Lysis Of YAC-1 Cells Research Articles

Does analgesia and condition influence immunity after surgery? Effects of fentanyl, ketamine and clonidine on natural killer activity at different ages

Cellular immunity varies in the perioperative period. We evaluated the effects of fentanyl, clonidine and ketamine at different time points after surgery and in animals in different conditions (young vs. old). Rats undergoing laparotomy under sevoflurane anaesthesia were assigned to receive saline, fentanyl (40 microg kg(-1)), clonidine (10 microg kg(-1)) or ketamine (10 mg kg(-1)) 1 h before surgery. Natural killer (NK) activity was quantified at different time points (immediately or after 18, 24, 48, 72 h and 8 days) in vitro by the lysis of YAC-1 cells. In-vivo assessment included counting the number of lung metastases induced by the MADB-106 cells. During the first 24 h after surgery, a rapid increase in NK activity was noted, followed by a significant depression returning to baseline at 8 days. Analgesics show specific effects: fentanyl depressed NK activity with or without surgery. Clonidine depressed NK activity in nonoperated animals and during the first 24 h after surgery. Ketamine depressed NK activity in nonoperated animals but, after surgery, this activity varied with the same time course as saline. Ketamine and clonidine significantly reduced the number of lung metastases in operated animals. Ketamine significantly reduced the number of metastases in old nonoperated animals. Finally, ageing has a significant negative influence. Surgery, analgesics and co-existing conditions significantly influence cellular immunity. The importance of these changes varies with time. Fentanyl had a worse influence than clonidine and ketamine, but seemed equally protective against the development of metastases.

Intravenous injection of naked DNA encoding secreted flt3 ligand dramatically increases the number of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in vivo.

The trace number of dendritic cells (DCs) present in tissues has limited the study of DC biology and development of clinical applications utilizing DCs. Here we show that hydrodynamics-based gene delivery of naked DNA encoding secreted human flt3 ligand (hFLex) can dramatically increase the number of functional DCs and natural killer (NK) cells. After a single injection of the hFLex gene, hFLex levels in mouse serum reached approximately 40 microg/ml and remained above 1 microg/ml for 5-6 days. Sustained levels of serum hFLex correlated with significant increases in the size of the lymphoid organs and in the proportion of dendritic cells and NK cells in both lymph nodes and spleen. The increase in DC and NK cell numbers started from day 5, and reached peak levels between day 8 and day 12. The levels then returned to normal on day 20. These DCs and NK cells were functional as evidenced by mixed leukocyte reactions and lysis of YAC-1 cells, respectively. These results suggest that delivery of the hFLex gene provides a simple, efficient, and inexpensive way of increasing DC and NK cell populations in vivo, and may have broad applications in the further study of DC and NK cell biology and in the development of immunotherapy strategies.

LACK OF SUPPRESSIVE EFFECTS OF MIXTURES CONTAINING LOW LEVELS OF METHYLMERCURY (MeHg), POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZO-p-DIOXINS (PCDDS), POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS (PCDFS), AND AROCLOR BIPHENYLS (PCBS) ON MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTION, PHAGOCYTIC, AND NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES OF RAT LEUKOCYTES IN VITRO

Rat splenocyte mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity, and phagocytic activities of splenic, peritoneal, and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were evaluated in vitro to determine the immunotoxicity of mixtures containing low levels of methylmercury (MeHg) , polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) , polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and Aroclor polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The mixtures were based on the concentrations of the chemicals in fish flesh. Leukocytes from male Fischer rats were exposed to MeHg (0.1-2 mug/ml), PCDD/ PCDF mixtures (1-15 pg/ ml) of three PCDDs (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin, 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) and two PCDFs (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran and 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran), three Aroclor PCB (Aroclor 1242, 1254, and 1260) mixtures (0.01-0.5 mug/ml), or combinations of MeHg/ PCB/ PCDD/ PCDF mixtures for 24 or 72 h before immunological assays. Phagocytosis and NK cell cytotoxicity were evaluated with a flow cytometer, and MLR of Fischer rat responder splenocytes cultured with mitomycin C-treated Long-Evans splenocytes by [3H]thymidine uptake. Exposure to MeHg (2 mug/ml) alone or with PCB/ PCDD/PCDF resulted in significant cytolethality in rat splenocytes, peritoneal leukocytes, and PBLs at 24 h exposure. Treatment with Aroclor PCB mixtures, PCDD/PCDF mixtures, 0.1 mug MeHg/ml (noncytolethal), or PCB/PCDD/ PCDF mixtures with 0.1 mug MeHg/ml caused no suppression of splenocyte MLR response, splenic NK cell-mediated lysis of Yac-1 cells, or phagocytosis of fluorescent beads by splenic, peritoneal, and peripheral blood phagocytic cells. The results indicate that in vitro exposure of rat leukocytes to low levels of MeHg, Aroclor PCB mixtures, PCDD/ PCDF mixtures, or MeHg/PCB/PCDD/PCDF mixtures had no suppressive effects on the immune functions assayed, and thus produced no additive immunotoxicity. However, in order to predict the potential risk of these chemical mixtures to the human immune system, in vivo animal studies with blood (tissue) levels compatible with the levels of MeHg, PCBs, and PCDDs/PCDFs in exposed human populations should be evaluated.

Reduced splenocyte metabolism and immune function in rats implanted with the Morris hepatoma 7777

Although the immune system is important in antitumor defense, little is known about the immune response during progressive tumor growth. Sprague-Dawley rats (171 ± 3 g) of the Buffalo strain were implanted with the Morris Hepatoma 7777 ([MH 7777] a poorly differentiated, rapidly growing tumor) and killed either 2 (T2) or 3 (T3) weeks postimplantation when the tumor weighed 3.0 ± 0.4 and 14 ± 1 g, respectively. Splenocytes were isolated and their phenotypes, metabolism (metabolite production from glucose and glutamine), proliferative response ([ 3H]thymidine incorporation in response to polyclonal mitogens), and natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity (lysis of YAC-1 cells) were determined. Five rats were killed with the T2 group to serve as non-tumor-bearing controls (T0). Food intake and nontumor body weight decreased ( P < .01) 14 days after tumor implantation. There was a progressive decrease (T3 < T2 < T0) in splenic mitogen responses ( P < .05) and plasma essential and nonessential amino acid concentrations ( P < .05). Compared with T0, NK cytotoxic activity was significantly ( P < .05) lower at T2 and higher at T3. The presence of the tumor at both T2 and T3 resulted in lower production of metabolites from glucose and glutamine by splenocytes. The proportion of CD8 + cells was lower ( P < .05) and the proportion of B cells and macrophages higher ( P < .05) in spleens from tumor-bearing rats. In conclusion, the presence of even a small tumor burden (1.4% of body weight) significantly altered the host's immune function and metabolism. A larger tumor burden (6% of body weight) increased NK cytotoxic activity and further reduced cell-mediated immune function.

Gelatin Sponge Model of Effector Recruitment: Tumoricidal Activity of Adherent and Non-Adherent Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells After Culture in interleukin-2

This study examined the specific tumoricidal activity of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells derived from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes that prevent the growth of secondary tumors in animals harboring progressing primary tumors. A pre-implanted gelatin sponge was employed to capture infiltrating host effectors during the expression of concomitant tumor immunity. Additionally, this study compared the cytolytic activity of these sponge-derived cells with those of counterpart splenic lymphocytes. The cells from both sources were cultured for 4 days in IL-2 to generate LAK cells which were further expanded in IL-2-containing medium for up to 11 days. The cytotoxic activities of these cells were measured in a Chromium-51 release assay. The data revealed that the culture of splenic, or sponge-derived lymphocytes results in the emergence of non-adherent and adherent cell populations with LAK activity. The 4-day sponge-derived LAK cells (adherent and non-adherent) exhibited significant cytolysis of EMT6 cells while the spleen-derived counterparts showed minimal cytotoxicity toward these targets. Some NK activity in LAK cells derived from both sources was evident by their lysis of YAC-1 cells. LAK cells from both sources were incapable of lysing histo-compatible EL-4 (H-2b) tumor cells. The lysis of the EMT6 cells by the sponge-derived LAK cells was maintained over an 11-day period of culture in IL-2. Conversely, the spleen-derived LAK cells were unable to significantly lyse EMT6 cells during this period of in vitro culture. These results show the superior specific tumoricidal activity of LAK cells derived from lymphocytes mediating tumor rejection in vivo (sponge-derived) over that of counterpart splenic lymphocytes.

Interferon and natural killer cell activity in coxsackie virus B3-induced murine myocarditis

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in the temporal development of coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3m)-induced myocarditis in adolescent CD-1 male mice was examined. Inoculation of purified CVB3m induced maximum NK cell activity in the spleen at 2–4 days post inoculation (P1), as assessed by lysis of YAC-1 cells. Maximum virus titres in heart tissues were obtained on day 3 P1. Mice given anti-asialo GM1 antiserum intravenously had decreased NK cell activity, increased CVB3m titres and exacerbated myocarditis. Although the number of lesions was not increased in the heart tissues of these mice, the lesions exhibited increased myocyte degeneration and dystrophic calcification. Serum interferon titres and anti-CVB3 neutralizing antibody titres in CVB3m-infected mice treated with asialo GM1 antiserum were similar to titres in CVB3m-infected normal mice. An amyocarditic variant of CVB3m (ts5R) replicated in heart tissues and elicited comparable NK cell activity to that elicited by CVB3m. These data suggest that NK cells provide some protection against CVB3m-induced myocarditis by limiting virus replication in heart tissues, independent of the anti-viral effects of interferon.

Inhibition of SK cell activity in frogs by certain drugs and sugars

We present similarities between mammalian natural killer (NK) cells and (anuran amphibian) frog spontaneous killer (SK) cells. A cytotoxic assay utilizing allogeneic erythrocytes as target cells was used and lysis assessed by measuring release of hemoglobin. SK effector cells, just as mammalian NK cells, are not sensitive to cycloheximide nor most simple sugars (50 mM glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, galactose, fucose, mannose). However, SK activity is inhibited by chloroquine, colchicine and mannose-6-phosphate. When SK cells were co-incubated with mammalian tumor cells, they were able to lyse only the NK-sensitive target YAC-1, but not other mammalian tumor cell targets including K562, Molt-4, Raji, P815 and EL4. Lysis of YAC-1 cells was also inhibited by colchicine and chloroquine. These results allow speculation on the evolution of cell mediated cytotoxicity since natural cytotoxic cells are present in ectothermic vertebrates.

Involvement of natural killer cells in coxsackievirus B3-induced murine myocarditis.

The role of natural killer cells in the temporal development of coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis in adolescent CD-1 male mice was examined. Inoculation of purified CVB3m induced maximum NK cell activity in the splenic populations at 3 days postinoculation (p.i.) as assessed by lysis of YAC-1 cells; maximum virus titers in heart tissues were also found at day 3 p.i. Mice depleted of NK cells after injection of anti-asialo GM1 antiserum i.v. had decreased NK cell activity, increased CVB3m titers in heart tissues, and exacerbated myocarditis. Although lesion number was not increased in heart tissues of the latter mice, lesions in these mice exhibited increased myocyte degeneration and dystrophic calcification above that found in lesions of mice inoculated with CVB3m only. No alteration in interferon titers were observed in CVB3m-infected mice treated with anti-asialo GM1 antiserum as compared with normal CVB3m-infected mice. Measurements of splenic NK cell activity in mice inoculated with doses of 10(2) to 10(8) PFU of CVB3m per mouse or UV-irradiated virus suggest that replication of CVB3m is required for NK cell activation. An amyocarditic variant of CVB3m (ts5R) was shown to replicate in heart tissues and to elicit NK cell activity comparable to that elicited by CVB3m. Therefore, the data suggest that NK cell activation depends on virus replication and that these cells provide some protection against CVB3m-induced myocarditis by limiting virus replication in heart tissues.