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Both antigen-presenting cells and immune effector cells are required to effectively eradicate or contain Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected cells. A variety of cytokines are involved to ensure productive "cross talk" between macrophages and T lymphocytes. For instance, infection of macrophages with mycobacteria leads to effective interleukin-7 (IL-7) and IL-15 secretion, and both cytokines are able to maintain strong cellular immune responses of alpha/beta and gamma/delta T cells. Here we show that either cytokine is able to enhance survival of M. tuberculosis-infected BALB/c mice significantly compared to application of IL-2, IL-4, or phosphate-buffered saline (as a control). Enhanced survival could be achieved only when IL-7 or IL-15 was delivered as a treatment (i.e., 3 weeks postinfection), not when it was administered at the time of infection. Increased survival of M. tuberculosis-infected animals was observed following passive transfer of spleen cells harvested from M. tuberculosis-infected, IL-7- or IL-15-treated animals, but not after transfer of spleen cells obtained from mice which received either cytokine alone. Histological examination revealed that IL-7 and IL-15 failed to significantly impact on the number and composition of granulomas formed or the bacterial load. Our data indicated that administration of IL-7 or IL-15 to M. tuberculosis-treated animals resulted in a qualitatively different cellular immune response in spleen cells as reflected by increased tumor necrosis factor alpha and decreased gamma interferon secretion in response to M. tuberculosis-infected antigen-presenting cells.

Summary After a controversial phase of nomenclature (including — among others — the terms “hypernephroma” and “hypernephroid carcinoma”) a cytomorphologically defined subtyping of renal cell tumours (adenomas, carcinomas, oncocytomas) is offered, based on new electron microscopical and histochemical observations. These data are in part supported by cytogenetical findings reported in the literature. Phenotypical/histogenetical relations to different parts or cell types, respectively, of the nephron-collecting duct system could be demonstrated. Chromophobe cell carcinoma and oncocytoma exhibit features of the intercalated cells.

The current classification of renal-cell adenomas (RCAs) and carcinomas (RCCs) is based on eight basic cell and tumor types (entities) with characteristic morphologic features: (1) RCCs of clear-cell type, (2) RCAs/RCCs of chromophilic-cell type, (3) RCAs/RCCs of chromophobic-cell type, (4) RCCs of duct Bellini type, (5) RCCs of transitional-cell type, (6) RCCs of neuroendocrine type, (7) RCAs of oncocytic type, and (8) RCAs of metanephroid type. Tumors with a proposed histogenesis from the proximal tubule (clear-cell and chromophilic tumors) amount to 85% of renal cancers, whereas tumors with a proposed histogenesis from the connecting tubule/collecting duct (chromophobic-, oncocytic-, and duct Bellini-type tumors) amount to only 11%. The remaining tumor types represent rare entities (less than 1% each). Tumor cytogenetics data confirm the proposed eight morphologic subtypes and give further indications for type-specific tumor development and progression.

Renal oncocytomas reveal a considerable (cyto)genetic heterogeneity. At least 2 genetic subsets are currently recognized, characterized by (1) translocations involving breakpoint 11q13 and (2) the combined loss of chromosomes 1 and X/Y. We present a case of oncocytoma revealing a 3-way translocation involving breakpoint 11q13, a der (1)t(1;8) and an add(19). The der(1) resulted in loss of chromosome 1 sequences. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, the 11q13 breakpoint of the present case proved to be slightly different from the one observed previously in 3 cases of renal oncocytoma. Whether the 11q13 breakpoint observed in our case resides in or near another gene remains to be elucidated. Int. J. Cancer 73:521–524, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Four new permanent cell lines (RCC-A, -B,-C, and -D) derived from different human renal cell carcinomas of the clear cell type were established in tissue culture. The cell lines displayed characteristic differences in cell size and shape, which allowed individual identification by phase contrast microscopy. Ultrastructurally, the cell lines exhibited varying amounts of cytoplasmatic glycogen and lipid. Immunohistochemistry revealed co-expression of vimentin and cytokeratin in all cell lines. The mean population doubling time ranged from 27 h (RCC-A) to 104 h (RCC-D). RCC-B and -C cells produced slowly growing tumours after heterotransplantation into nude mice, whereas RCC-A and RCC-D cells were non-tumorigenic. The modal chromosome number was either near-diploid (RCC-A, -B, and -C) or near triploid (RCC-D). Clonal abnormalities affecting the short arm of chromosome 3 were seen in all cell lines. Northern blot analysis revealed no expression of the proto-on-cogenes c-fos, c-ros, and c-mos, whereas c-Ki-ras expression was observed in all cell lines. Expression of c-myc was observed in RCC-A, RCC-B, and RCC-D cells, whereas c-raf expression could be detected in RCC-B and RCC-D. Tumour suppressor gene p53 mRNA was observed in the cell line RCC-D.

Three cases of symptomatic neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve due to an amyloidoma in the gasserian ganglion are described. The correct diagnosis was not made prior to histological examination of the surgical biopsy specimens. Medical history and clinical observation led to the diagnosis of a malignant process of the nasal cavities in the first patient; of an inflammatory dental focus in the second patient; and of multiple sclerosis in the third patient. CT findings were normal in cases 1 and 2; in case 3, a schwannoma was suspected from the CT appearances. In case 1, MRI had not been performed; in cases 2 and 3, MRI revealed a tumour mass which was also considered to be a schwannoma. Histologically, the tumours consisted of masses of amyloid deposits which had largely replaced the pre-existing ganglionic cells and satellite cells. Electron microscopy confirmed the fibrillar structure of the deposits. Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry revealed the amyloid to belong to the AL-lambda subtype.

Between 1969 und 1989 conservative surgery for kidney tumors was performed in 123 patients. In 49 patients there was an imperative indication for a parenchyma-sparing operation because nephrectomy would have made dialysis obligatory. Thirty-five of these 49 patients show no signs of tumor progression after a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Known metastases were present in 3 of 6 patients who died as a result of their tumors. In two patients there was a recurrence after 1 and 5 years, respectively, requiring a second organ-preserving operation. In one further patient we suspect that multiple small tumor lesions may be present 2 years after the first operation. In 74 patients with a healthy contralateral kidney the tumor was enucleated by choice (elective indication). Sixty-eight of these 74 patients show no signs of tumor progression after a mean follow-up period of 3.3 years. One patient died from tumor metastases. Two patients had tumor recurrence, requiring nephrectomy and enucleation, respectively. Fifty-seven enucleated tumors were available for image analysis DNA cytometry. Only the two patients with a hypertriploid tumor died from their cancer.

The major form of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in humans is linked to the PKD1 gene on chromosome 16p. The identity of the gene and the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are not yet defined. Cyst-lining epithelial cells derived from a polycystic kidney were successfully grown in culture and designated MZ-PKD-1 cells. By linkage analysis, the related pedigree of the nephrectomized patient could be linked to the PKD1 gene on chromosome 16p. Thus, these cells exhibit the genotype of a mutated PKD1 gene and represent an in vitro culture model for ADPKD involving chromosome 16p. The antigenic phenotype was characterized immunohistologically by epithelial differentiation antigens and markers of individual nephron segments. An essentially identical antigenic pattern of proximal tubular cells was observed both in vitro and in fresh frozen tissue. Electron microscopy showed the formation of a microvillous-like coating. During growth phases in vitro successive changes in the cell shape were observed. MZ-PKD-1 cells exhibited a limited lifespan ending in replicative senescence. Northern blot analysis of kidney-growth-related genes, c-myc, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta1, and EGF receptor revealed abundant expression of all of these genes in MZ-PKD-1 cells.