IMMUNE RESPONSE OF LYMPHOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TO PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ, BASIC PROTEIN OF MYELIN AND MEASLES ANTIGENS

The effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), basic protein (BP) and various measles antigens was studied in vitro on “whole blood cultures” from MS patients and controls. Lymphocytes from both MS patients and controls did not transform in vitro in the presence of basic protein and measles antigens. Quantitative studies with a liquid scintillation technique after incorporation of tritiated thymidine showed impaired lymphocyte transformation with PHA in 9 out of 26 MS patients. There was a correlation between duration of the disease and transformation of lymphocytes from MS patients.     

Influence of thyroid hormones on myelin proteins in the developing rat brain.

This communication describes developmental changes in myelin proteins prepared from control, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid rat brain. In the 10- to 37-day postnatal period studied, total myelin protein was found to double, and this change mainly reflected the increase in proteolipid and basic protein constituents. Thyroid states affect differentially the various myelin proteins. Hypothyroidism decreases the proteolipid and slow-moving basic protein, but has no effect on the fast basic or minor proteins. In hyperthyroidism, an increase was observed in proteolipid as well as both slow- and fast-moving proteins. The protein alterations were correlated to the changes previously found in lipid composition of myelin consequent upon hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and the role of thyroid hormones in brain development.     

Intervention models for adaptation in a world of chemicals: a values approach

A schema is presented designed to help intervention agents and agencies plan and carry out programs to facilitate individual and group adaptation to and within a world of an increasing variety of types of chemicals through selected value foci.