Identification of HLA antigens in familial and non-familial epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

The distribution of HLA specificities was studied in 7 non-familial cases of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) and in 5 cases from one family. In the non-familial cases, six antigens of locus A (2, 3, 9, 10, 24, 26) and eight antigens of locus B (7, 15, 27, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41) were found. All 5 cases of familial EV possessed 26,5 haplotype, however, 6 of the remaining 12 healthy family members inherited the same haplotype. There is no association of EV with HLA-A and B antigens. However, the defect of cell-mediated immunity, present in all EV cases, may indicate the association of the disease with other major histocompatibility products (i.e. loci on immune response genes).

The effect of ampicillin on the response of human lymphocytes to PHA.

The effect of ampicillin on the sensitivity of human lymphocytes to PHA was examined by measuring the following parameters: temperature-stable E rosette formation: leukocyte migration inhibition: DNA synthesis. It was found, that ampicillin present in the culture medium at a concentration of 50 microgram/ml does not change E rosette formation, intensifies the inhibition of leukocyte migration and modulates the proliferative response to PHA. The magnitude and direction of this last effect depended upon the preparation of PHA used and on its dose. Ampicillin enhanced DNA synthesis in cultures stimulated by submitogenic, as well as supraoptimal doses of PHA-Wellcome and suppressed the DNA synthesis in cultures containing optimal mitogenic doses of PHA-Difco.

Inhibition or stimulation of immediate, spontaneous rosette formation at various SRBC:lymphocyte ratios.

The active rosette-forming cell (ARFC) percentage was investigated in a group of 100 persons, consisting of 50 healthy blood donors, 30 cancer patients (CA), and 20 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The test was repeatedly performed using five SRBC:lymphocyte ratios: 10:1, 20:1, 5-:1, 100:1, and 200:1. In 18% of healthy donors and 30-40% of cancer patients, contrary to the remaining persons no relation between ARFC percentage and the SRBC:lymphocyte ratio was found. The "optimal" SRBC:lymphocyte ratio, varied from group to group and was 20:1 for most of RA patients, 50:1 for most of CA patients and 100:1 for most of healthy people. Sometimes, at higher SRBC:lymphocyte ratios a significant lowering of the ARFC percentage was found in relation to the optimal proportion for a given person, and this was observed for 200:1 ratio in 68% of healthy people, 54% of cancer patients and 90% of patients with RA. It is suggested, that ARFC test should be always performed at least in these three SRBC:lymphocyte ratios. Inhibition or stimulation of rosette formation by supernatant fluids of lymphocytes and SRBC suggest that SRBC release substances, which can directly or indirectly inhibit or stimulate rosette formation.

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies in sera of pregnant women: serological and clinical studies.

In order to obtain the sera for determining the histocompatibility antigens, 290 samples of blood collected from 278 women were examined for anti-HLA lymphocytotoxic antibodies. These were found in sera of 55 women (20%) and their specificity was identified in 15 samples. No effect of antepartum hemorrhage, premature births and abortions on the production of antibodies was found. The presence of cytotoxic antibodies had no effect on the course of pregnancy and timing of delivery.

The effect of uremia and dialysis on cell-mediated immunity.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity to PPD, two types T rosettes as well as lymphokine production were studied in patients with end-stage renal failure maintained on hemodialysis. A significant impairment of skin reactivity and the lowering of the number of T cells were found, while no definite changes of lymphokine production were detected. No conclusive data are obtained as to the role of hemodialysis in reversing of immunologic deficits noted in uremia.

Studies on the human mixed lymphocyte culture. I. The influence of the irradiated autogenic and allogenic lymphocytes on DNA synthesis.

Fourteen patients with chronic renal failure and their prospective living donors were examined. DNA uptake by donors' monocultures, recipients' monocultures and mixed cultures was measured. The influence of X-ray treated cells on proliferative capacity of untreated cells in these three types of cultures was studied. The suppressing effect of irradiated cells was found in 52%, the enhancing one in 7% and no effect was observed in 41% of lymphocyte cultures. The possible explanations of the findings are discussed.

Studies on the human mixed lymphocyte culture. II. Comparison of one-way and two-way test performed on lymphocytes of patients with end-stage renal failure and their prospective living donors.

The results of DNA synthesis in human one-way and two-way mixed lymphocyte cultures were compared. Twenty patients with chronic renal failure and their twenty six prospective living donors were investigated. Statistical correlation was found on the level alpha = 0.01 between the stimulation index value calculated for one-way and two-way technique. Two-way MLC, the rapid and simple and simple assay detecting lymphocyte activation is a very useful tissue typing test.

The effect of ATG treatment on LyMIF and LyMSF production in mixed lymphocyte cultures of rabbits after renal allotransplantation.

Rabbit lymphocytes, settled up in microcappillary tubes migrate into culture medium. In the previous communication we have shown that migration of mixture of lymphocytes derived from two blood donors was significantly inferior in 73% of cultures as compared to the corresponding monocultures. 4% of mixed cultures exhibited significant enhancement of migration and in 23% no effects were seen. Use of lymphocytes from rabbits 4-6 days after kidney allotransplantation and their corresponding donors resulted in conversion of this ratio. Percentage of cultures exhibiting enhancement of migration (production LyMSF) rose to 39, 46% of cultures were inhibited (produced LyMIF) and 15% did not show any significant effect. Treatment of kidney recipients with ATG exerted strong inhibitory effect on the appearance of LyMSF and on the appearance of LyMIF in mixed cultures. These results suggested that LyMIF and LyMSF were produced by separate cell populations.

Lymphocyte dependent antibody (LDA) test in renal transplanted patients.

Using LDA test the presence of antibodies in patients prior to and post renal transplantation was studied. The relationship between the results of LDA test and graft rejection episodes, the treatment with large doses of prednisolone and CDC test performed simultaneously were analized. No correlation between results of LDA test prior to transplantation or its response to prednisolone treatment and acute rejection crises was found. The value of LDA test in predicting rejection episodes was not confirmed. LDA test detects antibodies 10 times more frequently than CDC test. The presence of cytotoxic antibodies CDC was not always connected with the presence of LDA and vice versa.