Biomedical subjects

A L Sy Siok Hian

Publications and source records attributed to A L Sy Siok Hian.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1985

Unmasking of Kx antigen by reduction of disulphide bonds on normal and McLeod red cells.

We have investigated the effect of dithiothreitol (DTT) treatment of human red cells upon the Kx blood group antigen. At low concentrations of DTT (less than or equal to 2 microM) there is enhancement of the Kx antigen concomitant with the complete denaturation of the Jsa and Jsb antigens of the Kell blood system. This unmasking of the Kx antigenic site is near maximal using 2 microM DTT. At this concentration of DTT, only the Jsa and Jsb antigens are completely denatured; all other Kell system antigens tested (K, k, Kpb, Ku) are essentially unaffected. These results argue against the Kx antigen serving strictly as a carbohydrate precursor substance involved in a sequential biosynthetic pathway of Kell blood group antigens. Also, McLeod red cells, after treatment with DTT, were found to contain Kx antigen, although in much lower density than normal red cells, indicating that, although not a typical carbohydrate precursor substance, Kx may, nevertheless, be essential for the serological expression of Kell related antigens. It is hypothesized that the Kx structure and the Kell blood group antigen structure are two separate subunits associated in a quaternary conformation involving at least one interchain S-S bond. Our results should allow for a clearer understanding of the relationship between the serological expression of the Kx antigen and the serologically observed reactivity of the Kell blood group antigens of individuals having normal, Ko and McLeod phenotypes.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMed1984

In vitro determination of red cell alloantibody significance using an assay of monocyte-macrophage interaction with sensitized erythrocytes.

One hundred and forty-eight red cell alloantibodies, of specificities generally considered to be of clinical significance, were studied in vitro for their ability to induce phagocytosis of sensitized red cells by allogeneic mononuclear phagocytes. Results indicate that only 53% of the alloantibodies studied mediated significant phagocytosis in vitro. The percentages for each blood group system were as follows: Kell, 73%; Jka, 32%; Jkb, 67%; D, 75%; E, 60%; Fya, 62%; Yta, 25%; Ge, 22%; and Vel, 25%. Significant phagocytosis was independent of the strength of the indirect antiglobulin test. The percentage of anti-Jka and anti-Fya mediating significant phagocytosis was increased when fresh complement was added during the sensitization procedure and/or red cells homozygous for the antigen in question were used. The in vivo clinical significance or lack of significance was documented for nine alloantibodies; five caused haemolysis and four did not. Those causing in vivo haemolysis mediated in vitro phagocytosis by monocyte-macrophages whereas the antibodies that did not result in haemolysis showed no increased in vitro phagocytosis. Autologous monocytes were more reliable than random allogeneic monocytes in that phagocytosis was increased over that obtained using allogeneic monocyte-macrophages with two of four alloantibodies having documented clinical significance. The use of target red cells homozygous for the antigen in question, the addition of fresh complement in the antibody sensitization procedure, and use of autologous and allogeneic monocyte-macrophages appear necessary for optimal results. Since 47% of those alloantibodies generally considered to be clinically significant failed to mediate phagocytosis in vitro, the monocyte-macrophage assay should not be considered a predictive assay of a given alloantibody's in vivo significance or lack of significance until more extensive correlation of these assays with in vivo red blood cell survival is obtained.

Antibody Specificity↗

PubMed1984

Two distinct categories of warm autoantibody reactivity with age-fractionated red cells.

Using age-fractionated erythrocytes, warm autoantibodies can be classified into two distinct categories, depending on their reactivity with reticulocyte-enriched (younger) or reticulocyte-poor (older) red cell fractions. The strength of the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) on the age-fractionated red cells of 24 patients indicated that 19 (79%) had an IgG warm autoantibody that reacted preferentially with older red blood cells. In 7 of these 19 patients (37%), the DAT was negative using reticulocyte-enriched red cell fractions. We have termed this preferential reactivity of warm autoantibodies with older red cells as type I. Five of the 24 patients studied (21%) had an IgG warm autoantibody that demonstrated no preference for young or older red cells. We have termed this pattern of warm autoantibody reactivity as type II. All 5 patients having type II warm autoantibodies had severe anemia. In contrast, 6 of 19 patients having type I warm autoantibody did not have clinical evidence of anemia when tested, and 11 of the 19 had only slight to moderate anemia. Additionally, our results using type I warm autoantibody raise questions regarding the blood group specificity of warm autoantibodies. The antigen recognized by type I warm autoantibody may be a cryptantigen. Rh specificity or relative Rh specificity, often associated with warm autoantibodies, may simply be a coincidental finding.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

PubMed1983

Disulfide bonds are a requirement for Kell and Cartwright (Yta) blood group antigen integrity.

We have investigated the effect of dithiothreitol (DTT) upon the Kell blood group system and other red cell antigens. All Kell blood group antigens studied (K, k, Kpa, Kpb, Jsa, Jsb and Ku) as well as the Cartwright (Yta) antigen were completely denatured after treatment with DTT. The Gerbich antigen was substantially weakened but not completely denatured. The Jsa and Jsb antigens appear to have an exquisite sensitivity to treatment with DTT and can be completely denatured using very low concentrations (less than or equal to 2 mM) whereas other Kell system antigens require much higher concentrations of DTT for their denaturation (100-200 mM). Of 38 other blood group antigens investigated, only the Yta antigen was completely denatured using 200 mM DTT. Furthermore, the Yta antigen was denatured within the same concentration range as Kell and one can speculate that this indicates some biochemical relationship between these two blood group systems. From our results, we conclude that: (1) at least two distinct disulfide (S-S) bonds are required for maintenance of the Kell blood group antigen system; (2) Jsa and Jsb antigens are distinctly different from other Kell system antigens based upon sensitivity to treatment with DTT; these antigens may be located on a different antigenic domain; and (3) the Yta antigen requires at least one disulfide bond for its maintenance of antigen integrity. Although the Gerbich antigen was not completely denatured, results indicate that disulfide bonds may also be important structural determinants for these antigens.

Blood Group Antigens↗

PubMed1983

Reticuloendothelial cell function in alpha-methyldopa-induced hemolytic anemia.

2 patients having alpha-methyldopa-induced hemolytic anemia were followed sequentially using an in vitro assay of autologous monocyte-macrophage activity to determine if their reticuloendothelial system (RES) function was abnormal and thus could be related to the mechanism of lysis. RES function was evaluated while the patients were actively hemolyzing and during remission, following discontinuance of the drug. The results indicated that RES activity is normal in patients having hemolytic anemia due to alpha-methyldopa administration. Also, following cessation of drug therapy, the patients' IgG-coated red cells interacted significantly for a prolonged period (4-5 months) with autologous or normal allogeneic monocyte-macrophages. This was associated with a concurrent reticulocytosis and indicates a persistent low-level hemolytic phase throughout this period, even though hemoglobin and hematocrit values remained within the normal ranges. Although levels of IgG sensitizing the patients' red cells were essentially constant during the hemolytic phase and when the patients were in complete remission, significant monocyte-macrophage activity was only evident during the hemolytic period. In an attempt to explain this phenomenon, it is postulated that hemolysis in patients receiving alpha-methyldopa is related to the interaction of drug with red cell membrane proteins which results in a variably expressed 'altered' antigen which is recognized by 'autoantibody'. The proper expression of the Fc portion of the immunoglobin molecule to result in specific recognition by receptors on monocyte-macrophages depends upon the extent of the antigen alteration by alpha-methyldopa. If the drug does not result in appropriate antigen alteration, then, although 'autoantibody' may still bind to the red blood cell, its Fc region is not readily recognized by monocyte-macrophages and little or no erythrophagocytosis occurs.

Aged↗