Numbers Of OKT4 Research Articles

Clinical aspects and observations on patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome

Since November 1982, patients with symptoms suggesting a lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), as well as their contacts and persons in high risk groups were examined as out-patients. The examinations have now been concluded in 101 patients. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to clinical symptoms and the OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio: 30 patients with normal ratio (group I), 59 patients with LAS and a ratio of less than 1 (group II) and 12 patients with fully developed AIDS (group III). During a follow-up time of 18 months, 3 patients of group I developed LAS and 1 patient in group II developed toxoplasma encephalitis. In a further 2 patients with LAS, uncharacteristic symptoms such as fever, tiredness and loss of weight increased, while at the same time the number of OKT4+ cells and thus the ratio fell significantly. In 4 cases the immunological parameters and the clinical picture improved. In 52 patients the clinical picture and the laboratory findings did not change. The demonstration of retrovirus HTLV III would seem to provide the cause of LAS and AIDS. Nonetheless, follow-up observation of contacts and patients with LAS remain important.

Mechanisms of carcinogenesis: Chemical exposure and molecular changes

34. Alexander M, Newmark H, Miler RG. Oral beta-carotene can increase the number of OKT4+ cells in human blood. ZmmuncZLen 1985,9,221-224. 41. 35. Prabhala RH, Garewal HS, Hicks MJ, Sampliner RE, Watson RR. The effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid and beta-carotene on cellular immunity in humans. Cancer 1991,67,1556-1560. 42. 36. Watson RR, Prabhala RH, Plexia PM, Alberts DS. Effect of betacarotene on lymphocyte subpopulations in elderly humans: evidence for a dose-response relationship. Am3 Clin Nun 1991,53,90-94. 43. 37. Bryant DG, Prasad C. Effect of beta-carotene on lymphocyte subpopulations in elderly humans. Am 3 Clin Nun 1991, 54, 44. 432-433. 38. Ringer TV, De Loof MJ, Winterowd GE, et al. Beta-carotene’s effect on serum lipoproteins and immunologic indices in humans. 45.

Analysis of cellular and biochemical contents of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

To evaluate the local immune response in lung and activity of pulmonary tuberculosis. Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on 15 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients consisted of nine in the active stage and six in the inactive stage. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in BAL fluid (BALF) were found in six out of nine active stage patients (BAL-AFB positive group). The results obtained were as follows; 1) The number of total cells in BALF increased significantly in BAL-AFB positive group. BALF from two patients of this group, who were in the very early stage, revealed that the lymphocytes increased predominantly whereas neutrophils were dominant in BALF from the other four patients. 2) No case showed increase of B cells in BALF. Lymphocytes surface markers were compared between BAL-AFB positive and negative groups. No difference was found in the numbers of OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8. The positive rates of OKIal, and OKT4/8 ratio were both increased in BALF compared to the BAL-AFB positive group. 3) The numbers of OKT4 and OKT4/8 ratio in peripheral blood, which were taken simultaneously with BAL, were decreased in patients in the active stage. 4) Protein, albumin, IgG, IgA, lysozyme and alpha 1-antitrypsin levels in BALF were all increased in tuberculous patients. No correlation between the activity of tuberculosis and levels of protein, albumin, IgG and IgA was observed. Lysozyme level increased in the inactive stage of patients. On the other hand alpha 1-antitrypsin level increased in the active stage. Fibronectin level in BALF from patients was lower than that from normal controls. 5) Smoking habit had no influence on the above results. 6) Only one case showed the appearance of new lesions after BAL procedure as a complication.

Quantitative bone histomorphometry and circulating t lymphocyte subsets in postmenopausal osteoporosis

To explore the influence of the immune system on the development of osteoporosis, 19 untreated postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were studied by means of quantitative histomorphometry of the ilium and an analysis of T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood. Osteoporotic women had lower OKT3+ and OKT8+ counts and a higher OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio than nonosteoporotic control subjects. Linear regression analyses disclosed that the age of subjects correlated with bone mineral density (BMD; r = -0.634, p less than 0.01) and some of the histomorphometric parameters for bone formation (r = -0.694 to -0.467, p less than 0.01-0.05). The number of OKT4+ cells showed weak but significant negative correlation with the parameters for bone resorption (r = -0.549 to -0.462, p less than 0.05). In a multiple regression analysis, the advanced age, the increase in OKT3+, and the decrease in OKT4+ and OKT8+ counts were shown to be significant predictors for the decrease in BMD (R = 0.882, p less than 0.01). According to the regression formula obtained from the analysis, the parameters for bone formation were related only to the age of subjects whereas those for bone resorption were tightly associated with the number of OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells but not with the age of subjects. These results indicated that, in addition to the age factor, abnormalities of the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, especially those of OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells, are closely associated with the decrease in bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis, supporting the causal relationship between T lymphocyte functions and the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

頭頚部悪性腫よう患者末梢血リンパ球数とリンパ球サブセットについて

In 40 patients diagnosed as having head and neck region malignant tumors, we studied the changes of peripheral blood lymphocyte and its subpopulation using OK and T series monoclonal antibody.We divided the patients into three classes: good prognostic cases (13 cases), cancerous cases (16 cases) and death cases (11 cases).Peripheral blood lymphocyte showed tendencies of decreases in the following order: good prognostic cases, cancerous cases and death cases (p<0.01).In death cases, 8 cases (73%). showed that the number of peripheral blood lymphocyte was under 1, 000/mm3.We found no significant correlation in both the percentage and the number of OKT-1+ & NKH-1+.The percentages of OKT-3+ & OKT-8+ showed tendencies of increases in the following order: good prognostic cases, cancerous cases and death cases.But, the number of OKT-3+, decreased in the following order: good prognostic cases, cancerous cases and death cases (p<0.05). The number of OKT-8+, showed the same order of decreases as above.The percent and the number of OKT-4+, decreased in the following: good prognostic cases, cancerous cases and death cases (p<0.05, p<0.01).The “T helper/T suppressor” ratio (OKT-4+/OKT-8+) showed significant increases in the following order: death cases, cancerous cases and good prognostic cases (p<0.01).We considered most probable that the decline of the immunological capacity in head and neck region malignant tumor patients were caused by the decreases in the number of OKT-4+.

Bone marrow transplantation for poor prognosis ALL in children. Relapse rate, infections and immunological recovery.

SummaryBetween 1980 and 1985, 11 children (8 boys, 3 girls aged between 18 months and 16 years) with poor prognosis ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) were treated with ablative therapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Six patients (55 %) are alive at the time of evaluation , one died in aplasia, two died of interstitial pneumonia and two died of bone marrow relapse.The median time to recover a neutrophil count of 0.5 x 109/1 was 19 days. The total number of lymphocytes reached normal values after 6 months. The percentage of OKT3 cells (mature T lymphocytes) was slightly depressed during the first 3 months. For at least 9 months, the number of OKT4 (helper lymphocytes) was low with a normal number of OKT8 (suppressor lymphocytes) resulting in an OKT4/OKT8 inverted ratio.As far as B lymphocytes function was concerned, there was a moderate decrease of the immunoglobulin levels. Normal values were obtained after 3 months for IgG, 6 months for IgA and IgM.All the immunological parameters tested returned to normal within one year after the bone marrow transplantation.

Imbalance among T-Cell subsets in patients with coronary arterial aneurysms in Kawasaki disease

The populations of T cells were studied in 46 patients with Kawasaki disease, separated into 2 groups: group 1–11 patients with coronary aneurysms; and group 11–35 patients with normal coronary arteries. Patients from both groups with early acute illness, before day 5, had a significant reduction in the population of OKT3 + (p < 0.001), OKT4 + (p < 0.02) and OKT8 + cells (p < 0.002), but normal OKT4 OKT8 ratios compared with age-matched control subjects. These abnormal values quickly returned to normal levels during week 2 in patients with normal coronary arteries. In contrast, patients in whom coronary aneurysms developed within 3 weeks of the onset had an imbalance between OKT4 and OKT8 during week 2, characterized by a decrease in the number of OKT8 + cells and an increase in the number of OKT4 + cells, resulting in a high OKT4 OKT8 ratio (p < 0.01). Three patients in whom large coronary aneurysms developed had ratios higher than 4.50. Follow-up analysis of T-cell subsets from individual patients with coronary aneurysms showed that the OKT4 OKT8 ratio during the acute stage was reduced during the convalescent stage (p < 0.005). In contrast, the ratio in patients with normal coronary arteries was normal during the course of the illness. These observations suggest that an immune regulatory process operating in coronary aneurysm formation is present.

Lymphocyte surface phenotypes in pernicious anemia.

Because an immunological defect of an unknown nature is thought to be a factor in the pathogenesis of pernicious anemia, we studied lymphocyte surface phenotypes in 40 patients and compared them with 113 healthy controls. The only significant difference that emerged was in their slightly decreased number and proportion of surface immunoglobulin (lambda chain) -bearing cells. Of specific interest, the numbers of OKT4+ and OKT8+ lymphocytes and the T4+/T8+ ratios were not significantly different from control values. A sizable minority of patients had increased ratios, while a smaller number had decreased values. No explanation or identifying feature was apparent for those patients with either increased or decreased T4+/T8+ ratios. (One patient with a very low ratio, who was excluded from our analysis, developed acquired immune deficiency syndrome.) No differences were apparent in T4+/T8+ ratios or any other lymphocyte surface phenotypic characteristics when patients were segregated by presence of anti-intrinsic factor antibody or anti-parietal cell antibody, or by race, sex, or age. Our results in a racially heterogeneous group of patients do not support the suggestion that T4+/T8+ ratios are usually abnormal in prenicious anemia or that the presence of anti-intrinsic factor antibody is associated with such abnormality.

T lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B cell type in relation to immunoglobulin isotype(s) on the leukemic clone and to clinical features.

Total blood T lymphocytes and subpopulations (OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells) were studied in 59 patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). In 48 previously untreated patients, total T lymphocytes were higher as compared to healthy controls (p less than 0.001). T-cells and OKT8+ cells were significantly increased in patients in advanced clinical stage and with progressive disease in comparison to patients with low stage and indolent disease. High numbers of OKT8+ lymphocytes were also seen in patients with a dominance of mu heavy chains on the leukemic clone. Moreover, in this patient group the OKT8+ subpopulation correlated with total B cells (r = 0.68, p less than 0.001) while in patients with a mu delta phenotype no such correlation was seen. After successful cytostatic therapy there was a reduction in total numbers of both OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells, in particular, with a concomitant increase in OKT4/OKT8 ratios.

Cis-platinum as adjunctive to surgery in early stage ovarian carcinoma: Effects on lymphoid cell subpopulations

The effect of single-drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) treatment on the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets and monocytes was determined using monoclonal antibodies and a flow cytometry technique. Thirty-nine patients with radically operated ovarian carcinoma received postoperative treatment with six cycles of CDDP 50 mg/m 2, and were examined either before, during, or after chemotherapy. During treatment, the number of OKT4 + (mainly T-helper) cells was reduced, whereas the number of OKT8+ (mainly Tsuppressor/cytotoxic) cells was increased. Four to six months after the CDDP treatment was ended, these aberrations were no longer seen. The number of 1D5 + cells (monocytes) was not influenced by the treatment. It is concluded that no long-lasting change in the distribution of immunocompetent cells could be detected after this regimen of CDDP treatment.

Imbalance of T cell subsets in cancer patients and its modification with bestatin, a small molecular immunomodifier.

The peripheral T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) cells of patients with cancer were studied by monoclonal antibody assays in comparison with those of non-cancer individuals. An imbalance of immunoregulatory T cell subsets was frequently found in the group of cancer patients (n = 26), being characterized by a relatively high proportion of OKT8+ cells (45.0 +/- 12.0%, p less than 0.01) and a low OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio (1.29 +/- 0.56, p less than 0.05). T cell level showed no significant difference as assessed by either OKT3 or rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes (E). The effect of bestatin was examined in 10 of these cancer patients. The relative proportion of T cell subsets tended to normalize 2 to 6 weeks after starting the daily doses of 30 mg per body. The mean percentage of OKT8+ cells decreased from 47.2 to 33.4 (p less than 0.01), while the helper to suppressor ratio increased from 1.18 to 1.79 (p less than 0.01). A significant increase was also found in the percentage and number of OKT4+ cells and HNK-1+ cells after the drug administration, while T cell level tended to converge to a normal range.

Clinical significance of the subsets of lymphocyte in the peripheral blood of the head and neck cancer patients

Clinical utilities of the measurement of the subsets of the lymphocyte in peripheral blood of the 47 head and neck cancer patients were investigated.Lesion of the subjects were larynx (21), paranasal sinus (8), epipharynx (4), mesopharynx (4), tongue (4), parotis (3), cervical esophagus (2) and ear (1). Histologies of them were squamous cell carcinoma (38), adenocarcinoma (5), malignant melanoma (3) and malignant lymphoma (1). Lymphocytes of the patients were incubated with monoclonal antibody marked with fluorecent substances, then were counted by fiuorocytometer EPICS V(C). Most useful parameter was the numbers of OKT4+ lymphocytes, because they were well correlated with clinical course and prognosis. Although percentage of OKT8+ lymphocytes was elevated in the condition with cancer, the numbers of OKT8+ lymphocytes did not changed. So the elevation of percentage of OKT8+lymphocytes was caused by the decrease of the numbers of OKT4+ lymphocytes. Then for units of the subsets of lymphocytes as parameter, absolute numbers were better than percentage. According to the examination of the change of the subsets in radiation therapy, it was supposed that the best preoperative dose was 2000 rads.

Immunologic aberrations in asbestos cement workers: dissociation from asbestosis

Immunoregulalory disorders have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asbestosis. We therefore compared the immunologic status of a well-characterized group of 31 current and former asbestos-cement workers with that of a group of 52 healthy controls, after adjustments had been made for the possible confounding effects of age, race, and smoking. The asbestos workers had significantly decreased percentages and numbers of both B and T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and a paradoxical IgG hypergammaglobulinemia. Analysis of T-lymphocyte subpopulations revealed that total T-cell numbers (OKT3+), helper-inducer T-cell numbers (OKT4+), and suppressor-cytotoxic T cell numbers (OKT8+) were decreased by similar proportions. These decreases were negatively correlated with time elapsing since the end of exposure to asbestos. In both workers and controls, lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) were correlated positively with the number of OKT4 + cells and negatively with age and serum IgG levels. When adjustments had been made for these confounding variables, no differences in PHA responses were noted between workers and controls. No relationship was detected in the workers between any of the immunologic aberrations noted and (1) radiographic category of pneumoconiosis, (2) estimates of cumulative asbestos exposure, or (3) abnormalities of pulmonary function. These data suggest that the immunologic perturbations we have noted in asbestos-exposed individuals are epiphenomena, unrelated to the pathogenesis of asbestosis itself.

Suppressor cells assayed by numerical and functional tests in chronic renal failure

Suppressor cells were assayed by numerical and functional tests in adults on chronic hemodialysis. Peripheral blood mononuclears (PBM) were classified as total T-cells by E-rosettes and by the monoclonal antibody OKT3, as T-cell subsets by OKT4 (inducer/helper T-cells) and OKT8 (cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells) and as B-cells by the presence of surface immunoglobulin. The suppressive effect of PBM pretreated with either Concanavalin A (Con A), sodium periodate, or serum rich in immune complexes, on normal homologous phytohemagglutinin (PHA) lymphocyte transformation, was determined. Usual tests of T-cell function were not done. T lymphopenia was due to significant diminution (P less than 0.002) in numbers of OKT4+ cells in patients (516 +/- 44 cells/mm3, mean +/- sem) as compared to controls (906 +/- 96 cells/mm3). The number of OKT8+ cells in patients was not different from normal although their percentage (45 +/- 4%) was slightly higher than controls (36 +/- 5%) (P less than 0.10). Suppressor activity using only a suboptimal dose of Con A (5 micrograms/ml), was significantly lower (P less than 0.002) in uremic patients (36 +/- 12%) than in controls (67 +/- 7%). An important finding was that no significant correlations were detected between the numerical and functional assays of suppression used or between any of these immunological tests and biochemical parameters studied. The implications of these results for immunoparesis in uremia are discussed with particular reference to the discordance between marker and functional assays of suppressor cells.

Determination of T lymphocyte subpopulations by monoclonal antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. Influence of immunomodulating agents

The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but clear abnormalities of the immune system are well documented in this disease. We therefore evaluated T cell subpopulations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using monoclonal antibodies previously shown to react with all T cells (OKT3), with inducer/helper T cells (OKT4) and with suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (OKT8). These investigations disclosed evidence of a significant decrease in the number of OKT8 + cells/mm 3 and a high inducer-helper/suppressor-cytotoxic (OKT4 +/OKT8 +) ratio in active rheumatoid arthritis. A modest number of patients with active arthritis were treated with levamisole or with synthetic thymopoietin 32–36 (thymopoietin pentapeptide or TP-5). These individuals responded with ratio decreases to more normal levels. Our data support the hypothesis that monoclonal T cell antibodies may offer an important tool for the further evaluation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their individual response to treatment.