Leukocyte Migration Inhibitory Factor Research Articles

Molecular mechanisms of oogenesis

This literature review is devoted to the molecular mechanisms of oogenesis and depletion of the ovarian reserve. One of the factors in this process is constantly changing environment of the ovaries, both during intrauterine development and the postnatal period. Numerous mechanisms and factors affecting the internal environment of the female gonad are described, such as stem cell factor (SCF), which regulates migration of primordial germ cells and survival of early oocytes, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF). The capabilities of the endocrine system, namely sex steroids, which can both replenish the number of germ cells and deplete the ovarian reserve through the expression of apoptotic markers, were shown. Apoptosis causes degeneration of most of the germ cells formed during oogenesis. The molecular mechanisms and factors involved in this process are numerous. Pathways mediated by mitochondria of germ cells and external pathways mediated by receptors of the cell surface were described. A mediator between two apoptotic pathways was established – the Bid protein (BH3-interacting domain death agonist), the activation of which triggers the apoptosis mechanism of the intrafollicular microenvironment. Some other factors were identified that mediate programmed germ cell death and result in diminished ovarian reserve: eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF-2 K), PUMA and NOXA genes, the absence of growth factors and members of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. Changes in the epigenetic modification of chromatin in the follicular and germ cells, oxidative stress, decreased DNA repair, and the involvement of the genes BRAC1, RAD51, ERCC2, and H2AX associated with this process can also affect reproductive health and the ovarian reserve. A significant role of mitochondrial dysfunction of follicular cells in depletion of the ovarian reserve is of great interest, which leads to impaired oocyte competence, deteriorates the gamete quality, and depletes the ovarian reserve. Therefore, oogenesis depends on a huge number of factors and the internal environment of the ovaries, the knowledge of which can maintain the stability of the reproductive function and preserve the quality of the ovarian reserve.

Clinical Cases of Bacterial and Fungal Sensitization in Patients with Coxarthrosis and Gonarthrosis depending on Blood Group Differences

Aim: To analyze bacterial and fungal sensitization in persons that have ability to absorb anti-A and anti-B antibodies incompatible with blood group type. Material and methods: 8 people had A blood group, 2 persons had B blood group, 22 persons showed O blood group type. 9 patients with O blood group and 2 patients with B blood group absorbed anti-A antibody. 2 patients with O blood group and 5 patients with A blood group absorbed anti-B antibody. 7 persons with 0 blood group without absorbing activity of anti-A, 4 persons with O blood group and 3 persons with A blood group without anti-B absorbing activity served as control groups. Leukocyte migration inhibition reaction was performed to estimate bacterial and fungal sensitization. Results: Persons with anti-A absorbing ability were characterized by increased antibodies, sensitization to Penicillium, Candida Albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. Coli and Clebsiella pneumoniae, increased CIC as compared to those without anti-A absorbing ability. Patients with anti-B absorbing ability showed decreased spontaneous leukocyte migration inhibitory factor production, sensitization to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus by cell type, sensitization to Candida Lusitaniae by humoral type. Persons with anti-A absorbing ability as compared to the persons with anti-B absorbing ability showed sensitization to Penicillium, Candida Albicans, while the persons with anti-B sensitization revealed sensitization to Streptococcus pyogenes. During incubation of erythrocytes with the heated polyclonal anti-A (and anti-B) and complement at room temperature the erythrocytes of the persons with corresponding anti-A (anti-B) absorbance were increased in size and agglutinated by sides. Conclusion: Anti-A and anti-B absorbing activity of erythrocytes is associated with different fungal and bacterial sensitization.

Immunological aspects of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with periprosthetic infection and osteomyelitis

A study of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and immunological examination of patients with periprosthetic infection after knee and hip joint endoprosthetics (n = 16) and osteomyelitis (n = 20) was conducted. The patients with periprosthetic infection were characterized by anemia, eosinophilia, impaired glucose tolerance, cholestasis, predisposition to elevated atherogenesis, increased circulating immune complexes, autoimmune granulocytotoxic antibodies, immunoglobulins IgM, IgG, IgA and sensitization to synovial membrane and Staphylococcus aureus. The patients with osteomyelitis did not develop increased glucose and cholesterine level, but showed increased aminotransferases, thymol test, chondroitinsulfates, decrease of calcium and production of the leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF), both non-specific and to the antigens of cartilage tissue and sensitization to Streptococcus and E. coli. In patients with infections of the musculoskeletal system, glucose metabolism disturbances have been associated with the presence of autoimmune lymphocytotoxic antibodies, reduced production of LiF, both non-specific and to the antigens of synovial membrane. Atherogenesis was associated with increased circulating immune complexes, autoimmune lymphocytotoxic and granulocytotoxic antibodies, decreased LIF and sensitization to connective tissue antigens and pathogenic microorganisms, especially to Streptococcus and Proteus. Anemia was associated with increased autoimmune lymphocytotoxic antibodies, delayed-type sensitization to bone and cartilage tissue, to Staphylococcus and sensitization by accelerated type to E. coli and Proteus. Physicians should analyse immunological data while treating and monitoring the patients with connective tissue infections and disturbances of glucose and cholesterine metabolism.

Modified tests basophil degranulation and leukocyte migration inhibition factor in drug allergy. Study 2009-2014

Adverse reactions to drugs are increasing and there are few studies for the diagnosis. To determine the utility of modified basophil degranulation (MBD) test and modified leukocyte migration inhibition factor (MLMIF) test to prove drug hypersensitivity. 177 patients of both sexes were studied with the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity, determining MBD, MLMIF, or both, between 2009 and 2014. They were matched with positive and negative controls and the non-allergic population. Applications are issued according to the type of hypersensitivity, considering type I MBD and type IV MLMIF. 170 patients (96.04%) were positive to at least one drug (RR = 4.71). 561 MBD (73.62%) and 201 MLMIF (26.37%) were performed. Female sex was more frequent (64.41%); the average age was 38.5. MBD was positive in 70.23% and MLMIF in 67.16%. The test sensitivity was increased complementarily and with two dilutions. The correlation of MBD and MLMIF was positive and highly significant. Women have more drug reactions. Modified MBD test is useful at any age. Since medications can activate one or other hypersensitivity mechanism, it is important to request the tests simultaneously.

Study the Ability of Enterotoxigenic E.coli Antigens To Induce Cellular Immune Response by Erythrocyte-Rosette Formation and Leukocyte Migration Inhibition Factor in Rabbits

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the ability of Enterotoxigenic E.coli and their enterotoxins to induce cellular immune response by means of erythrocyte-rosette formation and leukocyte migration inhibition factor tests. Methodology: Total of 30 stool sample was collected of patient with severe diarrhea whom attended to Al-Sadder teaching hospital in Al-Najaf city in period extended of April to June 2013. All bacterial isolates was identified according to morphological and biochemical testes and by API 20 E system, which further conformational tested for heat stable enterotoxin production by Suckling Mice Assay (SMA). three antigens (heat killed bacterial cell, crude enterotoxin and purified heat stable enterotoxin ETECST) was prepared and injected in experimental animals(rabbit) and tested in the level of systemic and mucosa (appendix and duodenum). Statistical analysis was done by least significant difference (LSD). Results: The results showed that 20% (6 isolates) was Enterotoxigenic E.coli and the immune experiments showed significant increase level of E-rosette formation in rabbit injected with heat killed antigen (50.1%, 49.7% and 53.0%) compared with control (23.1%, 31.8% and 29.6%) in blood appendix and duodenum consecutively, while high level appeared in crude enterotoxin and ETECST in appendix (41.3%) and (47.4%) consecutively. The assessment of ETECST LIF in migration percent to sensitizer was showing high significant LIF (54.5%, 47.6% and 43.3%) compared with control (82.0%, 79.5% and 79.5%) in blood appendix and duodenum consecutively. Conclusions: crud and partially purified enterotoxins have ability to induce cellular immune response in blood and mucosa. Recommendation: prepare a carrier molecule model for partially purified enterotoxins to make a vaccine against Enterotoxigenic E.coli .

Specific cell-mediated immune response in rabbits immunised and infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Abstract Deep crusty dermatophytosis was demonstrated in 10-week-old rabbits naturally and experimentally infected with T. mentagrophytes. Moreover, specific cell-mediated immune response in T. mentagrophytes-infected rabbits occurrd in two phases. During the presence of clinical symptoms of trichophytosis, slightly positive results of leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LMIF) assay were noted, whereas the highest values were observed during spontaneous regression of fungal lesions and complete recovery. The slightly positive LMIF values in rabbits with fungal lesions reflect the mechanism of cell-mediated immune response during T. mentagrophytes infection. On the other hand, the highest positive LMIF values during spontaneous recovery indicate that regression of fungal lesions is attributed to acquired specific cellular immunity. The findings also confirm that the used vaccine against trichophytosis quite strongly stimulates the cell-mediated immune mechanisms, which is confirmed by positive LMIF values in immunised rabbits.

The immunogenicity,allerginicity and immunomodulating potentials as well as shared antigenicity of Fasciola hepatica (whole body lectin FHL) with E .coli in rabbit

The Fasciola hepatica surface and whole body lectins (FHLs) were separated partially purified and tentatively identified. They are of protein nature and of glucose, lactose, and mannose-binding potentials. As well as they agglutinate sheep red corpuscles 2% suspension. FHLs are T lymphocyte mitogens, but the whole body lectins were more potent than surface lectins. Thus, whole-body lectin was selected for further study.T he whole body lectin stimulates specific antibody formation at both mucosal and systemic level, post to an oral immunization program in rabbits.T he immunodominant epitope can be of B cell or Th2 dependent nature and in combination with E. coli "O" antigen induces mucosal tolerance. E. coli induce significant leukocyte migration inhibitory factor ( LIF ) and the combination of E .coli -FHLs induced both significant macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and LIF in the immunoprimed rabbits.FHLs posses augmenting potential for the tuberculin skin DTH reaction indicating its cellular immunopotentiating ability. Bilateral humoral and cellular shared immunogenicity. Such shared character may be helpful in immunoprotection model of E.coli infection in one hand and source of confusion in immunodiagnosis of Fasciola infection, on the other hand. The conclusion of this study FHL functional epitope mapping, maps the following possible epitope, B or Th2 dependent.Th1, Tdth and or shared immunodominant epitopes.

Leukocyte migration inhibition test in drug-induced pneumonitis

The leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) was performed in 8 cases of presumed drug-induced pneumonitis. The drugs involved were amiodarone in 3 cases, methotrexate in 2 cases, and fenofibrate, nadolol, and gold salt, each in one case. The agarose microdroplet technique for photoelectric readings of leukocyte migration inhibition was applied in the presence of a wide range of drug concentrations. LMIT was found to be positive in 6 of the 8 cases (75%). The presence of a positive LMIT indicates the elaboration of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor. These results suggest that cell-mediated immunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced pneumonitis and that LMIT may be useful for the detection of causative drugs in patients with this condition.

アレルギー性薬疹における掻痒感の検討

We examined the occurrence of itching in 310 patients in whom allergic drug eruption was suspected and studied various aspects of itching for 221 leukocyte migration test (LMT)-positive patients.The incidence of itching was 75.1% in the LMT-positives and 64.0% in LMT-negatives,a significant difference (p<0.05,χ2-test).In the former,there was a negative correlation between the incidence of itching and aging (correlation coefficient ; r=-0.78,p<0.01).As regards latent period,the incidence of itching was 65.0% in less than 3 days and 83.0% in more than 4 days,and this difference was also significant (p<0.05,χ2-test).Regarding leucocyte migration factors (LMFs),there was a signifant difference between the incidence of itching for the leukocyte migration activating factor (LMAF) which was was 82.2% and that for the leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) which was 69.2% (p<0.05,χ2-test).In terms of causative drugs,the incidence of itching was 80.2% for antibacterial drugs and 62.5% for non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),the difference again being significant (p<0.02,χ2-test).The detection rate of LMAF was significantly higher than that of LMIF for the antibacterial drugs (p<0.05,χ2-test),but in the case of NSAIDS,the LMIF detection rate was significantly higher than that for LMAF (p<0.00001,χ2-test).Our findings indicate that the itching may arise as an allergic reaction in drug eruption and is present in 3/4 of allergic drug eruption cases.It also seems to be decreased by aging and to be influenced by the latent period,causative drug and LMFs.

Leucocyte Phagocytosis In Children With Urinary Schistosomiasis And Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitemia

In the participants considered for this study, leucocyte migration, neutrophil candidacidal activity and ability to generate reactive oxygen were determined as percentage migration index (%M. I), candidacidal phagocytic index (%C.I) and bacterial stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction index (%NBT) respectively. Also, malaria density was counted from thick blood film of glass slide stained with Giemsa stain. The participants were 54 school children having urinary schistosomiasis without malaria parasites (USS-M), 18 children with both urinary schistosomiasis and malaria parasites (USS+M), 46 children with malaria parasites without urinary schistosomiasis (M-USS) and 29 controls. The mean % M.I was least while %NBT index was highest in USS+M subjects but M-USS subjects had least %C.I. Malaria density was higher in M-USS subjects than USS+M subjects. The results of this study showed that low prevalence and reduced severity of malaria parasites in children with urinary schistosomiasis may be due to adequate production of leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) and reactive oxygen species. Key words: Leucocyte phagocytosis, malaria, schistosomiasis, Nigeria Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 81-86

Pathophysiological significance of a reaction in mouse gastrointestinal tract associated with delayed-type hypersensitivity.

To explore the pathophysiological significance of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in mouse gastrointestinal tract induced by an allergen 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control and DTH(1-6) groups. After sensitized by DNCB smeared on the abdominal skin, the mice were challenged with DNCB by gavage or enema. The weight, stool viscosity and hematochezia were observed and accumulated as disease active index (DAI) score; the gastrointestinal motility was represented by active charcoal propulsion rate; the colon pathological score was achieved by macropathology and HE staining of section prepared for microscopy; and the leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) activity was determined by indirect capillary assay of the absorbance (A) of migrated leukocytes. Active charcoal propulsion rates of small intestine in the DNCB gavages groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The DAI scores and pathological score in DNCB enema groups were also higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and there were significant rises in LMIF activity in DNCB enema groups as compared with control groups (P<0.01). Mouse gastrointestinal DTH reaction could be induced by DNCB, which might facilitate the mechanism underlying the ulcerative colitis.

薬剤性出血性大腸炎におけるアレルギー反応の関与―白血球遊走試験による検討―

In 12 patients suspected of drug-associated hemorrhagic colitis, the identification of the allergenic drugs was made based on the findings of a leukocyte migration test (LMT) to study the value of LMT and also based on the presence of an allergic reaction in drug-associated hemorrhagic colitis.The LMT was positive in 8 (67%) of 12 cases. When it was absent in the patient' s serum, the positive rate was 3/12 (25%), whereas when it was present in the serum the rate increased to 7/10 (70%). Leukocyte migration activating factor (LMAF) was detected in 5 cases (42%) and leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) was detected in 3 cases (25%). LMT-positive drugs were detected in 9 of all 41 suspected drugs, in which 6 drugs (67%) were β-lactam antibiotics and 2 drugs (22%) were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 1 drug (11%) was a hemostatic drug. Penicillin antibiotics accounted for 67% (4/6) in β-lactam antibiotics. Abnormal growth bacteria, i.e., K.oxytoca, Cl. Difficile, E. coli O-18 were detected in 3 cases by a bacteriological examination of a stool culture. However, all the 3 cases were positive for LMT.Our findings indicate that in drug-associated hemorrhagic colitis, an allergic reaction may play a major role and LMT may be highly useful for identifying such allergenic drugs. As a result, it may be important to add the patient's serum when performing the LMT. In addition, both LMAF and LMIF may be involved in the pathogenesis. β-lactam antibiotics may also be major drugs that can cause allergic hemorrhagic colitis. Furthermore, hemorrhagic colitis may be partly related to drug allergy even in cases where an abnormal growth of bacteria is detected.

A Study on Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Hepatic Injury by Leucocyte Migration Test

The identification of allergenic drugs was performed in 79 patients suspected of suffering from drug-induced hepatic injury using the leucocyte migration test (LMT). Moreover, the LMT was performed on the administered drugs in 35 patients who had been receiving drugs but had not yet manifested any allergic symptoms (patients without hypersensitivity to drugs). If either leucocyte migration activating factor (LMAF) or leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) was detected in the LMT either with or without the patient's serum, then the test results were regarded as positive. The proportion of LMT positives was 67.1% in 79 patients suspected of suffering drug-induced hepatic injury and 8.6% in 35 patients without any such hypersensitivity to the drugs, and therefore the positive rate was significantly higher in the patients suspected of suffering drug-induced hepatic injury than in the patients without hypersensitivity to the drugs (p<0.0001, X2-test). The proportion of LMT positives was 45.6% for tests with the patient's serum and 46.8% for tests without the patient' s serum, and there was no substantial difference in the LMT-positive rate between both tests. In addition, no substantial difference was observed among the four clinical types of hepatic injuries. In addition, LMAF was detected in 34.2% and LMIF in 38.0%, and no substantial difference was seen in the rate of detection between both factors. However, concomitant symptoms were observed in 34 cases (43.0%). The proportion of LMT positives was 82.4% in the cases with concomitant symptoms and 55.6% in those without concomitant symptoms. Accordingly, the proportion of LMT positives were significantly higher in the cases with concomitant symptoms than in those without concomitant symptoms (p<0.05, X2-test). LMT-positive drugs were detected in 57 cases, in which 38.6% were β-lactam antibiotics and 17.5% were non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. LMAF was more frequently detected in patients with β-lactam antibiotic-induced hepatic injury (p<0.01, X2-test), while LMIF was detected more frequently in the patients with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced hepatic injury (p<0.01, X2-test). The latent period from the start of drug administration to the onset of hepatic injury was 6.3 days in the patients with β-lactam antibiotic-induced hepatic injury but 33.7 days in those with hepatic injury induced by central nervous system drugs, except for non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (p<0.05, t-test).Our findings indicate that the LMT is a valuable method for identifying allergenic drugs in drug-induced hypersensitivity hepatic injury, while cell-mediated immunity was shown to be closely involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic injury with concomitant symptoms and the patient's serum may thus play little role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced hepatic injury. Furthermore, the pathogenic mechanism of β-lactam antibiotic-induced hepatic injury was also found to possibly be different from that of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced hepatic injury. The latent period from the start of drug administration up until the onset of β-lactam antibiotic-induced hepatic injury may be shorter than that of hepatic injury induced by central nervous system drugs, except for non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Conditioned Immunosuppressive Effect of Cyclophosphamide on Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Response and a Preliminary Analysis of Its Mechanism

In the present study, camphor odor and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cyclophosphamide (CY) were used as conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US), respectively. In the unconditioned group, mice were exposed to camphor odor for 1 h followed by an i.p. injection of CY (75 mg/kg). On the next day, the above CS/US association trial session was repeated followed by smearing dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on mouse abdominal skin for sensitizing the animal for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. Five days after DNCB sensitization, mice were exposed to camphor odor (1 h), followed by an i.p. injection of CY, and then DNCB was smeared on the left ear of mice for the challenge of DTH response. Both the left/right ear weight ratio and the activity of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) were used as the index of DTH response, which was done 24 h after DNCB challenge. In the conditioned group, the treatment was the same as that in the unconditioned group, except that normal saline was injected on day 5 instead of CY. Furthermore, in order to analyze the mechanism of the conditioned response (CR), the mouse serum from the conditioned group (CR serum) was injected into normal mice 6 h prior to DNCB challenge. Results showed that in the conditioned group, left/right ear weight ratio and LMIF activity were statistically lower than that in the DTH group, and there was no difference between conditioned and unconditioned groups. Thus, an animal model of conditioned immunosuppressive response had been established. The results also showed that after CR serum was injected into normal mice, DTH response was also significantly suppressed. However, if CR serum was treated with dialysis (10,000 molecular weight cut-off), the suppressive effect of CR serum on DTH response disappeared. Taken together, the data suggested that a chemical compound(s) in serum, with a molecular weight less than 10,000, was important in mediating the conditioned immunosuppressive response. This may be a very important molecule(s) that could be very critical to our understanding of the interaction between the central nervous system and immune function.

Changes in afferent impulse activity of small intestine mesenteric nerves in response to antigen challenge

Sprague–Dawley rats (weight 130–150 g) were sensitized by an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg chicken egg albumin with 0.25 ml Freund's adjuvant to stimulate immunoglobulin E antibody production. Leukocyte migration inhibitory factor was used as an indicator of animal sensitization. In acute electrophysiological experiments on sensitized animals, an intra-arterial or intraluminal chicken egg albumin (100 μg) challenge evoked a 10% enhancement of the activity of mesenteric nerves of the small intestine, regardless of the injection site chosen. Afferent nerve activity in control animals was not changed during the chicken egg albumin challenge. Morphometry at the light microscope level showed activation of mast cell degranulation after the antigen challenge to presensitized rats. Intraluminal injections of a stimulator of mast cell degranulation, compound 48/80 (20–30 mg), were found to increase afferent discharges in intact rats. An antagonist of H 1 histamine receptors, clemastine, reduced the effect of compound 48/80. The results obtained provide direct evidence for the stimulation of sensory nerve endings by mast cell mediators released during mast cell degranulation.

Leukocyte migration inhibition studies and neutrophil cell function during aging in Nigerians

In this study, in vitro cell-mediated immune response was analysed in 150 healthy Nigerians between 6 and 95 years old by the leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (L-MIF) test. Lymphocytes were activated with the mitogen concanavalin A and candida, measles virus and mycobacterial antigens. Nonspecific cellular immune capacity was studied by the Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. Numerical estimates of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations were done. Mean L-MIF activity obtained with the four lymphocyte activators decreased with rising age indicating a progressive decline in cellular immune function with age. There was no significant age-related change in formazan positivity rate for both unstimulated and stimulated NBT tests. No age-related change in number was observed for any of the leucocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations. These results show that cell-mediated response in Nigerians immunity declines, but phagocyte function is unchanged during aging. Lymphocyte depletion or numerical alteration in resting T cell subsets could not be demonstrated to be responsible for depressed cell-mediated immunity in aging Nigerians.

Correlation of asthenozoospermia with increased antisperm cell-mediated immunity in men from infertile couples

To investigate whether cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against sperm and/or antisperm circulating antibodies are associated with poor semen quality, a leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LMIF) assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed in groups of men from infertile couples, men from fertile couples and sperm donors. Twenty-five of 102 men (25%) revealed positive CMI against sperm and 10 (10%) had positive antisperm antibody titers in their sera. Fifteen of 28 asthenozoospermic men (53%) from infertile couples revealed positive antisperm CMI. The incidence of antisperm CMI was significantly increased ( P < 0.05) in the infertile men with asthenozoospermia compared with the men from the other two groups (men from fertile couples and sperm donors). No significant differences between migration indices were seen when such a comparison was done for oligoasthenoterato- and teratozoospermics. The results indicate that increased antisperm CMI is associated with asthenozoospermia in a significant number of men from infertile couples. The importance of these findings is discussed.

Cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in immunized and/or Dermatobia hominis infested rabbits

The cell-mediated and humoral immune response of rabbits to antigens from larvae of Dermatobia hominis were analyzed by leucocyte migration inhibition factor assay (MIF), immunodiffusion (ID) and passive hemagglutination (PH) test in rabbits immunized with D. hominis extract, in rabbits immunized and infested with the parasite and rabbits infested with D. hominis. Twenty rabbits were divided into five groups: Group 1, rabbits immunized with a crude antigen extract, evaluated for 40 weeks at 4 week intervals; Group 2, rabbits immunized and infested with newly hatched larvae at 14 weeks post immunization (PI) and evaluated as Group 1; Group 3, rabbits immunized, evaluated for 28 weeks at 2 week intervals: Group 4, rabbits immunized and infested at 4 weeks PI and evaluated as Group 3; Group 5, rabbits infested and evaluated for 24 weeks at 2 week intervals. Different patterns of reactivity were observed in the infested and immunized animals: immunized rabbits developed antibodies and cellular immune responses earlier and at higher levels during immunization than the infested rabbits; the infestation at 14 weeks PI, when the cell-mediated and humoral immune response began to decrease, or at 4 weeks PI when these parameters were at higher levels, elicited an anamnestic response. After the spontaneous elimination of larvae by the host, from the 4th week PI onwards, high titers of antibodies and migration inhibition indices were maintained for a long period. These results suggest that the onset of cellular and humoral immune responses after immunization may be important as a biological control of myiasis and contribute to better understanding of the immune defense mechanism of the host against D. hominis.

A quantitative objective method for the evaluation of anti-sperm cell-mediated immunity in humans

Anti-sperm cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is considered as a crucial facet of infertility in patients of both sexes. A precise and objective method is designed, based on a one-step agarose leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LMIF) assay. The migration areas are evaluated by a computer-assisted image analysis system. Optimal concentrations of leukocytes and sperm, as well as technical conditions are described. The radial migration indexes (RMI) and area migration indexes (AMI) are computed and expressed as a migration index (MI) percentage for each patient or control. Preliminary clinical results indicate a highly significant association between migration inhibition and cases of ‘immunopathological infertility’. The method described is considered a promising tool for a rapid and quantitative evaluation of a suspected anti-sperm CMI in infertile and recurrently aborting patients.

In vitro assessment of 'T' lymphocyte functioning in vitiligo. Support for autoimmune hypothesis concerning the disease.

Ten patients with vitiligo in the active state of the disease and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were selected for certain immunological markers. A significantly high production of leukocyte migration inhibition factor was observed in these patients when compared with controls. Levels of immunoglobulin G were found to be significantly elevated. Eighty percent of the cases showed elevated levels of circulating immune complexes. Our investigation supports the autoimmune hypothesis for the disease, showing an increased release of LMIF with a subsequent activation of B-cells which might have led to the observed hypergammaglobulinaemia and elevated levels of circulating immune complexes in these patients.