Reduced phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in alpha(1,3) fucosyltransferase VII-deficient mice.

Deficiencies in adhesion molecules or their counter-receptors in humans may have severe consequences as exemplified by leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) I or II syndromes. Because such diseases occur with great rarity, animal models are valuable for studying the role of particular adhesion molecules and their natural ligands in immunity. We studied selected immune parameters and general health in mice with a defect in the sialyl-Lewis X antigen (selectin ligand) caused by disruption of the gene encoding alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferase VII (Fuc-TVII). Leukocytes from Fuc-TVII -/- and control mice were tested for adherence to cellophane membranes or polymer particles in vivo and phagocytic activity in vitro. While no difference in adherence was found, the number of neutrophil granulocytes in exudate induced by intraperitoneal injection of polymer beads was reduced in knock-out mice. Moreover, the phagocytic activity in Fuc-TVII -/- mice was significantly reduced. These animals have splenomegaly due to increased hematopoiesis and reduced weight but do not exhibit clinical signs of immunodeficiency. In conclusion, the lack of Fuc-TVII activity leads to several morphological and functional abnormalities without an impact on survival rate.

The clinical role of human papilloma virus typing.

Patients with abnormal Pap smears underwent repeat Pap smear, colposcopy, biopsy, and human papilloma virus (HPV) typing to identify the presence of CIN and to assess the correlation of HPV type to grade of CIN and behavior of CIN. A total of 334 patients underwent evaluation and typing with Southern blot methodology. Fifty-five percent (185) of the patients demonstrated HPV viral sequences; 98 of the 185 positive patients demonstrated HPV types 16, 18. The presence of HPV sequences was not associated with a higher frequency of positive cytology of CIN II or III. High-grade CIN (II or III) was seen in 17.3, 13.5, 13.8, and 10.7% of patients with HPV 16, 18; 6, 11; 31, 33, 35; or no HPV sequences. Of 52 patients with normal cytology and biopsy revealing less than or equal to CIN I, no patients with types 6, 11, 3/5 patients with 31, 33, 35, 3/15 patients with 16, 18, and 2/23 patients with no HPV sequences progressed to greater than or equal to CIN II. These data do not support a role for HPV typing in predicting the initial histology. Typing may be of some value in monitoring patients with low-grade lesions.