人细胞核酸结合蛋白cDNA克隆及其表达分析

目的探讨HCNBP在造血系统细胞分化过程中的作用。方法利用人细胞核酸结合蛋白（HCNBP）的单克隆抗体从人骨髓cDNA文库中克隆了HCNBP基因，以HCNBP单克隆抗体及其1．1kb cDNA为探针，检测HCNBP在小鼠不同组织和红系细胞分化过程中的表达。结果HCNBP在9种组织中均有不同程度的表达；免疫荧光结果显示在红系细胞分化的不同阶段，HCNBP在原幼、早幼红细胞中主要定位在胞质，而在中、晚幼红细胞期主要位于细胞核。结论HCNBP基因在红系细胞终末分化过程中可能起重要调控作用。     

Endocervical intraepithelial glandular atypia (dysplasia): a histopathologic, human papillomavirus, and MIB-1 analysis of 25 cases

The purpose of this study was to determine the likelihood that intraepithelial endocervical glandular atypias that are less severe than adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) are precursors to AIS and, if so, whether they can be recognized by morphological or other means. We first assessed the frequency of atypias found in association with either AIS or invasive adenocarcinoma (ACA) and then tested these cases and additional randomly encountered cases for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and for their proliferative (Ki-67) index. Lesions not fulfilling the classic criteria for AIS were subdivided into high-grade (HGGA) and low-grade glandular atypias (LGGA). Atypias and controls were microdissected and tested for HPV by the polymerase chain reaction. Serial sections were labeled for Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry with the MIB-1 antibody. Eight cases (6.8%) containing glandular atypia were found in a search of 117 consecutive cone biopsy or hysterectomy specimens that also had either AIS, ACA, or both. An additional 17 cases were either randomly encountered or were received in consultation. In 3 cases, both HGGA and LGGA were present, yielding a total of 28 lesions for study. Of the 9 HGGA cases that were associated with either AIS, ACA, or CIN II/III, 6 were positive for HPV; MIB-1 reactivity in all 6 was present in greater than 25% of the nuclei. Of the 3 HPV-negative HGGA cases in this group, the 2 that were tested showed low MIB-1 reactivity. All 3 cases of HGGA that were not associated with a diagnostic lesion were HPV-negative and had low MIB-1 reactivity. Of the 6 LGGAs associated with either AIS, ACA, or CIN II/III, 1 was positive for HPV; MIB-1 was nonreactive in this case and was low in all of the HPV-negative cases in this group that were tested. Of 10 LGGAs not associated with a diagnostic lesion, or with a low-grade squamous lesion as the only other abnormality, 2 were positive for HPV. Of these 2, one had an MIB-1 reactivity of greater than 25% and also had intestinal differentiation. MIB-1 reactivity was elevated in 2 of the 8 HPV-negative LGGAs from this group. All 10 ciliated atypias (3 HGGA, 7 LGGA) were HPV-negative and had low MIB-1 reactivity. One HPV-positive AIS control case was focally ciliated. Six of 7 foci with apoptotic bodies (5 HGGA, 2 LGGA) were HPV-positive. The infrequent occurrence of glandular atypias with AIS and ACA and the low rate of HPV DNA positivity when they are found in isolation are evidence that most AIS lesions do not evolve through morphologically identifiable antecedents and that most isolated atypias are not AIS precursors. HGGAs associated with AIS or CIN II/III maybe either precursors to or subtle variants of AIS. However, LGGAs similarly encountered are unlikely to be either. Elevated MIB-1 reactivity may be helpful diagnostically in selected cases, but it is not reliable as an independent criterion. The presence of cilia in isolated glandular atypias favors a nonneoplastic process, whereas intestinal differentiation and apoptotic bodies each suggest neoplasia.     

Erythroblast differentiation at spleen in Q137E mutant ribosomal protein S19 gene knock-in C57BL/6J mice

We recently found that erythroblast-like cells derived from human leukaemia K562 cells express C5a receptor (C5aR) and produce its antagonistic and agonistic ligand ribosomal protein S19 (RP S19) polymer, which is cross-linked between K122 and Q137 by tissue transglutaminases. RP S19 polymer binds to the reciprocal C5aRs on erythroblast-like cells and macrophage-like cells derived from human monocytic THP-1 cells and promotes differentiation into reticulocyte-like cells through enucleation in vitro. To examine the roles of RP S19 polymer in mouse erythropoiesis, we prepared Q137E mutant RP S19 gene knock-in C57BL/6J mice. In contrast to wild-type mice, erythroblast numbers at the preliminary stage (CD71^high/TER119^low) in spleen based on transferrin receptor (CD71) and glycophorin A (TER119) values and erythrocyte numbers in orbital artery bloods were not largely changed in knock-in mice. Conversely, erythroblast numbers at the early stage (CD71^high/TER119^high) were significantly decreased in spleen by knock-in mice. The reduction of early erythroblast numbers in spleen was enhanced by the phenylhydrazine-induced pernicious anemia model knock-in mice and was rescued by a functional analogue of RP S19 dimer S-tagged C5a/RP S19. These data indicated that RP S19 polymer plays the roles in the early erythroblast differentiation of C57BL/6J mouse spleen.     

Simultaneous detection of peripheral mononuclear cell and plasma tissue factor expression for prevention and treatment of ischemic cardiocerebrovascular diseases

Objectives: This study aimed to simultaneously observe the expression of mononuclear cells (Mo) and plasma tissue factor (TF) in patients with ischemic cardiocerebrovascular diseases during the stage of acute onset and after the following three weeks and three months for exploration of the clinical implications concerned. Methods: MoTF mRNA and plasma TF antigen (TFAg) from 76 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) together with 46 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and 61 healthy controls were quantitated respectively through RT-PCR and ELISA. Results: Compared with the results in the control group, the level of MoTFmRNA and plasma TF in the other groups increased simultaneously and dramatically in the acute stage, which showed a good correlation among the groups (P<0.01), especially in AIS group. The quantitative data showed that both MoTF mRNA and plasma TF remained higher than that of the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.05) after three weeks from the acute onset. It was after three months that the content of MoTF mRNA, in spite of its relatively high level (P<0.05), began to decline in AMI and AIS groups. In this stage the level of MoTFmRNA in AIS group was lower than that in the acute onset stage (P<0.05), while the reduction of plasma TF in AMI and AIS groups was not significantly different from that of the control group (P>0.05). However, the reduced level of plasma TF was still different from that in the acute onset stage (P<0.05). Conclusion: The simultaneous increase of the level of peripheral MoTF mRNA and plasma TF in the acute onset stage of ischemic cardiocerebrovascular diseases shows a good correlation and suggests the up-regulation of MoTF mRNA’s expression participates in the maintenance and expansion of thrombotic formation. Dynamic monitoring of MoTF mRNA and plasma TF at different time points after acute onset has important clinical implications for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombotic diseases.     

Movement of plasma membrane proteins of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in relation to cap formation induced by concanavalin A: a study on the non-capped areas

In order to get precise information about the movement of plasma membrane proteins in cap formation, cyto- and bio-chemical analyses were made of the plasma membranes from non-capped areas of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATCs) exposed to concanavalin A (Con A). Blebs formed by treatment with cytochalasin B (CB) of the non-capped areas of cells having a cap were isolated and used as the plasma membranes from non-capped areas (ConA-CB-bleb fraction). This bleb fraction was compared with a bleb fraction prepared from cells without ConA-treatment (CB-bleb fraction). Cytochemical analysis of ConA-CB-bleb fraction revealed a decreased in conA binding sites (ConA-BS) compared to the CB-bleb fraction. SDS polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis also revealed a decrease in the major components of ConA-BS of the ConA-CB-bleb fraction. The minor components of ConA-BS showed no distinct quantitative difference between the ConA-CB-bleb and CB-bleb fractions. NA+ K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), 5' nucleotidase (5'ND) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) did not show any decrease in activity in the ConA-CB-bleb fraction, but the activity of D+-stimulated phosphatase (K-Pase) was decreased. The findings indicate that there are two types of plasma membrane glycoproteins in EATCs; one includes those participating in cap formation due to ConA, e.g. the major components of ConA-BS and K-Pase, and the other, those not participating in such cap formation, e.g. some minor components of ConA-BS, ATPase, 5'ND and gamma-GTP, which keep their places without moving.     

鸡和小鼠具核红细胞的中间纤维—核纤层—核骨架体系

应用选择性系列抽提结合整装细胞电镜技术,在电镜下对鸡胚原始红细胞、鸡成熟红细胞和小鼠胚肝幼红细胞内的中间纤维-核纤层-核骨架体系的形态结构进行了观察。鸡胚和成鸡红细胞的中间纤维由束状或结节状的物质连接交织成为致密的网络,直接与较厚的核纤层和质膜相连接。核骨架为由粗细不一的纤维形成立体网络,纤维与核纤层密切相连。小鼠胚肝幼红细胞的中间纤维较鸡红细胞的纤细和稀疏,核纤层较稀薄,核骨架网络较致密而在纤维上粘附有大小不等的颗粒状物质。SDS-PAGE电泳和抗波形纤维蛋白抗体所做的Western blotting探测结果表明,具核红细胞中的中间纤维成分以波形纤维蛋白(vimentin)为主。     

Developmental regulation of sialoadhesin (sheep erythrocyte receptor), a macrophage-cell interaction molecule expressed in lymphohemopoietic tissues.

Stromal macrophages in lymphohemopoietic tissues express novel macrophage-restricted plasma membrane receptors involved in nonphagocytic interactions with other hemopoietic cells. One such receptor with lectinlike specificity for sialylated glycoconjugates on sheep erythrocytes and murine hemopoietic cells has been characterized immunochemically and termed sialoadhesin. We have examined sialoadhesin expression during mouse development to learn more about its regulation and function. Immunocytochemical, rosetting, and Western blot studies show that sialoadhesin is first detected on fetal liver macrophages on day 18 of development, 7 days after numerous F4/80+ macrophages are found within erythroblastic islands. In spleen and bone marrow, sialoadhesin appears between day 18 and birth, in parallel with myeloid development. Strongly labeled macrophages in the marginal zone of spleen, characteristic of adult lymphoid tissues, appeared gradually between 1-4 weeks after birth, as the white pulp became enlarged. Isolation of fetal liver macrophages at day 14 confirmed that sialoadhesin was not involved in the binding of erythroblasts, which is mediated by a distinct cation-dependent receptor (Morris et al., 1988, p. 649). Sialoadhesin could be expressed by isolated fetal liver macrophages after cultivation in adult mouse serum, a known source of inducer activity, but was not dependent on the presence of this inducer, unlike adult-derived macrophages. Fetal plasma contained inducing activity on day 13, but adult levels were not reached until 2 weeks postnatally. These studies show that sialoadhesin is differentially regulated compared with the erythroblast receptor and F4/80 antigen, that it is not required for fetal erythropoiesis, and that its induction on stromal macrophages is delayed until the onset of myeloid and lymphoid development. Sialoadhesin provides a marker to study maturation and functions of macrophages during ontogeny of the lymphohemopoietic system.     

Developmental Regulation of Sialoadhesin (Sheep Erythrocyte Receptor), a Macrophage-Cell Interaction Molecule Expressed in Lymphohemopoietic Tissues

Stromal macrophages in lymphohemopoietic tissues express novel macrophagerestricted plasma membrane receptors involved in nonphagocytic interactions with other hemopoietic cells. One such receptor with lectinlike specificity for sialylated glycoconjugates on sheep erythrocytes and murine hemopoietic cells has been characterized immunochemically and termed sialoadhesin. We have examined sialoadhesin expression during mouse development to learn more about its regulation and function. Immunocytochemical, rosetting, and Western blot studies show that sialoadhesin is first detected on fetal liver macrophages on day 18 of development, 7 days after numerous F4/80⁺ macrophages are found within erythroblastic islands. In spleen and bone marrow, sialoadhesin appears between day 18 and birth, in parallel with myeloid development. Strongly labeled macrophages in the marginal zone of spleen, characteristic of adult lymphoid tissues, appeared gradually between 1–4 Isolation of fetal liver macrophages at day 14 confirmed that sialoadhesin was not involved in the binding of erythroblasts, which is mediated by a distinct cationdependent receptor (Morris et al., 1988, p. 649). Sialoadhesin could be expressed by isolated fetal liver macrophages after cultivation in adult mouse serum, a known source of inducer activity, but was not dependent on the presence of this inducer, unlike adultderived madrophages. Fetal plasma contained inducing activity on day 13, but adult levels were not reached until 2 weeks postnatally. These studies show that sialoadhesin is differentially regulated compared with the erythroblast receptor and F4/80 antigen, that it is not required for fetal erythropoiesis, and that its induction on stromal macrophages is delayed until the onset of myeloid and lymphoid development. Sialoadhesin provides a marker to study maturation and functions of macrophages during ontogeny of the lymphohemopoietic system.     

Inhibition of In Vitro Immune Responses by a Fraction from Seminal Plasma

We studied the inhibitory effect of a fraction of bovine seminal plasma on in vitro lymphocyte responses to specific and nonspecific ligands. Seminal plasma was fractionated by Sephadex G-100 chromatography, and the inhibitory component was found to have a molecular weight of above 100,000 daltons. This fraction was devoid of lymphocytotoxicity and could inhibit, in a dose-dependent mode, both the primary antibody response of normal mouse spleen cells to the thymus-dependent antigen sheep erythrocytes and the one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions. Concanavalin A-induced proliferative T-cell responses were also inhibited by the same fraction. The inhibition of the T-lymphocyte responses to Con A was complete at suboptimal concentrations of the mitogen and could only partially be overcome at supraoptimal concentrations. Four other fractions in seminal plasma were also studied in this particular system, three being without effect and one being stimulatory. The inhibitory fraction was also found to inhibit the polyclonal B-cell responses induced by fetal calf serum. The importance of the present findings for the immunophysiology of reproduction are discussed.     

Incorporation of glucosamine-3H into extracellular gamma-globulin by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

The incorporation of radioactivity from tritiated glucosamine into glycoproteins was studied in Strong A male mice, with and without Ehrlich ascites tumor. The proteins studied were mouse plasma, ascites fluid, and the extracellular fluid from in vitro incubations of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Of particular interest in the in vivo experiments were the relatively high specific radioactivity of the γ-globulin fraction of the ascites fluid as compared to mouse plasma and that the incorporation of glucosamine-³H into the γ-globulin fraction was greatest at 90 hr following inoculation of the tumor. At 66 hr of tumor growth, the radioactivity of the ascites γ-globulin fraction was slightly greater than that of the plasma γ fraction, but it increased to 15 times that of the plasma fraction at 90 hr. Although the specific activity of the ascites γ fraction had decreased markedly by 168 hr of tumor growth, it was still four times that of the plasma fraction. A similar pattern of radioactivity incorporation was observed when Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were incubated with tritiated glucosamine in vitro. The specific activity of the γ-globulin fraction of the extracellular fluid, following incubation with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells obtained from 90 hr of tumor growth, was more than twice that observed with cells from 66 or 168 hr of tumor growth.     

Protein-binding patterns of the antitumor antibiotic cryptophycin 52 as measured with a two-phase partitioning system

Exposure of murine leukemia L1210 cells to the antitumor antibiotic cryptophycin 52 (C52) resulted in a rapid and dose-dependent increase in cell-surface hydrophobicity, as measured with a two-phase partitioning system. This effect was not observed with inactive drug analogs that lacked an epoxy residue. While the C52 has distinctly hydrophobic properties, the drug does not uniformly bind to all proteins. Affinity for human high- and low-density lipoprotein and albumin was demonstrated, but the drug binds only to the albumin fraction of mouse plasma, in spite of the high HDL level in the latter species.     

Expression of bone marrow macrophage receptors in cytostatic-induced myelodepression

Expression of macrophage sialoadhesin and erythroblast receptors involved into the hemopoietic islet formation is studied in cyclophosphamide-treated CBA mice. The number of hemopoietic islets and the content of immature granulocytic and erythroid cells were determined. Cyclophosphane reduces the expression of sialoadhesin and erythroblast receptors. It can be hypothesized that the disturbances in granulocyte differentiation result from impaired sialoadhesin-mediated interaction between hemopoietic cells and macrophages. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 7, pp. 25–27, July, 1998     

The impact of early environmental interventions on structural plasticity of the axon initial segment in neocortex

Plasticity of the axon initial segment (AIS) is a newly discovered type of structural plasticity that regulates cell excitability. AIS plasticity has been reported to happen during normal development of neocortex and also in a few pathological conditions involving disruption of the inhibition/excitation balance. Here we report on the impact of early environmental interventions on structural plasticity of AIS in the mouse neocortex. C57BL/6 mice were raised in standard or enriched environment (EE) from birth up to the time of experiments and were injected with saline or MK‐801 [N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, 1 mg/kg] on postnatal days (P) 6–10. We used Ankyrin G immunoreactivity to mark the AIS of cortical neurons in two sub‐regions of frontal cortex (frontal association area, FrA and secondary motor cortex, M2) and in the secondary visual cortex (V2). In 1‐month‐old mice, the mean AIS length differed between three areas, with the shortest AISs being observed in V2. Postnatal MK‐801 or EE led to shortening of AIS only in the frontal areas. However, exposure to EE restored AIS shortening induced by MK‐801. Chronic postnatal MK‐801 results in structural plasticity of AIS exclusive to the frontal cortex. EE may modify underlying neuronal mechanisms resulting in restoration of AIS length.

     

Promoter polymorphism of matrilin-1 gene predisposes to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a Chinese population

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is widely recognized as a complex disorder with a strong genetic predisposition. In previous studies, a number of extracellular matrixes (ECMs) related genes have been duplicated as candidate genes for AIS. Matrilin-1 plays an important role in the organization of the ECM, and matrilin-1 gene (MATN1) mutant mice showed similar phenotypes to scoliosis. We hypothesized that MATN1 was a candidate predisposition gene for AIS. A gene-based association study was conducted using seven tagging SNPs identified from the HapMap data. For initial screening, the seven tagSNPs were genotyped in 197 cases and 172 controls. Next, we validated any significant association in an additional sample of 222 cases and 288 controls. In addition, another 290 controls were genotyped to confirm the results. We found that allele G of rs1149048 was a significant predisposition allele of AIS (P=0.0007, odds ratio (OR)=1.35 within 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.14-1.61), and individuals with genotype GG had a higher risk for AIS compared with AA+AG (P=0.0001, OR=1.61 within 95% CI=1.25-2.08). Polymorphism of rs1149048 was also associated with curve severity in AIS patients. Also, a significantly higher maximum Cobb angle was found in patients with GG genotype (P=0.002). We concluded that the tagSNP rs1149048 polymorphism in the MATN1 promoter region was associated with both susceptibility and disease progression in AIS.     

Dietary and mechanically induced rabbit iliac-femoral atherosclerotic lesions: a chemical and morphologic evaluation

The effect of combining chronic endothelial injury and intermittent meal feeding of a high and low cholesterol, coconut oil, peanut oil diet on plama lipid and lipoprotein content and on the formation of atherosclerotic lesions within the iliac-femoral artery of rabbits was studied. Alternate feeding of a 1 or 0.1% cholesterol, 3% coconut oil, 3% peanut oil diet for 3 to 14 weeks resulted in a 4- to 11-fold increase in plasma cholesterol with 59 to 79% of the plasma cholesterol eluting in a molecular weight fraction comparable to human low density lipoproteins (LDL). In the iliac-femoral artery, an atherosclerotic intimal lesion with an average cross-sectional area of 0.452 mm2 was present in 98% of the animals. The lesion was typically eccentric in location and contained both superficial- and deep-intimal lipid-filled monocyte-macrophages, extracellular lipid, smooth muscle cells, and extracellular connective tissue matrix. The relative percent lipid composition of the iliac-femoral lesion was 62% cholesteryl ester, 21% free cholesterol, and 17% phospholipid. Thus, we conclude that the combination of meal feeding a cholesterol/fat diet, dietary regimen and chronic mild endothelial injury in the rabbit results in (1) a diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in which LDL appear to be the predominant lipoprotein; and (2) a lesion within the iliac-femoral artery comparable in histologic and chemical composition to a human fatty streak.     

Plasma and total blood cell copper in rheumatoid arthritis

Conclusions The results summarized above confirm that copper increases in the plasma and in the cell fraction of blood of RA patients, as reported in a previously published work [3]. In RA patients, the plasma copper concentration values may barely discriminate patients in remission, whereas total blood cell copper concentration seems to be more strictly correlated with the severity of the disease. Similar data were obtained studying the copper concentration in plasma and total blood cells in complete-adjuvant tail-injected female rats during the symptomatic phase of the disease [1]. In fact plasma copper concentration was found unable to discriminate severe (high score) from moderate (low score) arthritic rats, whereas the concentration of the metal in the cell fraction of blood of high score rats was found significantly higher not only when compared with control animals but also when compared with the low score group. This statistically significant increase of total blood cell copper may be the expression of an increase of the intra-cellular enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) although some authors have actually found a decrease of erythrocyte SOD activity in this disease [5]. Alternatively it may indicate an increase of the non-SOD-bound fraction of red cell copper, which may, in turn, suggest an increase in the non-cerulo-plasmin-bound fraction of plasma copper, which is possibly in equilibrium with the former [6].     

Low p53 and retinoblastoma protein expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 lesions is associated with coexistent adenocarcinoma in situ

Clinically, it is important to distinguish cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) lesions with and without coexisting adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), but endocervical curetting can be false negative. The frequency of high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes in CIN3 patients with and without AIS differs. CIN3 epithelial cell cycle regulator expression may reflect these differences and thereby indicate coexistent AIS. G1 pathway epithelial cell cycle regulators (pRb, p53, cyclin D, p16) and Ki-67 were analyzed by quantitative immunohistochemistry in CIN3s with and without AIS. Compared with the normal cervical squamous epithelium, the CIN3 epithelium in small punch biopsies showed strong diffuse p16 and Ki-67 expression. CIN3s with coexistent AIS had a significantly lower percentage of pRb (P = .03)- and p53 (P = .03)-positive nuclei in the lower half of the epithelium than CIN3s without coexistent AIS. None of the 10 cases with values of either pRb-positive nuclei 30% or greater or p53-positive nuclei 15% or greater in the lower half of the epithelium had coexistent AIS, contrasting 8 (24%) of the 33 cases with both low values of p53- and pRb-positive nuclei. Combined low p53 and pRb expression in the lower half of the epithelium in punch biopsies is associated with coexistent AIS in the cone. Despite the fact that the results of the current study are interesting and potentially clinically relevant, it should be emphasized that they must be confirmed according to Good Laboratory Practice in independent patient groups, preferably also in a prospective study.     

Thiol proteinase inhibitors reverse the increased protein kinase C down-regulation and concanavalin A cap formation in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from Chediak-Higashi syndrome (beige) mouse

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an essential role in intracellular signal transduction for various cell functions, including concanavalin A (Con A)-induced cap formation. This enzyme is known to be proteolysed by calpain, which is a Ca2(+)-dependent thiol proteinase. As reported previously, in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from beige mouse, the model of Chediak-Higashi syndrome, Con A-induced cap formation significantly increased compared with that in normal mouse. However, after pretreatment of beige PMNs with the thiol proteinase inhibitors leupeptin or E-64, the capping decreased to normal levels. Meanwhile, Con A-induced the translocation of PKC from the cytosolic to membrane fraction within 5 min in both mice, which is essential to the activation of this enzyme. However, after the translocation, an abnormal rapid decline in membrane-bound PKC activity was noted in beige mouse PMNs. Both leupeptin and E-64 also corrected the rapid decline in PKC activity observed in the beige mouse. These findings suggest that the normalization of Con A cap formation in beige mouse PMNs by the thiol proteinase inhibitors is associated with the correction of abnormality in PKC activity.     

Asthma and urticaria induced by seminal plasma in a woman with IgE antibody and T-lymphocyte responsiveness to a seminal plasma antigen

A patient with asthma urticaria and angioedema induced by allergy to seminal plasma was examined at intervals for 10 years. Before treatment her anaphylactic susceptibility to seminal plasma was manifested by very strong prick-test responses, IgE antibody to an allergenic fraction of seminal plasma determined by RAST, and by antigen-induced histamine release from her blood leucocytes. The skin test and in vitro lymphocyte tests indicated concomitant delayed hypersensitivity to the same allergen. The patient's lymphocytes treated with seminal plasma allergen fraction showed much increased incorporation of thymidine, and also synthesis of a product (NIF) that inhibited migration of neutrophils from a normal donor. The allergen fraction of seminal plasma had about five components in the range of 20000–40000 daltons molecular weight; the major fraction binding IgE appeared to be a glycoprotein. The patient was successfully desensitized by injections of her husban?s seminal plasma. Desensitization was not associated with persistent amounts of antigen-specific IgG antibodies.