Human recombinant myeloperoxidase antiviral activity on cytomegalovirus

In vitro incubation of human cytomegalovirus (Towne strain) with 8 U/ml human recombinant myeloperoxidase plus sodium chloride and glucose nearly abolished viral infectivity. To assay the effect on intracellular infection, cell toxicity of the enzymes was first studied. Even the high dose of 16 U/ml of recombinant myeloperoxidase plus 10 mU/ml glucose oxidase did not decrease MRC5 cell growth. By contrast, this dose reduced proliferation of activated THP1 cells. Even half of the myeloperoxidase dose proved slightly toxic to these cells. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of the reagents were used to monitor their effect on cytomegalovirus infection. In MRC5 cells, even the low dose of 4 U/ml myeloperoxidase plus glucose oxidase inhibited synthesis of cytomegalovirus early antigens, as tested by immunofluorescence. Viral release in the supernatant was decreased by 4 logs. In THP1 cells, which produce endogenously hydrogen peroxide, myeloperoxidase alone (8 U/ml) decreased the formation of early and late antigens by 53 and 44%, respectively.

HIV-1 infectivity and host range modification by cathepsin D present in human vaginal secretions

OBJECTIVE

To investigate HIV-1 infectivity in the natural environment of vaginal secretions.

DESIGN

Vaginal wash samples collected from 14 healthy women were incubated in vitro with various HIV-1 strains for 10 min at 37 degrees C and then assayed for infectivity on primary lymphocyte cultures, or on CEM cells, or on CD4- ME180 cells derived from vaginal epithelium.

METHODS

HIV-1 infectivity was measured by early virus growth in the various host cells tested using a quantitative p24 assay and by the Karber procedure.

RESULTS

Preincubation of HIV-1(IIIB) with vaginal wash samples or 2 microg/ml cathepsin D increased the ability of the virus to grow in lymphocyte cultures. The vaginal wash effect was abolished by 5 microg/ml pepstatin A, an inhibitor of aspartyl proteases. Presence of precursor and mature forms of cathepsin D in vaginal wash was demonstrated after passage through a pepstatin A-agarose column. Median tissue culture infective doses of HIV-1(IIIB) and HIV-1(JRFL) strains were increased 14.4-fold and 18-fold, respectively, after preincubation in vaginal wash sample, and were increased by pretreatment with 2 microg/ml cathepsin D. When CD4 receptors of CEMss cells were blocked by OKT4a monoclonal antibody, the cells lost susceptibility to HIV-1 (IIIB), but supported the growth of virus pretreated with vaginal wash sample or cathepsin D. These treated viruses were able to initiate infection of CD4-ME180 epithelial cells, which were not receptive to untreated virus. ME180 cells were shown to possess the messenger of CXC-chemokine receptor-4.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal secretions may help HIV-1 transmission to women by increasing infectivity for CD4+ cells and allowing entrance into some CD4-epithelial cells.

[Laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux using fundoplication. Midterm results]

The aim of this study was to see whether the results of surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by laparoscopic fundoplication were satisfactory and stable over time.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 1992 to September 1996, 161 patients with medical treatment-dependent GERD were operated. 17 patients were excluded from the study (conversion or immediate laparotomy). The group of 144 patients included consisted of 92 men and 52 women with a mean age of 50 (25-77 years). The preoperative work-up included endoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring. The surgical procedures were complete fundoplication without section of the short vessels (Nissen-Rossetti: 122 cases), with section of the shorts vessels (Nissen: 18 cases), or partial fundoplication of 270 degrees (Toupet: 4 cases). The patients were reviewed clinically 3 months after the operation, with repeat manometry and pH monitoring; yearly survey was performed.

RESULTS

There was no postoperative mortality. The morbidity consisted of 2 respiratory complications (1.5%) with good recovery. With a follow-up of 3 and 21 months, the dysphagia rate was 24 vs 2% of patients (p < 0.05), the rate of gas bloat syndrome was 18% vs 21% (n.s.), and the GERD recurrence 6% vs 14% (p < 0.05). The mean time to recurrence was 8 months. 2 patients were reoperated: one for incisional hernia and one for slipped-Nissen.

CONCLUSION

The results of laparoscopic treatment of GERD with fundoplication procedures at 2 years follow-up showed an 86% cure rate of GERD control and 94% satisfaction rate for the patients who were investigated.

Detection and identification of human papilloma viral DNA, types 16, 18, and 33, by a combination of polymerase chain reaction and a colorimetric solid phase capture hybridisation assay

A colorimetric microplate hybridization assay was developed previously to simplify detection procedures of DNA fragments resulting from polymerase chain reactions (PCR). This format has now been adapted for the simultaneous detection and identification of three human papillomavirus (HPV), types 16, 18 and 33, associated frequently with cervical cancer. This post-PCR detection system uses three type-specific capture oligonucleotides linked covalently to a single microplate well and three type-specific multibiotinylated oligonucleotidic probes for detection. It therefore offers a double specificity; the first is conferred by pairs of primers, specific of each type of virus tested, and the second, by the sets of capture and detection probes which are complementary to internal regions of the amplified DNA fragments. The detection format outperformed agarose gel electrophoresis of amplified DNA products in sensitivity and specificity. The rapidity and simplicity of this hybridisation system would justify its use in routine diagnostic examination of cervical specimens (smears and biopsies).

[The remaining indications for open surgery in common bile duct lithiasis]

Once with the continuous development of mini-invasive procedures, the open surgery indications in the treatment of CBD stones are decreasing. Between January 1986 and December 1987, 514 patients with average age 60 years old (18-94) were treated for suspected or confirmed CBDS. Three distinctive periods were studied function of how the conventional surgery were either exclusive (group I), either together with the beginning era of laparoscopy (group II), or together with institutionalised laparoscopy (group III). Group I had 110 cases, group II--207 cases and group III--197 cases. The conventional surgery were 100% performed in group I, 26% (52 cases) performed in group II, 14% (28 cases) performed in group III. If the laparotomy was the only therapeutical option in patients with CBDS from group I, the therapeutical procedures become more various after 1990. It was done endoscopic sphincterotomy in 59% (124 cases) in group II and in 64% (126 cases) in group III. The laparoscopic extraction of CBDS was 12% (cases) in group II and 19% (37 cases) in group III. The overall mortality in conventional surgery was 1.5% with 1.8% in group I and 0% in group II and III. The complications rate was 13% with 8% in group II and 21% in group III. The postoperative hospitalisation time average was 16 days for laparotomy of the 3 groups. The conventional surgery is main indicated when laparoscopic surgery for CBDS extractions or endoscopic sphincterotomy is contraindicated or failed; also it is useful in some complicated forms of CBDS.

[Retro-duodenal papillary perforation after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Role of surgical treatment by exclusion of the duodenum. Apropos of 3 cases]

Among the complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy whose rate is about 10% of cases, the retroduodenal papillary perforation represents about 1% of cases. The diagnosis lies on radiological examination which may show during the sphincterotomy the extravasation of the contrast fluid used for the retrograde cholangiography; it can be suggested by the presence of clinical signs of retroperitoneal sepsis or peritonitis. The treatment depends on the severity or peritonitis. The treatment depends on the severity of the clinical symptomatology; it is generally a medical treatment associating nasogastric aspiration and antibiotherapy, and more rarely a surgical one. There is no consensus concerning surgical modalities. We report 3 cases of retroduodenal papillary perforation treated surgical by a duodenal exclusion aiming to transform a complex fistula in a bilio-pancreatic fistula which can be more easily managed by somatostatine-like drugs.

[Virology: diagnosis or screening?]

André Dachy is a sensitive clinician as well as a microbiologist who knows about hidden meanings of laboratory tests. Pediatrics was enriched by his dual interest in observation of the children and of the microbes which threaten them. As time went by, Dachy's interest for social medicine grew. Thus, it is justified to address him the present consideration on relevancy of virology diagnosis and modalities of screening.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: evaluation of the role of human papillomaviruses

OBJECTIVES

The study evaluated the conflicting results of the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of bladder carcinoma.

METHODS

We analyzed the frequency of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, and 33 by using polymerase chain reaction on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens, from 75 cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Fifteen samples of normal urothelium adjacent to TCC (10) or from normal bladder obtained at autopsy (5) served as negative controls.

RESULTS

HPV type 16 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected in 2 (2.7%) of the 75 cases of TCC and in none of the normal urinary bladder cases. The 2 patients with HPV type 16 were immunosuppressed after undergoing renal and cardiac transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly suggest that HPVs play a minor role in the development of TCC of the bladder in the general population, although they can act as oncogenic agents in predisposed patients, such as those who are immunosuppressed.

Human papillomavirus type 16 associated with multifocal transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder in two transplanted patients

This report describes two cases of rapidly progressive, multifocal transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder that developed in two patients after renal and cardiac transplantation, respectively. In both cases human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 DNA was detected using the polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification method. To our knowledge, this HPV type has not been previously described in multifocal bladder transitional cell carcinoma in transplanted patients. Our findings suggest that HPV may play a major role in the development of rapidly progressive, multifocal transitional cell carcinoma in immunosuppressed patients.

Demonstration of human papillomavirus type 2 in a verrucous carcinoma of the foot

This report describes one case of verrucous carcinoma of the foot containing human papillomavirus type 2 DNA which was detected by the polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification method. Our findings suggest that human papillomavirus type 2, which was classically associated with palmoplantar warts, may also play a role in the pathogenesis of peripheral verrucous carcinoma.

Lethal oxidative damage to human immunodeficiency virus by human recombinant myeloperoxidase

Human recombinant myeloperoxidase was evaluated in a cell-free system for its inactivation properties on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus, HTLV-IIIB. In the presence of a hydrogen peroxide generating system (glucose and glucose oxidase) and sodium thiocyanate, the recombinant enzyme inhibited virus-induced syncytium formation and viral replication without causing any cytopathic effects on SupT1 reporter cells. In addition, U937 monocytoid cells, chronically infected with HIV1, were exposed to recombinant myeloperoxidase (10 U/ml) and monitored during 48 h for the accumulation of intracellular p24 viral antigen. Under these conditions, the recombinant enzyme significantly reduced intracellular viral replication without affecting cell viability.

Inhibition of HIV infectivity by lactoperoxidase-produced hypothiocyanite

HIV aliquots, from a supernatant of ARV-4 cell line, were mixed with an equal volume of a OSCN.generating glucose-glucose oxidase + thiocyanate-lacteroperoxidase solution, and then pre-incubated at 37 degrees C for periods of 30 secs to one hour. These mixtures were then inoculated into cultures of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes. Viral growth was monitored with an ELISA quantitating the specific p24 protein either in the culture cells or in the supernatant. In control experiments, the virus produced both intra- and extra-cellular p24. In the controls, concentration of p24 per 10(6) lymphocytes grew rapidly. By contrast, HIV that was pretreated with the OSCN generating system for 30 sec., produced very little p24, and no detectable amount of this protein could be found after 2 min. pre-treatment.

Absence of antibodies to HIV-2/HTLV-4 in six central African nations

We studied 1508 individuals from Zaire, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, and Cameroon for antibodies to HIV-2/HTLV-4. AIDS, ARC, other disease or tumor patients and healthy people were sampled from 1984-1986. By radioimmunoprecipitation and SDS/PAGE analysis and/or Western blot we failed to find any samples with specific antibodies to HIV-2/HTLV-4 indicative of infection. In contrast, 363 of these 1508 individuals demonstrated antibodies to HIV-1/HTLV-3B by the same serologic assays. HIV-2/HTLV-4 infection appears to be quite rare in Central Africa. AIDS and related syndromes in this study were exclusively correlated with HIV-1 infection. Studies in West Africa have shown high rates of infection with HIV-2/HTLV-4 where cases of AIDS are still relatively uncommon. These results indicate that HIV-2/HTLV-4 has a distinct geographic distribution from that of HIV-1 in Africa. Further studies are necessary to better define the pathogenicity and natural history of this distinct new virus, HIV-2/HTLV-4.

LAV/HTLV-III infection in children of African origin: experience in Belgium

From December 1982 to June 1985, we diagnosed LAV/HTLV-III infection in 16 children of African origin living in Belgium or referred to one of the hospitals participating in this study. Diagnosis was proven in seven of them by isolation of virus of the LAV/HTLV-III group. In the nine others, LAV/HTLV-III infection was highly probable because of the presence of antibodies against the virus (seven subjects) or clinical and immunological evidence of immune deficiency associated with a parental history of LAV/HTLV-III infection (two subjects). Five of these children had a severe illness starting in the first months of life (range 20 days--4 months) and died within 4 months (range 19 days--10 months). Eight children presented later in life (mean age 35 months, range 2-66 months) with a milder and more chronic disease characterized by the presence of generalized lymphadenopathy (6/8), hepatomegaly (5/8), splenomegaly (5/8), interstitial pulmonary infiltration (4/8), parotid swelling (3/8), CSF lymphocytosis (3/5), diarrhoea without pathogen isolated (1/8) and fever (1/8). At least one of the parents of each child was of African origin. At the time of birth of their child two mothers and one father had an AIDS-related complex. After a mean period of 34 months (range 3-87 months) five fathers and six mothers had a symptomatic LAV/HTLV-III infection (AIDS or AIDS-related complex).

Glycosylation inhibitors block the expression of LAV/HTLV-III (HIV) glycoproteins

The glycosylation inhibitors 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-dGlc) and, to a lesser extent, beta-hydroxynorvaline blocked the formation of syncytia in HIV (LAV/HTLV-III)-infected cells. Using monospecific polyclonal antibodies against recombinant envelope proteins gp110 and gp41 or monoclonal antibodies against env gp110, we could demonstrate a marked reduction in the immunoreactivity of these antigens in HIV-infected cells exposed to the glycosylation inhibitors. There was concomitant accumulation of core proteins p15 and p24, as shown by a solid phase radio-immunoassay, and a decreased oligosaccharide synthesis of env proteins, as monitored by the incorporation of [6-3H]GlcNAc. The reverse transcriptase was not affected by the compounds. Glycosylation inhibitors may be considered for the chemotherapy of AIDS or AIDS-related complex, or chemoprophylaxis of HIV-positive individuals.

Markers of HTLV-III in patients with end stage renal failure treated by haemodialysis

Patients and members of staff from a haemodialysis unit were tested for markers of infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), the virus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed eight of 100 patients to have antibodies to HTLV-III. In five of these patients past or present infection with HTLV-III was confirmed by Western blot analysis or detection of HTLV-III antigens in lymphocyte cultures, or both. Investigation of other risk factors for AIDS showed that the putative source of HTLV-III was unrelated to dialysis in two patients whereas blood transfusion was the most likely cause of contamination in the others. No member of staff gave a positive result in the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Nosocomial transmission of HTLV-III seems unlikely if precautions similar to those recommended for the control of hepatitis B infection are applied.

Bovine leukemia virus-related antigens in lymphocyte cultures infected with AIDS-associated viruses

An earlier finding that lymphocytes from African patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) react with rabbit antiserum to purified antigens of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) prompted a study of the possible cross-reactions between a BLV-infected ovine cell line and human lymphocytes inoculated with a strain of lymphadenopathy syndrome-associated virus (LAV). A solid-phase radioimmunoassay was used to detect antigenic markers of the retroviruses. Crude extracts from short-term cultures of lymphocytes infected with LAV bound rabbit antisera to the LAV glycoprotein gp13 (molecular weight 13,000) and the BLV proteins p24 and gp51, but did not bind antibodies to the p24 of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Antiserum to LAV gp13 reacted with an ovine cell line producing BLV but also weakly with virus-free ovine cells. Lymphocyte cultures from four African patients with AIDS expressed BLV-related antigens within 6 to 10 days of culture, at the moment when particle-bound reverse transcriptase was produced. BLV-related antigens were induced in lymphocyte cultures from healthy individuals by addition of filtered supernatant or irradiated cells of the original culture. The antisera to BLV used in this study may prove useful for the detection of AIDS-associated viruses in short-term cultures of lymphocytes from AIDS patients or their contacts.

Human syncytiotrophoblast membrane proteins defined using a heterologous antiserum

Detergent extracts of human trophoblast plasma membranes (TrPM) and of other fetal tissues from the same conceptus were prepared and the proteins separated by use of isoelectric focusing. A major band of isoelectric point (pI) 4.1 was present in TrPM together with minor bands of (pI) 4.9, 5.9, 7.3, 7.8 and 7.9. These bands were absent from non-trophoblastic fetal tissues. The pI 4.1 protein reacted with an 125I-labelled IgG fraction of a heterologous antiserum raised against TrPM and was found to have an apparent molecular weight of 100,000. This protein did not appear to be placental alkaline phosphatase, SP1, transferrin or human chorionic gonadotrophin. Many neoplastic cell lines tested also revealed a major protein band of pI 4.1 but it has not been established that this was the same protein as found in the TrPM preparations.

Study of the expression of a glycoprotein of retroviral origin in the plasma of patients with hematologic disorders and in the plasma of normal individuals

A 74,000 molecular weight glycoprotein was purified from the plasma of a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis. Monoclonal antibodies were produced in the mouse and used to characterize this protein. It was shown to contain p15E antigenic determinants and portions of a reverse transcriptase. The level of this protein was found to be elevated in leukemic patients with high white blood cell counts and also in some patients with other hematopoietic disorders as compared to the level measured in normal individuals. The level of the protein was strongly reduced in acute leukemia patients after intense chemotherapy treatment. We tentatively conclude that this protein is of endogenous retroviral origin and perhaps regulates hematopoietic tissues.

Cell receptors for baboon endogenous virus recognized by monoclonal antibodies

Hybridomas from mice immunized with baboon endogenous virus (BaEV) from A204(M7) cells produced several antiviral monoclonal antibodies and, in addition, antibodies D-12 and E-4, which appeared to be virus specific because they reacted with BaEV but not with Mason-Pfizer virus or RD-114 virus. However, they also bound to human virus-free cells, and they did not recognize BaEV from bat or canine host cells. Cell membrane targets for these antibodies comigrated with an 18,000-dalton protein, which may contain specific determinants of BaEV receptors since antibody masking of these cell sites prevented BaEV but not Mason-Pfizer virus or RD-114 virus adsorption. However, RD-114 virus interfered with BaEV adsorption. Thus, the two viral receptors must be adjacent, but the antibody D-12 and E-4 targets are not within the active site of RD-114 virus receptor. Conversely, cell coating with BaEV from bat or canine hosts inhibited antibody D-12 binding. Noncultivated human lymphocytes and cells from fetal organs bound much less antibody D-12 than did cells from established cell lines, with a correlation between amounts of antibody D-12 acceptor sites and BaEV receptors. Thus, in vivo, BaEV infection of human cells may be inefficient. In vitro, antibody D-12 treatment of chronically infected A204(M7) cells caused intracellular accumulation of viral proteins and decreased virus release, with no such effect on RD-114 virus-producing cells. Canine cells bound antibody D-12 only if coated with BaEV from A204(M7) cells, indicating that the human determinant coadsorbed with the virions to animal cells. Possibly, determinants of cell receptors participate in BaEV maturation and become associated with the virions.

Monoclonal antibodies against baboon endogenous virus and against host cell antigens

Monoclonal antibodies were produced by murine hybridomas after immunization with semipurified baboon endogenous virus. In a solid-phase radioimmunoassay, two antibodies (F12-9 and B9-18) reacted with viral antigen only. The antibodies A6-8 and C9-12 also reacted with virus-producing cells but not with control cells, whereas antibodies E4-6 and D12-2 bound to virus-free cells as well. The cytofluorometry technique confirmed these results and showed a competition between antibodies A6-8 and C9-12 for binding to virus-producing cells as well as a competition between antibodies D12-2 and E4-6 for binding to virus-free human cells. An immune precipitation assay with disrupted virions indicated that antibodies A6-8, B9-18, and C9-12 were directed against the gp70 glycoprotein, and that antibody F12-9 reacted with a viral antigen with a molecular weight of 18,000. The syncytia induced in RSa cells by baboon molecular weight of 18,000. The syncytia induced in RSa cells by baboon endogenous virus could be inhibited either when antibody A6-8 or C9-12 was combined to the virus or when the RSa cells were treated with the anticellular antibody D12-2 or E4-6. These two effects were not observed with Mason-Pfizer virus. Thus, of three antibodies with specificities for viral gp70, two (A6-8 and C9-12) were directed at viral sites responsible for syncytium formation. Another antiviral antibody (F12-9) reacted with a protein of unknown function with a molecular weight of 18,000. The two anticellular antibodies were directed at similar or neighboring epitopes, which may be situated within the receptor to the virus.

Expression of retrovirus-related antigen in pregnancy. I. Antigens cross-reacting with simian retroviruses in human foetal tissues and cord blood lymphocytes

Antisera to Mason-Pfizer or Baboon Endogenous Virus possessed complement-dependent cytotoxicity for cell lines chronically infected with these viruses, with some degree of cross-reaction. When appropriately absorbed with virus-free cells, the antisera were not cytotoxic for lymphocytes of adult males but lysed lymphocytes of neonates in about half of the 30 cord blood samples tested and were also cytotoxic for one third of 26 trophoblast suspensions prepared from healthy placentae. Detection of retrovirus-related antigens was no more frequent in trophoblast from 9 pre-eclamptic placentae. These viral antigens were also demonstrated in cultures of foetal tissues, but only after a period of culture and only when the cells were treated with 5-iododeoxyuridine. The results demonstrate that retroviruses are not only expressed in vivo in the placenta but can also be induced in cultures of foetal cells. Retrovirus-related antigens also seem to be present on foetal lymphocytes.

Expression of retrovirus-related antigen in pregnancy. II. Cytotoxic and blocking specificities of immunoglobulins eluted from the placenta

Immunoglobulins, mostly of the IgG class, were detected in eluates of the placenta of 75% of 50 healthy women in their first or second pregnancy, 92% of 30 women with more than two pregnancies, and 87% of 23 pre-eclamptic patients. The immunoglobulins were assayed for complement-dependent cytotoxicity on human and monkey cell-lines, as well as on the same cells chronically infected with either Mason-Pfizer Virus (M-P V) or Baboon Endogenous Virus (BeV). The frequency of cytotoxic reactions was very low, except with immunoglobulins from the pre-eclamptic placentae, where one third of the samples lysed virus-infected cells with occasional killing of virus-free cells. All placental immunoglobulins which were not cytotoxic were then assayed for blocking activity by testing whether they could compete with the action of anticellular sera of virus-free cells, or with the toxic effect of antiviral sera on virus producing cells. 64% of the immunoglobulins from normal placentae competed with antiviral antibodies while only 17% blocked the action of anticellular sera. The frequency of blocking immunoglobulins was no greater in eluates from pre-eclamptic placentae. The data indicate that the placenta possesses retrovirus antigen sites which bind blocking antibodies in normal pregnancy and complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies in pre-eclampsia.

Mason-Pfizer like virus in kidney grafted patients

Lymphocytes from a kidney grafted patient were specifically stimulated to incorporated thymidine in vitro by mitomycin C treated Hela cells infected with a Mason-Pfizer like virus (MPV). The thermolabile mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV tl) grown in leukocytes of this patient produced pseudotypes which were neutralized by the patient's sera and boy rabbit anti-MPV sera. Coculture of the patients leukocytes with SIRC cells yielded virus populations with dual properties; those of MPV plus those of another virus which was not typed serologically but possessed the biological properties of typical C particles. The patient also had neutralizing antibodies to MPV, which were detected by inhibition of syncytium formation on KC cells and by neutralization of VSV tl (MPV) pseudotypes. Preliminary results on the frequency of similar findings in other kidney grafted patients are presented.

Neutralization of Mason-Pfizer virus by sera from patients treated for renal disease

Sera from 67 patients treated for renal diseases were assayed by as many as three different tests for activities against Mason-Pfizer virus (M-P V) antigens. Firstly, in patients studied before kidney transplantation, neutralizing activity against syncytium-forming units of M-P V was found in 50% of 24 cases of chronic glomerulonephritis but in only 10% of 20 cases with other diseases (P less than 0.01). These proportions were higher after treatments accompanying transplantation since, of the 19 patients without antibodies before graft, 53% showed a sero-conversion after this treatment. The incidence of M-P V antibodies did not correlate with the number of transfusions received by the patients. Neither did these antibodies correlate with the presence of antibodies to antigens associated with baboon endogenous virus or simian sarcoma virus; antibodies to the latter two viruses were found in 6 to 21% of the sera, with no specific distribution among the sera. Secondly, pseudotypes of vesicular stomatitis virus with M-P V antigens in their envelope were prepared; they were inactivated by 90% of the sera which neutralized M-P V syncytium forming units and by none of the negative sera. Thirdly, specific complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies to HeLa cells producing M-P V were also found in 61% of the sera with neutralizing activity to M-P V and only in 12% of the sera which did not neutralize M-P V. Absorption experiments indicated that the serum activities against M-P V associated antigens were not due to anticellular antibodies directed against normal constituents of human cells. However, no evidence has been provided that the M-P V associated antigens reacting with the human sera were virus coded.

Delay of tumor growth in hamsters treated with lynestrenol and effect of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan A

The action of lynestrenol, a synthetic progesterone-like substance, was studied in Syrian golden hamsters inoculated with cells transformed by herpes simplex virus type I. Daily ip injections of 1 mg lynesterol/kg delayed tumor growth. Lynestrenol alone only slightly increased the survival of the animals. This effect was more marked when the animals were also given injections of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan A. Survivors showed an increased resistance to challenge with infected cells. Hamsters previously given injections of killed transformed cells and then challenged with living cells showed a facilitation of tumor growth. This facilitation was inhibited by lynestrenol alone or combined with S. aureus Cowan A.

Antibody and cell-mediated immunity to herpes simplex virus in psychotic depression

The incidence and antibody titers to herpes simplex virus (HSV) were found significantly higher in patients with psychotic depression as compared to normal controls. Furthermore, the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to HSV in psychotic depression was similar to that observed after acute HSV infection or recurrence. The results suggest therefore an association between HSV infection and psychotic depression.

Cell-mediated immune response to simian oncornavirus antigens in pregnant women

Tritiated thymidine incorporation into lymphocytes of 118 adult women was studied in the presence of mitomycin C-treated cells prepared from cell lines continuously producing Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV), baboon C-particle virus, or simian sarcoma virus (SSV) and in the presence of control cell lines documented for the absence of oncornaviruses. At the end of pregnancy, women who had 5-9 pregnancies showed a high frequency (53%) of specific positive responses to cells with MPMV antigens. The frequencies were 15% for pregnant women with smaller numbers of pregnancies and 3% for nonpregnant women with similar numbers of previous pregnancies as in the pregnancy group. None of these nonpregnant women had lymphocytes responding to stimulation by baboon C-virus antigens, but positive responses were obtained in 20 and 16% of the pregnant groups, respectively. No correlation was found between responses to MPMV or baboon C-virus antigens. Of 48 women (35 pregnant, 13 nonpregnant) who were tested for lymphocyte responses to SSV antigens, only 2 showed a positive response. The results indicated that two distinct antigens, related to MPMV and to baboon C-virus, may be expressed during pregnancy and may then induce a transient cell-mediated response.

The photoinactivation of an RNA animal virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, with the aid of newly synthesized psoralen derivatives

The newly synthesized psoralen derivatives, 4' hydroxymethyl 4,5',8 trimethylpsoralen, 4' methoxymethyl 4,5',8 trimethylpsoralen, and 4' aminomethyl 4,5',8 trimethylpsoralen hydrochloride photoreact with the single-stranded RNA animal virus, Vesicular Stomatitis virus, VSV. This virus is inactivated 10(3) times more effectively by photoreaction with these compounds than when photoreacted with 4,5',8 trimethylpsoralen. Under these conditions the RNA virus remains more than 10(3) times less sensitive to inactivation by these new photoreagents than were two double-stranded DNA viruses, Herpes Simplex type 2 (HSV-2) and Vaccinia. Preliminary evidence for the generality of this result is discussed.

Specific non-immunoglobulin G antibodies and cell-mediated response to herpes simplex virus antigens in women with cervical carcinoma

Non-immunoglobulin G-neutralizing antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 were assayed in sera adsorbed with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. They were present in 8% of women with normal cervical smear and in 20, 41, and 74% of women with atypia, dysplasia, and cervical carcinoma, respectively. Lymphocytes of the patients were tested for in vitro transformation by killed HSV type 1 and HSV type 2 (HSV-2), as well as by mitomycin C-treated hamster cells transformed by HSV or other viruses or not transformed. Specific stimulation by the HSV-transformed cells occurred in 2, 22, and 40% of women with normal cervical smear, dysplasia, and carcinoma of the cervix, respectively. This frequency rose to 82% during treatment with irradiation and decreased to 0% after surgery. When HSV-2 virions were used as antigens to stimulate the lymphocytes, similar differences were found between the various groups, but they were less clear-cut, since 16% of the control women had lymphocytes responding to HSV. Non-immunoglobulin G antibodies to HSV-2 were not present in blood at the same time as cell response to HSV-2-transformed cells. There was also a negative correlation between neutralizing activities of the sera and the indices of lymphocyte stimulation, indicating a regulation between humoral and cell-mediated responses.