淋巴细胞亚群成员研究进展

淋巴细胞是人体重要的免疫细胞,占外周血白细胞总数的20﹪~45﹪,主要分为T细胞、B细胞和NK细胞三大类。根据细胞表面标志及功能特征,将淋巴细胞亚群分为CD3~+CD4~+辅助性T细胞、CD3~+CD8~+的细胞毒性T细胞、CD19~+B细胞、CD16~+CD56~+NK细胞。随着基础免疫学及免疫学技术的不断发展,临床和科研工作者不断地将淋巴细胞亚群细化并发现一些新的亚群,包括γδT细胞、Th1/Th2细胞、Th17细胞、Th9细胞、Tfh细胞、Treg细胞、Breg细胞、NKT细胞和NKB细胞等,淋巴细胞亚群的内容也随之被赋予了新的定义,现将近年来淋巴细胞亚群的研究进展进行综述。     

定量聚合酶链反应评估去白细胞滤器去除血液成分中巨细胞病毒的效果

为了评估目前常用的去白细胞滤器去除血液成分中人巨细胞病毒( HCMV) 的效果, 我们在献血员中筛选获得HCMV-IgG、pp65 皆阴性的血液, 分离外周血单个核细胞( PBMC) , 将HCMV 感染的人成纤维细胞与PBMC 共培养, 感染HCMV 的PBMC 经抗人成纤维抗体和抗CD45 磁珠2 次分选纯化后, 将CD45 + 单核细胞加回原全血中, 建立HCMV 潜伏感染的模型, 再用去白细胞滤器过滤。用实时聚合酶链反应( PCR) 定量测定过滤前、后血液样本中的病毒载量, 残留成纤维细胞所含的HCMV 通过定量反转录PCR( RT - PCR) 扩增脯-4-羟化酶exon12a mRNA 来校正。结果显示, 使用去白细胞滤器后, 每单位( 200 ml) 全血血液中, 白细胞的去除率为99. 98% 。全血中平均HCMV 病毒载量从3 742 拷贝/ μl 降至22. 57 拷贝/ μl, 降低2. 50 log10 , 说明去白细胞滤器虽然可明显减少全血中HCMV 病毒的载量, 但并不能完全去除病毒。     

DCs-CIK细胞免疫治疗联合化疗对转移性前列腺癌患者免疫功能及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨DCs-CIK细胞免疫(Dendritic cells-Cytokine induced killer cells,DCs-CIK)治疗联合化疗对转移性前列腺癌患者免疫功能及生活质量的影响。方法:选择106例确诊转移性前列腺癌患者随机分为观察组与对照组,每组各53例,对照组采用多西他赛联合表阿霉素~+泼尼松化疗方式进行治疗,观察组在此基础上给予DC-CIK细胞免疫治疗。比较两组患者治疗前后外周血CD3~+、CD3~+CD4~+、CD3~+CD8~+、CD3-CD56~+、CD4~+CD8~+、自然杀伤细胞(NK)、自然杀伤T细胞(NKT)表达水平;使用QLQ-C30问卷评价患者治疗前后生活质量的变化情况,观察并比较患者治疗过程中发生的不良反应情况。结果:组观察组患者治疗总有效率达73.58%远高于对照组41.51%水平(p0.05);观察组患者治疗后外周血CD3~+、CD3~+CD4~+、CD3~+CD8~+、CD3-CD56~+、CD4~+CD8~+、NK、NKT表达水平明显好于对照组(p0.05);观察组患者躯体功能、角色功能、情绪功能、认知功能、社会功能各项指标得分明显好于对照组(p0.05);两组患者接受治疗后,均有部分患者出现恶心呕吐、脱发、白细胞减少、血小板减少或肝功受损,其中观察组患者出现恶心呕吐、白细胞减少的人数明显少于对照组(p0.05)。结论:DCs-CIK细胞免疫治疗联合化疗有助于转移性前列腺癌患者的治疗,在明显改善患者免疫能力的同时有效改善患者生活质量,具有重要的临床指导意义。     

IL-21对恒河猴SHIV特异性CD8~+T细胞毒性效应的影响

目的探讨白细胞介素21(interleukin 21,IL-21)对SHIV特异性CD8+T细胞毒性效应的影响。方法定时采集16只SHIV感染恒河猴的外周血,应用实时荧光定量RT-PCR测定病毒载量,流式细胞仪测定CD8+T细胞绝对数,并且体外检测经IL-21刺激SHIV特异性CD8+T细胞后其IL-21R、CD107a及胞内穿孔素(perforin)的表达水平。结果体内实验结果表明外周血病毒载量和CD8+T细胞绝对数之间呈一定程度的负相关。体外实验结果表明SHIV特异性CD8+T细胞经IL-21刺激后其细胞表面表达的IL-21R显著上调,而且perforin+CD8+T细胞和CD107a+CD8+T细胞的百分比上升,同未经刺激的对照组相比具有统计学差异。结论 IL-21能够促进SHIV特异性CD8+T细胞的毒性效应。     

TCRαβ+3G11-6C10-CD4+CD8-胸腺髓质细胞亚群的特性分析

CD4+CD8-及CD4-CD8+单阳性(SP)胸腺细胞是不均一的细胞群体,存在功能成熟的分化过程并同时伴随有表型的变化.为深入研究CD4+SP中的不同表型和不同功能状态的细胞群体,利用多种抗体加补体杀伤和细胞panning方法,分离得到小鼠3G11-6C10-CD4+CD8-胸腺髓质细胞亚群.该群细胞为TCRαβ+CD69loHSAmed/lo,有15%的Qa-2分子表达.可接受Con A的刺激进行增殖应答并分泌IL-6,IL-4和IL-10等Th2型细胞因子及低水平的IFNγ,但不分泌IL-2.根据3G11-6C10-CD4+CD8-胸腺细胞的表型和功能特点,推测该群细胞是正常的胸腺细胞亚群之一,处于CD4+SP成熟过程的中后期,是Th0向Th2转化的过渡型细胞.     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的检测及其意义

目的:检测原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群,探讨其与PBC发病的关系.方法:采用流式细胞术检测PBC患者及正常人外周血中CD3+、CD3+ CD4+、CD3+CD8+、CD4/CD8、CD3-CD 16+/CD56+、CD3+HLA-DR+细胞水平.结果:与对照组比较,PBC组CD3+CD8+、CD3+HLA-DR+细胞百分比明显减低(P＜0.05),CD3-CD 19+、CD3-CD 16+/56+细胞、CD4+/CD8+明显增高(P＜0.05),CD3+、CD3+CD4+细胞均有所升高,但无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论:PBC患者存在免疫功能紊乱.T淋巴细胞亚群的改变和NK细胞比例减少,导致B细胞功能亢进,产生多种自身抗体,在PBC的发病机理中起重要作用.     

乙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞亚群、IL-6及IL-8水平的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨乙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞亚群、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)及白细胞介素-8(IL-8)水平的表达及临床意义。方法:选取2015年1月-2017年12月期间我院收治的乙型肝炎患者240例为研究对象。其中急性乙型肝炎患者55例(急性组),慢性乙型肝炎患者185例,并根据临床症状严重程度分为慢性轻度组65例、慢性中度组61例、慢性重度组59例。将乙型肝炎患者HBV-DNA载量103copy/m L作为HBV-DNA阳性组(n=158),HBV-DNA载量≤103copy/m L作为HBV-DNA阴性组(n=82)。另选取同期于我院行健康体检的志愿者50例为对照组。比较各组研究对象CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+、IL-6、IL-8水平,比较HBV-DNA阳性组、HBV-DNA阴性组患者血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TB)以及白蛋白(ALB)水平。采用Pearson相关性分析乙型肝炎患者血清IL-6、IL-8与肝功能指标的相关性。结果:急性组、慢性轻度组、慢性中度组、慢性重度组的CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+水平均低于对照组,CD8+、IL-6、IL-8均高于对照组(P0.05)。HBV-DNA阳性组与HBV-DNA阴性组CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+、IL-6、IL-8、ALT、TB以及ALB比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,乙型肝炎患者血清中IL-6、IL-8均与ALT、TB水平呈正相关,与ALB水平呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:乙型肝炎患者CD3+、CD4+和CD4+/CD8+显著降低,CD8+、IL-6和IL-8显著升高,且血清中IL-6、IL-8水平可反映乙型肝炎患者肝细胞损害程度及病情严重程度。     

白藜芦醇在联合治疗鼠艾滋病中可能的增效作用研究

白藜芦醇(resveratrol,Res.)是一种潜在的抗HIV药物,在体外与AZT、3Tc、ddI等核苷类抗病毒药物联用时表现出很强的协同增强作用。在本篇论文中我们在Friend-MuLV病毒感染的BALB/c鼠艾滋病模型(MAIDS)上研究了用白藜芦醇、AZT、3Tc不同组方及白藜芦醇单独使用治疗后的抗逆转录病毒作用,分析白藜芦醇在联合治疗中可能的潜在协同增强作用。72只BALB/c小鼠随机分成9组(每组8只):正常对照组(未感染和未治疗),病毒对照组(感染但未治疗)和7个其他药物治疗组(感染病毒后并用白藜芦醇、AZT、3Tc不同组方治疗)。药物通过口服给药方式在病毒感染4 h后给药,每天一次,每周7 d,持续3周。感染后3周,所有实验组处死,对表现疾病病理特征的一些指标进行检测评价。结果表明:在体内鼠艾滋病模型上,单独运用白藜芦醇仅仅只有部分能够减少疾病的进展,未表现出所预期的显著的抗逆转录病毒作用(只有20.78%的脾肿抑制率)。白藜芦醇和AZT3、Tc的联合用药有较好的抗病毒效果(减少白细胞数83.34%,脾肿抑制率91.79%,升高CD4 /CD8 比值等)。然而,这些结果与AZT和3Tc联合给药的结果是重叠的,AZT和3Tc联合给药有类似的结果(脾肿抑制率87.65%和白细胞数减少82.25%),排除了AZT3、Tc和白藜芦醇可能的协同增效作用。因此在MAIDS模型中白藜芦醇和AZT3、Tc之间没有协同作用,AZT、3Tc并不会因为和白藜芦醇的联用而提高抗病毒效果。     

多索茶碱注射液对急性支气管哮喘患者血清IL-18，IL-33及TNF-α水平的影响

目的:探究多索茶碱注射液对支气管哮喘急性发作的治疗效果及对血清白细胞介素-18(IL-18)、白细胞介素-33(IL-33)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的影响。方法:100例支气管哮喘急性发作患者参照抽签法分作对照组与实验组,对照组采用氨茶碱治疗,实验组采用多索茶碱注射液治疗,观察两组疗效,喘息缓解时间、哮鸣音缓解时间、咳嗽缓解时间,IL-18、IL-33、TNF-α,内皮素(ET)、一氧化碳(NO),NK细胞、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+,最大呼气流量(PEF),用力肺活量(FVC),安全性。结果:实验组总有效率高于对照组(P0.05)。实验组喘息缓解时间、哮鸣音缓解时间、咳嗽缓解时间优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组IL-18、IL-33、TNF-α、ET、CD8+均降低,实验组低于对照组,两组NO、NK细胞、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+、PEF、FVC均上升,实验组高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组不良反应率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:多索茶碱注射液对支气管哮喘急性发作的临床效果肯定,降低血清IL-18、IL-33、TNF-α水平,同时能够利于血管内皮功能、肺功能、免疫功能的改善。     

Th2型γδ T细胞参与急性RSV感染所诱发的气道炎症反应

γδ T细胞是机体重要的固有免疫细胞,参与肺组织炎性病变及哮喘的发生发展。但迄今为止,γδT细胞在呼吸道合胞病毒感染所诱发的气道炎症反应中的作用尚不十分清楚。研究通过建立RSV急性感染的实验动物模型,采用HE染色、Real-timeRT-PCR、流式细胞术等实验方法,旨在揭示γδT细胞在感染性气道炎症发生中的作用及其相关作用机制。结果显示,RSV感染导致BALA/c鼠肺炎性细胞浸润,其中嗜酸性粒细胞增加明显;同时肺组织局部Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-13 mRNA表达升高;RSV感染后,肺组织γδT细胞总数,特别是活化的CD69+γδT细胞数量显著增加,其中分泌Th2型细胞因子IL-4和IL-13的γδT细胞数量增加明显,而分泌Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ的γδT细胞数量显著减少,证实γδT细胞通过分泌Th2型细胞因子介导RSV感染诱发的气道炎症反应。     

Leucocytes of anadromous and landlocked strains of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the smolting period

Using flow cytometry and leucocyte specific monoclonal antibodies, neutrophils and B-cells were studied in blood and head kidney from wild strains of Atlantic salmon. The strains were Vosso and Blege, being an anadromous and landlocked strain, respectively. Smoltification was induced using a simulated natural photoperiod and sampling was performed monthly for 6 months and ended for the Blege strain at the time of seawater transfer while samples were collected from the Vosso strain after 4 weeks in seawater. Throughout the observation period, the mean proportions of neutrophils in both head kidney leucocytes (HKL) and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL), were highest for the Vosso strain. The opposite was observed for B-cells where the Blege strain had higher or similar mean proportions compared to the Vosso strain. There were some differences between HKL and PBL. The mean proportion of neutrophils was always higher in HKL than in PBL and the mean proportion of B-cells was higher in PBL than in HKL. The fluctuations during the observation period, in the proportions of B-cells and neutrophils of the analysed cell population, showed mainly the same pattern in both strains. Differences between the strains were observed at various times in the mean of total number of leucocytes per gram head kidney and per millilitre of blood. The fluctuations throughout the experimental period in total numbers of leucocytes in head kidney and blood followed mainly the same pattern in both strains. The results of the leucocyte analyses suggest that there are differences between the anadromous and landlocked strains with respect to what cell type is present in highest proportion in the leucocyte samples from head kidney and blood. The striking similarity between the strains is the profiles of proportions of B-cells and neutrophils in HKL and PBL during the smoltification period.     

Neutrophils and B-cells in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Proportions of leucocytes from head kidney, blood and spleen were identified as B-cells and neutrophils using a polyclonal antibody to cod IgM and a monoclonal antibody which previously has been shown to bind specifically to salmon and trout neutrophils. The cell specific binding of the antibodies was supported by double immunostaining. The morphology of isolated leucocytes was examined on Diff Quick stained slide preparations, and myeloperoxidase positive neutrophils were identified by diaminobenzidine staining. The antibodies clearly identified distinct cell populations. Using flow cytometry, high proportions of neutrophils were observed in peripheral blood leucocytes and high proportions of B-cells were found in head kidney leucocytes when compared to proportions of these cells in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The spleen contained the highest proportion of B-cells. Cytoplasmic staining of immunoglobulin positive cells in slide preparations indicated that plasma cells were present, but not strikingly abundant, in head kidney, spleen and peripheral blood. Staining for myeloperoxidase identified, in accordance with the flow cytometry results, a large number of neutrophils, especially in peripheral blood leucocytes. The neutrophil nucleus was not clearly segmented, but appeared more irregular than rounded. The findings of high proportions of neutrophils in peripheral blood suggest that these cells of the innate immune system might have a central role in defence and protection against infections in cod.     

Cellular origin and induction of pregnancy-associated alpha 2-glycoprotein synthesis in pregnant rats

The synthesis of alpha 2-PAG was measured and compared in tissues and cells from normal non-pregnant females, and maternal and fetal rats in vitro to define the target cells hormonally regulated during pregnancy. Synthesis was measured by [L-14C]leucine incorporation into immunochemically isolated alpha 2-PAG and confirmed by radioimmunodiffusion. alpha 2-PAG synthesis was demonstrated in maternal peripheral blood leucocytes, placenta, breast, spleen, liver and fetal peripheral blood leucocytes and liver. Maternal and fetal liver were the most active tissue producers and fetal liver synthesized 4 times more alpha 2-PAG than did maternal liver. Furthermore, fetal peripheral blood leucocytes synthesized 2 times more alpha 2-PAG per cell than did these same maternal cells. A direct comparison of synthesis by cells from pregnant and non-pregnant female rats revealed that (1) maternal peripheral blood leucocytes synthesized 5 times more alpha 2-PAG per cell than did normal leucocytes, although these same cells synthesized approximately equal amounts of total cell protein per cell, (2) maternal peritoneal exudate macrophages also synthesized 5 times more alpha 2-PAG per cell than did macrophages obtained from normal female rats, and total protein synthesis by these cells also closely paralleled each other, (3) maternal and fetal plastic-adherent peripheral blood monocytes synthesized 22 and 58 times more alpha 2-PAG per cell respectively than did normal monocytes, (4) maternal and fetal non-adherent lymphocytes synthesized 8 and 16 times more alpha 2-PAG per cell respectively than did normal lymphocytes and (5) fetal monocytes and lymphocytes synthesized 3 and 2 times more alpha 2-PAG per cell than did maternal monocytes and lymphocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Peripheral blood and head kidney leucocyte populations during out-of-season (0+) parr-smolt transformation and seawater transfer of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and flow cytometry, Atlantic salmon neutrophils and Ig+ cells in blood and head kidney were studied in under-yearling out-of-season (0+) smolts, and 2 and 4 weeks after transfer to seawater. The parr-smolt transformation was induced using a phase advanced simulated natural photoperiod regime, and sampling of four fish was performed at regular intervals, starting on the date of the photoperiod initiation. During the freshwater period the proportion of neutrophils in the head kidney leucocytes (HKL) remained quite stable and only gradual changes in Ig+ cells were observed. In the peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL), the proportion of neutrophils markedly increased during the last month prior to seawater transfer. The most notable changes in the proportions of MAb+ leucocytes were observed in PBL after seawater transfer, with a significant increase in Ig+ cells and a significant decrease in neutrophils after two weeks in seawater. In the freshwater samples, although there were fluctuations, a decrease in the numbers of total leucocytes per millilitre blood and per gram head kidney during parr-smolt transformation was observed. The number of MAb+ cells in blood appeared to be relatively stable, while the number in head kidney tended to decrease. Following seawater transfer, the numbers of total and MAb+ leucocytes in both blood and head kidney increased markedly. The results suggest that changes in both distribution and numbers of leucocytes in peripheral blood and head kidney take place during parr-smolt transformation, and that marked changes are associated with seawater transfer. Some mechanisms possibly involved are indicated.     

Prolonged apnea and impaired survival in piglets after sinus and aortic nerve section

We examined the effects of carotid body denervation (CX, n = 9), CX + aortic nerve section (CAX, n = 9), and sham surgery (SHAM, n = 7) on cardiorespiratory and metabolic function in young piglets (less than 9 days). For comparison, 1-mo-old pigs were also studied. Studies were performed 1 day after surgery, during which time ventilation (barometric plethysmography), heart rate, blood pressure, arterial blood gases, and electroencephalogram were recorded under normoxia. CX and CAX piglets hypoventilated (arterial PCO2 = 47.1 +/- 2.6 and 45.4 +/- 3.1 Torr, respectively) compared with SHAM piglets (arterial PCO2 = 36.4 +/- 1.5 Torr). CX piglets had an average of 8.0 +/- 3.0 apneas/h, lasting, on average, 26 +/- 3 s. CAX piglets averaged 17.2 +/- 7.9 apneas/h, lasting 30 +/- 5 s. Such long apneas were never observed in SHAM animals. Mean heart rate and blood pressure in denervated piglets were not significantly different from those in SHAM piglets. In animals followed up poststudy, significantly high mortality was observed in CX (5 of 9) and CAX (6 of 9) piglets by 7 days after surgery but not in SHAM animals (0 of 7) despite identical environmental and feed conditions (P less than 0.05; chi 2). One-month-old denervated animals showed periodic breathing and hypoventilation, but none died. These results suggest that in the newborn piglet 1) peripheral chemoreceptors have an active role in maintaining normal ventilation and avoidance of prolonged apnea and 2) survivability in early life is critically dependent on peripheral chemoreceptors.     

Cytochemical and electron microscopic research on the peripheral blood leukocytes and skin fibroblasts in mucopolysaccharidoses

Cytochemical studies of the peripheral blood leucocytes in patients suffering from mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) have revealed metachromatic granules in the cell cytoplasm. Electron microscopy of these cells has shown multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles. It is supposed that metachromatic granules in blood leucocytes of patients with MPS observed in the photo-optical studies correspond to the vacuoles found under electron microscope. The obtained data have shown that peripheral blood leucocytes and skin fibroblasts have the common ultrastructure in MPS patients. The data of electron histochemical studies testify to that the vacuoles of skin fibroblasts are filled with glycosaminoglycans.     

Comparative study on glycosaminoglycans synthesized in peripheral and peritoneal polymorphonuclear leucocytes from guinea pigs.

Glycosaminoglycans synthesized in polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes isolated from blood (peripheral PMN leucocytes) and in those induced intraperitoneally by the injection of caseinate (peritoneal PMN leucocytes) were compared. Both peripheral and peritoneal PMN leucocytes were incubated in medium containing [35S]sulphate and [3H]glucosamine. Each sample obtained after incubation was separated into cell, cell-surface and medium fractions by trypsin digestion and centrifugation. The glycosaminoglycans secreted from peripheral and peritoneal PMN leucocytes were decreased in size by alkali treatment, indicating that they existed in the form of proteoglycans. Descending paper chromatography of the unsaturated disaccharides obtained by the digestion of glycosaminoglycans with chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase ABC identified the labelled glycosaminoglycans of both the cell and the medium fractions in peripheral PMN leucocytes as 55-58% chondroitin 4-sulphate, 16-19% chondroitin 6-sulphate, 16-19% dermatan sulphate and 6-8% heparan sulphate. Oversulphated chondroitin sulphate and oversulphated dermatan sulphate were found only in the medium fraction. In peritoneal PMN leucocytes there is a difference in the composition of glycosaminoglycans between the cell and the medium fractions; the cell fraction was composed of 60% chondroitin 4-sulphate, 5.5% chondroitin 6-sulphate, 16.8% dermatan sulphate and 13.9% heparan sulphate, whereas the medium fraction consisted of 24.5% chondroitin 4-sulphate, 28.2% chondroitin 6-sulphate, 33.7% dermatan sulphate and 10% heparan sulphate. Oversulphated chondroitin sulphate and oversulphated dermatan sulphate were found in the cell, cell-surface and medium fractions. On the basis of enzymic assays with chondro-4-sulphatase and chondro-6-sulphatase, the positions of sulphation in the disulphated disaccharides were identified as 4- and 6-positions of N-acetylgalactosamine. Most of the 35S-labelled glycosaminoglycans synthesized in peripheral PMN leucocytes were retained within cells, whereas those in peritoneal PMN leucocytes were secreted into the culture medium. Moreover, the amount of glycosaminoglycans in peritoneal PMN leucocytes was significantly less than that in peripheral PMN leucocytes. Assay of lysosomal enzymes showed that these activities in peritoneal PMN leucocytes were 2-fold higher than those in peripheral PMN leucocytes.     

Experimental infection with the Toxoplasma gondii ME-49 strain in the Brazilian BR-1 mini pig is a suitable animal model for human toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis, a worldwide disease. Experimentation with pigs is necessary for the development of new therapeutic approaches to human diseases. BR-1 mini pigs were intramuscularly infected with T. gondii with tachyzoites (RH strain) or orally infected with cysts (ME-49 strain). Haematology and serum biochemistry were analysed and buffy coat cells were inoculated in mice to determine tachyzoite circulation. No alterations were observed in erythrocyte and platelet values; however, band neutrophils increased seven days after infection with ME-49. Serology of the mice inoculated with pig blood leucocytes revealed circulating ME-49 or RH strain tachyzoites in the pigs'' peripheral blood at two and seven or nine days post-infection. The tachyzoites were also directly observed in blood smears from the infected pigs outside and inside leucocytes for longer periods. Alanine-aminotransferase was high at days 21 and 32 in the RH infected pigs. After 90 days, the pigs were euthanised and their tissue samples were processed and inoculated into mice. The mice serology revealed the presence of parasites in the hearts, ileums and mesenteric lymph nodes of the pigs. Additionally, cysts in the mice were only observed after pig heart tissue inoculation. The infected pigs presented similar human outcomes with relatively low pathogenicity and the BR-1 mini pig model infected with ME-49 is suitable to monitor experimental toxoplasmosis.     

Purification of granulocyte neutral protease from human blood and rheumatoid synovial fluid.

The neutral protease activity of human synovial fluid cells, like that of peripheral blood leucocytes, is located in a granule fraction. It can be solubilised by various agents but only 1 M neutral salts do so without inactivation. Salt-solubilised neutral protease has been purified (300 X) from synovial fluid cells; like preparations obtained in the same way (600 X purified) from peripheral blood leucocytes, it has a broad pH profile of activity (pH 7--10.5) and in this, as well as in substrate specificity and sensitivity to activators and inhibitors, it behaves as a serine-histidine type protease similar to elastase (EC 3.4.21.11). The product showed two major components on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Collagenase or chymotrypsin-like activity were not detected.     

Dose-response relationship in the migration inhibition test using peritoneal exudate cells and blood leucocytes of tuberculin sensitive guinea pigs

A comparison of the direct migration inhibition using peritoneal exudate cells and peripheral blood leucocytes from the same tuberculin sensitive guinea pigs was performed. Three antigen concentrations: 3, 15, and 75 microgram of PPD per ml were used. Both type of cells provided similar results except at early incubation intervals when leucocytes, in the presence of lower doses of the antigen, displayed stronger inhibition than peritoneal cells. Thus, in our study, peripheral blood leucocytes are at least equivalent to peritoneal exudate cells in the migration inhibition test.