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Biomedical subjects

G Reimer

Publications and source records attributed to G Reimer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Aminoacylase-1 isoenzymes: a comparative study.

Analysis of aminoacylase-1 (ACY-1) zymograms from 21 species indicated one structural locus coding for one dimeric enzyme. Among the various strains of five laboratory mammals (Mesocricetus auratus, Cricetulus griseus, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Cavia porcellus) only in Mus musculus-strains genetic variability was found. Crosses segregating for ACY-1b/ACY-1c reveal a three-banded banding pattern typical for the heterozygous state of a dimeric enzyme. Electrophoretic comparisons of all species studied indicate a high degree of phylogenetic variability at this locus.

Amidohydrolases↗

Procainamide elicits a selective autoantibody immune response.

The specificity of the in vivo humoral immune response elicited by procainamide was examined by solid-phase assays, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation and a cytotoxicity assay. Serial samples obtained from patients during their procainamide therapy showed a progressive increase in antibodies to histones and denatured DNA, and both activities decreased after discontinuation of therapy. In contrast antibodies to tetanus, human IgG (rheumatoid factor) and heterologous lymphocytes were unaffected by procainamide treatment, indicating that they were not drug-induced. Of 29 sera examined by protein-A-facilitated immunoprecipitation, four sera had antibody to ribosomal RNA and three sera immunoprecipitated a 40kD protein. Antinuclear antibodies were invariably present but absorption studies showed that these activities were due to anti-histone antibodies. These results indicate that procainamide-induced autoimmunity is characterized predominantly by an anti-histone and anti-denatured DNA immune response.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Single dose therapy with temocillin in acute gonorrhoea.

Temocillin has pronounced in vitro activity against both penicillin-sensitive and penicillinase-producing gonococci. A single intramuscular injection of temocillin 0.5 g or 1.0 g resulted in the disappearance of the infecting gonococci in 91% of 75 patients and 94% of 192 patients in 2 separate trials. The systemic and local tolerance of the drug was unusually favourable and no serious side effects were observed.

Adult↗

In vitro complement activation by antinuclear antibodies in the epidermis from patients with systemic sclerosis.

Skin biopsies from twenty-one systemic sclerosis patients with significant serum fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) titres (more than 1:40) were examined by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and by in vitro immunofluorescent complement (C) activation (C + DIF). Eight patients showed epidermal nuclear ANA deposits by DIF. In vitro complement activation was achieved in epidermal nuclei from all eight patients. In addition, one patient with diffuse scleroderma revealed a dense speckled, and two patients with the CREST syndrome a discrete speckled, epidermal nuclear staining pattern by C + DIF. The latter two patients showed high titres of anticentromere antibody in their sera. We consider that the C + DIF findings of these two patients with the CREST syndrome reflect binding of serum anticentromere antibodies to their antigens in vivo.

Adult↗

Anti-native DNA antibodies from autoimmune sera also bind to DNA in mitochondria.

Sera from 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), selected for elevated titers of antibody to native DNA (nDNA), were examined by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) on tissue culture Hep-2 and rabbit kidney cells. Twelve sera showed a particulate cytoplasmic staining, in addition to nuclear IF. Double IF staining by using a mouse monoclonal anti-nDNA and a human serum containing anti-mitochondrial antibody as probes showed that the cytoplasmic structures recognized by these 12 SLE sera were mitochondria. SLE sera showing mitochondrial staining had high anti-nDNA levels, as assessed by ELISA (3.5 +/- 1.9 O.D.), compared with those not showing this staining pattern (0.8 +/- 0.4 O.D.). Mitochondrial staining was abolished by DNase I pretreatment of the substrates. Liquid phase absorption of serum anti-nDNA with S1 nuclease-treated calf thymus DNA or purified mitochondrial DNA also removed staining. These findings demonstrate that anti-nDNA antibodies from patients with SLE bind to DNA in intact mitochondria. Therefore, mitochondrial IF staining on tissue culture cells in the presence of nuclear staining should be interpreted with caution, because the phenomenon could be entirely related to anti-native DNA. These observations might also provide new insights concerning the nature of immunogenic cellular components stimulating anti-DNA production.

Animals↗

[Immune phenomena in lichen ruber--an immunofluorescence study].

An immunofluorescence study was carried out in 40 patients suffering from lichen ruber of skin and/or mucous membranes. Autoantibodies in eluates of lymphoid cells directed against a hypothetical antigen of epidermal and/or dermal cells could not be demonstrated by means of the indirect immunofluorescence technique. However, direct immunofluorescence studies pointed to some interesting results hitherto not sufficiently paid attention.

Adult↗

Immunofluorescence studies in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and mixed connective tissue disease.

Immunofluorescence (IF) investigations of the skin were performed in thirty patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and eight patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The results show that speckled epidermal nuclear immunoglobulin deposition occurs not only in MCTD but also in true scleroderma. Granular IgM deposition at the dermo-epidermal junction of light-exposed skin was detected in both groups of patients, but six of eight MCTD patients also showed a granular IgM band in non-exposed skin. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were demonstrated in the sera of 96% and 100% of patients with scleroderma and MCTD respectively. The pattern of nuclear IF staining in scleroderma included dense fine speckles, large coarse speckles, threads, nucleolar and centromere staining. In MCTD, by contrast, the ANA staining pattern consisted of threads. The significance of ANA titres and immunological specificities for the in vivo reaction of serum ANA with epidermal nuclear antigens is discussed.

Adult↗

Lymphocytotoxicity for oral mucosa in lichen planus.

The in vitro effect of peripheral blood lymphocytes on syngeneic oral epithelial cells was investigated in 23 patients suffering from lichen planus of skin and/or mucous membranes and in 18 healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers as controls. A modified 51Cr release macro-assay was used. The result shows a significant lymphocytotoxic effect on the epithelial target cells, giving evidence of cytolytic activities of blood lymphocytes on autologous epithelial cells. We consider these lymphocytes to be involved in the complex pathogenesis of lichen planus.

Adult↗

Direct immunofluorescence in recurrent aphthous ulcers and Behçet's disease.

Direct immunofluorescence (IF) investigations in oral aphthae were performed in 17 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) and in 9 patients with Behçet's disease (BD). In addition, cutaneous hyperreactivity lesions from 2 BD patients were examined. The results were compared to direct IF findings in 28 patients with nonaphthous oral diseases. There was no difference between direct IF on oral aphthae in RAU compared to BD. Deposition of C3 in vessel walls of the subepithelial connective tissue was observed in 13 of 17 patients with RAU and in all patients with BD. IgM deposits in vessel walls were found in 5 RAU and 3 BD patients. Deposition of C1q or C4 was not present. By contrast, IgG and/or IgM, C1q, C3 and C4 were detected in dermal vessel walls of skin hyperreactivity lesions from 2 BD patients. This finding is considered to be a true immune complex vasculitis. Compared to nonaphthous oral lesions, oral aphthae of BD and RAU were characterized by C3 deposition in the subepithelial vessel walls.

Adolescent↗

[Immunopathologic studies in herpes gestationis].

In a 19-year-old Turkish primigravida with clinically and histologically confirmed herpes gestationis, immunohistological investigations revealed deposits of C3, C4, IgG, and IgM in the dermoepidermal junction. Furthermore, C3 and IgM were found in the upper dermal vessels, suggesting a concomitant vasculitis, which was also observed by capillary microscopy. ANA were present in the serum of the patient, a circulating factor capable of fixing complement to the basement-membrane (HG-factor) was demonstrable as well. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies, however, could not be detected. HLA-typing disclosed HLA-B8 haplotype.

Adult↗

Lytic effect of cytotoxic lymphocytes on oral epithelial cells in Behçet's disease.

The effect of blood lymphocytes on syngeneic oral epithelial cells was studied in twelve patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and twenty-one patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU). The control group consisted of twenty-five patients with non-aphthous skin disease and eight healthy individuals. Primary cell lines obtained from oral mucosa by suction blistering and subsequent enzymatic dissociation were used as target cells. Using a modified 51chromium release macro-assay, a significant lytic effect due to antibody-independent lymphocytotoxicity could be demonstrated in patients with BD, but no significant lysis of target cells was found in the RAU patients compared with the control group. These results provide further evidence that antibody-independent lymphocytotoxicity may play an important role in oral ulceration in BD.

Adolescent↗

[Senear-Usher syndrome: acquired hemophilia caused by the occurrence of a factor VIII inhibitor].

A 25-year-old woman who had suffered from pemphigus for 2 years developed widespread, scalded skin-like lesions after stopping an immunosuppressive treatment. Histological and immunofluorescence studies confirmed the diagnosis of pemphigus erythematosus. Apart from IgG pemphigus antibodies, granular deposits for IgM at the dermoepidermal junction and circulating antinuclear IgM-antibodies could be detected. Despite of restarting an immunosuppressive regime, the patient developed severe hemophilia due to the occurrence of a factor VIII antiglobulin. Its possible immunopathologic basis is discussed.

Adult↗

[Oral aphthae].

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Adult↗

Influence of intercellular agents on proliferation and gene activity of cultured human skin epithelium cells (NCTC 2544).

"Human skin epithelium cells" (NCTC strain 2544; HSEpicell) are established cells and grow to a monolayer the same way as epithelial cells. Addition of proliferating or antiproliferating substances results in a typical dose-dependent influence on the cell growth: steroids inhibit mitosis, polyamines stimulate proliferation, while prostaglandin E2, theophylline and papaverine reduce cell growth. Since the pattern of chromosomal nonhistone proteins indicates alterations of gene activity, DNA-binding proteins of HSE picells are analysed. Compared to native human skin fibroblasts (La Col 1115) there are only slight differences, in contrast to cancer cells. Therefore HSE picells may represent undifferentiated non-cancer cells. Hydrocortisone and theophylline inhibit cell proliferation by different mechanisms. As indicated by the pattern of DNA-binding proteins, both substances also act on HSEpicells in two different ways. As HSEpicells can be used for studying cell regulation, water-soluble extract and DNA-binding proteins of psoriatic scales as well as sera of psoriasis patients are tested in respect to any proliferating component. However, no influence on cell proliferation could be found.

Cell Differentiation↗

DNA-binding proteins in the sera of patients with malignant melanoma.

Sera of patients with various malignancies are known to contain DNA-binding proteins (DBP) which are not present in sera of normal individuals. In this paper sera of patients with malignant melanoma (MM) were examined as to whether characteristic DBP are present, too. DBP are isolated by DNA-affinity chromatography and represent 0.5-0.9% of all serum proteins. After separation of the DBP by SDS slab gel electrophoresis no typical DBP is detectable in sera of MM-patients. However, quantitative differences are found in sera of patients in the clinical stages I-III and/or tumor level 3-5: 1. All 9 sera of patients who had clinical signs of MM contain more DBP with molecular weight (mw) of 20,000-24,000 dalton than control sera. However, these DBP are only increased in 30% of the 22 sera from MM-patients who had clinical signs for 13-73 months after tumor excision. 2. All sera of the 10 MM-patients of whom sera were drawn twice after tumor excision at an interval of 7-46 months without clinical signs, showed a reduction of DBP with mw 30,000, 68,000, and 165,000.

Adult↗

Comparison of DNase, DNA-polymerase and RNA-polymerase activities present in the DNA-binding proteins of normal human dermis, epidermis, horny layer and psoriatic scales.

DNA-binding proteins (DBP) of normal human dermis, epidermis, horny layer and psoriatic scales represent a tissue-specific group of mostly nuclear nonhistone proteins. To analyse their function, the different DBP fractions were examined concerning the presence of DNase, DNA-polymerase and RNA-polymerase activities. DBP of normal epidermis and horny layer contain four different DNases. One DNase of both DBP fractions is active only at pH 5.0. Three DNases of epidermal DBP are active at a pH-range from 5.0--8.5, while the corresponding DNases of horny layer-DBP are most active at pH 7.4. Probably these DNases have changed their pH-optimum during keratinisation. DBP of psoriatic scales include no activity of these three DNases and the pH 5.0-DNases seem to have reduced DNA-affinity. Human dermis DBP contain quite another set of four DNases which hardly can be correlated to the DNases of epidermal DBP. DNA-polymerase activities are present in each fraction and derive from different DNA-polymerases. Two DNA-polymerases with pI-values of 4.5 and 9.3 may correspond to beta- and alpha-DNA-polymerase of eukaryotes, respectively. Further activity of proteins which are focussed at pH 6.5--7.2 and 8.2 could be detected. The proteins represent either tissue-specific DNA-polymerases or further thymidine monophosphate incorporating enzymes. Contrary, RNA-polymerase activity could not be enriched from correlating extracts by DNA-cellulose chromatography.

DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase↗