Identity of hemolysins produced by Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and V. cholerae O1, biotype El Tor

Hemolysins purified from non-O1 Vibrio cholerae (non-O1 hemolysin) and a Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor (El Tor hemolysin) were investigated for their homology. The hemolysins were isolated from the culture supernatant fluids by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 columns. The purified hemolysins gave single bands with an identical mobility on conventional polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The molecular weights of the non-O1 and El Tor hemolysins were estimated to be about 60,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the amino acid compositions of the hemolysins were very similar. The specific activities of the hemolysins were identical, and both hemolysins were neutralized to the same extent with antisera against the homologous and heterologous hemolysins. Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion tests with both hemolysins and antihemolysin serum gave a common (fused) precipitin line. These data indicate that the non-O1 hemolysin is biologically, physicochemically, and immunologically indistinguishable from the El Tor hemolysin.

Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide by rebreathing in awake dogs

In order to reduce the effects of functional inhomogeneities on the determination of pulmonary diffusing capacity (transfer factor) for CO (DLCO), DLCO was measured by a rebreathing method in 5 awake chronically tracheostomized dogs (mean body weight 28 kg) during high ventilation (15-25 times above normal) induced by hypoxia, hypercapnia, exercise, or their combinations. The animals rebreathed for 15 s a mixture containing 1% He, 0.1% C18O, with CO2 and O2 concentrations adjusted to maintain end-tidal PCO2 and PO2 close to their prerebreathing values. Gas partial pressures in the trachea were continuously monitored by mass spectrometry. DLCO was calculated from C18O equilibration kinetics, effective ventilation (obtained from He mixing kinetics) and lung volume (obtained from He dilution). Each of the factors, hypoxia, hypercapnia and exercise, contributed to increasing DLCO. During exercise in combined hypoxia and hypercapnia, DLCO (mean +/- SE) was 71.7 +/- 1.8 ml/(min X Torr). The mechanisms for increases in DLCO might have involved improvement of diffusion conditions, decrease of functional inhomogeneities and reduction of the effects of functional inhomogeneities. The highest DLCO values were close to values derived from morphometry.

[Combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung]

From January, 1982 to March, 1983, patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated at Kyushu Cancer Center. Eleven patients received combination chemotherapy-radiotherapy and one patient chemotherapy alone. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and vincristine which was repeated every 4 weeks for as long as possible. Radiotherapy was administered to the primary lesion and mediastinum following 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy. The overall response rate after receiving 2 cycles of chemotherapy was 75% with 4 complete (33%) and 5 partial responses (42%). After radiotherapy, response increased to 100% with 8 complete (73%) and 3 partial responses (27%). Complete response occurred in 6 of the 7 patients with limited disease and 2 of the 5 patients with extensive disease. Overall survival rate was 73% at 1 year, 36% at 2 years and 12% at 3 years with a median survival time of 21 months. Survival was better in patients with limited disease than in those with extensive disease (median survival time, 21.5 months vs. 14 months). In the 3-Year follow-up period, all patients had recurrences consisting of 4 distant, 2 local and 5 both. Myelosuppression was mild to moderate and there were no deaths related to the side effects of treatment.

Fc receptor-mediated desensitization of superoxide (O2-) generation response of guinea-pig macrophages and polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Guinea-pig macrophages were pretreated with soluble immune complexes (1 hr, at 37 degrees). By this procedure, the capacity of the cells to produce superoxide anions (O2-) upon stimulation with wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA) was inhibited by as much as 80% (desensitization). However, the receptors for WGA were still available on the cell surfaces as determined by the binding of 125I-labelled WGA to both the pretreated and control cells. This inhibition of O2- generation was also observed when opsonized zymosan (Op-zymosan) was used as the stimulus for O2- generation. In contrast, the inhibition by soluble immune complexes was less than 25% of the control levels when the desensitized cells were stimulated with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The same procedure was also used to desensitize guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN). In this case, the O2- generation of the PMN was suppressed to 50-55% of the control level when WGA or fMLP was used as stimulus. However, the PMA-induced O2- generation was far less affected by this treatment, as was the case with the macrophages. The activity of the desensitized macrophages for O2- generation recovered gradually to a normal level 24 hr after removal of the immune complexes from the medium. These results suggest that (i) some regulatory mechanisms which suppress the activation of NADPH oxidase are accentuated by prolonged exposure of guinea-pig macrophages and PMN with soluble immune complexes; (ii) the mechanism for O2- generation mediated by WGA or Op-zymosan may be different from that for O2- generation mediated by PMA, and (iii) the mechanism for O2- generation mediated by fMLP differs between macrophages and PMN.

Down-regulation of Fc receptor expression in guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages by muramyl dipeptide or lipopolysaccharide

Expression of Fc receptors on the plasma membrane of guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) was suppressed to almost one-half of that of the controls by long-term exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or muramyl dipeptide (MDP) in culture. The effect of the reagents was dose and time dependent, and as little as 0.5 ng/ml LPS or 5 ng/ml MDP was effective for the suppression. The expression of the Fc receptors decreased to 60 to 70% of the control level at 48 hr and to 45 to 50% at 72 hr after incubation of the cells in the presence of LPS or MDP. A Scatchard plot of the binding of 125I-soluble immune complexes (I.C.) to the cells revealed that the decrease in the binding of 125I-I.C. is due to a reduction in the number of Fc receptors on the cell membrane and not to a decreased affinity of the receptors. The membrane protein was radio-labeled with 125I, and the Fc receptors were purified by being bound to insoluble I.C. The specific binding of the 125I-labeled Fc receptors, from the LPS-treated macrophages, to the insoluble I.C. was almost one-half of that from the untreated control cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified 125I-labeled Fc receptors revealed that the major peak of the m.w. 44,000 molecule in the LPS-treated cells was almost one-half of that of the control. Contrary to the effect of LPS or MDP, 72-hr incubation of macrophages with MIF-rich supernatant, cultured from lymph node cells, enhanced the expression of Fc receptors. Macrophages were treated with I.C. for 4 hr at 37 degrees C to remove the Fc receptors from the surface membrane. The reappearance of the receptors on the plasma membrane of the cells was significantly suppressed by LPS and MDP. The effect of LPS on the binding of five murine monoclonal antibodies (Ab) raised against PEM to the macrophage membrane and also that of 125I-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or 125I-insulin was studied. The monoclonal Ab were selected for their activity to induce superoxide anion generation in the macrophages, as do I.C., although the binding sites for the monoclonal Ab were not related to Fc receptors. The bindings of the five monoclonal Ab were not affected by exposure of the cells to LPS or MDP. Macrophages treated with the reagents bound as much 125I-insulin or WGA as did the untreated control cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Characterization of three monoclonal antibodies which induce and modulate superoxide anion generation in guinea pig macrophages

Three monoclonal antibodies (Ab), termed KY 12, KY 22, and KY 25 and raised against guinea pig macrophages, induced superoxide anion (O2-) generation in the cells. Although each monoclonal Ab bound to macrophages, each had a different pattern of binding to other cell types. In response to each of the Ab, the amount of O2- generated by 5 X 10(5) macrophages was between 0.5 and 0.7 nmol/min and was augmented threefold to fivefold by the addition of F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit Abs to mouse Ig. When macrophages were pretreated with soluble immune complexes (I.C.) prior to stimulation by the monoclonal Ab, the O2- generation stimulated by KY 12 or KY 22 was reduced by more than 70%. In contrast, pretreatment of macrophages with I.C. did not reduce O2- generation in response to KY 25. KY 12 and KY 22 stimulated adenyl cyclase activity in macrophages, but KY 25 did not. Pretreatment of the cells with soluble I.C. did not interfere with the enhancing effect of the monoclonal Ab on adenyl cyclase activity. Pretreatment of macrophages with KY 12 reduced by over 60% of subsequent generation of O2- in response to wheat germ agglutinin, I.C., formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, phorbol myristate acetate, KY 22, or KY 25. KY 22 or KY 25 did not suppress the generation of O2- in response to other stimuli. These results suggest that KY 22 and KY 25 activate O2- generation in a manner that differs from that of KY 12. These monoclonal Ab should prove useful in examining the regulation of O2- production.

Down-regulation of Fc receptor expression in guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages by muramyl dipeptide or lipopolysaccharide

Expression of Fc receptors on the plasma membrane of guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) was suppressed to almost one-half of that of the controls by long-term exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or muramyl dipeptide (MDP) in culture. The effect of the reagents was dose and time dependent, and as little as 0.5 ng/ml LPS or 5 ng/ml MDP was effective for the suppression. The expression of the Fc receptors decreased to 60 to 70% of the control level at 48 hr and to 45 to 50% at 72 hr after incubation of the cells in the presence of LPS or MDP. A Scatchard plot of the binding of 125I-soluble immune complexes (I.C.) to the cells revealed that the decrease in the binding of 125I-I.C. is due to a reduction in the number of Fc receptors on the cell membrane and not to a decreased affinity of the receptors. The membrane protein was radio-labeled with 125I, and the Fc receptors were purified by being bound to insoluble I.C. The specific binding of the 125I-labeled Fc receptors, from the LPS-treated macrophages, to the insoluble I.C. was almost one-half of that from the untreated control cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified 125I-labeled Fc receptors revealed that the major peak of the m.w. 44,000 molecule in the LPS-treated cells was almost one-half of that of the control. Contrary to the effect of LPS or MDP, 72-hr incubation of macrophages with MIF-rich supernatant, cultured from lymph node cells, enhanced the expression of Fc receptors. Macrophages were treated with I.C. for 4 hr at 37 degrees C to remove the Fc receptors from the surface membrane. The reappearance of the receptors on the plasma membrane of the cells was significantly suppressed by LPS and MDP. The effect of LPS on the binding of five murine monoclonal antibodies (Ab) raised against PEM to the macrophage membrane and also that of 125I-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or 125I-insulin was studied. The monoclonal Ab were selected for their activity to induce superoxide anion generation in the macrophages, as do I.C., although the binding sites for the monoclonal Ab were not related to Fc receptors. The bindings of the five monoclonal Ab were not affected by exposure of the cells to LPS or MDP. Macrophages treated with the reagents bound as much 125I-insulin or WGA as did the untreated control cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Characterization of three monoclonal antibodies which induce and modulate superoxide anion generation in guinea pig macrophages

Three monoclonal antibodies (Ab), termed KY 12, KY 22, and KY 25 and raised against guinea pig macrophages, induced superoxide anion (O2-) generation in the cells. Although each monoclonal Ab bound to macrophages, each had a different pattern of binding to other cell types. In response to each of the Ab, the amount of O2- generated by 5 X 10(5) macrophages was between 0.5 and 0.7 nmol/min and was augmented threefold to fivefold by the addition of F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit Abs to mouse Ig. When macrophages were pretreated with soluble immune complexes (I.C.) prior to stimulation by the monoclonal Ab, the O2- generation stimulated by KY 12 or KY 22 was reduced by more than 70%. In contrast, pretreatment of macrophages with I.C. did not reduce O2- generation in response to KY 25. KY 12 and KY 22 stimulated adenyl cyclase activity in macrophages, but KY 25 did not. Pretreatment of the cells with soluble I.C. did not interfere with the enhancing effect of the monoclonal Ab on adenyl cyclase activity. Pretreatment of macrophages with KY 12 reduced by over 60% of subsequent generation of O2- in response to wheat germ agglutinin, I.C., formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, phorbol myristate acetate, KY 22, or KY 25. KY 22 or KY 25 did not suppress the generation of O2- in response to other stimuli. These results suggest that KY 22 and KY 25 activate O2- generation in a manner that differs from that of KY 12. These monoclonal Ab should prove useful in examining the regulation of O2- production.

[Clinical significance of CEA levels in lung cancer]

Serum concentrations of CEA, Ferritin, beta 2-MG, TPA and IAP were measured in patients with lung cancer. Significant difference of positive rate between lung cancer and benign chest disease was observed only in CEA and TPA. CEA elevations occurred most frequently with stage IV and histologically with adenocarcinoma. Positive CEA levels (greater than or equal to 5 ng/ml) of pleural effusion were observed in 75% of all patients with lung cancer and increased to 94% in patients with positive cytology of effusion. There was not significant difference of bronchial washings CEA levels between lung cancer and benign chest disease. Furthermore, serial measurement of postoperative CEA levels had considerable value in monitoring the course of disease following resection.

Superoxide anion generation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes enhanced in a patient with colony-stimulating activity-producing lung cancer

We examined superoxide (O-2)-generating activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from a patient with lung cancer in whom there was a marked granulocytosis. There was a high level of colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in both the serum and the supernatant of the culture of the primary tumor. The PMN from the patient produced almost three times more O-2 than did the PMN from healthy donors and other patients with lung cancers but with no granulocytosis. The binding of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), used as a stimulus for O-2 generation, to the surface membrane of cells and the protein content in the cells were about double that noted in the case of healthy donors. Following total extirpation of the tumor, the level of CSA in the serum decreased, as did activity of PMN for O-2 generation, and the binding of WGA to the cells reverted to normal levels.

Phorbol myristate acetate-induced modulation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) against human erythroleukemic K562 cells was studied by the use of a 3-h 51Cr-release assay. Pretreatment of PMNs with PMA (10 ng/ml) for 60 min resulted in inhibition of subsequent ADCC. This inhibition was dependent on doses of PMA. The effect of pretreatment of PMNs with PMA on O2- generation of the cells was also studied. The ability of the cells to generate O2- was not suppressed, and the expression of Fc receptors on the cell membrane was well preserved. In contrast, the addition of PMA to the ongoing ADCC (5 to 30 min after the start of the ADCC assay) enhanced the activity of the cells for ADCC. This augmentation was abolished by catalase, whereas ADCC itself was not affected by the agent. These results imply divalent effects of PMA on the ADCC of PMNs. The suppression of ADCC activity of PMNs by pretreatment with PMA is not due to inhibition of the reactive oxygen burst of the cells. The augmentation of ongoing ADCC by the addition of PMA is due to secretion of hydrogen peroxide from the cells induced by PMA, and this augmentation occurs only when the interaction between effector and target cells exists through Fc receptor.

Biphasic effects of muramyl dipeptide or lipopolysaccharide on superoxide anion-generating activities of macrophages

The superoxide anion (O2-)-generating activity of guinea pig macrophages stimulated by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), immune complexes, or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was studied after short- and long-term exposures of the cells to muramyl dipeptide (MDP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Neither MDP nor LPS alone induced O2- release in macrophages. Short-term (30 min) exposure to these agents caused the enhanced release of O2- in response to WGA or immune complexes, though the PMA-induced O2- generation was not affected. On the other hand, long-term exposure (more than 24 h) to MDP or LPS progressively enhanced O2- generation of the cells induced by WGA, immune complexes, or even PMA. These results suggest that the mechanism for O2- generation of macrophages stimulated by WGA or immune complexes differs from that stimulated by PMA and that the differences also exist between short- and long-term exposure to MDP or LPS.

[Formation of experimental obesity by Crisco]

Randomized male litter S.D. rats (weight: about 60 g, 1 group: 10 rats) were used. By using Crisco (hydrogenated cotton seed oil) within the limits of 10 approximately 60%, the intake of the 30% group was high and a good incidence rate of obesity (about 100%) was obtained in the 6 month experiment. In the 30% group, increases of wet weight in perirenal retroperitoneal and subcutaneous fat depots, increases of the number and diameter of fat cells (perirenal retroperitoneal fat depot), elevations of liver fat % and serum insulin level, and a fall of liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity were observed in the 3 month experiment.

Assessment of the role of surgery for stage III bronchogenic carcinoma

In order to assess the role of surgery for stage III bronchogenic carcinoma, we reviewed our results of 282 patients who were treated with surgical resection or various other therapy modalities. The survival in patients who underwent surgical resection was significantly better than those with nonresectable carcinoma. However, superior survival results were demonstrated only in patients with complete resection. In contrast, the survival in patients with palliative resection was similar to that in patients with exploratory thoracotomy and inoperable carcinoma. On the other hand, all patients with T3N2 lesions died of their disease within two years after surgery even when undergoing complete resection. Thus, we conclude that radical resection should be indicated in patients with T3N0-1 and T1-2N2 lesions if complete resection is expected.

[Effect of adjuvant immunotherapy with Nocardia rubra cell-wall skeleton in lung cancer]

A randomized clinical trial of intrapleural Nocardia rubra cell-wall skeleton (N-CWS) followed by intradermal N-CWS was performed against lung cancer patients from November, 1977 to June 1981. Totally, 190 patients were entered into this trial. The N-CWS treatment was effective in terms of prolongation of remission duration against not only operable but also inoperable patients. However, significant improvement of survival rate was observed only in operable patients, especially curative+relatively curative resection-group (p less than 0.05). The mode of recurrence was classified as local recurrence and distant metastasis in the curative+relatively curative resection-group. The rates of distant metastasis were 34.1 and 17.6%, respectively, in the control and the N-CWS groups. The rate of local recurrence was 13.6% in the control group, however, no local recurrence was observed in the C-NWS group. These results indicate the clinical effectiveness of the N-CWS treatment especially in curatively resectable lung cancer. No serious side effect was experienced during this trial.

Combined treatment of autochthonous 3-methylcholanthrene-induced murine tumors by immunotherapy and radiotherapy

C57BL/6J mice with autochthonous 3-methylcholanthrene-induced tumors were given combined therapy with 2,000 rad of local irradiation and regional injections of cell-wall skeleton of Nocardia rubra (N-CWS). The greatest suppression of the tumor growth and the highest survival rate were observed in the combined treatment group as compared to the non-treated control, regional injections of N-CWS alone and irradiation alone groups. In addition, pulmonary metastasis was significantly suppressed by the combined therapy.

Successful regional immunotherapy with cell-wall skeletons of BCG and Nocardia rubra against autochthonous rat tumors

Autochthonous tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) in the thigh of Fischer 344 rats were treated by nonspecific immunotherapy with cell-wall skeleton of BCG (BCG-CWS) or Nocardia rubra (N-CWS) after incomplete radiotherapy. When MCA-induced autochthonous tumors grew to 3 cm in diameter, they were resected and autografted to the contralateral thigh. When the autografted tumors reached 1 cm in diameter, they were exposed to a single irradiation with 2000 rad giving rise to complete shrinkage in 16.6% of the cases. The rates of complete shrinkage were increased to 36.4% and 58.3%, respectively, by combined regional immunotherapy with BCG-CWS or N-CWS. Furthermore, immunoprophylactic effects of BCG-CWS and N-CWS were also detected in this experimental system.