Hemolymph lectin of the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii: a possible non-self recognition system

To elucidate a mutual correlation between the hemolymph lectin and hemocytes of the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii, we searched for common epitopes and ligands. Neither the hemocyte plasma membrane nor cytoplasm was immunoreactive to anti-hemolymph lectin antibody. The hemolymph lectin strongly bound to D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, and the plasma membrane of both granulocytes and agranulocytes had affinity only for D-mannose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-binding plant lectins. In the gonad, the hemolymph lectin selectively adsorbed injected horse red blood cells (HRBC), and its hemagglutinating activity probably prevented them from dispersing. Pinctada sp. may possess system of recognition of non-self by the hemolymph lectin.     

Genetic polymorphisms of orosomucoid and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein in Thai,Sri Lankan and Paraguayan populations

The genetic polymorphism of orosomucoid (ORM) and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) were studied in Thai, Sri Lankan and Paraguayan populations using isoelectric focusing. Gene frequencies in these populations were compared with those in other populations. Four new ORM variants were detected:ORM1 ^* 15 in Thai,ORM1 ^* 16 in Paraguayan,ORM2 ^* 21 andORM2 ^* 22 in Sri Lankan.     

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human IgG (Gm) allotype determination

An inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (inhibition-ELISA) was developed for the quantitative determination of human IgG (Gm) allotypes using rabbit anti-Gm antisera, alkaline-phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG and, as the calibrant, purified human myeloma proteins possessing the relevant Gm allotype. The assay is reproducible and can detect as little as 10 ng/ml of G1m(a), G2m(n) or G3m(st), and 100 ng/ml of G1m(f) or G3m(g). Using this assay, the "gene dosage effect" and "allelic balance" in healthy Japanese were studied.     

Catalase, a Specific Antigen in the Feces of Human Subjects Infected with Helicobacter pylori

Recently, we reported the production of three new monoclonal antibodies with high specificity for a Helicobacter pylori antigen suitable for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. The aim of the present study was to identify the antigen recognized by these monoclonal antibodies concerning both H. pylori and the feces of human subjects infected with H. pylori. The cellular antigen was purified from an H. pylori cell extract by immunoaffinity column chromatography with the monoclonal antibody as a ligand. The amino-terminal amino acid sequences (eight residues) of the purified antigen and H. pylori catalase were the same. The molecular weights of native and subunit, specific catalase activity, and UV and visible spectra of the purified antigen were in good agreement with those of H. pylori catalase. The human fecal antigens were purified from two fecal samples of two H. pylori-positive subjects by ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM-Sephadex C₅₀ chromatography, and the same immunoaffinity chromatography used for the H. pylori cellular antigen. The fecal antigens had catalase activity. The amino-terminal amino acid sequences (five residues) of the human fecal antigen and H. pylori catalase were the same. The monoclonal antibodies reacted with the native cellular antigen, but did not react with the denatured antigen, human catalase, and bovine catalase. The results show that the target antigen of the monoclonal antibodies is native H. pylori catalase and that the monoclonal antibodies are able to specifically detect the antigen, which exists in an intact form, retaining the catalase activity in human feces.     

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MONONUCLEAR CELLS IN HUMAN BREAST CARCINOMA

Lymphocyte subsets in the tumor nests of breast carcinoma were immunohistochemically investigated and a quantitative analysis was added. The majority of cases showed predominance of T cell and suppressor T cell (T8). A decrease in number of lymphocyte subsets and the helper T (T4)/T8 ratio in the stroma of tumor nests correlated well with the progression of clinical stage and the presence of metastasis. This correlation could not be found in the peripheral region of the tumor nests. Macrophages and NK cells were infrequently observed only in the peripheral region of ductal carcinoma. T cell infiltration was prominent in medullary carcinoma with lymphocyte infiltration (MC), and macrophages, NK cells, and T zone histiocytes were frequently encountered. For the purpose of knowing the activity of T cells, IL-2 receptor (Tac) and transferrin receptor were examined irnmunohistochemically. The fact that a few activated T cells were found only in the peripheral region of tumor nest suggested the local immune response in ductal carcinoma not to be so active as to reject the tumor cells. Since numerous activated T cells were recognized in the tumor nests of MC, this type of breast carcinoma was thought to have a higher immune reactivity. There was little evidence indicating NK cells to play a role for natural cytotoxicity in breast carcinoma. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 36 1455-1468, 1968     

Immature dendritic cells (CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells) present in mouse peripheral blood

It is well known that dendritic cells (DCs) are developed from the peripheral blood of mice when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are cultured with GM-CSF. We have previously found that immature DCs are present in the blood even in humans. In the present study, we show that CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the mouse peripheral blood are immature DCs. The percentage of CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the (PBMCs) of normal mice ranges from 0.5 to 2.5%. The CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the PBMCs show dendrites, similar in shape to the CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the spleen, which are thought to be DCs definitely. However, they have practically no capacity to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells, and show a lower expression of MHC class II, B7-1 and B7-2 than CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the spleen. When the CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the PBMCs are cultured with GM-CSF, they show not only the potent ability to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells but also a higher expression of MHC class II, B7-1 and B7-2. Moreover, they migrate into the spleen when they are injected intravenously. These results suggest that CD11c+ CD3- B220- cells in the PBMCs are immature DCs, and that they migrate into the spleen, where they mature.     

Induced 13C shifts by coil-supporting solvents observed in oligopeptides as model compounds of polypeptides

The origin of the chemical shift differences of carbons in polypeptides which accompany the helix-coil transition has been investigated by using oligopeptides, benzyloxycarbonyl-γ-ethyl-L -glutamyl-diethyl-L -glutamate and benzyloxycarbonyl-di-(γ-ethyl-L -glutamyl)-diethyl-L -glutamate, as models of the backbone of polypeptides. Structures of aggregates in deuterated chloroform were proposed for these oligopeptides on the basis of concentration dependence and temperature dependence of the chemical shifts of protons and carbons, and spin-lattice relaxation times. Antiparallel and/or parallel “in-register” structures for extended forms and “out-of-register” network of extended forms are coexisting in deuterated chloroform solution for these oligopeptides. From the shift for the carbons of the oligopeptides induced by organic acids, it was in ferred that down-field shifts are induced at α and amide carbons in polypeptides by organic acids. By comparing the induced shift of the carbons in the peptides with the chemical shift differences of the carbons in polypeptides which accompany the helix-coil transitions, it was found that the conformational changes play a predominant role in the origin of the chemical shift differences of the carbons in polypeptides which accompany the helix-coil transitions, it was found that the conformational changes play a predominnant role in the orgin of the chemical shift differences of amide, α, β, and γ carbons in polypeptides.