Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0038002 (splenomegaly)
 9,873 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Corynebacterium xerosis cell-wall fractions were studied by electron microscopy and analysed for immunomodulating activity. Dramatic splenomegaly occurred following the injection of whole cells or a purified cell-wall fraction (PF), but not with a further purified peptidoglycan (PEP) fraction. Both PF and PEP acted as B-cell mitogens and had adjuvant capabilities comparable to commercial adjuvants. Only the PF fraction enhanced peritoneal natural killer cell (NK) activity, paralleling the splenomegaly response. When spleens from mice injected with PF or PEP were analysed for their abilities to respond to mitogens and for the presence of suppressor cells, reduced mitogenic responses occurred only in PF-injected mice during the peak of splenomegaly. Spleens from both PF- and PEP-injected mice contained suppressor cell activity which peaked 2 weeks post-injection. This activity was primarily directed at B-cell responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). C. xerosis cell-wall fractions thus offer great potential as a new immunomodulator.
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PMID:Immunomodulating activities of Corynebacterium xerosis cell-wall fractions. 140 38

In previous studies we demonstrated that an induced asialo-GM1 positive (ASGM1+) cell of donor origin that exerts natural killer cell-like activity (NK activity+) plays a crucial role in the development of graft-versus-host (GVH)-associated tissue damage and severe immunosuppression. This study examined whether the ASGM1+ (NK activity+) GVH effector cells were activated by non-specific signals or whether these cells were triggered by specific alloantigens and displayed antigenic specificity. C57B1/6 (B6) donor mice were treated with either B6 x AF1 (B6AF1) lymphoid cells and anti-asialo GM1 antibodies (anti-ASGM1) to induce and eliminate specifically activated B6-anti-B6AF1 ASGM1+ (NK activity+) cells or with polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), and anti-ASGM1 to eliminate non-specifically activated ASGM1+ (NK activity+) cells. Donor spleen and lymph node cells depleted of the specific allo-induced ASGM1+ NK reactive cells showed near normal numbers of L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ cells and retained T- and B-cell functions as measured by mitogen responses (to PHA, Con A and LPS), mixed lymphocyte responses (MLR) (to B6AF1) and the generation of cytotoxic T cells (CTL) (to B6AF1 blasts). Anti-ASGM1 treatment almost completely abrogated NK activity in all donor inocula. GVH reactions were induced by injecting treated donor cells into B6AF1, B6 x C3HejF1 (B6C3HF1) and B6 x SJLF1 (B6SJLF1) hybrids and monitored by splenomegaly, suppression of T-cell mitogen responses and the development of histopathological lesions in the thymus, liver and pancreas. Cells from donors depleted of non-specifically (poly I:C) induced ASGM1+ cells induced severe histological lesions, marked immunosuppression and splenomegaly in all three F1 hybrid combinations. When the donor cells were depleted of specifically induced (B6-anti-B6AF1) ASGM1+ cells and injected into the three F1 combinations they induced splenomegaly in all three but caused severe tissue injury and intense immunosuppression only in B6C3HF1 and B6SJLF1 mice and not in B6AF1 mice. Genetic analysis suggests that the H-2D (or a closely related) region of the H-2 complex plays an important role in the activation of the specific GVH effector cells. These results suggest that the cell(s) responsible for splenomegaly are different from the ones that cause severe GVH-associated tissue damage and immunosuppression although there may be cells and/or lymphokines common to both processes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Induction, specificity and elimination of asialo-GM1+ graft-versus-host effector cells of donor origin. 183 14

Imexon (4-imino-1,4-diazobicyclo-3.1.0-hexan-2-one) was moderately effective in the treatment of a retroviral infection in a genetically defined murine model. The animal model consisted of a Friend virus complex (FV) infection in a hybrid mouse strain, (B10.A x A/WySn)F1, which has similarities with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Intraperitoneal imexon initiated 1 or 3 days after FV inoculation and continued through 13 days after inoculation significantly reduced splenomegaly, splenic cell-free virus titers and viral RNA. Viral infectious centers/10(6) splenocytes and FV titers in the plasma were reduced, though not to a statistically significant level. The effect of imexon on survival was not statistically significant which suggested that the antiviral effects were only transiently effective. Phytohemagglutinin-induced blastogenesis and percent of total T cells, T helper cells and T suppressor/cytotoxic cells in the spleens were increased, and the percentage of B cells decreased by imexon treatment of both FV-infected and uninfected mice. The splenic natural killer cell activity and interleukin-1 production were not markedly affected. Virus specific neutralizing antibody developed in both imexon- and placebo-treated FV-infected mice, although titers were lower in the imexon-treated animals.
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PMID:Effect of imexon treatment on Friend virus complex infection using genetically defined mice as a model for HIV-1 infection. 203

Children with advanced portal hypertension usually have splenomegaly (often associated with hypersplenism) which may lead to a decreased life span of circulating blood leukocytes. In a group of 6 children (age range 4-15 years; mean age 8.5 years) with portal hypertension, we examined peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes for possible changes in their proportions, numbers and function. Compared to normal subjects, children with portal hypertension had a marked reduction in the percentages and absolute numbers of T lymphocytes (CD3+), T 'helper/inducer' (CD4+) and T 'suppressor/cytotoxic' (CD8+) cells. However, the percentages of B lymphocytes (FMC1+), natural killer cells (Leu 11+) and monocytes (morphological) were increased, and the absolute numbers of B cells were significantly increased in these patients. Lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A were depressed in the patients, while the natural killer cell cytotoxicity was slightly increased. Thus, children with portal hypertension show changes in the relative proportions and absolute numbers of peripheral blood mononuclear blood leukocyte subpopulations as well as changes in mononuclear leukocyte function.
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PMID:Alterations in function and subpopulations of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes in children with portal hypertension. Leukocyte subtypes and function in portal hypertension. 278 69

A low-dose interferon (IFN)-alpha regimen for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) was evaluated by following changes in leukocyte differentiation antigens (LDA), natural killer cell (NK) and 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase activities. Due to hairy cells' (HC) weak expression of several antigens positive for T cells, B cells, NK cells and monocytes, the use of a double marker specific for hairy cells was needed to distinguish the different subpopulations. Analysis of LDA in peripheral blood (PB) showed a total normalization of the T cell and monocyte numbers within 90 days, the number of NK cells normalized in 90 to 180 d, whereas normalization of B cell number was seen only after 180 to 360 d of treatment. Mean pretreatment 2-5A synthetase activity was normal or low, but upon treatment the levels rose immediately to higher than normal values and remained high throughout the study. Pretreatment NK activity was low, but normalized after between 90 to 360 d, except in 2 patients with severe splenomegaly. In vitro incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) with IFN-alpha induced activation of the NK and 2-5A synthetase activity in untreated patients, but with treatment these effects were gradually abolished, indicating an increasing effect of IFN-alpha in vivo with time. These results shows that the different PBMNC subpopulations and important immunological functions normalize with treatment. This normalization is, however, not seen until at least after 1 year of treatment, indicating that the treatment schedule should be longer. As no exhaustion to the effect of IFN was seen, as measured by the 2-5A synthetase activity, a continuing beneficial effect of treatment is anticipated. The increasing effect of IFN-alpha after the first signs of clinical effect suggests that the doses used in the present study were higher than necessary.
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PMID:Immunological recovery and dose evaluation in IFN-alpha treatment of hairy cell leukemia: analysis of leukocyte differentiation antigens, NK and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity. 291 94

A case of T-prolymphocytic leukemia leading to rapid demise of a 67-year-old man is reported. He presented with multiple skin lesions and splenomegaly. A unique feature was that a proportion of circulating leukemic cells assumed bizarre shapes, resembling carrots. The leukemic cells expressed the T-cell markers T11, T8 and Dako-T2, and the natural killer cell markers NKH1, Leu7 and Leu 11b.
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PMID:T-prolymphocytic leukemia with circulating carrot-like cells. 325 91

Natural killer (NK) cells may be important in the control of circulating tumor emboli. Because of this, the suppression of natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) observed with progressive tumor burden is a concern relative to the treatment of solid tumors. Our study examines the interplay between tumor progression, elaboration of metastases, and NKCC. Mice inoculated with Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) cells developed visible primary tumors by day 6 of tumor bearing. This tumor burden appeared to be associated with a progressive decrease in NKCC beginning after day 6 of tumor bearing. Significant splenomegaly was observed beginning by day 12. Rapidly reproducing tumor cells take up 125I-labeled 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (125I-IUDR) in lieu of thymidine more readily than normal cells. Intraperitoneal injection of the labeled IUDR allowed the identification of possible pulmonary metastatic activity earlier in the tumor progression sequence than has previously been possible using standard staining procedures. A significantly increased level of lung 125I-IUDR uptake was observed in the lung beginning after day 6 of tumor bearing; this increase in 125I-IUDR uptake began at the same time as the tumor burden impairment of NKCC. Successful implantation of tumor emboli may occur very early in experimental tumor burden systems, when measurable antitumor immune effector mechanisms are not yet massively suppressed. Antitumor immunotherapy programs may therefore need to be targeted to these earlier points of tumor bearing.
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PMID:Tumor burden impairment of murine natural killer cell cytotoxicity. 336 May 92

Three patients had leukocytosis of large granular lymphocytes and chronic neutropenia. Clonal chromosomal abnormalities (trisomy 8 and trisomy 14) and lymphocytic infiltration of splenic red pulp, hepatic sinusoids, and bone marrow indicated the neoplastic nature of the large granular lymphocytes. Demonstration of a T3+, T8+, HNK-1 + phenotype and low natural killer cell activity that was augmented by interferon treatment showed the leukemic cells to be immature natural killer cells. Multiple autoantibodies were present and included rheumatoid factor and antinuclear, antineutrophil, antiplatelet, and antierythrocyte antibodies, suggesting a defect of B-cell immunoregulation. In addition, in-vitro studies showed impaired suppression of immunoglobulin biosynthesis by abnormal cells from one patient. Antineutrophil antibodies and absence of direct cell-mediated inhibition of granulocyte-macrophage colony formation supported a humoral immune mechanism for the neutropenia. In these patients the syndrome of splenomegaly, multiple autoantibodies with neutropenia, and lymphocytosis of large granular lymphocytes is due to a neoplastic proliferation of immature natural killer cells.
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PMID:Leukemia of large granular lymphocytes: association with clonal chromosomal abnormalities and autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia. 396 54

Five patients with polyarthritis and neutropenia had numerous circulating large granular lymphocytes with a phenotype attributed to immature natural killer cells. All five had splenomegaly and recurrent infections. Arthritis was most prominent at the wrists and hands, and all patients were considered to have atypical cases of Felty's syndrome. Antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, antineutrophil antibodies, and immune complexes were detected in most patients. Bone marrow biopsies revealed a maturation arrest at the myelocyte stage and lymphoid infiltrates. Large lymphocytes with azurophilic cytoplasmic granules were found on peripheral blood smears and showed a characteristic reactivity pattern with monoclonal antibodies suggesting a natural killer cell lineage. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed less than normal natural killer activity against K562 target cells. Increased numbers of large granular lymphocytes with a phenotype of immature natural killer cells may be important in the pathogenesis of neutropenia, humoral immune disturbances, and synovitis in a subset of patients with Felty's syndrome.
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PMID:Polyarthritis and neutropenia associated with circulating large granular lymphocytes. 402 84

A 63 year old man with late onset hypogammaglobulinaemia is described. Splenectomy, carried out because of marked splenomegaly and pancytopenia, demonstrated marked T lymphocytic infiltration in the splenic red pulp with prominent germinal centres. A persistent peripheral blood and bone marrow lymphocytosis ensued (10 X 10(9)/l and 40% respectively) and this was consistent with T-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (T-CLL). Over 88% of his blood lymphocytes were E+, OKT3+, OKT8+ and OKT11+; 54% of the T lymphocytes had receptors for IgG (T gamma cells). Functional studies showed that the T lymphocytes of this patient lacked killer and natural killer cell function but they effectively suppressed the differentiation of normal B cells in a PWM stimulated system. It is suggested that the T-CLL in this patient resulted from the proliferation of the T suppressor subset which was responsible for his hypogammaglobulinaemia.
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PMID:T-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia presenting as primary hypogammaglobulinaemia--evidence of a proliferation of T-suppressor cells. 621 9


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