Detection of bone invasion by gingival carcinoma of the mandible: a comparison of intraoral and panoramic radiography and computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography (PR), panoramic radiography combined with intraoral radiography (PR+IR), and CT in detecting the supero-inferior extent of tumor invasion of the mandible by gingival carcinoma.

METHOD

PR, PR+IR, and CT images of the mandible in 37 patients with gingival carcinoma were evaluated by five oral radiologists for the supero-inferior extent of bone invasion using ROC analysis. The mean ROC curve area (Az) of each observer for the different imaging modalities was analysed by nonparametric two-way ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean Az for the detection of bone invasion were 0.88+/-0.03 for PR, 0.77+/-0.12 for PR+IR, and 0.87+/-0.03 for CT (P=0.0907). The mean Az for the detection of bone invasion beyond the alveolus was 0.89+/-0.07 for PR, 0.85+/-0.08 for PR+IR, and 0.83+/-0.06 for CT (P=0.5438). The mean Az for the detection of bone invasion beneath the mandibular canal were 0.94+/-0.04 for PR, 0.94+/-0.02 for PR+IR, and 0.91+/-0. 04 for CT (P=0.2466). No statistically significant differences were observed in Az between PR, PR+IR, and CT.

CONCLUSION

We consider that PR+IR should be adopted as the initial imaging modality to determine the extent of supero-inferior invasion of the mandible in gingival carcinoma.

Electrophoretic and serologic characterization of 56 kDa antigen (M56) with autologous serum derived from a chondrosarcoma patient: a shared antigen of immunoresponses in cancer and autoimmune diseases

We investigated whether antibodies specific to autologous cancer cells are produced in the peripheral blood of patients with chondrosarcoma. There have been few reports on the investigation of the immune responses, such as autologous antibody production, to chondrosarcoma. Here, tumor-associated antigens were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and detected by immunoenzymatic amplification. A 56 kDa molecule (M56) was detected in the serum from patients' peripheral blood. M56 is ubiquitously expressed in various kinds of tissue-derived cells. However, the molecule seemed to be retained mostly in the cytosolic compartment of lymphoid cells, while it was expressed on the cell surface of nonlymphoid cancer cells. Furthermore, the antibodies reactive to the 56 kDa molecule were frequently observed in sera derived from patients with other cancers and autoimmune diseases as compared to the sera from healthy control donors, suggesting that M56 is a common target molecule of immune responses in patients with various cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Physical and functional association of LFA-1 with DNAM-1 adhesion molecule

Whereas ligation of the DNAM-1 adhesion molecule triggers cytotoxicity mediated by normal NK and T cells, this function was defective in NK cell clones from leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome. However, genetic reconstitution of cell surface expression of LFA-1 restored the ability of DNAM-1 to initiate anti-DNAM-1 mAb-induced cytotoxicity, indicating a functional relationship between DNAM-1 and LFA-1. Further studies demonstrated that LFA-1 physically associates with DNAM-1 in NK cells and anti-CD3 mAb stimulated T cells, for which serine phosphorylation of DNAM-1 plays a critical role. In addition, cross-linking of LFA-1 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of DNAM-1, for which the Fyn protein tyrosine kinase is responsible. These results indicate that DNAM-1 is involved in the LFA-1-mediated intracellular signals.

Expression of MAGE-1 and -3 genes and gene products in human hepatocellular carcinoma

MAGE gene family encodes peptides recognized by autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I restricted fashion. In the present study, we have performed reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the genes, as well as immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting of MAGE-1 and -3 proteins in 33 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MAGE-1 and -3 mRNAs were constitutively expressed exclusively in 78 and 42% of HCCs respectively. On immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies, 77B for MAGE-1 and 57B for MAGE-3, MAGE-1 and -3 proteins were recognized in cytoplasm of only six among 33 (18%) and two of 29 HCCs (7%) respectively. The distribution pattern was mostly focal in HCC nodules. By contrast, the Western blot analysis revealed that the MAGE-1 (46 kDa) and -3 proteins (48 kDa) were expressed in 80 and 60% of 15 HCCs examined respectively. The proteins of MAGE-1 and -3 were also expressed exclusively in HCCs regardless of the histological grading and clinical staging. Our results indicate that the detection of the genes by RT-PCR or the proteins by Western blotting is useful for differentiating early HCCs from non-cancerous lesions, and that the peptides derived from MAGE-1 and -3 proteins might be suitable targets for immunotherapy of human HCC.

Value of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation of hemangiomas from lymphangiomas in the oral and maxillofacial region

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to differentiate hemangioma from lymphangioma in the oral and maxillofacial region.

STUDY DESIGN

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 20 patients (21 masses: 17 hemangiomas and 4 lymphangiomas) through use of either a 0.2-T permanent system or a 0. 5-T superconductive system and spin-echo pulse sequences.

RESULTS

After intravenous administration of contrast medium, enhancement was observed in all hemangiomas in areas corresponding to those with high signal on T(2)-weighted images. Unequivocally increased signal was observed in 10 masses, and slightly increased signal was observed in 7 masses. On the other hand, none of the lymphangiomas showed an enhancing mass on contrast-enhanced T(1)-weighted images.

CONCLUSIONS

Although contrast-enhanced T(1)-weighted imaging may not improve delineation of masses in all cases, it can be used to differentiate between deep hemangiomas and lymphangiomas.

Tumor rejection by in vivo administration of anti-CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor alpha) monoclonal antibody

Immune regulation has been shown to be involved in the progressive growth of some murine tumors. In this study, we demonstrated that a single in vivo administration of an amount less than 0.125 mg of anti-CD25 interleukin 2 receptor alpha monoclonal antibody (mAb; PC61) caused the regression of tumors that grew progressively in syngeneic mice. The tumors used were five leukemias, a myeloma, and two sarcomas derived from four different inbred mouse strains. Anti-CD25 mAb (PC61) showed an effect in six of the eight tumors. Administration of anti-CD25 mAb (PC61) caused a reduction in the number of CD4+ CD25+ cells in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. The findings suggested that CD4+ CD25+ immunoregulatory cells were involved in the growth of those tumors. Kinetic analysis showed that the administration of anti-CD25 mAb (PC61) later than day 2 after tumor inoculation caused no tumor regression, irrespective of depletion of CD4+ CD25+ immunoregulatory cells. Two leukemias, on which the PC61-treatment had no effect, seemed to be incapable of eliciting effective rejection responses in the recipient mice because of low or no antigenicity.

Expression of multiple unique rejection antigens on murine leukemia BALB/c RLmale symbol1 and the role of dominant Akt antigen for tumor escape

Using the pRL1a Ag-loss RLmale symbol1 tumor variant cell line RM2-1, we demonstrated the presence of tumor Ags other than pRL1a that were recognized by CTLs on RLmale symbol1 cells. Semiallogeneic CB6F1 or syngeneic BALB/c CTLs generated against RM2-1 lysed RM2-1 and RLmale symbol1 cells to a similar extent, but no killing was observed with any other tumor or normal cells examined. Clonal analysis and sensitization with reversed phase-HPLC fractions revealed that there were Dd- and Ld-binding peptides recognized by RM2-1 CTLs. Lysis by bulk CTLs stimulated against RLmale symbol1 and limiting dilution analysis suggested that the pRL1a peptide was dominantly recognized to the RM2-1 peptides by CTLs on RLmale symbol1 cells. The rejection response against the parental RLmale symbol1 tumor was much less than that against RM2-1 cells in either CB6F1 or BALB/c mice, suggesting that the presence of altered Akt molecules from which the dominant pRL1a peptide was derived inhibited the rejection response against RLmale symbol1. Depletion of CD4 T cells caused the regression of RLmale symbol1 at the doses in which the tumor grew in untreated mice. The generation of pRL1a CTLs was inhibited in RLmale symbol1-bearing mice. Thus, immunoregulatory CD4 T cells were most likely activated by the altered Akt molecules and inhibited the efficient generation of CTLs against the dominant pRL1a Ag in RLmale symbol1.

Heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) as a major target of the antibody response in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis

Cryptococcus neoformans causes infection in individuals with defective T cell function, such as AIDS, as well as without underlying disease. It has been suggested that humoral as well as cellular immunity might play an important role in the immune response to C. neoformans infection. We have recently shown, using immunoblotting, that the 70-kD hsp family of C. neoformans was the major target molecule of the humoral response in murine pulmonary cryptococcosis. In this study we also used immunoblotting to define the antibody responses in the sera of 24 patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis: 21 proven and three suspected diagnoses. Anti-C. neoformans hsp70 antibody was detected in 16 of 24 (66.7%) patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis. Fourteen of 17 (82.3%) patients with high antigen titres (> or = 1:8) and two of seven (28.6%) patients with low titres (< or = 1:4) had detectable levels of anti-hsp70 antibody. Sera from patients positive for anti-hsp70 antibody showed high titres in the Eiken latex agglutination test for the detection of serum cryptococcal antigen. Our results indicate that the 70-kD hsp family from C. neoformans appears to be a major target molecule of the humoral response, not only in murine pulmonary cryptococcosis, but also in human patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Isolation of MHC class I-restricted tumor antigen peptide and its precursors associated with heat shock proteins hsp70, hsp90, and gp96

We have previously demonstrated that vaccination with heat shock proteins hsp70, hsp90, and gp96 elicits specific immunity against the tumor from which the hsps were purified. Although the association of tumor Ag peptides with these hsps have been suggested, the identification of the peptides or their precursors stripped from the hsps remained to be resolved. We show in this report that an Ld-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope of a mouse leukemia RLmale symbol1 and its precursors are associated with the chaperones hsp90 and hsp70 in the cytosol and gp96 in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Hsp70 was associated with only final sized octamer, while hsp90 was found to associate with the octamer and two distinct precursor peptides. The gp96 was associated with the octamer and one of the two precursors. Thus, each of the hsps bound a distinct set of peptides. Our results have demonstrated for the first time that the hsps associate not only with final sized tumor Ag peptide but also with its precursors. The implication of this evidence is also discussed in terms of the roles of hsps in MHC class I Ag processing/presentation.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in the clinical forms of leprosy

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are autoantibodies against enzymes present in primary granules of neutrophils and lysosomes of monocytes detected in systemic vasculitis and in other diseases, including infections. ANCA are markers of active Wegener granulomatosis, which presents some anatomo-pathologic and immune response features similar to those of leprosy. Thus, we raised the hypothesis that ANCA may be present in leprosy as markers specifically linked to the presence of vasculitis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of ANCA in leprosy and its correlation with the clinical forms of the disease. Sera from 60 normal individuals and from 59 patients with different clinical forms of leprosy were studied. The patients were also allocated into reactional and nonreactional groups. By indirect immunofluorescence, ANCA were positive, an atypical pattern (A-ANCA), in 28.8% of the patient sera. A-ANCA predominated, although not significantly (p > 0.05), in the reactional groups 37.9% vs 20.0%), and in those at the lepromatous pole (41.6% vs 20.0%). There was no correlation between ANCA positivity and either disease duration, disease activity, or therapeutic regimen (p > 0.05). An interesting finding was the correlation between ANCA and gender: 94.1% of ANCA-positive patients were males (p < 0.01), a feature that so far has not been reported in ANCA-related diseases and for which there is no explanation at the moment. By ELISA, the sera of the lepromatous leprosy patients did not show activity against either PR3, MPO, HLE, the most common ANCA antigens. Because A-ANCA are nonspecific, this finding requires further investigation for the determination of the responsible antigen(s). In conclusion, A-ANCA are present in 28.8% of leprosy patients but are not related to vasculitis in the erythema nodosum leprosum reaction and are not a marker of a specific clinical form.

Imaging findings of some buccomasseteric masses

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review and illustrate the appearances on diagnostic images of pathologic conditions of the buccomasseteric region.

STUDY DESIGN

Computed tomographic, sonographic, and magnetic resonance images of the buccomasseteric masses were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

In our series of 66 cases, there were 60 benign lesions; of these, 21 were benign masses, 11 were inflammations, and 28 were myopathies. The most common pathologic condition of the buccomasseteric region was masseteric hypertrophy (n = 22). The most common lesion manifesting as a benign mass in this series was hemangioma (n = 10), which was followed by lipoma (n = 6). Six of the 66 patients had malignant tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were useful in demonstrating the location and extent of the buccomasseteric masses. Sonography provided clear images of internal architectures of the mass in this region.

Possible involvement of autoreactive CD4 T cells in generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes on in vitro stimulation with H-2 class I-binding tumor antigen peptide

We demonstrated that RL male 1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated in spleen cells from the tumor-rejected CB6F1 mice on in vitro stimulation with Ld-binding pRL1a peptide. We showed that CD4 T cells and antigen-presenting cells were necessary for CTL generation. Furthermore, CTL generation was inhibited by the addition of anti-I-Ad mAb, but not anti-I-Ek/d mAb, to the culture. However, no binding of the pRL1a peptide to the I-Ad molecule could be demonstrated. No inhibition by the pRL1a peptide of I-Ad-restricted IL-2 production by ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4 T cell hybridoma DO-11.10 was observed on stimulation with the specific OVA peptide. Moreover, no specific proliferative response or IL-2 production was observed with CD4 T cells in spleen cells from the tumor-rejected mice on stimulation with a range of mitomycin C-treated RL male 1 cells, or with RL male 1 lysate or the pRL1a peptide. Rather, the activation of autoreactive CD4 T cells and the IL-2 production from them were observed. CD4 T cells from CB6F1 mice that had rejected other tumors such as EL4 or MOPC-70A also helped the generation of pRL1a-specific CTL. These findings suggested the involvement of autoreactive CD4 T cells in CTL generation against the pRL1a peptide.

Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: the effect of interleukin-1 on loose-body-derived cells

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of interleukin-1 on cells from loose bodies of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint.

STUDY DESIGN

The cells were isolated from uncalcified loose bodies in a case of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint and cultured in alpha-MEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The cells were treated with or without interleukin-1alpha and then stained with toluidine blue. Their conditioned media were analyzed with gelatin zymography to detect matrix-degrading proteinase(s).

RESULTS

The cells from loose bodies produced toluidine-blue-stained matrix. When the cells were treated with 100 ng/ml of interleukin-1alpha for 3 days, toluidine-blue-stained matrix was strikingly reduced. Gelatin zymography revealed that interleukin-1alpha-treated cells released 62-kDa gelatinase.

CONCLUSIONS

Interleukin-1alpha may lead loose-body-derived cells to degrade the cartilaginous matrix of loose bodies in synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the mandible: findings of panoramic radiography and computed tomography

Six patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the mandible were studied with both panoramic radiography and computed tomography. Lesion shape and margin were evaluated on panoramic radiography, and bony expansion and cortical plate destruction were evaluated on computed tomography. In addition, a possible correlation among radiographic findings, histologic findings, and prognosis was investigated. Lesions found on panoramic radiography were classified into three types; each type pertained to two of the six patients. The lesion types were as follows: cystic, characterized by a large, cystic radiolucent area; rarefying, characterized by rarefying changes of the trabeculae; and infiltrative, characterized by a central ill-defined area of bony destruction. The results show that computed tomography is useful in the identification of tumor extent, bony expansion, and cortical plate destruction resulting from tumors. None of the patients whose lesions were of the cystic or rarefying type showed evidence of disease after surgery. In contrast, both of the patients whose lesions were of the infiltrative type died of their tumors. Histologic findings of the cystic and rarefying types showed tumors that were well-differentiated or moderately well-differentiated, whereas findings of the infiltrative type showed poorly differentiated tumors. Radiographic findings correlated with histologic findings and prognosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the mandible in this limited series.

Vaccination with multiple antigen peptide as rejection antigen peptide in murine leukemia

pRL1a (IPGLPLSL) is the Ld-binding tumor rejection antigen peptide recognized by CTLs on BALB/c radiation leukemia RL(male)1. We demonstrated that in vivo and in vitro sensitization with pRL1a multiple antigen peptide (MAP), but not with the pRL1a peptide itself, generated pRL1a-specific CTLs in the spleen cells of BALB/c mice. No enhancement of cytotoxicity was observed by emulsifying pRLla MAP in incomplete Freund's adjuvant or in complete Freund's adjuvant for in vivo sensitization. Selective depletion of CD4+ T cells in mice by treatment with anti-L3T4 (CD4) monoclonal antibody and that of macrophages by treatment with carrageenan on in vivo sensitization with pRL1a MAP abrogated CTL generation. The findings suggest that CD4+ T cells and antigen-presenting cells were necessary for the in vivo priming of CD8+ T cells with pRL1a MAP. Furthermore, we demonstrated that in vivo sensitization of BALB/c mice with pRL1a MAP, but not with pRL1a peptide, showed an inhibitory effect on RL(male)1 tumor growth. No growth-inhibitory effect was observed on control RVA, RVD, or Meth A tumors.

Variable expression on lung cancer cell lines of HLA-A2-binding MAGE-3 peptide recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for HLA-A2-binding MAGE-3 peptide (FLWGPRALV) were generated by repetitive stimulation of PBMC with the peptide in the presence of EBV-transformed B blasts and IL-2. Using these CTL, we investigated the expression of the HLA-A2-binding MAGE-3 peptide on lung cancer cell lines. Of 14 cell lines investigated, 1-87, PC-9, OU-LC-KI, 11-18 and LK87 were derived from HLA-A2 positive patients. But cytofluorometry analysis showed that 1-87, PC-9 and OU-LC-KI, but not 11-18 or LK87 expressed the HLA-A2 antigen. All five cell lines expressed MAGE-3 gene mRNA. Twelve of thirteen CTL lines from two HLA-A2 positive donors showed no cytotoxicity against any of the 14 lung cancer cell lines. CTL line TI-1 showed cytotoxicity against 1-87 but not against any of the other cell lines. Treatment of 1-87 with IFN-gamma greatly augmented the cytotoxicity of TI-1 and induced it in the other 12 CTL lines, confirming the expression of the peptide on 1-87. No cytotoxicity was induced by IFN-gamma treatment of PC-9 or OU-LC-KI. However, PC-9 and OU-LC-KI pulsed with the peptide were killed efficiently by all of the CTL lines, suggesting no expression of the peptide on those cells. A low level of cytotoxicity was induced on 11-18 but not LK87 by IFN-gamma treatment, although expression of the HLA-A2 antigen was not observed by cytofluorometry. These findings showed that expression of the HLA-A2-binding MAGE-3 peptide recognized by CTL was variable on lung cancer cell lines.

Double-cleavage production of the CTL epitope by proteasomes and PA28: role of the flanking region

BACKGROUND

Proteasomes are known to produce major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands from endogenous antigens, and the gamma-interferon-inducible proteasome activator PA28 has been thought to play an important role in the generation of immunodominant MHC ligands by proteasomes. Several attempts have been made to show that proteasomes have the ability to yield cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes effectively from model polypeptides derived from viral and intracellular proteins in vitro, but their antigen processing mechanism is poorly understood.

RESULTS

Proteasomes produce the tumour rejection antigen precursor peptide pRL1b (SIIPGLPLSL), but not pRL1a (IPGLPLSL), bound to the H-2Ld molecule, from synthetic peptides covering the CTL epitope. This double cleavage production of pRL1b by proteasomes seemed to depend on the length of the flanking regions adjacent to either end of the CTL epitope, in which their successive deletions caused the almost complete prevention of pRL1b excision. The newly identified PA28 collaborates with proteasomes for efficient production of pRL1b, by promoting not only single cleavage of all susceptible peptides, but also dual cleavage in some peptides harboring certain characteristic lengths.

CONCLUSION

The flanking regions outside pRL1b of suitable length appear to be essential for the correct CTL epitope production, possibly functioning as anchors to trap target peptides for proteasomal degradation. We propose a novel mechanism for dual-cleavage excision of immunodominant epitopes by proteasomes and PA28.

Computed tomography appearance of marked keratinization of metastatic cervical lymph nodes: a case report

A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is reported with emphasis on an atypical finding of cervical lymph node metastasis visible on computed tomography. Multiple cervical lymph nodes revealed a high computed tomographic value of about 330 HU, lower than that of calcification. The lymph nodes revealed well-defined elliptical hyperechoic masses with an echogenic line and posterior shadow on ultrasonography. The appearance of a high density mass on computed tomography with a computed tomographic value lower than that of calcification may be a reliable finding of metastasis because it demonstrates the presence of marked keratinization produced by squamous cell carcinoma.

Diversity of epitopes recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes that are specific for rejection antigen peptide pRL1a presented on BALB/c leukemia RL Male 1

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generated in (BALB/c x C57BL/6)F1 (CB6F1) and BALB/c spleen cells stimulated with BALB/c radiation-leukemia RL Male 1 cells or pRL1a (IPGLPLSL) peptide itself recognized pRL1a on RL Male 1 in association with Ld. We first studied pRL1a peptide residues used for binding to the Ld molecule by examining the inhibition by variant peptides with single Ala substitutions at each position (P) of recognition of P815 target cells sensitized with Ld-binding p2Ca (LSPFPFDL) peptide for BALB/c anti-p2Ca CTL. The results showed that Leu at P8 is predominantly involved in the binding and Pro at P2 is partially involved. Substitution of Gly to Ala at P3 increased binding. We then investigated the epitope residues recognized by four pRL1a-specific CTL clones by examining their cytotoxicity against the P815 target sensitized with variant pRL1a peptides. Recognition by clone Y-16 involved predominantly Leu at P4 and P6, and also Pro at P5 and Ser at P7, and partially Ile at P1. Recognition by clone U-41 involved predominantly Ile at P1 and Leu at P6, and partially Gly at P3, Leu at P4, Pro at P5 and Ser at P7. Recognition by clone P-2 involved predominantly Leu at P4 and P6, and Ser at P7, with no partial involvement of other substitutions being observed. Finally, recognition by clone B-24 predominantly involved all residues, except Gly at P3, which was partially involved. TCR V beta genes utilized by those CTL clones were different. The findings show that tumor antigen peptide pRL1a generates a wide repertoire of CTL clones that differ in TCR V beta usage and in the intrapeptide epitope residues they recognize.

Requirement of CD4 T cells for skin graft rejection against thymus leukemia (TL) antigen and multiple epitopes on the TL molecule recognized by CD4 T cells

By selective depletion of CD4 and CD8 T cells in vivo using the respective mAbs, we demonstrate that CD4 T cells are necessary for skin graft rejection against thymus leukemia (TL) Ag. The skin expressing T3b-TL Ag from transgenic C3H Tg.Con.3-1 mice given chimeric H-2Kb/T3b-TL gene was rejected when grafted onto C3H/He recipient mice. Depletion of CD4, but not of CD8, T cells blocked rejection. CD8 CTL were generated in MEM (control)-treated C3H/He recipient mice, while Thy-1+ CD4- CD8- CTL were generated in CD8-depleted recipient mice after rejection. However, no CTL were generated in CD4-depleted or both CD4- and CD8-depleted recipient mice. Thus, the generation of both CD8 and Thy-1+ CD4- CD8- CTL was dependent on CD4 T cells. Ab blocking indicated that both CD8 and Thy-1+ CD4- CD8- CTL were TCR alphabeta and recognized TL Ag. We furthermore demonstrated that CD4 T cells in spleen cells from C3H/He mice that had rejected C3H Tg.Con.3-1 skin showed a weak, but significant, proliferative response to in vitro stimulation with mitomycin C-treated C3H Tg.Con.3-1 spleen cells. Analysis of the reactivity of bulk CD4 T cell lines to 73 synthetic overlapping peptides encompassing the entire T3b-TL molecule showed that CD4 T cells recognized multiple epitopes on the T3b-TL molecule in an APC-dependent manner.

Requirement of CD4 T cells for skin graft rejection against thymus leukemia (TL) antigen and multiple epitopes on the TL molecule recognized by CD4 T cells

By selective depletion of CD4 and CD8 T cells in vivo using the respective mAbs, we demonstrate that CD4 T cells are necessary for skin graft rejection against thymus leukemia (TL) Ag. The skin expressing T3b-TL Ag from transgenic C3H Tg.Con.3-1 mice given chimeric H-2Kb/T3b-TL gene was rejected when grafted onto C3H/He recipient mice. Depletion of CD4, but not of CD8, T cells blocked rejection. CD8 CTL were generated in MEM (control)-treated C3H/He recipient mice, while Thy-1+ CD4- CD8- CTL were generated in CD8-depleted recipient mice after rejection. However, no CTL were generated in CD4-depleted or both CD4- and CD8-depleted recipient mice. Thus, the generation of both CD8 and Thy-1+ CD4- CD8- CTL was dependent on CD4 T cells. Ab blocking indicated that both CD8 and Thy-1+ CD4- CD8- CTL were TCR alphabeta and recognized TL Ag. We furthermore demonstrated that CD4 T cells in spleen cells from C3H/He mice that had rejected C3H Tg.Con.3-1 skin showed a weak, but significant, proliferative response to in vitro stimulation with mitomycin C-treated C3H Tg.Con.3-1 spleen cells. Analysis of the reactivity of bulk CD4 T cell lines to 73 synthetic overlapping peptides encompassing the entire T3b-TL molecule showed that CD4 T cells recognized multiple epitopes on the T3b-TL molecule in an APC-dependent manner.

A 77-kilodalton protein of Cryptococcus neoformans, a member of the heat shock protein 70 family, is a major antigen detected in the sera of mice with pulmonary cryptococcosis

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) from several pathogenic microbes have been shown to be target molecules of humoral responses as well as cellular immune responses. However, little is known about target molecules in pulmonary cryptococcosis. Western blotting analysis revealed that experimentally induced pulmonary cryptococcosis in (BALB/c x DBA/2)F1 mice was associated with the appearance of serum antibodies to a 77-kDa protein derived from Cryptococcus neoformans as well as to 18-, 22-, 25-, 36-, and 94-kDa proteins. Since the 77-kDa band also reacted with rabbit polyclonal antibodies against 70-kDa HSP (HSP70) family members, the protein was predicted to be a member of the HSP70 family. We also purified HSP70 directly from a C. neoformans cell extract by Mono Q fast protein liquid chromatography and ATP-agarose affinity column chromatography and showed that it was positive in immunoblot analysis using either serum from C. neoformans-infected mice or rabbit anti-HSP70 antibodies. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of this purified protein confirmed that the 77-kDa protein was a member of the HSP70 protein family. A 66-kDa protein, which coincidentally purified with the HSP70 protein and was identified as a member of the HSP60 family by N-terminal amino acid sequencing, was not reactive with sera from C. neoformans-infected mice. Thus, a protein associated with the HSP70 family and derived from C. neoformans was a major target molecule of the humoral response in murine pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Reliability of ultrasonography and sialography in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitatively observer performance with ultrasonography and sialography in the diagnosis of parotid gland involvement of Sjögren's syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

Sixty-four parotid gland sialograms and 65 ultrasonograms were prepared for observer performance experiments. They included both modalities in 24 Sjögren's syndrome and 19 nonspecific parotitis cases, 21 normal parotid gland sialograms, and 22 normal ultrasonograms in healthy volunteers. The images were randomly sequenced and presented to five observers who were asked to describe several findings and finally to determine the imaging diagnosis by ranking the abnormal features and the diagnosis on a five-point-rating scale. Observer performance was evaluated on the basis of the reliability of findings interpreted and the diagnostic accuracy of each modality from observers' rating scores.

RESULTS

The diagnostic accuracy of sialography was very high, nearly perfect. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography was lower than that of sialography, resulting from the lower incidence of characteristic findings in the disease groups and lower sensitivity on ultrasonography. In the differentiation of Sjögren's syndrome from the normal, however, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography increased to 80% for all cases, and up to nearly 90% in the advanced sialographic stages.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome in the advanced stages. Taking the noninvasiveness of this technique into account we recommend first applying ultrasonography to the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome and performing sialography when no positive findings are detected on ultrasonography.

Articles on AIDS in major Japanese newspapers

People in general obtain knowledge about AIDS through the mass media. It is interesting to know how newspapers have dealt with AIDS in recent years, since newspapers are the most important mass media. The number of articles on AIDS from 1981 to 1994 was investigated in three major Japanese newspapers (Asahi, Yomiuri, and Mainichi) which are distributed nationwide. The first article appeared in 1982, and the number of articles gradually increased to a peak (total 785 articles) in 1987 when the first Japanese female patient was reported. Then, the number of articles decreased to 116 in 1989. The number of articles on AIDS in newspapers was not correlated with the reported number of patients.

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging for malignant tumors in the oral and maxillofacial region

The purpose of this study was to clarify the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging for malignant tumors in the oral and maxillofacial region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of 25 patients with malignant tumors of the oral and maxillofacial region were evaluated. Computed tomography scans were performed with intravenous contrast enhancement. A 0.2-Tesla (Hitachi Medical Corp., Tokyo, Japan) permanent magnetic resonance unit was used to obtain T1-, T2-, and proton-density-weighted images with spin-echo pulse sequences. Gadolinium-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid was administered in 11 cases. Severe artifacts influencing image interpretation were observed in 10 (40%) cases on computed tomography but only in 5 (20%) cases on magnetic resonance imaging. There was no difference in the detectability of bone invasion between images from the two systems. Contrast enhancement with gadolinium-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid provided additional useful information in only 3 of 11 cases compared with nonenhanced magnetic resonance images. Malignant tumors showed a higher signal intensity than that of muscle on T2-weighted images in all cases and on proton-density-weighted images in 23 (92%) cases. On T1-weighted images, an intermediate signal intensity similar to that of muscle was seen in 16 (64%) cases and a hyperintense signal in 9 (36%) cases. There was poor correlation between signal intensity and pathologic diagnosis of the tumors. These results suggest that in cases with severe artifacts that disturb the interpretation of the images on computed tomography, magnetic resonance examinations are preferable for defining the exact extent of the primary lesion.