Section for Studies on Hosp-Immune Response

16. Section for Studies on Host-Immune Response

Research in the Section for Studies on Host-Immune Response has been focused on fundamental studies and the clinical application of im mu no logical mechanisms for the therapeutic treatment of malignant dis eases.
A Novel Monoclonal Antibody Permitting Recognition of NKT Cells in Various Mouse Strains

U5A2-13 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was raised against a murine lymphoma cell line, tMK-2U derived from intermediate TCR (TCR^int) cells of BALB/c nude mouse. The U5A2-13 antigen was ex pressed on 65% of TCR^int cells in the liver of various mouse strains includ ing both NK1.1^- and NK1.1^- mice. All U5A2-13⁺ cells were IL-2Rb-positive. While more than 85% of U5A2-13⁺ cells co-expressed the NK1.1 antigen, a small amount of both U5A2-13⁺NK1.1^- and U5A2-13^-NK1.1⁺ populations were also observed. These results clearly indicated that the U5A2-13 mAb could recognize a population of cells very similar to NKT cells in various mouse strains.
The Elevated Thioredoxin Serum Levels in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Chronic Gastritis

The serum level of thioredoxin (TRX) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was higher when compared with the level in normal volunteers, and with that in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis without HCC.⁽²⁰⁰⁾ The serum concentration of TRX in gastritis patients with H. pyroli infection was much higher than that of the normal volunteers. Induction of the expression of the TRX gene was followed after ionizing radiation of lymphocytes. The TRX mRNA level increased to a peak, around 6-fold higher than the control, 6 h after irradiation.⁽²⁰¹⁾
Medical Care for the Elderly in Japan

The availability of advanced medical care for every citizen in Japan has meant led to Japan having the highest average life expectancy in the world. Reconsideration of the futility of heroic efforts to prolong life has promoted medical care of the elderly that accentuates provision of care rather than cure, and has also promoted a shift towards home care.^{(202, 203)}




	16. Section for Studies on Host-Immune Response


		Research in the Section for Studies on Host-Immune Response has been focused on fundamental studies and the clinical application of im mu no logical mechanisms for the therapeutic treatment of malignant dis eases. A Novel Monoclonal Antibody Permitting Recognition of NKT Cells in Various Mouse Strains U5A2-13 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was raised against a murine lymphoma cell line, tMK-2U derived from intermediate TCR (TCR^int) cells of BALB/c nude mouse. The U5A2-13 antigen was ex pressed on 65% of TCR^int cells in the liver of various mouse strains includ ing both NK1.1^- and NK1.1^- mice. All U5A2-13⁺ cells were IL-2Rb-positive. While more than 85% of U5A2-13⁺ cells co-expressed the NK1.1 antigen, a small amount of both U5A2-13⁺NK1.1^- and U5A2-13^-NK1.1⁺ populations were also observed. These results clearly indicated that the U5A2-13 mAb could recognize a population of cells very similar to NKT cells in various mouse strains. The Elevated Thioredoxin Serum Levels in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Chronic Gastritis The serum level of thioredoxin (TRX) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was higher when compared with the level in normal volunteers, and with that in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis without HCC.⁽²⁰⁰⁾ The serum concentration of TRX in gastritis patients with H. pyroli infection was much higher than that of the normal volunteers. Induction of the expression of the TRX gene was followed after ionizing radiation of lymphocytes. The TRX mRNA level increased to a peak, around 6-fold higher than the control, 6 h after irradiation.⁽²⁰¹⁾ Medical Care for the Elderly in Japan The availability of advanced medical care for every citizen in Japan has meant led to Japan having the highest average life expectancy in the world. Reconsideration of the futility of heroic efforts to prolong life has promoted medical care of the elderly that accentuates provision of care rather than cure, and has also promoted a shift towards home care.^{(202, 203)}