Immunomodulation in an apparently non-immunogenic murine tumor

Madison lung carcinoma (M109), a murine tumor of spontaneous origin, appears to be non-immunogenic, according to 2 commonly employed tests for tumor immunogenicity. However, C.parvum-induced immunopotentiation during the growth of M109 tumor results in post-excision anti-tumor immunity to M109 tumor implants. The C.parvum-potentiated post-excision immunity to M109 is tumor-specific and T-cell-dependent. T cells from mice whose progressive M109 tumors have been excised are capable, on passive transfer, of inhibiting adoptive immunotherapy of T-cell-deficient recipients by spleen cells from mice immunized with an admixture of M109 cells and C.parvum. The data are interpreted as evidence supporting the hypothesis that the apparent lack of anti-tumor immunity in this tumor model is not due to the absence of tumor-associated antigens. We suggest that, instead, in this model the balance between the effector and suppressor arms of the immune response favors tumor-induced immunosuppression, resulting in a magnitude of anti-tumor immunity insufficient for detection by commonly employed tests for tumor immunogenicity. Our study shows that shifting the balance in favor of the effector arm by means of immunopotentiation results in a measurable immune response to an apparently non-immunogenic tumor.

The appearance of T cells bearing self-reactive T cell receptor in the livers of mice injected with bacteria

We demonstrated in the present study that with bacterial stimulation, an increased number of alpha/beta T cells proliferated in the liver of mice and that even T cells bearing self-reactive T cell receptor (TCR) (or forbidden T cell clones), as estimated by anti-V beta monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with immunofluorescence tests, appeared in the liver and, to some extent, in the periphery. The majority (greater than 80%) of forbidden clones induced had double-negative CD4-8-phenotype. In a syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction, these T cells appear to be self-reactive. Such forbidden clones and normal T cells in the liver showed a two-peak pattern of TCR expression, which consisted of alpha/beta TCR dull and bright positive cells, as seen in the thymus. A systematic analysis of TCR staining patterns in the various organs was then carried out. T cells from not only the thymus but also the liver had the two-peak pattern of alpha/beta TCR, whereas all of the other peripheral lymphoid organs had a single-peak pattern of TCR. However, T cells in the liver were not comprised of double-positive CD4+8+ cells, which predominantly reside in the thymus. The present results therefore suggest that T cell proliferation in the liver might reflect a major extrathymic pathway for T cell differentiation and that this hepatic pathway has the ability to produce T cells bearing self-reactive TCR under bacterial stimulation, probably due to the lack of a double-positive stage for negative selection.

Alteration in natural defense activity against NK-susceptible B16 melanoma cells after treatment with Corynebacterium parvum

We have investigated the effects of administration of C. parvum on host anti-metastatic activity against B16 melanoma H-2L, a natural killer (NK) sensitive clone with a low expression of H-2b. The anti-metastatic activity was estimated by monitoring the following two points. One was the survival ratio at an early stage after an intravenous (iv) inoculation of radiolabeled B16 H-2L cells, the other was the formation of pulmonary metastases after iv injection with the tumor cells. Administration of C. parvum showed a biphasic change in the NK activity of the spleen cells and the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) in mice. At an early phase (2-3 days) after administration of C. parvum, the NK activity of the spleen cells and PEC was significantly augmented. On the other hand, at a later phase (14 days) after C. parvum administration, the NK activity was deeply depressed. In correlation with NK activity of the mice treated with C. parvum, the anti-metastatic activity of the hosts was augmented in the early phase, whereas a depressed level of anti-metastatic activity was observed in the late phase after administration of C. parvum. These results suggest that the modification of NK activity is a possible basis for modulation of anti-metastatic activity by C. parvum.

Corynebacterium parvum versus bacille Calmette-Guérin adjuvant immunotherapy of stage II malignant melanoma

Two separate studies have been reported comparing Corynebacterium parvum and bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as adjuvant immunotherapy for stage II melanoma patients (The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 48 patients; Southeastern Cancer Study Group [SECSG], 162 patients). As the criteria for patient selection and drugs used were similar, we have pooled the data to analyze the effects of these two treatments. Both studies used BCG (Tice, Chicago, IL) 3 x 10(8) live organisms per treatment by Tine technique and C parvum (Burroughs-Wellcome, Triangle Park, NC) subcutaneous at a dose of 4 mg/m2 (SECSG) or 5 micrograms/m2 (Hershey) per treatment. The only difference in these studies was the frequency of immunization, with patients in Hershey receiving 22 doses and the SECSG patients receiving 55 doses during the 2-year period of treatment. Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis for the 210 patients shows a prolonged disease-free interval for patients treated with C parvum (P = .02, two-sided Mantel procedure). In similar fashion, patients treated with C parvum had an improved survival rate (from all causes) when compared with BCG-treated patients (P = .012). An analysis of the results for the 170 patients for which the number of positive nodes was available was performed using Cox's model, with nodes as a stratification variable and with covariates of place, treatment, age, and sex. In this analysis, an observed benefit for C parvum on the disease-free interval had a P value of .37 while the benefit of C parvum on the survival times (from all causes) had a P value of .04. When the same analysis was performed using only patients aged younger than 60 years, the observed benefit of C parvum on disease-free interval had a P value of .08 and the benefit of C parvum on survival times (from all causes) had a P value of .008.

Ruffle formation in the evaluation of stimulatory state of hepatic macrophages in rats

Morphological changes in hepatic macrophages after stimulation were observed with a transmission electron microscope in rats. In the normal liver ruffle formation occupied less than 30% of the cell surface facing the sinusoidal space in 21 of 25 macrophages. When the rats received a dose of carbon tetrachloride, hepatic macrophages 1 day later showed ruffle formation to the same extent as in normal rats. In contrast, in rats 6 days after a dose of Corynebacterium parvum, ruffle formation was intensified, and in 19 of 25 macrophages it was seen to occupy more than 30% of the cell surface (p less than 0.01); 9 of 10 macrophages with more than 70% of the cell surface affected belonged to these rats. Considering that hepatic macrophages at 1 or 6 days after treatment with carbon tetrachloride or Corynebacterium parvum are at the responsive or primed stages, respectively, measurement of the extent of ruffle formation in hepatic macrophages with a transmission electron microscope may provide a useful tool in estimating their stimulatory stage.

Endotoxin-induced cytokine gene expression in vivo. III. IL-6 mRNA and serum protein expression and the in vivo hematologic effects of IL-6

Endotoxin (LPS) at sublethal doses injected i.v. into rats was found to induce IL-6 mRNA expression peaking at 1 to 2 h in whole organ RNA preparations of the spleen, liver, lung, bowel, and kidney. IL-6 serum protein levels also peaked at 2 h. TNF and IL-1, generally considered to be among the most rapidly released cytokines, also induced IL-6 expression. IL-6 in turn inhibited TNF and IL-1 expression, suggesting that IL-6 may be part of a negative feedback mechanism in the cytokine cascade. Dexamethasone down-regulated and Corynebacterium parvum up-regulated IL-6 expression, although the possibility cannot be excluded that these immunomodulating factors may in part have exerted their effects indirectly via the up- and down-regulation of TNF and IL-1. IL-6 injected i.v. at a pathophysiologically relevant dose caused a peripheral neutrophilia and mild myeloproliferative effect in the bone marrow.

T-cell reactivity to purified lipophosphoglycan from Leishmania major: a model for analysis of the cellular immune response to microbial carbohydrates

The major macromolecule on the surface of Leishmania major promastigotes is a lipophosphoglycan (LPG). This glycoconjugate plays a key role in determining infectivity and survival of parasites in the mammalian host cell. In addition, L. major LPG is able to induce a host-protective immune response. In this article, we summarise the evidence for recognition of highly purified LPG by T cells and we discuss the potential mechanisms of T-cell stimulation by this non-protein antigen.

MR imaging in an experimental model of brain tumor immunotherapy

A murine model of implanted CNS neoplasia was used to study a new form of brain tumor immunotherapy with intralesional Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum). Assessment of treatment protocols has been limited by the inability to assess, noninvasively, tumor burden and/or the inflammatory reaction induced in the murine brain by treatment with C. parvum. This study demonstrates that contrast-enhanced MR imaging can monitor in vivo tumor burden and the immune response to intracerebral C. parvum. KHT murine sarcoma was stereotaxically implanted into the right frontal lobe of C3H/HeN mice at doses of 10,000 and 50,000 tumor cells. The KHT sarcoma is 100% fatal in untreated mice. Therapy consisted of an intraperitoneal injection of 350 micrograms of killed C. parvum 1 day after tumor implantation followed by 70 micrograms of C. parvum stereotaxically injected into the tumor 5 days after implantation. MR imaging was performed on mice injected with saline only, C parvum only, tumor only, and tumor treated with C. parvum. C. parvum alone elicited an intense transitory mononuclear cell inflammatory reaction in the meninges, ependyma, and to a variable degree at the injection site. The inflammatory response reached a peak 2 weeks after intracerebral injection. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging was able to detect the presence and severity of C. parvum-induced inflammation, which decreased 3 weeks after intracerebral injection. The transitory nature of this type of inflammation should allow its differentiation from tumor in subjects undergoing serial scanning following intracerebral injection of C. parvum as a form of brain tumor immunotherapy.

Protective effect of (4R)-hexahydro-7,7-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,2,5-dithiazocine-4-carboxylic acid (SA3443), a novel cyclic disulfide, on immunologically induced liver injuries in mice

The effects of (4R)-hexahydro-7,7-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,2,5-dithiazocine-4- carboxylic acid (SA3443), a novel cyclic disulfide, on new immunological liver injury models were investigated. The first liver injury model included a single injection of rabbit anti-basic liver protein antibody into DBA/2 mice. Serum transaminase activities showed a dose-dependent increase 42 hr after the antibody treatment. SA3443 significantly inhibited the elevation of serum transaminase activity and the histopathological changes of the liver in antibody-treated mice at doses of 100 to 300 mg/kg, p.o. The second hepatic failure model was based on an injection of lipopolysaccharide into BALB/c mice which had been previously treated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). SA3443 reduced the lethal acute hepatic failure at doses of 100 to 300 mg/kg. Moreover, a distinct increase in lymphocyte-activating factor activity was detected in the supernatant of the culture medium of the liver macrophage/Kupffer cells isolated from the rat treated with P. acnes. SA3443, at 10(-6) to 10(-4) M, suppressed the release of the lymphocyte-activating factor activity from liver macrophage/Kupffer cells. These results suggest that SA3443 provides considerable protection against immunological liver injuries, and that the efficacy of SA3443 might be partially related to an inhibition of the increase in lymphocyte-activating factor activity.

Resistance to a non-immunogenic tumor, induced by Corynebacterium parvum or Listeria monocytogenes, is abrogated by anti-interferon gamma

The complex processes that determine the outcome of the interaction of tumor and host were explored in the operationally simple and reproducible rat D-12 ascites tumor model. Animals exhibit weak spontaneous resistance against this tumor that is not augmented by repeated inoculation, by various routes, of irradiated syngeneic D-12 tumor cells, but considerably enhanced after local administration of heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum (CP) or Listeria monocytogenes (LM) organisms. Inoculation of conventional or monoclonal anti-rat IFN gamma antibodies into the same compartment did not affect spontaneous tumor resistance, but largely abrogated the tumor-protective effect triggered by CP or LM. Our findings support the concept that IFN gamma, produced by T cells in the course of the specific immune response raised against immunogenic micro-organisms, is able to enhance and to maintain local tumor resistance and thus to strengthen the capacity of the host to cope with a non-immunogenic tumor.

[Immunohistochemical studies of the acne-like inflammatory model]

The acne-like inflammatory model was produced in the ears of male Sprague-Dawley rats by subcutaneous injection of 140 micrograms of heat killed Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Ear thickness was measured as an index of inflammatory strength, using a micro indicator once every day for the first week, then every other day until the 35th day. Animals were sacrificed and ears were excised for histological study. The tissue was stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin to investigate the state of inflammation. At the same time, P. acnes was stained specifically by enzyme labelled antibody to study the localization of the injected bacteria body. When thickness of rat ears was measured, more than a doubling of control ear was observed with maximum swelling on the second day. The ear thickness decreased to 1.5 times control levels at 5th day, then remained with no change for 35 days. Histological study revealed remarkable inflammatory infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils at the swelling site. Polynucleocyte was major infiltrated cells until 24 hours, and then mononucleocyte was principal after 24 hours. In the tissue excised at 6 hours after injection, a temporary characteristic infiltration of eosinophils was observed. When the tissue at 35th day was stained by enzyme labelled antibody, it revealed that the antigen of P. acnes existed among the cells at the site of infiltration and in mononucleocytes. This inflammatory model is considered to be a valuable experimental animal model for acne vulagaris with granulomatous inflammation.

Binding of monomeric immunoglobulins by bone marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes; its modulation by interferon-gamma

The ability of resting and activated rat bone marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes (BMM phi) to bind monomeric rat, mouse, and human IgG was determined by means of flow cytometry. Rat IgG2b bound with high affinity (Kd approximately equal to 3 x 10(-9) M); binding was optimal at 4 degrees C and was only little affected by trypsin treatment. The other IgG bound with only low affinity (rat IgG2a, mouse and human IgG) or not at all to rat BMM phi (rat IgG1, rat IgG2c). The binding of rat IgG2b was not affected by the presence of a surplus of low-affinity binding IgG, and vice versa, indicating that high- and low-affinity IgG bind to different sites. Binding of high- and low-affinity IgG as well as expression of MHC class II molecules and of tumoricidal activity by BMM phi was markedly enhanced by rat interferon-gamma in low concentration (0.1 to 1.0 IU IFN-gamma/ml). On the other hand, heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum organisms, that were equally potent in triggering tumoricidal activity, neither enhanced the binding of IgG nor the expression of MHC class II molecules by BMM phi, suggesting that these abilities are not necessarily closely related phenomena.

Effect of cytochrome P-450 inhibition and stimulation on intensity of polyethylene degradation in microsomal fraction of mouse and rat livers

Polyethylene (PE) is degraded in microsomal fractions of mouse and rat livers with the formation of carbonyl groups. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated formation of predominantly ketone groups and to a lesser degree ester and aldehyde groups. The inhibition and stimulation of cytochrome P-450 in mouse livers affected the formation of oxidative groups on PE. Phenobarbital doses of 3 x 0.05 mg per mouse increased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 and ketone groups on PE, whereas the vaccine Propionibacterium acnes (0.5 mg) and its pyridine fraction (0.5 and 1 mg) had the opposite effect. The coherence of cytochrome P-450 with oxidative changes on PE is compared and discussed with findings on implants in man.

Colonization of adrenal glands and ovaries of mice by HSV-2 variants. I. Virological studies

HSV-2 strain ER was shown to consist of variants with different pathogenic phenotype: Variant ER+ replicates to high titers in the adrenal glands and the ovaries but much less in the spleen; the testes were not colonized. ER+ migrates to the spinal ganglia and is highly neuroinvasive after i.p. inoculation. Variant ER- replicates 100-1,000 fold less in the adrenal glands and the ovaries, but proceeds to the spinal ganglia without invading the CNS. However, both variants are highly neuropathogenic after direct i.c. injection. We conclude that neuropathogenicity, neuroinvasiveness and the ability to replicate in the adrenal glands as well as ovaries are each determined by different sets of genes. Replication in mouse embryo fibroblasts--but not in Vero and adreno cortical carcinoma Y1 cells--is different for both strains. Also the adsorption capacity to cultured cells differs as shown by addition of D.S. 500. ER- is eliminated from the blood stream more quickly than ER+. Finally, C. parvum reduces the rate of replication of both variants in the adrenal and the ovaries. It is concluded that different adsorption and replications rates of variants ER+ and ER- in cell types critical for spread of HSV are responsible for the different pathobiological properties.

[Inhibition of growth and metastases of lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice by Corynebacterium parvum and its antitumor mechanism]

Cocrynebacterium parvum (CP) was injected around the tumor and tumor cells were inoculated subcutaneously with activated peritoneal macrophages. The effects on the growth and metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice were observed. Experimental results indicated that CP had significant inhibitory effect on the tumor growth and lung metastases. The cytotoxic effects of activated peritoneal macrophages in mice on target tumor cells (L5178Y) in vitro were studied with the technique of 3H-TdR assay. The proliferation of tumor cells was markedly inhibited by the activated peritoneal macrophages of CP. Experiments showed that the antitumor mechanism of CP was the mediation via activated cytotoxic macrophages. These results indicated that CP is an effective immunostimulant. These findings will provide a scientific basis for the clinical treatment of the primary and metastatic lung carcinoma.

Effector phenotype and immunologic specificity of T-cell-mediated adoptive therapy for a murine tumor that lacks intrinsic immunogenicity

The MCA 102 sarcoma has been defined by a variety of immunologic studies as a tumor lacking intrinsic immunogenicity. Nevertheless, we have recently demonstrated the feasibility of generating therapeutically effective lymphocytes for adoptive immunotherapy of this tumor. Procedures to achieve this required in vivo priming of syngeneic mice to elicit preeffector cells followed by in vitro sensitization (IVS) with tumor cells in the presence of IL-2. By selective depletion of T cell subsets in vivo, we identified the involvement of both CD4+ (L3T4+) and CD8+ (Lyt-2+) T cells in mediating tumor regression. The CD4+ cells exerted their helper function via the secretion of IL-2 because antitumor effects abrogated by depletion of CD4+ cells could be reconstituted by exogenous IL-2. In order to elicit preeffector cells with reactivity against the MCA 102 tumor, we found that in vivo sensitization could be accomplished with either the MCA 102 or MCA 106 tumor but not with the MCA 101 or MCA 105 tumor. Analysis of specificity of tumor stimulation during IVS of MCA 102 tumor-primed preeffector cells demonstrated cross-reactivity between not only the MCA 102 and MCA 106 tumors but also the MCA 105 tumor whereas the MCA 101 tumor was ineffective. In adoptive immunotherapy, transfer of IVS cells generated from MCA 102 tumor-primed and stimulated lymph node cells was able to mediate reductions of pulmonary metastases established from the MCA 102, MCA 105, and MCA 106 tumors but not from the MCA 101 tumor. We conclude that regression of the MCA 102 tumor is probably mediated through T cell recognition of a set of common tumor-associated Ag shared by several other syngeneic tumors. Immunologically, the tumor-associated Ag are characteristically different from classical tumor-specific transplantation Ag (TSTA) because immunity to TSTA on the MCA 105 or MCA 106 tumor does not cross-react with the MCA 102 tumor. Thus, this study demonstrates that Ag other than TSTA on chemically induced tumors can serve as target molecules for T cell-mediated adoptive immunotherapy.

TNF and inhibition of growth of Plasmodium falciparum

The mechanism of intra-erythrocyte death of Plasmodium chabaudi in vivo has not yet been elucidated. Here we summarise recent experiments in which serum from mice undergoing a successful immune response to this parasite did not inhibit Plasmodium falciparum in vivo unless the P. chabaudi infection and TNF levels were high enough to cause illness in the host. This was true for the 556KA and DS strains of P. chabaudi in intact mice, but not for 556KA in nude mice, which did not generate inhibitory activity at any parasitaemia. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibits malaria parasites via some undefined secondary mediator. 10 mg of r hu TNF generated this inhibitory activity, as measured against P. falciparum in vitro, in the serum of mice only if they were pretreated with Corynebacterium parvum, which activates macrophages and sensitises the mice to the toxic effects of TNF. This implies a role for activated macrophages downstream from TNF in the process involved in intra-erythrocytic death of parasites.

Corynebacterium parvum (Propionibacterium acnes): an inducer of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes in vitro

The present study investigates the potential capacity of the immunostimulant Corynebacterium parvum (C.p.) to induce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and blood monocytes (BMo) in vitro. Both at the mRNA and protein level, stimulation of PBMC and BMo upon C.p. induces TNF-alpha. Compared to the hitherto used TNF-alpha inducers in vitro such as Sendai virus, phytohemagglutinin or lipopolysaccharide the C.p. stimulus displayed a threefold stronger induction of TNF-alpha production (p less than 0.001). Using C.p. as an inducer it was possible to demonstrate that TNF-alpha production is regulated by prostaglandin E2; preincubation of the cells with prostaglandin E2 resulted in a reduced C.p.-mediated TNF-alpha production (p less than 0.001). Coincubation of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) together with C.p. led to an enhanced release of TNF-alpha, supporting the assumption that C.p. is a potent TNF-alpha inducer. The additive effect of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha on the receptor level was demonstrated by addition of IFN-gamma antibodies to the PBMC cultures. Under these conditions TNF-alpha production, stimulated by C.p. and IFN-gamma, was decreased by 30%, compared to the production in assays supplemented with C.p. alone. From these data we conclude that C.p. is a new inducer of TNF-alpha in vitro and a useful tool to study TNF-alpha production of PBMC and BMo from either healthy donors or from patients.

Tetracycline and 13-cis-retinoic acid inhibit production and activity of granulocyte activating factor (GAF) from Propionibacterium acnes

The aim of this study was to evaluate different treatment schedules on release or activity of a granulocyte activating factor (GAF) from Propionibacterium acnes. Incubation of P. acnes in physiological saline (30 min, 37 degrees C) resulted in release of a soluble factor that elicited considerable chemiluminescence response and chemotactic stimulus on human granulocytes. Pretreatment of the microorganisms with subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline or incubation of granulocytes with 13-cis-retinoic acid significantly reduced the activating potency of GAF on these phagocytic cells. Since GAF was considered to be one of the stimuli for inflammation in acne vulgaris, administration of tetracycline and 13-cis-retinoic acid appears to be an adequate therapy.

Evaluation of the worth of corynebacterium parvum in conjunction with chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment for primary breast cancer. Eight-year results from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-10

During the 1970s, information obtained from animal tumor models and from patients with a spectrum of solid tumors indicated the worth of a variety of immunostimulating agents. These findings provided a biological and clinical rationale for conducting randomized trials to evaluate the worth of those agents. Consequently, in May 1977 the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) implemented a randomized trial to determine whether Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum, CP) plus chemotherapy would be more effective than chemotherapy alone in prolonging the disease-free survival (DFS) and survival (S) of patients with primary operable breast cancer and positive axillary nodes. The results of that trial through 8 years of follow-up fail to indicate that treatment with CP used in conjunction with l-phenylalanine mustard (L-PAM) plus 5-fluorouracil (PF) results in a better DFS and S than that observed after chemotherapy alone. Use of the immunomodulator has instead resulted in a poorer, but not statistically significant, outcome. Despite adjustments made to account for any imbalance in distribution of prognostic factors between the two treatment groups and despite considering treatment compliance as a factor, the unfavorable outcome persisted. A high incidence of fever and chills was associated with the administration of CP. The administration of hydrocortisone before each CP treatment reduced the frequency of those and other systemic effects. The failure to demonstrate a benefit from CP is in keeping with the failure of other nonspecific stimulating agents to contribute to the creation of a new paradigm for the treatment of breast cancer.

Isolation and characterization of a polysaccharide antigen from Propionibacterium acnes released by a glycine-specific chemical protein degradation procedure

An acid-labile antigenic polysaccharide has been isolated from both cell walls and culture media of Propionibacterium acnes using a new chemical degradation procedure which liberates protein-bound or associated carbohydrate. Lyophilized cells and culture media were treated with a suspension of mercuric oxide in a solution of alkaline mercuric cyanide for several hours at room temperature liberating water-soluble polysaccharide material. The antigenic polysaccharide was freed of reaction products by alcohol extraction and purified by anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration, resulting in three distinct fractions of acidic polysaccharides of apparent molecular weights between 15-150 kDa. Sugar analysis showed the polysaccharides to contain fucose, galactose, glucose, mannose, galactosamine, glucosamine, and 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-D-glucuronic acid. The three fractions also contained amino acids, predominantly glutamic acid, alanine, and glycine, known to be components of P. acnes cell wall peptidoglycan. All three molecular weight fractions reacted with rabbit antisera raised against whole P. acnes cells, with the highest titer for both cell and media-derived polysaccharide material consistently in the high molecular weight fraction. This procedure was also capable of releasing antigenic polysaccharide from tissues of rats administered P. acnes cells or radiolabeled cell wall fragments.

Growth inhibition of Candida albicans by interleukin-2-induced lymph node cells

Previous reports have demonstrated natural killer cells (NK) to exert growth inhibitory effects against certain fungi, but not against Candida albicans. In this investigation, interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced lymph node cells with phenotypic and functional characteristics of NK were shown to inhibit the growth of C. albicans. Growth inhibition was evaluated by both the release of 51Cr by the fungus and the inhibition of microcolony growth of the fungus on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. Lymphoid cells derived from C57Bl/6 mice and immediately assessed for hyphal growth inhibition showed little or no activity. However, significant hyphal growth inhibition was produced by lymph node cells cultured with recombinant IL-2. Growth inhibitory activity was dependent upon the concentration of IL-2 and was mediated by nonadherent lymphocytes which lysed an NK-susceptible and to a lesser extent an NK-resistant cell line. Treatment of the IL-2-induced cells with anti-asialo GM1 but not anti-Thy-1 and complement abrogated growth inhibition of C. albicans. These results suggest that IL-2-induced lymph node cells with functional and phenotypic characteristics similar to those of activated NK, mediate in vitro growth inhibition of the hyphal form of C. albicans.

Induction of tumor necrosis factor by macrophage colony-stimulating factor in vivo

The effect of human urinary colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in vivo was assessed. Purified CSF-1 was administered i.v. to rabbits 4 days prior to injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TNF in the serum prepared from rabbits bled 90 min after LPS injection was measured using cytotoxicity assays employing mouse L929 cells and antirabbit TNF monoclonal antibody. The results indicated that CSF-1 was able to induce the production of TNF in vivo and had a synergistic effect with Propionibacterium acnes.

[Monitoring natural killer cell activity in the blood of patients with malignant pleural effusion after intrapleural administration of Corynebacterium parvum]

In a group of 14 patients with a malignant pleural effusion treated by intrapleural administration of Corynebacterium parvum, in addition to other treatment of the generalized malignant process the activity of Nk cells was investigated before administration, on the 7th and 21st day after instillation of the vaccine. The mean rise of this activity was significant at the 5% level of significance. The activity of Nk cells was equally significantly influenced by age. The survival of patients, although longer in patients who responded positively, was not significantly correlated with the increased activity of Nk cells. Its increase was observed more frequently in the group of patients given the English preparation Coparvax. In the discussion some aspects of the relationship of Nk activity and anti-tumourous immunity are discussed.

Bacteria of human physiological microflora liberate immunomodulating peptides

Human isolates of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus saprophyticus could be shown to liberate low molecular weight peptides (MW less than 6.500 D) with immunomodulating activity. FACS analyses of BALB/c-mouse lymphoid cells from the thymus and spleen revealed an enhanced percentage of T-helper cells after peptide administration. Intestinal microflora decontamination of BALB/c-mice considerably reduced immune cell function and lymphatic tissue proliferation. Apparently, lack of peptide production or liberation correlated to immunosuppression. Substitution of peptides (from P. acnes or S. saprophyticus) to decontaminated mice reconstituted immune cell function and proliferation. Cortisone-resistant thymocytes were used as an experimental equivalent of functional cells in the thymus. Thus, cortisone treatment of BALB/c-mice significantly reduced the number of thymocytes, however, administration of microbial peptides restored the thymus population.

Lymphokines and bacteria, that induce tumoricidal activity, trigger a different secretory response in macrophages

The abilities of various macrophage-activating agents to trigger tumoricidal activity and/or the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin 6 (IL 6) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) in bone marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes (BMM phi) in vitro were comparatively assessed. Induction of tumoricidal activity by lymphokines, that is only short-lived, was not associated with enhanced secretion of these activities by BMM phi; in contrast, incubation with heat-killed facultative intracellular bacteria resulted in persisting tumoricidal activity and in marked enhancement of the secretion of IL 6 and PGE2, but not of TGF beta activity. These findings support the concept that the pattern of the secretory response induced in macrophages by lymphokines differs from that triggered by bacteria and that the rapid decay of lymphokine-induced tumoricidal activity is not due to autocrine macrophage deactivation mediated by one of these agents alone.

Production of interferon-gamma by in vivo tumor-sensitized T cells: association with active antitumor immunity

The state of active immunity to Meth A fibrosarcoma in mice immunized with an admixture of Meth A cells and Propionibacterium acnes is associated with possession by the host of spleen cells capable of producing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) upon in vitro restimulation with irradiated tumor cells. The ability of spleen cells from immunized mice to produce IFN-gamma in response to irradiated Meth A cells decays as active antitumor immunity is replaced by a state of immunological memory. The IFN-producing cells are L3T4+Ly2+, cyclophosphamide-sensitive and radiosensitive T cells, as determined by their sensitivity to corresponding monoclonal antibodies and complement. The induction of IFN-gamma production by in vivo tumor-sensitized T cells is tumor specific, in that spleen cells from mice immunized against Meth A fibrosarcoma can produce IFN in response to irradiated Meth A cells but not in response to another syngeneic tumor M109 lung carcinoma.

Lethality of morphine in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Opiates modulate a variety of immune responses. We investigated the effect of morphine on the pathogenesis of an acute Toxoplasma gondii infection. Repeated s.c. injections with morphine sulfate (300 mg/kg) every 36 hr addicted mice and increased markedly the mortality of mice infected with an avirulent strain of T. gondii (86%) vs. 0% mortality in addicted and control mice, respectively, P less than .001). However, a single challenge with morphine (300 mg/kg) also markedly (P less than .001) increased mortality (94%) of infected mice when the morphine was administered at day 13 postinfection; susceptibility to the lethal effect was not observed until day 9 postinfection, a time when immune reactivity was evident (i.e., 3- to 4-fold splenic enlargement). This lethal effect was attenuated by pretreatment with naltrexone, suggesting involvement of an opiate receptor mechanism. Sulfadiazine treatment abrogated morphine-induced mortality, indicating a prerequisite of an active infectious state. These findings suggest that immune activation by T. gondii infection plays a critical role in morphine-induced mortality in this murine model.

Malignant pleural effusions: meaning of pleural-fluid pH determination

In 36 patients with malignant pleural effusions, we determined the pH and the glucose concentration of the pleural fluid. Twenty-one of 36 patients (58.3%) had a low pH (less than 7.30) and 15 had a normal pH (greater than or equal to 7.30; 7.13 +/- 0.12 vs. 7.37 +/- 0.05; p less than 0.0005). The patients with low pH had significantly lower glucose concentrations than those with normal pH (2.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 6.3 +/- 2.9 mmol/l; p less than 0.0005). Twenty-one of 34 patients (61.7%) had a glucose concentration lower than a cut-off value of 4.4 mmol/l; of these, 17 (81%) had a low pH. The mean survival in the low-pH group was 4.8 +/- 4.4 months, whereas the mean survival in the normal-pH group was 5 +/- 8 months (p greater than 0.4). Twelve of 36 patients (33.3%) were treated with intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum (CBP) injections. Fourteen of 21 low-pH patients (66.6%) survived more than 2 months, and 4 of them are still alive. Six of 15 normal-pH patients (40%) survived more than 2 months, and 1 of them is still alive. Three of the 5 living patients were treated with CBP (2 in the low-pH group and 1 in the normal-pH groups). Our results confirm that pH and glucose concentrations in the pleural fluid of patients with malignant effusions are frequently low. However, the survival and the response to CBP pleurodesis in patients with low-pH malignant effusions are the same as those in patients with normal-pH malignant effusions.

Characterization of Corynebacterium parvum-induced suppressor cells of mouse NK and ADCC activity

Treatment of mice with Corynebacterium parvum (Cp) resulted in a substantial decrease in natural killer activity in the spleen at 10 days. The decrease in cytotoxicity was associated with the presence of splenic nonadherent (NA) suppressor cells, capable of inhibiting natural as well as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The nonadherent suppressor cells appeared to be null cells, lacking detectable expression of Thy 1, L3T4 (CD4), Lyt 2 (CD8), or asialo-GM1 and could be physically separated from cells with NK activity by centrifugation on Percoll discontinuous density gradients. Our results indicate that Cp can negatively modulate cytolytic functions of NK cells by inhibiting the effector phase of cytotoxicity.

Studies on route of immunization with a mixture of killed parasites and adjuvants against Babesia rodhaini infection in mice

A series of experiments were undertaken to determine the most effective route of immunization with a mixture of killed Babesia rodhaini antigen (S antigen) and formalin-fixed Corynebacterium parvum (Propionibacterium acnes) bacterin (CPB) against challenge infection with B. rodhaini 3 weeks later. The mice pretreated with S antigen and CPB mixture intraperitoneally, but not intramuscularly, were significantly resistant to intraperitoneal (IP) or intravenous (IV) challenge with 10(6) organisms. The survival rates were 70.0 (IP challenge) and 60.0% (IV challenge) respectively. Fairly protective activities were equally produced in mice intravenously pretreated with S antigen and CPB with survival rates of 60.0% against IV challenge, but 30% against IP. These results indicated that the IP injection of S antigen and CPB mixture is desirable route for immunization against subsequent IP or IV challenge with B. rodhaini. On the other hand, lower protective effect was reconfirmed in the mice treated with S antigen and Freund's Complete adjuvant, regardless of immunization routes in the additional experiment. The survival rates were 33.3, 14.3 and 11.8% in the intraperitoneally, intramuscularly and subcutaneously-treated mice respectively against IP challenge with 10(6) organisms.

Abilities of activated macrophages to manifest tumoricidal activity and to generate reactive nitrogen intermediates: a comparative study in vitro and ex vivo

The abilities of lymphokines and heat-killed bacteria to induce and to maintain tumoricidal activity and/or the secretion of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) were comparatively assessed in bone marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes (BMM phi) in vitro and in adherent peritoneal cells (APC) ex vivo. In showing that the kinetics of tumoricidal activity and of secretion of RNI induced by macrophage-activating agents in BMM phi and/or in peritoneal cells do largely parallel each other, the present findings provide evidence for a role of RNI in tumor cell killing by activated macrophages both in vitro and in vivo.

Effect of intracerebrally injected Corynebacterium parvum on the development and growth of metastatic brain tumor in mice

Using KHT tumor in a mouse metastatic tumor model, we examined the effect of intracerebral and/or intraperitoneal injections of Corynebacterium parvum on the growth of metastatic brain tumor and the development of an inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS). C. parvum given intraperitoneally had no effect on the development and growth of CNS tumor, but did prolong the survival of mice by inhibiting the growth of systemic metastatic tumor, which was the cause of death in our tumor model. Mice that received intracerebral injections of C. parvum exhibited significantly decreased growth of metastatic brain tumor, as compared with mice that received intracerebral injections of saline, whether or not they had received C. parvum intraperitoneally. In addition, the brains of mice that received C. parvum intracerebrally exhibited an inflammatory response that was minimal or absent in the brains of control mice. Our results suggest that if immunotherapeutic agents can be delivered to the CNS and cause an inflammatory response, they can be effective against CNS metastases.

Suppression of resistance to Salmonella typhimurium in young chickens inoculated with Corynebacterium parvum

The effect of Corynebacterium parvum on resistance to Salmonella typhimurium infection was evaluated in young chickens. One-day-old chickens were inoculated subcutaneously (SC) or intraperitoneally (IP) with 1.4 mg killed C. parvum and challenged by IP injection with 5.0 X 10(7) S. typhimurium 4 days later. Spleen and bursa of Fabricius weights were not altered in the C. parvum-inoculated chickens. A transient increase in thymus weight occurred 3 days after inoculation with C. parvum. Phytohemagglutinin-elicited cutaneous hypersensitivity was significantly suppressed in the C. parvum-inoculated chickens. Morbidity due to Salmonella infection increased significantly from 15% and 21% in the control groups to 43% and 46% in the chickens inoculated IP or SC with C. parvum. The results indicated that inoculation of 1-day-old chickens with C. parvum suppressed cell-mediated immune responsiveness and decreased resistance to peritoneal infection with S. typhimurium.

Lung-phase immunity to Schistosoma mansoni. Flow cytometric analysis of macrophage activation states in vaccinated mice

A delayed-type hypersensitivity response has been postulated as the effector mechanism of lung-phase immunity to Schistosoma mansoni. We have sought evidence for this response by examining the state of alveolar macrophage activation in C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with radiation-attenuated cercariae, and challenged with normal parasites. As an index of activation, the capacity of macrophages to produce an oxidative burst upon stimulation with PMA, was measured at the single cell level by a flow cytometric method. Fourteen to 28 days after vaccination with 20-kr parasites, highly activated macrophages were recovered from the airways by bronchoalveolar lavage. Their probable role in resistance is to recruit T lymphocytes and macrophages to "arm" the lungs against subsequent challenge. The level of macrophage activation had declined to near background by the time challenge parasites arrived, although pulmonary leucocyte numbers remained elevated. Activated alveolar macrophages were not detected after vaccination with 80-kr parasites, which fail to reach the lungs or induce resistance. Challenge parasites, arriving in the lungs of 20-kr vaccinated mice, stimulated a rapid increase in the activation state of recruited macrophages, coincident with their retention in the pulmonary vasculature. These events occurred later in challenge control mice, with peak activation at day 21, when migration of parasites to the liver is complete. Mice vaccinated with 80-kr parasites lacked the accelerated response to challenge, behaving like the control group. The absence of activated peritoneal macrophages suggests a response restricted to organs such as the lungs, through which both vaccinating and challenge parasites migrate. We suggest that the role of activated alveolar macrophages in lung-phase immunity is to initiate and maintain the focal inflammatory responses which block onward migration of parasites and lead to their demise.

Microscopic changes of the urinary bladder in patients with primary tumors locally treated with Corynebacterium parvum

The study covered 34 patients with tumors of the urinary bladder treated surgically by transurethral resection and, as an adjuvant therapy, with Corynebacterium parvum intravesically administered. Microscopic observations were performed on smears stained with blue polychrome-tannin and the histologic study used preparata stained with hematoxylin-eosin and van Gieson. After the second series of instillations, many biopsies from the same patient were taken. The investigation revealed the negativity for malignant cells on the cytologically studied smears, and histologically a chronic infiltrate formed of lymphocytes and plasma cells along the basement membrane could be observed; sometimes the infiltrate was follicularly organized. The morphologic changes of the urinary bladder mucosa were correlated with the immunostimulation potential of Corynebacterium parvum.

Bronchoalveolar leukocyte response in experimental silicosis: modulation by a soluble aluminum compound

The biological properties of quartz have been related to its surface reactivity. We have addressed the role of particle surface reactivity in mediating the biological activity of quartz in mixed dusts, by treating the quartz with aluminum lactate. Intratracheal instillation of untreated quartz in rats caused a rapid, sustained alveolitis and bronchoalveolar leukocytes obtained from these animals had enhanced activity in degrading fibronectin, but reduced ability to mount a respiratory burst. Quartz pretreated with aluminum elicited a markedly reduced inflammatory response; the reduced activity of the treated quartz was also reflected in the attenuated change in the key functional parameters, oxidant production and proteolysis of fibronectin. Late intratracheal dosing with aluminum after the quartz-induced alveolitis was well established reduced the inflammatory response and abrogated the effect of quartz on the respiratory burst, but did not alter fibronectin degradation by the leukocytes. Aluminum did not affect the inflammatory response to Corynebacterium parvum and thus the effect was on the quartz particles and not on the inflammatory leukocytes. These findings have implications for the likely pulmonary responses to mixed dusts containing quartz and aluminum silicate clays.

Discrepancy in the abilities of lymphokines and bacteria to mediate tumor protection in vivo and/or tumoricidal activity by macrophages in vitro

In the present study, the ability of lymphokines (MAF and IFN gamma) and microbial agents (CP and LM) to induce and maintain tumoricidal activity in BMMP in vitro and to enhance local resistance to the DA rat D-12 ascites tumor in vivo was assessed comparatively. Under standard conditions in vitro, i.e., when present during the 24-hr induction and the 36-hr effector phase, both lymphokines and microbes were similarly potent for eliciting tumoricidal activity in BMMP. When the activating agents were present only during the induction phase, and effector cells were interacted with tumor targets after a 24-hr interval, clear differences were observed: BMMP which had been incubated with lymphokines had largely if not completely lost their tumoricidal activity; in contrast, BMMP which had been incubated with microbes still manifested considerable tumoricidal activity. Experiments performed to assess the in vivo significance of the discrepancy established in vitro have shown that resistance to the D-12 ascites tumor was markedly enhanced after local inoculation of microbes but was affected very little or not at all by soluble lymphokines. The causes responsible for the discrepancy in the antitumor potential of lymphokines vs. microbes are probably manifold. Extensive attempts to improve the efficacy of lymphokines by repeated administration or by incorporation into liposomes were not successful.

Toxicity of IL-2 and Corynebacterium parvum following direct intracranial injection

The toxicity of IL-2 and/or C. Parvum when injected directly into the mouse brain was examined by survival and histopathology using different numbers of injections, different doses of IL-2, different solvents for the IL-2, and different doses and routes of administration of C. Parvum. Two injections was found significantly to increase mortality (19%) over a single injection (4%). Mortality from two injections of 30,000 U (23%) or 60,000 U (20%) was higher than from two injections of 15,000 U (12%). The mortality from two injections with normal saline as solvent was much higher (29%) than from two injections with sterile water (19%) or D5W (9%). Two injections of IL-2 given simultaneously with C. Parvum showed a much higher mortality (26%) than other doses and routes of C. Parvum administration. Mice dying acutely (6-24 days) of toxicity showed an extensive mononuclear infiltrate at the site of injection. The brains of surviving mice (sacrificed at 30 days) showed a mild residual mononuclear cell infiltrate with the exception of mice which had received IL-2 and C. Parvum simultaneously. Brains from this latter group had an extensive residual mononuclear cell infiltrate.

[Comparison of the effectiveness and adverse effects of a Corynebacterium parvum vaccine made in Czechoslovakia with Coparvax, a British preparation made by Wellcome, in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions]

Malignant pleural effusion complicates various malignant diseases, most frequently lung and breast cancer. A group of 20 patients with this complication were treated with the Czechoslovak vaccine Corynebacterium parvum and the English preparation Coparvax, and their effects and side-effects were compared. Within 4 weeks following the application, 7 patients died. In 9 surviving patients, the exudate ceased to be replenished and in 4 persons, after intrapleural application of the preparation, it had to be evacuated one more time, but then its formation ceased. The therapeutical effect of both the Czechoslovak and English preparations was satisfactory. The side-effects of both preparations were comparable except for a significantly higher temperature elicited by the Czechoslovak vaccine. Both preparations Corynebacterium parvum are suitable for palliative treatment of malignant pleural exudates.

Chemiluminescence in a macrophage cell line modulated by biological response modifiers

We have studied a murine macrophage cell line, J774, and found these cells capable of a zymosan-triggered chemiluminescent oxidative burst. Such activity was enhanced by preincubation with Corynebacterium parvum (CP), bacillus Calmette-Guerin, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Under similar conditions, CP and LPS were shown to enhance J774-mediated tumor cell lysis. We have also demonstrated that murine interferon alpha + beta rendered J774 cells more sensitive to the actions of CP and LPS. These results indicate that J774 cells may be useful for the in vitro evaluation of biological response modifiers as well as the study of oxygen radical production by macrophages.

Lymphocytes generated by in vivo priming and in vitro sensitization demonstrate therapeutic efficacy against a murine tumor that lacks apparent immunogenicity

The adoptive transfer of sensitized lymphocytes is an effective means to mediate the regression of established tumors. However, successful therapy can only be demonstrated in animal models where tumors are intrinsically immunogenic, capable of eliciting systemic immunity. To explore the potential of this therapeutic approach to tumors of less immunogenicity, we have selected and used a murine tumor, MCA 102, for the current study because all attempts to immunize syngeneic mice failed. We report here that inoculation of mice with a mixture of tumor cells and a bacterial adjuvant, Corynebacterium parvum led to the production of sensitized, but not fully functional, lymphocytes in the draining lymph nodes (LN). These cells, termed pre-effector cells, could nevertheless further differentiate to acquire full immunologic function by an established in vitro sensitization culture method. In adoptive immunotherapy experiments, transfer of as few as 1.5 X 10(7) in vitro sensitized cells not only reduced established pulmonary MCA 102 metastases but also prolonged survival and cured tumors in a majority of the treated animals. In order to elicit pre-effector cells in vivo, inoculation with both tumor cells and C. parvum was essential. Although a broad range of numbers of MCA 102 tumor cells appeared to be effective, generation of pre-effector cells was dependent on the dose of C. parvum. We have found that a C. parvum dose of 25 micrograms was optimal, whereas higher doses of the adjuvant had suppressive effects. Analysis of the kinetics of their appearance revealed that the generation of pre-effector cells was transient. They were detectable 7 days after in vivo priming followed by a rapid decline. Furthermore, pre-effector cells were detected only in the regional draining LN. No reactivity was demonstrable in the spleen, mesenteric LN, PBL, or bone marrow. Taken together, these results expand the scope of immunotherapy by demonstrating the feasibility of manipulating a limited and obscure immune response to the MCA 102 tumor for therapeutic efficacy.

[The response of alveolar lymphocytes induced by Propionibacterium acnes in pulmonary sarcoidosis: correlation with clinical studies, pulmonary function studies and bronchoalveolar lavage]

Current concepts of the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis suggest that the alveolitis in this disorder is related to increased numbers of helper T-cells within the lungs. However, the mechanism of this accumulation of lymphocytes is not known. We have reported that proliferation of alveolar lymphocytes induced by P. acnes is increased in patients with active sarcoidosis. To determine whether the response of alveolar lymphocytes would be useful in staging the activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis, we studied 34 untreated patients with this disorder, and correlated the response of alveolar lymphocytes with clinical, roentgenographic, physiologic, and bronchoalveolar lavage findings in these non-smoking patients. There was a significant correlation of the response in the numbers of lymphocytes (p less than 0.05) and CD4 (+) T-cells (p less than 0.01) recovered from the lungs of these patients by bronchoalveolar lavage. Furthermore, the response correlated significantly with the activity of Interleukin-2 released by alveolar lymphocytes stimulated by P. acnes (p less than 0.05). In contrast, no correlation was found between the response and the clinical, roentgenographic, or physiologic data. However, in patients who showed abnormality in all three clinical examinations, i.e. serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity, number of alveolar lymphocytes, and 67Ga scintigraphy of the lung, the response was significantly higher than in controls (p less than 0.001) or in patients with none of these abnormalities (p less than 0.01). Also, the response in patients with an abnormality in two of these three examinations was significantly elevated compared to that in normals (p less than 0.025) or in patients without an abnormal examination (p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Propionibacterium acnes-induced non-specific immunity to Trypanosoma brucei in mice

Mice treated with dead Propionibacterium acnes (previously called Corynebacterium parvum), up to 30 days before infection with any of three strains of Trypanosoma brucei, were more able to limit the level of first-wave parasitaemia than untreated controls. Reduced parasitaemia was not due to enhanced phagocytosis of input parasites and was associated with a dramatic reduction in the proportion of multiplying T. brucei in the blood of treated as compared to control mice. For 4 days after P. acnes treatment, T. brucei growth-inhibitory molecules, assayed by their effect on T. brucei multiplication under axenic culture conditions, were detected in the serum of recipient mice. The molecules were released by macrophages collected from the peritoneal cavity of P. acnes-treated mice, and similar molecules were produced in vitro by macrophages from normal mice after incubation with P. acnes. Accessory studies suggested that the molecules were breakdown products of P. acnes and were unlikely to be responsible for the long-term in-vivo effects of the P. acnes treatment. It was also shown that monokines and lymphokines which are likely to be induced by in-vivo P. acnes treatment, i.e. IL-1, IL-2, TNF alpha, INF alpha, INF beta, INF gamma, PGE1, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and biological mediators present in Con-A and LPS-induced spleen cell supernatants (collected 20, 40, 60 or 80 h after mitogen stimulation) had no influence on T. brucei growth under axenic culture conditions over a wide range of concentrations. The studies suggest that the P. acnes effect was not due to a direct interaction of these biological mediators with the T. brucei. We suggest that the reduction in T. brucei parasitaemia in P. acnes-treated mice reflects secondary physiological effects of one or more unidentified biological mediators.

Characterization of a new spontaneously developed murine mammary adenocarcinoma in syngeneic BALB/c hosts

A mouse mammary tumor cell line, designated JC, has been established from a spontaneously developed primary adenocarcinoma of an aged virgin female BALB/c mouse. Isoenzyme analyses including glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and peptidase proved that this cell line is of murine origin and devoid of contamination from other species. Karyotyping revealed that the number of chromosome ranged from 26 to 100, with a modal number of 40. Electron microscopic examination detected the presence of tonofilament and desmosomes confirming its epithelial nature. In addition, no type B or C virus particle was detected, although intracysternal A particle was observed occasionally. Tumorigenicity in immunocompetent syngeneic hosts was easily established by s.c., i.p., and i.v. injection of viable JC tumor cells. A very weak immunogenicity of the JC tumor was demonstrated through its immunization-challenging on syngeneic immunocompetent hosts. Although no rejection of JC tumor was noted, a significant prolongation for the incubation period before an obvious and palpable tumor growth was detected between the experimental and the control animals. Development of a concomitant immunity was also detected. The JC tumor represents a valuable murine mammary tumor model which is different from other available models because of its unique origin, absence of virus particles, very weak immunogenicity, and high tumorigenicity in syngeneic hosts. The cell line has been maintained for more than 5 yr and has been used for experimental immunotherapy in our laboratory.

Non-specific resistance to Babesia divergens in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Inoculation of mature gerbils with BCG gave protection to subsequent infection with B. divergens when inoculated by the intracardiac and intraperitoneal routes, the latter showing a dose dependent relationship. BCG vaccination was most effective in immature gerbils (less than 4 weeks old), which are innately resistant to B. divergens. Vaccination of gerbils with killed Propionesbacterium acne and zymosan A failed to elicit a protective response, which contrasts conspicuously with rodent babesia studies. Incubation of B. divergens-infected gerbil blood with hydrogen peroxide produced parasite inhibition only at the highest concentration and treatment of parasitized gerbils with the oxidative radical inducer, alloxan monohydrate, gave equivocal results so it is evident that, unlike Plasmodium spp., B. divergens is not significantly susceptible to the action of reactive oxygen forms.

Regulation of insulin and interleukin-1 release after Propionibacterium acnes-induced macrophage activation in mice

The administration of a potent activator of macrophages (M phi), Propionibacterium acnes, in nondiabetic mice was associated with the release of significant amounts of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the peritoneal cavity and plasma within 4 hours after treatment. Shortly before IL-1 peaks were observed, the levels of pancreatic insulin, [3H]leucine-proinsulin, and insulin/total protein ratio were elevated, and followed by a transient but marked hyperinsulinemia at 4 hours after treatment. A single dose of recombinant murine IL-1 in mice was also associated with a 2- to 9-fold increase in the levels of insulin in the pancreas and plasma at 4 hours after treatment. During the period of observation after the administration of P. acnes, plasma glucose levels in treated mice were significantly less than in parallel controls. Mild hypoglycemia was observed at 7 to 10 days posttreatment. Although circulating IL-1-like activity could not be detected in plasma 1 to 10 days after P. acnes treatment, this activity was measured in activated peritoneal and liver M phi. IL-1-like activity (specific activity: 276 units/mg protein) was detected in plasma, after it was chromatographed on a Sephadex G-150 column to remove proteins with higher molecular weight. Peritoneal and liver M phi from P. acnes mice were also able to elaborate significant amounts of IL-1-like activity in their supernatants with or without Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. At the same time, total protein synthesis and insulin content in the pancreas in P. acnes mice were significantly lower than the parallel control (p less than 0.01). These results suggest that P. acnes-induced M phi activation in mice was associated with the modulation of insulin release and glucose homeostasis which may be attributed to the accumulation and release of IL-1 by activated M phi.

Epithelial dendritic cells and connective tissue macrophages in oral carcinogenesis and the effects of systemic Corynebacterium parvum

Epithelial dendritic cells (EDC) and connective tissue macrophages were examined during the induction and growth of oral squamous cell carcinomas in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4NQO) and the immune potentiator Corynebacterium parvum. Splenomegaly was induced in all animals receiving C. parvum. Acetone-fixed frozen sections of the palate and tongue were stained using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique and monoclonal antibodies to rat Ia (MRC OX-6) and macrophage subpopulations (ED1, ED2, ED3). EDC were predominantly Ia+, ED1-, ED2- and ED3-. The lamina propria contained Ia+, ED1+ and ED2+ cells; ED3-reactive cells were rare. ED2+ cells predominated in the interstitial connective tissue of deeper muscle. In the non-invasive tissues, the number of positive cells (Ia+EDC and connective tissue Ia+, ED1+ and ED3+ cells) increased significantly throughout the experimental period (0-9 months), were significantly more prevalent in the test tissues (4NQO, 4NQO + C.parvum, C.parvum) compared to untreated controls and, at 9 months, the carcinogen-treated rats (4NQO, 4NQO + C.parvum) had significantly more Ia+ EDC and connective tissue Ia+ cells than C.parvum controls. Irrespective of the marker under study, there were no significant differences between rats treated with 4NQO or 4NQO + C.parvum at any time during the experimental period. Similarly, intra-epithelial Ia+ and ED1+ cells increased significantly throughout the experimental period in all test groups compared to untreated controls, but no significant differences were evident between carcinogen-treated animals (4NQO, 4NQO + C.parvum) and C.parvum controls. Significant positive correlations between connective tissue Ia+ and ED1+ cells and also intra-epithelial Ia+ and ED1+ cells were present in all experimental groups; connective tissue ED2+ and ED3+ cell numbers did not correlate with any of the other phenotypes and intra-epithelial ED2+ and ED3+ cells were rare/absent. Palatal and/or lingual tumours developed in 80% of carcinogen-treated rats by 9 months and the tumour incidence was similar in rats treated with either 4NQO or 4NQO + C.parvum. There were no significant differences in the number of Ia+ EDC between the infiltrating and the non-invasive overlying epithelium of the lingual carcinomas and the non-invasive lingual epithelium treated with either 4NQO or 4NQO + C.parvum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Changes in production of platelet activating factor by adherent hepatocytes of mice with experimental liver failure]

It is thought that the platelet activating factor (PAF) enhances the immune response and inflammatory reaction. We studied the production of PAF from liver adherent cells. As a result, liver adherent cells produced PAF, when they were stimulated with calcium ionophore. In addition, when mice were treated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes and the mononuclear cells were infiltrated into the liver, a significantly larger amount of PAF was produced compared to normal mice.