Histological and immunohistochemical assessment of the immunological aspect of certain cells in human palatine tonsils

Tonsils contain four specialized lymphoid compartments that together are involved in immune functions. The capacity of tonsillar lymphocytes to counter infections may be altered during one's lifetime. The classification of lymphocytes by CD antigen expression is now widely used in clinical medicine and experimental immunology. The present work was designed to study the distribution of CD4 and CD8 antigen expression in T lymphocytes in human tonsils at different periods of life. Sixty-two tonsillar specimens were obtained from still birth infants and from children aged 1-9 years. Paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H and E and with immunohistochemical stains to demonstrate CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. The distribution of these cells in the different components of the tonsils was evaluated with an image analyzer. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. There was a significant increase in the distribution of stained CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in the interfollicular areas, mantle zones of lymphoid follicles, and partially in the germinal centers of the examined tonsils with the advancement of age. Activated T lymphocytes differentiate into several subtypes, among which are CD4 and CD8 cells. These types of T lymphocytes express surface antigens, which can interact with different foreign pathogens

Study of the immune effects in hemodialysis patients receiving erythropoietin

Recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEpo] [Clinical Pathology Department] may affect the human immune system. Partial correction of anemia by erythropoietin improves hemodialysis [HD]-[Immunology Department]. associated immunosuppression. It is not known whether hemoglobin normalization improves immune status further. All in Damanhour National Numerous studies have investigated the immune effects Medical Institute, of recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEPO] used in the treatment of anemia of ESRD to hematocrits of 28 to 31%, showing improvement in cell-mediated and humoral immunity. The aim of the study: In the present study, we compared prospectively the immune system parameters of hemodialysis [HD] patients who received rHuEPO and were randomized to normal hemoglobin versus anemic hemoglobin. The study protocol was approved in Damanhur National Medical Institute, and patients provided written informed consent. Each patient was followed for 12 months with serum sample obtained at 12 months. During the course of the study, the slope of CD8 cells increased significantly from baseline in the anemic group [P<0.0001], whereas there was no change in the normal hemoglobin group. Our study sought to determine whether the immune system of HD patients with normalized hemoglobin differed from that of HD patients with partially corrected anemia

The critical time of avian leukosis virus subgroup J-mediated immunosuppression during early stage infection in specific pathogen-free chickens

The critical time of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J)-mediated immunosuppression was determined by body weight, relative immune organ weight, histopathology, and presence of group specific antigen and antibodies in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. CD4+ and CD8+ cell activity in the spleen, total and differential leukocyte counts in blood, and viral RNA levels in spleen were measured. Significant growth suppression was observed in the two ALV-J-infected groups. A strong immune response by infected groups was present in spleen at 2-weeks-of-age, but after 4-weeks-of-age, the response decreased quickly. The thymus and bursa showed persistent immunosuppression until 4-weeks-of-age. Proliferation of fibroblasts and dendritic cells were observed in immune organs at 4- and 5-weeks-of-age. However, the granulocyte cell number was markedly lower in the infected groups than in the control group. In group 1 (day 1 infection) CD4+ cells increased during the second week but significantly decreased during the fourth week, while group 2 (day 7 infection) showed the opposite effect. Viral RNA increased significantly by the fourth week. These data identify 3~4 weeks post-infection as the key time at which the ALV-J virus exerts its immunosuppressive effects on the host.

Effect of major burn on immunophenotype of peripheral blood T lymphocytes

The immunosuppressive effect of a major burn has been known for many years. However, a complete understanding of the effects of a burn on the immune system remains elusive. Lymphocytes immunophenotype is a reflection of the functional level of immune system. There is little knowledge concerning the expression of HLA-DR on peripheral blood [Pb] T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes of 26 major burn [25-40%] patients were analyzed in 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks after burn, using, monoclonal antibodies of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25 [IL2R,] and HLA-DR by flow cytometry and comparing them with those of26 apparently healthy donors. There was statistically significant reduction in absolute number of CD3 [p<0.0001], CD4/CD8 ratio [p=0.01] in the first 24 h in comparison with controls. CD25 [IL2R] shows insignificant upregulation on T lymphocytes after burn with significant upregulation of HLA-DR. The absolute number of CD3[+] cells began to increase after 2 weeks [p=0.03]. but still reduced than controls [p=0. 08,]. CD4/CD8 ratio was more or less as healthy control after 2 weeks. Upregulation of CD25 was insignificantly increased and that of HLA-DR were marked increased after 2 weeks. The absolute number CD25 and HLA-DR[+] T lymphocyte subsets all over the time of the study are low than controls except that of HLA-DR[+] T lymphocytes after 2 weeks [p=0.009]. The data obtained suggest persistent activation of T lymphocytes 2 weeks post major burns. HLA-DR expression can reflect post burn lymphocyte activation

Apoptosis of peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: relation to disease severity and response to therapy

More than 80% of HCV-infected individuals develop chronic disease, which can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. T cell-mediated protection against HCV depends on constantly activated effector CD8+ T cells that control emergence, spread and expansion of the virus. Why these cells fail to contain HCV replication in 70-80% of the individuals who develop persistent viremia is not clear. Fas receptors [APO-1 or CD95] and the Fas ligand system [Fas/FasL] have been implicated in the induction of apoptosis which is related with the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Was to assess the expression of CD95 [Fas/APO-1] [as an apoptotic marker] on peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes from patients with chronic HCV infection and to correlate this with disease severity in the liver, response to antiviral therapy and extrahepatic autoimmune manifestations. Thirty patients with evidence of chronic HCV infection and 10 healthy age and sex matched volunteers with negative HCV antibodies sera serving as controls were enrolled into the present study. Our patients were classified into two main groups according to antiviral therapy, Group A: They were 17 patients not receiving treatment and Group B: They were 13 patients who received antiviral therapy for 24 weeks. Group A patients were further subdivided according to the presence or absence of extrahepatic manifestations into two groups: Group I: They were 11 patients not receiving therapy and had no extrahepatic manifestations. Group II: They were 6 patients not receiving therapy and had extrahepatic manifestations. Group I patients were also subdivided according to the necroinflammatory score in liver biopsy into three groups with: Mild, moderate and severe disease activity. They were also subdivided as regard fibrosis stage in liver biopsy into groups with: Moderate and severe fibrosis. Group B patients were further subdivided according to their response to antiviral therapy into: Group III: 6 patients received therapy and were non responders and Group IV: 7 patients received therapy and showed good response. After detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination, the following investigations were done: CBC, AST and ALT, serum cryoglobulins [for patients with extrahepatic disease] and flowcytometric estimation of the percentage of apoptotic peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+CD95+] and non apoptotic cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+ CD95-]. Current liver biopsy was performed in patients of Group I and examined histopathologically. There was highly statistically significant difference between HCV patients and controls as regard ALT, percentage of apoptotic cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+ CD95+] and non apoptotic cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CD8+ CD95-] [p<0.001]. There was statistically significant difference between patients of Group I, II, III, IV and controls in percentage of CD8+CD95+ and CD8+CD95- cells. Comparison between Group I and II revealed non significant difference in percentage of CD8+CD95+ and CD8+CD95- cells or in percentage of CD8-CD95+ cells [apoptotic non cytotoxic T] [p>0.05]. Comparison between Group III and IV revealed statistically significant difference in percentage of CD8+CD95+ and CD8+CD95- cells [p<0.05]. In Group I the percentage of CD8+CD95+ tended to correlate with activity index of liver biopsy but significantly correlated with serum ALT in Group III. In Group II significant positive correlation between percentage of CD8+CD95+ and AST with tendency toward correlation with ALT was found. Also percentage of CD8+CD95+ correlated with purpura and arthritis but not with cryoglobulinemia. Percentage of CD8+CD95+ showed non statistically significant correlation except with serum prothrombin time in group IV. There was increase in the percentage of CD8+CD95+ cells in higher grade of necroin-flamatory activity and in higher stage of fibrosis in liver biopsy in group I. Our findings support the suggestion of major role of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells in elimination of HCV and suggest that cellular immune response plays a key role not only in viral elimination, but also in liver pathology associated with HCV-infection. Monitoring apoptosis of CD8+ T cells by measuring FAS expression is useful in follow-up of antiviral response in these patients. Finally, Fas/FasL pathway is critical in persistent HCV infection in humans and represents a potential target for restoring function of exhausted HCV-specific CTLs

Role of specific clone of lymphocytes, [CD4[+] and CD8[+]] and the sympathetic activity in pathophysiology of altered immunity in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of high morbidity and mortality allover the world. The understanding of the pathophysiology of post-ischemic immune response is very limited. Cerebral ischemic stroke affects the normally well-balanced interplay of the 2 super systems: the nervous and the immune system. T-cell lymphocytes, [CD4[-], CD8[-]], may contribute to altered immunity associated with stroke. Increased sympathetic activity during ischemic stroke may have a role in altered lymphocytes function. The present study investigated the contribution of CD4[-] and CD8[-] and the sympathetic activity in altered immunity in ischemic stroke. Determination of CD4[-] and CD8[-] percentage in patient's blood was done by flowcytometry. Evaluation of sympathetic activity done by measuring urinary vanilmandelic acid [VMA] levels by spectrophotometry. The study also correlated the changes of these parameters with specific clinical and diagnostic variables in stroke. The study showed that CD4[-] and CDS percentage were significantly lower [p<0.001], while CD4[-] /CD8[-] ratio was significantly higher [p<0.001] in patients than controls. There was also significantly increased [p<0.001] mean urinary VMA excretion levels [mg/day] in patients compared to control group. Significantly lower CD4[-]% and CD4[-] /CD8[-] ratio and higher CD8[-]% were found in patients with recurrent stroke or history of transient ischemic attacks, progressive strokes and large size of infarction in comparison to other comparable patients. The study indicated that patients with ischemic strokes may have altered immunity and sympathetic over-activity which may be one of the mechanisms by which modulation of immune response can be induced after stroke. This brain-immune interaction after stroke may have protective, destructive, or regenerative effects in the brain, therefore the development of therapeutic strategies is not straightforward, and must take all these factors into consideration

Flow cytometric study of T-cell subsets and costimulatory molecules in clinical forms of human schistosoma mansoni chronic infection

Helminthic parasites cause widespread, persistent infections in humans. Schistosomiasis mansoni infected patients being in a chronic immune-activation state enabled us to investigate the effects of such immune activation on immune responses. We performed by flow cytometry aphenotypic analysis of peripheral blood T lymphocytes from 64 Schistosoma mansoni infected patients, in different clinical forms of the chronic disease. The main findings in the patient group in comparison with the non-infected controls were: [i] decreased CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts; [ii] elevated levels of activated T cells [CD4 expressing HLA-DR]; [iii] decreased numbers of CD28+ CD8+ lymphocytes. These findings support the notion that chronic helminthic infections cause persistent immune activation that result in hyporesponsiveness and anergy. Such impaired immune functions may diminish the capacity of these individuals to cope with infections and to generate cellular protective immunity after vaccination

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the lungs: CD[+4] T cells and CD[+8] T cells in peripheral blood and their relation to disease outcome

To determine the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells in peripheral blood [Pb] in the patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the lungs and to assess their roles in disease recovery. Flow cytometric analysis of the Pb from 41 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 20 healthy individuals as controls for determination the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells in Pb. the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells in Pb from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was higher than controls [p<0.001 and 0.05 respectively]. The frequency of CD[+4] T-cells was higher than CD[+8] T-cells in Pb of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The rate of recovery from active pulmonary tuberculosis was inversely related to the frequency of CD[+4] and CD[+8] T-cells being higher in SR, but less in RR and IR. More CD[+8] T-cells producing IFN-y, while more CD[+4] T-cells producing IL-10. there was a higher frequency of CD[+4] T cells in Pb of active pulmonary tuberculosis. The recovery from this disease requires fine balance between CD[+4] c CD[+8] T cells in Pb

Cell-mediated immunity in recent-onset type 1 diabetic children

The ability to suppress an immune response makes regulatory T-cells [T-reg] an attractive candidate as a novel therapeutic agent for treating autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms involved in maintenance of peripheral tolerance include a specialized subset of regulatory-T-cells [T-reg] within the T-cell population. The CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells may be, important in modulating the risk for autoimmunity. Auto-reactive cytotoxic-cells recognize peptide epitopes displayed on the beta cells surface in the context of HLA class] molecules. A population of CD8[+] regulatory T-cells characterized by expression of CD25 and FOXP3 have been identified and induced in the human peripheral blood cells. The regulatory activity of these cells is on autologous, antigen-reactive CD4[+] T-cells in a cell contact-dependent manner. These findings provide an evidence for a new mechanism for induction of immune regulation in human. This study was aiming to assess the cellular immune parameters including the percentage of CD4[+], CD8[+], CD4[+]/CD8[+] ratio,CD4[+]CD25[+], CD8[+] CD25[+] lymphocytes, which may have its application in developing immune therapy based tools for halting disease progression. This study was conducted on 20 children of recent onset type 1 diabetes [disease duration 0.05] between the two groups. A significant inverse correlation was found between CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells and HbA1c percentage among patients group [p<0.05].Also a significant difference in the percentage of CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells was found when patients with HbA1c<8%w ere compared to those with HbA1c >/= 8% [the latter group had significantly lower percentage of CD4[+] CD8[+] T-cells]. Type 1 diabetes is characterised at its onset by a lowered percentage of CD8[+] and CD8[+] CD25[+] T-cells in peripheral blood, a normal percentage of CD4[+] and CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells. There may be an inverse correlation between percentage of CD4[+] CD25[+] T-cells at disease onset and HbA1c level after three months. These data support the hypothesis that a defect in function or deficiency in number of T-regulatory cells may affect the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes

T lymphocyte activation and expression of costimulatory molecules in intestinal Ascariasis

This study was carried on 48 patient with Ascriasis and 12 cross matched healthy control persons. All the studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, HLA-DR. In this study, there was a significant decrease in CD3, CD4 and expression of costimulatory molecule CD28 on CD8 T lymphocytes but the decrease in CD8 T lymphocytes was insignificant, while the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes was increased

T lymphocyte activation and expression of costimulatory molecules in filarial elephantiasis

This study was carried in 48 patients with positive blood films for W. bancrofti microfilaria and 12 cross matched healthy control persons. All the studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, HLA-DR. In this study, there was a significant decrease in CD3 and CD4 T lymphocytes but the changes in CD8 T cells and CD28 expression on CD8 T lymphocytes was insignificant while the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes was increased

T-lymphocytes activation and expression of costimulatory molecules in human toxoplasmosis during pregnancy

The study was carried on 48 pregnant patients with positive sera for Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG, IgM] and 12 cross matched healthy control pregnant women. All studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMNCs]; using monoclonal antibodies [MAbs] against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28 and HLA-DR. Results revealed that, there was a significant decrease in CD4 and the expression of co stimulatory molecule CD28 on CD8 T lymphocytes, while the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes was significantly increased, but the changes in CD3 and CD8 T lymphocytes were insignificant

Relation between T lymphocytes activities and the intensity of schistosoma mansoni infection

This study was done on 60 schistosome patients and 12 cross matched healthy control persons. The schistosome patients were classified on the bases of intensity of infection into: 22 patients with light infection [one to 100 eggs/gm stool], 24 patients with moderate infection [101- 400 eggs/gm stool], 14 patients with heavy infection [>400 eggs/gm stool]. All the studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, HLA-DR. It was found that there was a significant decrease in CD3, CD4 and the expression of costimulatory molecule CD28 on CD8 T lymphocytes, while CD8 T lymphocytes and the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes were increased. These changes were more obvious with the increase in intensity of infection

Intracellular IL-5 expression by peripheral blood CD4[+] and CD8[+] T-cells in atopic and non-atopic asthma

There is evidence of CD8[+] and CD4[+] peripheral blood T cell activation in childhood atopic asthma. However, the immunopathology of non-atopic asthma in children remains unclear. We sought to investigate the intracellular IL-5 expression by peripheral blood CD4[+] and CD8[+] T cells in atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children in relation to asthma grading and severity of exacerbation, as well as is possible correlation to various inflammatory markers of asthma. The study comprised 35 atopic and 35 non-atopic asthmatic children enrolled during activity and 30 clinically healthy children. They were subjected to flow cytometric assessment of intracellular IL-5 expression in CD4[+] and CD8[+] T cell subsets as well as absolute eosinophil count, serum total IgE, eosinophil cationic protein [ECP], and urinary Leukotriene E4 [LTE4] estimation. Asthmatic children compiled all together and the atopic group showed highly significant increase in absolute eosinophil count, IgE% from high normal for age, serum ECP, urinary LTE4 / creatinine ratio, intracellular CD4[+] IL5, and CD8[+] IL5 T cell numbers as compared to the control group. Similar results were observed between the non-atopic asthmatic children and the control group. When the atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children were compared, the former group showed significantly higher values of all study parameters except the urinary LTE4, urinary creatinine ratio, and CD8[+] IL5 frequency. CD4[+] IL5 T cell number correlated positively with the absolute eosinophil count, IgE% and serum eosinophil cationic protein among the 70 asthmatic patients. Stepwise multi-regression analysis revealed CD4[+] IL-5 frequency to be an inverse independent variable for asthma exacerbation. Likewise, IL-5 production, either CD4[+] or CD8[+] T cells was an inverse independent variable for grading of asthma severity. Both CD8[+] and CD4[+] T cells contribute to the IL-5 production in asthmatic children whether atopic or non-atopic during disease activity. CD4[+] T cell IL-5 frequency estimation could be a useful marker for asthma exacerbation severity and both CD4[+] and CD8[+] T cell IL-5 frequencies might serve as markers for asthma grading

Flowcytometric analysis of T-lymphocytes and serum tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF- alpha] levels in schistosoma mansoni patients

Analysis of T-lymphocytes by flowcytometry, estimation of serum TNF-alpha level by solid phase enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay [EASIA] and IHAT were done for chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients without hepatic fibrosis, with hepatosplenomegaly and 20 healthy controls. The sensitivity and specificity of IHAT in schistosomiasis mansoni were 85% and 90% respectively. Chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients showed increase in CD8% [27.3 +/- 5.3] and decrease in CD4% [44.2 +/- 4.68]. Hepatosplenomegaly cases showed increase in CD4% [46.5 +/- 4.1] and decrease in CD8% [23.2 +/- 2.18]. Serum level of TNF-alpha was significantly higher in cases with hepatosplenomegaly compared to either cases of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni or controls. No significant difference was between chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients and controls. A correlation between hepatosplenomegaly and increase of CD4 and/or decrease of CD8 and significant high level of TNF-alpha indicated TNF-alpha role in granuloma formation

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis improves both the number and memory function of CD4 T cells in uremic patients.

Cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) was studied in 16 ESRD (end-stage renal disease) patients prior to and after 6 months of treatment with CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). Quantitative assessment of the CMI system showed that the mean values of number and percentage of total lymphocyte count, CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8 in ESRD patients were lower than in the normal population. Such values, however, were significantly increased after 6 months of CAPD treatment. To determine qualitative function of the CMI system, both in vitro (PHA stimulation test) and in vivo (multi CMI skin test) tests were examined. There were no significant changes in the results of PHA stimulation test after 6 months of CAPD treatment. In multi CMI skin test, the number of patients converting from negative to positive result was obviously noted following CAPD therapy for 6 months. In conclusion, both quantitative and qualitative CMI impairment existing in ESRD patients could be corrected, although not completely, by 6-month CAPD treatment.

Dysregulation of blood lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells in schistosomal liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Immunological factors are important in the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of hepatobiliary diseases. Using flow cytometry, we determined the changes in lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells in 123 individuals [81 patients with liver disease and 42 healthy volunteers]. The liver diseases included periportal fibrosis [PPF, 10 patients]. liver cirrhosis [LC, 31 patients], and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC, 40 patients]. Schistosomiasis and viral hepatitis B and C were the putative etiological agents of liver diseases. Immunophenotyping by indirect immunofluorescence was conducted using monoclonal antibodies to CD3 [T-lymphocytes], CD4 [helper/inducer T-cells], CD8 [suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells] and CD 57 [natural killer cells] cell surface markers. Immunophenotyping of PPF patients showed no significant changes in all markers compared with the healthy controls. However, there was a significant decrease [P<0.01] in CD3 and CD4 T-cells, and a highly significant increase [P<0.001] in CD 57 T-cells in patients with LC or HCC. In addition, LC and HCC patients showed no significant change in CD8 T-cells compared with controls. The progression of liver diseases is associated with a dysregulation of cellular immune responses. T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of LC and HCC

Cellular phenotypes and immunity in acquired aural cholesteatoma

Middle ear cholesteatoma is characterized by the presence or a keratinizing squamous epithelium with proliferative features and associated with marked bone destruction. Aims of this study to detect the cellular phenotypes and their immunological functional state in aquired aural cholesteatoma. So, cellular membranous expression of CD4, CD8 and HLA-DR antigens on the infilterated mononuclear cells in cholesteatoma were studied through immunohistochemical method. Nine formalin-fixed cholesteatoma specimens were obtained from patients of chronic otitis media during their ear surgery. The patients' ages ranged between 11 to 43 years [mean age=22 yrs. and SD +/- 6.5] and they involved 15 males and 12 females. All patients had dry ears with no signs of bacterial infections for at least 2 weeks preoperatively. Also, three normal skin specimens from external auditory canals of these patients were taken as a control. All tissue specimens were subjected to Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and immunohistochemical [strept-avidin-peroxidase] method staining. The results showed CD4 positive [=T- helper or inducer] lymphocytes in 24 out of 27 specimens [88.8%] with subepithelial distribution and at the periphery of lymphoid follicles in 15 cases [55.5%].While, CD 8 positive [=T-suppressor or cytotxic] lymphocytes were seen only in 6 out of 27 specimens [22.2%] with diffuse distribution pattern. On the other hand, HLA-DR expression was observed in both cholesteatoma matrix and perimatrix cellular components indicating their immunocompetent activity. Keratinocytes of cholesteatoma matrix were HLA-DR positive in 18 specimens [66.6%] while, "epidermal Langerhans" cells were positive in 12 specimens [44.4%]. In the perimatrix of all specimens, infilterated lymphocytes and macrophages were positive for HLA-DR expression. Also, [either intact or degranulated mast cells] were demonstrated in all specimens scattered in the cholesteatoma perimatrix. Active T-helper cells are directly correlated to the expression HLA-DR has a certain playing. Role in epithelial proliferation and participating in bone resorption rather than cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Also, activated keratinocytes and Langerhans' cells and sensitized mast cells contribute to the biologic features of cholesteatoma

Pattern of immunological response in epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality from GYN malignancies as high proportion of women present with advanced stage disease at the time of diagnosis. The infiltration of human tumor by mononuclear cells called tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes [TILs] is well known in large number of tumors including melanoma, lung, breast and ovarian cancer. TILs may represent an active immune response against the tumor which may lead to more favorable prognosis and increased survival. TILs represent a mixture of T lymphocytes both helper [CD4+] in small amounts and suppressor or cytotoxic T cells [CD8+], natural killer cells [CD16+] and macrophages [CD68+]. 52 cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and 21 cases of benign ovarian tumors were investigated immunohistochemically for the ratio of [CD8+] cells and [CD68+] cells. Our results have shown that [CD8+] were seen in all malignant case with percentage varied from 10% To 60% with a mean of 24.23% while in the benign group [CD8+] cells were only seen in 6 cases and its percentage varied from 0% to 30% this difference was statically highly significant P = 0.009. [CD68+] cells were seen in all malignant cases with percentage varied from 10% to 80% with a mean 51.15% while in the benign group [CD68+] were seen only in 12 cases [57.14%] and its percentage varied from 0% to 90% with a mean of [32.86%] this difference was statistically highly significant [P = 0.006]. There was no correlation between the ratio of infiltrating [CD8+] and [CD68+] cells and tumor grade but [CD68+] infiltration was significantly higher in mucinous than serous cancers [P = 0.0005] lastly correlation between the mean number of [CD8+] and [CD68+] in malignant cases revealed a negative linear relationship means increase in the level of [CD8+] cells was associated with decrease in the level of [CD68+] [P = 0.0002]. Cytototic T ceils.[CD8+] and macrophages [CD68+] constitute a major component of the host immune response in ovarian malignancy

Growth hormone improves immune function in GH-deficient young adolescents

To delineate the role of growth hormone [GH] in the development and function of the immune system, sixteen GH-deficient young adolescents were studied for evaluation of the immune status before and after treatment with recombinant human growth hormone [rhGH]. Ten apparently healthy young adolescents age and sex-matched with the study group were included in the study as control group. Blood samples were obtained for immune studies before treatment and at 2, 6 and 9 months after. Immune studies included; enumeration of total T and B lymphocyte number, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/ D8+ ratio, serum immunoglobulin concentrations [IgG, IgM], assessment of Iympho-proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin and testing for intracellular killing by Nitro blue tetrazolium test [NBT]. Results showed significant impairment in mitogen stimulation and phagocytic function in GH-deficient young adolescents when compared to control group [73.18 +/- 5.2 versus 146.2 +/- 7.6, P < 0.0001 and 50.13 +/- 5.8 versus 82.2 +/- 4.49, P < 0.0001 respectively]. This impairment improved significantly after treatment with rhGH [p < 0.0001]. However, there were no significant differences in the total B-Iymphocytes numbers, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ / CD8+ ratio, and serum immunoglobulin levels between GH-deficient group and control group, as well as between values obtained before and after rhGH treatment. These results indicate that growth hormone administration has profound immune-enhancing effects in GH-deficient young adolescents and may be of therapeutic effect in states of compromised immune function