Expression of interleukin 2 receptors on activated human B cells

Using anti-Tac, a monoclonal anti-interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor antibody, we have explored the possibility that certain activated B cells display receptors for IL-2. Resting normal B cells and unselected B cell lines established from normal individuals were Tac antigen negative. In contrast, the cell surface Tac antigen expression was demonstrable on 6 of 10 B cell lines from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma, 5 of 6 B cell lines derived from patients with HTLV-I- associated adult T cell leukemia (including all four that had integrated HTLV-I into their genome), and on certain normal B cells activated with pokeweed mitogen. Furthermore, cloned Epstein-Barr virus- transformed B cell lines derived from Tac-positive normal B cells continued to express the Tac antigen in long-term cultures and manifested high affinity IL-2 receptors identified in binding studies with purified radiolabeled IL-2. The line 5B4 developed in the present study could be induced with purified JURKAT-derived or recombinant IL-2 to express a larger number of IL-2 receptors. Furthermore, the addition of IL-2 to the 5B4 B cell line augmented IgM synthesis, which could be blocked by the addition of anti-Tac. The size of the IL-2 receptors expressed on the cloned normal B cell lines was similar (53,000-57,000 daltons) to that of receptors on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T cell lymphoblasts. Thus, certain malignant and activated normal B cells display the Tac antigen and manifest high affinity receptors for IL-2. These data suggest that IL-2 may play a role in the differentiation of activated B cells into immunoglobulin-synthesizing and -secreting cells.     

In vivo and in vitro characterization of specific hyporeactivity to skin xenografts in mixed xenogeneically reconstituted mice (B10 + F344 rat----B10)

Mixed xenogeneically reconstituted mice (F344 rat + C57BL/10Sn---- C57BL/10Sn), which specifically retain F344 tail skin xenografts, were studied for the specificity of such hyporeactivity and for in vitro reactivity and immunocompetence. Survival of mixed reconstituted animals was excellent, without evidence for graft vs. host disease. Donor-type tail skin grafts were specifically prolonged (mean survival time = 80 d) in comparison with normal controls and syngeneically reconstituted animals. In vitro, such animals manifested specific hyporeactivity by mixed lymphocyte reaction and cell-mediated lympholysis to F344 rat and B10 cells, with normal response to third- party rat (Wistar-Furth) and mouse (B10.BR). Examination of lymphoid tissues with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter revealed low levels, if any, of donor-type cells detectable. This system offers a model for investigation of xenogeneic transplantation tolerance.     

Liver and Gastrointestinal First-pass Effects of Azosemide in Rats

Since considerable first-pass effects of azosemide have been reported after oral administration of the drug to rats and man, first-pass effects of azosemide were evaluated after intravenous, intraportal and oral administration, and intraduodenal instillation of the drug, to rats. The total body clearances of azosemide after intravenous (5 mg kg^?) and intraportal (5 and 10 mg kg^?) administration of the drug to rats were considerably smaller than the cardiac output of rats suggesting that the lung or heart first-pass effect (or both) of azosemide after oral administration of the drug to rats was negligible. The total area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) after intraportal administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug was significantly lower than that after intravenous administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug (1000 vs 1270 μg min mL^?) suggesting that the liver first-pass effect of azosemide was approximately 20% in rats. The AUC from time 0 to 8 h (AUC_{0–8 h}) after oral administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug was considerably smaller than that after intraportal administration (5 mg kg^?) of the drug (271 vs 1580 μg min mL^?) suggesting that there are considerable gastrointestinal first-pass effects of azosemide after oral administration of azosemide to rats. Although the AUC_{0–8 h} after oral administration (5 mg kg^?) of azosemide was approximately 15% lower than that after intraduodenal instillation (5 mg kg^?) of the drug (271 vs 320 μg min mL^?), the difference was not significant, suggesting that the gastric first-pass effect of azosemide was not considerable in rats. Azosemide was stable in human gastric juices and pH solutions ranging from 2 to 13. Almost complete absorption of azosemide from whole gastrointestinal tract was observed after oral administration of the drug to rats. The above data indicated that most of the orally administered azosemide disappeared (mainly due to metabolism) following intestinal first-pass in rats.     

Exogenous IL-7 increases recent thymic emigrants in peripheral lymphoid tissue without enhanced thymic function

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is critical in maintaining thymic-dependent and thymic-independent pathways of T-cell homeostasis. T-cell receptor (TCR) rearrangement excision circles (TRECs) have been used as markers for recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) in assessing human thymic function. To study the thymic and peripheral effects of IL-7 on RTEs, we measured TREC content and peripheral naive T-cell subsets and turnover in IL-7-treated mice. Short-term administration of IL-7 into thymus-intact mice resulted in increased total TREC numbers, consistent with RTE accumulation. Decreases in TREC frequency were attributable to dilution secondary to increased cell turnover. Significantly, IL-7 administration into thymectomized mice resulted in patterns of decreased TREC frequency and increased total TREC number similar to those in IL-7-treated thymus-intact mice. Distinct patterns of naive cell and RTE distribution among peripheral immune organs and altered expression of CD11a were observed following IL-7 treatment in thymus-intact and thymectomized mice. These results demonstrate (1) that total TREC number and not TREC frequency accurately reflects quantitative changes in RTEs; (2) that short-term IL-7 administration results in preferential accumulations of RTEs among peripheral immune organs, accounting for the increase in TRECs in the total peripheral lymphoid pool; and (3) no evidence for regulation of thymic function by short-term IL-7 administration.     

SULPHASALAZINE INDUCED AUTOIMMUNE SYNDROME

A case of an unusual and severe reaction to sulphasalazine isreported. KEY WORDS: Second line agent, Systemic steroids, Sulphasalazine     

CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS AND THE USE OF DIURETIC AND ACE INHIBITOR THERAPY IN SEVERE HEART FAILURE

The underlying cause of heart failure should be established, where possible. In particular the failure to respond to diuretic and vasodilator therapy requires careful evaluation.     

Myxoma of the kidney

A 62-year-old man had a right renal mass incidentally diagnosed by ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined right renal mass with homogenous low-signal intensity on the T(1)-weighted pulse sequence and heterogeneous high-signal intensity on the T(2)-weighted pulse sequence. A right nephrectomy was performed. The histological examination showed a myxoma, which is a very uncommon neoplasm in the kidney. Eight cases have been reported previously.