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B Roser

Publications and source records attributed to B Roser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Post-thymic T-cell development in the rat.

The presence or absence of CD4, CD8, Thy-1, RT6 and CD45RC revealed a number of T-cell subpopulations in the rat. Vascular thymus transplantation was used in RT7 congenics to establish the lineage relationship between these subpopulations by following phenotypic changes after thymus emigration. We found that recent thymic emigrants exhibit the Thy-1+/RT6-/CD45RC- phenotype and express either CD4 or CD8. Within 11 days after emigration, these cells differentiated into Thy-1-/RT6+/CD45RC+ cells. From 33 to 76 days following transplantation, a proportion of the latter lost RT6 and/or CD45RC expression, suggesting further differentiation. The pathway of 'mature' T-cell differentiation could be reconstructed from these data and analysis of the differences between T-cell subsets in thymectomized and normal control rats. End-stages of post-thymic T-cell differentiation in the rat were most likely to be Thy-1-/RT6+/CD45RC- and Thy-1-/RT6-/CD45RC+ T cells.

Aging↗

Extraordinary stability of enzymes dried in trehalose: simplified molecular biology.

We show that extremely fragile biomolecules such as DNA restriction and modifying enzymes can be dried in vitro in the presence of trehalose with no loss of activity, even after prolonged storage. A remarkable and unexpected property of the dried enzyme preparations is their ability to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures as high as +70 degrees C. This stability is unique to trehalose and is not found with other sugars irrespective of their physical or chemical properties. The immediate significance of these observations is the ability to convert enzymes used in molecular biology into stable reagents. The indefinite stability and high temperature tolerance of these dried enzymes should permit the design of convenient formats that may be of particular significance in the automation of genome mapping and sequencing projects. The stabilization of a wide range of biomolecules by trehalose also has practical implications for a number of areas ranging from basic science, through healthcare and agriculture, to bio-electronics.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Dry instant blood typing plate for bedside use.

A monoclonal antibody-derived, dry blood grouping plate, based upon the simple disaccharide, trehalose, is described that is indefinitely stable at room temperature and was found to have a 99.8% accuracy when tested against a standard semiautomated assay. This plate can be used by personnel with no specific training to check the recorded A,B,O, and Rhesus blood type of potential transfusion recipients in the field and at the bedside. Trehalose-based reagents may be important for bedside testing and in developing countries where refrigeration is unreliable.

Agglutination Tests↗

Differences in turnover between thymic medullary dendritic cells and a subset of cortical macrophages.

To investigate the turnover of thymic accessory cells, we performed vascular thymus transplantation in RT7 congenic rats. mAb specific for one of the two allelic variants of the RT7 molecule, as well as mAb specific for either medullary interdigitating cells or a subset of cortical macrophages (M phi), were used on cryostat sections and cell suspensions prepared from grafted thymuses to monitor the turnover of these two cell types. In contrast to the complete turnover of interdigitating cells within 3 wk after transplantation, ED2-labeled cortical M phi showed a very slow turnover. Seventy-six days after transplantation, more than 30% of these M phi were found to be still of donor origin. The different turnover rates of these thymic accessory cells could reflect their function in T cell development.

Animals↗

False-positive signals in enzyme immunoassay (EIA) interactions between rodent IgG subclasses.

Interactions between mouse and rat monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in EIA have been detected using panels of mouse and rat MAbs of various isotypes. Mouse and rat antibodies of the IgG2a subclass were found to bind to each other most strongly. Immobilised IgG1 antibodies of the two species showed much less interaction. Rat IgG2b and IgG2c were intermediate in binding activity. We were unable to study examples of mouse IgG2b and IgG3 MAbs. By making use of the kappa light chain allotype in the rat we were also able to show intraspecies interactions of rat MAbs with the IgG in rat serum. The molecular basis of these interactions has not been resolved but may involve the extended hinge region and flexible Fab arms of the IgG2a subclass of Ig permitting strong inter domain bonding between the constant region domains of adjacent molecules of this isotype.

Animals↗

Inhibition of T cell responses in vitro by an antibody against a novel lymphocyte surface molecule (QCA-1).

We have identified an antigen present on the surface of lymphocytes in the rat which appears to play an important role in the preliminary stages of the immune response. This antigen, which we have called quiescent cell antigen 1 because of its apparent expression only on quiescent cells, is present on the majority of peripheral T and B cells and a small percentage of thymocytes which are located mainly in the medullary region. SDS-PAGE analysis of membrane molecules shows two bands on unreduced gels at approximately 43 and 47 kd. On reduction the bands ran at approximately 46 and 60 kd. When a monoclonal antibody against this antigen (HIS45) is present in an allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction, it inhibits the proliferation of responding cells completely. When the antibody HIS45 is added to cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated lysis assays it does not inhibit lysis nor does it affect the specificity of this lysis. Comparison with other antibodies which have been reported to affect lymphocyte function in rats and in other species fail to reveal any which have similar properties.

Animals↗

Vascular thymus transplantation in rats. Technique, morphology, and function.

A new method of thymus transplantation is introduced, in which the graft is directly connected with the recipient's vascular system. This procedure was used both in euthymic rats and congenitally athymic nude rats. At all tested intervals after transplantation thymus grafts hardly differed from the recipient's own thymus in immunohistology and lymphocyte yield. In athymic nude rats, T cell-dependent immunity, tested by mitogen- and alloantigen-induced T cell responses, as well as by antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity after ovalbumin administration, showed that vascular thymus grafts could generate T cell functions to euthymic control levels. We conclude that the technique of vascular thymus transplantation represents a valuable tool, either in fundamental research on thymus function, or for the purpose of immune (re)constitution.

Animals↗

In vitro and in vivo effects of monoclonal antibodies against T cell subsets on allogeneic and xenogeneic responses in the rat.

The Syrian hamster-to-rat represents an example of a concordant species difference, and therefore organ transplants using the hamster as the donor and the rat as the recipient are not rejected hyperacutely, as in discordant species combinations. Cellular mechanisms of xenogeneic rejection of hamster hearts by rats were studied both in vitro and in vivo, using monoclonal antibodies to rat T cell antigens. The results of this study reveal that CD4-positive cells of rats proliferated in vitro to both allogeneic stimulators and xenogeneic stimulators from a concordant strain, but required accessory cells of the responder phenotype to proliferate to discordant human stimulators. Monoclonal antibody therapy was used to prevent graft rejection in allogeneic and xenogeneic species combinations, using the rat as the recipient. Treatment with anti-CD4 antibodies was effective in prolonging allograft survival across a full MHC mismatch. No rejection occurred during antibody therapy, and long-term graft survival was achieved in 1/3 of transplanted grafts. The same monoclonal antibody therapy led to increased survival of grafts from hamster donors, but all of these grafts were rejected during therapy, and no long-term graft survival was achieved. Anti-CD8 antibody therapy, combined with anti-CD4 did not improve survival of hamster hearts in rats. Addition of cyclosporine to the anti-CD4 regimen also did not improve graft survival. Injection of an anti-T cell receptor antibody was no better than the anti-CD4 antibody in prolonging the survival times of heart grafts from the concordant xenogeneic species. These data suggest that the rejection of concordant xenogeneic tissue is not wholly a T cell-dependent phenomenon.

Animals↗

RT7-defined alloantigens in rats are part of the leucocyte common antigen family.

Haemopoietic cells carry a variety of cell-surface molecules, some of which are known to have allotypic variation. In rats, the RT7 alloantigenic system has been well documented using alloantisera. We have produced the first mouse hybridoma cell line secreting an antibody, HIS41, which binds to leucocytes of rat strains carrying the RT7.2 but not the RT7.1 determinant. An IgG2b isotype switch variant (HIS41.2b) of the original HIS41 (IgG1 isotype) was also made. HIS41 showed a clear and discrete binding in immunofluorescent and histological experiments and has already been used in several studies on haemopoietic cell turnover and differentiation employing PVG rats congenic for RT7. The present study addresses the question of whether the RT7 gene products are members of the L-CA family, which has been a matter of controversy over the last decade. When using HIS41 for the analysis of tissue distribution and molecular weight of RT7 gene products, a strong similarity was evident with the data reported for the L-CA detected by MRC OX-1 and MRC OX-30. These two MoAb have been reported to bind to all members of the L-CA family. All haemopoietic cells, excluding erythrocytes and the more mature stages of erythropoiesis, stained with HIS41. The molecular weights of HIS41 binding molecules on thymocytes and peripheral T cells were comparable to the L-CA precipitated by MRC OX-1. Capping and sequential immunoprecipitation studies indicated that HIS41 and MRC OX-30-binding molecules were identical. MRC OX-1, however, appeared to bind only a subset of these molecules. Thus, our study confirms the identity of RT7.2 gene products and L-CA. It also revealed a difference between MRC OX-1 and MRC OX-30 not noticed previously.

Animals↗

Class I and class II regions of the major histocompatibility complex both contribute to individual odors in congenic inbred strains of rats.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the rat has three regions--A (class I), B/D (class II), and C/E (class I)--and congenic strains are available which differ in each of these regions. We used the habituation-dishabituation procedure to examine the ability of PVG-RT1u male rats to discriminate between the urinary odors of congenic rat strains which differ genetically only at certain individual regions of the MHC. The results of five experiments indicate that discrimination can be made between urine from rats which differ in all three regions of the MHC (PVG vs. PVG-RT1av1 donors), only in the class I A region (PVG vs. PVG.R1 donors), only in the class I C/E region (PVG.R19 vs. PVG-RT1av1 donors), only in the class II B/D region (PVG.R1 vs. PVG.R19 donors), and in all regions except the classical class IA locus (PVG-RT1av1 vs. PVG.R1 donors). These results indicate that all of the MHC regions may contribute to the individual odors of rats.

Animals↗

A monoclonal antibody to a determinant of the rat T cell antigen receptor expressed by a minor subset of T cells.

A hybridoma producing the monoclonal antibody HIS42 was isolated from a fusion between spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with rat thymocytes and the fusion partner SP2/0. This antibody recognizes a minor subset of T cells in every haplotype of rat tested so far. The subpopulation of HIS42 positive T cells contains both CD4+ and CD8+ cells, in the same ratio as found in the peripheral T cell population. When bound to Sepharose beads, HIS42 induces T cell proliferation in the presence of interleukin-2. In contrast to lymph node T cells, a number of thymocytes were found to express HIS42 only in the cytoplasm or together with membrane expression. Most bright HIS42 surface labelled thymocytes were also positive for MRC OX-44, a marker predominantly identifying mature thymocytes. SDS-PAGE analyses of the membrane molecules immunoprecipitated by HIS42 show two bands on unreduced gels. One of these bands (85 kd) runs as two separate bands at 35 and 48 kd on reduction. The other much weaker broad band (approximately 100 kd) is hardly affected by reduced conditions. Taken together these data suggest that HIS42 is directed against a determinant on the rat T cell receptor for antigen, which is common to a small number of T cells.

Animals↗

Class I transplantation antigens in solution in body fluids and in the urine. Individuality signals to the environment.

Classical class I transplantation antigens present in solution in the body fluids have been studied. These antigens have been found in a monomeric, soluble form in blood, lymph, and urine, and a major source is the hemopoietic system which gives rise to cells that secrete these molecules into the blood. The cell types most probably involved in their secretion are of the macrophage/dendritic cell lineage. The serum molecule is a heterodimer with a heavy chain of 39,000 mol wt associated noncovalently with beta 2-microglobulin and is present in serum at a concentration between 350 and 390 ng/ml. These molecules have a short half-life of 2.7 h and are excreted into the environment via the kidneys in the urine. In the urine, greater than 90% of the molecules are degraded into smaller fragments. This finding that normal metabolic processes lead to the excretion of classical highly polymorphic class I molecules in the urine provides a direct explanation in molecular terms of the ability of animals to identify individuals on the basis of urinary odor. Since intact class I molecules are unlikely to be the odoriferous component in the urine, two hypotheses have been suggested. Either small fragments of class I molecules are detected or the molecule acts as a carrier that transports volatiles from the serum into the urine where they are released, giving rise to the class I-associated odor.

Animals↗

Strategies of monoclonal antibody therapy that induce permanent tolerance of organ transplants.

Treatment of normal rats with certain monoclonal anti-CD4 antibodies, beginning on the day of grafting, prevents heart graft rejection across a full MHC-haplotype mismatch. Adequate doses of antibody MRC OX-35, which is very potent in vivo, led to the induction of authentic specific tolerance of the transplants. In the very stringent grafting test of transplantation of DA skin to high-responder LOU recipients, adjunctive therapy with cyclosporine, in addition to the anti-CD4 antibodies, is required to induce tolerance. Since tolerance persists indefinitely after a 30-day course of treatment and appears to involve T cell-mediated suppression, this form of treatment is of potential clinical interest.

Animals↗

The major histocompatibility complex and the chemosensory recognition of individuality in rats.

The present experiments provide the first evidence that congenic strains of rats, which differ only in the MHC, produce discriminably different urinary chemosignals. Urine from adult male PVG and PVG.R1 rats, which differ only in the A region (class 1) of the MHC, was used in a habituation-dishabituation task, with male PVG-RTlu, Wistar albino, and Lister hooded rats as subjects. Urine from PVG males was easily distinguished from that of PVG.R1 males by all three strains. Individual PVG males were not distinguished by their urine odours, but individual PVG.R1 males appeared to have discriminably different odours. A repetition of this experiment indicated that this discrimination may have been due to impurities in the urine. Odours from serum were not sufficient for discrimination between the two strains, nor was the class 1 molecule purified from the urine. Urine with the class 1 molecule removed (remainder fraction) could, however, be used to distinguish between the strains. The chemicals in the urine which give this distinctive odour may be fragments of the class 1 molecule or small molecules associated with the class 1 molecule. The MHC appears to control the odour cues which are used by mammals for individual recognition and may provide an olfactory basis for kin recognition but the mechanism by which the MHC controls these olfactory signals is unknown.

Animals↗

Lymphocyte subpopulations and memory of MHC antigens. I. Quantitative aspects of neonatal heart graft rejection in normal and immune rats.

Using PVG-RT1av1 neonatal heart grafts transplanted to the plantar space in irradiated PVG recipients, and adoptive transfer of normal and immune cells, we have analyzed the role of lymphocyte subsets in graft rejection. This assay was found to be reproducible and to show good dose-response characteristics, permitting a precise analysis of the potency of the cells transferred. Immune cells were 36 times more potent than normal cells and all of their activity was in the T cell fraction. The increase in potency of immune populations was entirely within the CD8+ population defined by the mouse monoclonal antibody MRC OX-8. The CD4+ population, defined by the antibody W3/25, in both normal and immune populations, restored first-set rejection. All the graft rejection activity of CD4+ cells could be ascribed to the MRC OX-22- subset of these cells.

Animals↗