Neutrophil Beta-2 Microglobulin: an Inflammatory Mediator

Beta-2 microglobulin (beta 2m) constitutes the light invariant chain of HLA class I antigen, and is a constituent of mobilizable compartments of neutrophils. Two forms of beta 2m exist: native beta 2m and proteolytically modified beta 2m (Des-Lys58-beta 2m), which shows alpha mobility in crossed radioimmuno-electrophoresis. The modification of native beta 2m can be executed by membrane-associated activity of mononuclear cells, and Des-Lys58-beta 2m augments the production of interleukin 2. In this study we present evidence that human neutrophils contain native beta 2m in specific granules, secretory vesicles, and plasma membrane. Beta 2m was released in the native form from neutrophils in response to stimulation with chemotactic stimuli and phorbol ester. The results of experiments designed to study the modification of native beta 2m by neutrophils indicated that neutrophils do not participate in the proteolysis of beta 2m. However, we demonstrated that native beta 2m following degranulation may be transformed to Des-Lys58-beta 2m by lymphocytes. We suggest that neutrophil beta 2m following exocytosis may be transformed to Des-Lys58-beta 2m, acting as an extracellular messenger between granulocytes and lymphocytes in the inflammatory focus.     

PREDICTIVE VALUE OF WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT AND DIFFERENTIAL CELL COUNT TO BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

ABSTRACT. White blood cell counts and differential cell counts were measured prospectively during the first 24 hours of admission in 132 children aged 3 months to 13 years hospitalized with an acute infectious illness. 25 children were excluded from the study and the remaining 107 children were divided into diagnostic categories without knowledge of the white cell count. Neither the white cell count nor the differential count were predictive of the etiology of bacterial and nonbacterial infections in childhood.     

EFFECT ON SERUM CALCIUM OF lα-HYDROXY-VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENTATION IN INFANTS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, INFANTS WITH PERINATAL ASPHYXIA, AND INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS

Abstract. Petersen, S., Christensen, N. Chr. and Fogh-Andersen, N. (Department of Neonatology and Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark). Effect on serum calcium of lα-hydroxy-vitamin D₃ supplementation in infants of low birth weight, infants with perinatal asphyxia, and infants of diabetic mothers. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70: 897, 1981.-Thirty infants of low birth weight, 34 infants with perinatal asphyxia, and 16 infants of diabetic mothers were investigated for early neonatal hypocalcaemia. The infants were randomized into a group prophylactically given lα-hydroxy-vitamin D₃, 0.05 or 0.10 μ/kg i.v. on the first 3 days of life, and an untreated control group. In infants of low birth weight and infants of diabetic mothers there were no differences in serum ion-Ca concentrations on days 2, 3, 5, and 7 between the treated and untreated groups. In infants with perinatal asphyxia, however, serum ion-Ca concentrations on days 5 and 7 were significantly higher in the treated than in the untreated group, while on days 2 and 3 the differences were not statistically significant. The hypocalcaemia in asphyctic infants was not correlated to bicarbonate treatment, but infarits with severe signs of asphyxia had lower serum ion-Ca concentrations than infants with only mild or no signs. Hypocalcaemia in asphyctic infants might be explained by a decreased concentration of 1 α, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D₃ following reduced lα-hydroxylation in the kidney as a consequence of anoxia during perinatal asphyxia.     

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in Myelofibrosis

Ten consecutive patients with myelofibrosis were examined for the followingsigns of PNH: Ham’s test, the sucrosehemolysis test, low red cell acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) activity and intravascular hemolysis. Two of the patientsdisplayed all these signs and also hadclinical symptoms of PNH. Two patientshad positive sucrose hemolysis tests, lowred cell ACHE and intravascular hemolysis. One patient had a positive sucrosehemolysis test and low red cell ACHE.The remaining patients had no signs ofPNH. In two of the patients, the PNHsigns disappeared after splenectomy. Theconcurrence of myelofibrosis and PNHsupports the hypothesis that PNH is adisease of the common hemopoietic stemcell.

Submitted on January 15, 1970 Revised on April 6, 1970 Accepted on April 27, 1970     

Intranasal Verapamil in Allergen-Induced Rhinitis

Twenty-six pollen-allergic subjects participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the protective effect of the calcium antagonist, verapamil, on allergen-provoked nasal symptoms. Intranasal verapamil, 1 mg, had a weak protective effect in that "tickling score" was 22% lower ( P < 0.01) and the number of sneezes 29% lower (nonsignificant) after verapamil as compared with placebo pretreatment. There were no differences with regard to nasal blockage or discharge. It is concluded tha the verapamil spray used, cannot be recommended for clinical trials, but that further investigations of other formulations of calcium antagonists are justified in order to analyse the potential role of this type of drugs in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.