An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of antibodies to different parts of the gram-negative lipopolysaccharide core region

Bovine serum albumin was complexed with the core antigens of either Escherichia coli J5 LPS, Salmonella minnesota R595 LPS or E. coli lipid A. These core-BSA complexes were used for solid-phase coating in ELISAs for anti-core antibodies. Antibodies, binding to various parts of the core region were easily quantified in a single experimental set-up, which was hitherto not possible. The ELISA has only 3 incubation steps and is not costly as only moderate amounts of the core antigens (i.e., 1 microgram per test) were needed for coating. The sensitivity proved to be excellent and the complexes were biologically fully active (compared to native, smooth LPS), which make them suitable for the screening (after fusion) of monoclonal anti-core antibodies. Another possible application is the large-scale screening of blood-bank sera in order to find samples with a high anti-core antibody content.     

Induction of specific anti-actin antibodies and their measurement by ELISA technique.

Using the ELISA technique we have been able to quantify antibodies directed against actin and to follow the kinetics of antibody production. Specific anti-actin antisera have been raised in rabbits by immunization with chemically modified white muscle rabbit actin. Two or three dinitrophenyl groups linked per actin molecule were sufficient to break natural tolerance, while linkage of three phosphorylcholine groups to actin was not.     

Distribution of TT virus genomic groups 1-5 in Brazilian blood donors, HBV carriers, and HIV-1-infected patients

Human isolates of the highly prevalent TT virus (TTV) have been classified into five major genomic groups (1-5). The geographical distribution of the groups throughout the world is not well known. Five different PCR assays were developed in an attempt to amplify specifically TTV DNAs of each genomic group. Serum samples collected from 72 Brazilian adults (24 voluntary blood donors, 24 hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, and 24 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients) were tested. TTV DNA from at least one genomic group was detected in 11 (46%) blood donors, 13 (54%) HBV carriers, and 24 (100%) HIV-1 patients. All five genomic groups were detected in the three populations, with the exception of group 2 in blood donors. Some samples, negative with all five specific assays, were positive with the commonly used untranslated region (UTR) PCR system. On the other hand, TTV DNA was detected in some samples by using specific assays but not with the UTR PCR. Mixed infections with 2-5 TTV isolates from different groups were detected in 21% blood donors, 29% HBV carriers, and 71% HIV-1 patients. Fifteen PCR products (three obtained with each assay) were sequenced. Most sequences showed high (>86%) homology with those of TTV isolates belonging to their presumed groups. However, three sequences had low homology with all TTV sequences available from the DNA databanks. In conclusion, TTV isolates belonging to all five known genomic groups circulate in Brazil, and the results suggest the existence of new and as yet uncharacterised major genomic groups.     

Adhesion to fibronectin via alpha4 integrin (CD49d) protects B cells from apoptosis induced by serum deprivation but not via IgM or Fas/Apo-1 receptors

Apoptosis is a regulated event crucial to the development and proliferation of normal and malignant B cells. We have studied the role of signals delivered via alpha4 integrin on apoptosis triggered by three different pathways on these cells. For apoptosis induced by serum deprivation, culturing B cells on the recombinant fibronectin fragment H89, a known ligand for alpha4beta1 integrin, resulted in statistically significant (P < 0.005) higher viability values (68%, 65% and 67%) for Ramos, Nalm-6 and EHEB cells, respectively, than culturing cells on poly lysine (42%, 42% and 48%). An antialpha4 MoAb reverted the protecting effect, thus confirming that it was due specifically to alpha4 engagement. Similarly, cells cultured on FN-III4-5, a recently identified fibronectin region which binds activated alpha4 integrin, also showed statistically significant higher viability than poly lysine cultures. Alpha4 engagement however, did not prevent apoptosis induced on Ramos cells via surface IgM. Adhesion of IM-9 cells, a myeloma cell line carrying functional Fas receptors, to the H89 fragment neither increased cell viability upon triggering apoptosis via Fas when compared to poly lysine. These results indicate that alpha4 signalling may overcome B cell apoptosis induced by the lack of growth factors but does not seem to affect the IgM or Fas apoptotic pathways, thus suggesting different intracellular mechanisms for these processes.     

IgA polyspecific autoantibodies in IgA nephropathy.

The specificity of circulating and kidney-bound IgA during IgA nephropathy is still a matter of discussion. In the present study, high levels of IgA antibodies directed against a panel of self and non-self antigens were found in the serum from patients with IgA nephropathy and were eluted from four out of the seven kidney biopsies studied. After immunoadsorption of pooled selected serum samples on TNP and actin-coated columns, polyspecific IgA antibodies were eluted. This supports the hypothesis that IgA-bearing B cells clones most probably producing polyspecific antibodies are a major feature of human IgA nephropathy. These findings also suggest that it may be hazardous to draw conclusions from the finding of apparently monospecific IgA antibodies in this condition.     

How the ability of bacteria to inactivate natural antiinfectious resistance factors affects their resistance to the bactericidal action of the blood (Serum)

A relationship is found between the resistance ofEscherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, andStaphylococcus epidermidis to human serum and whole blood and their ability to inactivate the factors of natural antiinfectious resistance (lysozyme, complement, immunoglobulins, and a bactericidal fraction of leukocytic interferon). Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 2, pp. 174–176, February, 1996     

Renewal of the membrane complex of Schistosoma mansoni is closely associated with lipid metabolism

Metabolic pathways leading to lipid biosynthesis in four different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni were explored and quantified by incubation in the presence of labeled precursors in a chemically defined medium. At the schistosomulum stage and in male, female, or paired worms, glycerol and oleate incorporation into neutral lipids, mainly in the form of triacylglycerols, was greater than into phospholipids, whereas in 11-and 15-day-old worms, synthesis mainly led to phospholipids. Incorporation into phospholipids was recovered largely in phosphatidylcholine, and distribution into other phospholipids depended on the developmental stage. Incorporation of choline and ethanolamine into their respective phospholipids represented up to 15% of the parasitic phospholipid content. The formation of phosphatidylcholine by phosphatidylethanolamine methylation occurred mainly in the immature parasitic stages. Inositol incorporation was also measurable, whereas [14C]serine incorporation was low or undetectable. Addition of 1-palmitoyl-2-[14C]oleyl phosphatidylcholine revealed a very high uptake of this phospholipid by the immature stages but further metabolism was not detectable. In contrast, adult S. mansoni were completely unable to take up or absorb this exogenous phospholipid. The most striking aspect of this study was the relatively high metabolic activity in 11-day-old worms and the lower but sustained activity on day 15 and at the schistosomulum stage. By comparison, biosynthetic activity in adult S. mansoni, on which research studies have been focused until now, was very low. We also discuss the participation of lipid metabolism in the constant renewal of the membrane complex which is essential to parasitism by S. mansoni.     

Frozen-section services by telepathology: Experience of 100 cases in the San-in District, Japan

The early experience is reported here of the use of Intra-operative frozen-section service by telepathology using the Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN), a commercially available system that is being connected between the Department of Pathology of Tottori University and Matsue City Hospital, a distance of 30 km. The transfer rate is currently 64kbit/s. The frozen-section service was conducted for a total of 117 tissue specimens (organs) from 100 patients between August 1993 and May 1995. The average time taken for examination of each specimen of frozen section was 13min, ranging between 2 and 42min. The average number of transmitted Images was 6.2. Six cases necessitated more than 11 transmitted Images to make a diagnosis, while 13 cases could be diagnosed from two images only. Correct and permissible diagnoses were obtained in 109 (93.2%) out of 117 specimens when comparing the telepathology diagnosis with that of direct microscopy. Improper or misdiag-nosis was made for eight cases (specimens), which were misinterpreted as papillary carcinoma in Basedow's disease, adenoma and hyperplasia in two pheochromocytomas, solid-tubular carcinoma in phyilodes tumor, mastopathy in invasive carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma in astrocytoma, follicular lymphoma in reactive hyperplasia, and lymphadenitis in follicular lymphoma. in retrospect, diagnosis of these cases should have been deferred. From the results, it was concluded that the Intraoperatlve frozen-section service by telepathology may be a worthwhile substitute for hospitals with limited accessibility to local pathology service, in spite of pitfalls in some cases. Well prepared, high-quality frozen sections, sufficient verbal communication with surgeons, and a rather conservative attitude on the part of a well-trained pathologist seem to be the essential Ingredients for reaching an accurate decision when using telepathology.     

免疫透射比浊法测定血清免疫球蛋白

本文报道免疫透射比浊法测定血清免疫球蛋白,批内CV小于2.0％,批间CV小于3.5％,表明该法简便,快速,精密度和准确度高,重复性好。     

The thymus as primary site for antigen-specific T suppressor cells in neonatally induced tolerance to bovine serum albumin

The ontogeny of antigen-specific T suppressor cells in thymus and spleen was analyzed in CBA/Ca mice which were rendered tolerant as neonates by subimmunogenic doses of bovine serum albumin (low-zone tolerance). Activity of T suppressor cells from those mice was assessed by an assay in which spleen cells from animals primed with fluorescein-conjugated human gamma globulin can be stimulated in vitro to produce IgG anti-fluorescein antibodies when cultured in the presence of fluorescein-conjugated bovine serum albumin. Carrier-specific T suppressor cells appear first in the thymus (day 10), and much later (day 30) in the spleen. The data are discussed in connection with the possible role of T suppressor cells during induction of tolerance in newborn mice.