Phenotypic and functional study of natural killer cells in tuberculous pleurisy patients

The phenotypic and functional characteristics of the cells that mediate "natural killer" (NK) cytolysis were examined by using anti-Leu 7 monoclonal antibody specific for NK cell in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMC) and pleural effusion mononuclear cells (PEMNC) from the tuberculous pleurisy patients. The proportion of Leu 7+ cells in PEMNC was observed significantly lower than in PMC, whether the patients were treated or not. Before treatment NK cell activity, precisely cytotoxicity against K 562, in PEMNC was apparently higher than in PMC. There was little relationship between proportion of leu 7+ cells and NK cell activity. Further, the mechanism of high NK cell activity in PEMNC was analysed by coculture with a healthy control's PMC and a tuberculous pleural effusion. The NK cell activity of Leu 7+ cells was augmented by low molecular soluble factor(s).

Heterogeneity of the phenotype Jk(a-b-) found in Japanese

Fourteen Jk(a-b-) persons were detected by testing 638,460 Osaka blood donors with an automated 2 M urea technique. Two of these 14 Jk(a-b-) samples were quite different from the hitherto reported Jk(a-b-) phenotype, and a family study showed that the mode of the inheritance was dominant. The red cell membranes of these Jk(a-b-) samples were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and unusual protein bands (apparent mw, 67,000 d) were detected.

Immunochemical study on the mannans of Candida albicans NIH A-207, NIH B-792, and J-1012 strains prepared by fractional precipitation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

The mannans of Candida albicans NIH A-207 (A strain, serotype A), C. albicans NIH B-792 (B strain, serotype B), and C. albicans J-1012 (J strain, serotype C) prepared by fractional precipitation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (Cetavlon) were investigated for their immunochemical properties. Upon treatment with 10 mM HCl at 100 degrees C for 60 min, the mannans of A and B strains each released a mixture of manno-oligosaccharides ranging from hexaose to mannose together with (for each one) an acid-modified mannan, while J-strain mannan released lower oligosaccharides, tetraose to mannose. The acid-modified mannan of B strain did not show antibody-precipitating activity against homologous antiserum, whereas acid-modified A- and J-strain mannans retained most of this activity. The acid-released oligosaccharides were assumed to consist of beta-1,2-linked D-mannopyranosyl residues from the results of specific rotation and proton magnetic resonance studies.

Age development and sex differences of various EEG elements in healthy children and adults--quantification by a computerized wave form recognition method

The EEGs of 1416 healthy subjects aged 6-39 years were recorded and 1 min of background activity from Fp1, C3 and O1, was analyzed by a computerized wave form recognition method. Age development and sex differences of various EEG elements, which are employed in a conventional clinical EEG assessment, were statistically analyzed. The age developments of alpha and theta showed regional differences and were the most rapid in O1 and the slowest in C3. The delta amplitude, theta amplitude, theta continuity and percentage time of theta with an amplitude of 30 microV or more, which are important in a clinical EEG assessment, reached a stable level at 18-21 years of age in the 3 leads. The percentage time, amplitude and continuity of alpha in the 3 leads reached a stable level at 22-25 years of age. Including the low voltage theta in Fp1 and C3, all of the EEG elements reached the stable adult level at 26-29 years of age. Since there was a large interindividual variability in these age developments, the regression curves of the 10th and 90th percentiles of these EEG elements can be considered as quantitative standards for clinical EEG evaluation. As for sex differences, the percentage alpha time and alpha continuity were greater in males than in females after adolescence. The percentage theta time in Fp1 and C3 was greater in females than in males during childhood. The percentage beta time was higher in females than in males at all ages. But overall, these sex differences were minor compared with the differences associated with age developments of the EEG elements.

The rare red cell phenotype Lan negative in Japanese

Two patients and a healthy blood donor were found to be Lan negative and to have anti-Lan in their sera. These are the first three examples of the Lan-negative phenotype to be described in Japanese. The families of two of the propositi were studied: the parents of both were first cousins and one of the propositi had a Lan-negative sibling. No Lan-negative examples were found in 15,000 Japanese donors screened with anti-Lan.

Mating pheromone-induced alteration of cell surface proteins in the heterobasidiomycetous yeast Tremella mesenterica

Mating pheromone-induced alteration of the cell surface proteins of haploid cells, presumed to play crucial roles in the specific cell-cell interactions during sexual conjugation of Tremella mesenterica , was investigated. Exposed surface proteins were revealed by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination in combination with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. From comparison of the molecular species of 125I-labeled surface proteins of the vegetative and the gamete (mating pheromone-treated) cells of the two compatible mating types (ab and AB), it was suggested that a striking change in cell surface structure occurs during the differentiation; although labeled protein species of the vegetative cells of the two mating types were indistinguishable, several new species, both mating type specific and nonspecific, appeared in the gamete cells. Turnover of the labeled proteins of the vegetative cells was negligible, whereas that of the gamete cells was rapid with release of low-molecular-weight labeled proteins in the medium. A role for the labeled surface proteins of the gamete cells in the cell-cell interactions during sexual conjugation was suggested by the following: the surface changes were induced by mating pheromone; the labeled proteins were preferentially localized on the surface of the mating tube; the labeled species appeared sequentially during the differentiation; and mating type-specific species were present in both mating types.

The rare red cell phenotype Gerbich negative in Japanese

Two Japanese propositi with the rare Gerbich -negative (Ge-) phenotype were found by screening serum of donors for antibodies. These are the first two examples of Ge negative in Japanese. Both had the Gerbich type of Ge-negative phenotype (Ge: -1, -2, -3,), showed some depression of Kell system antigens, and had anti-Ge in their sera. The parents of each of the propositi were first cousins, and one of the propositi had two Ge-negative siblings.

The standardization of the candidate national standard anti-D blood-typing serum with the Groupamatic MG50 system

The utility of the Groupamatic MG50 system for quantitative expression of agglutination in terms of continuous response was studied. By use of the characteristics of the design of this system, in which the change in voltage reflects the degree of agglutination, a linear regression relationship between the log ratio of light flux obtained by transformation of the voltage and the log dilution factor of the serum was demonstrated. The availability of the parallel line assay method to the standardization of the blood grouping antisera was also described.

Studies on precursor proteins PIVKA-II, -IX, and -X in the plasma of patients with 'hemorrhagic disease of the newborn'

Factors II, IX, and X in the plasmas of 10 patients with 'hemorrhagic disease of the newborn' were investigated by means of electroimmunoassay and crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). The biological activity was within 4.2-30 U/dl for factor II, 5.1-20 U/dl for factor IX, and 5.2-24 U/dl for factor X, whereas the immunological antigen was within 33-58, 25-50, and 35-60 U/dl, respectively. Thus, for all factors, 1.7 times more antigen than activity was present. The CIE pattern of factors II and IX in the presence of Ca++ ions clearly showed a biphasic precipitin arc, and in the absence of Ca++ ions, only one precipitin arc was observed. These results implied the presence of precursor proteins PIVKA-II and -IX in the plasma. However, even in the presence of Ca++ ions the CIE pattern of factor X antigen in the patient plasmas only showed a single precipitin arc with a slightly faster than normal electrophoretic mobility. PIVKA-II, -IX, and the abnormal factor X antigen (PIVKA-X) disappeared within 24 h after the patients were treated with vitamin K.

OSa, a 'new' low-frequency red cell antigen

A new low-frequency red cell antigen, OSa, in a Japanese blood donor is inherited as a Mendelian dominant. A family study showed that OSa is not controlled by ABO, P1, Rh, Kidd, or Diego loci, nor is the antigen X- or Y-borne.

Production of human interferon-gamma in serum-free medium

Interferon (IFN)-gamma was produced with a high yield in cultures of human peripheral mononuclear cells by combined stimulation with OK-432 and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. Human mononuclear cells cultured in serum-free medium produced several times as much IFN as those in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. A synergistic effect of OK-432 and staphylococcal enterotoxin B on the production of IFN-gamma was demonstrated. Ultrogel AcA54 column chromatography of crude IFN showed a single peak with an apparent molecular weight of 43,000. Our production system for human IFN-gamma offers a feasible approach to preparation of large quantities of purified IFN-gamma for structure studies, antibody production, and clinical applications.

Serological cross-reactivity of murine A.TH anti-A.TL antibody (anti-l-Ek antibody) with La-like molecules of human antigen-presenting cells

The purified protein derivative (PPD)-specific proliferative responses of T cells from human peripheral blood are shown to be dependent on antigen-presenting cells (APC) which bear HLA-DR antigen detected by the monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibody. The serological cross-reactivity of murine A.TH anti-A.TL antibody was observed in human APC. By absorption experiments using H-2 congenic mice, the serological cross-reactivity of A.TH anti-A.TL antibody with human APC is mapped in the I-E subregion. Thus, anti-I-Ek antibody reacts with the Ia-like molecule(s) on human APC. Murine allo-anti-I-Ek antibody does not always react with determinants of Ia-like molecule(s) on human APC, since this antibody did not eliminate PPD-specific proliferative responses in one particular case. Thus, anti-I-Ek antibody seems to react some type of the polymorphic determinants but not of the shared determinants of human Ia-like molecule(s) on APC. The relationship between the cross-reactive molecule detected by murine allo-anti-I-Ek antibody and the HLA-DR antigen remains to be analyzed.

An enzyme basis for blood type A intermediate status

The blood type A is known to be subclassified as A1, A2, and A1-A2 intermediate (Aint), depending upon red cell agglutinability with anti-A1 and anti-H lectins. Approximately 80% of the blood group H-sites remained unglycosylated in type Aint erythrocyte membranes. Plasma from Aint individuals contains a special blood group GalNAc transferase (UDP-GalNAc:2'-fucosylgalactoside-alpha-3-N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase), which is different from the enzyme in A1 plasma and the enzyme in A2 plasma. A1-enzyme has strong affinity to UDP-GalNAc and 2'-fucosyllactose, A2-enzyme has low affinity to both substrates, and Aint-enzyme has strong affinity to UDP-GalNAc and very low affinity to 2'-fucosyllactose, which is a soluble analog of the H-substances. The low degree of glycosylation of the blood group H-sites due to the low affinity of Aint-enzyme with the H-substances can account for the lower A activity and higher H activity in Aint red cells than in A1 red cells. The blood group A allele can be subdivided into three common alleles, A1, A2, and Aint, each controlling the formation of different types of blood group GalNAc transferases.

PPD-specific proliferative response in humans. I. Analysis of PPD-specific proliferative cells from tuberculous pleurisy patients and healthy controls with monoclonal antibodies specific for human T subsets

Peripheral mononuclear cells (PBL) from tuberculin reaction (TR)-negative tuberculous pleurisy patients proliferated poorly with PPD, while the cells of pleural effusion from these patients showed a proliferative response to PPD as well as did the healthy control PBL. Surface antigens of peripheral blood and pleural effusion were examined by using monoclonal antibodies. The Leu 1-positive cell population can be divided into four groups, namely (1) Leu 1+, Leu2a+, Leu 3a+, (2) Leu 1+, Leu 2a+, Leu 3a-, (3) Leu 1+, Leu 2a-, Leu3a+, and (4) Leu 1+, Leu 2a-, Leu 3a- cell populations. Results of analysis of surface antigens of PPD-specific proliferative cells in peripheral blood and pleural effusion from tuberculous pleurisy patients as well as healthy controls indicate that the PPD-specific proliferative response is mediated by Leu 1+, Leu 2a-, Leu 3a+ cells and Leu 1+, Leu 2a-, Leu3a- cells.

A case of weak blood group B expression (Bm) associated with abnormal blood group galactosyltransferase

The mechanisms of unusually weak A and B blood group expressions have not been well understood. Since the human blood group A and B substances are produced by the action of blood group GalNAc transferase and Gal transferase, respectively, the mechanism may be elucidated by examining the properties of the blood group transferases and membranes of the subjects with the abnormality. We examined a case associated with very weak B activity in red blood cells, an absence of the B agglutinin in serum, and an existence of the H and B substances in saliva, i.e., a case commonly classified as Bm. More than 85% of H sites remained unglycosylated in the subject's red cell membranes. The blood group Gal transferase activity in the subject's plasma and red cell membranes was about 50% of that of normal. The pH-activity profile and the Michaelis constants for UDP-Gal and 2'-fucosyllactose of the subject's enzyme were distinctively different from that of normal enzyme. These findings led us to conclude that the weak B activity in the present Bm case was due to a direct mutation in B gene resulting in formation of variant B enzyme with low affinity to UDP-Gal and insufficient galactosylation of H sites in the subject.

Heterogeneity of molecular size of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor in von Willbrand's disease

Patterns of VIIIR:AG in the plasma and its fractions, cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant, from various types of von Willebrand's disease (vWd) were observed by SDS 1.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - cross immunoelectrophoresis (SDS PAGE - CIE). VIIIR:AG in normal cryoprecipitate showed several precipitin peaks which correspond to molecular weights ranging from 8 X 10(5) to 1 X 10(7) daltons and are similar to those in normal plasma. Normal cryosupernatant VIIIR:AG gave smaller molecular weights from 8 X 10(5) to 2 X 10(6) daltons. VIIIR:AG in the plasma and cryoprecipitate from 2 patients with classical vWd gave low precipitin peaks with molecular weights in normal range. VIIIR:AG from 2 patients with subgroup A variant which showed fast anodal migration on the conventional CIE, presented 3 peaks with molecular weight of 8 X 10(5) to 3 X 10(6) which are similar to those in normal cryosupernatant. VIIIR:AG from 2 patients with subgroup B variant which showed normal migration on the CIE, gave normal patterns through all fractions.

In vitro induction of HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes against autologous Epstein-Barr Virus transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against autologous EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) were induced in vitro by culturing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of healthy donors together with mitomycin C-treated autologous LCL for 6 days. The cytotoxic cells developed only from the E-rosette-positive fraction but not from the negative fraction of PBL. These CTL killed autologous LCL but not PWM-stimulated autologous PBL. In addition, the CTL killed allogeneic LCL when at least 1 of the HLA-A antigens was identical with that of the LCL of CTL donor. However, identity of HLA-B and HLA-C antigens was not enough for a significant killing of allogeneic LCL. The specificity of the CTL was also confirmed by a cold target inhibition test. These results indicated that the CTL induced specifically recognized EBV-transformed cells with HLA restriction.

In vitro induction of HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes against autologous Epstein-Barr Virus transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against autologous EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) were induced in vitro by culturing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of healthy donors together with mitomycin C-treated autologous LCL for 6 days. The cytotoxic cells developed only from the E-rosette-positive fraction but not from the negative fraction of PBL. These CTL killed autologous LCL but not PWM-stimulated autologous PBL. In addition, the CTL killed allogeneic LCL when at least 1 of the HLA-A antigens was identical with that of the LCL of CTL donor. However, identity of HLA-B and HLA-C antigens was not enough for a significant killing of allogeneic LCL. The specificity of the CTL was also confirmed by a cold target inhibition test. These results indicated that the CTL induced specifically recognized EBV-transformed cells with HLA restriction.

Immunochemical studies of the mannans of Saccharomyces cerevisiae X2180-1A-5 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 4484-24D-1 mutant strains, with special reference to their phosphate content

The mannans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant strains X2180-1A-5 and 4484-24D-1, both of which were shown to contain small amounts of phosphate (less than 0.2%), were fractionated on a column of diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex into five subfractions designated as fractions I to V. These subfractions contain different amounts of phosphate, ranging from 0.03 to 0.09 (strain X2180-1A-5) and from 0.01 to 0.17% (strain 4484-24D-1). Fractions I to IV from strain X2180-1A-5 showed nearly identical precipitin activities against the homologous anti-whole cell serum, whereas fraction V, containing the largest amount of phosphate and protein among this mannan subfraction series, showed unexpectedly weaker precipitin activity than those of the other fractions. A synthetic mannan consisting or consecutive alpha-1 leads to 6-linked D-mannopyranosyl residues was found to be cross-reactive with all the mannan subfractions of strain X2180-1A-5 against anti-X2180-1A-5 serum. On the other hand, antibody-precipitating activities of the mannan subfractions of the latter strain were proportional to their phosphate content, although the increments of precipitated antibody nitrogen among the subfractions were quite small. However, fraction V of this mannan subfraction series, containing the largest amounts of phosphate and protein, showed lower precipitin activity than did the other four fractions. These findings indicate that mannans containing no phosphate or relatively small amounts of phosphate, such as those investigated in the present study, are less heterogeneous in the densities of the branching moieties than are highly phosphorylated mannans. These findings suggest that the transfer step of mannosyl-1-phosphate into the precursor(s) of the wild-type strain mannans during the biosynthetic process corresponds to the key reaction responsible for the anionic heterogeneity due to the density heterogeneity of the antigenic determinants.

Genetic mechanism of Cis-AB inheritance. II. Cases associated with structural mutation of blood group glycosyltransferase

The genetic mechanism of the rare occurrence of Cis-AB expression, that is, AB and/or O offspring from AB X O parents, has not been fully understood. The synthesis of blood group A and B substances are controlled by N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (A-enzyme) and galactosyltransferase (B-enzyme). Therefore, the genetic mechanism of Cis-AB expression may be elucidated by examining the characteristics of A- and B-enzymes in Cis-AB plasma. In a previous study, we presented evidence that Cis-AB expression in one case examined was due to unequal chromosomal crossing over producing a single chromosome with the genes for A. and B-enzymes, rather than to a structural mutation producing a single abnormal enzyme with bifunctional activity. In contrast to the previous case, the present two Cis-AB plasma contained a single abnormal enzyme that can transfer both N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and galactose (Gal). Moreover, the subjects' plasma also contained an enzymatically inactive, but immunologically cross-reacting material. Therefore, Cis-AB expression in the present two cases is due to a structural mutation in either the A or B gene producing a single abnormal enzyme with bifunctional activity.

Growth-inhibitory activity of the D-mannan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae X2180-1A-5 mutant strain against mouse-implanted sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich-carcinoma solid tumor

The D-mannan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae X2180-1A-5 mutant strain, which possesses a main chain composed of alpha-(1 yields 6) linked D-mannopyranosyl residues and a small proportion of branches composed of alpha-(1 yields 2)- and alpha-(1 yields 3)-linked D-mannopyranosyl residues, showed strong growth-inhibitory activity against mouse-implanted Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich-carcinoma solid tumor. The observation that the level of this activity was nearly identical with that of the D-mannan of a wild-type strain of bakers' yeast, which possesses a high proportion of branches composed of alpha-(1 yields 2)-and alpha-(1 yields 3)-linked D-mannopyranosyl residues, suggests that the branches are not essential for antitumor activity. The partial acid-degradation products of both D-mannans, the molecular weight of which was one-third of that of each parent D-mannan, had only one half of the antitumor activity of the parent D-mannans. This suggests that molecular size is the most important factor for the differences in acitvity of the polysaccharides of wild and mutant strains.

Genetic mechanism of cis-AB inheritance. I. A case associated with unequal chromosomal crossing over

In contradiction to the general Mendelian inheritance of blood group ABO expression, the A and B characteristics are inherited together from one parent in the rare Cis-AB phenotype. Since the synthesis of blood group A and B substances are controlled by N-acetylgalactosoaminyltransferase (A-enzyme) and galactosyltransferase (B-enzyme), the genetic mechanism of Cis-AB expression may be elucidated by examining the characteristics of A- and B-enzymes in Cis-AB plasma. Biochemical study reveals that the examined Cis-AB plasma contains two separable enzyme components: one with kinetic properties similar to those of common A2-enzyme, but differing from A1-enzyme, and another with kinetic characteristics similar to those of common B-enzyme. Therefore, Cis-AB expression, at least in the case examined, is due to unequal crossing over, producing a chromosome with alleles for A2- and B-enzymes, rather than to a structural mutation in A or B alleles producing a single abnormal enzyme with bifunctional activity.

Factor VIII procoagulant activity, factor VIII related antigen and von Willebrand factor in newborn cord blood

The mean level of factor VIII procoagulant acitivity (VIII:C) and factor VIII related antigen (VIIIR:AG) was normal in 100 newborn cord plasmas, whereas that of von Willebrand factor (VIIIR:WF) activity was slightly lower than normal. On crossed immunoelectrophoresis, 20 of 50 newborn infants had an increased anodal mobility of VIIIR:AG. When the cord plasma showing an abnormal electrophoretic pattern was mixed with normal plasma, two precipitation peaks with a broad base were found. Similar mixing experiments with the abnormal cord plasma and plasma from a patient with atypical von Willebrand's disease did not normalize the electrophoretic mobility of VIIIR:AG. Gel filtration of the cord plasma with an abnormal electrophoretic pattern of VIII:AG, showed that the three activities were all detected at the position corresponding to a molecular weight of about 800 000. The results suggest the presence of qualitative abnormalities of the factor VIII molecule in half of full-term newborn cord plasma.

Phenotype i associated with congenital cataract in Japanese

A Japanese family with two siblings of phenotype i is presented. Both had a past history of surgical treatment for congenital cataract. In Japan, 18 individuals of phenotype i, including our case, have been found in ten unrelated families. Seventeen of them had congenital cataract. Cataract was not found in any of the 45 phenotype I members in these families. It is briefly discussed why these two linked and quite rare genes were found in combination only in Japanese persons.