Antigen non-specific tissue damage in T cell-mediated experimental autoimmune orchitis: preliminary characterization of a testis-specific T-cell line by using dermal tissue and cells

A previous study demonstrated the establishment of a murine testicular antigen (mTA)-specific CD4+ T-cell line (designated BT.1) which was capable of transferring experimental autoimmune epididymo-orchitis to naive recipient mice. The disease transfer was antigen-specific, because no inflammatory lesion was observed in any other organs and tissues of the recipients. In this study, to investigate the local environment of BT.1 cells, the effect of the cells and their culture supernatant on a local tissue integrity was studied. When BT.1 cells were seeded on cultured fibroblastoid cell monolayers, the cells completely disrupted these monolayers in spite of the absence of the specific antigens. Moreover, the culture supernatant of BT.1 cells induced non-specific dermal inflammation when injected into skin tissue of normal syngeneic mice. Therefore, BT.1 cells were shown to devastate a tissue integrity and cause attraction and activation of inflammatory cells of the recipient origin in a local environment. These results suggest that the transferred BT.1 cells will specifically home to the testis and epididymis of recipients but the following devastation of seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts might be non-specifically produced by the inflammatory cells of both donor and recipient origin in the lesion.

Genetic susceptibility to the induction of murine experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) without adjuvant. II. Analysis on susceptibility to EAO induction using F1 hybrid mice and adoptive transfer system

In our novel murine model of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) induced by two or three injections of viable syngeneic testicular germ cells (TC) alone, significant differences in susceptibility to the induction of EAO were found, and the disease susceptibility did not seem to be associated with a particular H-2 haplotype. The H-2 identical background disparate (highly susceptible x low susceptible)F1 hybrids, (C3H/He x C3H/HeJ)F1 and (C3H/HeJ x C3H/He)F1 mice, were highly susceptible to the induction of EAO. The H-2 identical background disparate (highly susceptible x resistant)F1 hybrids, (C3H/He x C3H/BiKi)F1 and (C3H/BiKi x C3H/He)F1 mice, were low susceptible to the induction of EAO. Both the H-2 and background disparate (highly susceptible x resistant)F1 hybrids, (C3H/He x DBA/2N)F1 and (DBA/2N x C3H/He)F1 mice, were equally resistant to EAO induction. In the susceptible hybrids, both delayed footpad reaction (DFR) and antibody responses to TC increased. On the other hand, in the resistant hybrids, the levels of anti-TC antibodies were elevated but the DFR to TC remains depressed. This suggests that the antibody production and induction of DFR may be under different genetic controls and that cellular immunity plays an important role in this EAO induction. In order to search for the mechanistic basis for low susceptible C3H/HeJ and resistant C3H/BiKi mice, these mice received orchitis-inducible spleen cells (SPCs) from C3H/He mice. C3H/HeJ mice were highly susceptible to passive EAO. In contrast, disease-resistant C3H/BiKi mice failed to develop passive EAO. In addition, we examined whether or not regulatory cells capable of preventing the disease induction were generated in low susceptible C3H/HeJ and resistant C3H/BiKi mice immunized with TC. Transfer of SPCs from TC-immunized C3H/HeJ and C3H/BiKi mice into C3H/He mice before the EAO challenge had no suppressive effect on subsequent disease induction.

Genetic susceptibility to the induction of murine experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) without adjuvant. I. Comparison of pathology, delayed type hypersensitivity, and antibody

In the present study, it was demonstrated that there were marked strain differences in susceptibility to the induction of our new murine model of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO; definite orchitis with hypospermatogenesis) induced by two or three sc injections with viable syngeneic testicular germ cells (TC) without any adjuvants. Among 12 inbred strains of mice examined, the A/J (H-2a), C3H/He (H-2k), and C3H/HeN (H-2k) strains were highly susceptible, whereas the C57BL/6N (H-2b), C57BL/10Sn (H-2b), BALB/cAnN (H-2d), AKR/N (H-2k), CBA/JN (H-2k), C3H/HeJ (H-2k), and MRL/lpr (H-2k) strains were low susceptible, and the DBA/2N (H-2d) as well as C3H/BiKi (H-2k) strains were resistant. In particular, mice of the H-2k haplotype demonstrated varying degrees of susceptibility, from highly to totally resistant, to the induction of EAO. Disease susceptibility to this type of EAO does not seem to be associated with a particular H-2 haplotype. All mice of the highly susceptible strains that received two injections of TC (TC x 2) developed a significant increase in both levels of delayed footpad reaction (DFR) to TC and anti-TC antibodies measured by ELISA. In the low susceptible and the resistant strains receiving TC x 2 or TC x 3, there was no correlation between the immune responses and the susceptibility to disease in these strains, with the exception of the BALB/cAnN mice receiving TC x 3. The low susceptible and the resistant mice that received TC x 2 were classified into four groups based on the DFR and antibody response: the C57BL/6N, BALB/cAnN, CBA/JN, and C3H/HeJ strains were both positive, and the C57BL/10Sn and AKR/N strains were both negative or very low; the DBA/2N and MRL/lpr strains showed negative DFR and positive antibody response, and the C3H/BiKi strain showed quite the opposite. Almost all mice of the 12 inbred strains that received TC x 3 showed positive antibody response, although its level varied. There seems to be no linkage between the cell-mediated and humoral immune responses and the H-2 locus in our new EAO model.

Molecular cloning and expression of the mouse 105-kDa gelatinase cDNA

We have detected a potent gelatinolytic activity in the culture supernatant of a metastatic tumor line, SN-H, derived from a murine squamous cell carcinoma. The relative molecular weight of the gelatinase was estimated as 105-kDa by gelatin zymography. We have cloned the cDNA of this gelatinase and the 3160-bp sequence has been determined. From the translated amino acid sequence, the positions of the cysteine residues and the functional domain structure are highly homologous to the human 92-kDa gelatinase. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology between these two cDNAs are 75% and 72%, respectively. Transfection of the cDNA in an expression vector resulted in production of the 105-kDa gelatinase, thus confirming that this cDNA is functional.

A 60-kDa thymic epithelial cell surface protein as a potent molecule mediating the cellular interaction with immature T cells

A unique 60-kDa surface protein expressed on the thymic epithelial cells was characterized as a potent molecule participating in the interaction between thymic stromal cells (TSC) and immature T cells. Previously, we reported an athymic mouse-derived T cell clone, N-9F, which proliferates on TSC. In the present study, we established a TSC clone, SL10.3, from a BALB/c mouse. SL10.3 has an epithelial cell nature and supports N-9F and fetal thymocytes growth in vitro. The two rat monoclonal antibodies, AS19 and AS32, directed to the SL10.3 cell surface inhibited N-9F and fetal thymocytes growth on SL10.3, suggesting that the reactive molecule may mediate the cellular interaction between TSC and immature T cells. Both antibodies are directed to the same 60-kDa protein with a pI point of 5.4, but to different epitopes on the protein. The 60-kDa protein is distributed on thymic epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells, but not on the hematopoietic cells tested.

[A case of adenocarcinoma of lung cancer with multiple brain metastasis and lymphangitis carcinomatosa responding well to chemotherapy with carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide]

A 75-year-old male who suffered from adenocarcinoma of lung cancer with multiple brain metastases, developed left hemiplegia. After diagnosis, he was treated with 4,000 cGy whole brain radiation, but soon after advanced lymphangitis carcinomatosa set in and his general condition deteriorated. He was administered carboplatin combination with etoposide and ifosfamide. Lymphangitis carcinomatosa disappeared, and the main tumor of lung and brain metastases were not growing. We recommended carboplatin for an old patient or one in poor condition, because it had less cytotoxicity and retained the same antitumor activity compared with cisplatin.

[Comparison of surgical therapy and combined irradiation in rectal cancer--second report. Effect of irradiation and ACNU on the tumor]

As part of a joint study on preoperative radiotherapy for developing an optimal mode of rectal cancer therapy, ACNU sensitization was studied in a total of 120 cases, with the cooperation of 48 facilities participating nationwide. The following results were obtained. Improvement in depth of invasion was more distinct in the combination preoperative therapy-ACNU group than in the preoperative radiotherapy group, with no other significant differences between the two. This finding suggests that dose and administration method could be improved. White blood cells and platelets were reduced in some cases of the ACNU combination group, but these reductions were not serious enough to impede surgical procedures. In addition, no significant difference in complications was noted between the two.

Suppression of efferent limb of testicular autoimmune response by a regulatory CD4+ T cell line in mice

A murine T cell line (designated as C.Ts) as a mediator of suppression of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) was established. The method of establishment of C.Ts cell line was preparing spleen cells from C3H/He mice hyperimmunized with testicular germ cells (TC) and the repeated selection of the lymphocytes in vitro by stimulation with mouse testicular antigens (mTA). The C.Ts cells were Thy1.2+, surface immunoglobulin-, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8-. The cells could suppress the induction of EAO when transferred into actively EAO-sensitized mice only at the pre-clinical stage of the disease (efferent limb of the autoimmune response). The transferred C.Ts cells significantly inhibited both cellular and humoral immune responses to TC in the recipients in an antigen-specific manner. The disease suppression by C.Ts cells was found to depend upon their cell number, and their suppressive activity was markedly augmented by in vitro stimulation with mTA.

Establishment of an experimental model of autoimmune epididymo-orchitis induced by the transfer of a T-cell line in mice

A murine T-cell line derived from BALB/c mice (designated B.T.1) was established which was capable of adoptively transferring experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) in normal recipients. The protocol consisted of preparing lymphocytes obtained from the mice that were immunized with syngenetic testicular germ cells (TGC) and the subsequent repeated selection of the lymphocytes in vitro by stimulation with murine testicular antigens (mTA). Phenotypic analysis revealed that B.T.1 cells were CD4+ T-cells. Intra-peritoneal inoculation of as few as 1 x 10(5) B.T.1 cells, that were stimulated in vitro with mTA before the inoculation, was capable of transferring EAO to naive recipients. In the latter, both delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and humoral responses to TGC were augmented. The transferred lesion was characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells into the epididymis and rete testis and widespread aspermatogenesis in the testis. The transfer of EAO was unsuccessful when the recipients received B.T.1 cells that were maintained in culture medium without stimulation with mTA. In these recipients, anti-TC DTH was not detected, although the specific humoral response was observed. In-vitro characterization of the biological activity of B.T.1 cells revealed that the line had no cytolytic activity against TGC but the culture supernatant had macrophage migration inhibitory activity involved in the DTH response. Therefore, the DTH responsiveness transferred by B.T.1 cells was found to correlate with their orchitis-inducing capacity.

Inhibition of a novel model of murine experimental autoimmune orchitis by intravenous administration with a soluble testicular antigen: participation of CD8+ regulatory T cells

Recently, we established a novel murine model of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) in C3H/He mice by means of two sc injections of 1 x 10(7) viable syngeneic testicular germ cells (TC) without the use of any adjuvants. Using this model, an effective and reproducible system of immunoregulation in EAO was developed. The induction of this EAO was suppressed by pretreatment with five iv injections of a soluble (deaggregated) form of murine testicular antigen (mTA). The antigen, mTA, was prepared by acid extraction and ammonium sulfate precipitation of defatted testes and epididymides. The development of EAO and relevant delayed-type hypersensitivity was suppressed in an antigen-specific fashion, but anti-TC antibody formation was not affected. A single dose of cyclophosphamide at 2 days after the tolerogenic regime abrogated the unresponsiveness to EAO. Three doses of recombinant interleukin 2 at every other day starting on the next day of the last pretreatment did not overcome the unresponsiveness to EAO. CD8+ T cells isolated from the spleen of deaggregated mTA-pretreated animals could adoptively transfer suppression against EAO into naive recipients, whereas CD4+ T cells failed to transfer the suppression.

New experimental model for adoptive transfer of murine autoimmune orchitis

Previous studies demonstrated that experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) was produced in C3H/He mice with very high incidence by subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of viable syngeneic testicular germ cells (TC), without resorting to any adjuvants or immunopotentiators. Using this EAO model, a new and simple protocol was developed for adoptive transfer of EAO. Cell donors were C3H/He mice that received s.c. injections twice with TC alone. Spleen cells from the donors were stimulated in vitro with TC, propagated in interleukin-2 containing medium, then injected i.p. to naive recipient mice. This procedure induced severe orchitis and hypospermatogenesis with or without inflammation in epididymis and vas deferens in the recipients at high incidence. Elimination of all T cells or CD4+ T cells before the transfer produced no histopathological signs in the recipients whereas that of the CD8+ T cells or B cells had no inhibitory effect on the disease transfer, indicating that the effector cells are CD4+ T cells.

Adjuvant hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy after potentially curative hepatectomy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer: a pilot study

The site most at risk of recurrence after hepatectomy is the remaining liver. Therefore a study was conducted of the use of hepatic intra-arterial and oral chemotherapy for colorectal metastases to prevent intrahepatic recurrence. Our regimen consisted of intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), mitomycin C (MMC) and oral 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU). Sixteen patients were treated. Median total dose of 5-FU was 8.1 g, MMC was 43 mg, and HCFU was 54 g, respectively. Median follow-up period was 21 months. The recurrence rate of the remaining liver was 31%. With respect to the number of hepatic metastases, there was no recurrence in patients with a single deposit. On the other hand, the intrahepatic recurrence rate of patients with multiple deposits was 45%. Of six patients with more than five hepatic deposits, however, only one patient had developed recurrent disease in the liver. Chemical sclerosing cholangitis (19%) was the most serious complication. Consequently, we propose that a prospective randomized trial should be carried out to establish the effects of this type of adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce possible recurrences in the remaining liver.

Proliferation of an athymic mouse-derived T-cell clone on thymic stromal cells with interleukin-2

An athymic mouse-derived CD4+8+ T-cell clone, N-9F, was established. It expresses both full length gamma and delta T-cell receptor (TcR) mRNA. N-9F clone was not maintained by interleukin-2 (IL-2) alone but required another soluble mediator(s), contained in concanavalin A-stimulated splenocyte culture supernatant, for its proliferation. By culturing N-9F on thymic stromal cells, [3H]thymidine incorporation was retained and expression of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) was induced. This phenomenon was also observed on thymic stromal cells from H-2 allogeneic mice, but not on other cell types such as splenic adherent cells or fibroblasts. After addition of recombinant IL-2 into the N-9F culture with thymic stromal cells, N-9F showed enhanced IL-2R expression and greatly proliferated. The inability to detect any soluble factors in thymic stromal cell culture supernatant suggests that this interaction is mediated by direct cell contact between T and thymic stromal cells. Because a CD2-negative subclone, N-9.23, also proliferated on thymic stromal cells, there might exist a type of molecule other than CD2/LFA3 or TcR/MHC involved with thymic stroma and T-lymphocyte interaction.

Preservation of urine voiding and sexual function after rectal cancer surgery

In order to decrease the urinary and sexual morbidity which follows radical pelvic lymphadenectomy for rectal cancer, we began selective preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerves. Between 1985 and 1987, 134 patients with rectal cancer underwent a curative resection (52 abdominoperineal resections, 82 sphincter-saving resections) with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy and selective pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP). PANP was classified into five degrees depending on the extent of pelvic dissection. First-degree PANP indicates complete preservation of the nerves; second-degree PANP indicates destruction of the hypogastric plexus: third-degree PANP indicates partial preservation of the pelvic autonomic plexus; fourth-degree PANP indicates bilateral or unilateral preservation of only the fourth pelvic parasympathetic nerve; and fifth-degree PANP indicates complete destruction of the pelvic autonomic nerves. Most patients with first-degree PANP were able to spontaneously void 7-10 days following the operation. However, 78 percent (28/36) of patients with fifth-degree PANP had not regained bladder sensation by the third postoperative week and were discharged with an indwelling catheter; 58 percent (21/36) had not regained bladder sensation by the 60th postoperative day. The cystometric data indicate a progressive decline in bladder sensation and function with increasingly extensive pelvic dissection. However, preservation of only the fourth parasympathetic nerve (fourth-degree PANP) resulted in partial sparing of bladder sensation and voiding function. Evaluation of sexual function in males under 60 years of age revealed that only 31 percent (12/39) recovered erectile function and only 19 percent (6/39) recovered normal ejaculatory function in the first postoperative year. Most of these patients had complete preservation of their pelvic autonomic plexus (i.e., first-degree PANP). Four patients with partial PANP have recovered erectile function. Complete PANP is the best way to prevent urinary and sexual morbidity after rectal resection. The opposing goals of maximizing the chance for cure and minimizing morbidity must be individualized and balanced in each patient. Our data demonstrate that it is now possible to perform radical pelvic lymphadenectomy in the majority of patients with advanced rectal cancer with a minimum of voiding dysfunction. Preservation of sexual function in males is more difficult and depends on complete PANP and, as such, should be restricted to the group of patients with Dukes' A and B carcinomas.

A new murine model of autoimmune orchitis induced by immunization with viable syngeneic testicular germ cells alone. II. Immunohistochemical findings of fully-developed inflammatory lesion

Previous studies demonstrated that experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) was produced in C3H/He mice with very high incidence by two or three subcutaneous injections of viable syngeneic testicular germ cells, without the use of any adjuvants or immunopotentiators and that the disease induced was characterized by a complete lack of epididymitis despite a definite orchitis with hypospermatogenesis. In this report, immunohistochemical characterization of immune cells in the fully-developed orchitic lesion was carried out using monoclonal antibodies and immunoperoxidase staining. Thy-1.2+ cells, Mac-1+ cells, B220+ cells and cytoplasmic Ig-bearing cells in the lesion were estimated to be approximately 30, 15, 20 and 30% of all inflammatory cells, respectively. Major phenotype of T cells in the lesion was CD4+ (approximately 85%) with the remainder (approximately 15%) being CD8+. The percentages of cytoplasmic IgG-, IgA- and IgM-bearing cells were estimated as approximately 35, 60 and 5% of all cytoplasmic Ig-bearing cells, respectively. Deposits of immunoglobulins and third component of complement were identified on the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules, interstitium between the tubules, vessel endothelium and degenerated germ cells in the lesion. Circulating antibodies directed against the acrosomal portion of germ cells were detected in IgG and IgM classes but not in IgA class. Inflammatory cells (including macrophages, B cells and, probably, activated T cells) in the lesion were Ia+, but Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and germ cells did not stain for Ia at all.

A new murine model of autoimmune orchitis induced by immunization with viable syngeneic testicular germ cells alone. I. Immunological and histological studies

Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) was produced in C3H/He mice with as high as 100% incidence by two or three s.c. injections of 1 x 10(7) viable syngeneic testicular germ cells (TC) without resorting to adjuvants, Bordetella pertussis vaccine, or other immunological manipulations. On day 40 after the first injection of TC, the lesions induced were characterized by interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells and severe hypospermatogenesis in the testis with resulting whole organ atrophy and, in contrast, by a complete lack of epididymitis. Immunological studies revealed that this form of immunization caused both delayed-type hypersensitivity and humoral antibody responses to syngeneic TC. We compared the susceptibilities to the induction of this type of EAO among six different strains of inbred mice comprising A/J, AKR, BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice. All strains except for DBA/2 mice developed lesions of EAO to a greater or lesser extent, and severe disease was induced with high frequency in two strains, C3H/He and A/J. As this murine model of EAO can be induced without the use of Freund's complete adjuvant and B. pertussis vaccine, it is simply 'autoimmune' in nature and may provide new ways for further investigation into the immunological mechanisms which regulate deleterious autoimmune reactions to germ cell antigens leading to the male infertility.

Differential effects of a single dose of cyclophosphamide on T cell subsets of the thymus and spleen in mice: flow cytofluorometry analysis

Sequential changes in the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations of the thymus and spleen in BALB/c mice (male, 8-weeks old) during 2 weeks after a single i.p. injection of cyclophosphamide (CY, 200 mg/kg body weight) were studied mainly through the use of CD4, CD8 and CD3-epsilon markers together with single- or two-color flow cytofluorometry. In the thymus on Day 2 after CY treatment, a marked decrease in the number and proportion of PNAhi, CD3- and CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) subpopulation was observed in parallel with a marked reduction in the thymus weight, cortical area and total thymocyte number. This phenomenon might be associated with the decrease in the percentage of thymocytes at the S phase of the cell cycle on Day 1 and 2 after CY treatment, owing to the depletion of the rapidly dividing cells in DP subset. There was a significant reduction in the number and proportion in CD4+ single positive(SP) subset on Day 7. The cell number of CD8+SP subset continued to decrease during Day 7 to Day 14. This contrasted with the behaviors of DP, CD4+SP and CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) subsets in which a considerable recovery was attained by Day 14. The spleen from CY-treated mice showed a marked decrease in the DN subset and surface immunoglobulin-positive cells, perhaps B lymphocytes, in both the percentage and the absolute cell number on Days 2 and 7, which paralleled the marked reduction in its weight and total cell number. The absolute cell numbers of CD4+SP and CD8+SP subsets in the spleen were also reduced on Days 2 and 7. The reduction of the CD4+SP/CD8+SP ratio was found in the thymocytes on Days 2 and 7 but not in spleen cells. Our results suggest that the principal target cell population of CY is the PNAhi, CD3- and DP immature cortical thymocytes as well as splenic B cells. The sustained decrease in the number of CD8+SP thymocytes after CY treatment might be in part relevant to the potentiating effect of CY pretreatment on immune responses.

Effects of amino acids on acute alcohol intoxication in mice--concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and acetone in blood and tissues

Condensation reactions between some SH-amino acids (L-and D-cysteine 1%) and acetaldehyde (50 microM) were studied in vitro experiment. In the aqueous solution, free acetaldehyde was reduced to 41.3% by L-cysteine and to 36.4% by D-cysteine. In the reaction with human blood medium, after the medium was deproteinized with perchloric acid reagent, acetaldehyde was reduced to 47.0% by L-cysteine and to 43.8% by D-cysteine. D-Cysteine appears to have great stability of reacting acetaldehyde. In vitro experiment reactability for D-cysteine exhibited 3-8% higher than that for L-cysteine. Next, effects of some amino acids on alcohol metabolism were studied in male ICR mice. The animals were given ethanol through a gastric catheter at a dose of 2 g/kg and they were intraperitoneally injected L-cysteine (300 mg/kg), D-cysteine (300 mg/kg), L-alanine (300 mg/kg) and control (saline), respectively in the period of one hour before the injection of ethanol. Blood and tissues samples were analyzed for ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and acetone during alcohol intoxication in mice by head space gas chromatography. In the groups administered D-cysteine and L-cysteine, the mice showed a definitely faster oxidation and disappearance of ethanol. Especially in the D-cysteine group, ethanol levels in blood, liver and brain remained lower than that in the other groups (p less than 0.01). Acetaldehyde levels in blood, liver and brain remained low by L-cysteine. Ethanol metabolites during alcohol oxidation by chemical reactabilities of L- and D-cysteine showed different distribution in the mice, respectively. In the mice received L-alanine, acetate and acetone levels in blood, liver and brain were distinctly reduced (p less than 0.01). L-Alanine is reported to supply an abundance of pyruvic acid that performs the NAD-generating system. NAD produced is introduced to alcohol metabolism and the TCA cycle. It was thus presumed that the L- or/and D-cysteine, and L-alanine was effective in acute alcohol intoxication by heavy drinking.

The role of lipocortin I in macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice

The soluble mediators and/or mechanisms involved in immunosuppression in tumor-bearing hosts are not well characterized, although macrophages have long been recognized as major participants. We have investigated the role of lipocortin I, a phospholipid-binding protein, in macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice. Proliferation of splenic lymphocytes in response to the mitogens (PHA, Con A, LPS, and PWM) was severely suppressed in tumor (Sqc-NH-1 carcinoma)-bearing mice. This immunosuppression was associated with a decrease in T and B lymphocytes and an increase in macrophages in these spleens. Mac-2+ macrophages were found only in spleens from tumor-bearing mice. Splenic macrophages from tumor-bearing, but not normal, mice were responsible for this immunosuppression, as revealed by negative and positive selection experiments. The levels of lipocortin I mRNA expression were markedly increased in peripheral blood cells from tumor-bearing mice as compared with those from normal mice. Lipocortin I mRNA was strongly induced in splenic mononuclear cells from tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, these cells displayed increased expression of lipocortin I protein, as judged by Western blot analysis with polyclonal anti-lipocortin I serum. Some nonimmune organs such as the heart, submaxillary gland, muscle, and bladder also displayed increased levels of lipocortin I mRNA expression in tumor-bearing mice. Mac-2+ macrophages among the splenic mononuclear cells in tumor-bearing mice expressed lipocortin I mRNA, as judged by negative and positive selection experiments. Most of these Mac-2+ macrophages also had Mac-1 and Mac-3 Ag. Lipocortin I protein was increased in the serum of tumor-bearing mice as compared with normal mice. The culture supernatants of splenic cells from tumor-bearing mice suppressed the mitogenic responses of splenic cells from normal mice, and addition of anti-lipocortin I antiserum inhibited this suppression. Furthermore, recombinant mouse lipocortin I suppressed mitogenic responses of splenic cells from normal mice. In summary, Mac-2+ macrophage-derived lipocortin I was largely involved in immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice.

Successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and achalasia: a case report

A successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and a past medical history of achalasia is described. Surprisingly, she was free from orthostatic hypotension during the last trimester, though the evaluation of adrenergic function by measurements of changes in plasma norepinephrine on standing and by the response of blood pressure to infused norepinephrine revealed no difference between function before pregnancy and that during the last trimester. Orthostatic hypotension started again just after delivery.

The role of lipocortin I in macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice

The soluble mediators and/or mechanisms involved in immunosuppression in tumor-bearing hosts are not well characterized, although macrophages have long been recognized as major participants. We have investigated the role of lipocortin I, a phospholipid-binding protein, in macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice. Proliferation of splenic lymphocytes in response to the mitogens (PHA, Con A, LPS, and PWM) was severely suppressed in tumor (Sqc-NH-1 carcinoma)-bearing mice. This immunosuppression was associated with a decrease in T and B lymphocytes and an increase in macrophages in these spleens. Mac-2+ macrophages were found only in spleens from tumor-bearing mice. Splenic macrophages from tumor-bearing, but not normal, mice were responsible for this immunosuppression, as revealed by negative and positive selection experiments. The levels of lipocortin I mRNA expression were markedly increased in peripheral blood cells from tumor-bearing mice as compared with those from normal mice. Lipocortin I mRNA was strongly induced in splenic mononuclear cells from tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, these cells displayed increased expression of lipocortin I protein, as judged by Western blot analysis with polyclonal anti-lipocortin I serum. Some nonimmune organs such as the heart, submaxillary gland, muscle, and bladder also displayed increased levels of lipocortin I mRNA expression in tumor-bearing mice. Mac-2+ macrophages among the splenic mononuclear cells in tumor-bearing mice expressed lipocortin I mRNA, as judged by negative and positive selection experiments. Most of these Mac-2+ macrophages also had Mac-1 and Mac-3 Ag. Lipocortin I protein was increased in the serum of tumor-bearing mice as compared with normal mice. The culture supernatants of splenic cells from tumor-bearing mice suppressed the mitogenic responses of splenic cells from normal mice, and addition of anti-lipocortin I antiserum inhibited this suppression. Furthermore, recombinant mouse lipocortin I suppressed mitogenic responses of splenic cells from normal mice. In summary, Mac-2+ macrophage-derived lipocortin I was largely involved in immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice.

Establishment of a murine thymic epithelial cell line capable of inducing both thymic nurse cell formation and thymocyte apoptosis

A thymic epithelial cell (TEC) line (B/c. TEC-L1) was established from a normal thymus of a 4-week BALB/c mouse. The B/c. TEC-L1 had an epithelial morphology showing a contact-inhibited cobblestone-like arrangement with occasional desmosome-like structures at the adjacent cellular membranes. B/c.TEC-L1 cells showed positive staining for desmosomal glycoprotein, cytokeratin, thymosin alpha 1 beta 3, and I-Ad, and MHC class I antigens. The doubling time was 24 hours, and the chromosome number ranged from 52 to 78 with the mode of 70. Coculture of B/c.TEC-L1 cells with syngeneic, peanut agglutinin-agglutinated (PNA+) thymocytes in suspension at 37 degree C was followed by the formation of TEC thymocyte rosettes, after which the reconstitution of thymic nurse cells ensued. At 4 degrees C, PNA+ thymocytes bound to the B/c.TEC-L1 cell but did not form thymic nurse cells. PNA- thymocytes, although to a lesser degree than PNA+ cells, bound to the TECs at 37 degrees C, but at 4 degrees C few cells bound to the TECs. Allogeneic thymocytes also bound to the TECs at 37 degrees C. When the PNA+ thymocytes were cultured on the B/c.TEC-L1 monolayer, the small ones chiefly adhered on the surface of the TECs, while underneath the TECs the relatively large thymocytes (including cells in mitosis) predominated. Although the PNA- thymocytes bound to the surface of the monolayer within a few hours after coculture, by 24 hours nearly all cells disappeared. It is presumed that the thymocytes creeping underneath the B/c.TEC-L1 monolayer and those enveloped within the thymic nurse cell reconstituted in the suspension culture; both may be placed in circumstances analogous to the thymic microenvironment, wherein immature thymocytes appear to contact TECs directly and to be exposed to higher concentrations of thymic hormones and other soluble factors. Additionally, cell death in the PNA+ thymocytes was also observed in the coculture with B/c.TEC-L1 cells. The PNA+ cells revealed the morphological changes termed "apoptosis" characterized by chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation.

[Surgery for far-advanced colorectal cancer--extension of surgical indication and its results]

The role of extended surgery for far advanced colorectal cancer (stage V, IV) was discussed. As the progression of colorectal cancer is relatively slow and small, as compared to cancers of other digestive organs, removal of the far advanced carcinoma by much extended operation was effective to enhance the survival or quality of life of patients. Combined resection of adjacent organ involved has given many patients chance of cure. Total pelvic eviscerations were performed for thirty eight patients with far-advanced rectal cancer which involved adjacent organs. The results were a 51.5% 5-year survival rate for curative resected group. For advanced rectal cancer with a high degree of lymph-node metastasis, extension of lymph-node dissection up to the para-aortic region or ileo-pelvic lateral dissection en bloc with the internal iliac vessels were effective for decreasing the incidence of local recurrence. For seventy two patients with liver metastasis, radical surgery with removal of liver metastatic lesions post removed intra arterial infusion therapy (5FU,MMC) was carried out and the resulting 5-year survival rate was 40% for patients with H1 liver metastasis. Removal of pulmonary metastatic lesions was also performed in sixty five patients and the 5-year survival rate was 40%. A complete removal of scattered tumors (P1,P2) and administration of anticancer drug-MMC (20-30mg) in the peritoneal cavity was conjugated to prolong the terms of survival of patients.