Expression of complement regulatory protein on porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) depends on molecular size.

Expression of complement regulatory proteins (CRP) on pig cells is an effective means to avoid hyperacute rejection. However, pig endogenous retrovirus (PERV) from pig cells transfected with CRP may acquire resistance to human serum (HS). The present study investigated the size limitations of the transfected CRP that can be easily expressed and function on PERV particles.

Analysis of the serine protease function of porcine factor I produced by liver cells for xenotransplantation.

The use of a bioartificial liver with pig liver cells in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure has already begun as a clinical trial in several countries. Therefore, studies on plasma complement regulatory proteins of the pig are necessary, because the liver produces them. Complement factor I is a serine protease that cleaves C3b and C4b.

Studies of monkey complement: measurement of cynomolgus monkey CH50, ACH50, C4, C2 and C3.

Background: The cynomolgus monkey is commonly used as the recipient in transplantation experiments. However, study of the complement system of cynomolgus monkeys is lacking. In the present study, the complement system of cynomolgus monkeys was compared with that of humans, by checking hemolytic titers.

Effect of tandem forms of DAF(CD55) on complement-mediated xenogeneic cell lysis.

Background: It is difficult to produce a transgenic animal with high expression of decay-accelerating factor (CD55: DAF) or other molecules. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of tandem forms of DAF on a xenogeneic cell membrane against human complement.

Methods: cDNAs of the delta-Short Consensus Repeat (SCR) 1-DAF, the double-DAF, the triple-DAF, and the tetra-DAF with a FLAG-tag were established.

Features of a newly cloned pig C1 esterase inhibitor.

The pig cDNA encoding C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) was isolated and the homology of the sequence was compared with that from other animals. The structure of pig C1-INH contains a two disulfide bridge pattern identical to the human C1-INH. In the amino acid sequence of the first Cys-91 to the C-terminal end, the pigC1-INH has a 76.

Premature sister chromatid separation in HIV-1-infected peripheral blood lymphocytes.

To investigate the mechanism of aneuploidy that is frequently observed in AIDS, we examined premature sister chromatid separation (PCS), a sign of genomic instability, in peripheral blood cells of HIV-1-infected individuals. PCS was found in all six HIV-1 individuals at a high incidence. When peripheral blood cells from healthy volunteers were infected with HIV-1 in vitro, the incidence of PCS increased.

Mycobacterium peregrinum infection in a patient with AIDS.

The patient, a 30-year-old housewife, visited a nearby doctor in mid August 2002 because of weight loss and neck swelling. HIV tests done at the hospital were positive. She was referred to and admitted to our hospital on October 2 for detailed examination and treatment of the neck tumor.