Ratio Of OKT4 Research Articles

Postoperative erythroderma after cardiac operations

Erythroderma as a manifestation of graft-versus-host disease after cardiac operations with blood transfusion may occur more frequently in Japan than in other countries. We have seen this problem in five patients who, after heart operations, died with symptoms and signs characteristic of graft-versus-host disease: cutaneous eruption, fever, diarrhea, leukopenia associated with agranulocytosis, and liver dysfunction. In the three patients seen most recently, skin biopsy showed findings similar to those of graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation. In addition, immunologic investigation showed remarkable differences in the findings in these patients and in those who did not have a graft-versus-host disease-like syndrome after cardiac operations. In particular, interleukin-2 production in response to mitogen stimulation was markedly diminished after operation in our patients, and the ratio of OKT4+ cells to OKT8+ cells in peripheral blood was low, reflecting increased numbers of OKT8+ cells after the occurrence of symptoms. The results raise the possibility that transient depression of cellular immunity after cardiac operations with blood transfusion may contribute to the occurrence of postoperative acute graft-versus-host disease.

High incidence of herpes zoster in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: an immunological analysis.

The incidence of herpes zoster was determined in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the cellular and humoral immunity to varicella zoster virus (VZV) investigated in 45 of these 92 patients. The incidence of herpes zoster was high, occurring in 40 patients (43%), though it was benign in all. Patients with SLE who had had zoster showed significantly higher antibody titres than normal subjects. On the other hand, only 13 of 43 (30%) patients with SLE showed positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to VZV antigen, despite a history of infections with VZV, whereas all 15 normal subjects had positive reactions. Skin reactions to VZV correlated directly with the ratio of OKT4+ to OKT8+ T cells and inversely with the dose of corticosteroids. These results suggest that the high incidence of herpes zoster in patients with SLE is probably due to defects in cellular immunity and that normal or higher titres of antibodies to VZV will not act as a preventive against zoster. In addition, reactivation of VZV, whether symptomatic or not, seemed often to occur in patients with SLE.

Radiation and surgical stress induce a significant impairment in cellular immunity in patients with esophageal cancer.

The effects of preoperative radiation plus surgical stress on immunity were examined in 29 patients with esophageal cancer, including 14 patients who experienced radiation therapy and 15 who did not, as well as 15 age-, sex- and body weight-matched control subjects. Absolute numbers of the total lymphocytes and OKT3 (all T cells), OKT4 (helper/inducer T cells) and OKT8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) positive lymphocytes were almost the same in both patient groups before treatment. Both the in vitro response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were depressed in the patients when compared to the controls before treatment. Dual treatment of radiation and surgery led to a marked reduction of lymphocytes in the numbers and activities of PHA and ADCC, when compared to findings in the non-radiation group. Especially, the number of OKT4 positive lymphocytes and the OKT4 to OKT8 ratio decreased most and recovery was slow. While ADCC activity in the non-radiation group recovered at 28 postoperative days (POD), the response to PHA did not return to the pretreatment levels. Serum levels of IgG, IgM and IgA were within normal limits throughout the course of treatment. The B1 (all B cells) positive lymphocytes significantly decreased after the treatments. These results suggest that radiation plus surgery shifts the host immunity toward immunosuppression and induces a significant impairment of cellular immunity in patients with esophageal cancer.

Effects of glycyrrhizin (SNMC: stronger Neo-Minophagen C) in hemophilia patients with HIV infection.

Glycyrrhizin (GL) not only has an inhibitory effect on HIV replication but also exhibits interferon-inducing and natural killer (NK)-enhancing effects and improves liver dysfunction. Thus, large doses of GL (200-800 mg/day) were intravenously administered for more than 8 weeks to 9 hemophilia A patients with HIV infection (asymptomatic carrier, AC). Lymphocyte count increased in all 9 cases. OKT4 OKT8 ratio was elevated in 6 out of the 9 cases and OKT4-positive lymphocytes increased in 8 out of the 9 cases; 66.7% and 88.9% improvement, respectively. Changes in NK cell activity and mitogenic responsiveness to PHA, Con A and PWM were not significant. Liver dysfunction, noted in 4 cases, clearly improved. Serum electrolytes, protein, lipids, and renal function were within normal levels and no serious side-effects were observed during treatment. On the other hand, in 3 cases of hemophilia without HIV infection, the number of OKT4 lymphocytes was not significantly altered during treatment. From these results, large dose administration of GL to HIV-positive hemophilia patients (AC) seems to be effective in preventing development of AC into AIDS by raising the number of decreased OKT4 lymphocytes and improving liver dysfunction.

Analysis of blood cell populations, plasma zinc and natural killer cell activity in young children with Down's syndrome.

Down's syndrome (DS) is associated with respiratory infections, lymphoblastic leukemia and a mortality rate that is elevated particularly during the first 5 years of life. Unfortunately, most studies on immune function in DS have been performed on adults or older children, the results of which may be not relevant to a primary immune defect in DS since maturation of the immune system and compensatory mechanisms may mask to a certain degree primary immune defects which are associated with this syndrome. In the present study, several immune and hematologic parameters were studied in DS children under 6 years of age and in age-matched controls. The children with DS exhibited a reduced number of lymphocytes while the total number of white blood cells was normal. In addition, the children with DS had reduced numbers of circulating OKT4+ cells and a significantly depressed ratio of OKT4+ to OKT8+ cells, but their overall proportion of T-cells was normal. Normal NK activity was observed and cells from DS children were no more sensitive to the augmenting effects of alpha interferon than cells from control children. Hematocrit levels were slightly elevated in the DS group while plasma zinc levels appeared to be normal in this group.

Altered subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM).

We studied subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 12 patients with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy (HAM). The percent of OKT8+ cells was significantly decreased, and the percentages of OKDR+ cells and IL-2R+ cells and the ratio of OKT4+ cells to OKT8+ cells were significantly increased compared with either HTLV-I seronegative healthy adults (controls) or HTLV-I seropositive non-HAM subjects (carriers). The subsets of PBL from eight carriers showed no differences from those in controls. The patients with HAM showed significantly higher antibody titers to HTLV-I compared with carriers. These altered PBL subsets and high HTLV-I antibody titers in the patients suggest that immune functions are in an activated state in HAM.

Marginal periodontitis and the immune system. III. Differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets before and after treatment in adult periodontitis patients

The lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 8 individuals, aged 25 to 57 yr, with moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were analyzed before and after treatment by means of flow cytometry, and then compared with the findings in 20 normal adults (aged 30 to 45 yr). The results were as follows: the percentage of OKT-8+ (CD 8) in the patients (20.25 +/- 7.15%) was lower than that in normal individuals (31.50 +/- 6.03%, P less than 0.01) while the OKT-4/OKT-8 ratio (2.34 +/- 1.18) was higher than the corresponding ratio in the controls (1.23 +/- 0.37); however, there was no significant difference in the percentages of OKT-3+ (CD 3), OKT-4+ (CD 4) and Leu-12+ (CD 19) between patients and normal subjects. The percentages of OKT-3+, OKT-4+, OKT-8+, Leu-12+ and OKT-4/OKT-8 after the periodontal therapy did not show a significant difference compared with the data obtained before treatment. These results indicate that the decrease in suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell population may be a kind of pathological disposition of the initiation and/or course of adult periodontitis.

Theophylline-resistant and theophylline-sensitive “early” and “late” e rosette-forming cells in young and aged humans

The percentage of cells with high-affinity sheep red blood cell (SRBC) receptors, “active” or “early” rosette-forming cells, (ARFC) in theophylline-resistant peripheral blood T lymphocytes achieve higher values in aged subjects and, in particular, in the group with clinically manifested atherosclerosis. A diminished OKT-4/OKT-8 ratio in theophylline-resistant ARFC was noticed in this group. On the contrary, the proportion of the theophylline-resistant cells with low-affinity receptors, cold or late rosette-forming cells (CRFC) attained lower values in aged subjects than in young subjects. No statistical difference in the proportion of theophylline-sensitive T cells was evident between old and young people, both in ARFC and CRFC fractions. This is indicative of the elevation of activated (or less differentiated) cytotoxic T cells in the peripheral blood of aged subjects with clinically manifested atherosclerosis. The clinical aspect is still to be considered.

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.

Cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in acute inflammation of the CNS

Leukocyte subsets in CSF and peripheral blood (PB) were determined in 21 patients with acute inflammation of the CNS using the monoclonal antibodies OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, Leu12, and OKM1 in an immunoperoxidase slide assay. There was a predominance of OKT3-positive cells in nearly all samples. Significant differences between acute aseptic and bacterial meningitis only were found in CSF and represented by a higher Leu12 and a lower OKT3 percentage in aseptic inflammation and a higher absolute amount of OKT4-, OKM1- and Leu12-positive cells in bacterial meningitis. Comparison between CSF and PB showed significant differences only in aseptic meningitis with a higher percentage of Leu12-positive cells and a lower percentage of OKT8-positive cells in CSF. The OKT4 OKT8 ratio seems to be generally lower in aseptic meningitis but significant differences only were found in comparison with healthy blood donors. In a case of herpes simplex encephalitis the ratio was strongly increased in CSF during the early phase of specific antibody production because of an absolute rise of OKT4-positive cells.

Failure of immunosuppressive mechanisms in human Schistosoma mansoni infection with hepatosplenomegaly.

The basis for development of hepatosplenic disease and attendant morbidity in Schistosoma mansoni-infected individuals is uncertain but may relate to defective modulation of immunopathology. Individuals 14 to 30 years of age from a village in the Nile Delta in Egypt were selected for study: 32 were infected with S. mansoni but lacked hepatosplenomegaly (mean fecal egg excretion +/- standard error of the mean, 1,142 +/- 79 eggs per g), 9 had S. mansoni infection and hepatosplenomegaly (1,267 +/- 197 eggs per g), and 12 were uninfected. The ratio of OKT4 helper/OKT8 suppressor cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was reduced in infected subjects without hepatosplenomegaly to 1.4 +/- 0.1 compared with a ratio of 1.7 +/- 0.1 (P less than 0.05) in uninfected subjects. In contrast, this ratio was increased in the group with hepatosplenomegaly to 2.7 +/- 0.3 (P less than 0.01). Schistosome antigen-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was comparable in infected subjects without (5,837 +/- 1,009 cpm) and with (3,329 +/- 738 cpm; P greater than 0.1) hepatosplenomegaly. Depletion of adherent suppressor cells significantly increased the responses in the group lacking organomegaly (14,028 +/- 1,683 cpm; P less than 0.001) but not in the hepatosplenomegaly group (5,046 +/- 1,830 cpm; P greater than 0.5); this difference in response of nonadherent cells to soluble worm antigenic preparation was statistically significant (P less than 0.02) and not explained by quantitative shifts in OKT8 suppressor cells. Thus, in S. mansoni infection, subjects with hepatosplenomegaly are distinctive in their lack of an immunosuppressive balance of T-lymphocyte subpopulations and in the absence of functional adherent suppressor cells. Defective immunoregulatory mechanisms could be important in the genesis of hepatosplenic disease and its morbid sequelae.

Multiple Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Letters and Corrections1 February 1987Multiple Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Human Immunodeficiency Virus InfectionWYLIE L. OVERLY, M.D., DONALD J. JAKUBEK, M.D.WYLIE L. OVERLY, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, DONALD J. JAKUBEK, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-106-2-334_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Adenosquamous cell carcinomas of the lung (1), squamous cell carcinomas of the epiglottis (2), and squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity (3) have been described in patients with impaired cellular immunity associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We report multiple squamous cell carcinomas of the skin in an elderly man that occurred after he developed antibodies to HIV.In September 1984, a 79-year-old white man with lifelong factor IX deficiency had a positive serologic test for HIV. Other findings included an OKT4:OKT8 (helper:suppressor) ratio of 0.07, oral...

Abnormality of alveolar lymphocytes in sarcoidosis

Brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed in 28 patients with sarcoidosis and in 31 normal subjects. In control subjects, the numbers of mononuclear cells and macrophages in smokers were significantly increased in comparison to nonsmokers (p<0.001 in each cases), but the numbers of lymphocytes were not.In both smoking and nonsmoking untreated sarcoid patients, the proportion and number of lymphocytes were significantly increased compared to corresponding controls (p<0.05, p<0.001). The number of lymphocytes in patients not receiving prednisolone were not significantly increased than patients who were receiving prednisolone. No difference in numbers of lymphocytes was found between smoker and nonsmoker patients. BAL lymphocytes were identified as T lymphocytes (88.9±6.2%). Furthermore, untreated patients had significantly higher percentages of OKT-4 (+) T helper cells and significantly lower OKT8 (+) T suppresser cells within the alveolar lymphocytes population than that of normal nonsmokers (p<0.01 in each cases). Alveolar lymphocytosis is significantly correlated with the activity of lymphocyte blastogenesis induced by Propionibacterium acnes (p<0.01), and the ratio of OKT-4 (+) cells to OKT-8 (+) cells correlated with the activity of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (p<0.05). However, neither the radiological stage nor the degree of Gallium-67 uptake in lung parenchyma was related to the lymphocyte number and the ratio of OKT-4/OKT-8 in BAL fluids.The lymphocytosis of the bronchoalveolar space indicates the disease activity at the site of pulmonary space, and Propionibacterium acnes may play some role in the induction of the pulmonary lymphocytosis in sarcoidosis patients.

変動性難聴を主訴としたＲｅｌａｐｓｉｎｇ ｐｏｌｙｃｈｏｎｄｒｉｔｉｓの一症例

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a systemic disorder characterized by recurrent inflammation and degeneration of cartilage. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Physical examination revealed saddle nose and congestion of bulbar conjunctiva. Both tympanic membranes and external auditory canals were hyperemic. Her sedimentation rate was 30mm/hr and WBC 8370. Anti-nuclear antibody and anti-cartilage antibody were positive. The OKT4 OKT8 ratio in the peripheral blood was 4.17. Audiograms revealed both sensori-neural and conductive impairment. Biopsies of the nasal septum showed degeneration of cartilage, fibrosis and mononuclear cell infiltrates. Treatment with 1000mg Solu-Medrol for three days (every other day) resulted in dramatic improvement in hearing and tinnitus after a few days of treatment, suggesting excellent prospects of pulse therapy of steroid hormone in the treatment of RP.

Characterization of immunoglobulin A κ autoantibodies to human lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-3

We have purified with a cumulative recovery of 48% from the serum of a patient the immunoglobulin A κ subunit of the lactate dehydrogenase-immunoglobulin A κ (LD-IgA κ) complex. It appears that the p I range of the complex is 5.4–5.8. The Ig part of the complex showed a monoclonal character, and the complex exhibited a 1:2 molar ratio of the Ig to the LD isoenzyme. From reconstitution experiments by two different methods we concluded that LD-3 is essential for restoring the original complex. Additional studies showed a recombination of the IgA κ with both autologous and homologous LD-3, and a binding of LD-3 at the F ab region of the Ig. The estimated value of the affinity constant ( K eq) was 2.1 × 10 9 liters/mol. Analysis of the specific LD-3-binding IgA κ concentrations in the sera of five cases revealed a broad range of the individual immune response. Our first quantitative data on the lymphocyte subpopulations revealed a significantly increased OKT4 OKT8 ratio due to a reduction in the absolute number of T suppressor cells.

Acute effects of low-fluence ultraviolet light on human T-lymphocyte subsets.

Abstract‐The acute effects of low‐fluence ultraviolet light, primarily between wavelengths 280 and 320 nm (ultraviolet B) on T‐lymphocyte subsets were assessed in virro and in vivo by quantitative cytofluorometric analysis. In virro, 90J/m2 of ultraviolet irradiation of human mononuclear cells produced a significant increase in the OKT4 (helper‐inducer)/OKT8 (suppressor‐cytotoxic) ratio (P&gt;0.008), due primarily to a decrease in the OKT8 subset. In vivo, 24 h after whole‐body UV irradiation of human subjects with one half of a minimal erythemal dose of ultraviolet B the OKT4/OKT8 ratios again increased (P &gt; 0.002), again with somewhat greater effects on the OKT8 subset. These results indicate that suberythemal exposure to UV light increases OKT4/OKT8 ratios in normal human subjects because of differential effects on lymphocyte subsets. They suggest that casual exposure to sunlight mediates immunologic changes in normal human subjects.

Characterization of T cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Peripheral blood T cell subsets from 99 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), 38 age-matched healthy subjects, and 20 patients with head and neck cancer other than NPC were characterized by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. Patients with NPC showed much lower values of percentage and absolute number of common T cells (OKT3+) and helper cells (OKT4+) (p less than 0.01) than the control groups. The percentage of suppressor cells (OKT8+) was found to be higher in NPC patients than in healthy persons (p less than 0.001), but the absolute number was still lower in NPC patients. A selective decrease in the ratios of OKT4+ to OKT8+ cells was found in NPC patients (p less than 0.001). The ratios were correlated inversely to the clinical stage (r = 0.294, p less than 0.01). After negative selection by complement-mediated cytolysis, the remaining cells were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. Net counts of isotope incorporation were smaller in all T cell subsets of NPC patients (p less than 0.001). These data indicate that the depressed cell-mediated immunity in NPC patients is due to inadequate number and functions of T cell subsets and a relative increased proportion of suppressor T cells.

Distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets in different portions of sarcoid granulomas: Immunohistologic analysis with monoclonal antibodies

The numbers and the distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in lymph node granulomas from 11 patients with sarcoidosis were studied in cryostat sections by an immunoperoxidase technique. Greater numbers of helper T lymphocytes (Leu-3+) were found at the periphery than in the central portion of the same granuloma. Most of the suppressor T lymphocytes (OKT8+) were present at the periphery of the granulomas. In addition, the Leu-3a/OKT8 ratio varied from 0.7 to 1.8 in the outer compartment, while in the central portion of the granuloma much higher values (3 to 20) were found. These different distribution patterns of T-lymphocyte subsets provide evidence for two different compartments with different immune reactions in sarcoid granulomas.

Modification of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte surface receptors and Langerhans cell numbers in hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a disease related to a complement disorder, namely a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor. Complement-split products are implicated in the regulation of the immune response, and we have compared some immunologic parameters between HAE and normal individuals. T-lymphocytes with receptors for IgG were increased in HAE, but no difference in T-cell suppressor activity for B-cells was detected. Furthermore, increased IgG receptor expression was not accompanied by any significant changes in the ratios of OKT4- and OKT8-defined antigens. Numbers of peripheral mononuclear cells (MNC) detected by alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining positivity were not significantly modified in HAE patients, although there was a trend toward higher absolute numbers of them showing paranuclear localization of ANAE. HAE patients had significantly reduced numbers of Langerhans cells (LC) showing different morphology and localization patterns. These observations are discussed in terms of differential membrane arrangements related to particular stages of cell activation, possibly attributable to continual complement activation resulting from a lack of control by C1 esterase inhibitor.

T-cell subsets and natural killer activity in Plasmodium falciparum-infected children

Thirty children acutely infected by Plasmodium falciparum and suffering either benign uncomplicated malaria (17 cases), or cerebral malaria (13 cases), were investigated for T-cell number and subset distribution among peripheral blood mononuclear cells using OKT3, OKT4, and OKT8 monoclonal antibodies, and for natural killer (NK) activity using K562 cells as targets. They were compared to a group of 16 age- and sex-matched healthy Senegalese children. OKT8 cell percentage was found increased in both groups of patients with a decrease of OKT4 cell percentage in cerebral malaria patients only. Both groups thus exhibited a decreased OKT4 OKT8 ratio, which was slightly lower in cerebral malaria cases than in benign cases. NK activity was found elevated in uncomplicated cases of malaria, in contrast to patients suffering cerebral malaria, who exhibited a profound depression of NK activity.