Immunoassays at a quartz-liquid interface: theory, instrumentation and preliminary application to the fluorescent immunoassay of human immunoglobulin G

The theoretical basis and instrumental requirements of an optical detection technique for monitoring antibody-antigen reactions at a quartz-liquid interface are described. The antibody is covalently immobilized on the optical surface of a planar, fused-quartz waveguide and reacted with antigen solution. A light beam is internally reflected within the waveguide and penetrates into the solution only a fraction of the wavelength of the incident light. This is the evanescent wave which interacts optically with the growing number of antigen-antibody complexes but minimally with the bulk solution. A two-site immunofluorescent assay for human IgG measurement is described using fluorescein as the label. The assay detection limit is approximately 0.8 micrograms/ml and individual fluorescence measurements are completed within 10 min. It is expected that this evanescent wave immunoassay should have wide applicability in both routine and research fields.     

Cell-specific coupling of the cloned human 5-HT1F receptor to multiple signal transduction pathways

We recently described the cloning of a fifth member of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)₁ (serotonin₁) receptor class that inhibits adenylyl cyclase, namely the human 5-HT_1F receptor (Adham et al. 1993 a). In the present study we have examined in greater detail the functional coupling of the 5-HT_1F receptor in two different cell lines, NIH-3T3 and LM(tk^–) fibroblasts (receptor densities of 1.7 and 4.4 pmol/mg protein, respectively). The maximal inhibitory response elicited by 5-HT was significantly greater in NIH-3T3 as compared to LM(tk^–) cells, whereas the EC₅₀ values were comparable.To investigate the relationship between receptor occupancy and inhibition of cAMP accumulation mediated by 5-HT_1F receptors in NIH-3T3 cells (and hence the degree of receptor reserve), we used the irreversible receptor antagonist N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ). The half-maximal response required only about 10% receptor occupancy, consistent with a receptor reserve of 90% (88±2.1%, n = 4) for 5-HT-induced inhibition of FSCA. Despite the presence of such a high degree of receptor reserve, a range of intrinsic activities was displayed by structurally diverse classes of compounds. For example, sumatriptan and lysergol were as efficacious as 5-HT itself and thus acted as full agonists, whereas metergoline and 1-NP behaved as partial agonists and as shown previously (Adham et al. 1993a), methiothepin was a silent antagonist (K_b = 438 nM).We have also investigated activation of additional signal transduction pathways by the 5-HT_1F receptor and found that the responses differ in the two cell lines with respect to stimulation of phospholipase C. For example, in NIH-3T3 cells no elevation of inositol phosphates (IP) of [Ca²⁺]_i was observed even at very high agonist concentrations (100 M). In contrast, in LM(tk^–) cells concentrations of 5-HT as low as 10 nM induced stimulation of IP and a rapid increase of [Ca²⁺]i. The 5-HT_1F receptor failed to alter arachidonic acid release in either cell line.The maximal increase in IP accumulation in LM(tk^–) cells was modest, averaging about 100% above basal. The increases of IP and [Ca²⁺]_i required 5-HT concentrations less than one order of magnitude greater than those inhibiting FSCA (EC₅₀ = 17, 55 and 8 nM, respectively), and both responses were blocked by 100 M methiothepin. All three responses (cAMP, IP, and [Ca²⁺]_i) were sensitive to pertussis toxin pre-treatment, suggesting the involvement of G_i/G_o protein(s) in these signal transduction pathways. [Ca²⁺]_i was also elevated by sumatriptan, which may provide a mechanism by which this drug causes constriction of the vasculature. In conclusion, these data indicate that the human 5-HT_1F receptor can couple to multiple effectors, and that this coupling is cell-type dependent.Abbreviations FSCA forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation - [Ca²⁺] intracellular free calcium concentration - AA arachidonic acid - EEDQ N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline - CHO chinese hamster ovary cell - LM(tk^–) mouse fibroblast cell - B_max maximal binding site density - K_i apparent dissociation constant obtained from competition binding studies - G protein guanine nucleotide-binding protein - HBS HEPES-buffered saline - IP inositol phosphates - IP₃ inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate - PLC phospholipase C - K_b antagonist dissociation constant - K_d equilibrium dissociation constant - N-1F-6 stable NIH-3T3 cells expressing the cloned 5-HT_1F receptor - L-1F-3 stable LM(tk^–) cells expressing the cloned 5-HT_1F receptor - PTX pertussis toxin - BSA bovine serum albumin - METH methiothepin - SUMA sumatriptan - 5-MeO-DMT 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine - 1-NP 1-(1-napthyl)piperazine - 5-CT 5-carboxyamidotryptamine Correspondence to: N. Adham at the above address     

A novel mis-sense mutation (G1381A) in the G6PD gene identified in a Chinese man

Objective　To detect new mutations among 29 glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals from Yunnan province. Methods　The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) method was used to screen G6PD deficient individuals. Mutation was identified by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), amplification created restriction site (ACRS), amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) and DNA sequencing. Results　Among 29 cases, 18 cases of G1388A, 1 case of C1004A, and 1 case of G1381A were identified. Nine cases remained to be defined. The G1381A mutation is a novel mis-sense mutation, with a substitution of threonine for alanine (A461T). The resultant G6PD had reduced enzymatic activity. In addition, G1381A caused a restriction site of Stu I to disappear, providing a rapid method for the detection of this mutation. Conclusion　A novel mis-sense mutation G1381A was found. This mutation results in a substitution of threonine for alanine, producing enzyme with reduced activity. The loss of the Stu I restriction site offers a rapid method for the detection of this mutation.     

β1整合素基因缺失对Gi蛋白分布的影响

目的 了解跨膜蛋白β1整合素对信号分子G蛋白细胞内构型的影响,为进一步研究β1整合素在信号传导中的作用打下基础。方法 采用荧光双标记及重叠合显微镜分析技术,观察野生型胚胎干细胞系（D3细胞）,β1整合素基因敲除胚胎干细胞（G201细胞）,β1整合素基因敲除后再植入胚胎干细胞（G201N）及小鼠胚胎心肌细胞中多种G蛋白（Gas,Gai1-3,Gao,Gai/o/t/z）细胞内构型特点和差异。结果 Gas,Gao,Gai/o/t/z在上述几种细胞系中均呈弥温性分布,未能发现明显差异,与此不同的是Gai1-3在D3细胞源性心肌细胞内呈网状分布,在非心肌细胞内呈线条状分布,而在G201细胞中Gi上述特异性构型被打乱,呈近似于弥漫样分布,值得注意的是在β1整合素重新恢复的G201N细胞Gi构型又呈网样或线条样分布,与野生型胚胎干细胞中Gi的构型相一致。结论 β1整合素能够影响信号分子Gi蛋白的细胞内定位,推测β1整合素可通过改变Gi的分布而影响Gi介导的信号传导。     

多巴胺D2受体基因启动子A-241G多态性在精神分裂症家系中的连锁不平衡传递

目的:探讨多巴胺D2受体基因(dopamine D2 receptor,DRD2)启动子A-241G多态性与精神分裂症的关系.方法:采集101个家系,每家有2名或2名以上符合ICD-10精神分裂症诊断标准患病同胞且父母存活.对DRD2启动子的A-241G多态性进行检测.结果:(1)DRD2启动子的A-241G等位基因频度和基因型频度在父母组、非患病同胞组和患病同胞组之间差异无显著性,在3组不同性别之间以及在精神分裂症不同亚型之间基因型频度和等位基因频度的分布差异亦无显著性;(2) 传递不平衡检验发现在患病同胞(χ2 =0.94,P>0.05,OR=0.83,95%可信区间0.57～1.21)中未表现传递不平衡性,而在非患病同胞(χ2 =6.76,P<0.01,OR=3.17,95%可信区间0.41～24.71)中存在传递不平衡性,其中-241A等位基因在非患病同胞中传递较多;(3) 基因型与妄想总分、幻觉总分、思维形式障碍、情感障碍、精神性失语及症状持续时间等临床特征相关.结论:DRD2启动子的A-241G多态性对精神分裂症的发病和临床表现具有一定影响.     

L-Arg-NO通路对大鼠延髓腹面加压区心血管活动的影响及与L-Glu通路的关系

目的：研究一氧化氮（ＮＯ）前体Ｌ－精氨酸（Ｌ－Ａｒｇ）单侧微量注入大鼠延髓腹面加压区（ＶＳＭｐ）对动脉血压（ＡＰ）、心率（ＨＲ）、肾灌流压（ＰＰｋ）的影响及与Ｌ－谷氨酸（Ｌ－Ｇｌｕ）升压作用的关系。方法 采用延髓腹外侧部微量注射法,以整体灌流肾为模型观察与ＮＯ有关药物对心血管活动的影响。结果 （１）ＶＳＭｐ内微量注入Ｌ－Ａｒｇ（４０～１００ｎｍｏｌ）,ＡＰ和ＨＲ呈剂量依赖性下降,与生理盐水注入后的变化相比较,差异均有显著性。如预先注入ＮＯ合酶抑制剂Ｌ－硝基－精氨酸甲酯（Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ）或鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂甲基蓝,Ｌ－Ａｒｇ的降压效应被衰减。（２）ＶＳＭｐ内微量注入Ｌ－Ａｒｇ（１００ｎｍｏｌ）,ＰＰｋ与ＡＰ同步下降,与基础值比较,差异有显著性。（３）ＶＳＭｐ内微量注入Ｌ－Ｇｌｕ（３５０ｎｍｏｌ）,ＡＰ上升。如预先注     

L-硝基精氨酸甲酯对实验性葡萄膜炎的影响

目的：观察一氧化氮（ＮＯ）含量含量在葡萄炎房东水及玻璃体中的变化及Ｌ－硝基精氨酸甲酯（Ｎ＾Ｇ－ｎｉｔｒｏ－Ｌ－ａｒｇｉｎｉｎｅ ｍｅｔｈｙｌ ｅａｒｔｅｒ,Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ）的治疗效果。方法;采用兔眼玻璃２本内注射内毒素脂多糖（ＬＰＳ）制备葡萄膜炎模型,以检测房水蛋白浓度,结果：葡萄为房水及玻璃体及玻璃体中显著增高,即刻使用Ｌ ＮＡＭＥ;显著降低了ＮＯ水平,同时其蛋白浓度、细胞数目及组织炎症程度明显降     

癫痫大鼠脑组织内免疫反应特点研究

目的研究脑“免疫特免性”与癫痫发病的关系。方法用免疫细胞化学法观察IgG免疫反应阳性(IgG-IR)细胞在两种不同处理程序的正常成年、癫痫及尼莫地平作用下癫痫大鼠脑组织内分布情况。结果灌注大鼠,除癫痫组个别脑片散在弱IgG-IR细胞外,其余均阴性;未灌注大鼠,各组脑片均散布IgG-IR细胞;癫痫大鼠脑组织IgG-IR细胞分布较正常组增多(p<0.01);尼莫地平作用下癫痫大鼠脑组织内IgG-IR细胞分布与正常组比较无显著差异。结论脑“免疫特免性”在癫痫发病中具有一定意义。     

成人散发性病毒性肝炎病原学分型与HGV重叠感染

目的 了解成人急性散发性病毒性肝炎的病原学分型及庚型肝炎病毒感染状况。方法 利用ＥＬＩＳＡ和逆转录聚合酶链反应对病人血清进行检测。结果 成人急性肝炎中以乙型肝炎所占比例最大,占３７．１６％;其次甲型肝炎占１８．９２％,另有１８．２４％为非甲～庚型肝炎。结论 庚型肝炎病毒存在明显的重叠感染,与乙型和丙型肝炎病毒重叠感染率较高。