Doubls-helical polynucleotides: immunochemical recognition of differing conformations

Rabbit antibodies to double-helical RNA react by complement fixation with synthetic or natural double-strand RNA but not with native DNA. In turn, human (from systemic lupus erythematosus patients) antibodies to native DNA do not react with double-strand RNA. Both types of antibodies show cross-reactions (from 1 percent to 50 percent) with RNA-DNA hybrids, but antibodies to the hybrids do not react at all with double-strand RNA or with native DNA. Antibodies to polydeoxyguanylate.polydeoxycytidylate also failed to react with native DNA.     

Autoantibodies to nucleosomal proteins: antibodies to HMG-17 in autoimmune diseases

The relative amounts of autoantibodies against defined nucleosomal proteins present in serums from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) have been examined by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Autoantibodies to nucleosomal proteins were detected in 45 percent of the patients with SLE, 18 percent of the MCTD patients, and none of the RA patients. The results suggest that, in SLE, antibodies are formed against a subset of nucleosomes which contain protein HMG-17.     

Host immunoglobulin G and complement deposits in the choroid plexus during spontaneous immune complex disease

Hybrid (NZB x W)F(1) mice spontaneously develop antibodies to nuclear antigens (ANA) and DNA (ADNA) and are an animal model of human systemic lupus erythematosus. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopic observations of the choroid plexus and renal glomeruli of (NZB x W)F(1) mice reveal deposits of host immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the third complement component which appear shortly after the development of ANA and ADNA in the circulation. Additionally, enhancement of ADNA responses accelerates the appearance and severity of IgG deposits in the choroid plexus. The choroid plexus may be a favored site for the deposition of immune complexes and the neuropsychiatric findings in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and some patients with acute or chronic infections may be related in part to immune complex disease of the choroid plexus.     

Lupus nephritis: varying complement-fixing properties of immunoglobulin G antibodies to antigens of cell nuclei

Relative complement-fixing activity of antibodies to nuclear antigens, including DNA, were determined in serums of 15 patients with, and 65 patients without, active lupus nephritis, by comparing titers obtained in two methods. High complement-fixing activity of antibody was found in the nephritis group and low activity in the others. Results with immunoglobulin G fractions were similar.     

Myxovirus antibody increases in human connective tissue disease

Antibodies to measles and parainfluenza type 1 viruses were significantly increased in systemic lupus erythematosus and Reiter's syndrome. Of the individuals with highest titers of measles antibody, 75 percent had neurologic illness. Persistent virus infection may be a factor in the pathogenesis of these diseases.     

Differential reactivity of human serums with early antigens induced by Epstein-Barr virus

Inoculation of 64-10 or Raji cultures with Epstein-Barr virus derived from the HRI-K clone of the P3J Burkitt's lymphoma line caused abortive infections in most of the lymphoblastoid cells with synthesis of "early antigens" but few, if any, capsids. Antibodies to early antigens were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in serums of many patients with infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt's lymphoma, or nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These antibodies were rarely present in other serums even though some of them showed high titers of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus when assayed on EB3 Burkitt tumor cells; they also prevented synthesis of early antigens, provided the serums were mixed with the virus prior to inoculation. Antibodies to early antigens possibly reflect current or recent disease processes that are associated with the virus.     

Antibodies to herpesvirus nonvirion antigens in squamous carcinomas

Serums from tumor-bearing patients, cured patients, and normal subjects were examined for antibodies to the separated complement-fixing reactive components of nonvirion antigens of herpesvirus type 1 and type 2. The occurrence of antibodies to the antigens was similar in serums from tumor-bearing patients and cured patients. Antibodies to the antigens were observed among 21 of 24 (87 percent) cervical cancer cases, 44 of 49 (90 percent) laryngeal cancer cases, 15 of 24 (62 percent) cases of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck excluding the larynx, 2 of 24 (8 percent) nonsquamous cell cancer cases, and 3 of 51 (6 percent) normal subjects. By contrast, no differences were found in the titers of neutralizing antibodies to the virus in serums from laryngeal cancer patients and controls. The observations support an etiologic role of herpesviruses in cervical cancer and in laryngeal cancer, and possibly other squamous cell cancers of the head and neck.     

Human lymphocytes making rheumatoid factor and antibody to ssDNA belong to Leu-1+ B-cell subset

B lymphocytes bearing the Leu-1 cell-surface antigen (Leu-1+), the human equivalent of mouse Ly-1+ B lymphocytes, have been detected in human peripheral blood, but there is little information on their frequency and properties. Analysis by fluorescence-activated cell sorter and double immunofluorescence showed that Leu-1+ B cells are consistently present in the peripheral blood and spleens of healthy subjects and constitute 17.0 +/- 5.0% (mean value +/- standard deviation) and 17.3 +/- 3.9%, respectively, of total B cells. When purified Leu-1+ and Leu-1- B lymphocytes were transformed into immunoglobulin-secreting cells by infection with Epstein-Barr virus and the culture fluids were tested for reactivity with self-antigens, at least two important autoantibodies, antibody to the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin G (rheumatoid factor) and antibody to single-stranded DNA, were found to be made exclusively by Leu-1+ B cells. It is concluded that the Leu-1+ lymphocytes represent a major subset of the normal human B cell repertoire and include the B cells capable of making autoantibodies similar to those found in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.     

A serological test for leprosy with a glycolipid specific for Mycobacterium leprae

A phenolic glycolipid from Mycobacterium leprae was purified and used as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies directed against the lipid were seen in serums from leprosy patients but not in serums from uninfected controls or patients infected with other mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The antibody response distinguished between the Mycobacterium leprae lipid and the structurally related phenolic glycolipid from Mycobacterium kansasii. This assay has considerable potential as a specific serodiagnostic test for leprosy infection.     

PEG沉淀法联合单向扩散法对SLE循环免疫复合物的检测

用ＰＥＧ沉淀法联合单向扩散法，对３４例系统性红斑狼疮（ＳＬＥ）患者及６０例正常人可溶性循环免疫复合物（ＣＩＣ）中ＩｇＧ型、ＩｇＭ型及Ｃ３成份作了检测。结果表明，检测这三种ＣＩＣ对ＳＬＥ病机的分析、病情估计和疗效判断都具有重要意义。该法具有简便、灵敏、可靠和可定量的特点。     

Antibody to nuclear material eluted from isolated spleen vessels in systemic lupus erythematosus

Splenic blood vessels were isolated from surrounding cells by treatment with trypsin and the use of ultrasound. This procedure retained vascular-bound immunoglobulins which were recovered by acid elution of vessels isolated from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. These eluted immunoglobulins reacted with material from cell nuclei as demonstrated by immunofluorescence.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus: presence in human serum of an unusual acid-labile leukocyte interferon

A previously undescribed species of human leukocyte, or alpha, interferon is present in the serum of many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It was shown to be alpha-interferon by neutralization with specific antiserums, affinity column chromatography, and antiviral activity on bovine cells. However, 23 of 30 interferon samples tested were inactivated by incubation at pH 2, a characteristic of human "immune," or gamma, interferon. Multiple samples of interferon from the same patient had similar biological properties, but samples from different patients were not all identical, suggesting that several variants of this species of human alpha-interferon may exist.     

猪胸膜肺炎嗜血杆菌血清学调查—2—ME试管凝集试验

应用2巯基乙醇(2—ME)试管凝集反应对1987年由黑龙江省哈尔滨市、齐齐哈尔市、佳木斯市肉联厂及牡丹江地区密山县收集的317头份猪血清进行了猪胸膜肺炎嗜血杆菌(以下简称H.P)抗体检测,阳性反应为38头份(占11.98％),其中H.P1型阳性反应为17头份,H.P4型阳性反应为21头份。抗体滴度最高达1:80。可见,我国猪群中已感染猪胸膜肺炎嗜血杆菌。     

IL-36a和IL-36R在系统性红斑狼疮皮损中的表达及意义

目的观察系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者皮损中IL-36β、IL-36R表达。方法应用免疫组化技术检测13例SLE患者皮损和8例对照者皮肤中IL-36、IL-36R分布及表达水平。结果 SLE患者皮损中表皮角质形成细胞、真皮浅层浸润的淋巴细胞核表达IL-36、IL-36R水平较对照组高（P〈0.01）。结论 SLE患者皮损中存在IL-36和IL-36R高表达,可能参与SLE发病。     

Human osteosarcomas: immunologic evidence suggesting an associated infectious agent

Immunofluorescent studies have revealed a high incidence of antibodies to osteosarcomas in the serums of patients with this disease and their close associates which react with a common antigen (or antigens) in osteosarcomas. The distribution of these antibodies suggests the association of an infectious agent with this neoplasm which is capable of producing unrecognized infections in healthy contacts of these patients.     

Two novel classes of small ribonucleoproteins detected by antibodies associated with lupus erythematosus

The RNP and Sm antigens recognized by lupus erythematosus antibodies are located on discrete particles containing single small nuclear RNA's complexed with proteins. The antigens Ro and La are also on ribonucleoproteins. The small RNA's in ribonucleoproteins with Ro are discrete, like those associated with RNP and Sm; in contrast, ribonucleoproteins with La contain a striking highly banded spectrum of small RNA's from uninfected cells as well as virus-associated RNA from adenovirus-infected cells.     

Autoreactive B cell responses to RNA-related antigens due to TLR7 gene duplication

Antibodies against nuclear self-antigens are characteristic of systemic autoimmunity, although mechanisms promoting their generation and selection are unclear. Here, we report that B cells containing the Y-linked autoimmune accelerator (Yaa) locus are intrinsically biased toward nucleolar antigens because of increased expression of TLR7, a single-stranded RNA-binding innate immune receptor. The TLR7 gene is duplicated in Yaa mice because of a 4-Megabase expansion of the pseudoautosomal region. These results reveal high divergence in mouse Y chromosomes and represent a good example of gene copy number qualitatively altering a polygenic disease manifestation.     

Natural human antibodies to gram-negative bacteria: immunoglobulins G, A, and M

Significant amounts of immunoglobulins G and M, and a small amount of natural antibodies reactive with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli, have been detected in human adult serums by imnmunofluorescent techniques. Umbilical cord serums also contained substantial immunoglobulin-G antibody but little or no M or A. These findings challenge the concept that natural antibodies reactive with Gram-negative bacteria are primarily of the immunoglobulin-M class.     

Altered K+ channel expression in abnormal T lymphocytes from mice with the lpr gene mutation

The observation that voltage-dependent K+ channels are required for activation of human T lymphocytes suggests that pathological conditions involving abnormal mitogen responses might be reflected in ion channel abnormalities. Gigaohm seal techniques were used to study T cells from MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr mice; these mice develop generalized lymphoproliferation of functionally and phenotypically abnormal T cells and a disease resembling human systemic lupus erythematosus. The number and predominant type of K+ channels in T cells from these mice differ dramatically from those in T cells from control strains and a congenic strain lacking the lpr gene locus. Thus an abnormal pattern of ion channel expression has now been associated with a genetic defect in cells of the immune system.     

Legionnaires' disease: concentrations of selenium and other elements

Selenium concentrations in the serums of 17 acutely ill Legionnaires' disease patients were significantly lower than in their matching convalescent-phase serums. This trend was not observed in ten similarly paired samples of serum from control patients with pneumonia. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of nickel, copper, bromine, rubidium, lead, barium, or titanium in the serums of Legionnaires' disease and control patients.