IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is recognized as the most common immune complex related to the cause of glomerulonephritis worldwide. The disease is characterized by the predominant deposition of underglycosylated IgA1 in the mesangial area of glomeruli. Dysregulation of the immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Abnormalities restricted to T lymphocytes and/or B lymphocytes activation could be a critical causative factor in the over-production of underglycosylated IgA1.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; B-Lymphocytes ; Glomerular Mesangium ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes has been regarded as a useful method in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. However, this procedure has been shown to be of limited value in the diagnosis of low or intermediate grade malignant lymphomas in some studies. Immunophenotyping is an essential adjunct to cytomorphology for the diagnosis of lymphoma by FNA. Immunophenotyping using flow cytometry (FCM) is rapid, objective and reliable. Using FCM, multiparametric analysis of 33 FNA materials from lymph nodes was performed and profiles of surface markers of lymphoid cells were assessed. In reactive hyperplasia, patterns of cell surface markers were quite variable, but disclosed polyclonality. Most of the B-cell lymphomas showed immunophenotypes for B-cell lineages with their kappa: lambda or lambda: kappa ratio being over 3:1. In T-cell lymphomas, T-cell surface markers were predominantly expressed as well. In conclusion, our results suggest that immunophenotyping of lymph node aspirates is a valuable diagnostic adjunct for lymphoproliferative disorders, particularly in B-cell lymphomas because immunophenotyping can be easily and adequately performed by FCM.
Antigens, CD19/analysis ; Antigens, CD20/analysis ; Antigens, CD3/analysis ; Antigens, CD4/analysis ; Antigens, CD5/analysis ; Antigens, CD7/analysis ; Antigens, CD8/analysis ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/chemistry ; Biopsy, Needle ; Flow Cytometry/methods* ; Hodgkin Disease/pathology ; Human ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymph Nodes/pathology ; Lymph Nodes/chemistry ; Lymphatic Diseases/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; T-Lymphocytes/chemistryt

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To study the possible differences in the interferon gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R1) response among a variety of clinical types in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and implications in pathogenesis.

<b>METHODSb>The serum level of IFN-gamma and the expression level of IFN-gamma R1 in peripheral leucocytes, from 53 CHB patients, were examined by ELISA and flow cytometry respectively, which were compared with the baseline levels of 15 healthy controls and were performed correlation analysis with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil) in serum and morphological change in hepatic tissues.

<b>RESULTSb>The results showed that the level of IFN-gamma R1 (28.89% 11.77%) expressed on the membranes of lymphocytes in CHB patients, which correlated with liver inflammation (r=0.621, P<0.01) and serum TBil level (r=0.575, P<0.01), was much higher than that (9.23% 1.30%) of the healthy controls (Z=3.988, P<0.05), and no obvious difference on the membranes of leucocytes. The serum levels of IFN-gamma in patients with cirrhosis and severe hepatitis were higher than those of healthy controls. And the two was no difference from each other, but the standard deviation in each group was relatively large.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>These findings suggest that the IFN-gamma signal transduction pathway is modulated through up-regulating the expression of IFN-gamma R1 on the membranes of lymphocytes, which takes part in the immuno-pathogenesis in CHB patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interferon ; blood

B-Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; immunology ; Receptors, IgE ; blood

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To study the cause of low immunologic function and insufficiency of immunoglobulin synthesis in neonates by detecting CD21 expression in B lymphocytes in different age group children.

<b>METHODSb>This study consisted of three age group children: 2-26 days (n=18), 6 months-2 years (n=12) and 3-12 years (n=17). CD21 expression in B lymphocytes was detected with flow cytometry. Serum levels of immunoglobulins were measured by immunoturbidimetry.

<b>RESULTSb>The percentage and the number of B lymphocytes expressing CD21 in the neonate group were significantly lower than in the other two age groups. The neonate group also showed lower mean fluorescence intension (MFI) of CD21. The percentage and the number of B lymphocytes expressing CD21 as well as the MFI of CD21 increased significantly with the age. The serum levels of IgA and IgM in the neonate group were noticeably lower than those in the other two age groups. The serum levels of IgA and IgM also increased significantly with the age.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>Low CD21 expression in B lymphocytes may be related to low function of humoral immunity in neonates.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; B-Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; blood

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (TB.HSP70) can be used as an adjuvant carrier to stimulate immune response to an accompanying cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitope peptide from hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen.

<b>METHODSb>In vitro, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronic hepatitis B volunteers were stimulated with TB.HSP70-CTL fusion protein and TB.HSP70/CTL complex, and then HBV specific CTL activity was assessed. In vivo, the CD4+ T, CD8+ T and natural killer cells (NKs) in the peripheral blood and in spleens of the immunized mice were measured by flow cytometry and the protective HBV specific immune responses of the mice were also evaluated.

<b>RESULTSb>The results revealed that both of them could induce HBV specific CTL response in human PBMCs and in the immunized mice. In the mice they activated CD4+ T, CD8+ T and NKs. Furthermore, the immunocompetence of the TB.HSP70-CTL fusion protein was stronger than that of TB.HSP70/CTL complex. The HBV specific killing rate was 28.9%, the CD8+ T cell population was 43.9% and the NKs was 13.6% in splenocytes of immunized mice with TB.HSP70-CTL fusion protein. The CTL peptide alone was capable of generating weak CTL lysis. The TB.HSP70 showed almost no target cell killing.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>The results demonstrate that TB.HSP70 may be used as a new adjuvant carrier to improve the immunogenicity of short CTL epitope and produce effective CTL response.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Epitopes ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

<b>OBJECTIVEb>Extracting the total protein from scorpii tegument, investigating its effect on immune system by transformation of T/B cell.

<b>METHODb>Water-soluble protein(ST1) was extracted by distilled water method and salting-out method, while keratin(ST2) by deoxidization method. Sephadex G-50 was used to isolate the protein. The effects of components isolated by sephadex G-50 on T/B and NK cell were investigated.

<b>RESULTb>The protein from scorpii tegument could increase the transformation of T/B cell distinctly in vitro, while no apparent effect on NK cell.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Protein from scorpii tegument could modulate the immune system, which may offer a new way for people to find protein drugs.

Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Female ; Keratins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Proteins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Scorpions ; chemistry ; Skin ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects

B cell linker (BLNK) is a key linker protein of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. BLNK participates in the regulation of PLC-γactivity and the activation of Ras pathway through its typical structure and interaction network with other proteins, and is thus widely involved in the regulation of B cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and signal transduction. Furthermore, it is closely related to anaphylactic diseases, multiple sclerosis, chromosomal aneuploidy, aneuglobulinemia, B lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma. Herein we review the structure and biological function of BLNK and its role in B cell-related diseases. BLNK can cooperate with a series of effective proteins to activate BCR signaling pathway, thereby regulating the development, maturation and function of B cells. The functional mutation of BLNK can destroy the homeostasis of B cells and affect the development and maturation of B cells, which leads to the occurrence of B cell related diseases. A comprehensive understanding of the biological functions of BLNK not only provides insights into the pathogenesis of B cell-related diseases, but also inspires new ideas and helps to find breakthroughs for the treatment of these diseases with BLNK as the therapeutic target.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Apoptosis ; B-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Mutation ; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell ; chemistry ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Structure-Activity Relationship

BACKGROUND: Since the recent introduction of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) using antibodies against cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 for the treatment of lymphoma, the clinical significance of the CD45 antigen has been increasing steadily. Here, we analyzed CD45 expression on lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry in order to predict the susceptibility of normal lymphocytes to RIT. METHODS: Peripheral blood specimens were collected from 14 healthy individuals aged 25-54 yr. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the cell surface antigens was measured using a FACSCanto II system (Becton Dickinson Bioscience, USA). MFI values were converted into antibody binding capacity values using a Quantum Simply Cellular microbead kit (Bangs Laboratories, Inc., USA). RESULTS: Among the lymphocyte subsets, the expression of CD45 was the highest (725,368+/-42,763) on natural killer T (NKT) cells, 674,030+/-48,187 on cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, 588,750+/-48,090 on natural killer (NK) cells, 580,211+/-29,168 on helper T (Th) cells, and 499,436+/-21,737 on B cells. The Th cells and NK cells expressed a similar level of CD45 (P=0.502). Forward scatter was the highest in NKT cells (P<0.05), whereas side scatter differed significantly between each of the lymphocyte subsets (P<0.05). CD3 expression was highest in the Th and NKT cells. CONCLUSIONS: NKT cells express the highest levels of CD45 antigen. Therefore, this lymphocyte subset would be most profoundly affected by RIT or pretargeted RIT. The monitoring of this lymphocyte subset during and after RIT should prove helpful.
Adult ; Antibodies/immunology ; Antigens, CD45/*analysis/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry/*methods ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology/metabolism ; Lymphocytes/immunology/*metabolism ; Lymphoma/radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Radioimmunotherapy ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology/metabolism

BACKGROUND: Since the recent introduction of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) using antibodies against cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 for the treatment of lymphoma, the clinical significance of the CD45 antigen has been increasing steadily. Here, we analyzed CD45 expression on lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry in order to predict the susceptibility of normal lymphocytes to RIT. METHODS: Peripheral blood specimens were collected from 14 healthy individuals aged 25-54 yr. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the cell surface antigens was measured using a FACSCanto II system (Becton Dickinson Bioscience, USA). MFI values were converted into antibody binding capacity values using a Quantum Simply Cellular microbead kit (Bangs Laboratories, Inc., USA). RESULTS: Among the lymphocyte subsets, the expression of CD45 was the highest (725,368+/-42,763) on natural killer T (NKT) cells, 674,030+/-48,187 on cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, 588,750+/-48,090 on natural killer (NK) cells, 580,211+/-29,168 on helper T (Th) cells, and 499,436+/-21,737 on B cells. The Th cells and NK cells expressed a similar level of CD45 (P=0.502). Forward scatter was the highest in NKT cells (P<0.05), whereas side scatter differed significantly between each of the lymphocyte subsets (P<0.05). CD3 expression was highest in the Th and NKT cells. CONCLUSIONS: NKT cells express the highest levels of CD45 antigen. Therefore, this lymphocyte subset would be most profoundly affected by RIT or pretargeted RIT. The monitoring of this lymphocyte subset during and after RIT should prove helpful.
Adult ; Antibodies/immunology ; Antigens, CD45/*analysis/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry/*methods ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology/metabolism ; Lymphocytes/immunology/*metabolism ; Lymphoma/radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Radioimmunotherapy ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology/metabolism