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Biomedical subjects

D B Amos

Publications and source records attributed to D B Amos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Epitopes within the HLA-B5,B35 cross-reacting group.

The HLA-B5,B35 cross-reacting group is a large and serologically complex antigen family which includes the World Health Organization-recognized specificities HLA-B5,B51,Bw52,B35,Bw53,B18,Bw70,Bw71, and Bw72. In addition, several variants of antigens in this cross-reacting group have been described in the past but have not yet gained official recognition. A genetic basis for the complexity and the protein and molecular bases of this highly cross-reactive and polymorphic cross-reacting group have yet to be established. The potential contributions of shared amino acid sequences, the occurrence of multiple epitopes on a single HLA-B molecule, and the presence of new HLA-C antigens have been difficult to resolve. To address this issue, we have carefully examined the serologic reactions of more than 900 allo- and monoclonal antibodies (Tenth International Workshop, Third Asia-Oceanic Workshop, and local reagents) versus lymphocytes from 92 individuals of diverse ethnic origin (North American Caucasians, North American blacks, Amerindians, Middle Eastern Caucasians), 84 of whom were informative for the HLA-B5,B35 cross-reacting group and related antigens. Our results demonstrate that the HLA-B5,B35 gene products share different combinations of distinct epitopes. We have constructed a model for the evolution of this cross-reacting group by assigning polarity to distinct diversification steps utilizing principles of maximum parsimony.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

The role of class I histocompatibility antigens in the regulation of T-cell activation.

Class I major histocompatibility antigens in humans (HLA antigens) were found to participate in the regulation of T-cell activation and proliferation induced by phytohemagglutinin. W6/32, a monomorphic antibody directed against class I HLA-A,B,C antigens, significantly inhibited the phytohemagglutinin-induced cell proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Almost complete suppression of cell activation was achieved on a subfraction of peripheral blood lymphocytes enriched in Mo1+ monocyte/macrophage cells. This inhibition of cell proliferation takes place at an early stage of activation and was found to be adherent cell dependent. Removal of monocyte/macrophage type cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes completely abrogated the inhibitory influence of anti-HLA-class I antibody, and, upon adding them back, suppression reappeared. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated that the expression of receptors for interleukin 2 and transferrin was impaired in the presence of antibody. Although the amount of interleukin 2 synthesized by these cells was also reduced, the addition of exogenous purified interleukin 2 did not restore cell proliferation. Mitogenesis induced by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 was similarly suppressed, but mitogenesis induced by the phorbol diester phorbol myristate acetate, which activates cells by directly stimulating protein kinase C, was not suppressed. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that HLA class I antigens regulate an early event(s) of the Ca2+-dependent pathway of activation of T lymphocytes and that this event(s) apparently occurs before protein kinase C stimulation.

Antibodies

Genetic and immunologic basis of atopic responses.

We summarize current understanding of the genetics of human diseases and of the major histocompatibility complex related factors regulating immune responsiveness. Special factors are involved in atopic diseases as a result of the intersection between the immune system, the targets in the tracheobronchial tree and the endocrine, neurologic and genetic mechanisms affecting both the effectors and the targets. The evidence from investigations of human subjects and their families and from laboratory animals for the underlying genetic and immunologic mechanisms of asthma are reviewed. The genetic control of asthma is complex. The evidence suggests a gene or genes associated with and linked to HLA. The disease phenotype may also be regulated by genetically determined levels of IgE and the outcome of the balance between immune response and immunosuppression.

Animals

A mutation in a non-MHC murine cell surface antigen detectable by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

During the course of screening new T-H-2 region congenic strains of mice constructed from the C57BL/6 and B6-H-2k strains, a new cell surface polymorphism, designated dtc-1, was identified by cell-mediated lympholysis techniques. The dtc-1 antigen can be found on both Con A- and LPS-stimulated lymphoblasts, peritoneal macrophages, and SV40-transformed mouse embryo fibroblasts. Lysis of dtc-1+ targets by CTL is H-2Dk restricted. All inbred strains tested are dtc-1+, with the exception of the B6-H-2k strain, which is dtc-1-, and several congenic strains directly derived from B6-H-2k. Because B6/Boy and AKR/Boy, the parents of the B6-H-2k strain, are dtc-1+, the dtc-1- phenotype may be the result of mutation in the locus specifying the cell surface molecule that carries this antigen. Segregation analysis of the dtc-1+/dtc-1- polymorphism demonstrated that this locus is not linked to T or H-2. The dtc-1 antigen thus identifies yet another cell surface polymorphism and adds another immunologically defined genetic marker to the murine genome. Furthermore, the dtc-1 system indicates the need for reevaluation and restandardization of congenic strains of mice derived from the B6-H-2k congenic strain.

Animals

Functional defect of heat-inactivated human lymphocytes in mixed-lymphocyte culture.

Possible causes were examined for the inability of heat-inactivated lymphocytes to induce proliferative responses in mixed-lymphocyte cultures (MLC). Cells heated at 45 degrees C for 60 min lost greater than 90% of their capacity to stimulate in primary (1 degree) or secondary (2 degrees) MLC. This was not due to accelerated or delayed proliferation, nor to a simple quantitative loss of antigen since a 10-fold increase in stimulators or sequential addition of heated stimulators at 4-hr intervals was ineffective. Heated B lymphocytes had approximately 80% expression of HLA-DR and DQ antigens compared to unheated B cells when measured by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies detecting both monomorphic and polymorphic antigens. Contrary to some reports, there was no evidence of direct suppression or induction of suppression by heated stimulators or their supernatants. Reconstitution of 1 degree and 2 degrees MLC with crude MLC supernatants or more purified interleukin 1 (Il-1) or interleukin 2 (Il-2) was unsuccessful. The results indicate the heat-induced defect occurs immediately and is not due to direct or indirect suppression, insufficient amounts of Il-1 or Il-2, nor loss of polymorphic Class II HLA determinants. Heat inactivation of stimulator function may result from failure to present an "immunogenic grid" or loss of accessory molecules required in lymphocyte interactions.

B-Lymphocytes

HLA studies of Highland and Coastal New Guineans.

The HLA profile of three New Guinean populations, two Highland (Asaro, Watut), and one Coastal is presented. The Highland populations are characterized by a low average number of alleles segregating at the HLA loci and also by a low mean value of heterozygosity at these loci. The genetic affinities of the two Highland groups with other Melanesian populations in the Pacific are remote. The Coastal group, on the other hand, shows strong similarities in its antigenic diversity and haplotypic combinations with other Melanesian populations. Nonetheless, the two Highland groups show significant divergence from each other in terms of allelic and haplotypic frequencies. Two different waves of migration settled in the Highlands of New Guinea between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago, and it is possible that the Watut, an Angan speaking group, represents the remnants of the first migration into the interior, whereas the Asaro, members of the Eastern Central family of the Trans-New Guinea phylum, arrived at a later date.

Adult

Hereditary hemochromatosis. Phenotypic expression of the disease.

Previous studies have shown that hemochromatosis is an inherited, autosomal-recessive disease and that the gene is closely linked to the HLA locus on chromosome 6. We obtained a lod score for linkage of +9.8 for a recombination fraction of 0.0 and a gene frequency of 0.056, the frequency estimated in this population. We studied the phenotypic expression of the disease in 261 members of 10 pedigrees. In heterozygotes over 20 years of age, there was an intermediate increase in transferrin saturation and a limited increase in hepatic iron but no clinical manifestations. In male heterozygotes, the average amount of iron in the liver increased from about 0.2 to 1.3 g. Abnormal homozygotes accumulated iron progressively with time, with men accumulating about 18 g in the liver. All measurements of iron status were increased in abnormal homozygotes. Hemochromatosis is inherited as an autosomal-recessive disease, with partial biochemical expression in heterozygotes.

Adolescent

HLA serum screening based on an heuristic solution of the set cover problem.

A computer program initially written by the Milwaukee Blood Bank has been modified to use a new algorithm for the assignment of HLA specificities to antisera. The assignment is based on the reactions of cells with known specificities. Specificities which are present only on cells which do not react are first ruled out. This step is followed by one or more steps in which the 'least reactive' specificities are ruled out. The rationale for the algorithm is discussed and an example is presented.

Computers

Mixed lymphocyte reactions in serum-free medium.

Tissue culture medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA), rather than human serum, was found capable of supporting the proliferative response of cryopreserved human lymphocytes to allogeneic cells in a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture. Although total tritiated thymidine uptake was lower in BSA supplemented cultures than in serum supplemented cultures, stimulation indices were equivalent. Using 0.5% (w/v) BSA, peak tritiated thymidine uptake was observed on day 5 using 2 X 10(5) responders and 4X 10(5) stimulators per microtitre well. Calf skin gelatin was also found capable of substituting for serum, but gave lower levels of proliferation. Use of BSA offers distinct advantages for investigating the proliferative responses of human lymphocytes in serum-free media.

B-Lymphocytes

B cell antigens of Black Americans.

Fourty-four unrelated North American Blacks and one Black family were tested for B-cell specific antigens with 7th International Workshop antisera. DR specificities were clearly defined in this group, but were generally less frequent than reported for Black Americans in the 7th Workshop report and were most similar in frequency to those reported for African Blacks. Five new B-cell specificities (DuB40-43, 45) were identified. In contradistinction to Caucasians, Black Americans type for HLA-D with homozygous typing cells failed to exhibit strong linkage disequilibrium between D and DR types.

B-Lymphocytes

Cross-reactions of HLA antibodies: VII. Rate of sensitization and serological specificity.

Varying the sensitization time of the complement-dependent antibody mediated cytotoxicity test, while carefully controlling other test conditions, has enabled us to characterize the subtle reactivities of several broadly reactive sera. In particular, we can discriminate between classes of cells, e.g., HLA-B7 from B27; subclasses cells, e.g., Bw51 from Bw52; and cells carrying new antigens, e.g., Ao79. This manipulation of the cytotoxicity test is discussed in view of its usefulness in separating primary from cross-reactive specificities and in detecting new specificities.

Adult

HLA histocompatibility antigens in a Polynesian population -- Cook islanders of Mauke.

Polynesians living on the island of Mauke in the Cook Island group were typed for HLA-A and -B locus antigens. The Mauke population has restricted HLA polymorphism, with five A-locus antigens and four B-locus antigens accounting for a majority of the HLA phenotypes. Although some differences in antigen frequency were found when Mauke Islanders were compared with Polynesians from Easter Island and Samoa, the Mauke Islanders were closer in their HLA antigenic profile to polynesians than to Melanesians.

Epitopes