Collagenase-like peptidase activity in serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Summary The activities of collagenase-like peptidase, estimated by using (succinyl-Gly-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro)-4-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide as substrate, and of dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV were decreased in the sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both enzymes bring about the degradation of peptides derived from collagen. A significant positive correlation was observed between the activities of the two serum peptidases.     

Antimalarials in rheumatoid arthritis

Zusammenfassung Mit Malariamitteln konnte am Formalinödem der Ratte in einer Dosis von 50 mg/kgper os sowohl bei narkotisierten als auch bei nichtnarkotisierten Tieren eine unspezifische entzündungshemmende Komponente nachgewiesen werden. Die Intensität der inhibitorischen Wirkung entsprach dabei der Entzündungshemmung von 2 × 50 mg/kg Cortison. Unserer Ansicht nach dürfte dieser unspezifische antiphlogistische Effekt bei der Behandlung rheumatischer Affektionen, des Lupus erythematodes usw. mit Malariamitteln zur Geltung kommen.     

Increased activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in serum of hepatoma-bearing rats coincides with the loss of the enzyme from the hepatoma plasma membrane

The specific activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV E.C. 3.4.14.-) in the plasma membrane of Morris hepatoma 9121 or hepatoma 7777 was 3.5% and 2.9%, respectively, of that in the plasma membrane of rat liver. The enzyme activity in the serum of hepatoma-bearing rats was 141% (hepatoma 91219) and 162% (hepatoma 7777) of the normal value. Cytochemical investigation showed that the DPP IV activity was almost completely absent from the hepatoma cell plasma membrane and was not sequestered within these cells. Indirect immunofluorescence staining with a polyclonal antibody directed against DPP IV indicated that the loss of activity was due to the absence of DPP IV molecules in the plasma membrane. The possibility that the enzyme is transferred from the membrane into the serum as a result of structural alterations is discussed.     

Increased activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in serum of hepatoma-bearing rats coincides with the loss of the enzyme from the hepatoma plasma membrane

Summary The specific activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV E.C. 3.4.14.-) in the plasma membrane of Morris hepatoma 9121 or hepatoma 7777 was 3.5% and 2.9%, respectively, of that in the plasma membrane of rat liver. The enzyme activity in the serum of hepatoma-bearing rats was 141% (hepatoma 91219) and 162% (hepatoma 7777) of the normal value. cytochemical investigation showed that the DPP IV activity was almost completely absent from the hepatoma cell plasma membrane and was not sequestered within these cells. Indirect immunofluorescence staining with a polyclonal antibody directed against DPP IV indicated that the loss of activity was due to the absence of DPP IV molecules in the plasma membrane. The possibility that the enzyme is transferred from the membrane into the serum as a result of structural alterations is discussed.     

Hageman factor (factor XII) activity in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients and its possible pathogenic significance

Résumé Nous avons constaté que l'activité spécifique du facteur de Hageman dans le fluide synovial de malades atteints de polyarthrite chronique évolutive est beaucoup plus elevée que celle d'autres agents de coagulation. L'activité du facteur de Hageman a été isolée du fluide synovial et de la suspension de leucocytes par adsorption sur kaolin et élution au pH alcalin.     

The synovial fluid hyaluronic acid in rheumatoid arthritis

Summary The intrinsic viscosity of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid decreases significatively in mild and severe arthritis (24% and 37% respectively). Variation in hyaluronic acid concentration parallels the above results. Chondroitin-6-sulfate can be detected in about 30% of the arthritic fluids.This work was partially supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina.     

Delayed hypersensitivity and antibody response in rheumatoid arthritis

Zusammenfassung Es wird über die immunologische Reaktivität von Patienten mit progressiver Polyarthritis berichtet. Nach Injektion von 25 E Streptokinase (Präparat Dornokinase) zeigten die Patienten eine gewisse Dissoziation der immunologischen Vorgänge: Herabsetzung der Hautreaktionen und erhöhte spezifische Antikörperreaktion.     

The acidic glycosaminoglycans of the synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis

Resumen Se estudiaron los glucosaminoglucanos del líquido sinovial de la rodilla de pacientes con artritis reumatoidea clásica. El nivel de glucosaminoglucanos totales desciende en la artritis un 55% comparado con los controles. Esto es debido principalmente a la disminución del ácido hialurónico (59%). Se confirmó la presencia de pequeñas cantidades de controidin-4-sulfato y se detectaron trazas de una sustancia similar al condroitin-6-sulfato.

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Member of the Carrera del Investigador Científico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la Repùblica Argentina.

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This work was partially supported by research grants from the CONICET, Republica Argentina.     

Collagenolytic activity from circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes of patients with asbestosis

Summary Levels of collagenolytic activity produced by circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) of patients exposed to asbestos and patients with asbestosis were found to be similar to those of normal controls.Supported by MRC term grant MT-7310 and IRSSTQ. Reprint requests should be addressed to I.L.     

Attempts to isolate C′3 activity from pig serum

Riassunto Gli autori descrivono un metodo per l'isolamento del terzo componente del complemento dal siero di maiale, basato sulla possibilità di provocare, per aggiunta di lisozima, passaggio in soluzione del C₃ precipitato insieme ad altre proteine in seguito all'aggiunta di opportune quantità di « Liquoid » al siero.     

Lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin in rheumatoid arthritis and glomerulonephritis and the effects of immunosuppression

Résumé La transformation lymphocytaire en phytohemagglutinine est étudiée chez des individus normaux, aussi bien que chez des malades souffrant de glomérulonéphrites aiguës et chroniques ainsi que de polyarthrite rhumatoïde. La réponse des glomérulonéphritiques fut conforme aux contrôles, les polyarthritiques eurent des réponses affaiblies. La transformation lymphocytaire est fortement réduite chez les patients sous immunosuppression.

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From the Gwynne Hazen Cherry Memorial Laboratories, Department of Pediatrics, University of California Medical Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California and Divisions of Nephrology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 W. 168th. St., New York, N.Y. 10032, USA.     

The serum histaminase activity in guinea-pig pregnancy

Résumé Chez les cobayes enceintes l'activité de l'histaminase est considérablement augmentée.     

Comparison of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity in human cerebrospinal fluid with that in serum

Summary X-Prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activities in cerebrospinal fluid and serum from the same patients without neurological diseases, undergoing surgery under lumbar anesthesia, were assayed fluorometrically with a newly synthesized fluorogenic substrate, 7-glycylproline-4-methylcoumarinamide; the values were 129.1±19.5 nmoles/min/1 and 54.17±3.11 moles/min/1 (mean±SEM, n=23), respectively, and there was no correlation between both activities (r=0.0894).     

Immunoelectrophoretic characteristics of plasma from rats with adjuvant arthritis

Zusammenfassung Das Plasma-protein unbehandelter und mit Hydrocortison behandelter Ratten wurde 21 Tage nach Adjuvantinjektion immunelektrophoretisch untersucht. Arthritische Ratten zeigten eine Zunahme von -Globulinen bei Abwesenheit oder Abnahme von -Globulinen. Ein plasma-immunelektrophoretischer Unterschied zwischen mit Hydrocortison behandelten Tieren und Kontrolltieren wurde nicht gefunden.