[Immunopharmacological actions of lumin (I): Anti-allergic actions of lumin]

We used lumin (4,4'-(3[2(1-ethyl-4-(1-H)quinolidene) ethylidene]) propenylene [bis(1-ethyl quinolinium iodide)]) as a photosensitive cyanin dye and studied its effects on various allergic reactions. We obtained the following results: Lumin slightly inhibited the production of IgE antibody, but showed no effect on the production of IgM and IgG antibodies. Lumin slightly inhibited homologous rat PCA at 48 hr. It also showed some inhibitory activity against histamine (His) release caused by in vitro antigen-antibody reaction. Lumin significantly inhibited the acceleration of the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction by cyclophosphamide (CY). The above results suggest that lumin shows anti-allergic activity through the mediation of immunopharmacological activity.

Jacalin, an IgA-binding lectin, inhibits differentiation of human B cells by both a direct effect and by activating T-suppressor cells

Jacalin, a lectin extracted from the seeds of Artocarpus intergifolia (jackfruit), has been reported to bind specifically to IgA while inducing B-cell polyclonal immunoglobulin secretion. We confirmed that jacalin only binds to IgA and not to IgG or IgM and extended these findings by showing that it does not bind to IgE. Addition of jacalin to either unfractioned peripheral blood lymphocytes or purified B cells failed to induce immunoglobulin synthesis; indeed immunoglobulin production was diminished in the presence of jacalin. We found that jacalin directly inhibited the induction of immunoglobulin synthesis from B cells in the presence of T-cell replacing factor. Cell lines making IgG, IgM, and IgA were inhibited by jacalin. Furthermore, T cells incubated with jacalin also inhibited immunoglobulin production by stimulated B cells. Under these conditions jacalin was found to be a potent mitogen for T cells but to induce little or no activation of B cells. Jacalin appears to be a potent T-cell mitogen which can induce suppressor T cells for Ig production. It also has a direct inhibitory effect on B-cell Ig production.

Immunocompetence of normal human appendiceal lymphoid cells: in vitro studies

In order to study the activity of immunocompetent lymphocytes in normal human adult mucosal lymphoid tissues in the gut, viable mononuclear cells (MNC) from surgically removed appendices were isolated with a rapid and improved technique, and their immune reactivity determined in vitro. Nearly two-thirds of the isolated cells were B cells, composed of sIgM (30%), sIgA (19%) and sIgG (12%), less than one-third of cells being T cells, composed of OKT4+ helper/inducer T cells (18%) and OKT8+ suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (9%). Isolated B cells were responsive to SAC (Cowan type I Staphylococcus aureus) with marked augmentation of IgG production, but not to lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In the presence or absence of pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and protein A, all isotype-specific Ig production was augmented along with increasing ratios of autologous T cells to B cells, whereas in the presence of anti-HLA-DR antibodies the production of IgA and IgM was reduced to a great extent. Finally, in vitro induction of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced suppressor T (Ts) cells was less than that of helper T (Th) cells. Thus, normal adult appendiceal (Ap) lymphocyte reactivity is predominated by helper T (Th) cells; IgA isotype-specific Ig production appears to be largely regulated by the autoreactive Th subset. This responsiveness to exogenous stimuli may play an important role in the gut mucosal immune responsiveness.

B-cell activation and immunoregulation in end-stage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis

B-lymphocyte functions were studied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis for longer than two years. T-cell-dependent B lymphocyte proliferation after pokeweed mitogen stimulation was low in half of the hemodialyzed patients. T cell-independent B cell response to Staphylococcus aureus, Cowan I, was also significantly reduced. Spontaneous production of immunoglobulin in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of uremic patients was comparable with that of healthy controls, but pokeweed mitogen-stimulated antibody secretion was significantly reduced with cells from patients undergoing hemodialysis. Helper T-cell functions in B-cell activation were also qualitatively deficient in uremic patients. It is concluded that B-cell activation and immunoregulation is defective in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

The immunosuppressive effect of acute doses of emetine on murine thymic cells

Emetine--a general inhibitor of protein synthesis--was investigated for its ability to depress specific immune response in animal models. A single dose (33 mg/kg) of emetine administered subcutaneously to mice markedly decreased thymus weight and thymic cell numbers. DNA, RNA and protein synthesis of thymic cells were reduced by 90, 50 and 65%, respectively. RNA synthesis was the first process to recover followed by the reconstitution of DNA and protein synthesizing capacity. Histological evidence revealed an effect on the cortical region of thymus upon emetine administration. Results suggest that emetine exerts an immunosuppressive effect on T-cell maturation in the thymus. These findings may enhance a therapeutic interest in the drug.

Effects of concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and lipopolysaccharide on the replication and immunoglobulin synthesis by canine peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro

Canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (cPBLs) were used to investigate the mitogenic effects of Con A (concanavalin A), LPS (lipopolysaccharide), PHA (phytohemagglutinin), and PWM (pokeweed mitogen) in vitro by measuring tritium-labeled thymidine [( 3H]thymidine) incorporation and immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion. An ELISA specific for canine IgG and IgM showed that cPBLs secreted significantly more IgG than IgM in response to mitogen concentrations from 30,000 to 0.03 ng/10(5) cells. The optimal stimulating dose of mitogen for lymphocyte response measured by IgG secretion was over a much narrower range of concentration than was the [3H]thymidine incorporation measured response. At a concanavalin A dose where there was increased [3H]thymidine incorporation with a decrease in IgG secretion, it appeared that an active suppression of the IgG response was induced.

Immunological functions and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement of proliferating lymphocytes in a case of T gamma lymphocytosis with neutropenia

A case of T gamma lymphocytosis with neutropenia is presented. The patient showed mild lymphocytosis, splenomegaly, anemia, neutropenia and recurrent infections without progression for 15 years. The expanded lymphoid cells were morphologically large granular lymphocytes (LGL), had receptors for both sheep red blood cells and IgG-Fc portion and were positive for OKT3 and 8 antigens. They displayed ADCC activity, whereas they showed low responses to T-cell mitogens and deficient NK activity. They showed neither suppressor activity on antibody production by B-cells nor suppressor activity on CFU-C formation. The DNA isolated from the expanded cells of the patient showed T-cell beta-chain (T beta) gene rearrangement, indicating monoclonality of the proliferation. This finding supports that the proliferation of T8 lymphocytes in the present case is neoplastic rather than reactive, regardless of the benign clinical course.

Anti-myelin antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients with meningopolyneuritis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth and other neurological diseases

Anti-myelin antibodies (AMA) of IgG, IgM, and IgA class were investigated by ELISA in CSF and serum from patients with meningopolyneuritis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth (GBB), other inflammatory diseases of the nervous system (ID) comprising meningoencephalitis (ME), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and various noninflammatory neurological diseases (NID). Anti-Borrelia antibodies (ABA) were determined by ELISA in GBB patients. In CSF, a high incidence of IgG-AMA, IgM-AMA, and IgA-AMA was found in GBB as compared with ID and NID. On average, positive AMA titers were higher in GBB than in ID and NID, IgM-AMA titers in GBB being most prominent. In serum, AMA were found in all but 2 patients investigated. On average, IgM-AMA titers were higher in GBB and MS than in other diseases; IgG-AMA titers in GBB and ME were relatively low. Antibody indices, calculated from titer values and Ig concentrations in CSF and serum, indicate intrathecal synthesis mainly of IgG- and IgA-AMA, and of IgG- and IgM-ABA. Participation of AMA in the pathogenesis of GBB may be envisaged, but needs further confirmation.

Modulation of spontaneous immunoglobulin production by natural killer cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Synovial fluid (SF) mononuclear cells obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) spontaneously produce large amounts of immunoglobulin. In the rheumatoid joint, natural killer (NK) cell activity is reduced in comparison with that in the peripheral blood (PB). We examined the ability of SF NK cells to modulate the spontaneous production of Ig in RA SF, and we contrasted this with the activity in PB from RA patients and from normal subjects. We found that the spontaneous production of IgG was greater in RA SF than in RA or normal PB. The baseline NK activity was significantly lower in RA SF than in RA or normal PB (P less than 0.005). Incubation with anti-Leu-11b and complement reduced NK activity in PB, but not in SF, and it significantly (P less than or equal to 0.021) increased IgG production in both RA SF and RA PB. Lysis of NK cells in this manner also resulted in a significant increase (P less than 0.02) in IgM production in RA SF. These results suggest that NK cells with a Leu-11b phenotype down-regulate the ongoing synthesis of IgG and IgM in the rheumatoid joint.

Constitutive activation of oncogenes by chromosomal translocations in B-cell derived tumors

The mechanisms of chromosomal translocations and its role in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), mouse plasmacytoma (MPC) and rat immunocytoma (RIC) are discussed with particular emphasis on the following questions: 1) Does the cis-relationship between the c-myc oncogene and one of the 3 Ig-loci play a causative role in the genesis of these tumors? 2) How does the juxtaposition activate the myc-gene? 3) What is the functional role of the translocation in the tumorigenic process? Question 1) can be answered with some certainty. In BL, the translocation has been found in 100% of cases so far, with no difference between endemic or nonendemic, EBV-carrying or EBV-negative cases. One exceptional line, BJAB, can be disregarded, since it is not a typical BL. In RIC, all examined tumor had the translocations so far. Only 90% of the MPCs carry the translocations, but high resolution banding of some translocation negative MPCs has shown that they carry an interstitial deletion in the D2/D3 region of Chr. 15, corresponding to the myc locus. Molecular analysis showed a complex rearrangement that has led to the juxtaposition of c-myc and IgH-switch sequences. Sequencing data indicated that they must have arisen by at least two independent translocations and one inversion. A similarly complex rearrangement was found in the first RIC that has been examined. The regularity of the association between the translocation events and the tumors where they occur, together with the similarities between the human, mouse and rat systems can be interpreted by postulating that the activation of c-myc by the translocation represents an essential step in the genesis of these tumors. 2) The transposed myc gene becomes constitutively activated. In all probability, this renders the gene resistant to cell cycle and differentiation dependent regulations that govern its expression in the normal chromosomal location. 3) The hypothesis is advanced that the translocation affects B-cells at the point where an antigen activated cell is about to leave the proliferative process, upon the waning of the antigenic stimulus, and enters a program towards a long lived memory cell.

Immunoregulatory function of T8 and T4 cells from synovial fluid and blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of chronic arthritis

The suppressor effect of synovial fluid (SF) T8 cells and blood T8 cells on the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced T4 cell-dependent immunoglobulin production of autologous blood B cells was studied in nine patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (six patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one patient with juvenile RA, and two patients with other forms of chronic arthritis). The suppressor effect of SF T8 cells was of the same magnitude as that of equal numbers of blood T8 cells from patients and healthy controls. However, the relative number of T8 cells was higher among SF T cells than among blood T cells in several cases. Good synovial T8 cell suppression was also demonstrated in coculture experiments where SF T4 cells and B cells were used. In PPD (purified protein derivative of tuberculin)-stimulated cultures the suppressor effect of SF T8 cells as well as of blood T8 cells from patients and controls was lower than it was in PWM-stimulated cultures. In most patients SF T4 cells showed a much better PWM-induced helper function than did non-fractionated SF T cells. Thus the poor PWM induced helper effect of non fractionated synovial T cells was in some cases mainly due to the suppressor effect of T8 cells, whereas in some cases there was also a deficient helper function of synovial T4 cells.

Effect of elevated temperature on human immunoglobulin synthesis, lymphokine production and lymphocyte proliferation in vitro

Fever in infections is mediated by endogenous pyrogen, a protein inseparable from interleukin 1 (IL-1). It remains unclear what the role of fever in host defence is. We studied the effect of elevated temperature on mitogen-induced human lymphocyte stimulation in vitro. Lymphocyte proliferation, elaboration of leukocyte migration inhibiting factor (LIF) and immunoglobulin production were measured at normal and elevated temperatures. Pokeweed mitogen-(PWM) driven responses were quantitated with a plaque-forming cell assay and by measuring secreted immunoglobulins in culture medium. The responses at 38, 39 or 40 degrees C were, if anything, lower than those at 37 degrees C. The production of LIF after stimulation with PWM was not augmented at elevated temperatures. In contrast, the proliferative responses to PWM, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA) were increased at 38 degrees C. These results indicated that elevated temperature has diverse effects on mitogen-induced lymphocyte functions in vitro.

The Ig class distribution of anti-phosphoryl choline responses in mice infected with parasitic nematodes

The anti-phosphoryl choline antibody responses of resistant and susceptible strains of mice infected with microfilariae of Dipetalonema viteae or the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Trichinella spiralis were determined. The responses were characterized both in terms of their kinetics and the constituent role played by each immunoglobulin heavy-chain class. Infection with either parasite elicited detectable responses in all strains investigated. However, the kinetics of the response of each heavy-chain class within each strain could vary independently. Furthermore, differences were observed between the responses of inbred mouse strains that differ in their ability to control infection. It was not possible, however, to correlate these differences in the serological response with the ability of these animals to control infection. The results are discussed in relation to attempts to improve serological diagnostic assays.

MHC class II antigen and immunoglobulin expression in spontaneous phenotypic variants of the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Namalwa

Phenotypic variant sublines of the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Namalwa were examined with cDNA probes for the different MHC class II beta chain genes and with monoclonal antibodies specific for the corresponding cell surface antigens (DP, DQ and DR antigens). Expression of MHC class II antigens in the Namalwa sublines (known as CSN/70, IPN/45, PNT and KN2) was compared with that of the B-lymphoblastoid cell line DEW1, which is identical to Namalwa in DR allotype (DR 2,4). There were markedly different levels of expression of MHC class II antigens among the cell lines: in DEW1 and the Namalwa KN2 subline DP, DQ and DR antigens were expressed on almost all the cells. On the PNT and IPN/45 sublines, DR antigens were expressed on all the cells, and DP and DQ antigens were expressed at detectable levels on only a proportion of cells. On CSN/70, there was weak expression of DR antigens on a minority of cells and no detectable expression of DP and DQ antigens. When examined with MHC class II-specific cDNAs, restriction fragment patterns of DNA were identical for all the cell lines, suggesting that they had structurally identical MHC class II genes. In the Namalwa cell lines the synthesis of Ig and the expression of MHC class II antigens were coordinately regulated.

IL-2 normalizes defective suppressor T cell function of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in vitro

During autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) both helper and suppressor T cells capable of regulating B cell responses are generated. The proliferative response of T cells as well as the generation of T suppressor cells in the AMLR of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is diminished. In contrast, the T helper cells generated in the AMLR show a hyperactivity. The diminished HLA-class II antigen expression observed on non-T cells of SLE origin was restored by treatment of the cells with gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). When tested by immunoglobulin secretion, gamma-IFN enhanced T helper cell activity but failed to affect T cell proliferation and T suppressor cell generation in the AMLR derived from patients with SLE. Human recombinant interleukin 2 restores both the proliferative response of T cells and the induction of T suppressor cells in AMLR.

Immunoglobulin production of human lymphocytes stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen: differential effects of recombinant interleukin-2

The number of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) upon stimulation with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) in recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2)-supplemented cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and co-cultures of B and T cells was studied. It has been shown that the addition of rIL-2 to culture can enhance or depress the number of ISC depending on the polyclonal B-cell activator used for culture stimulation. The SAC-induced response was enhanced in the presence of rIL-2, while the number of ISC in PWM-stimulated cultures was depressed. Moreover, in cultures stimulated simultaneously by both activators, the suppressive effect of rIL-2 prevailed, indicating that the reported direct effect of the lymphokine on SAC-activated B cells cannot overcome the suppressive activity of PWM-induced suppressor T cells. rIL-2 could not activate suppressor T cells in the absence of PWM, and has no effect on the number of helper or suppressor cells in the culture.

Occurrence of autoantibodies to intermediate filament proteins in human visceral leishmaniasis and their induction by experimental polyclonal B-cell activation

Fifteen sera of patients with visceral leishmaniasis were investigated for the occurrence of autoantibodies. They were found in high incidence and titre, and with specificity to the intermediate filament (INFIL) proteins vimentin (12 out of 15 with a titre higher than 1:10) and keratin (9 out of 15 with a titre higher than 1:10) as well as to speckled anti-nuclear antigens (ANA). Additionally, supernatants of Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani cultures containing soluble parasite-derived antigens were mitogenic to cultures of mononuclear cells (MNC) obtained from healthy donors without specific antibodies to leishmanial antigens. The activation of MNC resulted in significant immunoglobulin production, some of which demonstrated autoantibody specificity to INFIL. The co-operation of monocytes, T cells and B cells was required in order to obtain maximal stimulation. The importance of polyclonal B-cell activation for the genesis and occurrence of autoantibodies in visceral leishmaniasis is discussed.

Abnormal immunoglobulin and rheumatoid factor synthesis by blood lymphocytes in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Peripheral blood B lymphocytes from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome showed significantly higher spontaneous synthesis of IgG, IgM, and IgM rheumatoid factor in vitro, compared with B lymphocytes from healthy controls. Lymphocytes from patients also showed higher IgM rheumatoid factor production after mitogen stimulation. Patients had competent suppressor activity for IgG, but not for IgM synthesis. Pre-irradiation of T cells, but not depletion of OKT8+ cells, markedly enhanced IgG synthesis in cocultures with autologous B cells; therefore, the T lymphocyte responsible for this effect is radiosensitive and is not identified by OKT8. OKT8+ lymphocytes from patients did not suppress Ig synthesis by autologous B plus T cell cocultures. However, OKT8+ cells from normal controls down-regulated Ig synthesis by B plus T cells from patients. The abnormal proportion of helper and suppressor cells suggests that there is altered redistribution of regulatory subpopulations in peripheral blood from Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Detection by monoclonal antibodies of an early membrane protein induced by Epstein-Barr virus

Two monoclonal antibodies, E8B3 and E8D2, were raised against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-producing cells and were shown to immunoprecipitate a protein with an approximate molecular weight of 105,000 (p105). The protein was detectable only in EBV-containing cells which were supporting the virus lytic cycle, and its synthesis increased after cells were induced with phorbol esters. The molecule was radiolabeled and immunoprecipitated from virus-producing cells that had been extrinsically labeled with 125I, and the antibodies E8B3 and E8D2 reacted in immunofluorescence assays with infected cells; the molecule was also associated with virion particles. Synthesis of p105 was not blocked by phosphonoacetic acid and could be induced in Raji cells by superinfection with virus derived from P3HR1 cells. These data support the conclusion that p105 is an EBV-specific early membrane protein.

Spontaneous immunoglobulin synthesis by peripheral mononuclear cells in active rheumatoid arthritis

Spontaneous production of immunoglobulins (Igs) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro was investigated to assess B cell activity in a group of 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with or without active joint disease and with or without rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) at the time of study. PBMC of patients with active arthritis (Ritchie index above 16) produced significantly more IgG and IgA than those of patients with inactive joint disease or those of 12 healthy controls. Enhanced production of IgG was found mainly among RA patients with concomitant RV, whereas markedly enhanced IgA production could also be found in patients without symptoms of RV. IgM production was only enhanced in two patients who had both active arthritis and RV. High production of IgG and IgA was probably due to increased numbers of Ig-secreting cells among freshly isolated PBMC, since the concentrations of Ig produced in vitro rose steadily, starting on day 0 and persisting throughout the entire culture period. Moreover, IgG and IgA concentrations measured after 7 days of culture showed significant correlations with the numbers of IgG- and IgA-containing plasma cells in PBMC on day 0. Comparison of the spontaneous production of Igs by PBMC with the levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC), showed that CIC levels were also significantly higher in active arthritis and in RV, but that there was no correlation between the CIC levels in individual patients and Ig production by their PBMC in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influenza virus-specific antibody-secreting cells in the murine lung during primary influenza virus infection

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent plaque assay is described which can reliably enumerate influenza virus-specific antibody-secreting cells and exhibits specificity similar to that of the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The assay was used to characterize the development of specific antibody-secreting cells, principally within lung tissue, during primary murine influenza virus infection after intranasal inoculation. Cells secreting influenza virus-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA were detected in greatest numbers in lung tissue, and the data presented indicated that the cells may have originated from specific B-cell precursors in lung tissue which are demonstratable in vitro. At 11 months after infection, cells secreting IgG and IgA were still present in lung tissue. Influenza virus-specific antibody-secreting cells were also detected in spleen tissue and blood. Antibody-secreting cells appeared earlier in spleen than in lung tissue and declined more rapidly in spleen tissue.

Demonstration of intrapleural immunoglobulin synthesis by agarose gel isoelectric focusing. A new specific method for the diagnosis of pleural effusions of inflammatory origin?

In order to demonstrate an intrapleural immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis, pleural effusions and serum from 14 patients with pleural effusions of various causes (inflammatory condition, malignancies, primary lung cancers, pleural metastasis, and congestive heart failure) were investigated by agarose gel isoelectric focusing (AIEF), antiserum immunofixation with monospecific antiserum against IgG and IgA, and quantitative estimation of IgG and IgA. Intrapleural immunoglobulin synthesis was assumed to occur in patients with oligoclonal Ig limited to the pleural compartment or in patients with a raised IgG index, equal to (pleura/serum IgG):(pleura/serum albumin), or a raised IgA index, equal to (pleura/serum IgA):(pleura/serum albumin). Two of 3 patients with rheumatoid pleuritis had a polyclonal intrapleural immunoglobulin synthesis demonstrated by the presence of a raised IgG and IgA index without any signs of oligoclonal Ig production on AIEF. Two of 3 patients with assumed tuberculous pleuritis had, despite a normal IgG and IgA index, an oligoclonal intrapleural IgG production detected by AIEF. This oligoclonal reaction was shown by absorption studies with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen to be directed against M. tuberculosis. No signs of intrapleural immunoglobulin synthesis were found in the other 10 patients investigated.