Abstract
Spleen cells (SC), splenic venous blood lymphocytes (SVL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from gastric and esophageal cancer patients were simultaneously tested for natural killer (NK) and nonspecific suppressor (Ts) cell activities. Furthermore, the influence of Ts activity on the augmentation of NK activity by a biological response modifier (BRM) was also investigated. Positive Ts activities were frequently detected in the SC, SVL and PBL of advanced cancer patients. The NK activities of SC and SVL were maintained even in advanced cancer patients, though significantly depressed NK activities were observed in the PBL of advanced cases. Cancer patient SC, SVL and PBL with positive Ts activity showed low NK activities. Moreover, the NK activities of SVL and PBL were low in the patients with positive Ts activity in SC. The NK activity of normal control PBL was strongly augmented by interleukin 2, interferon and OK-432. These BRMs exhibited comparable capacities to augment the NK activities of SC, SVL and PBL with negative Ts activity in cancer patients, however, the effects of these agents seemed to be low in cells with a positive Ts activity. These results suggested that NK activity might be regulated by nonspecific suppressor cells and the presence of suppressor cells might affect the augmentation of NK activity through BRM in circulating blood lymphocytes and also in spleen cells.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tanemura H, Saji S, Takekoshi T, Yamamoto S, Oshita H, Sakata K. Experimental study on immunological effect of splenectomy in tumorbearers. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Surg Soc) 1983; 84: 982–986. (English Abst.)
Yamagishi H, Naito K, Maeda Y, Kurioka H, Kobayashi M, Fujimori C, Iguchi K, Tanaka T, Hashimato I. Immunological estimation for splenectomy in tumor-bearing mice. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Surg Soc) 1983; 84: 987–991. (English Abst.)
Toge T, Hamamoto S, Itagaki E, Nakane H, Yajima K, Hattori T. Analysis of suppressor cell activities in spleen cells from gastric cancer patients and the effect of splenectomy on prognosis of gastric cancer. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Surg Soc) 1983; 84: 961–964. (English Abst.)
Toge T, Kameda A, Kuroi K, Seto Y, Yamada H, Hattori T. The role of spleen in the immunosuppression and effects of splenectomy on the prognosis in gastric cancer patients. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Surg Soc) 1985; 86: 1120–1123. (English Abst.)
Toge T, Kameda A, Yamada H, Seto Y, Aratani K, Fujita T, Hattori T. Role of the spleen on immunosuppression in esophageal and gastric cancer. Jpn J Surg 1986; 16: 330–335.
Toge T, Seto Y, Kuroi K, Yamada H, Aratani K, Fujita T, Yanagawa E, Hattori T. Relationship of the distribution of Leu-2+ cells with suppressor cell activities in the spleen and lymphnodes from gastric cancer. Jpn J Surg 1987; 17: 72–77.
Nunn ME, Herberman RB. Natural cytotoxicity of mouse, rat, and human lymphocytes against heterologous target cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 1979; 62: 765–771.
Miller SC. Production and renewal of murine natural killer cells in the spleen and bone marrow. J Immunol 1982; 129: 2282–2286.
Kabelitz D, Kirchner H, Armerding D, Wagner H. Recombinant interleukin 2 rapidly augments human natural killer cell activity. Cell Immunol 1985; 93: 38–45.
Moor M, Potter MR. Enhancement of human natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity by interferon. Br J Cancer 1980; 41: 378–387.
Yanagawa E, Uchida A, Micksche M. Natural cytotoxicity of lymphocytes from lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma and its augmentation by interferon and OK-432. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1984; 17: 1–6.
Uchida A, Micksche M.In vitro augmentation of natural killing activity by OK-432. Int J Immunopharmacol 1980; 3: 365–375.
Japanese Society for Gastric Cancer. The general rules for gastric cancer study in surgery and pathology. Jpn J Surg 1981; 11: 127–145.
Japanese Society for Esophageal Diseases. Guidelines for clinical and pathological studies on carcinoma of the esophagus. Jpn J Surg 1976; 6: 67–86.
Toge T, Yanagawa E, Nakanishi K, Yamada Y, Niimoto M, Hattori T. Concanavalin A-activated suppressor cell activity in gastric cancer patients. Gann 1980; 71: 784–789.
Toge T, Hamamoto S, Itagaki E, Yajima K, Tanada M, Nakane H, Kohno H, Nakanishi K, Hattori T. Concanavalin A-induced and spontaneous suppressor cell activities in peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen cells from gastric cancer patients. Cancer 1983; 52: 1624–1631.
Yanagawa E, Toge T, Aratani K, Sawamura A, Yamada H, Eujita T, Yamaguchi Y, Kuninobu H, Hattori T. Natural killer cell and suppressor cell activities of the spleen cells in cancer patients. Nippon Rinsho Men-eki Gakkai Kaishi (Jpn J Clin Immunol) 1987; 10: 45–51. (English Abst.)
Akiyoshi T, Koba F, Miyazaki S, Arinaga S, Tsuji H. NK activity, TCGF production and generation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity in spleen cells from gastric cancer patients. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Surg Soc) 1983; 84: 957–960. (English Abst.)
Yanagawa E, Toge T, Niimoto M, Hattori T. Suppression of natural killer cell activity by autologous blood lymphocytes and spleen cells in gastric cancer patients. Abstract book of the 15th International Congress of Chemotherapy 1987: 254.
Toge T, Yamada H, Aratani K, Yamaguchi M, Fujita T, Yanagawa E, Hattori T. Reduction of suppressor cell activities of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by a streptococcal preparation, OK-432. Int J Immunopharmac 1987; 9: 875–879.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yanagawa, E., Toge, T., Sawamura, A. et al. The regulation of natural killer cell activity by splenic nonspecific suppressor cells and its modification in cancer patients. The Japanese Journal of Surgery 18, 660–667 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02471527
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02471527