PE Cells Research Articles

Optimal tumor necrosis factor induction by Plasmodium falciparum requires the highly localized release of parasite products.

Overproduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been linked with the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Here, we examined why the high levels of TNF-inducing activity associated with P. falciparum-parasitized erythrocytes (PE) appear to be lost after cell lysis. Static coculture of PE and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), with or without separation by porous membranes, demonstrated that rupture of live PE in the presence of responder cells was required for optimal TNF induction. Although the insoluble fraction of lysed PE was found to partially inhibit TNF responses, supernatants prepared from large numbers of lysed PE still contained only low levels of TNF-inducing activity, which showed no evidence of instability. A dramatic reduction in TNF levels resulted when noncytoadherent PE lines were maintained under low-cell-proximity conditions by suspension coculture. This reduction was much less marked with PE capable of adhering to PBMC, despite the fact that cytoadherent and noncytoadherent parasite lines induced comparable levels of TNF in high-cell-proximity, static coculture. These results suggest that rupture of PE in a highly localized setting, facilitated by either static coculture or the more biologically relevant phenomenon of cytoadherence to PBMC, can result in considerable enhancement of the P. falciparum-induced TNF response.

Induction of phase 2 enzymes by serum oxidized polyamines through activation of Nrf2: effect of the polyamine metabolite acrolein

The naturally occurring polycationic polyamines including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, and gene expression. However, circulating polyamines are potential substrates for several oxidizing enzymes including copper-containing serum amine oxidase. These enzymes are capable of oxidizing serum polyamines to several toxic metabolites including aldehydes and H 2O 2. In this study, we investigated the effects of polyamines as inducers of phase 2 enzymes and other genes that promote cell survival in a cell culture system in the presence of bovine serum. Spermidine and spermine (50 μM) increased NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) activity up to 3-fold in murine keratinocyte PE cells. Transcript levels for glutathione S-transferase (GST) A1, GST M1, NQO1, γ-glutamylcysteine ligase regulatory subunit, and UDP-glucuronyltransferase 1A6 were significantly increased by spermidine and this effect was mediated through the antioxidant response element (ARE). The ARE from the mouse GST A1 promoter was activated about 9-fold by spermine and 5-fold by spermidine treatment, but could be inhibited by the amine oxidase inhibitor, aminoguanidine, suggesting that acrolein or hydrogen peroxide generated from polyamines by serum amine oxidase may be mediators for phase 2 enzyme induction. Elevations of ARE-luciferase expression and NQO1 enzyme activity by spermidine were not affected by catalase, while both were completely repressed by aldehyde dehydrogenase treatment. Direct addition of acrolein to PE cells induced multiple phase 2 genes and elevated nuclear levels of Nrf2, a transcription factor that binds to the ARE. Expression of mutant Nrf2 repressed the activation of the ARE-luciferase reporter by polyamines and acrolein. These results indicate that spermidine and spermine increase the expression of phase 2 genes in cells grown in culture through activation of the Nrf2–ARE pathway by generating the sulfhydryl reactive aldehyde, acrolein.

Effect of stimulators such as GLP-1, PACAP, and nicotinamide on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from porcine pancreatic endocrine cells in long-term culture.

Transplantation of glucose-responsive insulin-secreting cells has the potential to result in a cure for diabetes. To report the development of a model of adult porcine pancreatic endocrine cells (PE cells) exhibiting glucose-stimulated insulin secretion during a long-term culture period, in vitro. The PE cells were prepared by non-enzymatic digestion and purified by modifying a technique developed in our laboratory. The cells were first cultured for 7 days in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 10 mM nicotinamide. On adhesion to the culture flasks, cells were collected by trypsinization, and then cultured in tissue culture dishes in medium with or without stimulators such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and nicotinamide. The ability of the cells to respond to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was also observed with and without stimulators. The immunocytochemical studies demonstrated pancreatic islets with well-preserved insulin and glucagon-containing cells. The morphologic integrity of cultured porcine cells was observed for up to 5-6 weeks after the purification. At a concentration of 3.3 mM glucose, PACAP and nicotinamide did not affect glucose-dependent insulin secretion, whereas 10 nM GLP-1 stimulated insulin secretion significantly. However, when glucose concentration was increased to 20 mM, 10 nM GLP-1 had no effect on insulin secretion. We also demonstrated that GLP-1 and PACAP could maintain insulin secretion better than control in the culture up to 5 weeks. Also GLP-1 and PACAP increased the number of insulin-secreting cells in culture. These results demonstrate that GLP-1 and PACAP increased the number of pancreatic beta-cells in culture.

Enhanced expression of the transcription factor Nrf2 by cancer chemopreventive agents: role of antioxidant response element-like sequences in the nrf2 promoter.

Induction of phase 2 enzymes, which neutralize reactive electrophiles and act as indirect antioxidants, is an important mechanism for protection against carcinogenesis. The transcription factor Nrf2, which binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE) found in the upstream regulatory region of many phase 2 genes, is essential for the induction of these enzymes. We have investigated the effect of the potent enzyme inducer and anticarcinogen 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T) on the fate of Nrf2 in murine keratinocytes. Both total and nuclear Nrf2 levels increased rapidly and persistently after treatment with D3T but could be blocked by cotreatment with cycloheximide. Nrf2 mRNA levels increased approximately 2-fold 6 h after D3T treatment. To examine the transcriptional activation of Nrf2 by D3T, the proximal region (1 kb) of the nrf2 promoter was isolated. Deletion and mutagenesis analyses demonstrated that nrf2 promoter-luciferase reporter activity was enhanced by treatment with D3T and that ARE-like sequences were required for this activation. Gel shift assays with nuclear extracts from PE cells indicated that common factors bind to typical AREs and the ARE-like sequences of the nrf2 promoter. Direct binding of Nrf2 to its own promoter was demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Overexpression of Nrf2 increased the activity of the nrf2 promoter-luciferase reporter, while expression of mutant Nrf2 protein repressed activity. Thus, Nrf2 appears to autoregulate its own expression through an ARE-like element located in the proximal region of its promoter, leading to persistent nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and protracted induction of phase 2 genes in response to chemopreventive agents.

Total intracellular accumulation levels of dietary isothiocyanates determine their activity in elevation of cellular glutathione and induction of Phase 2 detoxification enzymes.

Many dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) have shown cancer chemoprotective activity in animal models. Isothiocyanates rapidly accumulate in cells of various types as glutathione conjugates, and the total intracellular accumulation levels of ITCs (area under time-concentration curve; AUC) were critical for their Phase 2 enzyme inducer activities in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Induction of Phase 2 detoxification enzymes is recognized as a major cellular defense against carcinogens and other toxic agents. In order to further define the importance of intracellular AUC of ITCs in stimulating cellular detoxification functions, we have compared the intracellular AUCs and the inducer activities of four common dietary ITCs, allyl-ITC, benzyl-ITC, phenethyl-ITC and sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanato-(4R,S)-(methylsulfinyl)butane], in mouse skin papilloma (PE) cells. When PE cells were incubated with 5 microM of each ITC for 24 h, significant elevations of glutathione content (1.8-4.3-fold), quinone reductase activity (2.1-5.4-fold) and glutathione transferase activity (0.8-1.5-fold) were observed. These elevations were closely correlated with the AUCs of the ITCs. Increasing intracellular AUC of a weaker ITC by multiple dosing also increased its inducer activity. Further studies revealed that the AUC-dependent elevation of the above elements were mediated by the DNA regulatory element EpRE/ARE. In human HepG2 cells, which were stably transfected with a reporter construct under EpRE/ARE control, the intracellular AUC of the four ITCs closely correlated with the levels of reporter gene product (green fluorescent protein). These results showed that cellular accumulation levels of ITCs determine their activity in inducing cellular detoxification capacity and suggested that the intracellular AUC might be a valuable biomarker of the Phase 2 enzyme inducer activity of ITCs.

Characterization of EP prostanoid receptor subtypes in primary cultures of bovine ciliary epithelial cells by immunofluorescent microscopy and functional studies

Purpose. To determine the expression and functional coupling of EP prostanoid receptor subtypes to second messenger pathways in bovine ciliary epithelium. Methods. Primary cultures of bovine ciliary epithelial (BCE) cells were established and maintained in culture up to four passages. EP receptor protein expression was examined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with subtype selective antibodies in both tissue sections and primary cultures of BCE cells. Messenger RNA expression was determined using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. The effects of prostanoid agonists on total inositol phosphate accumulation and cAMP formation were used to assess functional activity. Results. Positive immunoreactivity was obtained in both frozen thin-sections and primary cultures of bovine ciliary process to the prostanoid EP 1, EP 2, EP 3 and EP 4 receptor subtypes. Reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction yielded products corresponding to each of the prostanoid EP subtypes which was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. PGE 2 dose-dependently stimulated the accumulation of total inositol phosphates in cultured cells with an EC 50 value of 100 nM. PGE 2, forskolin and isoproterenol produced dose-dependent increases in cAMP formation with EC 50 values of 100, 300 and 200 nM, respectively. Isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP formation was attenuated by the EP 3 receptor agonist sulprostone in cultured BCE cells. The inhibition elicited by sulprostone was reversed in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the presence of functional prostanoid EP receptor subtypes in the bovine ciliary epithelium. EP 1 and EP 4 receptor subtypes were found primarily in the NPE cells, whereas, EP 2 receptor subtype immunofluorescence was detected in the PE cells. EP 3 receptor subtype labeling was observed in both the NPE and the PE cells. PGE 2 produces opposing effects on adenylyl cyclase through EP 2 /EP 4 and EP 3 receptor activation. The predominant effect of PGE 2 is on the adenylyl cyclase stimulatory receptors (EP 2 /EP 4) .

A systolic array implementation of the Feng-Rao algorithm

An efficient implementation of a parallel version of the Feng-Rao algorithm on a one-dimensional systolic array is presented in this paper by adopting an extended syndrome matrix. Syndromes of the same order, lying on a slant diagonal in the extended syndrome matrix, are scheduled to be examined by a series of cells simultaneously and, therefore, a high degree of concurrency of the Feng-Rao algorithm can be achieved. The time complexity of the proposed architecture is m+g+1 by using a series of t+[g-1/2]+1, nonhomogeneous but regular, effective processors, called PE cells, and g trivial processors, called D cells, where t is designed as the half of the Feng-Rao bound. Each D cell contains only delay units, while each PE cell contains one finite-field inverter and, except the first one, one or more finite-field multipliers. Cell functions of each PE cell are basically the same and the overall control circuit of the proposed array is quite simple. The proposed architecture requires, in total, t+[g-1]+1 finite-field inverters and (t+[(g'1)/2])(t+[(g-1)/2]+1)/2 finite-field multipliers. For a practical design, this hardware complexity is acceptable.

The effects of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and stem cell factor (SCF) on trophoblast function

Highly purified (>99.99%) primary villous cytotrophoblasts from uncomplicated pregnancies and pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) alone, IUGR with pre-eclampsia (IUGR-PE) and PE alone were cultured for 5 days and the extent of differentiation into syncytiotrophoblasts measured in terms of syncytialisation and secretion of chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and placental lactogen (hPL). Three separate phenotypes were observed: (1) normal and IUGR-PE cells showed low syncytialisation and secretion of hCG and hPL, (2) IUGR cells showed the highest levels of syncytialisation and secretion and (3) PE cells showed high syncytialisation but low secretion. These results strongly suggest IUGR, IUGR-PE and PE to be distinct conditions in which villous cytotrophoblasts are either exposed to different environments or are genetically different.

Morphological and pathogenetic aspects of proliferative vitreo-retinopathy. A histological and immunohistochemical study.

Proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR) and subretinal membrane proliferation are the most common complication and cause of failure in retinal-detachment (RD) surgery. In this study, material withdrawn from 21 patients was observed. The vitreal taps of 16 bulbs affected by PVR and which had undergone vitrectomy, along with 5 bulbs obtained by enucleation, were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and studied immunohistochemically. The cells involved in this proliferative tissue include macrophages, cellular elements of pigmented epithelium origin, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. From the examination of enucleated bulbs, we can easily recognize that the cellular components of the membrane are represented by fibroblasts, capillaries, and occasional macrophages; meanwhile, PE cells remain at the base of the newly formed tissue.

Expression and cellular distribution of the alpha 1 gap junction gene product in the ocular pigmented ciliary epithelium.

The expression of four different gap junction (GJ) transcripts, corresponding to the alpha 1, alpha 3, beta 1 and beta 2 gene products, has been examined in the ciliary epithelium of human and bovine eyes, and in cultures of ciliary epithelial cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that alpha 1 mRNA, 3.6-kb in size, was the predominant transcript expressed in intact tissue and in cultures of pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (PE). No transcripts from the alpha 3, beta 1 or beta 2 gap junction genes were detected in intact tissue or ciliary epithelial cells as demonstrated by Northern blotting. When the levels of alpha 1 gap junction mRNA were compared between PE and NPE in primary cultures, a striking difference was observed in the level of alpha 1 transcripts: there was about a 6 to 8-fold increase in alpha 1 levels in PE cells, relative to the NPE cells. To verify the differential level of expression of alpha 1 GJ mRNA in the two cell types, indirect immunofluorescence localization studies were performed on semithin cryostat sections of ciliary processes. These studies revealed that alpha 1 gap junctions are present at the apical and lateral borders of PE cells, i.e. at the apical plasma membranes domains of PE-NPE cells, and at the lateral plasma membrane regions of PE-PE cells borders. Further analysis by immunoblotting confirmed that the 43 kD alpha 1 gap junction protein was the major gap junction gene product in the ciliary epithelium.

Changes in the interior surface of newly mesodermalized ectoderm and its contact activity with competent ectoderm in the newtCynops (Amphibia).

The presumptive ectoderm (pE) ofCynops gastrulae was artificially mesodermalized by contact with teleost swimbladder. The newly mesodermalized ectoderm (mE) acquired the capacity for neural induction (Suzuki et al. 1986a). SEM observations revealed that the mE cells altered their cellular profiles immediately after mesodermalization. The characteristics of the cell surface and the cell architecture became similar to those of invaginated mesoderm cells. There were distinct differences in the cellular contact between mE-pE and pE-pE combinations. The mE-pE combinations kept close contact at their interior surfaces, while the pE-pE combinations did not keep contact. Both TEM and SEM observations also indicated that there were tight contacts between mE and pE cells. These findings suggest that neural-inducing activity of the newly mesodermalized ectoderm cells is coupled with acquisition of cellular affinity toward the interior surface of competent ectoderm cells, and probably requires close cell contacts.

G protein complement of SV40-transformed ciliary epithelial cells

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) are a family of receptor-coupled signal-transducing proteins that regulate a variety of second-messenger systems and ion channels. The complement of G proteins in SV40-transformed pigmented and nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells was determined by Western blot analysis utilizing peptide and holoprotein derived antisera to known G protein alpha and beta subunits and cholera toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. The complement of alpha subunits found in both SV40-transformed NPE and PE cells includes Gs alpha and all three members of the Gi alpha family. Neither cell type contains Go alpha or Gz alpha. Both cell lines contain beta 35 and beta 36. Future studies will examine the functional involvement of these G proteins in the regulation of aqueous humor stimulus-secretion coupling.

Coupling of22Na and36C1 uptake in cultured pigmented ciliary epithelial cells: A proposed role for the isoenzymes of carbonic anhydrase

Uptake studies with 22Na and 36Cl were performed in cultured bovine pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (PE) to investigate interdependence of Na+ and Cl- transport. (1) 22Na uptake into NaCl depleted cells was stimulated by Cl-. This stimulation was abolished by the simultaneous application of amiloride (1 mM) and bumetanide (0.1 mM), indicating two independent mechanism for Cl- stimulated Na+ uptake: loop diuretic sensitive Na+/Cl- symport and an indirect stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange by Cl-. The latter component of Cl- stimulated Na+ uptake was HCO3- dependent. (2) 36Cl uptake was increased by extracellular Na+. Na+-stimulated Cl- uptake also consisted of two components. One was bumetanide sensitive and the other was blockable by amiloride and partly inhibited by the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor methazolamide (0.1 mM). (3) Homogenized PE cells were tested for biochemical CA activity using an electrometric method. The cytoplasmic as well as the membrane fraction contained specific CA activity. (4) A model is presented for Na+ and Cl- transport into PE: in addition to Na+/Cl- symport, Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- double exchange may operate in the ciliary epithelium. The latter mechanism provides NaCl uptake into the cell in exchange for H+ and HCO3-, which recycle as CO2 across the membrane. This recycling of CO2 and HCO3-/H+ (and hence indirectly NaCl uptake) is facilitated by the cooperation between membrane bound and cytoplasmic CA.

The role of the sexual organs in the generation of postembryonic neurons in the leech Hirudo medicinalis

In adult Hirudo medicinalis, the segmental ganglia (SG) of the fifth and sixth body segments contain a few hundred more cells than the other segmental ganglia of the body (Macagno, 1980). These ganglia innervate the sex organs and are known as the sex SG. As shown here, these cells are stained by neuron-specific antibodies. Cell counts at several developmental stages reveal that the extra cells are added exclusively to the sex SG, and that this addition occurs gradually and almost entirely postembryonically (embryogenesis ends at 30 days of development). Hence, we refer to them as PE cells. Until 16 days of development, deleting the male genitalia or disconnecting them from the sex ganglia results in a complete absence of the PE cells. From 16 days onward, the generation of the PE cells is independent of the male genitalia. No PE cells appear in non-sex SG that innervate male genitalia transplanted to ectopic locations at 10 days or later, indicating that as early as about 10 days of development sex SG are different from other SG in their ability to acquire PE cells. These data suggest that the PE cells are generated within the sex SG, in a process that is triggered by an interaction with the male genitalia and mediated through the innervation of the organs by these ganglia.

Effect of Retinoic Acid on Cornified Envelope Formation: Difference Between Spontaneous Envelope Formation In Vivo or In Vitro and Expression of Envelope Competence

A large number of cross-linked envelopes form spontaneously when cell lines derived from chemically induced mouse skin papillomas are cultured in medium containing 1.2 mM calcium. This phenomenon is associated with high activity of the cross-linking enzyme, epidermal transglutaminase (TGase). The influence of retinoic acid (RA) on envelope formation was studied in detail in a papilloma cell line, PE. Retinoic acid (3 microM) completely blocked cornified envelope (CE) production but reduced TGase activity only 50%. A rabbit antiserum was produced against sonicated CEs isolated from newborn mouse skin. On Western blots of epidermal extracts, diffuse staining was observed for particulate proteins of suprabasal, but not basal, cells and similar immunoreactive material was absent from the cytosolic fraction of both cell layers. The antibody also recognized particulate proteins from PE cells induced to differentiate by calcium, but not from cells grown in the presence of high calcium and RA. The antiserum appears to recognize partially cross-linked CE precursor proteins judging by the diffuse staining, the molecular weight range of the proteins stained, and their origin in the particulate cellular fraction. Cross-linked envelopes could be induced in RA-treated PE cells by permeabilization with 0.75 M NaCl or 50 micrograms/ml A23187. However, this treatment failed to cause the appearance of proteins recognized by the antiserum. Preincubation of the antiserum with purified fragments of CEs from newborn mouse epidermis, but not with cross-linked envelopes from permeabilized, RA-treated PE cells, removed immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the cross-linked envelopes formed in RA-treated cells after permeabilization lack a set of proteins contained in CEs from stratum corneum and may even be composed of different proteins. Retinoic acid appears to prevent CE formation in part by inhibiting activation of epidermal TGase but in addition by influencing the synthesis of precursor proteins.

Suppression of In Vitro Antigen-Induced Release of Interleukin-1 by Spleen Cells

Monocytes or macrophages (MO) maybe induced to produce IL-1 by activators (e.g lipopolysaccharide endotoxin) that act directly or by antigens/mitogens that stimulate inducer lymphocytes (Ly) to release a lymphokinc (LK)that stimulates MO. Using guinea pigs (GP) rendered delayed hypersensitive to ovalbumin (OVA), we have investigated the role of spleen cells from normal, sensitized, and specifically desensitized (deS) GP in suppressing release of endogenous pyrogen (EP). from peritoneal c.xudatcs (PE) of sensitized GP when incubated with OVA in vitro. Cocultivation of all three sources of spleen cells with GP PE cells and OVA suppressed EP release as measured in the rabbit fever assay-especially with cells from deS GP This suppressor activity required both Ly and MO but was not modified by indomethacin. an inhibitor of prostaglandin release. This appears to be the first report of cell-mediated suppression of LK-mcdiatcd release of IL-1. an important modulator of the immune system.

Differentiation of Lens and Pigment Cells in Cultures of Brain Cells of Chick Embryos

Dissociated cells of brains (tel- and diencephalons) of 3.5-day-old chick embryos were cultivated in vitro under the cell culture conditions which are known to be permissive for neural retinal cells (NR cells) to transdifferentiate into lens and/or pigmented epithelial cells (PE cells). The differentiation of lentoid bodies (LBs) with lens-specific delta-crystallin and PE cells with melanin granules was observed in such brain cultures. LBs appeared in two different phases, i.e., 2-3 days and 16-30 days of cultivation, and after 40 days of culture these structures were formed in all 60 culture dishes. Sometimes, LBs were observed in foci of PE cells formed during earlier stages of brain cultures. When similar brain cultures were prepared with older embryos of 5-, 8.5-, 14-, and 16-days of incubation, no differentiation of lens and PE cells was observed.

Mechanisms of in vivo generation of cytotoxic activity against allograft : 1. Local differentiation of mature cytotoxic T lymphocytes in rejection of allogeneic lymphocytes

Although cytotoxic activity was not detected within the spleen and regional lymph nodes from mice immunized sc with allogeneic lymphocytes, such activity was detected consistently in glass-nonadherent and anti-θ-sensitive peritoneal exudate cells (PE cells) from Day 5 after immunization and reached a maximum by Day 7. Immunized spleen cells developed cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) earlier and more effectively than normal spleen cells when transferred ip into X-irradiated syngeneic normal mice together with immunizing antigen, while they did not become cytotoxic when transferred without antigen. These results suggest that spleen and lymph node cells which may have differentiated into some transitional state by in vivo immunization may differentiate into mature CTLs, following direct contact with antigen at the site of graft. CTLs generated there appear to be responsible for the rejection of allogeneic lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity of PE cells was also generated in X-irradiated mice and augmented cytotoxicity was generated by treatment with cyclophosphamide.

Cellular Mechanisms of Cholera Toxin-Mediated Modulation of in Vitro Hemolysin Formation by Mouse Immunocytes

Abstract Cholera exoenterotoxin (CT) from Vibrio bacilli enhances antibody responses when administered together with an antigen such as sheep erythrocytes but suppresses immune responses when given several days before antigen. Although CT is known to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and alters cyclic AMP levels in lymphoid as well as nonlymphoid tissues, the mechanisms of immunologic modulation by the toxin are unknown. In the present study the in vitro hemolytic antibody plaque response to sheep red blood cells was found to be markedly enhanced when splenocytes were obtained from mice treated with CT on the day of culture initiation or 1 day earlier, similar to the enhancement of antibody formation in vivo when mice were given CT and antigen at the same time. Spleen cells from mice treated 2 to 3 days earlier with CT, however, showed marked impairment of in vitro responsiveness to sheep erythrocytes, similar to the immunosuppression observed in vivo in toxin-pretreated mice. In contrast, CT induced only an enhanced antibody response when added to normal spleen cells in vitro, either on the day of culture initiation and immunization or 2 days earlier, suggesting that suppression of immunity induced by CT pretreatment in vivo is due to an indirect effect on cells other than immunocytes. This was substantiated by experiments with adrenalectomized mice since only enhancement and not suppression of antibody responses occurred. Impairment of spleen cell responsiveness from CT-pretreated mice could be partially restored by addition of PE cells and fully restored by “educated” T cells derived from recipient mice given thymocytes and SRBC. Thus, CT suppression of antibody formation may be due to an indirect effect on specific cell populations, whereas immune enhancement was probably due to a direct adjuvant effect of the toxin on immunocytes or their precursor.

Modification of the effect of C. parvum on macrophage activity and tumour growth by X-irradiation.

The radiosensitivity of three forms of response to injection of C. parvum in mice has been investigated. The increase in phagocytin index evoked by IP or IV injection of 0.7 mg C. parvum (but not that evoked by 1.4 mg) was reduced but not abolished in mice given 350-500 rad whole-body irradiation 4 days before C. parvum injection. Irradiation (500-1,000 rad) 4 days after C. parvum injection had no such effect. The antitumour cytotoxicity in vitro of PE and spleen cells from C. parvum-treated mice was abolished by irradiation of the cell donor (400-800 rad) 4 days before C. parvum injection, but was not reduced by irradiation (800 rad) of the cell donor 4 days after C. parvum injection or of the effector cells in vitro. The antitumour response to systemic (IP) injection of C. parvum was reduced by 350-500 rad whole-body irradiation, irrespective of whether this was given 4 days before or 4 days after C. parvum injection. The response to intratumour injection of C. parvum was even more radiosensitive. It has been suggested in previous papers from this laboratory that the antitumour effect of C. parvum is related to its capacity to stimulate macrophage activity, although in addition T lymphocytes are necessary for local injection to be effective and non-T lymphocytes may be concerned in the response to both local and systemic injection. The present results in no way conflict with this view. They suggest in addition that the effect of C. parvum on the macrophage system is, to a considerable extent, due to stimulation of macrophage precursors to differentiate into actively phagocytic and cytotoxic mature cells.