A new monoclonal antibody which binds to the cytoplasm of large cell lymphomas.

We reported a new monoclonal antibody, designated FUB-1, reacting with normal and neoplastic large lymphoid cells. FUB-1 was produced using a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line (HBL-5) as an immunogen. Its immunoglobulin subtype was IgM. The determinant was not on the surface but in the cytoplasm. Western blotting analysis revealed that the molecular weight of the antigen was 52,000 dalton. In the normal lymphoid tissue, FUB-1 reacted with large lymphoid cells, but not with small or medium-sized lymphoid cells or plasma cells. In addition, the FUB-1 antigen was not found in resting cells in the peripheral blood (PB), but it was induced on mononuclear cells of PB by addition of PWM or PMA. In the B-cell lymphomas tested, FUB-1 reacted with small cleaved cell lymphomas (3/12), large cell lymphomas (7/10), Burkitt's lymphomas (4/4) and immunoblastic lymphomas (2/2), but not with small cell lymphomas (0/3) or intermediate lymphocytic lymphomas (0/8). These findings indicate that the FUB-1 antigen appears to be expressed on normal lymphoid cells during blastoid transformation and on neoplastic large lymphoid cells. FUB-1 also reacted with normal glandular epithelium and various adenocarcinomas. FUB-1 may be useful to investigate the mechanism of in vitro blastoid transformation or activation of lymphoid cells.     

Significance of the BTA Test in Bladder Cancer: A Multicenter Trial

Background :
The BTA test is a latex agglutination assay for the qualitative detection in the urine of analytes that are associated with bladder tumor. We compared the results of the BTA test with those of voided urine cytology (VUC) in patients with bladder cancer.
Methods :
A multicenter trial was performed at 6 institutions. A total of 132 patients with histologically diagnosed bladder cancer were enrolled. Urine samples were split for BTA and VUC testing.
Results :
The sensitivities of the BTA test and VUC were 57.6% and 37.9%, respectively; this difference was significant ( P < 0.001). The BTA test had much higher sensitivity for small, solitary, superficial tumors than did VUC.
Conclusion :
The BTA test is simple to perform, gives rapid results, and is far more sensitive than VUC for detection of bladder cancer. The BTA test has the potential to become an additional tool for detecting bladder cancer.     

The relationship of proliferating cell density at the invasive tumour front with prognostic and risk factors in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We hypothesise that the density of proliferating cells at the invasive tumour front (ITF) has a positive relationship with prognostic and risk factors in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Tissues from 47 human oral SCC specimens were collected and stained with a monoclonal antibody directed against the Ki-67 antigen using a horseradish peroxidase based two-step immunostaining method. Counting was performed on two parallel sections at the ITF using an image analyser. The Ki-67 labelling index (LI) was determined by measuring the number of nuclei/mm(2) of epithelium. RESULTS: Our results show that the density of proliferating cells is related to clinical staging, with advanced stage of disease having a significantly higher Ki-67 LI compared with early stage of disease (2111 +/- 905 vs. 1908 +/- 913; P = 0.03). Importantly, this study shows that tumours that have metastasised have a significantly higher Ki-67 LI than tumours where distant metastasis was not detected (3257 +/- 650 vs. 1966 +/- 881; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cell proliferation, as measured by the Ki-67 LI at the ITF, has a positive relationship with clinical staging, tumour thickness, smoking status of the patient and alcohol consumption. Further, we suggest that a multicenter study with a large cohort of patients is indicated to fully elucidate whether cell proliferation at the ITF is directly related to patient survival.     

Absence of donor-type major histocompatibility complex class I antigen-bearing microglia in the rat central nervous system of radiation bone marrow chimeras

Localization of bone marrow-originated cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of the rat was investigated by using bone marrow chimeras. In order to do this, Lewis rats which carry major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens haplotype 1 (RT1.Al) were reconstituted with (Lew X PVG)F1 (RT1.Al/c) bone marrow cells after lethal irradiation. Transferred bone marrow cells were detected by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody, OX27, specific for haplotype c of rat MHC class I antigens (RT1.Ac). The spleen and thymus of chimeric rats were fully reconstituted with transferred F1 cells 4 weeks after bone marrow transplantation. At this stage, mononuclear cells in the subarachnoid space of the CNS expressed OX27 antigen indicating that they were of bone marrow origin. A few OX27-positive blood cells were scattered in the CNS parenchyma 4-12 weeks after reconstitution. Ramified microglia, however, remained OX27-negative. Bone marrow-derived microglia were not observed throughout the period of examination until 24 weeks. In addition, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in chimeric rats in order to augment the expression of MHC class I antigens on microglia. Even under this condition, no OX27-positive microglia were observed. Taken together, ramified microglia might be of neuroectodermal origin and there is little possibility that the microglia are derived from the bone marrow. However, if the ramified microglia are derived from blood cells, the microglia may be expected to have characteristic cell kinetics from the following points: (1) the precursor cells of the microglia may enter the CNS only at the perinatal stage; and (2) even under the condition in which lymphocytes and macrophages enter the CNS as observed in EAE, the precursor cells of the microglia are not supplied from the blood.     

Protective immunity to malaria: studies with cloned lines of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi in CBA/Ca mice. III. Protective and suppressive responses induced by immunization with purified antigens

The protective effect of affinity purified antigen has been investigated in an experimental model for malaria which shows a well marked recrudescence of parasitaemia, a feature of the disease in man. A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) recognizing an epitope common to two genetically distinct cloned lines of Plasmodium chabaudi (AS and CB), was used to purify a Mr250,000 polymorphic schizont antigen (PSA) from these parasites. The purified preparations were then examined for the presence of specific and cross-reactive epitopes by immunoprecipitation with a panel of MoAb raised against P. chabaudi AS. When tested previously on smears of parasitized blood by immunofluorescence, or against lysates of parasitized erythrocytes by immunoprecipitation, most of these MoAb had been found to be AS specific. When either AS or CB affinity purified Mr250,000 PSA was used as the target, these same MoAb immunoprecipitated both antigens, and in some cases, a number of associated polypeptides (AP) which copurify with the Mr250,000 PSA. Subsequently, mice were immunized with either the purified AS or CB antigens in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). Prechallenge sera were compared by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. Sera from mice immunized with AS antigen reacted strongly with AS and cross-reacted with CB parasite preparations. Pre-challenge serum from CB antigen immunized mice reacted well with CB, but only faintly with AS preparations. In mice immunized with the AS antigen and then challenged with either AS or CB parasites, the initial parasitaemias were delayed in appearance and the height of the peak parasitaemia reduced, an effect which was most pronounced after challenge with homologous parasites. Only homologous challenge of the mice immunized with CB antigen produced statistically significant modification of the initial parasitaemia. In the immunized mice challenged with homologous parasites, the delayed appearance and slightly reduced peak of the primary parasitaemia was associated with delayed resolution of the patent parasitaemia and significant enhancement of the recrudescence.     

多种肿瘤标志物联合检测肺癌的临床意义

目的 评价血清肿瘤标志物甲胎蛋白(AFP)、癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原50(CA50)、糖类抗原19—9(CA19—9)、铁蛋白(SF)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、细胞角蛋白19片段(CYFlRA21—1)水平对肺癌诊断的临床价值。方法 测定72例肺癌患者和40例良性肺病患者的血清AFP、CEA、CA50、CA19—9、SF、NSE、CYFRA21—1水平，比较两组的差异。结果 肺癌组患者CEA、CA50、CA19—9、SF、NSE、CY—FRA21—1水平高于良性肺病组，AFP对肺癌的诊断价值不大。NSE CYF、RA21—1的联合检测具有良好的阳性和阴性预测值。六项联合检测的敏感性和准确性最高，但与两项联合检测的敏感性和准确性差异无统计学意义。结论 NSE CYFRA21—1的联合检测具有良好的临床应用前景。     

Ki67、P53及微血管密度在大肠肿瘤中的表达

目的 研究Ki67、P53及微血管密度(microvessel density,MVD)在大肠肿瘤中的表达,探讨其与大肠肿瘤癌变的关系及作为早期癌变生物学标志物的可能性。方法 采用免疫组化技术分别测定正常大肠黏膜、大肠息肉及大肠癌组织标本中Ki67、P53及MVD值,共80例,分析其变化规律及相关性。结果 在正常黏膜、大肠息肉、大肠癌组中的Ki67标记指数逐渐增高(分别为11.00±10.70、39.64±17.70、52.96±26.40),组间比较差异显著(P=0.0001)。正常黏膜组P53蛋白均为阴性,大肠癌组P53蛋白表达的阳性率明显高于息肉组(P=0.0001)。Ki67、P53蛋白表达与性别、年龄、病程、病变部位、大小、大肠癌的病理类型、Dukes分期均无相关性。正常黏膜、大肠息肉、大肠癌组的MVD值(14.80±5.10、19.70±7.84、36.56±20.40)逐渐上升,3组差别显著(P=0.0001)。大肠癌中Dukes C、D期的MVD值(40.56±3.49)明显高于A、B期(29.50±2.45)(P=0.016)。Ki67与P53在各种组织中的表达呈正相关(r=0.5149,P=0.015)。联合检测Ki67及P53鉴别大肠良恶性病变的敏感度(70.37％)低于单侧Ki67(96.30％),但特异度(94.34％)明显增高。结论 Ki67标记指数可反映细胞增殖状态,指数高的大肠腺瘤易发生癌变。MVD值高的大肠癌易发生转移,MVD可作为判断大肠癌预后的参考指     

恶性肿瘤患者血清癌胚抗原放射免疫分析

本文采用放射免疫法测定了144例恶性肿瘤患者血清CEA含量,并以同样条件测定了30例正常人作为对照。结果表明恶性肿瘤患者血清CEA含量显著高于健康人,均值为10.3±4.84ng/ml。不同肿瘤患者血清CEA升高的程度不等,其中以肺癌含量最高为14.7±7.83ng/ml。转移性肿瘤CEA含量高于144例肿瘤的平均水平。术后复发者含量不见下降。癌性胸腹水中CEA含量明显升高。因此,血清CEA的测定对恶性肿瘤的辅助诊断,评价疗效和判断预后具有重要的临床意义。     

DIURNAL RHYTHM OF SERUM gM-SEMINOPROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH UNTREATED PROSTATE CANCER: COMPARISON OF THE ORIGINAL AND REVISED ASSAY KITS

To compare levels of y-seminoprotein (gM-Sm) assayed by original and revised assay systems, blood was obtained every 4 h over a 32-h period from 8 untreated prostate cancer patients. Serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) were also examined. In 6 patients, the coefficient of variation (CV) of the serum levels assayed by the revised assay was significantly different from that of the intra-assay samples. In contrast, the CV of the gM-Sm serum levels assayed by the original assay differed significantly from that of the intra-assay samples in only 2 patients. The fluctuations in gM-Sm assayed by the revised assay were, at least in part, similar to those of the PSA serum levels in all patients. The mean CV of the gM-Sm serum levels assayed by the revised assay was significantly larger than that for levels measured by the original assay. After treatment, the rate of decrease in gM-Sm serum levels determined by the original assay differed from that in the serum levels of PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase. These results indicate that the original assay for gM-Sm do not detect diurnal differences in serum gM-Sm levels, even at levels below 20 ng/ml. These observations indicate that the analysis of data obtained using the original gM-Sm kit should be interpreted with caution.     

Pemphigus Vulgaris Associated with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Elevated TNFα

A 76-year-old female was admitted with many bullae and erythema on her trunk and extremities. A biopsy specimen showed significant intercellular edema in the lower epidermis and eosinophilic infiltration into the dermis and the epidermis. Immunofluorescent staining revealed the deposition of IgG in the intercellular area of her prickle cells. From these histologic findings and the typical clinical features, we diagnosed her as having pemphigus vulgaris. Examination of her blood revealed that she also suffered from autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Despite intensive treatment with prednisolone, she finally died. This case is of interest because of its rarity and the TNFα detected significantly in the blister fluid of this patient.