潘生丁治疗呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎机制的探讨

ＢＡＬＢ／Ｃ小鼠５５只,经鼻滴入呼吸道合胞病毒悬液１００μｌ（１０６ＰＦＵ）引起小鼠肺炎。用潘生丁（５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ·ｄ）于不同时间（感染前１天、感染同时及感染后１天）和不同剂量（１００、２５、１２．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ·ｄ）灌胃,共３天。通过病理学和组织化学方法观察鼠肺和脾脏,发生感染后１天（５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ·ｄ）给药组肺泡炎最轻,上皮细胞内病毒颗粒少,浆细胞数量多,脾动脉周围淋巴鞘Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖最轻。提示适量口服潘生丁通过抑制炎症早期Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖,促进分泌特异性抗体的浆细胞生成,减轻免疫损伤使病情改善。     

人参茎叶皂甙对创伤小鼠活化T细胞内磷脂酰肌醇代谢的影响

研究了人参茎叶皂甙（ＧＳＬ）对创伤小鼠活化Ｔ细胞内磷脂酰肌醇代谢的影响。结果显示,ＧＳＬ体内应用（５０ｍｇ·ｋｇ￣（－１）·ｄ￣（－１）,伤后０─３ｄ）对创伤小鼠活化Ｔ细胞内三磷酸肌醇（ＩＰ＿３）、游离Ｃａ￣（２＋）、钙调素（ＣａＭ）、ＣａＭ依赖的蛋白激酶（ＣａＭ－Ｐｋ）、蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）水平的降低具有明显的逆转效应,并可明显降低创伤小鼠血清、巨噬细胞、Ｔｓ细胞对各指标的抑制活性。ＧＳＬ（１．０─１００ｍｇ／Ｌ）在体外也可明显提高创伤小鼠活化Ｔ细胞内ＩＰ＿３、Ｃａ￣（２＋）、ＣａＭ、ＣａＭ－ＰＫ及ＰＫＣ水平。上述结果表明,ＧＳＬ可逆转创伤小鼠活化Ｔ细胞内磷脂酰肌醇代谢的降低。     

公雏鸡糖皮质激素受体与免疫功能的相关性

研究了用于不同剂量（７５、５０、２５、１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）ＲＵ４８６阻断公雏鸡糖皮质激素受体１天或连续３天免疫指标变化情况。ＲＵ４８６７５和５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ阻断ＧＲ２４ｈ,公雏鸡脾淋巴细胞ＩＬ－２、ＩＦＮ诱生活性和Ｔ、Ｂ淋巴细胞增殖活性降低（Ｐ〈０．０１）,外周血淋巴细胞、单核细胞、ＡＮＡＥ＋细胞减少（Ｐ〈０．０１）;胸腺、脾脏、法氏囊的体重比减小（Ｐ〈０．０１）。每日ＲＵ４８６５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ连续３天阻     

Pb~(+2)、Cd~(+2)、Hg~(+2)对蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)乳酸脱氢酶的影响

Ｐｂ＾＋２,Ｃｄ＾＋２,Ｈｇ＾＋２浓度分别小于５．００ｍｇ／ｋｇ,２．００ｍｇ／ｋｇ,０．５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ时,蚕豆（ＶｉｃｉａｆａｂａＬ．）乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）的活性主于对照组,当处理剂量分别长高超过上述剂量时,ＬＤＨ活性显著地降低,分析不同污染处理条件下ＬＤＨ同工酶,发现其５种同工酶在不同金属以及同一金属的不同剂量处理条件下,有差异表达的特性,其中ＬＤＨ２在小剂量重金属作用下被诱导表达;ＬＤＨ４对     

内蒙古地产紫沙参多糖免疫功能

给小鼠灌胃口服紫沙参多糖 ４００ ｍｇ· ｋｇ－１、８００ ｍｇ· ｋｇ－１,观察其连续给药对免疫功能的影响。结果显示：在５ｄ后能显著地增加小鼠耳肿胀度,提示紫沙参多糖能够增强二硝基氯苯诱导的小鼠迟发性变态反应（ＤＴＨ）;在７ ｄ后能显著地增加碳粒廓清指数Ｋ和吞噬指数α,增强单核巨噬细胞的吞噬功能,能显著地增加免疫器官胸腺、脾脏重量,增强机体免疫作用。试验采用国家中药二类新药云芝多糖 １０００ ｍｇ· ｋｇ－１作为阳性对照组。     

丙型肝炎病毒E2基因DNA免疫实验动物研究

将编码丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）Ｅ２蛋白４１７～７５０位氨基酸的ＤＮＡ片段　克隆到真核表达载体ｐｃＤＮＡ　３．１（－）中的ＣＭＶ　ＩＥ启动子下游,构建成ＨＣＶ　Ｅ２重组真核表达质粒　ｐｃＥ２。ＥＬＩＳＡ法检测ｐｃＥ２　ＤＮＡ免疫兔血清中的Ｅ２抗体变化和维持规律,结果显示免疫２０ｄ已有　抗体产生,３０ｄ后开始进入高峰,４０ｄ时达到最高值,至第９０ｄ抗体水平保持平稳,抗体滴度　达到１∶１６００左右。流式细胞计数仪（ＦＡＣＳ）检测ｐｃＥ２　ＤＮＡ免疫鼠ＣＤ４＋、ＣＤ８＋Ｔ淋巴细胞变　化情况,与注射空载体ｐＣＤＮＡ３．１（－）的阴性鼠相比,ＣＤ４＋淋巴细胞水平略有上升,ＣＤ８＋　细胞水平有较大升高,增幅达３５．４６％。免疫组化检测结果显示注射ｐｃＥ２的小鼠组织中有明显　的阳性着色,而注射ｐｃＤＮＡ３．１（－）的对照组小鼠免疫组化结果为阴性。以上结果表明：ｐｃＥ２　在实验动物内表达出的ＨＣＶ　Ｅ２蛋白可以引起免疫动物的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,尤其　是ＭＨＣ－１限制性杀伤性ＣＤ８＋Ｔ淋巴细胞水平的提高对清除　病毒是十分有利的,因此ＨＣＶ　Ｅ２　ＤＮＡ免疫有可能成为预防和治疗ＨＣＶ感染的一条新途径。     

内蒙古地产紫沙参多糖免疫功能药效实验研究

给小鼠灌胃口服紫沙参多糖４００ｍｇ·ｋｇ＾－１、８００ｍｇ·ｋｇ＾－１,观察其连续给药对免疫功能的影响。结果显示：在５ｄ后能显著地增加小鼠耳肿胀度,提示紫沙参多糖能够增强二硝基氟苯诱导的小鼠迟发性变态反应（ＤＴＨ）;在７ｄ后能显著地增加碳粒廓清指数Ｋ和吞噬指数α,增强单核巨噬细胞的吞噬功能,能显著地增加免疫器官胸腺、脾脏重量,增强机体免疫作用。试验采用国家中药二类新药云芝多糖１０００ｍｇ·ｋｇ＾－１作为阳性对照组。     

人免疫重建SCID小鼠的研究

４２只不渗漏ＳＣＩＤ小鼠分别腹腔注射经冷冻、复苏的胎肝或胎肝加胎胸腺细胞,每鼠２×１０７活细胞,建立人胎肝细胞ＳＣＩＤ小鼠模型Ⅰ和Ⅱ,研究人免疫系统。用人肝癌细胞（ＨＨＣＣ）免疫,ＳＣＩＤ鼠出现初始免疫答应,血清人ＩｇＧ平均滴度分别达到５１３．０±８４．２ｎｇ／ｍｌ和７１９．７±２０１．６ｎｇ／ｍｌ,ＩｇＧ峰值分别出现在免疫重建后１０～１２和１０～１４周,特异性抗ＨＨＣＣ抗体滴度分别达到１∶７０．４±３５．０５和１∶２９４．４±１６８．５２,免疫重建后７～８周龄,ＡＢＣ法免疫组化染色,免疫鼠模型肝、脾中可检出标记人的ＣＤ３＋、ＣＤ２０＋Ｔ和Ｂ淋巴细胞克隆和细胞岛。流式细胞仪检测了抗原免疫组和模型组外周血、脾脏、肝脏的人ＣＤ３＋、ＣＤ４＋、ＣＤ８＋、ＣＤ１９＋、ＣＤ２０＋标记的淋巴细胞数,其中标记ＣＤ２０＋淋巴细胞平均值外周血３．１２±３．０３％、脾脏１．４±０．２０％、肝脏２．３２±１．４９％。而无抗原免疫的模型组在肝脏仅有微量或检测不到人标记淋巴细胞。     

米非司酮对大白鼠子宫内膜抗着床作用的组织化学观察

３０只雌性ＳＤ大鼠分为五组,即Ａ组（阴性对照组）,Ｂ组（孕三烯酮阳性对照组１ｍｇ／ｋｇ）,Ｃ组（米非司酮实验组,Ｃｌ１２ｍｇ／ｋｇ,Ｃ２６ｍｇ／ｋｇ,Ｃ３３ｍｇ／ｋｇ）。用组织化学方法观察米非司酮对子宫内膜一氧化氮合成酶（ＮＯＳ）、琥珀酸脱氢酶（ＳＤＨ）、乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）、酸性磷酸酶（ＡＣＰ）、硷性磷酸酶（ＡＬＰ）活性和糖原含量的影响。实验结果显示：ＮＯＳ,ＳＤＨ和ＡＬＰ活性较阴性对照组弱,ＬＤＨ和ＡＣＰ活性较阴性对照组强,糖原含量略低于阴性对照组。     

肾上腺素受体拮抗剂对大鼠急性肝损害影响的研究

雄性ＳＤ大鼠３３只,体重１８０—２５０ｇ,随机分成四组。正常对照组６只;哌唑嗪组８只,于实验第１、２、３日上午用哌唑嗪灌胃（１ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重）共３次,第２日下午腹腔注射半乳糖胺（６００ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重）１次,第４日上午处死动物,取肝脏及血清作有关检查;普萘洛尔组及Ｎ．Ｓ对照组分别用普萘洛尔（２ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重）及Ｎ．Ｓ（１０ｍｌ／ｋｇ体重）代替哌唑嗪灌胃,处理程序同哌唑嗪组。结果表明：一、哌唑嗪能显著减轻肝脏病变及血清ＡＬＴ的升高。二、哌唑嗪对肝损害后肝组织ＳＤＨ、Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴ－Ｐａｓｅ、ＣｈＥ、ＡＣＰ、ＣＣｏ等酶活性的恢复有显著效果。三、哌唑嗪组ＬＰＯ明显低于Ｎ．Ｓ对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）而ＳＯＤ活性明显高于Ｎ．Ｓ对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。普萘洛尔组各项指标同对照组比较均无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。提示：哌唑嗪对大鼠实验性肝损害有一定的保护作用。     

小檗胺对大鼠糖尿病性白内障模型中DNA损伤修复及致障过程的影响

利用链脲佐菌素（ＳＴＺ）引起的大鼠糖尿病性实验性白内障模型,观察小檗胺对晶状体上皮细胞ＤＮＡ损伤、修复及致障过程的影响．发现ＳＴＺ对照组在腹腔注射ＳＴＺ后３～４ｄ开始出现有显著意义的ＤＮＡ单链断裂（ｓｉｎｇｌｅｓｔｒａｎｄｂｒｅａｋｓ,ＳＳＢ）,并持续存在于发病全程直至晶状体完全混浊．而在注射ＳＴＺ后１２ｈ再腹腔注射３．４８ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重,１．７４ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重小檗胺后,一周后才出现有显著意义的ＳＳＢ．３．４８ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重组在５周后白内障形成率明显低于ＳＴＺ组的同时,ＳＳＢ也恢复到对照水平,而１．７４ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重组第７周才恢复到对照水平．提示抗氧化药物小檗胺能在一定程度上阻止白内障发生过程中的ＤＮＡ损伤．     

Induction of allogenic T-cell hyporesponsiveness by galectin-1-mediated apoptotic and non-apoptotic mechanisms

Galectin-1, a beta-galactoside-binding protein expressed at sites of T-cell activation and immune privilege, has shown specific immunosuppressive properties. Because of the implications of this protein in T-cell tolerance and its potential use to avoid graft rejection, we investigated the immunosuppressive effects of galectin-1 in the course of the human allogenic T-cell response. Galectin-1 induced a dose- and carbohydrate-dependent inhibition of the allogenic T-cell response. Addition of galectin-1 to alloreactive lymphocytes resulted in significant apoptosis of CD45R0-positive cells. This negative regulatory effect was accompanied by caspase activation, Bcl-2 downregulation and was prevented by addition of exogenous IL-2. In addition, a significant decrease of IFN-gamma production was detected in the non-apoptotic cell population, following exposure of alloreactive lymphocytes to galectin-1. Moreover, the immunosuppressive activity of this protein did not involve TGF-beta-mediated mechanisms. Since galectin-1 is expressed by activated T cells and could be acting by an autocrine negative loop to control human T-cell reactivity, we finally examined the regulated expression of this protein throughout the allogenic T-cell response. Expression of endogenous galectin-1 was detected at 24 h of cell culture, reaching its maximal levels after 72 h of allostimulation. The present study sets the basis for a potential use of galectin-1 as a selective immunosuppressive agent to limit T-cell-mediated reactivity during the effector phase of the alloimmune response.     

Effect of Dietary Vanadium on the Ileac T Cells and Contents of Cytokines in Broilers

The purpose of this 42-day study was to examine the effect of dietary vanadium on the ileac T cells and contents of cytokines including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in broilers by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 420 one-day-old avian broilers were divided into six groups (seven replicates in each group and ten broilers in each replicate) and fed on control diet or the same diet supplemented with 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg vanadium in the form of ammonium metavanadate. The results showed that the percentages of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), and CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells in both ileac lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in the 45- and 60-mg/kg groups than in the control group from 14 to 42 days of age. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was increased in ileac LPLs in the 60-mg/kg group at 28 days of age, and in ileac IELs in the 60-mg/kg group at 28 days of age and in the 45-mg/kg group at 42 days of age. Meanwhile, the ileac IL-2, IL-6 contents were decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in the 60-mg/kg group from 14 to 42 days of age and in the 45-mg/kg group from 28 to 42 days of age in comparison with those of the control group. It was concluded that dietary vanadium in excess of 30 mg/kg reduced the ileac T cell population and percentages of T cell subsets, and IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ contents, implying that the immune function of local intestinal mucosa in broilers could be affected by the dietary vanadium.     

Impacts of functional oligosaccharide on intestinal immune modulation in immunosuppressive mice

In order to research the role of soybean oligosaccharides (SBOSs) on improvements in the microenvironment of intestinal flora and immune function of cyclophosphamide (CTX) immunosuppressive mice. Via giving intragastric administration of Soybean oligosaccharide (SBOS) at the low dose (50/(kg·BW)/d), the middle dose (200 mg/(kg·BW)/d) and the high dose (500 mg/(kg·BW)/d) partly once a day, which is also 28 days in a row. At the same time, (SBOS) mice in the drug group and (CG) mice in the positive control group were given intraabdominal injection of CTX (200 mg/kg/d).The immunosuppressive mouse model (CY) was established after 72 h in the model group and the positive control group (CG) was given intragastric administration of levamisole hydrochloric acid (LMS) for 3 days, with the data of 80ug/kg/d after injection of CTX (for actually 72 h). On the 8th, 15th and 22nd day, the number of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Clostridium perfringens m in the feces of mice in each dose of drug group were determined. After the test resulted, the cellular immune function, humoral immune function, monocyte/macrophage function, NK cell activity and cytokine secretion (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-gamma and IL-4) were measured in immunosuppressive mice each group. The results showed that 200 mg/(kg BW) soybean oligosaccharide could significantly promote the proliferation and inhibit the increase of Enterococcus in immunosuppressive mice. The soybean oligosaccharide of 500 mg/(kg BW) could dramatically promote the proliferation of both Bifidobacillus and Lactobacillus, and also inhibit the increase of both Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus in immunosuppressive mice. The regulatory function of SBOS on intestinal flora was positive. Soybean oligosaccharide (500 mg/(kg BW) could significantly promote the proliferation of Bifidobacillus and Lactobacillus in immunosuppressive mice and inhibit the increase of Enterococcus and Enterococcus. The proliferation of spleen lymphocytes induced by ConA, LPS in immunosuppressive mice was dose-dependent. But it was still lower than that of the normal group (CG0) (p > 0.05). The serum hemolysin level of immunosuppressive mice was significantly increased in each dose group (p < 0.05), and the level of antibody forming cells in spleen cells of each dose group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the level of antibody forming cells in spleen cells of each dose group was significantly higher than that of low dose group (p < 0.005), and the level of serum hemolysin in immunosuppressive mice was significantly increased in each dose group (p < 0.05). In the detection of immune effector cell activity in immunosuppressive mice, the phagocytic function of macrophages in high dose group and the natural killing activity of spleen NK cells in high dose drug group were significantly increased, which were not significantly different from those in positive control group (P < 0.05), but the expression of TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-4 cytokines in serum was increased in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.05). In conclusion, soybean oligosaccharide can significantly increase the diversity of intestinal microecology, increase the number of intestinal beneficial bacteria, has a correlation with the proliferation of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestinal tract, and inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria. The results showed that SBOS had a direct effect on the proliferation of intestinal flora under immunosuppression. Based on the improvement of intestinal microenvironment in immunosuppressive mice by soybean oligosaccharide for 25 days, the results showed that compared with the positive control group, the nonspecific and specific immunity of immunosuppressive mice in the drug group had a regulatory effect, which improved the phagocytic function of monocytes/macrophages, developed the level of antibody forming cells, enhanced the standard of the killing activity of NK cells, and promoted the expression of cytokines as well. Compared with the model group, the transformation and proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in the high and middle dose groups were remarkably increased, but all of the indexes did not reach the level of the normal blank group. By studying the improvement of intestinal microenvironment in immunosuppressive mice, to some extent, it is concluded that the proliferation of intestinal flora can improve the immunomodulatory function of the body, but it still lowers the normal immune degree, which reflects the immunomodulatory effect of the body on the stimulation of continuous external intake. The results demonstrate that the immunomodulatory ability of immunosuppressive body was insensitive to SBOS and provided a theoretical basis for the study of health care function of intestinal microenvironment improvement when SBOS acted on abnormal immune function. The results also improved the practical application value of SBOS.     

Encephalitozoonosis in pharmacologically immunosuppressed mice

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a parasite that has been identified as a cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. This study was performed to evaluate E. cuniculi infection in pharmacologically immunosuppressed mice. Mice were immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide (100mg/kg twice a week, IP) or cyclosporin (10mg/kg daily, IP) and inoculated with 10(7)E. cuniculi spores IP. The E. cuniculi spores were cultivated in MDCK cells. E. cuniculi identification was performed by light microscopy studies using Gram-Chromotrope, Hematoxylin-Eosin and Toluidine blue-fuchsin staining techniques, as well as by PCR at 15, 30 and 45 days post-inoculation (DPI). Cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed mice have greatly reduced amounts of CD8(+), CD4(+) and CD3(+) T cells and CD19(+) B cells. The cells from these mice were analyzed by FACS and showed acute disseminated and fatal encephalitozoonosis. Mice treated with ciclosporin, which is both antiparasitic and immunosuppressive, have a milder, chronic, non-lethal infection and showed a significant reduction only in CD3(+) and CD4(+) T cell numbers. Our results support the role of CD8(+) T cells in controlling infection by E. cuniculi and show that preventive measures are essential for preventing this zoonosis in individuals undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or other immunosuppressive therapies.     

Diazepam effects on Ehrlich tumor growth and macrophage activity in mice

Besides the central gabaergic receptors described for benzodiazepines, peripheral type binding sites (PBR) were also identified for these molecules in endocrine steroidogenic tissues, immune organs and cells, such as macrophages and lymphocytes. PBR activation was reported to decrease innate immunity and host defense. The present experiment was designed to analyze the effects of diazepam on Ehrlich tumor growth, and on macrophage activity of Ehrlich tumor bearing mice. Results showed that diazepam (3.0 mg/kg/day, for 7 days) increased the number of Ehrlich tumor cells and the volume of tumor-induced ascitic fluid. These effects were not observed after smaller doses of diazepam, suggesting a dose-dependant effect. Furthermore, our results show that 3.0 mg/kg of diazepam, administered daily, for 2 days, decreased (1) the number of peritoneal leukocytes retrieved after injection of the Ehrlich tumor, (2) the percents of macrophage spreading, and (3) the levels of macrophage NO production. Diazepam (3.0 mg/kg/day for 2 days) had no effect on macrophage phagocytosis or on H2O2 production. The present data is discussed based on a direct and/or indirect action of diazepam. Particularly, our findings might be due to a direct effect of diazepam on PBRs present on macrophages and tumor cells, or could still be mediated by PBR stimulation within the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.     

Cinnamic Acid and Cinnamaldehyde Ameliorate Cisplatin‐Induced Splenotoxicity in Rats

Cinnamic acid (CA) and cinnamaldehyde (CD) are major constituents of cinnamon species. They possess various pharmacological properties of which their antioxidant activity is a prime one. This study aims to investigate potential protective effects against cisplatin (CP)‐induced splenotoxicity in rats. A single dose of CP (5 mg/kg) injected i.p. caused a significant decrease in hemoglobin content (18%), total leucocytic count (46%), neutrophils (78%), and catalase (CAT) splenic activity (64%) with a marked increase in lymphocytes (26%) and splenic content of malondialdehyde (68%) and TNF‐α (69%) as compared with the control group. Contrarily, CA (50 mg/kg, p.o.) or CD (40 mg/kg, p.o.) administration for 7 days before CP ameliorated CP‐induced splenotoxicity as indicated by mitigation of the biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. These results revealed the promising protective effects of CA and CD on CP‐induced splenotoxicity in rats; an effect that might be attributed to antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities.     

Epinephrine promotes pulmonary angiitis: evidence for a beta1-adrenoreceptor-mediated mechanism

Epinephrine (Epi) increases lymphocyte traffic to lung. We investigated whether Epi also modulates pulmonary cell-mediated immune responses in vivo. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with hen-egg lysozyme (HEL) on day 0, challenged with HEL intratracheally at day 12, and killed at day 15. Mice received Epi (0.5 mg/kg) subcutaneously during the sensitization phase, days 1-7 (Epi-SP), or the effector phase, days 12-14 (Epi-EP); controls received saline subcutaneously. Epi-SP mice showed increased airway inflammation (P < 0.03) and pulmonary angiitis (P < 0.04) characterized by endothelialitis and subendothelial fibrin deposition. Macrophages and granulocytes were increased in perivascular cuffs in situ (P < 0.001). CD3+ lymphocytes increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, whereas NK1.1+ and CD4+CD25+ lymphocytes decreased (all P < 0.05). Atenolol, a selective beta1-adrenoreceptor (AR) antagonist, inhibited the increased vascular and airway inflammation and the reduction in CD4+CD25+ lymphocytes (all P < 0.05) yielded by Epi, whereas all alpha/beta-AR blockers inhibited airway inflammation. We conclude that Epi-EP selectively promotes vascular inflammation in vivo via a beta1-receptor-mediated mechanism.     

Cellular basis of allograft rejection in vivo. V. Examination of the mechanisms responsible for the differing efficacy of monoclonal antibody to CD4+ T cell subsets in low- and high-responder rat strains

MRC OX35, an anti-CD4 mAb, was used to treat high responder Wistar Furth (W/F) (RT1u) and low responder DA (RT1a) rats which had been grafted with directly vascularized hearts from PVG (RT1c) rats across a full MHC plus non-MHC incompatibility. Four doses of mAb at 7 mg/kg given in the first 2 wk postgrafting induced indefinite graft survival (greater than 150 days) in DA hosts, but only delayed rejection to 18 to 42 days in W/F as compared to rejection times of 6 to 8 days in untreated rats. The extension of MRC OX35 treatment to 6 wk in W/F rats induced indefinite graft survival in three of six rats. During treatment MRC OX35 therapy only partially depleted CD4+ cells, and all circulating CD4+ cells were coated with MRC OX35. The capacity of naive CD4+ and CD8+ cells from W/F and DA to be activated to PVG alloantigen was compared both in vitro in an MLC assay and in vivo by an adoptive transfer assay of their capacity to restore rejection of PVG heart grafts in irradiated syngeneic hosts. CD4+ cells from both W/F and DA proliferated in MLC and restored graft rejection. W/F CD8+ cells both proliferated in MLC and restored rejection, but DA CD8+ cells neither proliferated nor reconstituted rejection. Examination of lymphocytes from MRC OX35 treated hosts with long-surviving grafts showed that they were neither depleted of CD4+ T cells nor did they lack the capacity to proliferate to PVG Ag in MLC, this response being similar to that to third-party Ag or by naive lymphocytes. Compared to first-set rejection, PVG skin graft rejection was delayed 2 to 3 days in W/F and 10 to 12 days in DA rats with long-surviving grafts after MRC OX35 therapy, whereas they rejected third-party skin grafts in first-set tempo. These studies show that differences in graft survival in anti-CD4 treated low and high responder strains may be due to the inherent capacity of CD8+ cells to be activated to effect rejection independent of CD4+ cells in W/F but not in DA. In those hosts that accept grafts, there is no evidence of clonal deletion, but there appears to be a form of unresponsiveness akin to that induced in adult rats by other immunosuppressive therapies that protects the graft from rejection.     

Effects of human soluble BAFF synthesized in Escherichia coli on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as NK cells in mice

B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF, also called BLyS, TALL-1, zTNF-4, or THANK) is an important survival factor for B lymphocytes. In this study, we injected mouse abdominal cavity with human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 2 mg/kg body mass) synthesized in Escherichia coli. On the 8th day after injection, we investigated the effects of hsBAFF on immune functional activities of splenic B lymphocytes, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells in mice. The results showed that B lymphocyte proliferation significantly increased in hsBAFF-treated groups with dosages of 0.1 mg/kg (p<0.05), 0.5 and 2 mg/kg (p<0.01). We observed a dose-dependent increase of CD4(+) T lymphocyte percentage and significantly higher values in 0.5 and 2 mg/kg hsBAFF-treated groups (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) compared to control group, but CD8(+) T lymphocyte percentage remained unchanged. The ratio of CD4(+) to CD8(+) T lymphocytes rose with increasing hsBAFF dosage (p<0.05 for 2 mg/kg hsBAFF vs. control). Significantly stronger NK cell activities were found in 0.5 and 2 mg/kg hsBAFF-treated groups (p<0.05). The main finding of this study is that the hsBAFF can enhance immune responses in the body by increasing B lymphocyte and CD4(+) T lymphocyte function as well as elevating NK cell activity.