bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behaviour of Local and Systemic Immunoglobulins in Patients with Lung Cancer
Authors: Żeromski J. , Górny M.K. , Wruk M. , Sapuła J.
Published: July 2009

Tissue blocks from lung parenchyma in the vicinity of primary lung cancer and regional lymph nodes were collected during surgery from 22 patients. Cryostat sections were assessed for the presence of five immunoglobulin classes by means of immunofluorescence. Imprints made from surfaces of freshly resected tumours were used for indirect immunofluorescent reaction to detect anti-tumour antibodies in the autologous system sera of patients after surgery. Also, sera of 60 lung cancer patients were assessed for IgG, A, M levels. It has been found that the direct vicinity of primary lung cancer and regional lymph nodes was a site of intensive immunoglobulin synthesis in plasma cells, with a predominance of the IgA and IgG classes. Serum anti-tumour antibody was found in 3 cases out of 22. There were significantly elevated serum immunoglobulin levels with predominance of IgA and IgG. Inoperable patients had higher immunoglobulin levels then those who underwent surgery.
Mast Cell and Anaphylactic Antibody Responses in Inbred Rats to Syngeneic Fibrosarcomas
Authors: Broom B.C. , Alexander P.
Published: July 2009

The mast cell content of sarcomata induced chemically in inbred rats showed wide variation. After first passage into a normal syngeneic recipient, primary tumours which were heavily infiltrated showed a complete absence of mast cells. Moreover, detectable anaphylactic antibody to passaged tumours was only occasionally detected. An important immunological role for the IgE/mast cell system in host-tumour defence is not supported.
Disruption of Isolated Peritoneal Mast Cells of the Rat by Human Serum and that by other Species
Authors: Marshall Robert
Published: July 2009

The effect of human sera on isolated peritoneal mast cells of the rat has been studied in an investigation of non-specific mast cell-disrupting factors. This action of the serum shows some correlation with its haemolytic effect but haemolysis is not increased by phospholipase A whereas the effect on mast cells is usually enhanced. Mast cell disruption produced by the sera of other species has also been studied, and it was found that some sera (e.g. that of pig) considerably reduced the mast cell disruption produced by human serum.
Immunoglobulin-Bearing Lymphocytes: Their Demonstration in Adult Sheep and Ontogeny in the Sheep Fetus
Authors: Symons D.B.A. , Binns R.M.
Published: July 2009

A method for the preparation of lymphocytes from sheep blood is described. Lymphocytes from adult and fetal sheep have been examined by immunofluorescence for surface immunoglobulin (sIg) determinants. Young adults (1.5 years) had a mean of 23.2% sIg cells, older adults (8.75 years) a mean of 9.7% sIg cells. Pregnancy did not influence these values. The earliest lymphocytes with sIg in fetal lambs were demonstrable at 52 days (96 mm crown-rump length) and countable by 56 days (110 mm CRL) at 0.3% sIg. The percentage rose rapidly to 15.1% between 78 and 87 days, followed by a fall to 2.1% around 117 days with a second increase thereafter. The significance of this spontaneous appearance of fetal sIg cells is discussed.
Antigen-Binding Cells in Human Fetal Liver
Authors: Roberts Isabel M. , Whittingham Senga , Cowling David C. , Mackay Ian R.
Published: July 2009

Antigen-binding cells (ABC) could be detected regularly by autora-diography among haemic cells in the liver of human fetuses ranging in age from 8 to 24 weeks. For radioiodine-labeled thyroglobulin, the antigen mainly used in these studies, counts of ABC ranged from 5.0 to 24.3 per 1,000 cells scanned. There was a trend for counts of ABC in liver to be highest at 10–12 weeks of fetal life. Binding of labeled thyroglobulin was inhibited by excess unlabeled thyroglobulin, but not by other protein antigens. Artifacts due to binding of antigen to normoblasts, which comprised 90% of the haemic cells in fetal lines, and to cells with ‘sticky’ surfaces were excluded as far as possible. There was no response by fetal liver cells to phytohaemagglutinin. Although there was only minimal inhibition of binding by anti-immunoglobulin sera of known potency, the ABC in human fetal liver were assumed to correspond to immunoglobulin-bearing precursors of B cells described by others in the liver of the fetal mouse.
Studies on IgE in Human Intestinal Fluids
Authors: Brown William R. , Lee Evelyn H.
Published: July 2009

A fragment of IgE with molecular weight of about 40,000 was identified by radioimmunoassay in human small intestinal fluid after fractionation by gel filtration chromatography. Digestion of E myeloma protein PS by pooled intestinal fluid, trypsin or chymotrypsin yielded a degradation product of similar molecular weight that probably consisted principally of ε1determinant-containing fragments. These findings suggest that IgE is secreted into the intestinal lumen and degraded there by pancreatic proteolytic enzymes, producing an enzyme-resistant portion of the amino-terminal part of the Fc region.
Lymphokines
Authors: Friedrich Wilhelm , Lazary Sandor , de Weck Alain L.
Published: July 2009

Peritoneal exudate macrophages in guinea pigs and peripheral blood monocytes in man are the most readily available cells sensitive to the migration-inhibiting factor(s) (MIF) induced by tuberculin or insoluble concanavalin A in supernatants of stimulated lymphocyte cultures. The scarcity of MIF-sensitive cells is probably the main reason for the unsatisfactory results obtained with direct and indirect MIF tests when using white blood cells as indicator cells. Isolated horse monocytes represent an alternative sensitive source of indicator cells for human MIF assays, whereas guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages appear to be less sensitive and to show large individual variations in sensitivity to human MIF. The species specificity of MIF from various origins shows various patterns and is briefly discussed.
Fraction A: a New Immunotherapeutic Approach for Ragweed Pollinosis
Authors: Bernstein Leonard , Tennenbaum James , Georgakis Nicholas , Kessler Frederick , Krumholz Richard
Published: July 2009

Fraction A, a concentrate derived from short ragweed extract by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, contains all major allergens including antigen E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of this alum-adsorbed product was evaluated in a multicenter double-blind clinical trial by comparing it to placebo in 131 randomly matched ragweed hay fever patients who were not treated for at least 1 year. Therapeutic response to fraction A injections was more significant than placebo (p <0.05) by investigators’ evaluation, by average daily symptom score (1.097 vs. 1.378, p <0.05) during the peak ragweed season, or by average proportion of days in which medication was required (0.411 vs. 0.584, p = 0.01). Fraction A patients exhibited a significantly higher (p <0.0005) increase in hemagglutinating titer after treatment than placebo controls. Radioallergosorbent binding, evaluated in a subgroup of 31 patients before and after the ragweed season, was unchanged or decreased in 12 of 15 patients treated with fraction A. In contrast, 9 of 16 placebo-treated patients showed an increase in this index. Systemic effects were noted after 42 (1.5%) of 2.641 injections, while local reactions occurred at the rate of 2.3%. It is concluded that a single course of preseasonal immunotherapy wih alum-adsorbed fraction A is effective and relatively safe.
Delayed Skin Reactor from Streptokinase-Streptodornase: Stability Studies and Amino Acid Analysis
Authors: Tomar Russell H.
Published: July 2009

Delayed skin reactor (DSR), the material in Streptokinase-Streptodornase responsible for eliciting delayed hypersensitivity reactions in man, is stable as a lyophilized powder or when stored at -70°C. Storage at a pH above or below 6.0 leads to a decrease in the ability of DSR to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. Its molecular weight is 30,000 as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and it is composed of approximately 260 amino acid residues without apparent sulfhydryl-bridged subunits. The extinction coefficient of DSR (A 1% 280 nm) is 2.6.
Immunosuppressive Activity of Concanavalin A
Authors: Delitheos A.K. , West G.B.
Published: July 2009

Daily intraperitoneal doses of concanavalin A (Con A) produced a dose-related inhibition of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Con A was also effective on established arthritis, markedly relieving the disease after only three doses. The inhibitory effect of Con A was neutralised by pre-incubation with ovalbumin, although this treatment did not modify the delayed phlogistic action of Con A in rat paws.
Adrenaline and Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia
Authors: Sanyal R.K. , Singh H.K. , Sinha R.K. , Saran R.
Published: July 2009

Injections of adrenaline produced an immediate rise in peripheral absolute eosinophil count in cases of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, but a fall or no change in other conditions with similar clinical manifestations. A similar early eosinophilic effect was noted in control guinea pigs as well as in Ascaris larvae-fed guinea pigs. The effect of adrenaline on eosinophil counts in cases of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia was not paralleled by effects on total erythrocyte or leucocyte counts or on packed cell volumes. The early eosinophilic effects of adrenaline in guinea pigs was blocked by phentolamine but not be propranalol. Adrenaline-induced changes on eosinophil counts may be used as a diagnostic test of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.
A Receptor for Antibody on B Lymphocytes
Authors: Basten A. , Miller J.F.A.P. , Abraham R. , Gamble Jennifer , Chia Eunice
Published: July 2009

The physicochemical structure of the receptor for antibody (FcR) on B cells and its interrelationship with Ig and H-2 gene complex associated antigens were examined. FcR were found to be sensitive to treatment with phospholipase C and pronase, but resistant to neuraminidase, phospholipase A and chymotrypsin. They would therefore appear to be composed of phospholipoproteins. Several lines of evidence indicated that FcR and Ig receptors were discrete entities: thus, FcR (1) were resistant to chymotrypsin; (2) capped independently of Ig, as demonstrated by means of Fab fragments of anti-Ig, and (3) were closely associated with at least some la determinants, which are known to be distinct from Ig determinants. The relationship between FcR and H-2 gene complex associated antigens was confirmed by demonstrating inhibition of binding of aggregates by anti-la serum and vice versa. If, however, FcR were capped, anti-la serum applied under non-capping conditions was still found to bind diffusely to the great majority of B cells. Although this could be explained in part by the presence of residual FcR, some la determinants appeared to be distinct from FcR. The finding of residual FcR after capping with aggregates or immune complexes implied that FcR are a more integral part of the cell membrane than Ig receptors and could therefore act as proreceptors for the latter. Consistent with this was the demonstration of a significant polar distribution of Ig on B cells capped for FcR and then labelled under non-capping conditions with anti-Ig.
IgE-Mediated Anaphylactic Bronchoconstriction in the Guinea Pig and the Effect of Disodium Cromoglycate
Authors: Carney I.F.
Published: July 2009

Using guinea pigs, the development of anaphylactic hypersensitivity with time after Trichinella spiralis infection has been studied, the response being assessed in terms of bronchoconstriction at 5, 12, 19 and 26 days after infection. In addition, the susceptibility of these reactions to treatment with disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) has been determined. At 12 days after infection, DSCG significantly reduced the severity of anaphylactic bronchoconstriction, suggesting that IgE competes with IgG1 antibody for sensitisation sites in the lung.
Studies in Experimental Eosinophilia
Authors: Litt M.
Published: July 2009

A solution of histamine in saline elicited an eosinophil response in both lymph nodes and the blood stream. The lymph node response was not inhibited by the antihistamine, mepyramine maleate, but was inhibited by puromycin. Both the lymph node and the systemic response were essentially abolished when the pH of the solution (5.0 and 4.7, respectively) was brought to neutrality by phosphate buffer. Serum could bring the pH of histamine to neutrality or higher, but the histamine-serum mixture retained in vivo activity, unless the histamine was buffered before addition to the serum. When normal guinea pig γ-globulin was incubated with histamine, a nondialyzable factor was generated which had the same activity as histamine. Thirteen different amino acids induced lymph node eosinophilia and each was acid in saline solution; when one of them, tryptophane, was brought to neutral pH, its activity was considerably reduced. During the period when the circulating level of eosinophils was rising, there was no detectable fall in the bone marrow stores of mature or immature eosinophils. Thus, the activity of histamine, vis-à-vis eosinophils, is nonspecific and is attributable to its acidity. The data suggest that histamine, in the acidic state, generates autoantigens, which, in turn, lead to antibody-mediated eosinophilia in lymph nodes.
Chemical Modification of Crude Timothy Grass Pollen Extract
Authors: Wheeler A.W. , Jenkins Patricia M. , Moran D.M.
Published: July 2009

The effects have been studied of three different chemical modifications of timothy grass pollen extract on various immunological properties. The ability to induce IgG antibody with specificity for native antigen was least affected by glutaraldehyde treatment; IgE antibody production was reduced to a similar extent by all three modifications; there was no increase in IgM production; delayed reactions were reduced. New antigenic determinants were introduced by all the modifications, but the effect was minimal following glutaraldehyde treatment. The significance of these results and the potential application of modified allergen in hyposen-sitisation therapy are discussed.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the B-Cell Deficient Chicken
Authors: Weidanz W.P. , Weber W.T. , Maguire, jr. H.C.
Published: July 2009

Allergic contact dermatitis to oxazolone was induced in three chickens rendered B-cell deficient by combined chemical bursectomy with testosterone and cyclophosphamide.
Effect of Insulin and Alloxan Diabetes on Carrageenin Inflammation in Rats
Authors: Ottlecz Anna , Koltai M. , Dekov Elizabeth
Published: July 2009

Some hypersensitivity reactions and allergic responses are known to be increased by insulin treatment and decreased in diabetes. In contrast, the present experiments showed that paw swelling induced by carrageenin in rats was inhibited by insulin. The anti-inflammatory activity, to some extent, paralleled the dose applied and did not appear to be due to hypoglycaemia. Alloxan diabetes in turn increased the vascular response to carrageenin and abolished the anti-inflammatory effect of insulin. The experiments call attention to the possible significance of insulin in the regulation of the acute non-immune inflammatory process.
Interaction of Cholera Toxin and Toxin Derivatives with Lymphocytes
Authors: Lindholm L. , Holmgren J. , Lange S. , Lönnroth I.
Published: July 2009

The in vivo effects of cholera toxin on lymphoid organ structure and function in mice were investigated. It was found that within a day following intravenous injection of 1 μg of toxin, thymus as well as spleen weight decreased but the animals remained healthy. Histological studies suggested that the involution of lymphoid organs was due to cell death. Injection of cholera toxin into adrenalectomized mice was lethal within 36 h. In these animals no decrease in lymphoid organ weight was noted. Thymus cells from toxin-treated mice were found to be much inferior to thymocytes of untreated animals in their in vitro response to Concanavalin A, whereas the response of spleen cells from toxin-treated animals to mitogens was slightly increased. 1 μg of cholera toxin increased primary antibody formation when given to mice together with antigen (sheep erythrocytes) and decreased primary antibody formation when given before or after the antigen. The toxin also increased secondary antibody formation when injected simultaneously with or after the booster antigen dose, and decreased the antibody formation when given a few days before the booster injection. Treatment of mice with toxin was found to increase the capacity of spleen cells from these animals to induce the parental effect on antibody formation and to induce graft-versus-host reactions. The mechanisms behind the observed effects are discussed. It is suggested that cholera toxin affects different types of cells involved in immune responses primarily by a direct inhibitory action on cellular proliferation but also indirectly by causing release of adrenal gland hormones.
DNA Synthesis in vitro by Cells from Mice Immunized with Picryl Chloride: Effect of Injection of Immune Cells
Authors: Datta Usha , Barnet K. , Asherson G.L.
Published: July 2009

Mice were immunized with picryl chloride and the regional nodes taken at various times afterwards. These cells spontaneously synthesized DNA in vitro as measured by thymidine incorporation over an 18-hour period and the peak incorporation occurred when the cells were taken on day 3. When the mice were injected with cells taken 5 days after immunization with picryl chloride and then immunized, there was a depression of the spontaneous DNA synthesis in vitro. This was absent on day 2, most marked on day 3 and still present on day 4. Cells from donors immunized with 4-ethoxymethylene-2-phenyloxazolone had a smaller but definite effect. Attempts to reproduce the phenomenon by in vitro mixtures of cells taken at various times after immunization in vivo were unsuccessful.
Mitogenic Factor as an in vitro Correlate of Delayed Hypersensitivity in the Guinea Pig
Authors: Ashworth L.A.E. , Ford W.H.
Published: July 2009

The relationship of mitogenic factor (MF) to delayed hypersensitivity was examined in the guinea pig. MF was readily produced in vitro by blood leucocytes from animals sensitized with Keyhole limpet haemocyanin in Freund’s complete adjuvant. Such animals exhibited delayed skin reactions and macrophage migration inhibition. Treatment with cyclophosphamide markedly reduced serum antibody but caused no diminution of MF or delayed skin reactions. A migration inhibition response was observed 10, but not 20, days after sensitization by means of incomplete adjuvant.
Lymphocyte Stimulation and Plasma Inhibition in Patients with Malignant Neoplasms
Authors: Bice D.E. , Heins G. , Salvaggio J.
Published: July 2009

The blastogenic response of lymphocytes from patients with malignant neoplasms was evaluated by stimulation with three phytomitogens (PHA, PWM, and Con A). The response of patient lymphocytes to all three mitogens was significantly lower than that of control lymphocytes, and most patients with abnormal PHA responses also responded abnormally to PWM and Con A. However, a few patients with normal PHA responses were abnormal to Con A, suggesting the suppression of a Con A-sensitive population. The observation that PWM responses were abnormal in patients with lowered PHA lymphocyte stimulation indicates that both T and B lymphocyte mitogen responses were suppressed in these patients. Plasma from patients was capable of either inhibiting or enhancing lymphocyte mitogen stimulation. However, inhibitory plasmas were generally from patients with abnormal mitogen responses.
Subclass Typing of IgG Antibodies Formed by Grass Pollen-Allergic Patients during Immunotherapy
Authors: van der Giessen Marijke , Homan W.L. , van Kernebeek G. , Aalberse R.C. , Dieges P.H.
Published: July 2009

The subclasses of IgG antibodies formed by grass pollen-allergic patients during immunotherapy were investigated by using a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and a quantitative immunofluorescence method known as the defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS) system. By the use of rabbit antisera directed against the subclasses of IgG, the specificity of which was checked in the passive hemagglutination and immunofluorescence techniques, it was shown that a relatively high proportion of the grass pollen-specific antibodies belonged to the IgG4 subclass. Apart from the high binding activity of IgG4 which increased during treatment, a moderate binding activity of the other subclasses was also found. Binding of all subclasses increased slightly in the pollen season and could be specifically blocked by preincubation with soluble grass pollen extract. The results of the IgG4 binding, determined in vitro with the DASS system, and the blocking activity of the sera, determined in vivo by skin tests are suggestive for a relation between these activities. Also in the group of patients with a low IgE-RAST score, the skin reactivity decreased as the IgG4 binding activity increased.
Identification of Allergens in Extract of Horse Hair and Dandruff by Means of Crossed Radioimmunoelectrophoresis
Authors: Løwenstein H. , Markussen B. , Weeke B.
Published: July 2009

Sera from 26 patients and 4 normals were examined for specific IgE binding to antigens of extract of horse hair and dandruff by means of CR1E. 22 of the patients were RAST- and intracutaneous-positive to horse extract. 4 more of the patients were RAST-negative to horse allergens, but showed allergies to extract of allergens from sources other than horse. The remaining four sera from controls were RAST-negative to horse and had no history of allergy. Antigens of horse hair and dandruff showed a significantly higher degree of binding to specific IgE in the sera from the first group of patients than was the case for the two other groups. A linear correlation between specific IgE binding in RAST and in CRIE was found for the first group of patients. On the basis of these results the major allergens of the examined extract of horse hair and dandruff were identified.
Isolation and Partial Characterization of Three Major Allergens of Horse Hair and Dandruff
Authors: Løwenstein H. , Markussen B. , Weeke B.
Published: July 2009

Three major allergens of horse hair and dandruff have been isolated. The fractionation procedures involved various combinations, described in detail, of ethanol precipitation below ––5 °C, cation- and anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. UV absorption, quantitative immunoelectrophoresis and RAST inhibition were used to monitor the separations. Protein impurities constituted less than 5% in all cases. The molecular weights of the isolated proteins were 1.9 × 104, 5.1 × 104 and 3.1 × 104 daltons, respectively. The pIs were determined as 4.1, 3.8 and 3.9, respectively. The amino acid analysis of the isolated allergens revealed large variations in their amino acid composition which might explain different reactivities in RAST experiments. The allergenic activities of the isolated antigens were determined by RAST inhibition and prick tests.
The Binding Properties of Rabbit Antibodies against Various Penicillins as Studied by Immunoprecipitation, Indirect Haemagglutination and Radiometric Immunoassay
Authors: Ahlstedt S. , Kristoffersson A. , Pettersson E. , Svärd P.O.
Published: July 2009

Rabbit antibodies raised against protein conjugates of azidocillin (AzO), ampicillin (AmpO), benzylpenicillin (BPO) and crude 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) gave rise to two precipitation lines in immunoprecipitation tests against penicillin protein conjugates where the carrier was unrelated to the immunogens. This pattern verifies extensive cross-reactions between penicillins, which have previously been reported. The use of AzO-coated rabbit red cells in indirect haemagglutination (IHA) inhibition tests showed good reactivity (a) between the inhibitor AzO and antibodies raised against AzO, AmpO and BPO, (b) between the inhibitor AmpO and antibodies raised against AmpO and BPO, (c) between the inhibitor BPO and antibodies raised against BPO. When BPO-coated red cells were used, AzO, AmpO and BPO inhibited the IHA activity of antibodies against the BPO. Varying IHA results were obtained using differently conjugated rabbit red cells. Thus antibodies against AmpO gave higher titres when using AzO- than BPO-coated red cells while for antibodies against BPO the opposite was noted. The radiometric assay utilizing AzO-serum albumin as tracer as well as reference substance resulted in significantly higher values for antisera against AzO and AmpO compared with those for antisera against crude 6-APA. Antisera against BPO were not analysed in this respect. Furthermore, there was poor correlation between the results obtained with the indirect IHA technique and the radiometric immunoassay.
Formation of Homocytotropic Antibodies with Penicilloyl Specificity in the Rabbit
Authors: Rodell A.K. , Ahlstedt S. , Olsson T.K. , Svärd P.O.
Published: July 2009

The formation of homocytotropic antibodies (IgE) as determined by immunochemical characteristics against penicilloyl in rabbits was shown. The production of such antibodies to azidocilloyl-human serum albumin (AzO10-HSA) in alum was found optimal using 1 mg of antigen in the tested range of 0.01–8 mg. At the lowest dose (0.01 mg) only haemagglutinating but no IgE antibodies were formed. Immunization with azidocilloyl-bovine γ-globulin (AzO9-BGG) resulted in a slower increase in antibody levels than was caused by AzO10-HSA. Univalent benzylpenicilloyl-ε-aminocaproate or ampicillin given together with the antigen upon immunization decreased the levels of penicilloyl specific IgE and haemagglutinating antibodies, but induced the formation of IgE antibodies against the carrier molecule. Further, the administration of penicilloyl specific IgG antibodies diminished formation of both IgE and haemagglutinating antibodies, but no antibodies specific for the carrier were formed. The usefulness of this animal model for the experimental study of penicillin allergy is discussed.
Secretory Immunological System of Fowl
Authors: Leslie Gerrie A. , Stankus Richard P. , Martin Louis N.
Published: July 2009

The concentrations of IgA, IgM and IgY were measured in gallbladder (GB) bile and serum from chickens of various ages. The ontogeny data suggested that IgA and IgY were synthesized by the GB. Furthermore, the chicken GB becomes lymphoid 3–8 days post-hatch and contains distinct foci of lymphocytes by 7 weeks of age. That the GB can synthesize and secrete IgA was shown in two ways. IgA-containing cells were demonstrated by immunofluorescence and in vitro studies with adult GB explants showed the synthesis and secretion of IgA and also IgY and IgM. Immunoglobulin class suppression experiments and quantitation of IgA in sera from selected sites supported the concept of synthesis and secretion of IgA by the GB. Several lines of evidence also support the concept of some bile IgA being derived from serum. Introduction of antigen directly into the GB was shown to stimulate antibody formation, and this antibody was detectable in bile and serum. A very unusual finding, in one animal, was the presence of a normal secretory IgA concentration in the presence of undetectable serum IgA. These data indicate that the GB is an integral part of the secretory immunological system and suggest that aberrations in GB-immune function may result in pathological clinical manifestations.
Induction of Adjuvant Arthritis in the Rat by Various Bacterial Cell Walls and their Water-Soluble Components
Authors: Koga T. , Kotani S. , Narita T. , Pearson C.M.
Published: July 2009

A number of purified cell walls of various gram-positive bacteria had arthritogenic activity in the rat. The water-soluble adjuvant-active component(s), which were isolated from some of these cell walls by utilizing a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme, did produce severe adjuvant arthritis. However, the components obtained by digestion with glycan-degrading enzymes failed to produce arthritis. Thus, the present finding indicates the importance of a peptidoglycan portion, especially its intact glycan chain, for induction of adjuvant arthritis.
Increased Vascular Permeability during Passive Peritoneal Anaphylaxis in the Rat
Authors: Ross Janet W. , Smith H. , Spicer Barbara A.
Published: July 2009

Following intraperitoneal sensitisation of rats with rat serum containing reaginic antibody, intravenous injection of blue dye and intraperitoneal challenge with antigen caused a release of histamine, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and dye into their peritoneal fluids. The times taken to reach peak concentrations after challenge were less than 2 min for histamine and between 5 and 10 min for SRS-A, whilst concentrations of dye were still increasing after 2½ h. The amounts of histamine released by antigen were sufficient to account for about 60% of this extravasation of dye. Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and a nitroindanedione (BRL 10833) inhibited extravasation by inhibition of mediator release. BRL 10833, unlike DSCG, was active after oral administration, and for a given inhibition of histamine release it produced a greater effect on extravasation when given orally than when injected intraperitoneally.
Modulation of the Immune Response by Passive Antibodies
Authors: Neveu P.J. , Borduas A.G.
Published: July 2009

The present work is an attempt at understanding the modulating effects of passive antibodies on the immune response to a sustained antigenic stimulation. Passive anti-carrier and anti-hapten antibodies were injected 24 h before immunization with the hapten-carrier conjugate into guinea pigs subsequently injected intradermally with the carrier alone on days 11 and 23. The results showed that passive anti-carrier antibodies blocked the effects of intradermal injections of carrier, i.e., desensitization and increase of antibody synthesis to the carrier. Passive anti-hapten antibodies did not prevent desensitization and delayed antibody synthesis to the carrier. The mechanisms whereby passive antibodies modulate the response to a sustained antigenic stimulation are discussed.
Antibodies to Nucleic Acids in Myasthenia gravis
Authors: Gershwin Eric , Glinski Wieslaw , Bender Adam N. , Ringel Steven P. , Steinberg Alfred D. , Engel King
Published: July 2009

An increased frequency of antibodies to native DNA, thymocytes, and striated muscle was found in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The prevalence of such antibodies lends considerable support to the concept of MG as an autoimmune disorder and militates in favor of major abnormalities in the thymic dependent immune system. There was no correlation between serum-blocking activity to acetylcholine receptor protein and antibodies to thymocytes.
Necessity of the Divalent Cation in the Reaction between EAC1-8hu and C9gp
Authors: Kitamura Hajime , Matsumoto Misako , Inai Shinya
Published: July 2009

The reaction of EAC1-8hu and C9gp could not generate E* in 0.09 M EDTA solution. In 0.001 M EDTA solution, EAC1-8hu could not fix C9gp. But E* formation was observed in the buffer containing low concentration of divalent cations. Of the tested cations, Ca++ was most effective and its optimal concentration was 2 × 10––7 M.
Binding of Morphine by Serum Globulins from Morphine-Treated Rabbits
Authors: Beranek Jiri T. , DeCato Louis , Adler Frank L.
Published: July 2009

Treatment of rabbits with morphine under conditions defined in this report leads to significant and reproducible increases in the binding of morphine by serum globulins. Complexes formed are readily dissociable so that the conditions employed in measuring binding become critical. The data presented document the effects of several variables upon the results of binding measurements. Also described are treatments that lead either to ‘priming’ or to the inhibition of a subsequent response.
Presence and Anatomic Location of Species and Organ-Specific Intestinal Antigens
Authors: Rabin Bruce S.
Published: July 2009

Several groups of antigens were detected in the ileum of rabbits, rats and guinea pigs. An antigen present in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells is shared by these species, but is not tissue-specific because it can be absorbed by the liver. Organ-specific ileum antigens are present in the goblet cell mucus. There are different ileum-specific antigens in the three species and they do not elicit autoantibody formation. Additional antigens are located in the basement membrane and some basement membrane antigens are derived from exogenous sources.
Heterogeneity of Rabbit Homologous Skin Sensitizing Antibodies: IgE and a New Subclass IgGa
Authors: Stux Stephen V. , Ovary Zoltan
Published: July 2009

Homologous skin sensitizing antibodies in the rabbit can be differentiated by their requirement for complement in expressing the passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction as complement dependent (CD) or complement independent (CI). CI antibodies are representative of the IgE class, while the CD antibodies belong to a proposed new subclass of IgG designated IgGa (a = anaphylaxis). The following are characteristics of CI (IgE) antibodies: elution at 0.05 M on DEAE at pH 8.1, migration ahead of 7S in ultracentrifugation, molecular weight 215,000 daltons by Sephadex G-200, fast γ-electrophoretic mobility, isoelectric point, pI = 4.98 (5.68–4.58), 85–95% heat sensitivity, sensitivity to reduction plus alkylation and optimal sensitization period of 1–7 days. In contrast CD (IgGa) antibodies show: elution at 0.01 M on DEAE, 7S in ultracentrifugation, MW 138,000 daltons, slow γ-electrophoretic mobility, pI = 6.90 (8.30–5.70), resistance to heating and to reduction plus alkylation and 1-day optimal SP. CI antibodies could be absorbed by anti-Fab, anti-ε, the homologous antigen and were not absorbed by anti-γ, anti-α, or heterologous antigens. The CD antibodies were absorbed by anti-Fab, anti-γ and not absorbed by anti-ε, anti-α, or heterologous antigens.
In vitro Lymphocyte Response to Phytomitogens in Untreated and Treated Patients with Hodgkin’s Disease
Authors: Romagnani S. , Amadori A. , Biti G. , Bellesi G. , Ricci M.
Published: July 2009

In vitro lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PW) was evaluated in untreated and treated patients with Hodgkin’s disease (HD). The responding capacity to PHA was depressed, though not constantly, in the untreated patients compared with the response of lymphocytes from normal individuals. The depression was more evident, at group level, when the cells were stimulated with suboptimal concentrations of PHA. Radiotherapy constantly induced a strong decrease or a complete loss of the responding capacity of the cells which persisted at low levels for many months. Some years after the initial course of treatment, the response was clearly depressed, but it was better in patients in remission than during relapse. Splenectomy did not affect the responding capacity of the cells. The depressive effect induced by chemotherapy was apparently less marked and persistent than that of radiation. Con A-and PW-induced lymphocyte transformation usually paralleled the PHA-induced response. The depressed response to PHA was not due to an inhibitory activity of HD serum. Washed HD lymphocytes in fetal calf serum were not stimulated better than in autologous plasma, nor were HD sera able to depress the response of normal lymphocytes to PHA, Con A, PW, and PPD. Supernatants from HD lymphocytes cultured for 24 h without any stimulant, and extracts of these cells were also unable to affect the response of normal lymphocytes to PHA.
IgE Antibodies in Patients Allergic to Rifampicin
Authors: Bassi L. , Di Berardino L. , Silvestri L.G.
Published: July 2009

In sera of patients treated with rifampicin, who had episodes ascribable to rifampicin sensitization, IgE antibodies were found. These antibodies cross-react with rifamycin SV and with the chromophoric moiety of rifamycins, but not with the side chain of rifampicin.
Preparation of Various Fractions from Mycobacterium smegmatis, Their Arthritogenicity and Their Preventive Effect on Adjuvant Disease
Authors: Kohashi O. , Pearson C.M. , Shimono T. , Kotani S.
Published: July 2009

Cell walls of Mycobacterium smegmatis were able to produce much more severe arthritis in rats than the delipidated cells, whereas cell envelope and cell membrane fractions were unable to produce the disease. The lysozyme-solubilized product was able to produce mild disease with only 30% of incidence with an optimum dose, whereas the higher and the lower doses did not produce the disease. The rats immunized with cell envelope, cell membrane fraction and nonarthritogenic doses of lysozyme-solubilized product were protected against the subsequent homologous and heterologous challenge of delipidated cells. It was discussed that this preventative effect can be the result of antigenic competition between the arthritogenic and nonarthritogenic components of M. smegmatis. On the other hand, all the fractions separated here were able to serve as an immunoadjuvant in terms of inducing delayed hypersensitivity to ovalbumin in guinea pigs.
Dose-Related Effect of Hydrocortisone Treatment on the Electrokinetic Properties and Mitogen Responsiveness of Mouse Thymocytes
Authors: Dumont F. , Robert F.
Published: July 2009

The electrophoretic mobility (EPM) and the ability to synthesize DNA in vitro either spontaneously or in response to concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were investigated on thymocytes from adult female Swiss/B mice which had received intraperitoneally, 2 days previously, various doses (10–750 mg/kg body weight) of hydrocortisone acetate (OHC). A first group of thymocytes, highly sensitive to OHC, rapidly decreased in proportion following administration of increasing doses of OHC (10–125 mg/kg body weight) and included the totality of low-EPM thymocytes (EPM < 1.0 μm sec––1 V––1 cm) together with about 70% of the high-EPM thymocytes encountered in the normal thymus. The second group of thymocytes (4% of the initial cellularity), which resisted to OHC at 125 mg/ kg body weight and was only reduced by half with doses of OHC 6-fold larger, was composed essentially of high-EPM cells. The mean EPM of both groups tended to increase with increasing doses of OHC which suggests that among these two groups thymocytes are all the more OHC-sensitive as they possess a low surface charge. Spontaneous DNA synthesis, measurable on the first 24 h of in vitro cultivation, markedly dropped after treatment with OHC at doses higher than or equal to 62 mg/kg body weight. This loss of early spontaneous proliferation coincided with the disappearance of medium-EPM thymocytes. By contrast, proliferative response of thymocytes to mitogens was enhanced by OHC pretreatment of donors and roughly paralleled the enrichment in high-EPM cells. However, administration of the largest amounts of OHC diminished this mitogen responsiveness, although PHA reactivity was less affected than Con A reactivity.
Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis in Guinea Pigs Elicited by Gastric Absorption of Dextran Induced by Acetylsalicylic Acid
Authors: Flemström G. , Marsden N.V.B. , Richter W.
Published: July 2009

Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was elicited in guinea pigs sensitized with rabbit antidextran by the absorption of dextran macromolecules from the stomach induced by intragastric acetylsalicylic acid. The gastric contents had a pH sufficiently low to maintain the acid mainly in the unionized form since it is the latter which alters gastric permeability. The acid concentration required to induce PCA was below that which caused mucosal cell loss or bleeding. The maximal molecular weight of the absorbed dextran was approximately 25,000. Dextran was chosen as antigen because of its well-characterized physical and immunological properties. It is suggested that ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid may contribute to sensitization and allergic reactions to antigenic food materials by facilitating their absorption from the stomach.
Effect of Hydrocortisone on Response of Human Lymphocytes to Galactose Oxidase Stimulation
Authors: Tak Yan Yu David
Published: July 2009

Hydrocortisone at 10––4M concentration could inhibit the response of human lymphocytes to galactose oxidase stimulation. Removal of the hydrocortisone after 4 h of culture did not reverse this inhibition. On the other hand, removal of monocytes greatly enhanced it, so that it could be observed at 10––6M concentration. Next, tonsil cells were separated into two fractions relatively rich in either T or B cells. Both fractions could respond to galactose oxidase and the response could be inhibited by hydrocortisone.
Quantitation of Basophil-Bound IgE in Atopic and Nonatopic Subjects
Authors: Stallman P.J. , Aalberse R.C.
Published: July 2009

Basophil-bound IgE was measured by quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy in atopic subjects and in healthy controls. A correlation was found between IgE serum level and basophil-bound IgE. The basophils from the atopic patients, both from those with a low and those with an increased serum IgE, showed a significantly higher fluorescence intensity than the basophils from the respective controls. Our results indicate that both atopy and the IgE level of the serum determine the amount of basophil-bound IgE.
Biologic Activity of Transfer Factor Tested in vitro with Cord Blood Lymphocytes
Authors: Müller Marianne R. , Grob P.J. , Hitzig W.H.
Published: July 2009

Cord blood lymphocytes, generally believed to be immunologically uncommitted, were used for investigating the possible conversion by transfer factor (TF) of non-immune to immune lymphocytes in vitro. TF was prepared from pooled buffy coats of normal blood bank donors by ultrafiltration and lyophilization, and its ability to influence lymphocyte transformation was assessed by measuring increases in 3H-thymidine uptake into DNA after stimulation with purified protein derivative of tuberculin and/or streptokinase-streptodornase in 23 experiments with cord blood and 15 adult controls. TF stimulated cord blood lymphocytes nonspecifically when added to the medium alone. In the presence of antigen, TF acted in a synergistic, antigen-dependent way with either amplifying or inhibitory effects in adult good responders. These effects were negligible in adult low responders and in cord blood. From our observations no specific conversion of lymphocytes by TF in vitro can be deduced.
The Effect of Phosphatidyl Serine on the Activation Stage of Histamine Release Induced by Neutrophil Cationic Protein
Authors: Ranadive Narendranath S. , Ruben Deborah H.
Published: July 2009

Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by cationic protein (band 2) from rabbit neutrophil lysosomes occurs in Ca++-deficient medium. At higher concentrations of Ca++ the release is inhibited. Strontium not only supports, but also enhances the release of histamine in the absence of Ca++. Progressive enhancement of release occurs between 1.8 and 14.4 mM Sr++. The release of histamine from mast cells, activated at low temperature (0–4 °C) in the presence of 14.4 mM Ca++ and then washed prior to incubation at 37 °C, is inhibited. However, if phosphatidyl serine (PS) (10 μg) is present with 14.4 mM Ca++, the inhibition is reversed. There is also inhibition of release when cells, activated in the presence of 1.8 mM Ca++, are incubated in the second stage with 14.4 mM Ca++, but this inhibition is less pronounced than when the 14.4 mM Ca++ is in the activation stage. PS enhances the release in the presence of both Ca++ and Sr++. The presence of PS in the activation stage enhances the release, but there is no significant enhancement when cells activated in the absence of PS are washed and incubated in the presence of PS. This suggests that PS enhancement of histamine release occurs at the activation stage, probably through the efficient delivery of calcium to the membrane sites, thereby increasing the efficacy of the membrane perturbation by band α protein.
Immunotherapy in Atopic Allergy – Antibody Titres and Avidities during Hyposensitization with Birch and Timothy Pollen Allergens
Authors: Ahlstedt S. , Eriksson N.E.
Published: July 2009

The quantities and the avidities of antibodies against birch pollen and, in some sera, timothy pollen were studied in atopic patients during the course of hyposensitization therapy with aqueous or Allyral allergen extracts. The ammonium-sulphate precipitation (ASP) technique was used to determine the allergen-binding capacity of the sera before and after absorption with anti-human IgE antibodies conjugated to Sepharose. Furthermore, IgE antibodies were determined with the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). IgE as well as non-IgE antibody titres increased after initiation of immunotherapy but after 2–3 years of treatment the IgE antibodies decreased, according to RAST results. No consistent pattern of increase or decrease of antibody titres was seen during the pollen seasons. However, a decrease of RAST values as well as of non-IgE titres determined with the ASP technique was found between the post-season sera from the first year of therapy and the pre-season sera the following year in respect of birch pollen allergen. No significant changes of antibody avidities were seen, nor could any significant correlations be found between the patients symptom scores during the birch pollen season and the antibody titres or avidities. The findings were similar for timothy pollen. It is concluded that the improvement of reagin-mediated symptoms found during immunotherapy is not caused by changes in the amounts or avidities of the specific antibodies detectable in the serum with the methods mployed, but other factors have to be sought.
Study of some Immunological Parameters in Untreated Patients with Hodgkin’s Disease
Authors: Romagnani S. , Amadori A. , Maggi E. , Biagiotti R. , Ricci M.
Published: July 2009

The immunological reactivity of 40 untreated patients with Hodgkin’s disease was studied by some in vitro tests exploring the lymphocyte function, The response of lymphocytes to PHA was markedly depressed in the advanced stages of the disease, but it appeared significantly decreased also in the initial stages when a suboptimal concentration of the stimulant was used to activate the cells in culture. No significant correlation was found between the depressed lymphocyte response to PHA and a particular histologic pattern of the disease, even though patients with lymphocyte predominance and nodular sclerosis usually showed the best responses. The decrease of PHA-stimulability was not dependent on the activity of free serum factors or by the usually high number of phagocytic cells contaminating the standard quantity of lymphocytes in culture. Nor was it due, at least in the initial phases of the disease, to a depletion of circulating cells able to respond to PHA. In fact, the percentage of Ig-bearing lymphocytes in the peripheral blood was usually normal; E rosette-forming cells were present in normal number in the initial stages of the disease and their percentage was markedly decreased only in a very small number of patients with advanced disease. Virtually all the patients with positive delayed-type skin reactions to PPD and Candida, but also many of those without skin reactivity showed a significant in vitro response to the same antigens. The responding capacity in MLC of lymphocytes was not significantly reduced in comparison to that of normal controls; the stimulatory efficacy of the same cells was decreased in some patients but, at group level, did not appear significantly lower of that of normal controls. An increased level of IgE immunoglobulin could be demonstrated in the serum of many patients with HD. The data here reported demonstrate that a functional defect of lymphocytes is a very frequent finding in untreated patients with HD; they also show that of the tests available for the study of lymphocyte function, the PHA-stimulability seems to be the more sensitive and its alteration always precedes the development of T lymphopenia.