金线莲多糖对免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖、分泌NO及细胞因子的影响

本试验旨在研究金线莲多糖(ARP)对免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖、NO及细胞因子IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ分泌水平的影响。MTT法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖;Griess法检测NO分泌水平;ELISA法检测细胞因子IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ的含量。结果显示,与对照组比较,ARP在50~400μg/m L可明显促进免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖(P0.01),促进NO分泌(P0.01),促进细胞因子IL-2、IL-6和IFN-γ分泌(P0.05,P0.01)。以上结果提示ARP能提高免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外免疫活性,其作用机制可能与促进免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖,促进NO产生以及提高IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ的分泌水平有关。     

天门冬多糖对环磷酰胺诱导的免疫抑制小鼠的免疫调节作用

为探讨天门冬多糖对免疫功能低下小鼠的免疫调节作用,本实验建立环磷酰胺诱导免疫抑制小鼠模型。通过称重计算脾脏指数和胸腺指数;MTT法检测T、B淋巴细胞增殖反应;双抗夹心ELISA方法检测小鼠血清中IL-2和IL-4水平,测定天门冬多糖对免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能的调节作用。结果表明天门冬多糖能够提高免疫抑制小鼠的脾脏指数和胸腺指数,在ConA或者LPS刺激下提高T、B淋巴细胞增殖率,提高血清中IL-2和IL-4水平。天门冬多糖对环磷酰胺诱导的免疫抑制小鼠有一定的保护作用。     

纳米山药多糖对大鼠免疫器官及巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响

摘要：目的 研究纳米山药多糖合生元结肠靶向调节剂对大鼠免疫器官功能及巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响。方法 以i.g盐酸林可霉素造成肠炎模型,将大鼠随机分成正常对照组,阳性对照组,纳米山药多糖组和模型组。测定胸腺和脾指数,中性红法测定巨噬细胞吞噬功能,MTT法测定T淋巴细胞增殖,ELISA法测定脾淋巴细胞IL-2和IFN-γ含量。结果 与模型组相比,纳米山药多糖组显著提高免疫器官指数,腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬能力,脾淋巴细胞增殖能力和IL-2和IFN-γ含量（P<0.05),且恢复到正常水平。结论 动物实验表明,纳米山药多糖结肠靶向微生态调节剂具有提高免疫器官指数、巨噬细胞吞噬功能、T淋巴细胞能力、IL-2和IFN-γ含量,是理想的中药微生态调节剂。     

大豆异黄酮对电离辐射小鼠淋巴细胞的防护作用

目的研究大豆异黄酮(SI)对小鼠淋巴细胞的辐射防护作用。方法24只雄性昆明小鼠,随机分为正常对照组、辐射对照组和辐射补充0.5%SI组,喂养2周后,4.0Gy照射。照射后24 h处死小鼠,取血、胸腺和脾脏分离淋巴细胞,进行血淋巴细胞计数、观察DNA损伤情况;培养胸腺和脾脏淋巴细胞,检测3H-dT掺入量,观察淋巴细胞的增殖能力,计算淋巴细胞的增殖指数。结果辐射使小鼠胸腺和脾脏淋巴细胞数明显减少、胸腺淋巴细胞增殖能力和脾脏淋巴细胞转化指数降低、血淋巴细胞DNA损伤增加,这些变化均具有统计学意义;补充SI可降低胸腺和脾脏淋巴细胞数的减少幅度,降低胸腺淋巴细胞增殖能力和脾脏淋巴细胞转化指数下降幅度,减少辐射对血淋巴细胞DNA损伤程度,其中SI对胸腺淋巴细胞增殖能力和对血淋巴细胞DNA损伤程度的防护作用与辐射对照组相比有统计学意义。结论大豆异黄酮可对小鼠的血、胸腺和脾脏淋巴细胞有一定的辐射防护作用。     

双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-氟尿嘧啶联用的抗肿瘤研究

目的探讨双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-氟尿嘧啶（5-Fu）联用对H22荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤作用及免疫功能的影响。方法双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸单独或联合5-Fu处理H22荷瘤Balb／c小鼠,定期测量肿瘤大小,观察小鼠一般状况;计算抑瘤率、血红细胞数和白细胞数,取脾和胸腺计算脏器指数;HE染色分析肿瘤组织变化;MTT法检测小鼠脾T淋巴细胞增殖转化功能以及ELISA法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ含量。结果双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸及5-Fu单独应用均可抑制肿瘤生长,但单独5-Fu处理组小鼠一般状况差,毒性反应重;双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-Fu联合应用,与单独5-Fu处理组比较,不仅抑瘤率明显提高（P〈0．01）,且荷瘤小鼠一般状况改善,白细胞数升高,脏器指数增加,小鼠脾T淋巴细胞增殖能力强,脾淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ,水平提高;光镜观察HE染色瘤体组织,双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸处理组可见大量炎症细胞浸润。结论双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸联合5-FU能增强化疗的抑瘤作用,并能扭转化疗引起的免疫低下现象,起到增效减毒作用。     

透明质酸孵育树突状细胞对荷瘤小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的：研究透明质酸对小鼠骨髓来源树突状细胞功能的影响以及回输后荷黑色素瘤小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖、活化和细胞因子 的变化,进而探讨透明质酸诱导的树突状细胞增强荷瘤小鼠免疫功能的机制。方法：体外细胞因子联合诱导培养小鼠骨髓细胞获 得树突状细胞（DCs）,免疫磁珠分选纯化获得CD11c+树突状细胞,经不同浓度透明质酸（HA）刺激后,采用酶联免疫吸附法 （ELISA）检测培养上清液中细胞因子IL-12p70 含量。建立小鼠皮下B16 黑色素瘤模型,肿瘤局部皮下回输HA 孵育DC后检测 肿瘤大小,应用ConA 检测脾淋巴细胞增殖情况,应用MTT 法检测脾淋巴细胞杀伤活性,ELISA 法检测脾淋巴细胞分泌的 TNF-alpha和IFN-r的表达,以单纯DC回输、生理盐水注射以及正常小鼠（无瘤）组作为对照。结果：在10～100 ug/mL 范围内,HA 以剂量依赖的方式上调DCs 分泌IL-12p70。HA 孵育DC处理组肿瘤生长明显受到抑制;淋巴细胞增殖反应、杀伤活性和细胞因 子TNF-alpha和IFN-r的表达明显高于单纯DC 组和生理盐水组(P < 0.05)。结论：透明质酸可促进小鼠骨髓DC 的成熟;透明质酸孵 育的DC 通过增强荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤免疫功能而抑制肿瘤的生长。     

杜仲黄酮对小鼠淋巴细胞增殖及IL-2和IFN-γ诱生的影响

采用MTT法和ELISA技术,通过考察不同纯度的杜仲黄酮对小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖及细胞因子IL-2和IFN-γ诱生作用的影响,初步探讨杜仲黄酮的免疫活性。结果表明,杜仲黄酮粗品及槲皮素均对经Con A或LPS刺激下的小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖和细胞因子IL-2与IFN-γ的分泌有协同作用;随细胞培养时间延长,与空白组比较作用效果也逐渐显著。多重显著性分析结果显示,在一定范围内,不同浓度的样品对脾淋巴细胞的增殖效果存在差异,并有一定的浓度依赖性。而山奈酚则随浓度的升高对淋巴细胞的增殖呈抑制趋势,同时对细胞因子的诱生起下调作用。     

表达小鼠白细胞介素21的Sp2／O细胞体外对鼠肿瘤特异性淋巴细胞增殖及功能的影响

目的：研究表达小鼠白细胞介素21（mIL-21）的Sp2／O细胞与用Sp2／0细胞预先免疫的小鼠淋巴细胞体外共培养,是否对预致敏淋巴细胞增殖及功能有影响。方法：获取灭活Sp2／0细胞免疫的小鼠淋巴细胞,在mIL-2存在的条件下,以mIL-21转染的Sp2／0细胞为刺激细胞,用流式细胞术检测CFSE标记的淋巴细胞增殖和7-AAD标记的细胞毒活性;用ELISpot法确定分泌IFN-γ的淋巴细胞数量。结果：转染mIL-21的Sp2／0细胞对预致敏的淋巴细胞增殖有明显影响,活化的淋巴细胞对靶细胞的杀伤率（39.57％±4.72％）与对照组（23.18％±2.94％）相比有较大的提高（P〈0.05）,且分泌IFN-γ的细胞数量明显增加。活化增殖后的淋巴细胞回输至环磷酰胺预处理的小鼠,能延长小鼠的成瘤时间。结论：表达mIL-21的Sp2／0细胞可有效促进肿瘤抗原特异性淋巴细胞活化及增殖,并增强其对肿瘤细胞的杀伤功能。     

金针菇子实体多糖分离纯化及结构和免疫活性研究

从金针菇子实体中分离纯化多糖,并对多糖结构和体外免疫活性进行研究。采用水提醇沉法从金针菇子实体中提取粗多糖,利用DEAE-Cellulose-52及Sephacryl S-300HR柱层析纯化得到FVPⅠ-a,再利用HPLC-ELSD技术、红外及核磁共振对FVPⅠ-a进行结构解析。在体外以促RAW264.7巨噬细胞产NO、分泌细胞因子,促进小鼠淋巴细胞增殖实验,考察FVPⅠ-a增强免疫的能力。从金针菇子实体中分离纯化得到FVPⅠ-a,其为分子量81.4kDa,由葡萄糖、果糖和鼠李糖组成的β构型的吡喃型杂多糖。体外免疫实验表明,FVPⅠ-a能够促进RAW264.7巨噬细胞产生NO及分泌细胞因子（IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α）,能单独的促进小鼠淋巴细胞增殖（P<0.05）,并能协同增强ConA和LPS对小鼠淋巴细胞的促增殖作用（P<0.01,P<0.05）。首次从金针菇子实体中获得FVPⅠ-a杂多糖,其在体外具有增强非特异性免疫反应及增强特异性免疫反应的能力。     

十全育真汤对H22荷瘤小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的：研究十全育真汤对荷瘤小鼠免疫功能的影响,探讨十全育真汤抗肿瘤的作用机制。方法：SPF级雄性昆明种小鼠30只,制成荷H₂₂小鼠肝癌细胞移植瘤模型,随机分为模型组、阳性对照组及十全育真汤组（n=10）;另选择未接种小鼠10只为正常对照组。正常对照组、模型组每天按10 ml/kg灌胃生理盐水及蒸馏水,阳性对照组、十全育真汤组每天按8 g/kg、18 g/kg灌胃参一药液（80 mg/ml）与十全育真汤剂。连续给药14 d后处死小鼠,测量胸腺、脾脏指数及抑瘤率,检测外周血中白细胞、淋巴细胞含量及T细胞亚群CD3、CD4、CD8细胞百分比,血清中白细胞介素2（IL-2）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）及干扰素-β（IFN-β）的含量,淋巴细胞增殖能力及NK细胞杀伤功能。结果：较正常对照组,十全育真汤组小鼠体重明显增加,脾脏指数显著增大（P<0.05）;白细胞、淋巴细胞CD4、CD8、CD3及TNF-α含量明显升高（P<0.05）;IL-2、IFN-β含量显著下降（P<0.05）;淋巴细胞增殖能力、NK细胞杀伤功能明显升高（P<0.05）。与模型组相比,十全育真汤组小鼠胸腺、脾脏指数显著增大（P<0.05）;白细胞、淋巴细胞CD3、CD4、IL-2、IFN-β及TNF-α含量明显升高（P<0.05）,CD8含量则显著降低（P<0.05）;NK细胞杀伤功能及淋巴细胞增殖能力显著增加（P<0.05）。结论：十全育真汤可促进H₂₂荷瘤小鼠免疫器官的生长,增强机体免疫功能,有利于肿瘤机体的恢复。     

A polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme protects against immunosuppression in cyclophosphamide-treated mice

A water-soluble polysaccharide (SFPS) isolated from Sargassum fusiforme was purified by DEAE-52 cellulose anion-exchange and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. The high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) analysis showed that the average molecular weight (Mw) of SFPS was 299kDa. The SFPS was composed of d-fucose, l-xylose, d-mannose and d-galactose in a molar ratio of 5.9:1.0:2.3:2.2. The results showed that SFPS stimulated proliferation and the cytokines (IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ) secretion of splenic lymphocytes in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. SFPS markedly increased the phagocytic rates and cytokines (IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α) secretion of peritoneal macrophages. Administration of SFPS significantly raised spleen index. It could act as an efficacious adjacent immunopotentiating therapy or an alternative means in lessening chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression, and also can be utilized as immunostimulants for food and pharmaceutical industries.     

连翘酯苷对小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞体外增殖与分泌功能的影响

目的分析连翘酯苷（FS）对小鼠脾脏T和B淋巴细胞增殖、分泌NO和TNF-α的影响,初步探讨其免疫调节作用机制。方法无菌操作分离小鼠脾脏,制备脾脏细胞并用含10%胎牛血清的RPMI 1640培养,在培养液中分别加入刺激剂刀豆蛋白（ConA）和脂多糖（LPS）以及不同浓度40、80、160μg/mL的FS共培养不同时间,采用MTT法检测T和B淋巴细胞的吸光度变化,ELISA和Griess法分别检测细胞分泌TNF-α和NO的水平。结果低浓度和中浓度FS对ConA诱导T淋巴细胞24 h和48 h后细胞增殖和存活率明显提高,诱导时间延长至72 h后FS明显抑制细胞转化;低浓度FS对LPS诱导脾脏B淋巴细胞24 h后细胞增殖和生存率显著提高;FS促进小鼠脾脏T和B淋巴细胞分泌NO;FS促进B淋巴细胞分泌TNF-α,中浓度FS促进T淋巴细胞分泌TNF-α而高浓度反而抑制其分泌。此外,FS对环磷酰胺（CY）处理小鼠的脾脏淋巴细胞体外增殖有明显影响,对细胞NO分泌影响不显著。结论结果提示FS可能通过影响小淋巴细胞增殖和细胞因子分泌而调节免疫细胞功能。     

Hsp65与IL-2融合蛋白诱导小鼠细胞免疫应答及保护力

目的研究Hsp65与hIL-2的融合蛋白在小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答及保护力。方法在大肠杆菌中诱导表达Hsp65与hIL-2的融合蛋白,通过Ni-NTA亲合柱纯化后的蛋白经鉴定后,与佐剂DDA和MPL联合免疫小鼠,连续免疫3次,每次间隔2周,最后一次免疫结束后两周,分离5只小鼠脾淋巴细胞,测定淋巴细胞增殖指数,IFN-γ和IL-2水平,以及特异性淋巴细胞杀伤功能,其余5只免疫小鼠用于MTB毒株攻击实验。结果获得融合蛋白可分别与抗Hsp65和抗hIL-2的单抗发生特异性反应。融合蛋白免疫小鼠后,小鼠脾淋巴细胞被有效活化,诱导产生的-γIFN和IL-2的水平以及CTL杀伤功能均显著高于BCG和单纯Hsp65免疫组（P〈0.05）。融合蛋白免疫组可有效抵抗MTB毒株攻击,脾脏细菌数显著减少（4.36±0.48）,提供的保护力与BCG相当（4.30±0.53）。结论Hsp65与hIL-2的融合蛋白是一种有效的亚单位疫苗,可用于TB的预防。     

Dietary phytosterols modulate T-helper immune response but do not induce apparent anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of acute, aseptic inflammation

Although most studies have focused on the cholesterol-lowering activity of phytosterols, other biological actions have been ascribed to these plant sterol compounds, one of which is a potential immune modulatory effect. To gain insight into this issue, we used a mouse model of acute, aseptic inflammation induced by a single subcutaneous turpentine injection. Hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice, fed with or without a 2% phytosterol supplement, were treated with turpentine or saline and euthanized 48 h later. No differences were observed in spleen lymphocyte subsets between phytosterol- and control-fed apoE(-/-) mice. However, cultured spleen lymphocytes of apoE(-/-) mice fed with phytosterols and treated with turpentine showed increased IL-2 and IFN-gamma secretion (T-helper type1, Th1 lymphocyte cytokines) compared with turpentine-treated, control-fed animals. In contrast, there was no change in Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Phytosterols also inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption in wild-type C57BL/6J mice but, in this case, without decreasing plasma cholesterol. Spleen lymphocytes of turpentine-treated C57BL/6J mice fed with phytosterols also showed increased IL-2 production, but IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 production was unchanged. The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly increased both in phytosterol-fed apoE(-/-) and C57BL/6J mice. We conclude that phytosterols modulate the T-helper immune response in vivo, in part independently of their hypocholesterolemic effect in a setting of acute, aseptic inflammation. Further study of phytosterol effects on immune-based diseases characterized by an exacerbated Th2 response is thus of interest.     

杨树桑黄饮片水提物对免疫低下小鼠的免疫功能的影响

探究桑黄饮片水提物对环磷酰胺所致免疫低下小鼠的免疫功能的影响。本研究以桑黄饮片为原料,采用超声和沸水提取方法得到桑黄饮片水提物,注射环磷酰胺造成小鼠免疫功能低下,通过测定脾脏和胸腺指数、血清免疫球蛋白和细胞因子、脾淋巴细胞增殖、碳粒廓清等实验,对免疫低下小鼠的免疫功能进行研究评价。结果表明,灌胃桑黄饮片水提物的小鼠与模型组相比,免疫器官指数、血清中免疫球蛋白含量、细胞因子水平、脾淋巴细胞增殖程度、巨噬细胞的吞噬速率和吞噬指数、小鼠耳肿胀度均有提高,脾脏苏木精-伊红(HE)染色也表明桑黄饮片水提物可以改善环磷酰胺导致的脾脏组织病理状态。本研究表明桑黄饮片水提物对环磷酰胺所致的免疫抑制小鼠具有良好的免疫保护作用,为桑黄饮片扩大临床应用提供实验依据。     

T and B lymphocyte populations of the spleen and thymus in normal and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice.

The antituinor agent 1,3 bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) has been studied in order to determine its effect on thymic and splenic T and B lymphocytes in normal and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. Utilizing indirect immunofluorescence and lymphocyte proliferation studies we detected an initial reduction of splenic T and B cells as a result of the administration of an optimal dose, 30 mg/kg, of BCNU. The population dynamics of the thymic lymphocytes are totally different in their mitogenic reactivity than that of the splenic lymphocytes. An initial decline in the PHA and LPS-sensitive splenic lymphocytes of BCNU-treated mice was temporary. However, there was no return to normal levels detected for the Con A-sensitive splenic lymphocytes. On the other hand, the PHA-sensitive thymic lymphocytes of BCNU-treated mice not only failed to repopulate but were totally depleted by the tenth day.     

Effects of long-term estrogen treatment on IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 gene expression and protein synthesis in spleen and thymus of normal C57BL/6 mice.

Estrogens have been shown to markedly modulate the immune system. One mechanism by which estrogens could modulate the immune system is by regulating cytokines, an aspect not well-studied thus far. To address this issue, normal C57BL/6 orchiectomized mice were given estrogen and its effects on selected cytokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-4 in lymphocytes from a developmental organ (thymus) and a mature lymphoid organ (spleen) examined. Estrogen significantly increased IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA in concanavalin-A (Con-A) activated thymocytes, splenic lymphocytes, and in enriched splenic T cells. Estrogen had no marked effect on IL-4 mRNA. While estrogen increased IFN-gamma mRNA in Con-A activated unseparated splenic lymphocytes and enriched splenic T cells, a numerical increase in IFN-gamma was noticed only in the supernatants of Con-A activated unseparated splenic lymphocytes, but not in enriched splenic T cells. This suggests that for optimal secretion of IFN-gamma in estrogen-treated mice, co-stimulatory signals from antigen presenting cells are needed. Gender differences in IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA were also evident. Con-A activated splenic lymphocytes from gonadal-intact, untreated female had a pattern of numerical increase in IFN-gamma mRNA, and IFN-gamma and IL-2 protein levels compared to their male counterparts. Taken together, our data suggests that estrogens regulate the expression of cytokines, which could account in part, for the gender differences in immune capabilities.     

Thymosin alpha 1 potentiates interleukin 2-induced cytotoxic activity in mice

We have investigated the effects of interleukin 2 (IL-2) on cytotoxic activity of spleen lymphocytes, from normal and cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) or B-16 melanoma suppressed mice, after in vitro or in vivo pretreatment with thymosin alpha 1 (TA1). The results of this study indicate that pretreatment in vitro (100 ng/ml for 1 hr) or in vivo (200 micrograms/kg/day for 4 days) with thymosin alpha 1 (TA1), significantly increased the IL-2 (from 100 to 500 U/ml) in vitro induced cytotoxic activity of spleen lymphocytes, collected from both normal and cyclophosphamide and tumor-suppressed animals, against both YAC-1 (NK sensitive) and MBL-2 (NK resistant) cell lines. The potential use in combination of these two different biological response modifiers, useful in enhancing the immunological responses to IL-2 of lymphocytes, may provide a novel model of immunotherapeutic intervention in cancer.     

hsBAFF regulates proliferation and response in cultured CD4(+) T lymphocytes by upregulation of intracellular free Ca(2+) homeostasis

B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF, also called BLyS, TALL-1, THANK, or zTNF4) is an important survival factor for B cells, and is able to regulate T-cell activation. Recently, we have demonstrated that treatment of mice with human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF) causes a significant increase of percentages of splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes dose-dependently, but the CD8(+) T lymphocyte percentages maintained unchanged. Here, we show that hsBAFF significantly enhanced CD4(+) T lymphocyte response of cultured mouse splenic cells, and hsBAFF induced the proliferation and IL-2/IFN-γ secretion of purified CD4(+) T lymphocytes suboptimally stimulated through anti-CD3. Of importance, we observed that IL-2 or IFN-γ cytokine has additive effect on the proliferation and activity of hsBAFF-stimulated CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Using Flow cytometry with fluorescent probe, Fluo-3/AM, we found that hsBAFF elicited [Ca(2+)](i) elevation contributing to CD4(+) T cell proliferation. This is evidenced by our finding that pretreatment with BAPTA/AM, an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, significantly attenuated the proliferation of hsBAFF-stimulated CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Subsequently, we revealed that hsBAFF-stimulated CD4(+) T cell proliferation was markedly suppressed after pretreatment with EGTA, an extracellular Ca(2+) chelator, or with 2-APB, an inhibitor of Ca(2+) influx through CRAC channels, respectively, suggesting that extracellular Ca(2+) influx due to hsBAFF is closely associated with [Ca(2+)](i) elevation contributing to CD4(+) T cell proliferation. In addition, we noticed that hsBAFF-treated cells conferred partial resistance to decrease of cellular viability induced by thapsigargin (Tg), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor. Taken together, our data indicate that hsBAFF may promote CD4(+) T cell proliferation and response by upregulation of [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis.     

Administration of IL-7 to mice with cyclophosphamide-induced lymphopenia accelerates lymphocyte repopulation

Lymphopenia was induced in mice by a single injection of cyclophosphamide. IL-7 or a control protein were administered to the mice twice daily and the cellularity and composition of the spleen, lymph node, bone marrow, and thymus were determined at various time points thereafter. In comparison to the control cyclophosphamide-treated mice, animals receiving cyclophosphamide and IL-7 had an accelerated regeneration of splenic and lymph node cellularity. There was no significant difference in the rate of recovery of the bone marrow and thymus of the control and IL-7-treated mice. Assessment of the pre-B cell compartment revealed a dramatic increase in total pre-B cell numbers in the spleen and bone marrow of the IL-7-treated mice as measured by both flow microfluorimetry and a pre-B cell colony-forming assay. This was followed in a few days by a significant increase in surface IgM+B cell numbers to levels above normal values in both the spleen and lymph node. IL-7 administration to cyclophosphamide-treated mice also resulted in an accelerated recovery of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ cell numbers in the spleen and lymph node. The numbers of CD8+ cells were increased by twofold over normal levels in cyclophosphamide-treated mice receiving IL-7. Myeloid recovery was determined in cyclophosphamide treated mice by assessing the numbers of CFU-granulocyte-macrophage and Mac 1+ cells. There was no significant difference in myeloid recovery between cyclophosphamide-treated mice receiving IL-7 or control protein. These results suggest that administration of IL-7 after chemical-induced lymphopenia may have therapeutic benefits in shortening the period required to achieve normal lymphoid cellularity.