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H Leffler

Publications and source records attributed to H Leffler.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Multiple soluble beta-galactoside-binding lectins from human lung.

Soluble extracts of human lung contain three major beta-galactoside-binding proteins with apparent subunit molecular weights of 14,000 (HL-14), 22,000 (HL-22), and 29,000 (HL-29). HL-14 and HL-29 were abundant in all the specimens that we tested whereas HL-22 was abundant in some and very scarce in others. HL-14 could be resolved into at least six acidic forms by isoelectric focusing and HL-29 into at least five acidic forms by this procedure. In contrast, HL-22 is a basic protein. Other beta-galactoside-binding proteins with subunit molecular weights ranging from about 16,000 to 27,000 were also detected in lung extracts, but the possibility that they are degradation products cannot be excluded. HL-14 is very similar to a rat lung lectin (RL-14.5) in carbohydrate binding specificity and amino acid composition and reacts strongly with an antiserum raised against the rat lectin. HL-29 is similar to the rat lectin RL-29 in the same respects, but its carbohydrate binding specificity is somewhat different. Of the known rat lectins, HL-22 resembles RL-18 most closely in carbohydrate binding specificity, but it is significantly different in other properties and does not react with an antiserum raised against the rat lectin.

Amino Acids↗

Structures of blood group glycosphingolipids of human small intestine. A relation between the expression of fucolipids of epithelial cells and the ABO, Le and Se phenotype of the donor.

Small intestinal epithelial cells (enterocytes) were isolated from specimens obtained at operation from four human individuals with different blood group ABO, Lewis, and secretor phenotypes. The non-acid glycolipids were isolated and characterized by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and proton NMR spectroscopy and for reactivity with monoclonal antibodies on thin-layer chromatograms. Monohexosylceramides and blood group ABH (type 1 chain) and Lewis glycolipids with 5-7 sugar residues were the major compounds present in all cases, and the expression of the major blood group glycolipids was in agreement with the ABO, Lewis, and secretor phenotype of the individual donors. Small amounts of more complex glycolipids with up to 10 sugar residues were identified by mass spectrometry in all cases. In addition, small amounts of lactotetraosylceramide, a blood group H-active triglycosylceramide with the structure of Fuc alpha 1-2Gal-Hex-Cer (where Fuc is fucose, Hex is hexose, and Cer is ceramide), and dihexosylceramides were identified in some cases. Globotriaosyl- and globotetraosylceramides were absent from the epithelial cells. Small amounts of Leb-active glycolipids in blood group OLe(a+b-), non-secretor and OLe(a-b-), secretor individuals as well as trace amounts of type 2 carbohydrate chain compounds in all individuals were detected by specific monoclonal antibodies.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Fecal excretion of intestinal glycosphingolipids by newborns and young children.

Glycosphingolipids were shown to persist in human fecal excretions from birth up 2 years of age. The pattern of glycosphingolipids was dependent on blood group and secretor status of the child and changed dramatically during the first months of life. Perinatally cerebroside, hematoside and blood group active fucolipids were dominating among fecal glycolipids. From the time of weaning lactosylceramide abruptly became and then persisted as a dominating glycolipid although cerebroside, complex gangliosides and blood group active fucolipids could still be detected in feces even at 2 years of age.

Age Factors↗

Receptor-specific agglutination tests for detection of bacteria that bind globoseries glycolipids.

Specific binding to the globoseries of glycolipid receptors explains the adherence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to host cells. The minimal receptor disaccharide Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta [galactose alpha (1----4)galactose beta] is recognized by most attaching clinical isolates. However, wild-type isolates can express adhesins with several different receptor specificities. Bioassays do not permit separate analysis of each receptor specificity, since the target cells contain multiple potentially receptor-active molecules. In this study, bacterial adhesins were analyzed by using receptors immobilized into latex beads in one of two ways. In one way, di- and trisaccharides were covalently linked via a spacer arm to latex beads coupled with bovine serum albumin. In the other way, receptor-active glycolipids were coated onto the bovine serum albumin-latex beads. The latex beads were subsequently used for agglutination by using type strains with known receptor specificity. The composition was optimized regarding receptor structure and size of latex beads. Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta was as active as the trisaccharide derivative Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----3glucose or Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----3glucosamine. Among the natural glycolipids tested, globotetraosylceramide was the most active. Subsequently, the sensitivity and specificity of the Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta-latex and globotetraosylceramide-latex reagents were compared for 733 E. coli urinary isolates. Hemagglutination of human erythrocytes was used as the positive standard. No significant difference in the specificity or sensitivity of the latex reagents was found; the sensitivity ranged from 86%, when isolates agglutinating human erythrocytes of blood groups P1 and p were included, to 93%, when those isolates agglutinating erythrocytes of blood group p were excluded. These reagents provide tools for bacterial identification in patients with urinary tract infection.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Binding to galactose alpha 1----4galactose beta-containing receptors as potential diagnostic tool in urinary tract infection.

The diagnosis of urinary tract infection is based largely on quantitative urine cultures. The usefulness of qualitative information about the virulence of the infecting bacteria remains undefined. Ability to attach to human uroepithelial cells is one characteristic of the pyelonephritogenic clones, as well as a virulence factor per se. The identification of host cell receptors for attaching bacteria has permitted the construction of agglutination tests for simple detection of bacterial binding properties. In the present study, the reactivity with Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta-latex [galactose alpha (1----4)galactose beta-latex] and globotetraosylceramide-latex was analyzed for strains from patients with acute pyelonephritis (n = 135), acute cystitis (n = 121), and asymptomatic bacteriuria (n = 119) and from the fecal flora of healthy children (n = 120) and compared with agglutination of human blood group P1 and p, as well as guinea pig, erythrocytes. The reactivity by bioassay and the receptor-specific assays were significantly correlated. The frequency of positive reactions among the pyelonephritis isolates was 78.5% with the globotetraosylceramide-latex reagent, compared with 41% for the cystitis isolates, 25% for the asymptomatic bacteriuria isolates, and 13% for the fecal isolates. The combination of bioassays and receptor-specific assays increased the resolution of adhesins. Thus, adhesins reacting with human p erythrocytes frequently were coexpressed with Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta-specific adhesins. The receptor-specific assays provide a refined reagent to resolve bacterial binding specificities, as well as a potential tool for clinical diagnosis.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Specificity of binding of three soluble rat lung lectins to substituted and unsubstituted mammalian beta-galactosides.

Binding of a series of mammalian glycoconjugates to three soluble rat lung lectins was determined with a quantitative assay. The three lectins, RL-14.5, RL-18, and RL-29, had a similar apparent affinity for lactose and associated with the same critical determinants, which included positions 4 and 6 of Gal and part of Glc. Derivatization at position 3 of Glc in lactose markedly reduced reactivity with the three lectins. For RL-14.5 and RL-29 the determinant extended specifically to the 3-hydroxyl of Glc which must be equatorial. In contrast, the stereochemical requirements for RL-18 were less specific, and Gal beta 1-3GalNAc bound as well as lactose. For RL-29 activity was markedly enhanced by GalNAc alpha 1-3 substitution on Gal, a modification which had little effect with RL-18 and inhibited binding to RL-14.5. Combinations of these residues in larger oligosaccharides and glycopeptides did not substantially enhance binding above that which might be expected from the sum of the constituent beta-galactoside residues. Although these lectins showed overlapping specificities, their binding properties are sufficiently different to suggest selective interactions with naturally occurring mammalian glycoconjugates.

Animals↗

A novel sulfoglycosphingolipid of mouse small intestine, IV3-sulfogangliotetraosylceramide, demonstrated by negative ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

In a comparative study of acidic glycosphingolipids in the small intestine of several species it was found that the mouse contained a complex sulfoglycolipid as a major component (Breimer, M.E., Hansson, G.C., Karlsson, K.-A., and Leffler, H. (1983) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 93, 1473-1485). Fast atom bombardment negative ion mass spectrometry proved the presence and location of the sulfate group and also showed the saccharide sequence and ceramide composition. Combined with NMR spectroscopy of the intact structure and degradative studies the structure was shown to be -O3SO----3Galp beta 1----3GalNAcp beta 1----4Galp beta 1----4Glcp beta 1----1Cer. The sulfoglycolipid was enriched in epithelial cells of mouse small intestine where it constituted at least 90% of the acidic glycolipids and 4-8 mol% of the total glycosphingolipids.

Animals↗

Influence of blood group on the availability of receptors for attachment of uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli strains with defined receptor specificity were used as probes to analyze the individual variation in host cell receptors with respect to blood groups. The adhesins were initially characterized as mannose sensitive (MS), mannose resistant (MR), or nonagglutinating (-). The receptor specificity of the strains with MR adhesins was defined by agglutination of synthetic Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta covalently linked via a spacer arm, (CH2)2S(CH2)2CO approximately H-bovine serum albumin (BSA) to BSA-latex beads as specific for the globoseries glycolipid receptors (MR:GS). Strains with MR adhesins not reacting with Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta-BSA-latex were designated MR:nonGS. The attachment and hemagglutination of the MR:GS strains was strictly dependent on Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta-containing receptors, as shown by the absence of binding to cells from individuals of blood group P lacking these structures. Previous reports showed differences in the composition of globoseries glycolipids between erythrocytes from individuals of P1 and P2. No significant difference was found, However, in the mean adhesion to P1 and P2 epithelial cells or in the agglutination titer for P1 and P2 erythrocytes. The MR:GS receptors were equally distributed on squamous and transitional epithelial cells. In contrast, the distribution of MR:nonGS receptors was skewed. Attachment occurred mostly to squamous epithelial cells. The attachment of strains with MR:nonGS adhesins was independent of the P blood group of the cell donor. The binding ability of MR:GS and MR:nonGS adhesins appeared independent and additive. The attachment was not influenced by the ABH blood group. However, increased binding to epithelial cells from nonsecretors occurred regardless of the P blood group, suggesting a shielding of receptors by products controlled by the secretor genes. These results illustrate how individual variation in cell surface components with and without receptor activity determine the interaction of a ligand with a known receptor.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Specificity of binding of a strain of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to Gal alpha 1----4Gal-containing glycosphingolipids.

A strain of Escherichia coli originally isolated from urine of a patient with acute pyelonephritis was studied in detail for binding to glycosphingolipids. Bacteria labeled metabolically with [14C]glucose were layered over a glycolipid chromatogram and bound bacteria were detected by autoradiography. The detection was down to a few ng of glycolipid (pmol level) under these assay conditions. At a test level of 500 ng all glycolipids (more than a dozen molecular species analyzed) with Gal alpha 1----4Gal as an internal or terminal part bound the bacteria strongly while glycolipids known to lack this sequence were negative. Conformational analysis using hard sphere calculations including the exo-anomeric effect showed a bend in the saccharide chain at this disaccharide with a largely hydrophobic surface of the convex side, probably being part of the binding epitope. Mixtures of glycolipids isolated from a human ureter scraping and from urinary sediments bound bacteria in the 2- to 7-sugar interval. Thus, this infectious strain of E. coli recognizes glycolipids being present in epithelial cells lining the urinary tract.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Non-antibiotic prevention of urinary tract infection.

The identification of several glycoconjugates as receptors for attaching bacteria has resulted in optimism regarding the use of receptor analogues in preventing infection. The structure of receptor-active oligosaccharides and the patient groups which might benefit from such treatment are most thoroughly understood for urinary tract infections. Prevention of adhesion and delay or decrease of infection was achieved using oligosaccharides from the globoseries of glycolipids containing Gal alpha 1----4Gal. This minimal receptor structure as a free saccharide was, however, not sufficient. It was the intact P, P1 and pk determinants which showed optimal activity in vitro. In addition, protection against experimental UTI results from previous exposure to whole bacteria or isolated antigens. The mechanism(s) of protection and their relevance in clinical UTI remain to be defined.

Animals↗

Pleiotropic drug resistance and gene amplification in a SEWA mouse tumor cell line. Complex relations revealed by drug uptake data, and lipid and protein analysis.

SEWA mouse lines resistant to actinomycin D (AMD) or vincristine (VCR) exhibit the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) phenotype, and express a low-MW protein (p21) and numerous double minutes (DM). In drug uptake studies these lines were compared with the non-resistant parental line and with a methotrexate (MTX)-resistant line, not exhibiting PDR. On treatment with labelled AMD or VCR the two PDR lines displayed a highly reduced intracellular content of drug, whereas uptake of MTX was unchanged. Uptake of AMD was shown to be temperature-dependent. The MTX-resistant line did not exhibit any significant change in AMD or VCR uptake. Other workers have emphasized the role of a high-MW glycoprotein in the development of PDR. A search for a similar glycoprotein in our cells was unsuccessful. Since all indications point to membrane factors being important in the development of PDR, the lines were also subjected to lipid analysis. Compared with control cells distinct differences were detected in the lipid composition of all resistant lines (including the MTX-resistant line). In the course of our experiments, the DM in our most AMD-resistant line were replaced by two homogeneously staining regions (HSR). Simultaneously, the overproduction of p21 ceased, but the PDR phenotype persisted. This event tends to implicate a minor role for the p21 protein in PDR, but similar transitions from DM to HSR in other AMD-resistant SEWA lines were not accompanied by a decrease in p21 over-production. Our data point to a complex genetic control of multi-drug resistance.

Animals↗

The specific glycosphingolipid composition of human ureteral epithelial cells.

Total non-acid and acid glycolipid fractions were isolated from epithelial cell scrapings and the non-epithelial residue of a human upper ureter. The glycolipid fractions were structurally characterized as total mixtures by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and proton NMR spectroscopy. Selected structural information was also obtained on binding of monoclonal antibodies and bacteria to the thin-layer chromatograms. The major epithelial cell glycolipids were Glc beta 1-1ceramide (75%), dihexosylceramide (10%) and NeuAcLacceramide (10%). In addition, 8 minor glycolipids belonging to the blood group P, Lewis and ABO systems were identified. The major glycolipids of the non-epithelial residues were mono- and dihexosylceramides together with globotriaosyl- and globotetraosylceramides. The epithelial mono- and diglycosylceramide compounds had an unusual ceramide composition with mainly C18 and C20 trihydroxy long chain bases in combination with C22-C24 hydroxy fatty acids in contrast to the non-epithelial glycolipids which contained mainly C18 dihydroxy long chain bases in combination with C16-C24 non-hydroxy fatty acids.

Carbohydrates↗

Virulence-associated traits in Escherichia coli causing first and recurrent episodes of urinary tract infection in children with or without vesicoureteral reflux.

Virulence-associated properties of 606 urinary isolates from 174 children with urinary tract infections were related to severity of infection and factors increasing host susceptibility, e.g., vesicoureteral reflux (grade II or higher) and P1 blood group phenotype. A high proportion of strains of Escherichia coli causing first or recurrent episodes of acute pyelonephritis in children without reflux expressed the previously noted high frequency of certain O antigens, resistance to serum killing, hemolysin production, and adhesive capacity. A significantly lower frequency of these traits and a higher frequency of non-E. coli were seen among isolates from children with pyelonephritis and reflux, cystitis, and asymptomatic bacteriuria. Reflux was thus found to be a determinant of the level of infection and of the bacterial properties required to produce pyelonephritis. Efforts aimed at preventing or treating urinary tract infection by interfering with "virulent" bacteria may be of less value in patients with recurrent pyelonephritis and reflux, who are most likely to develop renal scars.

Adhesiveness↗

Influence of adhesins on the interaction of Escherichia coli with human phagocytes.

The fitness between bacterial adhesins and target cell receptors, determining bacterial adherence to epithelial cells in urinary tract infections, was shown to influence also the interaction with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). Two sets of homogenic strains, constructed to express either, both, or none of the globotetraosylceramide-sensitive (GS) adhesins specific for globoseries glycolipid receptors or the mannose-sensitive (MS) adhesins inhibited by alpha-methyl mannoside were compared regarding charge, hydrophobicity, and binding to PMNL. The mutants of a hydrophilic pyelonephritis strain required MS adhesins for binding to and activation of the PMNL. Removal of the MS adhesins from the mutant carrying both MS and GS adhesins abolished chemiluminescence and binding. A pronounced chemiluminescence reaction was induced by the hydrophobic strain without GS or MS adhesins . Transformants of this strain expressing the MS adhesin bound to and activated the PMNL. Poor binding and activation were found with mutants and transformants carrying only the GS adhesins . The improved reactivity after coating of the PMNL with the appropriate receptor glycolipid supported the previously reported absence of globoseries glycolipids in those cells as the reason for the refractoriness to bacteria with GS adhesins . The mechanism of binding, which improves epithelial cell adhesion, may prevent binding to PMNL, thus improving the survival of Escherichia coli in the kidney.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗