Infectious complications and host immune defense in acute leukemia

Distribution of immunoglobulin containing cells in human bone marrow of patients with leukemia

In the bone marrow of leukemic patients (31 cases), the number of immunoglobulin containing cells per unit square significantly decreased to the level of approximately 20-50% of the age-matched control, although the serum level of immunoglobulin in these patients was almost comparable to the control level. The number of immunoglobulin containing cells in the bone marrow was inversely related with the degree of infiltration of leukemic cells and the correlation of Ig-G containing cell count (Y) and percentage of blast cells (X) was Y = 91.8-1.9X (r = -0.436, P less than 0.05). Follow-up examination of the bone marrow after chemotherapy revealed that the recovery of the number of immunoglobulin containing cells in the remission state appeared to occur in younger patients, but not in older ones.

Fibronectin assays and their clinical application: a review

Cold insoluble globulin (fibronectin) was discovered 30 years ago but recently there has been a remarkable growth of knowledge concerning its interaction with the cell cytoskeleton and its role in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. The protein is also a major plasma opsonin with a role in regulating fixed macrophage activity and it is this area in which clinical applications are now beginning to develop. Methods are discussed for measuring the concentration of the protein and its opsonic function in vitro, and for the evaluation of fixed macrophage function in vivo. Also discussed are the metabolism of the protein, the implications of opsonin depletion in patients with serious injury or infection and the attempts to reverse this with plasma protein replacement therapy.