Interleukin 2 dependence of human natural killer (NK) cell activity.

Abstract When purified populations of human natural killer (NK) cells were tested for cytotoxic activity in the presence of partially purified preparations of human interleukin 2 (IL 2), a definite, dose-dependent linear increase in reactivity was observed. To determine whether such augmentation by IL 2 might reflect an important aspect of the physiologic regulation of NK activity, we examined the effects of monoclonal antibodies against human IL 2 on spontaneous NK activity. The presence of such antibodies during the 4-hr cytotoxicity assay resulted in significant inhibition of NK activity, and when the NK cells were pretreated for 16 to 20 hr with anti-IL 2, little or no activity remained. These data suggest that the spontaneous cytotoxic activity of NK cells is dependent on their continued exposure to IL 2. The reduction in NK activity resulting from treatment with anti-IL 2 could be at least partially restored by exposure to only low amounts of partially purified IL 2. These data have provided the basis for formulating a novel model of NK cell activation.</jats:p

Immunomodulation by microbial ribosomes

Over the past twenty years, many authors have reported evidence of the immunoprotective capacity of ribosomes isolated from bacteria, fungi and parasites. Since 1971 we have explored the protective capacity of ribosomes isolated from a large variety of microorganisms responsible for human and animal diseases. More recently, using monoclonal antibodies raised against ribosomes and then selected for their ability to confer passive immunity to mice, we have studied the mechanism of the protection induced by ribosomes. These studies, in parallel with the development of a technology for the large scale production of ribosomes, have allowed us to achieve a new regard for ribosomal vaccines for use in human. The general concept of ribosomal vaccines in presented and examples of two such vaccines are described with data on the specific protection that they induce in mice against experimental infections with Klebsiella peneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae for the first one, and against Candida albicans type A and type B for the second one. Because of their high immunogenicity and their innocuity these vaccines represent a decisive improvement over classical microbial vaccines

Partial purification and chemical characterization of macrophage cytotoxicity factor (MCF, MAF) and its separation from migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

Abstract Macrophage cytotoxicity factor (MCF) was purified in 3 consecutive steps including adsorption chromatography on Matrex Gel Red A, hydrophobic chromatography on phenylalanine-Sepharose, and isoelectric focusing. MCF was characterized as a protein with a m.w. of approximately 30,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 with 2 isoelectric points at 7.4 and 8.4 in the presence of urea. The unpurified supernatant was fairly stable provided that manipulations favoring adsorption to membrane materials used for dialysis or ultrafiltration were omitted. The partially purified preparation was highly unstable. Trypsin treatment did not affect MCF activity, whereas chymotrypsin destroyed it. Treatment with glycosidases and neuraminidase or cultivation of cells in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose or tunicamycin did not impair the MCF activity. MCF was separated from migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by 2 methods: first, isoelectric focusing in the presence of urea, and second by gel filtration on Ultrogel. MCF could be separated from interferon by chromatography on poly(I)-Sepharose.</jats:p