Inheritance of a large deletion within the human immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gene complex and immunological implications.

A deletion of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) pseudo-gamma, gamma-2, gamma-4, epsilon, and alpha-2 constant region gene segments was found to segregate unchanged in three generations of a family. The IgG1 locus on the IgH allele carrying the deletion was expressed to the same extent as its normal counterpart. One individual who was heterozygous for the deletion had an IgG2 deficiency, whereas the four other heterozygous individuals had serum levels of IgG2 and IgG4 within the normal ranges.

Polyclonal hyper-immunoglobulin G1(A1) syndrome. Evidence for a dominant immunoglobulin production regulator within the human immunoglobulin heavy chain gene complex.

The hyper-IgG1(A1) syndrome entails a polyclonal selective increase of the serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 and to a lesser extent of IgA1; this is not mediated by malignancy, infectious or autoimmune diseases or environmental agents. In three generations of a family, all the affected individuals carried an immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) allele distinguished by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis; the IgH allele was not present in non-affected family members. A 32:1 chance for the linkage of this rare IgH haplotype with the hyper-IgG1(A1) syndrome in the family argues for a dominant regulator located at the human IgH locus having a selective influence on the production of IgG1 and IgA1.

Actin cytoskeletal lesions in differentiated human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells after exposure to soybean agglutinin.

We have investigated the effects of soybean agglutinin on the cytoskeletal element actin in differentiated Caco-2 cells. The actin cytoskeleton of the cells was visualized by fluorescence microscopy using 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole phallacidin as a specific marker for F-actin. Compared with control Caco-2 cells no changes in the fluorescence pattern were observed after incubation with soybean agglutinin.

Lambda-crystallin, a major rabbit lens protein, is related to hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenases.

It has recently been discovered that several lens proteins in birds and lower vertebrates are active enzymes or enzyme-related proteins (Wistow, G., Mulders, J. W.

Endotoxin-induced liver injury in aged and subacutely hypervitaminotic A rats.

The plasma disappearance of endotoxin and endotoxin-induced hepatic injury were studied in two rat models: the aging rat and the subacutely hypervitaminotic A rat. The choice of these models was based on their respective association with a decreased or increased Kupffer cell endocytic activity. The half-life of endotoxin (E.

Transport and processing of endocytosed lysosomal alpha-glucosidase in cultured human skin fibroblasts.

In the present study we have characterised the molecular products that arise from processing of a precursor form of alpha-glucosidase isolated from urine after endocytosis at 37 degrees C by cultured human skin fibroblasts. The urinary precursor (Mr 110 000) was processed to forms with Mr of 100 000, 80 000 and 74 000. These forms were approximately 4000 Da larger than the corresponding forms of endogenously synthesized alpha-glucosidase.

The effects of intravesical and intradermal application of a new B.C.G. on the dog bladder.

Intravesical and intradermal application of B.C.G.

Complete structure of the hamster alpha A crystallin gene. Reflection of an evolutionary history by means of exon shuffling.

The eye lens contains a structural protein, alpha crystallin, composed of two homologous primary gene products alpha A2 and alpha B2. In certain rodents, still another alpha crystallin polypeptide, alpha AIns, occurs, which is identical to alpha A2 except that it contains an insertion peptide between residues 63 and 64. In this paper we describe the complete alpha A crystallin gene that has been cloned from DNA isolated from Syrian golden hamster.

Mesenteric lymph nodes: cells with surface and sytoplasmic immunoglobulins.

The distribution and morphology of cells with surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulins were investigated in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) from rats, using both frozen and (fixed) paraffin sections, with a two-step immunoperoxidase technique. Anti-IgA, -IgE, -IgG and -IgM sera were used. Surface Ig-cells (sIg) of all four isotypes studied were found in MLN, mainly localized in the interfollicular area and within the follicle corona.

Recontamination after gastrointestinal decontamination with non-absorbable antibiotics.

In an attempt to restore the colonization resistance we administered anaerobic microflora to prevent an abnormal colonization of the intestine after antibiotic treatment had been discontinued. After the antibiotics had been discontinued and before the donor flora had been administered and had colonized the intestine, microorganisms present were "unopposed" and expanded to a high density. A mouse model was used to investigate which antibiotics negatively influenced the donor flora and reduced the colonization resistance when administered intraperitoneally.

Homogeneous immunoglobulins in sera of rhesus monkeys after lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation.

The immunoglobulin pattern in the sera of lethally irradiated and bone marrow transplanted Rhesus monkeys was studied during the reconstitution of their immune system. All of the irradiated monkeys which survived longer than 30 days, and in which reconstitution of their immune system took place, also developed homogeneous immunoglobulins (HI) in their sera. These homogeneous, sometimes multiple, immunoglobulins were transient.