Isolation and characterization of interferon-producing reticuloendothelial cells from mouse epidermis.

A homogeneous population of trypsin-resistant epidermal cells has been isolated from newborn ICR mice. These cells are characterized by adherence, receptors for Fc-IgG, ATPase activity, phagocytosis of latex particles and opsonized sheep erythrocytes, and secretion of lysozyme and interferon. The production of interferon by these cells suggests that they may be important in protection against viral infections of the skin as well as in regulation of immune responses. The ultrastructure of these trypsin-resistant epidermal cells shows striking similarity to that of reticuloendothelial cells.

Enhancement of erythroid target cells for Friend murine leukemia virus by intravenous pyran treatment.

Male BALB/c mice that received prophylactic iv treatment with pyran had significantly enhanced splenomegaly, an increased number of splenic foci induced by the spleen focus forming virus (SFFV) in the Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) complex, and a slightly decreased mean survival time as compared with untreated controls infected with F-MuLV. A corresponding increase in the lymphatic leukemia virus component of the F-MuLV complex was not observed, which suggests that the enhancement of the disease was due primarily to a selective increase in the SFFV component of the F-MuLV complex. That the enhancement was related to an increased number of target cells for SFFV was substantiated by data concerning erythropoiesis in iv pyran-treated animals. Increases in splenic hematocrits and in uptake of 59Fe in the spleens of animals treated iv with pyran provided quantitative evidence for the histologic finding of increased erythroid precursors in the spleens.

Cellular and serum involvement in protection against Friend leukemia virus.

Treatment of mice with the immunomodulator pyran copolymer inhibited leukemogenesis produced by Friend leukemia virus (FLV) complex, as evidenced by inhibition of the spleen focus-forming virus and lymphatic leukemia virus, as well as by a significant decrease in splenomegaly. In this report we present data suggesting that the protective effect of pyran is mediated by macrophages. Protection was conferred on normal recipient mice when peritoneal exudate cells from pyran-treated mice were transferred to recipient mice infected 24 hr later with FLV. Animals receiving pyran-activated peritoneal cells had a significant reduction of splenomegaly and of titers of spleen focus-forming virus and lymphatic leukemia virus than did control animals. In contrast, when glycogen-elicited peritoneal exudate cells were transferred, the mice were not protected. Pyran-activated peritoneal cells, but not normal peritoneal cells, also inhibited FLV growth in vitro. Serum from pyran-treated, but not glycogen-treated, mice also transferred resistance to FLV-infected mice.

Paradoxical effects of immunopotentiators on tumors and tumor viruses.

Growth of tumors was inhibited or enhanced in mice by a synthetic (pyran) or a biologic (corynebacterium parvum) immunopotentiator. Marked inhibition of leukemogenesis induced by Friend leukemia virus was produced by prophylactic intraperitoneal treatment with pyran, while intravenous treatment with pyran (in the same dose and regimen) significantly enhanced growth of tumor virus. Paradoxical effects were also seen with the biologic immunopotentiator C. parvum in solid tumor systems. Treatment with C. parvum either potentiated disease or had no effect on the life span of most mice bearing the Lewis lung carcinoma. In contrast, the same treatment could produce a high percentage of tumor regressions in mice bearing the MCA 2182 sarcoma, although the effect was somewhat variable. These data, which show that a change in route of drug administration or in the type of tumor treated may reverse the effect of treatment, emphasize that the mechanism of action of immunopotentiators must be elucidated before consistent beneficial treatment of tumor viruses or tumors can be achieved.

Inhibition and enhancement of Friend leukemia virus by pyran copolymer.

Inhibition or enhancement of Friend leukemia virus disease could be produced by treatment of mice with the immunopotentiator, pyran copolymer. The result depended on the route of inoculation of the drug. Prophylactic administration of the drug i.p. retarded splenomegaly, reduced splenic foci, and increased survival time of mice infected with Friend leukemia virus. Conversely, when the same dose and regimen of pyran was administered i.v., splenomegaly was enhanced, splenic foci were increased, and survival time was decreased. Histopathological examination of the spleens of mice revealed that i.p. pyran administration caused a marked increase in the splenic marginal zone with some increase in erythropoiesis in the red pulp, while i.v. pyran administration did not markedly change the splenic marginal zone but caused an early and sustained increase in erythropoiesis in the red pulp.