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Immunoregulatory states induced by i.p. inoculation with the metazoan parasite Echinococcus multilocularis in the murine system were investigated. Proliferative responses and IL-2 production induced by Con A in spleen cells from BALB/c mice were significantly depressed at an early stage after infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces (PSC). Addition of plastic-adherent cells from normal syngeneic mice to the nonadherent spleen cells from infected mice did not restore the depressed Con A responsiveness. On the other hand, exogenous IL-2 reconstituted completely the proliferative responses to Con A. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CD4- CD8+ cells with a low density of CD8 Ag (CD8dull cells) increased in spleens from infected mice 2 weeks after inoculation. Addition of the spleen cell subpopulation containing the CD8dull cells, but not that depleted of the CD8dull cells, to normal spleen cells resulted in marked suppression of the Con A responses. These findings suggest that the CD8dull cells detected in spleens of mice inoculated with E. multilocularis PSC may play a key role in the suppressive regulation of immune responses. The relevance of the immune suppression seen in the early stages of experimental infection with E. multilocularis PSC to the eventual establishment of a host-parasite relationship is discussed.

A synthetic 17 amino acid peptide (CKS-17) homologous to a highly conserved region of human and animal retroviral transmembrane proteins was investigated for its influence on the generation of murine alloantigen-specific CTL activity in vitro. CKS-17 coupled to a carrier protein, BSA or human serum albumin, inhibited the generation of anti-allo CTL in a dose-dependent manner. Controls consisting of BSA and human serum albumin, which had undergone the coupling procedure or neurotensin, an unrelated peptide, coupled to BSA in an identical manner as CKS-17 showed no such inhibitory action. The suppression was not restricted to the Ag specificity of the CTL activity. CKS-17 exerted inhibitory effects on the early afferent phase of CTL induction. Kinetic studies showed that the suppressive activity occurred when CKS-17 was introduced to the immunologically stimulating culture concomitant with or up to 48 h after initiation of culture. Analysis of the frequency of CTL precursor cells using limiting-dilution assays revealed that CKS-17 did act to reduce the number of precursor cells. Abrogation of the inhibition of CTL activity was observed when IL-2 was introduced to the culture together with the stimulator cells. Other lymphokines, such as IL-4, exerted a similar influence to counteract this suppression.

The proportion of cells with a high density of ED2 (ED2high cells) in peritoneal cells from old rats was significantly lower than that from young rats. The expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) molecules, the antigen presentation, production of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6, and nuclear factor-kappaB activity in ED2high cells were markedly higher than those in cells with a low density of ED2 (ED2low cells), although no significant difference was observed in the expression of MHC class II molecules and the antigen presentation between ED2high cells from young and old rats. Meanwhile, basal corticosterone concentration in serum and glucocorticoid (GC) receptor mRNA expression in peritoneal cells increased significantly in old rats. The proportion of ED2high cells was increased by adrenalectomy in young rats. Furthermore, nuclear translocation of GC receptor was observed in ED2low cells, whereas GC receptor was detected in cytoplasmic extracts from ED2high cells. These results suggest that the decrease in functional ED2high macrophages with age results in the age-associated decline of immune responses, which is regulated, in part, by the basal GC concentration.

Ageing is usually accompanied by a decline in immune and neuroendocrine functions. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying age-related immunosuppression, the functions and surface phenotypes of peritoneal cells in the monocyte/macrophage lineage from old mice were investigated. The role of glucocorticoids (GC) in the immunomodulation was also examined. Proliferative responses of spleen cells from control mice stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) were significantly suppressed by adding peritoneal exudate cells from old mice. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the proportion of MAC-1+ cells with a high density of type II or type III receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma RII/IIIbright cells) was increased markedly in the periotoneal exudate cells from old mice. The prominent suppressor activity for Con A responses of control spleen cells was found in the Fc gamma RII/IIIbright cells, whereas MAC-1+ cells with a low density of Fc gamma RII/III (Fc gamma RII/IIIdull cells) did not suppress the Con A responses. On the other hand, both the basal corticosterone concentrations in serum and the mRNA expression for GC receptor in peritoneal exudate cells increased significantly in old mice. Furthermore, the proportion of Fc gamma RII/IIIbright cells in peritoneal exudate cells from old mice was normalized on administration of the GC antagonist RU 38,486 (mifepristone). These results suggest that the increase in basal corticosterone concentrations in old mice induces the generation of Fc gamma RII/IIIbright suppressor cells, possibly leading to the immune-suppressive state.

Only gamma-chain T-cell receptor transcripts utilizing V-1 subgroup gene segments were found in peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient with Omenn's syndrome. gamma-Chain T-cell receptor transcripts utilizing the V gamma 9 (V-II subgroup) gene segment were absent in peripheral blood lymphocytes from this patient. V gamma 9 J gamma 1.2 C gamma 1 rearrangements are those primarily found in peripheral blood lymphocytes (70 to 85%) from normal donors.

Immunoregulatory states in acute cold-stressed or cold-acclimatized mice were investigated. When male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to environmental temperature of 5 degrees for 24 hr (acute cold stress), the spleen cells showed depressed proliferative responses to stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with control mice (reared at 25 degrees). The proportion of Thy-1.2+ cells increased significantly in spleens from these acute cold-stressed mice. The Con A responses of T-enriched cells from acute cold-stressed mice were restored to the normal level by adding plastic-adherent cells from control mice. Further, adherent cells from acute cold-stressed mice markedly suppressed the Con A responses of control spleen cells. Thus, the plastic-adherent cells appeared to be responsible for the suppressed Con A responses. On the other hand, proliferative responses to Con A or LPS were elevated in spleen cells from mice exposed to 5 degrees for 3 weeks (cold acclimatization). A significant decrease of Thy-1.2+ cells was detected in these spleens. It was shown that the enhanced proliferative responses were attributable to functional alterations of the plastic adherent cell population but not to those of lymphoid cell population. These findings indicate that the low or high responsiveness of spleen cells to Con A observed in cold-stressed or cold-acclimatized mice, respectively, may be due to a mechanism including the contrary modulations of functions of cells of mononuclear phagocyte lineage.

Calorie restriction reduces mammary mitogenesis and tumorigenesis. To test whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels are influenced by calorie intake, 72 four-week-old C3H/HeOu mice were separated into two groups and either fed ad libitum (group AL) or calorie-restricted at a mean 19% (group CR). Three mice from each group were evaluated when 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks old for submandibular gland transcription of EGF and beta-actin RNA for levels of EGF protein in the submandibular gland, mammary gland, and serum and for immunohistological evidence of EGF protein within the submandibular and mammary glands. Submandibular levels of EGF RNA and protein and mammary and serum levels of EGF protein were similar between dietary groups when mice were 6 and 8 weeks old. Mean EGF:beta-actin RNA transcription in submandibular glands of 12-week-old mice were approximately 10-fold greater in AL compared to CR mice (ratio means, 1.499 versus 0.157, respectively; P0.01). Mean submandibular levels of EGF protein were greater in 10-week-old AL compared to CR mice (7017.4 versus 4098.5 ng/mg protein, respectively; P0.05) and even greater in 12-week-old AL compared to CR mice (4342.6 versus 137.9 ng/mg protein; P0.001). Mean mammary levels of EGF protein were greater among 12-week-old AL compared to CR mice (7.8 versus 5.0 ng/mg protein; P0.05). Serum levels of EGF did not differ between dietary cohorts. More anti-EGF immunoprecipitate was present in submandibular and mammary gland sections of 10- and 12-week-old AL compared to CR mice. Lowered EGF levels may contribute to the antiproliferative and antineoplastic effects of calorie restriction.

To test for a relationship between peripubertal calorie intake, mammary development, and tumorigenesis, weanling C3H/HeOu mice were separated into 3 groups: fed diet either ad libitum (AL) and designated group AL (n = 60); fed a similar, calorie-restricted (CR) diet only during mammary development when 4-12 weeks old and then subsequently fed ad libitum whenor = 13 weeks old (group CR4-12, n = 24); or continuously calorie restricted (group CR, n = 60). Eight weeks of peripubertal calorie restriction provided CR4-12 mice with lasting protection from mammary tumorigenesis (P = 0.004) and lowered cumulative tumor incidence by 33% compared to AL mice. Sustained calorie restriction of group CR mice further reduced mammary tumor incidence compared to both AL (P = 0.000001) and CR4-12 mice (P = 0.009). Calorie intake significantly influenced mammary development and cellular proliferation. Compared to the mammary development of AL mice, calorie restriction reduced the diameter of ductal end buds (189 microns compared to 146 microns; P0.01), lowered the end bud [3H]thymidine labeling index fromor = 20 toor = 13% (P0.001), delayed end bud migration and mammary glandular growth (P0.01), reduced alveolar budding (P0.001), reduced the proportion of alveoli containing at least one [3H]thymidine labeled cell fromor = 50 toor = 22% (P0.001), and lowered the alveolar [3H]thymidine labeling index of labeled alveoli fromor = 14 toor = 7% (P0.001). These findings link peripubertal calorie intake, mammary development, and carcinogenic risk, and show that the abrogation of mammary tumorigenesis by calorie restriction is partially attributable to influences on mammary development.

The discovery of T helper type 1 (Th1) and T helper type 2 (Th2) phenotypes within the CD4+ T-lymphocyte population has allowed for further elucidation of the roles the T cells play in regulation of humoral and cellular immunity. It is suggested that differential activation of the CD4+ subsets, particularly up-regulation of the Th2 cell and down-regulation of the Th1 cell, may be associated with diseases as diverse as AIDS and asthma. We report herein that by using the polymerase chain reaction to analyze the kinetics of in vivo cytokine- and virus-specific gene expression, we can show that mice infected with the molecularly cloned MAIDS defective virus 1/27/A BM5 exhibit an alteration in cytokine gene expression that closely parallels an increase in spleen cell numbers, an increase in IgM production, a decrease in the stimulation index, and an increase in defective-virus gene expression in these mice. As has been suggested to be true for human AIDS, the observed alteration of cytokine gene expression suggests that a pattern of expression similar to that produced by Th2 cells may also have a role in the development of MAIDS.

We have previously shown that a synthetic peptide (CKS-17) homologous to retroviral envelope protein suppresses the accumulation of superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin-induced TNF-alpha mRNA in human PBMC and in highly purified human monocytes. The present study was designed to examine the underlying mechanism(s) by which CKS-17 down-regulates the TNF-alpha mRNA expression using a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 stimulated with the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin E. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin does not reverse the inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA expression by CKS-17, suggesting that prostaglandins are not responsible for the suppressive action of CKS-17. The inhibitory effect of CKS-17 is, however, significantly blocked by a protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, indicating that CKS-17 requires de novo protein synthesis to induce the suppressive activity. The mRNA stability assays using actinomycin D show that CKS-17 does not decrease the TNF-alpha mRNA stability. Nuclear run-on transcription assays further reveal that CKS-17 suppresses the TNF-alpha mRNA transcription rate. Taken together, these results suggest that the synthetic retroviral peptide CKS-17 down-regulates TNF-alpha mRNA expression through inhibition of transcriptional activation of the TNF-alpha gene, which requires de novo synthesis of a transcriptional repressor protein(s).

Addition of protoscoleces (PSC) of Echinococcus multiocularis suppressed proliferative responses in spleen cells stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) on day 3 of culture. The suppression was not observed in the spleen cell population depleted of CD8+ cells but observed in the population depleted of CD4+ cells, suggesting the involvement of the CD8+ T cells in the apparent suppression. Indeed, flow cytometry analysis revealed that the proportion of CD8+ cells markedly increased in the Con A cultures containing PSC. Furthermore, when spleen cells were co-cultured with PSC alone, marked increase in the proportion of CD8+ cells as well as B220+ cells was observed. Addition of these increasing CD8+ cells suppressed the proliferative responses of fresh spleen cells stimulated with Con A. These findings suggest that the low responsiveness of spleen cells to Con A on day 3 of culture in the presence of PSC is attributable to an active suppressor mechanism including CD8+ T-suppressor cells generated by stimulation with PSC.

Reduced calorie intake (RCI) suppresses mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) transcription and reduces mammary tumor (MT) incidence in C3H/Ou mice. Since efficient retroviral expression requires cell division, we investigated whether the suppression of MMTV and MT by RCI reflects changes in mammary histogenesis and lowered epithelial kinetics. Prolactin (PRL) augments MMTV transcription. Since PRL levels may be lowered by RCI, we evaluated whether lowered PRL in ad libitum-fed mice alters mammary histogenesis and MT incidence in a manner comparable to RCI. Pregnancy augments MMTV transcription. Hence, we also determined the effect of parity on mammary histogenesis, kinetics, and MT risk. One hundred thirty-five C3H/Ou mice were fed ad libitum or a RCI level and separated into six experimental groups. Twenty ad libitum-fed mice were injected with a dopaminomimetic to lower PRL, and 20 RCI mice were engrafted with adenohypophyses to elevate PRL. Twenty-seven ad libitum-fed mice and twenty-eight RCI mice experienced a single parturition. RCI protected nulliparous (P = 0.0001) and parous mice (P = 0.005) from MT development. Reduced calories or lowered PRL with ad libitum feeding similarly influenced mammary histogenesis, kinetics and MT risk (P0.5). Mammary glands of RCI mice or of ad libitum-fed mice with lowered PRL were histologically comparable and principally ductular with a low DNA-labeling index (DNA-LI) (P0.001). In contrast, the parenchyma of ad libitum-fed mice or of RCI mice with elevated PRL had exuberant alveoli formation, an elevated DNA-LI (P0.001), and preneoplastic lesions. Parity did not change the elevated DNA-LI and MT risk of ad libitum-fed mice but increased the mammary DNA-LI (P0.001) and MT incidence (P = 0.01) of RCI mice. Prevention of mammary tumorigenesis in C3H/Ou mice by RCI may result from modulated serum PRL activity and reduced mammary epithelial kinetics which suppress MMTV transcription and minimize the risk of activating protooncogenes.

The effects of ultraviolet-inactivated feline leukemia virus (UV-FeLV) on the production of alpha and/or beta interferon (IFN) by mononuclear cells stimulated with the Newcastle disease virus (IFN-NDV) was investigated. The production of IFN-NDV and gamma IFN was suppressed by 50% as compared to the control in the presence of 200 ng/ml or 200 micrograms/ml of UV-FeLV, respectively. The presence of UV-FeLV decreased the rate of the production, but the time to reach the plateau of the IFN activity in the culture supernatant was not shortened in both IFNs. It was suggested that the suppressive effects of UV-FeLV against both IFNs were through rather similar mechanisms. The suppressive effects of UV-FeLV on IFN-NDV production was most evident in the cultures to which UV-FeLV was added at the early stages of the culture, and could not be demonstrated when UV-FeLV was added 8 hr after initiation of the culture. These data therefore indicate that non-infectious feline leukemia viral particles can modify the production of feline IFNs by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We investigated the influence of CKS-17, a synthetic heptadecapeptide that corresponds to a highly conserved domain of the immunosuppressive retroviral envelope protein p15E, on staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-induced TNF-alpha gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and highly purified human monocyte preparations, as well as the production of TNF-alpha protein, using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RNA hybridization studies show that CKS-17 inhibits SEB-induced TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and human monocytes. CKS-17 is also shown to be highly suppressive for SEB-induced production of TNF-alpha proteins. Similarly, CKS-17 inhibits expression of SEB-induced IFN-gamma mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results suggest that CKS-17 down-regulates both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production at mRNA level.

We studied the expression of gamma delta T cell receptors (TCR) on T-cell lines and clones derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from certain patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders and normal donors. Immunoprecipitation with the anti-Leu 4, anti-gamma-chain and/or anti-delta-chain monoclonal antibodies followed by SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that 7 of 13 (54%) T-cell lines and clones developed from PBL of patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders expressed non-disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR, utilizing either the C gamma 2abc or the C gamma 2bc gamma-chain constant region gene segment. 5 of 13 (38%) T-cell lines/clones expressed disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR, whereas an additional T-cell line was comprised of T cells expressing either disulfide-linked (C gamma 1) or non-disulfide-linked (C gamma 2bc) gamma delta TCR. T-cell lines and clones developed from four of light patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders exhibited exclusively non-disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR utilizing either the C gamma 2abc or the C gamma 2bc gamma-chain segment. T-cell lines derived from a fifth patient exhibited primarily non-disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR, bringing to five of eight the numbers of patients that expressed exclusively or primarily non-disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR. T-cell lines/clones derived from the remaining three patients exhibited exclusively disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR. The age of these patients varied over a wide range and there was not an association between their age and the type of gamma delta TCR expressed on T-cell lines derived from their PBL. In contrast, to these findings 14 of 16 (87.5%) T-cell clones derived from PBL of normal donors expressed disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR, whereas only 2 of 16 (12.5% expressed non-disulfide linked gamma delta TCR. Among the T-cell clones from normal donors which express disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR two different types were identified. Those exhibiting under reducing conditions on SDS-PAGE two completely resolved polypeptide chains in the range of 37 kD to 44 kD, and those exhibiting under the same conditions indistinguishable overlapping gamma- and delta- chains in the range of 40-42 kD. Several T-cell lines and clones from normal donors or patients with primary immunodeficiency that expressed either disulfide- or non-disulfide-linked gamma delta TCR were delta TCS1+, demonstrating that the delta TCS1 determinant is expressed on both types of gamma delta TCR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Dietary restriction of C3H/Ou mice prevents development of spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma by suppressing mammary expression of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) via a mechanism which may involve prolactin. In the present study, dietary restriction of 40% was imposed for 16 weeks on nulliparous C3H/Ou mice, interrupted by ad libitum consumption at mating and continued only during pregnancy and lactation, with 40% energy restriction reimposed at the end of lactation. The results show that mammary MMTV mRNA expression levels of chronic energy intake restricted (CEIR) mice and ad libitum fed mice are similar and elevated during early lactation, when all mice of both groups are being fed ad libitum energy levels. In spite of this, and in marked contrast, when CEIR dams are returned to 40% dietary restriction following the weaning of litters, mammary MMTV transcription is suppressed to levels 4-5-fold less than those measured in mammary glands from ad libitum fed controls. Within the 38 weeks of study, 73% of ad libitum fed uniparous mice at risk and 11% of CEIR uniparous mice at risk developed mammary tumors, yet mice of both dietary groups delivered and weaned healthy litters with comparable efficiency. When dietary restriction is maintained in CEIR mice during pregnancy and lactation, efficiency of conception and litter size are reduced, and MMTV transcription is suppressed even during lactation. Mean serum prolactin levels were not significantly different among dietary groups. These findings show that the level of MMTV transcription is rigorously influenced by dietary energy level, and that 40% dietary restriction of C3H/Ou mice not only suppresses mammary MMTV transcription and prevents mammary tumor development in uniparous mice, but also permits normal conception, gestation, lactation, and the production of healthy litters as long as the nutritional demands of gestation and lactation are met.

Immunoregulatory states induced by i.p. inoculation with the metazoan parasite Echinococcus multilocularis in the murine system were investigated. Proliferative responses and IL-2 production induced by Con A in spleen cells from BALB/c mice were significantly depressed at an early stage after infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces (PSC). Addition of plastic-adherent cells from normal syngeneic mice to the nonadherent spleen cells from infected mice did not restore the depressed Con A responsiveness. On the other hand, exogenous IL-2 reconstituted completely the proliferative responses to Con A. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CD4- CD8+ cells with a low density of CD8 Ag (CD8dull cells) increased in spleens from infected mice 2 weeks after inoculation. Addition of the spleen cell subpopulation containing the CD8dull cells, but not that depleted of the CD8dull cells, to normal spleen cells resulted in marked suppression of the Con A responses. These findings suggest that the CD8dull cells detected in spleens of mice inoculated with E. multilocularis PSC may play a key role in the suppressive regulation of immune responses. The relevance of the immune suppression seen in the early stages of experimental infection with E. multilocularis PSC to the eventual establishment of a host-parasite relationship is discussed.

Certain retroviral envelope proteins and peptides have been shown to be highly immunosuppressive. Recently, we have demonstrated that a synthetic 17 amino acid peptide (CKS-17*) homologous to a highly conserved region in the transmembrane portion of the envelope of several human or animal retroviruses suppresses the production of human interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) by human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). In the present investigation, we studied the role of exogenous IL-1 or IL-2, and IL-1 plus IL-2 on the suppressive action of CKS-17* in the production of IFN gamma. The results showed that preculture of PBL with CKS-17* reduced the production of IFN gamma in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of IL-1 or IL-2 reduced, in part, this suppression of IFN gamma production. Full abrogation of the inhibition attributable to CKS-17, however, occurred only when PBL precultured with CKS-17* were recultured with staphylococcus enterotoxin A (SEA) together with exogenous IL-1 plus IL-2. These results show that the inhibition of IFN-gamma production by CKS-17* is reversible. The findings indicate that cytokines can modulate certain of the immunosuppressive actions attributable to retroviruses or their components and suggest that some cytokines influence immunosuppressive consequences of retroviral infection.

A synthetic 17 amino acid peptide (CKS-17) homologous to a highly conserved region of human and animal retroviral transmembrane proteins was investigated for its influence on the generation of murine alloantigen-specific CTL activity in vitro. CKS-17 coupled to a carrier protein, BSA or human serum albumin, inhibited the generation of anti-allo CTL in a dose-dependent manner. Controls consisting of BSA and human serum albumin, which had undergone the coupling procedure or neurotensin, an unrelated peptide, coupled to BSA in an identical manner as CKS-17 showed no such inhibitory action. The suppression was not restricted to the Ag specificity of the CTL activity. CKS-17 exerted inhibitory effects on the early afferent phase of CTL induction. Kinetic studies showed that the suppressive activity occurred when CKS-17 was introduced to the immunologically stimulating culture concomitant with or up to 48 h after initiation of culture. Analysis of the frequency of CTL precursor cells using limiting-dilution assays revealed that CKS-17 did act to reduce the number of precursor cells. Abrogation of the inhibition of CTL activity was observed when IL-2 was introduced to the culture together with the stimulator cells. Other lymphokines, such as IL-4, exerted a similar influence to counteract this suppression.

The immunosuppressive properties of retroviruses were first demonstrated by Old et al. We later showed that Gross Passage A retrovirus superinfection in mice resulted in decreased antibody production and diminished allograft rejection. We have studied in some detail the immunosuppression which occurs subsequent to infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) as characterized by profoundly depressed T and B lymphocyte responses and decreased production of gamma-interferon. Injection of staphylococcal protein A (SPA) corrected these deficient immune responses, cleared circulating FeLV from blood and produced a regression of FeLV-induced lymphomas and leukemias. The immunosuppressive properties of FeLV and certain other retroviruses have been linked to the transmembrane viral envelope peptide, p15E. Cianciolo et al synthesized a 17-amino acid viral component which shares sequence homology with a highly conserved region of p15E. In vitro analyses have shown that this synthetic retroviral peptide suppresses T and B cell functions, inhibits the generation of cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) responses and dramatically alters the morphology and distribution of monocytes. The latter finding, along with reports that cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage play a critical role in the initiation of human immunodeficiency infection, suggests that monocytes and macrophages may play a crucial role in retroviral infection and some of the associated immunodeficiencies associated with retroviral infection.

Summary A patient with apparent X-linked agammaglobulinaemia was found to be inordinately susceptible to anaphylactoid reactions to intramuscular injections of gammaglobulin. The patient was found also to have low levels of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1 INH). The possibility that the C1 INH deficiency and in this patient, whether genetic or acquired, fostered the susceptibility to the production of anaphylactoid reactions after gammaglobulin injections urges further studies of the association of C1 INH deficiency and anaphylactoid reactions to gammaglobulin injections. The possibility that C1 INH levels like C1q levels may be low in hypogammaglobulinaemic patients as a consequence of increased catabolism of this regulator of the complement system when IgG levels are low is considered.

Cats were classified into 4 categories by immunofluorescence antibody assay for the presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and histologically as a) normal, FeLV-, b) normal, FeLV+, c) lymphosarcoma (LSA), FeLV+, and d) LSA, FeLV-. Determinations by Raji cell radioimmunoassay modified for cat serum revealed circulating immune complex (CIC) levels of healthy cats to be less than or equal to 50 micrograms equivalent aggregated cat immunoglobulin/ml (microgram/ml). In contrast, sera of cats in groups b, c, and d all contained significantly higher CIC levels (up to 12,000 micrograms/ml) associated with marked hypocomplementemia and C activation occurring via the classical pathway. Sera from FeLV+, LSA+ cats with high levels of CIC and sera of healthy cats were fractionated according to size and bouyant density by centrifugation through 10 to 40% sucrose gradients. Analysis of fractions from LSA+, FeLV+ sera revealed that both immune complexes (ICs), FeLV reverse transcriptase (RT), and IgG were present in fractions corresponding to a bouyant density of 1.15 to 1.18 g/ml. The CIC containing fractions activated C by the classical pathway. Sera from normal cats did not have CIC or RT and none of the fractions activated the classical pathway. These data suggest that vital antigen-antibody complexes are present in sera of viremic cats with LSA and these complexes activate the C system.

The serum of a patient (M.C.) with chronic glomerulonephritis and renal deposits of IgA, C3, and properdin converted C3 on overnight exposure of 0 degrees C. The cold reaction was dependent on immunoglobulin, initiating factor, Factors B and D, and magnesium but not on properdin. Factor B, the C3-cleaving enzyme in this reaction, was used in zymogen form. After participation in this rection, Factor B zymogen in M.C. serum could be fully activated by cobra venom factor (CVF) at 37 degrees C. That activation without fragmentation was not due to an abnormal form of Factor B was shown by its typical cleavage on incubation of MC. serum with CVF or C3b or after depletion of C3b inactivator. The evidence indicates that in the cold reaction only the initial C3 convertase of the alternative parhway is formed and that this enzyme is responsible for the observed C3 consumption.

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) is a congenital disorder of severe B- and T-lymphocyte dysfunction in which several pathogenic mechanisms have been identified. The present study describes a female child with SCID who had a primary defect in the ability of T cells to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2). B- and T-cell numbers were normal, but their functions were severely deficient. Mitogen and antigen-driven lymphoproliferative responses were diminished but were correctable in vitro with recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2). The patient's phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes expressed IL-2 receptors normally. Despite the presence of the gene for IL-2, the patient's cells were grossly deficient in messenger RNA for IL-2 and endogenous IL-2 production. Pokeweed mitogen-driven B-cell differentiation was decreased and was not corrected by the addition of normal T cells to the B cells. Two attempts at immune reconstitution by haploidentical bone marrow transplantation failed. Therapy with rIL-2 (30,000 units/kg, given daily i.v.) resulted in marked clinical improvement as well in improved T-cell functions. The child, now 3 yr old, has been on rIL-2 therapy for 2 yr and receives rIL-2 (30,000 units/kg) three times weekly at home. This case study points to a new direction in the treatment of such disorders with rIL-2.

Complete absence of Factor I (C3b inactivator) was found in the serum of a 3-year-old boy with recurrent polytope bacterial infections. Analysis of the complement (C) components of the patient's serum showed that while serum levels of the earlier C components (C1q, C1r, C1s, C4, and C2) were within the normal range, levels of C3, C5, Factor B, and properdin were decreased significantly. Factor H (β1H) was also decreased and, by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, migrated to the alpha region (Hα). C-dependent biological functions such as chemotactic activity, opsonic factors, immune adherence inhibition, and intracellular killing of bacteria were defective. The patient has been treated with fresh frozen plasma (10 ml/kg body weight) every 4 weeks for 2 years. Most of the C-derived biological functions improved, and Factor H regained beta electrophoretic mobility (Hβ) following plasma infusion. During the period of treatment, the child has been free of bacterial infections. Mild anaphylactic reactions to the plasma occurrred on two occasions; the other 22 infusions were well tolerated.

A synthetic 17 amino acid peptide (CKS-17) homologous to a highly conserved region of human and animal retroviral transmembrane proteins was investigated for its influence on the in vitro production of IFN-gamma from human peripheral mononuclear cells. The results showed that CKS-17 coupled to a carrier protein, BSA, inhibited production of IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. Controls, consisting of BSA, which had undergone the coupling procedure or neurotensin coupled to BSA in an identical manner as CKS-17, showed no such inhibition. Reduction in IFN-gamma production could not be attributed to decreased viability of cells, delay of IFN-gamma production or to involvement of suppressor cells. Moreover, inhibition of IFN-gamma production was not related to the inhibition of DNA synthesis. The inhibition appeared to be a direct effect of CKS-17 on IFN-gamma-producing cells. Kinetic studies revealed that this suppression occurred when CKS-17 was introduced to the culture concurrent with or within 48 h after introduction of IFN inducers. Preincubation experiments showed that the presence of CKS-17 in the culture medium was not necessary to exert its inhibitory effect. These results suggest that a portion of retroviral envelope proteins possess important immunomodulatory actions.

Compared with other serum and blister fluid proteins, total hemolytic complement was reduced in the blister fluid of six serologically positive bullous pemphigold patients while four serologically negative cases had blister fluid complement levels closely approaching the serum levels. Except for pemphigus vulgaris blisters. blister fluids from most patients with other bullous diseases and experimentally induced blisters had blister fluid complement levels more closely approaching the serum levels. With the exception of the two terminal components. C8 and C9, individual components of the complement sequence were also reduced in the blister fluids of the six bullous pemphigold patients with circulating basement membrane zone antibodies. On the other hand, transferrin and IgG levels of these same six serologically positive blister fluids closely approached the corresponding serum levels. Conversion of C3 proactivator was also demonstrable in the serologically positive bullous pemphigoid blister fluids, but not in the corresponding sera. Our studies, therefore, are suggestive of local activation of the complement sequence, by both the classical and alternate pathways, in blisters of serologically positive bullous pemphigold patients.

Summary The synthesis of C1q by tissues of pig embryos during gestation was studied using specific incorporation of 14C-labeled amino acids into C1q in vitro. C1q synthessi was first demonstrated in intestinal tissue (on the 48th gestational day) and this was the most active site of synthesis of C1q at all times. Significant synthesis of C1q subsequently was demonstrated in lymph nodes and spleen of older embryos (by gestational days 66 to 79) and at still later stages in tissues from other highly lymphoid organs such as liver and lung (gestational day 90 and later). We propose that there is a special relationship between development of synthesis of C1q and development of the lymphoid tissues, which suggests that the lymphoid cell is the site of C1q synthesis.

A purified cobra venom factor with C-inhibiting activity also promotes lysis of erythrocytes in fresh mammalian serum. Lysis-inducing activity of purified cobra venom factor was found in sera of lower vertebrates including the cyclostome hagfish and in invertebrates. Lysis-inducing activity was most effective with frog serum. Frog serum was found to be more hemolytic for Es in the presence of CVF than when cells were sensitized with hemolysin. The hemolysis induced by CVF with frog serum, as in the higher vertebrates, was inhibited when sera were pretreated with known C inhibitors including heat, chelators, endotoxin, immune complexes, and CVF itself. Complexes formed with CVF and either frog serum or invertebrate hemolymph promoted lysis of indicator cells in the presence of frog serum in EDTA. This lysis was most marked when the starfish-CVF complex was used and was C-dependent. Conversely, complex formed with frog serum and CVF promoted lysis of E in the presence of invertebrate hemolymph (Limulus) in EDTA. Hence, serum components were to some degree at least interchangeable between vertebrate sera and invertebrate hemolymph. Lysis-inducing activity of purified CVF occurs in a wide range of species, has revealed activities resembling those of terminal C-components in lower vertebrates and invertebrates, and provides one means for study of C and C-like activities in primitive species.

Two electrophoretic variants of murine complement component 3 (C3) were detected by using high-voltage electrophoresis of fresh mouse serum in agarose gels. Most of the inbred strains tested were homozygous for the S allele (for the slow-migrating variant); only four out of 46 strains had the alternative F allele (fast variant). Pen-bred Swiss-Webster animals belonged to one of three phenotypes--S, F, or SF--and the genes responsible for this variation segregated in a strictly Mendelian manner. In three such crosses, with 5* offspring, C3 segregated with H-2 in 46 instances, corresponding to a recombination frequency of approximately equal to 0.12.

Three cases of hypercalcemia were recognized among 11 cats presenting with leukemia-lymphoma for ex vivo immunoadsorption therapy using Staphylococcal Protein-A-coated filters. In addition, the initial mean serum calcium concentration of cats with leukemia-lymphoma was significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than that of healthy control cats or feline-leukemia-virus-infected cats without malignancy. During immunotherapy of the hypercalcemic cats, objective reduction in the extent of the malignancies was associated with a small reduction in the serum calcium concentrations. This response to treatment, the lack of skeletal metastasis, and the absence of renal and parathyroid pathologic findings imply that humorally mediated mechanisms may have been responsible for the production of the hypercalcemia.

Sheep erythrocytes pretreated with supernatants of mouse spleen or thymus cells become resistant to lysis by guinea pig complement. The inhibitory activity (IA) reduces the utilization of C2 by EAC14. Because IA binds to the surface of sheep erythrocytes and does not inhibit C1 irreversibly, it is probably a hitherto undescribed inhibitor of complement.

In a collaborative study involving three laboratories, randomly coded sera from 47 patients and healthy donors were tested for soluble immune complexes by two versions of the C1q BT and by the C1q DT. Analysis of ranked data showed a close correlation between results obtained in all laboratories as well as good reproducibility on testing coded duplicate samples included in each panel of sera. However, with the use of values for normal donors established independently in each laboratory, the tests did not always agree in discriminating normal from abnormal sera, particularly with sera from cancer patients. Results reflected to some extent the methods used to inactivate the endogenous C1 complex in the test sera. Studies of 130 additional cancer patients revealed that 44 (34%) gave abnormal C1q BT values when inactivated with EDTA but only 35 (27%) were abnormal when heat inactivated (56 degrees for 30 min). Similarly 12 of 65 sera (18%) from patients with nonneoplastic diseases and 10 of 80 (13%) from healthy donors gave significantly abnormal results after addition of EDTA. Eight (12%) of the disease and six (8%) of the healthy controls' sera were similarly outside normal limits when heat inactivated. Repeated freezing and thawing of sera or changes in the concentration of PEG used to precipitate complex-bound 125I-C1q influenced C1q BT results more than duration of storage at -70 degrees C or changes ascribed to presence or absence of rheumatoid factors and CRP.

Several cases of isolated C2 deficiency in man have been reported in the medical literature. The earliest cases did not seem to be associated with known diseases or syndromes; more recently, reports of C2 deficiency associated with systemic lupus erythematosus; anaphylactoid purpura, recurrent infections, and dermatomyositis have appeared. We report here another case of C2 deficiency. The propositus, a 24-year-old woman, had a lupus erythematosus-like rash and a history of arthralgia, as well as a selective deficiency of C2. Studies of hemolytic C2 of the immediate members of her family indicate an autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance. These findings add to the increasing evidence that a C2 deficiency predisposes some persons to serious vascular diseases.

A comprehensive immunologic and serologic analysis was performed on 31 untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease. Immune evaluations stressed T-cell functional activity and included traditional parameters (PHA responsiveness and delayed hypersensitivity skin reactivity), as well as newer functional assays (T-cell colony formation, chemotaxis, spontaneous and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, and concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity (CISA). Serum factors included ferritin, prostaglandins, zinc, copper, immune complexes, and thymic hormone activity. Every patient exhibited at least one T-cell or serum abnormality. The greatest percentage of patients exhibited T-cell defects in chemotaxis (85%), colony formation (81%). and PHA reactivity (64%). Immune defects were more common with advanced disease but were not related to absolute T-cell or monocyte count, skin test anergy, or abnormalities of T mu/T gamma cell proportions. Linear relationships were identified among abnormalities in the three assays employing mononuclear cells (PHA, colony formation, CISA) which may have reflected the inhibitory influence of monocytes present in the mononuclear cell preparations. Low serum zinc correlated with marked impairment of T-cell chemotaxis. Elevated prostaglandins were associated with high PHA reactivity and with depressed colony formation. Our results indicate that many complex factors, including intrinsic T-cell defects, contribute to the impaired immunity associated with Hodgkin's disease.

To test the possibility that autoimmunity could be related to increased levels of anti-bovine antibodies and/or circulating immune complexes in selective IgA deficiency, we studied the sera of 30 consecutive patients for the quantitative level of antibody to bovine milk, the presence of antigen--antibody complexes and 10 selected autoantibodies. Higher titres of anti-milk antibody and circulating immune complexes were to be correlated with positive serological tests of autoimmunity in these patients, and rheumatoid arthritis (three cases) and neurological disease (four cases) were found in individuals who had both milk precipitins and circulating immune complexes. We suggest that the chronic excessive permeability of the gastrointestinal tract in selective IgA deficiency may permit the excessive absorption of many food proteins, leading to the formation of antigen--antibody complexes and autoimmunity.