Immunomodulation by vitamin B12: augmentation of CD8+ T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitamin B12-deficient patients by methyl-B12 treatment

It has been suggested that vitamin B12 (vit.B12) plays an important role in immune system regulation, but the details are still obscure. In order to examine the action of vit.B12 on cells of the human immune system, lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell activity were evaluated in 11 patients with vit.B12 deficiency anaemia and in 13 control subjects. Decreases in the number of lymphocytes and CD8+ cells and in the proportion of CD4+ cells, an abnormally high CD4/CD8 ratio, and suppressed NK cell activity were noted in patients compared with control subjects. In all 11 patients and eight control subjects, these immune parameters were evaluated before and after methyl-B12 injection. The lymphocyte counts and number of CD8+ cells increased both in patients and in control subjects. The high CD4/CD8 ratio and suppressed NK cell activity were improved by methyl-B12 treatment. Augmentation of CD3-CD16+ cells occurred in patients after methyl-B12 treatment. In contrast, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity, lectin-stimulated lymphocyte blast formation, and serum levels of immunoglobulins were not changed by methyl-B12 treatment. These results indicate that vit.B12 might play an important role in cellular immunity, especially relativing to CD8+ cells and the NK cell system, which suggests effects on cytotoxic cells. We conclude that vit.B12 acts as an immunomodulator for cellular immunity.     

Decreased blood natural killer cell activity and immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro in aplastic anemia

Natural killer (NK) cell numbers and T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood were evaluated in six patients with aplastic anemia (AA). The immunophenotyping results were correlated to in vitro tests of NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 cells and of immunoglobulin (Ig) production after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation. A significant decrease was found both in the percentage of Leu 11 positive cells and in NK cell activity as compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The decrease in NK cell activity could not be entirely compensated by an increase in effector/target cell ratios, thus suggesting not only a quantitative but also a functional defect in NK cells of the AA patients. Three of four AA patients tested showed no major increase of Ig production after PWM stimulation. All these three patients also had fewer "functional T helper" cells (Leu3+/Leu8-) and increased numbers of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (Leu2+) when compared to controls. No significant differences in numbers of B lymphocytes (B1+) could be found. Our findings suggest a possible linkage between quantitative and qualitative abnormalities in lymphocyte subsets in aplastic anemia. However, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis of increased NK cell activation behind the hemopoietic depression in this disease.     

应用四色荧光标记流式细胞术检测外周血淋巴细胞亚群的变化

目的 探讨四色荧光标记流式细胞术(Flow cytometry,FCM)检测鼻咽癌患者服用云芝丹参胶囊后外周血淋巴细胞亚群:辅助性T淋巴细胞(CD4 ),抑制性和细胞毒T淋巴细胞(CD8 ),B淋巴细胞(CD19 ),NK(CD16 CD56 ) 细胞的绝对数和百分率等的变化.方法 收集鼻咽癌患者27例,设立中药组和安慰剂对照组,采用四色荧光标记流式细胞术对服用云芝丹参胶囊后的鼻咽癌患者外周抗凝全血的淋巴细胞亚群CD4 细胞、CD8 细胞、B细胞、NK细胞进行绝对计数和相对计数,并对两组结果进行比较分析.结果 四色荧光标记流式细胞术结果显示:接受放射治疗的鼻咽癌患者在服用云芝丹参胶囊16周后,外周血T淋巴细胞的绝对数和百分率,以及Ts、Th细胞绝对数的下降均明显低于安慰剂组(P＜0.05);中药组和安慰剂组NK细胞百分率的变化均显著增高(P＜0.05); 但两组NK细胞绝对值的变化不存在明显差异(P＞0.05).结论 云芝丹参能明显减轻放射治疗对鼻咽癌患者的淋巴毒性.     

Development of lymphocyte subsets in tumor patients after subcutaneous administration of mistletoe extracts]

OBJECTIVE: In order to exclude the possibility that mistletoe therapy may result in immunosuppression, as indicated by a significant reduction of defined lymphocyte subsets, PATIENTS AND METHODS: peripheral blood cells of 23 tumour patients were treated subcutaneously with increasing concentrations of aqueous mistletoe extracts (Helixor(R)). Results and Conclusions:Within an observation period of 7 months, the relative amount of lymphocytes and the number of natural killer (NK) cells increased while the number of lymphocyte subsets (i. e. CD19+ B cells, CD4+ T helper cells, CD8+ CD28- suppressor cells, CD8+ CD28+ cytotoxic cells) and the proportion of CD25+ (activated) cells within T cells showed a statistically remarkable trend; due to the multiple test problem of statistical evaluation this trend is not allowed to be termed significant. The leucocytes decreased insignificantly within the observation period. However, we were unable to verify a suggested increase of defined lymphocyte subsets within 2-3 months after the onset of mistletoe treatment. Nevertheless, for the parameters CD19+ B cells, CD4+ T helper cells, CD8+ cells, CD8+ CD28+ cytotoxic cells and CD16+/CD56+ NK cells we observed statistically remarkable peaks within die 2nd and 3rd month of therapy, confirming the hypothesis. The responses to the extracts were obviously interindividually different; the immune responses especially of patients with a lower number of peripheral T cells were less significant as compared to those of patients with adequate T cell numbers. Surprisingly, even an increase of the drug concentration >3 ng mistletoe lectin (as determined within the whole plant extract) per kg body weight enhanced the number of CD4+ T helper cells. A decreased immunological reaction on mistletoe extracts was shown especially for patients with a reduced number of peripheral T cells, whereas patients with normal T-cell number were more reactive.     

Inverse relationship of CD8+CD11+ suppressor T cells with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cellular cytotoxicity and natural killer cell activity in HIV infection.

Profiles of CD8+CD11+ T suppressor cells, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-env-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activities, and natural killer (NK) cell activity were studied in 12 asymptomatic untreated HIV-infected patients. These patients were followed for 4-7 months. NK activity, HIV-env-specific CTL activities mediated by CD4+, CD8+ T cells and CD8+CD11+ T-suppressor cell number remained stable in seven patients during the study period. Alternatively, NK and HIV-specific CTL activities decreased and CD8+CD11+ cell number increased in five patients whose CD4+ T-cell number fell, and in four of these five patients serum p24 antigen level increased, and they developed minor clinical signs of disease progression during the study period. CD8+CD11+ cells are present in higher percentage (10-45% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells) in these HIV-infected patients as compared to those in normal individuals (3-5%). Our results suggest that CD8+CD11+ cells, NK, and HIV-specific cytotoxic activities may be helpful in monitoring prognosis of HIV infection. These observations also suggest that CD8+CD11+ cells may play an important role in the failure of host immune defences against HIV.     

慢性肝病患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的变化

本文采用流式细胞仪对５１例慢性肝病患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群进行了测定。结果发现慢性活动性肝为（ＣＡＨ）、慢性迁延性肝炎（ＣＰＨ）和肝炎后肝硬化（ＨＣ）患者与正常对照相比，ＮＫ数量明显增加（Ｐ〈０．０１），Ｄ４＾＋和ＣＤ３＾＋数量均明显降低（Ｐ〈０．０１），ＣＡＨ的ＣＤ８＾＋数量明显增加（Ｐ〈０．０１），且ＣＤ４＾＋／ＣＤ８＾＋比值明显下降（Ｐ〈０．０１），ＨＣ的ＣＤ４＾＋／ＣＤ８＾＋比值下降（Ｐ〈０     

慢性肾炎患者外周血T细胞亚群和共刺激分子的表达及其意义

为研究慢性肾炎患者外周血T细胞亚群和共刺激分子的表达特点及其在慢性肾炎免疫病理机制中的作用 ,本文采用免疫荧光标记和流式细胞仪分析 ,对 35例慢性肾炎患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和共刺激分子CD2 8、 4 1BB等的表达进行研究。结果表明 :(1)慢性肾炎患者T细胞亚群明显失衡 ,表现为CD4减少 ,CD8增加 ,CD4/CD8比值显著降低 ;(2 )共刺激分子CD2 8表达显著低于正常对照组 (CD2 8表达百分率分别为 45 95± 5 6 7和 6 6 42± 4 5 8,P <0 0 0 1) ,且CD4+ CD2 8+ T细胞和CD8+ CD2 8+ T细胞均显著减少。治疗后缓解期患者T细胞亚群失衡明显纠正 ,CD2 8+ T细胞 ,尤其是CD4+ CD2 8+ T细胞显著增多 ,而且CD4+ CD2 8+ T细胞数与患者的 2 4h尿蛋白定量呈负相关 (r= 0 47,P <0 0 1) ;(3)慢性肾炎患者共刺激分子 4 1BB在T细胞中的表达显著高于正常对照组 (表达百分率分别为 30 5 7± 8 12和 0 74± 0 2 8,P <0 0 0 1) ,治疗后的 4 1BB表达水平显著降低 ,而且 4 1BB异常高表达与CD8+ T细胞数呈正相关 (r=0 6 3,P <0 0 5 )。从而表明慢性肾炎外周血T细胞亚群失衡和T细胞活化所必需的共刺激分子CD2 8、 4 1BB异常表达 ,可能在慢性肾炎发生和病变进展中起着重要作用。     

慢性乙肝患者杀伤性免疫细胞功能的研究

通过对４４例病毒性肝炎患者Ｔ细胞亚群，ＮＫ细胞活性与ＬＡＫ细胞活性的观察，探讨了在慢性乙型肝炎病毒复制与非复制状态下的杀伤性细胞活性。结果表明：在乙肝病毒的高复制状态下，ＣＤ８＾＋细胞数增加，ＣＤ４＾＋／ＣＤ８＾＋比例显著下降；ＮＫ细胞活性与ＬＡＫ细胞活性也明显低下，且在ＨＢｅＡｇ与ＨＢＶＤＮＡ阳性组中，ＮＫ活性与ＬＡＫ活性的改变与ＨＢｅＡｇ的Ｐ／Ｎ值变化呈显著负相关，而ＮＫ活性与ＬＡＫ活性变化则     

Age-Related Changes in Human Blood Lymphocyte Subpopulations: II. Varying Kinetics of Percentage and Absolute Count Measurements

A reference range for lymphocyte populations, with particular emphasis on T lymphocyte subsets, was obtained for normal individuals covering age cohorts from birth through adulthood. This report confirms and extends findings from a developmental reference range published earlier (1). Absolute numbers of WBC, lymphocytes, and T, B, and NK subsets decline significantly during childhood. However, differences in the rate of decline of certain lymphocyte subsets leads to discordance between absolute numbers and percentages. Those lymphocyte subsets which decline less rapidly with age than the total lymphocyte count will show an increase in percentage, whereas those which decline more rapidly will show further declines in percentage values. T cell percentages were seen to increase over time whereas B cell percentages decline. Markers of immaturity such as CD45RA on CD4 cells and CD38 on CD8 cells declined in both percentages and absolute numbers. Activation markers, such as HLA-DR on CD8 cells and IL2-R on CD3 cells, increased in percentages with time but changed inconsistently in cell number from infancy to adulthood. These findings extend the lymphocyte reference range to markers thought to be informative in various disease states, including HIV infection.     

Transient stress lymphocytosis during crisis of sickle cell anemia and emergency trauma and medical conditions. An immunophenotyping study

Transient absolute lymphocytosis of peripheral blood has been described in "stress"-related emergency trauma and medical conditions. There are no reports of this phenomenon in patients with sickle cell anemia with vaso-occlusive crisis. We studied initial and follow-up immunophenotypic characteristics of 10 adult patients with sickle cell anemia in crisis and 15 adult patients with emergency conditions who presented with absolute lymphocytosis. On admission, both groups demonstrated increases in the numbers of CD20+ B cells and T cells of the CD2, CD4, CD8, and CD56 (NKH-1) phenotypes compared with control values. Findings in both groups of patients mimicked the results of parenteral epinephrine administration: a pan-B and -T lymphocytosis with marked increase in CD56 (fourfold to fivefold) and CD8 cells (threefold to fourfold) as well as moderate increases in CD20 and CD4 cells (twofold), resulting in a decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio compared with control values. In patients with sickle cell anemia, there was an expected increase in the CD56 and CD4 populations; however, CD8 cells only doubled at the time of crisis. Therefore, the CD4/CD8 ratio was normal compared with control values. CD20+ B cell numbers exceeded those seen in the patients with medical and trauma emergencies. Elevated corticosteroid levels have been measured after injury in previous studies. Parenterally administered cortisol produces a lymphocytopenia after 4 to 6 hours that selectively decreases T cells. At 10 to 38 hours after admission, there was a marked reduction in the number of T cells in both groups of "stressed" patients, probably reflecting at least partial effects of endogenous corticosteroids. In contrast to the patients with medical and trauma emergencies, the mean lymphocyte count in the patients with sickle cell anemia remained elevated in the "high normal" range and consisted of increased numbers of B cells and CD4 cells. This finding persisted in the patients with sickle cell anemia for up to 3 months after presentation. The lymphocyte responses in both groups probably reflect interactions between adrenergic and steroidal factors.     

CD3+CD56+ NK T cells are significantly decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, hyperproliferative skin disease, in which autoimmunity plays a great role. Natural killer T cells (NK T cells), are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases. To examine the involvement of CD3+CD56+ NK T cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, we investigated the lymphocyte subpopulations obtained from blood samples of psoriatic patients before and after treatment, and of healthy controls, using two-colour flow cytometry. We found no significant differences between total T cells, total B cells, T helper cells, T cytotoxic cells and NK cells in patients with psoriasis before and after treatment and in controls. Increased percentage of memory T cells and decreased percentage of naive T cells was detected in psoriatic patients compared to controls, but these changes were not statistically significant. The CD3+CD56+ cells of psoriatic patients were significantly decreased relative to controls. The percentage of CD3+CD56+ cells increased after different antipsoriatic therapies, but remained significantly lower than those found in controls. CD3+CD56+ cells of healthy controls were capable of rapid activation, while in psoriatic patients activated NK T cells were almost absent. The decrease in the number of CD3+CD56+ cells may represent an intrinsic characteristic feature of patients with psoriasis, which is supported by the fact that after treatment NK T cells do not reach the values found in controls. In conclusion our results suggest that CD3+CD56+ NK T cells could be actively involved in the development of Th1 mediated autoimmune diseases.     

CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells inhibit cytotoxic activity of T CD8+ and NK lymphocytes in the direct cell-to-cell interaction

There are reports suggesting an influence of CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory cells (Treg) on cytotoxic lymphocytes. The aim of the study was to evaluate such an influence. Cytotoxic activity was examined in the cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as in the cultures of separate T CD8(+) or NK cells mixed with Treg and other subpopulations of PBMC. We found that the production of IFNgamma, perforin and cytotoxic activity of T CD8(+) or NK cells were decreased in the presence of Treg, however, the percentage of conjugates formed by cytotoxic cells with target cells during cytotoxic reaction was decreased only in the cultures of T CD8(+) cells. Inhibition of the cytotoxic reactions in the presence of Treg cells was found to be associated with the generation of conglomerates formed by CD4(+)CD25(+) and the cytotoxic cells, as observed under the fluorescence microscope. Treg produced IL10 when mixed with the cytotoxic lymphocytes, however, an addition of anti-IL10 mAb into the cultures did not affect the results. It is concluded that Treg were able to inhibit both T CD8+ and NK lymphocyte cytotoxic activities in a direct cell-to-cell interaction. Treg decreased the number of T CD8+ cells attached to the target cells, while the mechanism underlying a decrease in NK cytotoxicity remained unclear.     

腰椎间盘退变性疾病与外周血淋巴细胞亚群的关系

文题释义：淋巴细胞亚群：淋巴细胞是白细胞的一种,是机体免疫应答功能的重要细胞成分,是淋巴系统几乎全部免疫功能的主要执行者,占外周血白细胞总数的20%-40%,按其发生迁移、表面分子和功能的不同,主要分成T淋巴细胞、B淋巴细胞和自然杀伤细胞三大类。 自然杀伤细胞(natural killer cell,NK)：是机体重要的免疫细胞,不仅与抗肿瘤、抗病毒感染和免疫调节有关,而且在某些情况下参与超敏反应和自身免疫性疾病的发生。 背景：既往研究认为椎间盘退变的主要原因为遗传、衰老、营养不良和负荷史,免疫系统在椎间盘退变过程中的作用尚不清楚。 目的：观察腰椎间盘退变患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的变化,并研究腰椎间盘退变程度与外周血各淋巴细胞亚群的关系。 方法：收集76例腰椎间盘退变性疾病患者和56例健康志愿者(对照组)的血样,用流式细胞仪检测外周血各淋巴细胞亚群,包括CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD8⁺T细胞、CD19⁺B细胞、CD3^-CD16⁺CD56⁺自然杀伤细胞等淋巴细胞亚群的百分率,计算CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。采用Pfirrmann分级标准评估2组腰椎间盘退变程度和分级,进一步评估外周血各淋巴细胞亚群与腰椎间盘退变程度的相关性。研究经郑州大学第一附属医院伦理审查委员会批准(伦理批号：2019-KY-285),所有受试者都签署了知情同意书。 结果与结论：①腰椎间盘退变性疾病组的腰椎间盘退变程度明显高于对照组(P < 0.05);②腰椎间盘退变性疾病组CD4⁺T细胞百分率、自然杀伤细胞百分率和CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值明显高于对照组(P < 0.05);腰椎间盘退变性疾病组CD8⁺T细胞百分率较对照组显著降低(P < 0.05);③对照组腰椎间盘退变程度与外周血各淋巴细胞亚群无相关性;腰椎间盘退变性疾病组腰椎间盘退变程度与CD4⁺ T细胞百分率、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值、自然杀伤细胞百分率成线性正相关(r =0.412,P=0.000;r=0.715,P=0.000;r=0.494,P=0.000),与CD8⁺ T细胞百分率成线性负相关(r=-0.737,P=0.000);④结果表明,腰椎间盘发生退行性改变可能与外周血各淋巴细胞亚群改变有关,且CD4⁺T细胞增多、自然杀伤细胞增多以及CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值增高可能加速腰椎间盘退变。提示,免疫系统改变预示腰椎间盘退变发生的可能,其有望成为腰椎间盘退变性疾病的防治靶点。 ORCID: 0000-0002-8087-2356(冯阳) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Relative and absolute numbers of T lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cells in male population in relation to age

Using BMA monoclonal antibodies and fluorescent microscope, percentages and absolute numbers of lymphocytes, T cell subsets and NK cells were enumerated in peripheral blood from 126 healthy men. Although absolute numbers of total lymphocytes did not differ according to age, the numbers and percentage of natural killer (NK) cells showed positive interrelationship with age. The percentage but not absolute numbers of cells reacting with BMA 030 (CD3) and BMA 040 (CD4) antibodies were significantly increased only in groups aged of 20-29 yrs and 30-39 yrs. The percentage and number helper/inducer T cells (CD4) were comparable in the four groups of subjects. These results indicate that peripheral lymphocyte populations and T cell subsets and NK cells remarkably vary in healthy men over a wide range of ages.     

Evidence for circulating activated cytotoxic T cells in HIV-infected subjects before the onset of opportunistic infections

The activity of both cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells were measured cross-sectionally in 43 subjects seropositive for HIV, in 27 HIV- blood donors and in 24 HIV- persons from the Outpatients Clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. CTL activity was evaluated using the HL-60 cells coated with OKT3 as the targets and freshly separated peripheral blood lymphocytes as the effectors. In 20 out of 43 HIV+ subjects, CTL activity was significantly enhanced in comparison to the HIV- subjects. This lytic activity correlated positively with the percentages of CD3+ HLA-DR+, of CD8+ CR3- and of CD57+ CD16- lymphocytes, and was greatly reduced after elimination of CD8+, of HLA-DR+ or of CD57+ cells. The median CTL activity seemed to increase from CDC group II to CDC group IV (Centers for Disease Control classification), but to return back to control levels in those patients with a history of opportunistic infections. NK function in HIV+ subjects was not significantly different from that in the blood donors. In seropositive patients, NK activity correlated positively with the percentages of both CD16+ CD57+ and of CD8+ CR3+ cells and was strongly diminished after elimination of CD16+ or of CD57+ cells. There was no significant change in NK function according to the clinical stage. The data show that circulating CD8+ HLA-DR+ CD57+ T cells in HIV+ subjects are activated cytotoxic T cells and point to progressive (over) activation of this T cell compartment until the onset of opportunistic infections.     

慢性髓系白血病患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和NK细胞检测的临床意义

目的 研究不同分期慢性髓系白血病患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、NK细胞的变化特点,以及应用伊马替尼治疗后获得完全细胞遗传学反应(complete cytogenetic reponse,CCyR)患者淋巴细胞亚群表达情况.方法 选取我院诊治40例慢性髓系白血病患者,其中急变期9例,慢性期31例.采用流式细胞术检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、NK细胞水平,并与正常对照组进行比较.结果 初治慢性期、急变期CML患者外周血CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T细胞百分率及CD4+/CD8+比值均低于正常对照组,且急变期CD3+、CD4+T细胞百分率及CD4 +/CD8+比值下降尤为突出(P＜0.01);初治慢性期患者NK细胞百分率与正常对照组相比无差异,而急变期患者低于正常对照组(P＜0.05).与正常组对比,伊马替尼治疗首次获得完全细胞遗传学反应患者仅CD4+T细胞百分率降低,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);但获得完全细胞遗传学反应后应用伊马替尼治疗大于12月患者,CD3+、CD4+T细胞百分率及CD4 +/CD8+比值较正常对照组均有所下降(P＜0.05).与治疗前相比,治疗首次获得完全细胞遗传学反应患者CD3+、CD4+T细胞百分率升高(P＜0.05),而缓解后应用伊马替尼治疗大于12月患者T淋巴细胞亚群无改变(P＞0.05);各组的NK细胞百分比无差异(P＞0.05).初诊CML患者、急变期CD4+/CD8+的比值与BCR-ABLl/ABL1的比值呈负相关.结论 CML患者存在细胞免疫调节功能异常,且机体免疫功能与疾病分期密切相关.伊马替尼治疗初次获得完全细胞遗传学反应患者细胞免疫功能得到改善,但长期应用抑制患者细胞免疫功能.     

Cell-mediated immunity in patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix

Multiple in vitro immune parameters were investigated in thirty-four untreated patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix and in twenty-five controls. The parameters measured were percentages and absolute counts of T and B cells, percentage of T cell subsets, lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), natural killer (NK) activity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity. Patients with invasive cervical carcinoma, as compared with controls, showed a decrease in the percentage and count of T cells, a decrease in the percentage of helper-inducer (CD4+) T cells, decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio, depressed lymphocyte response to PHA and Con A, and depressed NK and ADCC activities. There were no significant differences in these immune parameters between early and advanced tumor stages. The levels of total lymphocytes, monocytes, suppressor-effector (CD8+) T cells, and B cells were similar to those of the controls. IL-2 productivity in patients was lower than that in controls. In patients with invasive cervical carcinoma, a decrease in the percentage of CD4+ cells was associated with depressed PHA response and decreased IL-2 productivity was correlated with the reduced percentage of CD4+ cells and decreased NK activity. This study shows a significant defect in an important immune surveillance mechanism in patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix and suggests that impaired IL-2 activity production may be related to quantitative and qualitative alterations in lymphocyte subpopulations which play a major role in immune surveillance against cervical cancer.     

Bronchoalveolar lavage cell analysis and lung function impairment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

We examined the relationship between peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocyte phenotypes and lung function in 19 patients with SLE, and evaluated their association with disease activity. Lung function assessment showed a mildly restrictive pattern with frequent impairment of transfer factor for carbon monoxide (T1,co) and diffusing capacity of the alveolocapillary membrane (Dm), of late-expiratory airflow rates and with a high prevalence of increased airway resistance. T1,co, Kco and Dm correlated inversely with the numbers of CD8+ cells and CD56+/CD16+/CD3- (NK) cells in BAL. Oxygen radical production, both by stimulated and unstimulated BAL cells and blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) was significantly increased in SLE. In comparison with healthy controls, patients with SLE had a lower percentage of CD19+ B cells in the BAL versus an increased percentage of these cells in peripheral blood. HLA-DR expression on CD4+ and CD8+ lung lymphocytes was markedly increased in SLE. Current SLE disease activity was not associated with changes in BAL or peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes. Our data suggest that an ongoing cell-mediated immune response is present in the lungs in SLE, particularly involving activated CD8+ T cells and CD56+/CD16+/CD3- NK cells. It is associated with up-regulated local production of oxygen radicals and with impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity. This inflammatory process seems to be independent of general SLE disease activity.     

Expression of perforin in murine natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo.

We have previously detected perforin expression in a subpopulation of asialo GM1+ natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes in murine spleen cells by immunocytochemical staining with an anti-perforin monoclonal antibody. In the present study, more detailed analyses of perforin expression in murine cytotoxic lymphocyte subpopulations were performed. The expression of perforin in asialo GM1+ spleen cells was predominantly confined to the NK1.1+ subset, where all NK activity also resided. Perforin expression was also studied on alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) induced in vivo. The cells expressing perforin in peritoneal exudate lymphocytes predominantly resided in the CD8+ T cell subpopulation co-expressing asialo GM1 where an allospecific CTL activity also resided. Furthermore, the percentage of perforin-positive cells in this population was greatly reduced after stimulation with anti-CD3 or anti-T cell receptors antibodies, which induce serine esterase release from the cytoplasmic granules. These findings highly suggest that perforin is involved in in vivo NK cell- and CTL-mediated cytolysis.     

胃癌患者红细胞C3b受体与淋巴细胞免疫功能的相关性研究

目的：研究胃癌患者红细胞C3b受体（RBC-C3bR）与淋巴细胞免疫功之间的关系。方法：利用酵母菌花环试验、MTT法及克隆抗体致敏花环法对51例胃癌患者及30例正常人的RBC-C3bR、自然杀伤细胞（NK）活性及T淋巴细胞（TC）亚群进行测定。结果：胃癌患者RBC-C3bR阳性率、NK细胞杀伤活性、CD3^＋、CD4^＋、CD4^＋／CD8^＋比值均比正常对照组显著低下（P〈0．05、P〈0．01）。经统计学相关性分析显示，RBC-C3bR阳性率与CD4^＋／CD8^＋比值、NK细胞杀伤活性间呈正相关（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）。结论：胃癌患者红细胞免疫功能与淋巴细胞免疫功能一样受到抑制，二者免疫功能密切联系、相互影响。