HLA-D Antigen Expression and Langerhans' Cell Infiltrates in Thyroid Tumors

Papillary carcinomas (PCs) of thyroid are among the most common but least aggressive human malignancies. The factors explaining the indolence of these tumors are unknown but host-tumor immune interactions may play a role. This study was designed to determine if there is morphologic evidence of these. Frozen tissues collected from 21 PCs, 4 follicular adenomas (FAs), 4 follicular carcinomas (FCs), and 11 nodular hyperplasias (NHs) were stained immunohistochemically for HLA-D antigens, lymphocyte and macrophage markers; results were graded numerically. Paraffin-embedded tumors (35 PCs, 10 FAs, and 10 FCs) were stained for S-100 protein to detect Langerhans' cells (LCs). Diffuse staining for HLA-D antigens and heavy mononuclear infiltrates were found more commonly in PCs compared to follicular neoplasms (FNs) or NHs. No consistent relationship was found between lymphocyte/macrophage infiltrates and expression of HLA-D antigens. The largest number of LCs was in PCs (median 11.8 cells/standard microscopic field [c/smf]), fewer cells were found in FA (3.7 c/smf), and the least in FC (0.05 c/smf). Features of host-tumor interaction including HLA-D expression and infiltrates with lymphocyte macrophages and LC are more strongly expressed in PC than other tumors. This may play a role in explaining their biological behavior.     

Perspectives in transplantation immunology 1991

Summary The clinical success of organ transplantation depends to a large degree on the immunological acceptance of the grafted organ. This paper summarizes from an immunological point of view the recent progress that has been made to improve graft acceptance, and discusses some future aspects in the field. Over the last few years, major emphasis has been put on the development of new immunosuppressive drugs, including FK 506, rapamycin, and Deoxyspergualin. Together with monoclonal antibodies against defined T-cell surface antigens, there are now new and effective means available to prevent or treat rejection episodes. Progress has also been made in the field of HLA typing, where the introduction of molecular biology-based methods significantly increased the accuracy of HLA class II typing. The ultimate goal of transplantation immunology is the induction of (donor-) specific tolerance. While some protocols are effective in inducing peripheral tolerance in experimental animals, these regimens are at present not yet applicable in the clinical situation. To overcome the shortage of donor organs, alternative strategies are currently being considered. Among these, xenotransplantation may eventually prove successful, despite the massive immunological problems such as, e.g., the presence of preformed xenoreactive antibodies.Abbreviations CTL cytolytic T lymphocyte - HLA human leukocyte antigen - MHC major histocompatibility complex - PCR polymerase chain reaction - mAB monoclonal antibody - RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism - TCR T-cell receptor Preprint of a lecture to be read at the 22nd Congress of the Gesellschaft für Nephrologie, Heidelberg, September 15–18, 1991 (Editor: Prof. Dr. E. Ritz, Heidelberg)     

Cellular sensitization against sperm and seminal antigens in women

In 13 healthy women and 6 virgins the cellular sensitization against sperm and seminal plasma antigens was demonstrated by an indirect lymphokin assay, the leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMI-test) using the following preparations: "washed" spermatozoa, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of the supernatant prepared with the "swim-up" technique. In both groups of women a cellular sensitization against sperm and seminal plasma antigens could be observed. Further, a dose dependent correlation was found in that way, that increasing concentrations of spermatozoa lead to an increased inhibition of macrophage migration. In virgins cellular sensitization against seminal plasma proteins did not differ from non-virgins, only the percentage of significant reactions in the LMI-Test was reduced. As low sperm concentrations (1 million ml-1), which represent best the physiological situation in the uterus, induced an enhanced migrations of macrophages the enhancement of macrophage migration is considered as physiological cellular sensitization of females against sperm-associated antigens.     

In vivo induction of HLA molecules in patients with myeloproliferative syndrome during IFNα treatment

Summary Eighteen patients with myeloproliferative syndrome (14 with chronic myeloid leukemia, four with essential thrombocytosis) were investigated for modulation of HLA antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes, and hematopoietic precursors during IFN therapy as a sign of potentially increased immune recognition of malignant cells. After 1 month of IFN therapy, an increased number of monocytes and hematopoietic precursor cells, but not of lymphocytes, expressed HLADQ antigens. In addition, a strong induction of HLA class-I antigens was found on both hematopoietic progenitors and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. With daily injections of IFN in the first month of therapy stimulation continuously increased, suggested a major effect of IFNa on hematopoietic progenitors with sustained enhanced expression of HLA class-I antigens during differentiation of myelomonocytic cells. HLA class-I antigen expression was consistently augmented by IFN in all patients, irrespective of their hematological response.This work was supported by theElse Übelmesser Stiftung and theDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Sonderforschungsbereich 120, projects A3 and D4     

Risks of BCG intralesional therapy: an experience with melanoma.

A nearly fatal allergic reaction to intratumor BCG injections was associated with a complete remission of recurrent malignant melanoma. Clinical course and histologic sections suggested both anaphylactic and Arthus reactions. The occurrence of reactions at BCG injection sites as well as at uninjected sites of tumor suggests common BCG and melanoma antigens. The management of events involved in this often fatal postimmunotherapy complication involves the early administration of parenteral fluids, antituberculous therapy, antihistamines, and possible steroids. The prophylactic use of antihistamines and an in-hospital administration of intralesional BCG immunotherapy are strongly suggested. In the future, prophylactic INH may prove to be both therapeutically efficacious and protective against infectious complications.     

First experiences with HLA-matched corneal grafts in high risk cases

In highly vascularized corneas the number of graft failures caused by irreversible rejections is higher than in non- or slightly vascularized corneas. The importance of antigen compatibility is demonstrated, especially in these high risk cases.Ten highly vascularized corneas were grafted with HLA-matched donor material; only one reversible rejection was seen in this group.Nine non- or slightly vascularized corneas were grafted with donor material chosen at random. Retrospective HLA matching was performed. Three irreversible rejections were seen in this group. The number of HLA incompatibilities was high.     

组织相容性复合物DQ基因与胰岛素依赖型糖尿病易感相关性剂量效应规律的研究

为研究中国北方汉族人中组织相容性复合物ＤＱ（ＨＬＡ－ＤＱ）基因与胰岛素依赖型糖尿病（ＩＤＤＭ）遗传易感性相关的剂量效应规律，采用聚合酶链反应和序列特异性寡核苷酸探针杂交技术，对５４例胰岛素依赖型糖尿病患儿和４０例正常成年供血员ＨＬＡ－ＤＱ基因进行了研究。结果：携带４个易感性基因的个体只见于患者，携带３个易感性基因的个体在患者中为３３．３％，正常对照中为１０％；携带２个或１个易感性或保护性基因的个体在正常对照中频率较患者为高，但差异无显著意义；携带３个保护性基因的个体只见于正常对照。提示：ＩＤＤＭ易感性基因具有部分隐性遗传的特点且具有累加效应。个体中１个或２个易感性基因的存在不能对ＩＤＤＭ构成显著的易感性，３个或３个以上易感性基因的存在方可对ＩＤＤＭ构成显著易感性。ＤＱ保护性基因具有部分显性遗传的特点并且也具有累加效应。携带１个或２个保护性基因的个体患ＩＤＤＭ的机会将大大减少，而携带３个保护性基因的个体则可以不发生ＩＤＤＭ。     

肾移植组织配型管理软件的研究与开发思路

目的 开发肾移植组织配型管理软件并观察其临床实用性。方法 参考氨基酸残基配型及致敏性错配制定配型标准，采用Powerbuild系统编制同种异体肾移植组织配型管理软件，观察肾移植术前快速组织配型分析的可行性。结果 从筛选最佳供受者到列表打印结果仅需数分钟，历史数据可查询，界面简单，结果准确、可靠。配型标准可自行更改。结论 经国内8家移植中心使用，证明该软件设计科学合理，操作简便，运行稳定，实用性强，具有一定的推广价值。