Identification of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) secreting cells and other cell types using antibody to HCG and a new monoclonal antibody (mABlu-5) in cultures of human placental villi

Summary We have identified cells which secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) of cultures if first trimester placental villi. As a first step, we identified epithelial cells using a new monoclonal antibody. We then added HCG antibodies to the cultured cells. We found that syncytiotrophoblast (and not cytotrophoblast), Hofbauer cells and some mesenchymal cells stained with HCG antibodies.     

IgE and atopy in perinatally HIV-infected children

Elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and increased prevalence of atopy is reported in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The elevated serum IgE may be attributed to polyclonal stimulation of B cells or IgE production against allergens, viruses, fungi and bacteria. This study investigates the prevalence of atopy in perinatally HIV-infected children, and the relationships between serum IgE (and other serum immunoglobulins) with atopy, CD4+ cell count and HIV-disease stage. Serum immunoglobulin levels, epicutaneous skin test for common aeroallergens, clinical Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification, CD4+ cell counts and allergy history were extracted from the charts of perinatally HIV-infected children on highly active antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of atopy (52%) and the pattern of aeroallergen sensitivity were comparable with the US pediatric population. Serum IgE levels did not correlate with clinical disease stage. However, in non-atopic patients, serum IgE levels increased with disease progression (p = 0.02). There was an inverse relationship between the prevalence of elevated serum IgE levels and atopy with progression of disease (p = 0.019). Serum IgE did not correlate with atopy, CD4+ cell count, or duration of HIV infection or levels of serum immunoglobulins. This is the first study to show no increased prevalence of atopy in perinatally HIV-infected children compared with the general population. In advanced stages of HIV, elevated serum IgE may be specific for antigens other than those known as allergens.     

人乳头瘤病毒多肽与人免疫球蛋白G融合表达

目的 将人乳头瘤病毒16型(Human papillomavirus type 16，HPV-16)的晚期表达蛋白E7上的抗原24肽(从第38位氨基酸到第61位氨基6病毒感染防治酸)与人免疫球蛋白G的重链恒定区融合表达，并以此融合蛋白作为抗原，可能为HPV-1提供免疫治疗方法。方法 利用PCR方法分别扩增HPV-16 E7(38-61)24肽的DNA片段和人免疫球蛋白G的重链恒定区DNA片段，并构建到pEV21a表达载体上，转化入E．coli中表达，利用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)和蛋白质免疫印迹(Western-blotting)的方法对表达结果进行鉴定。结果 构建的表达载体HPV16E7e／hIgGHCCR-pET21a经酶切鉴定和测序显示序列正确；通过SDS-PAGE和Western-blotting的鉴定，重组融合蛋白Mr约40000，表达量可占菌体蛋白的20％左右。结论 成功构建HPV16-E7的抗原多肽片段和人免疫球蛋白G的重链恒定区的融合蛋白，并可在E．coli中高效表达。     

免疫球蛋白A肾病病理形态学的初步研究(附150例肾活检光镜及电镜观察)

对150例IgA肾病的肾活检标本进行了光镜及透射电镜的形态学观察,[其组织学改变由轻微病变至弥漫性系膜增殖,根据病变的严重程度作者将其分为6个亚型。系膜基质的增生为其突出的超微结构改变,常显示为局灶节段性、球性系膜细胞增殖和显著的系膜基质的增加。电子致密沉着多见于系膜基质及内皮细胞下,这些沉着物的多少与病变的严重程度未见有肯定的联系。     

Methotrexate therapy of oral corticosteroid-dependent asthmatics reduces serum immunoglobulins: correlation with clinical response to therapy

BACKGROUND: Concomitant methotrexate (MTX) therapy of oral corticosteroid (CS)-dependent asthmatics has been shown to spare CS therapy, but the mechanism is unknown. In a previous report, we showed that MTX increases T cell inhibition by CS. In this report we focus on effects of MTX on immunoglobulin concentrations and their possible clinical relevance. OBJECTIVE: To monitor changes in circulating leucocytes and Ig in a group of these patients during MTX therapy, and to relate these changes to clinical 'response' as defined by oral CS reduction. METHODS: Sixteen severe asthmatics dependent on oral prednisolone 15 (7.5-25) mg/day in addition to high dose inhaled CS were treated with MTX 15 mg intramuscularly, weekly for 28 weeks. Prednisolone dosages were maintained constant for 12 weeks then reduced systematically over the next 16 weeks provided that asthma control did not deteriorate. Patients were classified a priori as 'responders' or 'non-responders' to MTX (reduction of initial oral prednisolone requirement by >or=50% or <50%, respectively). Patients were followed-up for a further 12 weeks after MTX withdrawal. Serum Ig and differential blood leucocyte counts were measured at baseline, 12, 28 and 40 weeks. RESULTS: MTX therapy allowed significant, but individually variable, reductions in oral prednisolone dosages (P<0.00001) without alteration of lung function or symptoms. This was associated with significant reductions in mean serum concentrations of Ig of all classes, which reversed following MTX withdrawal. Reductions in IgE and IgG were significantly greater in the MTX 'responders' as compared with 'non-responders', and changes in IgE, IgG and IgM correlated with changes in prednisolone requirements. Differential blood leucocyte counts showed no significant variation. CONCLUSION: MTX therapy reduced oral CS requirements in these severe asthmatics to a degree which correlated with reduced circulating Ig but not lymphopaenia, suggesting a possible cause and effect relationship. These reductions might also contribute to the documented incidence of opportunistic infection in these circumstances.     

不同疗法对格林-巴利综合征短期疗效的评估

目的评估不同治疗方法对格林-巴利综合征的短期疗效。方法回顾性收集应用血浆交换、静脉用免疫球蛋白和激素不同治疗的45例格林-巴利综合征住院患者的临床资料。结果接受单膜血浆交换或双膜血浆吸附治疗的24例患者和16例接受免疫球蛋白治疗中的11例患者，临床表现迅速改善。在免疫球蛋白治疗组中有5例患者和接受甲基强的松龙冲击治疗的全部5例患者，临床改善不明显。结论血浆交换或吸附的治疗效果最好，免疫球蛋白的治疗作用次之，激素治疗效果不明显。     

Post-polio syndrome patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin: a double-blinded randomized controlled pilot study

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is characterized by new muscle weakness, atrophy, fatigue and pain developing several years after the acute polio. Some studies suggest an ongoing inflammation in the spinal cord in these patients. From this perspective, intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) could be a therapeutic option. We performed a double-blinded randomized controlled pilot study with 20 patients to investigate the possible clinical effects of IvIg in PPS. Twenty patients were randomized to either IvIg 2 g/kg body weight or placebo. Primary endpoints were changes in pain, fatigue and muscle strength 3 months after treatment. Surrogate endpoints were changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine levels. Secondary endpoints were pain, fatigue and isometric muscle strength after 6 months. Patients receiving IvIg reported a significant improvement in pain during the first 3 months, but no change was noted for subjective fatigue and muscle strength. CSF levels of tumour necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ) were increased compared with patients with non-inflammatory neurological disorders. In conclusion, in this small pilot study no effect was seen with IvIg treatment on muscle strength and fatigue, however IvIg treated PPS patients reported significantly less pain 3 months after treatment. TNF- α was increased in the CSF from PPS patients. The results are promising, but not conclusive because of the low number of patients studied.     

Indium-111 labelled pooled human immunoglobulin imaging to monitor the efficacy of specific therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Functional imaging is ideally suited to monitoring the effect of specific therapy on disease processes. In this pilot study five patients with AIDS and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) were imaged with Indium-111 labelled pooled human immunoglobulin (111In-HIG) during infection and after therapy for PCP. The lung activity of t t tln-HIG, measured as a lung/heart ratio, was calculated in a study performed during infection with PCP and after therapy. In all five patients the lung/heart ratio of t t 1ln-HIG was reduced after treatment. The mean reduction in heart/lung ratio was 27% (range 12%-53%). If these results are confirmed by a larger study, ¹¹In-HIG will be useful in monitoring the response of PCP to therapy in patients with AIDS.     

Natural history of atopic dermatitis and its relationship to serum total immunoglobulin E in a population-based birth cohort study

We investigated the natural history of atopic dermatitis (AD) in a population-based birth cohort and assessed whether children at risk of visible eczema at 5 years of age can be identified from total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels measured at 8, 12 and 18 months. AD data collected included a whole body examination for visible eczema at 49 months (4 years) and 61 months (5 years) of age and parent completed questionnaire data throughout their early lives. Children were divided into four groups based on their natural history of early AD: persistent (AD at 1, 6, 18, 30 and 42 months, n  = 34), intermittent early onset (before 18  months of age, n  = 495), intermittent late onset (18–42 months of age, n  = 273) and unaffected ( n  = 429). Visible eczema at 5 years of age was present in 12.2% (117/957) (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.1–14.3%) of the children. Levels of total IgE at 8, 12 and 18 months of age were associated with early onset of AD, but not with AD of later onset. For all four natural history groups, the geometric mean total IgE at 12 months was higher in those who subsequently had visible eczema than those who did not. However, the degree of overlap was such that total IgE at 12 months of age was a poor predictor of eczema at age five. A cutoff point of 78 kU/l had the highest positive predictive value for visible eczema at 5 years of age of 28.6%, with a sensitivity of 12% and specificity of 95%.     

抗CD44单克隆抗体A3D8对人白血病细胞系HL-60细胞增殖及分化的影响

目的 探讨抗CD44单克隆抗体A3D8对HL-60细胞增殖及分化的影响，寻找急性髓系白血病(AML)治疗的新靶点。方法 以AML细胞株HL-60为模型，通过观察细胞生长、形态学、表面分化抗原、细胞周期和细胞因子表达，以及应用硝基四氮唑蓝(NBT)还原实验来研究抗CD44单克隆抗体A3D8对细胞增殖及分化的影响。结果 HL-60细胞高表达CD44；A3D8以浓度和时间依赖性方式抑制HL-60细胞生长。A3D8使HL-60细胞周期阻滞在G0／G1期，CD11b、CD14表面抗原阳性率明显增高，细胞体积增大，核／浆比例减小，核染色质聚集，NBT还原实验阴性，细胞表达粒细胞集落刺激因子mRNA，呈现向单核细胞系方向分化。结论 A3D8可抑制HL-60细胞增殖，并诱导其向单核系细胞分化，CD44有可能成为AML治疗的新途径。