Synergistic interaction between immune serum and thoracic duct cells in the adoptive transfer of rapid expulsion of Trichinella spiralis in adult rats

Rapid expulsion of Trichinella spiralis could be transferred to naive adult rats with thoracic duct lymphocytes and immune serum. Thoracic duct cells collected from Days 3-5 and immune serum collected on Day 28, respectively, after infection were effective. Both cells and serum were unable to transfer rapid expulsion when given alone, even in large volumes. Recipients of immune serum and cells eliminated a significantly higher number of larvae than control rats by 1 hr after challenge with muscle larvae. Rapid expulsion produced 30-80% larval worm rejection but could not be increased by the transfer of more cells or immune serum. Mucus trappings did not appear to play a role in the rejection process. After transfer of 2 x 10(8) cells and 4.0 ml immune serum, rapid expulsion persisted for less than 1 week. However, after adoptive transfer of cells alone, the gut remained functionally receptive to the passive transfer of immune serum for 7 weeks. Therefore, the changes effected by transfer of cells were long lived in contrast to the 1 week, or less, of functional persistence by transferred immune serum. The data indicate that two separate processes, one cell mediated and the other immune serum mediated, interact synergistically in the intestine and lead to the expression of rapid expulsion.

Anti-thoracic duct lymphocyte globulin stimulates human megakaryocytopoiesis in vitro

Anti-thoracic duct lymphocyte globulin (ALG) therapy is effective in patients with aplastic anemia. We examined the effect of ALG on human megakaryocyte progenitor cells (colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte, CFU-Meg) in vitro. Normal human bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) were cultured in plasma clots with varying concentrations of ALG or non-immunized horse IgG. After 12 days of culture, significant megakaryocyte colony formation was observed in cultures containing ALG but not in cultures containing non-immunized horse IgG. The peak stimulatory effect seemed to occur with 10-25 micrograms/ml of ALG. When marrow MNC, depleted of adherent and T cells, were cultured in plasma clots with ALG, its stimulatory effect on megakaryocytopoiesis decreased markedly. Finally, it was demonstrated that ALG stimulated marrow MNC to produce a factor stimulatory for CFU-Meg. The in vitro megakaryocytopoietic stimulatory effect of ALG may be related to its clinical efficacy in some patients with aplastic anemia.

Allograft rejection in athymic nude rats by transferred T-cell subsets. I. The response of naive CD4+ and CD8+ thoracic duct lymphocytes to complete allogeneic incompatibilities

PVG.rnu/rnu nude rats were pre-grafted with two allogeneic skin grafts, AO(RTlu) and BN(RTln), 6-14 days in advance of cell transfer. Cellular requirements for rejection were established by transferring graded numbers of B cell-depleted (Ig-) thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) or purified W3/25+ (CD4+) or OX8+ (CD8+) TDL subsets. Allografts were rejected by 10(5) to 5 x 10(6) Ig- TDL in a dose-dependent fashion. A similar dose-response relationship was found by transferring 5 x 10(5) to 5 x 10(6) Ig- OX8- TDL (purified by depletion of B cells and OX8+ cells). Larger numbers of Ig- OX8- TDL (10-30 x 10(6)) did not significantly accelerate rejection. W3/25+ TDL alone (10(5)), highly purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), were sufficient to induce allograft rejection in this athymic nude rat model. In contrast, 10 times more FACS purified OX8+ TDL (10(6)) were unable to initiate skin graft rejection despite the complete class I and class II MHC incompatibilities. Furthermore, the addition of 10(6) OX8+ cells did not accelerate or retard the rejection induced by 10(5) W3/25+ cells alone. Pre-grafted nude recipients, irradiated (500 R) 2 hr before W3/25+ TDL injection, in order to eliminate putative nude T cells, rejected allografts on the same day as unirradiated controls. We conclude that when confronted with complete MHC disparities, CD4+ T cells are necessary and sufficient to induce skin allograft rejection whereas CD8+ T cells do not appear to contribute.

Role of intestinal immunization in urinary tract defence

The lack of progress in development of vaccines to stimulate local protection in the urinary tract is attributable in part to the lack of information regarding mechanisms of local immunity and to the difficulty in antigen administration at this site. Experiments reported in this paper indicate that the urinary tract in rats forms part of an effector network linking mucosal organs (the common mucosal immune system). Concomitant immunization of the intestine and urinary tract with ovalbumin resulted in the appearance at both sites of antiovalbumin-containing cells (ACC) of IgA specificity. The gut origin of ACC in the urinary tract was confirmed by demonstrating in similarly immunized rats abrogation of the urinary tract response by chronic drainage of the thoracic lymphatic duct during the post-challenge period and by demonstrating the appearance of radiolabelled ACC in the urinary tract after injection of labelled autologous thoracic duct lymphocytes collected during the post-challenge period. These experiments indicate a role for oral immunization in enhancing the local antibody response in the urinary tract against invading pathogens.

Comparison of antigen uptake by peritoneal macrophages and veiled cells from the thoracic duct using isotope-, FITC-, or gold-labelled antigen

Veiled cells (VC), isolated from the thoracic duct of irradiated lymphadenectomized mice (MLNX) or peritoneal macrophages (PM phi were incubated with isotope-labelled hen egg lysozyme (HEL), purified protein derivative (PPD) or keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) in vitro. About 2-10 times less antigen was associated with VC than with PM phi when measured in a Philips well-type scintillation counter. Autoradiographs of these cells indicated that 3-10% veiled cells had silver grains associated with them in contrast to 20-95% of the PM phi, depending on the type of antigen studied. It was also shown, from the distribution curves for grains in individual cells, that VC contained smaller numbers of grains than PM phi. Transmission electron microscopy using KLH conjugated with colloidal gold and immunofluorescence microscopy using KLH-FITC confirmed the results obtained from autoradiographs. However, measurements of the uptake of KLH-FITC by individual VC and PM phi using flow cytometry indicated that antigen was associated with nearly all VC in vitro but in much smaller amounts than with PM phi. Both VC and PM phi were capable of presenting HEL to primed T lymphocytes in vitro. These results are discussed in relation to the function of VC as accessory cells compared with PM phi.

Intestinal immunity to Trichinella spiralis is a property of OX8- OX22- T-helper cells that are generated in the intestine

The phenotype of T-helper cells conferring protection against Trichinella spiralis (Ts) was studied using adoptive transfer procedures and T-helper cell subsets isolated by monoclonal antibodies. With these techniques OX8- OX22+ and OX8- OX22- T-helper cell populations were isolated from thoracic duct lymph (TDL) of infected rats three-five-fold more concentrated than in unfractionated lymph. The OX8- OX22- cell subset alone transferred enhanced rejection of adult worms from the intestine. The origin of protective OX8- OX22- cells was examined in mesenteric lymphadenectomized (MX) rats. After MX, protective cells were found in the cell population draining directly from the intestine on Days 2-3 after infection. Protective cells first appeared in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and efferent lymph at Day 3. MX rats rejected T. spiralis at the same time as intact controls and showed enhanced rejection when immune TDL were transfused. No evidence was found for a direct role of the MLN in the generation or expression of parasite rejection. Depletion of migrating OX8- OX22- blast cells by 48-hr drainage of TDL did not influence the expression of an anamnestic response to challenge infection. This suggests that an intestinally resident cell population has a substantial role in mediating primary worm rejection and anamnestic immunity. Day 2 OX8- OX22- cells from MX rats proliferated in response to the presentation of adult and muscle larvae antigens in vitro. We conclude that protection resides in the OX8- OX22- T-helper cell subset that is produced and functions in the intestine.

The mucosa of the male genital tract; part of the common mucosal secretory immune system?

The selective migration of mucosal-derived lymphoid blasts to other mucosal organs is taken to be an essential part of the common secretory immune system. In rats, proliferating lymphoid cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) and peripheral lymph nodes (pLN) were labeled in vitro using two different techniques, in order to test the hypothesis that the mucosa of the male genital tract is a preferential site for mLN lymphoid blasts to home to. A low but significant migration to male genital organs was found, but with no difference between blasts from pLN and mLN. Thus there is no evidence to include the male genital tract in the common mucosal secretory immune system. Recirculating lymphocytes from the thoracic duct entered the male genital organs with a similar distribution to the pattern of lymphoid blasts. There is probably an exchange between these immigrating lymphocytes and the different subsets, which are localized in the epithelium (T suppressor) and interstitial tissue (T helper) in male genital organs. The lymphoid cells in the male genital tract might play an important role in the immune function of seminal fluid and in sexually transmissible diseases.

The influence of Peyer's patches on the organ-specific distribution of IgA plasma cells

After the surgical removal of Peyer's patches (PP) in rats, the IgA-containing cells in the thoracic duct, mesenteric lymph nodes and lamina propria of the small intestine are decreased, as shown by immunohistology. The analysis of the immunoglobulin secretion in agar of single-cell suspensions confirmed these results. Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 055B5 as antigen, it could be demonstrated that this reduction may be the result of an inadequate presentation of antigen and/or impaired migration of locally primed antigen (AG)-specific cells. The oral application of heat-inactivated Escherichia coli 055B5 to PP-deprived rats resulted almost exclusively in anti-LPS-secreting cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, whereas in control animals these cells were distributed along the intestine. Therefore, in rats PP have an important function in the regulation of the intestinal immune responses.

Role of Peyer's patch in the intestinal immune response to cholera toxin in enterically immunized rats

Cholera toxin has been widely used to obtain insight into the cellular dynamics of the antigen-specific mucosal immune response. The present study was undertaken to clarify the influence of the organized intestinal lymphoid tissue (Peyer's patches [PP]) on the distribution of anti-cholera-toxin-containing cells (ACC) after intraperitoneal immunization and intraduodenal challenge with purified cholera toxin. This was done in rats which were surgically deprived of all visible PP. In comparison with sham-operated animals, each PP-deprived rat had nearly the same amount of ACC in the spleen, the mesenteric lymph nodes, and, surprisingly, the thoracic duct lymph. In contrast, the ACC in the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum of each PP-deprived animal were drastically reduced. Therefore the PP are suggested as an important organizing structure for the buildup of a local antigen-specific immune response.

Distribution and functional characteristics of antigen-specific helper T cells arising after Peyer's patch immunization

Antigen-specific T-helper cells for IgA responses arise in Peyer's patches (PP) following their immunization by subserosal injection of keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). These are of the W3/25 phenotype and the W3/25 receptor is shown here to be involved in their helper function. These cells originate in PP and migrate via mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) to thoracic duct lymph, although the MLN appear to be unnecessary for the induction or maturation of antigen-specific helper cells collected in thoracic duct lymph after intra-Peyer's patch (i.p.p.) immunization. KLH-specific helper cells can be detected subsequently in the intraepithelial lymphocyte population and also among lamina propria lymphocytes. The helper cells also relocate to PP distant to their site of origin where they are retained only when antigen is present. While i.p.p. immunization is an efficient route for the induction of IgA helper cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, it differs from oral immunization in that concomitant induction of antigen-specific splenic suppressor cells does not occur, indicating a role for epithelial antigen processing in this phenomenon.

Characterization of a cell population in thoracic duct lymph that adoptively transfers rejection of adult Trichinella spiralis to normal rats

In Trichinella spiralis-infected rats, a population of cells in thoracic duct lymph (TDL) that can adoptively transfer protection to naive rats was identified and characterized. During the course of T. spiralis infection, blast cells appeared in lymph from Day 3-4, and only Day 3-4 TDL cells had protective properties after transfer. Protection was evident in a 1-2-day increase in the slow rejection of adult worms beginning 8-9 days after the challenge infection. The minimum number of TDL cells capable of transferring protection was 1.8 X 10(8) cells. Transferred cells could protect against a challenge infection with adult worms alone. A double cross-over experiment demonstrated that major histocompatibility complex identity was essential for effective transfer of protection (MHC restriction). An experiment using the mitotic inhibitor vinblastine showed that the protective cells belonged to a dividing cell population. The phenotype of the protective TDL was confirmed by a two-step cell separation procedure. First, it was demonstrated that surface Ig- cells (T cells) separated by affinity chromatography could transfer protection. Second, these surface Ig- cells were divided into two subpopulations by panning using monoclonal antibodies OX-8 and W3/25. The results showed that W3/25+ or OX-8- cells (T-helper) were effective in transferring protection. Protection was only seen when rats adoptively transferred with cells were challenged 1 day after cell transfer.

The effects of interferon on the recirculation of lymphocytes in the rat

Lymphocytes from the thoracic duct (TDL) were incubated with interferon (IFN) prior to i.v. injection into syngeneic or allogeneic recipient rats. The effect of IFN treatment on the ability of lymphocytes to migrate was studied using 'standard' TDL collected overnight at 4 degrees or an 'optimal' collection of passaged TDL which recirculate with an accelerated tempo (Smith & Ford, 1983). Interferon treatment resulted in an increase in early (30 min) localization of both standard and optimal TDL into lymph nodes. Entry of standard IFN-treated TDL was increased by 91% and 54% in cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes, respectively; increases of 50% and 22% in the same lymph nodes were recorded for optimal IFN-treated TDL. Enhanced entry of standard TDL was contrasted with a reduced ability of IFN-treated TDL to migrate out of lymph nodes; there was a reduced output into the thoracic duct and a surplus of IFN-treated lymphocytes in cervical lymph nodes despite 24 hr continuous thoracic duct drainage. Incubation with interferon did not, however, alter the ability of optimal TDL to reach the thoracic duct rapidly after injection. Allogeneic lymphocytes, which are eliminated soon after injection by an NK-like cytotoxicity, a phenomenon termed ALC, were unaffected by incubation with interferon, thus IFN-treated allogeneic lymphocytes were killed after i.v. injection as rapidly as untreated cells.

Vascular endothelial markers of the human thoracic duct and lacteal

Factor VIII-related antigen (F8) and Ulex europaeus lectin (UEL) are accepted markers for human blood vessel endothelium. However, disagreement exists as to whether lymphatic vessels stain for F8, and accordingly this study was undertaken to address this issue. Moreover, another vascular endothelial marker, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was also examined in lymphatics. Segments of human thoracic duct and portions of small bowel containing lacteals with post-mortem intervals of less than 15 hours, were removed at autopsy and fixed in B5 or formalin. The specimens were processed routinely and sections examined by indirect immunohistochemical techniques for F8 (Dako Corp.), ACE and for UEL (EY Lab). F8, UEL, and ACE positivity was uniformly found in thoracic ducts and lacteals; however, the staining intensity was less in lymphatic vessels with F8 and UEL than with comparable arteries or veins. ACE staining intensity, on the other hand, was similar in blood vessels and lymphatics. Both formalin and B5 fixation preserved antigenicity; however, background staining was greater with B5 fixation whereas tissue staining was slightly more intense with formalin fixation.

A study of the role of cell-mediated immunity in bluetongue virus infection in sheep, using cellular adoptive transfer techniques

The transfer of thoracic duct lymphocytes from sheep inoculated 14 days, but not 7 days previously with bluetongue virus into their monozygotic twin resulted in some protection from challenge with bluetongue virus. T cell enrichment of the 14 day thoracic duct lymphocyte population resulted in a similar effect, indicating the T cell basis of the observed protection. Animals recovered from infection with bluetongue virus type 3 and which received thoracic duct lymphocytes from an identical twin recently infected with the same bluetongue virus type were protected from challenge with bluetongue type 4. These observations suggest that T lymphocytes play an important role in protection against bluetongue virus.

Characterization of recirculating lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis patients: selective deficiency of natural killer cells in thoracic duct lymph

Five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who were treated by lymphocyte depletion by using thoracic duct drainage (TDD), provided an opportunity to characterize the phenotype and function of their recirculating lymphocytes. We found that: a) thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) were similar in their proportion of T cells (83% +/- 6 OKT3+), OKT4+ subset (65% +/- 8), and OKT8+ subset (22% +/- 6) to peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL): b) fewer natural killer-like cells were present in TDL (5% +/- 4 Leu-7+; 2% +/- 2 Leu-11+: 8% +/- 2 OKM -1+) than in PBL (20% +/- 10 Leu-7+: 11% +/- 6 Leu-11+; 18% +/- 5 OKM -1) (p less than 0.01); c) TDL differed from synovial fluid lymphocytes ( SFL ) and synovial membrane lymphocytes ( SML ) in that TDL lacked a high percentage of activated lymphocytes (T cells bearing Ia antigen, OKT10 , and transferrin receptor): d) immature T cells (expressing either OKT6 antigen or reactive with peanut agglutinin) were not found in TDL even late in the course of TDD: and e) in vitro functional studies demonstrated that TDL were similar to PBL in their ability to synthesize immunoglobulin after mitogen stimulation and to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes capable of lysing autologous EBV-transformed B cells. However, natural killer activity, as measured by lysis of K562 cells was significantly lower in TDL than PBL (p less than 0.05). These results demonstrate that natural killer cells defined by phenotype and function are excluded from thoracic duct lymph and thus have a circulation pattern different from most T cells.

Antithoracic duct lymphocyte globulin therapy of severe aplastic anemia

We performed a prospective randomized trial of antithoracic duct lymphocyte globulin (ATDLG), HLA-haploidentical marrow, and androgen (regimen ABA) versus androgen alone (concurrent STANDARD care controls) in 42 newly diagnosed individuals with severe aplastic anemia. ABA patients also were matched with patients from our preceding study (historical STANDARD care controls). Supportive care and pretreatment patient characteristics were the same in all groups. By life table analysis, 76% of patients receiving ABA are alive at 2 yr compared to 31% of the concurrent control group (p less than 0.002 versus ABA) and 19% of the historical controls (p less than 0.0001 versus ABA) given STANDARD care. ABA patients had greater hematologic improvement than either control group (p less than 0.001). However, improvement with ABA was often incomplete. Toxicity of ATDLG was considerable but manageable. Further studies to determine the mechanism of action and active component(s) of ABA are indicated.

The migration of lymphocytes across specialized vascular endothelium. VI. The migratory behaviour of thoracic duct lymphocytes retransferred from the lymph nodes, spleen, blood, or lymph of a primary recipient

Thoracic duct lymphocytes labelled with 51Cr were injected into a primary recipient and then were transferred for a second time from the lymph nodes (cervical and/or mesenteric), spleen, lymph, or blood into a series of final recipients. Measurement of the organ distribution of labelled lymphocytes in the final recipients enabled three main conclusions to be drawn. (1) Lymphocytes that had localized in the spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (LN), or cervical LN of the first recipient showed no tendency to return in increased numbers to the same organ in the final recipient. (2) Lymphocytes that had recently entered the spleen or LN were temporarily impaired in their ability to reenter LN. This capacity was recharged when the cells returned to the lymph and the blood. (3) Lymphocytes that had been passaged from blood to lymph and collected for up to 4 hr at room temperature entered the LN of a recipient much faster than did nonpassaged thoracic duct lymphocytes collected overnight at 0 degree C. Supplementary experiments indicated that the different migratory behavior of thoracic duct lymphocytes under these two circumstances was mainly a consequence of their handling in vitro during the collecting and the labelling procedures. This functional impairment was not associated with a diminished ability to enter the spleen and bone marrow or to survive in recipients for up to 24 hr.

Analytical and functional studies on the T cells of untreated and immunologically tolerant diabetes-prone BB rats

Lymphocyte profiles of untreated diabetes-prone BB rats (BBDP) and their normal marrow-inoculated tolerant littermates were determined with the aid of a fluorescence-activated cell sorter by using monoclonal antibodies specific for rat T cell (W3/13) and T cell subsets (W3/25, T helper; OX8, T cytotoxic/suppressor). In contrast to non-diabetes-prone rats and to their marrow-inoculated littermates, untreated BBDP rats were found to be T lymphocytopenic with reduced W3/25+ cells and with a major loss of OX8+ cells. Moreover, their lymphocytes displayed depressed alloreactivity that was not restored by addition of exogenous IL 2.

Effect of interferon on thoracic duct lymphocyte output: induction with either poly I:poly C or vaccinia virus

Systemic inoculation of the interferon (IFN) inducer polyinosinic-polycytidylic polyribonucleotide (poly I:poly C) into CBA/J mice produces a significant decrease in the number of thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) collected 6 to 22 hr after injection. The number of TDL is restored to normal levels by 48 to 64 hr. Residual TDL collected during the inhibition period of poly I:poly C treatment showed a phenotypic profile similar to phosphate-buffered saline- (PBS) treated control groups when examined for Lyt-1.1, Lyt-2, Thy-1.2 and Iak surface markers. Interferon is implicated as the mediator of this phenomenon since: 1) Inoculation of exogenous IFN can induce a similar suppression in the number of recoverable TDL. 2) Pretreatment of mice with sheep anti-murine IFN serum can block this effect of poly I:poly C. Similar experiments with vaccinia virus demonstrate that although live virus can partially suppress the TDL output, almost complete suppression is achieved with ultraviolet (UV)-inactivated virus. Vaccinia virus-induced suppression of the number of TDL also appears to be caused by IFN since: 1) UV-inactivated virus induces significantly higher serum levels of IFN in comparison to live virus. 2) The suppression of TDL output by either live or UV-inactivated vaccinia virus can be blocked by pretreatment with anti-murine IFN. These findings suggest that the immunosuppression often associated with viral infections may be at least partially due to a decrease in lymphocyte recirculation mediated by the IFN initially released in response to the virus.

The effect of intravenous Corynebacterium parvum on gut associated mononuclear phagocytes in normal and tumour bearing rats

Corynebacterium Parvum, which has been used in the treatment of human colorectal cancer, probably exerts its action through cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). In this study the effect of systemically administered C. parvum has been measured on gut associated MPS cells in normal and colorectal cancer bearing rats. MPS cells are not normally found in samples of lymph obtained after cannulation of the thoracic duct (TDC). However, after total extirpation of the mesenteric lymph nodes, TDC yields samples in which up to 5% of the total cell population appear to be MPS cells. This procedure has been carried out in adult Wistar rats enabling an in vivo study to be made on the effect of C. parvum treatment on the effluent gut cells. Measurements have been made both of the number of cells found in thoracic duct lymph and of their capacity to phagocytose sensitized sheep red blood cells. These measurements were repeated in a mesenteric lymphadenectomized group of rats which had also undergone induction of colonic cancer using dimethylhydrazine. C. parvum treatment did not effect total cell, or phagocyte numbers in thoracic duct lymph (TDL). However rats with colonic cancers showed a marked reduction in the numbers of phagocytic cells in TDL irrespective of C. parvum treatment.

Antigen transport. I. Demonstration and characterization of cells laden with antigen in thoracic duct lymph and blood

Thoracic duct lymph (TDL) of nonimmune rats and mice was examined for the presence of antigen-carrying cells immediately following a single injection of 125I-labelled or fluorescence-labelled serum protein antigens. Small numbers of cells laden with antigen (approximately 1/2000 to 1/5000) were identified in TDL and blood by autoradiography or fluorescence microscopy. The antigen-laden (Ag-L) cells resembled macrophages in that a large number adhered to plastic, they phagocytosed bacteria or a particulate dye, were non-specific esterase positive, radioresistant and could take up more than one antigen at one time in vivo. Surface phenotyping using monoclonal antibodies against rat cell markers established that Ag-L cells did not express Ia determinants. The results suggest the existence of a subpopulation of macrophage-related cells that may be involved in the transport of antigen and in stimulation of antibody responses.

The response of the foetal lamb to maternal lymphocytes

Foetal lambs were inoculated with either maternal or third-party lymphocytes. Of foetuses transfused in the first half of pregnancy (from 49 to 73 days), one quarter survived until the fifth month. Examination of the immunological reactivity of these survivors revealed that all rejected skin grafts from the lymphocyte donors and manifested normal mixed lymphocyte reactivity. In two instances, responsiveness of the transfused lambs to normal lymphocyte transfer was reduced. Foetal lambs transfused with large numbers of maternal lymphocytes in the last third of pregnancy could survive provided the donor ewe had not been sensitized against foetal or paternal determinants. Following intravenous challenge with maternal lymphocytes, cells collected over a prolonged period from the thoracic duct of the foetal recipient exhibited depression of anti-maternal reactivity in mixed lymphocyte culture.