Histamine-producing cell-stimulating activity. A biological activity shared by interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The histamine-producing cell-stimulating factor (HCSF) was first described as a lymphokine which is produced during secondary mixed leukocyte culture and which induces increased histamine synthesis by murine hematopoietic cells. It has been shown that it is different from interleukin 3 (IL 3), despite the fact that pure IL 3 expresses HCSF activity. Our results provide evidence that this factor (constitutively produced by the P388 D1 cell line) is identical with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) i.e.: (a) physiochemical properties of HCSF and GM-CSF, such as molecular weight, isoelectric charge, hydrophobicity and behavior during affinity chromatography, are indistinguishable and both activities coelute during all biochemical purification procedures; (b) increased bone marrow cell histamine synthesis induced by P388 D1-derived HCSF is inhibited by anti-GM-CSF antiserum; (c) the GM-CSF cDNA probe hybridizes with a poly(A)+RNA from P388 D1 cells while no hybridizing signal was obtained with poly(A)+RNA from WEHI-3 and from P815 cells. On the other hand, the IL 3 cDNA probe hybridizes with a 1.0-kb poly(A)+RNA from WEHI-3 but not with those from P388 D1 and P815. Moreover, well known sources of GM-CSF, such as lung conditioned medium and semi-purified GM-CSF from phytohemagglutinin-induced supernatant of the murine T lymphoma LBRM-33-5 A4 (preparation devoid of IL 3), as well as recombinant murine GM-CSF, induce increased histamine synthesis by hematopoietic cells. All these results demonstrate that, in our culture conditions, the P388 D1 cell line spontaneously produces GM-CSF which is responsible for the P388 D1-induced HCS activity. Consequently, the latter is a property shared by the two distinct hematopoietic growth factors acting on the less committed cells, i.e. IL 3 and GM-CSF, whereas M-CSF or G-CSF are unable to induce histamine production. Interestingly, IL-4 which is known to support established mast cell line proliferation cannot induce HCS activity. In addition, none of the other cytokines tested, such as IL 1, IL 2, interferons or tumor necrosis factor can express HCS activity. This expression seems to be a specific property of IL 3 and GM-CSF.

Genetic alterations of integrated avian sarcoma virus DNA sequences in transformed rat cells

Clones and subclones of Schmidt-Ruppin-RSV-D-(SRD-) infected rat cells that were isolated in soft agar have shown differences in their morphology. Some of the subclones were round or spindle-shaped cells with lower anchorage dependence and high growth rate, while others were more fibroblast-like and failed to overgrow one another. In correlation to their morphology, subclones with high degree of phenotypic transformation contained amplified amounts of full length proviral DNA or proviral fragments. The amplification affected the proviral DNA elements together with host cellular DNA sequences. We have also shown a relationship between the copy number of the proviruses in the cells, the level of expression of viral RNA, and between those two parameters and the various degrees of phenotypic transformation.

Immunoglobulin-producing cells in labial salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

The distribution of immunoglobulin-producing cells within labial salivary glands from normal individuals (n = 7) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 10) and systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 9) was studied using morphometric and indirect immunoperoxidase methods. Cell counts revealed a significant increase in the density of IgG cells within glands from both patient groups compared with glands from normal individuals. No significant differences in the density of IgA- or IgM-producing cells between the 3 groups were observed although large individual variations were apparent. Histomorphometric studies showed an increase in the lymphoid compartment and a decrease in glandular elements within glands from the 2 patient groups. When data for all specimens were pooled a significant positive correlation was obtained between the percent area of stromal lymphoid tissue and density of IgG and IgM cells.

Glycopeptides in soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma mansoni: isolation, characterization, and elucidation of their immunochemical and immunopathological relation to the major egg glycoprotein (MEG)

The major egg glycoprotein (MEG) of Schistosoma mansoni was purified by ion-exchange chromatography of glycoprotein fraction obtained from soluble egg antigen (SEA) by lectin affinity chromatography. Small carbohydrate-rich fragments (CRF) contained in the glycoprotein fraction of SEA were isolated by ultrafiltration followed by dialysis (10 to 13 kd). Comparison of MEG and CRF yielded the following results: purified MEG (70 kd) contains about 77% carbohydrate, and CRF contains 92.5% carbohydrate. When radioiodinated and run by SDS-PAGE, each yielded a single band with respective Rf values of around 0.33 and 1.0 CRF is capable of inhibiting, in a Farr-type RIA, the binding of 125I-MEG to serum from chronically infected mice. Furthermore, CRF and MEG exhibit a single and continuous line of radioimmunodiffusion. CRF, unlike SEA, SEA glycoproteins, or purified MEG, is incapable of eliciting delayed footpad swelling in egg-sensitized mice or of inducing granulomatous hypersensitivity, when given at amounts equivalent to or higher than MEG by protein or carbohydrate content. Thus, whereas SEA, SEA glycoproteins, or MEG elicited in a representative test net swelling of 0.28 mm, 0.34 mm, and 0.29 mm, respectively, CRF gave net swellings of 0.06 mm, similar to the control value (0.07 mm) in unsensitized mice. Also, mice sensitized to viable eggs, SEA, or purified MEG exhibited, after i.v. challenge with viable eggs, a mean area of granulomas in the lungs of 12,389 micron2, 16,412 micron2, and 12,354 micron2, respectively, as compared with 7940 micron2 in CRF-sensitized mice and 8428 micron2 in unsensitized control mice. Thus, CRF appears to contain fragments of MEG that are serologically active but immunopathologically inactive at the concentrations used.

Glycopeptides in soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma mansoni: isolation, characterization, and elucidation of their immunochemical and immunopathological relation to the major egg glycoprotein (MEG)

The major egg glycoprotein (MEG) of Schistosoma mansoni was purified by ion-exchange chromatography of glycoprotein fraction obtained from soluble egg antigen (SEA) by lectin affinity chromatography. Small carbohydrate-rich fragments (CRF) contained in the glycoprotein fraction of SEA were isolated by ultrafiltration followed by dialysis (10 to 13 kd). Comparison of MEG and CRF yielded the following results: purified MEG (70 kd) contains about 77% carbohydrate, and CRF contains 92.5% carbohydrate. When radioiodinated and run by SDS-PAGE, each yielded a single band with respective Rf values of around 0.33 and 1.0 CRF is capable of inhibiting, in a Farr-type RIA, the binding of 125I-MEG to serum from chronically infected mice. Furthermore, CRF and MEG exhibit a single and continuous line of radioimmunodiffusion. CRF, unlike SEA, SEA glycoproteins, or purified MEG, is incapable of eliciting delayed footpad swelling in egg-sensitized mice or of inducing granulomatous hypersensitivity, when given at amounts equivalent to or higher than MEG by protein or carbohydrate content. Thus, whereas SEA, SEA glycoproteins, or MEG elicited in a representative test net swelling of 0.28 mm, 0.34 mm, and 0.29 mm, respectively, CRF gave net swellings of 0.06 mm, similar to the control value (0.07 mm) in unsensitized mice. Also, mice sensitized to viable eggs, SEA, or purified MEG exhibited, after i.v. challenge with viable eggs, a mean area of granulomas in the lungs of 12,389 micron2, 16,412 micron2, and 12,354 micron2, respectively, as compared with 7940 micron2 in CRF-sensitized mice and 8428 micron2 in unsensitized control mice. Thus, CRF appears to contain fragments of MEG that are serologically active but immunopathologically inactive at the concentrations used.

Lichen planus and liver disease: how strong is the association?

One hundred and thirteen patients with histologically confirmed oral lichen planus, from three stomatology clinics, were examined for evidence of liver disease. No patient had clinical evidence of liver disease. Nine patients (7.9%) had a raised serum concentration of a single enzyme; 6 patients had raised gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, 2 had raised alkaline phosphatase, and 1 had raised aspartate transaminase levels. No patient had serum auto-antibodies suggestive of primary biliary cirrhosis or chronic active hepatitis. Most patients presenting with oral lichen planus are unlikely to have liver disease.

Schistosoma mansoni: radiometric assay of lectin binding specificities of the major egg glycoprotein and its carbohydrate-rich fragment

The binding by lectins of the Schistosoma mansoni major egg glycoprotein and of a carbohydrate-rich fragment which is serologically cross-reactive with it was studied. The major egg glycoprotein was purified from a crude soluble egg antigen by a succession of affinity chromatography procedures on concanavalin A-sepharose and by ion-exchange chromatography. The carbohydrate-rich fragment was isolated by ultrafiltration of the crude glycoprotein fraction initially obtained from the crude soluble egg antigens. The major egg glycoprotein and the carbohydrate-rich fragment contain 77 and 92.5% carbohydrate, respectively. When radioiodinated and run on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, each of them exhibited a single peak with respective Rf values of 0.33 and 1.0, and their respective molecular weights were 70K and 10-13K. The binding of the radioiodinated major egg glycoprotein and the carbohydrate-rich fragment by peanut agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin-60, wheat germ agglutinin, and lotus agglutinin was studied by double diffusion in agar, and by a radiometric solid-phase assay in which the lectins were used to coat microtiter plates. The latter assay was employed to determine the specificity of the binding by inhibition with the specific sugars. Both the major egg glycoprotein and the carbohydrate-rich fragment bound specifically to concanavalin A columns as indicated by their isolation procedure. They also bound specifically to peanut agglutinin, R. communis agglutinin 60, and lotus agglutinin, while binding by wheat germ agglutinin appeared not to be specific.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

T6 antigen-positive cells in human labial salivary glands

The distribution of T6-positive cells in glands from three healthy individuals and 18 patients suffering from various systemic disorders was studied using OKT 6 and NA1/34 monoclonal antibodies in an indirect immunoperoxidase method on frozen sections. Although no positive cells were seen in the glands of healthy controls, 10 of the 18 biopsies from the patient-group contained T6-positive cells which were mostly within glandular epithelium. The presence of T6-positive cells appeared to correlate with lymphoid infiltration of the glands. Only one of the 8 patient biopsies showing normal or minimally-altered structure contained T6-positive cells. Thus these cells are unlikely to play a role in the normal physiological function of labial salivary glands.

Anti-pancreatic immunity. In vitro studies of cellular and humoral immune reactions directed toward pancreatic islets

It has been suggested that the immune system may be responsible for the destruction of insulin secreting cells in some types of diabetes. In order to test this hypothesis, we studied the consequences of immune-mediated reactions on the function of pancreatic islet cells in vitro. A model was set up in vitro where mouse pancreatic islet cells are exposed to human lymphocytes or sera + complement then stimulated for the release of insulin or glucagon. A selective inhibition of insulin secretion, but not of glucagon secretion, was observed in the presence of lymphocytes from 37 out of 40 insulin-dependent diabetic (IDD) patients and in the presence of sera (+ complement) from 22 out of 40. Lymphocytes were found inhibitory in almost all patients in both groups, with and without associated autoimmune diseases. In contrast, inhibitory sera were observed almost only in patients with associated autoimmune diseases or recent onset diabetes. The selective inhibition of insulin secretion, but not of glucagon secretion, suggests that lymphocytes or sera may be involved in a destructive process of insulin secreting cells in vivo. This cell-mediated effect depends on direct T lymphocyte cytotoxicity, rather than antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, as suggested by the lack of any effect of aggregated immunoglobulins on the reaction. In contrast, when C57BL/6 mice were immunized by mastocytoma cells from a DBA2 strain, their lymphocytes and sera blocked both secretions of insulin and glucagon when incubated in vitro with DBA2 islet cells. This non-selective inhibition may be due to anti-H2 immunity, rather than immunity directed against insulin secreting cells.

The use of lyophilized Schistosoma mansoni eggs as antigenic particles in a radioimmunoassay

Lyophilized eggs of Schistosoma mansoni, when incubated briefly with serum from infected mice, bind antibodies, as made evident by subsequent binding of fluorescein labelled anti-IgG or 125I-labelled Protein A. On the basis of these findings, a radioimmunoassay was devised which employs whole lyophilized eggs (500 or 250 eggs/serum sample) as antigenic particles and 125I-labelled Protein A as a probe for antibody binding. Only 10 microliters of serum are required to obtain 90% of the maximal binding. Kinetic studies indicated that 70% of the maximal seropositivity develops in mice between five and six weeks after a light infection, reaches a maximum at eight weeks and fluctuates around a high plateau thereafter. Pre-incubation of the test serum with soluble egg antigen (SEA) considerably inhibits antibody binding to the eggs, suggesting that SEA-like antigens participate in the reaction.

In vitro and in vivo histamine-producing cell-stimulating factor (or IL3) production during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection: coincidence with self-cure phenomenon

Spleen cells from Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected mice produce large amounts of histamine in response to adult worm antigen. This phenomenon results from the production of HCSF (histamine-producing cell-stimulating factor, probably related to IL3) by sensitized lymphocytes. This factor acts on its target cells (presumably mast cell precursors) by inducing a rapid increase in histamine synthesis. Similarly, parasite infection generates enhanced histamine production by spleen cells in response to concanavalin A (Con A). This results from increases in both HCSF production and the HCSF sensitivity of its target cells. In all cases, maximal histamine and HCSF productions are obtained on day 8 after infection and coincide with parasite rejection. Methyl prednisolone suppresses HCSF production by infected mouse spleen cells in response to worm antigen or Con A. HCSF activity is found in vivo on day 8 in the sera of infected mice, 4 h after they are challenged with an i.v. injection of adult worm antigen. No activity is detected in the sera of normal mice with or without antigen injection. Sera from infected mice that did not receive the antigen exhibit a slight HCSF activity on day 8. Our data bring the first evidence of the existence of an in vivo production of HCSF.

Evidence for a lymphokine enhancing arginase activity during allograft rejection

The production of urea and ornithine is increased greatly in spleen cell cultures of an allograft recipient in the presence of donor cells (secondary MLC) in comparison to that of primary MLC (without previous allograft). This phenomenon appears after 24 hr of culture and reaches its maximum at 48 hr. The greatest increase in urea production is observed when the recipient spleen cells are collected at the time of allograft rejection. To obtain this extra production of urea, the stimulating cells in MLC should specifically be of the donor type or at least bear one homology with donor cells at the K or D locus. The increased production of urea and ornithine during MLC results from the action of a lymphokine released by recipient cells in the presence of donor cells. This factor acts upon cells present in bone marrow, spleen, and elicited peritoneal cells but is absent or is present in smaller quantities in thymus and lymph node cells. Target cells of this factor possess numerous macrophage features and could be immature cells of the macrophage line. The lymphokine responsible for this phenomenon is heat-stable, destroyed by trypsin, chymotrypsin, and neuraminidase, and has a m.w. around 32,000. It acts upon its target cells by increasing arginase activity, which results in the production of a large amount of ornithine, an important precursor of polyamine biosynthesis.

Evidence for a lymphokine enhancing arginase activity during allograft rejection

The production of urea and ornithine is increased greatly in spleen cell cultures of an allograft recipient in the presence of donor cells (secondary MLC) in comparison to that of primary MLC (without previous allograft). This phenomenon appears after 24 hr of culture and reaches its maximum at 48 hr. The greatest increase in urea production is observed when the recipient spleen cells are collected at the time of allograft rejection. To obtain this extra production of urea, the stimulating cells in MLC should specifically be of the donor type or at least bear one homology with donor cells at the K or D locus. The increased production of urea and ornithine during MLC results from the action of a lymphokine released by recipient cells in the presence of donor cells. This factor acts upon cells present in bone marrow, spleen, and elicited peritoneal cells but is absent or is present in smaller quantities in thymus and lymph node cells. Target cells of this factor possess numerous macrophage features and could be immature cells of the macrophage line. The lymphokine responsible for this phenomenon is heat-stable, destroyed by trypsin, chymotrypsin, and neuraminidase, and has a m.w. around 32,000. It acts upon its target cells by increasing arginase activity, which results in the production of a large amount of ornithine, an important precursor of polyamine biosynthesis.

Anti-pancreatic immunity in genetically diabetic mice

The anti-pancreatic immune reaction of genetically diabetic homozygote C57Bl/KsJ db/db mice was studied with an in vitro test using murine islet of Langerhans cells as target cells. C57Bl/KsJ db/db spleen lymphocytes inhibited insulin secretion by the islet cells. This inhibition was abolished when T cells were eliminated by treatment with anti-Thy 1.2 monoclonal antibody in the presence of complement. Together with this cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement-dependent antibody (CDA) and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) were found in the sera of these mice. A longitudinal study showed that this anti-pancreatic toxicity was detectable as early as the 10th day of life and lasted throughout the entire life span of the animal. None of these anomalies was found in control heterozygote mice.

Analysis and preliminary purification of glycoproteins isolated from eggs in the urine of patients with Schistosoma haematobium infection

Preliminary analysis and purification of glycoproteins from Schistosoma haematobium eggs were carried out with a small quantity of antigenic material obtained from the urine of infected human patients. A soluble egg extract was 125I-labeled and was fractionated by lectin affinity chromatography for separating egg glycoproteins. The crude glycoprotein fraction was run on SDS-PAGE to yield three polydisperse peaks with Rf values of 0.31, 0.57, and 0.84. 125I-labeled egg glycoproteins were further fractionated by ion exchange chromatography to yield four peaks or shoulders. One of these peaks constituted the major labeled egg glycoprotein of S. haematobium (MEGL-H) in a relatively pure form as determined by SDS-PAGE, and its estimated m.w. was 70,000. This glycoprotein was consistently and highly reactive serologically with a serum pool from schistosomiasis haematobia patients by a Farr-type radioimmunoassay (RIA). A limited cross-specificity study of inhibition RIA indicated that S. mansoni eggs contain components that cross-react only partially with MEGL-H. These results focus attention on MEGL-H as a potential serodiagnostic probe.

Analysis and preliminary purification of glycoproteins isolated from eggs in the urine of patients with Schistosoma haematobium infection

Preliminary analysis and purification of glycoproteins from Schistosoma haematobium eggs were carried out with a small quantity of antigenic material obtained from the urine of infected human patients. A soluble egg extract was 125I-labeled and was fractionated by lectin affinity chromatography for separating egg glycoproteins. The crude glycoprotein fraction was run on SDS-PAGE to yield three polydisperse peaks with Rf values of 0.31, 0.57, and 0.84. 125I-labeled egg glycoproteins were further fractionated by ion exchange chromatography to yield four peaks or shoulders. One of these peaks constituted the major labeled egg glycoprotein of S. haematobium (MEGL-H) in a relatively pure form as determined by SDS-PAGE, and its estimated m.w. was 70,000. This glycoprotein was consistently and highly reactive serologically with a serum pool from schistosomiasis haematobia patients by a Farr-type radioimmunoassay (RIA). A limited cross-specificity study of inhibition RIA indicated that S. mansoni eggs contain components that cross-react only partially with MEGL-H. These results focus attention on MEGL-H as a potential serodiagnostic probe.

[Inhibition of insulin secretion of mouse pancreatic cells by T lymphocytes of insulin-dependent diabetics]

We previously showed that circulating lymphocytes from more than 90% of insulin-dependent diabetics, block extra insulin secretion induced by stimulatory media in mouse pancreatic cells in vitro, without altering the secretion of glucagon. The present work demonstrates that this phenomenon depends on lymphocytes having the OKT3 marker, i.e., thymodependent lymphocytes. However, OKT4+ T helper cells are not required for the above phenomenon as proved by experiments using monoclonal sera against the OKT4 marker. When diabetes is associated with other autoimmune diseases, the pancreatic lymphocyte cytotoxicity observed in vitro is inhibited by the addition of a normal lymphocyte population; this could indicate that a "suppressor" factor is lacking in these patients. Conversely, addition of normal lymphocytes does not prevent lymphocyte cytotoxicity in diabetics without associated autoimmune diseases. Such a difference confirms the present trend to make a distinction between these two categories of diabetes.

Characterization of a purified glycoprotein from Schistosoma mansoni eggs: specificity, stability, and the involvement of carbohydrate and peptide moieties in its serologic activity

A major egg glycoprotein (MEG) was purified from a crude soluble extract of Schistosoma mansoni ova (Egyptian strain) by successive steps of lectin affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. Radioiodinated MEG exhibited a single precipitation band upon immunodiffusion against antiserum from chronically infected mice, and ran as a single band on PAGE (Rf 0.38) and SDS-PAGE (Rf 0.36). Its estimated m.w. was 70,000. The degree of stage and species specificity of MEG and the effect of various treatments on its serologic reactivity were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). A low degree of cross-reactivity between MEG and similarly prepared soluble antigens from adult worms and cercariae was demonstrated by RIA inhibition tests, whereas a high degree of cross-reactivity was found between MEG and a crude soluble S. haematobium egg antigen. In similar RIA inhibition tests, the Puerto Rican S. mansoni had a lower degree of cross-reactivity with S. haematobium than the Egyptian strain. MEG was four times more abundant in SEA from a Puerto Rican strain of S. mansoni than in SEA from the Egyptian strain. The serologic reactivity of MEG was stable to heat at 100 degrees C for 60 min, to 0.1 N NaOH or HCl, and to 10% TCA. Treatment of MEG with pronase caused a limited fragmentation of the molecule and some loss of its serologic reactivity. Periodate oxidation resulted in a substantial loss of molecular mass and of serologic reactivity, leaving a low residual activity that is only partially cross-reactive with the bulk of MEG. These results suggest the importance of both carbohydrate and peptide moieties of MEG for its serologic reactivity.