Serology and Genetics of Te58(W18) and Other Specificities Included in the 4c Complex

In order to clarify the distinction between three antigens included in the 4c complex, correlation coefficients, gene frequencies, haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium parameters are given for HL-A5, Te50 = W5 and Te58 = W18 in three different ethnic groups.
Te58 = W18 is shown to be an allele of the second segregant series by data from family studies by correlation coefficients, by the lack of triplets, and by the goodness of fit according to the Hardy-Weinberg law.     

Changes in Cell Characteristics Due to Culture Conditions in Cell Lines From Human Small Cell Lung Cancer

Eight cultured cell lines were established from human smallcell lung cancers. Every cell line showed the morphologicaland biochemical characteristics of small cell cancer. Changesin cell characteristics were observed in many of these celllines when culture conditions were changed: "oat cell type"changed to "intermediate cell type" and vice versa when serum-freemedium was changed to serum-supplemented medium; a deficiencyof vitamin A in the medium caused a change to squamous cellsand vice versa; and a tumor promoter (teleocidin B) enhancedthe adherence of these cells to the surface of plastic culturedishes. These findings provide evidence that many small celllung cancer cell lines can change their morphology with changesin the environment of the cells.     

‘Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia’ in liver cirrhosis: low-grade hepatocellular carcinoma or borderline lesion?

Adenomatous hyperplasia, defined as a sizable parenchymal nodule in cirrhosis, was examined morphologically. Ninety-seven nodules of adenomatous hyperplasia were obtained from 47 cirrhotic livers and were divided into 'ordinary' (44 nodules) and 'atypical' (53 nodules) types. The former consisted of hepatocytes similar to those of the surrounding liver, and showed regularly distributed portal tracts. The latter type was composed of hepatocytes showing nuclear atypia, relative to the surrounding liver, and showed irregular or sparse portal tracts. Atypical nodules were histologically heterogeneous, possessing areas of normo-trabecular, compact, pseudoglandular and/or scirrhous patterns. Several cytological changes, such as clear cell change, small or large cell change and fatty change, were intermingled variably within a given nodule. Atypical nodules showed expansive and/or replacing growth into the surrounding liver. Atypical hepatocytes also infiltrated into the fibrous septa and portal tracts. Foci of overt hepatocellular carcinoma were found in 11 of the 53 atypical nodules. These findings suggest that ordinary adenomatous hyperplasia may be a large-sized regenerative nodule, while atypical adenomatous hyperplasia may be a hepatocellular neoplasm, a peculiar form of low-grade hepatocellular carcinoma or borderline lesion, in which overt hepatocellular carcinoma is likely to evolve through multiple steps.     

Heterogeneity of HL—A Specificities Shown by Platelet Complement-Fixation

Six sets of unrelated healthy individuals, phenotypically "identical" in each set for the four antigens of the two HL—A segregant series, were tested with 153 antiplatelet antisera by microcomplement-fixation. In five of the six sets the results unequivocally show that the individuals were not identical by complement-fixation reactions. It is proposed that sera which manifest nonidentity between individuals within these sets identify either "variants" of the known HL—A antigens or antigens of a third segregant series of the HL—A system or of a non-HL—A system. Accurate and complete matching for HL—A antigens among unrelated individuals will require further definition of specificities.     

Low HL—A2 Frequency and Periodontitis1

The frequency of HL-A2 was significantly low (21%) in patients with periodontitis when compared to controls who were free of periodontal disease (61%). The effect was most pronounced in females in whom HL-A2 was present in 12.5% (2 out of 16). This finding suggests that genes controlling susceptibility to microbial agents may be linked to the HL-A LOCUS.     

HL—A Typing in Asian Indians

HL—A typing in 80 Asian Indians has shown differences in the frequencies of some HL—A antigens as compared with American Caucasians. These include the absence of Te54 (= W14 = Maki) and Te64, and significantly low frequencies for HL—A2 and HL—A8.