Long-term (5–11 years) follow-up of general immune competence in breast cancer

Summary General immune competence was measured before treatment in 185 breast cancer patients. They were then followed for 5 to 11 years to determine its relationship to recurrence and its clinical value in predicting prognosis. The tests of immune competence used were immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM, leucocyte counts, percentage and total lymphocyte counts and Mantoux and DNCB skin hypersensitivity tests.None of these tests was strongly predictive of recurrence on an individual basis, a finding similar to our results at 2 years. The longer period of follow-up now reported has provided no findings of unequivocal statistical significance, but suggests a biphasic host response to early tumours. The patients who developed recurrence within 5–11 years due to micrometastasis had higher lymphocyte counts in their preoperative assessment than patients who remained recurrence free. This suggests that small tumour volumes do not stimulate immunity and that large volumes depress it; tumours in between these groups are associated with higher levels. Examination of studies by a number of authors reveal parallel findings which have not been previously noted. It is not possible to confirm the significance of these findings from this study because of the heterogeneity of human breast cancer. However, if they indicate a general principle of a dynamic host-tumour interplay they have important implications for assessing immune competence at any single point of time and for the theory that cancer may arise during an anergic state. We hope that these findings will stimulate other workers to examine host-tumour interaction from this point of view.     

Immunological follow-up of hydatid cyst cases

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of monitoring cases with hydatid cyst by means of immune components in patients in a long-term follow-up after surgery. Eighty-four preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 14 cases undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were evaluated in terms of immune parameters, such as total and specific IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA and complement. Total and specific IgE were determined by ELISA. Specific IgG levels were measured by indirect hemagglutination.Total IgG, IgM, IgA and complement (C3 and C4) were detected by nephelometry. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In none of the patients hydatid cysts were detected during the follow-up. Total IgE levels in the sera of the patients decreased to normal six months after surgery. Although specific IgE against echinococcal antigens decreased one year after operation, levels were still significantly high. There were no changes in the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgG and total IgG in follow-up period. Additionally, other parameters, such as IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, were not affected.     

Various parameters of humoral and cellular immunity in children with iron deficiency

Serum IgA, IgM and IgG as well as percentage of lymphocytes T and B in peripheral blood were determined in 50 children aged between 6 months and 3 years with iron deficiency anaemia. A significant decrease in lymphocyte T number in these children was found in comparison with control group of healthy children. Lymphocyte T count positively correlated with serum iron concentration. Moreover, a decrease in serum IgA and IgG was found in children with iron deficit.     

Genetic parameters for natural antibody isotype titers in milk of Dutch Holstein‐Friesians

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for natural antibody isotypes immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG1 and IgM titers binding the bacterial antigens lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and the model antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin in Dutch Holstein‐Friesian cows (n = 1695). Further, this study included total natural antibody titers binding the antigens mentioned above, making no isotype distinction, as well as total natural antibody titers and natural antibody isotypes IgA, IgG1 and IgM binding lipoteichoic acid. The study showed that natural antibody isotype titers are heritable, ranging from 0.06 to 0.55, and that these heritabilities were generally higher than heritabilities for total natural antibody titers. Genetic correlations, the combinations of total natural antibody titers and natural antibody isotype titers, were nearly all positive and ranged from ?0.23 to 0.99. Strong genetic correlations were found between IgA and IgM. Genetic correlations were substantially weaker when they involved an IgG1 titer, indicating that IgA and IgM have a common genetic basis, but that the genetic basis for IgG1 differs from that for IgA or IgM. Results from this study indicate that natural antibody isotype titers show the potential for effective genetic selection. Further, natural antibody isotypes may provide a better characterization of different elements of the immune response or immune competence. As such, natural antibody isotypes may enable more effective decisions when breeding programs start to include innate immune parameters.     

The relationship between airway immunoglobulin activity and eosinophils in COPD

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the effects of inhaled corticosteroids are predicted by blood eosinophil counts. We previously briefly reported increased immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgM levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of COPD patients with higher (eosinophil^high) compared to lower (eosinophil^low) blood eosinophils (>250/μL versus < 150/μL), suggesting differences in adaptive immune function. An inverse relationship exists between eosinophil counts and airway pathogenic bacteria levels. The mechanistic reasons for these associations between eosinophils, corticosteroids and pathogenic bacteria are unclear. IgA, IgM and IgG levels were assessed in BAL, bronchial biopsies and epithelium collected from eosinophil^high (n = 20) and eosinophil^low (n = 21) patients. Bronchial B-cell numbers were measured by immunohistochemistry. B-cell activity was assessed in bronchial samples and following exposure to BAL from eosinophil^high and eosinophil^low patients. BAL levels of non-typeable Haemophilus influenza (NTHi)-specific immunoglobulins were quantified. Results showed airway expression of IgA, IgG1 and IgM were lower in eosinophil^low compared to eosinophil^high patients, with lower levels of NTHi-specific IgA and IgM. Bronchial B-cell numbers were similar in both groups, but B-cell activity was lower in eosinophil^low patients. In conclusion, COPD eosinophil^low patients show differences in adaptive immune function compared to COPD eosinophil^high patients. These differences may cause different microbiomes in these COPD phenotypes.     

阿莫西林联合甲强龙治疗老年支气管肺炎患者的临床效果及机制分析

目的：探讨阿莫西林联合甲强龙治疗老年支气管肺炎患者的临床效果及其可能的作用机制。方法：选取我院呼吸科收治的 老年支气管肺炎患者84例,根据治疗方案不同分为常规组及试验组。比较两组患者治疗前后临床体征、IgA、IgM、IgG、CD4+及 CD8+T 淋巴细胞、NK 细胞及血清LDH3、LDH4、HBDH水平的变化情况。结果：治疗后,试验组咳喘、高热、肺内干湿罗音的恢复 时间明显短于常规组,IgA、IgM、IgG、LDH、HBDH、NK 细胞及CD8+T 淋巴细胞水平明显低于常规组,CD4+T 淋巴细胞水平明显 高于常规组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：阿莫西林联合甲强龙可有效快速改善老年支气管肺炎患者的临床症状,这可 能与其降低IgA、IgM、IgG、LDH、HBDHNK 细胞及CD8+T 淋巴细胞水平及提高CD4+T 淋巴细胞水平有关。     

Effects of soybean glycinin on performance and immune function in early weaned pigs

Glycinin, a major storage protein in soybean, has been identified as an important food allergen. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of soybean glycinin on the local and systemic immune responses using a swine model specific for glycinin allergy. Performance, peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺  subsets in the plasma of naive and sensitised piglets were determined. In addition, the concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgM, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in the jejunum mucosa were measured. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of glycinin reduced piglet performance (p < 0.05), while increasing lymphocyte proliferation and CD4⁺/CD8⁺  ratio (p < 0.01). Intestinal mucosal immune responses to glycinin were enhanced with high levels of IgA (p < 0.01) as well as interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in the jejunum mucosa in glycinin-treated piglets compared with the control (p < 0.01). There were no differences due to treatment in the densities of IgG and IgM. In conclusion, it was found that glycinin stimulated local and systemic immune responses in allergic piglets and had negative effects on piglet performance. The severity of the immune reactions depends on the dose of glycinin with higher doses causing more severe symptoms.     

Immune, endocrine, and behavioral precursors to breast cancer recurrence: a case-control analysis

BACKGROUND: A period of tumor growth precedes the clinical detection of breast cancer recurrence. We explore immune, endocrine, and behavioral parameters during this period. METHODS: We conducted a phase III clinical trial in which women with surgically treated stage II/III breast cancer (N = 227) were randomized to receive a psychological intervention or assessment-only and then regularly assessed for 10 years. Patients who recurred (R, n = 48) were matched with patients remaining disease-free (DF, n = 48) on demographic and prognostic characteristics, treatment, and duration of disease-free follow-up. Data at three assessment points, occurring, on average, 17, 11, and 4 months before the recurrence was detected clinically, with equivalent time points for the disease-free group, were examined. Mixed-effects models tested for group differences in immune cell counts and function as well as endocrine and behavioral parameters. RESULTS: In the 17 months prior to recurrence detection, patients exhibited higher white blood cell count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and natural killer cell counts, relative to DF patients. R patients also showed higher cortisol, worse physical functioning, fatigue, and quality of life. Follow-up analyses showed patients with local recurrences to differ from those with distant recurrence, with the former exhibiting elevated natural killer cell cytotoxicity, lymphocyte proliferative response, fatigue, pain, and emotional distress (depression, anxiety), and the latter exhibiting higher neutrophil, lymphocyte, and natural killer cell counts. CONCLUSION: Patients who would recur showed reliable biobehavioral alterations more than a year prior to their diagnosis. This novel observation may contribute to our understanding of the disease relapse processes.     

Immunobiological characteristics of germfree and specific pathogen-free cats

The postnatal development of immune functions was investigated in kittens kept germfree from birth to 60 days of age and in the same cats after their transition to pathogen-free status until a maximum age of 1 year. The mean serum gamma-globulin level of germfree kittens was 0.5 +/- 0.1% at 10 days of age and increased to 11.5% at 1 year of age. Immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, and IgM were not detected in the serum during the first day of life. On the tenth day, IgG was the only immunoglobulin detected in the serum (mean 44 mg/dl), and all three classes of immunoglobulins were demonstrated at 60 days of age. Thereafter, immunoglobulin levels gradually increased with age. The total leukocyte count was constant, and differential counts disclosed a greater percentage of lymphocytes than that of neutrophils. There was 1-day delay in attaining a maximal incorporation of concanavalin A into lymphocytes of SPF cats as compared with conventional cats. The lymphocyte stimulation index was at least threefold greater in SPF cats than that seen in conventional cats.     

CEA-containing immune complexes in sera of patients with colorectal and breast cancer — analysis of complexed immunoglobulin classes

Summary A sandwich enzyme immunoassay was developed to detect circulating immune complexes containing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, or IgM using a nitrocellulose-bound anti-CEA antibody as the solid phase reagent. Elevated levels of CEA-containing circulating immune complexes (CEA-IC) were found in 15.4% of 117 sera from patients with colorectal cancer in a postsurgery follow-up study. Also in 24.5% of 102 sera from patients with breast cancer in different states of disease CEA-IC were found. The predominant Ig determined in CEA-IC of colorectal cancer patients was IgA, followed by IgG and IgM, whereas IgG and IgM were the most frequent Igs in CEA-IC of breast cancer patients. Elevated CEA levels were found in 12.0% of the colorectal cancer patients and in 25.4% of sera from breast cancer patients. No significance for the coincidence of elevated CEA levels and CEA-IC was recorded in all patients sera tested. In sera of patients with disease recurrence, however, both parameters were shown to be elevated (CEA 80.7% and CEA-IC 42.3%). The data presented indicate the detection of CEA-IC as an additional parameter for the identification of patients at increased risk for disease recurrence.     

Effects of soybean glycinin on performance and immune function in early weaned pigs

Glycinin, a major storage protein in soybean, has been identified as an important food allergen. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of soybean glycinin on the local and systemic immune responses using a swine model specific for glycinin allergy. Performance, peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and CD4+ and CD8+ subsets in the plasma of naive and sensitised piglets were determined. In addition, the concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgM, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in the jejunum mucosa were measured. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of glycinin reduced piglet performance (p < 0.05), while increasing lymphocyte proliferation and CD4+/ CD8+ ratio (p < 0.01). Intestinal mucosal immune responses to glycinin were enhanced with high levels of IgA (p < 0.01) as well as interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in the jejunum mucosa in glycinin-treated piglets compared with the control (p < 0.01). There were no differences due to treatment in the densities of IgG and IgM. In conclusion, it was found that glycinin stimulated local and systemic immune responses in allergic piglets and had negative effects on piglet performance. The severity of the immune reactions depends on the dose of glycinin with higher doses causing more severe symptoms.     

The presence of immunoglobulins in the gastric juice of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori is related to a reduced secretion of acid

Background. It has been reported that treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) leads to partial elimination and suppression of Helicobacter pylori. In theory, since acid is known to denature immunoglobulins, this antibacterial activity of PPI may be due to a reduction in the acid output favouring humoral immunity. Materials and methods. We analysed prospectively fasting gastric juice in 54 consecutive patients attending upper endoscopy for pH and levels of IgG, IgA and IgM. In addition, two antral and two corpus biopsies were obtained and histologically examined for the presence of H. pylori. Results. 41/54 patients were infected with H. pylori. Immunoglobulines in the gastric juice of these patients were found in 25/41 (IgG), 27/41 (IgA), and 29/41 (IgM) patients. There was a highly significant difference in the gastric pH when H. pylori infected patients with measurable IgG, IgA, or IgM were compared with those in whom no immunoglobulines were found (median pH: 6 vs. 2 in each group; p < .001) Conclusions. There is a close correlation between a high gastric pH and the presence of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies. Hence, it may be speculated that the efficacy of humoral immunity following H. pylori infection depends on a high pH such as resulting from PPI treatment.     

Effects of a reputed immunostimulant on the innate immune system of goat kids

Forty newborn Majorera goats were randomly assigned to one of two groups. On the first day of life, the kids were fed atomized colostrum. The kids were subsequently fed a milk replacer (16% w/v) twice a day. The experimental group received two intramuscular doses of a reputed immunostimulant composed of a Propionibacterium acnes extract, Ochrobactrum intermedium lipopolysaccharides, and Proclin^® at 10 and 40 days of age, whereas, the control group received two doses of saline solution. Blood samples were collected weekly from kids age 10 to 66 days postpartum to measure the total and differential white blood cell counts, the plasma IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, and the activities of the total and the alternative complement systems. The white blood cell and the differential cell counts were the same for both groups. No statistical differences were found for the plasma IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations. Complement system activity was undetectable in both groups. Summarizing, the reputed immunostimulant did not affect the immune system of goats. Thus, veterinarians should carefully consider whether it is prudent to recommended this kind of product, because while it increases farmers’ expenses it apparently does not improve the state of the innate immune system of the neonatal goat.     

Changes in immune status in patients undergoing splenectomy for the staging of Hodgkin's disease.

The immune status of 17 patients with Hodgkin''s disease was studied before and after splenectomy (undertaken in staging laparotomy) and during chemotherapy or after radiotherapy. The findings were compared with those in 19 patients not selected for splenectomy. Serum IgA and IgM levels became significantly lower after treatment in the splenectomy group. Cell-mediated immunity was depressed mainly in patients receiving quadruple cytotoxic chemotherapy. Neutrophil function was normal or enhanced and was unchanged after splenectomy and treatment despite changes in neutrophil counts. Three patients who underwent splenectomy suffered fatal septicaemia. These results suggest that humoral immunity is depressed by treatment in patients who have undergon splenectomy, and the benefits of early accurate staging must be weighed against the likelihood of infective complications.     

Diagnosis of Immunologic Deficiency in Childhood

A defective host response may be responsible for recurring infections in certain children. Recognition of these defects may be important both therapeutically for the patient and for genetic counseling for the family. Family history, age of onset of illness and type of infecting agents may all point to one or another defect in host resistance.An initial evaluation for suspected immunologic disease may be rapidly accomplished and should include absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, chest X-ray for a thymic shadow, Schick test for functional IgG antibodies and isohemagglutinin titers for functional IgM antibodies. Although serum protein electrophoresis is unreliable for diagnosis of most disorders of circulating antibodies, quantitation of the IgG, IgA and IgM antibody classes is generally available. More extensive studies may be carried out to further define defects in the cell-mediated immune system, in the various complement components, or in the ingestion and killing of bacteria by neutrophils.     

Influence of dietary nucleotides on plasma immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subsets of preterm infants.

We examined the effects of nucleotide supplementation to a preterm adapted milk formula on the lymphocyte subsets and plasma IgG, IgM and IgA levels in preterm infants for the first three months of life. Two groups of preterm infants received a milk formula or the same formula supplemented with CMP, AMP, UMP, GMP and IMP to mimic the concentration of acid-soluble nucleotides found in human milk. Blood samples were obtained at birth, 10 days, 20-30 days and 3 months of age. Preterm infants fed the nucleotide formula exhibited higher plasma levels of IgM in all postnatal study periods than neonates fed the standard formula; moreover, IgA was also higher at 3 months of age in nucleotide formula fed infants. No major differences were seen between groups for IgG levels and lymphocyte subsets. Thus, dietary nucleotides appear to exert actions on immature human neonate lymphocytes enhancing the in vivo production of Ig which may have a role in the defense capacity of neonates.     

奥利司他联合维生素E对肥胖多囊卵巢综合征不孕患者的代谢指标及免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨奥利司他联合维生素E对肥胖多囊卵巢综合征不孕患者的代谢指标及免疫功能的影响 。方法：选取2018年9月至2020年12月于我院进行多囊卵巢综合征治疗的61例患者,将其随机分为观察组和对照组,观察组31例,对照组30例。对照组采用常规治疗,观察组采用奥利司他联合维生素E治疗。比较两组患者空腹胰岛素（FINS)、空腹血糖（FPG)、三酰甘油（TG),免疫球蛋白（IgA、IgM、IgG)水平,排卵率、妊娠率、卵泡未破裂黄素化综合征（LUFS) 率。结果：两组患者经治疗3个月后,FINS、FPG、TG代谢指标均有所变化,且变化规律一致,组间比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05 );治疗前,两组IgA、IgM、IgG水平对比,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05);治疗3个月后,两组IgA、IgM、IgG水平均明显高于治疗前（P＜0.05) ,且观察组明显高于对照组（P＜0.05) ;观察组排卵率、妊娠率均明显高于对照组（P＜0.05) ,LUFS率明显低于对照组（P＜0.05)。结论：应用奥利司他联合维生素E治疗肥胖多囊卵巢综合征不孕患者,可有效改善患者代谢水平,提高免疫功能,提高患者的排卵率、妊娠率,降低LUFS率,可应用于临床。     

TKI治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌患者免疫功能的变化及意义

目的:通过观察晚期非小细胞肺癌患者TKI治疗前后外周血IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白及CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+细胞的表达变化,探讨TKI治疗对晚期非小细胞肺癌患者免疫功能的影响及意义。方法:检测TKI组30例非小细胞肺癌患者TKI治疗前、治疗一个月后外周血IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白及CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+细胞表达水平,分析表达变化及与疗效的关系。30例非小细胞肺癌患者作为对照组。结果:治疗前,TKI组与对照组IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白水平基本正常,但CD4+细胞数量减低、CD4+/CD8+比值较低、CD8+细胞数量增高,两组相比IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白、CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);TKI治疗一个月后,TKI组与对照组IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白水平无明显变化,而CD4+细胞数量增多、CD4+/CD8+较前增高,CD8+细胞数量较前减低,两组相比CD3+、IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而CD4+、CD4+/CD8+、CD8+差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论:TKI治疗后,晚期非小细胞肺癌患者细胞免疫功能得到改善,体现在CD4+、CD8+细胞数量的变化上,且TKI治疗的疗效可通过比较外周血CD4+、CD4+/CD8+、CD8+细胞表达变化体现。     

Nutritional status and immune functions in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Epidemiological studies suggest various kinds of immune dysregulation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between immune functions and nutritional status of HD patients. We studied 54 patients with ESRD on chronic HD, included 34 females and 20 males with mean age 46.6 +/- 16.3 (18-77) years. We measured the height and dry weight of all patients. The BMI was calculated by dividing weight (kg) by height squared (m(2)). In all patients serum urea, creatinine, albumin, iron, cholesterol, triglyceride, CRP, IgG, IgM, IgA, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16-56 lymphocytes were measured. Kt/V values were calculated according to DOQI guideline. In this study, a positive correlation between albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels as nutritional parameters and immune functions in terms of total and subtype lymphocyte counts was observed. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical importance of this finding and the appropriate means of measurement and effects of nutrition on immune function in hemodialysis patients.     

Blood levels of immunoglobulins G,A,M, circulating immune complexes, complement and proteins in patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis

The study involved 17 patients on IPD. Blood serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, circulating immune complexes, complement and proteins were determinated at the beginning of therapy, after 3, 6, 12 months on IPD and after 1 year on hemodialysis. The frequency of peritonitis was noted during this time. Peritonitis was the most frequent during first 3 months on IPD. No differences in blood serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, in the specific periods of IPD were noted. A significant increase in blood serum circulating immune complexes in patients on IPD and hemodialysis compared to the control group was found. A significant decrease in blood serum of C3 complement in patients on IPD and hemodialysis in comparison with the controls were found. A significant decrease in blood serum proteins at the beginning of IPD and after 3 months IPD in comparison with proteins concentration in patients on hemodialysis was observed.