Purification and immunological studies of the cross-reaction between the 65-kilodalton gonococcal parietal lectin and an antigen common to a wide range of bacteria.

The 65-kDa gonococcal parietal lectin (GPL) has been purified and found to have a lectinlike activity exhibiting both structural and immunological similarities to the common antigen family. Ultrastructural localization of GPL was done by using anti-GPL monoclonal antibodies: GPL is a major component of the outer membrane and is also present in blebs formed by gonococci.     

A review of potential pharmacogenetic effects on catecholamine responses

Considerably, variability in the clinical response to inotropic agents is observed and could be explained partially by the genetic variants, such as single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in genes encoding for enzymes implicated in catecholamines synthesis, metabolism, storage and release or in the signaling pathway. This review highlights the potential effect of pharmacogenetics studies in hemodynamic response and identified 11 SNPs that could be relevant to explain the high variability drug response for a same dose. Cardiovascular instability, such as hypotension, is one of the premature birth complications. The pharmacogenetics studies evaluating these SNP may be useful to better understand the clinical outcome, particularly in this population.     

Expanding the clinical spectrum of STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1-associated ataxia

Journal of Neurology - STUB1 has been first associated with autosomal recessive (SCAR16, MIM# 615768) and later with dominant forms of ataxia (SCA48, MIM# 618093). Pathogenic variations in STUB1...     

Male Inmate Profiles and Their Biological Correlates

Objective:

Borderline and antisocial personality disorders (PDs) share common clinical features (impulsivity, aggressiveness, substance use disorders [SUDs], and suicidal behaviours) that are greatly overrepresented in prison populations. These disorders have been associated biologically with testosterone and cortisol levels. However, the associations are ambiguous and the subject of controversy, perhaps because these heterogeneous disorders have been addressed as unitary constructs. A consideration of profiles of people, rather than of exclusive diagnoses, might yield clearer relationships.

Methods:

In our study, multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis were employed to identify subgroups among 545 newly convicted inmates. The groups were then compared in terms of clinical features and biological markers, including levels of cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and sulfoconjugated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S).

Results:

Four clusters with differing psychiatric, criminal, and biological profiles emerged. Clinically, one group had intermediate scores for each of the tested clinical features. Another group comprised people with little comorbidity. Two others displayed severe impulsivity, PD, and SUD. Biologically, cortisol levels were lowest in the last 2 groups and highest in the group with less comorbidity. In keeping with previous findings reported in the literature, testosterone was higher in a younger population with severe psychiatric symptoms. However, some apparently comparable behavioural outcomes were found to be related to distinct biological profiles. No differences were observed for estradiol, progesterone, or DHEA-S levels.

Conclusions:

The results not only confirm the importance of biological markers in the study of personality features but also demonstrate the need to consider the role of comorbidities and steroid coregulation.     

Anti-beta 2-microglobulin monoclonal antibodies mediate a delay in HIV1 cytopathic effect on MT4 cells

We attempted to select monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which reacted with T-cell surface molecules and were able to interfere with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) replicative cycle in the MT4 T-leukaemic cell line. In comparison with OKT4A, an anti-CD4 mAb, only one mAb, HC11.151.1, was found to significantly delay HIV-induced cytopathic effect on MT4 cells among the 15 mAb tested which reacted with MT4 cell surface antigens. Biochemical and immunological characterization of HC11.151.1 demonstrated its specificity for beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m), the light chain of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Other beta 2m-specific mAb were tested in order to assess whether this effect represented an intrinsic capacity of HC11.151.1 or whether it was a common feature shared by all anti-beta 2m mAb. Three (B1.1G6, B2.62.2 and BBM1) of the four anti-beta 2m mAb demonstrated the same protective effect, whereas C21.48A, which was devoid of a functional effect, was directed towards a beta 2m epitope involved in binding to the HLA class I heavy chain molecule. The physiological relevance of this observation is discussed.     

Glomérulonéphrites aiguës postinfectieuses

Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis are defined by an acute nonsuppurative inflammatory insult predominantly glomerular. Its current incidence is uncertain because of the frequency of subclinical forms. The most common infectious agent involved is beta hemolytic streptococcus group A. Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis is uncommon in adults, and its incidence is progressively declining in developed countries. Humoral immunity plays a key role in the pathogenesis of kidney damage. Complement activation by the alternative pathway is the dominant mechanism, but a third way (lectin pathway) has been recently identified. The classic clinical presentation is sudden onset of acute nephritic syndrome after a free interval from a streptococcal infection. Treatment is essentially symptomatic and prevention is possible through improved hygiene and early treatment of infections.     

Antigenic mimicry of natural L-peptides with retro-inverso-peptidomimetics.

Three analogues of the model peptide of sequence IRGERA corresponding to the COOH-terminal residues 130-135 of histone H3 were synthesized, and their antigenicity, immunogenicity, and resistance to trypsin were compared to those of the natural L-peptide. The three analogues correspond to the D-enantiomer, containing only D-residues, and two retro-peptides containing NH-CO bonds instead of natural peptide bonds. The chirality of each residue was maintained in the retro-peptide and inverted in the retro-inverso-peptide. Antibodies to the four peptide analogues were produced by injecting BALB/c mice with peptides covalently coupled to small unilamellar liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A. Each of the four peptide analogues induced IgG antibodies of various subclasses. The IgG3 antibodies reacted similarly with the four analogues, whereas antibodies of the IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b isotypes showed strong conformational preferences for certain peptides. The retro-inverso-peptide IRGERA mimicked the structure and antigenic activity of the natural L-peptide but not of the D- and retro-peptides, whereas the retro-peptide IRGERA mimicked the D-peptide but not the L- and retro-inverso-peptides. The equilibrium affinity constants (Ka) of three monoclonal antibodies generated against the L- and D-peptides with respect to the four peptide analogues were measured in a biosensor system. Large differences in Ka values were observed when each monoclonal antibody was tested with respect to the four peptides. The use of retro-inverso-peptides to replace natural L-peptides is likely to find many applications in immunodiagnosis and as potential synthetic vaccines.