Lymphocyte proliferation induced by autologous cells. XV. Relationships between the human autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction stimulated by non-T and activated T cells

The human {T:T act} AMLR was characterized in its relationship to the {T:Non-T} AMLR and its validity as a nonxenogeneic antigen induced response was extended. Human T cell lines, established from responding T cells in an autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), were maintained in medium containing human serum and interleukin-2 (IL-2). These cells stimulated ³H-thymidine incorporation by autologous T cells and by autologous unfractionated blood mononuclear cells. Freshly activated T cells isolated from an autologous MLR stimulated autologous T cells to a lesser extent could be enhanced by adding IL-2. Twenty-five to 50% of T cells stimulated by activated T cells express the T8 determinant. In contrast, we have previously shown that less than 10% of T cells activated after 6 days in culture with non-T cells express the T8 determinant. The number of T8 bearing cells were increased significantly after 10 days in culture with non-T cells. This suggested that two types of reactions, the {T:Non-T} and {T:T act} AMLR, might occur in sequence when T cells and autologous non-T cells are cocultured: first, the activation of T4 cells by non-T cells, then by the activation of T8 cells by activated T4 cells. Finally, activated T cells can stimulate unfractionated autologous mononuclear cells without prior exposure to sheep erythrocytes or fetal calf serum.     

Histologic studies of human skin test responses to ragweed and compound 48/80: III. Effects of alternate-day steroid therapy

Our previous studies have shown depressed eosinophil responses in skin test reactions to pollen antigens and compound 48/80 in those just completing a 1-wk course of daily steroids. Wheal reactions were unaffected. In this study, 6 ragweed-sensitive atopic subjects were studied before and on the seventh day (“day on”) and day 8 (“day off”) of a course of alternate-day steroids. Blood neutrophil levels rose on day 7 and were similar to baseline on day 8, whereas blood eosinophil levels were significantly reduced on both days 7 and 8. Neutrophil responses in skin test reactions were depressed on day 7 and normal on day 8. In contrast, the tissue eosinophil responses were depressed significantly, and to similar degree, on both days 7 and 8. These findings are of potential significance in evaluating the clinical effects of steroids in allergic diseases.     

Leukocyte histamine release in Hymenoptera-allergic patients. Correlation with skin test reactivity and changes following hyposensitization therapy

We have studied 46 Hymenoptera-allergic patients and 11 nonallergic controls by grading the severity of their sting reaction, determining their skin test reactivity, and performing human leukocyte histamine release with a commercial mixed stinging insect extract. A significant correlation was found between increasing severity of sting reaction and increasing skin test reactivity (p < 0.001). In $\text{41}\text{46}$ allergic patients from 15 to 100 per cent release of total cellular histamine occurred, whereas in the 11 nonallergic controls no greater than 10 per cent release of total cellular histamine was observed. Skin test reactivity correlated significantly with cell sensitivity in the allergic patients (p < 0.001). Following hyposensitization therapy, cell sensitivity generally did not change, but significant increases in antigen-neutralizing capacity (A.N.C.) of allergic serum did occur in $\text{11}\text{15}$ Hymenoptera-allergic patients.     

Bronchocentric granulomatosis: a complication of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Hypersensitivity to the fungal antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus may result in a spectrum of immune injury collectively known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). This report describes a 14-yr-old boy who presented clinical findings consistent with ABPA,including a history of asthma, blood eosinophilia, serum precipitins, and IgE antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus. Sputum Aspergillus, pulmonary infiltrates, and dual types I and III skin reactions to Aspergillus fumigatus were observed also. Pathology of the resected right upper lobe revealed severe bronchial destruction with the findings of bronchocentric granulomatosis. Noninvasive septate fungal hyphae compatible with Aspergillus were identified. Cultures from sputum and surgical specimens grew Aspergillus and Mycobacterium intracellulare avium. The PPD-B (purified protein derivative-Batty) intradermal skin test produced a 6 mm induration (PPD-S was negative). The patient's condition has been well controlled with prednisone and several antituberculous drugs. In addition, inflammatory and immunologic parameters have begun to return to normal. The relationship between ABa and the atypical mycobacterial infection is not clear. The association of ABPA with the severe bronchial destruction seen in bronchocentric granulomatosis is emphasized to alert physicans to this serious sequelae of ABa seen in the asthmatic.     

Plasma steroid concentrations during alternate-day treatment with prednisone

Plasma steroid concentrations were measured in asthmatic children 24 and 48 hours after administration of alternate-day treatment with prednisone, and the results were compared with those of control patients who did not receive corticosteroid treatment as well as those of patients who were treated with prednisone each day. It was found that 24 hours after administration of prednisone in any dose, plasma steroid concentrations were significantly lower than those of the control group. The degree of suppression in plasma steroid concentration was less marked in patients who received treatment on alternate days than in those who received the same doses of prednisone each day. Within 48 hours after administration of alternate-day treatment, plasma steroid concentrations approached the values observed in the control group and were independent of the magnitude of the prednisone dose. Although alternateday steroid treatment was associated with transient and incomplete suppression of pituitary-adrenal function, patients whose therapy was changed from a daily to an alternate-day regimen sometimes exhibited prolonged suppression of adrenal cortical function.     

Insect venom allergy: a prospective case study showing lack of correlation between immunologic reactivity and clinical sensitivity

This case report demonstrates the lack of correlation between clinical sensitivity to insect venoms and immunologic reactivity as indicated by the presence of venom-specific IgE. A 20-yr-old venom collector was monitored over a 3-yr period with measurements of venom-specific IgE (skin test and RAST) and venom-specific IgG. In the first year of venom collection, multiple stings were tolerated with no reaction. In the second season, she had an anaphylactic reaction after a yellow jacket sting. Subsequently, there was a rising titer of serum yellow jacket and bee venom-specific IgE and positive skin-test reactions. In the third season, yellow jacket, hornet, and bee venom skin tests remained positive and serum IgE antibody titers remained elevated. Stings from all three insects were tolerated with no reaction. Throughout the 3-yr course, serum venom-specific IgG remained low and unchanged. The factors other than IgE-modulating clinical anaphylaxis, perhaps responsible for this clinical and immunologic dichotomy, are unknown. These observations add a further complication to the choice of patients for venom immunotherapy.     

Human T cell responses to peptides of the Mycobacterium leprae 45-kD serine-rich antigen

In order to identify T cell epitopes within the Mycobacterium leprae 45-kD serine-rich antigen, we analysed responses to overlapping 17-mer peptides encompassing the whole antigen in non-exposed UK controls, Pakistani leprosy patients and tuberculosis patients in both the United Kingdom and Pakistan. This antigen has been described as M. leprae-specific, although it has a hypothetical homologue in M. tuberculosis. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with peptide for 5 days and IFN-gamma measured in supernatants by ELISA. Some peptides were recognized more frequently by T cells from tuberculoid leprosy patients than those from UK controls, suggesting that such T cell epitopes might have diagnostic potential, while other peptides induced greater responses among UK control subjects. Short-term cell lines confirmed that these assays detected specific T cell recognition of these peptides. However, many tuberculosis patients also recognized these potentially specific peptides suggesting that there could be a true homologue present in M. tuberculosis.     

小发卡RNA抗呼吸道合胞病毒效应的研究

目的 为从基因水平抑制呼吸道合胞病毒（respiratory syncytial virus，RSV）的复制，针对RSV的M2-2基因构建小发卡结构状RNA（short hairpin RNA，shRNA）重组质粒，在细胞水平观察shRNA对RSV复制的影响。方法 将成功构建的针对RSV M2-2基因的重组质粒pshRNA8260转染HEp-2细胞，利用光镜观察pshRNA8260对RSV致HEp-2细胞病变效应（cytopathogenic effect，CPE）的影响并计算CPE抑制率，空斑形成实验检测RSV滴度变化。结果 成功构建了针对人RSV M2-2基因mRNA的pshRNA8260重组质粒，研究发现pshRNA8260能明显改善RSV所致的病变效应，降低RSV在细胞内复制的病毒滴度。结论 针对RSV M2-2基因的pshRNA82（g）重组质粒具有明显的特异性抗RSV效应的作用。     

The value of objective measurements to select patients who are malnourished

Several studies have attempted to define nutritional parameters that can be used to select malnourished hospitalised patients for nutritional support. A combination of objective nutritional parameters was evaluated in a group of 50 patients selected for total parenteral nutrition on clinical grounds only and compared with a control group. This control group consisted of 38 patients who were admitted for elective minor surgical procedures such as varicectomy and hernia repair. On a subset of 18 objective nutritional measurements, discriminant analysis was performed. In the evaluation it was shown that a combination of albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PALB), total lymphocyte count (TLC) and the percentage of ideal weight (PIW) was the most useful combination of nutritional tests in discriminating a chosen malnourished (M) group and a control group who were declared not malnourished (NM). With this combination the patients were correctly classified in 93% with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 94%.     

Cerebral hemodynamics in patients with moyamoya disease. A study of regional cerebral blood flow by the 133Xe inhalation method

Regional cerebral blood flow was measured by the 133Xe inhalation method in 20 young patients with moyamoya disease and five young healthy volunteers. Most patients showed low values of mean hemispheric blood flow in both hemispheres. Regional cerebral blood flow was at a low value in the upper frontal region and at an almost average value in the posterotemporal and occipital regions, which was different from the "hyperfrontal" pattern in healthy volunteers. Regional cerebral blood flow was reduced evenly by hyperventilation. By 5% CO2 inhalation, regional cerebral blood flow was increased in the temporooccipital regions and was nearly unchanged or decreased in the frontal region.