PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Wohlgemuth

Publications and source records attributed to A Wohlgemuth.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Serological interpretation--theoretical limits to information from blocking.

Contemporary immunogenetics uses a symbolism that tacitly assumes a one-to-one correspondence between genes, antigens, and antibody reagents that identify these. Thus a particular gene will be symbolized by an identifier, say X, and the reagent that supposedly uniquely identifies X is called anti-X. Ultimately, the precise relation between genes and antibody reagents will be determined by molecular techniques. Previous mathematical work has shown that by allowing a general relation (not constrained by symbolic conventions), alternative genetic descriptions can be found for some systems. This work predicts that when the relation is identified for these systems by molecular means, there will be an unresolved cross-reactivity, that is, there will not be a simple one-to-one correspondence between genes and the reagents used to identify them. This will contradict the notation in which the immunogenetic systems are described. Serology will have to be reinterpreted in terms of a more general notation that will allow for cross-reactivity. The focus of a mathematical model will switch from making inferences about genes, antigens, and antibodies in some system to analyzing genetics and serology as described by the notation. This paper investigates the information theoretically available from the serological operations of blocking, absorption, and elution. We show that, except for antigens (called undetectable) that mimic combinations of other antigens (in all cells in the system), blocking can theoretically reveal the relationship between antigens and antibodies in a system.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1987

The impact of symbolism on immunogenetics: an application to HLA.

The genes coding for the class I human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) are located on chromosome 6. These antigens are involved with the immunological interaction between cells. In some immunogenetic systems, such as HLA in humans, genes are defined by antibody/antigen reaction and are denoted by single symbolic identifiers. This symbolization assumes a one-to-one correspondence between antibodies, antigens and genes. Recent molecular studies, however, suggest that HLA antibody/antigen reaction is complex and most HLA class I specific antibodies may not uniquely identify a single allelic product. Where cross-reactivity is present in an immunogenetic system it is important to label each reagent with symbols corresponding to all genes coding for antigens with which the reagent will react. The problems of cross-reactive groups and unexplained linkage relations may be elucidated by the redefinition and clarification of certain HLA antigens. A computer program can suggest such labelling schemes using input given by phenotype reaction patterns with a panel of reagents. When this program was applied to data on the class I HLA antigens a genetic model was suggested that differs somewhat from the currently accepted model. The new model is able to predict what would appear as linkage relations in the accepted model. Our methodology can provide alternate models to guide in typing cloned genes in terms of the HLA locus and alleles.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1987

An interactive program for determining tentative gene assignments from immunological data.

This paper announces an interactive program that could be useful for workers investigating new immunogenetic systems and theoreticians seeking to resolve persistent puzzling questions about systems already developed. The program seeks symbolic representations of data and its interpretations. By its ability to work with symbolizations in their most general form it is able to reveal symbolic patterns that may correspond directly to otherwise unexpected genetic models.

Immunogenetics↗
PubMed1987

Symbolic reinterpretation of HLA gene products--impact on interpretation of HLA data at the molecular level.

In the HLA system genes are defined by antibody/antigen reactions and are denoted by single symbolic identifiers. This symbolization assumes a one-to-one correspondence between antibodies, antigens and genes. It is important, however, to label each reagent with symbols corresponding to all genes coding for antigens with which the reagent will react. The problems of cross-reactive groups and unexplained linkage relations may be elucidated by the redefinition and clarification of certain HLA antigens. A computer program can suggest such labelling schemes using input given by phenotype reaction patterns with a panel of reagents. When this program was applied to data on the class I HLA antigens a genetic model was suggested that differs somewhat from the currently accepted view. The new model is consistent with applicable and available family data on recombinants and has implications for the interpretation of data at the DNA level.

Chromosome Mapping↗