Variable expression and immunogenicity of an H-2K-coded alloantigen on murine tumours

The K region of the H-2 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of mice of H-2Kk haplotype codes for two distinct alloantigens. One of these alloantigens, designated k-common, is expressed by C3HfB/HeN mice (C3Hf). The other alloantigen, designated k-unique, is not expressed by C3Hf mice. The H-2 haplotype of C3Hf mice has been classified as kv1 and the variant antigen distinguishing this strain from mice of H-2Kk haplotype has been designated kv1-unique. Several transplacentally-induced lung tumours of C3Hf mice express the k-unique, rather than the expected kv1-unique, antigen. The immunogenicity of the k-unique antigen on C3Hf-derived lung tumours varies with different tumours. In particular, the capacity of the k-unique antigen to induce radioresistant immunity in C3Hf mice appears to be lost on long term cultured tumour cells even though the tumour remains susceptible to in vivo immune responses directed against the k-unique antigen. Alterations in expression and in immunogenicity of unique H-2-coded antigens may dictate the nature and efficacy of immune surveillance of autochthanous tumours.

Surgical importance of oblique projection in arteriography for carcinoma of the pancreas

Oblique projections in celiac and superior mesenteric angiography have been of value in patients with carcinoma arising in various parts of the pancreas. Oblique views allow better perception of the slight and uncertain changes in the pancreatic vessels, which are not discernible on anteroposterior projections because of overlapping with the extrapancreatic vessels and the spine. Anteroposterior and oblique views of both celiac and superior mesenteric arteries are the first, and, therefore, the most essential, step in angiography of lesions of the pancreas.

Correlative evaluation of angiography and pancreatoductography in relation to surgery for cancer of the pancreas

The results of preoperative angiograms and pancreatoductograms in 37 patients with cancer of the pancreas were correlated with each other, with the findings at laparotomy, and with survival times. Tumors which could not be detected by arteriography and/or pancreatography were resectable, except for those located in the uncinate process. Among the resectable tumors, those which were identified only by pancreatography were confined mostly to the parenchyma of the pancreas and were nearly 2 cm in size. Those patients were expected to have a long survival after total pancreatectomy. In contrast, those tumors which were diagnosed only by arteriography arose from the subcapsular portion of the gland or the uncinate process and showed macroscopic invasion to the capsule of the pancreas. These tumors, recurred within 1 year, despite total pancreatectomy. The resectable tumors showing both vascular and ductal invasion were more than 3 cm in size and extended far beyond the capsule of the gland, and patients with these tumors died within 1 year after operation. In this group no difference in survival time was seen among those treated by the Whipple procedure, those by total pancreatectomy, or those by resection of the total pancreas and the portal vein.

Lung tumor-reactive cytotoxic lymphocytes generated in mixed lymphocyte reaction between C3HfeB/HeN (H-2kb) and C3H/HeN (H-2k) strain mice

The tumor-associated transplantation antigen expressed by several transplacentally induced lung tumors of C3HfeB/HeN mice (H-2kb haplotype) has previously been shown to exist as a normal tissue alloantigen in mice of known H-2k and H-2a haplotypes. This antigen is not expressed in normal tissues of C3HfeB/HeN mice but is expressed in C3H/HeN mice, the strain from which the C3HfeB/HeN mice were originally derived. The present study indicates that spleen cells from C3HfeB/HeN and C3H/HeN mice respond reciprocally in the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for the tumor-associated alloantigen can be readily generated in mixed lymphocyte reactions in which spleen cells from C3HfeB/HeN mice are reacted with x-irradiated spleen cells from C3H/HeN or A strain mice. These cells are effective in suppressing the growth of the C3HfeB/HeN-derived lung tumor 85 in x-irradiated syngeneic recipients.

Lung tumor-associated derepressed alloantigen coded for by the K region of the H-2 major histocompatibility complex

Transplacental induction of lung tumors in C3HfeB/HeN (C3Hf) strain mice can be readily achieved with the carcinogen 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea. Several of these tumors express, as a tumor-associated transplantation antigen (TATA), a normal tissue alloantigen present in strain A and C3H/HeN (C3H) mice. In the present study it was shown that the tumor-associated alloantigen on the C3Hf-derived lung tumor 85 was present in all mice of H-2(a) and H-2(k) haplotypes tested and in CBA (532) strain mice (H-2(ka) haplotype). Studies using congenic-resistant and recombinant strains of mice indicated that the genetic locus controlling the expression of this antigen was either within or to the left of the H-2K region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Thus the antigen was expressed in B10.A (4R) mice (kkbbbb MHC haplotype) but not in B10 (bbbbbb) or B10.AQR mice (qkkddd). The antigen was expressed in all tissues tested of C3H and A strain mice. It was not detected on any tissue tested including embryo tissue of C3Hf mice or mice of MHC haplotype other than H-2(k) or H-2(a). Because C3Hf strain mice were originally derived from C3H strain mice (H-2(k)), the MHC haplotype of C3Hf mice has been provisionally designated H-2(kb). The finding of a tumor-associated change in the expression of a H-2K region-coded antigen is consistent with the concept that MHC-coded antigens may act as targets for immunological surveillance of tumors.

Anti-tumour immunity by normal allogeneic blood transfusion in rat

Growth of transplantable KMT-17 tumour in syngeneic WKA/MK rats was inhibited by i.v. preimmunization with whole blood from normal rats of allogeneic strains. The inhibitory effect was also observed in rats immunized with allogeneic white blood cells alone. The strength of the inhibitory effect mainly depended on the the strain of donor rat used; blood from Donryu and Kyoto strain rats produced the strongest inhibition, blood from Tokyo and Fischer strain rats produced moderate inhibition to the syngeneic tumour growth. Blood from ACI/N strain rats did not produce the inhibition. The mechanism of blood transfusion in inhibiting tumour growth is not yet clear. However, it seems that GVH reaction does not play an important role in the mechanism of the inhibition effect, because the effect was obtained by immunization with mitomycin C-treated allogeneic white blood cells and also by the immunization effect may be due to nonspecific active immunization. Significance of blood transfusion with special reference to clinical immunogtherapy of cancer is discussed.

Murine Type C viral envelope glycoprotein gp69/71 and lupus-like glomerulonephritis of New Zealand mice. An immunoperoxidase study

The location of murine Type C viral envelope glycoprotein antigen in the glomerulonephritic kidneys of NZB and NZB/NZW F1 hybrid mice was analyzed by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique at light and electron microscopic levels. Immune complex deposits of the glycoprotein antigen were present in the glomeruli in mesangial and subepithelial sites. In addition to the glomerular depositions, viral envelope antigen was also present at the brush border of proximal tubular epithelial cells and in lymphoid cells infiltrating the kidneys of these mice.

Some properties of avian adenoviruses isolated from chickens with inclusion body hepatitis in Japan

Outbreaks of inclusion body hepatitis were observed in broiler chickens on a poultry farm during 3 years. Avian adenovirus-like agents were isolated during these years from livers of diseased chickens. Round-cell-type cytopathogenic effect and intranuclear inclusion bodies were produced in chicken kidney cell cultures inoculated with these agents. Properties of the agents were as follows: resistant to ether, chloroform, socium deoxycholate, trypsin, heating at 50 C, and pH 3.0; sensitive to 5-iodo-deoxyuridine; and pathogenic to chicken embryos. From these properties and ultrastructural findings of the agents, these were identified as avian adenovirus. Day-old commercial chicks were insusceptible to these viruses. Maternal antibody levels in commercial chicks were considerable. Surveys for neutralizing index to the virus were performed on chickens in the field, and all sera tested were positive. Electron-microscope examination showed that these viruses contained avian-adenovirus-associated virus.

Inhibition of syngeneic tumor growth in rats immunized with allogeneic skin grafts

The growth of a transplantable tumor (KMT-17) in syngeneic Wistar King Aptekman/Mk (WKA) rats was inhibited by preimmunization with allogeneic normal cells from Donryu strain rats. The phenomenon is referred to as allogeneic cell immunity. A slight inhibition was observed in rats immunized with normal liver, spleen, kidney, embryonal cells, whole blood and white blood cells from allogeneic Donryu rats. A strong inhibition was observed in animals which had rejected allogeneic skin grafts, particularly from the Donryu and Kyoto rats. The inhibition was comparatively weak after immunization with skin grafts from the Long Evans, ACI, Buffalo, Ficsher, Sprague Dawley or Tokyo allogeneic rat strains. This immunizing effect was dependent on the viability of the grafts and was easily abrogated by low-dose irradiation. The mechanism of allogeneic cell immunity is considered to be a non-specific stimulation of the immunity against antigenic tumors in the syngeneic host

Immunologic observations on 9 sets of twins either concordant or discordant for SLE

The influence of genetic and nongenetic factors on abnormalities of the immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied in 9 sets of twins in which one or both twins had SLE. Particular emphasis was placed on contrasting the results between the sibs of 3 monozygotic pairs discordant for clinical SLE. Depression of cell-mediated immunity, determined by lymphocyte blastogenic response to mitogens, was associated with the clinical expression of illness. In contrast, autoreactive antilymphocyte antibodies and lymphocyte tubuloreticular structures were found in both clinically affected and unaffected subjects and were more prominently associated with the presence of other serologic abnormalities. No evidence of antigens or cell surfaces determinants unique to affected sibs was encountered.

The occurrence and frequency of type C virus-like particles in placentas from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and from normal subjects

Type C RNA virus-like particles were found by electron microscopy in term placentas from 3 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 1 with probable SLE, and 2 normal patients. The virus-like particles were mainly of a budding or immature type located at or near the cell membrane of syncytiotrophoblasts in chorionic villi. Type C virus-like particles were not observed in the term placenta from a patient with chronic discoid LE, nor in early gestation specimens from 1 normal patient and 4 patients with SLE. The frequency of the Type C particles varied greatly: They were readily found in the patient with probable SLE, and only here were groups of budding particles observed. Type C particles were less numerous in one normal placenta and rare in the other positive placentas, both SLE and normal. Heretofore undescribed crystalline inclusions were found in the cytoplasm of chorionic villous endothelial cells from 3 patients with SLE and 1 with discoid LE. Tubuloreticular structures were observed in the maternal endometrium of 1 patient with SLE.

Electron microscopic study of distinctive structures in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from twins with systemic lupus erythematosus

Peripheral blood lymphoid cells obtained from nine twin pairs (six monozygotic and three dizygotic) in which one or both twins had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined by electron microscopy for the occurrence of two distinctive intracytoplasmic structures-tubuloreticular structures (TRS) and tubular crystalloids (TC). TRS were found in 0.8 to 14.8% of lymphoid-cell cross sections in 9 of 11 twins with SLE and 2 clinically well but serologically abnormal twins. Lymphoid cells of twins both clinically and serologically normal did not exhibit TRS, although their monozygotic or dizygotic SLE-positive counterparts possessed these structures. Thus, the expression of TRS was more consistent with an acquired than inborn trait and appeared to correlate with disease and serologic manifestations of SLE. TC were found in 1.7 to 7.9% of lymphoid-cell cross sections in every twin examined. No correlation was recognized between clinical or laboratory data and the frequency of TC-bearing cells. The significance and the ultrastructural development of TC in the peripheral blood lymphoid cells are briefly discussed.

Hepatic blood flow and oxygen consumption in starvation, sepsis and septic shock

Total hepatic and portal blood flow as well as hepatic and splanchnic oxygen consumption was measured in pigs in the normal fasted state and in the septic fasted state induced experimentally by cecal ligation. Pigs in the septic state were divided into two groupds, a septic high output state and a septic low output state, according to whether or not a pig showed a higher or lower cardiac output in the septic state than in the normal fasted state. In the septic high output state, the average cardiac output was 155 per cent of that during fasting; hepatic arterial flow increased 96 per cent, while portal flow decreased 19 per cent. Total hepatic blood flow increased slightly, 14 per cent. The ratio of total hepatic blood flow to cardiac output decreased from 42 per cent in the normal fasted state to 30 per cent. The total hepatic oxygen consumption increased 26 per cent because of significantly elevated oxygen transport by hepatic arterial flow. In the low output state, hepatic arterial flow significantly dropped, 74 per cent, while portal flow decreased slightly, 23 per cent, and total hepatic blood flow decreased 38 per cent. The decrease of cardiac output was less, 18 per cent. The ratio of total hepatic blood flow to cardiac output was 31 per cent. Total hepatic oxygen consumption decreased remarkably, 29.1 per cent, due chiefly to the decrease of hepatic arterial flow, and splanchnic oxygen consumption also decreased significantly, 22 per cent. Dissociation of hepatic arterial response to sepsis from the other gastrointestianl vessels caused a great difference in the hepatic oxygen consumption between the septic high output and the septic low output state, contributing in part to the difference in mortality between these two states.

Liver metabolism and glucogenesis in trauma and sepsis

The relationship of glucogenesis and other energy-requiring functions of the liver to the proteolysis which is characteristic of trauma and sepsis was studied in conscious pigs following laporotomy and after the induction of intraperitoneal sepsis. By means of appropriately placed thermal dilution catheters, portal and hepatic arterial blood flows, hepatic oxygen consumption, glucogenesis, and uptake of the fuel, substrates were measured. No animal was in shock. Despite significant increases of lactate and aminoacids delivered to the liver, the blood concentrations were maintained in the normal range. The rate of glucogenesis was proportional (r equals 0.71) to the sum of the glucogenic precursors (lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, and alanine) taken up by the liver. Higher rates of glucose production were accompanied by elevated blood insulin values. Hepatic oxygen consumption and the uptake of free fatty acids also were related directly to the glucogenic rate, the correlation coefficients being 0.69 and 0.74, respectively. In the absence of shock, the liver function and hepatic energy production remained normal in post-traumatic and septic states. Under the conditions insulin-resistant muscle in the presence of reduced free fatty acid availability mobilize protein to satisfy local energy requirements. Skeletal muscle can oxidize only branch chain aminoacids; other aminoacids, including alanine, are transported to the liver for glucogenesis or other purposed. This concept accounted for failure of glucose infusion to eliminate post-traumatic and septic proteolysis, since alanine is cleared only from blood by conversion in the liver to glucose. Thus it is concluded that in sepsis the release of glucogenic substrates because of altered metabolism in peripheral tissues determines the rate of hepatic glucogenesis. This relationship constitutes an important metabolic homeostatic mechanism.

Usefulness of combined selective arteriography and hypotonic duodenography in evaluation of cancer of the pancreas

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