ATPase specific activity increased to about the same extent after T3 administration to thyroidectomized rats, with no change in the apparent Kd values. The amount of phosphorylated intermediate formed in jejunal crude membrane preparations also increased significantly. Thus, thyroid hormone administration may increase the number of active Na+pump sites in the plasma membrane. The apparent increase in the number of Na+ pump sites also correlated with the hormone dependent increases in QO2 and QO2(t).

Comparison of 4 serological tests--complement fixation, neutralization, fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen and immune adherence hemagglutination--for assay of antibody to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus

Four tests for antibody to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus were compared; these were tests of complement fixation (CF), neutralization (NT), fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) and immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA). Fifty-two sera from patients with varicella and zoster and from recipients of live varicella vaccine were examined by the 4 tests. The CF test was least sensitive, but the antibody titers by the NT, FAMA and IAHA tests were roughly comparable. The IAHA test was the simplest and fastest to perform, and appeared suitable for routine serological assay to V-Z virus. The correlation between the IAHA antibody titer and susceptibility of individuals to clinical varicella was investigated retrospectively using sera obtained during 2 outbreaks of varicella in an institution for children, where all the unvaccinated children had developed varicella symptoms. Most of the 25 pre-exposure sera from unvaccinated children examined by the IAHA test had tiers of less than 1:2. In contrast, all the 23 sera from vaccinated children who did not develop varicella had detectable antibody titers of 1:2 to 1:64. These results indicate that the IAHA titer reflects the susceptibility or resistance of individuals to clinical varicella.

Primary IgA glomerulonephritis and Schönlein-Henoch purpura nephritis: Clinicopathological and immunohistological characteristics

A comparative analysis on clinicopathological and immunohistological characteristics was performed of 205 cases with primary IgA nephritis and 35 with Schönlein-Henoch purpura nephritis (purpura nephritis). Diagnostic criteria for primary IgA nephritis were set out so that IgA was either the most prominent immunoglobulin or, at least, equal to IgG and/or IgM, if present, irrespective of mesangial or peripheral localization. In primary IgA nephritis, one half of the cases were discovered by asymptomatic proteinuria, and one-third presented recurrent upper respiratory tract infection and gross hematuria, one-fourth abdominal pain and a few cases joint pain, while purpura nephritis was associated with a significantly higher incidence of such systemic symptoms as abdominal and joint pains, in addition to purpura. Both diseases shared a tendency toward conspicuous hematuria in contrast to the modest proteinuria, with normal renal function in three-fourths to two-thirds. Moreover, four of 35 with purpura nephritis showed preceding proteinuria and had been regarded as primary IgA nephritis until purpura appeared. The glomerular pathology had a common feature in that there was frequent occurrence of mesangial proliferative and focal and segmental lesions. The immunohistology in the two diseases was indistinguishable with regard to the glomerular immunoglobulins and mediators, whether purpura was present or absent. Thus, we propose a unifying concept that, by analogy with SLE, primary IgA nephritis may be regarded as 'sine lupo,' lying on one side of the nosological spectrum with less systemic symptoms, whereas purpura nephritis may occupy the other side with more systemic aspects. Furthermore, we confirmed the epimembranous granular deposition of IgA in both diseases as the most characteristic morphological expression of circulating immune complexes.