CD4-CD8- human T cells: phenotypic heterogeneity and activation requirements of freshly isolated "double-negative" T cells

In the present study we have analyzed the in vitro activation requirements of freshly isolated CD4-CD8- "double-negative" (DN) human peripheral blood T cells. DN cells were isolated from E+ cells by removal of CD4+, CD8+, and CD16+ cells through consecutive steps of C'-mediated lysis and panning. While the majority (79.0 +/- 12.0%) of DN cells were TCR gamma delta+ as shown by staining with mAb TCR delta-1, a minor fraction (6.7 +/- 4.7%) expressed TCR alpha beta as revealed by staining with mAb BMA031. Within the gamma delta+ DN fraction, most cells reacted with mAb Ti gamma A which delineates a V gamma 9JPC gamma 1 epitope, whereas a minor fraction stained with mAb delta TCS-1 which identifies a V delta 1J delta 1 epitope. Functional studies performed at low cell number (1000) per microculture indicated that DN cells can be activated by anti-CD3 mAb, PHA and allogeneic stimulator cells, provided that exogenous growth factors are supplied. Both rIl-2 and rIl-4 acted as efficient growth factors for DN cells, and a synergistic stimulatory effect of rIl-2 and rIl-4 was observed when DN cells were cocultured with allogeneic LCL stimulator cells. As compared to unseparated E+ cells, isolated DN responder cells had a reduced capacity to secrete Il-2 upon PHA stimulation in the presence of LCL feeder cells. The majority of DN cells maintained their CD3+ CD4-CD8- phenotype upon coculture with allogeneic LCL stimulator cells. These data demonstrate that CD3+ DN cells in human peripheral blood are heterogeneous with respect to TCR expression. In addition, they show that freshly isolated DN cells are deficient in Il-2 production but may be normally stimulated by anti-CD3, PHA, or alloantigen if exogenous growth factors (rIL-2 and/or rIl-4) are provided.

A large fraction of human peripheral blood gamma/delta + T cells is activated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis but not by its 65-kD heat shock protein

We report that M. tuberculosis organisms, but neither PHA nor allogeneic stimulator cells, preferentially activate gamma/delta+ cells within E rosette-purified peripheral blood T cells. gamma/delta+ T cells from purified protein derivative (PPD)-nonimmune healthy donors were enriched by depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ cells; double-negative (DN) cells contained 65-92% gamma/delta+ T cells. Limiting dilution (LD) analyses revealed that 1 of 2-19 purified DN cells proliferated in response to mycobacteria, while frequencies of DN cells proliferating in response to a recombinant 65-kD heat shock protein (hsp 65) of M. tuberculosis/M. bovis were 10-20-fold lower. Established clones of mycobacteria-reactive gamma/delta+ T cells specifically recognized mycobacteria, but neither PPD nor hsp 65. Restimulation of these clones required the presence of PBMC feeder cells; EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines could not substitute for PBMC. Mycobacteria-reactive gamma/delta+ clones proliferated equally well in the presence of autologous or allogeneic (HLA-DR-different) PBMC feeder cells and thus were not MHC class II restricted. Taken together, these results demonstrate that mycobacteria-reactive gamma/delta+ T cells are present in high frequency in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals, and suggest that hsp 65 of mycobacteria is not a major antigen for gamma/delta+ T cells of normal PPD-nonimmune blood donors.

Multicopy suppression of the cdc24 budding defect in yeast by CDC42 and three newly identified genes including the ras-related gene RSR1

Genes CDC24, CDC42, and CDC43 are required for the establishment of cell polarity and the localization of secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; mutants defective in these genes fail to form buds and display isotropic expansion of the cell surface. To identify other genes that may be involved in these processes, we screened yeast genomic DNA libraries for heterologous genes that, when overexpressed from a plasmid, can suppress a temperature-sensitive cdc24 mutation. We identified four such genes. One of these proved to be CDC42, which has previously been shown to be a member of the rho (ras-homologous) family of genes, and a second is a newly identified ras-related gene that we named RSR1. RSR1 maps between CDC62 and ADE3 on the right arm of chromosome VII; its predicted product is approximately 50% identical to other proteins in the ras family. Deletion of RSR1 is nonlethal but disrupts the normal pattern of bud site selection. Although both CDC42 and RSR1 can suppress cdc24 and both appear to encode GTP-binding proteins, these genes do not themselves appear to be functionally interchangeable. However, one of the other genes that was isolated by virtue of its ability to suppress cdc24 can also suppress cdc42. This gene, named MSB1, maps between ADE9 and HIS3 on the right arm of chromosome XV.

Pheromones and pheromone receptors are the primary determinants of mating specificity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two haploid cell types, a and alpha, each of which produces a unique set of proteins that participate in the mating process. We sought to determine the minimum set of proteins that must be expressed to allow mating and to confer specificity. We show that the capacity to synthesize alpha-factor pheromone and a-factor receptor is sufficient to allow mating by mat alpha 1 mutants, mutants that normally do not express any alpha- or a-specific products. Likewise, the capacity to synthesize a-factor receptor and alpha-factor pheromone is sufficient to allow a ste2 ste6 mutants, which do not produce the normal a cell pheromone and receptor, to mate with wild-type a cells. Thus, the a-factor receptor and alpha-factor pheromone constitute the minimum set of alpha-specific proteins that must be produced to allow mating as an alpha cell. Further evidence that the pheromones and pheromone receptors are important determinants of mating specificity comes from studies with mat alpha 2 mutants, cells that simultaneously express both pheromones and both receptors. We created a series of strains that express different combinations of pheromones and receptors in a mat alpha 2 background. These constructions reveal that mat alpha 2 mutants can be made to mate as either a cells or as alpha cells by causing them to express only the pheromone and receptor set appropriate for a particular cell type. Moreover, these studies show that the inability of mat alpha 2 mutants to respond to either pheromone is a consequence of two phenomena: adaptation to an autocrine response to the pheromones they secrete and interference with response to alpha factor by the a-factor receptor.

Thrombin-induced fibrinopeptide B release from normal and variant fibrinogens: influence of inhibitors of fibrin polymerization

Thrombin preferentially cleaves fibrinopeptides A (FPA) from fibrinogen resulting in the formation of desAA-fibrin from which most of the fibrinopeptides B (FPB) are then released with an enhanced rate. Kinetics of fibrinopeptide release from normal and dysfunctional fibrinogens were investigated in order to further characterize the mechanism of accelerated FPB release during desAA-fibrin polymerization. Dysfunctional fibrinogens London I and Ashford, exhibiting primary polymerization abnormalities (i.e., an abnormality present when all fibrinopeptides have been cleaved), which in the case of fibrinogen London I is believed to be caused by a defect in the D-domain, were shown to exhibit a decreased rate of FPB release compared with normal fibrinogen. While Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro, an inhibitor of fibrin polymerization, was shown to decrease the rate of FPB release from normal fibrinogen by a factor of 5, normal fragment D1, although inhibiting clot formation of normal fibrinogen, did not influence the acceleration of FPB release. On the other hand, the presence of fragment D1 did not enhance FPB release from fibrinogen London I, suggesting that interaction of D-domains in functional isolation with desAA-fibrin E-domains is not sufficient to enhance FPB release. Although clot formation was inhibited by the concentrations of fragment D1 used, the formation of small desAA-fibrin oligomers was hardly affected. Thus, small fibrin polymers, but not desAA-fibrin monomers, act as optimal substrates for the release of FPB by thrombin.

MAT alpha 1 protein, a yeast transcription activator, binds synergistically with a second protein to a set of cell-type-specific genes

We show by electrophoresis mobility shift and by DNAase I footprinting assays that the alpha 1 product of the yeast alpha mating-type locus binds to homologous sequences within the control regions of the three known alpha-specific genes. Binding requires both alpha 1 and a second yeast protein(s) (called PRTF) that is present in all three cell types (a, alpha, and a/alpha); neither protein binds alone. Binding and competition experiments using synthetic oligonucleotides indicate that PRTF binds to only part of the homology found at alpha-specific genes and imply that alpha 1 binds to the remainder. Our results suggest that alpha 1 renders gene expression alpha-specific by creating a binding site for PRTF. Similar experiments lead to the idea that PRTF also plays a role in transcription of a-specific genes. Perhaps a-specificity is achieved through the occlusion of the PRTF binding site by alpha 2, the negative regulator encoded by the alpha mating-type locus.

Yeast peptide pheromones, a-factor and alpha-factor, activate a common response mechanism in their target cells

We show that in yeast the cell type specificity of pheromone response is determined solely by the species of receptor that a cell synthesizes. The two receptor-pheromone interactions are functionally interchangeable and involve the creation of a common intracellular signal. In particular, we find that provision of a-factor receptor or alpha-factor receptor in mat alpha 1 mutants, which normally do not express either receptor or any other a- or alpha-specific products, allows response to the appropriate pheromone. Moreover, provision of a-factor receptor in a cells lacking alpha-factor receptor restores mating competence to those cells. Finally, an aspect of pheromone response that is normally unique to a-factor action on alpha cells--increased transcription from the alpha-specific STE3 gene--can also be observed following alpha-factor treatment of pseudo-a cells (mat alpha 2 ste3 ste13), special mutants that respond to alpha-factor and also have an active STE3 promoter.

Spinal myoclonus associated with HTLV III/LAV infection

We describe spinal myoclonus in a 35-year-old homosexual man with concurrent human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy--associated virus (HTLV III/LAV) infection of the central nervous system as indicated by intra-blood-brain barrier synthesis of HTLV III/LAV-specific IgG. The spinal myoclonus was characterized by asymmetric, rhythmic contractions of the abdomen with a frequency ranging between 40 and 70 per minute. The myoclonus was self-limited, resolving over the course of two months. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy--associated virus should be considered among the viral causes of spinal myoclonus.

Epidemiologic study of Holstein dairy cow performance and reproduction near a high-voltage direct-current powerline

The development and operation of a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission line in rural Minnesota generated public concern over potential adverse effects to nearby residents and their livestock. Electrical environmental parameters near an HVDC line decline rapidly with distance, but effects on ambient space charge have been detected out to 1 mile. Previous studies of powerline effects on livestock have involved the more common alternating-current (HVAC) lines, which create a different electrical environment. To identify potential adverse effects of HVDC line operation on livestock, case-control and cohort study methods were used to examine various indices of Holstein performance in relation to distance from the line and the onset of line operation. It was believed that these indices would reflect changes in physiologic function or overt health effects that might arise from the HVDC environment. High-quality performance data from existing Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) records were obtained for 97% of qualifying herds located within 10 miles of the line. The large number of animals and years of observation provided high statistical power to detect even small systematic changes in performance. No significant differences in milk production or reproductive capacity were associated with presumed exposure to the HVDC environment. The absence of measurable effects in a large "sentinel" animal population may have implications for the assessment of human health risks related to HVDC transmission lines.

Peritumoral edema in meningiomas. A radiological and histological study

Peritumoral edema associated with 76 supratentorial meningiomas was studied. The results of radiological investigation (CT, NMR, Angiography) and histological studies are described and correlated to each other. Mechanical factors alone are not sufficient to explain edema in the majority of the cases. It may be assumed that a secretory activity of the tumor itself also plays a role. The mechanism of this is described and discussed.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous angiomas

Eight patients with angiographically confirmed arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were studied by CT and MRI. MRI scans were performed with a 0.35 Tesla wholebody scanner using three spin-echo sequences (SE 400/35, SE 1600/35, SE 1600/70). In CT and MRI, pathological findings were obtained in all cases. In MRI AVMs were displayed as lesions of low signal intensity in the applied sequences. Full extent of the lesions as well as the relationship to the surrounding structures were clearly demonstrated in MRI in all patients. Based on the characteristic sequence dependent signal intensity property of the lesions, the differential diagnosis in the sense of an AVM could be obtained by MRI in all cases. Concerning topographical imaging and/or differential diagnosis, MRI was superior to CT in 4 out of 8 cases. MRI offers advantages in the demonstration of AVMs of the cerebral midline, especially in brain stem angiomas.

[Experiences with the radiologic diagnosis of small acoustic neuromas]

The authors report on their experience with air-CT cisternography in diagnosing small neurinomas of the auditory nerve. Although this examination method has been very successful, false-positive findings are possible. Recent experiments with RM tomography are described and the ranking of this new method is discussed.

Control of yeast alpha-specific genes: evidence for two blocks to expression in MATa/MAT alpha diploids

In yeast alpha cells, the product encoded by the MAT alpha 1 gene of the mating-type locus is required for transcription of at least two genes, STE3 and MF alpha 1. To learn whether the lack of the MAT alpha 1 product in a and a/alpha cells is sufficient to explain the failure to express STE3 and MF alpha 1 in these cells, we have provided MAT alpha 1 product via a hybrid gene that circumvents the normal regulation of the MAT alpha 1 gene. We find by RNA blot analysis that provision of MAT alpha 1 protein permits production of STE3 and MF alpha 1 mRNA in a cells but not in a/alpha cells. These data suggest the existence of an additional regulatory mechanism that prevents expression of alpha-specific genes in a/alpha cells, even when MAT alpha 1 product is present. This regulatory mechanism appears to control expression of STE3 and MF alpha 1 at the transcriptional level rather than at the posttranscriptional level, because we show that MF alpha 1 mRNA supplied from a constitutive promoter is translated and processed in a/alpha cells to yield functional alpha-factor pheromone. This result shows further that a/alpha cells possess all the machinery necessary for pheromone maturation, even though these cells do not normally carry out these reactions.

Report of two cases of spontaneous direct carotid-cavernous fistula. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations

Spontaneous fistulas presenting as direct communication between the carotid siphon and cavernous sinus are very rare. They occurred in two patients where a dissection as possible cause is discussed. The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are described.

MRI (NMR) in the diagnosis of brain-stem tumors

Patients with a brain-stem tumor were studied with NMR. The full extent of the lesion as well as its relationship with the adjacent structures was clearly demonstrated in all cases. Although NMR is, in many aspects, superior to CT and angiography, these examinations remain useful complementary methods.

Multiple forms of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody in myasthenia gravis

Sera of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) contain anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) IgG antibodies (Ab) which have different antigenic specificities. Three Ab types were detected: (1) MG-I, which forms immune complexes with AChR; (2) MG-C, which decreases binding of AChR to concanavalin A; and MG-B, which blocks alpha-bungarotoxin binding to AChR. Sera from 152 MG patients were screened for the Ab types. Sixty-one percent contained MG-I, 26% contained MG-C, 10% contained MG-B, and 5% contained both MG-C and MG-B. The latter Ab types were associated with more severe forms of MG but showed no other clinical correlations. IgG antibodies of defined type were purified, and their interaction with unlabeled and toxin-prelabeled AChR from denervated rat muscle was studied in detail. Receptors are homogeneous with respect to determinants recognized by MG-I, but heterogeneous with respect to determinants recognized by MG-C (3 subpopulations, 22%, 28%, and 50% of AChR) and by MG-B (2 subpopulations, 30% and 70% of AChR). The stoichiometry of AChR interaction with the antibodies indicates that for each toxin-binding site, the receptor is divalent as an antigen for MG-I and MG-C but is tetravalent for MG-B. Denervated muscle AChR appears to be a mixture of at least 3 molecular forms of AChR, each of which has distinct immunological features as well as components common to all the receptor subpopulations.

Thymomas in patients with myasthenia gravis

The records of 141 patients with myasthenia gravis who had thymomas were reviewed. In this series there were 69 noninvasive tumors and 52 invasive tumors. The five year survival for all patients was 60%, with the invasive group demonstrating a poorer prognosis than the noninvasive. The remission rates for the whole group (both invasive and noninvasive) of myasthenics was quite low (7%). Although the overall survival of this series of patients was relatively high, it is felt that by earlier diagnosis and a more aggressive surgical approach their prognosis will be even better.