The role of adjuvant therapy in melanoma management

Adequate wide excision of a primary cutaneous melanoma is associated with a 10-year cure rate of 85% when the tumor's depth is less than 1.5 mm (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] Stage I). However, 50% of patients with deep (> 4 mm) primary melanomas, 60-85% of those with regional lymph node metastases (AJCC Stage III), and 95% of those with metastases to distant sites (AJCC Stage IV) will experience recurrence, which is associated with a dismal prognosis. Adjuvant therapy of melanoma assumes that treatment will be more effective when the tumor burden is small. In the 1970s and 1980s, randomized trials tested the efficacy of chemotherapy, nonspecific immunotherapy, levamisole, and regional perfusion therapy in patients with AJCC Stage II and III melanoma. Dacarbazine (DTIC) alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs or with nonspecific immunotherapy did not significantly improve disease free or overall survival. Of the four levamisole trials, only the study conducted by the National Cancer Institute of Canada revealed a reduction in recurrence and mortality; however, this reduction was not significant by multivariate analysis. The value of regional perfusion therapy following resection of high risk extremity melanomas is currently being determined by multiinstitutional studies conducted by the World Health Organization and the North American Perfusion Group. Multi-institutional trials also are examining the adjuvant role of interferon-alpha in patients with deep (> 3 mm) primary melanomas or positive regional lymph nodes; results should reveal its optimum dose and duration of treatment (3 x 10(6) U for > or = 2 years versus 10 x 10(6) U/m2 for 1 year, subcutaneously 3 times a week) and its impact on survival. A randomized trial of interferon-gamma undertaken by the Southwest Oncology Group was discontinued after interim analysis indicated an adverse effect. Phase II trials indicate that active specific immunotherapy can alter the natural course of AJCC Stage III and IV melanoma following surgical resection of nodal or distant metastases. Upcoming results of Phase III trials will establish the role of active specific immunotherapy for adjuvant treatment of patients with resected AJCC Stage III and IV melanoma.

Targets of nitric oxide in a mouse model of liver inflammation by Corynebacterium parvum

Treatment of mice with Corynebacterium parvum induces chronic inflammation. This treatment followed by an injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produces hepatic necrosis and death. We examined liver tissue by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and found that, in addition to the previously reported nonheme nitrosyl complexes, heme nitrosyl complexes were also formed. Hemoglobin nitrosyl complexes measured in the whole blood of mice treated with C. parvum were not increased after additional LPS treatment. However, this treatment significantly increased the heme nitrosyl complexes in the liver, whereas the nonheme nitrosyl complex concentration was unaffected. EPR signals from whole blood and liver tissues from mice treated with C. parvum and C. parvum + LPS were inhibited by prolonged treatment with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMA). Nitric oxide (.NO) is known to bind to cytochrome P450 heme, and we consistently found a suppression of EPR signals attributable to ferric low-spin cytochrome P450/P420 peaks in the livers of mice treated with C. parvum and C. parvum + LPS. By performing analyses of EPR spectra obtained from hepatocytes exposed to .NO, we were able to unambiguously identify EPR signals attributable to cytochrome P420 and nonheme nitrosyl complexes in the livers of both treatments. Deconvolution of the composite in vivo EPR spectra indicated that hemoglobin nitrosyl complexes contributed weakly in the C. parvum livers, but threefold more in the C. parvum + LPS livers, suggesting that hemorrhage may have occurred. Experiments with L-NMA treatment revealed that this additional .NO production did not correlate with hepatic necrosis and onset of death. Immunoprecipitation of liver cytosols from C. parvum- and (C. parvum + LPS)-treated mice using an antibody against mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase showed that this enzyme was indeed present in the cytosolic fractions and was absent in those from control livers. Our novel detection of cytochrome P420 nitrosyl complex in vivo may be linked to any role of hepatic P450's functions during liver inflammation.

MUM-4, a monoclonal antibody reacting with resident peritoneal mouse macrophages

A new rat monoclonal antibody, MUM-4, which recognizes a murine antigen/epitope that is absent on monocytes, strongly expressed on resident peritoneal macrophages and almost completely absent from peritoneal macrophages 4 days after an intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate or heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes organisms, is described. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry have been used to characterize the specificity of the antibody. MUM-4 did not react with blood granulocytes, peritoneal exudate granulocytes, lymphocytes from blood or peritoneum, isolated spleen dendritic cells, or veiled cells from the thoracic duct of mesenteric lymphadenectomized mice. The MUM-4 antibody reacted with resident peritoneal macrophages from all the mouse strains studied. MUM-4 appears to represent a new specificity. The MUM-4 antibody is of the rat IgG2c isotype and exhibits complement-mediated cytotoxicity with rabbit complement. The staining achieved with MUM-4 by FACS or immunocytochemical methods is intense on most resident peritoneal macrophages and the antibody should be a valuable addition to the panel of monoclonal antibodies available for studies on mouse macrophages.

Oxytetracycline-mediated alteration of murine immunocompetence

The immunomodulatory effect of oxytetracycline (OTC) on murine splenic lymphocytes (MSL), peritoneal exudate macrophage (PEM) functions and antibody production was examined. In vivo exposure to OTC slightly delayed initiation of antibody formation during the primary response. However, OTC exposure had no effect on either the peak time of antibody response or peak antibody titer. OTC also had no significant effect on the secondary antibody response. Mitogen-induced proliferation of MSL cocultured with OTC and pokeweed mitogen, phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin was equivocal. However, allogeneic stimulation of MSL was inhibited at 100 micrograms/ml OTC. There was also a decrease in the number of cells recovered. OTC had no effect on lymphocyte cytotoxicity in cells cultured in vitro. OTC inhibited the cytotoxic response of Corynebacterium parvum-elicited PEM at 10 micrograms/ml (effector:target of 10:1). Low levels of OTC (1-10 micrograms/ml) augmented the cytotoxic response (effector:target of 5:1). The effect of OTC on induction of PEM cytotoxicity was assessed by coculturing thioglycollate-elicited (TG) PEM in vitro with IFN-gamma and endotoxin along with 0-100 micrograms/ml OTC. Induction of cytotoxicity was inhibited at 0.5 microgram/ml. The effect of OTC on TG-PEM antimicrobial activity was assessed by measuring reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and cytochrome C. OTC inhibited the reduction of NBT at 500 micrograms/ml following PMA stimulation of TG-PEM. OTC had no effect on either NBT or cytochrome C reduction following stimulation with opsonized zymosan. These results demonstrate that OTC-mediated immunosuppression is a multifaceted event, with differing sensitivities both between immune cells and between different pathways within the same cell.

Molecular and structural requirements of a lipoteichoic acid from Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790 for cytokine-inducing, antitumor, and antigenic activities

Comparison was made between the immunobiological and antigenic properties of two lipoteichoic acid (LTA) fractions (LTA-1 and -2) from Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790, their glycolipid portions, and synthetic compounds partially mimicking the above bacterial products. The more lipophilic LTA-2 fraction was capable of inducing serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 in muramyldipeptide-primed mice and serum gamma interferon in those primed with Propionibacterium acnes. The LTA-2 fraction also induced tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and thymocyte-activating factor (essentially interleukin-1) in murine peritoneal macrophage cultures. Consecutive intravenous injections of muramyldipeptide and the LTA-2 fraction in Meth A fibrosarcoma-bearing BALB/c mice caused hemorrhagic necrosis and marked regression leading to complete regression of the tumor with no accompanying weakening or lethal effects. The LTA-2 fraction was at least 10,000-fold less pyrogenic in rabbits than a reference endotoxic lipopolysaccharide. The more hydrophilic LTA-1 fraction, on the other hand, showed at most marginal activity in the in vivo and in vitro assays. Natural glycolipids (NGL-1 and -2) which were prepared from a chloroform-methanol extract of Streptococcus pyogenes and E. hirae cells, and comparable in structure to the lipid moieties of the LTA-1 and -2 fractions, respectively, were practically inactive in all of the assays. None of the test synthetic compounds was immunobiologically active, although synthetic partial counterparts of the structure of LTA proposed by W. Fischer (Handb. Lipid Res. 6:123-234, 1990) reacted with murine monoclonal antibody TS-2, which was raised against OK-432, a penicillin-killed S. pyogenes preparation, and capable of neutralizing the cytokine-inducing activities of the LTA-2 fraction.

Mechanism for macrophage activation against Corynebacterium parvum--participation of T cells and its lymphokines

It is well known that Corynebacterium parvum activates macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It is suspected that the activation of macrophages by C. parvum requires T-cell participation. The purpose of this study was to confirm that T cells participate in the activation of macrophages by C. parvum. TNF production in vitro from the spleen cells of BALB/c(-)+/+ mice was abrogated completely by the pre-treatment of spleen cells with anti-Ia antiserum and complement, indicating that Ia+ cells are the source of TNF. TNF production was not elicited at all in BALB/c-nu/nu mice. However, there was an increase in the number of Ia+ cells as well as an increase in the weight of spleen and liver. Supernatant from a culture of spleen cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin-P (a PHA-induced lymphokine) made it possible for BALB/c-nu/nu mice to produce TNF, associated with an induction of Lyt-1+ cells and Lyt-2+ cells. However, treatment with the lymphokine did not augment the increases of Ia+ cells or liver and spleen weights. These results suggest that increasing the number of Ia+ cells is not sufficient to bring about TNF production; Ia+ cells must also be stimulated by T cells or T-cell lymphokines in order to produce TNF. These results suggest that T cells play an essential role in the activation of Ia+ cells against C. parvum.

Induced regression of bovine papillomas by intralesional immunotherapy

It has long been assumed that papilloma regression is mediated by immunological mechanisms which are probably cellular in nature. The potentiation of these responses may alter the course of papilloma progression. Certain strains of the bacterium Corynebacterium parvum (Propionibacterium acnes) have been shown to augment cellular immune mechanisms by increasing both macrophage and natural killer cell activity. This study involves the use of naturally occurring bovine papillomas to investigate the immune mechanisms involved in induced papilloma regression. Papillomas were treated by intralesional injection of a C. parvum suspension. Treated papillomas were biopsied at various stages of regression. Tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to identify specific infiltrating cells. Results showed that intralesional administration of C. parvum was capable of inducing regression of bovine papillomas in 8-15 weeks. Immunological staining revealed that regression was associated with an increased number of CD8+ and gamma delta+ cells in the dermis, as well as a marked infiltration of neutrophils.

The influence of Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium parvum) fractions on immune response in vivo

Bacterin of Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium parvum), its cellular fractions (lipids, fractions obtained by mechanical disruption and differential centrifugation, by phenol-water and pyridine extractions), and a polysaccharide from culture filtrate were prepared and tested in mice. The activation of RES by splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, prevention of listerial infection, prevention of the lethal effect of sarcoma 180, and depression of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 were employed. The bacterin was effective in all tests. Lipid-free cells were less active, in particular in the activation of RES and in the listerial infection model. Fractions prepared by the disruption and differential centrifugation lost their activity in all tests along with a decrease in molecular weight. Lipids extracted by ethanol caused pronounced splenomegaly and decreased the cytochrome P-450 content. The residue left after the phenol-water extraction was very active, its delipidation did not destroy the activity. Pyridine extraction provided a completely inactive extract, but a very active residue. The possibility of reducing the complexity of bacterin while preserving immunomodulatory effect is demonstrated.

Efficacy of dry cow therapy and a Propionibacterium acnes product in herds with low somatic cell count

Dry cow therapy and a Propionibaterium acnes product were evaluated in four commercial herds with low SCC. Cows were randomly assigned within herds to treatment groups of approximately 90 cows receiving dry cow therapy, P. acnes, dry cow therapy plus P. acnes, or no treatment in a factorial arrangement. Each lactating quarter of cows that received dry cow therapy was infused via the teat duct with 300 mg of cephaprin at drying off. Cows that received P. acnes were infused intravenously with .4 mg of killed P. acnes at drying off, 7 to 10 d prepartum, and within 7 d after calving. A second prepartum injection of P. acnes immunostimulator was administered to cows that did not calve within 10 d after the first prepartum injection. Dry cow therapy enhanced bacteriological cures of IMI by Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium bovis at drying off. Dry cow therapy reduced incidence of new IMI by environmental streptococci and C. bovis that originated during the dry period. Cows treated with P. acnes alone had a greater incidence of new IMI by Gram-negative bacilli originating during the dry period than did cows in the other treatment groups. Incidence of clinical mastitis at calving was greater for cows receiving no treatment than for cows receiving dry cow therapy, P. acnes, or dry cow therapy plus P. acnes.

Kupffer cell stimulation with Corynebacterium parvum reduces some cytochrome P450-dependent activities and diminishes acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in the rat

Chemical activation of Kupffer cells in vivo by vitamin A or latex beads is associated with a worsening of hepatic injury induced by the P450-dependent hepatotoxins acetaminophen (ACET) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and by the P450-independent toxin galactosamine (GLN). Immunostimulants such as Corynebacterium parvum (CP) also activate Kupffer cells, but do so while prompting release of soluble mediators which depress microsomal oxidative activities in cultured hepatocytes. Therefore, we sought to characterize the effects of CP on hepatic injury in vivo due to ACET and CCl4 while employing GLN as a control. Hepatic microsomal oxidative activity and glutathione (GSH) disposition were examined since each influences susceptibility to injury from ACET or CCl4. Rats were given CP 28 mg/kg i.v. 5 days before challenge with hepatotoxicant. Hepatic injury was assessed 24 hr after hepatotoxicant administration by measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and review of histological sections. Livers from parallel groups of rats were used to prepare microsomal and cytosolic fractions, to measure tissue GSH, or for perfusion to assess GSH efflux. Significant reductions in injury due to ACET or CCl4 were observed while injury due to GLN was potentiated. Serum ALT levels after ACET were 3000 +/- 620 in controls vs 170 +/- 45 IU/liter in the CP-treated group and ALT levels after CCl4 were 3100 +/- 500 in controls vs 1700 + 450 IU/liter in the CP-treated group. In contrast, serum ALT levels after GLN were 920 +/- 230 in controls vs 1700 +/- 370 in the CP-treated group. Patterns of hepatic injury observed on histological sections were those characteristic for each toxin and the severity of injury correlated well with alterations in serum ALT levels for each agent. Hepatic microsomal fractions from rats pretreated with CP showed significantly diminished total cytochrome P450 content as well as reduced activity for two P450IIE1 substrates, p-nitrophenol and 7-ethoxycoumarin. While sinusoidal efflux of GSH increased by 40% in rats pretreated with CP and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase activity fell slightly, tissue GSH levels were unaffected. These data demonstrate that CP decreases microsomal cytochrome P450 content, reduces biotransformation of two P450IIE1 substrates, and diminishes ACET- and CCl4-induced hepatic injury. In contrast, hepatic injury due to the P450-independent toxin GLN was enhanced. Thus, chemical and immune stimulation of Kupffer cells may result in divergent effects on susceptibility to injury from individual hepatotoxins.

B7-1/CD80-transduced tumor cells elicit better systemic immunity than wild-type tumor cells admixed with Corynebacterium parvum

Tumor cells genetically modified by transduction of B7 (B7-1/CD80), a natural ligand for the T-cell costimulatory molecules CD28 and CTLA-4, can elicit potent tumor immunity, and they can be effective for treatment of established cancers in animal models. In this study, three tumor lines, the EL4 lymphoma, the P815 mastocytoma, and the MCA102 sarcoma were transduced with recombinant retrovirus containing the murine B7 gene, and their potency to induce systemic immunity protective against challenge with wild-type tumor was compared to that of the same tumor cells admixed with the commonly used adjuvant Corynebacterium parvum. While admixture of tumor cells with C. parvum resulted in complete regression of tumors in syngeneic mice, it did not induce protective immunity against a subsequent challenge of wild-type cells from any of the 3 tumors tested. In contrast, B7-transduced EL4 and P815 tumors regressed locally and induced a potent systemic immunity to wild-type tumors and a higher level of cytotoxic T-cell activity than did tumor cells admixed with C. parvum. No systemic immunity was induced by B7-transduced nonimmunogenic MCA102 sarcoma cells. Our results demonstrate that immunogenic tumor cells transduced with the B7 gene are superior to tumor cells mixed with C. parvum for the induction of systemic tumor immunity.

Role of vascular nitric oxide synthase in endotoxin shock of Propionibacterium acnes-sensitized rats

The sensitivity of animals to endotoxin differs significantly between species. Thus, factors that determine the susceptibility to endotoxin may play important roles in the pathogenesis of septic shock. In order to determine the mechanism responsible for susceptibility to endotoxin, the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the circulatory status of Propionibacterium acnes (PA)-sensitized rats was studied. Following the intravenous administration of a low dose of LPS, the arterial blood pressure of PA-treated rats, but not of normal animals, progressively decreased; the PA-sensitized animals died of circulatory shock within 7 h of LPS administration. N omega-nitro-L-arginine (NA) reduced the depressor effect of LPS by an L-arginine-inhibitable mechanism. Administration of LPS markedly increased the level of the inducible type of nitric oxide (NO) synthase in various tissues, including the aorta, of PA-treated rats but not of control animals. LPS also increased plasma levels of nitrate plus nitrite and aortic levels of cGMP. Dexamethasone inhibited the de novo synthesis of NO synthase in the aorta and other tissues and reduced the depressor effect of LPS. These and other findings suggest that induction of nitric oxide synthase in resistant arteries might underlie the pathogenesis of LPS-induced hypotension in PA-sensitized animals and the mechanism responsible for the susceptibility to endotoxin.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 replication and IL-1 beta gene expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages activated in vivo by an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine or Corynebacterium parvum

Activated macrophages (M phi) from mice given Salmonella typhimurium or Corynebacterium parvum were compared with resident peritoneal macrophages at the molecular level for permissiveness for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication and for expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Peritoneal macrophages were harvested from mice injected 7 days previously with live, avirulent S. typhimurium (Sal-PM phi) or heat-killed C. parvum (CP-PM phi) and infected with HSV-1 in vitro. Both Sal-PM phi and CP-PM phi were activated as evidenced by characteristic changes in an ectoenzyme, by increased permissiveness for infectious virus production and viral cytopathic effect, and by induction of IL-1 beta mRNA. Analysis at the molecular level revealed that both types of activated M phi demonstrated increased patterns of HSV-1 immediate-early gene expression and viral DNA replication as compared with resident cells. A novel finding was that viral infection reduced IL-1 beta mRNA in both types of activated M beta. This observation has implications for the efficacy of Salmonella vaccines given in proximity to HSV-1 infection and for potential deleterious effects of HSV-1 infection in immunosuppressed patients receiving immunotherapy.

Effects of exercise on macrophage activation for antitumor cytotoxicity

Recent evidence suggests that exercise affects macrophage functions and that amount of exercise may be important. We determined effects of moderate (MOD) and exhaustive treadmill running (EXH) on 1) ability of macrophages to become activated for antitumor cytotoxicity after injection of heat-inactivated Propionibacterium acnes in vivo, 2) macrophage responsiveness to activating agents lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma, and 3) role of glucocorticoids and various macrophage metabolic products in modulating cytotoxicity in exercised animals. Male C3H/HeN mice were randomly assigned to MOD (18 m/min, 5% grade, 30 min/day) or EXH (18-35 m/min, 5%, 2-4 h) on a motor-driven treadmill. Control animals were kept in simulated treadmill lanes located directly over the runners. In general, both MOD and EXH increased cytotoxicity (42 and 22%, respectively, across all experiments; P < 0.05). Enhanced cytotoxicity was not due to altered macrophage adherence, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, or reactive oxygen species. Reactive nitrogen species were responsible for enhanced toxicity in EXH only. Macrophage cytotoxicity was further increased by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma to a similar maximal level that was the same in all groups. Plasma corticosterone was elevated two- and fourfold in MOD and EXH, respectively, but there was no correlation between plasma corticosterone and macrophage cytotoxicity when compared across all groups even though cells were sensitive to steroid-mediated suppression in vitro. However, consistent with a corticosterone effect, EXH reduced the number of peritoneal macrophages elicited during P. acnes inflammation and abolished the typical exercise-induced increase in cytotoxicity of activated macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Importance of early gamma interferon production in Propionibacterium acnes-induced resistance to Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice

Treatment of mice with heat-killed Propionibacterium (P.) acnes conferred transient protection against Toxoplasma infection. To investigate the mechanism of this nonspecific resistance, the production of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) by P. acnes-injected mice was evaluated in comparison with that by noninjected controls upon infection with Toxoplasma. Mice pretreated with this bacterium produced significantly more IFN-gamma than that produced by control mice up to 24 hr of infection. A single injection of anti-IFN-gamma MAb on day 0 but not later than day 3 of infection resulted in a total abrogation of the resistance conferred by P. acnes. Likewise, daily injection of cyclosporin A (Cs-A), a potent inhibitor of T cell function, during the first 3 days of Toxoplasma infection severely exacerbated the infection, in accordance with a marked suppression of the early IFN-gamma production. In contrast, the administration of Cs-A for 3 consecutive days starting at day 4 had no significant consequence on P. acnes-induced anti-toxoplasma resistance, while it reduced greatly the ability of P. acnes-injected mice to produce IFN-gamma in the later phase of infection. Moreover, no significant increase in mortality and suppression of IFN-gamma production was noted in mice receiving anti-asialo GM1 antibody. These results suggest that the early IFN-gamma production by T cells is an essential event for the establishment of P. acnes-induced anti-toxoplasma resistance in mice.

Induced hyporesponsiveness in rat Kupffer cells is not specific for lipopolysaccharide

The phenomenon of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hyporesponsiveness has been reported to occur in macrophage cell lines and primary cells. Hyporesponsiveness was evidenced by a diminution or lack of production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after sequential doses of LPS. In order to characterize the hyporesponsive state in Kupffer cells, the production of TNF-alpha was quantified after varying the concentration of a primary low dose of LPS prior to a challenge with a high, normally stimulatory dose of LPS. The kinetics of establishment of the hyporesponsive state and the effect of varying the bacterial serotype and genus of the challenge dose were determined. The specificity of the hyporesponsive state for LPS was examined. Our results demonstrate that complete hyporesponsiveness with no detectable production of TNF-alpha (< 30 pg/ml) was achieved after a primary dose > or = 10 ng/ml. Establishment of the hyporesponsive state took place within 6 hr. Induction of hyporesponsiveness was not dependent upon the serotype or genus of the challenge dose of LPS and was not specific for LPS. Complete hyporesponsiveness was induced after a primary dose (10 micrograms/ml) of the Gram-positive bacterium Corynebacterium parvum (Cp) and was evident upon challenge with 100 micrograms/ml Cp. The data indicate that the mechanisms by which LPS and Cp induce hyporesponsiveness are not identical in that a primary dose of LPS (10 ng/ml) induced only partial hyporesponsiveness upon challenge with Cp (100 micrograms/ml). These studies improve our understanding of Kupffer cell function.

Therapy of experimentally induced coliform mastitis with a Propionibacterium acnes product

The efficacy of a Propionibacterium acnes product for treatment of coliform mastitis was evaluated following intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli. Ten cows were injected intravenously with a product containing heat-killed P. acnes at 3 h, 3 d, and 7 d after bacterial challenge. Five cows served as untreated negative controls. Bacterial counts in milk, rectal temperatures, and milk SCC did not differ between treated cows and control cows. Intravenous infusion of P. acnes had no effect on milk production or DMI of treated cows compared with untreated controls. Therapy of experimentally induced coliform mastitis with a P. acnes product had no effect on severity or duration of clinical signs.

The modulation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 alpha and glucose levels with GMDP and other analogues of muramyl dipeptide

Immunomodulatory agent muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and seven of its analogues were tested for ability to counteract the toxic actions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in experimental mouse models. Female BALB/c mice were presensitized with Corynebacterium parvum (P. acnes) and given MDP or equimolar doses of one of its analogues after 2 weeks, followed by intravenous challenge with LPS 18 h later. This treatment produced a sharp increase in blood cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha) levels 4 h after LPS administration followed by a decline to control values after 6 h. Four analogues, GMDP, threonylMDP, GMDPBenz and GMDPOBut, were able to reduce the level of cytokines induced with LPS. For most of the analogues, the higher doses reduced the levels of TNF-alpha but slightly increased the concomitant IL-1 alpha levels. GMDP was the most effective compound tested in terms of reduction of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha levels, as well as for reduction of the hypoglycaemia caused by the administration of LPS.

Delayed hypersensitivity to Propionibacterium acnes in patients with severe nodular acne and acne fulminans

BACKGROUND

Increased hypersensitivity reactions to Propionibacterium acnes may be involved in the pathogenesis of severe acne.

OBJECTIVE

To study delayed and immediate hypersensitivity reactions to P. acnes in patients with severe nodular acne (SNA) and acne fulminans (AF).

METHODS

We performed lymphocyte stimulation and skin tests for P. acnes antigens on 11 patients with SNA and 7 patients with AF.

RESULTS

The patients with SNA had similar mean lymphocyte stimulation indices (mean 13.96, SD 8.6) to P. acnes during active disease as had healthy controls (12.63, SD 6.46). After the treatment the mean stimulation index was significantly elevated (23.47, SD 13.84, p = 0.006). A similar increase occurred in the patients with AF (mean 17.04, SD 5.74, and 33.42, SD 27.17, respectively). Two of 7 patients with SNA and 3 of the 7 patients with AF but none of the 10 control subjects showed positive 48-hour intradermal tests to P. acnes.

CONCLUSION

Specific cell-mediated immunity to P. acnes increases during the course of severe inflammatory acne.

Failure of killed Corynebacterium parvum in induction of protection in C57BL/6 mice against Babesia rodhaini challenge infection

We examined the survival rate of C57BL/6 mice challenged with Babesia rodhaini 21 days post-killed Corynebacterium parvum (KCP) inoculation in comparison with ICR mice. All KCP-inoculated ICR mice survived the challenge infection, while all KCP-inoculated C57BL/6 mice died. To account in part for the difference in protective effects of KCP, stimulatory effects of KCP on splenic phagocyte chemiluminescence (CL) response were investigated in C57BL/6 and ICR mice. The KCP-inoculated ICR mice exhibited significantly higher CL values than ICR mice without KCP inoculation. No significant difference in CL value was observed between C57BL/6 mice with and without KCP inoculation. These results taken together, the lack of resistance of the KCP-inoculated C57BL/6 mice to B. rodhaini infection may be attributed in part to small stimulatory effect of KCP on splenic phagocytes.

Phagocytosis of antigens by Langerhans cells in vitro

Dendritic cells (DC) isolated from lymphoid tissues are generally thought to be nonphagocytic in culture. It has therefore been unclear how these cells could acquire particulate antigens such as microorganisms for initiation of primary immune responses. Lymphoid DC derive in part from cells that have migrated from nonlymphoid tissues, such as Langerhans cells (LC) of skin. The ability of LC to internalize a variety of particles was studied by electron, ultraviolet, phase, and differential interference contrast microscopy, and by two-color flow cytometry. Freshly isolated LC in epidermal cell suspensions phagocytosed the yeast cell wall derivative zymosan, intact Saccharomyces cerevisiae, representatives of two genera of Gram-positive bacteria, Corynebacterium parvum and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as 0.5-3.5-microns latex microspheres. During maturation in culture, the phagocytic activity of these cells was markedly reduced. Likewise, freshly isolated splenic DC were more phagocytic than cultured DC for two types of particle examined, zymosan and latex beads. Unlike macrophages, LC did not bind or internalize sheep erythrocytes before or after opsonization with immunoglobulin G or complement, and did not internalize colloidal carbon. The receptors mediating zymosan uptake by LC were examined. For this particle, C57BL/6 LC were considerably more phagocytic than BALB/c LC and exhibited a reproducible increase in phagocytic activity after 6 h of culture followed by a decline, whereas this initial rise did not occur for BALB/c LC. These differential kinetics of uptake were reflected in the pattern of zymosan binding at 4 degrees C, and endocytosis of the soluble tracer fluorescein isothiocyanate-mannose-bovine serum albumin at 37 degrees C. Zymosan uptake by LC from both strains of mice was inhibited in the presence of mannan or beta-glucan, although to different extents, but not by antibodies specific for CR3 (CD11b/CD18). These data indicate that zymosan uptake by LC can be mediated by a mannose/beta-glucan receptor(s) that is differentially expressed in the two strains of mice and that is downregulated during maturation of LC in culture.

Adjuvanticity of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide, complete Freund's adjuvant and Corynebacterium parvum with respect to host immune response to coccidial antigens

Immune response of chickens to Eimeria was investigated following immunization with coccidial antigens in combination with various immunological adjuvants. The adjuvanticity of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA) was comparable to that of two other adjuvants known to stimulate cell-mediated immunity: complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and Corynebacterium parvum. However, DDA is considered less toxic than CFA and appeared to evoke longer-lasting immunity than C. parvum. In general, intramuscular immunization of chickens with merozoite antigens in DDA engendered higher protective immunity than did oral immunization. Immunization of chickens with merozoite antigens in CFA, DDA, or C. parvum engendered serum IgG and biliary secretory IgA (sIgA) antibody responses, as well as coccidial antigen-specific T-cell lymphoproliferation responses. This study presents evidence that DDA acts as an adjuvant for both coccidia antigen-specific antibody and T-cell immunity in the avian system.

Nonheme iron-nitrosyl complex formation in rat hepatocytes: detection by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Isolated rat hepatocytes were examined by EPR spectroscopy after exposure to inflammatory stimuli (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1 beta], and lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) in vitro, after in vivo immune activation by Corynebacterium parvum, and after exposure to .N = O and to nitroprusside (nitroferricyanide), an NO-donating nitrovasodilator. Hepatocytes exposed to IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and LPS demonstrated the appearance of a g = 2.04 axial EPR signal indicative of the formation of nonheme iron-nitrosyl complexes. Concurrent incubation with L-NG-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of .N = O synthase, prevented the appearance of the signal. The g = 2.04 signal was localized in the cytosolic fraction of hepatocyte extracts. Hepatocytes freshly isolated from C. parvum-treated rats exhibited a modest g = 2.04 signal, which was increased by a factor of approximately 2.5-fold upon subsequent 24-h culture in media without additional stimuli. This increase was prevented by L-NMMA in the culture medium and also by the presence of rat erythrocytes added to the culture. In the presence of erythrocytes, virtually all of the .N = O produced was oxidized by reaction with intracellular hemoglobin within the erythrocyte, as judged by the relative amounts of nitrite and nitrate detected. These results suggest that in this model system .N = O is sufficiently stable and diffusible to escape from the hepatocyte and diffuse into the erythrocyte without first reacting with oxygen or with intracellular iron at the site of its formation within the hepatocyte. Treatment of hepatocytes with exogenous .N = O or nitroprusside generated an identical g = 2.04 signal of much greater intensity than with cytokines plus LPS. Treatment with nitroprusside also caused the appearance of a signal from pentacyanonitrosylferrate ion, verifying the previously reported metabolism of this nitrovasodilator by reduction and liberation of cyanide ion and .N = O. These results indicate significant differences in intracellular nonheme iron nitrosylation in hepatocytes compared to cytotoxic activated macrophages, which may correlate with the differences in physiological function of .N = O in these two systems.

Detection of Propionibacterium acnes polypeptides which have stimulated an immune response in acne patients but not in normal individuals

Patient and normal volunteer sera were used as probes in two-dimensional PAGE of P. acnes culture supernatant fluid and cell extracts to determine whether specific P. acnes polypeptides were associated with the immune reaction in acne. Eight polypeptides, M(r) 20 to 131 x 10(3), pI 4.7 to 6.5 in the cell extract, and 7 polypeptides M(r) 10 to 24 kD, pI 4.8 to 7.5 in the culture supernatant fluid were specifically highlighted by patient sera and not volunteer sera. These polypeptides were not related to described extracellular enzymes of P. acnes. It is possible that these polypeptides are involved in the induction of acne.

[The immunochemical therapy of warts and growths due to the papillomavirus]

A complex immuno-chemical treatment (immuno-stimulation, blockage of virus replication, interferon induction) was applied to 23 patients with warts and vegetations with various localisations. Results confirmed the treatment efficiency.

Recognition of the Qa-2k tumor antigen by T cell receptor gamma/delta of an immunopotentiator-induced tumoricidal T cell of mice

Tumor-specific expression of Qa-2k antigen coded by the Q5k gene on various mouse tumor cells and immunological response of the host mice to the antigen have been demonstrated [Seo et al. (1992) J Exp Med 175: 547; Tanino et al. (1992) Cancer Immunol Immunother 35: 230]. The possibility was examined that Qa-2 antigen is one of the recognition target molecules of immunopotentiator-induced, H-2-nonrestricted tumoricidal lymphocytes of Qa-2-mice. Lymphocytes stimulated in vivo with P. acnes or culture-induced anomalous killers of B6.K1 mice did not exhibit significant in vitro cytotoxicity against B6.K1 lymphoblasts but lysed their Qa-2,3-congenic counterpart B6 lymphoblasts. To demonstrate the Qa-2 specificity of such cytotoxic cells more precisely, an L cell transformant clone (LQ7b/Kb), which expressed the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the Qa-2 antigen (Q7b gene product), was generated by transfecting a cloned plasmid DNA containing a hybrid gene constructed from the 5' half of the Q7b gene and the 3' half of the H-2Kb gene (pQ7b/Kb). Using LQ7b/Kb cells as the target cells and the nylon-wool-nonadherent fraction of lymphocytes from P. acnes-stimulated (C3H/He x B6.K1)F1 mice (H-2k, Qa-2-) as the effector cells of the in vitro cytotoxicity reaction, the presence of cytotoxic cells that recognize the alpha 1/alpha 2 region of the Q7b gene product was demonstrated. The cytotoxic activity was dependent on T cells bearing T cell receptors of the gamma/delta type (TCR gamma/delta). The (C3H/He x B6.K1)F1 effector cells, as well as the B6.K1 effector cells also lysed BW5147 lymphoma cells (Qa-2k+) derived from AKR mice (Qa-2-, H-2k). By target-competition experiments it was shown that some of the effector cells lytic to BW5147 were identical to those that lysed LQ7b/Kb. Therefore some of the tumoricidal cells induced by the immunopotentiator interact with the target tumor cells through recognition of the alpha 1/alpha 2 region of the Qa-2k tumor antigen by TCR gamma/delta.

[The beneficial effects of immunostimulating and antiviral therapy on ophthalmic zona]

A group of 16 patients with ophthalmic zona zoster received antiviral and immunostimulating treatment with Romanian specific products. Results were spectacular. The problem of the identity of the varicella and zoster viruses is discussed.

Study on the mechanism of an experimental immunological intrahepatic cholestasis model

Tuberculin-sensitized guinea pigs were intravenously injected with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes followed by an intravenous injection of purified protein derivatives 7 day later, resulting in the induction of intrahepatic cholestasis. Using this experimental model, the following results were obtained: (1) Both uptake and release of bile acid were inhibited in the hepatocytes prepared from the cholestasis guinea pigs. (2) The results of the erythritol clearance method indicated that the decrease in bile flow observed in the cholestasis guinea pigs was mostly attributable to the reduced bile excretion from the canaliculi. (3) The decrease in the formation of bile acid independent bile flow was the cause of the decrease in bile flow observed in the cholestasis guinea pigs. (4) There was no change in the permeability of the interhepatocellular tight junction in the cholestasis guinea pigs.

Suppressive effects of E3330, a novel quinone derivative, on tumor necrosis factor-alpha generation from monocytes and macrophages

E3330 [(2E)-3-[5-(2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinoyl)]-2-nonyl-2- propenoic acid], a novel synthesized hepatoprotective compound, has suppressive effects on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) generation from monocytes/macrophages in vitro. E3330 (1-100 microM) reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/ml or 1 microgram/ml)-induced TNF-alpha generation from rat resident and Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)-elicited peritoneal macrophages, rat and human monocytes, rat Kupffer cells, and splenic mononuclear cells in a concentration-dependent manner. E3330 also (1-100 microM) suppressed TNF-alpha generation stimulated with egg-albumin immune complex in rat P. acnes-elicited peritoneal macrophages. Northern blot analysis showed that LPS-induced expression of TNF-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) in human blood monocytes was suppressed by E3330. These findings indicate that E3330 has a suppressive effect on TNF-alpha generation from monocytes/macrophages, regardless of origin or species, and this effect is based in part on the suppression of TNF-alpha mRNA expression.

Systemic IL-1 and adjuvant treatment of an experimental tumor. I. Immune status following tumor rechallenge

Local adjuvant therapy of weakly immunogenic tumors protects against primary tumor challenge. However, this form of therapy does not produce long-lasting immunity to the tumor. In this study, local adjuvant therapy combined with systemic IL-1 administration produced not only primary tumor protection, but also long lasting immunity to the tumor. IL-1 and adjuvant protected animals resisted rechallenge with tumor as much as 180 days after initial tumor administration. Resistance to tumor rechallenge was IL-1 dose dependent. IL-1 and adjuvant protected animals also exhibited delayed type hypersensitivity reactions which were tumor-specific. Splenic and lymph node cell populations from IL-1 and adjuvant protected animals mounted tumor-specific lymphoproliferative responses. No such responses were observed in animals which had been administered either IL-1 or adjuvant alone. These results demonstrate that systemic IL-1 functions to augment specific immune protection when administered in conjunction with local adjuvant, resulting in long-lasting tumor immunity.

Murine Kupffer cells and hepatic natural killer cells regulate tumor growth in a quantitative model of colorectal liver metastases

This investigation aimed to develop a biologically relevant murine model of colorectal liver metastases and determine if Kupffer cells (KC) and hepatic natural killer cells (hNKC) regulate tumor growth. The model involves the injection of murine colon adenocarcinoma 26 (MCA 26) tumor cells into the portal vein of female-specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice. Metastases developed in all animals, and the growth was limited entirely to the liver. To determine if KC and hNKC control the development of liver metastases, the in vivo function of these hepatic effector cells was modulated. Tumor growth was quantitated by the uptake of 125I into tumor DNA. Stimulation of the KC and hNKC produced a significant (P less than 0.01) dose-dependent decrease in 125I uptake in the liver in both treatment groups, which was associated with a significant improvement in survival (P less than 0.05). The in vivo cytotoxic function of the liver was inhibited with an intravenous injection of gadolinium chloride (for KC) or asialo GM1 antiserum (for hNKC). Inhibition of KC and hNKC cytotoxic function led to a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in 125I uptake in the liver and a significant decrease in survival (P less than 0.05).

Prevention of 5-fluorouracil-induced infection with indigenous Escherichia coli in tumor-bearing mice by nonspecific immunostimulation

We have previously reported that the lethal toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in specific-pathogen-free mice is due to an indigenous infection with Escherichia coli (K. Nomoto, T. Yokokura, Y. Yoshikai, et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 37:244-247, 1991). In the present study, we demonstrate that nonspecific immunostimulation augments host resistance against the lethal toxicity of 5-FU in tumor-bearing mice. Intravenous administration of a preparation of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei (LC 9018), a nonspecific immunostimulant, at a dose of 20 mg/kg to BALB/c mice augmented their resistance against the lethal toxicity of 5-FU if the preparation was injected into the mice 10-40 days before administration of 5-FU. Injection of LC 9018 into BALB/c mice bearing Meth A fibrosarcoma also enhanced their resistance against the lethality of 5-FU. Systemic infection with E. coli was induced in all of the 5-FU-treated tumor-bearing mice 10 days or more after administration of the drug at a lethal dose of 500 mg/kg, and it was accompanied by an overgrowth of the bacteria in the intestine. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with LC 9018 resulted in decreased rates of occurrence of systemic infection with E. coli and inhibition of overgrowth of the bacteria in the intestine after administration of 5-FU. A single administration of either LC 9018 or 5-FU significantly inhibited the growth of Meth A cells in vivo, and a combined antitumor effect was shown in the mice treated with both 5-FU and LC 9018.

Immunologically mediated fatigue: a murine model

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an idiopathic disorder in which the chief symptoms is profound fatigue. To explore the relationship between immune stimulation and fatigue, we developed a murine model for quantifying fatigue: reduction in voluntary running and delayed initiation of grooming after swimming. Inoculation of female BALB/c mice with Corynebacterium parvum antigen or the relatively avirulent Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii induced fatigue: baseline running reduced to less than 50 and 30% for 8 and 14 days, respectively, and delayed initiation of grooming after swimming in both immunologically stimulated groups. A threefold evaluation of serum transforming growth factor-beta levels, a cytokine increased in CFS patients, was found in fatigued C. parvum- and T. gondii-inoculated mice. This murine model appears promising for investigation of the pathogenesis of immunologically mediated fatigue.

[The efficacy of a combined therapy against herpes virus genital infections]

A complex immuno-chemical therapy (inhibition of viral replication, stimulation of cell mediated immunity, interferon induction) was applied to 75 patients with herpes virus genital infections. Treatment was followed by complete recovery in 66.7% of the subjects and by considerable reduction of relapse frequency and of pain in the others.

High serum IL-6 level reflects susceptible status of the host to endotoxin and IL-1/tumor necrosis factor

Patients with high level of serum endotoxin did not necessarily develop into lethal shock, whereas some patients died of septic shock even when their serum endotoxin levels were low. These results indicate that limiting factor which determines the host to be endotoxin shock principally depends on the host susceptibility to endotoxin instead of serum endotoxin level. To understand this susceptible status of the host to endotoxin, we used Propionibacterium acnes primed mouse endotoxin shock model. We found that P. acnes-primed mice responded to low dose of LPS by enhanced production of IL-1 and TNF. And such mice were highly susceptible to the lethal shock inducing effect of IL-1 and/or TNF, which also induced high level of serum IL-6 in these mice. Therefore, measurement of serum IL-6 level provides us with the information of the preceding exposure of the host to either LPS or IL-1 and/or TNF and the highly susceptible status of the host to these stimuli. Based on these results obtained from animal model, we investigated the relationship between serum IL-6 levels and serum endotoxin levels in the patients with malignant hematologic disorders. We found that these patients fell into two groups; an endotoxin susceptible group, equivalent to P. acnes-primed mice, showing high level of serum IL-6 with low level of serum endotoxin, and a nonendotoxin susceptible group, equivalent to P. acnes-nonprimed mice, showing low or undetectable level of serum IL-6 with high level of serum endotoxin. We propose that the measurement of serum IL-6 level in the patients positive for endotoxin is a useful tool in evaluating diagnosis and prognosis of endotoxin shock.

Corynebacterium parvum can reverse the depression of macrophage hydrogen peroxide production caused by erythrocyte phagocytosis

Our previous studies have shown that the phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes (EIgG) in vivo increases the mortality rate with bacterial infection, and EIgG phagocytosis in vitro depresses phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-triggered H2O2 production. The present study was undertaken to determine if the depression of H2O2 production caused by EIgG phagocytosis could be reversed by exposing macrophages to priming agents. Macrophages exposed to 100 micrograms/ml of C. parvum, it's pyridine-soluble extract (PE), or the pyridine extract residue (PER) for 1 hr showed an enhanced production of H2O2 in response to PMA triggering. The priming effect of C. parvum, PE, and PER lasted for 3-6 hr. 18 hr after exposure to C parvum or PER, PMA-triggered H2O2 production was depressed, however PE did not have this effect. The priming effect of C parvum was not prevented by cycloheximide. EIgG phagocytosis caused a dose dependent depression of PMA-triggered H2O2 production. When macrophages were exposed to C. parvum, PE, or PER following EIgG phagocytosis, the priming of PMA-triggered H2O2 production was reduced but H2O2 production was maintained at levels equal to or greater than that of control macrophages. These results show that phagocytosis did not prevent the action of priming agents on macrophage respiratory burst capacity, and suggests that such agents may preserve macrophage bactericidal function following phagocytosis.

Preliminary development of a live drug-controlled vaccine against bovine babesiosis using the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus

This study investigated the practicality and potential of the gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, as a source of live Babesia divergens vaccine and also as a model for the use of the vaccine in cattle. A series of experiments with gerbils concerning vaccine infectivity, immunogenicity and safety were carried out. It was concluded that the use of RPMI medium/40% foetal calf serum as a diluent improved vaccine infectivity, but that the parasitaemia of the blood obtained from donor gerbils had little or no effect. The immunostimulants levamisole and killed Corynebacterium parvum improved vaccine immunogenicity and it was also shown that the subcutaneous route of infection resulted in the greatest host response. Control of vaccine virulence with drugs was only possible when drugs with prophylactic properties, such as imidocarb and long-acting oxytetracycline, were used. More studies are required on all these topics, particularly with regard to their applicability to cattle, and also concerning the possible attenuation of the parasite by manipulation in the gerbil host.

Gamma interferon mediates Propionibacterium acnes-induced hypersensitivity to lipopolysaccharide in mice

Pretreatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responder C57BL/10ScSn mice with killed Propionibacterium acnes enhanced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production and lethality in response to a subsequent challenge with LPS. Sensitization to LPS increased with time of pretreatment and reached its maximum after 7 days. Sensitization was paralleled by gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production that was detectable from day 3 onward. In contrast, a similar P. acnes pretreatment of LPS-nonresponder C57BL/10ScCr mice had no apparent effect on their high resistance to LPS. Challenge with LPS at any time during the 7-day period after P. acnes treatment led to no detectable TNF-alpha formation and caused no lethal effects. The absence of sensitization in C57BL/10ScCr mice was paralleled by an absence of IFN-gamma production. Administration of monoclonal IFN-gamma antibodies in C57BL/10ScSn mice up to day 3 of P. acnes treatment completely inhibited the overproduction of TNF-alpha by LPS. Anti-IFN-gamma administered later than day 3 had only a partial, although significant, inhibitory effect. Injection of appropriate amounts of anti-IFN-gamma also abolished the development of hypersensitivity to the lethal action of LPS. The effect of exogenously administered IFN-gamma on LPS sensitivity (e.g., TNF-alpha production, lethal effects) was studied in LPS-responder and nonresponder mice. Administration of murine recombinant IFN-gamma increased the sensitivity of C57BL/10ScSn mice to LPS and established LPS responsiveness in LPS-nonresponder C57BL/10ScCr and C3H/HeJ mice. The data provide evidence that IFN-gamma mediates the sensitization towards LPS induced by P. acnes.

Alpha-D-galactosylation of surface fucoglycoconjugate(s) upon stimulation/activation of murine peritoneal macrophages

Murine resident macrophages express, on their surface, carbohydrate epitopes which undergo changes during their stimulation/activation as monitored by binding of 125I labelled Evonymus europaea and Griffonia simplicifolia I-B4 lectins. Treatment of the stimulated macrophages with coffee bean alpha-galactosidase abolished binding of the GS I-B4 isolectin and changed the binding pattern of the Evonymus lectin. The affinity (Ka) of Evonymus lectin for alpha-galactosidase-treated macrophages decreased approximately 23-fold, from 1.25 x 10(8) M-1 to 5.5 x 10(6) M-1. Subsequent digestion of alpha-galactosidase-treated macrophages with alpha-L-fucosidase from Trichomonas foetus, further reduced binding of Evonymus lectin. Resident macrophages showed the same pattern of Evonymus lectin binding, with the same affinity, as alpha-galactosidase-treated, stimulated macrophages. These results, together with a consideration of the carbohydrate binding specificity of the Evonymus lectin which, in the absence of alpha-D-galactosyl groups, requires alpha-L-fucosyl groups for binding, indicate the presence, on resident macrophages, of glycoconjugates with terminal alpha-L-fucosyl residues. It is also concluded that during macrophage stimulation/activation alpha-D-galactosyl residues are added to this glycoconjugate and that they form part of the receptor for Evonymus lectin. The same glycoconjugate(s) is/are also expressed on the activated macrophage IC-21 cell line which exhibits the same characteristics as that of stimulated peritoneal macrophages, i.e., it contains alpha-D-galactosyl end groups and is resistant to the action of trypsin. Both lectins were also specifically bound to Corynaebacterium parvum activated macrophages.

Propionibacterium acnes-enhanced lens-induced granulomatous uveitis in the rat

Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium parvum) is being implicated more frequently as a cause of intraocular inflammation following cataract surgery. In addition to its role as an infectious agent, P. acnes also may possess adjuvant-like or adjuvant-enhancing properties. The presence of this organism in an eye with residual lens material after extracapsular cataract surgery could augment inflammation resulting from a phacoantigenic (phacoanaphylactic) response. We have modified an established rat model of lens-induced granulomatous uveitis (LIGU) to examine the adjuvant properties of P. acnes. Our results suggest that P. acnes effectively potentiates LIGU.

Generation of cytotoxic immune responses against a rat glioma by in vivo priming and secondary in vitro stimulation with tumor cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to most antigens are generated by in vivo priming and secondary stimulation with antigen in vitro. The present studies were designed to determine whether that strategy could be used to stimulate development of CTL against brain tumors. Rats were primed with one of two tumors, RT2, an astrocytoma, or 9L, a gliosarcoma, and Corynebacterium parvum. Spleen cells from primed rats were stimulated with tumor cells and interleukin-2 in vitro to generate CTL. CTL generated against RT2 killed RT2 and 9L, but not allogeneic or histopathologically unrelated tumor cells, suggesting that the killing was brain tumor-specific and major histocompatibility complex gene product-restricted. Similar results were obtained with rats primed and secondarily stimulated with 9L. Specific cytotoxic cells only developed when syngeneic brain tumor cells were used for both priming and secondary stimulation. The cytotoxic cell populations were composed of OX-19+ T cells with a mixed CD4/CD8 phenotype. Controls consisting of spleen cells from unprimed or primed rats tested before culture exhibited low levels of cytotoxicity against brain tumor targets. Culturing unprimed or primed cells with interleukin-2 alone stimulated cell proliferation, but the cells that grew out exhibited only low levels of cytotoxicity for brain tumor cells. Cell populations exhibited consistent cytotoxicity against natural killer cell targets. None of the cell populations killed lymphokine-activated killer cell targets. The results demonstrated that brain tumor-specific CTL could be produced by priming in vivo followed by secondary stimulation with brain tumor cells in vitro. The results further demonstrated that RT2 and 9L share antigens that both induce and serve as target structures for specific cytotoxic cells.

Induction of murine lymphokine-activated killer-like cells by Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) in vitro: lysis of tumor cells and macrophages by C. parvum-induced killer cells

In vitro culture of murine spleen cells with Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) was found to induce lymphokine-activated killer (LAK)-like cells capable of killing both natural killer (NK)-sensitive and NK-resistant tumor cells as well as syngeneic macrophages (M phi). The induction of LAK-like activity by C. parvum was significantly inhibited by anti-interleukin-2 (IL-2) or anti-interferon (IFN) alpha, beta antibody (Ab), and it was further inhibited by the combination of two Abs, suggesting that the generation of killer cells by C. parvum was dependent on IL-2 and IFN(s) produced in the culture. It was considered that M phi were important in the induction of LAK-like cells by C. parvum because the depletion of M phi from spleen cells before culture with C. parvum significantly reduced the induction of killer activity. The majority of effectors mediating both tumor cells and M phi were Thyl+ and asialo-GM1 (aGM1)+, and the lysis of M phi by C. parvum-induced killer cells could be inhibited by the addition of cold YAC-1 tumor cells and P815 tumor cells, suggesting that the same population of effectors recognized tumor cells and M phi. These results demonstrated a possibility that the killing of M phi by C. parvum-induced killer cells might down-regulate anti-tumor effects of C. parvum.

Effect of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) on Corynebacterium parvum-associated immunosuppression in mice

These studies further investigate the immunoenhancement properties of UDMH by utilizing Corynebacterium parvum-induced immunosuppressed mice as well as evaluating activated macrophage production of reactive oxygen intermediates or their effects. Forty-eight hour Con A-induced lymphoblastogenic responses from splenocytes isolated from C. parvum and UDMH-treated Balb/C mice were significantly increased compared with C. parvum alone, although less than normal control mice (no treatment). In vitro bioassay of IL-2 production in cell culture supernatant isolated from these same treatment groups exhibited a pattern of stimulation similar to that of lymphocyte blastogenesis. In addition, UDMH did not interfere with H2O2-mediated suppression of either Con A- or LPS-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis and actually enhanced suppression of Con A-induced lymphocyte cultures at 25 micrograms/ml. We also report that production of superoxide anion from TPA-activated peritoneal macrophages exposed to various concentrations of UDMH in vitro was not affected. Although in vivo exposure to UDMH partially reversed C. parvum-induced immunosuppression in mice, the exact mechanism by which UDMH acts to reverse this immune suppression is not clear. UDMH does not appear to interfere with either activated peritoneal macrophage production of superoxide anion or H2O2-induced suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis to elicit immune enhancement.

Influence of Corynebacterium parvum-PER on disease progression in the NZB/W model of systemic lupus erythematosus

Murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exhibit some, but not all, of the characteristics of human disease. Disease progression in the animal models is regulated by autoantibodies, genetics and inflammatory processes. In the present study, the influence of the pyridine extract residue of Corynebacterium parvum Type I (CP-PER) on disease progression in the NZB/W model of SLE was investigated. CP-PER is known to activate the reticuloendothelial (RE) system of mice and can alter a number of host responses. Injection of NZB/W females with CP-PER at 10 weeks of age, prior to the onset of overt disease, led to a transient activation of the RE system which then appeared to return to levels observed in untreated animals. Sera from treated and untreated animals were analyzed for anti-nuclear antibodies, and anti-ssDNA antibodies. The most prominant change in the treated animals was an increase in the titer of anti-ssDNA. On average, animals in the early treatment group also lived somewhat longer than those in the untreated control group. Treatment of animals with CP-PER at 6 months of age, when the disease was evident, again led to transient RES activation and an altered autoantibody profile. Animals treated with CP-PER at 6 months of age exhibited a slightly accelerated death rate when compared with the untreated controls. These results indicate that bacterial response modifiers such as C. parvum-PER, which contains primarily the RES activating activity of C. parvum, can alter disease progression in the NZB/W model.

Experimental nonspecific immunostimulation by the Propionibacterium acnes vaccine

The immunostimulation effect of the selected Propionibacterium acnes strain 16073 was described. The optimal conditions for the preparation of the P. acnes vaccine and the nonspecific immunostimulation effects of the vaccine on various experimental infections were evaluated.

Study of modulatory effects of Olimunostim on cellular immunity in healthy humans

To objectivize potential modulatory effects of polybacterial lysate Olimunostim on cellular immunity, the T-lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens were followed up in 10 healthy volunteers subjected to Olimunostim application and parallelly in 6 healthy individuals receiving placebo. The preparation, which was applied perorally in seven consecutive daily doses, had no effects on T-lymphocytes and their subpopulations and exerted only a limited influence on lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens. Both the moderate suppression of proliferative response to Con A and PWM, observed after the application of the three doses of Olimunostim, and the insignificantly enhanced response to PHA and Con A, revealed shortly after the last dose was given, were only of transient character and in comparison with the control group were not proved to be statistically significant. To explain the discordance of these results with the recently reported modulatory effects of Olimunostim on murine lymphocytes it is suggested, that the performed tests using the peripheral blood lymphocytes cannot mirror the processes developing in the diseased tissues. With respect to this presumption and also to the observations of enhanced immunomodulatory effect of Olimunostim on terrain altered by infection, it is proposed to investigate cellular immune parameters in specific disease sites of Olimunostim treated patients suffering from recurrent infections.

Lymphocyte proliferation and T-lymphocyte subsets during experimental immunomodulation of Balb/C mice by Olimunostim

To objectivize possible immunomodulatory effects of polybacterial lysate Olimunostim (P. acnes, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus), splenic lymphocyte proliferation and T-lymphocyte subsets were followed-up in Balb/c mice administered perorally the lysate or saline (controls). The enhanced spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation observed at the beginning of Olimunostim application preceded a gradual increase of lymphocyte reactivity to T-mitogens reaching the maximum five days after the administration of the last dose and returning back to the control levels ten days afterwards. This stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation was accompanied by Olimunostim induced increase of CD4+ splenic lymphocytes being most pronounced five days after the end of immunomodulation and later returning to the initial values. The last experiment revealed an enhanced response of the in vivo primed lymphocytes after the re-exposure to Olimunostim in vitro. It is concluded that mostly nonspecific activation mechanisms, plausibly also parallelly induced specific immunity, are involved in Olimunostim modulatory effects on the cellular immune response.

Modulation of tumoricidal activity, induced in bone-marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes by interferon gamma or Corynebacterium parvum, by interferon beta, tumor necrosis factor, prostaglandin E2, and transforming growth factor beta

Among a series of agents, including various interleukins and growth factors, only interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum (CP) organisms were able to elicit, within 24 hr, tumoricidal activity in bone-marrow-derived mononuclear (BMM) phagocytes. In subsequent experiments, the abilities of interferon beta (IFN beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and transforming growth factor beta (TFG beta), alone or in combinations of 2, to modulate tumoricidal activity triggered in BMM phagocytes by IFN gamma or CP, were compared. In concentrations secreted by macrophages under physiological conditions, these agents proved potent in modulating induction and/or expression of tumoricidal activity. However, their ability to interfere with tumoricidal activity varied considerably, depending on the extent of macrophage differentiation and/or functional responsiveness, the pathway of macrophage activation, the type, concentration and combination of the macrophage secretory molecules, and on whether the agents were present during induction and expression or only during expression of tumoricidal activity. In showing that IFN beta and TNF alpha were mostly enhancing and TGF beta mostly suppressive, whereas PGE2 suppressed induction but enhanced expression of tumoricidal activity, our findings provide further support for the concept that these macrophage-derived molecules have a key role in autocrine regulation of macrophage functional activities.

Macrosialin, a macrophage-restricted membrane sialoprotein differentially glycosylated in response to inflammatory stimuli

Rat monoclonal antibody FA/11 has been used to identify macrosialin, a sialoglycoprotein confined to murine mononuclear phagocytes and related cells. Originally identified as a macrophage-associated glycoprotein predominantly localized in intracellular membranes (Smith, M.J., and G.L.E. Koch. 1987. J. Cell Sci. 87:113), the antigen is widely expressed on tissue macrophages, including those in lymphoid areas, and is expressed at low levels on isolated dendritic cells. Immuno-adsorption experiments reported here show that macrosialin is identical to the major 87-115-kD sialoglycoprotein previously identified by lectin blotting in exudate but not resident peritoneal macrophages (Rabinowitz, S., and S. Gordon. 1989. J. Cell Sci. 93:623). Resident peritoneal macrophages express low levels of macrosialin antigen in a glycoform that does not bind 125I wheat germ agglutinin or 125I peanut agglutinin; inflammatory stimuli upregulate expression of this antigen (up to 17-fold), in an alternative glycoform that is detected by these lectins. Pulse-chase experiments reveal a 44-kD core peptide that initially bears high-mannose chains (giving Mr 66 kD) and is subsequently processed to a mature protein of Mr 87-104 kD. Each glycoform contains N-linked glycan, as well as O-linked sugar structures that show alternative processing. Poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures are detected in the exudate cell glycoform only. This new marker for mononuclear phagocytes illustrates two strategies by which macrophages remodel their membranes in response to inflammatory stimuli. Its predominantly intracellular location and restricted cell distribution suggest a possible role in membrane fusion or antigen processing.