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Biomedical subjects

O Scherak

Publications and source records attributed to O Scherak.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Demonstration of a new antinuclear antibody (anti-RA33) that is highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis.

Using immunoblot analysis with soluble nuclear extracts from HeLa cells, we identified autoantibodies to an antigen with a molecular weight of approximately 33,000 in 36% of 95 sera from rheumatoid arthritis patients, but in only 1 of 170 controls. The antigen, termed RA33, was resistant to DNase and RNase digestion but sensitive to proteinase K treatment. There was no discernible relation to other autoantibodies. Thus, this newly described autoantibody appears to be highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

HLA-DR antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with specificity of autoantibody responses to nuclear antigens.

HLA-DR antigens and autoantibodies to the nuclear or cytoplasmic antigens Ro/SSA, La/SSB, Sm, and RNP were determined in North American and Austrian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Analysis of the association of antibodies to these ribonucleic acid (RNA)-protein antigens with HLA-DR antigens showed that HLA-DR3 was related to the presence of anti-Ro/SSA or anti-La/SSB, or both. In contrast, anti-Sm or anti-RNP, or both were associated with HLA-DR4. HLA-DR5 was associated with absence of these autoantibodies. The data extend evidence for the complexity and heterogeneity of SLE. Moreover, they indicate that, in SLE, genes linked to those coding for HLA-DR antigens, are related to the specificity of autoantibody responses rather than to the primary immunological abnormalities of this disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

HLA antigens and toxicity to gold and penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis.

One hundred sixty-eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with chloroquine (n = 87), gold salts (n = 133) and/or penicillamine (n = 77) were investigated for possible associations between HLA antigens and toxic reactions. Patients with 2 or more side effects to gold and/or penicillamine had a significantly increased frequency of antigens HLA-B8 and DR3 compared to patients with one or without adverse reactions. Proteinuria to gold or penicillamine was significantly associated with HLA-B8 (relative risk [RR] 4.2) and DR3 (RR 14.0) whereas nonnephrologic side effects to gold or penicillamine were associated with B7 and DR2 (RR 3.5 and 2.8). Patients with skin reactions to gold had a significantly greater frequency of HLA-B7. We found no correlation between chloroquine side effects and any HLA antigen. The results suggest a genetic predisposition to toxic reactions to gold or penicillamine based on an immunologic dysregulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

HLA-DR antigens and disease patterns of rheumatoid arthritis.

HLA-DR antigens were determined in 111 patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-DR4 was significantly (P corr. less than 10(-6] increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (54%) compared with controls (23.2%). HLA-DR 5 was decreased in rheumatoid arthritis (12.6% vs 26.4% of controls); however, the corrected P value was not significant. There were no significant differences with regard to various clinical, radiological and serological parameters between HLA-DR 4 positive and negative patients. However, a milder course of rheumatoid arthritis was observed in DR 7 positive patients: Patients with this antigen were associated significantly with seronegativity and low titers of IgM-rheumatoid factor. Despite a similar disease duration patients with DR 7 had a significantly lower number of joints with inflammatory arthritis (synovitic swelling with limitation of movement) and developed less frequently severe radiological changes as joint ankylosis than DR 7 negative patients. In addition to the well known association between rheumatoid arthritis and HLA-DR 4, our data indicate that HLA-DR 7 may have a protective effect on the course of rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The use of questionnaires in the evaluation of the functional capacity in rheumatoid arthritis.

The functional capacity of 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was assessed by means of two systems of investigation. Three different questionnaires were used. One set of each was filled out by the patient himself; the other with the help of the occupational therapist. The results obtained were tested for their reliability. In addition they were also compared to the Ritchie-Index (method of simple measurement of disease activity) of thirty patients. The disability of each patient could be assessed with sufficient precision. A correlation to the Ritchie-Index was also registered.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1981

Concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity and in vitro immunoglobulin secretion in rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with clinical and immunological parameters.

Concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity was found moderately but significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in RA patients treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (31 +/- 7% suppression) as compared to patients on remission-inducing drugs, such as gold, penicillamine, or chloroquine (51 +/- 6%) or to healthy individuals (50 +/- 6%). Also, lymphocytes from patients with antibodies to collagen mediated lower suppression (33 +/- 7%) than lymphocytes from patients without evidence for these autoantibodies (61 +/- 11%). No significant difference between patients and controls or between individual groups of patients were observed in regard to IgM and IgG secretion induced by pokeweed mitogen. Thus, although no indication for a severe derangement of regulatory cells in peripheral blood of RA patients could be observed in this study, a slight deficiency of ConA-inducible suppressor cells that may be reverted by remission-inducing drugs seems to be present in RA.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Dermatoglyphics and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Finger tip and palmar dermatoglyphics of 37 female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were compared to 100 female controls; patients and controls were native inhabitants of the Eastern part of Austria. SLE patients had a significantly higher frequency of low endings of line A on both hands, and-on the left hand-significantly more patterns in the fourth and fewer patterns in the third interdigitum. There was no association between these dermatoglyphic features and the HLA antigens (B8 an DRw3), which occurred most frequently in our SLE patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Determination of immune complexes in renal diseases (author's transl)].

The concentration of circulating immune complexes were determined by Clq solid phase assay in 30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 15), glomerulonephritis (n = 5), and after kidney transplantation (n = 10). Elevated immune complex concentrations were found in glomerulonephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus correlating with disease activity. In the posttransplant period the level of immune complexes was increased after antilymphocyte globulin therapy. The function of the transplanted kidney or rejection crises showed no effect on immune complex formation. The presence of circulating immune complexes indicates a high activity of disease in cases of glomerulonephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1980

Lymphocyte transformation to denatured type I collagen and B lymphocyte alloantigens in rheumatoid arthritis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes transformed significantly to denatured type I collagen in 22 of 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (58%), 1 of 9 patients with Reiter's disease (P less than 0.05), and 9 of 32 controls (28%) (P less than 0.01). Determination of HLA antigens revealed significant differences between 24 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and a control population for HLA-DRw4 (75% versus 23%). No correlation was observed between lymphocyte transformation to collagen and antibodies to collagen, rheumatoid factor, stage or duration of RA, or HLA antigens.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Effect of levamisole on immunological parameters in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Parameters of cell-mediated and humoral immunity were examined in 8 patients with clinically inactive SLE undergoing levamisole treatment. Lymphocyte transformation with PHA and PMW was temporarily increased in the first month of therapy; at the same time absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes, T cells and B cells increased slightly. However, these differences were not significant statistically. In 1 patient with a diminished percentage of T cells and an increased percentage of B cells, levamisole induced normalization. Antibodies to DNA decreased in 6 patients, while titres of ANA decreased only in one patient. Serum levels of C1q and C3 increased in 7 and 3 patients, respectively. Four patients were treated with levamisole for 12 months, during which time there was neither clinical exacerbation nor deterioration of renal function and the concomitant corticosteroid therapy could be reduced.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1980

Suppressor cell activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Twenty-one patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were investigated for their suppressor cell activity by a Concanavalin A suppressor cell assay. Two patients had active disease, 9 moderately active disease, and 10 inactive disease according to clinical and laboratory parameters. A mean of 41 +/- 7% suppression was observed in RA patients as compared to 63 +/- 7% suppression observed in 10 healthy age and sex matched controls. No significant difference was observed between patients with moderately active or active disease (39 +/- 9%) and patients with inactive RA (43 +/- 10%). However, a borderline statistical significance (p = 0.05) was seen between controls and patients with moderately active or active RA. Use of autologous serum instead of AB serum for suppressor cell induction had no significant effect, although an increase of the mean suppression was noted (58 +/- 6%) in patient's group. No correlations existed between suppressor cell activity and presence of circulating Clq-binding immune complexes (solid-phase Clq assay), rheumatoid factor (Waaler-Rose test) or antinuclear antibodies (indirect immunofluorescence). This study indicates that lymphocytes of patients with inactive RA exert normal suppressor cell activity. It may well be that patients with active rheumatoid arthritis have decreased suppressor cell function. This will be assessed in a larger group of patients with active disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Clinical experience with levamisole treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (author's transl)].

Levamisole treatment was started in 8 patients with inactive SLE. Four patients, who have now been followed up for over 12 months, have not shown clinical deterioration. Three of these patients received concomitant maintenance corticosteroid therapy, the dosage of which could be reduced in each case. A decrease in anti-DNA antibodies was observed in all 4 patients. Levamisole had to be withdrawn in the other 4 patients. One patient developed an exacerbation of her LE skin manifestations after two months, whilst in another patient fever and skin rash (probably drug-induced) were observed after one month. The cooperation of the 2 other patients was not satisfactory and the drug had, thus, to be withdrawn. In conclusion, 4 out of 8 patients with SLE showed a beneficial response to levamisole therapy.

Adolescent↗