The radiation chemistry of some platinum-containing radiosensitizers and related compounds

Oxidation and reduction of cis- and trans-dichlorodiammine platinum II (cis- and trans-PDD), cis-dichlorobis(1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-N3)-p latinum II (cis-Flap), and cis-dichlorobis(isopropylamine)-trans-dihydroxyplatinum IV (Chip) have been studied using pulse radiolysis. Spectra corresponding to platinum in various oxidation states have been observed and several rate constants have been obtained. Reduction of all the compounds, except cis-Flap, produces species of a lower oxidation state of platinum which subsequently have both chloride ligands replaced. Ultimately, these products disproportionate. In the case of cis-Flap, reduction occurred on the nitroimidazole ligand. This was verified by the absence of platinum metal after disproportionation. Oxidation of all four compounds consists of production of a higher oxidation state of platinum followed by replacement of chloride ligands and finally disproportionation of the products. Only cis-Flap and Chip could be reduced by oxidized DNA bases. The one-electron reduction potential of cis-Flap was found to be -370 +/- 10 mV. trans-Flap had almost the same value. It was not possible to measure the potentials of the other compounds since their ligands were replaced rapidly but it is estimated that the one-electron reduction potentials decrease in the order cis- or trans-Flap greater than Chip greater than cis-PDD greater than trans-PDD.     

Response of two strains of L5178Y cells to cis-dichlorobis(cyclopentylamine)platinum(II). II. Differential effects of caffeine.

Two strains of L5178Y murine lymphoma, inversely cross-sensitive to X-rays and UV light, were shown previously to respond to treatment with an antitumour platinum complex, cis-dichlorobis(cyclopentylamine)-platinum(II) (cis-PAD), in a similar manner as to UV. Enhancement of chromosomal damage and potentiation of lethal effect of cis-PAD by 0.75 mM caffeine were found in cis-PAD and UV light-resistant L5178Y-S strain but not in cis-PAD and UV light-sensitive L5178Y-R strain. These results suggest that the extreme sensitivity of L5178Y-R strain to cis-PAD and UV light is caused to some extent by deficiency in a caffeine-sensitive post-replication repair system.     

Anti-idiotype stimulation of antigen-specific antigen-independent antibody responses in vitro. II. Triggering of B lymphocytes by idiotype plus anti-idiotype in the absence of T lymphocytes

Antibodies specific for the idiotypes of B10 anti-(T,G)-A--L antibodies (anti-id) induced B lymphocytes to secrete anti-(T,G)-A--L antibodies in vitro in the absence of both antigen and T lymphocytes, provided either that the B lymphocytes were previously primed in vivo with (T,G)-A--L or that id specific for (T,G)-A--L was added to the cultures. These antigen- and T lymphocyte-independent responses were antigen specific and appeared not to require accessory cells. The results suggested that B lymphocyte activation occurred via the formation of id-anti-id complexes, and evidence was obtained that this activation involved two separate interactions between the B lymphocytes and the id-anti-id complexes. These studies document a previously undescribed regulatory function of anti-idiotype antibodies.     

The interaction of cisplatin and analogues with DNA in reconstituted chromatin

The influence of chromatin structure on cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) DNA damage was investigated in a reconstituted nucleosome system. Nucleosomes were reconstituted on the somatic 5S rRNA gene from Xenopus borealis using the octamer transfer method of reconstitution. Footprinting techniques, utilising bleomycin and DNase I as the damaging agents, were employed to establish the precise location of positioned nucleosomes with respect to the DNA sequence. Reconstituted nucleosomal DNA was treated with cisplatin and drug-induced DNA adduct formation was quantitatively analysed with a polymerase stop assay using Taq DNA polymerase. A densitometric comparison of the relative damage band intensities between purified and reconstituted DNA revealed regions of relative protection corresponding to the sites of the positioned nucleosome cores. This indicated that the preferred site of cisplatin DNA binding was in the linker region of the nucleosome. Statistical analysis showed significant protection from cisplatin DNA damage in the core region of the nucleosome. Three cisplatin analogues were also investigated in this reconstituted nucleosome system. These analogues, cis-diammine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato)platinum(II) (carboplatin), cis-dichlorobis(cyclohexylamine)platinum(II) (cis-[PtCl(2)(C(6)H(11)NH(2))(2)]) and dichloro(N-[3-[(2-aminoethyl)-amino]propyl]acridine-4-carboxamide)platinum(II) (ac-PtenCl(2)(n3)), were also found to target the linker region of the nucleosome. The latter DNA-targeted acridine-platinum complex gave rise to the most predominant footprints of all the Pt compounds tested.     

Adhesion of human granulocytes and T lymphocytes to vascular endothelial cells after stimulation with Bacteroides fragilis endotoxin and enterotoxin]

The aim of presented study was to estimates the number of human granulocytes and T lymphocytes adhering to 1 mm2 of vascular endothelial cell culture stimulated by Bacteroides fragilis endotoxins (LPS) and enterotoxin (BFT). HMEC-1 cells were activated with bacterial preparations at the concentration of 10 (micrograms/ml for 4 and 24 hours. Granulocytes and T lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy blood donors. The adhesion tests of granulocytes and adhesion tests of resting and activated with PMA (at the concentration of 10 ng/ml) T lymphocytes to the non-stimulated and stimulated by B. fragilis compounds (LPS and BFT) vascular endothelium were performed. The number of viable leukocytes, which adhered to the endothelium, was determined using inverted microscope (magnification 200x). The results were presented as the number of viable cells adhering to 1 mm2 of the endothelial cell culture. The results of experiments indicate that granulocytes and T lymphocytes (resting and after activation with PMA even in greater number) adhere to the endothelial cells stimulated by B. fragilis endotoxins and enterotoxin. B. fragilis toxins are weaker stimulants of human leukocyte adhesion to the HMEC-1 cells than E. coli O55:B5 LPS. B. fragilis LPS and BFT preparations stimulate endothelial cells to the adhesion of granulocytes in similar manner, whereas the activation of vascular endothelium to the adhesion of T lymphocytes is differentiated.     

Preventive effect of hapten-reactive thymus-derived helper lymphocytes on the tolerance induction in hapten-specific precursors of antibody-forming cells.

The role(s) of helper T lymphocytes in preventing or altering tolerance induction in DNP-specific B lymphocytes was studied. As DNP-reactive helper T cells were reactive against the DNP-portion of the DNP-D-GL molecule, we could probe definitively the physiological role of helper T cells in preventing tolerance induction in B lymphocytes by DNP-D-GL. The results demonstrated that the induction of DNP-specific B cell tolerance by DNP-D-GL can be completely prevented by the presence of DNP-reactive helper T cells, and provide evidence that one critical role of helper T cell participation in humoral responses to antigens is to circumvent the development of a tolerogenic signal that, in the absence of such T cell function, might otherwise ensue after binding of the antigenic determinants by specific B lymphocytes.     

Human B cell differentiation. II. Suppression by T cells of T-dependent and T-independent plasma cell maturation.

In vitro human plasma cell generation induced by both T-dependent (PWM) and T-independent (NWSM) mitogens was found to be suppressed by peripheral blood lymphocytes preincubated with human aggregated IgG. T cells, but not B lymphocytes, were able to mediate the suppressive activity; since aggregated (Fab)'2 fragments were found unable to generate suppressor cells, it was concluded that the suppressor cell was a T lymphocyte bearing Fcgamma receptors. These cells appeared to be largely radiosensitive. In most cases the proliferative responses remained unchanged. Since NWSM-induced activation is not dependent on the presence of T cells, these results show that, at least in this case, T cells exert their suppressor function directly on B lymphocytes. Whether PWM-induced B cell differentiation is suppressed by the same mechanism or/and by inactivation of T helper lymphocytes remains under investigation.     

Response of two strains of L5178Y cells to cis-dichlorobis(cyclopentylamine)platinum(II). I. Cross-sensitivity to cis-PAD and UV light.

The response to cis-dichlorobis(cyclopentylamine)platinum(II) (cis-PAD) an antitumour platinum complex, was studied in two strains of murine lymphoma L5178Y cross-sensitive to X-rays and UV light. Dose-survival relationship, DNA synthesis formation of chromatid aberrations, progression through the cell cycle, and growth and viability changes after 1 h cis-PA; treatment at 37 degree C were examined and compared with the effects of X-rays and UV light. In both strains, cis-PAD caused immediate inhibition of progression through the cell cycle, reduced rate of DNA synthesis, delayed appearance of chromatid aberrations, and delayed death; however, there is a marked difference in sensitivity to cis-PAD between L5178Y-S strain (D0 approx. 5.8 microgram/ml) and L5178Y-R strain (D0 approx. 2.5 microgram/ml). In both strains a close resemblance was found between dose-survival relationships after cis-PAD and UV light treatment, respectively.     

Effects of vitamin B6 deficiency on thymic epithelial cells and T lymphocyte differentiation.

Dietary vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency in young Lewis rats results in a reduction of T lymphocyte numbers and defects of cellular immunocompetence. In vitro studies of thymic epithelial (TE) cells, responsible for inducing T lymphocyte differentiation, revealed that maintenance on a vitamin B6 deficient diet for 2 weeks resulted in a severe defect in TE cell function. When the deficient animals were returned to a normal diet, TE cell function was restored. Exposure of lymphoid precursors from neonatally thymectomized or vitamin B6-deficient donors to normal TE monolayers resulted in their conversion to functional T lymphocytes, as measured by their response in MLR and to mitogens. However, TE monolayers from vitamin B6-deficient animals were unable to effect such a maturation of T lymphocytes. Therefore, it is suggested that the defect in cellular immunocompetence following this dietary deficiency is due, at least in part, to the inability of TE cells to effect the differentiation of T lymphocyte precursors to functional T lymphocytes. The dietary deficiency does not, however, impair lymphoid precursors, which can be stimulated to further differentiation by exposure to normal TE cell monolayers.     

Expression of cell surface markers on T and B lymphocytes after long-term chemotherapy of acute leukemia

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes in children with ALL in remission, before and after cessation of 3 yr of immunosuppressive therapy. Immunofluorescence of viable cells and rosette formation were the two methods used to identify B and T cells, respectively. Though combination chemotherapy depresses the total lymphocyte population, B lymphocytes were more depressed than T lymphocytes. On the last day of therapy, the population of lymphocytes bearing IgG-M (B cells) was markedly reduced, but the percentage of RFL (T cells) was within normal values. After chemotherapy was stopped, and in the absence of extrinsic antigenic stimulation, there was an immunological rebound in the B cell compartment. During the first 3 months off therapy, there was an increase in intensity of fluorescence and in the proportion of IgG-M-bearing lymphocytes above the levels of normal controls. Assays of lymphocytes bearing IgG, IgM and IgA indicate that there was a rebound of IgG and IgM but not IgA lymphocytes. Changes in the proportion of RFL as a function of time off therapy were inversely proportional to those observed for IgG-M-bearing lymphocytes, that is, the percentage of RFL decreased during the first 3 months off therapy. When the absolute numbers of B and T cells were compared, it was found that B lymphocytes reached a plateau phase after 2–3 months off therapy, but T lymphocytes continued to rise beyond this period, reaching normal levels at 12+ months off therapy.These results provide evidence, at the single cell level, of the immunological rebound that occurs after cessation of therapy and suggest that the kinetics of recovery are different for T and B lymphocytes.     

The function of antigen-presenting cells in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency

We have examined the antigen-presenting function of spleen cells in the C.B-17 scid mouse, a mutation that severely impairs the development of T and B lymphocytes. We show that antigen-presenting cells (APC) of SCID mice function normally in antigen-specific proliferative responses of primed T cells and in the antigen-specific activation of IL 2-producing T cell hybridomas. In both quantitative and qualitative terms, APC of SCID mice are equivalent to those of normal mice. These results indicate that the development and differentiation of APC function in vivo is independent of signals from mature, functional T or B lymphocytes.     

Characterization of the murine T cell receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII). Demonstration of shared and unshared epitopes with the B cell Fc epsilon RII

Antigenic relationships between the low affinity Fc epsilon R present on murine B and T lymphocytes were studied. A rat mAb (B3B4) and two polyclonal antisera produced by immunizing with the murine B lymphocyte Fc epsilon RII were examined for their ability to inhibit binding of IgE to murine B or T lymphocytes, using an IgE-specific rosette assay. One polyclonal antiserum (goat-anti-mouse Fc epsilon R) inhibited binding of IgE to both B and T lymphocytes, whereas another polyclonal antiserum (rabbit-anti-mouse Fc epsilon R) and the rat mAb inhibited the binding of IgE to B lymphocytes but did not influence the binding of IgE to T lymphocytes. When lymphocytes were surface labeled with 125I, 49-kDa and 38-kDa IgE-binding proteins were immunoprecipitated from B lymphocyte lysates by B3B4 and from B and T lymphocyte lysates by the goat antiserum. Taken together, these results suggest that the Fc epsilon R present on murine B and T lymphocytes are structurally related receptors that share some, but not all, epitopes.     

Effects of atomic bomb radiation on the differentiation of B lymphocytes and on the function of concanavalin A-induced suppressor T lymphocytes

The differentiation of peripheral blood B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin-producing cells (Ig-PC) by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and the function of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced suppressor T lymphocytes were examined to elucidate the late effects of atomic bomb radiation. A total of 140 individuals, 70 with an exposure dose of 100 rad or more and an equal number with an exposure dose of 0 rad matched by sex and age, were selected from the Nagasaki Adult Health Study (AHS) sample. Both the differentiation of peripheral blood B lymphocytes into Ig-PC by PWM and the function of Con A-induced suppressor T lymphocytes tended to be more depressed in the exposed group than in the control group, but a statistically significant difference could not be observed between the two groups. The function of Con A-induced suppressor T lymphocytes tended to decrease with age, but a statistical significance was detected only for percentage suppression against IgM-PC.     

Synthesis and release of deoxycytidine by human B and T lymphoblasts

Deoxycytidine kinase activity is abundant in human T and B lymphocytes. However, the role of the enzyme in endogenous deoxynucleoside metabolism has not been established. The present experiments show that dividing human B lymphoblasts, but not T lymphoblasts, release substantial amounts of deoxycytidine (dCyd) into the medium, and have an active dCyd-dCMP (deoxycytidine-deoxycytidine 5'-phosphate) substrate cycle. Exogenous dCyd has been shown to protect human lymphocytes from the toxic effects of deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine and related compounds. Thus, the differential rates of dCyd release by T and B lymphocytes may affect the sensitivities of the two cell types to the growth inhibitory effects of exogenous deoxynucleosides.     

Induction of plasma cell differentiation of human fetal lymphocytes: evidence for functional immaturity of T and B cells.

Resembling the in vitro antibody response of the newborn cultures of cord blood lymphocytes stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) generated fewer plasma cells (PC) than comparable adult lymphocyte cultures and the response was almost exclusively of the IgM class. We investigated the cellular basis of this difference by preparing mixed cultures of newborn T or B lymphocytes with adult B or T cells. Substitution of adult for newborn T cells enhanced the response of newborn B cells, particularly of the IgG and IgA classes. The response of second trimester fetal spleen cells was also increased by adult T cells, although no IgA PC appeared. Conversely, adult B cells generated fewer PC particularly of the IgG and IgA classes when cultured with newborn T cells. The relatively poor IgA and IgG responses of newborn cells seems partially but not entirely due to deficiency of T cell helper function. Suppressor activity of newborn T cells was investigated by adding excess unrelated newborn or adult T cells to adult T + B cells: adult T cells improved the response whereas newborn T cells were variably suppressive. The results indicate that newborn T cells, although capable of helper function, are balanced toward suppression.     

T and B cell recovery in arthritis adoptively transferred to SCID mice: antigen-specific activation is required for restoration of autopathogenic CD4+ Th1 cells in a syngeneic system

T cell homeostasis is a physiological function of the immune system that maintains a balance in the numbers and ratios of T cells at the periphery. A self-MHC/self-peptide ligand can induce weak (covert) signals via the TCR, thus providing an extended lifespan for naive T cells. A similar mechanism is responsible for the restoration of immune homeostasis in severe lymphopenic conditions such as those following irradiation or chemotherapy, or upon transfer of lymphocytes to nu/nu or SCID mice. To date, the genetic backgrounds of donor and recipient SCID mice were unmatched in all autoimmune arthritis transfer experiments, and the recovery of lymphoid cells in the host has not been followed. In this study, we present the adoptive transfer of proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis using unseparated and T or B cell-depleted lymphocytes from arthritic BALB/c donors to genetically matched syngeneic SCID recipient mice. We demonstrate that selectively recovered lymphoid subsets determine the clinical and immunological status of the recipient. We found that when T cells were depleted (>98% depleted), B cells did not produce PG-specific anti-mouse (auto) Abs unless SCID mice received a second Ag (PG) injection, which promoted the recovery of Ag-specific CD4(+) Th1 cells. Reciprocally, as a result of B cell recovery, high levels of serum anti-PG Abs were found in SCID mice that received B cell-depleted (>99% depleted) T lymphocytes. Our results indicate a selective and highly effective cooperation between CD4(+) T cells and B lymphocytes that is required for the restoration of pathological homeostasis and development of autoimmune arthritis in SCID mice.     

Purine salvage pathway enzyme activities in human T-, B-, and null lymphocyte populations

Deficiencies of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) result in distinctly different immunodeficient states. In order to better understand the roles of these two purine salvage pathway enzymes in normal immunity we have characterized their activities in peripheral blood T-, B-, and null (non-T, non-B) cell populations. We have found that T lymphocytes have significantly higher ADA activity than B or null cells (P < 0.001) only when expressed as a function of cell protein. Contrary to other reports B lymphocytes cannot be distinguished from T lymphocytes on the basis of PNP activity. When the enzyme activities are expressed per cell number null cells have a much higher PNP activity (mean ± SD = 461 ± 174 ng/hr/10⁶ cells) than either T (57 ± 10) or B (93 ± 51) lymphocytes (P < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Null cells also have a significantly greater protein content per cell (55.0 ± 9.6 μg/10⁶ cells) than T (13.3 ± 4.6) or B (18.7 ± 13.8) lymphocytes. When expressed as a function of cell number null cells have a higher mean, though not statistically significant, ADA activity than T and B lymphocytes. These results indicate that normal human peripheral blood T, B, and null cells can be distinguished on the basis of their ADA and PNP activities and that the method of expression of the activities is critical. The significantly higher PNP activity and protein content per cell in null lymphocytes is compatible with a less differentiated cell population which may include B- as well as T-cell precursors.     

Immunosuppressive Bibenzyl-phenylpropane Hybrids from Dendrobium devonianum

Two new bibenzyl-phenylpropane hybrids, dendrophenols A and B ( 1 and 2 ), along with nine known bibenzyls, were isolated from the aerial part of Dendrobium devonianum Paxt. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods and methylation. Bioassays revealed that compounds 1–9 were specifically immunosuppressive to T lymphocytes with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.41 to 9.4 μM, of which compounds 1 (IC₅₀=1.62 μM) and 2 (IC₅₀=0.41 μM) were promising immunosuppressive agents for T lymphocytes with the selectivity indices of 19.9 and 79.5, respectively.     

Pathogenesis of experimental allergic orchitis. III. T lymphocyte requirement in local adoptive transfer by peritoneal exudate cells.

In experimental allergic orchitis (EAO), a lesion characterized by mononuclear invasion of seminiferous tubules can be adoptively transferred within 1 to 4 days by testicular injection of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from syngeneic strain 13 guinea pigs (GP) immunized with homologous testicular antigens in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). This study examined the role of T lymphocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in the adoptive transfer. Guinea pig PEC contained 7% T lymphocytes, rare B lymphocytes, and over 90% of macrophages and PMN. After T lymphocytes were depleted by rabbit erythrocyte (E) rosette and Hypaque-Ficoll gradient centrifugation, cell preparations that contained 73% of original macrophages and 15% original T lymphocytes were obtained, and these cells did not transfer EAO (0 of 18 testes). In contrast, cell preparations enriched in T lymphocytes by nylon wool column or E rosette contained 1.5% of the original macrophages and 59% of the original T lymphocytes transferred EAO to 70% of the testes, starting at 1.5 x 10(6) T lymphocytes per testis. The number of T lymphocytes correlated with the incidence of adoptive transfer; the correlation existed regardless of the number of macrophages or PMN present. Finally, EAO was adoptively transferred to recipients that had total-body irradiation. The results indicate that (a) T lymphocytes are capable of transferring lesions of EAO, (b) in the transfer, the T lymphocytes did not function as helper T cells, since the transfer need not involve participation of host lymphoid cells, and (c) by inference, testis antigen-reactive T lymphocytes exist.     

T cell surface molecules regulating noncognate B lymphocyte activation. Role of CD2 and LFA-1.

A central event in humoral responses is the Ag-mediated interaction of Th cells and B cells. This interaction leads to the activation of both cell types and results in cytokine secretion by the T cells and proliferation and secretion of Ig by the B cells. The proliferative and differentiative responses of B cells are dependent on contact-mediated signals and cytokines provided by the activated Th cells. Although the role of cytokines in B cell activation and differentiation is understood, the nature of the signals delivered by the activated Th cells and the molecules involved in this process are not known. In this study we have examined Ag-mediated "cognate" T-B cell interactions as well as B cell activation induced by contact with preactivated and fixed Th lymphocytes. Our results indicate that both the T cell surface molecules lymphocyte function associated Ag-1 and CD2 are important in the activation of T cells by Ag presented by B lymphocytes. This indicates that B cells have similar characteristics as other APC. However, once the T cells are activated, contact-mediated stimulation of resting B lymphocytes (the noncognate phase) is dependent on CD2 but not lymphocyte function associated Ag-1. Two lines of evidence indicate this; first, it is inhibited by blocking of CD2 on the T cells and, second, such stimulation is not efficiently mediated by a CD2- Th cell line. Thus, CD2 plays an obligatory role at several discrete stages of T cell-mediated activation of resting B lymphocytes.