Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Prescott

Publications and source records attributed to B Prescott.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The role of antigen in the activation of regulatory T cells by immune B cells.

The transfer of B cells from mice immunized with Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III) results in the activation of suppressor and amplifier T cells that control the magnitude of the antibody response in recipient mice, immunized subsequently with SSS-III. Prior treatment of transferred B cells with an excess of enzyme (polysaccharide depolymerase) capable of hydrolyzing SSS-III, does not alter the capacity of these cells to activate regulatory T cells. These findings indicate that the activation of regulatory T cells by immune B cells is not mediated by residual antigen on the surface of transferred cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

RNA-protein interactions and secondary structures of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus for in vitro assembly.

Laser Raman spectroscopy of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) in native (pH 5.0) and partially swollen (pH 7.5) states reveals the presence of small percentages of protonated adenine (less than 15%) and cytosine (less than 7%) bases in the encapsidated RNA molecule of the native virion. The protonated bases are titrated with pH-induced swelling of the virus. Titration of putative COOH groups of aspartic and glutamic side chains of the virion subunit cannot be detected over the same pH range, which suggests that carboxyl anions (CO-2) and protonated bases are both available at pH 5 to stabilize the ribonucleoprotein particles by electrostatic interactions. The highly (95%) ordered secondary structure of encapsidated RNA may undergo a small additional increase (less than 3%) in ordered structure with release from the virion, suggesting at most a marginal structure-distorting influence from protein contacts in the native particle. The Raman spectra of the virion are also compared by difference spectroscopy with spectra of capsids (empty shells devoid of RNA), subunit dimers, and protein-free RNA. The results indicate that the subunit structure is altered by the release of RNA from the virion, as well as by the swelling of the virion. Amino acid residues and protein secondary structures that are affected in these in vitro assembly and disassembly processes are identified from their characteristic Raman lines. Two classes of cysteinyl SH groups, solvent exposed and solvent protected, are revealed for the capsid and virion subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1984

Lectin-induced modulation of the antibody response to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide.

Several lectins were tested for their capacity to alter the antibody response to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III). The antibody response was enhanced by concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), as well as lectins from Phytolacca americana (Pa-2), Pisum sativum (PSA), and Lens culinaris (LCH), when these lectins were given 2 days after immunization with SSS-III; however, suppression was obtained when Con A and Pa-2 were given at the time of immunization. By contrast the lectins from Vicia villosa (VVL) and Bauhinia purpurea (BPA) did not alter the antibody response. Since the lectins PSA and LCH bind to the same monosaccharide as Con A, whereas the other lectins bind to different monosaccharides, these findings indicate that there is no relationship between nominal monosaccharide specificity and the capacity to modulate the antibody response. Substantial increases in the magnitude of the IgG1 antibody response was noted after the administration of Con A whereas profound enhancement of IgG2a antibody response was noted after PHA was given.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Subunit secondary structure in filamentous viruses: predictions and observations.

The algorithm of Garnier, Osguthorpe and Robson (J. Mol. Biol. 120, 97-120, 1978) for prediction of protein secondary structure has been applied to the coat protein sequences of six filamentous bacteriophages: fd, If1, IKe, Pf1, Xf and Pf3. For subunits of Class I virions (fd, If1, IKe), the algorithm predicts a very high percentage of helix in comparison to other structure types, which is in accord with the results of laser Raman and circular dichroism measurements. For subunits of the Class II virions (Pf1, Xf, Pf3), the algorithm consistently predicts a predominance of beta structure, which is compatible with the demonstrated facility for conversion of Class II subunits from alpha-helix to beta-strand under appropriate experimental conditions (Thomas, Prescott and Day, J. Mol. Biol. 165, 321-356, 1983). Even when the algorithm is biased to favor helix, the Class II virion subunits are predicted to contain considerably more strand than helix. Qualitatively similar results are obtained using the algorithm of Chou and Fasman (Adv. Enzym. 47, 45-148, 45-148). Therefore, both predictive and experimental methods indicate a distinction between Class I and II subunits, which is reflected in a greater tendency of the latter to adopt other than uniform alpha-helical conformation. The results suggest a possible model for the disassembly of filamentous viruses which may involve the unraveling of coat protein helices at the N terminus.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1984

Influence of multiple genes on the magnitude of the antibody response to bacterial polysaccharide antigens.

Studies conducted with F1 and F2 progeny of crosses between strains of inbred mice that differ greatly in their capacity to make an antibody response to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide, dextran B-1355, and lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli 0113 have shown that multiple genes influence the magnitude of the antibody response to these antigens. Other studies with hybrids derived from crosses between C3H/HeJ, CBA/N, and RIIIS/J mice have indicated that the genetic defects characteristic of these strains of mice are dissimilar and unlinked and that autosomal, as well as X-linked, genes control serum immunoglobulin M in unimmunized mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Characteristics of amplifier T cells involved in the antibody response to the capsular polysaccharide of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Amplifier T cell activity can be transferred by spleen cells harvested 72 hr after priming with type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III) and can be abolished by treating the transferred cells with monoclonal anti-Lyt-1, or anti-Thy-1 antibodies in the presence of complement; thus, amplifier cells represent a distinct subpopulation of T cells. Amplifier T cells were found to be sensitive to irradiation but not to treatment with cyclophosphamide. When amplifier cells were transferred to athymic nude (nu/nu) mice, the enhancement obtained was much greater than that produced in thymus-bearing (nu/+) mice; this is presumably due to the lack of suppressor T cell activity in nu/nu mice that enables amplifier T cell activity to be expressed more fully. Amplifier T cells also were found to be present in peripheral blood; these amplifier T cells were Lyt-2- in phenotype. Although the induction and activation of amplifier T cells appear to be antigen-specific, the product made by amplifier T cells may not be antigen specific in its mode of action. Because amplifier T cells can be induced and activated by exposure to immune B cells, specificity is presumably due in whole or in part to the ability of amplifier T cells to recognize the idiotypic determinants of B cell-associated antibody specific for SSS-III.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Activation of antigen-specific suppressor T cells by B cells from mice immunized with type III pneumococcal polysaccharide.

The transfer of B lymphocytes from mice immunized with type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III) results in antigen-specific suppression of the antibody response of recipients immunized with SSS-III. Such suppression shares many features associated with low-dose paralysis, a phenomenon mediated by suppressor T cells; it reaches maximal levels 3 d after the transfer of viable or irradiated immune B cells and can be eliminated by the depletion of SSS-III-binding cells from spleen cell suspensions before transfer. In a two-step cell transfer experiment, purified T lymphocytes, isolated from recipients previously given immune B cells, caused suppression upon transfer to other mice immunized with SSS-III. Also, B-cell-induced suppression could be abrogated in a competitive manner by the infusion of amplifier T lymphocytes, as was previously demonstrated in the case of low-dose paralysis. These findings suggest that B cell surface components, presumably the idiotypic determinants of cell-associated antibody specific for SSS-III, are instrumental in activating suppressor T cells involved in regulating the magnitude of the antibody response to SSS-III.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Structure similarity, difference and variability in the filamentous viruses fd, If1, IKe, Pf1 and Xf. Investigation by laser Raman spectroscopy.

The filamentous bacteriophages fd, If1, IKe, Pf1, Xf and Pf3 in aqueous solutions of low, moderate and high ionic strength have been investigated as a function of temperature by laser Raman difference spectroscopy. By analogy with Raman spectra of model compounds and viruses of known structure, the data reveal the following structural features: the predominant secondary structure of the coat protein subunit in each virus is the alpha-helix, but the amount of alpha-helix differs from one virus to another, ranging from an estimated high of 100% in Pf1 to a low of approximately 50% in Xf. The molecular environment and intermolecular interactions of tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine residues differ among the different viruses, as do the conformations of aliphatic amino acid side-chains. The foregoing features of coat protein structure are highly sensitive to changes in Na+ concentration, temperature or both. The backbones of A-DNA and B-DNA structures do not occur in any of the viruses, and unusual DNA structures are indicated for all six viruses. The alpha-helical protein subunits of Pf1, like those of Pf3 and Xf, can undergo reversible transitions to beta-sheet structures while retaining their association with DNA; yet fd, IKe and If1 do not undergo such transitions. Raman intensity changes with ionic strength or temperature suggest that transgauche rotations of aliphatic amino acid side-chains and stacking of aromatic side-chains are important structural variables in each virus.

Amides↗
PubMed1983

Cyclic expression of low-dose paralysis.

Prior treatment (priming) with a single injection of a subimmunogenic dose of Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide results in an antigen-specific T-cell-dependent form of unresponsiveness (low-dose paralysis) mediated by suppressor T cells. Although such unresponsiveness persists for several months after priming, it is expressed in a cyclic manner with a periodicity of about 3 days. This cyclic pattern is accompanied by concurrent periods of Velban sensitivity that also are cyclic. This suggests that the maintenance of low-dose paralysis in part requires some degree of cell proliferation which proceeds in an ordered manner in response to a "signal" generated after priming with antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Cell surface antigens and other characteristics of T cells regulating the antibody response to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide.

The administration of a subimmunogenic dose of type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III) produces an antigen-specific T cell-dependent phenomenon termed low-dose paralysis (immunologic unresponsiveness). This form of unresponsiveness can be transferred by spleen cells obtained 5 to 24 hr after priming, and the suppressive activity of the transferred cells is abolished by prior treatment with monoclonal anti-Lyt-2 and anti-I-J antibody in the presence of complement, indicating that suppression is mediated by a distinct subset of T cells (suppressor T cells). If primed spleen cells are transferred 24 to 72 hr after immunization with SSS-III, however, the resulting antibody response of immunized recipients is enhanced. Greater enhancement is noted when transferred cells, pretreated with monoclonal anti-Lyt-2 antibody plus complement to remove suppressor T cells, are used; such enhancement is attributed to amplifier T cells. These findings indicate suppressor T cells regulate the antibody response to SSS-III by influencing the expansion of SSS-III-specific clones of B cells as well as the expression of amplifier T cell activity; the latter causes B cells to proliferate further in response to SSS-III.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Antigenic and genetic characterization of a novel hemagglutinin subtype of influenza A viruses from gulls.

Influenza A virus isolates from ring-billed, Franklin, blackback, and herring gulls in the United States possess a hemagglutinin (HA) distinct from the 12 reference HA subtypes. Serological assays (hemagglutination inhibition and double-immunodiffusion) with specific antisera to reference strains and to a representative gull isolate showed that the HA of the gull virus was not antigenically related to that of any known subtype. The gull virus did not replicate in ducks or chickens but did replicate in ferrets. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences (and deduced amino acid sequences) of the 3' 20% of the HA genes of these viruses indicates that the gull viruses represent a genetically distinct group. We propose that this HA, which has been detected only in gull isolates thus far, be called the H13 subtype.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Direct evidence for the involvement of T suppressor cells in the expression of low-dose paralysis to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide.

Prior treatment (priming) with a subimmunogenic dose of type III pneumococcal polysaccharide results in the development of an antigen-specific state of unresponsiveness termed low-dose paralysis. Such unresponsiveness can be transferred by spleen cells obtained from mice within 5 to 24 hr after priming; the suppressive activity of transferred cells is abolished by treatment with monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody and complement. These findings show clearly that low-dose paralysis is mediated by T suppressor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Structural transitions in bacteriophages Pf3 and Xf.

Laser-Raman spectra of filamentous bacteriophages Pf3 and Xf show that the coat protein subunits in each phage are predominantly alpha-helical. However, the subunits of both viruses are converted to beta-sheet structures by raising the temperature. The transition temperature depends upon phage concentration and solution ionic strength. Cooling of the solutions returns both viruses from their beta-states to alpha-states similar to the native structures. Through prolonged heating at temperatures above 80 degrees C, the "beta-sheet" of Pf3 can be irreversibly converted to a second alpha-helical structure which is distinct from the structure in the native phage. The spectra also show that aromatic amino acid residues of Pf3 and Xf undergo dramatic changes in molecular environment in the alpha in equilibrium with beta transitions. The Raman spectra provide little of either Pf3 or Xf, although bands characteristic of classical A-type and B-type structures are not observed. The combined results are of significance with regard to both the interpretation of fiber X-ray diffraction patterns of filamentous phages and the mechanism of virion assembly.

Coliphages↗
PubMed1980

Raman spectra and conformational properties of ribosomes during various stages of disassembly.

Raman spectra have been obtained on aqueous solutions of ribosomes, ribosomal subunits, ribosomal proteins, and ribosomal RNA extracted from both rat liver (RL) and Escherichia coli cells. The species examined from RL ribosomes are total ribosomes (80 S), large subunits (60 S), small subunits (40 S), EDTA-treated ribosomes, total rRNA, 28S RNA, 18S RNA, total protein, RNP particles from 80S ribosomes, and RNP particles from 60S subunits. The species examined from E. coli ribosomes are total ribosomes (70 S), large subunits (50 S), small subunits (30 S), mixtures of 50S and 30S subunits, total rRNA, 23S RNA, and 16S RNA. All rRNA molecules are shown by Raman spectroscopy to contain highly ordered secondary structures in which the backbone conformations are predominantly of the A-helix type. The present Raman spectra do not contain sufficient detail, however, to reach firm conclusions about the conformations of ribosomal proteins or their mutual interactions. RNA molecules within ribosomal particles remain highly ordered during various stages of ribosome disassembly, and their conformations are generally invariant to perturbations of ribosome structure, including dissociation into subunits, EDTA treatment, and partial deproteinization in a CsCl density gradient. However, when total protein extraction is carried out on ribosomes and subunits, small but significant changes in rRNA secondary structure are detected. The kind and magnitude of secondary structural change are different for different ribosomal particles. The Raman spectra of the ribosomes are compared also with spectra of a model ribonucleoprotein, the complex formed by poly(riboadenylic acid) and poly(L-arginine).

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Use of the periodate oxidation coupling method for the detection of antibody and antibody-producing cells specific for staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid.

The periodate oxidation and chromium chloride coupling methods were compared for their ability to sensitize indicator erythrocytes with staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) for the detection of specific antibody. Erythrocytes, sensitized with periodiate-activated lipoteichoic acid, were found to be superior for use in both passive immune hemagglutination and hemolysis tests as well as in the technique of localized hemolysis-in-gel for the detection of specific antibody-producing cells against LTA.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Influence of carrier-specific, thymus-derived cells on the immunologlobulin M antibody response to staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid.

The immunoglobulin M antibody response to the lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P was examined by a procedure in which erythrocytes sensitized with periodate-activated LTA were used for the detection of immunoglobulin M-producing plaque-forming cells LTA-specific plaque-forming cells were first detected 2 days after immunization with heat-killed bacterial cells, and maximal numbers of plaque-forming cells, mostly of the immunoglobulin M class rather than the immunoblogulin G or immunoglobulin A class, were attained by day 4; specificity for LTA was affirmed by plaque inhibition tests. No plaque-forming cells were found in mice given isolated LTA over a 10,000-fold range of immunizing doses. Mice pretreated with a carrier known to activate thymus-derived helper lymphocytes produced a plaque-forming cell response to LTA only when immunized with LTA bound to the same carrier. This suggests that carrier-specific thymus-derived cells are needed to initiate an antibody response to poorly immunogenic LTA. Since an antibody response can be elicited in mice given heat-killed cells, other cell wall and/or cell membrane constituents may play an important role as immunologically active carriers for this antigen.

Animals↗