DiGeorge syndrome with hypogammaglobulinaemia: a patient with excess suppressor T cell activity treated with fetal thymus transplantation

A male infant with DiGeorge syndrome had hypogammaglobulinaemia with a normal number of B cells. CD3(+) T cells were reduced and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was reversed. Proliferative responses of T cells to mitogens and to allogeneic cells were low. The pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced B cell differentiation assay revealed a higher than normal suppressor T cell activity. This suggests that some T cells had differentiated into functionally mature cells resulting in an imbalance of regulatory T cell functions and that excess suppressor activity might play a role in hypogammaglobulinaemia. Fetal thymus transplantation improved both cellular and humoral immunity. The patient's susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections, proliferative response of T cells and serum Ig concentration returned to normal. The excess suppressor activity seen before transplantation disappeared. Hypocalcaemia did not improve. These results show that fetal thymus transplantation was effective not only in reconstituting cellular immunity but also in normalizing the imbalance of regulatory T cell functions in this patient with DiGeorge syndrome.

Further evidence for dilution-dependent dissociation of C1q in human serum

Dissociation of the C1q subcomponent in native C1 upon dilution was reexamined by using ultracentrifugation in a sucrose gradient and high performance liquid chromatography system with a size exclusion column for separating the dissociated C1q fractions. The antigenic content of C1q in each fraction was detected by ELISA and Western blotting; binding to erythrocyte antibody was also determined. The results confirmed a previous claim that C1q in native C1 dissociated as a function of dilution: up to 14.5% of C1q antigen was in the low molecular weight form (approximate S value: 4-5). Commercial preparations of purified C1q also contained C1q antigen in the low molecular weight form.

Activation of human C1r: Western blot analysis reveals slow and dose-dependent activation

Spontaneous activation of C1r in the presence of EDTA was examined by a Western blot. Partially purified native C1r was prepared by ultracentrifugation of fresh serum in 10 to 30% sucrose gradient; final concentration of C1r was one-sixth of the original serum. C1(-)-INH was not detectable by a single radial immunodiffusion (less than 0.5% of serum). The results demonstrated that 1) the rate of spontaneous activation of C1r was slow (less than 10% in 30 min); 2) it was concentration-dependent; 3) it was enhanced by activated C1r; and 4) it was almost completely suppressed by serine protease inhibitors up to 1 h. These results were inconsistent with an intramolecular autoactivation model of C1r in the fluid phase and suggested intermolecular activation by contaminating protease or activated C1r.

Activation of human C1r: Western blot analysis reveals slow and dose-dependent activation

Spontaneous activation of C1r in the presence of EDTA was examined by a Western blot. Partially purified native C1r was prepared by ultracentrifugation of fresh serum in 10 to 30% sucrose gradient; final concentration of C1r was one-sixth of the original serum. C1(-)-INH was not detectable by a single radial immunodiffusion (less than 0.5% of serum). The results demonstrated that 1) the rate of spontaneous activation of C1r was slow (less than 10% in 30 min); 2) it was concentration-dependent; 3) it was enhanced by activated C1r; and 4) it was almost completely suppressed by serine protease inhibitors up to 1 h. These results were inconsistent with an intramolecular autoactivation model of C1r in the fluid phase and suggested intermolecular activation by contaminating protease or activated C1r.

[Induction of LAK cells by high density dialyzing culture device and its cytotoxicity]

Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells are generated by culture of lymphocytes with interleukin 2 (IL-2) in short term culture (3 to 5 days) and are used for adoptive immunotherapy for advanced cancer patients. The culture condition hitherto reported are essentially based on the rotating culture system, in which the maximum cell density was at 2 X 10(6) cell/ml and the cell recovery was usually less than 100%. The inability to induce LAK cells efficiently in vitro made the culturing of cells for therapy rather difficult and costly work because the mean infusion dose of LAK cells of one patient requires more than 1 X 10(10)/ml. We have therefore attempted to culture lymphocytes in 10 times higher concentration comparing with conventional methods. By using a new dialyzing culture system under continuous regulation of the amount of infused IL-2, nutrition medium, and pO2 and pCO2, we could culture cells at 2 X 10(7)/ml for more than 21 days and the resulted LAK cells showed a 100 times increase of activity on a per cell basis. By limiting dilution procedure, these killer cells mostly express T cell markers such as CD3 and CD8 but dose not express CD16.

Specific IgG antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and egg white--their changes with age

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific and egg white-specific IgG in 232 children and 42 adults were measured by the RAST method using monoclonal anti-human IgG antibodies (HG2-25) as the secondary antibody. Changes in allergen-specific IgG with the age of the subjects were examined. Allergen-specific IgG antibody in standard serum was designated as 1,000 U/mL. Standard curves were made for each measurement and the levels of allergen-specific IgG of the sera were expressed in units (U). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific IgG increases from 9 months of age until adulthood. The atopic group showed higher mean values than the non-atopic group (r less than .001). Egg white-specific IgG reaches a peak around 3 to 4 years of age. After this, it declines until adulthood. These results suggest that age factors and allergen factors must be taken into consideration when evaluating allergen-specific IgG antibodies.

CYBEST Model 4. Automated cytologic screening system for uterine cancer utilizing image analysis processing

CYBEST (Cyto-Biologic Electronic Screening System) utilizes image analysis technology for the automated prescreening of cervical cytology specimens. CYBEST Model 3, which includes a television scan system and automatic shading control, achieved our initial goal of rapid specimen processing (no more than three minutes to achieve a final specimen assessment). This paper describes CYBEST Model 4, developed in 1981; with the minicomputer of Model 3 replaced by a microcomputer, Model 4 is considerably smaller, about the size of a business desk. A new parameter, the intranuclear configuration (chromatin pattern), was added to the four parameters used in Model 3. The five parameters now used for the assessment and ranking of cytologic abnormalities are nuclear size, nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear optical absorption, nuclear shape and intranuclear configuration. The other features of Model 4 are almost the same as those of Model 3. As an optional function, individual parameter measurement data, assessment of atypicality grade and cell images can be displayed on the CRT monitor by pointing to a cell with a light pen system. After completion of screening of a specimen, the ten cells judged to be most abnormal can be called automatically into the microscope optical field or the CRT monitor (in order ranging from the cell with the highest atypicality rank down) along with their associated data and the system's assessment of the specimen. By connection to a small business computer, all data can be transferred to a floppy disk for later retrieval.

CYBEST-CDMS Model 2. Automated cell dispersion and monolayer smearing system for CYBEST

The CYBEST automated cell dispersion and monolayer smearing system (CDMS) employed an autosyringing device and a modified centrifuge to produce specimens with an adequate number of dispersed cells per square millimeter. Since the units of the system were separate, the centrifugation chambers had to be transferred manually. The CYBEST-CDMS Model 2, described in this paper, uses a robot manipulator in a unified system combining the cell dispersion and centrifugation units. Samples in centrifugation chambers are automatically transferred from the autosyringing unit to the centrifugation unit. Using its input and output conveyers, the system can process specimens without interruption.

Activation of human C1: analysis with Western blotting reveals slow self-activation

The first component of human complement was separated from C1-INH by sucrose linear gradient ultracentrifugation. Activation of C1 was studied in the absence and presence of immune complexes; activation was monitored by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. When the partially purified native C1 preparation was incubated at 37 degrees C without immune complexes, activated C1s appeared after 30 min in the case of eightfold dilution with respect to the original serum, and after 45 min with 32-fold dilution. Kinetics of appearance of activated C1r was the same as that of activated C1s. From the following results, we concluded that spontaneous activation may be partially due to proteolytic enzymes contaminating the preparation: 1) a nonspecific protease inhibitor, PMSF, completely inhibited spontaneous activation but did not inhibit the activation of C1 by immune complexes; 2) alpha 2-macroglobulin partially inhibited spontaneous activation, and 3) although spontaneous activation in the absence of PMSF was relatively slow, activated C1 accelerated spontaneous activation that was completely blocked by C1-INH. In contrast to spontaneous activation, the partially purified native C1 was rapidly activated by immune complexes: within 5 min almost all C1 was activated by rabbit IgG anti-human IgM-human IgM complexes. These results support conclusions derived from activation studies when using native C1 and hemolytic assays, and do not support those derived from the activation studies with reconstituted C1 and SDS-PAGE analysis. We suggest that the contradictions can be resolved if one assumes that C1 activation can be both an intra- and intermolecular process; which process dominates is determined by the state of C1 and by experimental conditions.

Activation of human C1: analysis with Western blotting reveals slow self-activation

The first component of human complement was separated from C1-INH by sucrose linear gradient ultracentrifugation. Activation of C1 was studied in the absence and presence of immune complexes; activation was monitored by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. When the partially purified native C1 preparation was incubated at 37 degrees C without immune complexes, activated C1s appeared after 30 min in the case of eightfold dilution with respect to the original serum, and after 45 min with 32-fold dilution. Kinetics of appearance of activated C1r was the same as that of activated C1s. From the following results, we concluded that spontaneous activation may be partially due to proteolytic enzymes contaminating the preparation: 1) a nonspecific protease inhibitor, PMSF, completely inhibited spontaneous activation but did not inhibit the activation of C1 by immune complexes; 2) alpha 2-macroglobulin partially inhibited spontaneous activation, and 3) although spontaneous activation in the absence of PMSF was relatively slow, activated C1 accelerated spontaneous activation that was completely blocked by C1-INH. In contrast to spontaneous activation, the partially purified native C1 was rapidly activated by immune complexes: within 5 min almost all C1 was activated by rabbit IgG anti-human IgM-human IgM complexes. These results support conclusions derived from activation studies when using native C1 and hemolytic assays, and do not support those derived from the activation studies with reconstituted C1 and SDS-PAGE analysis. We suggest that the contradictions can be resolved if one assumes that C1 activation can be both an intra- and intermolecular process; which process dominates is determined by the state of C1 and by experimental conditions.

Automated cytologic screening system (CYBEST model 4): an integrated image cytometry system

In 1967 we began developing an automated cytologic screening system for uterine cancer. The CYBEST protype was developed in 1972, and current developments have taken us to CYBEST model 4 developed in 1981 with a new desk-size design.

High levels of antibodies to streptococcal cell membrane antigens specifically bound to monoclonal antibodies in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

We produced 15 immunoglobulin G class monoclonal antibodies against antigens of the streptococcal cell membrane (SCM) of Streptococcus pyogenes (T type 12, Tanaka strain) and determined the levels in human sera of antibodies against Triton-X-extracted antigens specifically bound to each of these 15 monoclonal antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sample sera were obtained from 10 normal controls (group 1), 10 patients with streptococcal pharyngitis without sequelae (group 2), and 8 patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) (group 3). Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titers of the sera increased in the order of groups 1, 2, and 3. There was no relationship between ASO titer and the level of anti-SCM antibodies, and there was no significant difference in the level of anti-SCM antibodies determined with each of the 15 monoclonal antibodies between group 1 and group 2 sera. Group 3 sera had higher levels of antibodies to SCM antigens specifically bound to each of 14 of these 15 monoclonal antibodies than group 1 or group 2 sera did. Of these 14 monoclonal antibodies, 9 reacted with the four SCM antigens separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophoretically transferred to a nitrocellulose sheet. These results suggest that high levels of antibodies to SCM antigens are related to the development of APSGN and that the systemic immune response to SCM antigens is involved in the pathogenesis of APSGN.

A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific immunoglobulin G

A monoclonal mouse anti-human IgG was used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP)-specific IgG in human sera. This monoclonal antibody (HG2-25) binds to all subclasses of IgG but not to IgA, IgM, or IgE. For the assay, the DP antigen is coated firmly on polystyrene beads through physical adsorption and any leakable antigen is washed off. The assay gives satisfactory reproducibility and parallelism of the dilution curves. Using 0.1% human serum albumin as a substitute for the DP-specific IgG preabsorbed diluent gave extremely low backgrounds and high sensitivity. Horseradish peroxidase-labeled HG2-25 prepared with the optimum degree of conjugation and free of polymerized conjugates gave responses fairly proportional to the doses. This ELISA gives a satisfactory recovery and is not affected by nonspecific IgG levels in human sera.

Membrane voltage, resistance, and channel switching in isolated mouse fibroblasts (L cells): a patch-electrode analysis

The whole-cell patch-electrode technique of Fenwick, Marty & Neher (1982) has been applied to single suspension-cultured mouse fibroblasts. Seals in the range of 10-50 G omega were obtained without special cleaning of the cell membranes. Rupture of the membrane patch inside the electrode was accompanied by a shift of measured potential into the range -10 to -25 mV, but in most cases with little change in the recorded resistance. The latter fact implied that the absolute resistance of the cell membrane must be in the same range as the seal resistance and the recorded potential is a poor measure of actual cell membrane potential. Steady-state current-voltage curves (range -160 mV to +80 mV) were generated before and after rupture of the membrane patch, and the difference between these gave (zero-current) membrane potentials of -50 to -75 mV, which represents a leak-corrected estimate of the true cell-membrane potential. The associated slope conductivity of the cell membrane was 5-15 microS/cm2 (assumed smooth-sphere geometry, cells 13-15 microns in diameter) and was K+-dominated. With 0.1 mM (or more) free Ca2+ filling the patch electrode, membrane potentials in the range -60 to -85 mV were observed following patch rupture, with associated slope conductivities of 200-400 microS/cm2, also K+-dominated. Similar voltages and conductivities were observed at the peak of pulse-induced 'hyperpolarizing activation' (Nelson, Peacock, & Minna, 1972), and the two phenomena probably reflect the behaviour of Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Both the pulse-induced conductance and the Ca2+-activated conductance spontaneously decayed, the latter over periods of 5-15 min following patch rupture. Sr2+, Ba2+, and Co2+ could also activate the putative K+ channels, but only Sr2+ really mimicked Ca2+. Co2+ and Ba2+ activated with a delay of several minutes following patch rupture, and deactivated quickly with a small decrease of conductance and a large decrease of membrane potential. Evidently, Co2+ and Ba2+ affect channel specificity as well as channel opening and closing kinetics.

Monoclonal anti-human IgG antibodies for quantitation of allergen-specific IgG in human sera

Eight monoclonal anti-human IgG antibodies were fully characterized and evaluated as possible reagents in solid phase radioimmunoassay for quantitating allergen-specific IgG antibody. Four monoclonal antibodies (HG24D, HG2-14, HG2-18, and HG2-25) recognize CH2 domain of human IgG and bind to human IgG fixed to microtiter plate with high affinities. These monoclonal antibodies were more suitable than polyclonal rabbit anti-human IgG antibody in Phadebas RAST for honey bee venom-specific IgG antibody. Nonspecific binding was much lower, and the slopes of standard curves were much steeper. In contrast to polyclonal antibody, the standard curve was hardly influenced by human serum IgG in sample diluent. These advantages of monoclonal antibodies that recognize CH2 domain of human IgG made it possible to quantitate egg white- and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific IgG antibodies with use of allergen disks prepared for IgE RAST. This property allows a single system to be used for measurement of IgG and IgE antibodies against clinically relevant allergens.

Analysis of antigenic expression by primary and autologous metastatic human sarcomas using murine monoclonal antibodies

The efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapy depends in part on the expression of the relevant tumor-associated antigens by both primary tumors and their metastases. Antigen expression by paired primary and autologous metastases from surgically excised osteogenic and soft-tissue sarcomas from 15 patients was studied using a panel of murine hybridoma monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunoperoxidase staining of formalin-fixed tissue sections. The panel included three antibodies (B3619, 17-9H3, OST6) recognizing sarcoma-associated antigens and an antibody recognizing an HLA-DR framework determinant (OKla1). In most cases, antibody binding to both primary and metastatic tumors was observed. However, marked heterogeneity of binding intensity between primary and metastatic tumors and of cells expressing antigens within tumors was noted. This occurred even though primary and metastatic tumors demonstrated homogeneous histology and cellular morphology. Differences were noted among patients as well as among metastases taken from an individual. A significant number of both primary and metastatic tumors contained cells that did not bind a particular antibody even in the presence of other cells that demonstrated significant antibody binding. Thus, strategies for single monoclonal antibody therapy may be limited by heterogeneity of intertumor and intratumor antigenic expression.

The use of monoclonal antibodies in demonstrating the effect of antibody heterogeneity on immune complex size

The effect of antibody heterogeneity on immune complex size was investigated by using monoclonal antibodies. Five monoclonal antibodies which bind different antigenic determinants of human serum albumin were used to produce immune complexes. When one or two different monoclonal antibodies were used, under antigen-excess, antigen-antibody equivalent, and antibody-excess conditions, hardly any immune complexes larger than mouse IgM were produced. On the other hand, in a representative experiment, when five different monoclonal antibodies were used, immune complexes larger than mouse IgM comprised 21.5% of the total antigen under antigen-antibody equivalent conditions, 18.2% under antibody-excess conditions, and 4.3% under antigen-excess conditions. These results indicate that antibody heterogeneity is one of the important factors determining immune complex size.

In vivo radiolocalization of antiosteogenic sarcoma monoclonal antibodies in osteogenic sarcoma xenografts

Monoclonal antibodies Ost6 and Ost7 (mouse Immunoglobulin G1) to human osteogenic sarcoma were isolated from ascitic fluid and labeled with radioiodine. After injection into athymic nu/nu mice with s.c. xenografts of human osteogenic sarcoma, the uptake of radioactivity in tumors, visceral organs, and blood was determined. Five days after injection, Ost6 and Ost7 showed preferential accumulation in tumors (tumor:blood ratio, 4.3). Furthermore, with testicular and bladder tumors, both unreactive with Ost7, there was no localization of radiolabeled Ost7 in xenograft growths. When Ost7 was labeled with 131I, its accumulation into human osteogenic sarcoma could be clearly visualized by whole-body gamma-scintigraphy without computer-assisted data processing.

Bronchial and intercostal angiography with ioxaglate and diatrizoate in man. A comparative investigation

A low osmolality contrast medium, ioxaglate, was compared with diatrizoate of high osmolality in selective bronchial and intercostal angiography. The frequency and degree of pain, heat sensation, cough and involuntary movement were significantly lower with ioxaglate. In addition haemodynamics recorded in 17 cases of bronchial angiography revealed that ioxaglate induced significantly less effect on systemic blood pressure and heart rate.

CYBEST model 3 automated cytologic screening system for uterine cancer utilizing image analysis processing

The improvements incorporated into the Model 3 version of CYBEST (Cyto-Biological Electronic Screening System) are highlighted. Following the successful development of a software-controlled automatic shading for a video system, the new Model 3 CYBEST contains a televisions scan system with a single-step, fine-resolution scan and strobe-light illumination in place of the two-step (coarse and fine) scan of Model 2. The automatic shading control is described in detail, as is the automated focusing system, which uses a touch-sensor to achieve a near-focus level and a differential adding algorithm to obtain exact focus. Improvements in the slide magazine and slide autochanger have quadrupled the number of slides that may be loaded into the machine at one time while increasing the speed of operation. CYBEST Model 3 has achieved our goal of rapid processing, requiring less than three minutes per specimen for final assessment as compared with the six minutes per specimen of Model 2. Field tests of Model 3 are currently under way, with a large number of smears prepared by our automated cell dispersion and monolayer smearing device (CYBEST-CDMS).

Detection of human osteosarcoma-associated antigen(s) by monoclonal antibodies

Hybrid cell lines have been derived from a fusion between mouse myeloma cells, NS1, and spleen cells from mice immunized with freshly resected osteosarcoma cells from an untreated patient. Of the 276 hybrids obtained, five secreted antibodies which bound to osteosarcoma tissues but not to autologous skin fibroblasts. The antibodies from three of these five hybrids, OST6, OST7, and OST15, reacted with all of five osteosarcoma tissues and with one chondrosarcoma tissue but not with other malignant or benign tumors. Tests of various normal tissues were negative, except for weak binding to a subpopulation of chondrocytes in articular cartilage. The reciprocal binding inhibition test showed that OST6, OST7, and OST15 antibodies were directed against different antigenic determinants.

CYBEST-CDMS; automated cell dispersion and monolayer smearing device for CYBEST

The design and operational procedures of the cell dispersion and monolayer smearing (CSMS) machine for the CYBEST automated cytoscreening and image analysis system are described. The CYBEST-CDMS consists of two units: an autosyringing device for cells dispersion and an autosmearing device basically consisting of a modified commercial centrifuge. The operations of both devices are carried out with the samples in specially constructed centrifuge chamber units. The autosyringing device sequentially processes pairs of samples held in a rotor with a capacity of 12 centrifuge chamber units. Cell dispersion is achieved by syringing the samples 20 times each through 23-gauge needles. The use of Saccomanno solution instead of Ringer's solution as the final suspension medium prior to autosmearing has resulted in improved preparations. The CYBEST-CSMS machine largely fulfills one of the major requirements for automated cytology: the provision of samples with a sufficient number of isolated cells and a minimum number of clumped and/or overlapping cells

Control of membrane potential by external H+ concentration in Bacillus subtilis as determined by an ion-selective electrode

The membrane potential of intact bacteria was monitored by measuring the tetraphenylphosphonium ion distribution across the membrane using poly--(vinyl chloride) matrix-type electrode selective to tetraphenylphosphonimum ion. It was found that the tetraphenylphosphonium ion was not countertransported against H+ movement. The membrane potential of Bacillus subtilis was estimated to be 80-120 mV inside-negative at external pH 7. The effect of the external pH on the membrane potential was studied. It varied from 30 to 40 mV/decade change in the external [H+] in the pH region of greater than 6.5, increasing pH making it more inside-negative. The addition of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone depolarized the membrane, and the membrane potential approached the H+ equilibrium potential. The addition of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide did not abolish the pH dependence of the membrane potential. Increasing the external [K+] did not affect the pH dependence. CN- partially depolarized the membrane. A parallel conductance model for membrane potential could explain the results qualitatively.

Effect of substitution of monovalent anions in external medium on the swimming pattern of Salmonella typhimurium

The effect of replacement of ions in the extracellular medium on the swimming pattern of bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium) has been investigated. The replacement of chloride ion (Cl-) in the standard medium by methanesulfonate ion (MS-) or by propionate ion (Pr-) induced an increase in the tumbling frequency, or a decrease of the end-to-end distances of tracks. Replacement of MS- by Cl- resulted in transient depression of tumbling, and replacement of Pr- by Cl- resulted in immediate recovery of normal swimming. The replacement of cations was not very effective. The experimental data, including the dependence of the effect of replacement on the ion concentration, are consistent with the ideas that the tumbling frequency increases with depolarization of the bacterial membrane and that such anions as MS- and Pr- are more able to permeate the membrane than is Cl-.