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Biomedical subjects

A L Givan

Publications and source records attributed to A L Givan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Human endothelial cells: effect of TNF-alpha on peripheral blood mononuclear cell adhesion.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured and treated for varying periods with a range of concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). After this treatment the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), previously depleted of plastic adherent cells, capable of binding to the endothelial cells was assessed. Few PBMC bound to HUVEC which had not been pretreated with TNF-alpha but up to 36% bound after pretreatment of the endothelial cells with TNF-alpha for 10 hr at a concentration of 10 U/ml. Phenotypic characterization of the adherent and non-adherent PBMC subpopulations revealed that natural killer (NK) cells (CD16+) and a proportion of memory helper T cells (CD4+ CD45RA-) bound to TNF-alpha pretreated HUVEC but that few naive helper T cells (CD4+ CD45RA+) showed similar binding. Cytotoxicity assays for NK activity were used to analyse functionally the adherent and non-adherent PBMC subpopulations. It was found that the cell subpopulation which did not adhere to TNF-alpha pretreated HUVEC mediated little lysis of K562 target cells. Conversely, the endothelial cell-adherent PBMC subpopulation produced active lysis supporting the phenotypic evidence that NK cells were concentrated within this subpopulation. These results suggest that TNF-alpha has a rapid and profound up-regulatory effect on the expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of HUVEC. Furthermore, it is apparent that these up-regulated adhesion molecules preferentially bind NK cells and a subset of memory helper T cells from the PBMC population.

CD4 Antigens↗

The effect of transfected MHC class I genes on sensitivity to natural killer cells.

To test the hypothesis that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules protect target cells from lysis by natural killer cells (NKC), we transfected the MHC- B16 melanoma line F10 with the class I genes encoding Dd, Kb, and Kk. Only low levels of Dd expression could be obtained and there was no protection against NKC. By contrast, Kb and Kk transfectants were obtained which displayed significant resistance to NKC, and with the latter transfectants resistance was clearly related to the level of transgene expression. Various mutants of the F10 line with altered patterns of MHC expression were also obtained. These mutant lines provided evidence that (i) the Db molecule is also capable of inducing resistance to NKC and (ii) high MHC class I expression does not by itself guarantee lowered susceptibility to NKC.

Animals↗

Monitoring of transplant patients' lymphocytes: knowledge of the varying specificities of anti-lymphocyte antibodies allows the interpretation of anomalous results.

In many transplant centers, the T lymphocytes of transplant patients are routinely monitored, both to predict and diagnose the cellular events that result from transplantation and to evaluate the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy. During the course of this monitoring, we have observed anomalous results: the number of T cells said to be present varies greatly depending on the surface marker used for the assay. It is shown, in this study, that these "anomalous" results can be predicted from a knowledge of the spectrum of specificity of the anti-lymphocyte antibody therapy being administered. Because polyclonal antibodies have varied and unstated specificities, it is difficult to interpret results obtained from monitoring T-cell numbers or subset ratios without some knowledge of the specificities of the drugs being used.

Antibodies↗

Renal allograft rejection. Possible involvement of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

We have demonstrated that serum from appropriately sensitized patients can contain IgG antibodies that bind to cultured renal epithelial cells. The presence of such antibodies on the surface of renal cells enables otherwise nonlytic PBMC to lyse these renal cells by an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) mechanism. Experiments involving cell-sorting and specific complement-mediated lysis showed that the ADCC effector cells were of the CD3 -ve, C16 +ve phenotype characteristic of NK cells. In this report it is argued that an ADCC mechanism may be of importance in mediating chronic renal cell damage in the absence of acute allograft rejection.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗

IL-3 and IL-4 affect thymocyte differentiation in organ culture.

The ability of lymphokines to affect the development and differentiation of mouse thymocytes in vitro was evaluated in a carefully controlled 3-day organ culture system. Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced supernatant (SN) from the T-cell clone D10.G4, which contains high concentrations of interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-4 and IL-5, but lacks IL-1, IL-2 and interferon (IFN), markedly increased the proportion of CD4+CD8- cells, and decreased the proportion of CD4+CD8+ cells. These effects were unaffected by dialysing the SN, showing them to be caused by macromolecular factors. Highly purified recombinant IL-3 and IL-4 could exert similar effects, rIL-3 and rIL-4 both increasing the proportion of CD4+CD8- cells, and rIL4 in addition reducing the proportion of CD4+CD8+ cells. In conjunction with the findings of other investigators, these results indicate that at least four lymphokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3 and IL-4) can control T-cell development in the thymus.

Animals↗

A flow cytometric technique for simultaneous analysis of human mononuclear cell surface antigens and DNA.

A method for dual staining of mononuclear cells for lymphocyte phenotypic markers and DNA is described. The cells were stained with fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies and then rendered permeable to propidium iodide using saponin. Propidium iodide stains DNA and, using flow cytometry, cell cycle analysis of individual lymphocyte subpopulations can be determined. Saponin acts within 1 min, preserves expression of surface antigens and is effective at all concentrations from 0.001% to 1%. This technique is simple, rapid and gives reproducible results.

Antigens, Surface↗

The relevance of a more sensitive crossmatch assay to renal transplantation.

While the importance of the standard preoperative crossmatch in predicting renal graft success is accepted, a more rapid and sensitive assay may be of additional clinical benefit. We have developed a flow cytometric assay to detect the presence of antibodies (IgG) in the recipient sera directed against donor lymphocytes, prior to transplantation. This assay is more rapid and sensitive than the conventional cytotoxic test. In a clinical study the sera of 75 renal graft recipients were tested, all of which were negative in their conventional crossmatch; 12 of these were identified as having T cell-directed IgG, and 4 had B cell antibody. Graft failure was not significantly different in the positive and negative antibody groups, as defined by flow cytometry (P = 0.147, chi square test). The incidence of postoperative complications was studied in the 60 grafts functioning at three months. Recipients with donor B or T cell directed antibodies had a longer primary nonfunction (P = 0.0098, Mann-Whitney U test), and showed a higher number of rejection episodes (P = 0.014, Mann-Whitney U test); accordingly they were more likely to require strong immunosuppressive agents such as OKT3 or ATG (P less than 0.05, chi square test). Patients with donor-directed antibodies were also hospitalised for a longer period (P = 0.015, Mann-Whitney U test) and had a higher creatinine level 3 months after transplantation (P = 0.021 Mann-Whitney U test). This study shows that the described preoperative flow cytometric crossmatch is capable of defining a population of renal transplants who form an at-risk group. Thus this assay has considerable potential in pretransplant matching of recipients with a particular graft donor.

Antibodies↗

Rapid detection of low levels of donor specific IgG by flow cytometry with single and dual colour fluorescence in renal transplantation.

Lymphocytotoxic immunoglobulin is routinely assayed before human renal transplantation. If IgG directed against donor T cells is detected in the serum of the potential recipient, transplantation is not performed as it is associated with a poor graft outcome. Poor sensitivity of the conventional assay has been postulated as being the cause of some graft failures. Two new flow cytometric assays are described which are more sensitive than the conventional test. The first assay requires manual separation of T and B lymphocytes and therefore takes a similar time to perform as the conventional assay. The second assay utilises a two-colour system and lymphocyte's separation is by fluorescence. This assay takes half the time to perform, thereby decreasing graft ischaemic time before transplantation.

Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic↗

A correction required for calculation of DNA ratios in flow cytometric analysis of ploidy.

Flow cytometric measurements of nuclear DNA content often involve the calculation of a DNA index, which compares the DNA fluorescence from two different populations. Such DNA indices have been used to classify aneuploid peaks from tumour tissue into different categories relative to normal diploid cells. This report describes a correction based on the channel for unstained particles that is required if DNA index values are to give a true and reproducible indication of relative DNA content.

Animals↗

The CD5+ B cell: a B cell lineage with a central role in autoimmune disease?

It is apparent that B cells are heterogeneous with respect to, for example, the antigens they express on their surface, and the stimuli to which they can respond. It is still unclear to what extent these differences relate to the stage of differentiation (eg. virgin B cells differing from activated B cells or memory cells), or whether distinct developmental lineages might exist. It has been proposed by some authors that, in the mouse, B cells expressing the ly-1 antigen constitute a separate lineage. In man also, a minor population of B cells expresses detectable levels of the CD5 antigen, but far less information is available about these cells. Interest in the CD5+ and ly-1+ B cell subpopulations has been further stimulated by the suggestion that these cells might play a special role in autoimmune disease. Although, in mouse, ly-1+ B cells differ in several respects from ly-1- B cells, the main evidence that they form a separate lineage derives from experiments in which ly-1+ B cells could not be reconstituted with adult bone marrow. It should be borne in mind that the situation is quite different in humans where, following bone marrow transplantation, CD5+ B cells are rapidly restored. Moreover, in the irradiated mice, at least in some of the experiments ly-1+ B cells were in fact reconstituted by adult bone marrow. Furthermore, at least in humans, expression of CD5 can sometimes be induced. There is, as yet, no good evidence that human CD5+ B cells form a distinct lineage, and it is possible that CD5 expression depends upon microenvironmental influences acting on the B cell during its differentiation. Several interesting properties have been attributed to ly-1+ B cells, including the ability to provide help to other B cells, and the secretion of autocrine factors. However there is also evidence that these features are not exclusive to B cells expressing ly-1. It has also been suggested that ly-1+ B cells might be long-lived. It is not yet known whether some of the properties of ly-1+ B cells might be a direct result of their expressing this antigen; this may become more clear when the function of CD5 is elucidated. The suggestion that the repertoire of ly-1+ B cells might be biased towards the expression of certain V genes is very interesting. Many of the hybridomas from neonatal mice produce antibodies which are multi-specific, and therefore well suited to form a first line of defence against potential pathogens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

A rapid, objective method for the detection of lymphocytotoxic antibodies using flow cytometry.

Whilst several centres have reported lymphocytotoxic antibody detection using single and dual fluorescent stains with analysis of the fluorescence emitted from the cell population present in a well of a multiwell plate, problems are encountered with cell concentration and light emission overlap. A method we have developed using flow cytometry produces similar values of percentage cell death using single or double staining techniques (correlation coefficient = 0.9896). This method is not influenced by slight variation in cell number or light emission overlap. The effect of introducing red cell impurities into the normal lymphocyte preparation is described.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗

Relation between wall teichoic acid content of Bacillus subtilis and efficiency of adsorption of bacteriophages SP 50 and phi 25.

Efficient adsorption of bacteriophages SP 50 and phi 25 occurred only to bacilli that contained wall teichoic acid and neither phage bound to phosphate limited bacilli that contained teichuronic acid instead of teichoic acid. Though both phages require the presence of teichoic acid, their receptors are not identical. Efficient binding of phage phi 25 required the presence of greater proportions of teichoic acid in the wall and the receptor for this phage was destroyed when bacteria or isolated walls were heated at pH 4 whereas the ability of these samples to bind phage SP 50 was unaffected by such treatment. Efficient binding of phage SP 50 was not highly dependent on the presence of glucosyl substituents on the teichoic acid. Such substituents were required for phage phi 25 binding though their anomeric configuration appeared to be unimportant since the phages bound well to both strains W23 and 168, the wall teichoic acids of which carry glucosyl substituents of opposite anomeric configuration. The differences in the nature of the receptors may be of value in the use of the phages as probes for the location and distribution of teichoic acid in the wall.

Adsorption↗

Photoreduction of alpha-Ketoglutarate to Glutamate by Vicia faba Chloroplasts.

Intact chloroplasts isolated from leaves of Vicia faba L. var. the Sutton show a decline in the endogenous level of alpha-ketoglutarate upon illumination. alpha-Ketoglutarate supplied to the chloroplasts is similarly utilized in this light-dependent reaction, and its consumption is paralleled by a concomitant increase in the level of glutamate. There is no photostimulation of glutamate synthesis in chloroplasts broken by osmotic shock, but it can be somewhat restored by addition of ferredoxin and NADP. These results suggest that in the isolated chloroplast the synthesis of glutamate from alpha-ketoglutarate is regulated by the availability of reduced pyridine nucleotide generated by photosynthetic electron transport. This conclusion is supported by the finding of an apparent competition between the photoreduction of phosphoglycerate to triose phosphate and the photoutilization of alpha-ketoglutarate.

Journal Article↗