Expression of the IL-2 receptor {gamma} chain on various populations in human peripheral blood

We have established two rat mAbs, TUGH4 and TUGh5, specificfor the human chain of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), which isknown to be shared among receptors for IL-2, IL-4 and IL-7.The antibodies bound to cell lines transfected with the human chain gene but not to their parental cell lines, and precipitated65–70 and 80–90 kDa cell surface molecules fromlysates of human T cells surface-labeled with Na¹²⁵I and chemicallycross-linked with ^[125]IL-2 respectively. Flow cytometry withTUGh4 and TUGh5 detected the chain in a wide variety of peripheralblood cell populations including CD4⁺ T cells, CD20⁺ T cells,CD20⁺ B cells, CD56⁺ natural killer cells, CD4⁺ monocytes andgranulocytes, contrasting with expression of the and ßchains of IL-2R.     

Human nasopharyngeal-associated lymphoreticular tissues. Functional analysis of subepithelial and intraepithelial B and T cells from adenoids and tonsils

Subepithelial and intraepithelial lymphocytes of human adenoids and tonsils were characterized and directly compared to determine the potential contribution of these tissues to mucosal and systemic immune responses. The distribution of T and B cell subsets, cytokine patterns, and antibody (Ab) isotype profiles were similar for adenoids and tonsils. Both tissues contained predominantly B cells ( approximately 65%), approximately 5% macrophages, and 30% CD3(+) T cells. The T cells were primarily of the CD4(+) subset ( approximately 80%). Tonsillar intraepithelial lymphocytes were also enriched in B cells. The analysis of dispersed cells revealed a higher frequency of cells secreting IgG than IgA and the predominant Ig subclass profiles were IgG1 > IgG3 and IgA1 > IgA2, respectively. In situ analysis also revealed higher numbers of IgG- than IgA-positive cells. These IgG-positive cells were present in the epithelium and in the subepithelial zones of both tonsils and adenoids. Mitogen-triggered T cells from tonsils and adenoids produced both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines, clearly exhibiting their pluripotentiality for support of cell-mediated and Ab responses. Interestingly, antigen-specific T cells produced interferon-gamma and lower levels of interleukin-5. These results suggest that adenoids and tonsils of the nasopharyngeal-associated lymphoreticular tissues represent a distinct component of the mucosal-associated lymphoreticular tissues with features of both systemic and mucosal compartments.     

Preparation of polyaniline by oxidation of aniline using H2O2 in the presence of an iron(II) catalyst

Oxidative polymerization of aniline using the H₂O₂-FeSO₄ system gave polyaniline under mild conditions. The prepared powdery emeraldine base, a form of polyaniline, is blue black and shows high solubility in organic solvents (e.g., ca. 200 mg/mL in N-methylpyrrolidone). The number-average molecular weight (M _n) of the polymer obtained was 1,3–1,7 · 10⁴ (via gel permeation chromatography vs. polystyrene) and M _w/M _n = 1,6–2,2. Poly(2-ethylaniline) and poly-(2-propylaniline) with high molecular weights were also synthesized by this procedure in high yield.     

Chronic myelogenous leukemia with a complex Ph1 translocation in an XYY male

We encountered a 38-year-old Japanese male patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), whose bone marrow and peripheral blood cells during the chronic and blastic phases contained a complex Ph¹ translocation and an extra Y chromosome [i.e., 47,XYY,t(9;22;13)(q34;q11;q14)]. A karyotypic analysis of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes showed the constitutional karyotype to be 47,XYY. Thus, it was considered that CML with a complex Ph¹ translocation developed in an XYY male; such a case has not been reported, so far. A B-lymphocyte cell line with the complex Ph¹ translocation was established by the procedure of Epstein-Barr virus transformation. The presence of the complex Ph¹ translocation in the B-lymphocyte cell line suggests that some of the B lymphocytes in this patient originated from the CML clone.     

Effects of sublingual nitroglycerin in patients receiving transdermal nitroglycerin for coronary artery disease: Prevention of cross-tolerance

The systemic hemodynamic and coronary dilative responses to sublingual nitroglycerin were studied in patients receiving transdermal nitroglycerin. A total of 48 patients with coronary artery disease were divided into 4 groups: 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin without transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 1), 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin with 12-hour-daily intermittent therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 2), 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 3), and 12 patients receiving 2 tablets of sublingual nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 4). Before and during administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, aortic pressure, left ventricular pressure, and coronary artery diameter were examined at diagnostic cardiac catheterization in all patients. During sublingual nitroglycerin, the decreases of aortic systolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were greater in Group 1, 2, and 4 than in Group 3. Dilation of coronary arteries by sublingual nitroglyerin tended to be greater in Group 1, 2, and 4 than in Group 3. Thus, the effects of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of ischemia might be more prominent in patients with intermittent therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin than in those with continuous therapy. The increased dose of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of ischemia might be more effective in patients with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin.     

Activity of lower limb muscles during treadmill running at different velocities

[Purpose] The present study aimed to determine changes in muscle activity while moving on a treadmill at various speeds. [Subjects] The activities of the left vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, hip adductors, lateral head of gastrocnemius, medial head gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior of 10 healthy male university students were analyzed. [Methods] University students walked, jogged, and ran for 10 minutes each in random order, and then myogenic potentials were measured 10 minutes later for 30 seconds. The flexion angle of the lower limb upon initial contact, mid stance, and toe off were measured. [Results] The average walking, jogging, and running speeds were 3.6 ± 0.4, 6.7 ± 0.6, and 10.4 ± 1.3 km/h, respectively. The average electromyographic activities of the vastus medial, tibialis anterior, medial head of gastrocnemius, and lateral head of gastrocnemius significantly differed. All muscles were more active during jogging and running than walking. Only the soleus was more active during running than walking, and the activities of the hip adductors and vastus lateralis did not significantly differ. [Conclusion] Velocity is faster and the angles of the lower limbs and ground reaction force (GRF) are larger during running than walking. The vastus medialis and soleus worked more easily according to the angle of the knee joint, whereas the tibialis anterior worked more easily at faster velocities and the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius worked more easily with an increased GRF.Key words: Walking, Running, Skeletal muscle     

T helper type-2 cells induce ileal villus atrophy,goblet cell metaplasia,and wasting disease in T cell-deficient mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS: T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cell subsets significantly influence the pathological features of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract in a distinct manner. It is now established that the transfer of CD4(+)CD45RB(Hi) (RB(Hi)) T cells to either severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) or recombinase activation gene 2-deficient (RAG(-/-)) mice results in a severe granulomatous hypertrophic colitis mediated by Th1 cells. We have modified this approach to address the role of Th2 cells. METHODS: RB(Hi) T cells from wild-type (Wt) mice or mice genetically predisposed to Th2 responses (interferon-gamma-defective [IFN-gamma(-/-)]) with or without B cells were transferred to T cell receptor (TCR)-beta and delta-chain-defective (TCR(-/-)) or SCID mice. RESULTS: Transfer of Wt RB(Hi) T cells induced wasting disease with severe colitis in the TCR(-/-) mice. In contrast, IFN-gamma(-/-) RB(Hi) T cells induced severe weight loss and hypoalbuminemia without significant inflammation in the colon. The small intestine of these mice exhibited villus atrophy, a decrease in brush-border enzymes, reduced enterocyte proliferation, and an increased number of goblet cells. The presence of B cells was necessary for these changes, because SCID recipients required cotransfer of B cells, together with IFN-gamma(-/-) RB(Hi) T cells for ileal lesions to develop. Treatment of TCR(-/-) recipients of IFN-gamma(-/-) RB(Hi) T cells with anti-IL-4 mAb abrogated both the wasting disease and the villus atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Dysregulated Th2 cells cause atrophic changes and goblet cell transformation in the small intestinal epithelium and wasting disease mediated by excess interleukin-4 and B cells.     

Coexpression of CD40 and CD40 ligand in Epstein-Barr virus-infected T and NK cells and their role in cell survival

We investigated the role that CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) signaling plays in survival of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected T and NK cells. EBV-infected T and NK cell lines derived from patients with either chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV) or nasal T/NK cell lymphoma, as well as virus-infected peripheral T cells freshly isolated from a patient with CAEBV, were shown to express both CD40 and CD40L on their surface. Apoptosis of these cells was enhanced by blockade of CD40-CD40L signaling by a fusion protein of CD40 and immunoglobulin G (CD40Ig). Expression of CD40 was induced in human CD40L-positive Jurkat T cells after experimental EBV infection, and apoptosis of infected cells was enhanced by CD40Ig. These results suggest that CD40-CD40L signaling promotes survival of EBV-infected T and NK cells and, thus, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of T/NK lymphoproliferative disorders associated with the virus.