[Immunomodulatory effects of interferons on target human gliosarcoma cells in the tumor-specific CTL- and LAK-mediated cytolysis].

We compared the regulatory effects of interferon (IFN)-beta and IFN-gamma on the susceptibility of a human gliosarcoma line GI-1 to the attack of autologous cloned tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Preincubation of GI-1 cells with IFN-gamma caused augmented susceptibility to the cytotoxic attack of two autologous CTL clones, whereas IFN-beta exhibited no such marked effect. On the other hand, preincubation with either IFN-beta or IFN-gamma made the GI-1 cells resistant to the attack of autologous LAK cells. Both IFNs augmented the surface expression of HLA class-I molecules on GI-1 cells. A monoclonal anti-HLA class-I antibody blocked the cytolysis by one CTL clone, but not by the other one. These results suggest that IFN-gamma exerts some different effect (s) from that of IFN-beta on the target GI-1 cells in their susceptibility to the CTL-mediated cytolysis, and that recognition mechanisms of target cells by the CTL are different from those by LAK cells. This draws our attention to IFN administration in adoptive immunotherapy against brain tumors using CTLs and LAK cells.

[A case report of patient with advanced stomach carcinoma of linitis plastica type responding to multi-immunotherapy and chemotherapy].

Multiple-drug (OK-432, PSK and SPG) immunotherapy and chemotherapy provided remission of symptoms for 36 months in a patient aged 21 years suffering scirrhous gastric carcinoma associated with carcinomatous peritonitis in which direct infiltration to the pancreas, retroperitoneum and the left colon was observed. A remarkable improvement with time was observed by endoscopic and roentgenographic observation, and a substantial improvement was also observed in the NK-cell ratios of lymphocyte subsets of the OKT series in relation to immunologic parameters. A tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-like substance was thought to have been induced by multiimmunotherapy in this case.

Microvascular changes of the liver preserved in UW solution. Pathological and immunohistochemical examination.

Rat livers preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for 24 h were compared with those preserved in Euro-Collins (EC) solution before and after liver transplantation using an immunohistochemical method. Tissue ATP and total tissue adenine nucleotide (TAN) were measured using HPLC. The levels of TAN in the UW group or the EC group were significantly low compared with the control group (no preservation) after 24-h storage. In the EC group, the levels of tissue adenine nucleotides (TAN) decreased 1 h after reperfusion and never reached control levels. In the UW group, the levels of TAN increased a little 1 h after reperfusion and increased more 3 h after reperfusion. After 24-h preservation, the expression of factor VIII-related antigen (FRA) in endothelial cells of central veins was weak in the EC group; in the UW group, FRA was clearly detected in these cells. After reperfusion, although severe endothelial cell damage to the central veins and numerous FRA-positive substances were observed in EC group, endothelial cells of central veins retained their normal structure and FRA-positive substances were rarely noted in the UW group. In both groups, no endothelial changes were detected in portal veins. From these results, it is concluded that UW solution prevents endothelial cell damage and microcirculatory injury in zone III during the preservation period resulting in prevention of initial graft nonfunction. Also, measurement of the TAN level after reperfusion is useful to predict the function of the graft.

A huge villous tumor of rectum: a case report.

Villous tumor of the large intestine was first identified and named by Holmes in 1858. It is said to account for 1.4 to 2.5 per cent of all tumors of the large intestine, but only sporadic cases have been reported in Japan. Although considerably large villous tumors are known to exist, reports refering to them, home and abroad, show that there are no more than 50 known cases which had diameters exceeding 10 cm1). This paper presents one of our recent experience of the tumor whose diameter reached 20 cm.

Fibrinogen, coagulation factor VII, tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and lipid as cardiovascular risk factors in chronic hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are high in long-term dialysis patients. Increased levels of plasma fibrinogen (FBG), coagulation factor VII (FVII), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) as well as hyperlipidemia are regarded as important risk factors for CVD. To investigate whether there are differences in the risk of CVD between chronic hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, serum lipid levels and plasma FBG, FVII, t-PA, and PAI-1 levels were measured in 17 patients on HD and 17 patients on CAPD. FBG was measured by the thrombin time method, FVII activity (FVIIc) by the chromogenic prothrombin time method, and t-PA and PAI-1 activity by the chromogenic substrate assay. No difference was found in body mass index (BMI) between HD and CAPD patients. Total cholesterol (TC), TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C ratio, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, and triglycerides (TG) were significantly increased, and HDL-C was significantly decreased in CAPD patients compared with HD patients. FBG and FVIIc were significantly elevated in CAPD patients compared with controls or HD patients. T-PA activities were significantly higher in HD and CAPD patients than in controls. CAPD patients showed significantly higher PAI-1 activities than controls or HD patients. Significant positive correlations were found between FBG or FVIIc and TC, between FBG and LDL-C or TG, and between FVIIc and LDL-C in these patients. T-PA showed significant negative correlations with FBG, PAI-1, TC, LDL-C, and TG. There was a significant positive correlation between PAI-1 and TG and a significant negative correlation between PAI-1 and HDL-C. We conclude that CAPD patients may have a greater risk of CVD than do HD patients, and that coagulation and fibrinolytic activity are correlated with lipid disorders in these patients.