Kinetics of MHC class II and transferrin receptor expression by colostral cells stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A and myelin basic protein.

The colostral cells, regarded generally as being protective, have been shown to differ in a number of membrane properties (rosetting, adherence, mobility) from the corresponding peripheral blood mononuclear cells. After in vitro stimulation with Con A or MBP 50% to 70% of the human colostral cells appeared HLA-DR positive at the first 24 h of culturing. The CD71 expression reached a maximum on culture days 2-3 coinciding with the maximal proliferative response.

Analysis of suppressor activity in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis inhibited by graft-versus-host reaction.

The induction of local graft-versus-host reaction (GvH) prior to the encephalitogenic challenge resulted in the conversion of acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) to the chronic-like EAE. This inhibitory effect of GvH on EAE development was cyclophosphamide (CY) sensitive. Cell-free supernatants of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) isolated from guinea pigs with chronic-like EAE and during recovery from EAE showed suppressor activity on the in vitro proliferative response of myelin basic protein (MBP) sensitized PBL.

[Suppression of cellular immunity in patients with carcinoma in situ and microinvasive cancer of the cervix uteri].

Monoclonal antibodies (Ortho type) were used for immunocytochemical evaluation of cell-mediated immunity in peripheral blood from 29 patients with in situ (TisNoMo) and microinvasive (T1aNoMo) cervical carcinoma. The total number of T cells (OKT3+) was decreased in both patient groups compared to healthy volunteers. Marked difference between OKT4+ (helper/inducer) and OKT8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells was observed OKT8+ level rose with advancement of disease, resulting in inverted OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio in T1aNoMo cancer patients.

Positive effect of cyclophosphamide on the expression of MHC class II antigens.

Wistar rats, 6-8 weeks old, were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a single dose of 20 or 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CY), one day before their immunization with 50 mg/kg ovalbumin (OVA).