Modulation of phorbol ester-associated events in epidermal cells by linoleate and arachidonate

To elucidate the events elicited by the skin tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which are modulated by linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA), the activity of these fatty acids in cultured mouse epidermal cells was compared. Approximately 94% of either exogenous radiolabelled fatty acid was incorporated into the total phospholipid pool over 15 h. The relative distribution among the phospholipid classes differed, however, such that approximately 70% of phospholipid-associated [14C]-LA was found in phosphatidylcholine, compared to approximately 30% for [14C]AA. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol/phosphatidylserine contained 17 and 13% of the phospholipid [14C]LA, and 34 and 30% of [14C]AA, respectively. Prostaglandin (PG) E2 production was low but similar in unstimulated cultures prelabelled with either [14C]LA or [14C]AA. However, in cultures treated with TPA (1.6 microM), [14C]AA-prelabelling resulted in approximately three times the amount of [14C]PGE2 compared with cultures prelabelled with [14C]LA. Cultured cells were found to contain significant delta 6 desaturase activity, which may enable conversion of LA to AA, and thus may account for the observed PGE2 production from [14C]LA treated cells. AA-Supplemented (1.6 microM) cultures supported approximately twice the induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity by TPA compared with cultures treated with 1.8 microM LA. Activation of partially purified protein kinase C was similar for either fatty acid tested over a 10-300 microM dose range. Overall, the results suggest that LA does not have the same biological activity as AA with regard to several TPA-associated events known to be important in skin tumor promotion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of an EBV transformed cell line and an EBV hybridoma cell line producing the same human anti-HBs monoclonal antibody

A stable human-mouse heterohybridoma secreting human anti-HBs monoclonal antibody in continuous culture for 12 months was generated. It grew faster than the parent EBV transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) but produced the same level of specific antibody. The LCL was positive for the Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen (EBNA), human CD 23 and contained a diploid number of human chromosomes. The heterohybridoma was negative for EBNA, CD 23 and mouse Ly-1 mouse, despite retaining a full complement of diploid mouse chromosomes and a limited number of human chromosomes.

Differential effects of dietary linoleic acid on mouse skin-tumor promotion and mammary carcinogenesis

On the basis of reports of rat mammary- and pancreas-tumor models, we hypothesized that an increase in consumption of linoleic acid (LA) would also cause an enhancement in mouse skin-tumor promotion. SEN-CAR mice were placed on diets containing 0.8%, 2.2%, 3.5%, 4.5%, 5.6%, 7.0%, or 8.4% LA, 1 week after initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and 3 weeks before starting promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. An inverse correlation (r = -0.92) was observed between papilloma number and level of LA; however, there was little difference in tumor incidence. A relationship between diet and carcinoma incidence was also found. The fatty acid composition of epidermal phospholipids reflected the dietary LA levels. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced epidermal prostaglandin E2 levels generally decreased with increasing dietary LA. To determine whether this inverse correlation between dietary LA and tumor yield was due to species differences or organ-model differences, a mammary carcinogenesis experiment was performed. SENCAR mice were fed the 0.8%, 4.5%, and 8.4% LA diets. All mice received 6 mg 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, administered intragastrically at 1 mg/week. Tumor appearance was delayed in the 0.8% LA diet group, and a positive dose-response relationship between dietary LA and mammary-tumor incidence was observed. These studies suggest that the effect of dietary LA on tumor development is target tissue specific rather than species specific.

The effect of dietary fat on the rapid development of mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in SENCAR mice

We recently reported (J. Leyton et al., Cancer Res., 51: 907-915, 1991) an inverse correlation between skin tumor number and level of dietary linoleic acid (LA) in SENCAR mice following an initiation-promotion protocol. These results differed from the reported (C. Ip et al., Cancer Res., 45: 1997-2001, 1985) positive correlation between dietary LA and tumor incidence for the rat mammary gland. The goal of the study reported here was to determine whether this dissimilarity was due to organ site or species differences. Female SENCAR mice were fed 1 of 3 15% fat diets containing LA at levels of 0.8, 4.5, and 8.4% before, during, and after intragastric administration of 6 mg (1 mg/week) 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. A positive correlation between level of dietary LA and mammary tumor incidence was observed such that for the first 15 weeks, the incidence was greatest in the 8.4% LA diet group, followed by the 4.5% and then the 0.8% LA groups. Distinct dietary effects on latency were also noted in that 15, 12, and 8 weeks after cessation of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene were required for a 40% carcinoma incidence in the 0.8, 4.5, and 8.4% LA diet groups, respectively. A histopathological analysis of all tumors revealed that the predominant type was the adenosquamous carcinoma, which comprised 46.6, 54.1, and 77.7% of all mammary tumors for diets containing 0.8, 4.5, and 8.4% LA, respectively. The second most common tumor was the adenocarcinoma type B, which was found with a frequency of 33% in the 0.8% and 4.5% LA diet groups and 22% in the 8.4% LA diet group. These results indicate that SENCAR mice have a short latency period for 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumor development and that rat and mouse mammary tumor development is modified by dietary LA in a similar manner, although in the SENCAR mouse dietary LA did not have a saturating effect. In addition, high dietary LA was found to be associated specifically with an increased incidence of adenosquamous carcinomas but not of other types of mammary tumors.

Development and characterization of human anti-HBs antibodies

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 13 healthy hepatitis B vaccines were transformed with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) producing antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs antibodies). Seven LCL and two clones secreting human anti-HBs monoclonal antibody were generated and their antibodies purified. One clone was fused with a mouse myeloma and the antibody from a cloned anti-HBs secreting heterohybridoma purified. One of the 10 purified human anti-HBs antibodies was characterized as IgG4, the remainder were IgG1. The antibodies had either kappa or lambda light chains. Five of the antibodies which were conjugated to horseradish peroxidase recognised the "a" group determinants.

Epitope mapping of HBsAg using a panel of human anti-HBs antibodies

Mapping of B cell epitopes on HBsAg was performed using a panel of human anti-HBs antibodies. Synthetic peptides representing different regions of HBsAg failed to inhibit the binding of two antibodies which recognized non-conformational HBsAg determinants in dot-blot ELISA and HBsAg polypeptide bands in immunoblot analysis. Cross-inhibition studies using five of the antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase suggested that at least three different epitopes are recognised by the panel of antibodies, two of which are within the 'a' group determinant.

Modulation of phorbol ester-elicited events in mouse epidermis by dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids

Because arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids are potent modulators of hyperproliferation and inflammation during skin tumor promotion with the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (17, 18), it was hypothesized that dietary modification of epidermal fatty acids might modulate TPA-induced biochemical events in mouse skin. Semipurified diets containing 10% total fat composed of corn oil (CO) or a combination of CO and menhaden oil (MO) or coconut oil (CT) were fed to SENCAR mice for 4 weeks. Fatty acid composition of epidermal phospholipids generally reflected fatty acid composition of dietary oils fed to the mice. Since fatty acid-derived eicosanoids are thought to be essential in tumorigenesis, we compared the effects of dietary fats on prostaglandin E (PGE) production in epidermis treated with a single dose of TPA. TPA-induced PGE production in mouse epidermis from mice fed the MO diet was significantly reduced compared to PGE production in epidermal homogenates from mice fed the CO or CT diets. Type of dietary fats did not appear to modulate TPA-induced vascular permeability, however hyperplasia was slightly elevated in skins of mice fed MO. The subcellular distribution of protein kinase C, the plasma membrane receptor for TPA predominantly located in the cytosol (80%), was altered in epidermis from mice fed the MO diet compared to preparations from mice fed CO or CT diets which exhibited normal protein kinase C distribution. Our results suggest that n-3 rich dietary lipids modulate TPA-elicited events in mouse skin to a greater extent than diets containing higher proportions of saturated or n-6 fatty acids.

Dietary fish oil and the severity of symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

A prospective, double blind, cross over study assessing the effects of a low fat, high marine oil diet in 27 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus has been performed. The patients were given 20 g daily of MaxEPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) or 20 g of olive oil (placebo) in matching capsules added to a standardised isoenergetic low fat diet. When individual outcome measures of the 17 patients who completed the full 34 week study were considered 14 who were receiving MaxEPA achieved useful or ideal status, whereas 13 receiving placebo were rated as worse or no change. The difference between the two types of capsule was statistically significant. No major side effects were noted, and it is suggested that dietary modification with additional marine oil may be a useful way of modifying disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Expression of a common idiotype PR4 in the sera of patients with leprosy

The sera of 187 patients from across the leprosy spectrum were screened for the expression of the PR4 idiotype, which was first identified on a human hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibody from a patient with leprosy and found to react with the Mycobacterium leprae phenolic glycolipid and a variety of polynucleotides. Sixty per cent (51 out of 85) of patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL), 66% (33 out of 49) with borderline lepromatous (BL) disease, 47% (14 out of 30) with borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy, and 56% (13 out of 23) of tuberculoid (TT) patients were found to have significantly elevated titres of the PR4 idiotype in their sera compared with endemic controls, irrespective of the presence or absence of endemic malaria. Sera from 52 patients with tuberculosis were also screened as a control for mycobacterial infection. The PR4 idiotype was significantly elevated in 37% (19 out of 52) of these patients. No correlation between idiotype and serum immunoglobulins IgG and IgM was found, indicating that the concentrations of idiotype levels in sera were not merely a reflection of changes in serum immunoglobulin levels. It is hypothesized that the expression of the PR4 idiotype is due to certain germline genes preferentially expressed rather than being the result of polyclonal B cell activation.

The effect of dietary lipid on skin tumor promotion by benzoyl peroxide: comparison of fish, coconut and corn oil

Fish or vegetable oils were fed during the promotion stage of a mouse skin carcinogenesis model in order to investigate the effects of dietary fat on tumor development. Two weeks after initiation with 10 nmol dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, SENCAR mice were divided into five groups and maintained on one of the following semipurified diets containing 10% total fat and varying the type of fat: 8.5% coconut oil (CT)/1.5% corn oil (CO); 1% menhaden oil (MO)/7.5% CT/1.5% CO; 4% MO/4.5% CT/1.5% CO; 8.5% MO/1.5% CO; or 10% CO. Promotion with twice-weekly applications of 40 mg benzoyl peroxide was begun 2 weeks later and continued for 52 weeks. No statistically significant differences in kcal food consumed or body weights were observed between diet groups. Papilloma latency, incidence and yield differed among the diet groups with the group fed the 8.5% CT/1.5% CO diet having the shortest latency and highest papilloma incidence and number. In addition, carcinoma latency and incidence was assessed and the first carcinoma appeared in the group fed 8.5% CT/1.5% CO after 20 weeks of benzoyl peroxide treatment; this group yielded the highest carcinoma incidence throughout the study. In comparison, the group fed the 10% CO diet had the longest latency period, and among the lowest papilloma and carcinoma incidence and fewest tumors. In parallel studies, ornithine decarboxylase activity, vascular permeability and hyperplasia were elevated in the epidermis of benzoyl peroxide-treated mice but the extent of the response did not correlate with the different rates of tumor formation observed among the diet groups. These data indicate that dietary fat modulates tumor promotion by benzoyl peroxide in this skin carcinogenesis model with the predominantly saturated fat diet producing the highest rates of papilloma and carcinogen formation and the polyunsaturated fat diet the lowest.

Specificity of lymphocytotoxic autoantibodies (LCAbs) found in the serum of leprosy patients: class I MHC antigens

Lymphocytotoxic autoantibodies (LCAbs) of the IgM class have been identified in patients with borderline tuberculoid (BT) and borderline lepromatous (BL) leprosy with Type I reactions (I) as well as lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients with erythema nodosum leprosum reactions (ENL). The observation that lymphocytotoxic activity (LCA) was reduced in the presence of platelets led us to determine whether LCAbs had specificities for Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) determinants. Absorption of LCA positive sera with platelets, classically used to deplete Class I specific lymphocytotoxic antibodies, reduced LCA towards autologous as well as allogeneic target cells. This was true for LCA positive sera from all patient classifications (group BT in the autologous system, p less than 0.01; in all other patient groups, p less than 0.001). Introducing B-2m to cytotoxicity assays only marginally reduced LCA when added at high concentrations (5 mg/ml). An anti-Class I MHC antiserum which blocked the lytic activity. The data indicate that LCAbs while absorbed by platelets, are not specific for the Class I MHC antigens. The autoantigen recognized by these autoantibodies therefore remains to be identified.

Effects of type of dietary fat on phorbol ester-elicited tumor promotion and other events in mouse skin

Based on the biological activity of arachidonic acid metabolites, we hypothesized that alterations in the consumption of linoleic acid, the precursor to arachidonic acid, would result in a modification in tumor development when fed during the tumor promotion stage of the mouse skin initiation-promotion model. The effects of seven different levels of dietary linoleic acid (LA), supplied as corn oil in a 15% fat diet, on the incidence and rate of papilloma and carcinoma development were determined. SENCAR mice were placed on one of the experimental diets, containing 1.0, 3.6, 6.0, 7.9, 9.9, 12.5, or 15.0% corn oil, 1 week after initiation with 10 nmol of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and 3 weeks prior to the start of twice weekly promotion with 1 micrograms 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). At 15 weeks of TPA treatment there were significant differences in papilloma number among diet groups, such that an inverse correlation (r = 0.92) was observed between tumor number and level of corn oil; the lowest corn oil diet group had an average of 11.7 tumors/mouse, while the highest corn oil group had 5.4 tumors/mouse. However, there was little difference in tumor incidence among diet groups. A general relationship between diet and carcinoma incidence was also found, such that the highest corn oil diet group had the lowest carcinoma incidence. In an experiment performed with DBA/2 mice, the average number of papillomas/mouse at 17 weeks was 4.5 (1.0% corn oil), 5.6 (7.9%) corn oil), and 2.3 (15.0% corn oil). Papilloma incidence was also affected by diet, with a 79% incidence for the 15.0% corn oil and an incidence of 93% for the 1.0% corn oil group. analyses of the fatty acid composition of epidermal phospholipids in mice fed the experimental diets reflected the dietary LA levels, in that an accumulation of phospholipid LA, accompanied by an overall decrease in arachidonic acid, occurred with increasing dietary corn oil. In spite of the high membrane levels of LA, no measurable amount of epidermal conjugated dienes of LA could be detected. Epidermal prostaglandin E2 levels in acetone-treated mice were similar for all diet groups (approximately 3 pg/micrograms DNA). However, 6 h after topical application with 4 micrograms of TPA, prostaglandin E2 levels were elevated 5- to 10-fold; an inverse correlation (P less than 0.05) was seen with increasing dietary LA, although the concordance with decreased phospholipid arachidonic acid was not strong.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The effect of the level of dietary corn oil on mouse skin carcinogenesis

To investigate the effects of two levels of dietary corn oil on tumorigenesis, semipurified diets containing 5% or 10% corn oil were fed during the promotion stage of a mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Sencar mice were initiated with 10 nmol dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and promoted with either 1 microgram 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or 40 mg benzoyl peroxide twice weekly for 24 or 52 weeks, respectively. No significant differences in kilocalories of food consumed or body weights were observed between the diet groups during the study. Fatty acid profiles of the epidermal phospholipids reflected dietary fat intake. For example, high levels of linoleate and low levels of arachidonate were found in the phosphatidylcholine fraction from mice fed the 10% corn oil diet compared with 5% corn oil. When the diets were fed during TPA promotion, the papilloma incidence after 11 weeks of treatment for the 5% corn oil group was 77% and 37% for the 10% corn oil group. By 15 weeks of TPA treatment, papilloma incidence between the diet groups was similar, and later, carcinoma incidence and yield were not different between the two groups. For the animals treated with benzoyl peroxide, there was only a slight but not significant difference in papilloma and carcinoma appearance. In parallel studies, ornithine decarboxylase activity, vascular permeability, hyperplasia, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were elevated in the epidermis after promoter treatment, but only hyperplasia and PGE2 synthesis tended to reflect the dietary effects on tumor appearance. These data suggest that the quantity of dietary corn oil at the two levels tested, 5% and 10%, altered epidermal phospholipid fatty acid composition and PGE2 levels and had modest effects on the modulation of tumorigenesis in this skin model.

The effect of various dietary fats on skin tumor initiation

The type of dietary fat has been shown to modulate the initiation stage of mammary tumorigenesis, with saturated fat fed before and/or during carcinogen treatment resulting in increased tumor incidence. This study was designed to determine whether different types of dietary fat alter the initiation stage of skin carcinogenesis by use of the initiation-promotion mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Sencar mice were divided into three groups and maintained on one of the experimental diets. The AIN-76-based diets consisted of 10% total fat with various types of fat: 8.5% menhaden oil plus 1.5% corn oil, 8.5% coconut oil plus 1.5% corn oil, and 10% corn oil. After three weeks mice were initiated with 10 nmol dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Two weeks later, all mice were switched to a diet containing 5% corn oil. Promotion began four weeks after initiation with twice-weekly application of 1 microgram 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and continued for 12 weeks. No statistically significant differences in kilocalories of food consumed or body weights were observed between diet groups during the study. The final papilloma incidence, yield, and size were not significantly different among the diet groups. In a parallel study, [3H]DMBA binding to epidermal DNA showed no dietary differences. Unlike the mammary carcinogenesis model, these data suggest that the type of fat fed during DMBA initiation had minimal effects on this stage of skin carcinogenesis.

Lack of a protective effect of menhaden oil on skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Fish oil has been shown to have a protective effect in some cancer models. To determine whether fish oil alters skin tumorigenesis, a study was designed using the initiation-promotion mouse skin carcinogenesis model, feeding mice during the promotion stage a constant overall amount of dietary fat (10%) in which the levels of menhaden oil (MO) varied from 0 to 8.5% or corn oil (CO) at 10%. SENCAR mice were initiated with 10 nmol dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Two weeks later mice were divided into five groups and maintained on one of the following AIN-76 based diets consisting of: 8.5% coconut oil (CT)/1.5% CO (diet A); 1% MO/7.5% CT/1.5% CO (diet B); 4% MO/4.5% CT/1.5% CO (diet C); 8.5% MO/1.5% CO (diet D); or 10% CO (diet E). Two weeks later, promotion with twice weekly applications of 1 micrograms 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was begun and continued for 24 weeks. No statistically significant differences in kcal food consumed or body wts were observed between diet groups during the study. The final papilloma and carcinoma incidence was not different among the diet groups. However, differences were seen in the rate of papilloma appearance with the group fed diet E (10% CO) being the slowest and diet B being the most rapid. In a parallel study, ornithine decarboxylase activity, a suggested marker of promotion, was greatly elevated in the epidermis of all TPA-treated mice and the effect of diet tended to reflect the different rates of tumor formation observed among the groups. These data indicate that the diets containing fish oil were not protective in the final incidence of tumor formation and suggest that a better understanding of the complex interactions is warranted before recommendations are made to alter the human diet for cancer prevention.

Inhibition of hepatocarcinogenesis in mice by dietary methyl donors methionine and choline

A dietary deficiency of methyl donors, the lipotropes methionine and choline, enhances the activity of hepatocarcinogens in rodents. To determine if the reverse is true, an excess of dietary choline, methionine, or both was fed to male mice given a carcinogenic dose of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Fifty weeks following the last dose of AFB1, all survivors were killed then examined for tumor incidence, and samples of nontumorous liver tissue were assayed for activities of mixed function oxidases (MFO). Survival was best in the high-methionine/high-choline group, with 36/38 surviving to termination of the study. Survival in the other groups was 35/38, 30/70, 33/38, and 34/37 in control with no AFB1, control with AFB1, groups with high methionine, and high choline, respectively. Combined adenoma/carcinoma incidence was 8/38, 30/37, 21/38, 20/37, and 10/38 in groups control with no AFB1, control with AFB1, high methione with AFB1, high choline with AFB1, and high choline and high methionine with AFB1, respectively. Cytochrome P450, cytochrome B5, cytochrome C, and ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities were all increased over controls, with most marked increases in the cytochrome P450 and ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities. The data presented here document a protective effect of dietary methyl donors on AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice probably acting, in part, via activation/detoxification mechanisms favoring an increased balance in detoxification of AFB1.

Serum lymphocytotoxic activity in leprosy

Sera from 167 patients across the spectrum of leprosy and 46 endemic controls were screened for lymphocytotoxic activity (LCA). The Terasaki microdroplet lymphocytotoxicity assay was performed at 37 degrees C and 15 degrees C to test sera for LCA against a panel of lymphocytes from 50 donors which represented most known HLA-ABC antigens. Raised complement-dependent LCA at 15 degrees C was seen in leprosy patients with histories of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) or reversal/Type I (I) reactions. Eighty-six per cent of lepromatous (LL) patients with a history of ENL (n = 21, P less than 0.001), 83% of borderline lepromatous (BL) and 88% of borderline tuberculoid patients (BT) with a history of Type I reactions (n = 12, P less than 0.01 and n = 24, P less than 0.001 respectively) had LCA compared to 39% of endemic controls (n = 46). LCA was attributed to IgM on the basis of reduced activity when serum was treated with both dithiothreitol or absorbed with antiserum for IgM. Removal of immune complexes and rheumatoid factor did not influence LCA. LCA-positive sera reacted similarly with allogeneic lymphocytes from either healthy donors or leprosy patients. Moreover LCA-positive sera reacted with autologous lymphocytes. Specificities for HLA-ABC antigens were not identified. The potential role of these autoantibodies, manifested in leprosy patients with hypersensitivity reactions remains speculative.

Eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acid: comparison of metabolism and activity in murine epidermal cells

The biological activity, including metabolism and modulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity and DNA synthesis, of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were compared in epidermal cells from SENCAR mice. Radiolabelled AA and EPA were found to be similarly incorporated into and released from membrane phospholipids of unstimulated cultures. However, when cells were stimulated with the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the release of AA was significantly higher than the release of EPA. The extent of metabolism of AA and EPA to prostaglandins was determined in both freeze-thawed cell preparations and in viable cultured cells. In the freeze-thawed preparations, use of AA as a substrate resulted in significantly more PGF than when EPA was used as the substrate. However, more PGE3 was formed than PGE2. PGD levels were the same for either fatty acid precursor. Prostaglandin production was also determined in viable cultured cells since other influences such as phospholipase A2 activity can modify prostaglandin production. Control cultures prelabelled with either AA or EPA produced similar amounts of the respective PGF, PGE, and PGD. However, TPA-stimulated cultures produced significantly higher amounts of each prostaglandin in cultures prelabelled with AA compared to cells prelabelled with EPA. HETE or HEPE production was the same both for cultured cells prelabelled with AA or EPA and for homogenates from uncultured cells incubated directly with the radiolabelled fatty acids. TPA-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was significantly higher in AA-treated cultures compared to EPA-treated cultures. AA supports DNA synthesis to a greater extent than EPA, either alone or in the presence of TPA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies of a common idiotype PR4 in autoimmune rheumatic disease

A new common idiotype, designated PR4, is described. This idiotype was originally identified on a human hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibody from a patient with leprosy, which binds the major Mycobacterium leprae-derived antigen, phenolic glycolipid-1, poly(ADP)-ribose, DNA, and poly(dT). The PR4 idiotype was found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (70%), rheumatoid arthritis (40%), and Sjögren's syndrome (15%). It was not, however, found in the spouses of the SLE patients or (unlike other lupus idiotypes) in their healthy first-degree relatives. Although no correlation between PR4 idiotype levels and disease activity in SLE was found, a subset of rheumatoid arthritis patients with high levels of the idiotype was identified.

Human monoclonal antibodies to phenolic glycolipid-I derived from patients with leprosy, and production of specific anti-idiotypes

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced by hybridomas derived from fusion of the GM4672 lymphoblastoid cell line and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from leprosy patients. Hybridoma supernatants were screened for immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion, binding to Mycobacterium leprae, phenolic glycolipid-I (Phen GL-I), the unique M. leprae glycolipid and single-stranded(ss)DNA by ELISA. On the basis of direct-binding ELISAs, two IgMk mAb (PR4 and TH3) were selected for characterization. PR4 and TH3 bound to M. leprae, Phen GL-I and ssDNA; PR4 also bound to M. avium and M. kansasii and TH3 to M. kansasii. Inhibition assays demonstrated that these antibodies did not bind to the terminal disaccharide of Phen GL-I. In addition, both PR4 and TH3 bound to several autoantigens: ssDNA, double-stranded(ds)DNA and poly(ADP-ribose) but not RNA. PR4 and TH3 were used for preparation of rabbit anti-idiotype antisera. Inhibition studies demonstrated that the affinity purified rabbit anti-idiotype antisera were specific for their respective idiotype and that both Phen GL-I and ssDNA inhibited binding of idiotype to its anti-idiotype. PR4, but not TH3, was found to be similar but not identical to the 16/6 idiotype originally identified on a human monoclonal anti-DNA antibody derived from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Human monoclonal antibodies to phenolic glycolipid-1 from leprosy patients cross react with poly(ADP-ribose), polynucleotides and tissue bound antigens

Antibodies which bind to poly(ADP-ribose) have been described in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and a variety of infectious diseases. Two IgM kappa human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), TH3 and PR4, produced from the fusion of peripheral blood lymphocytes of leprosy patients with the GM4672 lymphoblastoid cell line, were found to bind to poly(ADP-ribose) in direct binding and inhibition ELISAs. Significant inhibition of binding of these MAbs to poly(ADP-ribose) occurred with phenolic glycolipid-1, the M. leprae specific glycolipid, ssDNA, dsDNA, poly(dT), as well as poly(ADP-ribose) itself. Up to 80% of binding of TH3, and 90% of binding of PR4, to poly(ADP-ribose) was inhibited by 10 mcg of ssDNA suggesting that there may be sharing of some conformational determinants. Although the serological binding profiles of TH3 and PR4 are similar, only PR4 was found to bind to basal keratinocytes of normal human interfollicular epidermis and astrocyte cytoplasm in normal brain tissue. These results support the concept that an antibody binding site may accommodate more than one epitope. Furthermore, small differences in antigen binding potential may distinguish relatively innocuous antibodies from those which may be more pathogenic.

Natural killer cell activity and autologous mixed lymphocyte response of splenic, mesenteric lymph node, and colonic lymphocytes during DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in the rat

Two in vitro models of immune surveillance were used to examine the immune status of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen during the early stages of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMN)-induced colon tumorigenesis. DMH- and vehicle-treated Fischer rats were sacrificed at one of three time points: one week, two months, or five months after cessation of treatment. Colonic, lymph node, and splenic natural killer cell cytolytic activity toward YAC-1 tumor targets and T-cell response to autologous Ia-induced blastogenesis were measured at each time point. We found little change in natural killer cell activity or T-cell proliferation induced by autologous Ia gene products at these time periods.

Assessment of the immune deficit in leprosy patients and the effect of recombinant IL-2 in vitro

Although the mechanism of immunologic unresponsiveness in lepromatous leprosy remains unknown, it has been shown that interleukin-2 (IL-2) production is defective in these patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from treated (less than 16 months) and untreated leprosy patients as well as household contacts; age, sex, ethnically matched control subjects; and laboratory staff. PBMC were cultured for 6 days with sonicated Mycobacterium leprae (1-10 micrograms/ml), Dharmendra lepromin (1:10), or phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) (0.05-5.0 micrograms/ml) in medium supplemented with various concentrations of recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) or cultured for 3 days with one of the three mycobacterial antigens in the presence of concanavalin A (ConA). TT/BT patients and household control subjects had a robust response to M. leprae and lepromin, but were unresponsive to PGL-I delivered in liposomes. PBMC from LL patients did not respond to any of the three antigen preparations. rIL-2 induced proliferation of PBMC both in leprosy patients and control subjects regardless of the presence or absence of the three leprosy antigen preparations. This antigen nonspecific augmentation of proliferation by the wide range of doses of rIL-2 employed makes difficult the interpretation of the enhanced thymidine incorporation noted when rIL-2 is added in the presence of antigen to cultures of lymphocytes from LL patients. Our studies are at variance with reports that leprosy antigens, specifically PGL-I, induce immunological suppression, in that mycobacterial antigens did not cause significant suppression of the ConA-induced proliferations of PBMC from patients.

Effect of colon tumor development and dietary fat on the immune system of rats treated with DMH

We examined the effect of dietary fat and colon tumorigenesis on the morphology and function of the rat mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and spleen at two stages of tumor development. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurified diets of varying fat content (5% mixed fat, 24% beef fat, 24% corn oil, or 24% Crisco) and treated for five weeks with either the colon carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) or the vehicle (saline). Animals consuming high-fat diets had an increased incidence of splenic follicular and germinal center hyperplasia. Carcinogen treatment had no significant effect on the histological morphology of the spleen. MLN morphology was not dramatically affected by either diet or DMH treatment. At this time period, the splenic lymphocyte transformation response induced by concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin, or pokeweed mitogen was significantly depressed in the group fed 24% corn oil (vehicle-treated) and in the DMH-treated groups fed 5% fat compared with the vehicle-treated group fed 5% fat. In contrast, the MLN transformation response was elevated in the group fed 24% Crisco. DMH treatment did not significantly influence the MLN response. Four months after carcinogen or vehicle treatment, at the point of colon tumor development, no statistically significant differences were seen in the splenic or MLN blastogenic responses of DMH- or saline-treated animals. Splenic natural killer cell cytotoxic activity was also not significantly affected by dietary fat, carcinogen treatment, or tumor development.

Interaction of dietary fat and route of carcinogen administration on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon tumorigenesis in rats

Since the results of an earlier study indicating no effect of dietary fat on dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon cancer in rats differed from those of other investigators, the present study was initiated to determine if the modulating effect of fat intake on colon tumorigenesis was dependent on the route of DMH administration. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats (160) were fed one of two nutritionally balanced diets containing 5% or 24% corn oil (CO). Following 3 weeks adaptation to their respective diets, 40 rats from each diet group were treated with five doses of DMH (30 mg/kg) by intragastric (i.g.) gavage or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection, over a 3 week period. Rats were sacrificed when they showed clinical signs of colon tumor and surviving animals were killed 51 weeks after the initial DMH treatment. The cumulative probability of death with colon carcinoma did not differ between the dietary or treatment groups. There was no effect of route of administration or dietary fat on total intestinal tumor incidence. The number of rats with colon carcinoma was: 5% CO.IG = 25; 24% CO.IG = 27; 5% CO.SC = 23; 24% CO.SC = 19. Polypoid tumor incidence was significantly higher in the 24% CO.SC group (12/40) compared to the 5% CO.SC group (3/40) (Chi-squared = 5.25; p less than 0.03) while sessile tumor incidence was the inverse. Marginally significant differences in tumor morphology were noted between the IG groups.

Comparison of immune status and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced tumorigenesis in brown--Norway and Fischer rats. Emphasis on splenic and colonic lymphocyte function

Sym 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon tumorigenesis was studied in immunologically different strains of rat: the Brown--Norway which is known to be immunologically a low-responder and the Fischer a high-responder. Brown--Norway rats received a total dose of 75, 150 or 225 mg DMH/kg or vehicle and Fischer rats received 150 mg DMH/kg or vehicle over a 3-week period. Rats were killed 5 months after the final treatment. Lymphocytes were isolated from the spleen and colon from rats treated with 150 mg DMH/kg or vehicle. Natural killer (NK) cell activity and the autologous mixed lymphocyte response (AMLR) as well as colon tumor incidence were compared between the two strains. Splenic and colonic intraperithelial lymphocytes (IEL) from the Brown--Norway strain demonstrated low NK activity and reduced splenic T lymphocyte proliferation in response to autologous non-T lymphocytes. As well, colonic lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) proliferation was low and Brown--Norway rats had a low incidence of DMH-induced colon neoplasms (7%). In comparison, the Fischer rats had more effective splenic and IEL NK killing, enhanced splenic AMLR, enhanced LPL proliferation and a higher incidence of colon tumors (20%).

Morphology and distribution of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride-induced colon tumors and their relationship to gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the rat

The histopathology and relationship of sym-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride [(DMH) CAS: 306-37-6; 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride]-induced colon tumors to colonic lymphoid aggregates were examined in outbred male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with saline or DMH and sacrificed at three intervals after treatment. The ratio of polypoid:sessile tumors was 71:29 four months after DMH treatment and 62:38 when tumors were fully developed. Colonic lymphoid aggregates were found 3-5 cm from the cecal-colonic junction, near the flexure of the ascending and transverse colon, and 3-5 cm from the rectum. There were no significant differences between saline-treated and DMH-treated rats regarding the size, cellularity, and number of lymphoid aggregates per rat. A significant association (P less than .001) was seen between tumor development and the presence of a lymphoid aggregate in a given segment of the colon. Sessile adenocarcinomas, but not polypoid tumors, were significantly associated (P less than .001) with lymphoid aggregates and usually presented as mucinous tumors adjacent to or intermixed with the lymphoid tissue.

Lack of effect of dietary fat on N-nitrosomethyl urea (NMU)-induced colon tumorigenesis in rats

The effect of alterations in the quality and quantity of dietary fat on N-nitrosomethyl urea (NMU)-induced colon cancer in rats was studied. Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurified diets containing 24% beef fat, 24% corn oil, 24% Crisco or the three fats in equal parts to make a total of 5% fat. Macronutrients and micronutrients were adjusted to balance the nutrient to calorie ratios. After 4 weeks of dietary treatment, all rats, except vehicle-treated animals received NMU (1.5 mg) via intrarectal instillation, twice a week for 2 weeks. The animals continued receiving the experimental diets until intestinal tumors developed and surviving animals were sacrificed at 43 weeks. There was no effect of any of the high fat diets tested on intestinal tumor incidence, latency, distribution or size. Cumulative probability of death with colon carcinoma did not differ significantly among the dietary groups.

Effect of alterations in the quality and quantity of dietary fat on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon tumorigenesis in rats

The effect of alterations in the quality and quantity of dietary fat on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in rats was studied. Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurified diets containing 24% beef fat, 24% corn oil, 24% Crisco, or the three fats in equal parts to make a total of 5% fat with other macronutrients and micronutrients adjusted to balance the ratios of nutrient to calorie. After 4 weeks of dietary treatment, all rats, except vehicle-treated animals, received 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (15 mg/kg) by gavage, once a week for 5 weeks. The animals were fed the experimental diets until intestinal tumors developed, and surviving animals were sacrificed at 60 weeks. There was no effect of any of the high-fat diets tested on intestinal tumor incidence, latency, size, or frequency. All groups contained the same proportion of adenomas (less than 3%) as well as adenocarcinomas classified as mucinous. In the group fed 24% Crisco, tumors occurred with greater frequency in the proximal section of the colon than in lower segments, but the distribution was approximately uniform in the other groups. Cumulative probability of death with colon carcinoma was lowest in the 24% Crisco group, but the other high-fat groups did not differ significantly from the 5% mixed fat group nor from one another.

The effect of quality and quantity of dietary fat on the immune system

The effect of the quality and quantity of dietary fats on the morphology and function of the immune system of Sprague-Dawley rats fed either 5% mixed fat, 24% saturated fat, 24% polyunsaturated fat, or 24% partially saturated fat was examined. After 2.5 months of dietary treatment high fat groups showed evidence of splenic hyperplasia, however, no consistent morphologic changes were seen in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Splenocytes from rats fed the 24% polyunsaturated fat diet were cultured in fetal bovine serum (FBS) and had a depressed lymphocyte transformation response, which persisted after 5 months of dietary treatment. Supplementing the culture medium with 10% rat serum altered the transformation response profile, but high fat serum did not have an immunosuppressive effect. MLN lymphocytes from rats fed the 24% partially saturated diet for 2.5 months had an enhanced response to concanavalin A; at five months the response was elevated in the groups fed saturated as well as partially saturated fat diets. These results suggest that the modulating effect of fat on the immune system depends on the duration of feeding, the type of fat consumed and the organ examined.