Cytolytic T lymphocyte function is independent of growth phase and position in the mitotic cycle

We have investigated mitotic cell cycle and growth phase regulation of homogeneous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). Two independently derived CTL clones were stained with the DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342, sorted in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter according to their position in the cell cycle, and then assayed for specific lytic activity using a short-term (30 min) (51)Cr release assay. Results show that lytic activity remained unchanged throughout the cell cycle. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the lytic activity of CTL clones growing exponentially or arrested in a plateau phase. These results demonstrate that T cell-mediated cytolysis is independent of growth phase and position in the cell cycle

Flow cytofluorometric analysis of the binding of Vicia villosa lectin to T lymphoblasts: lack of correlation with cytolytic function.

The relationship between the binding of Vicia villosa (VV) lectin and the expression of cytolytic function in T lymphoblasts has been investigated using flow cytofluorometric techniques. Spleen cells activated in vitro in 5-day mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) were incubated sequentially with VV, rabbit anti-V antiserum, and fluoresceinated sheep anti-rabbit IgG. When these stained MLC cells were passed on a flow cytometer gated to exclude nonviable cells and small lymphocytes, a single heterogeneous peak of fluorescence was seen, as compared to control MLC cells that had not been incubated with VV. Fluorescence of lymphoblasts was dependent upon lectin dose and was eliminated when staining was performed in the presence of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, the appropriate competitive sugar for VV. T cell blast populations activated against H-2, Mls, or parasite antigens all had comparable levels of fluorescence after staining with VV, although the cytolytic activity of these cells varied widely. Furthermore, when MLC lymphoblasts binding large or small amounts of VV were sorted on the basis of their relative fluorescence intensity and tested for cytolytic function, no appreciable difference in activity between the 2 populations was observed. These results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that VV binds selectively to cytolytic T lymphocytes

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody (A12) that defines a human acute lymphoblastic leukemia-associated differentiation antigen

A human leukemia-associated differentiation antigen has been identified by a monoclonal antibody (A12) raised to the lymphoblastoid cell line NALM-1. The A12 antigen was expressed on the surface of leukemic cells from patients with common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (c-ALL) as well as on cells of the hematopoietic cell lines NALM-1, Reh-6, Raji, Daudi, CEM, and 8402 as determined by an antibody-binding radioimmunoassay, as well as by indirect immunofluorescence and FACS analysis. This antigen was not detected on normal blood lymphocytes, normal bone-marrow cells or leukemic cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The A12 antigen had an apparent molecular weight of 100 kD as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and appeared to be related to if not identical with the acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen CALLA described by others. Cross-blocking experiments indicated that preincubation of NALM-1 cells with antibody A12 or J5 (anti-CALLA) could block subsequent binding of 125I-labeled A12 and J5 antibody. These results suggest that the two monoclonal antibodies recognize identical or closely located antigenic sites. The surface membrane expression of A12 antigen in NALM-1 cells was modulated when the cells were cultured in the presence of A12 antibody. Under these conditions, the expression of Ia antigens was unaffected. Re-expression of A12 antigen occurred within 24 h after transfer of the modulated cells into medium devoid of monoclonal antibody

Retrospective study of rapamycin or rapalog 0·1% cream for facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis complex: evaluation of treatment effectiveness and cost.

The use of topical rapamycin or rapalog, an mTOR inhibitor, has shown promising results in treating facial angiofibromas (FA) in children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Nevertheless, several issues remain: the effectiveness, stability and tolerability of ingredients; and the cost - the higher the concentration of rapamycin the more expensive the product. In this retrospective comparative study, children with TSC and FA were treated consecutively with three different topical rapalog compounds of 0.1%, the lowest concentration with crushed tablets to demonstrate an effect. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Control of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding and LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor secretion in human peripheral blood monocytes

We used flow cytometry to determine how LPS-binding protein (LBP) effects the binding of fluorescein-labeled LPS to human monocytes via receptor-dependent mechanisms. The addition of human, rabbit, mouse, or FCS strikingly increased the binding of LPS to monocytes compared with controls incubated in serum-free medium. This binding was totally prevented by preincubation of monocytes with MY4, an anti-CD14 mAb, or by enzymatic removal of CD14 from monocytes. Depletion of LBP from rabbit serum with anti-LBP antibodies also produced a similar suppression. Solutions of albumin did not support the enhanced binding observed in serum but the addition of purified rabbit LBP to albumin solutions resulted in binding similar to that observed in serum-containing medium. When type-specific anti-LPS mAb was added to human serum, LPS binding to monocytes occurred but was only partly inhibited by anti-CD14 mAb, suggesting that receptors other than CD14 (presumably Fc or complement receptors) were involved. Serum increased by 100- to 1000-fold the sensitivity of monocytes to the triggering by LPS resulting in TNF secretion. TNF secretion was inhibited by anti-CD14 mAb up to 100 ng/ml of LPS and by anti-LPS mAb up to 1 to 10 ng/ml. The inhibition of TNF secretion by anti-LPS mAb appeared to be the result of directing LPS to monocyte receptors other than CD14. In contrast, in medium containing normal as well as acute serum and in the absence of anti-LPS antibodies, the binding of LPS to monocytes and the triggering of TNF secretion appeared to be mediated mainly by interactions between CD14 and LBP-LPS complexes