The effect of SRI 63-675, a competitive platelet-activating factor receptor-antagonist, in the generalized Shwartzman reaction.

Evidence indicates a role for platelet-activating factor (PAF) in endotoxin (LPS)-induced shock. To determine its involvement in LPS-induced intravascular coagulation, we assessed the efficacy of SRI 63-675, a specific PAF receptor antagonist, to prevent fibrin deposition in the various organs of New Zealand White rabbits 4 h after two intravenous doses of LPS (100 micrograms/kg), spaced 24 h apart. SRI 63-675 significantly lowered peak tumor necrosis factor levels after LPS challenge.

The cytomegalovirus-antigenemia assay in the diagnosis of posttransplant cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, yet prompt diagnosis remains a problem. A new assay has been developed that detects CMV antigens in peripheral blood leukocytes (CMV-AG). A retrospective analysis of the experience with this assay was performed, and its usefulness in the diagnosis of CMV infection in renal transplant recipients with unexplained fever was compared with that of conventional modalities (buffy coat culture, detection of circulating anti-CMV immunoglobulin M).

Von Willebrand factor in the rat kidney: its localization and the effects of its in vivo interaction with specific antibodies.

Antiendothelial cell antibodies and increased von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels are observed in many renal diseases. We studied renal morphology after administration of rabbit anti-human factor VIII-von Willebrand factor (FVIII-vWFc) gamma-globulin (IgG) in rats. Isolated perfusion of normal rat kidney with the antibodies disclosed rabbit IgG along glomerular endothelium and in mesangial areas.

The effect of pregnancy on the response to the TxA2/PGH2 analogue U-46619 in rabbits.

We compared the hemodynamic actions of U-46619, a stable thromboxane A2 (TxA2) prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) analogue, in nonpregnant (NP) rabbits with those observed in late pregnant (P) rabbits. An intravenous injection of U-46619 (10 micrograms) to each of eight NP chronically instrumented rabbits (mean body weight 3.4 kg) induced an immediate (1 min) and reversible fall of cardiac output (CO, 66%) and mean arterial pressure (MAP, 41%, both P < 0.

Antibody-mediated redistribution and shedding of endothelial antigens in the rabbit.

We report the results of studies performed in vitro and in vivo that were designed to explore individual, sequential, and concurrent Ag-antibody interactions at the surface of rabbit endothelial cells. Divalent heterologous antibodies to rabbit lung angiotensin-converting enzyme and to rabbit lung thrombomodulin were employed. In cultured monolayers, both antibodies redistributed the specific Ag and co-redistributed the immunologically unrelated Ag inducing partial or complete disappearance of the Ag from the cell surface (antigenic modulation) in 15 to 60 min.