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The distribution of phenotypes and gene frequencies of the group-specific component (Gc) and C3 complement were studied in Central Sardinian sample. The gene frequencies were:Gc1 = 0.733; C3F = 0.237.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a seronegative spondyloartropathy associated with IgA glomerulonephritis. We described a case not associated with IgA immunoglobulin deposition in the glomerulus, but with C3 complement deposition. At the same time circulating immune complexed of the IgG type were found. The possible association of glomerulonephritis and seronegative spondyloartropathies are discussed.
Levels of immunoglobulins G, A and M were determined in 55 children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (32 acute, 18 chronic and 5 recurrent). Mean IgG levels tended to be low in acute ITP and returned to normal with recovery. In contrast, chronic and recurrent ITP had persistently low IgG and IgA levels. C3 complement levels in 10 cases of acute ITP were normal. Seven patients with chronic ITP had their spleens removed, and IgG and IgA levels tended to rise, while IgM levels decreased in 4 patients after the operation. Low IgA levels observed at the onset of purpura in a child might favor the diagnosis of chronic or recurrent ITP.
Circulatory immune complexes were estimated in the sera of 25 patients and 20 age and sex matched controls by precipitation with 8% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Characterization of the immune complexes, thus obtained, was performed by the double immuno-diffusion method. The mean protein content of the PEG precipitates was significantly higher in the patients of thromboangiitis obliterans than in the controls. The immunoglobulins in the immune complexes were predominantly of mixed type in contrast to mainly single class immunoglobulins in the controls. C3 complement distribution in immune complexes of patients and control sera was 64% and 45% respectively. The immune complexes in patients were found to be biologically active. The mechanism of formation of circulatory immune complexes and their role in the pathogenesis of arteritis in relation to smoking of tobacco has been postulated.
To identify constituents of grain dust responsible for grain handlers' respiratory symptoms, 11 volunteer grain elevator workers underwent inhalation provocation tests with extracts of durum wheat, durum wheat airborne dust, and grain insects and mites. Factors that might influence the host response to the challenge were assessed. Five of the 11 subjects showed a greater than 20 percent decrement in FEV1 after inhalation of durum wheat extracts (airways reaction). The bronchial reactions were immediate in 1/5 and late in 4/5. These airway reactions were blocked by sodium cromoglycate. Only one subject showed airway reaction to durum wheat dust extract, and none reacted to mites or insect extracts. There was no change in DLCO, temperature, or in total C3 complement blood levels, nor was there evidence of activation of complement by the alternate or classic pathway. The airway response was not always related to the atopic status of the individual. The reaction is more likely to occur in subjects with preexisting airway obstruction and nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity. Durum wheat has been identified as an inducer of occupational asthma in grain handlers. This reaction is probably due to specific or nonspecific mediator release. There was no apparent parenchymal or systemic reaction or complement activation detectable in the subjects' sera after inhalation of durum wheat extracts.
Quantification of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 complement, siderophilin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and haptoglobin in serum by a Behring laser nephelometer coupled with a date processing apparatus was compared with values obtained by the radial immunodiffusion method of Mancini. The precision was not improved by the use of the laser nephelometer as compared to Mancini radial immunodiffusion, but within run precision was better than that among runs for both methods. The analytical recovery studies for laser nephelometry showed a close concordance between the theoretical and measured values for all proteins. The two techniques were also compared by means of correlation studies.
Using an automated immunoprecipitin method, we assayed human sera for 10 proteins: haptoglobin, orosomucoid, transferrin, alpha1 antitrypsin, alpha2-macroglobulin, IgG, IGa, IgM, complement C3, and complement C4. Blood from 14 healthy subjects (25-40y) was sampled on six separate days. From each venipuncture serum was divided into four eliquots; two were assayed on the day of venipuncture and two were frozen and kept until the end of the study, when all of the frozen samples were analyzed in one batch. With this experimental design, batch-to-batch analytical variation could be estimated, and we avoided confounding it with the biological variation. Data analysis was based on the analysis of variance technique. The average physiological intra-individual coefficient of variation ranged from 2.5% for transferrin to 11.1% for orosomucoid. THe interindividual variation ranged from 9.5% for transferrin to 70.5% for haptoglobin and the ratio between intra-individual variation and interindividual variation ranged from 0.66 for IgM to 0.26 for orosomucoid and transferrin.
Research into the environmental factors in the aetiological diagnosis of asthma is a fundamental measure which must direct complementary test and therapy. Extrinsic asthma is mostly found in young people, with atopic antecedents. Immunological study is based on the clinical history and skin tests (IgE dosage, in vitro tests and provocation tests are difficult to apply in epidemiology due to their high cost). In children 3/4 of asthma cases are extrinsic. Differential diagnosis is especially a problem with rhinitis. There is only a small percentage of cases of non atopic extrinsic asthma which can bring other immunological mechanisms into play. So-called intrinsic asthma (late onset asthma, with continuous dyspnea, corticodependent) is mostly observed in adults. The age has an influence on the severity of the attacks, the curve of asthma with permanent dyspnea being a function increasing with age, whereas that of less severe asthma is a function decreasing with age. The role of extrinsic factors does not seem important in this category of asthmatics (10 to 25% according to the statistics). Immunofluorescence studies of the bronchial mucosa show up the possibility of local immunological reactions, whether specific or not (frequent presence of the C3 complement). This means that the immunologist can, in many cases of asthma, help the epidemiologist to define and to understand the physiological mechanisms of the disease.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to pesticides may affect humoral and cell-mediated immunity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 24 men employed in the production of dust pesticides and 23 females performing ancillary jobs under conditions of lower pesticide exposure. Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 10 males (41.7%) and 13 females (56.5%). The workers were exposed to: triazines, carbamates and dithiocarbamates, carbendazim, captan, dodine, dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), and cupric oxychloride. Silica, kaolin, chalk, and talc were used as carriers. The average workplace air concentrations of pesticides did not exceed the MAC. The serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A and M, complement component C3, and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were estimated. The peripheral blood leukocyte count and percentage of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 lymphocytes were evaluated. RESULTS: IgA and CIC concentrations in the female group were higher as compared to controls, whereas the percentage of CD3, CD4, CD8 cells was significantly lower, as opposed to an increased percentage of CD19 cells. The male group showed lower CIC concentrations, and the C3 complement component level was significantly higher. The decreased percentage of CD3 cells was accompanied by a higher CD19 cells ratio. The white blood cell count was higher in the males. No significant changes were found in other immunity parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed changes in some components of humoral and cellular immunity, which may influence damage to the respiratory system.
The effect of K and Mg salts of aspartic acid (Cardilan) on the serum concentration of selected proteins and phagocytic activity in aging male Wistar rats was investigated. Cardilan was administered in tap water for 7 days a month for 3 months before the last observed interval (12, 18 and 24 month). In a part of animals, the aging process was accelerated by sublethally gamma-irradiation. The administration of Cardilan slowed down the changes in the concentration of prealbumin, albumin, haptoglobin, haemopexin, C3 complement in non-irradiated rats (DC). This effect was extended to the changes in transferrin level in irradiated rats (IDC). The phagocytic activity in both DC, IDC rats was lower compared with controls drinking water (DW, IDW), but not significantly. The effect of Cardilan administration appears to be the greatest in 24-month-old rats, when the treated animals survived better by 25% in IDC group and by 26% better in DC rats, compared with those of the same age controls. Potassium and magnesium salts of aspartates are suitable compounds for life prolongation in the experimental conditions.
OBJECTIVES: The goal of the present study is to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms that determine the ocular involvement in some systemic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have studied 45 patients with ocular diseases and concomitant systemic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus-SLE, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome). The patients studied have been compared with a control group represented by 20 healthy individuals. In each case we have determined the serum levels of the following humoral markers: the C3 complement fraction, circulating immune complexes, autoantibodies (antinuclear autoantibodies, anti-double stranded DNA autoantibodies, anti-smooth muscle autoantibodies, anti-neutrophilic cytoplasm autoantibodies, anti-cardiolipin autoantibodies, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, rheumatoid factor). RESULTS: The autoantibodies detected in certain cases of uveitis suggest the existence of an autoimmune etiology; the antibody titers have been high in some severe cases of rheumatic uveitis, especially in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. We have found that there is a correlation between the presence and the titer of certain autoantibodies, and the onset and evolution of the disease. Specifically, the antinuclear autoantibodies may be considered a predictive factor for the development of chorio-retinopathy of SLE. Uveitis mediated by immune complexes has been seen in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and SLE, these being the same systemic diseases where there is an important pathogenic role of immune complexes. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormal immunologic function, that was observed in the ocular inflammatory diseases studied, may be synthesized by the association between two immunopathologic phenomena; both of them are finalized by the non-self transformation of the antigens linked to various eye structures. These are represented by autoimmunity (of humoral, cellular, or mixed type), and the immediate type III hypersensitivity reaction. This study provides important data regarding the involvement of autoimmune diseases in the etiology of ocular diseases.
Myocardial tissues of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were studied by immunofluorescence. While immunoglobulin A fixation was observed in myocardial capillary wall and cardiomyocyte sarcolemma in the majority of patients (11 of 12), immunoglobulin G and C3 complement component were a rare finding. In the vessel wall of heart allografts immunoglobulin A fixation occurred 3-6 days after transplantation. As a result of the intensive immunosuppressive therapy which was used after the operation immunoglobulin A disappeared from heart allografts within 4-5 weeks. Immunoglobulin A fixation in the heart of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy is attributed to the anti-tissue or antivirus antibodies and probably is involved in the development of this disease.
The authors investigated some immunologic parameters in 17 patients treated with CAPD during 11.0 +/- 6.8 months. There were no disturbances in humoral immunity. In cell-mediated immunity we observed only skin anergy specially in patients with high peritonitis rate. In this group we observed lower concentration of IgG, C3 complement and fibronectin in peritoneal effluent.
Serum alpha 2HS-glycoprotein (A2HSG) concentrations of 63 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were determined, and found to be significantly low compared to those of 59 healthy blood donors. The diminution of serum A2HSG concentration was proportional to the degree of activity of SLE, and was not influenced by secondary infections. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum A2HSG and the C3 complement component levels. A negative correlation between serum A2HSG and IgG, IgA concentration and anti-DNA activity was observed. Serum A2HSG was significantly low in cases of positive for the following laboratory parameters: anti-nuclear antibodies, circulating immune complexes and LE cell phenomenon. We found no correlation between serum IgM concentration, cryoglobulins, latex agglutination and serum A2HSG levels. The unusually good negative correlation between A2HSG pathogenetical role of this glycoprotein in SLE. The determination of A2HSG concentration may be of clinical importance in SLE.
An automated immunoprecipitin system has been utilized to quantitate the concentration of 10 specific proteins in the plasma of man. Values obtained by this technique are in agreement with the published concentrations for these specific plasma proteins. This technique was utilized to determine the sequential change s in 10 individual plasma proteins of volunteers exposed to Salmonella typhi. In those volunteers who developed typical typhoid fever, plasma concentrations of the acute phase proteins, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, alpha1-antitrypsin, and haptoglobin, as well as C3 complement were significantly increased with the onset of febrile illness. In contrast, the concentration of plasma albumin and tranferrin were depressed while plasma IgM became elevated during early convalescence from this infection. No significant changes were observed in the plasma concentrations of alpha2-macroglobulin, IgG, or IgA. In the exposed volunteers who did not become ill, the only significant change was a brief depression of alpha1-antitrypsin. During typhoid fever the patterns of change for individual plasma acute-phase globulins were different from those reported for patients with hepatitis, myocaridal infarction, or surgery.
Collagen and proteoglycan are major constituents of the articular cartilage. In rheumatic disorders joint damage is attributed to the excessive action of proteoglycan degrading proteinases (P) and specific collagenases, which are released by connective tissue- and inflammatory cells in the synovial compartment. Collagenase is secreted in a latent form, which requires activation by a variety of serine-proteinases. Thus, several different proteinases are involved in pathogenesis of joint disease. alpha 2-macroglobulin was shown to be the major inhibitor of proteinases in complex biological fluids. To assess the utilization of alpha 2M by proteinases in synovial fluids (SF) from different arthritides we have employed a newly introduced solid phase immuno-sorbent assay, which allows concentration of alpha 2M and its proteinase-complexes from biological fluids. Most pronounced utilization of alpha 2M (up to 50% of total SF alpha 2M) was found in marked joint inflammation as judged from RF, immunocomplexes, C3 complement activation and acute phase reactants. Supported by animal experiments, which revealed that alpha 2M.P complexes but not native alpha 2M induce synovitis in rabbits after repeated intra-articular administration, it is suggested that pathophysiological rise of alpha 2M.P may impair cellular functions in inflammatory connective tissue, e.g. synovial tissue.
A pattern of primary glomerulonephritis (GN), derived from 94 patients admitted to Tjikini Hospital Jakarta, between 1976-1980 is presented. The ratio of male to female patients was 1:1.2 with mean age of 25.9 and 27.1 years respectively. The morphologic types of glomerulonephritis were analysed. This paper presents data on sex distribution, mean age, onset before hospitalisation, serum immunoglobulin, C3 complement, immunohistological deposits and clinical features. Serum Ig G levels were increased in all types of nephritis except Focal and Segmental GN. Diffuse Mesangial Proliferative (DMesP) GN was associated with a high frequency of Ig M deposits. Distribution of the different types of GN and clinical presentation were compared with other series. DMesP GN and MCGN accounted for 77% of Acute Nephritic Syndrome. It seems to be universal that the most common clinical presentation of GN patients is Nephrotic Syndrome.
Splenectomy is known to increase the risk of overwhelming bacterial infection. Characteristically, there is a decrease in immunoglobulin IgM, properdin, and T-lymphocytes; impaired primary antibody response to antigen challenge; an altered opsonic function; and a tuftsin deficiency. Because the spleen is important in host defense, preservation of traumatized splenic tissue has been advocated. Splenic autotransplantation has been suggested as a method of preserving function, and this concept is supported by experiments in animals. The present study describes autotransplantation of the traumatized spleen in human beings for the preservation of splenic function. Four patients operated on for blunt abdominal trauma required total splenectomy for hemostasis and were deemed suitable candidates for autotransplantation of the splenic tissue. In each, thinly sliced segments of spleen (roughly 20 gm.) were placed in a previously fashioned omental pouch. All patients survived without complications. Postoperative studies included blood and platelet counts, cell morphology, determination of serum immunoglobulin levels, and splenic scans. Four weeks postoperatively, Howell-Jolly bodies and target cells had disappeared from the red cells. Platelet counts returned to normal range. Initially low IgM and C3 complement levels increased to normal. Scans at 8 weeks confirmed the presence of functioning splenic tissue. Autotransplantation of the spleen is a safe method for preserving splenic function when total splenectomy is mandatory for hemostasis.