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G Hashim

Publications and source records attributed to G Hashim.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Human T lymphocyte response to myelin basic protein: selection of T lymphocyte lines from MBP-responsive donors.

The goal of this study was to delineate the importance of blood T lymphocyte responses to several myelin basic protein (MBP) preparations in the ultimate selection of MBP-specific T lymphocyte lines. Proliferation responses to human myelin basic protein (MBP) were assessed in blood samples from 27 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, 20 patients with other neurologic diseases (OND), and 26 normal subjects, using five MBP preparations with different histories and electrophoretic characteristics to enhance the spectrum of epitopes represented. Substantial variations were observed in the ability of different MBP preparations to induce blood T cell proliferation in a given donor. However, four out of five of the MBPs induced modest but significant proliferation in the MS study population relative to normal individuals, with intermediate responses occurring in OND patients. Positive responses occurred more frequently in MS patients (78%) than in normal donors (31%), and were an important prerequisite for the successful selection of MBP-specific T cell lines.

Adult↗

Response of human T lymphocyte lines to myelin basic protein: association of dominant epitopes with HLA class II restriction molecules.

In animals, the selection in vitro of T cell lines to myelin basic protein (MBP) can define immunodominant and encephalitogenic epitopes which are preferentially associated with class II major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules. These principles were used to evaluate the specificity and MHC restriction of 14 human MBP-reactive T cell lines selected from normal individuals and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological diseases (OND). The four normal T cell lines recognized single, separate immunodominant MBP epitopes which were restricted by MHC molecules from the DR or in one case the DP class II locus. In contrast, the MS and OND T cell lines recognized multiple MBP epitopes, each in association with a discrete class II MHC molecule from the DR or DQ locus. Overall, HLA-DR molecules were used preferentially to associate with epitopes on human MBP, restricting 26/33 responses. As predicted from animal studies, T cells from genetically disparate individuals responded to different immunodominant epitopes on human MBP in association with distinct MHC class II molecules. HLA-DR2, which is overrepresented in MS patients, possessed an unusual capacity to restrict all eight epitopes identified on MBP in this study. These data provide the first evidence of genetically restricted human T cell recognition of potentially encephalitogenic epitopes of MBP.

Adult↗

T cell lines selected with synthetic peptides are highly encephalitogenic in SJL/J mice.

T cell lines were selected from basic protein (BP)-immunized SJL/J mice using synthetic peptides encompassing the major SJL/J encephalitogenic determinant. Synthetic peptide-derived T cell lines proliferated in response to BP, the 89-169 peptidase fragment of BP and the synthetic peptides, pM87-99, pM90-99 and pM91-99. These lines transferred a demyelinating and chronic relapsing form of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) into naive mice, and EAE induced by synthetic peptide-derived lines was more severe than that induced by whole BP-derived lines. This study demonstrates that T cell lines selected with synthetic peptides are encephalitogenic in SJL/J mice and offers an improved means for selecting SJL/J encephalitogenic T cell lines.

Animals↗

Response of rat encephalitogenic T lymphocyte lines to synthetic peptides of myelin basic protein.

T lymphocyte lines and clones selected from Lewis rats immunized with guinea pig basic protein (GP-BP) proliferate and acquire the ability to transfer experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) after activation by the 68-88 peptide of GP-BP in concert with autologous I-A major histocompatibility antigens. In order to evaluate the amino acid sequence required for activation, encephalitogenic T lymphocytes were stimulated with synthetic peptides representing the 69-89, 69-84, 72-84, and 75-84 sequence of GP-BP. The three longest peptides, but not the 75-84 peptide, induced encephalitogenic lines and clones to proliferate and to transfer clinical EAE; none of the peptides, however, could activate T cell lines of a different epitope specificity. The 69-89 sequence was the most efficient of the synthetic peptides, inducing optimal stimulation comparable to GP-BP at 10 micrograms/ml. The 69-84 and 72-84 sequences induced comparable levels of stimulation at 250 micrograms/ml, but the 75-84 sequence was not active at any concentration. These results show that the 11 amino acids representing the 72-84 sequence of GP-BP are sufficient to trigger encephalitogenic T cell activity, and suggest that the 85-89 sequence may stabilize the conformation of the encephalitogenic epitope. The close association observed between proliferation and EAE transfer activities, induced in highly purified T cell populations using synthetic peptides, suggests that these two functional properties of T cells result from a common activation pathway involving a single T cell receptor specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibody precipitation of lipid vesicles containing myelin proteins: dependence on lipid composition.

Antibody binding to human CNS myelin basic protein and to rabbit sciatic nerve myelin P-2 in their lipid-bound and water-soluble conformations has been investigated. 125I-labeled basic protein or P-2 was bound to the surface of liposomes (vesicles) of different acidic lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and cerebroside sulfate (CBS). The antibody was prepared against aqueous solutions of basic protein and P-2. Antibody binding to the proteins in liposomes was measured by precipitation of the liposomes by using a double antibody radioimmunoassay. The amount of 125I-basic protein precipitated was lest when the protein was bound to PA and increased in the order PA less than PS less than PG less than CBS less than PE approximately equal to basic protein in solution, suggesting that the antigenic determinants were lest exposed or most altered for PA and most exposed for PE. This agreed fairly well with previously published biophysical studies that suggested that hydrophobic segments of the protein penetrated into the lipid bilayer and that this penetration decreased in the order PA approximately equal to PG greater than PS greater than CBS greater than or equal to PE. The amount of 125I-P-2 precipitated was least for PA and CBS and increased in the order PA approximately equal to CBS less than PS less than PG less than PE approximately equal to P-2 in solution. However, the differences were less than for basic protein and the effect of CBS was different for the 2 proteins. Less is known about the conformation of P-2 in these lipids but it is known that lipids increase its disease-inducing activity. These results indicate that interaction with lipid may sequester or alter the conformation of antigenic determinants such that antibody binding decreases.

Animals↗

Specificity of brain cathepsin D: cleavage of model peptides containing the susceptible Phe-Phe regions of myelin basic protein.

Brain cathepsin D, purified by affinity chromatography on Sepharose pepstatin columns, was incubated with synthetic peptides corresponding to the susceptible regions of the myelin basic protein encompassing the two Phe-Phe bonds. One peptide, Leu-Gly-Arg-Phe-Phe-Gly-Gly, was cleaved by cathepsin D at the Phe-Phe bond while another, Val-His-Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Gly, was resistant to cleavage. To determine if this was a result of His flanking the Phe-Phe bond, or chain length on the N-terminal side, two decapeptides were synthesized differing only in the presence or absence of His adjacent to Phe. The results show that both of the decapapetides were cleaved by cathepsin D at the Phe-Phe linkages. In addition, prolonged incubation led to release of N-terminal Lys, indicating an additional cleavage at the Phe-Lys bond. In contrast to the limited cleavage by cathepsin D, pepsin split all four peptides. These results support earlier work on the limited proteolysis of basic protein at the Phe-Phe bond and suggest additional sites upon prolonged exposure. Such peptides may have utility as alternative substrates for basic protein or as models for subsequent synthesis of possible inhibitors of the enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Treatment of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis with an inhibitor of cathepsin D (pepstatin).

Intraperitoneal administration of pepstatin (2 mg/day for 5 weeks) to Lewis rats subjected to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) (induced by guinea pig spinal cord and pertussis vaccine) suppressed the appearance of clinical signs of disease, and reduced the severity and incidence of CNS lesions normally associated with this disease. Administration of pepstatin for shorter periods to Lewis rats, or BSVS mice, or guinea pigs challenged with myelin basic protein delayed, but did not prevent clinical signs of EAE, but was accompanied in all cases by a less severe histopathology.

Animals↗

Skin and heart allograft prolongation in tilorone-treated rats.

Tilorone is a synthetic amino-alkoxyfluorenone with demonstrated antiviral and antitumor properties. This study gives evidence for immunosuppressive properties of the substance as well. Buffalo rats (AgB6) received skin grafts from rats of the Fischer (AgB1) strain. Control animals rejected in 9.9 +/- 1.1 days, compared to 13.7 +/- 2.3 days for recipients treated with Tilorone. Steroids when combined with Tilorone further prolonged skin allografts to 16.7 +/- 2.6 days. Heart allografts from Fischer (AgB1) and Brown-Norway (AgB3) to Lewis (AgB1) also were performed. In the Fischer to Lewis combination, allograft survival was prolonged from 14.7 +/- 1.0 to 31.0 +/- 3.8 days. In the Brown-Norway to Lewis combination, treated rats rejected in 10.2 +/- 1.4 days versus 6.6 +/- 1.1 days for controls. Increased levels of cytotoxic antibody specific to lymphocytes of the donor strain were noted in Tilorone-treated animals. The mechanism by which Tilorone prolongs allografts may well involve a combination of interferon production and specific suppression of thymus-derived lymphocytes.

Animals↗

Prolongation of allografts in animals with a new agent: tilorone.

Tilorone, a synthetic amino-alkoxyflorenone, has been demonstrated to prolong allografts in rats and dogs. Tilorone, in combination with low dose non-specific immunosuppression, appears to have an additive effect. Tilorone's mechanism of action is unclear at this time but may involve a combination of specific T lymphocyte depletion and interferon induction.

Animals↗

Studies on the effect of vitamin D on calcium absorption and transport.

1. Mucosal cells of the small intestine obtained from rats deprived of vitamin D or given excessive amounts of the vitamin accumulated significantly more calcium than did cells from control animals. 2. Mucosal cells from vitamin D-deficient rats released less calcium than did cells from normal or hypervitaminotic D animals. 3. Studies in vivo showed that the transfer of (45)Ca from the intestine to the blood was delayed in vitamin D deficiency, but was accelerated in hypervitaminosis D. 4. The findings support the thesis that vitamin D is involved in the release of calcium rather than in its uptake by mucosal cells. 5. Further evidence is presented suggesting that uptake of calcium by intestinal mucosal cells at 0 degrees is primarily passive, whereas at 38 degrees uptake and release are effected by an active process that depends on energy derived from glycolytic activity.

Animals↗