In vitro transmission of mouse leukemia virus to restrictive mouse cells: necessity for mixed infection by two different leukemia viruses]

The plaque formation of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) in non permissive mouse cells (N-tropic MuLV in B-type cells, or B-tropic MuLV in N-type cells) was increased by murine sarcoma virus whose plaque-forming activity was extremely low (MuSV XC-). The infection of N-tropic MuLV in B-type cells was increased by MuSV XC- propagated only in N-type cells but not in B-type cells, and the infection of B-tropic MuLV in N-type cells by MuSV XC- propagated only in B-type cells but not in N-type cells.     

Identification of cytotoxic cells responsible for lysis of target cells pretreated with concanavalin A in spleen populations of pregnant mice with suppressive activity]

During an alloimmunization, killer cells which lyse target cells only in the presence of a lectin are generated. That these cells, as well as suppressive cells, share immunocytological properties with specific killer cells, leads to the hypothesis that these cells may be concerned with the mechanism of immunosuppression. Two experimental results presented in this paper are consistent with this hypothesis: 1) Spleens from H-2k mice pregnant by H-2d males which bear a high suppressive activity also contain a relatively large number of killer cells having the ability to lyse Concanavalin A treated target cells and 2) supernatants of suppressive systems generated through an MLC block the cytolysis of specific target cells by the bound killer cells.     

Spontaneous fusion between cancer cells and endothelial cells

Endothelial cells line the inside of blood and lymphatic vessels, and cancer cells must cross this barrier, first to gain access to the circulation, and, second, to exit and metastasize. How this occurs is incompletely understood. We now demonstrate that human cancer cells are able to fuse with endothelial cells to form hybrid cells displaying proteins and chromosomal markers characteristic of both parent cells. The hybrid cells are viable and capable of undergoing mitosis. Fusions between cancer cells and endothelial cells were shown to occur both in vitro, in co-cultures of human breast cancer cells and endothelial cells, and in vivo, following intravascular dissemination of human breast cancer cells in nude mice. These observations demonstrate a new type of cancer-endothelial cell interaction that may be of fundamental importance to the process of metastasis.Received 10 May 2004; received after revision 21 June 2004; accepted 2 July 2004     

胃癌侧群细胞耐药性研究及干细胞相关基因检测

目的研究胃癌侧群（Side Population,sP）细胞对化疗药物5-Fu（氟尿嘧啶）的耐药性及可能机制,并检测干细胞相关基因Nanog、Musashi-1及cD44的表达情况。方法选择人胃癌细胞株sGc-7901,以荧光染料H0echst 33342染色,维拉帕米桔抗对照,应用流式细胞仪分选sP细胞和nonsP细胞。细胞耐药实验比较sP细胞与nonsP细胞对化疗药物5．Fu的耐药性差异;westem_h10t检测ABcG2和bcl-2蛋白表达情况;流式细胞仪分析细胞周期;荧光定量PcR检测两组细胞中干细胞相关基因Nanog、Musashi-1及cD44mRNA的表达差异。结果胃癌细胞株sGc．790l中sP细胞的比例为2．8％,sP细胞对5-Fu的耐药存活率明显高于non-sP细胞（P〈0．05）,与nonsP细胞相比,sP细胞高表达耐药蛋白ABcG2和抗凋亡蛋白bcl-2,有更多的细胞处于c0／G1期（P〈0．05）,并高表达干细胞相关基因Musashi-1和cD44。结论胃癌sGC_7901细胞株中sP细胞对化疗药物5．Fu的耐药性明显高于nonsP细胞,其耐药机制可能与sP细胞高表达耐药蛋白ABcG2和抗凋亡蛋白bcl-2,有更多细胞处于G0／Gl期有关;Musashi-1和cD44可能是相对特异性的胃癌干细胞标志物。     

The unique features of follicular T cell subsets

The germinal center (GC) reaction is critical for humoral immunity, but also contributes adversely to a variety of autoimmune diseases. While the major protective function of GCs is mediated by plasma cells and memory B cells, follicular helper T (TFH) cells represent a specialized T cell subset that provides essential help to the antigen-specific B cells in the form of membrane-bound ligands and secreted factors such as IL-21. Recent studies have revealed that TFH cells are capable of considerable functional diversity as well as possessing the ability to form memory cells. The molecular basis of this plasticity and heterogeneity is only now emerging. It has also become apparent that several other populations of follicular T cells exist, including natural killer T cells and regulatory T cells. In this review we will discuss the function of follicular T cells and interaction of these populations within the GC response.     

The balance between immunity and tolerance: The role of Langerhans cells

Langerhans cells are immature skin-homing dendritic cells that furnish the epidermis with an immune surveillance system, and translate information between the internal and external milieu. Dendritic cells, in particular Langerhans cells, are gaining prominence as one of the potential principal players orchestrating the decision between immunity and tolerance. Langerhans cells capture aberrant self-antigen and pathogen-derived antigen for display to the efferent immune response. Recent evidence suggests redundancy in the antigen-presenting function of Langerhans cells, with dermal dendritic subsets capable of fulfilling an analogous role. There is mounting evidence that Langerhans cells can cross-prime T cells to recognize antigens. Langerhans cells are proposed to stimulate T regulatory cells, and are implicated in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.The phenotype of Langerhans cells, which may be tolerogenic or immunogenic, appears to depend on their state of maturity, inciting immunogen and cytokine environment, offering the potential for manipulation in immunotherapy. Received 6 August 2008; received after revision 18 September 2008; accepted 13 October 2008     

Endothelial cells as antigen-presenting cells: role in human transplant rejection

The immunological properties of human endothelial cells suggest they perform a pivotal role in acute and chronic rejection following solid organ transplantation. In this review the basic features of acute and chronic rejection are described as are the cellular and molecular requirements for antigen presentation. Traditionally, antigen-presenting cells are considered to be bone marrow-derived cells. However, these conclusions have been derived from rodent models of allograft rejection where bone marrow-derived passenger leukocytes are the only source of donor major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II in the grafted organ. In contrast, in humans, virtually all the microvascular and small vessel endothelial cells are ‘constitutively’ positive for MHC class II antigens. The phenotypic properties of human endothelial cells, their response to cytokines and their ability to stimulate resting T cells are described. Unlike bone marrow-derived antigen presenting cells (APCs), which utilise B7/CD28 interactions, human endothelial cells utilise lymphocyte function antigen 3 (LFA3)/CD2 pathways to stimulate T cells. They activate a CD45RO + B7-independent subpopulation of T cells. Their effect on allogeneic T cells is compared with other non-bone marrow-derived cells such as fibroblasts, epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells, which are unable to stimulate resting T cells. Evidence is presented suggesting that release of MHC and non-human leukocyte antigens (HLA) from endothelial cells stimulates an alloantibody and autoimmune response leading to chronic rejection. Received 30 March 1998; received after revision 4 May 1998; accepted 4 May 1998     

Epithelial supporting cells can differentiate into outer hair cells and Deiters' cells in the cultured organ of Corti

The organ of Corti is a complex structure containing a single row of inner hair cells (IHCs) and three rows of outer hair cells (OHCs), supported respectively by one row of inner phalangeal cells and three rows of Deiters' cells. When fetal rat organ of Corti explants are cultured, supernumerary OHCs and supernumerary Deiters' cells are produced, without any additional cell proliferation. Analysis of semi- and ultrathin sections revealed that supernumerary OHCs are produced at the distal edge of the organ of Corti. Quantitative analysis of cell types present in the organ of Corti demonstrates that when the number of OHCs increases: (i) the total number of cells remains constant; (ii) the number of Deiters' cells increases; (iii) the number of tectal cells decreases and of Hensen's cells decreases. Using specific HC markers, i.e. jagged2 (Jag2) and Math1, we showed that in addition to existing OHCs, supernumerary OHCs, tectal cells and Hensen's cells expressed these markers in embryonic day 19 organ of Corti explants after 5 days in vitro. The results of this study suggest that Hensen's cells retain the capacity to differentiate into either tectal cells, which differentiate into OHCs, or into undertectal cells which differentiate into Deiters' cells. Received 15 May 2002; received after revision 18 July 2002; accepted 7 August 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author.     

Functional inhibition of isolated pancreatic cells, new technic for the detection of macrophage cytotoxicity]

It is usually accepted that macrophages "activated" by lymphokines may be found cytotoxic against tumoral target cells but show no detectable cytotoxicity in in vitro tests using normal non tumoral cells as target cells. These data have been obtained mainly with the chromium-release test. The present paper describes a new test using normal isolated pancreatic cells as target cells and evaluating the effect of activated or non-activated macrophages on the insulin secretion response to glucose stimulation. The results show a striking decrease in this response following an 18-hr incubation of pancreatic islet cells with activated macrophages, as compared to that of the same cells incubated with control macrophages. This is clear evidence that activated macrophages may alter normal cells and suggests that their cytotoxic properties are not restricted to tumoral target cells.     

Effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts on cultured tumor cells

Bacterially fermented mistletoe preparations (BFMP) were tested on rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells and human leukemia Molt 4 cells. A dose-dependent inhibition of the growth rate of the cells was observed. For both cell lines, cytostatic concentrations, expressed in weight of fresh plant, were 0.5 mg/ml culture medium for oak BFMP and 1 mg/ml for apple tree BFMP. However, the action of the two preparations was markedly different on each cell line. Non-viable HTC cells were not stained by trypan blue while non-viable Molt 4 cells were fully colored by this reagent. A lysis of cellular membranes of HTC cells was observed by electron microscopy. Furthermore, oak BFMP inhibited the growth of virus transformed 3T3-SV40 cells more than that of non-transformed 3T3 cells. In contrast to BFMP, non-fermented extracts and a purified mistletoe lectin showed a greater inhibition of the growth of Molt 4 cells than of HTC cells. Samples withdrawn at different times during fermentation gradually lost their inhibitory effect on the growth of Molt 4 cells while their action on HTC cells increased up to the 4th day of fermentation. These results are discussed in relation to the cytotoxic substances of mistletoe already characterized.     

Description of the folliculo-stellate cells in the anterior hypophysis of the monkey Macacus irus]

Folliculo-stellar cells are present in the anterior lobe of hypophysis of the monkey Macacus irus. These cells limit strait cavities in which one can observe microvillosites at the apical pole of the cells. The folliculo-stellar cells possess long and thin fibers which insert themselves between different types of granular cells and sometimes extend to the peri-capillar regions. Numerous organelles are present in these folliculo-stellar cells, especially microfilaments.     

Interaction of thymic cells and hemopoietic stem cells. Enhancing effect on irradiated thymus repopulation]

In irradiated mice engrafted with hemopoietic cells, the thymus is repopulated more rapidly by bone marrow-derived than by spleen-derived cells. Admixing thymic cells with the restorative suspension stimulates the thymic repopulation by spleen-derived cells whereas it has no effect on the repopulation by bone marrow-derived cells.     

Degranulating activity in hybrid cells derived from rat peritoneal mast cells and ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Summary Fusion of rat mast cells and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was mediated by HVJ. Compound 48/80-induced degranulation occurred in the fused cells formed from two mast cells and one tumor cell, but not in the fused cells from one mast cell and two or more tumor cells.I am grateful to DrK. Utsumi for valuable discussions and for the donation of HVJ.     

Surface morphology of the subfornical organ: effects of low and high sodium chloride diet

Ependymal cells found in the subfornical organ of the rat were counted. Cells covered by small microvilli, small protrusions and smooth cells were frequently found. Also present were cells with long or short cilia, cels with large protrusions and supraependymal cells. High and low sodium diets reduced the number of cells with large protrusions. Microvilli-covered cells increased after a low sodium diet.     

In vivo matrix-guided human mesenchymal stem cells

Microfracture of subchondral bone results in intrinsic repair of cartilage defects. Stem or progenitor cells from bone marrow have been proposed to be involved in this regenerative process. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that mesenchymal stem (MS) cells can in fact be recovered from matrix material saturated with cells from bone marrow after microfracture. This also introduces a new technique for MS cell isolation during arthroscopic treatment. MS cells were phenotyped using specific cell surface antibodies. Differentiation of the MS cells into the adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic lineage could be demonstrated by cultivation of MS cells as a monolayer, as micromass bodies or mesenchymal microspheres. This study demonstrates that MS cells can be attracted to a cartilage defect by guidance of a collagenous matrix after perforating subchondral bone. Protocols for application of MS cells in restoration of cartilage tissue include an initial invasive biopsy to obtain the MS cells and time-wasting in vitro proliferation and possibly differentiation of the cells before implantation. The new technique already includes attraction of MS cells to sites of cartilage defects and therefore may overcome the necessity of in vitro proliferation and differentiation of MS cells prior to transplantation. Received 3 November 2005; received after revision 15 December 2005; accepted 4 January 2006     

Syncytin is involved in breast cancer-endothelial cell fusions

Cancer cells can fuse spontaneously with normal host cells, including endothelial cells, and such fusions may strongly modulate the biological behaviour of tumors. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We now show that human breast cancer cell lines and 63 out of 165 (38%) breast cancer specimens express syncytin, an endogenous retroviral envelope protein, previously implicated in fusions between placental trophoblast cells. Additionally, endothelial and cancer cells are shown to express ASCT-2, a receptor for syncytin. Syncytin antisense treatment decreases syncytin expression and inhibits fusions between breast cancer cells and endothelial cells. Moreover, a syncytin inhibitory peptide also inhibits fusions between cancer and endothelial cells. These results are the first to show that syncytin is expressed by human cancer cells and is involved in cancer-endothelial cell fusions. Received 2 May 2006; received after revision 7 June 2006; accepted 12 June 2006     

Differential interaction of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic (TNBS) and 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic (DNBS) acids on mouse lymphocytes]

Modifications of lymphoid cells with dinitro-2,4 phenylsulfonic acid (DNBS) or trinitro-2,4,6 phenylsulfonic acid (TNBS) have been studied. TNBS action always produces an electrophoretic mobility increase in relation with the amount of amino-groups, according to the cell type. DNBS action produces an electrophoretic mobility increase for B cells of spleen and a decrease for T cells of spleen and thymic cells. The hydrophobic fluorescent probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonate used to study conformational changes of cells revealed a slight fluorescence decrease for TNP-modified cells and an important fluorescence increase for DNP-modified cells.     

Selective protection of cells against X-irradiation. Isoproterenol protects only those cells that possess beta-adrenoreceptors

In mixed culture of Chinese hamster fibroblasts, clone 431, and transformed murine L fibroblasts, clone B-82, isoproterenol was found to protect only 431 cells against ionizing radiation. It was shown that 431 cells, in contrast to B-82 cells, possess beta-adrenoreceptors, and the radioprotective effect of isoproterenol can be realized only if this agent interacts with beta-adrenoreceptors coupled with the cAMP system. Since malignization often causes the disappearance of beta-adrenergic and other hormone receptors, the combined culturing and irradiation of the cells studied can be regarded as a model of the growth of malignant cells (B-82) among normal tissue cells (431 cells) under conditions of radiation therapy. A possibility of selective protection against radiation damage of normal tissue cells, with retention of the former radiosensitivity of tumor cells, is discussed.     

Different functional outcomes of intercellular membrane transfers to monocytes and T cells

Trogocytosis is the uptake of membranes from one cell by another. Trogocytosis has been demonstrated for monocytes, B cells, T cells, and NK cells. The acquisition of the tolerogenic molecule HLA-G by T cells and NK cells makes them behave as regulatory cells. We investigated here whether HLA-G, which is expressed by tumor cells in vivo, could be acquired by monocytes and if this transfer could have functional consequences. We demonstrate that resting, and even more so, activated monocytes efficiently acquire membrane-bound HLA-G from HLA-G tumor cells by trogocytosis. However, we demonstrate that HLA-G quickly disappears from the surface of the monocytes in contrast to the HLA-G acquired by T cells. Consequently, HLA-G^acq+ monocytes do not reliably inhibit the on-going proliferation of autologous activated T cells and do not inhibit their cytokine production. Thus, we show that the acquirer cell may control the functional outcome of trogocytosis.     

Protective effect of interferon on the target cells of cytotoxic lymphocytes

Interferon treatment of sensitized T lymphocytes enhances cytotoxicity against target cells. On the contrary, the same treatment of the target cells alone protects them, whatever the cytotoxicity of effector cells might be. We suggest that the cells having once survived contact with cytotoxic T lymphocytes could become resistant to any new attack by the same cells.