Shared peptide binding of HLA Class I and II alleles associate with cutaneous nevirapine hypersensitivity and identify novel risk alleles.

Genes of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system encode cell-surface proteins involved in regulation of immune responses, and the way drugs interact with the HLA peptide binding groove is important in the immunopathogenesis of T-cell mediated drug hypersensitivity syndromes. Nevirapine (NVP), is an HIV-1 antiretroviral with treatment-limiting hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) associated with multiple class I and II HLA alleles. Here we utilize a novel analytical approach to explore these multi-allelic associations by systematically examining HLA molecules for similarities in peptide binding specificities and binding pocket structure.

Characteristics of the maternal lymphoid response of mice to paternal strain antigens induced by homologous pregnancy.

Mice mated with H-2 incompatible males were shown to have an increased frequency of specific allocluster-forming spleen cells to paternal strain erythrocytes. The time course of the response was similar to that expected following a skin allograft. The graft-versus-host responsiveness of the maternal lymphocytes was generally elevated in the post-partum period in matings with males incompatible at either the H2 locus or non-H2 loci.

Experience with prazosin in the treatment of patients with severe hypertension.

The efficacy and safety of prazosin, a new vasodilator antihypertensive agent, used mainly in combination with other hypotensive medication, was evaluated in 50 hypertensive patients, 28 of whom had left ventricular hypertrophy and 28 of whom had renal impairment. In 44 cases this agent was introduced because of an inadequate response to, or side effects from other agents. In 38 cases (76%) there was a satisfactory response, the diastolic blood pressure being reduced to 100 mm Hg or less.

Degradation of RNA in nuclei from Ehrlich ascites cells.

Nuclei were prepared from Ehrlich ascites cells in 80% yield by homogenization of the cells in an aqueous solution containing Triton N-101 and washing of the nuclear fraction by centrifugation and resuspension. Compared to the enzyme activities present in cell extracts, approximately 47% exo-RNase I, 15% alkaline RNase II, 9% acid RNase II and 7% acid phosphatase were associated with the nuclear fraction after isolation. Exo-RNase I and alkaline RNase II were rapidly lost from nuclei during incubation at 37 degrees C.