Biomedical subjects

R T Breckenridge

Publications and source records attributed to R T Breckenridge.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1978

Responses of human platelets to immunologic stimuli: independent roles for complement and IgG in zymosan activation.

Analysis of the zymosan (Z)-induced human platelet response with washed platelets, fresh agammaglobulinemic plasma, and purified human IgG has identified a previously unrecognized role of IgG in this reaction, in addition to the previously reported requirements for C and fibrinogen. The rate-limiting step involves the assembly of C components on the Z particles and is independent of immunoglobulin. After the heat-labile components (supplied by agammaglobulinemic plasma) are Z bound, Z-specific IgG (apparently antibody) can bind to Z very rapidly, conferring on the previously inactive Z-complement-fibrinogen intermediate the capacity to induce platelet aggregation and serotonin release. The critical function of this Z-bound IgG appears to be in the interaction of the active Z complex with the platelet through Fc receptors, since soluble Fc fragments of each IgG subclass can totally block platelet activation. It is proposed that the human platelet requires a dual, or multi-site, stimulation to become activated during some forms of immunologic injury. These findings may provide some insight into clinical syndromes involving thrombocytopenia and intravascular coagulation during sepsis.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

PubMed1977

Hereditary C5 deficiency in man. III. Studies of hemostasis and platelet responses to zymosan.

Platelet-rich-plasma from two hemostatically normal individuals, genetically lacking the fifth component of complement (C5), failed to exhibit normal platelet aggregation, or serotonin release, in the presence of zymosan. This abnormality was found to reside in the C5D plasma rather than in the platelets as demonstrated by the inability of the deficient plasma to activate zymosan for the aggregation of washed normal platelets. The defect could be corrected by the addition of normal plasma, normal serlm, or highly purified human C5. A plasma abnormality similar to that found in the C5D individuals was also noted in plasmas deficient in C3, C6, and C7; whereas C8 plasma D behaved normally. These data suggest that this platelet reaction requires late acting C components, perhaps as the C567 complex, bound to the zymosan particles.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed1975

Blood--its derivatives and its problems--factor VIII.

Unfortunately, all of the problems of the hemophiliac have not been solved by the availability of concentrated factor VIII products. Patients still are faced with the crippling effects of arthritis, problems with employment, problems with ignorance (both medical and lay), and an increased risk of premature death even in a sophisticated, treatment-oriented, community (Table 3). It can only be hoped that we can solve the problems of hepatitis transmission, availability, and economics so that concentrated forms of factor VIII can be made available to all patients with hemophilia. It seems appropriate to suggest that our severely affected patients should be placed on some prophylactic programs, since this would ease most of the long-term psychologic and physical disabilities common to this disease.

Amyloidosis↗

PubMed1975

Studies on a circulating anticoagulant in systemic lupus erythematosus: evidence for inhibition of the function of activated plasma thromboplastin antecedent (factor XIa).

Plasma proteins which interfere with blood coagulation have often been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The most frequent type interferes with the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and thus prolongs the prothrombin time. Infrequently, SLE patients exhibit anticoagulants which appear to block the earlier stages of coagulation such as those involving factor VIII or the formation of activated factor XI (factor XIa). The anticoagulant reported here was studied by means of a sequential clotting system utilizing crude coagulation factors and was noted to interfere with the action of activated plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA) during the activation of factor IX. This anticoagulant was found in gamma-globulin-rich ethanol fractions of plasma. After gel filtration, it was found principally in fractions containing IgM globulins but also, to a lesser extent, in IgG-rich fractions. In this respect, it is similar to anticoagulants reported in certain other cases of SLE. Attempts to confirm the immunoglobulin nature of the anticoagulant by immunoabsorption were, however, inconclusive

Absorption↗

PubMed1975

Hereditary C6 deficiency in man.

An 18-year-old black female (D.B.) in good general health was found to have no hemolytic activity in serum CH50 titrations. Functional assays yielded normal values for all C components except C6. C6 was not detectable in plasma or serum by two different functional assays nor by antigenic analysis using monospecific anti-C6 antibody. Hemolytic activity was restored by addition of functionally pure C6. By specific functional assay, both parents and 5 of 6 available sibs had approximately half-normal serum C6 levels and 1 sib was normal. Biologic properties of D.B. serum include: a) absent bactericidal activity against S. typhi 0 901 with or without added rabbit antibody; b) normal generation of chemotactic activity for human neutrophils in the presence of endotoxin or aggregated IgG; c) ability to sensitize appropriate cells for immune adherence of agglutination by anti-C3 Coombs serum; and d) inability to lyse PNH red cells in either acid hemolysis or "sugar water" tests. An extensive clotting workup by standard methods was within normal limits. These studies document for the first time a human kindred with C6 deficiency. This defect exhibits a classic mendelian autosomal inheritance, with all 3 genotypes being recognizable. Unlike the C6-deficient rabbits studied by others, the homozygous C6-deficient human exhibits chemotactic and coagulation functions within the range of normal.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1974