Characteristics and clinical importance of killer (K)-cells

[Lymphocyte subpopulations in the normal cerebrospinal fluid: I. Major reports in the literature]

Data concerning the characterization of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid are reviewed, markedly those on T and B subpopulations. Special attention is given to T-lymphocyte subpopulations actually related to the immune response and to the immune regulation within the central nervous system.

Antibody-dependent killer-cell function in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Antibody-dependent killer-cell activity (ADCC) was determined in 36 insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD) and 32 controls. The medians of cytotoxic indices obtained by using either antibody coated chicken red blood or HeLa cells as targets were statistically significantly reduced in the diabetics (P less than 0.05 for both systems). However, due to the wide range and considerable overlap of the cytotoxic indices observed in patients and controls, the biological significance of these mathematical differences remains to be determined. The duration of the disease did not have any influence on killer (K) cell function and only a slight tendency for decreased ADCC during episodes of poor metabolic control was noted. Further analysis of the influence of diabetes-associated factors did not reveal any definite correlation between the functional K cell deficit, the insulin dosage administered, the insulin antibody titers, the blood glucose at the time of sampling, the 24 hour glucosuria and IDD-associated immunogenetic factors.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: clinical characteristics and evidence for an immunopathogenesis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most common diseases affecting the oral mucosa, and one of its variants is the most painful affliction of the oral mucosa. The lesions of recurrent aphthous stomatitis can be manifested as part of a broad spectrum of clinical disease ranging from the common minor aphthous ulcers to Behçet's syndrome. Differential diagnosis, although not often difficult, must include many conditions capable of producing erosive and ulcerative oral mucosal lesions. The salient features of recurrent aphthous stomatitis suggest that it is a heterogeneous entity. Recent immunologic investigations have focused attention on a possible immunopathogenesis and the evidence for this is reviewed.