Preparing monolayers of non-adherent mammalian cells

A simple method is described for preparing monolayers of non-adherent cells, using concanavalin A to bind the cells to wells of plastic microtest plates. The method was used successfully with all 202 human cell types tested, which included 23 tissue culture lines, 165 fresh specimens of all major histological types of leukemia and lymphoma, 20 fresh myelomas, 2 fresh thymomas, normal spleen and lymph node cells, fractionated T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes from peripheral blood, and cultured fetal amniotic cells. All cell types attached firmly, and were not detached by subsequent vigorous washing. In contrast, attempted attachment of cells in serum free medium, or with poly-L-lysine or glutaraldehyde, was ineffective with many cell types. We used the monolayers as target cells for antibodies to cell surface antigens, utilizing immune rosetting or complement-mediated cytotoxicity. This procedure should simplify most assays involving non-adherent target cells.     

Immunologic reactivity of (C57BL/6 × A/Sn)F1 mice in mixed Mycoplasma-virus infection

Mixed infection of hybrid mice, highly resistant to Rauscher virus, with this virus andMycoplasma arthritidis was accompanied by progressive inhibition of populations of splenic rosetteforming (REC) and plaque-forming (PFC) cells and led to induction of malignant erythroblastosis, cytologically identical with Rauscher's leukemia. During mixed infection of the hybrid mice withAcholeplasma laidlawii and Rauscher virus the immune response was almost completely suppressed on the 21st day and considerable splenomegaly was observed, but by the 62nd day of infection the RFC and PFC populations and also the weight of the spleens had regained the control level. The possible role of mycoplasmas in the induction and development of Rauscher's leukemia is discussed.N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician O. V. Baroyan.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 88, No. 9, pp. 327–329, September, 1979.     

Integrity of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in early Parkinson's disease

Dysfunction of the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, we assayed serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 30 parkinsonian patients and 30 controls for concentrations of albumin and IgG. The CSF/serum ratio for albumin (AQ), IgG (GQ), IgG-index as well as determination of oligoclonal bands were used to evaluate BCB function and to quantify humoral immune response within the central nervous system (CNS). Levels of AQ, GQ and IgG-index did not significantly differ in both groups. We found no dysfunction of the blood–CSF barrier or signs of local synthesis of IgG in the central nervous system of parkinsonian patients. Our data do not support the hypothesis of a dysfunctional BCB that contributes to pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PD.     

Immunoregulatory characteristics of human recombinant angiogenin

Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 115, N ^o 5, pp. 510–512, May, 1993     

Quantitation of antigen-specific immune responses in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals by limiting dilution analysis

The lymphocyte proliferative response to recall antigens is lost following HIV infection. We sought to devise a means by which the functional immune status of persons in the early stages of HIV infection could be monitored quantitatively. The response to tetanus toxoid was examined in 45 HIV-infected individuals and 11 controls using conventional lymphocyte proliferative assays concurrently with limiting dilution analysis utilizing the secretion of interleukin-2 as the measure of a response. Our data show that the limiting dilution analysis detects tetanus toxoid-reactive T cells in 80% of those tested, as compared to only 44% by proliferation. However, the frequency of tetanus-reactive T cells in HIV-infected individuals (median frequency = 1/59,156) is decrease five-fold as compared to seronegative controls (median frequency = 1/11,599). Longitudinal studies demonstrated a time-dependent decrease in the frequency of tetanus-specific T cell responses in the HIV-infected individuals. Thus, the limiting dilution analysis is a quantitative approach for detecting antigen-specific T cells in HIV-infected individuals, and may be used to monitor changes in T cell function in HIV infection.     

Ingestion of High β-Glucan Barley Flour Enhances the Intestinal Immune System of Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Prebiotic Effects

The prebiotic effect of high β-glucan barley (HGB) flour on the innate immune system of high-fat model mice was investigated. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with HGB flour for 90 days. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the cecum and serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Real-time PCR was used to determine mRNA expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 in the ileum as well as the composition of the microbiota in the cecum. Concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and organic acids were analyzed by GC/MS. Concentrations of sIgA in the cecum and serum were increased in the HGB group compared to the control. Gene expression levels of IL-10 and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) significantly increased in the HGB group. HGB intake increased the bacterial count of microbiota, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Concentrations of propionate and lactate in the cecum were increased in the HGB group, and a positive correlation was found between these organic acids and the IL-10 expression level. Our findings showed that HGB flour enhanced immune function such as IgA secretion and IL-10 expression, even when the immune system was deteriorated by a high-fat diet. Moreover, we found that HGB flour modulated the gut microbiota, which increased the concentration of SCFAs, thereby stimulating the immune system.     

Vitamin D and Allergy Susceptibility during Gestation and Early Life

Worldwide, the prevalence of allergies in young children, but also vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and in newborns is rising. Vitamin D modulates the development and activity of the immune system and a low vitamin D status during pregnancy and in early life might be associated with an increased risk to develop an allergy during early childhood. This review studies the effects of vitamin D during gestation and early life, on allergy susceptibility in infants. The bioactive form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, inhibits maturation and results in immature dendritic cells that cause a decreased differentiation of naive T cells into effector T cells. Nevertheless, the development of regulatory T cells and the production of interleukin-10 was increased. Consequently, a more tolerogenic immune response developed against antigens. Secondly, binding of 1,25(OH)2D to epithelial cells induces the expression of tight junction proteins resulting in enhanced epithelial barrier function. Thirdly, 1,25(OH)2D increased the expression of anti-microbial peptides by epithelial cells that also promoted the defense mechanism against pathogens, by preventing an invasive penetration of pathogens. Immune intervention by vitamin D supplementation can mitigate the disease burden from asthma and allergy. In conclusion, our review indicates that a sufficient vitamin D status during gestation and early life can lower the susceptibility to develop an allergy in infants although there remains a need for more causal evidence.     

弓形虫主要表膜P30抗原的免疫保护作用研究

目的 研究弓形虫主要表膜P30抗原免疫小鼠所诱导的免疫性保护作用及免疫保护机制。方法 将单克隆抗体免疫亲和层析分离纯化的P30抗原免疫C57BL／6纯系小鼠,然后用弓形虫RH株速殖子和Fukaya株包衰攻击感染,观察P30抗原免疫对急性弓形虫感染鼠死亡时间及慢性感染鼠脑内包囊形成的影响,同时对感染后不同时间鼠血清特异性抗体水平、IL－2及IFN－r细胞因子水平和脾T淋巴细胞亚群动态变化进行了测试分析。结果 显示P30抗原免疫可在一定程度上延长感染小鼠的存活时间,减少脑内包囊的形成数量,增强小鼠抵抗急慢性弓形虫感染的能力。在感染后不同时期免疫鼠血清中特异性抗休还清瘃IFN－r、IL－2水平均高于同期对照鼠,而且免疫鼠脾CD4^ t CD8^ T淋纠细胞尤其是CD8^ 细胞的数量在感染早期升高较快,至感染后4周达高峰,两者的比值随感染时间的延长而逐渐下降。结论 P30抗原免疫对感染小鼠具有明显的保护作用,是细胞免疫和体液免疫共同作用的结果,尤其是细胞免疫可能发挥着更为重要的作用。     

血栓闭塞性脉管炎血管中膜免疫复合物沉积的电镜观察

目的 :探讨血栓闭塞性脉管炎 (TAO)发病机制。方法 :利用透射电镜观察 9例 TAO患者血管中膜免疫复合物沉积与分布。结果 :在 4例 TAO患者血管中膜平滑肌细胞内和平滑肌细胞间观察到高电子致密度的免疫复合物沉积 ,同时还观察到与免疫复合物沉积与损伤相关的淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞、中性粒细胞。结论 :免疫复合物在血管壁沉积可能与 TAO发病有密切关系