Lichen planus: study with anti-human T lymphocyte antigen (anti-HTLA) serum on frozen tissue sections

The lymphocytic infiltrate of lichen planus was studied by the identification of the human T lymphocyte antigen in frozen tissue sections using specific anti-human T lymphocytes antigen antiserum. The infiltrate was shown to be composed principally of T lymphocytes.

An immunoelectron microscopic localization of wart associated antigens present in human papilloma virus (HPV) infected cells

Wart associated antigens were observed by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique in light and electron microscopy. Positive reaction products could be found in the nuclei of wart cells, in which virus particles were labeled with a specific immune rabbit serum and with human sera from patients with warts. Tissue antigens, differing from the viral labeled inclusions, were detected within the cytoplasm of some infected cells, by means of IgM and IgG antibodies from patients with warts. In these particular cells the positive reaction occurred in irregular patterns giving microgranular precipitates, which suggests that the antigen was not uniform. No staining was observed on the cell surface. This study has shown direct immunomorphological evidence in vivo of a specific immune reaction in man directed against whole virus and wart specific cellular antigens.

[Simultaneous bilateral avulsion of the quadriceps and Achilles tendons in 1 limb and of the patellar tendon in the other in a hyperparathyroid patient on chronic hemodialysis]

A case of simultaneous rupture of three tendons is reported in a patient who had suffered a bilateral nephrectomy six years earlier and was on chronic haemodialysis. The quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon were repaired surgically. The rupture of the tendo Achillis was left untreated. Six days later a parathyroidectomy was performed; nine months later recovery was excellent. A review of the literature has been made. The role of hyperparathyroidism in the strength of the bone-tendon junction is discussed.

Cell lineages of the embryo of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Embryogenesis of the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans produces a juvenile having about 550 cells at hatching. We have determined the lineages of 182 cells by tracing the divisions of individual cells in living embryos. An invariant pattern of cleavage divisions of the egg generates a set of stem cells. These stem cells are the founders of six stem cell lineages. Each lineage has its own clock--i.e., an autonomous rhythm of synchronous cell divisions. The rhythms are maintained in spite of extensive cellular rearrangement. The rate and the orientation of the cell divisions of the cell lineages are essentially invariant among individuals. Thus, the destiny of cells seems to depend primarily on their lineage history. The anterior position of the site of origin of the stem cells in the egg relates to the rate of the cell cycle clock, suggesting intracellular preprogramming of the uncleaved egg. We used a technique that allows normal embryogenesis, from the fertilized egg to hatching, outside the parent under a cover glass. Embryogenesis was followed microscopically with Nomarski interference optics and high-resolution video recording.

[Cutaneous sarcoid granuloma: cytoimmunological study of the lymphocytes (freed cells and tissue sections) (author's transl)]

Cutaneous lesions in sarcoidosis are characterized by epithelioid nodules surrounded by lymphocytes. The B- or T-cell subpopulation was identified by quantitative immunological methods on freed cells and immunocytochemical labelling on tissue sections. Most of the liberated cells formed spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes and were devoid of membrane immunoglobulins. On tissue sections most of the lymphoid cells were labelled by anti-HTLA serum. These results demonstrate the thymodependent origin of lymphocytes in sarcoidosis granuloma. A possible cell-mediated immune reaction against an unknown antigen is suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

A simple technique for immunoelectronmicroscopic localization of Ig on tissue sections with special reference to cutaneous pathology

A simple technique using immunoperoxidase-labelled antibodies is reported for the ultrastructural localization of fixed immunoglobulins in tissue lesions. This technique allows the immunolabeling of frozen sections of 15 mu mounted on glass slides. These sections are then closed over for ultrastructural examination, using an Epon-filled gelatin capsule, and then returned to the glass slide. After polymerization, the capsule containing the tissue section is separated from the glass by immersion in liquid nitrogen. This technique is applied to the study of fixed Ig in the skin lesions of lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis. The results obtained show a fine localization of fixed Ig, good tissue conservation and easy orientation of the biological material. It can be applied to the study of tissue antigens.

Immunoglobulin-producing cells in the inflammatory infiltrates of cutaneous tumors. Immunocytologic identification in situ

An immunocytochemical technique has been developed for the identification in situ of immunoglobulin-producing cells in tissues fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in paraffin. Technical details are discussed as well as the application of the technique to the study of plasma cells in the inflammatory infiltrate around cutaneous tumors. Preliminary results have been obtained with basal cell epitheliomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and malignant melanomas. IgA-producing cells were present in all tumors. IgG-producing cells were present in variable frequency, depending on the type of tumor, and IgM-producing cells were found only in basal cell epitheliomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

Vitiliginous achromia with malignant melanoma. Tyrosinase activity and ultrastructural study of achromic and normal skin

Vitiliginous achromia with malignant melanoma shows some discrepancies with vitiligo. In both achromic and normal skin, four bands A, B, C, D of tyrosinase activity are observed; in vitiligo only bands A and B appear. Ultrastructural findings in achromic skin are similar in both conditions. But in achromia with malignant melanoma, melanocyte abnormalities are also present in normal skin and the role of immunological factors is discussed.

[Immunological and immunocytochemical studies of the inflammatory infiltrating cells of cutaneous tumors]

The identication of mononuclear cells extracted from various inflammatory infiltrates of cutaneous tumours has been investigated and the relative amount of B and T cells determinated according to various assays. It has been found that there were two different patterns of distribution of the cells in the infiltrates: one with a E/EAC ratio similar 5 (squamous and basalcell carcinomas), the other with a E/EAC ratio similar 1(malignant melanoma). The identification in situ of Ig-producing cells has been developed in the same tissues fixed in Bouin's solution. The relative frequency of these cells has been determinated and appears very low in the malignant melanoma.

Ultrastructural identification of human tonsil T-lymphocytes by peroxidase-conjugated anti-HTLA serum

A horse anti-serum rendered specific for human T-lymphocytes was conjugated with peroxidase and used for ultrastructural identification of human tonsil T-lymphocytes. With T- and B-enriched suspensions, virtually all T-lymphocytes were labelled with Po-anti-HTLA, whereas no B-cells were stained with this conjugate. The labelling HTLA conjugate confirm the ultrastructural characteristics of thymus-dependant cells.

[The spleen in "nude" mice: an immunological and immunocytochemical study (author's transl)]

An immunological and immunocytochemical study to compare spleen cells of Nude (C57B1) and Swiss mice is reported. The percentage of surface immunoglobulins bearing lymphocytes is identical in both strains of animal (40%). An activated C3 receptor is present in the majority of these cells and has been demonstrated within the germinal centers in both cell suspensions and frozen tissue sections. The population of Fc receptor bearing cells is more heterogenous, but the percentage of these is nearly identical in both Swiss and Nude mice. T-cell specificity is identified with an anti-thymocyte and an antibrain antiserum using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. The percentage of cells detected with the anti-thymocyte antiserum is very low in the spleen of Nude mice (5%) compared to that in the Swiss mice (42%). In the Nude mice, the anti-brain antiserum detects up to 30% of the spleen cells which may be considered as precursors and, so far, these 30% of cells in the Nude mice are considered as "null" cells, compared to only 20% in normal mice. The localization of the various immunocompetent cells within the spleen tissue is determined by immunofluorescence, immunoenzymology and the EAC rosette test. This study leads to the conclusion that in the periarteriolar areas of the spleen of the Nude mice, immune cells are sparse but that thymo-independent cells are located in the same region in both species of mice.

Morphological, immunological and immunocytochemical identification of lymphocytes extracted from cutaneous infiltrates

The identification of mononuclear cells extracted from various skin disorders has been investigated and the relative amount of B and T cells determined according to various assays such as E-rosette test, FITC and peroxidase anti-immunoglobulin conjugates. It has been found that: (a) there were two different patterns of distribution of the cells in the infiltrates; one with a T/B ratio above 3 (closest to a delayed type reaction), the other with a T/B ratio below 2. (b) The morphological appearance of tissue lymphocytes differs from that of circulating lymphocytes by the presence of both membrane and cytoplasmic immunoglobulins.

[B-lymphocytes subpopulation. Rapid identification with a histoimmunological method (author's transl)]

After extraction of tissues (spleen, thymus, blood) B cell bearing surface immunoglobulins were specifically labelled with Fab-peroxidase conjugate in light and electron microscopy. Positive and negative labelled lymphocyte were counted. This procedure allowed us to quantitate B and T cell in different diseases in peripheral blood and within lesions. It may represent a new immunopathological approach.

[A chronological study of thymic crystalline inclusions and autoimmune disorders in Swan and NZB mice (author's transl)]

Swan and NZB mice represent good animal model for human systemic erythematosus with autoimmune phenomena (antinuclear antibodies, deposits of immunoglobulins in kidney and skin). The level of circulating thymic factor, responsible for T lymphocyte differenciation, falls during the first month of life in NZB mice, during the third month in Swan mice, during the sixth month in control mice (Swiss). In Swan mice, cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions have been found within the epithelial cells which are said to have a thymosine-like activity. The time-sequence of the appearance of the crystalline inclusions has been studied in relation to the development of autoimmune disorders (antinuclear antibodies, immunoglobulins in tissues). In each group of mice, the drop in circulating thymic factor appears before the appearance of crystalline inclusions and of autoimmunisation. Therefore, these crystals appear to represent a store of circulating thymosine-like factor or of a precursor in an ageing thymus.