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Biomedical subjects

M Ferrarini

Publications and source records attributed to M Ferrarini.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Selective lysis of the autologous tumor by delta TCS1+ gamma/delta+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from human lung carcinomas.

Two distinct non-overlapping populations of TcR1+ (gamma/delta) T cells have been described: the first, bearing the disulfide-linked gamma/delta heterodimer, is predominant in the peripheral blood; the second, expressing the non-disulfide-linked form of TcR1, is mostly confined to epithelial tissues (lung, gut, skin). TcR1+ lymphocytes may be cytotoxic and could be involved in anti-tumor immunity, especially against tumors at epithelial sites. Freshly derived tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) obtained from two patients with lung cancer were enriched in CD3+WT31- cells. The percentage of this subset substantially increased upon culture in the presence of interleukin 2. These cells were TcR1+ as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. In one case only 40% of this population reacted with delta TCS1 mAb, that recognizes the non-disulfide-linked form of TcR1, and co-expressed the CD8 antigen. Cultured TcR1+ TIL were able to kill fresh autologous tumor cells, K-562 and, to a lesser extent, some natural killer-resistant cell lines and allogeneic lung tumor cells in 4-h 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assays. The fractionated delta TCS1+ TIL lysed only autologous tumor cells and K-562, whereas the lytic activity against all the other targets was confined to the delta TCS1- subset. Moreover, the autotumor cytotoxicity was inhibited by anti-HLA class I but not by anti-CD1c or anti-LFA-1 mAb, suggesting that killing of the autologous tumor cells and non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxicity are mediated by different mechanisms.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Accelerated chemotherapy with or without GM-CSF for small cell lung cancer: a non-randomised pilot study.

Two series of five consecutive patients with small cell lung cancer were treated with an "accelerated" chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine (CAV) and cisplatin-etoposide (PE) alternated possibly every week. In the first group of patients (median age 49 years, range 46-52) recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was given as soon as grade IV leukopenia occurred, while in the second group (median age 59 years, 55-68) no growth factor was administered. The mean interval between chemotherapy courses and the mean duration of chemotherapy were 10 and 57 days, respectively, in the patients supported with GM-CSF compared with 13 and 72 days in the control group. One GM-CSF treated patient was withdrawn after the third cycle because of severe toxicity. The mean white blood cell and platelet nadirs were 600 and 46,000/microliters in the first group vs. 840 and 105,000/microliters in the controls. Overall chemotherapy dose-intensity was increased by two fold in the patients given GM-CSF compared with a 1.5 fold increase in the control patients. In all cases, irrespective of their treatment, there was an impaired colony forming capacity of circulating and marrow haemopoietic progenitor cells when grade IV leukopenia occurred, with recovery after the end of leukopenia. This pilot study suggests that accelerated CAV/PE chemotherapy is feasible both with and without GM-CSF. Different GM-CSF schedules as well as combinations of different haemopoietic growth factors may further improve dose-intensity.

Aged↗

LAK1 antigen defines two distinct subsets among human tumour infiltrating lymphocytes.

Both lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells and specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes appear to play a role in tumour immunity. Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) which display a CD56+ phenotype (both CD3+ and CD3-) are also likely to possess anti-tumour activity. We have previously described a 120 kDa surface antigen, termed LAK1, expressed on a subset of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (20-50%) with both NK and LAK activity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether LAK1 antigen is able to distinguish among TIL two populations of effector cells displaying either specific or non MHC-restricted (NK/LAK) activity. We showed that about 25% of freshly derived TIL were weakly stained with anti-LAK1 monoclonal antibody and most of them were also CD3+ CD56-. After culture in recombinant interleukin-2 the majority of TIL were CD3+ CD56- and the percentage of LAK1+ cells increased up to 50%. Among cloned TIL, only those lacking LAK1 antigen displayed a specific cytotoxicity against the autologous tumour, whereas the non-lytic clones were able to produce both tumour necrosis factor and gamma-interferon. Moreover, when TIL from a renal cell carcinoma were fractionated into LAK1- and LAK1+ populations, the specific lytic activity was mainly evident when LAK1- lymphocytes were used as effector cells. Conversely, LAK activity was confined to the LAK1+ subset.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Signal requirements for activation of leukaemic T cells from a chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (T-CLL).

In order to define the signal requirements for leukaemic T cell activation, the proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production of peripheral lymphocytes from a patient with a HTLV-I-, CD4+, CD45RA+ CD45RO+ CD25- T-CLL were evaluated after the delivery of different stimuli. Unlike resting CD4+ normal T lymphocytes that can be activated only by a two-signal stimulation, T-CLL cells proliferated and released IL-2 in response to a pair of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) or concanavalin A (Con A) in the absence of both accessory cells (AC) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The two stimuli were also able to induce CD25 expression within 12-20 h on the majority of T-CLL cells. A response to anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 MoAbs was detected only in the presence of PMA, similar to that observed in normal resting T lymphocytes matched for phenotype. Both Con A- and CD2-induced proliferation were strongly inhibited by the addition of anti-CD25 MoAb. Furthermore, T-CLL lymphocytes acquired anti-tumour lytic activity after culture in the presence of PMA and ionomycin. We conclude that HTLV1- CD25- T-CLL can be characterized not only by morphological and phenotypical studies but also on the basis of signal requirements for cell activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Functional and phenotypic analysis of T lymphocytes cloned from the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Activated T lymphocytes often accumulate in the lower dermis of patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and may play a role in the development of dermal fibrosis. We propagated and cloned these cells directly from skin biopsies in four of eight cases of early, untreated systemic sclerosis with diffuse scleroderma. The cloning frequency estimates were f = 0.20 and f = 0.48 for T cells derived from the skin of two patients versus f = 0.68 and f = 0.96 for autologous blood T lymphocytes. All but one of 24 skin-derived scleroderma clones were CD4+. Clonal analyses performed with CD4+ clones from patients and normal controls showed that all but one skin-derived clones synthesized either interferon-gamma (60%), glycosaminoglycan-stimulatory factor (26%) or both (9%) when induced in vitro by a mitogen, concanavalin A, but not by autologous dermal fibroblasts. In contrast, blood-derived clones had a different functional phenotype. All skin-derived clones produced tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Our results demonstrate that T lymphocytes obtained from the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis synthesized cytokines which could modulate functions of human dermal fibroblasts.

Adult↗

CD8+CD11b+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes contain lymphokine-activated killer cell precursors.

CD3+CD8+ cells, purified from peripheral blood T cells by depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes, were tested for their cytotoxic activity against K-562 or HL-60 cells. Freshly prepared cells had no cytotoxic function, but upon exposure to recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL2) in vitro they acquired a lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity. Fractionation of CD3+CD8+ cells into CD11b+ and CD11b- cells demonstrated that all the cells with the potential of developing LAK cell functions were within the CD8+CD11b+ subset. These cells lacked natural killer cell markers such as CD16 or NKH1, but a proportion of them stained for Leu-7. Furthermore, they expressed the alpha/beta chains, but not the gamma/delta chains, of the T cell receptor, as could be determined by staining with the appropriate monoclonal antibodies. CD8+CD11b+ cells had a large granular lymphocyte morphology, as shown by both cytochemical and electron microscopy analyses. They proliferated in response to IL2 in vitro and developed cytotoxic functions against a number of natural killer resistant targets. Their response to phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen was very weak or absent. By contrast, CD8+CD11b- cells failed to generate LAK cells in response to rIL2, did not show a large granular lymphocyte morphology, but responded vigorously to phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen. Purified CD8+CD11b+ cells were cloned by limiting dilution in the presence of rIL2. The observed cloning efficiency of 19 +/- 0.3% indicates that a fraction of the cells only could respond to IL2. Furthermore, only 50% of the clones obtained had a LAK cell function. These data show that CD8+CD11b+ cells represent a heterogeneous cell population. Nevertheless this cell subset probably represents the major source of LAK cell progenitors within the circulating T cells.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Purification of a glycosaminoglycan-stimulatory lymphokine from supernatants of in vitro-activated human mononuclear cells.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), like collagens, are the major component of the connective tissue matrix. Fibroblasts are responsible for the production and maintenance of this matrix. Glycosaminoglycan-stimulatory factor (GAG-SF) from T lymphocytes is a lymphokine that selectively increases GAG synthesis in normal human dermal fibroblasts. Supernatants of mononuclear cells activated with a mitogen, concanavalin A, were used to purify GAG-SF to an apparent homogeneity. The GAG-SF proved to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 67,000 and pI of 5.6. It was not mitogenic to fibroblasts and did not regulate collagen synthesis in confluent fibroblast cultures. The purified factor was distinct from interleukin-1 (IL-1), but it could synergize with IL-1, which was present in unpurified supernatants, in modulating the activation of fibroblasts. The purification and characterization of this lymphokine are important because it is a product of activated lymphocytes and thus may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of several human diseases characterized by the presence of lymphoid infiltrates in the target organ such as autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue, the stromal reactions in human tumors, and the fibrosis associated with chronic rejection of transplanted organs.

Cell-Free System↗

Production of colony-stimulating activity by human natural killer cells: analysis of the conditions that influence the release and detection of colony-stimulating activity.

Highly purified natural killer (NK) cell suspensions were tested for their capacity to release colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in vitro. NK cell suspensions comprised primarily CD16+ cells and were devoid of CD3+ T cells, CD15+ monocytes, and of B cells. CSA was detected in the NK cell supernatants and sustained the growth of myeloid colonies from both normal peripheral blood and bone marrow. CSA could be in part inhibited by pretreating NK cell culture supernatants with a specific goat anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antiserum. The inhibition, however, was never complete, a finding that suggests that additional factors were responsible for CSA. Incubation of NK cells with K562 cells (an NK-sensitive target) or with normal bone marrow cells resulted in the appearance of a strong colony-inhibiting activity (CIA) in the culture supernatants. Such CIA was demonstrable in an experimental system where bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitors were induced to form myeloid colonies in the presence of conditioned medium by CSA-producing giant cell tumor (GCT) cells. Stimulation of NK cells with NK-insensitive targets failed to induce CIA production. Neutralizing antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were found capable of inhibiting CIA present in the supernatants of NK cells stimulated with K562 cells. Following treatment with anti-TNF antibodies, CSA was again detectable in the same supernatants. This finding indicates that induction of TNF production did not concomitantly switch off CSA production by NK cells. Pretreatment of NK cells with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) or gamma interferon (r gamma IFN) did not change the amount of CSA released. However, treatment with rIL-2 caused the appearance of a factor in the NK cell supernatants capable of sustaining the formation of colonies of a larger size.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Scleromyxedema serum increases proliferation but not the glycosaminoglycan synthesis of dermal fibroblasts.

In comparison to normal fibroblasts cultured in parallel, scleromyxedema fibroblasts grew less well, synthesized increased amounts of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in vitro and had ultrastructural abnormalities. Serum obtained from a patient with scleromyxedema increased in vitro fibroblast proliferation but not the GAG synthesis per cell. Serum obtained after therapy, at the time when clinical improvement was observed, continued to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. Thus the serum factor stimulating the fibroblast proliferation did not modulate their GAG synthesis and had no direct relationship to disease activity.

Female↗

An in vitro model for Toxoplasma infection in man. Interaction between CD4+ monoclonal T cells and macrophages results in killing of trophozoites.

The cell interactions that take place between Toxoplasma gondii trophozoites and the human immune system have been investigated by using an in vitro model of infection. PBMC were co-cultured with live, appropriately attenuated, trophozoites. When cells from immune (seropositive) donors were used, a proliferative response was observed. At the same time, the proliferating T cells proved capable of controlling the growth of live trophozoites. By contrast, cells from seronegative donors failed to mount a proliferative response and intracellular overgrowth of trophozoites with subsequent cell injury occurred. Actively proliferating T cells were expanded in continuous cell lines with IL-2 and periodical restimulation with Ag in the presence of autologous irradiated mononuclear cells. From some of the lines obtained, clones were also derived. Ten clones were selected for further studies. They proliferated in response to trophozoites but not to unrelated Ag. Their response required the presence of autologous monocytes-macrophages isolated from peripheral blood on Percoll density gradients. B cells that were obtained from the same donors and immortalized by EBV infection proved inefficient as APC. These data suggest that live trophozoites have to be processed by macrophages in order to be presented to T cells. Upon appropriate antigen stimulation, all of the clones produced IL-2 and IFN-gamma, a finding that was consistent with both their CD4+ surface phenotype and their helper capacity on B cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. The supernatants of all of the stimulated clones released a factor that activated macrophages to kill intracellular trophozoites as well as an unrelated pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. This factor was identified as IFN-gamma because it was neutralized by specific anti-IFN-gamma antibodies. The present in vitro model of response to live protozoa may prove suitable to assess the role of both T lymphocytes and macrophages in intracellular parasite infections in man. Furthermore, this experimental system may be applied to detect specific lesions of cell mediated immunity in a number of immunodeficiency syndromes.

Adult↗

Heterogeneous synthetic phenotype of cloned scleroderma fibroblasts may be due to aberrant regulation in the synthesis of connective tissues.

Clones of dermal fibroblasts from the skin of 4 normal subjects and 5 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS; scleroderma) were established, and their synthetic and proliferative characteristics were compared. A limiting-dilution assay was used to determine frequencies of cloning in the microcultures of dermal fibroblasts plated. The clones derived from single cells were expanded in vitro and examined (in passages C-H) for growth and synthesis of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagenase-sensitive protein (CSP). The clonogenicity of PSS fibroblasts was not significantly different from that of normal fibroblasts. Normal fibroblast clones were characterized by low levels of GAG and CSP synthesis, and there was a correlation between the GAG and CSP phenotypes. In contrast, clones of PSS fibroblasts were often, but not always, high producers of GAG and CSP, but there was no correlation between the levels of GAG and CSP synthesis. It appears that scleroderma skin is composed of fibroblast clones that are unable to regulate the synthesis of connective tissue components and often synthesize large amounts of connective tissue macromolecules.

Adult↗

Anti-lymphocyte globulin stimulates normal human T cells to proliferate and to release lymphokines in vitro. A study at the clonal level.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated in vitro with anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG), and the phenotypic and functional properties of the blasts obtained were investigated. When stained with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), all of the blasts were identified as T cells that expressed predominantly the CD4 phenotype (70% of the cells). The remaining blasts were CD8+. These findings demonstrate that ALG stimulates both helper-inducer and cytotoxic-suppressor cells at random since the CD4 to CD8 ratio in the stimulated blasts was the same as in resting PBMC. This ratio is different from that observed in short-term cultures of T cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) under the same conditions (CD4 to CD8 ratio less than 1). ALG-stimulated T cells were cloned by limiting dilution in the presence of recombinant Interleukin-2 (rIL-2). The clones obtained were expanded and maintained in long term cultures with rIL-2. Thirty-two clones were tested for their capacity of producing colony stimulating activity (CSA) or burst promoting activity (BPA). Twenty-eight of them produced CSA and 12 produced BPA. No correlation was found between the surface phenotype and the ability of the clones to produce CSA or BPA (ie, both the CD4+ and CD8+ clones released the cytokines). When 16 of the same clones were tested for II-2 and gamma interferon (gamma IFN) production, 12 were found to be gamma INF and IL-2 producers. All of the gamma IFN producers also released IL-2, whereas in the single clones no correlation was found with the capacity of releasing BPA and CSA. Supernatants from selected T-cell clones were also tested for hematopoietic growth factor activities in the presence of neutralizing antisera to human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or to Interleukin-3 (IL-3). It was found that most CSA was attributable to GM-CSF, whereas BPA was mainly related to the presence of IL-3.

Animals↗

Characterization of cells from invaded lymph nodes in patients with solid tumors. Lymphokine requirement for tumor-specific lymphoproliferative response.

The specific immune response against the malignant cells was investigated in patients with urinary bladder or larynx cancer. Lymphocytes from lymph nodes that drain the tumor site were tested for their proliferative and cytotoxic capacities against autologous malignant cells isolated from the primary tumor. In no occasion was a proliferative or a cytotoxic response observed. However, when the lymph node cell suspensions were depleted of cells expressing both OKM1 and Leu-7 markers by rosetting with the appropriate mAbs, a proliferative response could be observed. The lymphocytes responded to autologous tumor cells only if IL-2 was added to the cultures. IL-2 alone induced some cell proliferation, which was not, however, comparable to that observed in response to both IL-2 and tumor cells. A panel of allogeneic tumor cells consistently failed to stimulate OKM1-, Leu-7- cells in vitro. Response to autologous tumor cells was not caused by HLA-encoded molecules, as occurs in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction, since OKM1-, Leu-7- cells failed to be stimulated by autologous non-T cells. A proliferative response was observed only with cells from lymph nodes that had been classified as invaded by malignant cells according to histopathologic criteria. Cells from noninvaded lymph nodes consistently failed to respond. Cells stimulated with autologous tumor cells could be expanded in short-term lines by continuous addition of IL-2 and malignant cells. One of these lines, which comprised mainly T8+ cells, was stimulated to proliferate only by autologous tumor cells, and its proliferative response was inhibitable by anti-class I and not by anti-class II mAbs. This line showed lytic capacities against autologous malignant targets, while it was inefficient against all of the other allogeneic cells tested. In another set of experiments, the mechanisms whereby exogenous IL-2 had to be added to the cultures to sustain a proliferative response against neoplastic cells were investigated. When cocultured with autologous malignant cells, OKM1-, Leu-7- lymphocytes expressed IL-2 receptors, as could be assessed by anti-Tac fluorescent staining. Under these culture conditions, these cells did not produce IL-2, and no proliferation was observed. Addition of purified IL-1 to the cultures induced IL-2 production and cell proliferation. It is concluded that metastatic lymph nodes contain a T cell population that can be detected in a proliferative assay when both suppressor cells are removed and the appropriate molecular signals are supplied.

Antigens, Surface↗

Production of colony-stimulating activity by normal and neoplastic human B lymphocytes.

Normal human B cells were purified from peripheral blood or tonsils and tested for their ability to release colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in short-term cultures. The target cells used in the CSA assays were from peripheral blood or bone marrow. Unstimulated B cells produced CSA in amounts similar to those present in the GCT-conditioned medium used as a positive control. The B cell-derived CSA predominantly promoted the growth of colonies that contained macrophages alone or macrophages and granulocytes. CSA eluted in a single peak from a G-75 Sephadex column with an approximate molecular weight (mw) of 65 to 70 kilodaltons (kd). Fractionation of tonsil B lymphocytes on Percoll density gradients showed that large B cells, probably already activated in vivo, were the main source of CSA. By contrast, small, resting B cells recovered from a different fraction of the Percoll gradient released minimum amounts or no CSA. However, these B cells became CSA producers following stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC) in vitro. B cells purified from the peripheral blood of nine out of 12 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) also released CSA in vitro in the absence of stimuli. These findings suggest that by releasing CSA, B cells may have a role in the regulation of hematopoiesis and in the control of the inflammatory process.

Antigens, Surface↗

Adenosine induced production of a soluble factor affecting lymphocyte activation.

We show that a brief exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to adenosine or to theophylline results in a mitomycin C resistant regulatory activity. Adenosine induced suppression is also detectable in a lymphocyte subpopulation (T4+ enriched, originally described as helper inducer) resistant to the theophylline induced loss of capacity to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (TTR). This activity is apparently dependent on the production of a soluble factor(s) since supernatants from adenosine treated TTR (SnA) exert a significant inhibition on the proliferative response of resting lymphocytes. On the contrary SnA increases the concanavalin A (ConA) preactivated lymphocytes proliferation. Similar results are detectable on the proliferative response in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Perhaps these effects are related to different Interleukin 2 (Il 2) receptor expression on the cell surface of the resting and preactivated populations. A slow moving band corresponding to a protein of Mr of 64,500 and isoelectric point 7.6 is present in SnA. Only a slight Il 2 activity is detectable either in SnA and in control supernatant (SnC). These findings suggest that SnA may be a dynamic regulator of the early stages of lymphocyte activation.

Adenosine↗

In vitro production of interleukin 1 by normal and malignant human B lymphocytes.

In this study, the capacity of normal and neoplastic B lymphocytes to release interleukin 1 (IL 1) has been investigated. Peripheral blood B cells from normal donors were isolated by depletion of E rosetting cells and by positive selection of cells expressing surface immunoglobulin (sIg) or the B1 marker. Peripheral blood B cells from patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) were purified by removal of E rosetting cells followed by complement-mediated cytotoxicity with selected monoclonal antibodies. All of the normal B cell suspensions and the large majority of the B-CLL cells produced in culture high amounts of IL 1 in the absence of any apparent stimulus. Control experiments ruled out that small numbers of monocytes in the B cell suspensions could represent the source of IL 1. These data support the contention that B cells participate to the immune response as accessory cells for T cell activation not only by physically presenting antigen, but also by releasing IL 1.

Animals↗

Establishment of Tac-negative, interleukin-2-dependent cytotoxic cell lines from large granular lymphocytes (LGL) of patients with expanded LGL populations.

Cell lines were established from purified large granular lymphocytes (LGL) isolated from the peripheral blood of seven patients with phenotypically homogeneous LGL expansions. LGL were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and further expanded in vitro in IL-2-containing media. The surface phenotype of LGL, as assessed by monoclonal antibody staining, was T3+ T8+ in five patients, T3- T8- in one, and T3+ T8- in another patient. The cells also expressed Leu 7, Leu 11, and/or OKM 1 markers in various proportions and were identifiable as LGL by their morphological and cytochemical features. The original surface phenotype of the unstimulated LGL was retained in the IL-2-dependent cell lines from each individual patient, i.e., T3+ T8+ cells originated T3+ T8+ cell lines and T3- T8- cells originated T3- T8- cell lines. Other markers, such as Leu 11 and OKM 1, were generally lost in culture. LGL proliferated in response to rIL-2 but did not express detectable IL-2 receptors, even after prolonged periods of culture. All cell lines from each individual patient had the same surface phenotype, and within the single lines, all of the cells expressed the same markers. Cell lines from two patients consistently displayed chromosomal abnormalities. Although different in the two patients, the abnormalities were identical in all of the lines from the same patient and detectable in most of the cells examined, suggesting a clonal origin for the abnormally expanded LGL populations. Freshly isolated LGL did not exert NK activity. However, the IL-2-dependent LGL lines acquired the ability to kill K562 target cells and to produce gamma interferon (gamma-IFN). No direct correlation was observed between these two properties.

Antigens, Surface↗