Immunolocalization of renal mineralocorticoid receptors with an antiserum against a peptide deduced from the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid sequence.

We have synthesized three peptides corresponding to putative antigenic regions in the immunogenic domain, hinge region, and carboxy-terminus of the protein. A rabbit immunized with a peptide derived from the hinge region of the receptor produced an antiserum which showed 50% displacement with 20 pg peptide at a final serum dilution of 1:35,000. When the antiserum was immunopurified and applied to sections of intact rat and human kidney it stained cells lining segments corresponding to distal tubule, connecting piece, and initial cortical collecting duct, consistent with the known sites of mineralocorticoid action.

Chronic inflammation induced by type I collagen in rats.

In this study we attempt to investigate if collagen type 1 from bovine Achilles tendon is capable of causing an inflammatory response. Thus, we immunized rats with a collagen emulsion injected in the right hind paw, via subplantar, and intradermally on the back. Seven days later, the rats were reimmunized by intradermal injection on the base of the tail with an identical emulsion.

Alterations of motor activity circadian rhythm in rats with adjuvant arthritis.

Adjuvant arthritis in rats produces alterations in the motor activity circadian rhythm. Specifically arthritic animals show a decrease in the total daily motor activity and an advance in the acrophase of the rhythm. Slight changes are also observed in the power content of the circadian harmonic as well as in the amplitude.

ELISA for quantification of specific IgG and IgE antibodies to ovalbumin.

Two indirect microELISA methods have been developed to determine ovalbumin (OA)-specific IgG and total OA-specific antibodies in rat's serum. Animals were immunized with OA suspended in alum s.c.

Effect of chronic inflammation on copper and zinc metabolism.

The effect of chronic inflammation on serum, blood and hepatic copper and zinc concentrations has been studied in arthritic female Sprague-Dawley rats, for a six week period. Metals were determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry and by inductively-coupled argon plasma spectrometry. Blood measurements evidenced hypercupremia and normal zinc levels.

Serum sulfhydryl group levels in experimental chronic inflammation.

Serum sulfhydryl group concentration and protein fraction were determined in adjuvant arthritic rats, during six weeks. Significantly reduced sulfhydryl levels were found in arthritic rats from day 3 and these values remained decreased throughout the study period. Good correlation exists between serum sulfhydryl alterations and degree of inflammation measured as hind paw swelling, as well as between the former and changes in serum protein fractions.

ELISA for total IgE and IgG detection in rat serum. Changes with immunization or adjuvants.

Total IgE and IgG serum levels were measured in rats treated with egg albumin (EA), Bordetella pertussis (Bp) and aluminium hydroxide gel (alum), and in rats administered with Bordetella pertussis or alum alone. Two ELISA micromethods have been developed to measure IgE and IgG changes. Immunoglobulin serum levels were evaluated 14 days after immunization.

Anti-immunoglobulin antibody detection in adjuvant arthritis by an ELISA technique.

Sprague-Dawley rats, injected in the hind paw with heat-killed mycobacteria dispersed in oil, develop a severe polyarthritis. In this paper, we detected and quantified by a micro-ELISA technique autoantibodies against immunoglobulins in rats with adjuvant arthritis. Increased total anti-immunoglobulin antibodies levels were found from 3 days after induction and remained elevated until day 42.

Evidence of autoantibodies in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

The adjuvant arthritis, induced by subdermal injection of heat-killed mycobacteria dispersed in oil, is a form of chronic arthritis in rats. In this paper, the production of autoantibodies against immunoglobulins in rats with adjuvant arthritis was examined by means of the latex agglutination technique. A significant agglutination titre was found in arthritic rats on day 14 of induction and these values decreased throughout the studied period.

Detection of blocking antibodies after hyposensitization.

We have studied two techniques and developed another to detect blocking antibodies in allergic asthmatic children who have been exposed to seven months of hyposensitization to house dust. These techniques were: RAST Neutralization test (RAST-N), RAST Interference test (RAST-I) and RAST Previous Adsorption test (RAST-PA). We have also determined the specific IgE values, by radioallergosorbent test (RAST), before and after the treatment and have not found a significant decrease in these levels.