Enhancement of interleukin-2 and ?-interferon productionin vitro on cord blood lymphocytes andin vivo on primary cellular immunodeficiency patients with thymic extract (Thymostimulin)

Abstract

Cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from 20 normal full-term newborns. These MNC were preincubated with either 50, 100, or 200 micrograms/ml Thymostimulin or without Thymostimulin. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) production, cytotoxicity, and lymphoproliferation and IL-2 receptor (Tac) expression were all significantly increased after Thymostimulin treatment. For evaluation of the in vivo effect, two combined-immunodeficiency patients defective on the thymic level, one with progressive BCG infection, and one with DiGeorge syndrome were used. Before Thymostimulin treatment, the patient's MNC did not produce sufficient amounts of IL-2 and gamma-IFN. The cytotoxicity and lymphoproliferation were also low. After Thymostimulin treatment, the IL-2 and gamma-IFN production, cytotoxicity, and lymphoproliferative response were enhanced. These results suggest that Thymostimulin may be beneficial in the clinical treatment of primary cellular immunodeficiency. The improved immune reactivity including cytotoxicity and enhanced IL-2 and gamma-IFN production in the Thymostimulin treatment also indicates that there may be a beneficial effect on the combination of chemotherapy and Thymostimulin.

The changes of interleukin-2, tumour necrotic factor and gamma-interferon production among patients with Kawasaki disease

“…10gg/ml phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)) was used to stimulate the patient's MNC in order to measure IL-2 production [12,13]. Supernatants were also taken from the MNC culture stimulated with PHA for 3 days.…”

“…The levels of IFN-r in the culture supernatant and in the serum were either measured by an ELISA method (HBT Human, Interferon Gamma ELISA Test Kit D03M and D03S respectively, CA Leiden, Netherlands) or by bioassay. Bioassay was performed using the cytopathic effect manifested by amniotic cells (WISH cells) after infection with Sindbis virus [12]. Briefly, the culture supernatants were obtained from the patient's MNC after stimulation with PHA (10 gg/ml) for 3 days.…”

“…The production of TNF from the patient's MNC was induced with phorbol myristic acetate (PMA) for 3 h then PHA for 72 h [10,12]. The concentration of TNF in the culture supernatant and in the serum were measured using an ELISA method (T-Cell Sciences, INC, MA, USA).…”

Urinary Neopterin as a New Biochemical Marker for the Monitoring of Disease Activity and Prognosis in Membranous Nephropathy Associated with Hepatitis B Surface Antigenemia

“…Mass.). IFN-y assays of the supernatant were made using the cytopathic effect manifested by amniotic cells (WISH cells) after in fection with Sindbis virus [15]. Briefly, the culture supernatants were obtained from the patient's MNC after stimulation with PHA (10 pg/ml) for 3 days.…”

Effectiveness of Immunomodulating Treatment (Thymostimulin) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…kargcr.ch known to help restore immune function. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that thymostimulin is a safe and potent immunomodulatory agent, capable of re storing T-cell function in immunocompromised hosts [4][5][6][7], Thymostimulin has been successfully employed in the therapy of both primary and secondary immunodeficien cies [8][9][10], Recent studies support the usefulness of an immunomodulating approach to COPD treatment [11][12][13]. A reduction of the frequency and/or severity of infec tious events.…”