[Cross antigenicity between human arterial tissue and various germs].

Cross antigenicity was demonstrated between human arterial tissue and enterobacteriaceae, some streptococcus strains or some viruses, using the indirect immunoenzymatic test. Absorption of antigerm antisera by the glycoproteins of either the human serum or aorta suggested that a glycoprotein or some fragment of it acted as a target-antigen or target-epitope for the investigated antibodies and that these antibodies might attack human arterial tissue.

[Experimental immune arteriosclerosis in the rabbit. Immunogenic and pathogenic properties of glycoproteins and elastins in arterial tissue].

Rabbits immunized with kappa elastin produced arteriosclerosis and antibodies that bound to target-structures (elastic fiber sheaths, endothelial and smooth muscle cells). These antibodies were cytotoxic for cultured rabbit or rat arterial smooth muscle cells. Absorption of the antielastin antiserum with pig aorta or human serum glycoproteins inhibited its binding to target-structures and suppressed its in vitro cytotoxicity.

[Possible intervention of immune mechanisms in the genesis and course of human atherosclerosis].

Aortas, coronary and carotid arteries from 31 patients who died of myocardial or cerebral infarction were examined by direct immunoenzymatic tests (using peroxidase-labelled anti human IgG sheep Fab or anti human complement sheep IgG) and compared to those of 9 patients who died of non atherosclerotic diseases. Immunoglobulins and complement bound to all atherosclerotic lesions, all elastic fiber alterations, all lipid infiltration in patients who died of atherosclerosis, as well as in patients who died of various other causes. Binding was generally more intensive in patients who died of atherosclerosis and in arteries irrigating infarcted areas.

[Experimental immune arteriosclerosis of rabbits. Immunoenzymatic study].

The immunization of rabbits with aorta homogenates, constituants of the arterial tissue, serum glycoproteins, or lipopolysaccharides from enterobacteria, leads to the production of cross-reacting antibodies and to identical arteriosclerotic lesions. The incubation of aortic slices with anti-rabbit IgG sheep Fab, or anti-rabbit complement sheep IgG, labelled with peroxidase, shows that IgG and complement are bound on prenecrotic cells and on sheaths of elastic fibers. The binding sites are the same, whatever the immunizing agent.

In vitro immune aggression against rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells.

Rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells cultivated with certain antisera underwent growth changes and necrosis. These cytotoxic antisera were obtained by immunizing rabbits against rat aorta, human or pig aortic glycoproteins, human serum glycoproteins and E. coli lipopolysaccharide.