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Biomedical subjects

K McQueen

Publications and source records attributed to K McQueen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The pulmonary immune response of Balb/c mice vaccinated with the fusion protein of respiratory syncytial virus.

We have investigated the efficacy of vaccination with the purified fusion (F) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on aluminium hydroxide adjuvant in Balb/c mice. The purpose of the study was to define the role of the local pulmonary mononuclear cell (PMC) infiltrate in the clearance of virus from the lower respiratory tract. Balb/c mice immunized with F protein were able to inhibit the replication of virus in the lungs as early as 4 days after intranasal challenge. In contrast, unimmunized mice required 8 days. Examination of humoral immune mechanisms demonstrated that vaccination with the purified protein induced moderate titres of serum neutralizing antibody. In addition, immunization induced low to moderate levels of antigen-dependent killer cell activity. To examine the immunological events responsible for virus clearance in vivo, PMC infiltrates were isolated after virus challenge and tested directly for protective capacity. After virus challenge, the F protein-immune mice were able to recall the cytolytic cells to the pulmonary tissues. The results further suggested that the local antigen-dependent killer activity was mediated by cytolytic T cells of the CD8 phenotype. Adoptive transfer studies were also conducted to identify further the role the PMC infiltrate had in protective immunity. Adoptive transfer of F protein-educated PMC into naive syngeneic recipients suggested that the pulmonary infiltrates contained the cellular constituents necessary for protective immunity. Both humoral and cellular immune elements were present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Pathogenesis of vertebral metastasis and epidural spinal cord compression.

The authors have studied the sequential events in the process of vertebral metastasis that result in spinal cord compression. Different tumor cell lines were injected into the systemic arterial circulation of syngeneic or nude mice, and they were killed at timed intervals after injection or when they became paraplegic. The following observations were made. The tumor cells lodged and grew in the hematopoietic bone marrow of the vertebrae. Cancer cells in the vertebral marrow cavity invaded into the spinal canal through the foramina of the vertebral veins rather than destroying the cortical bone. Tumor cell lines that grew in an infiltrative fashion migrated toward a posterior location in the spinal canal, and compressed the spinal cord from a posterior direction. Tumor cell lines that grew as compact tumors formed a tumor mass at the same location from which the cells emerged from the vertebra, and compressed the cord predominantly from an anterior direction. Radiographic evidence of vertebral metastasis was a late event, and commonly associated with significant compression of the cord and extraosseous tumor. These experimental findings may help to establish better diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with metastatic disease of the spine.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Children's perceptions of AIDS.

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS were surveyed in 147 children between the ages of 6 and 12. Awareness of and accurate information about AIDS increased steadily through the early school years. From third grade on, over 90% of children had heard of AIDS, with the majority capable of providing additional accurate information. Significant misconceptions were also identified in all age groups. Television was found to be the major source of information about AIDS for most children.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Development of class I-specific helper-inducer T-cell clone.

A unique alloreactive human helper-inducer T-cell clone which reacts with the class I HLA antigen was characterized. The clone was derived from a mixed lymphocyte culture between cells from a HLA-A2-; B35,w51; Bw4,Bw6; Cw4,-; DR1,4; DQw1,-; DRw53 responder and a HLA-A2,3; B7,14; Bw6; Cw8,-; DR7,-; DQw2,w3; DRw52 stimulator. When screened against a panel of stimulator cells, this clone was found to have a specificity towards a stimulator HLA-B14 and consisted entirely of Leu-4, Leu-3, and 4B4 positive T cells, which is a T helper-inducer phenotype. Using monoclonal antibodies directed towards various monomorphic class I and II HLA epitopes in an inhibition experiment, it was found that both monoclonal antibodies w6/32 and 4E (recognizing class I monomorphic and HLA-B epitopes, respectively) inhibited proliferation. However, monoclonal antibodies BBm.1 and L227 (directed against beta 2-microglobulin and Ia-like molecule, respectively) had no inhibitory effect. Functional evaluation of this clone demonstrated helper activity on the proliferation of MLC response. The helper-induction effect on MLC cultures remained intact following irradiation of the clone for either 500 or 2000 rad suggesting that helper function of the clone was radiation resistant. The helper activity of this clone was MHC nonrestricted since it enhanced proliferation of the original responder and stimulator MLC as well as third and fourth party individuals. By CTLL cell line proliferation assay, this clone was found to release IL-2. When assayed (day 1 to 7) for class II HLA products expression following stimulation, HLA-DRw53 was consistently expressed by the clone. However, HLA-DR1, DQw1 were found to be expressed simultaneously on day 2 through day 7 and HLA-DR4, DQw3 on day 2 and 3. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the generation of a class I specific helper-inducer T-cell clone in MLC response.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗