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Purified protein derivative induced cytotoxicity in carcinomatous and tuberculous pleurisy
Y Okubo1, N R Namushi, M Nakata
1First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan.
Abstract:
We have found that natural killer (NK) cells were very active in pleural effusions containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Cytotoxicity against K562 and Raji was augmented when the mononuclear cells were cocultured for 18 hr with purified protein derivative (PPD) derived from M. tuberculosis culture supernatants. In pleural effusions of cancer patients, PPD-activated mononuclear cells were less cytotoxic than their counterparts in peripheral blood. However, in the same patients, interferon and interleukin-2 production was greater in pleural effusions than in peripheral blood. On the other hand, in tuberculosis patients there was no significant difference in cytotoxicity between peripheral blood and pleural effusion mononuclear cells, but the production of interferon and interleukin-2 was higher in pleural effusions than in peripheral blood. Neither group of patients consistently demonstrated a correlation between production of interferon or interleukin-2 in peripheral blood and cytotoxicity. Both PPD-induced cytotoxicity and the production of interferon and interleukin-2 were lower in mononuclear cells of carcinomatous than tuberculous pleural effusion. These results indicate that peripheral blood and pleural effusion mononuclear cells differ in cytotoxicity as well as in interferon and interleukin-2 production. Further, these activities also differ in tuberculous and carcinomatous pleural effusions.
Insights
Natural killer (NK) cells show high activity in tuberculosis pleural effusions. Purified protein derivative (PPD) boosts their cytotoxicity, but this effect is reduced in cancer patients compared to tuberculosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial immune cells involved in host defense against pathogens and tumors.
- Pleural effusions, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, can harbor various disease processes, including tuberculosis and cancer.
- Understanding immune cell function within the pleural microenvironment is vital for diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activity and function of NK cells and other mononuclear cells in pleural effusions.
- To compare immune responses in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion versus carcinomatous pleural effusion.
- To assess the impact of purified protein derivative (PPD) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis on immune cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production.
Main Methods:
- Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood and pleural effusions of patients with tuberculosis and cancer.
- Cells were co-cultured with purified protein derivative (PPD) derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Cytotoxicity assays were performed against K562 and Raji cell lines.
- Interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 production levels were measured.
Main Results:
- NK cell activity was notably high in tuberculous pleural effusions.
- PPD stimulation enhanced mononuclear cell cytotoxicity in tuberculosis patients, with no significant difference between peripheral blood and pleural effusion.
- In cancer patients, PPD-activated mononuclear cells showed lower cytotoxicity in pleural effusions compared to peripheral blood, despite higher interferon and interleukin-2 production in effusions.
- Immune responses, including PPD-induced cytotoxicity and cytokine production, were generally lower in carcinomatous pleural effusions than in tuberculous ones.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral blood and pleural effusion mononuclear cells exhibit distinct cytotoxic and cytokine production profiles.
- Immune cell activity differs significantly between tuberculous and carcinomatous pleural effusions.
- NK cell function and cytokine milieu in pleural effusions are influenced by the underlying disease pathology.