Immunological evaluation in children with juvenile chronic arthritis treated with auranofin.

An immunological evaluation was performed before therapy and every four months during the first year of treatment with auranofin in 6 children with juvenile chronic arthritis. The immunological tests included: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and "natural" antibody serum levels, CH50 of the classical and alternative complement pathways, PWM-induced IgM production in vitro, and polymorphonuclear neutrophil functions. A reduction of the in vitro IgM synthesis and in the CH50 of the classical pathway of complement, and a normalization of impaired chemotaxis, occurred in patients who presented a clinically significant improvement during auranofin treatment.

Analysis with OKT monoclonal antibodies of T-lymphocyte subsets present in blood and liver of patients with chronic active hepatitis.

The relative distribution of T lymphocyte subsets, as defined by the monoclonal antibodies OKT, was determined by cytofluorimetric analysis in peripheral blood and in cells isolated from liver biopsies of 31 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes binding OKT8 (directed against cytotoxic/suppressor T cells) was found to be elevated in patients with HBsAg and HBeAg positive chronic active hepatitis. Patients with CAH who had seroconverted to anti-HBe, had an increased number of OKT3-positive cells in their blood, which was directed against a common T cell surface antigen, associated with a decreased number of OKT8 positive cells.

Low beta-adrenergic receptor concentration on human thymocytes.

Several agents are known that can elevate cyclic AMP levels in lymphoid cells, e.g. isoproterenol, PGE1 and adenosine.

Isolation and partial characterization of a novel subset of human T lymphocytes defined by monoclonal antibodies.

A novel subset of human blood lymphocytes was isolated by means of labelling with monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. In normal individuals, the new subset accounts for about 2% of the blood T lymphocytes. The cells of this subset bind monoclonal antibodies specific for T lymphocytes in general [e.

Changes in human T lymphocytes after thymectomy and during senescence.

Peripheral lymphocytes from individuals who had been thymectomized in adult life for myasthenia gravis (MG) or for other, nonimmunological reasons showed a moderate decrease in proliferative response capacity to several T-cell mitogens as compared to lymphocytes from normal individuals. The decrease of the response to mitogens and allogeneic lymphocytes was 20-30% within 5 years after thymectomy and about 50% more than 15 years after thymectomy. A comparable decrease in lymphocyte proliferative response capacity was found in healthy aged humans (68-97 years old).

The cell-lineage of T gamma cells.

In patients with severe combined immunodeficiency, who have been successfully treated by bone-marrow transplantation, the occurrence of split take has been well documented: whereas myelomonocytic hemopoietic cell lines remain of host origin, the T-lymphoid compartment is of donor origin, while the B-lymphoid compartment may be either of host or of donor origin. We have studied the T gamma cells of two patients, successfully treated by bone-marrow transplantation from donors of the opposite sex, with respect to the sex-chromosome pattern, the binding of OKM1 and OKT3 monoclonal antibody and their K and NK activity. All T gamma cells of both patients were found to be of donor origin.

Characterization of two subsets of human T gamma cells.

Normal human E rosette-forming, Fc-IgG receptor-bearing cells (so-called T gamma cells) were separated into two functionally different subpopulations. Both subpopulations bind the monoclonal antibody OKM1 (directed against an antigen present also on monocytes and granulocytes). The first subpopulation accounts for about 70% of the total T gamma cell population, does not bind OKT3 (a monoclonal antibody directed against an antigen present on most T lymphocytes), and displays strong killer (K) cell and natural killer (NK) cell activity.

Non-histone chromatin proteins in human thymocytes and T lymphocytes from blood.

The composition of nuclear proteins from human thymocytes and T lymphocytes from peripheral blood was analyzed. Total thymocytes and total peripheral blood T lymphocytes differed markedly in non-histone chromatin proteins (both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated), but did not differ in histones. When the cells were separated according to density, T-lymphocyte fractions with a close specific gravity showed restricted differences in non-histone chromatin patterns.

T lymphocyte characteristics in bone marrow-transplanted patients. II. Analysis with monoclonal antibodies.

The relative distribution of T cell subsets, as defined by the monoclonal antibodies OKT, was analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 8 children after bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anemia. The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes binding OKT3 (directed against a common T cell surface antigen and defining most peripheral T cells) reached normal values shortly after transplantation. In 5 patients, lymphocytes binding OKT8 (directed against an antigen present on the suppressor/cytotoxic T cell subset) were found in high proportion, and lymphocytes binding OKT4 (detecting an antigen present on inducer/helper T cells) in low percentage.

Effect of ascorbate on abnormal neutrophil, platelet and lymphocytic function in a patient with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

A diminished chemotactic response was observed with the neutrophils of a patient with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome, who was not in the accelerated phase of the disease. An abnormally low release of myeloperoxidase from these cells during phagocytosis was also noted; this resulted in a decreased iodination capacity and probably also caused the defect in the intracellular killing of bacteria by the neutrophils. The level of cyclic AMP in these cells was elevated, but decreased after treatment with ascorbate either in vitro or in vivo.

Influence of adult thymectomy on immunocompetence in patients with myasthenia gravis.

The influence of adult thymectomy on several parameters of immunocompetence in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) was investigated. Since incomplete thymectomy may lead to the presence of thymic remnants, we determined the activity of a thymus-dependent factor in the sera of the MG patients. As measured by several parameters, MG patients showed a normal immunocompetence compared with healthy controls, except in the response to DNCB sensitization in vivo.

Thymocyte maturation induced by a thymus-dependent serum factor.

By means of direct measurement of intracellular cyclic AMP in thymocytes in vitro we demonstrated the existence in human serum of a thymus-dependent factor (SF). This activity of SF appeared to be due to a very low M.W.

Early events in thymocyte activation. II. Changes in nonhistone chromatin proteins induced by a thymus-dependent human serum factor.

Previously, it has been shown that a human thymus-dependent serum factor (SF), isolated from peripheral blood and acting on precursors of mature T lymphocytes, induces an increase in the synthesis of cyclic AMP and proteins in thymocytes. We have now investigated the action of SF on the incorporation of 3H-leucine and 32P-orthophosphate into nuclear proteins of thymocytes after 15 to 240 min of culture. SF induced a rapid increase in the synthesis and phosphorylation of nuclear proteins, especially in the phosphorylated nonhistone chromatin proteins (P-NHCP).

Experiences with thymosin in primary immunodeficiency disease.

Thymosin has no effect in vitro on cyclic AMP levels in thymocytes. However, when thymosin was injected into patients lacking "serum factor" (SF) activity, it induced the appearance of SF or SF-like activity and the disappearance of target cells for SF among the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the treated patients. On the other hand, when thymosin was injected into one patient with normal SF activity, it induced a marked decrease of SF activity and the appearance of target cells for SF among the peripheral blood lymphocytes of this particular patient.