Quantitation of soluble E-receptor of T lymphocytes in serum from HIV-1 positive patients.

Human T lymphocytes carry a membrane receptor for sheep erythrocytes (E) related to the CD2 molecule. The E-receptor is found in a soluble from (Rs) in serum and can be quantitated by "rocket electrophoresis" using an anti-Rs serum obtained by immunizing sheep with autologous erythrocytes coated with Rs. Increased serum levels of Rs are found in patients with diseases associated with immunodepression. In the present study, 14 asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive individuals were investigated regarding their Rs levels and delayed hypersensitivity skin tests every 3 months for a period of 35 months. All these patients progressed to AIDS in this period. Rs serum levels have also been quantitated in 14 normal individuals. The mean Rs values in normal individuals, asymptomatic, and AIDS patients were, respectively: 4.8 +/- 1.5 mm (SD), 9.6 +/- 1.9 mm (SD) and 11.3 +/- 2.4 mm (SD). An increase of Rs serum levels was observed when we compared normal individuals with CDC-II and CDC-IV clinical stage patients (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test) and CDC-II and CDC-IV patients, (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon test). We have observed a depressed delayed hypersensitivity response to ubiquitous antigens in CDC-IV patients. Our results indicate that Rs serum levels can be used as a progression marker in HIV infected patients.

Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests in prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests (DHST) with recall antigens were investigated as prognostic markers in five different approaches. In the first study, 42 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients (IVb, IVcl, IVd, and IVe; MMWR 35:334-339, 1986) 26 AIDS-related complex (ARC) patients (IVa and IVc2), and 98 asymptomatic patients (II and III) were evaluated with candidin, tricophytin, PPD and streptokinase-streptodornase. In the second study, 10 patients (II and III) were evaluated sequentially with the same antigens. In the third, 45 patients with at least two positive skin tests ("reactors") were followed for one year and evaluated every 6 months with the same antigens. In the fourth, 16 "reactors" were followed and evaluated every 3 months with the same antigens. We measured the interval from the time at which patients first presented with only one or no positive DHST until the development of ARC or AIDS. In the last study, the correlation between absolute number of CD4+ lymphocytes and the number of DHST was studied in 151 patients. We found that the decrease in reactiveness to DHST correlated directly with the progression to AIDS, demonstrating the usefulness of this simple procedure as a valid prognostic marker.

Quantitation of the soluble E-receptor of human T lymphocytes by rocket electrophoresis in the serum of patients with lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy.

Human T lymphocytes carry a membrane receptor for sheep erythrocytes (E) which is responsible for the well-known phenomenon of E-rosette formation. This receptor has been related to CD2 molecules; it is present in a soluble form (Rs) in normal serum and may play an immunoregulatory role. In this study we quantitated soluble E-receptor in serum samples of 43 normal controls, 32 patients with tuberculoid leprosy and 53 with lepromatous leprosy, using rocket electrophoresis and an anti E receptor serum (anti-Rs) obtained from an adult sheep immunized with autologous E treated with Rs. In the 3 groups studied, the rocket means were respectively 5.0, 7.5 and 10.9 mm (p less than 0.001). We found abnormally high levels of Rs in the serum of various diseases associated with a depression of cell-mediated immunity. The increase of Rs levels in the serum may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the depression of cellular immunity in leprosy.

Purification of soluble human T lymphocyte receptors for sheep erythrocytes.

Using a polyclonal heterologous anti-soluble E-receptor serum, we identified molecules of molecular weight circa 58,000 and 150,000. The soluble receptor molecule with molecular weight of approximately 58,000 (Rs1) was initially purified from supernatant of heated lymphocytes through chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and/or DEAE-cellulose. The soluble receptor molecule with molecular weight of approximately 150,000 (Rs2) is detected at high levels in the serum of patients with cancer and uremia. Rs1 and Rs2 present in serum from cancer patients were purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and by affinity chromatography using anti-Rs1 IgG. 131I-labelled supernatant of heated lymphocytes binds to sheep erythrocytes and the elution and analysis of the molecules adsorbed showed bands of molecular weights approximately 58,000 and 150,000, confirming the receptor activity of these molecules.

Molecular forms of soluble human T lymphocyte receptor for sheep erythrocytes in serum and saliva.

Using a specific serum anti-soluble T lymphocytes receptor for sheep erythrocytes (E) and SDS-PAGE, we detected radioactive bands of molecular weight 58,000 in immunoprecipitates of supernatant of heated human lymphocytes (SHL), in the supernatant of PHA stimulated lymphocyte cultures (SLC), normal human serum (NHS), and serum from cancer and uremia patients, labelled with 131I. By Sephadex G-200 chromatography, in addition to this fraction, we detected molecules of molecular weight higher than 150,000 which interact with the anti-soluble receptor serum (anti-RS), in serum from cancer and uremia patients. These molecules were detected in NHS or SHL after concentration or by prolonged exposure of SDS-PAGE with some labelled and immunoprecipitated SHL samples. The soluble receptors of molecular weights 58,000 (RS1) and more than 150,000 (RS2) were fully identical when analyzed by immunodiffusion with anti-RS serum. When submitted to immunoelectrophoresis, RS1 showed electrophoretic migration similar to that of albumin, while RS2 showed a pattern close to that of alpha 2-globulin. However, RS2 did not show antigenic relationship with IgM and was not an immune complex with IgG. Even though the presence of RS in human saliva has not yet been reported, molecules that interact with anti-RS serum have been detected in human saliva and are fully identical to molecules found in supernatant of heated human T lymphocytes and NHS. The RS molecules present in human saliva have a molecular weight and electrophoretic migration similar to those of RS1 from SLC and from human serum and have no antigenic relationship with human albumin.

Quantitation of the soluble E-receptor of human T lymphocytes by rocket electrophoresis in the serum of patients with lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy.

Human T lymphocytes carry a membrane receptor for sheep erythrocytes (E) which is responsible for the well-known phenomenon of E-rosette formation. This receptor has been related to CD2 molecules; it is present in a soluble form (Rs) in normal serum and may play an immunoregulatory role. In this study we quantitated soluble E-receptor in serum samples of 43 normal controls, 32 patients with tuberculoid leprosy and 53 with lepromatous leprosy, using rocket electrophoresis and an anti E receptor serum (anti-Rs) obtained from an adult sheep immunized with autologous E treated with Rs. In the 3 groups studied, the rocket means were respectively 5.0, 7.5 and 10.9 mm (p less than 0.001). We found abnormally high levels of Rs in the serum of various diseases associated with a depression of cell-mediated immunity. The increase of Rs levels in the serum may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the depression of cellular immunity in leprosy.

Seroepidemiological studies of HIV-1 infection in large Brazilian cities.

The prevalence of HIV-1 antibodies in selected groups of individuals from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santos was determined retrospectively. These groups and respective prevalences were: hemophiliac patients from Rio de Janeiro (1983-1984) 98.0%; polytransfused hemodialysis patients from São Paulo (1985-1986) 3.0% and (1987) 7.7%; intravenous drug addicts from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (1986-1987) 15.9%; male prisoners from São Paulo (1988) 12.5%, and pregnant women from Santos (1988-1989) 3.6%. These data stress the magnitude of AIDS in Brazil.

Transfer of cell-mediated immunity to HIV antigens in vivo to a Cebus monkey and in vitro to human lymphocytes with xenogeneic immune RNA.

1. Immune RNA (iRNA) was extracted from the spleen of a sheep immunized with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens. 2. The transfer of cell-mediated immunity to HIV antigens was accomplished by injecting iRNA into a Cebus monkey, as evaluated in vitro by leukocyte migration inhibition. The in vitro treatment of normal human leukocytes with iRNA also promoted the inhibition of leukocyte migration in the presence of HIV antigens. 3. These findings have important theoretical and potential practical applications in the field of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Quantification of the soluble receptor of human T lymphocytes for sheep erythrocytes in the serum of patients with aplastic anaemia.

The soluble E-receptor (Rs) of human T lymphocytes for sheep erythrocytes has been quantified by electroimmunodiffusion ("rocket" electrophoresis) in serum samples from 23 patients with aplastic anaemia and 43 controls. A statistically significant increase of Rs levels was found in the group of patients as compared with controls. Sixteen patients showed Rs values greater than the mean +2SD of the control group. No correlation between Rs values and the number of circulating total lymphocytes or T lymphocytes was observed. Since Rs serum levels have previously been shown to be increased in diseases associated with depressed cell mediated immunity, the finding of high levels of Rs in most cases of aplastic anaemia may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease.

Detection of the human T lymphocyte soluble receptor for sheep erythrocytes by double gel diffusion.

An anti-human T lymphocyte serum specific to the membrane receptor for sheep erythrocytes (E) was produced by immunizing sheep with the autologous E-soluble E receptor complex. The soluble E receptor (RS) was obtained by heating human lymphocytes at 45 degrees C for 1 h. The anti-RS serum reacted by double gel diffusion with preparations containing Rs such as the supernatant of heated peripheral lymphocytes (SHPL), the supernatant of heated spleen lymphocytes (SHSL) and concentrated normal human serum (NHSc), producing a single precipitation line with each preparation. The pattern obtained was that of total identify. The reactivity of SHPL, SHSL or NHSc was abolished by previous absorption with 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide-treated E. Anti-RS serum also did not react with the supernatant of heated cells such as HeLa cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes which do not have exposed E receptors.

Imunidade celular (hipersensibilidade cutanea tardia) especifica e inespecifica em uveites. / Specific and inespecific immunity cellular in uveitis (skin delayed hypersensitivity)

A imunidade celular, atraves da hipersensibilidade cutanea tardia a candidina, PPD toxoplasmina e varidase foi avaliada em 100 uveiticos (50 casos de toxoplasmose ocular e 50 casos de outras uveites assim discriminados: 10 ciclites cronicas, 10 irido-ciclites nao granulomatosas cronicas ou recidivantes, 7 tuberculoses oculares, 6 sindromes de Behcet, 5 ciclites de Fuchs 3 irido-ciclites granulomatosas, 3 uveites difusas, 2 vasculites inespecificas,2 sindromes de Vogt-Koyanagui-Harada, 1 sifilis e 1 hanseniase tuberculoide). As respostas aos diferentes antigenos foram semelhantes no grupo da toxoplasmose ocular e outras uveites, nao se comprovando existencia de deficiencia imunologica. Mais ainda, nao se evidenciou na toxoplasmose ocular nenhuma evidencia de imunodeficiencia imunologica inespecifica ou especifica que indicasse tratamento desses pacientes com imunoestimulantes. Alguns pacientes com toxoplasmose ocular mostraram, hipersensibilidade a toxoplasmina quando comparados as outras uveites (p<0,005)

Sindrome da imunodeficiencia adquirida (AIDS): descricao do primeiro caso autoctone do Brasil e estudo imunologico. / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): report of the 1st autochthnous case in Brazil and immunological study

O primeiro caso autoctone de sindrome de deficiencia imunologica adquirida (AIDS) com comprovacao imunologica, no Brasil foi estudado clinica e laboratorialmente.O paciente apresenta infeccao disseminada pela Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare que foi cultivada a partir de linfonodo. A avaliacao imunologica revelou intensa depressao da resposta imune celular in vivo e in vitro, encontrando-se inversao de relacao linfocitos supressores/auxiliadores

T and B lymphocytes in the aqueous humor of patients with uveitis.

Sixteen patients with different types of uveitis (ocular toxoplasmosis, chronic cyclitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, Behçet's syndrome, ocular herpes, and a probable nematode) had the aqueous humor withdrawn and had the number of T, B, and null lymphocytes assessed. T and B lymphocytes were identified by rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes and with human erythrocytes sensitized with IgM antibody and complement or zymosan-C3 complexes, respectively. A much higher number of T lymphocytes than B lymphocytes was observed in all cases. The results were not influenced by treatment with steroids or immunosuppressive drugs for local, periocular, or systemic effects.

HLA antigens in Tükuna Indians.

Ninety-nine Tükuna Indians, inhabitants of the high Amazon, were typed for the HLA antigens. The method used was the microlymphocytotoxicity technique recommended by the NIH. At the same time, cross-matching was performed between the lymphocytes of the 99 Indians and the sera of 240 other multiparous Indians. Later the multiparous sera were cross-matched with a selected panel of Caucasoid individuals. The results showed that the most frequent antigens for th HLA-A locus were A2, Aw24 and Aw31. As for the HLA-B locus, B5, Bw39 and B40 were most frequent. The haplotypes HLA-Aw31-Bw39, and A2-B5 were in linkage disequilibrium. The results of the cross-matching showed 21.3% sera with positive reactions against Indian cells. Ten sera presented antibodies against known HLA antigens; five of them were monospecific, four had two specificities, and one showed three specificities. It was not possible to arrive at any conclusion about the 41 remaining sera. Six sera had positive reactions only with Indians cells.