Interleukin 2 induces rapid phosphorylation of cellular proteins in murine T-lymphocytes

When quiescent murine T-lymphocyte cells were stimulated by the addition of interleukin 2 (IL-2), they reinitiated DNA synthesis after a lag period of 5 h. Under these conditions, rapid but transient phosphorylation of two cellular proteins with Mr values of 27 000 and 26 000 was detected; maximal phosphorylation occurred within 10-15 min after the addition of IL-2. The protein of Mr 27 000 contained phosphoserine, while the protein of Mr 26 000 contained phosphothreonine.

Induction of human glioma-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte lines by autologous tumor stimulation and interleukin 2

Two human glioma-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (G-S-CTL) lines were established by autologous tumor stimulation (ATS) with the aid of lectin free interleukin 2 (IL 2). Coculture of patient's peripheral blood lymphocytes and autologous irradiated glioma cells and subsequent addition of partially purified IL 2 enhanced the tumoricidal activity of the lymphocytes. These CTL lines possessed cross-cytotoxic activity against autologous allogeneic glioma cells and exhibited low cytotoxic activity against non-glial tumor cells. They did not lyse autologous lymphoblasts. This phenomenon suggested the existence of a common glioma-specific antigen recognized by the CTL lines. T-cell subset depletion test revealed that the major surface phenotype of G-S-CTL line, responsible for cytotoxic activity was OKT 3 positive, OKT 4 negative and OKT 8 positive. G-S-CTL lines were composed of a low proportion of OKT 8 positive subpopulation after primary ATS and successive propagation with IL 2. The proportion of OKT 8 positive subpopulation was increased by secondary ATS, which enhanced the cytotoxic activity to glioma cells more effectively.

Opiate-antagonist reversal of neurological deficits--experimental and clinical studies

The proximal left M1 and the common trunk of A2 were clipped in 12 adult dogs. Naloxone was injected after placing the clips onto 6 dogs. Neither the systemic blood pressure nor the local cerebral blood flow were influenced by naloxone. In another group of 6 dogs with chronic right hemiplegia, naloxone proved passably effective in improving the hemiplegia. Eight patients with neurological deficits of various etiologies were administered levallorphan. The improvement in motor performance and/or elevation of mental activity was observed more or less in all but 2 of the patients. It was considered that the effect of opiate antagonists is based partially on the facilitation of synaptic transmission exaggerated by the arousal response.

Temporal changes of suppressor T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in syngeneic murine malignant gliomas

The temporal activities of suppressor T lymphocytes (Ts) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were investigated in a syngeneic murine malignant glioma (a methylcholanthrene-induced ependymoblastoma of C57BL/6 mouse origin, 203-glioma). After the s.c. tumor inoculation, it was suggested that both Ts and CTL were generated with target specificity against 203-glioma cells, because neither Ts nor CTL activity were seen against syngeneic EL 4 (benzpyrene-induced thymoma), allogeneic P815 (methylcholanthrene-induced mastocytoma of DBA/2 mouse origin) or YAC-1 (Moloney leukemia-induced T-cell lymphoma of A/Sn mouse origin), but only against 203-glioma. It was found that the generation of Ts preceded that of CTL and that the turnover was faster; furthermore, Ts were generated in the thymus and spleen, while CTL were distributed in regional lymph nodes and spleen. Surface marker analysis revealed that only Lyt-1-.2.3+ T-cells participated in suppressor responses in contrast to both Lyt-1-.2.3+ and Lyt-1+.2.3+ T-cells participating in cytotoxic responses. The effects of adult thymectomy (ATx) on the changes of the immunized T-cell subsets were also investigated. In mice thymectomized 3 weeks previously, the Ts activity was abrogated, whereas the CTL activity increased markedly and Lyt-1+.2.3+ T-cells were not detected. The results suggest that CTL or their precursors bearing Lyt-1+.2.3+ phenotype and Ts bearing Lyt-1-.2.3+ phenotype are short-lived lymphocytes. Accordingly, it is suggested that in tumor-bearing mice short-lived Ts are generated earliest with target specificity and, due to the reciprocal relationships between Ts and CTL activities, may have a modulating influence on CTL; furthermore, ATx may alter the patterns of generation of the precursor T-cells and Ts.

[Prediction of coronary lesions by two-dimensional echocardiography in patients with healed myocardial infarction]

Regional left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE) in 66 patients with healed myocardial infarction (MI) and the results were compared with those of coronary angiography which was performed at nearly the same time as 2-DE. The left ventricular wall was divided into 14 segments and asynergy was assessed in each segment. To compare the severity of segmental asynergy with coronary artery lesions, relation between segments and coronary artery perfusion was assumed as follows: the anterior wall, anterior septum and apex corresponded to the anterior descending artery (LAD); the lateral and inferior walls corresponded to the left circumflex artery (LCX); and the posterior septum and inferior wall corresponded to the right coronary artery (RCA). One vessel disease: In all 24 patients with MI induced by LAD lesions, regional asynergy was identified in the anterior wall, anterior septum and apex. All patients had advanced asynergy (severe hypokinesis, akinesis or dyskinesis) except one with subendocardial infarction. Advanced asynergy was identified in the other segments including the lateral wall (one patient) and the posterior septum (11 patients), but such asynergy was not associated with that of the inferior wall. In four patients with MI induced by RCA lesions, regional asynergy appeared in localized segments of the posterior septum and inferior wall, and the asynergy was severe in all patients except one in whom collaterals were well-developed. In four patients with MI induced by LCX lesions, asynergy was observed in both the lateral and inferior walls. In only one patient, mild asynergy was identified in the apex. Multi-vessel disease: In both groups with double vessel (16 patients) and triple vessel (16 patients) disease, asynergy was recognized in the affected areas of the major coronary artery which was considered responsible for the infarction, irrespective of the severity of the coronary stenosis. Also, there was no significant correlation between the severity of coronary artery stenosis and segmental wall motion abnormalities in non-infarcted areas. No significant correlation was observed between the severity of regional wall motion abnormalities in the infarcted areas and the degree of development of collaterals. In patients with MI induced by LAD lesions, more extensive asynergy in the anterior wall and anterior septum at the basal portion was observed in the patient group with proximal stenosis than in the group with distal stenosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Immunoregulatory role in gamma interferon production by a T cell growth factor-dependent experimental malignant glioma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone

The authors have established a murine malignant glioma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone (G-CTLL 1) by T cell growth factor (TCGF) using 203-glioma (a methylcholanthrene-induced ependymoblastoma of C57BL/6 mouse origin). The cloned cells were found to release a large amount of gamma interferon (IFN) in response to glioma-associated antigen-specific stimulation. The authors have investigated whether the IFN produced can contribute to killing the target cells. Adding anti-mouse gamma IFN antibody to the mixed clone-target cell culture inhibited IFN production by the cloned cells but the toxicity of the cells was minimally diminished. Therefore, it is suggested that the endogenous gamma IFN produced by the TCGF-dependent cloned cytotoxic T lymphocyte line does not have direct cytotoxic action on the target cells. Furthermore, IFN production as well as cytotoxicity was blocked by anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody in the absence of complement. This suggests that IFN plays a role in the process of antigen recognition of target cells because the Lyt-2 molecule is involved in an antigen-specific function on the cytotoxic T lymphocyte receptor. The role of TCGF in gamma IFN production was also investigated. The spontaneous production of gamma IFN by the cloned cells paralleled the amounts of exogenous TCGF added to the cultures, but TCGF had no synergistic effect on IFN production in the presence of mitogen or tumor antigen. Accordingly, it is possible that TCGF stimulates the cloned cells to proliferate, causing IFN release.

Sensory and motor responses to deep brain stimulation. Correlation with anatomical structures

Motor and sensory responses induced by trial stimulation were examined before stereotaxically implanting a permanent stimulating electrode for pain relief in 11 patients with intractable pain of central origin. The total number of points eliciting a response when stimulated was 70. The points of stimulation were determined as exactly as possible from Schaltenbrand and Bailey's Atlas. Motor responses were detected upon stimulating 21 points, the majority of which were in the posterior third of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (IC). Stimulation of these 21 points was accompanied by pain relief in only two points (10%). Warm (22) or cool sensations (three) were provoked in the most posteromedial portion of the posterior limb of the IC, nucleus reticularis pulvinaris, and area triangularis, and seven (28%) of these 25 sensations were accompanied by pain relief. A burning sensation was found upon stimulation of 12 points, with stimulation in the mesencephalic lateral tegmental field eliciting the most severe burning pain. A tingling sensation was elicited at 12 points, in a distribution similar to that of the warm sensation. Five (42%) of these 12 points provided pain relief. The best stimulating point for pain relief is not in the center of the posterior limb of the IC, directly lateral to the posterior commissure, but rather in its most posteromedial part; that is, at the nucleus reticularis pulvinaris or area triangularis.

[beta-Endorphin and monoamine metabolite concentrations in patients with intractable pain--changes before and after deep brain or spinal dorsal column stimulation]

Baseline concentrations of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and monoamine metabolites (MHPG: 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol, HVA: homovanillic acid, 5-HIAA: 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) in lumbar CSF (LCSF) and ventricular CSF (VCSF) were measured in 18 patients with intractable pain; 10 with deafferented pain and 8 with peripheral pain. Control values were obtained from 37 individuals of various ages. Changes in the concentrations of these substances were determined before and after giving stimulations (2-5 V, 0.2-0.5 msec, 40-50 Hz, 20-sec duration) to 6 patients through electrodes implanted in deep brain structures (DBS; posterior limb of the internal capsule in 5 patients and rostral mesencephalic lemniscus medialis in one patient), and to 2 other patients through electrodes implanted in the spinal dorsal column (DCS). The control value of beta-EP in LCSF was 57.6 +/- 24.7 pg/ml, which was not significantly different from that of VCSF. Great variation in the individual control LCSF beta-EP concentrations was found, but it was not related to differences in age. The mean baseline LCSF beta-EP concentration was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than the control in the patients with deaffernted pain before stimulation. One of the monoamine-metabolites, MHPG, showed higher level in the patients with peripheral pain (p less than 0.01). The LCSF beta-EP concentration was not affected by deep brain stimulation, but was increased by dorsal column stimulation. In one patient with excellent pain relief by stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule, the LCSF HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations were conspicuously increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial contamination of floors and other surfaces in operating rooms: a five-year survey

Bacterial contamination of floors and other surfaces in the operating suite has been investigated by contact impression plates during the past five years. Colony counts of the floors of operating rooms, cleaned with disinfectant, were 3.3 c.f.u./10 cm2; on the floors of semi-clean and dirty areas, cleaned with detergent, colony counts were 44.8 and 71.4 c.f.u./10 cm2 respectively. The highest colony counts of 487.4 c.f.u./10 cm2 were found in the dressing rooms, the floors of which were covered with carpets, cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Mean bacterial numbers on surfaces of various equipment in operating rooms, cleaned with disinfectant, were 2.8 c.f.u./10 cm2. Bacterial numbers on surfaces decreased markedly from 253.2 to 11.9 c.f.u./10 cm2 following the use of disinfectant. Bacterial species found from various surfaces were mainly coagulase-negative staphylococci, derived from human beings. In the light of these findings the regular use of disinfectant for cleaning of the floors and other surfaces in operating rooms is advisable.

Airborne contamination in an operating suite: report of a five-year survey

Airborne contamination in an operating suite was studied with a slit sampler, settle plates and a light-scattering particle counter. In conventional operating rooms there was a significant difference between the empty rooms and rooms in use; the mean total bacterial count by a slit sampler changed from 1.1 in empty to 42.5 c.f.u./m3 in use (39 times increase), the settle plates count changed from 1.5 to 17.4 c.f.u./m2/min (12 times increase), and the mean total particle count changed from 56.9 to 546.7/l (10 times increase) respectively. The increase was caused mainly by persons present in the room. Another difference was found between zones in the operating suite; the bacterial count in the clean area doubled in the semi-clean area and further doubled in the dirty area in slit sampler count as well as settle plates count, and particle count in the clean area increased by 14 times in the semi-clean and dirty areas. This difference resulted from the different quality of the ventilating system. Air cleanliness of operating rooms in use by persons present in the room dropped to a level between the clean and the semi-clean area in spite of the high quality of the ventilating system. Bacterial species identified were mostly coagulase negative staphylococci and micrococci. Our study indicates that reduction of airborne contamination in an operating suite is accomplished by the combination of an efficient ventilating system and the restriction of the number of persons present in the room.

A new approach to the detection of autoantibodies against insulin receptors that inhibit the internalization of insulin into human cells

It has been shown that the conjugate of the fragment A of diphtheria toxin to insulin is cytotoxic to cultured cells bearing insulin receptors, apparently through the endocytosis of fragment A. We examined the effect of autoantibodies against insulin receptors on the cytotoxicity of the conjugate. The conjugate was cytotoxic to a rat fibroblast cell line that was resistant to the intact toxin, and the cytotoxicity was inhibited by exogenous insulin, indicating that the fragment A underwent endocytosis through insulin receptors. Immunoglobulins from three patients with type B syndrome of insulin-resistant diabetes blocked the cytotoxicity of the conjugate to Chang's liver cells in a dose-dependent manner. When the cells were pretreated with the immunoglobulins, cytotoxicity of the conjugate was also blocked. These results suggest that autoantibodies against insulin receptors interfere with the binding of the conjugate to insulin receptors or with the endocytosis of fragment A after binding. This assay system seems useful for detecting autoantibodies against the determinants that are involved in the internalization of the ligand-receptor complex.

Establishment of experimental malignant glioma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone by T cell growth factor

In an attempt to facilitate the long-term proliferative growth and subsequent cloning of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL's) against syngeneic murine 203-glioma (20-methylcholanthrene-induced ependymoblastoma of C57BL/6 mouse origin), sensitized T lymphocytes from tumor-bearing mice were cultured in the presence of T cell growth factor (TCGF). Of five clones established by a limiting dilution technique, two clones (G-CTLL 1 and 2) exhibited tumor-specific cytotoxicity. G-CTLL 1 cells, which possessed much higher cytotoxic activity than G-CTLL 2 cells, were further analyzed. G-CTLL 1 cells were maintained in a TCGF-dependent exponential proliferative culture for over 18 months and continued to mediate an extremely high cytotoxic activity with the target specificity (50- to 100-fold increases over the peak cytotoxic activity of sensitized T lymphocytes in tumor-bearing mice). Their phenotypes of surface antigens were Thy-1+ (weak positive), Lyt-1.-2.+3+, and asialo-GM1-, and their cytotoxicity was blocked by adding only anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibodies. These results indicated that the cloned cells originated from CTL's. The cloned cells were characterized by the production of immune interferon with the glioma antigen-stimulation, suggesting that the immune interferon could enhance the cytotoxic activity of the CTL clone at the site of a clone-target cell recognition event.

Specific adoptive immunotherapy with tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte clone for murine malignant gliomas

The efficacy of glioma-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte for a syngeneic murine malignant glioma (a 20-methylcholanthrene-induced ependymoblastoma, 203-glioma) was investigated. The cytotoxic clone (G-CTLL 1), established and expanded exponentially by T-cell growth factor, has retained target specificity for more than 6 months. In adoptive therapy and Winn assay, the in vivo antitumor activity of G-CTLL 1 was demonstrated against mice inoculated intracranially with 203-glioma cells. The therapeutic effects in adoptive immunotherapy were largely dependent on dose and time of i.v. administration, although the therapy was rather ineffective in condition of increased intracranial pressure due to the tumor growth. The mechanisms responsible for the in vivo protection were probably related to the killing activity of G-CTLL 1 or the tumor-specific production of immune interferon by G-CTLL 1.

Specific adoptive immunotherapy of malignant glioma with long-term cytotoxic T lymphocyte line expanded in T-cell growth factor. Experimental study and future prospects

The purposes of the current study were: (1) to investigate the immunoregulatory effects of T-cell growth factor (TCGF) on the activation and differentiation of syngeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) populations generated against a 20-methylcholanthrene-induced ependymoblastoma, 203-glioma, in C57BL/6 mice; and (2) to determine whether the glioma-specific CTL clone (G-CTLL) could be established by TCGF, and whether the in vivo efficacy of the cloned cells could be rendered more effective in adoptive therapy. It was found that TCGF largely allows the CTL populations to proliferate and thus can activate the depressed cytotoxic activity in tumour-bearing mice. Two lines of G-CTLL were successfully obtained by the limiting dilution technique. The G-CTLL retained a TCGF-dependent proliferative growth and a marked cytotoxic activity with target specificity for over 18 months, characterized by a surface phenotype of Lyt-1-.2.3+, Lyt-2 antibody blocking of cytotoxicity and the production of immune interferon in response to mitogen and tumour antigen. In the Winn assay and the adoptive transfer assay, the therapeutic effects were detected in intracranially inoculated tumours in mice. The in vivo efficacy was dependent on the dose of G-CTLL and on the time of the intravenous administration, although the transfer was inversely ineffective in conditions of increased intracranial pressure. The mechanism responsible for the in vivo effect was probably due to the adoptive immunity and/or the tumour-specific interferon production of G-CTLL.

[Effects of TCGF (T-cell growth factor) on experimental malignant glioma-specific killer T-cell]

The immunoregulatory effects of TCGF (T-cell growth factor) on the generation and growth of syngeneic murine malignant glioma (20-methylcholanthrene-induced 203-glioma)-specific killer T-cell were investigated in C57BL/6 adult mice in order to clarify the immunopotential usefulness for anti-tumor local adoptive immunotherapy against malignant brain tumor. TCGF was prepared and assayed. Briefly, 5 x 10(6) ml mouse spleen cells were cultured with 2 microgram/ml concanavalin A in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 2% fetal calf serum for 24 hours. Culture supernatants were concentrated by ammonium sulphate precipitation (55 to 80% saturation) and purified by gel filtration (Sephadex G-100, a molecular weight from 30 to 36,000 daltons) and ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-cellulose, elution with 0.15 M in NaCl at ph 7.4). The purified TCGF had no IFN activity. Assays for TCGF was performed for quantitative analysis using 203-glioma-specific killer T cell clone (G-CTLL), which was obtained by limiting dilution method (0.3 cells/well in 96 well microtiter plate) and maintained for over 6 months in the presence of TCGF. Titer (U/ml) of TCGF was defined as the quantity of TCGF required to obtain one-half of the maximal stimulation of G-CTLL proliferation assay. It was confirmed that the specific killer T-cell against 203-glioma was generated in mice after intracranial as well as subcutaneous inoculation of the tumor cells. The killer T-cell activity of spleen cells, however, began to be severely impaired 2 weeks after intracranial inoculation concurrently with the increased intracranial pressure due to developing the tumor growth. Sensitized lymphocytes obtained from intracranial and subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice were assessed for CTL (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte) activity in MLTC (mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell culture) for 18 hours by microcytotoxicity assay. The specific cytotoxicity against 203-glioma cells was enhanced when sensitized lymphocytes from intracranial and subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice were pre-cultured with optimal TCGF (20 U/ml) for over 5 days. After the treatment of sensitized lymphocytes with anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibody and complement, however, the specific cytotoxicity of sensitized lymphocytes was eliminated almost completely. Therefore, it was thought that TCGF possesses immunoregulatory effects of enhancement of killer T-cell activity. On the contrary, TCGF had no influence on normal T lymphocytes and the growth of 203-glioma cells in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Renal function after anesthesia and abnormal surgery. A comparative study between halothane and epidural anesthesia]

Beta 2-microglobulin (BMG) and osmolarity (OSM) in the plasma and in the urine were measured in 23 adult female patients before and after abdominal surgery. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) and free water clearance (C-H2O) were determined simultaneously. These patients were divided into two groups, the first group receiving halothane anesthesia (n = 14) and the second group undergoing epidural anesthesia (n = 9). Results were summarised as follows. Ccr temporarily increased in both groups on the day of operation (0-POD) and on the 1st postoperative day (1-POD), suggesting a physiological compensation to the increased metabolic and circulatory needs in the post-operative state. Urinary BMG (U-BMG) concentration remarkably increased in both groups after the operation but the plasma BMG levels were unchanged. U-BMG returned to the pre-operative levels on the 4-POD in the 1st group and on the 2-POD in the 2nd group. Tubular dysfunction after anesthesia and surgery is believed to be responsible for this marked rise in U-BMG. The earlier recovery of U-BMG to the preoperative levels in the 2nd group indicates that the tubular dysfunction in epidural anesthesia is probably less in halothane anesthesia. The results of C-H2O and urine OSM studies also indicate the postoperative tubular dysfunction but these parameters may not be so sensitive as U-BMG.

Characteristic immunological responses to an experimental mouse brain tumor

Immunological responses to an experimental brain tumor of mice [the 20-methylcholanthrene-induced malignant glioma, 203-glioma)] were investigated. The killer T-cell activity of spleen cells, which was specific against 203-glioma cells, began to be severely impaired 2 weeks after intracranial inoculation; this impairment was concurrent with increased intracranial pressure, which was due to developing tumor growth. On the other hand, the killer T-cell activity continued for over 4 weeks in mice inoculated with the mitomycin C-treated tumor cells. Surface marker analysis showed that Lyt-1-2,3+ killer T-cells were predominant in intracranial tumor-bearing mice, whereas both Lyt-1-,2,3+ and Lyt-1+,2,3+ killer T-cells were equally present in s.c. tumor-bearing mice. The effects of adult thymectomy on the immune responses against 203-glioma were also investigated in intracranial and s.c. tumor-bearing mice. In both the intracranially and s.c. inoculated groups, killer T-cell activity was increased in mice thymectomized before 3 weeks and decreased in mice thymectomized before 10 weeks. In these mice, Lyt-1+,2,3+ killer T-cells were not detected, which suggests strongly that the progenitors of Lyt-1+,2,3+ killer T-cells are short-lived lymphocytes in contrast to those of Lyt-1-,2,3+ killer T-cells, which survive more than 10 weeks after adult thymectomy.

[Suppressor mechanism in tumor immunology: characteristics of suppressor T-cells in glioma-bearing mice]

Suppressor T cells in syngeneic tumor-bearing mice that inhibited in vitro generation of tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes were characterized with respect to the kinetics, the nature and the target specificity, using murine malignant glioma (a methylcholanthrene-induced malignant ependymoblastoma, 203-glioma). Suppressor cell activity was assessed by the inhibition of tumor cell killing activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which were prepared from splenic T enriched lymphocytes of mice immunized with 1 X 10(6) mitomycin C (50 micrograms/ml, 45 minutes)-treated 203-glioma cells twice at an interval of 7 days. It was confirmed that suppressor T cells were generated in 203-glioma-bearing mice, and they were tumor antigen-specific as evidenced by the fact that sensitized splenic T lymphocytes from mice bearing other syngeneic EL4 thymoma or allogeneic P 815 mastocytoma or YAC-1 T cell lymphoma did not exhibit the inhibition of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against 203-glioma cells. Significant suppressor cell activity was detected in spleen cells 1 to 5 days after the subcutaneous inoculation of 203-glioma cells with the peak activity on day 3 and it disappeared as early as on day 7, suggesting strongly that the turn-over of suppressor T cells is very quick. Surface markers of suppressor T cells in 203-glioma-bearing mice were checked on day 3 with the results that the suppressor cell activity was eliminated by the treatment with anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody and complement, indicating that the phenotype of suppressor T cells is Lyt-1-.2.3+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)