Effects of antibodies to choriogonadotropin in malignant growth

Summary We have studied the effects of preimmunization with a conjugate of the -subunit of choriogonadotropin and tetanus toxoid (CG-tt) on the growth of the implanted R 3230 AC mammary adenocarcinoma (in Fischer 344 rats) and the implanted 5123 1-1 hepatoma (in Buffalo rats) after 20 days, in order to determine if the in vivo production of antibodies against CG could modify the relationship between host and malignant growth. The results obtained demonstrated that active immunization against CG retarded significantly (P<0.01) the growth of the two transplantable tumors. Anti-CG antibodies were also determined and constantly found in the sera of all the preimmunized rats of both strains while no antibodies to CG were found in the control animals.     

Host lymphocytic recognition of cytoplasmatic antigens from an experimental brain tumor

Summary Spleen lymphocytes from ependymoblastoma hosting mice show specific receptors for isologuous cytoplasmic tumor proteins. Binding demonstrated by immunofluorescence was observed on lymphocytes from mice transplanted either subcutaneously or intracranially with the tumor model. As control, normal brain soluble proteins did not show binding.     

Patterns of in vivo lymphoid responses to tumour specific antigens

A tumour-derived antigen complex injected induced a different cellular immune response in tumour-bearing mice when compared with unprimed controls. A different statistical approach, namely the linear correlation, allowed us to discern significant differences in the response pattern.     

Protracted diarrhoea of infancy: evidence in support of an autoimmune variant.

Circulating autoantibodies to enterocytes were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 14 out of 25 patients with idiopathic protracted diarrhoea of infancy. Similar specificities were not found in 50 control children with nongastroenterological disorders. The immunofluorescence pattern was more accentuated on the apical border of mature enterocytes. Enterocyte autoantibodies were mainly of IgG class (13/14), but 11 sera were positive for IgM and IgA classes, and five out of 14 positive sera also had the ability to fix complement. Absorption of sera positive for autoantibodies with an IgA coupled immunoabsorbent did not modify the intensity of the staining, indicating that these antibodies were not directed against secretory IgA. High titres and the complement fixing ability of enterocyte autoantibodies indicated a poorer prognosis despite the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Organ specific and non-organ specific autoimmune diseases or corresponding autoantibodies or both were often found in children with enterocyte autoantibodies and their family. These data show the existence of an autoimmune variant of protracted diarrhoea of infancy, despite the rare occurrence of autoimmune diseases in childhood.     

Size of cardiomyocytes of the left portion of the heart in adults

As demonstrates the investigation of cardiomyocytes of the left cardiac parts performed in 16 practically healthy mature persons died in accidents, the average area of the cells projections in the auricular atria makes 644 +/- 15 mcm2, and the portion of the multinuclear cells--2.27%. In the ventricular wall and in the papillar muscle these parameters are 831 +/- 16, 700 +/- 30 mcm2 and 11.25, 12.62%, respectively. Distribution of nuclei in the cardiomyocytes of all the cardiac zones studied is characterized by a predominance of tetra-, hypertetra- and octaploid classes, therefore the average amount of DNA in the nuclei reaches certain high values. Differences in size of the cardiomyocytes revealed in various parts of the heart are explained at their unequal loading under pressure.