Immunomodulatory action of human recombinant erythropoietin in man

Recent findings suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) may have an immunomodulating action. We have studied the in vitro and in vivo effects of rhEpo on immune functions in man. Low pharmacological concentrations of the hormone inhibit T-cell activation and proliferation, while higher ones are without that effect. The same Epo concentrations inhibit mitogen- and alloantigen-driven B-cell differentiation and immunoglobulin synthesis and, to a lesser extent, B-cell proliferation. In vivo treatment with rhEpo causes an initial inhibition of T- and B-cell proliferation, but with prolonged administration improved responsiveness is observed. Our data support the notion that rhEpo can regulate immune functions, a fact of potential clinical application.

[Successful nitrogranulogen treatment of severe nephrotic syndrome in glomerulonephritis--case report]

A patient with mesangio-proliferative glomerulopathy with advanced nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria 20 g/day) received bolus doses of corticosteroids (5 x 1.0 g iv) but renal function continued to deteriorate. A 11-day course of nitrogranulogen (0.01 mg/kg/day) with prednisone (0.5 mg/kg) caused complete disappearance of proteinuria with improvement in renal function. This observation supports our earlier findings indicating that treatment with low dose nitrogranulogen may be efficacious in some forms of glomerulopathies.

[Characteristics of cell membrane of B-lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I. Expression of class II antigens (HLA-D)]

Surface expression of class II antigens (HLA-D) on B lymphocytes was studied in 47 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) with an aid of monoclonal antibodies against monomorphic determinants of DR, DP and DQ. An association was found between progression of disease and gradual loss of those markers, especially DP and DQ.

[Cell membrane characteristics of B-lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. II. Expression of B-cell markers]

Surface immunoglobulin, CD20 antigen and spontaneous and inducible interleukin 2 receptor (CD25) expression was assessed in chronic lymphatic leukemia. Most patients had but a weak expression of SmIg and CD20. Expression of CD25 was heterogenous and unrelated to disease activity.

[The immunobiological effects of nitrogranulogen. I. Summarizing the results of the immunological studies to date]

It has been shown that nitrogranulogen is a strong inhibitor of human T and B lymphoproliferation, antibody synthesis in vitro and in vivo as well as natural killer (NK) activity. The drug enhances IL 1 secretion, but blocks its cellular interactions.

Interleukin 2 receptor positive T lymphocytes in renal allograft recipients: association with CMV infection

The number of interleukin 2 receptor positive T cells freshly isolated from peripheral blood as well as stimulated in culture with PHA was determined in renal allograft recipients with stable graft function, rejection and CMV infection. The most typical phenotype was observed during CMV infection. Patients with CMV had very low levels of circulating positive cells which responded normally to mitogen stimulation in vitro.

Immunomodulating activity of heparin

Aside from its well-known anticoagulant action, heparin has many other biologic effects. Recent data emphasize the immunomodulatory effects of low dose heparin. The agent alters the traffic of lymphocytes blocking their expression of heparanase, an enzyme that digests the extracellular matrix allowing cell penetration to target tissues. It also has a weak direct immunosuppressive action in vitro and in vivo. Oral administration of heparin may cause immunosuppression, although the effects are weaker than after subcutaneous administration.

Normal B cell compartment in chronic lymphatic leukemia

In contrast to normal B lymphocytes, CLL cells express CD5 antigen believed to be a T cell marker. We have assessed normal and malignant B cell compartments in CLL patients with the aid of two-colour immunofluorescence techniques (CD5-TRITC, DR-FITC). No clear correlation was found between progression of disease and parameters studied. However, there was a tendency for a diminution of normal B cells in advanced stages of disease.

Rejection-associated upregulation of the alpha/beta-T cell receptor expression on T cells of renal allograft recipients

Peripheral T lymphocytes of renal allograft recipients were phenotyped for their expression of the CD3-T cell receptor (TCR) complex. The majority of T cells from patients with stable graft function had normal CD3 but diminished TCR alpha/beta heterodimer expression, while TCR gamma/delta + T cells were increased in some cases. Acute rejection was associated with an increase in TCR alpha/beta + T cells to normal levels.

An optimal assay of human B cell proliferation in vitro

The purpose of this work was to optimize an in vitro assay for measuring B cell proliferation in response to S. aureus Cowan I (SAC). It has been demonstrated that the best proliferative activity is obtained when 10(5) cells are cultured in flat-bottomed microtiter plates in the presence of 1:10,000 SAC dilution. Standard RPMI 1640 culture medium should be enriched with mercaptoethanol and 10% FCS or 0.5% human albumin. Human serum, found to be an optimal supplement for T lymphocyte responses, blocks B cell proliferation.

Rehabilitation of communication impairment in dystonia musculorum deformans

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aids were used in three young, intellectually normal patients with dystonia musculorum deformans (DMD) who had severe speech and writing impediments. These aids included speech therapy, communication boards, and voice synthesizers for verbal communication and typewriters, memowriters, and computer software and printers for written communication. At times customized accessing was needed which required specific adaptive modifications. Implementation of the AAC aids system was determined effective for DMD patients in view of the intellect-sparing nature of the disorder. Improvement was hampered by the progressive nature of the disease and by the emotional stress of accepting the long-term use of AAC. Correct and early diagnosis of communication impediments are crucial for the appropriate AAC aids prescription and implementation. An AAC protocol is suggested to meet the special communication needs of DMD patients.

The effect of azathioprine on terminal differentiation of human B lymphocytes

The effect of azathioprine on the terminal differentiation of human B cells triggered in vitro by pokeweed mitogen and S. aureus Cowan I bacteria was studied. AZ caused an enhancement of Ig synthesis in its lower concentrations, a phenomenon dependent on the inactivation of suppressor T cells. Higher drug concentrations impaired T-helper function as well as B cell differentiation of peripheral blood, lymph node, and spleen lymphocytes.

Immunoregulatory factors controlling terminal differentiation of malignant B-lymphocytes

B-lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia differentiate in vitro towards plasma cells upon activation with Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Cowan. The level of response is much lower than that of normal cells and so is the helper T-cell function. However, concanavalin A-activated suppressor T-cell function of Ig synthesis is normal. Malignant B-cells have a normal capacity to stimulate Ig synthesis in the mixed lymphocyte cultures, but they respond poorly to an allogeneic stimulus. Thymosin (TFX) causes a marked enhancement of PWM-driven differentiation of malignant B-cells.

Immunomodulating influence of active metabolite of cyclophosphamide on human lymphocyte immunoglobulin biosynthesis in vitro

4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4HCy) inhibits T cell-dependent and direct B cell humoral responses of human lymphocytes in vitro, but causes a potentiation of the former in the lowest drug concentrations. Lymph node humoral responses are strongly sensitive, but those of spleen are relatively resistant to the drug. Although the induction of suppressor T cells is Cy-resistant, the expression of their function is sensitive. The suppressor cell function of antibody production appears to be more sensitive than the helper function.

Thymosin: an immunomodulator of antibody production in man

Thymosin (TFX) stimulates polyclonal antibody synthesis of human peripheral blood, lymph node and spleen lymphocytes. This stimulation is observed only with T-cell-dependent polyclonal activators of immunoglobulin production and its mechanism appears to be associated with TFX-induced activation of T-helper cells. On the other hand, antibody production in vitro of lymphocytes already involved in high humoral responses is inhibited by thymosin. TFX has similar activity both in vitro and in vivo.