Immunological comparison between albumins of three species of mice (genusMus)

Summary Three closely related species of short-tailed mice (Mus musculus musculus, M. spretoides andM. spicilegus) were tentatively discriminated using immunological techniques based on albumin cross-reactivity. Different fractionations of crude albumin antisera allowed the recovery of antibody populations specific to theM. m. musculus albumin, whereas antibody population differences do not seem to exist betweenM. spicilegus andM. spretoides. Moreover, immunoreactivities tested with native and S-carboxymethylated albumins revealed that species-specific antibodies correspond to antigenic determinants depending on the amino acid sequence (sequential determinants). The observed immunological differences are related to species divergence and albumin sequences.     

The existence in Europe of four groups of mice (genus Mus L.) of species and subspecies rank, demonstrated by biochemical genetics]

Analysis at 20 genetic loci by starch gel electrophoresis of a population from Greece shows that contrary to most accepted views, the outdoor Eastern Mediterranean Short-tailed Mouse (i) does not belong to the same species as the House Mouse (Mus musculus), (ii) is not less distant from the Eastern European semi-species of House Mouse (biochemical group 2) than from the Western and Mediterranean European semi-species (group 1), and (iii) is not more closely related to the outdoor Western Mediterranean Short-tailed Mouse Mus spretus (group 3), than to M. musculus. It represents a new biochemical group (group 4) and deserves a species rank (Mus spicilegus).     

2 new esterase loci Es-14 and Es-15 in mice (genus Muc L.) : characterization by different substrates and inhibitors]

Allelic differences at an esterase locus designated Es-14 exist between Mus musculus (both inbred strains and wild Mice) and Mus spretus. This locus is expressed in a variety of tissues. Mus musculus has been assigned the allele Es-14r while Mus spretus carries the alternate alleles Es-14l. Each phenotype manifests itself as a single band of enzyme activity and F1 hybrids show two bands corresponding to the parental forms. Allozyme variation was also detected at another esterase locus, temporarily disignated as Es-15 until confirmed by current linkage analysis. A slow variant Es-15 was recorded in a Mus musculus population from Greece while inbred strains carry the Es-15m allele. Study of a Mus spicilegus population from Greece revealed the presence of a third allele, Es-15r. Substrate and inhibition characteristics are provided for both loci.     

Phylogenetic relationship of the Brasilian leptodactylid frog generaCraspedoglossa,Cycloramphus andZachaenus

Summary Based on immunological comparisons of the serum albumins ofCraspedoglossa andZachaenus with antisera to albumin of several species ofCycloramphus, it is concluded that morphological and biochemical evolutionary rates have not been comparable within the study group. Taken together, the morphological and biochemical information demonstrate that whileZachaenus is a genetic member of theCycloramphus lineage, it has attained generic status.This study was supported by NSF grant No. DEB78-23396, the Amazon Ecosystem Research Program, Smithsonian Institution, the Fluid Research Fund, Smithsonian Institution, and the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo.The authors gratefully acknowledge the following colleagues for their help in procuring frog samples: R.I. Crombie, M.C. Duchêne, F.I. McCullough, F.C. do Val and P.E. Vanzolini.     

Potentiation of immunologic memory by Corynebacterium parvum and its mechanism]

Immune response to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at dose of 2,50 mg/kg which is rather a weak immunogen in Rabbits, when given intravenous was highly potentiated when the animals received a previous single intravenous infection of 2 mg/kg of C. parvum, followed by subsequent BSA anamnestic challenges for several months. Thus, the antibody amounts synthesized following the 1st anamnestic injection (3 weeks) were 0,260 mg/ml in the control versus, 0,800 mg/ml in the C. parvum pretreated groups; following the 2nd anamnestic challenge (12 weeks afterwards) 1 mg/ml in the control versus, 2,50 mg/ml in the treated groups following the 3rd anamnestic challenge (28 weeks afterwards) 1,3 mg/ml in the control versus 5 mg/ml in the C. parvum pretreated groups; following the 4th anamnestic challenge (52 weeks afterwards) 0,300 mg/ml in the control versus 0,800 mg/ml in the C. parvum treated groups. On the whole for the four first anamnestic challenges the differences at peak levels between the control and C. parvum treated groups were about to 4. Furthermore, the antibody molecules synthesized by the C. parvum treated animals were found to belong to IgG class. The results suggest that the immunological mechanisms mobilized are peculiar to C. parvum since they could not be reproduced either by BCG or by Freun'd adjuvant under similar conditions.     

Ultradian (between 5 and 70 minutes) respiratory (VO2, VCO2) rhythms of 4 small vertebrates used in biomedical research]

Four laboratory Vertebrate species with a predominant activity, either diurnal (Coturnix coturnix japonica), nocturnal (Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus), or equivocal (Cavia porcellus), present, in usual housing conditions (temperature 20 degrees C, hygrometry 60-70%, acoustical background 70 dB, LD12:12 lighting L = 150 lx), food and water ad libitum, ultradian respiratory (VO2, VCO2) rhythms of short periods. The frequencies of these rhythms are independent of food intake and activity variations correlated to the lighting phase and regimen (LD, LL). The period (tau) of these ultradian respiratory rhythms is in isolated animals, between 5 and 70 min., according to the species studied. Grouping of several individuals of a same species, in a ventilated chamber, modifies the statistical distribution of the periods of the ultradian rhythms, but does not change the interspecies differences.     

Species-dependent stereospecific serum protein binding of the oral anticoagulant drug phenprocoumon.

13 mammalian species are classified into 3 clearcut groups with respect to the stereospecific serum protein-binding of phenprocoumon: 2 groups showing opposed stereospecific binding characteristics and a 3rd group exhibiting no stereospecific binding. Structural differences in the albumin molecule account for these stereospecific differences in serum protein-binding.     

Species-dependent stereospecific serum protein binding of the oral anticoagulant drug phenprocoumon

Summary 13 mammalian species are classified into 3 clearcut groups with respect to the stereospecific serum proteinbinding of phenprocoumon: 2 groups showing opposed stereospecific binding characteristics and a 3rd group exhibiting no stereospecific binding. Structural differences in the albumin molecule account for these stereospecific differences in serum protein-binding.This research was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Ja/185/6).     

Pathological changes in the heterologous phase of antibasement membrane antibody mediated disease in the rat

Summary The immunological and structural changes during the heterologous phase of experimental antibasement membrane antibody mediated disease was sequentially studied in the rat following single i.v. injections of rabbit antibodies to basement membrane antigens prepared from kidney, lung and salivary gland tissues. Although each of the anti-bodies bound strongly to GBM, structural changes were initially subtle accompanied by proteinuria and hematuria. More severe structural changes related to dose and duration of the disease did not appear for several weeks.     

Über die Funktion der Eiweissdrüse vonHelix pomatia

Summary A strong immunological crossreactivity between the extracts of the albumin gland of snails (Helix pomatia) and the content of snail eggs is described, suggesting that the former supplies the eggs with protective substances (agglutinins, protease-inhibitors).     

The relationship of intraglandular colloid production to hormone synthesis

Summary The production of intraglandular colloid, brought about by the cyclic breakdown of intermediate lobe cells, is related to the synthesis of hormones in the hypophysis. By analyzing the shift of the amino acid, cystine, during various phases of the gland's cycle it is apparent that hormones, as well as other protein determinants of immunological importance, are transported by way of the intraglandular cleft to the venous circulation and to the cerebrospinal fluid.This study was supported by a grant from the National Research Council of Canada.     

Mécanisme d'action du chloramphénicol dans l'inhibition de la production d'anticorps induite par de différents types d'antigènes

Summary Chloramphenicol (CAF) administered to rabbits during the whole period of immunization, is able to suppress almost completely the antibody response against horse serum albumin and globulins (HSA, HSG) andEscherichia coli: on the other hand, it does not inhibit antibody response to heterologous RBC. The possible mechanism of the inhibiting action of the CAF in antibody response to HSA, HSG andE. coli is discussed, and some hypotheses are put forward on the possible reasons for the different behaviour of CAF on the immune response induced by heterologous RBC.     

Conjugates of adenine 9-α-D-arabinofuranoside monophosphate (ara-AMP) with lactosaminated homologous albumin are not immunogenic in the mouse

Summary Conjugates of adenine-9--D-arabinofuranoside (ara-A) or of ara-A monophosphate (ara-AMP) with asialofetuin or with heterologous lactosaminated serum albumin (L-SA) are strong antibody inducers. But ara-AMP conjugates prepared with homologous L-SA are not immunogenic, at least in mice.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Progetto finalizzato, Controllo crescita neoplasica, grant 800154596. Ara-AMP was a gift from Dr M. L. Black, Warner-Lambert Co (Ann Arbor, MI). The excellent technical assistance of Mr Goffredo Nanetti is gratefully acknowledged.     

Plasma albumin patterns of the speciesRana ridibunda in Greece

Summary Serum electrophoretic studies on the speciesRana ridibunda displayed one new albumin band D and a total of 6 albumin patterns B, BC, C, BD, CD, BCD. The albumin patterns found are compared with those reported from Central and Northern Europe.Acknowledgments. Thanks are due to Prof. M. Kattoulas, Drs C. Triantaphillidis, H. E. J. Wijnands and Th. Sofianidou for assistance and/or valuable advice.     

Comparison of chemiluminescence and absorptiometry in enzyme immunoassays for protein quantification

The use of chemiluminescence in competitive binding assays for human serum albumin, human alpha-fetoprotein and human immunoglobulin G and in double antibody sandwich enzyme immunoassays for cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus increased the sensitivity of the detection of antigen or antibody 16- to 95-fold above that obtained by conventional absorptiometric methods.     

Production of active and passive anaphylactic shock in the WBB6F1 mouse, a mast cell-deficient strain

The role of mast cells in active and passive anaphylactic shock was examined using the WBB6F1 mouse, a genetically mast cell-deficient strain. Lethal anaphylactic shock occurred at high incidence rates in mice actively sensitized to bovine serum albumin (BSA). The reaction was specific to BSA since the shock could not be elicited by human or guinea pig serum albumin in these animals. Lethal shock could be prevented by CV-3988 but not by cyproheptadine, which suggests that the shock is mediated by PAF but not by histamine and serotonin. Similarly, lethal shock was provoked by homologous antigens in mice which had been passively sensitized with allogeneic anti-benzylpenicilloyl (BPO) IgG1 monoclonal antibody or with allogeneic or xenogeneic anti-BSA antiserum, but not in those sensitized with allogeneic anti-BPO IgE monoclonal antibody. These findings suggest that mast cells are not necessarily required for anaphylactic shock in the mouse.     

Biotin-binding proteins in eggs of oviparous vertebrates

Summary Biotin-binding was found in the egg whites and yolks of all 23 avian species studied, and in a turtle, but the amount varied considerably even in related species. There was no clear correlation in biotin-binding between egg white and yolk in various species. Antigenic determinants of avidin in different species have changed in the course of evolution as compared with those of chicken egg white avidin.We thank Mr Jukka Peltonen and Mr Antti Karlin for the collection of the avian eggs with permission obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, and Mr Reino Saarinen for the turtle eggs. The authors are indebted to Mrs Outi Kurronen Miss Riitta Mero and Miss Tiina-Maija Mattila for technical assistance. This work was supported by the Ford Foundation Grants No. 760-0526 and No. 790-0665.     

Pattern and nomenclature of serum proteins of the amphibian urodele Ambystoma dumerilii Duges.]

By means of many electrophoresis techniques, the serum of Ambystoma dumerilii was studied. The pattern in cellulose acetate is different from A. mexicanum proteinogram. Direct two-dimensional analysis in acetate/polyacrylamid gel with progressively increasing concentration from 4-30%, gives us the opportunity to observe 41 proteic components. By immunological results, the fastest proteic fraction is equivalent to a globuline with alpha-mobility more than an albumin. A nomenclature for this blood serum is proposed.     

Regulation of antibody effector functions through IgG Fc N-glycosylation

Immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) antibodies are key effector proteins of the immune system. They recognize antigens with high specificity and are indispensable for immunological memory following pathogen exposure or vaccination. The constant, crystallizable fragment (Fc) of IgG molecules mediates antibody effector functions such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis. These functions are regulated by a single N-linked, biantennary glycan of the heavy chain, which resides just below the hinge region, and the presence of specific sugar moieties on the glycan has profound implications on IgG effector functions. Emerging knowledge of how Fc glycans contribute to IgG structure and functions has opened new avenues for the therapeutic exploitation of defined antibody glycoforms in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Here, we review recent advances in understanding proinflammatory IgG effector functions and their regulation by Fc glycans.     

On the raising of antibody to the synthetic anabolic steroid trienbolone,its partial characterization and preliminary application for radioimmunoassay

Summary The development of a radioimmunoassay method for the detection of trienbolone is described. It is dependent on antibody raised against a bovine serum albumin conjugate of trienbolone 17-hemisuccinate in sheep.Acknowledgment. Dr R. J. Heitzman (A.R.C., Compton) and Roussel/Uclaf (Romainville) are thanked for gifts of materials.