Intraluminal irradiation for T2M0 esophageal cancer: effect of patient selection on prognosis

The contribution of intraluminal irradiation to the prognosis of T2M0 esophageal cancer was examined with reference to patient selection. To determine the effect of patient selection, we used esophagrams to assess the potential difficulty of inserting a tube for intraluminal irradiation in 39 patients who were treated with external irradiation prior to 1982. Twenty-two patients were assessed as likely to have been able to undergo intraluminal irradiation (group 1) while 17 were assessed as unlikely to have been able to undergo the procedure (group 2). Of 36 patients treated after 1983, 19 patients were treated with a combination of intraluminal irradiation and external beam therapy (group 3) and 17 by external irradiation alone (group 4). The median survival times of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 10.8, 6.4, 12.0, and 8.5 months, respectively. The prognosis of patients treated with combination therapy (group 3) was superior to that of those treated before 1982 (groups 1 + 2). However, there was no improvement in the prognosis of T2M0 esophageal cancer treated by radiotherapy after the introduction of intraluminal irradiation, and the difference between the survival curves of patients treated by combination therapy (group 3) and with a wide esophageal lumen (group 1) was not significant. Our study thus showed that the selection of patients according to the insertability of the intraluminal therapy tube affected the prognosis.

Improvement of drug-induced cardiac failure by NKH477, a novel forskolin derivative, in the dog heart-lung preparation

The efficacy of NKH477, a novel water-soluble forskolin derivative, in improving cardiac failure was assessed in dog heart-lung preparations. Cardiac functions depressed by pentobarbital, propranolol or verapamil so that cardiac output had been reduced by about 40-50% of the respective control were all improved by NKH477 (10-100 micrograms) in a dose-dependent manner. With 100 micrograms NKH477, almost complete restoration of cardiac performance was attained in the respective cardiac failures. In the combination of NKH477 with ouabain (30 micrograms), 30 micrograms of NKH477 completely restored the cardiac function depressed by pentobarbital, associated with a slight but not significant increase in heart rate. No arrhythmias were induced by any of the NKH477 doses used in the experiments. These results suggest that NKH477 should be subjected to clinical trials in the treatment of cardiac failure.

Cardiovascular and adenylate cyclase stimulant properties of NKH477, a novel water-soluble forskolin derivative

The cardiovascular effects of NKH477 (6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl)forskolin hydrochloride), a novel water-soluble forskolin derivative, were investigated in dogs. Intravenous (i.v.) injections of NKH477 (1-30 micrograms/kg) caused dose-related increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax (LVdP/dtmax), coronary and femoral artery blood flow (CBF, FBF), heart rate (HR), and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and a dose-related decrease in blood pressure (BP) in anesthetized dogs. The regression analysis between CBF and MVO2 showed that NKH477 did not influence substantially the balance of oxygen supply and demand. Infusions of NKH477 (0.15-0.6 microgram/kg/min i.v.) also increased LVdP/dtmax, cardiac output (CO), and HR and decreased BP, pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure, and total peripheral resistance (TPR) in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to forskolin, NKH477 administered intraduodenally (0.05-0.2 mg/kg) and orally (0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg) clearly exhibited cardiovascular actions, as it did in i.v. administration, indicating that NKH477 is orally active. No arrhythmias were induced by NKH477 in any study. NKH477, like forskolin, showed adenylate cyclase stimulant activity in guinea pig ventricular membrane but did not inhibit Na+, K(+)-ATPase or phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. Thus, NKH477 can be characterized as a potent, orally active, water-soluble forskolin derivative, which suggests that NKH477 is a useful inodilator for treatment of heart failure, especially in the severe stage with beta-adrenoceptor downregulation.

Human/mouse chimeric antibodies show low reactivity with human anti-murine antibodies (HAMA)

Human anti-murine antibody (HAMA) response is a serious problem in the repeated infusion of murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). HAMA positive sera were obtained from seven patients with colorectal cancer, pancreas cancer, malignant melanoma or myocardial infarction who had previously received radiolabelled MoAbs. The nature of HAMA was analysed using size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after incubating with radiolabelled MoAbs including IgG, Fab or human/mouse chimeric Abs. Immune complexes composed of HAMA and MoAbs were formed. The percentage of radioactivity with a high molecular weight was related to HAMA levels determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Most radioactivity present in immune complex shifted to the antibody fraction after the addition of normal murine serum. All of seven sera were reactive with all four murine IgGs and this suggests that HAMA in these patients recognised the constant region of MoAbs. In one patient, HAMA was considered to recognise the variable region and to be anti-idiotypic. There was no significant binding with human/mouse chimeric Abs in any HAMA positive serum, although five out of seven patients were reactive with murine MoAb Fab, indicating that HAMA was composed of Abs responsive to the CH1 or CL region of murine IgG. These results suggest that (1) HAMA was composed of Ab responsive to Fc portion and/or CH1 or CL region of murine IgG, and (2) human/mouse chimeric Abs look promising in the repeated infusion of MoAb in HAMA positive patients.

Effects of a new dihydropyridine derivative, FRC-8653, on blood pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

Antihypertensive effects of FRC-8653, a new 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, and its combined effects with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, a diuretic, and a beta-adrenergic blocking agent were examined in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). When administered intravenously to SHR (10, 30 micrograms/kg), FRC-8653 lowered blood pressure more slowly and sustained it longer than nifedipine and nicardipine. Consecutive once-daily administrations of FRC-8653 to SHR (3 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a stable reduction of blood pressure throughout the experimental period of 29 d. When blood pressure was continuously measured for 24 h in conscious unrestricted SHR, orally administered FRC-8653 produced a long-lasting reduction in blood pressure. When concomitantly used with atenolol (30 mg/kg, p.o.), the antihypertensive effect of FRC-8653 was augmented in both potency and duration. However, simultaneous administration of captopril (30 mg/kg, p.o.) or hydrochlorothiazide (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) did not modify the antihypertensive effect of FRC-8653.

Renal pelvic carcinoma which shows metastatic potential to distant organs, induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine in NON/Shi mice

Renal pelvic carcinoma was induced in mice by giving N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN). Initially, differences in renal pelvic carcinogenesis by BBN were examined in three male mouse strains: NON/Shi, which demonstrate spontaneous hydronephrosis with incidences of 10-30%, and DS/Shi and B6C3F1, which do not exhibit hydronephrosis. When mice of these strains were given 0.05% BBN in the drinking water for 12 weeks followed by water without BBN for 8 weeks, renal pelvic carcinoma morphologically similar to human carcinomas developed in 8 of 23 NON/Shi mice (35%). Metastasis to the lung was found in one of them (13%). B6C3F1 and DS/Shi mice had no pelvic tumors, but the response to urinary bladder carcinogenesis in NON/Shi mice was nearly equal to that in DS/Shi and B6C3F1 mice. These results suggest that renal pelvic carcinogenesis is related to the presence of stagnant urine containing carcinogen in the renal pelvis. In a second experiment, we examined renal pelvic carcinogenesis in NON/Shi mice given BBN for 4 weeks followed by water without BBN for 32 weeks. The incidence of renal pelvic carcinoma (28%) was similar to that in the first experiment, but the incidence of metastasis was markedly elevated to 60%. These results indicate that BBN treatment can induce renal pelvic carcinoma which often metastasizes to the lung in NON/Shi mice.

[Detection of human anti-mouse antibody in patients receiving 111In-antimyosin Fab: multicenter clinical study in Japan]

In the multicenter clinical study of 111In-Antimyosin Fab (74 MBq, 0.5 mg), human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) titers have been evaluated in serum from 456 patients using the sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Presence of HAMA was confirmed by the neutralization test or using the size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis in 11 of 393 patients (2.8%). HAMA was still detectable in 2 patients even 40 weeks after injection. None of 7 patients judged as positive for the intradermal test, a patient with vascular pain or 3 patients with fever or flare and itching with fever, developed detectable levels HAMA in their serum. These results suggest that patients may develop HAMA response after infusion of 111In-Antimyosin Fab, but pathogenic role of HAMA in these patients remains to be studied.

No promotion of urinary bladder carcinogenesis by sodium L-ascorbate in male ODS/Shi-od/od rats lacking L-ascorbic acid-synthesizing ability

The promoting effects of sodium L-ascorbate (Na-AsA) on two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis were investigated in male ODS/Shi-od/od rats. This strain genetically lacks L-ascorbic acid-synthesizing ability, which is controlled by a single autosomal recessive od gene; heterozygous ODS/Shi(-)+/od, normal ODS/Shi(-)+/+ or F344 rats are able to synthesize L-ascorbic acid. In experiment 1, ODS/Shi-od/od and F344 rats were given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) in their drinking water for 2 weeks and then basal CA-1 diet with or without 5% Na-AsA for 32 weeks. F344 rats were sensitive to the promoting effects of Na-AsA, whereas ODS/Shi-od/od rats were resistant. Administration of Na-AsA increased the urinary pH and the urinary concentrations of Na+ and total ascorbic acid in all strains. In experiment 2, DNA synthesis in the urinary bladder epithelium of F344 rats fed MF diet or CA-1 diet was increased by exposure to 5% Na-AsA for 8 weeks, but not in ODS/Shi-od/od rats fed CA-1 diet. In experiment 3, ODS/Shi-od/od, ODS/Shi(-)+/od and ODS/Shi(-)+/+ rats were given 0.05% BBN for 4 weeks and then CA-1 diet with or without 5% Na-AsA for 32 weeks. ODS/Shi-od/od, ODS/Shi(-)+/od and ODS/Shi(-)+/+ rats were resistant to the promoting effects of Na-AsA in two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis. The urinary pH and the urinary concentrations of Na+ and total ascorbic acid in ODS/Shi-od/od, ODS/Shi(-)+/od and ODS/Shi(-)+/+ rats were increased by the administration of Na-AsA. These results indicate that ODS/Shi-od/od rats are resistant to the promoting effects of Na-AsA in two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis, and that the susceptibilities of ODS/Shi-od/od rats are regulated by genes different from the gene at the od locus.

Intrathymic induction of neonatal tolerance to Mls-1a determinant: clonal deletion and clonal anergy by haematolymphoid cells

Newborn BALB/c (Mls-1b) mice were intravenously injected with either bone marrow cells (BMC) or peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from Mls semi-allogeneic (BALB/c x AKR)F1 mice. Thymic cells of these mice, obtained 7 days after the injection, were found to be unresponsive to the superantigen Mls-1a, as determined by graft-versus-host reactivity. On Day 7, deletion of T cells expressing the V beta 6 element at high levels (V beta 6hi) was observed in thymic cells of mice receiving PEC. In mice given BMC, it took 2 weeks until the proportion of V beta 6hi T cells began to decline, and a longer period was required for complete disappearance of V beta 6hi T cells. These results may indicate that although both BMC and PEC contain cells mediating tolerance, a component(s) of cells responsible for clonal deletion is deficient in BMC. Immunohistological investigation showed that on Day 7 donor type B cells were present in the thymus of mice that received PEC but absent from mice that received BMC, whereas cells expressing donor type class I as well as class II antigens were seen in both recipients. The presence of donor type B cells could be observed 8 weeks after injection of BMC. By this time, the deletion of V beta 6hi T cells was completed. These results indicate, collectively, that the tolerance of both anergy type and deletion type occurs in the naturally developing thymus, and suggest that the presence of B cells in the thymus might be required for clonal deletion.

Immune responses in newly developed short-lived SAM mice. IV. Chromosomal location of a gene controlling defective helper T-cell activity

Short-lived SAMP-P/1 mice are low responders in in vitro antibody responses because of a selectively impaired helper T(Th)-cell activity. After crossing with high responders (B10.BR mice), about 12% of (B10.BR x SAM-P/1) (BRP)F2 mice showed low responsiveness, as did SAM-P/1 mice, against two T-dependent antigens, sheep and horse red blood cells (RBC), both of which were not cross-reactive to each other at helper T- and B-cell levels. The immune activities against the two antigens in individual BRPF2 mice showed a good correlation (r = 0.81), thereby suggesting that SAM-P/1 mice have an antigen non-specific Th cell dysfunction. Based on the incidence of the low responders in F2 generation and statistical analyses, the hypo-responsiveness was postulated to be controlled by two genes. To survey the location of these genes, linkage analyses were performed in the F2 mice using a large set of genetic markers. Low responders in the F2 generation showed a significantly higher incidence of SAM-P/1 genotype at the Gpi-1 as well as c locus on chromosome 7 (Chr.7). However, no linkage of low responsiveness to the Hbb locus was evident, an area present at a more distal site to the centromere on the same chromosome. These results suggest that one of the genes controlling the hypo-responsiveness of SAM-P/1 mice is linked to both Gpi-1 and c loci and that it locates at a more proximal site on Chr.7.

Neonatal tolerance induction in the thymus to MHC-class II-associated antigens. IV. Significance of intrathymic chimerism of blood-born Ia+ cells in Mls tolerance

The significance of thymus cell chimerism in the induction and maintenance of tolerance was investigated. Mls-1b BALB/c mice were neonatally tolerized by the intravenous administration of either bone marrow (BM) cells or peritoneal cavity (PerC) cells from Mls-1b/a (BALB/c x AKR) F1 mice. Tolerance was long-lasting in the BM cell group, but transient in the PerC cell group, probably because PerC cells lack hemopoietic stem cells required for a continuous supply of tolerance-inducing cells. The degree of anti-Mls-1a responsiveness of these BALB/c thymus cells was correlated with the degree of intrathymic distribution of the inoculated F1 cells. The effect of BM cell inoculation, resulting in a year-long deletion of Mls-1a-reactive V beta 6-bearing T cells is in marked contrast to that of PerC cell inoculation which causes only a transient loss of V beta 6+ mature thymocytes (for about 1 week after birth). This functional profile of the tolerant state correlates well with the degree and persistence of the intrathymic presence of F1 type Ia+ cells. The long-lasting presence of donor-derived cells throughout the thymus tissue in the BM cell group is also in marked contrast to the early disappearance of Ia+ cells (within 2-3 weeks) from the cortex and then from the medulla in the PerC cell group, although these Ia+ cells were once spread throughout the thymus tissue 4 days after the tolerance-inducing cell inoculation. Taken together with a failure to induce consistent unresponsiveness to Mls-1a determinants in Mls-1b thymocytes regenerating in Mls-1a-thymic epithelial environments, all the above data indicate that intrathymic chimerism caused by hemopoietic stem cell-derived MHC-class II-bearing cells is a requisite for the induction and maintenance of unresponsiveness by means of clonal deletion in experimentally as well as naturally induced tolerance to Mls determinants.

Drug effects on CA125 antigen expression and antibody binding to cancer cells

CA125 is a high-molecular weight glycoprotein expressed on most serous-type ovarian cancer and some lung adenocarcinoma tissues. The effects of various drugs on the release of CA125 antigen into culture medium and on monoclonal antibody (MAb) binding to cancer cells were studied using 8 human cancer cell lines, all of which expressed CA125 on their cell surfaces. The effect of dexamethasone was seen at as low a concentration as 10(-9) M dexamethasone, and the release of CA125 and the binding of radiolabelled anti-CA125 antibody were completely inhibited after exposure to 10(-7) M dexamethasone. The number of antibody binding sites markedly decreased. In contrast, sodium butyrate increased CA125 expression. These findings were clearly detected in only 3 cancer cell lines and a significant effect was not seen in the 5 other cancer cell lines. Interferon-gamma, examined in 3 cell lines, suppressed in a dose-dependent manner in 2 CA125 expression cell lines, but enhanced it in one line. No apparent effects were seen after exposure to tissue necrosis factor or interleukin-2. These results suggest that drugs may regulate the CA125 antigen expression in some, but not all, cancer cells and may affect the biodistribution of radiolabelled MAbs.

Genetic studies on experimental autoimmune gastritis induced by neonatal thymectomy using recombinant inbred strains between a high-incidence strain, BALB/c, and a low-incidence strain, DBA/2

Thymectomy on day 3 after birth induced autoimmune gastritis (AIG) at the age of 2 months in 51-73% of BALB/c mice, and in only 3-5% of DBA/2 mice. AIG was detected by histological and serological (immunofluorescence staining for detecting anti-parietal cell autoantibody) examination. However, autoantibody was weakly positive in almost all of these DBA/2 mice when measured by ELISA using extract of murine gastric mucosa as the antigen. To investigate genetically the mechanism controlling the incidence of AIG, II recombinant inbred strains established by brother-sister mating of (BALB/c x DBA/2) F2 mice (C x D2 strains) were used. Among 26 markers tested, the Mls-1 locus on BALB/c chromosome 1 and the Hc locus coding a complement component (C5) on BALB/c chromosome 2 were found to be associated with high susceptibility to AIG. However, if one or both of the loci were of DBA/2 origin, mice showed medium or low susceptibility to AIG. For further analysis, F1, F2 and back-cross generations of these two strains were tested, but segregation of a single susceptibility or insusceptibility gene was not obtained. Taken together, it seems probable that two or more genes are involved in the induction mechanism of AIG. We did not detect C5 deposition in AIG lesions, nor complement-dependent cytotoxic antibody to parietal cells in serum from AIG mice. However, injection of irradiated spleen cells of DBA/2 mice into BALB/c mice thymectomized on day 3 augmented the incidence of AIG from 71 to 100%, but not that of oophoritis (33%). A relationship between Mls-1a determinants and the pathogenesis of AIG was further suggested from the fact that V beta 6 TcR-expressing T cells increased in number in AIG-bearing compared with normal BALB/c mice.

Distinct mechanisms of neonatal tolerance induced by dendritic cells and thymic B cells

To assess the role of different types of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the induction of tolerance, we isolated B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells from thymus and spleen, and injected these into neonatal BALB/c mice across an Mls-1 antigenic barrier. One week after injection of APC from Mls-1-incompatible mice or from control syngeneic mice, we measured the number of thymic, Mls-1a-reactive, V beta 6+ T cells and the capacity of thymocytes to induce a graft-vs.-host (GVH) reaction in popliteal lymph nodes of Mls-1a mice. Injection of thymic but not spleen B cells deleted thymic, Mls-1a-reactive V beta 6+ T cells and induced tolerance in the GVH assay. The thymic B cells were primarily of the CD5+ type, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter-purified CD5+ thymic B cells were active. Injection of dendritic cells from spleen or thymus also induced tolerance, but the V beta 6 cells were anergized rather than deleted. Macrophages from thymus did not induce tolerance. Dendritic cells and thymic B cells were also effective in inducing tolerance even when injected into Mls-, major histocompatibility complex-incompatible, I-E- mice, but only thymic B cells depleted V beta 6-expressing T cells. Therefore, different types of bone marrow-derived APC have different capacities for inducing tolerance, and the active cell types (dendritic cells and CD5+ thymic B cells) can act by distinct mechanisms.

Scintigraphic detection of overexpressed c-erbB-2 protooncogene products by a class-switched murine anti-c-erbB-2 protein monoclonal antibody

Class-switched monoclonal antibody SV2-61r recognized the extracellular domain of c-erbB-2 protooncogene products separate from the epidermal growth factor receptor. We studied the potential of SV2-61r for evaluating the amplification of c-erbB-2 protooncogene on cancer cells, which has been reported to have prognostic value in adenocarcinoma patients. Radiolabeled SV2-61r specifically bound to various adenocarcinoma cells in addition to c-erbB-2-transfected NIH-3T3 cells (A4) with the affinity constant of 4.4 x 10(8) M-1. SV2-61r injected i.v. localized well to A4 cells xenografted in nude mice. Tumor uptake and localization index of radioiodinated SV2-61r were lower than those of 111In-labeled SV2-61r, probably due to the internalization and dehalogenation of formed antibody-antigen complexes. Biodistribution and specificity of targeting were assessed by comparison among three cells, A4, lung cancer SBC-3 (c-erbB-2 weakly positive) and B-lymphoblastoid Manca cells (c-erbB-2 negative). Tumor:blood ratios, obtained 48 h after injection, were 5.63, 1.45, and 0.68, respectively, indicating the potential of 111In-labeled SV2-61r for evaluating the amplification of c-erbB-2 protooncogene on cancer cells. Because of its close relationship with carcinogenesis and the uniform expression, c-erbB-2 protooncogene products seem to be the optimal target of imaging and therapy of adenocarcinoma patients.

Effects of dietary restriction on age-related immune dysfunction in the senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)

The effects of age and dietary restriction on immune response were investigated using an animal model of accelerated senescence (senescence accelerated mouse, SAM). The experimental groups consisted of control (ad libitum fed) and restricted groups (fed 60% of energy intake of the controls). Spleen weight and total number of splenic cells were significantly lower in the food-restricted group at 8 mo of age. Percentages of T (Thy-1.1+) and B (surface Ig+) cells in the splenic cells were not significantly different between the two groups. The number of direct hemolytic plaque-forming cells per 10(6) spleen cells 4 d following immunization with sheep red blood cells and dinitrophenyl-Ficoll was significantly greater in the 8-mo-old mice in the food-restricted group than in the control group. In the latter group, antibody responses Progressively decreased with age. Mitogen responses to concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide were maintained in the food-restricted group but were depressed in the control group at 8 mo. In addition, though autoantibody to single-stranded DNA increased in the control group with advancing age, there was a steady decrease in the food-restricted group until 8 mo. Serum immunoglobulin (IgA and IgM) concentrations were significantly lower in the food-restricted group than in controls at 8 mo of age. Therefore, our results suggest that when senescence accelerated mice are subjected to food restriction, there may be a modulatory effect on the immune dysfunction associated with advancing age.

An antibody-tumor model for the targeting of CA125-producing gynecologic malignancies

By immunizing a mouse with HOUA-1 cells established from an endometrial cancer patient, two murine monoclonal antibodies designated 196-14 and 196-28 were generated, which were reactive with ovarian cancer-associated antigen CA125, originally defined by OC125 antibody. Antigenic determinants of these antibodies, although overlapping each other, were different from that of OC125 and the combined use of 125I-labeled 196-14 and OC125-coated beads markedly increased the sensitivity of measuring CA125 antigen. Both radioiodinated and 111In-labeled 196-14 localized well in CA125-producing human ovarian cancer tissues OVA-5 xenografted in nude mice. The biodistribution of radioiodinated 196-14 was quite different from that of 111In-labeled 196-14. Radioiodine was cleared faster from the OVA-5 tumor, making a clear contrast to the prolonged retention of 111In the tumor. Initial tumor uptake of radioiodinated 196-14 was the same as that of 111In-labeled 196-14 but decreased thereafter, due to the dehalogenation of radioiodinated antibody in the tumor. This antibody-tumor model seems to be suitable for examining the usefulness of monoclonal antibody-conjugates in the diagnosis and therapy of CA125-producing endometrial or ovarian cancers.

Influence of cocktails of labeled monoclonal antibodies on the localization of antibodies in human tumor xenografts

In order to evaluate the usefulness of cocktails of labeled monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) recognizing different antigen molecules to localize human cancer xenografts, we have compared the potential of three MoAbs recognizing representative cancer-associated CA 19-9, 17-1A and CEA antigens when administered alone or in combination. Specific binding of radioiodinated F(ab')2 fragments of these three MoAbs was observed to human colorectal cancer cell lines SW1116, LS180 and Co-3. The percentage of in vitro cell binding of a cocktail of any two MoAbs to cancer cells was equal to the average of those obtained with the two MoAbs alone. The three MoAbs were preferentially localized in tumor tissues xenografted in nude mice. When cocktails of any two MoAbs were used, the obtained tumor-to-normal tissue ratios and percent of injected dose per gram of tumor were between the levels obtained for each MoAb when administered alone, in all three tumors transplanted in nude mice. These data suggest that, although cocktails of labeled MoAbs recognizing different antigens may extend the spectrum of tumor specificities, their use does not improve the tumor localization ability of MoAb-conjugates.

Thymic dendritic cells and B cells: isolation and function

The thymus is the primary organ in which T cells undergo rearrangement of T cell receptor alpha and beta genes, positive selection for affinity to self MHC products, and elimination (negative selection) of reactivity to self antigens. These events require an interaction of the developing T cell with other cell types in the thymus. The latter include epithelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and the recently described thymic B cells the majority of which are CD5+. Here we review the identification and isolation of thymic dendritic cells and CD5+ B cells. We consider phenotype, ontogeny, and function, including possible contributions to the induction of self tolerance. Thymic dendritic cells are similar to spleen dendritic cells, but are larger and exhibit a few differences in phenotype. Dendritic cells from both organs are equally potent accessory cells for the MLR and lectin-induced, T cell proliferation. Thymic dendritic cells have higher levels of Fc receptors and support anti-CD3 dependent mitogenesis. Thymic CD5+ B cells share phenotypic features with peritoneal CD5+ B cells. However thymic B cells neither proliferate nor form antibody producing cells in response to the stimulation with LPS or anti-IgM plus IL-4, but do respond to stimulation with MHC class II-restricted helper T cells. Thymic dendritic cells and CD5+ B cells both appear at a similar time in ontogeny, about 14 d of gestation, which is the time T cell differentiation begins to take place. Dendritic cells from spleen, which are potent activators for peripheral T cells, are also potent inactivators for thymic-derived cytotoxic T cells. A correlation between reactivity to MIs products and the expression of TCR-V beta genes is well documented, and B cells are the primary APC for this antigen. Therefore, thymic CD5+ B cells may be a good tool for the investigation of tolerance to M1s products.

Immune responses in newly developed short-lived SAM mice. III. Genetic control of defective helper T-cell activity in in vitro primary antibody response

Immune activities of newly developed, short-lived SAM-P/1 mice declined sharply after a few months of age. As early as 2 months of age, the activity of T-helper (Th) cells ('Th2'-like) in the in vitro primary antibody response was profoundly impaired, in contrast to normal activity of Th cells ('Th1'-like) engaged in cell-mediated immune responses. Thus, young SAM-P/1 mice show a functional heterogeneity of Th cells. To determine how such a 'Th2' abnormality is inherited in SAM-P/1 mice, immune activities of their hybrids and backcrosses between MHC-identical, high responder B10.BR mice were statistically assessed. The distribution of responses did not support the Mendelian single-gene determination for low responsiveness. Moreover, involvement of a single gene which exhibits incomplete dominance was ruled out because of a continuous distribution pattern of antibody response in the F2 generation. Such an analysis strongly suggests that the impaired 'Th2'-like activity of SAM-P/1 mice is under control of two genes, based on the proportion of low responders in F2 hybrids (29 out of 267, 10.8%) and on calculation according to Wright's formula (n = 1.72). Further linkage analyses suggest that one of the genes is closely linked to albino coat-colour (c) locus on chromosome 7. The putative two genes are likely to control 'differentiation' or 'maturation' of Th2-like cells defectively, but the defect is not refractory, because in vivo-primed Th cells function in vitro as do those in ordinary strains of mice. Possible mechanisms and biological significance in relation to loss of immune activity with ageing are discussed.

Studies on B-cell memory. IV. Effects of lipopolysaccharide on primary and secondary antibody responses to T-independent type-2 (TI-2) antigen in mice

Effects of LPS on primary and secondary antibody responses to typical TI-2 antigens were investigated in mice. Simultaneous injection of LPS with a TI-2 antigen showed only little adjuvant effect on the following primary antibody response to the antigen. In contrast, either a single or multiple injections of LPS, prior to the immunization with a TI-2 antigen, significantly augmented the following primary antibody response to the antigen. LPS, however, inhibited the development of B-cell memory to a TI-2 antigen when administered together with the antigen. Moreover, an injection of LPS in mice, which had strong IgM and IgG B-cell memories to a TI-2 antigen, caused disappearance or profound reduction of the memories. The results suggest that LPS produced by gram-negative bacteria exerts inhibitory effects on the development and continuation of B-cell memory to bacterial infections.

Enhanced adrenergic response of the cerebral vasculature in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The influence of alloxan-induced diabetes on the adrenergic constriction of the rat cerebral vasculature was investigated in the in situ perfused brain preparation. The preparation was perfused with an artificial medium at a constant flow rate and the change in perfusion pressure was measured. Norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin produced a dose-dependent increase in the perfusion pressure, but only the effect of NE was significantly enhanced in the diabetic rats. Such an enhancement of NE-induced vasoconstriction was not observed in the perfused hindquarter preparations from the diabetic rats. Propranolol (1 microM) potentiated the cerebrovascular constriction by NE and abolished the difference between diabetic and control rats at low doses of NE. However, vasoconstriction by the higher doses of NE in the diabetic rats was still enhanced even in the presence of propranolol. The cerebrovascular constriction by phenylephrine was also enhanced in the diabetic rats, while the vasoconstricting effects of clonidine, xylazine and oxymetazoline were not affected by diabetes. These results suggest that the enhanced cerebrovascular constriction by NE may be due to either the reduced response through beta-adrenoceptors or the enhanced response through alpha 1-adrenoceptors. The enhanced adrenergic constriction of the cerebral vasculature might be concerned with the high incidence of neurological deficit in stroke patients with diabetes.