[Autoimmunity: its principles, concept definitions and methodical aspects].

Lymphocytes undergo activation in response to antigens, cytokines, lectins and antibodies interacting with specific cell-surface molecules or through substances influencing signal transduction pathways. This study shows that human T- and B-cells stimulated using phorbol esters or plant lectins express early (2 h using phorbol esters and 24 h using plant lectins) a high level of a polyvalent carbohydrate-binding protein, the cerebellar soluble lectin (CSL), which is in part externalized. The lectin, immunologically related to CDw70, interacts with specific glycoprotein ligands of the lymphocyte surface, including CD3 on T-cells and CD24 on B-cells. Major changes in phosphorylations associated with activation appear as largely CSL-dependent since they are specifically inhibited by anti-CSL Fab fragments. It is suggested that the lectin induces the clustering of specific cell-surface glycoproteins and plays the role of an endogenous amplifier of activation signals.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed1995

Isolation, in vitro culture, ultrastructure study, and characterization by lectin-agglutination tests of Phytomonas isolated from tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and cherimoyas (Anona cherimolia) in southeastern Spain.

Plants of Lycopersicon esculentum (grown in greenhouses) and Anona cherimolia cultivated in southeastern Spain were examined for the presence of trypanosomatid flagellates. Kinetoplastid protozoa were found in the fruits but not in the phloem or other plant tissues. Parasites were detected from the onset of fruiting. Isolates were detected from the onset of fruiting. Isolates were adapted to in vitro culturing in monophase media. The form and the structural organization was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The parasites showed an ultrastructural pattern similar to that of other species of the genus Phytomonas. In tomatoes experimentally inoculated with flagellates cultivated in vitro, we observed that the parasites did not lose their infectious capacity. Three strains of trypanosomatids of the genus Phytomonas, isolated from different species of Euphorbia (E. characias and E. hyssopifolia) and from Cocos nucifera, were compared with our isolates by lectin-agglutination tests. Our isolates were different from the two strains isolated from Euphorbia, but with this technique we could not differentiate our isolates from those of the coconut, nor could we differentiate between the isolates, their ultrastructural similarity together with their similar behavior in the lectin-agglutination test suggesting that these isolates have a common origin.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed1995

Performance evaluation of a particle agglutination test for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus 1: comparison with enzyme immunoassay.

A performance evaluation of a particle agglutination test (PAT), manufactured by Fujirebio Inc., Japan (Serodia-HIV), for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (anti-HIV-1) was carried out and compared with a currently available enzyme immunoassay (EIA), manufactured by Genetic Systems Corp., USA, (HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA). Testing 2,878 Indian donor and patient samples, both tests showed 100% sensitivity and comparable specificity (PAT: 99.8%; EIA: 99.7% among donor samples). We conclude that PAT is a specific and sensitive test for anti-HIV-1; it is simple to perform and does not require sophisticated equipment. Hence it is suitable for mass screening of blood donors in a developing country like India, especially in rural areas where presently no HIV-testing facilities are available.

Agglutination Tests↗