Lymphocyte functional antigens stabilize agglutination between Reed-Sternberg cells and T cells, but are not responsible for homotypic binding of Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells.

The neoplastic (Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg [H-RS]) cells in Hodgkin's disease (HD) are known for their unique capacity to form rosettes with unprimed T cells. Recently, a family of leukocyte-adherence molecules (LFA-1 and LFA-2) has been identified on T lymphocytes. The molecules bind to intercellular-adhesion molecules (ICAMs) and to LFA-3, respectively, which are associated with antigen-presenting cells. In this study, the authors examined whether these molecules are responsible for the homotypic and heterotypic agglutination that occurs in the cultured H-RS cells HDLM-1, HDLM-1d, and KM-H2. Despite their similar expressions of LFA-3 and ICAM-1, the different H-RS cells tested showed different growth patterns in culture. HDLM-1 cells grew singly, whereas HDLM-1d and KM-H2 cells grew in clumps. The HDLM-1 cells formed clumps when mixed with peripheral-blood T lymphocytes, cells of two lymphoblastic T-cell lines (MOLT-3 and MOLT-4), and cells of two monocyte lines (ML-1 and U-937). The addition of anti-LFA and ICAM-1 antibodies to cultures did not result in disassembly of the homotypic clusters of HDLM-1d or KM-H2 cells and it did not cause any significant changes in the size of heterotypic clusters or in the timing of cluster formation of HDLM-1 cells with other types of cells. In all studies, the cell clusters formed during homotypic and heterotypic aggregation were disassembled only minimally by cell shearing with pipetting. The disaggregation by pipetting was slightly more prominent in the presence of antibodies than was that of control cultures. However, in no case did the use of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and cell shearing cause complete disaggregation of homotypic and heterotypic clusters. The result seems to suggest that binding between H-RS cells and T cells and between H-RS cells and monocytes is not mediated primarily by LFAs and ICAMs, but that the binding may be strengthened in the presence of these molecules.     

Heterogeneity of interleukin 1 production in cultured Reed-Sternberg cell lines HDLM-1, HDLM-1d, and KM-H2.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is known for its role in modulating the immune response and is required for initiation of lymphocyte proliferation by means of increased IL-2 production by lymphocytes. Previously, the expression of IL-1 in H-RS cells in tissue sections was shown by using immunoperoxidase staining. For further confirmation, the production of IL-1 in cultured cells of the H-RS cell lines HDLM-1, HDLM-1d, and KM-H2 was examined by using a murine D10.G4.1 T cell proliferation bioassay and Northern blot hybridization with specific IL-1 cDNA probes. It was confirmed that two types of H-RS cells, HDLM-1 and KM-H2, can secrete IL-1, especially after treatment with phorbol ester. The amounts of IL-1 in H-RS cell culture medium ranged from approximately 0.5 to 2.5 ng/ml. The major IL-1 secreted by HDLM-1 cells was IL-1 alpha, and by KM-H2 cells was IL-1 beta. HDLM-1d cells did not produce IL-1. This finding indicates the heterogeneity of IL-1 production in H-RS cells. Such heterogeneity may apply to H-RS cells in vivo, based on the variable IL-1 staining of these cells in lymphoid tissues.     

Cultured Reed-Sternberg cells HDLM-1 and KM-H2 can be induced to become histiocytelike cells. H-RS cells are not derived from lymphocytes.

Two Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cell (H-RS) lines, HDLM-1 and KM-H2, have phenotypes and functional properties very similar to those of H-RS cells in tissues. These two types of cells were induced to differentiate with a combination of phorbol ester, retinoic acid, and extracellular matrix. The induced cells displayed the morphology of histiocytes or histiocytelike cells, with a small, round or oval, eccentric nucleus and abundant cytoplasm. In ultrastructural studies, many cytoplasmic projections and rugae were observed. These induced cells exhibited abundant cytoplasmic lysosomal enzymes, such as esterase, acid phosphatase, alpha 1-antitrypsin, or lysozyme. The histiocytic nature of these induced cells was further confirmed by the increased expression of many monocyte/histiocyte markers, including CD11b, CD11c, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33, CD68, Mac387, and 1E9. In functional tests, the induced cells were shown to produce interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and/or prostaglandin E2. Phagocytosis was detected in less than 5% to 10% of the cells when Candida albicans was added to cultures. The results strongly suggest that H-RS cells are related to cells of histiocyte lineage.     

Lack of effect of colony-stimulating factors, interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factor on the growth and differentiation of cultured Reed-Sternberg cells. Comparison with effects of phorbol ester and retinoic acid.

The neoplastic Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells in Hodgkin's disease are surrounded in vivo by abundant reactive cells, the function of which may be attributed in part to their elaboration of various cytokines. Thus, a study of the interaction of H-RS cells with exogenous cytokines may provide information as to the mechanism of the clinical and histopathologic changes observed in Hodgkin's disease. This study examined the effect of various cytokines, and of phorbol ester (TPA) and retinoic acid, on the differentiation and proliferation of cultured H-RS cells (cell lines HDLM-1 and KM-H2). In addition, it was determined whether these cells were able to secrete cytokines after being treated with exogenous cytokines. The cytokines used included various types of interleukins (1, 2, and 3), colony-stimulating factors (GM, G, and M), interferons (alpha, beta, and gamma), and tumor necrosis factor (alpha). It was found that these cytokines, used alone or in combination, were not effective in modulating the proliferation and differentiation of cells, or the production of cytokines, in cultured H-RS cells. In contrast, this study revealed that retinoic acid can potentiate TPA-induced growth inhibition in cultured H-RS cells. Retinoic acid, when used alone, exhibited a minimal effect on cell differentiation. No synergistic effects of cytokines and retinoic acid on H-RS cells were observed. The failure of cultured H-RS cells to respond to exogenous cytokines suggests that, during the course of neoplastic transformation, of progression of disease, or of establishment of the cells in culture, H-RS cells lose their dependence on cytokines, although they retain the capacity to produce various cytokines.     

Expression of p55 (Tac) interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), but not p75 IL-2R, in cultured H-RS cells and H-RS cells in tissues.

The authors studied the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2), the expression of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R; p55/Tac and p75), and the response to exogenous IL-2 by cultured Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells (cell lines HDLM-1, HDLM-1d, and KM-H2) and T cells (H9, HuT78, HuT102, MOLT-4, and MT-2). All of these cells did not produce IL-2 or produced it in undetectable amounts, and their growth was not affected by the addition of anti-IL-2 or anti-IL-2R antibodies. This indicates that H-RS cells in long-term culture, as well as T cells, can grow independently of IL-2. The three H-RS cell lines, as well as two of the T-cell lines (HuT102 and MT-2), expressed Tac, whereas the other three T-cell lines were Tac negative. Expression of p75 was noted in the two Tac-positive T-cell lines, but not in cultured H-RS cells. The expression of Tac and p75 in HuT102 and MT-2 cells correlated well with their capacity to proliferate on treatment with exogenous IL-2. On IL-2 treatment, nucleic-acid uptake in Tac/p75-positive T cells increased approximately four- to sixfold, whereas the Tac/p75-negative T cells did not show increased proliferation. Unlike the T cells, the Tac-positive H-RS cells did not respond to IL-2. The lack of a proliferative response to IL-2 appears to be related to the absence of p75 in H-RS cells. A similar pattern (Tac positivity and p75 negativity) was noted in H-RS cells in lymph nodes involved by Hodgkin's disease. Thus the exogenous IL-2 released by surrounding T lymphocytes may not cause the proliferative activity of H-RS cells because of the lack of high-affinity IL-2 receptors in the latter cells. In contrast to H-RS cells in culture, H-RS cells in tissues were stained by a specific anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody. This indicates that the expression of IL-2 or an IL-2-like substance by H-RS cells in tissues may be responsible, in part, for the great increase in the number of reactive T lymphocytes in tissues involved by Hodgkin's disease.     

Autocrine growth regulation of CD30 ligand in CD30-expressing Reed-Sternberg cells: distinction between Hodgkin's disease and anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Persistent expression of high levels of CD30 in Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) cells, but not in most T- or B-cell lymphomas, suggests the presence of an underlying mechanism leading to the abnormality and possible involvement of CD30 in the growth and survival of these two unique types of tumors. In this study, we examined the effect of CD30 ligand (CD30L) on CD30-positive H-RS and ALCL cells in long-term cultures or in primary cultures. CD30L induced various degrees of proliferation in three long-term cultured H-RS cell lines (L428, HDLM-2, and KM-H2) as well as in primary cultures of H-RS cells obtained directly from patients with Hodgkin's disease. In contrast, significant inhibition was observed in one of the ALCL cell lines (SU-DHL-1), but no growth inhibition or promotion in responding to exogenous CD30L was detected in three others (PB-1, JB-6, and McG-2), nor in primary cultures of ALCL cells. Expression of CD30L was determined by polymerase chain reaction in long-term cultured cells and by an immunohistochemical method in H-RS or ALCL cells de novo in tissue sections. None of the H-RS and ALCL cell lines was positive for CD30L. In tissue sections, we noticed that ALCL cells were generally CD30L-negative. In contrast, the anti-CD30L antibody reacted with a majority of H-RS cells with diffuse cytoplasmic staining. Most H-RS cells were CD30-positive, indicating co-expression of CD30 and CD30L in the majority of lymphoma cells. The persistent high levels of CD30 and CD30L expression in H-RS cells suggest that the autocrine CD30L-CD30 cytokine-receptor loop, in addition to having the paracrine activity previously thought to exist, could play important roles in the proliferation of H-RS cells. In contrast, the CD30L-mediated cytotoxicity may participate in the regression or slow progression of ALCL during the early phase of the disease in selected patients. However, when the disease progresses, the ALCL cells are likely to become resistant to exogenous CD30L.     

Extracellular matrix does not induce the proliferation, but promotes the differentiation, of Hodgkin''s cell line HDLM-1.

Tumor cells from the Hodgkin's cell line HDLM-1 were cultured in extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated flasks. Within 24 hours, the cells underwent rapid differentiation, accompanied by morphologic and phenotypic changes. A slow and less prominent, but similar change was observed in HDLM-1 cells after they had been induced with phorbol ester for 5 days. The ECM-induced cells became HeFi-1-negative and expressed antigens 2H9 and 1E9 on their nuclear membranes. These cells had punctate acid-phosphatase and esterase activities. Approximately 70% of the ECM-induced cells were elongated and had long, blunt cytoplasmic projections. These findings, together with evidence the authors previously presented, indicate that H-RS cells are related to interdigitating reticulum cells. The authors believe that the ECM-induced HDLM-1 cells can be used as an important model for studies of the nature and cell lineage of Hodgkin's disease.     

Correlation of c-fos/c-jun expression with histiocytic differentiation in Hodgkin''s Reed-Sternberg cells. Examination in HDLM-1 subclones with spontaneous differentiation.

The c-fos proto-oncogene, which is the normal homolog of the transforming gene carried by murine osteogenic sarcoma viruses, interacts with the protein product of another proto-oncogene, c-jun, to form a heterodimer that can recognize and bind to a specific sequence of nucleotides in the DNA. The expression of c-fos and c-jun is linked to the proliferation of certain cells and the differentiation of others, including those of monomyelocyte lineage. The authors used two cultured Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cell lines, KM-H2 and HDLM-1, and their single-cell clones to study the correlation of c-fos/c-jun expression with cell differentiation in H-RS cells. Within 48 hours after induction with phorbol ester (TPA), both parent lines exhibited markedly increased expression of c-fos/c-jun. The expression returned to the preinduction level after 96 hours, however, and the cells retained their differentiated status. The transitory increase in c-fos/c-jun expression suggests that binding of these proteins to a specific promoter in the nucleus triggers a cascade of events that result in cell differentiation. Expression of these proteins may not be required for the cells to maintain their differentiation. The authors selected three groups of sublines of HDLM-1 cells based on their degree of spontaneous cytologic differentiation. The first group, without obvious differentiation, showed a c-fos/c-jun expression pattern similar to that of the parent line. The second group, with moderate differentiation, had a high degree of expression, which decreased on treatment with TPA. The third group, which had morphologic features resembling those of histiocytes, expressed minimal amounts of c-fos/c-jun, irrespective of TPA treatment. These findings provide further evidence that c-fos/c-jun expression is related to differentiation of H-RS cells, and that these proteins are not byproducts of TPA induction. Expression of c-fos/c-jun also was noted in a subpopulation of H-RS cells in tissues; and this expression also was enhanced when these cells were treated with TPA in culture. These findings indicate that H-RS cells can differentiate to become mature-appearing cells in tissues.     

Interleukin-6, but not interleukin-4, is expressed by Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin''s disease with or without histologic features of Castleman''s disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a neoplastic disease that is characterized by unbalanced and/or unregulated cytokine production. Information accumulated in our own and other laboratories indicates that the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-5, IL-9, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage CSF (M-CSF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are secreted by Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells. These and perhaps additional cytokines are likely to be responsible for the unique histopathologic and clinical alterations seen in patients with HD. In this study, we confirmed that IL-6 is produced by cultured H-RS cells as well as by H-RS cells in tissues. By using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found that approximately 2 to 10 ng/ml of IL-6 was secreted by cultured H-RS cells (10(6) cells/ml). In tissues, we were able to immunolocalize IL-6 in the cytoplasm in 10 to 30% of H-RS cells by using rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal anti-IL-6 antibodies. There was no correlation among the IL-6 staining intensity, number of H-RS cells stained, and the degree of plasma cell infiltration. However, in 3 of 17 cases studied, a large number (60%) of H-RS cells were positive for IL-6, and in these patients, abundant plasma cells were present. In one patient, the involved lymph node also showed histologic features similar to those of Castleman's disease. In this patient, we noted abundant IL-6 expression not only in H-RS cells, but also in most reactive histiocytes. The cultured H-RS cells did not express functional receptors for IL-6, and exogenously added IL-6 did not induce proliferation of these cells. We also conducted studies with specific anti-IL-4 antibodies, which did not show IL-4 production by H-RS cells in both cultures and tissues. In tissues, only rare IL-4 positive lymphoid cells or dendritic cells were identified. Thus, the study demonstrated that adequate amounts of IL-6 are required for an abundant plasma cell reaction, and that an additional source of IL-6 from histiocytes is essential for the formation of Castleman's disease-like changes in lymph nodes involved by HD. Furthermore, IL-4 is not likely to be responsible for the T-lymphocyte reaction in tissues, by a mechanism distinct from that in T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas.     

Expression of prostaglandin H synthase (cyclooxygenase) in Hodgkin''s mononuclear and Reed-Sternberg cells. Functional resemblance between H-RS cells and histiocytes or interdigitating reticulum cells.

The synthesis of prostaglandin, prostacyclin, and thromboxane, which requires the enzyme prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase (cyclooxygenase), is a general property of histiocytes, monocytes, and Langerhans cells. Previously the authors reported the production of prostaglandin E2 in a Hodgkin's cell line, KM-H2, and suggested that these cells therefore have a functional similarity to histiocyte-related cells. The present study confirms that the Hodgkin's neoplastic (Reed-Sternberg, H-RS) cells in tissue are also capable of producing prostaglandins by demonstrating the presence of PGH synthase in these cells in B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. It was found that the H-RS cells from seven of ten patients with Hodgkin's disease were stained variously with anti-PGH synthase antibodies. In normal and reactive lymphoid tissues, anti-PGH synthase staining was restricted to histiocytes, endothelial cells, and interdigitating reticulum cells. Thus, this study provides further evidence for a possible relationship between H-RS cells and histiocytes or interdigitating reticulum cells; this relationship has also been supported by information obtained in extensive immunologic, biochemical, and cell-differentiation studies. The secretion of PGH-synthase products, especially prostaglandin E2, in H-RS cells may play a major role in the regulation of cellular immunity in patients with Hodgkin's disease.     

Cytoplasmic aggregation of TRAF2 and TRAF5 proteins in the Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells

We previously reported that ligand-independent signaling by highly expressed CD30 in Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells is responsible for constitutive activation of NF-kappa B. In the present study, we characterize the intracellular localization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated factor (TRAF) proteins in H-RS cells. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of cell lines derived from H-RS cells and HEK293 transformants highly expressing CD30 revealed aggregation of TRAF2 and TRAF5 in the cytoplasm as well as clustering near the cell membrane. In contrast, TRAF proteins were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm in cell lines unrelated to Hodgkin's disease (HD) and control HEK293 cells. Furthermore, the same intracellular distribution of TRAF proteins was demonstrated in H-RS cells of lymph nodes of HD, but not in lymphoma cells in lymph nodes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Dominant-negative TRAF2 and TRAF5 suppressed cytoplasmic aggregation along with constitutive NF-kappa B activation in H-RS cell lines. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy also revealed co-localization of IKK alpha, NIK, and I kappa B alpha with aggregated TRAF proteins in H-RS cell lines. These results suggest involvement of TRAF protein aggregation in the signaling process of highly expressed CD30 and suggest they function as scaffolding proteins. Thus, cytoplasmic aggregation of TRAF proteins appears to reflect constitutive CD30 signaling which is characteristic of H-RS cells.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and TNF-beta inhibit clonogenicity of mobilized human hematopoietic progenitors.

We studied the effect of tumor necrosis factors (TNF-alpha and TNF-beta) on the clonogenicity of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The cells were obtained by nine leukaphereses in patients with malignancies undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood and leukapheresis products. PBPC were grown in semisolid medium supplemented with human growth factors in the absence or presence of TNF at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 ng/ml. Colonies were scored on day 14. TNF-alpha and TNF-beta suppressed colony formation in all cases studied. TNF-alpha inhibited the growth of colony-forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) at 1 and 10 ng/ml and burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) at 10 ng/ml (p < 0.05), and TNF-beta inhibited the growth of CFU-GM and BFU-E at 1 and 10 ng/ml (p < 0.05). Thus, G-CSF-mobilized hematopoietic PBPC are highly sensitive to both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta. This finding should be taken in account when PBPC are handled ex vivo.     

TNF-alpha and -beta gene polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis: a highly significant role for determinants in the first intron of the TNF-beta gene

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and TNF-beta are proinflammatory cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether a determinant in the first intron of the TNF-beta gene (TNF-beta(+252)) and two promoter-region polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha gene (TNF-alpha(-308) and TNF-alpha(-238)) affect susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). DNA samples from 133 Caucasian MS patients and 148 healthy controls from Norway were genotyped for several polymorphic determinants, using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) methods. TNF-beta(+252) genotypes were significantly associated with MS: The frequency of TNF-beta 2,2 was increased (p = 0.00009) while the frequency of TNF-beta 1,2 was decreased (p = 0.0012) in MS patients as compared to controls. TNF-alpha genotypes were not associated with MS. These results suggest that the TNF-beta gene plays a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of MS.     

Aberrant expression of T cell and B cell markers in myelocyte/monocyte/histiocyte-derived lymphoma and leukemia cells. Is the infrequent expression of T/B cell markers sufficient to establish a lymphoid origin for Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells?

Most Hodgkin's mononuclear cells and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells are characterized by the expression of the antigen CD30, but not of T or B cell markers. A few H-RS cells, however, may express a limited number of T or B cell markers. Whether this expression is sufficient to allow the conclusion that H-RS cells are derived from T and/or B cells has been debated vigorously. The present study examined whether CD30 and aberrant T and B cell markers are expressed in cell lines that are well documented as being derived from the granulocyte/monocyte/histiocyte lineage. These cells included HL-60, KG-1, ML-1, THP-1, and U-937. Four other cell lines derived from patients with leukemias/lymphomas of monocytic or granulocytic origins also were studied. These cells included BV173, CML-Brown, CTV-2, and SU-DHL-1. If aberrant expression is detected, by analogy one may expect that rare T or B cell marker expression may occur in H-RS cells, because abundant evidence has indicated that H-RS cells may be related to cells in histiocyte lineage. In all nine of the cell lines studied, it was confirmed that numerous monocyte/granulocyte markers were expressed. The marker expression was enhanced after cells were induced to differentiate with phorbol ester (TPA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It was noted that several T and B cell markers also were expressed by these cells. Unlike the expression of monocyte/granulocyte markers, the expression of T or B cell markers was not affected, or only minimally affected, by treatment of the cells with TPA or TNF. Five of the cell lines (BV173, CML-Brown, CTV-2, SU-DHL-1, and THP-1) were shown to be CD30-positive. In CTV-2 and BV173, the expression of CD30 was greatly increased after induction with phorbol ester or TNF. Based on these studies, the following conclusions were reached: 1) The expression of aberrant B or T cell markers is not an uncommon finding in granulocyte/monocyte/histiocyte-related neoplastic cells. 2) The expression of granulocyte/monocyte markers in these cells is related to the state of cell differentiation, whereas the expression of T or B cell markers is not. 3) CD30 is not necessarily a proliferation-related antigen, and its expression is not a sole property of T or B cells, but can be present in granulocyte/monocyte/histiocyte-related cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Hodgkin's disease cell lines: a model for interleukin-1-independent accessory cell function.

The haemopoietic origins of the Hodgkin's disease (HD)-derived cell lines L428, KM-H2 and HDLM-2 remain controversial. Analysis of T-cell receptor (TcR) and Ig rearrangements cannot resolve this, and lineage promiscuity limits the interpretation of isolated surface antigen expression. Nonetheless the cell marker profile of L428 has similarities with human dendritic cells (DC), and L428 strongly stimulates in the mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR). We therefore undertook an extended immunophenotypic comparison of the HD lines with that recently defined for DC, prior to examining their ability to stimulate allogenic T lymphocytes, and comparing the molecular interactions involved with those of primary MLR stimulatory cells. The immunophenotype of the HD lines failed to establish either a lymphoid or monocytoid derivation. The profile of L428 appeared similar to the human DC. All three lines were potent stimulators in the primary MLR, and each expressed relevant adhesion and signal-transducing molecules important for co-stimulating T lymphocytes. Inhibition studies using monoclonal antibodies indicated similar contributions within HD line-T cell MLR to that documented in human tonsil DC-T cell MLR. The HD lines produced no detectable interleukin-1 (IL-1) by biological or immunological analysis. Moreover they stimulated allogeneic T lymphocytes in the presence of anti-IL-1 antibodies. Thus although IL-1 mRNA can be detected in both HDLM-2 and KM-H2 by polymerase chain reaction, these lines, and L428, share with DC the ability to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocytes in an IL-1-independent manner [corrected]. HD lines, particularly L428, may provide a standardized, reproducible, IL-1-independent model for dissection of the co-stimulatory requirements of the human primary MLR.     

Cytokine Production (IL-1α, IL-1β, and TNFα) and Endothelial Cell Activation (ELAM-1 and HLA-DR) in Reactive Lymphadenitis, Hodgkin's Disease, and in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: An Immunocytochemical Study

Cryostat sections of 58 lymph nodes were immunostained with a polyclonal rabbit serum against IL-1 alpha, and with monoclonal antibodies directed to IL-1 alpha (Vmp18), IL-1 beta (Vhp20 and BRhC3), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) (B154.7). Furthermore the presence of cytokine-containing cells was correlated with the expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM-1; 29F2) and of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) (OKIa-1) by endothelial cells. Cells containing IL-1 and/or TNF alpha were detected mainly in pathologic conditions characterized by reactive or neoplastic expansion of the lymph node paracortex. Cells positive for IL-1 were detected in 16 of 21 cases of Hodgkin's disease, in 4 of 4 cases of T-NHL, and in 5 cases of diffuse or mixed lymphadenitis. Interleukin-1 alpha was detected in macrophages, interdigitating reticulum cells (IDRCs), endothelial cells, and neoplastic Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells. Cells positive for IL-1 beta were much fewer and consisted mainly of macrophages. Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells were negative for IL-1 beta even after in vitro stimulation with bacterial endotoxin. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was present in macrophages and H-RS cells. Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 expression by endothelial venules was detected in 17 of 20 cases of Hodgkin's disease, in 2 of 4 cases of T-NHL, and in 5 of 5 cases of diffuse lymphadenitis. In these pathologic conditions, HLA-DR antigens also were expressed frequently by endothelial cells. Cytokine-containing cells and ELAM-1-positive high endothelial venules (HEV) were extremely rare in lymph nodes involved by follicular lymphadenitis (12 cases) or B-NHL (16 cases). In cases of reactive or neoplastic B-cell proliferations, HLA-DR-positive HEVs still were present often. Our results indicate that IL-1/TNF alpha production at tissue level is often associated with ELAM-1 expression by HEVs, but is less well correlated with expression of HLA-DR antigens by endothelial cells.     

TNF and TNF receptor polymorphisms in Korean Behcet's disease patients

Behcet's disease (BD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, erythema nodosum, and uveitis. Genetic factors are considered important in its pathogenesis. The serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is elevated in patients with active BD, and its production is elevated in monocytes and in the gamma delta T cells of BD patients. A dramatic response to anti-TNF-alpha antibody treatment further supports the role of TNF in BD. In this study, we investigated genetic polymorphisms of TNF alpha -308 G/A, TNF beta +252 G/A, and TNFR2 196 R/M in 94 Korean BD patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls to investigate the role of TNF and TNF receptor polymorphisms in BD. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to identify the TNF-alpha promoter (G = TNFA1, A = TNFA2) and TNF-beta intron polymorphisms (G = TNFB1, A = TNFB2), and polymerase chain reaction-singly-strand conformation polymorphism was used to identify TNFR2 196R/M polymorphism (T = TNFR2M, G = TNFR2R). No differences were found in the TNF-alpha, TNF-beta or TNFR2 polymorphisms of the patients and the healthy controls. The allele frequencies of TNFA1/A2 were 0.94/0.06 in patients and 0.96/0.04 in healthy controls (p = 0.36, OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.26-1.63), for TNFB1/TNFB2 these were 0.42/0.58 in patients and 0.44/0.56 in controls (p = 0.68, OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.61-1.38), and for TNFR2R/TNFR2M 0.23/0.77 in patients and 0.21/0.79 in controls (p = 0.62, OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.69-1.84). In conclusion, this study found no differences of TNF alpha -308 G/A, TNF beta +252 G/A or of the TNFR2 196R/M polymorphisms in Korean BD patients versus healthy controls. These findings suggest that the role of TNF in BD is not genetically determined, but can be functionally explained.     

Granzyme B expression in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease.

Reed-Sternberg (RS) and Hodgkin's (H) cells are considered to be the neoplastic cells in Hodgkin's disease. Although most data suggest a lymphoid origin, the nature of these cells still remains the subject of considerable controversy. Recently, monoclonal antibodies became available, directed against granzyme B, a serine protease specifically expressed by activated cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Using two granzyme B-specific antibodies directed against different epitopes, we studied the expression of granzyme B in a well characterized group of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive and EBV-negative cases of Hodgkin's disease. Granzyme B expression was found in part of the H-RS cells in 11 out of 61 tested cases (18%, 9 of 46 cases of nodular sclerosing and 1 of 12 mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease). In none of these cases did H-RS cells express B-cell markers, whereas in four cases, expression of either the T-cell marker CD3 or CD8 was found in a small minority of H-RS cells. The percentage of granzyme B-positive H-RS cells ranged from < 10% to > 50%. Granzyme B-positive H-RS cells were present in 6 of 26 EBV-positive cases and in 5 of 35 EBV-negative cases, indicating no relationship with the presence of EBV. Moreover, no significant differences were found regarding either stage at presentation or clinical outcome. We conclude that in a restricted number of cases of Hodgkin's disease, the H-RS cells express granzyme B, and therefore might be considered the neoplastic equivalent of either activated CTLs or NK cells.