Expression of donor class I major histocompatibility antigens on the vascular endothelium of mouse skin allografts.

The expression of a class I MHC antigen on the vascular endothelium of mouse skin allografts was assessed by in vivo uptake of radiolabeled monoclonal anti-class-I antibody in the grafts after i.v. injection into the recipients.

Influence of cadaver donor age on renal graft survival.

It has been suggested that kidneys from young and old donors do less well after transplantation. We have studied this problem in a retrospective analysis of all cadaveric transplants performed in our center during the last 10 years. All patients were followed for at least six months.

Comparative analysis of two volumetrical ultrafiltration monitors for hemodialysis.

Controlled ultrafiltration (UF) during hemodialysis may prevent dialysis associated hypotension. A prerequisite for controlled ultrafiltration is an accurate measurement of ultrafiltration. Volumetric measurement is the best currently available method for this purpose.

Renal transplantation in light chain nephropathy: case report and review of the literature.

A successful cadaveric transplantation in a patient with irreversible renal insufficiency due to light chain nephropathy is reported. Remission of the monoclonal gammopathy was induced with melphalan and prednisone and after 4.5 years of hemodialysis a cadaveric kidney transplantation was performed, which resulted in excellent renal function up to 3.

Prednisone-induced fluctuations of proteinuria in patients with a nephrotic syndrome.

We studied the effect of prednisone on urinary protein excretion in 19 patients with a nephrotic syndrome, who were treated with prednisone (125-150 mg) on alternate days. We found a typical, fluctuating pattern of proteinuria resulting from an increased protein excretion rate on prednisone days and a decreased protein excretion rate on nonprednisone days. The urinary protein excretion on prednisone days was 9.

The organ distribution of gp-330 (Heymann antigen) and gp-90 in the mouse and the rat.

The Heymann antigen (gp-330) and an antigen with lower molecular weight (gp-90) are major constituents of the brush border of the renal proximal tubules in the rat and the mouse. The Heymann antigen can also be found at discrete sites in the glomerular visceral epithelium of the rat, but not of the mouse. Gp-90 is present diffusely along the glomerular capillary wall of rat and mouse.

Circulating immune complexes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Circulating immune complexes (CIC), as detected by the Clq binding assay (ClqBA) in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were not demonstrable on analysis by ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradients. This discrepancy could be explained by the finding that polyethylene glycol 6000(PEG), used in the ClqBA to separate free radiolabelled Clq from complex bound Clq, increased the avidity of rheumatoid factor (RF), resulting in the formation of Clq binding RF IgM IgG complexes. Addition of purified RF IgM to normal human serum generated a positive ClqBA in a dose dependent way.

Comparison of antigenic targets involved in antibody-mediated membranous glomerulonephritis in the mouse and rat.

Membranous glomerulonephritis in the mouse can be induced by a single injection of an antiserum against homologous, pronase-digested, renal tubular antigens (TAPron). In indirect immunofluorescence studies on normal mouse and rat kidneys it has now been found that the antiserum reacts strongly with the visceral epithelia of the mouse in a homogeneous pattern, while a faint granular staining is seen in the rat glomerulus against a homogeneous background. After injection in rats, a classic passive Heymann nephritis could be induced.

Improved patient and graft survival after treatment of acute rejections of cadaveric renal allografts with rabbit antithymocyte globulin.

In a prospective randomized trial, we compared the effectiveness of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) in the treatment of acute renal allograft rejection with the results of treatment by high oral doses of prednisone. Fifty recipients of cadaveric kidneys were included in each group. In the RATG group, the prednisone dose was not increased and a dose-by-rosette protocol was used to keep T cell levels between 50 and 150/mm.

Prevention of acute tubular necrosis in cadaveric kidney transplantation by the combined use of mannitol and moderate hydration.

Recent studies have indicated that maximal hydration of the transplant recipient can substantially reduce the incidence of acute tubular necrosis (ATN). However, this policy requires invasive hemodynamic monitoring, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and bears the risk of overhydration. In a prospective trial we studied the incidence of ATN in recipients of cadaveric kidneys after restricted fluid infusion (Group 1, N = 21), after restricted fluid infusion along with 250 ml of mannitol 20% (Group 2, N = 19), and after a moderate hydration policy together with 250 ml mannitol 20% (Group 3; N = 21).

Haemodynamic effects of intravenous felodipine in normotensive and hypertensive subjects.

The effects of intravenous administration of a new calcium antagonist, felodipine, were studied in healthy subjects and hypertensive patients. Felodipine infused at a rate of 0.01 mg/min in 10 normotensive volunteers caused gradual haemodynamic and hormonal changes compatible with a direct vasodilatory mechanism of action; it also had a diuretic and natriuretic effect.

Anti-GBM nephritis in the mouse: severe proteinuria in the heterologous phase.

Highly reproducible anti glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis has been induced in the mouse after a single injection of rabbit or goat antibody against purified homologous GBM. The severity of albuminuria was closely related to the amount of antibody given. With doses of 4 mg or more, low serum albumin concentrations, sometimes accompanied by ascites and oedema, were observed after 1 week.