Low temperature of GroEL/ES overproduction permits growth of Escherichia coli cells lacking trigger factor DnaK

Escherichia coli trigger factor (TF) and DnaK cooperate in the folding of newly synthesized proteins. The combined deletion of the TF-encoding tig gene and the dnaK gene causes protein aggregation and synthetic lethality at 30 degrees C. Here we show that the synthetic lethality of deltatigdeltadnaK52 cells is abrogated either by growth below 30 degrees C or by overproduction of GroEL/GroES. At 23 degrees C deltatigdeltadnaK52 cells were viable and showed only minor protein aggregation. Overproduction of GroEL/GroES, but not of other chaperones, restored growth of deltatigdeltadnaK52 cells at 30 degrees C and suppressed protein aggregation including proteins >/= 60 kDa, which normally require TF and DnaK for folding. GroEL/GroES thus influences the folding of proteins previously identified as DnaK/TF substrates.

The differentiation profile of the epithelium of the human lip

The aim of this study was to analyse the immunohistochemical differentiation profile of the stratified squamous epithelium of the adult human lip. Full-thickness lower lips taken from 31 cadavers were analysed. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), cytokeratins (CK), loricrin, involucrin, profilaggrin and filaggrin. The stratified squamous epithelium covering the lip could be divided into: (i) appendage-bearing, orthokeratinised epidermis; (ii) orthokeratinised vermilion which had a more prominent rete pattern than the epidermis; (iii) parakeratinised, PAS-positive intermediate zone; and (iv) non- or parakeratinised labial mucosal epithelium. Epithelial thickness increased gradually from the skin to the mucosal aspect. The CK pattern changed across the intermediate zone, with gradual loss of CK 1 and 10 from the skin, and CK 4, 13 and 19 from the mucosal, aspect. CK 5 and 14 were consistently expressed basally, and variably expressed suprabasally. Apart from labelling Merkel cells, CK 8, 18 and 20 were negative. Involucrin, which was present at all sites, was restricted to the stratum granulosum in skin, but extended into the stratum spinosum, and gradually into parabasal keratinocytes, across the vermilion and mucosa. Loricrin, profilaggrin and filaggrin were present in the stratum granulosum of orthokeratinised sites, but expression was abruptly lost at the junction between the vermilion and the intermediate zone. In conclusion, the phenotype of the stratified squamous epithelium covering the lip changes at, or across, the intermediate zone of the adult vermilion. It is possible that changes in the composition of the stratified squamous epithelium affect the colour of the vermilion.

Lack of ultrastructural detrusor changes following endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin type a in overactive neurogenic bladder

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopical injections of Botulinum toxin type A into the detrusor muscle are gaining clinical acceptance in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Structural effects of Botulinum toxin type A are only known from studies on striated muscles, where a widespread nerve sprouting occurs temporarily. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrastructural effects of Botulinum toxin type A injections on the human detrusor.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

30 detrusor biopsies were obtained from 24 patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I included 13 biopsies from patients before the first Botulinum toxin type A injection. Group II included 6 biopsies from patients within 3 months after the first injection and 11 biopsies at the time of decreasing efficacy of Botulinum toxin type A. The biopsies were processed by standard procedure for detailed electron microscopic study and evaluated by 2 examiners without prior knowledge of clinical/urodynamic data.

RESULTS

No statistically significant detrusor changes have been found concerning muscle cell fascicle structure (p = 0.445), width of intercellular space (p = 0.482) and number/kind of muscle cell junctions (p = 0.443). A median of 70% of intrinsic axon terminals presented with signs of degeneration in group I, a median of 66% in group II (p = 0.840). Out of 309 evaluated axon terminals in both groups, 1 sprouting axon was found in group I, 3 sprouting axons in group II (p = 0.864). Specimen from group I and group II showed only limited collagen deposits within the detrusor. No changes in the ultrastructure of the detrusor have been observed in those biopsies obtained before and after the Botulinum toxin type A injection of the same patient.

CONCLUSION

This study verifies our earlier report of severe intrinsic axon degeneration in the detrusor of patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. It also shows nearly no structural differences of the detrusor before and after Botulinum toxin type A injections. Contrary to reports of striated muscle, axonal sprouting within the detrusor was very limited after Botulinum toxin type A injections indicating pathophysiologically different reactions to the toxin either between striated muscle and smooth muscle or between different treated diseases.

Functional dissection of Escherichia coli trigger factor: unraveling the function of individual domains

In Escherichia coli, the ribosome-associated chaperone Trigger Factor (TF) promotes the folding of newly synthesized cytosolic proteins. TF is composed of three domains: an N-terminal domain (N), which mediates ribosome binding; a central domain (P), which has peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase activity and is involved in substrate binding in vitro; and a C-terminal domain (C) with unknown function. We investigated the contributions of individual domains (N, P, and C) or domain combinations (NP, PC, and NC) to the chaperone activity of TF in vivo and in vitro. All fragments comprising the N domain (N, NP, NC) complemented the synthetic lethality of Deltatig DeltadnaK in cells lacking TF and DnaK, prevented protein aggregation in these cells, and cross-linked to nascent polypeptides in vitro. However, DeltatigDeltadnaK cells expressing the N domain alone grew more slowly and showed less viability than DeltatigDeltadnaK cells synthesizing either NP, NC, or full-length TF, indicating beneficial contributions of the P and C domains to TF's chaperone activity. In an in vitro system with purified components, none of the TF fragments assisted the refolding of denatured d-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in a manner comparable to that of wild-type TF, suggesting that the observed chaperone activity of TF fragments in vivo is dependent on their localization at the ribosome. These results indicate that the N domain, in addition to its function to promote binding to the ribosome, has a chaperone activity per se and is sufficient to substitute for TF in vivo.

Therapiealgorithmus bei Enuresis nocturna

Monotherapeutic strategies often have only partial success in primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE). This analysis evaluated whether adjuvant treatment strategies improve outcomes. PNE children were submitted to a distinct therapeutic strategy including urotherapy (behavioral modifications), a first-line and, if necessary, a second-line treatment period. Outcome was the relief of bedwetting, the follow-up was 3-79 months. Urotherapy was applied. Nonresponders were assigned to desmopressin as first-line treatment. For complete responders a structured withdrawal program was applied. Partial responders were assigned to adjuvant second-line treatment according to their individual symptomatology, masked at basic investigations, incorporating either anticholinergics (propiverine hydrochloride), biofeedback, alpha-blocker (alfuzosin), alarm or psychotherapy, in addition to desmopressin. Nonresponders were referred to specialized management. The study included 259 children suffering from PNE (92 girls, 167 boys, aged 5-18 years): 42 children were relieved from bedwetting after urotherapy and 136 children had a complete response to desmopressin. Three nonresponders were assigned to specialized management, 61 partial responders had adjuvant treatments, and 17 partial responders had no further treatment. The suggested treatment algorithm resulted in 227 complete responders, 29 partial responders, and 3 nonresponders. The need for preliminary urotherapy is evident. The proposed desmopressin monotherapeutic strategy, incorporating a structured withdrawal program, is more effective than the standard desmopressin treatment module. Applying adjuvant treatment modules improves the complete response rate up to 88%. In partial responders overall efficacy rates are improved further. Nonresponders (1.2%) will be referred to specialized management, but many partial responders will gain improvement sufficient to refrain from invasive procedures.

Over-expression of anti-CD75 reactive proteins on distal and collecting renal tubular epithelial cells in calcium-oxalate stone-forming kidneys in Egypt

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nature, distribution and expression pattern of CD75, a neuraminidase-sensitive lymphocyte cell surface differentiation antigen, in calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone disease, as cell-surface sialic acid might be involved CaOx crystal binding, and lectin-binding assays suggest that sialic acid in the alpha2,6 position is upregulated in stone-forming kidneys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human CaOx stone-forming and normal kidneys (13 each) and primary kidney epithelial cells (CAKI-1, three samples) were analysed. The protein pattern, distribution and expression of CD75 were analysed using Western blotting, immunohistology and semi-quantitative confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM). Production was investigated by alpha2,6-sialyltransferase specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Western blotting showed one strong band at approximately 43 kDa that reacted with anti-CD75 when renal epithelial and CAKI-1 tumour cell extracts were analysed. However, in renal tissue extracts of CaOx stone formers there were additional bands at 120 and 205 kDa. Image processing after cLSM showed that anti-CD75 reactivity was significantly greater on E-cadherin-positive distal and collecting tubular cells from CaOx stone-forming kidneys, at a mean (sd) intensity of 87 (7), than on those from normal kidneys, at 41 (5) (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

CD75 expression in human kidney was primarily on the luminal surface of distal tubules and collecting ducts. Whether increased epithelial CD75 expression in CaOx stone disease is a cause or result of the disease remains to be clarified.

Fluorescence and ESR studies of the conformational behavior of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes at solid/liquid interfaces

The conformational behavior of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on alumina in solutions was investigated by means of excimer fluorescence and electron spin resonance spectroscopy using maleic acid-propene copolymer labeled with pyrene or TEMPO. It was found that the ability of the polyanion at the surface for conformational rearrangements is strongly influenced by the constraints of the adsorbed state that restrict its complexation. Polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) formed by mixing of the oppositely charged polyelectrolytes exhibited extreme coiling due to the screening of the charged groups. The polyelectrolytes undergo spreading during the adsorption process due to the electrostatic attraction. Surface binding can irreversibly limit the flexibility for the reconformation process to a great extent. It is also shown here that a flatter adsorbed state could be reached by sequential adsorption of polyanion and polycation than could be reached by the direct adsorption of the polyelectrolyte complex itself.

Low temperature or GroEL/ES overproduction permits growth of Escherichia coli cells lacking trigger factor and DnaK

Escherichia coli trigger factor (TF) and DnaK cooperate in the folding of newly synthesized proteins. The combined deletion of the TF-encoding tig gene and the dnaK gene causes protein aggregation and synthetic lethality at 30 degrees C. Here we show that the synthetic lethality of DeltatigDeltadnaK52 cells is abrogated either by growth below 30 degrees C or by overproduction of GroEL/GroES. At 23 degrees C DeltatigDeltadnaK52 cells were viable and showed only minor protein aggregation. Overproduction of GroEL/GroES, but not of other chaperones, restored growth of DeltatigDeltadnaK52 cells at 30 degrees C and suppressed protein aggregation including proteins >/=60 kDa, which normally require TF and DnaK for folding. GroEL/GroES thus influences the folding of proteins previously identified as DnaK/TF substrates.

Intraoperative urodynamics in spinal cord surgery: a study of feasibility

Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) of bladder function in spinal cord surgery is a challenging task due to vegetative influences, multilevel innervation and numerous supraspinal modulating factors. Despite routine use of urodynamics in neurosurgery for implantation of bladder stimulators or denervation of nerve fibres in spastic reflex bladders, application of IOM in patients with spinal cord tumours or tethered-cord syndrome is not widespread. Combining urodynamics with sphincter electromyography (EMG) in IOM enables identification of bladder efferents responsible for contraction and continence. We monitored four patients with ependymoma of the Cauda equina, one patient with tethered-cord syndrome and two patients with cervical intramedullary tumours. In all patients undergoing operations of the Cauda equina, identification of bladder efferents responsible for detrusor contraction was possible. There was good correlation between preoperative bladder dysfunction, preoperative urodynamics and intraoperative pressure increase by bladder contraction or latency between stimulation and contraction. This method proved unsuitable for intramedullary tumours where no contraction of the bladder could be observed while stimulating the spinal cord. Intraoperative monitoring of urodynamics is an effective tool for identifying bladder efferents in the Cauda equina. Intraoperative conclusions on bladder dysfunction through registration of pressure increase and latency are possible.

Cell-surface matrix proteins and sialic acids in cell-crystal adhesion; the effect of crystal binding on the viability of human CAKI-1 renal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of sialic acids and cellular matrix proteins as crystal-binding molecules in human calcium-oxalate nephrolithiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The well-defined human renal cancer cell line CAKI-1 was used a standard cell culture system. After enzymatic digestion of various cell surface molecules, the binding of alpha2,6 (Sambucus nigra, SN-) and alpha2,3 (Maackia amurensis, MA)-specific lectins to CAKI-1 cells was analysed. Simultaneously, the effect on adhesion and release of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals was investigated (eight replicates). The effect of crystal adhesion on cell viability was assessed using Trypan blue exclusion (five replicates).

RESULTS

Neuraminidase decreased MA-lectin binding of CAKI-1 cells by 39% (P < 0.05) but elevated SN-lectin binding by 812% (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, crystal binding to CAKI-1 cells was increased by 28% (P > 0.05). Pretreatment with collagenase type I, trypsin and dispase II reduced crystal-binding by 61-74% (P < 0.05) with no effect on sialic acid-specific lectin-binding. However, only collagenase type I and dispase (ratio 4 : 1) were also able to release crystals from their receptor-binding sites (P < 0.05). An increase in the number of cell surface-bound crystals correlated significantly with a decrease in cell viability (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

alpha2,3-linked sialic acids protect cells from crystal-binding. Much greater SN-lectin binding associated with only moderately increased crystal binding argues against alpha2,6-linked sialic acids as a main target structure of crystals. In contrast, collagen type I, type IV and/or fibronectin seem to be potent crystal-binding molecules on human renal epithelial cells, with collagen type I involved in a potential second step of crystal-cell interaction.

Loss of CD38 correlates with simultaneous up-regulation of human leukocyte antigen-DR in benign prostatic glands, but not in fetal or androgen-ablated glands, and is strongly related to gland atrophy

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether CD38 loss in benign and malignant prostatic disease is related to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR up-regulation, by assessing the histopathology of the prostate and the effect of androgen deprivation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serial sections of frozen fetal (eight), infant (six), normal adult (10), benign hyperplastic (BPH, 24), and primary (10) and hormone-treated (11) carcinomatous human prostatic tissues were analysed by immunohistology for anti-CD38 and HLA-DR antigens.

RESULTS

In BPH samples there was a significant correlation between CD38 loss (mean 21% of acini) and HLA-DR up-regulation (mean 20%; P < 0.001). Moreover, 76% of all CD38-negative acini in BPH had HLA-DR up-regulation in the same prostate epithelial cells, predominantly in atrophic and cystic glands, and in cells with retained secretions (74%). In contrast to the uniform expression in normal adult prostate, CD38 was negative or partly expressed in fetal acini (mean 19%) and almost completely negative in acini of the early infant period (mean 0.7%). In contrast to BPH, cancer cells did not selectively up-regulate HLA-DR when CD38 was lost. In patients with cancer treated by androgen deprivation, cancer cells were CD38-negative.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of CD38 and presence of HLA-DR expression in prostatic epithelium is consistent in BPH and tissue surrounding tumour, and strongly related to gland atrophy. This is particularly interesting as HLA-DR triggering can induce apoptosis of cells, whereas CD38 prevents it. A permissive role for androgens to maintain full CD38 expression in epithelial cells is suggested.

Stone treatment and coagulopathy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate treatment protocols and results of upper tract stone treatment in patients with clotting disorders.

METHODS

In a 6-year period, 6,827 stone interventions (ESWL or endourologic procedures) were performed in 5,739 patients. Thirty-five (0.61%) patients suffered from a variety of systemic clotting disorders or were anti-coagulated. Clotting disorders were corrected by specific therapy prior to any intervention. A total of 76 interventions were performed consisting of ESWL, ureteroscopy (URS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), ureteric stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy.

RESULTS

All patients became stone-free within 3 months or had clinically insignificant residual fragments. Severe complications were observed in 10/76 (13.1%) interventions. ESWL was successful in 88.9% (16/18) of patients, but associated with a 33.3% (6/18) complication rate; 27.8% (5/18) of patients required auxiliary procedures. URS and PNL were successful in all cases and complications occurred in 0% (0/7) and 33% (1/3) of patients, respectively. Time to complete stone clearance after ESWL was 32.0+/-49.3 days compared with a mean of 19.4+/-28.6 days in a non-coagulopathy control group; no difference was observed for endourologic procedures. Average costs of treatment in patients undergoing ureteroscopy was higher in patients with coagulopathy (4,611 versus 2,342); however, the difference was less pronounced compared with ESWL (6,070 versus 1,731).

CONCLUSION

Patients with coagulopathy have a higher rate of complications despite apparently normal clotting parameters during treatment and hospitalisation was prolonged. The efficacy of ESWL was lower in patients with coagulopathy and we currently favour endoscopic procedures for stone removal in this patient group.

Urolithiasis in allograft kidneys

OBJECTIVES

Allograft stones are an uncommon clinical problem and management is mainly based on anecdotal experience, rather than analysis of larger series.

METHODS

In an 8-year period, 19 patients were treated for 19 renal and 3 ureteral stones. In 9 patients, stones were transplanted and 10 formed de novo stones within a mean of 28 months (range 13 to 48) after transplantation. In 4 patients, stones were removed during transplantation. Seven patients were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), 3 patients had stones removed percutaneously, 1 by antegrade ureteroscopy, and 1 at the time of ureteral reimplantation. Three patients passed stones spontaneously.

RESULTS

In 3 of 4 patients with stones detected before transplantation, the procedure was completed successfully after endoscopic stone removal. Three of 5 patients with transplanted stones required emergency nephrostomy; 1 patient had permanent renal impairment. Three (42.9%) of 7 patients treated with ESWL needed transient nephrostomy; ultimately, all became stone free within a mean 15 days (range 10 to 40). Endoscopic stone removal always resulted in complete clearance without renal impairment. All patients were stone free during a follow-up of 29 months (range 13 to 48).

CONCLUSIONS

Nine (47%) of 19 stones were actually transplanted. Therefore, intraoperative screening by ultrasonography with subsequent endoscopic removal is advisable. Small stones (4 mm or less) may be closely followed up, because they can pass spontaneously. ESWL is the treatment of choice for caliceal stones sized 5 to 15 mm. However, for stones greater than 15 mm or for ureteral stones, antegrade endoscopic procedures seem to be more favorable.

Treating epilepsy in the elderly: safety considerations

The incidence of epilepsy increases with advancing age. Epilepsy in the elderly has different aetiologies from that in younger populations, cerebrovascular disease being the most common condition associated with seizures. Partial seizures are the predominant seizure type in older patients. A diagnosis of epilepsy in the elderly is based mainly on the history and is frequently delayed. In addition, seizure imitators are especially frequent. In many cases ancillary tests for diagnosis may show normal age-related variants, sometimes making results difficult to interpret. Treating epilepsy in the elderly is problematic due to a number of issues that relate to age and comorbidity. The physical changes associated with increasing age frequently lead to changes in the pharmacokinetics of many anticonvulsants. The treatment of epilepsy in the elderly is also complicated by the existence of other diseases that might affect the metabolism or excretion of anticonvulsants and the presence of concomitant medications that might interact with them. Moreover, specific trials of anticonvulsants in the aged population are scarce. General guidelines for treatment include starting at lower doses, slowing the titration schedule, individualising the choice of anticonvulsant to the characteristics of the patient, avoiding anticonvulsants with important cognitive or sedative adverse effects, and where possible, treating with monotherapy.

Binding specificity of Escherichia coli trigger factor

The ribosome-associated chaperone trigger factor (TF) assists the folding of newly synthesized cytosolic proteins in Escherichia coli. Here, we determined the substrate specificity of TF by examining its binding to 2842 membrane-coupled 13meric peptides. The binding motif of TF was identified as a stretch of eight amino acids, enriched in basic and aromatic residues and with a positive net charge. Fluorescence spectroscopy verified that TF exhibited a comparable substrate specificity for peptides in solution. The affinity to peptides in solution was low, indicating that TF requires ribosome association to create high local concentrations of nascent polypeptide substrates for productive interaction in vivo. Binding to membrane-coupled peptides occurred through the central peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) domain of TF, however, independently of prolyl residues. Crosslinking experiments showed that a TF fragment containing the PPIase domain linked to the ribosome via the N-terminal domain is sufficient for interaction with nascent polypeptide substrates. Homology modeling of the PPIase domain revealed a conserved FKBP(FK506-binding protein)-like binding pocket composed of exposed aromatic residues embedded in a groove with negative surface charge. The features of this groove complement well the determined substrate specificity of TF. Moreover, a mutation (E178V) in this putative substrate binding groove known to enhance PPIase activity also enhanced TF's association with a prolyl-free model peptide in solution and with nascent polypeptides. This result suggests that both prolyl-independent binding of peptide substrates and peptidyl-prolyl isomerization involve the same binding site.

Differential expression of interleukin-15, a pro-inflammatory cytokine and T-cell growth factor, and its receptor in human prostate

BACKGROUND

Pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-15 plays a major role in host defense and chronic inflammation by stimulating T-lymphocyte recruitment and growth. Expression of IL-15 and IL-15 receptor (IL-15R) in human prostate was examined.

METHODS

Normal and benign hyperplastic (BPH) prostate specimens (n = 23) were analyzed for IL-15 and IL-15Ralpha-chain expression by immunohistochemistry and Real-Time-PCR/RT-PCR. Regulation of prostatic stromal cell (PSC) IL-15 mRNA and effect of IL-15 on prostatic cell growth were analysed in vitro.

RESULTS

In normal prostate, anti-IL-15 and anti-IL-15Ralpha-chain reactivity were restricted to smooth muscle and stromal cells. However, in BPH, in addition epithelial cells frequently exhibited discrete anti-IL-15R and often intense, membranous anti-IL-15 reactivity. IL-15/IL-15R mRNA were detected in all prostatic cells types. In BPH tissues, IL-15 mRNA content was variable (15-fold). IL-15 mRNA synthesis of PSC was significantly up-regulated by IFN-gamma. Furthermore IL-15 strongly stimulated the growth of BPH-T-lymphocytes and weakly that of carcinoma cell lines, but not of stromal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of IL-15 and IL-15Ralpha-chain in BPH and massive proliferation of BPH-T-lymphocytes induced by IL-15 suggest a role for IL-15 in prostatic inflammation. Since IFN-gamma, a T-lymphocyte product, stimulates prostatic IL-15 production; chronic inflammation might be triggered by this paracrine loop.

Human accessory cells activate fresh, normal, tumor-distant T lymphocytes but not tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes to lyse autologous tumor cells in a primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay in renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Search for an ideal responder T-lymphocyte source for adoptive T-lymphocyte therapy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODS

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity of (a) normal, tumor-distant, renal T lymphocytes, (b) tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes and (c) peripheral blood T lymphocytes against autologous tumor epithelial cells (EC) of 10 patients with organ-confined, primary RCC was analyzed in a primary CTL assay. Freshly enriched T lymphocytes were cultured with or without autologous, mitomycin-C-treated normal or tumor EC in the presence or absence of antigen-presenting cells (APC) for 7 days.

RESULTS

Both tissue T-lymphocyte populations displayed a similar CD4:CD8 ratio (1:1). Elevated CD62L coexpression of CD4+ T lymphocytes in normal, tumor-distant, renal tissue resulted in a significantly higher transient T-cell activation than that seen in renal tumor tissue (46 vs. 27%; p = 0.002). All trials to induce significant lysis of autologous, renal tumor EC in tumor-infiltrating and peripheral blood T lymphocytes failed. Only when normal, tumor-distant, renal T lymphocytes were stimulated by autologous APC and tumor EC was significant autologous tumor EC lysis obtained (mean 14%; p<0.05). Costimulation by anti-CD3 (mean 21%; p<0.05) or interleukin-2 (mean 31%; p<0.05) further increased tumor EC lysis significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased turnover of T lymphocytes in normal, tumor-distant, renal tissue was associated with a higher yield of pre-CTL which can be transformed into a functionally active effector T-cell pool by stimulation via antigen plus APC. Thus, tumor-distant renal tissue has to be included in the tissue-sampling procedure for adoptive immunotherapy.