T cell receptor V beta variable gene family expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes at the mRNA and membrane protein level

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed, using combinations of an oligonucleotide primer for a T cell receptor V beta gene family and one for the constant C beta gene segments, to assess the expression of each of 20 V beta gene families in RNA after reverse transcription into cDNA. The detection was done after agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products and ethidium bromide staining. The positive identification of the PCR products was done by hybridization with a J beta oligonucleotide probe. For T cell lines, a signal was observed in the V beta 8 combination for Jurkat cells, V beta 5a in HSB cells, V beta 2 and V beta 12a in Molt-3 cells and V beta 2, V beta 5a and V beta 12a in Molt-4 cells. Using mixtures of RNA from different cell lines, the sensitivity of the method was in the range of 0.1-0.5%. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells from four donors, taken at three different occasions, all V beta families were detectable. The intensity of the PCR product varied between various V beta gene families. Flow cytometric analysis of blood mononuclear cells from the same donors with a restricted series of V beta gene family-specific antibodies also revealed the presence of all families. The approach to assess V beta gene family expression in heterogeneous populations opens the possibility to study T cell receptor variable gene expression in relation to physiology and pathologic processes.

Abortive human cytomegalovirus infection in patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was studied in 12 HCMV seronegative recipients of marrow from seropositive donors by weekly monitoring of cultures, expression of HCMV antigenemia (pp65) in granulocytes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on HCMV-DNA in granulocytes and IgM and IgG anti-HCMV antibodies. Eight patients remained negative in all tests as did 33 HCMV seronegative recipients of marrow from seronegative donors. In four patients, a transient expression of HCMV antigen pp65 in granulocytes from peripheral blood, together with a positive PCR on HCMV-DNA from the same samples were found without positive cultures, seroconversion or expression of other HCMV antigens in granulocytes. The data indicate the presence of an abortive HCMV infection in these four patients.

Cytomegalovirus antigenemia assay or PCR can be used to monitor ganciclovir treatment in bone marrow transplant recipients

The antigenemia assay, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid culture technique on buffy coat cells (DEAFF test) were used to monitor 37 cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients for active CMV infection during the first 3 months after BMT. The antigen assay and PCR demonstrated a comparable sensitivity for the detection of CMV in blood: discordant results were only obtained in the early or late phase of infection when the viral load was low. The antigen assay was more sensitive than the DEAFF test. Only 12 out of 40 antigen-positive samples yielded a positive result with DEAFF test, whereas viremia without antigenemia was never found. The discordance between these two tests increased further during antiviral therapy with ganciclovir. A correlation was observed between the duration of antigenemia during treatment and the recurrence of systemic CMV reactivation. Ten out of 11 patients with antigen-positive leukocytes present for more than 1 week after starting the treatment subsequently exhibited a relapse of active infection, whereas only three out of nine patients who resolved their antigenemia within 1 week did so. In conclusion, the antigen assay and PCR are useful techniques for detection of CMV infection in BMT patients. Test results obtained during therapy give reliable information regarding the viral load and the possibility of recurrence of antigenemia, and can be taken into account when prolonged administration of ganciclovir is considered.

[Mechanisms of T-cell-mediated hypersensitivity in mice infected with the intestinal helminth Trichinella spiralis]

Intestinal hypersensitivity reactions during parasitic helminth infections are T-cell-dependent. Little is known about the characteristics of T-cells that initiate and regulate intestinal inflammation or about how they do this. In this paper data are presented that indicate that during Trichinella spiralis infections in mice T-cells regulate intestinal inflammation in the same way that they regulate delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in the skin and cellular immune responses against tumors.

The periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath in immunodeficiency T- or B-lymphocyte area?

T- and B-lymphocyte populations in peripheral lymphoid tissues occur in distinct compartments (e.g., the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath of the splenic white pulp is a T-cell area). The authors report on two patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and one patient with immunodeficiency after anti-T-cell treatment for rejection of a heart transplant, in which the area surrounding the central arteriole in spleen white pulp was well-populated despite T-cell deficiency (documented by, for example, severe depletion of lymph node paracortex). Immunologic phenotyping showed the B-lymphoid lineage of lymphocytes at this location. The framework in the periarteriolar area consisted of follicular dendritic cells, which are typical framework components of B-cell areas. We conclude that assessment of only conventional histopathology of the spleen in these patients leads to erroneous conclusions about the type of immunodeficiency and that immunologic phenotyping is required to document the exact nature of the deficiency.

Epstein-Barr virus in the sublabial salivary gland in Sjögren's syndrome

The proposed role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in salivary gland destruction in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) prompted the authors to study the presence of EBV-DNA (hybridohistochemistry) and EBV-encoded proteins (immunohistochemistry) in sublabial salivary glands taken from eight patients with primary and five with secondary SS and from 16 controls. DNA probes and anti-EBV antibodies were controlled for activity by assessment of human blood B-lymphocytes after in vitro infection with EBV. None of the tissues investigated manifested the presence of EBV proteins (nuclear antigen, early antigen R, membrane antigen, or viral capsid antigen). The salivary gland biopsies of four patients with primary SS and two with secondary SS showed EBV-DNA in epithelial cells of acini and ducts but not in other components. The authors data contrast with those of Fox and colleagues (J Immunol 1986;137:3162-3168), who reported that about half of the patients with SS have EBV early antigen D in epithelium of the sublabial salivary gland. The authors conclude that an active EBV infection associated with EBV protein synthesis does not occur in the diseased salivary gland of patients with SS, but the presence of EBV-DNA in the glands does not exclude a possible role of EBV in the disorder.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus pneumonia after bone marrow transplantation with cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin combined with ganciclovir

We studied the effect of cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin alone, or combined with ganciclovir, on the outcome of biopsy proven cytomegalovirus pneumonia after bone marrow transplantation. Treatment with cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin alone had no effect on the cytomegalovirus nor on clinical outcome. The combined treatment of cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin with ganciclovir suppressed the cytomegalovirus but all patients died because of ongoing pulmonary deterioration. These results may suggest that this combined treatment has limited value on the outcome of an established cytomegalovirus pneumonia after marrow transplantation.

Lymphocyte-induced macrophage cytotoxicity. III. Induction of specific macrophage cytotoxicity is independent of lipopolysaccharide

The induction of specific macrophage cytotoxicity by allo-sensitized T cells in vitro is shown to be independent of the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This contrasts with the induction of macrophage cytotoxicity by Macrophage Activating Factor (MAF). The specific macrophage cytotoxicity could be induced in LPS-free medium (less than l ng/ml). Addition of LPS to the macrophages did not increase the cytotoxicity. Addition of LPS-binding polymyxin B to the macrophages before and during the induction of cytotoxicity did not reduce the specific macrophage cytotoxicity. Macrophages obtained from the LPS-unresponsive mouse strain C3H/HeJ were rendered cytotoxic by the allo-sensitized lymphocytes to the same extent as the macrophages from LPS-responsive C3HeB/Fe and C57BL mice. This indicates that the induction of macrophage cytotoxicity by MAF is different from the induction of specific macrophage cytotoxicity by Specific Macrophage Arming Factor (SMAF).

Surface immunoglobulin restriction in B-non Hodgkin's lymphomas in cell suspension and on frozen tissue sections

The diagnostic relevance of different tests for detection of surface immunoglobulin on tumour cells of B-type non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) was investigated by comparison of the direct antiglobulin rosetting reaction (DARR) in suspension with two-colour direct immunofluorescence (DIF) on frozen tissue sections. In benign lymph nodes (n = 27) the kappa/lambda ratio by DARR test ranged from 0.9 to 2.8. Tested by suspension and frozen tissue analysis, light chain restriction was found in 24 and 27 of 31 cases of B-NHL, respectively. Heavy chain restriction was found in half of the cases (14 of 26) studied in suspension and in almost all (28 of 31) tested on sections. In 9 cases DARR tests showed restriction of more than one Ig class on tumour cells, which was infrequent (2 of 28) in frozen section analysis. Although both tests appeared valuable for routine diagnostic purposes, we found the DIF analysis on tissue sections somewhat more discriminative, especially in detection of heavy chain restriction in B-NHL.

A macrophage factor enhancing the systemic anti-tumour effect of T lymphocytes

Spleen cells sensitized to tumour cells have an anti-tumour effect on injected syngeneic lymphosarcoma cells in mice. This study shows that this anti-tumour effect can be enhanced by induced peritoneal macrophages and by macrophage-like tumour cells (macrophages). Addition of macrophages to the intraperitoneally injected sensitized spleen cells stimulated the anti-tumour effect. This was observed both with intraperitoneally injected tumour cells and with subcutaneously transplanted tumour cells. The anti-tumour effect is the result of a cooperation between T cells and macrophages. In vitro incubation of immune T-cells with macrophages or macrophage-like cells enhanced the in vivo anti-tumour activity of the sensitized T-lymphocytes. Neither the presence of antigen nor the proliferation of the immune T-cells were a prerequisite to enhance this anti-tumour effect. Our experiments suggest that a macrophage factor is responsible for the enhancement of the anti-tumour effect. Based on the results of this paper and other studies we propose the following sequence of events to explain the anti-tumour effect of injected sensitized T-lymphocytes and macrophages: injected macrophages enhance the anti-tumour effect of sensitized lymphocytes. These stimulated lymphocytes migrate to the tumour located elsewhere and recognize the tumour antigens. Subsequently, the lymphocytes render (host) macrophages in the tumour cytotoxic to tumour cells.

Sézary syndrome with early immunoblastic transformation

Two patients with clinical manifestations of Zézary syndrome are reported. In both cases from an early stage of the disease in addition to characteristic Sézary cells large numbers of immunoblasts were present in skin lesions and peripheral lymph nodes and in one case also in the blood. Their relationship to the characteristic Sézary cells was shown by morphological, cytochemical and immunological methods. The infiltrates in the skin were epidermotropic in one case and nonepidermotropic in the other. Lymph node structure was effaced by diffuse infiltration of abnormal lymphoid cells. These were found to proliferate in the skin as well as in lymph nodes. Cytogenetical studies of blood lymphocytes indicated an abnormal hypodiploid clone in both cases. Immunologically the tumour cells had properties of peripheral T-lymphocytes but whereas all abnormal cells exhibited inducer/helper cell characteristics in one case, only a minority of the lymphocytes revealed these characteristics in the other case. In this case the tumour cell population changed into a more pleomorphic type. The classification of the cases is discussed.

Lymphocyte induced macrophage cytotoxicity: characterization of the macrophage cytotoxicity-inducing lymphocyte

The phenotype of lymphocytes, obtained from mice immunized with allogeneic tumor cells, with the capacity to induce macrophage cytotoxicity was determined. Macrophage cytotoxicity was induced, either by incubating the macrophages with Macrophage Arming Factor (MAF) containing supernatants of cultures of sensitized lymphocytes and tumor cells (arming) or by incubating the macrophages directly with sensitized lymphocytes and tumor cells (activation). The MAF producing or activating capacity of the lymphocytes was not only "triggered" by the sensitizing tumor cells but also by normal cells and other tumor cells bearing the H-2 determinants of the sensitizing tumor cell. The capacity to render macrophages cytotoxic was not reduced after treatment of the lymphocytes with mitomycin-C or treatment with anti-murine Ig and complement. This capacity of the lymphocytes was abrogated after treatment with anti-T-cell serum or anti-Thy 1.2 serum and complement. After treatment with anti-Lyt 1 or anti-Lyt 2 serum and complement, the activating capacity was significantly reduced and the MAF producing capacity of the lymphocytes abrogated. Mixing the Lyt 1 depleted and Lyt 2 depleted lymphocytes or addition of normal lymphocytes to the Lyt 1 depleted or Lyt 2 depleted populations did not restore the MAF producing and activating capacities. This indicated that the lymphocytes inducing macrophage cytotoxicity in this allogeneic system are Lyt-1+2+ T-lymphocytes, which do not need to divide prior to perform their action.

Identification and in situ localization of the "thymic nurse cell" in man

The observation of the "thymic nurse cell" (TNC), a reticuloepithelial cell with intracytoplasmic lymphocytes, in suspension of murine thymic tissue prompted us to investigate the existence of this cell in cell suspension, as well as in tissue sections of the human thymus. TNC-like cells were enriched in suspension by enzymatic disintegration of thymic tissue and 1 X G sedimentation over 50% fetal calf serum gradients. TNC-like cells were negative for lysosomal enzymes: in this respect, as well as in light microscopic morphology, the cells were different from tissue macrophages with intracytoplasmic lymphocytes. In electron microscopy, TNC-like cells showed reticuloepithelial characteristics. In 1-micron tissue sections, clusters of lymphocytes with a possible reticuloepithelial nucleus were observed close to blood capillaries in the cortical area. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the epithelial nature of this cell, as well as its location adjacent to blood capillaries. We concluded that there is in situ existence of TNC in man. This observation enables studies on the role of TNC in intrathymic T cell maturation.

Identification and in situ localization of the "thymic nurse cell" in man

The observation of the "thymic nurse cell" (TNC), a reticuloepithelial cell with intracytoplasmic lymphocytes, in suspension of murine thymic tissue prompted us to investigate the existence of this cell in cell suspension, as well as in tissue sections of the human thymus. TNC-like cells were enriched in suspension by enzymatic disintegration of thymic tissue and 1 X G sedimentation over 50% fetal calf serum gradients. TNC-like cells were negative for lysosomal enzymes: in this respect, as well as in light microscopic morphology, the cells were different from tissue macrophages with intracytoplasmic lymphocytes. In electron microscopy, TNC-like cells showed reticuloepithelial characteristics. In 1-micron tissue sections, clusters of lymphocytes with a possible reticuloepithelial nucleus were observed close to blood capillaries in the cortical area. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the epithelial nature of this cell, as well as its location adjacent to blood capillaries. We concluded that there is in situ existence of TNC in man. This observation enables studies on the role of TNC in intrathymic T cell maturation.

Enzyme-cytochemistry of the saccus dorsalis of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

In the saccus dorsalis of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, the activity of various enzymes (transferase, lyases, oxidoreductases, hydrolases) have been studied in detail. The results of this enzyme-cytochemical study firmly demonstrate that the organ is metabolically highly active. The epithelial cells have a strong energy metabolism. Energy production can take place under aerobic as well as under anaerobic conditions. Evidence is presented that glucose from blood is directly utilized for energy demands. The epithelial cells show also high synthetic activities. The moderate amino acid metabolism may participate in the synthesis of an acid mucopolysaccharide-protein complex, especially in the so-called dark cells. Lipid metabolism appears to be restricted to the mitochondria, indicating a high turnover of lipid moieties in the membranes. In contrast to the normal looking mitochondria, the macromitochondria--besides shape and localization--have an extremely high lipid and monoamine metabolism, which may point to a special function in the cellular economy. The high activity of enzymes involved in the degradation of monoamines and in the hydration of CO2 is of particular physiological interest. The significance of the observations is discussed in relation to formerly obtained indications on the involvement of the saccus dorsalis in fluid secretion, extrusion of organic substances of low molecular weight into the ventricular system and uptake of organic substances from the cerebrospinal fluid. The hypothesis of the saccus dorsalis being an analogue of the choroid plexus is supported by several relevant data.

The saccus dorsalis of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson: histological, cytochemical, electron microscopical and autoradiographical observations

The saccus dorsalis of the brain of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, has been investigated by means of histological, cytochemical, enzyme-cytochemical, electron microscopical autoradiographical techniques. The saccus dorsalis is a rostro-dorsal evagination of the diencephalic roof, and consists of a partly folded epithelial wall separating the cerebrospinal fluid from the meningeal matrix fluid. The well-developed vascular system around the epithelial wall, consisting of capillaries with different diameters, seems to be part of the pineal vascular system. No structures were found that may be involved in a possible mechanical or nervous blood flow control. The single-layered epithelium consists of highly specialized cells of one specific type. These cells are mainly characterized by infolded basal membranes, long microvilli of a peculiar shape, non-folded lateral membranes bordering intercellular spaces, apical concentrations of elongate and cup-shaped macromitochondria, a basally located rough endoplasmic reticulum, an apically situated smooth endoplasmic reticulum and apical concentrations of micropinocytotic vesicles. Morphological evidence is presented of a multiple function of these cells: (1) fluid secretion, (2) extrusion of low molecular weight organic substances into the ventricular system, (3) uptake of high molecular weight substances, and (4) uptake of low molecular weight organic substances (aminergic neurotransmitters [GABA]) from the cerebrospinal fluid. The significance of light and dark cells is discussed. Indications of a possible innervation of the saccus dorsalis epithelial cells were not observed. The functional significance of the saccus dorsalis (possible analogue of the choroid plexus?) is discussed.