Biophysical studies of teschen disease virus (Talfan strain)

Summary Studies have been made of the heterogeneity of infectivity and CFA in Teschen virus (Talfan strain) suspensions. Most of the infectivity was contained in two components of densities 1.46 gm./ml. and 1.35 gm./ml. The physical, chemical and immunological properties of these components have been compared. It was possible, however, to convert a large proportion of 1.46 component to 1.35 component by treating the 1.46 component with sodium dodecyl sulphate. This would indicate that the 1.46 component was a complex formed between the infective particles and cellular debris.Further studies on the growth characteristics and electron microscopy of the virus have been made.     

Behavioral Changes in Transgenic Mice Expressing Both Amyloid Precursor Protein and Presenilin-1 Mutations: Lack of Association with Amyloid Deposits

Mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (mAPP) and in presenilin 1 (mPS1) have both been linked to increased production of the -amyloid peptide (A). Doubly transgenic mice produced by mating of a parental line carrying the Swedish (K670N/M671L) APP mutation with a FAD4 (M146L) mutant presenilin 1 line developed numerous fibrillar A deposits by 6 months of age. Prior work demonstrated that mAPP and doubly transgenic (mAPP/mPS1) mice have deficits in Y-maze alternation behavior as early as 3 months of age. Increased activity was also apparent in the mAPP/mPS1 mice at this time point. These changes in Y-maze performance persisted in mAPP/mPS1 mice at 6 and 9 months of age. The mPS1 singly transgenic mice were not impaired on this task at any age. Six- and nine-month-old mice were also tested for spatial navigation behavior in the Morris water maze. In training trials, no differences in escape latency were detected among the four genotypes. In probe trials, no differences were detected in either the time spent in the trained quadrant or the number of platform crossings among the four groups. Histological staining for A amyloid deposits indicates that all doubly transgenic mice have amyloid deposits by 6 months of age (roughly 25 mice examined thus far), yet no 3-month-old mice have been found with deposits. A immunostaining confirmed that the 9-month-old mice tested behaviorally also have A deposits. Thus, doubly transgenic mice exhibited changes in Y-maze performance prior to the formation of amyloid deposits, which are essentially unchanged as the deposits increase in number and size to 9 months of age. Yet these mice fail to reveal impairments in spatial navigation at 6 or 9 months in spite of the increasing plaque burden. These data indicate that A deposits alone are not sufficient to cause robust spatial memory impairment in mice of this mixed background lineage and age.     

Regulation of glycoprotein D synthesis of herpes simplex virus 1 by α 4 protein,the major regulatory protein of the virus,in stably transformed cell lines: effect of the relative gene copy numbers

Summary Earlier studies concerning 1 gene regulation by the 4 protein, the major regulatory protein of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), in stably transformed cell lines, reported conflicting results, i.e., 4 protein positively regulated the ₁ gB gene in 4/gB cells, while it negatively regulated the ₁ gD gene in 4/BJ cells. Both cell lines were derived from a common parental cell line 4/c 113 that contains 1 copy of the 4 gene, and the only apparent difference between them was the relative copy number of the gB and gD sequences (1 and 30–50, respectively) resident in the cell genome. We investigated this disparity by constructing a cell line (BA 4) that contains one copy each of the 4 and ₁ gD sequences, by fusion of 4/c 113 and BJt cells, containing and expressing respectively 1 copy of the 4 and gD genes. BA 4 cells constitutively expressed both the 4, gD genes inherited from the parental cell lines ( 4/c 113 and BJt). In BA 4 cells the 4 protein positively regulates the gD gene as evidenced from (i) higher levels of gD expression than the parental BJt cells lacking the 4 gene, and (ii) significant decrease in gD expression under conditions that render the 4 protein produced in BA 4 cells non-functional. In addition the ₂gG gene contained within the DNA fragment encoding the gD gene, is also expressed in BA 4 cells. On the basis of these data, we propose that gene regulation by the 4 protein is affected by the relative copy number of these genes, resident in the cell genome.     

Changes in level of virus accumulation and incidence of infection are critical in the characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rice tungro bacilliform virus</Emphasis> (RTBV) resistance in rice

Summary. Analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) accumulated in a cyclic pattern from early to late stages of infection in tungro-susceptible variety, Taichung Native 1 (TN1), and resistant variety, Balimau Putih, singly infected with RTBV or co-infected with RTBV+Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV). These changes in virus accumulation resulted in differences in RTBV levels and incidence of infection. The virus levels were expressed relative to those of the susceptible variety and the incidence of infection was assessed at different weeks after inoculation. At a particular time point, RTBV levels in TN1 or Balimau Putih singly infected with RTBV were not significantly different from the virus level in plants co-infected with RTBV+RTSV. The relative RTBV levels in Balimau Putih either singly infected with RTBV or co-infected with RTBV+RTSV were significantly lower than those in TN1. The incidence of RTBV infection varied at different times in Balimau Putih but not in TN1, and to determine the actual infection, the number of plants that became infected at least once anytime during the 4wk observation period was considered. Considering the changes in RTBV accumulation, new parameters for analyzing RTBV resistance were established. Based on these parameters, Balimau Putih was characterized having resistance to virus accumulation although the actual incidence of infection was >75%.Received December 18, 2002; accepted March 19, 2003 Published online June 5, 2003     

Down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor α activity by acute ethanol treatment in human peripheral blood monocytes

As the most commonly used drug that can modulate both metabolic and immune pathways, ethanol is evaluated in this report as a regulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in human peripheral blood monocytes (M) in combination with a variety of stimuli. While acute ethanol treatment did not induce TNF in M, it was a potent down-regulator of M TNF production whether induced by the combination of interferon- plus muramyl dipeptide (MDP) (P<0.001), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone (P<0.01), or interferon- plus LPS. Down-regulation of M TNF by ethanol was dose dependent and statistically significant in the biologically relevant, 25–150 mM, ethanol concentration range. We also demonstrate that these ethanol concentrations did not affect M viability. TNF down-regulation by ethanol was most effective when ethanol was administered 4 hr prior to MDP stimulation; however, it was also effective—though to a lesser extent—if it was added at the time of MDP stimulation. Furthermore, ethanol also down-regulated TNF production of thein vivo preactivated M of trauma patients, which produce hyperelevated levels of TNF. We have previously shown that the majority of posttrauma elevated M TNF is produced by the M subpopulation expressing high-affinity type I Fc receptors (FcRI). When the FcRI cross-linking-stimulated M subpopulation was treated with acute ethanol, TNF production was suppressed again both inin vivo preactivated M of trauma patients and in M of normal controls. In experiments utilizing cyclooxygenase inhibitor, we also demonstrate that ethanol has a direct, prostaglandin E₂-independent, effect on M TNF production. These results demonstrate that acute ethanol exposure has the potential to down-regulate M production of TNF significantly regardless of the TNF-inducing stimulus. Decreased capacity of M to produce TNF might, therefore, contribute to the immunological and metabolic abnormalities described after ethanol uptake.     

Altered IL-1 Expression and Compartmentalization in Monocytes from Patients with AIDS Stimulated with Mycobacterium avium Complex

The pathophysiologic basis for the exuberant intracellular growth of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in AIDS patients is unclear but may relate to altered expression of modulatory cytokines. Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and TNF- expression by monocytes from AIDS patients and healthy subjects (HS) stimulated with isogeneic MAC strains (SmT, smooth-transparent, virulent; SmD, smooth-domed, avirulent) was examined. Spontaneous cytokine production was not observed in patients with AIDS. MAC strains induced less IL-1 and IL-1 release in AIDS patients than HS (P < 0.05). The ratio of cell-associated to supernatant IL-1 also was increased in AIDS patients (P = 0.03). IL-1 mRNA expression paralleled protein release in either group of subjects. In both HS and AIDS patients, stimulation with SmD induced more IL-1 and TNF- release by monocytes compared to SmT. In AIDS patients, SmD also induced greater IL-6 release than SmT (P < 0.01). Alterations in monocyte expression and compartmentalization of the regulatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 may enhance bacterial replication and contribute to the patho-genesis of MAC infection in AIDS.     

Immunocytochemical characterization of porcine zona pellucida during follicular development

Sections of bovine ovaries fixed in Bouin's fluid or methanol-acetic acid and embedded in paraffin were incubated with chicken polyclonal antibodies to HPLC-purified zona glycoproteins ZP3 and ZP3. Oocytes of primordial follicles as well as of primary follicles showed weak labelling with anti-ZP3 and anti-ZP3. No immunostaining could be observed in the follicle cells. The ZP of primary follicles displayed distinct immunoreactivity for both ZP3 and ZP3. In secondary follicles, distinct labelling with anti-ZP3 and weak labelling with anti-ZP3 could be seen in the oocyte. The ZP showed immunoreactivity with antibodies to ZP3 and ZP3. Both antibodies labelled single follicle cells. In tertiary follicles, the oocytes were weakly labelled with anti-ZP3 and anti-ZP3. Some granulosa cells showed staining for ZP3 and ZP3. The ZP displayed strong immunoreactivity for ZP3 and ZP3. Cells of the corona radiata were strongly immunopositive for ZP3 and ZP3. Similar histotopography of immunoreactive cells could be seen in preovulatory follicles. The characteristic pattern observed for the distribution of ZP3 and ZP3 strongly suggests that in the porcine ovary both the oocyte and the follicle cells contribute to the synthesis of the ZP, perhaps in sequence.     

Modulation of hematopoietic colony formation of stem cells in peripheral blood by anti-TGF-β in patients with severe immunosuppression

Summary The influence of transforming growth factor- (TGF-) on hematopoiesis has been evaluated by adding blocking antibodies against TGF- to colony forming assays (CFU-c). When optimum concentrations of recombinant growth factors, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin-3 (IL-3) were added to stem cells from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and certain patients with tumors or HIV infection, the anti-TGF- capable of blocking 5 ng/ml of active TGF- had no significant influence on erythroid or myeloid colony formation. However, in certain immunosuppressed individuals, anti-TGF- resulted in a significant decrease of erythroid colony formation and slight suppression of myeloid colony formation. The significant inhibition of hematopoiesis by plasma of HIV patients could be due to the presence of active forms of TGF-. The results of the blocking experiments are consistent with the concept that TGF- in low concentrations is essential for erythropoiesis and myelopoiesis but that higher levels of TGF- primarily inhibit erythropoiesis in vitro. TGF- serves as a coordinating factor when efficient recruitment of granulocytes and monocytes is more essential than erythropoiesis and stem cell growth.Abbreviations BFU-E burst forming unit-erythroid - CFC colony forming cells - CFU-GEMM colony forming unit-granulocyte/erythroid/macrophage/megacaryocyte - CFU-GM colony forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage - EPO erythropoietin - GM-CSF granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor - HIV human immunodeficiency virus - IL-1 interleukin-1 - IL-3 interleukin-3 - IMDM Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's medium - PBS phosphate buffered saline - TGF- transforming growth factor- - TNF- tumor necrosis factor-     

„Leptospira Mini“ ein neuer Serotyp pathogener Leptospiren

Zusammenfassung Auf Grund ihres immunbiologischen Verhaltens gehören die Leptospirenstämme Sari, Ghidorsi und Szwajizak zu demselben serologischen Leptospirentyp, für den der Name Leptospira Mini vorgeschlagen wird.Der Stamm Sari wurde 1942 vonMino sowieVercelli in Italien isoliert. Der Stamm Ghidorsi wurde von uns im Zuge unserer Leptospirenforschungen bei einer Reisfeldarbeiterin der Po-Ebene nachgewiesen. Der Stamm Szwajizak, der vonSmith, Brown, Tonge u. Mitarb. im Jahre 1954 beschrieben wurde, ist in Nord-Qeensland gefunden worden. Der Stamm Sari und Ghidorsi gehören dem kompletten Biotyp (AB), der Stamm Szwajizak dem inkompletten (A) an.Leptospira Mini gehört zur Serogruppe hebdomadis. Ihre Virulenz ist schwach und ihre Bedeutung als Erreger menschlicher Leptospiren-infektionen scheint gering zu sein.     

The role ofγδ T cells in the normal and disordered immune system

Summary A small population of T cells does not express the conventional T cell receptor characterized by the and polypeptide chains (TCR) but instead, two polypeptides termed and (TCR). This alternative receptor is able to recognize antigen. It appears early in T cell ontogeny, but its role in the thymus prior to the availability of TCR remains unclear. In selected sites such as skin or gut TCR predominates in mice which might suggest a role of T cells in the first line of defense against infection, T cells secrete lymphokines and display cytotoxic activity. However, their activation requirements may differ from what is known for T cells since MHC-nonrestricted and also CD4 and CD8 negative T cells have been described. Preferential activation by mycobacterial antigens possibly indicates a special repertoire of the T cells. In various diseases slightly increased numbers of T cells were found, but these preliminary studies have not yet provided evidence for a major pathogenetic role of T cells.List of abbreviations C constant region (immunoglobulin or TCR gene segment) - CD4 cluster of differentiation 4 (mainly on helper cells) - CD8 cluster of differentiation 8 (mainly on cytotoxic cells) - D diversity region (immunoglobulin or TCR gene segment) - DNA desoxyribonucleic acid - IL2 interleukin 2 - J joining region (immunoglobulin or TCR gene segment) - kD kiloDalton - MHC major histocompatibility complex - NK natural killer (cells) - RA rheumatoid arthritis - TCR T cell receptor - V variable region (immunoglobulin or TCR gene segment)     

Convergent inputs from articular,cutaneous and muscle receptors onto ascending tract cells in the cat spinal cord

Summary 1.Responses were recorded from 160 ascending tract cells in segments L4 to L6 of the spinal cord in chloralose anaesthetized, spinalized cats. The tract cells were identified by antidromic activation following stimulation of pathways in the lateral and ventral funiculi at the level of the spinal cord transection at the thoracolumbar junction. Axonal conduction velocities ranged from 9 to 114 m/s. 2. A sample of 152 of the neurones examined could be subdivided according to the distribution of their receptive fields into 49 cells activated just from receptors located in skin (s cells), 17 neurones excited by receptors in deep tissues (d cells), 15 units with a convergent input from receptors in skin and deep tissues (sd cells), and 25 neurones with a convergent input from the knee joint and either skin (sj cells), deep tissues (dj cells) or both (sdj cells). No receptive fields could be demonstrated for the remaining 46 neurones. 3. S and sj cells were found almost exclusively in the dorsal horn, whereas many d, sd, sdj and dj units were in the ventral horn. Almost all of the cells that lacked receptive fields were in the ventral horn or intermediate grey. 4. Ninety-one of 158 cells (56%) demonstrated no background activity. Of these, 43 cells (27%) lacked receptive fields. Many of the silent neurones were in the ventral horn, but some were in the dorsal horn. Of 25 cells having knee joint input, 18 (72%) had background activity. 5. All of the neurones that had a receptive field in the knee joint also had a convergent input from receptors in other tissues. In 3 cases, there was a receptive field in the skin over the foot (sj cells). For 16 cells, receptive fields included not only the knee joint but also skin and deep tissue (sdj cells). Usually, the cutaneous receptive field was near the knee joint, but sometimes it was remote, such as on the foot. The deep receptive fields were chiefly in the muscles of the thigh and/or leg. For 6 dj cells, the receptive fields included not only the knee joint but also deep fields like those of sdj cells. 6. Cutaneous receptive fields were classified as low threshold (cells excited best by innocuous intensities of mechanical stimulation), wide dynamic range (cells activated by weak mechanical stimuli, but the best responses were to noxious stimuli) or high threshold (innocuous stimuli had little effect, but noxious mechanical stimuli produced a vigorous discharge). Similarly, stimulation of the knee joint with weak mechanical stimuli could excite some neurones, while others could be activated by weak or strong articular stimuli but were excited best by noxious stimuli, and still other neurones were activated by knee joint stimuli only if the intensity was noxious. 7. In several instances, contralateral receptive fields were noted. These were generally in deep tissue or in the knee joint. 8. It was concluded that many of the responses to articular stimulation of the spinal cord ascending tract cells examined in this study could have been mediated by the fine afferent fibres that supply the knee joint. Although further work will be required to determine which particular ascending tracts transmit nociceptive information concerning the knee joint, it can be proposed that many of the responses demonstrated here were likely to play a role in either joint pain of in triggering responses associated with joint pain.     

Destabilization of herpes simplex virus type 1 virions by local anesthetics,alkaline pH,and calcium depletion

Summary The infectivity of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was found to be markedly reduced by treating virions with the tertiary amine local anesthetics lidocaine, dibucaine and tetracaine. These treatments induced a characteristic shift in the buoyant density of the HSV-1 particles from a light to a heavy population. HSV-1 virions were unstable at alkaline pH, and alkali treatment caused the same shift in buoyant density. Ca²⁺ stabilized the light population. These results suggest that the physicochemical status of the HSV-1 envelope which is sensitive to the treatments described above plays an important role for the integrity of the virion.     

Application of the polymerase chain reaction to study the M protein(-like) gene family in beta-hemolytic streptococci

Evaluation of homologous regions of published M protein (emm) gene sequences from group A streptococci (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) was used to design three primer pairs for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and three oligonucleotide probe sequences internal to the amplified products. One set of primers and corresponding probe should detect and lead to amplification of emm(-like) genes of virtually every type (all M), another (SOR^-M) should only amplify emm(-like) genes from GAS negative for serum opacity reaction (SOR) and the third (SOR⁺M) should expand only emm(-like) genes from SOR⁺ GAS. Using the all M primer pair for PCR on the genomic DNA from GAS of 29 different M types as well as from a group C and a group G streptococcal isolate, DNA fragments within the expected size range were amplified in every assay. All PCR products reacted with the all M probe. Related sequences were not detected in genomic DNA of an S. agalactiae and an Enterococcus faecalis isolate. Applying the SOR^-M and SOR⁺M primers to identical assays led to mutually exclusive amplification products. The SOR⁺M and SOR⁺M probes hybridized only to their corresponding products. Exceptions to this exclusivity were the SOR⁺ GAS of M types 3, 8, 27, 34, 42, 67, and 69, which consistently reacted only with the SOR⁺M primer/probe set. Analysis of sequence data from the amplified emm(-like) 2, 3, 18, and 19 genes revealed interesting specific features such as conserved gaps in the C-terminal sequence regions from SOR⁺ and the exceptional SOR^- GAS strains. These data indicate the existence of a subgroup of strains among SOR^- GAS and may advance our understanding of phylogenetic relationship between different serotypes of GAS.     

Zur Frage der organspezifischen cytostatischen Wirkung von Diäthylstilböstroldiphosphat auf das Prostatacarcinom

Zusammenfassung Bei Implantationen von Diäthylstilböstrol in einen ventralen Prostatalappen der Ratte konnte im Gegensatz zum Bayer E 39 keine direkte zellschädigende Wirkung auf das Prostatagewebe beobachtet werden. Ein antigonadotroper und damit antimaskuliner Effekt war dagegen neben einer Nebennierenrindenstimulierung sicher nachweisbar. Es wird daraus geschlossen, daß auch das wasserlösliche Diäthylstilböstroldiphosphat bei der Behandlung des Prostatacarcinoms nicht als Cytostaticum sondern als Östrogen wirkt.Eingeführt als St-52 von Asta, Brackwede; jetzt Honvan (Asta) bzw. Cytonal (VEB Beropharm, Berlin-Johannisthal).     

Flow Cytometric Analysis of In Vitro Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Peripheral Blood from Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The cytokines, interferon- (IFN-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-rpar;, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) are important endogenous proinflammatory proteins and have been linked to disease activity in multiple sclerosis. In this study, we use flow cytometric methodology to compare the secretion of IFN-, IL-2, and TNF- from peripheral blood-derived T cells of multiple sclerosis patients to the secretion in healthy controls. The percentages of IFN-, IL-2, and TNF- secreting cells are not significantly different between multiple sclerosis patients and controls. However, the TNF- secreting CDS cell percentage is correlated with the IFN- and IL-2 secreting CD3 cell percentages in multiple sclerosis patients. In the controls, only the TNF- secreting CD3 cell percentage is correlated with IFN-. These findings show that correlated secretion of cytokines occurs in multiple sclerosis and suggest that concerted intercytokine interactions may play an important role in the disease.     

Interferon-γ-like immunoreactivity in developing rat spinal ganglia neuronsin vivo andin vitro

Summary Interferon--like immunoreactivity was observed in a subpopulation of 16-day-old embryonic rat spinal ganglion neurons using two monoclonal antibodies directed against different epitopes of recombinant interferon-. During ontogenesis bothin vivo andin vitro, it was found that the strong immunoreactivity was confined to small neurons when neurons become morphologically distinct on the basis of size.In vivo, the interferon--immunoreactive neurons started to express major histocompatibility complex class I antigens after the first postnatal week, whilein vitro no such antigen could be detected. A quantitative Elisa method was developed to determine the levels of major histocompatibility complex class I and interferon-in vitro, whereby increased amounts of major histocompatibility complex class I antigen was detected after exposing the cultures to recombinant interferon- and Sendai virus. Sendai virus also caused a small increase in interferon- with a peak about 12 hours after infection. Thein vitro system will be used to study further the role of the putative neuronal interferon--like molecule in the regulation of cell growth, for induction of major histocompatibility complex antigens and in virus infection of sensory neurons.     

Brief Communication: cDNA Sequence and Mapping of the Mouse Copb Gene Encoding the Beta Subunit of the COPI Coatomer Complex

COPI-coated vesicles are involved in retrograde-directed selective transport of proteins from the Golgi complex to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as well as mediate anterograde transport of cargo proteins within the Golgi or in endosomal trafficking. The COPI protein complex contains an ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF1) and seven coatamer subunits (, , , , , , -COP). The localization and function of human subunit of coatamer (COPB) suggests it is likely a candidate gene of ruby-eye-2 (ru2), which is a mouse model of human Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome characterized by the dysfunction of several subcellular organelles. In this study, we determined the entire coding sequence of mouse (Copb) cDNA by combining an overlapping mouse EST contig with EST walking. -COP was found highly conserved in mouse, rat, and human, and it is ubiquitously expressed in mouse. The Copb gene was mapped to mouse Chr 7 at a position of 53.3 cM by radiation hybrid mapping. Our RH mapping data, sequencing of RT-PCR products, and Western blotting exclude the Copb gene as a candidate for ru2.     

Die Spulwurmerkrankungen in Darmstadt und Hessen vom Abwasseringenieur gesehen

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 1 Textabbildung.Im Heft 2 des Gesundheits-Ingenieur 1948 erschien meine Abhandlung Spulwurmplage und Abwasserbeseitigung in Darmstadt. Dem darin behandelten Stoff wurde auch von vielen Hygienikern solches Interesse entgegengebracht, daß ich die Abhandlung in erweiterter Form hier veröffentliche. Die seit der Veröffentlichung im Gesundheits-Ingenieur erzielten Fortschritte sind dabei berücksichtigt.     

Evaluation of mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against an isolate of the variant avian paramyxovirus type 1 responsible for the current panzootic in pigeons

Summary Nine monoclonal antibodies raised against pigeon variant avian paramyxovirus type 1 isolate pigeon/England/617/83 were tested for their ability to react with classical and other pigeon variant isolates. Two of the monoclonal antibodies appeared to be specific for 617/83 reacting with no other virus. The remaining seven monoclonal antibodies bound to cells infected with all other pigeon isolates in indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP) tests but four distinct groups of other PMV-1 viruses were formed on the basis of the binding patterns. One of the monoclonal antibodies 161/617 caused haemagglutination inhibition (HI) of all the pigeon isolates tested but none of the other PMV-1 viruses and these results reflected the IIP results with this monoclonal antibody.161/617 was also shown to inhibit viruses of the avian paramyxovirus type 3 serogroup in HI tests. This reaction and the ability to bind to infected cells in IIP tests appeared to be restricted to PMV-3 viruses isolated from exotic birds and did not occur with viruses of ostensively the same serotype from turkeys.     

Antigenic similarity between the protein neurotoxin α-bungarotoxin and neuromuscular blocking drugs

The snake neurotoxins -bungarotoxin (-BGT) and -bungarotoxin (-BGT) which act at the neuromuscular junction, were found to bind to IgE antibodies directed against neuromuscular blocking (NMB) drugs in the sera of two patients who had experienced lifethreatening anaphylactic reactions to succinylcholine. -BGT inhibited IgE-binding to a choline-Sepharose solid support in one patient better than the NMB drug alcuronium, choline, triethylcholine and -BGT. IC₅₀s for -BGT and succinylcholine were 16 and 10 nmol respectively for one patient and 34 and 6.0 nmol for the other.Recognition of the NMB drugs and -BGT by the same antibody is the first demonstration of an antigenic similarity between these drugs and the protein toxin.