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A C Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to A C Johansson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetic control of collagen-induced arthritis in a cross with NOD and C57BL/10 mice is dependent on gene regions encoding complement factor 5 and FcgammaRIIb and is not associated with loci controlling diabetes.

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse spontaneously develops autoimmune-mediated diseases such as diabetes and Sjögren's syndrome. To investigate whether NOD genes also promote autoimmune-mediated arthritis we established a NOD strain with an MHC class II fragment containing the A(q) class II gene predisposing for collagen induced arthritis (NOD.Q). However, this mouse was resistant to arthritis in contrast to other A(q) expressing strains such as B10.Q and DBA/1. To determine the major resistance factor/s, a genetic analysis was performed. (NOD.Q x B10.Q)F1 mice were resistant, whereas 27% of the (NOD.Q x B10.Q)F2 mice developed severe arthritis. Genetic mapping of 353 F2 mice revealed two loci associated with arthritis. One locus was found on chromosome 2 (LOD score 9.8), at the location of the complement factor 5 (C5) gene. The susceptibility allele was from B10.Q, which contains a productive C5 encoding gene in contrast to NOD.Q. The other significant locus was found on chromosome 1 (LOD score 5.6) close to the Fc-gamma receptor IIb gene, where NOD carried the susceptible allele. An interaction between the two loci was observed, indicating that they operate on the same or on interacting pathways. The genetic control of arthritis is unique in comparison to diabetes, since none of these loci have been identified in analysis of diabetes susceptibility.

Animals↗

Influence of CD4 or CD8 deficiency on collagen-induced arthritis.

The role of T cells in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model for rheumatoid arthritis is not clarified, and different results have been reported concerning the role of CD4 and CD8 T cells. To address this issue, we have investigated B10.Q mice deficient for CD4 or CD8. The mice lacking CD4 were found to be less susceptible to disease, but not completely resistant, whereas the CD8 deficiency had no significant impact on the disease. No difference in the development of late occurring relapses was noted. Interestingly, the CD4-deficient mice had a severely reduced response to the glycosylated form of the immunodominant type II collagen (CII) 256-270 peptide whereas the response to the non-glycosylated peptide was not significantly different. Furthermore, CD4-deficient mice had lower antibody responses to CII, explaining the lower disease susceptibility. In comparison with previously reported results, it is apparent that the lack of CD4 molecules has a different impact on CIA if present on different genetic backgrounds, findings that could possibly be related to the occurrence of different disease pathways of CIA in different mouse strains.

Animals↗

Computerized image analysis as a tool to quantify infiltrating leukocytes: a comparison between high- and low-magnification images.

The purpose of the present study was to establish a rapid and reproducible method for quantification of tissue-infiltrating leukocytes using computerized image analysis. To achieve this, the staining procedure, the image acquisition, and the image analysis method were optimized. Because of the adaptive features of the human eye, computerized image analysis is more sensitive to variations in staining compared with manual image analysis. To minimize variations in staining, an automated immunostainer was used. With a digital scanner camera, low-magnification images could be sampled at high resolution, thus making it possible to analyze larger tissue sections. Image analysis was performed by color thresholding of the digital images based on values of hue, saturation, and intensity color mode, which we consider superior to the red, green, and blue color mode for analysis of most histological stains. To evaluate the method, we compared computerized analysis of images with a x100 or a x12.5 magnification to assess leukocytes infiltrating rat brain tumors after peripheral immunizations with tumor cells genetically modified to express rat interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or medium controls. The results generated by both methods correlated well and did not show any significant differences. The method allows efficient and reproducible processing of large tissue sections that is less time-consuming than conventional methods and can be performed with standard equipment and software.(J Histochem Cytochem 49:1073-1079, 2001)

Animals↗

Effects of transforming growth factor beta1 expression in a rat colon carcinoma: growth inhibition, leukocyte infiltration and production of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

The cytokine transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta1), was transfected into a TGFbeta1-negative rat colon carcinoma. The growth of isografts of TGFbeta1-expressing tumors was compared to that of vector control transfectants. The TGFbeta1 transfectant grew significantly more slowly after intrahepatic isografting than did vector control and wild-type tumors. The TGFbeta1-transfected tumor tissue had significantly greater infiltration of both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes than did the vector control tumor. The tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TIL) from TGFbeta1-transfected tumor secreted significantly more of the cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) than did TIL from the vector control tumor. The TGFbeta1 transfectant also demonstrated a significantly slower outgrowth in immunodeficient SCID mice, supporting a non-T-lymphocyte-dependent mechanism for the tumor retardation. In SCID mice, the TGFbeta1-transfected tumor demonstrated significantly greater infiltration of both granulocytes and macrophages than did the vector control transfectant. We also demonstrated a direct inhibitory effect of rat TNFalpha on tumor proliferation in vitro. These results suggest that TGFbeta1 induces a local secretion of immunomodulating cytokines and that this may influence monocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes to retard tumor outgrowth.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical analysis of glioma-infiltrating leucocytes after peripheral therapeutic immunization with interferon-gamma-transfected glioma cells.

We have shown previously that rejection of preinduced rat brain tumours is possible following therapeutic immunizations with interferon-gamma (IFN gamma)-transfected glioma cells (N32-IFN gamma). In the present study we have used the same model to evaluate whether quantitative differences in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes can be detected between animals receiving therapeutic immunizations with either IFN gamma-transfected glioma cells, wild-type glioma cells or no treatment. Since leucocyte transpedesis into the tumour can be anticipated to depend on the state of vascularization, we have mapped the development of microvessels in the tumour in parallel with the leucocyte infiltration. Our results show that microvessels start to form at day 7 and then gradually increase in number and size, indicating the establishment of an extensive vascularization by day 24. Leucocyte infiltration displays a biphasic pattern after tumour grafting. We have therefore studied the infiltration kinetics after an early immunization (1 day after intracerebral isografting) and compared the effects with those of a late immunization (10 days after intracerebral isografting) with N32-IFN gamma or wild-type N32. Our results show (1) an early infiltration of granulocytes 3 days after isografting; (2) a T-cell-receptor-positive (TCR+) T-cell infiltration starting on day 10; (3) a macrophage infiltration starting on day 13; (4) a CD8+ cell infiltration starting on day 13. The proportions of TCR+ T cells, CD8+ cells and natural killer cells differs significantly between animals immunized with N32-IFN gamma and those receiving wild-type N32, when analysed 14 days after immunization at day 10. This difference can only be detected when animals are immunized at later stages of tumour growth. We propose that this could depend on an early-immunization-independent leucocyte infiltration during tumour establishment. This has to be considered when evaluating studies of leucocyte infiltration in experimental tumours.

Animals↗

Non-major histocompatibility complex dependent variations in lymphocyte activity between inbred mouse strains susceptible to various autoimmune diseases.

Transgenic techniques in inbred mouse strains are powerful tools to investigate the specific roles of genes in biological pathways and disease models. However, there is increasing concern over the influence of a variable genetic background in such experiments. To date there have been few investigations of the immunological differences between inbred mouse strains used in models of autoimmune diseases. Here we phenotyped lymph node cells and T-cell cytokine production in B10.Q (H2q), B10.RIII (H2r), C3H.Q (H2q), C3H. NB (H2p), NOD (H2g7), RIII/SJ (H2r) and DBA/1J (H2q) mice. We found several significant differences. The C3H strains and RIII/SJ lymph node cells had a high ratio of T cells/B cells (> 2 : 1) and a high ratio of CD4/CD8 positive cells (> 3 : 1), these strains are therefore denoted high T cell ratio (HiTR) strains. B10 strains and DBA/1, however, displayed an expansion of gammadeltaT cells after mitogen activation. T cells derived from C3H and DBA/1J strains produced more interleukin (IL)-4 than did T cells from B10 and NOD strains. DBA/1J and B10.Q showed a 10-fold increase in interferon (IFN)-gamma producing cells in the CD4+ T-cell population. Variation in the number of IL-2 and IFN-gamma producing T cells between the B10 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) congenic strains was the only difference possibly controlled by the MHC region. We conclude that non-MHC genes influence the numbers of T cells and B cells in lymph nodes, as well as IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 production by T cells.

Animals↗

Unrestricted pore area (A0/Deltax) is a better indicator of peritoneal membrane function than PET.

BACKGROUND: How to measure the peritoneal exchange in uremic patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) is still a matter of controversy. Most clinics use the peritoneal equilibration test (PET), but from a theoretical point of view, it would be more appropriate to determine the "area" parameter, A0/Deltax. The latter reflects the total unrestricted pore area per centimeter diffusion distance and can be obtained by three-pore analysis using, for example, the PD capacity test (PDC). To evaluate the different estimates of peritoneal function, PET data and the A0/Deltax parameters were compared with the independently determined uptake of a small diffusible tracer, iohexol (molecular weight of 821 D), from the abdominal cavity to blood. METHODS: Fourteen patients on routine PD underwent determinations of PET and A0/Deltax using PDC. Within a month, the two-hour uptake of iohexol (6 mg/mL) was also determined from the plasma iohexol concentration following abdominal filling. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between the rate of iohexol plasma concentration increase (k30-120) and A0/Deltax (A0/Deltax = 76,300. k30-120 - 1.56; r2 = 0.799; N = 14) for the 2 L dwell, while the PET data were far less related to iohexol uptake (D/DPurea, r2 = 0.409; D/Pcreatinine, r2 = 0.436; and D/D0glucose, r2 = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: The "area" parameter, A0/Deltax, is superior to the more widely used routine PET as an indicator of peritoneal membrane function. In addition, the concept of A0/Deltax has the virtue of supplying quantitative information about the peritoneal pathophysiology and physiology.

Adult↗

Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in renal failure: the relation to mode of dialysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish whether there is a differential effect of mode of dialysis, hemodialysis (HD), or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on the dyslipidemia of renal failure. METHODS: The lipoprotein profile was determined in 61 non-diabetic patients on chronic HD (N = 30) and CAPD treatment (N = 31), and in a control group of 27 healthy subjects. The analysis included the measurement of individual apolipoprotein (apo) A- and apo B-containing lipoproteins (LPs) separated by sequential immunoaffinity chromatography. Apo A-containing lipoproteins include lipoprotein A-I with apo A-I and lipoprotein A-I:A-II with apo A-I and apo A-II as the main protein constituents, whereas apo B-containing lipoproteins comprise simple cholesterol-rich lipoprotein B (LP-B), with apo B as the only protein moiety and complex triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein B complex (LP-Bc) particles with apo B, apo A-II, apo C, and/or apo E as the protein constituents. RESULTS: CAPD patients had significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol (6.8 vs. 5.1 mmol/liter), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (4.6 vs. 3.2 mmol/liter), TG (2.3 vs. 1.5 mmol/liter), apo B (155.3 vs. 105.7 mg/dl), LP-B (136.0 vs. 91.9 mg/dl), and LP-Bc (19.3 vs. 13.8 mg/dl) than HD patients. Both HD and CAPD patients had significantly higher TG, VLDL cholesterol, apo C-III, and apo E and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apo A-II, and lipoprotein A-I:A-II levels than control subjects. The distribution of apo C-III in high-density lipoprotein and VLDL-LDL was altered in CAPD patients in comparison with control subjects. This suggests that the removal of TG-rich lipoproteins is less efficient in patients on CAPD. Normotriglyceridemic (NTG; TG < or = 1.7 mmol/liter, 150 mg/dl) CAPD patients had significantly higher levels of TC, LDL cholesterol, apo B, and LP-B than NTG-HD patients. There was little difference in the LP-Bc levels between NTG-CAPD, NTG-HD, and controls. Similarly, hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) CAPD patients had significantly higher TC, LDL cholesterol, apo B, and LP-B levels than HTG-HD patients. The LP-Bc levels were significantly increased in HTG-HD and HTG-CAPD patients compared with controls, but the slightly higher levels in the CAPD patients did not differ significantly from the HD group. CONCLUSION: CAPD and HD patients have a lipoprotein profile characteristic of renal failure. Patients on long-term CAPD have higher levels of cholesterol-rich apo B-containing lipoproteins unrelated to TG levels. Many patients on CAPD also have a substantial elevation of the plasma concentrations of TG-rich LPs. The clinical significance of increased levels of potentially atherogenic LP-B during CAPD remains to be investigated.

Adult↗

Body composition in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a common complication in uremia and during maintenance dialysis. Several factors contribute to its development. Different modes of dialysis treatment may differ in their effects on nutritional status. METHODS: In order to analyse the nutritional consequences of peritoneal dialysis (PD), body composition analyses were performed in PD patients between February 1993 and March 1996. Body cell mass (BCM) was estimated from measurements of total body potassium (TBK) in a whole-body counter. Total body water (TBW) was determined by measurement of tritiated water. Body fat (BF) was calculated from body weight (BW), TBK and TBW. Observed values were related to predicted (o/p) derived from local population studies. RESULTS: Sixty patients were repeatedly investigated during the study period. Of these, 34 were investigated during the first year of PD. At the start of dialysis, TBK o/p was 0.94 and BF o/p 0.76. No change in body composition was seen during the observation period in the group as a whole. However, within the group individual changes in BW were strongly correlated with individual changes in BF (r=0.66, P=0.0001). Twenty-six patients were examined during the second and third year of PD. In this group, BW o/p remained constant over time. However, there was a small but significant decline of TBK o/p and a concomitant increase of BF o/p (P<0.05). No correlation was observed between changes in TBK and changes in serum albumin. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate, that there may be a risk for further reduction of body cell mass during long-term PD treatment, while body energy stores are maintained or even increased.

Adipose Tissue↗

Creatinine generation rate and lean body mass: a critical analysis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Calculation of creatinine generation rate (CGR) has been reintroduced as a method to estimate lean body mass (LBM) in dialysis patients. It has also been suggested that it be used to identify noncompliance with dialysis prescription. In order to evaluate this method, LBM calculated from CGR (LBMCGR) was compared to 48 simultaneous estimations of LBM from measurements of total body potassium (TBK) in 35 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). TBK (mmol) was measured in a whole body counter and LBM (kg) was calculated as TBK/68.1 (Forbes). CGR was calculated with and without inclusion of "metabolic degradation" of creatinine. LBMCGR was further estimated using two different equations based on results in healthy subjects, one from a group on an ad libitum diet, the other from a group on a meat-free diet. The intercept of the two equations differs by 13 kg. CGR systematically underestimated LBM when compared to TBK, but to a lesser degree when using the equation based on a meat-free diet. Repeated determinations of CGR in 11 stable patients revealed an unacceptably high coefficient of variation (CV%) for LBM, 14.2%, while body wt CV was 1.4%. We conclude that CGR is not a valid method to monitor LBM in PD patients. CGR is highly variable and in part dependent on meat intake, as is the relation between CGR and LBM. For the same reasons, it seems unwise to draw conclusions of noncompliance of PD-patients from determinations of CGR.

Adult↗

Formulation of enamel matrix derivative for surface coating. Kinetics and cell colonization.

Enamel Matrix Derivative (EMD) contains a protein complex belonging to the amelogenin family. Enamel matrix as well as EMD have been found to promote periodontal regeneration when applied onto denuded root surfaces in dehiscence models. In the present studies it is shown that propylene glycol alginate (PGA) is a suitable vehicle for EMD for its local application. EMD can be dissolved in PGA at an acidic pH, resulting in a highly viscous solution. At neutral pH and body temperature the viscosity decreases and EMD precipitates. Multilayers of EMD on mineral or protein surfaces have been analysed using ellipsometry, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) and biospecific interaction analysis (BIA). The studies show that EMD adsorbs both to hydroxyapatite and collagen and to denuded dental roots. It forms insoluble spherical complexes, and detectable amounts remain at the site of application on the root surface for two weeks, as shown with radiolabelled protein in rats and pigs. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) studies on monkey teeth further indicate that EMD in PGA may promote repopulation of fibroblast-like cells during the first weeks after application.

Adsorption↗

Subcutaneous epoetin beta in renal anemia: an open multicenter dose titration study of patients on continuous peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish dose requirements (target hemoglobin > 100 g/L) and safety of subcutaneously administered epoetin beta. DESIGN: Open multicenter study. PATIENTS: Forty-five anemic patients (21 female, 24 male; mean age 55 years; range 20-79 years) who had been on continuous peritoneal dialysis for 1-157 months (mean 24 months). Thirty patients required blood transfusions during the year prior to the study. Mean hemoglobin concentration pretreatment was 75 g/L (range 57-89 g/L). INTERVENTION: After a pretreatment period of two weeks, 60 IU kg-1 week-1 divided into three weekly doses of epoetin beta was administered subcutaneously. The dose was increased by 60 IU kg-1 week-1 after ten weeks, and when necessary, every fourth week in patients with hemoglobin levels below 100 g/L. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hemoglobin concentration. Analysis of factors affecting the response to epoetin beta. Safety of epoetin beta. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of the 45 patients completed six months and 21 patients completed one year in the study. Twenty-six patients reached hemoglobin 100 g/L within six months and 8 patients did later on. The mean hemoglobin concentration after three months was 93 g/L (range 64-144 g/L) and after six months was 99 g/L (range 59-130 g/L; mean epoetin beta dose 122 IU kg-1 week-1). During the second six-month period of the study, hemoglobin levels were stable in most patients. After one year, the mean hemoglobin was 110 g/L (range 84-153 g/L) and the mean epoetin beta dose was 107 IU kg-1 week-1. Prolonged correction time and impaired response to epoetin were observed in patients with infections or hemorrhages and in patients with low hemoglobin concentration before starting epoetin treatment. Iron deficiency was controlled by iron supplementation, either orally or, in 10 patients, intravenously. Increased blood pressure, requiring intensified antihypertensive treatment, was observed in 13 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous peritoneal dialysis patients with moderate anemia (Hb 75-90 g/L) and without complicating disorders can be managed with subcutaneous doses of epoetin < 120 IU kg-1 week-1. The epoetin beta dose should be adjusted after the first month of treatment since most patients required higher doses than the initial 60 IU kg-1 week-1.

Anemia↗

Antibodies to neutrophil granulocyte myeloperoxidase and elastase: autoimmune responses in glomerulonephritis due to hydralazine treatment.

Autoantibodies against myeloperoxidase and elastase were found in a study of nine patients who had developed glomerulonephritis after treatment with hydralazine, but not in patients who were treated with hydralazine without side-effects. Circulating IgM isotype antibodies against myeloperoxidase, and IgM and IgG anti-elastase, were mainly present during the initial months after withdrawal of the drug. By contrast, IgG isotype antibodies against myeloperoxidase, initially found in seven patients, had increased in concentration and were present in all patients at follow-up after 4-12 years.

Autoantibodies↗