An experimental model for hepatic metastasis with a transplantation route of free-pedicled subcutaneous-embedded spleen was established in BALB/c mice. Colon-26 tumor cells to produce hepatic metastasis were inoculated into the spleen and the influence of surgical stress by means of a 20-min exposure of the abdominal cavity on the incidence of hepatic metastasis was examined. Hepatic metastasis was more promoted by the surgical stress in order when it was given on the same day, the 7th day and the 3rd day of the inoculation. Administration, without surgical stress, of ASGM 1, a specific inhibitor of the natural killer activity, also facilitated the hepatic disease. Administration of OK-432 prior to the surgical stress or ASGM 1 was at least partly effective for prevention of the hepatic metastasis and prolonged the survival of the inoculated mice. Preoperative immunotherapy utilizing OK-432 might be a possible means to prevent hepatic metastasis triggered in colorectal surgery for cancer.

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The release of goblet cell mucus (GCM) was examined in immune reaction-system of colonic mucosa of rats (SD rats). We previously reported that in the immune reaction of normal colon of rats, the discharge of colonic GCM was not increased by intrarectal instillation (challenge) of several test-antigens after repeated immunization of single BSA antigen through rectal mucosa, and there was difference in local antigen-antibody reaction on the surface of normal mucosa between small intestine and colon.
In the present study we investigated the release of colonic GCM in local antigen-antibody system in rats of damaged colon mucosa, who had repeated immunization of BSA after damage induction by intracolonic infusion of formalin. Consequently, the discharge of colonic GCM increased associated with local antigen-antibody reaction in animals after damage induction by formalin. It is suggested that when the mucosal barrier is disrupted, enhanced release of colonic GCM is occured by the local immune reaction on the surface of colonic mucosa.

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Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production was dose-dependently suppressed by the addition of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), mite antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children with bronchial asthma. By contrast, the levels of IFN-γ did not change on stimulation with Df antigen in the normal lymphocytes from nonallergic individuals not sensitized with mite. Recombinant interleukin 10 (IL-10), when added to the normal lymphocytes, significantly reduced the production of IFN-γ. Moreover, the decreased synthesis of IFN-γ in patients' lymphocytes was inversely up-regulated by the treatment with anti-IL-10 antibody. Taken together, results suggest the regulatory role of IL-10 in the secretion of IFN-γ in Df antigen-driven immune responses.

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This study was performed to investigate the role of cell-mediated immunity in lupus nephritis (LN). Frozen sections from 38 patients with LN were examined by indirect immunoalkaline-phosphatase labeling using monoclonal antibodies to identify the immune cells infiltrating into the interstitium and glomerulus. 14 patients showed minor glomerular abnormality (MGA), 9 had mesangial LN (MesLN), 12 had diffuse proliferative LN (DPLN) and 3 had membranous LN (MLN).
Monocyte/macrophage and helper/inducer T cells infiltrated in the interstitium predominantly, but intraglomerular infiltration of these cells was rare. Monocyte/macrophage and suppressor/cytotoxic T cell levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the interstitium in DPLN patients and monocyte/macrophage level was significantly higher (p<0.05) in MesLN patients than in MGA patients. In the interstitium, serum creatinine level was highly correlated with infiltrations of suppressor/cytotoxic T cell, monocyte/macrophage (p<0.01), pan T cell and total leucocyte (p<0.05). Clinical activity score was correlated with suppressor/cytotoxic T cell (p<0.001), monocyte/macrophage and pan T cell (p<0.01).
These results suggest that suppressor/cytotoxic T cell and monocyte/macrophage may play an important role in the progression of lupus nephritis.

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An autopsy case of dermatomyositis with rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia is reported.
A 48-year-old woman was admitted because of facial edematous erythema and muscular weakness. A diagnosis of dermatomyositis was made because of typical erythema and myogenic pattern of EMG, although serum creatine kinase was within normal range. The chest X-ray film showed that interstitial pneumonia was complicated. She was treated with prednisolone of 60mg/day. Although erythema and althralgia was improved remarkably, interstitial pneumonia was progressed unfavorably. Therefore pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was administered twice, but failed to respond. After that interstitial pneumonia was progressed rapidly, she was died of respiratory failure.
The autopsy findings detected that a degeneration and necrosis of striated muscular fibers in whole body, that a mixed findings of usual interstitial pneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage in the lung. Vasculitis and fiblinous pleuritis was also found in the lung. Malignancy was not detected.

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Here we report a patient with undifferentiated connective tissue syndromes (UCTS) who developed hoarseness during exacerbation of autoimmune hepatitis. A 51-year-old woman was hospitalized in November 1993 because of hoarseness and liver dysfunction. She had demonstrated Raynaud's phenomenon, polyarthralgia and hoarseness scince 1992. In August 1993, liver dysfunction was noted.
On admission, laboratory data showed mild leukopenia, thrombocytopenia (WBC 3, 900/mm³, platelete 12.4×10⁴/mm³), and elevations of transaminase (GOT 96 IU/l, GPT 79 IU/l) and IgG (4, 556mg/dl).
Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibody were positive. Other autoantibodies including anti-DNA antibody, anti-Scl 70 antibody were all negative. LE test and LE cells were also negative.
On laryngoscopic examination, lesions that appeared similar to a bamboo-joint were noted at the middle of the bilateral vocal cords. Pathological findings of liver biopsy specimen were compatible with autoimmune hepatitis.
She was treated with 30mg of prednisolone. Polyarthralgia, hoarseness and the abnormalities of the transaminase levels improved rapidly. Laryngoscopic findings were also normalized.
We concidered this laryngeal involvement to be acute laryngitis accompanied by some UCTS, including a typical systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) because of arthritis, cytopenia and ANA positivity. Involvement of the larynx in collagen disease is rarely mentioned in published reports.

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A 39-year-old woman was consulted to our hospital because of renal failure on October 1992. A chest Xray showed no abnormal shadow. Subsequently, she was under conservative treatment until December 1993, when she began to notice clouded vision. The iridocyclitis in both eyes was diagnosed by a opthalmologist. She was admitted to our hospital for the purpose of a renal biopsy. Laboratory tests revealed renal failure : a creatinine clearance of 24.5ml/min, a serum level of creatinine of 3.2mg/ml and blood urea nitrogen of 38.7mg/dl. The angiotensin converting enzyme was 17.6IU/ml (normal 8.321.4IU/ml), but lysozyme was 49.5μg/ml (normal 5.010.2). Mantoux's reaction was negative. ⁵⁷Ga scintigram showed abnormal uptakes on eyes, bilateral salivary gland, both thighs, both kindneys, and in a part of lung field. A percutaneous renal biopsy revealed non -caseating histiocytic granulomas with diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils into interstitium. Glomeruli were ischemic and mild endocapillary proliferations with pericapsular fibrosis were seen. Both of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and skin biopsy also revealed non-caseating histiocytic granulomas. Oral administration of prednisolone, 40mg/day, improved the level of serum creatinine and lysozyme.
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that may involve any organ or tissue of the body. The clinical picture dominating in adults is the one with pulmonary and mediastinal lymph node involvement, eye and skin lesions. Although the renal involvement were rarely encountered, the present case showed that the renal failure was one of the most important clinical feature in patient with sarcoidosis.

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