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Biomedical subjects

A O Grubb

Publications and source records attributed to A O Grubb.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Serum cystatin C measured by automated immunoassay: a more sensitive marker of changes in GFR than serum creatinine.

Serum cystatin C has been suggested as a new marker of GFR. For the introduction of this marker into clinical use a rapid and automated method is required. We have developed and validated an assay for serum cystatin C using latex particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetry. Intra- and inter-assay precision were < 3% and < 5% across the assay range. Analytical recovery was 93 +/- 3.8% and no lack of parallelism was demonstrated. Regression analysis of a method comparison with an enzyme-enhanced radial-immunodiffusion method, gave PETIA = 0.074 + 0.93 x SRID, r = 0.98, N = 100. Inter-assay precision profiles showed cystatin C was measured with two-fold better precision than creatinine on the same analyzer. Cystatin C measurement was neither interfered with by icterus nor by hemolysis. 1/cystatin C versus 1/creatinine concentrations gave r = 0.67, N = 469. Comparison of Cr EDTA GFR with 1/cystatin C and 1/creatinine gave r = 0.81 and 0.50, respectively, N = 206. Calculating diagnostic sensitivity for abnormal GFR showed cystatin C to be significantly (P < 0.05) more sensitive than creatinine (71.4 vs. 52.4%). Cystatin C measurement using PETIA technology can be automated on the same instruments used routinely for the measurement of creatinine and offers better analytical performance and probably improved clinical sensitivity as a screening test for early renal damage.

Biomarkers↗

Distribution of cystatin C (gamma-trace), an inhibitor of lysosomal cysteine proteinases, in the anterior lobe of simian and human pituitary glands.

Cystatin C, a protein inhibitor of lysosomal cysteine proteinases, was demonstrated by immunohistochemical techniques to be present in most luteinizing hormone- (LH-)containing cells in simian and human adenohypophyses. Immunoreactivity of cystatin C was also found in simian adrenocorticotrophic hormone- (ACTH-)containing cells localized to an area corresponding to the pars intermedia but not in the ACTH-containing cells of the anterior pituitary lobe of monkey. No immunoreactivity of cystatin C was detected in the growth hormone- (GH-) and prolactin-containing cells of monkey and man.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

The complete amino acid sequence of human complex-forming glycoprotein heterogeneous in charge (protein HC) from one individual.

The complete amino acid sequence of the single polypeptide chain of human complex-forming glycoprotein heterogeneous in charge (protein HC) isolated from a single individual is reported with the supporting data. The primary structure was determined by automatic degradation of the intact chain and of fragments obtained by chemical and enzymatic degradations of the native or reduced and S-carboxymethylated protein. The polypeptide chain of protein HC contained 182 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 20,621. No amino acid sequence variability was found and such variability can therefore not explain the great charge heterogeneity of protein HC in a single individual. The amino acid sequence of protein HC was nearly identical to the one reported for human alpha 1-microglobulin in a research communication but contained 15 additional residues.

Alpha-Globulins↗

gamma-trace in human pituitary adenomas.

gamma-Trace, a small protein occurring in body fluids and in secretory and neuroendocrine cells, was demonstrated by immunohistochemical techniques in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells of 13 pituitary adenomas obtained at surgery and autopsy. Seven of the adenomas also contained LH immunoreactivity. FSH, TSH, and ACTH were each found in one gamma-trace-containing adenoma. gamma-Trace was also demonstrated in extracts of 1 pituitary adenoma and of 5 nontumorous adenohypophyses. The immunoreactive protein found in the extracts had a molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility characteristic of gamma-trace. Computerized amino acid sequence comparisons between the primary structure of gamma-trace and those of known hormonal peptides showed no significant similarities.

Adenoma↗

Isolation of human complex-forming glycoprotein, heterogeneous in charge (protein HC), and its IgA complex from plasma. Physiochemical and immunochemical properties, normal plasma concentration.

Human complex-forming glycoprotein, heterogeneous in charge (protein HC) has previously been isolated from urine and immunochemically shown to be present in low and high molecular weight forms in blood plasma (Tejler, L., and Grubb, A. O. (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 439, 82-94). In the present work, the major low and high molecular weight forms of the protein were isolated from plasma by immunosorption followed by gel chromatography. The plasma low molecular weight protein HC and the urinary protein had similar, if not identical, molecular weight, amino acid composition, NH2-terminal and carboxyl-terminal amino acid sequences and electrophoretic mobility. The low molecular weight plasma protein HC carried a yellow chromophore like the urinary protein, but its molar extinction coefficient at 280 nm was lower and its charge heterogeneity less pronounced than that of urinary protein HC. The plasma high molecular weight protein HC had a hydrodynamic volume which was greater than that of monomeric IgA but smaller than that of dimeric IgA. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the isolated high molecular weight protein followed by electrophoretic blotting and immunochemical analysis demonstrated that the protein contained four polypeptide chains: two light immunoglobulin chains (Mr = 23,000), one IgA alpha-chain (Mr = 54,000), and one chain with Mr approximately 90,000 which carried both alpha-chain and protein HC antigenic determinants. Whether the protein HC X IgA complex is a functionally significant part of the humoral immune system cannot be decided without further experimentation, but the complex was found to be completely absent from the blood plasma of patients with a selective deficiency of IgA-secreting immunocytes. The isolated low and high molecular weight plasma protein HC components were used as standard proteins in the construction of a quantitative crossed immunoelectrophoretic assay for the simultaneous quantitation of the two major protein HC components in blood plasma. The plasma concentrations of the low and high molecular weight protein HC components were measured by this method in 13 healthy Caucasians. The results for the low molecular weight protein HC were: mean, 20.3 mg/liter, S.D., 3.2 mg/liter, range, 13.6-26.0 mg/liter; and for the protein HC X IgA complex: mean, 293 mg/liter, S.D., 176 mg/liter, range, 36-620 mg/liter.

Adult↗

Neutral microprotein, a novel human plasma and urinary protein associated with a yellow-brown chromophore. Isolation from protein HC preparations and partial characterization.

An apparently novel human plasma and urinary protein of low molecular weight was isolated from several highly purified preparations of protein HC by gel chromatography and high voltage electrophoresis with a yield of about 8 mg/g. The protein has a molecular weight of about 20,000, neutral electrophoretic mobility at pH 6.5 and a high content of half-cystine. It is associated with a yellow-brown chromophore like protein HC and could be demonstrated in all investigated preparations of isolated human, rabbit and guinea-pig protein HC and alpha 1-microglobulin.

Alpha-Globulins↗

The gamma-trace concentration of normal human seminal plasma is thirty-six times that of normal human blood plasma.

Fresh human seminal plasma was demonstrated to contain a basic microprotein with the same size, electrophoretic mobility, isoelectric point and immunochemical properties as isolated human gamma-trace. The concentration of gamma-trace in 24 normal seminal plasma samples was found to be (mean +/- SD): 51 +/- 8.1 mg/l which is 36 times higher than the normal human blood plasma concentration of gamma-trace.

Adult↗

Interference of immunoglobulins in two glucagon radioimmunoassays.

Radioimmunoassays of glucagon in plasma may be complicated by interaction with other substances of high molecular mass. Precipitates of such substances with ammonium sulfate showed, after isoelectric focusing, two fractions having glucagon immunoreactivity. One fraction (pl approximately 10) evidently is associated with the Fc portion (but not the Fab portion) of purified polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG). Equal amounts of purified monoclonal IgG of various subclasses, especially IgG 1, gave different "glucagon" readings, suggesting that some IgG may interfere more strongly than others. The other fraction (pI 5-6) appeared less consistently, and on gel chromatography appeared to be slightly larger than IgG. Together these fractions add about 50-100 ng/L to the immunoreactive glucagon values in plasma. Therefore methods in which glucagon is extracted before assay should be used for determining the concentration of glucagon present physiologically.

Ammonium Sulfate↗

The cerebrospinal fluid and plasma concentrations of gamma-trace and beta2-microglobulin at various ages and in neurological disorders.

The concentrations of gamma-trace and beta2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were determined in 64 individuals of various ages without signs of organic disorder in the central nervous system (CNS). A strong connection was found between the CSF level of gamma-trace and the age of the individual, with the CSF level of newborns being 3--4 times that of adults. A similar, but less marked, connection was found for the CSF level of beta2-microglobulin and the age of the individual. The plasma levels of the two proteins also varied with the age of the individual, but the variations were not as great as those of the CSF levels. The results strongly emphasize the necessity of using age-matched reference values when CSF and plasma levels of the proteins are to be evaluated in different groups of patients. Thirteen children and 98 adults with various neurological disorders were also examined. Significantly increased CSF levels of gamma-trace and beta2-microglobulin as well as increased plasma concentration of gamma-trace and CSF/plasma gradient of beta2-microglobulin were found in infectious disorders. Increased gamma-trace concentration in plasma and beta2-microglobulin concentration in CSF were seen in cerebrovascular disorders. The mechanisms which regulate the turnover of proteins in CSF are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Quantitation of gamma-trace in human biological fluids: indications for production in the central nervous system.

Gamma-Trace was purified in large amounts from urine and used for the production of a specific rabbit antiserum. An enzyme immunoassay for quantitation of gamma-trace was developed using the pure protein as a primary standard. Its sensitivity was approximately 30 microgram/l. An enzyme amplified single radial immunodiffusion was developed as well. Its sensitivity was approximately 0.3 mg/l. These assays allowed quantitation of gamma-trace in normal human biological fluids. The following results were obtained (mean +/- SD): cerebrospinal fluid: 5.8 +/- 2.2 mg/l, plasma: 1.1 +/- 0.42 mg/l, saliva: 1.8 +/- 0.88 mg/l and urine: 0.095 +/- 0.057 mg/l. Plasma samples from patients with advanced renal failure revealed gamma-trace values up to 13 times the normal mean plasma value. The results indicate a production of gamma-trace in the central nervous system and that the protein is primarily catabolized by the kidney.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins↗

Many bacterial species bind human IgD.

Forty-four bacterial strains belonging to 19 species were tested for their IgD-binding capacity by incubation with radiolabeled human IgD. A high binding of IgD to Neisseria catarrhalis and Hemophilus influenzae and a moderate binding of IgD to streptococci of the groups A, C, and G were found. Two strains of N. catarrhalis were tested for their ability to bind selectively the IgD in normal pooled serum and in three serum samples with IgD M components and were found to possess this property. Binding studies with radiolabeled IgD Fab and Fc fragments indicated that the binding mainly but not exclusively involves the CH1 region of the IgD molecule.

Bacteria↗

Quantitation of J chain in human biological fluids by a simple immunochemical procedure.

The molecular form and immunochemical properties of the J chain populations released on reduction and carboxymethylation of normal human plasma, milk, saliva and of plasma containing IgA or IgM M-components were investigated. A procedure was devised to release the entire J chain population from these various sources and to produce immunochemically identical J chain populations containing only J chain monomers. An identical standard J chain population was purified and quantitated by physiochemical means. A specific rabbit anti-J chain antiserum was raised against this pure J chain population. A simple and rapid immunochemical method for J chain quantitation in complex biological fluids as well as in solutions of pure polymeric immunoglobulins was constructed on these grounds. The J chain concentration was found to be (mean +/- S.D.) 1.74 +/- 0.65 micron in normal human plasma, 1.94 +/- 1.21 micron in human milk and 0.48 +/- 0.26 micron in human saliva. The J chain/IgA molar ratio was found to be (mean +/- S.D.) 0.45 +/- 0.07 in human milk and 0.52 +/- 0.09 in human saliva when the IgA concentration was expressed as monomeric units per volume unit. The range of the J chain/IgA molar ratios in plasma samples with highly concentrated IgA M-components was 0-0.64. The J chain/IgM molar ratio in plasma samples with highly concentrated IgM M-components was between 1 and 2 when the IgM concentration was expressed as pentameric units per volume unit.

Amino Acids↗