多发性骨髓瘤患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群分析及与预后因子的相关性

目的通过对多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的检测以评价MM患者机体的免疫功能状态。方法采用流式细胞术检测36例MM患者和25例健康志愿者外周血T、B淋巴细胞、NK细胞及CD4＋CD25＋T细胞的表达。结果与正常对照组相比,MM患者外周血的CD4、CD19细胞的表达显著下调,CD8细胞的表达显著上调,CD4/CD8比值则显著降低（P〈0.05或〈0.01）;MM患者外周血的CD4＋CD25＋T细胞占CD3＋T细胞的比例明显增高（P〈0.01）,且与血清中的β2-MG浓度成正相关（γ=0.56,P〈0.05）。结论 MM患者体内存在淋巴细胞亚群的异常表达、CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞的异常扩增,可能是MM患者体内广泛存在免疫缺陷的一个主要原因。     

siRNA沉默t-bet基因对CD4、CD8T淋巴细胞亚群IFN-γ产生的影响

利用化学合成针对人t-bet基因的小干扰RNA（siRNA）,转染体外培养的人外周血单个核细胞,利用流式细胞仪分选纯化CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞,半定量RT-PCR检测CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞中t-betmRNA的表达变化,流式细胞术检测转染前后IFN-γ产生的变化情况。探讨转录因子t-bet对人CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞亚群IFN-γ产生的调控作用。与对照组相比,转染后的人CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞t-betmRNA表达水平明显下降;转染siRNA后,CD4＋T淋巴细胞中IFN-γ＋细胞比例为（18.46±6.86）%,与对照组（50.20±5.91）%比较有显著性差异（P〈0.01）;CD8＋T淋巴细胞IFN-γ＋细胞比例为（74.18±9.33）%,和对照组（76.51±6.49）%比较差异不明显（P〉0.05）。体外转录合成的siRNA可有效降低人CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞t-bet的基因表达;转录因子t-bet对人不同淋巴细胞亚群IFN-γ的产生所起作用不同。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血调节性T细胞、Foxp3和IL-6的表达

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮（ systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE）患者外周血CD4^＋ CD25^＋调节性T细胞（regulatory T cells,Tregs）、roxp3 mRNA和血浆IL-6表达的意义。方法对38例SLE患者和16例正常人采用流式细胞术检测外周血CD4^＋ CD25^＋ T regs百分率,RT-PCR检测roxp3 mRNA表达,ELISA法检测IL-6水平。结果①SLE活动组和非活动组的CD4^＋ CD25^＋ Tregs水平均显著低于正常对照组（P〈0．01）;②SLE活动组的roxp3 mRNA表达水平明显低于正常对照组（P〈0．05）;③SLE活动组和非活动组血浆的IL-6水平均显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）,而且活动组显著高于非活动组（P〈0．05）;④38例SLE患者的CD4^＋ CD25^＋Tregs水平与SLEDAI评分呈显著性负相关（P〈0．01）,F0xp3mRNA水平与CD4^＋ CD25^＋Tregs呈显著性正相关（P〈0．01）,血浆IL-6水平与SLEDAI评分之间呈显著性正相关（P〈0．01）,血浆IL-6水平与CD4^＋ CD25^＋Tregs／CD4^＋细胞比值呈显著负相关（P〈0．05）。结论CD4^＋ CD25^＋Tregs和Foxp3以及IL-6可能在SLE的发生和发展中发挥重要作用。     

生殖器疱疹初发患者外周血淋巴细胞检测结果分析

目的检测生殖器疱疹初发患者（GH）外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、NK细胞和B细胞的表达水平,探讨其发病机制与细胞免疫功能之间的关系。方法应用流式细胞仪检测20例初发生殖器疱疹患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、NK细胞和B细胞的表达水平,并与60例复发性生殖器疱疹患者（RGH）、35例健康对照者外周血检测结果相比较。结果（1）初发组和对照组相比,除NK细胞降低差异有显著性外,其他差异无显著性;（2）初发组与复发组相比,初发组T细胞、CD4^＋细胞、CD4^＋／CD8^＋均高于复发组,CD8^＋细胞百分比低于后者,差异有显著性;B细胞、NK细胞比例差异无显著性;（3）复发组与对照组相比,外周血中T细胞、CD4^＋细胞、NK细胞所占比例,CD4^＋／CD8^＋均降低,差异有显著性;CD8^＋细胞百分比升高,差异有显著性;B细胞比例差异无显著性。结论生殖器疱疹初发患者存在细胞免疫功能异常。     

23例1型糖尿病初发患儿免疫学改变与胰岛β细胞功能的关系

目的：观察1型糖尿病（T1DM）初发患儿细胞免疫与胰岛β细胞功能之间的关系。方法：T1DM组23例初发患儿均测定淋巴细胞亚群（T细胞、B细胞及NK细胞）、HbA1c、INS、C-P,正常对照组20例,测定淋巴细胞亚群。结果：T1DM组CD4、CD4/CD8较正常对照组升高（P〈0.05）;CD8、CD3-CD56＋较对照组降低（P〈0.05）;CD4/CD8比值与HbA1c呈正相关（r=0.9451,P〈0.01）,而与INS呈负相关（r=-0.1020,P〈0.01）,与C-P呈负相关（r=-0.6174,P〈0.01）;CD3-CD56＋与HbA1c呈正相关（r=0.1320,P〈0.01）,而与INS呈正相关（r=-0.0846,P〈0.01）,与C-P呈负相关（r=-0.3224,P〈0.01）。结论：T1DM初发患者CD4、CD4/CD8明显增高,CD8、CD3-CD56＋明显降低,提示细胞免疫功能改变与胰岛β细胞功能损伤密切相关。     

建立适用于旋毛虫抗肿瘤相关基因筛选的动物模型

目的为利用抑制消减杂交（SSH）法筛选旋毛虫抗肿瘤相关基因,建立理想的动物模型获取可靠的实验样本。方法Balb／c小鼠随机分为检测组（Tester）和驱动组（Driver）,Tester为经口服感染旋毛虫250条、400条和550条组,Driver为不接种组,在感染后11d,两组同时在皮下分别接种SP^2/0细胞2×10^6个,只,检测组和驱动组小鼠荷瘤后,于20d后处死,采集两组肿瘤组织和脾脏组织,用天平称量肿瘤块的重量,游标卡尺测量肿瘤块3个互相垂直直径进行体积比较;为了检测两组小鼠免疫情况,又采用流式细胞术检测体内T淋巴细胞的动态变化,以便评估所需样本的可靠性。结果将肿瘤组织与正常组织分离后,经统计分析比较两组肿瘤块重量和体积大小的差异均极为显著（P〈0．01）通过检测T淋巴细胞亚类,FACS共检测1×10^5个细胞,分别得到脾细胞中CD3^＋、CD4^＋和CD8^＋T淋巴细胞的数量,感染组小鼠机体的CD3^＋、CD4^＋、CD8^＋和CD4^＋／CD8^＋显著增高,在接种不同剂量的旋毛虫后荷瘤,小鼠脾脏特异的T淋巴细胞亚类：CD3^＋差异显著（P〈0．05）;CD4^＋差异显著（P〈0．05）;CD8^＋差异显著（P〈0．05）;CD4^＋／CD8^＋差异显著（P〈0．05）。通过以上指标的测定,我们认为所建立的动物模符合SSH的实验要求。结论建立的旋毛虫抗实体瘤动物模型,可用于旋毛虫抗肿瘤差异基因筛选的实验起始材料,为进一步研究旋毛虫抗肿瘤分子机制创造条件。     

外周血CD4^＋、CD8^＋及CD56^＋细胞在肺癌靶向治疗患者中的表达意义

目的：探讨埃罗替尼靶向治疗前后非小细胞肺癌患者外周血CD4^＋,CD8^＋和CD56^＋的表达及其临床意义。方法：流式技术检测30例EGFR突变的非小细胞肺癌患者埃罗替尼一线靶向治疗前后,外周血T细胞亚群的表达情况及疗效。结果：靶向治疗1个月后,与治疗前相比较非小细胞肺癌患者外周血T细胞亚群CD4^＋CD8^＋以及CD56^＋表达数量有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。其中,CD4^＋表达上升,CD8^＋和CD56^＋表达下降。结论：埃罗替尼靶向治疗可以改善非小细胞肺癌患者细胞免疫功能,观察外周血T细胞亚群表达情况有助于评价埃罗替尼靶向治疗的疗效和预后。     

不同临床类型乙型病毒感染者外周血T细胞亚群与血清HBVDNA载量及HBeAg滴度相关性分析

目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染患者外周血T细胞亚群与血清HBVDNA载量及HbeAg滴度的关系。方法：选取103名HBV感染患者和20名健康者为研究对象。流式细胞术检测外周血T细胞亚群,聚合酶链式反应及酶免疫分析法分别检测血清HBVDNA载量及HbeAg滴度。结果：慢性乙型肝炎患者和慢性HBV携带者外周血CD3可、CD4T淋巴细胞亚群百分数低于健康对照组,结果有统计学意义（P〈0．05或0．01;而CD8＋T细胞亚群则呈现相反趋势,结果亦有统计学意义（P〈0．05或0．01）。HBeAg阴性组中,HBVDNA水平与CD8T细胞亚群百分数呈正相关（r=0．567,P〈0．01）,与CD47CD8＋T细胞亚群百分数比值呈负相关（r=-0．601,P〈0．01）,而与CD3＋T、CD4＋T细胞亚群百分数无相关性。HBeAg阳性组中,HBVDNA水平及HbeAg滴度与cD3＋1r、cD41、CD8叮细胞百分数及CD47CD8＋T细胞百分数均无相关性（P〉0．05）。结论：不同临床类型的慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染患者外周血T细胞亚群存在不同程度细胞免疫功能降低和细胞免疫调节异常。HbeAg阴性的HBV感染患者,其血清HBVDNA水平与外周血T淋巴细胞免疫存在相关性。     

银屑病和SLE患者T细胞亚群与淋巴细胞CD2分子的相关性研究

目的：研究银屑病和系统性红斑狼疮（systemic lulups erythematosus,SLE）患者T淋巴细胞CD2、CD4＋、CD8＋以及CD4＋/CD8＋的变化及其相关性。方法：应用流式细胞仪检测我院收治的62例银屑病和31例SLE患者T淋巴细胞CD2、CD4＋、CD8＋及CD4＋/CD8＋分子的表达水平并统计学分析其相关性。结果：银屑病患者T淋巴细胞CD4＋/CD8＋的比值与正常对照组比较显著增高,而SLE患者与正常对照组比较显著降低。银屑病患者CD4＋百分率与正常对照组比较显著增高,SLE患者CD8＋与正常对照组比较显著增高。银屑病患者CD2与CD4＋之间呈正相关（γ=0.309,P〈0.05）,CD4＋与CD4＋/CD8＋之间呈显著正相关（γ=0.536,P〈0.05）,SLE患者CD2仅与CD4＋之间呈正相关（γ=0.378,P〈0.05）。结论：T淋巴细胞免疫功能紊乱可能在银屑病的发病机制中发挥了重要作用,CD2可能使银屑病的T淋巴细胞紊乱致炎症加重。SLE患者T细胞亚群CD4＋/CD8＋比值下降,CD2与CD4呈正相关亦可能使SLE的T淋巴细胞加速信号传导紊乱,CD8＋百分率增高可能在SLE的发病机制中起重要作用。     

总状蕨藻盾叶变种多糖及其硒化产物对小鼠T细胞和NK细胞的调节

一种分离自总状蕨藻盾叶变种的多糖CrvpPS与纳米硒反应之后形成稳定的多糖纳米硒（CrvpPS-nano—Se）系统．实验检测了CrvpPS和CrvpPS—nano-Se对小鼠T淋巴细胞亚群及NK细胞的调节功能．用氢化可的松制造免疫功能低下的小鼠动物模型,给模型小鼠分别连续10天灌胃CrvpPS、蔗糖-纳米硒、CrvpPS—nano-Se溶液和阳性对照药物左旋咪唑,检测脾脏和胸腺指数的变化,并用流式细胞仪检测血中T细胞亚群（CD3^＋,CD4^＋,CD8^＋）和脾脏NK细胞百分比．结果表明,CrvpPS和CrvpPS-nano-Se对胸腺有较大的刺激作用,能使模型小鼠的CD3^＋,CD3^＋CD4^＋,NK细胞百分比以及CD4^＋／CD8^＋明显升高（P〈0．05）,CrvpPS-nano—Se提升CD3^＋,CD3^＋CD4^＋细胞百分比的作用明显优于CrvpPS、蔗糖-纳米硒及左旋咪唑（P〈0．05）．表明CrvpPS对免疫功能低下小鼠的胸腺指数、T细胞亚群和NK细胞百分比具有正向调节作用;其硒化产物CrvpPS-nano-Se对CD3^＋,CD3^＋CD4^＋细胞的调节作用优于单纯多糖和单纯纳米硒．     

蕈样肉芽肿与扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹浸润细胞的免疫组化比较研究

目的探讨免疫表型对蕈样肉芽肿与扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹鉴别诊断的意义。方法本研究应用ABC免疫组化技术检测15例蕈样肉芽肿,17例慢性皮炎湿疹,17例扁平苔藓,6例正常皮肤的CD1a、CD8、ICAM-1和CD7的表达情况。结果1.蕈样肉芽肿表皮CD1a,CD8,ICAM-1的阳性细胞密度明显高于扁平苔藓、皮炎湿疹和正常皮肤。2.蕈样肉芽肿真皮中CD1a阳性细胞的线性密度高于扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹和正常皮肤,蕈样肉芽肿真皮内CD8阳性细胞百分比较慢性皮炎湿疹增多,蕈样肉芽肿真皮表达ICAM-1抗原的细胞百分比高于扁平苔癣和慢性皮炎湿疹。3.慢性皮炎湿疹、扁平苔藓真皮内CD7阳性细胞百分比高于蕈样肉芽肿和正常皮肤。结论CD1a、CD8、ICAM-1、CD7免疫表型的研究可能为蕈样肉芽肿和扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹等一些炎症性皮肤病的鉴别诊断提供一定的线索。     

Immunohistochemical characterization of the cellular infiltrate in Jorge Lobo's disease

Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the cellular composition of the granulomatous lesions induced by Lacazia loboi. Thus, the objective of the present study was to characterize the mononuclear cell population present in cutaneous lesions obtained from 15 patients with Jorge Lobo's disease. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and methenamine silver and the following mononuclear cells were identified by immunohistochemistry: T lymphocytes (CD3+), helper T lymphocytes (CD4+), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+), B lymphocytes (CD20+), plasma cells (CD79+), natural killer cells (CD57+) and histiocytes (CD68+). This study showed that the inflammatory infiltrate mainly consists of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells, in addition to the presence of a large number of fungal cells. The identified inflammatory cells showed the following frequency: CD68+ histiocytes > CD3+ T lymphocytes > CD4+ T > CD8+ T lymphocytes > CD57+ natural killer cells > CD79+ plasma cells > CD20+ B lymphocytes. Based on the findings of a large number of fungal cells in the infected tissues and the disorganized cell arrangement in the granuloma, we hypothesize that patients with Jorge Lobo's disease present immunoregulatory disturbances, which are likely to be specific and perhaps responsible for the lack of containment of the pathogen.     

Characterization of the CD4+ and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes propagated with bispecific monoclonal antibodies

To study the CD4+ and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in the antitumor response, we propagated these subsets directly from tumor tissues with anti-CD3:anti-CD8 (CD3,8) and anti-CD3:anti-CD4 (CD3,4) bispecific mAb (BSMAB). CD3,8 BSMAB cause selective cytolysis of CD8+ lymphocytes by bridging the CD8 molecules of target lymphocytes to the CD3 molecular complex of cytolytic T lymphocytes with concurrent activation and proliferation of residual CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes. Similarly, CD3,4 BSMAB cause selective lysis of CD4+ lymphocytes whereas concurrently activating the residual CD3+CD8+ T cells. Small tumor fragments from four malignant melanoma and three renal cell carcinoma patients were cultured in medium containing CD3,8 + IL-2, CD3,4 + IL-2, or IL-2 alone. CD3,8 led to selective propagation of the CD4+ TIL whereas CD3,4 led to selective propagation of the CD8+ TIL from each of the tumors. The phenotypes of the TIL subset cultures were generally stable when assayed over a 1 to 3 months period and after further expansion with anti-CD3 mAb or lectins. Specific 51Cr release of labeled target cells that were bridged to the CD3 molecular complexes of TIL suggested that both CD4+ and CD8+ TIL cultures have the capacity of mediating cytolysis via their Ti/CD3 TCR complexes. In addition, both CD4+ and CD8+ TIL cultures from most patients caused substantial (greater than 20%) lysis of the NK-sensitive K562 cell line. The majority of CD4+ but not CD8+ TIL cultures also produced substantial lysis of the NK-resistant Daudi cell line. Lysis of the autologous tumor by the TIL subsets was assessed in two patients with malignant melanoma. The CD8+ TIL from one tumor demonstrated cytotoxic activity against the autologous tumor but negligible lysis of allogeneic melanoma targets. In conclusion, immunocompetent CD4+ and CD8+ TIL subsets can be isolated and expanded directly from small tumor fragments of malignant melanoma and renal cell carcinoma using BSMAB. The resultant TIL subsets can be further expanded for detailed studies or for adoptive immunotherapy.     

人腺病毒55型感染肺部病变与外周血淋巴细胞关系研究

目的:探讨人腺病毒55型感染肺部病变与外周血淋巴细胞改变的关系及致病意义。方法:以50例经胸部CT证实为腺病毒肺炎的患者为研究对象(肺炎组),调查其外周血细胞及T淋巴细胞亚群变化情况,并与同期腺病毒55型感染未出现肺部病变的患者30例(非肺炎组)对照;亚组分析50例肺炎组中多肺叶病变与单肺叶病变患者之间T淋巴细胞变化的差异。结果:与非肺炎组患者相比,肺炎组患者急性期外周血淋巴细胞比例明显降低、单核细胞比例明显升高(P0.01);肺炎组CD3+T淋巴细胞比例、CD3+CD4+T淋巴细胞比例及CD4/CD8比值较非肺炎组均有明显降低(P0.01)。亚组分析显示,肺炎组患者肺部病变范围不同,T淋巴细胞亚群的变化亦有差异,多肺叶病变组患者CD3+CD8+T淋巴细胞比例较单肺叶病变组明显升高、CD4/CD8比值较单肺叶病变组明显降低(P0.05)。结论:HAdv-55感染引起肺炎病变时,宿主存在明显的细胞免疫功能受损,且与肺部病变程度有一定正相关。     

Vascular-associated lymphoid tissue in swine (Sus scrofa)

Focal accumulations of mononuclear cells in the arterial wall of healthy humans at predilection sites for atherosclerotic lesions have been described as 'vascular-associated lymphoid tissue' (VALT). Here we investigated whether pigs (Sus scrofa), a commonly used animal model for studying cardiovascular disease, have VALT. Samples of major arteries were collected from 10 conventional crossbred pigs (age, 2 to 24 mo) and processed for routine light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Single or small aggregates of mononuclear cells were noted in the intima and occasionally the inner portion of the tunica media and adventitia at branching sites. The infiltrating cells were primarily CD3+CD4+ T cells, with some macrophages. No CD8+ T cells were present. Infiltrating leukocytes and overlying endothelial cells frequently expressed major histocompatibility class II molecules. Two Ossabaw pigs on low-fat diet had similar leukocytic aggregates at locations where animals of the same breed but fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet developed atherosclerotic lesions. Further, the densities of CD3+ T lymphocytes and in these areas were decreased in 2 sedentary and 2 exercised Ossabaw pigs on an atherogenic diet compared with conventional crossbred and Ossabaw pigs on a normal diet. This study shows that focal aggregates of lymphocytes occur in the vasculature of pigs at locations predisposed to development of atherosclerotic lesions. These cellular aggregates are similar to the structures described as VALT in human arteries and reinforce the value of the pig as a model for the study of human cardiovascular disease.     

IL-4 enhances keratinocyte expression of CXCR3 agonistic chemokines

IFN-induced protein of 10 kDa (IP-10), monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig), and IFN-inducible T-cell alpha-chemoattractant (I-TAC) belong to the non-glutamate-leucine-arginine motif CXC chemokine family and act solely through the CXCR3 receptor for potent attraction of T lymphocytes. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of the T cell-derived cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 to modulate IP-10, Mig, and I-TAC in cultured human keratinocytes and CXCR3 expression in T cells from allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). IL-4, but not IL-10 or IL-17, significantly up-regulated IFN-gamma- or TNF-alpha-induced IP-10, Mig, and I-TAC mRNA accumulation in keratinocytes and increased the levels of IP-10 and Mig in keratinocyte supernatants. Immunohistochemistry of skin affected by ACD revealed that >70% of infiltrating cells were reactive for CXCR3 and that CXCR3 staining colocalized in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Nickel-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell lines established from ACD skin produced IFN-gamma and IL-4 and expressed moderate to high levels of CXCR3. Finally, CXCR3 agonistic chemokines released by stimulated keratinocytes triggered calcium mobilization in skin-derived nickel-specific CD4+ T cells and promoted their migration, with supernatant from keratinocyte cultures stimulated with IFN-gamma and IL-4 attracting more efficaciously than supernatant from keratinocytes activated with IFN-gamma alone. In conclusion, IL-4 exerts a proinflammatory function on keratinocytes by potentiating IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha induction of IP-10, Mig, and I-TAC, which in turn may determine a prominent recruitment of CXCR3+ T lymphocytes at inflammatory reaction sites.     

Increased lymphocyte infiltration in patients with head and neck cancer treated with the IRX-2 immunotherapy regimen

Twenty-seven subjects with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck received the neoadjuvant IRX-2 immunotherapy regimen prior to surgery in a Phase 2 trial. Pretreatment tumor biopsies were compared with the primary tumor surgical specimens for lymphocyte infiltration, necrosis and fibrosis, using hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry in 25 subjects. Sections were examined by three pathologists. Relative to pretreatment biopsies, increases in lymphocyte infiltration (LI) were seen using H and E or immunohistochemistry. CD3+ CD4+ T cells and CD20+ B cells were primarily found in the peritumoral stroma and CD3+ CD8+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages were mainly intratumoral. LI in the surgical specimens were associated with reductions in the primary tumor size. Improved survival at 5?years was correlated with high overall LI in the tumor specimens. Neoadjuvant IRX-2 immunotherapy regimen may restore immune responsiveness presumably by mobilizing tumor infiltrating effector lymphocytes and macrophages into the tumor.     

Study of Regulatory T-Cells in Patients with Gastric Malt Lymphoma: Influence on Treatment Response and Outcome

Purpose

FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) play an essential role in modulating host responses to tumors and infections. The role of these cells in the pathogenesis of MALT lymphomas remains unknown. The aims of the study were to quantify the number of infiltrating FOXP3+ and CD3+ cells in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma at diagnosis and to study kinetics of these cells and CD20+ tumor cells after treatment and during long-term follow-up.

Methods

FOXP3+, CD3+ and CD20+ cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the number of cells was quantified using a micrometric ocular. Samples of 35 patients with gastric MALT lymphoma at diagnosis and after treatment were included. Diagnostic samples were compared to 19 cases of chronic gastritis and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the stomach.

Results

The median number of FOXP3+ infiltrating cells was higher (27 cells/cm²) in gastric MALT patients than in DLBCL (10 cells; p = 0.162) but similar to chronic gastritis (20 cells; p = 0.605). No characteristic or specific distribution pattern of infiltrating FOXP3+ cells was found. Gastric MALT lymphoma patients responding to bacterial eradication therapy had higher number of FOXP3+ cells at study entry. Kinetics of both infiltrating FOXP3+ cells and tumor CD20+ cells were strongly dependent on the treatment administered.

Discussion

Gastric MALT lymphomas have a number of Treg cells more similar to chronic gastritis than to DLBCL. Patients with higher number of tumor infiltrating FOXP3+ cells at study entry seem to have better response to antibiotics. Kinetics of Treg and tumor cells are influenced by type of treatment.     

Contribution of astrocyte-derived IL-15 to CD8 T cell effector functions in multiple sclerosis

The contribution of local factors to the activation of immune cells infiltrating the CNS of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be defined. The cytokine IL-15 is pivotal in the maintenance and activation of CD8 T lymphocytes, a prominent lymphocyte population found in MS lesions. We investigated whether astrocytes are a functional source of IL-15 sufficient to enhance CD8 T lymphocyte responses and whether they provide IL-15 in the inflamed CNS of patients with MS. We observed that human astrocytes in primary cultures increased surface IL-15 levels upon activation with combinations of proinflammatory cytokines. Expanded human myelin autoreactive CD8 T lymphocytes cultured with such activated astrocytes displayed elevated lytic enzyme content, NKG2D expression, and Ag-specific cytotoxicity. These functional enhancements were abrogated by anti-IL-15-blocking Abs. Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue sections obtained from patients with MS demonstrated colocalization for IL-15 and the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein within white matter lesions. The majority of astrocytes (80-90%) present in demyelinating MS lesions expressed IL-15, whereas few astrocytes in normal control brain sections had detectable IL-15. IL-15 could be detected in the majority of Iba-1-expressing microglia in the control sections, albeit in lower numbers when compared with microglia/macrophages in MS lesions. Furthermore, infiltrating CD8 T lymphocytes in MS lesions were in close proximity to IL-15-expressing cells. Astrocyte production of IL-15 resulting in the activation of CD8 T lymphocytes ascribes a role for these cells as contributors to the exacerbation of tissue damage during MS pathogenesis.     

Escherichia coli-specific T lymphocytes in experimental pyelonephritis

We have assessed the phenotype and specificity of infiltrating mononuclear cells in a model of unilateral ascending acute pyelonephritis induced in rats with nephritogenic Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Histologic examination showed a predominance of mononuclear cells in the interstitium at all periods examined (4, 8, 15, 21, and 25 days), although at 4 and 8 days neutrophils were also abundant. Most of the mononuclear cells had the morphologic appearance of large lymphocytes. Immunoperoxidase studies with mAb showed that most of the mononuclear cells were W3/25+; many were W3/13+ and a small proportion were OX8+. Many of the mononuclear cells were Ia+. T cells were propagated in IL-2-containing media from small fragments of renal tissue with pyelonephritic lesions. Most of the propagated cells were W3/25+; fewer than (10%) were OX8+ or Ia+. T cells propagated from kidneys infected with E. coli responded, in proliferation assays, to the infecting strain or other E. coli strains, but not to P. aeruginosa or enterococci. The response to non-p-pilus-bearing E. coli was as great or greater than to E. coli with adhesins. T cells derived from lesions induced by P. aeruginosa responded to the infecting organisms, but not to E. coli. The response to the infecting organism (E. coli or P. aeruginosa) was MHC restricted, as indicated by the requirement for syngeneic APC. The results show that large numbers of T lymphocytes, especially with the "helper/inducer" phenotype, accumulate in the lesions of acute pyelonephritis in rats. Among the infiltrating T lymphocytes are activated cells and cells with specific reactivity to the infecting bacteria (or related strains). The findings indicate that T lymphocytes play a role within the kidney in response to the invading bacteria.