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Biomedical subjects

E Qvigstad

Publications and source records attributed to E Qvigstad.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Cytokine levels in amniotic fluid and inflammatory changes in the placenta from normal deliveries at term.

Cytokine levels in amniotic fluid have been shown to increase towards term in normal pregnancies, and may play a regulatory role in parturition by stimulating the local production of prostaglandins. The work reported in the present paper was conducted in order to test the hypothesis that the increased cytokine levels may be induced by a subclinical inflammatory reaction in intrauterine tissues. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were determined in samples of amniotic fluid from 38 women in delivery at term, after a clinically normal pregnancy. In 33 of the cases, tissue material was available for histological examination. In these, the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration was assessed in the fetal membranes, placenta and umbilical cord. A close interrelation was observed between the levels of the mediators typically released during inflammatory processes (TNF, IL-1, IL-6). Frank chorioamnionitis was not found in any of the histological specimens, although most placentae showed varying degrees of granulocyte infiltration in the fibrin layer under the chorion, sometimes also in the chorionic membrane. The degree of such leukocytic infiltration correlated positively with the levels of TNF, IL-1 and IL-6. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that a low-level inflammatory process may be a normal occurrence in the term placenta, and that this process may induce the production of cytokines, which, in turn, may play a role in the regulation of parturition. Such inflammation could be due to exposure of the fetal membranes to microbial material from the vagina, as the cervix dilates towards term.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1993

[Infections after cesarean section].

Post-operative infectious morbidity was recorded in 390 patients who delivered by Caesarean section. The patients were observed closely while in hospital. Upon leaving the hospital, each was given a questionnaire, which was answered by 350 (89.7%). 10% of the patients had experienced post-operative infections, the most frequent being infections of the urinary tract or of wounds. There was no significant difference in post-operative infectious morbidity in the case of elective as against emergency Caesarean section. This may have been due to the use of prophylactic antibiotics in many cases of emergency Caesarean section. Only 28.6% of the infections were diagnosed during hospitalization. Therefore, many infections following Caesarean section are diagnosed after the patient has been discharged from hospital.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Malacoplakia in the endometrium. A rare cause of postmenopausal bleeding].

Malacoplakia of the endometrium and the rest of the female genital tract is rare. The condition is usually postmenopausal, and an important clinical finding is vaginal bleeding. Clinically, what is actually malacoplakia is often suspected to be a malignant disease. Pathologically, however, malacoplakia is easily distinguishable from carcinoma, owing to the typical, light colour of the swear when examined under the microscope, showing. Histiocytes with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and varying degrees of intracellular and extracellular Michaelis-Gutman bodies. As far as we know, we describe the first case in Norway of postmenopausal bleeding in a 78 year old woman, caused by malacoplakia of the endometrium.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Prediction of height achievement at five years of age in children born very preterm or with very low birth weight: continuation of catch-up growth after two years of age.

To predict height at five years in a cohort of 565 very preterm and/or very low-birth-weight children, hypothesized growth determinants were subjected to discriminant analysis. Many neonatal parameters were not significantly associated with short stature at five years of age. A correct classification of stature (smaller/larger than the 10th percentile at five years of age) could be obtained in 85% of children, using the following variables: height at two years of age; total (or mid) parental height; parental level of education; length at one year of age; hypertension during pregnancy; sex; weight at two years of age; length percentile at one year of age. However, when compared to actual longitudinal data, the false-positive rate was 37%. The survey also demonstrated the continuing catch-up growth in very preterm and very low-birth-weight infants after two years of age.

Biometry↗
PubMed1992

T-cell receptor beta usage by 35 different antigen-specific T-cell clones restricted by HLA-Dw4 or -Dw14.1.

We studied whether antigen-specific T cells being restricted by the very similar HLA-Dw4 and/or -Dw14.1 molecules might demonstrate homogeneities in parts of their TCR. TCCs were generated from three individuals who were all HLA-Dw4/Dw14.1 heterozygous. Thirty-five TCCs specific for PPD or TT and restricted by HLA-Dw4 and/or -Dw14.1 were selected for TCR beta gene sequencing. We found that 19 different V beta genes from 13 V beta families were expressed by these TCCs. Thus, it seems that many different TCRV beta genes may be used by TCCs restricted by these HLA molecules. For PPD-specific TCCs, a possible biased usage of V beta 8, as well as possible preferential usage of a CDR3 motif, were found.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

[Disease during pregnancy. Sick-listing among pregnant women in Oslo].

Sick leave among pregnant women has been studied. A large majority of employed women were granted certification of illness, mainly in the last trimester of pregnancy. The average period of absence was 9.6 weeks. 15-20% of the pregnant women received prolonged certification of illness, with an average absence from work of 18 weeks. The most common medical causes of sick leave were health problems associated with painful conditions in the back and pelvic region. There are indications that the amount of absence from work due to illness is growing among pregnant women. We discussed the reasons for this development. Granted absence from work, with compensation for loss of salary during the last weeks of pregnancy could contribute to "demedicalize" the need of leave of absence from work for most women.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1991

Sequences of four previously undescribed human T-cell receptor beta chain variable genes.

T-cell receptor beta chain mRNA from 4 human T-lymphocyte clones was reverse transcribed, amplified by PCR, cloned in M13 and sequenced. Four hitherto undescribed variable genes were found. One of them (V beta-IW22) showed the highest homology (74.5%) to V beta 1. Two others (V beta-IW6 and V beta-IW10) belonged to the recently described V beta 21 family. The last gene (V beta-VW114) belonged to the V beta 9 family. However, the latter gene a is pseudogene because of an in-frame stop codon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

T lymphocyte recognition of a celiac disease-associated cis- or trans-encoded HLA-DQ alpha/beta-heterodimer.

The HLA-associated susceptibility to develop celiac disease may to a large extent be attributed to the combination of particular DQA1 and DQB1 genes, i.e., the DQA1*0501 and DBQB1*0201 alleles, located either in cis position (on the DR3DQw2 haplotype) or in trans position (DR5DQw7/DR7DQw2 heterozygous individuals). We report three alloreactive T lymphocyte clones that recognize an HLA-DQ alpha/beta heterodimer both when the DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 alleles are located in cis or in trans position. Thus, the celiac disease associated DQA1 and DQB1 genes encode a functionally expressed DQ alpha/beta heterodimer.

Alleles↗
PubMed1990

Recognition of a particular HLA-DQ heterodimer by a human gamma/delta T cell clone.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a single donor were depleted of T cell receptor (TcR) alpha/beta T cells, stimulated with allogeneic cells, and gamma/delta T lymphocyte clones (TLC) were isolated by limiting dilution. Five TLC were cytotoxic against B-lymphoblastoid cell lines from the stimulating cell donor, and demonstrated a restricted allospecificity in panel cell studies. One of these, gamma/delta TLC RNG-135, was studied in more detail. Its phenotype was CD3+ TcR alpha/beta - TcR gamma/delta + BB3- delta TCS1+ CD4- CD8-. Inhibition experiments using monoclonal antibodies indicated that the cytotoxicity of TLC RNG-135 was mediated through the TcR gamma/delta, and directed against an HLA-DQ molecule. In extended panel cell experiments, this gamma/delta TLC only lysed cells carrying the DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0301 genes, either in cis position (on the DR5, DQw7 haplotype), or in trans position (the donor of the stimulating cells, DR3,4; DQw2, w7). Thus, it appears that gamma/delta T cells may recognize a particular HLA-DQ alpha/beta heterodimer, which may be encoded by DQA1 and B1 genes both in cis and trans position.

Cell Separation↗
PubMed1990

Antigen-specific T cells restricted by HLA-DQw8: importance of residue 57 of the DQ beta chain.

CD4+ T-lymphocyte clones reactive with antigen from herpes simplex virus type 1 were established from a DQw8+ donor. One T-lymphocyte clone was able to recognize HSV antigen only when presented by antigen presenting cells expressing DQw8, and only HLA-DQ-specific mAbs could inhibit the response. Using antigen presenting cells from an extensive panel of donors whose HLA-DQ molecules and genes had been established, it could be demonstrated that alanine at residue 57 of the DQ beta chain played a critical role in presentation of herpes simplex virus--derived antigen(s) to T cells. The results are interesting, since the amino acids present at residue 57 of the DQ beta chains seems to play an important role in determining susceptibility to develop or protection against insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Specificity of two subsets of cytotoxic human gamma delta T-cell clones.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were enriched for gamma delta T cells by immunomagnetic separation, stimulated with cells from an allogeneic donor, and cloned. T-lymphocyte clones (TLC) of the two major gamma delta T-cell subsets, BB3+ (i.e. V delta 2+) and delta TCS1+ (i.e. V delta 1/(D)/J delta 1), were obtained. In addition, one gamma delta TLC was BB3- delta TCS1-. All of the BB3+ TLC showed strong cytotoxicity against various allogeneic tumor cell lines, such as Daudi and K562. The cytotoxicity against the tumour cell lines was modulated by MoAb against the gamma delta TcR. The BB3+ TLC were not cytotoxic against B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL). In contrast, the delta TCS1+ TLC showed much lower cytotoxic activity against the tumour cell lines, but many were strongly cytotoxic against allogeneic B-LCL. Some of the delta TCS1+ TLC demonstrated HLA-specific cytotoxicity, while other delta TCS1+ TLC had a more broad cytolytic activity against B-LCL. Thus, the two major subtypes of gamma delta T cells from this donor, as defined by MoAb BB3 and delta TCS1, were distinct with respect to recognition specificity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

HLA-DR-restricted antigen-induced proliferation and cytotoxicity mediated by CD4+ T-cell clones from subjects vaccinated with killed M. leprae.

Thirteen CD4+ T-cell clones raised against Mycobacterium leprae from three M. leprae-vaccinated subjects were studied for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction in proliferative and cytotoxicity assays. These T-cell clones recognized at least nine different epitopes, ranging from M. leprae-specific to broadly crossreactive. Restriction studies with a panel of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) suggest that all of the T-cell clones recognized antigens in the context of the DR locus. Three T-cell clones with three different reactivities from a DR1, 2-positive subject responded to M. leprae in proliferation and cytotoxicity when the antigen was presented in the context of DR1-positive APCs. Four T-cell clones responding to M. leprae-specific or crossreactive epitopes from the second donor, who was DR4,DW4; DR4,Dw14-positive, and a single M. leprae-specific T-cell clone from the third subject, who was DR3,4:Dw4, recognized the antigens in the presence of Dw4 APCs. Four crossreactive T-cell clones from the second subject responded in the presence of Dw14-positive APCs, and one limited crossreactive clone recognized the antigen in the context of DR4 and DR7-positive cells, suggesting that its response was restricted by a common determinant. The T-cell clones that recognize the 65-kDa, 18-kDa, and 13B3 recombinant M. leprae antigens in proliferative assays were cytotoxic for autologous adherent cells pulsed with the respective antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1988

T lymphocyte clones recognizing an HLA-DQw3.2-associated epitope involving residue 57 on the DQ beta chain.

The DQw3.2 specificity has previously been recognized using genomic RFLP analysis and certain combinations of monoclonal antibodies. Here we report three CD4+ T lymphocyte clones (TLCs) generated from a DR3,4; DQw2,w3.1 responder stimulated with cells from a DR3,4; DQw2,w3.2 donor, and using a modified cloning procedure involving enrichment of IL-2 receptor-positive T cell during priming. The resulting TLCs were strongly inhibited by some monoclonal anti-DQ, but not anti-DR or -DP antibodies. In panel studies using HLA homozygous stimulating cells, it was found that the TLCs recognize an HLA epitope encoded by a DQ gene carried only by DR4,DQw3.2 haplotypes. By comparison with published DQ chain amino acid sequences of some stimulating cells able or not to induce a response in these clones, evidence was obtained that Ala at position 57 on the DQ beta chain is most probably involved in the epitope. The epitope is present on cells from 12 out of 12 DR4,DQw3 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients, but on cells only from 6 out of 12 healthy DR4,DQw3 controls. Thus, a DQ-encoded epitope involving residue 57 on the DQ beta chain, and which is strongly associated to IDDM, may be recognized by T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Identification, at the genomic level, of an HLA-DR restriction element for cloned antigen-specific T4 cells.

Two T4 cell clones (TLC) specific for antigenic epitopes on Chlamydia trachomatis were studied. Using a panel of allogeneic antigen-presenting cells (APC), both TLC were found to be restricted by HLA class II elements closely associated with, but not identical to the DRw5S specificity, as determined by highly selected alloantisera, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), 109d6, and confirmed on the DNA level by determination of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) with a DR beta probe. Furthermore, HLA-DR-specific mAb, including 109d6, but not other HLA class II- or class I-specific antibodies inhibited the two TLC, strongly suggesting that the restriction element is expressed by a DR molecule. Using digestion with Hind III restriction enzyme and a DR beta probe, we found a complete concordance between the appearance of a 9.3 kilobase band and the ability of allogeneic APC to restimulate the T cell clones. Thus, the restriction element for these T cell clones appear to be expressed by DR molecules, but can, at present, only be detected at the genomic level.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗