Immunostimulation of cytomegalovirus-transformed cells and its inhibition by blocking sera.

Spleen cells cytotoxic at high effector cell: target cell ratios specifically enhanced target cell survival at low ratios. Both cytotoxicity and immunostimulation could be specifically blocked by sera from tumor-bearing or virus-sensitized hosts. The results suggested that serum factors participate in the regulation of the cell-mediated immune response.

Stimulatory effect of immunization on tumor induction by Moloney murine sarcoma virus.

Adult mice were immunized with varying doses of inactivated Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV). Eight weeks after immunization, mice were challenged with a dose of Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MuSV) that could induce tumors in approximately 50% of normal animals. Mice immunized with high doses of M-MuLV (10(10) particles) had significantly decreased tumor incidences, whereas mice immunized with low doses of M-MuLV (10(2) particles) had significnatly increased tumor incidences compared to those in nonimmunized controls. The stimulatory effect could be abrogated by the irradiation of mice with 450 rads 24 hours prior to M-MuSV challenge, whereas the inhibitory effect was resistant to this irradiation procedure. The results suggested that immunization with virus can either stimulate or inhibit virus-induced tumorigenesis, depending on the dose of virus used for immunization.

Role of natural killer and T-cells in interferon induced inhibition of spontaneous metastases of the B16F10L murine melanoma.

We have previously demonstrated that interferon (IFN) treatment of mice bearing the spontaneously metastasizing B16F10L murine melanoma on days -5 to -1 prior to surgical removal (day 0) of the primary tumor resulted in survival of greater than 50% of treated mice. The antitumor effect was correlated with an early increase of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity followed by a later developing specific cytolytic T-cell response. The purpose of this study was to establish definitively the roles of NK, CD4, and CD8 cells as mediators of the antitumor/antimetastatic effects of IFN treatment by administration of anti-asialo-GM1, anti-L3T4, and/or anti-Lyt-2 antisera. Depletion of NK cells, alone or in combination with T-cells, eliminated the protective effect of IFN treatment. Depletion of both CD4 and CD8 cells, however, did not significantly alter the therapeutic effect of IFN therapy. Collectively, these data conclusively demonstrated the importance of NK cells as mediators of the IFN induced antitumor state. However, in mice depleted of CD4 cells alone, the protective effect of IFN was eliminated, in spite of the presence of intact NK cells. In vitro analysis of NK cytotoxicity on day 1 after surgery demonstrated (a) a lack of IFN induced stimulation of NK activity in CD4 depleted mice and (b) a significant increase in both baseline and IFN induced NK cytotoxicity in CD8 depleted mice. These data suggested a CD8 cell mediated inhibition of NK activity/stimulation in CD4 depleted mice, possibly responsible for the lack of response to IFN therapy in that group. These results demonstrate the importance of not only individual components of the immune system but also the interaction of these components in both the natural and IFN induced control of spontaneous B16F10L metastases.

Role of natural killer cells in the mechanism of the antitumor effect of interferon on Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed cells.

The growth of tumors induced by inoculation of cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus can be inhibited by in situ administration of interferon (IFN) beginning one day after tumor challenge and continuing for 2 or 3 additional days. Inhibition of tumor growth by IFN was associated with a marked augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity, both in the spleen and at the site of tumor challenge, by day 5 after tumor challenge. However, using optimal conditions for IFN treatment, depletion of NK cells by in vivo treatment with anti-asialo GM1 prior to tumor challenge had no significant effect on inhibition of tumor growth by IFN. When the tumor load was greater or when IFN treatment was shorter, treatment with anti-asialo-GM1 partially abrogated the inhibition of tumor growth by IFN. In vitro assays gave no evidence of IFN enhancement of specific T-cell or activated macrophage antitumor effect. These results suggest that under optimal treatment conditions, the mechanism of the antitumor effect of IFN was independent of augmentation of NK activity, but under suboptimal conditions NK cells play a role in the mechanism of the antitumor effect of IFN.

Interferon-induced inhibition of Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed cells: requirement for T-cells.

We previously demonstrated that although natural killer (NK) cells participated in interferon (IFN)-induced inhibition of growth of the Moloney sarcoma MSC cell tumor, the need for NK cells could be circumvented by using a small tumor cell challenge or an increased amount of IFN. These studies were performed in normal, euthymic mice. The role of T-cells remained undefined. In the present study, nude mice were used to evaluate the role of T-cells. Investigation of various treatment regimens revealed that IFN could not totally inhibit tumor growth in nude mice. A significant delay in tumor growth was observed when 1 x 10(5) units of IFN were administered at the site of tumor on days 1-4 after tumor challenge. Increasing the dose of IFN or extending therapy to 7 days did not afford any further inhibition of tumor growth. In vivo depletion of NK cells with anti-asialo monoganglioside antibody revealed that the delay in tumor growth was dependent on NK cells when IFN was given on days 1-4. Treatment for days 1-7, however, still inhibited tumor growth in the NK cell-depleted nude mice. In order to further ascertain the role of T-cells in IFN-induced tumor inhibition, T-cell reconstitution studies of nude mice were performed. Nude mice were reconstituted with 1 x 10(7), 2 x 10(7), and 5 x 10(7) T-cells on day -1 to tumor challenge and treated with IFN on days 1-7. The extent of the observed decrease of tumor sizes and tumor incidences among the T-cell-reconstituted groups was dependent on the dose of T-cells being administered in both IFN-treated and untreated animals. These data indicate that T-cells are essential for maintaining the growth-inhibitory effects of IFN. This is in contrast to NK cells whose role in IFN-induced inhibition of MSC tumor growth can be circumvented by increasing the dose of IFN.

Genetic differences in the age-associated decrease in inducibility of natural killer cells by interferon-alpha/beta.

Natural killer (NK) cells, which are important in viral infections and anti-tumor activity, show reduced cytotoxicity in aged mice. The mechanism(s) for this age-related decline in NK activity has not been clearly established. We assessed changes in NK cytotoxicity in splenocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells after interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta stimulation in adult (6 months) and aged (22-26 months) C57Bl/6, Balb/c, and (Balb/c x C57Bl/6)F1 mice. Aged C57Bl/6 and Balb/c mice had a significantly reduced IFN-alpha/beta-stimulated NK cytotoxicity compared to adult mice. In contrast, adult and aged F1 mice showed similar NK cytotoxicity after IFN-alpha/beta induction. The decreased ability of NK cells of aged mice to respond to induction by IFN-alpha/beta was not due to a requirement for an increased amount of IFN or for a longer period of treatment with IFN. Further, this decreased response did not appear to be the result of suppressive activity of adherent cells or T cells. While the percentage of NK cells (NK1.1+) was similar in adult and aged mice, the (CD8+ NK1.1+) subset of NK cells was significantly increased in aged mice. Importantly, the percentage of CD8+ NK1.1+ cells was inversely related to the cytotoxicity observed after IFN-alpha/beta treatment.

Age-associated decline in IL-2 and IL-12 induction of LAK cell activity of human PBMC samples.

Previously we reported that young and elderly natural killer (NK) cell activity against the standard NK sensitive K562 cell line can be augmented to the same degree by IL-2 and IFN-alpha. We have extended these studies to include IL-12. Similar to IL-2 and IFN-alpha, IL-12 can enhance NK cytotoxicity to the same degree in both young and elderly samples over a wide range of doses and incubation times when K562 cells are used as targets. However, in contrast to our findings with the NK system, we have observed that induction of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell activity, as defined by the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples to lyse the normally NK resistant Daudi cell line, was significantly decreased in the elderly samples compared to young samples. Comparable age-associated differences were observed in LAK activity after induction with IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-alpha at varying doses and incubation times. We hypothesize an age-associated deficiency either in the mechanism of LAK induction or in target cell recognition.

Age-associated changes in mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation and lymphokine production in the long-lived brown-Norway rat: effect of caloric restriction.

We have previously demonstrated that age-related declines in Concanavalin A (ConA), induced proliferation and lymphokine production, occur in ad-libitum fed Brown Norway (AL BN) rats. Since caloric restriction (CR) extends lifespan, we expected that the age related changes in immune parameters would be delayed by CR. CR does act to delay age-related changes in proliferation in response to ConA. In addition, CR postpones the plateau in ConA induced interferon (IFN) production seen after 23 months of age in AL rats. However, CR does not postpone the age-related decline in ConA induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Therefore, ConA induced IFN production maybe a good candidate as an early marker of physiologic aging, while ConA induced proliferative response is a possible candidate for a marker of late stages of aging.

Age associated changes in mitogen induced proliferation and cytokine production by lymphocytes of the long-lived brown Norway rat.

The long-lived, inbred Brown Norway (BN) rat demonstrates an age associated decrease in lymphoproliferation in response to ConA; however, these declines only become apparent after the age of median survival, 31 months. Significant declines in IL-2 production after ConA stimulation also occur after median survival. In contrast, production of IFN after ConA stimulation increases with age in BN rats. This increase in IFN production begins about 12 months of age and plateaus at about median lifespan. The imbalance in IL-2 and IFN production may reflect a dysregulation that results in a decreased proliferative response of lymphocytes with increasing age.

Heterogeneous effects of exogenous lymphokines on lymphoproliferation of elderly subjects.

Although the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a population of elderly subjects (mean age 85.3) to proliferate in response to the T cell mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) is significantly reduced compared to young subjects (mean age 24.7), the response of the elderly subjects is heterogeneous. While 47% of the elderly subjects responded at about half the level of young controls, 15% responded at less than 20% the level and the remaining 38% responded comparably to young controls. Similar heterogeneity was observed in lymphokine production. However, there was no significant correlation between the level of proliferative response and production of either interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interferon gamma (IFN-g). In an effort to further explore the role of lymphokines in the decreased proliferative response of elderly subjects, various concentrations of exogenous IL-2 and/or IFN-gamma were added at the initiation of the mitogen stimulated cultures. Similar increases in both the level of response and the number of subjects demonstrating an increase was observed for both young and elderly subjects upon addition of either IL-2 or IFN-gamma. However, addition of a combination of IL-2 and IFN produced more pronounced effects in the elderly subjects. Approximately 1/3 of the elderly subjects who demonstrated decreased PHA-induced proliferation doubled their PHA induced proliferative response upon addition of a combination of lymphokines. The amounts of IL-2 and IFN-gamma required for this increase varied for each individual.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

T-kininogen is a biomarker of senescence in rats.

We have previously reported on the identification of T-kininogen (T-KG) as a gene whose expression is increased during senescence in male Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. Serum T-KG levels increase 2.5-4 months before the time of death for any given animal, irrespective of the actual age of the animal at the time of this event. Furthermore, dietary restriction (DR) delays, but does not prevent, the increase in serum T-KG levels. In the present study, we have assessed whether or not the age-related increase in T-KG is a common feature of senescence in other strains of rat. We have analyzed hepatic T-KG mRNA levels in male Fischer 344 rats (F344), as well as in male and female (Fischer 344 x Brown Norway)F1 rats (F1). In both of these strains, we observed a dramatic increase in hepatic T-KG mRNA levels when male rats approach senescence. The mRNA levels behave similarly in F1 and S-D rats, in that the increase occurs late in life, and it is either repressed or delayed by DR. In contrast, the increase in T-KG mRNA levels in F344 rats occurs earlier in life, and is not significantly affected by DR. Young female F1 rats fed ad libitum (AL) show a statistically significant (P = 0.0009) 2.6-fold higher level of T-KG mRNA, as compared to their male counterparts. Thus, while we still observe an age-related increase in this parameter in both AL and DR female F1 rats, the difference is statistically significant (P = 0.0001) only in DR animals. We conclude that the increase in T-KG gene expression is a common feature of senescence and that, at least in males of these commonly used rat strains, T-KG can be used as a reliable biomarker of aging. Since the increase in T-KG gene expression does not appear to correlate with inflammatory processes, and since different strains of animals succumb to different pathologies, these results further suggest that the increase in T-KG expression might be related to the process of aging per se, rather than to any given age-related pathology.

Age-related changes in interferon-alpha/beta receptor expression, binding, and induction of apoptosis in natural killer cells from C57BL/6 mice.

Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical first line of defense against viral infections and tumors. We showed previously that basal NK cytotoxicity was comparable in adult (6 month) and aged (24 month) C57BL/6 (B6) mice. However, NK activity was significantly higher in adult compared with aged B6 mice after either in vitro or in vivo stimulation with IFN-alpha/beta. The present study explored whether age-related decreases in inducible NK activity after stimulation with IFN-alpha/beta were due to differences in (1) IFN-alpha/beta receptor expression or IFN-alpha/beta binding to NK cells or (2) apoptosis of NK cells. Flow cytometry revealed that, despite significantly higher IFN-alpha/beta receptor expression (P

The age-associated decline in immune function of healthy individuals is not related to changes in plasma concentrations of beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol or zinc.

The decline in the lymphoproliferative response to mitogenic stimuli shows marked heterogeneity in elderly individuals. Adequate nutriture is required for optimal immune function, yet nutritional status may be compromised in the elderly. To address whether this variation in the proliferative response of elderly individuals is related to their nutritional status, we studied 61 elderly (80.5 +/- 5.7 year-old) and 27 young (27.3 +/- 3.8 year-old) individuals participating in an ongoing assessment of their immune response to influenza vaccine. Ambulatory elderly individuals were recruited from five different retirement communities and were in good health upon enrollment in the study. Thirty-three percent of young and 54% of elderly subjects reported consuming micronutrient supplements daily during the study. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from fasting individuals twice, 4-6 weeks apart. At both times, proliferative responses to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were significantly lower (P < 0.004) in the elderly compared to the young. However, at both times, elderly participants had plasma concentrations of beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol and zinc that were either significantly greater than, or equal to, those of young subjects. No significant correlations between plasma concentrations of beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol and zinc and level of proliferative responses to each stimuli were observed in elderly individuals at either time. Thus, the heterogeneity in the proliferative response to mitogenic stimuli exhibited by a healthy elderly population cannot be attributed to differences in these nutritional parameters.

Differences between young and aged mice in susceptibility to Friend virus.

Friend virus (FV) is a murine leukemia virus that infects progenitor red blood cells and causes an erythroleukemia in susceptible mouse strains, resulting in splenomegaly. Several genetic loci of the host have been identified that affect erythroleukemia development, differentiation status of target cells and virus replication. Since age may change expression of these loci, age may affect FV disease. To explore this possibility, FV expression in four genetically diverse strains of mice of different ages was examined. Extent of viral replication and of disease were evaluated by measuring spleen focus forming units (SFFU), spleen weight and reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in target organs. Young DBA/2 and (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1 mice exhibited a greater level of virus expression than their aged counterparts in all parameters investigated. Young CBA/Ca mice had slightly higher spleen weights and SFFU values than aged CBA/Ca mice, but a definitive age-related change was not observed in the RT activity of the target organs. C57BL/6 mice, which are genetically resistant to the development of FV-induced erythroleukemia, exhibited a limited degree of virus replication that was not effected by the age of the animal. Our results indicate that the age of the mouse, as well as the genetic background, can contribute to the level of susceptibility to FV.

Immune response to influenza vaccine in healthy elderly: lack of association with plasma beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, or zinc.

Immunity and nutritional status are compromised with age, yet the relationship between them is unclear. Immune responses and plasma micronutrient levels of 61 healthy elderly (mean 81 years) and 27 young (mean 27 years) were assessed before and after immunization with trivalent influenza vaccine (FLU). FLU-induced proliferation and IFN-gamma levels of elderly were lower than young before and after immunization. Proliferation and IFN-gamma levels increased after immunization of young, but not elderly. FLU-induced IL-6 and IL-10 levels did not change after immunization of either group. While antibody titers to all three FLU components increased after vaccination of young and elderly, post-vaccination titers of elderly were lower than young. Although plasma retinol and zinc levels of young and elderly were similar before and after vaccination, elderly had higher plasma beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol levels at both assessments that increased after vaccination. Importantly, plasma micronutrient levels were comparable for elderly with or without intact (titers >/=40 and fourfold rise post-vaccination) antibody responses after vaccination. These results suggest that differences in these plasma micronutrients (1) are not required to observe decreased FLU responses of healthy elderly compared to young and (2) are not associated with differences in antibody responses among healthy elderly.

Immunologic response in an elderly population with a mean age of 85.

Previous studies of changes in immune responses in the elderly have been limited in both number and age of elderly subjects and have produced conflicting results. Using 260 subjects, mean age 84.6, the present study conclusively demonstrates that T cell response is decreased in the elderly. Decreases in response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A were demonstrated in groups aged 70 to 79, 80 to 84, and 85 to 89, although a group 90 to 106 years old showed a decreased response only to phytohemagglutinin. None of the groups had a decreased response to pokeweed mitogen. No response to all three mitogens was observed in 13 percent of the group aged 70 to 89, but in none of the group aged 90 to 106 or in the young groups. No differences in natural killer cell cytotoxicity were observed among the elderly groups. In contrast to previous studies, these results suggest that: the decreased immune response of the elderly is not directly related to age, over age 70; and there may be a selection process in which subjects who live to the age of 90 are those in whom the least decrease in immune response is demonstrated.

Tumor necrosis factor induces expression of MHC class I antigens on mouse astrocytes.

The effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens was examined in mouse glial cells in vitro. TNF induced MHC class I, but not class II, antigen expression on the surface of astrocytes but not on oligodendrocytes. Glial cells do not normally express detectable amounts of MHC antigens. Thus TNF may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of neurologic diseases that involve MHC class I-restricted reactions.

Heterogeneity of changes in lymphoproliferative ability with increasing age.

Although mean mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation decreases with increased age, the response of individual subjects demonstrates great heterogeneity. Results of this study clearly illustrate that individual variation is apparent not only in the level of proliferation, but also in the amount of interleukin-2 (IL-2) detectable after mitogen stimulation. Further, addition of exogenous IL-2 significantly increases proliferation in only about one third of elderly subjects. Data from inbred strains of rats housed under identical environmental conditions indicate that although genetic factors greatly influence both the level of proliferation and the rate of decline with age, variation occurs even within one inbred strain of rat.

Varying role of alpha/beta interferon in the antiviral efficacy of synthetic immunomodulators against Semliki Forest virus infection.

The question of whether interferon alpha/beta is the common mechanism of antiviral action of synthetic immunomodulators was investigated in B6C3F1 mice infected with Semliki Forest virus. Mice were treated with various concentrations of normal sheep serum or potent anti-alpha/beta interferon antiserum, inoculated with the immunomodulators, and infected 24 hours later with virus. Three patterns emerged. The antiviral action of the pyrimidinone (ABMP) and the oral interferon inducer (CL246,738) appeared to be mediated primarily by interferon alpha/beta; their protective ability was almost completely abrogated by treatment with low levels of anti-alpha/beta interferon antiserum. The antiviral action of two other immunomodulators, a mismatched polyribonucleotide (Ampligen) and a polyanionic copolymer (MVE-2) at least partially involved interferon. Activity of these compounds was reduced, but not consistently eliminated by treatments with high doses of antiserum. The antiviral activity of another polyribonucleotide, polyriboinosinic-cytidylic acid complexed with lysine carboxymethylcellulose (poly ICLC), was not affected by treatment with even the highest amount of antiserum (two injections of 100,000 neutralizing units each). Almost complete protection by poly ICLC was observed despite the fact that this high concentration of antiserum, when given alone, caused a decrease in natural resistance to Semliki Forest virus infection. Taken together, these results indicate that induction of interferon alpha/beta does not appear to be the major common mechanism of antiviral activity among these diverse synthetic immunomodulators.

Expression of MHC class I genes in mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-A59) infection and in multiple sclerosis.

Our studies revealed that virus induced demyelination as well as human inflammatory demyelination involves upregulation of class I MHC genes and surface expression of antigens encoded by these genes. Induction involves the action of an intermediate soluble factor/s which is at present unknown. These findings suggest that MHC class I restricted, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) reactions, against self or foreign antigens may play a role in these conditions. These findings may help to elucidate the mechanism of coronavirus-induced demyelination as well as the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.