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J C Jaume

Publications and source records attributed to J C Jaume.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Extremely low doses of heparin release lipase activity into the plasma and can thereby cause artifactual elevations in the serum-free thyroxine concentration as measured by equilibrium dialysis.

Heparin can cause an artifactual elevation in the concentration of unbound (free) thyroxine (T4) in the plasma, particularly when measured by equilibrium dialysis. The lipase released into the plasma by heparin acts on substrate (triglycerides; TG) in the plasma in vitro to release nonesterified (free) fatty acids (FFA), which, in high concentrations, inhibit the binding of T4 to its plasma binding proteins. This artifact occurs only in the presence of sufficient substrate (serum TG greater than approximately 180 mg/dL), and is most pronounced in methods requiring long incubation times. We observed this artifact in a patient receiving intralipid and subcutaneous (sc) heparin. Plasma-free T4, when measured by equilibrium dialysis, was elevated, but was normalized when the in vitro generation of FFA during equilibrium dialysis was prevented by prior treatment of the sample with protamine to inhibit lipoprotein lipase and with an antibody to hepatic triglyceride lipase. This observation caused us to investigate formally whether heparin, at standard sc doses or at iv doses even lower than those that are commonly used to flush iv lines (100-300 U), could also cause this artifact. We gave increasing doses of heparin at weekly intervals to each of three normal volunteers and measured FFA generation in their plasma (supplemented with 250 mg/dL triglycerides) under conditions simulating equilibrium dialysis. We found that, indeed, iv doses of heparin as low as 0.08 U/kg (5.6 U in a 70-kg subject) as well as a standard dose of sc heparin (5000 U) could release significant lipase activity into the plasma and, in the setting of sufficient substrate, cause enough in vitro generation of FFA to artifactually increase the serum-free T4 concentration when measured by equilibrium dialysis. These results indicate that equilibrium dialysis may not always be the best method for assessing serum-free T4 concentrations in hospitalized patients, and should be taken into account when interpreting previous studies demonstrating inhibitors of T4-serum protein binding in sera from hospitalized patients.

Adult↗

Evidence for negative cooperativity among human thyrotropin receptors overexpressed in mammalian cells.

The complementary DNA for the human TSH receptor (TSHR) translated region was amplified in the genome of stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using a dihydrofolate reductase minigene. Immunoprecipitation of TSHR in whole cells precursor-labeled with [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine revealed an approximately 10-fold increase in TSHR expression in cells stabilized in 10,000 nM methotrexate (TSHR-10,000 cells) compared to cells with the same gene not subjected to amplification (TSHR-0 cells). Similarly, [125I]TSH cross-linking to the surface of intact CHO cells revealed a progressive increase in TSH-binding sites with dihydrofolate reductase minigene amplification, with a 12.8-fold increase in TSHR in TSHR-10,000 vs. TSHR-0 cells. Based on the known number of TSHR expressed by TSHR-0 cells, TSHR-10,000 express approximately 1.9 x 10(6) TSHR on their surface. Two ligand-TSHR complexes were evident under reducing conditions, representing the single chain holoreceptor of about 115 kDa and a dissociated A subunit of about 60 kDa. In the absence of TSH, basal cAMP levels in TSHR-10,000 cells were greater than those in TSHR-0 cells (6-fold in isotonic medium and 18.5-fold in hypotonic medium), indicating that the unliganded TSHR has significant constitutive activity. We assessed the kinetics of TSH binding to CHO cells overexpressing the TSHR using [125I]TSH in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled TSH as well as by attempted saturation with labeled ligand. Surprisingly, in contrast to TSHR-0 cells (Kd = approximately 5 x 10(-10) M), we observed progressively lower affinities for TSH binding by TSHR-800 cells (Kd = approximately 10(-9) M) and TSHR-10,000 cells (Kd = approximately 2 x 10(-9) M). In summary, we report a high level of expression of TSHR in CHO cells and confirm the high constitutive activity of the TSHR in the absence of ligand as well as the binding of TSH to the single subunit, uncleaved TSHR. Moreover, we found that a high level of expression is associated with apparent negative cooperativity among the TSHR in terms of their affinity for ligand.

Animals↗

Influence of the light chain repertoire on immunoglobulin genes encoding thyroid autoantibody Fab from combinatorial libraries.

The diversity of the immunoglobulin heavy (H) and light (L) gene libraries used to construct a combinatorial library is an important parameter in determining the characteristics of antigen-specific Fab obtained from the library. To investigate the role of library diversity, we compared Fab specific for the autoantigen thyroid peroxidase (TPO) isolated from two different combinatorial libraries. Both libraries contained the same H chain genes. The original combinatorial library (H/R) utilized kappa chains generated using a single kappa variable region oligonucleotide primer. We constructed a second combinatorial library (H/D) containing kappa chains amplified with a diverse panel of variable region primers. From the the original H/R library, only two groups of TPO-specific Fab had been obtained, involving two H chain types (V1-3B and hv1L1) but only one kappa chain type (012). In contrast, among the seven TPO Fab characterized from the second library (H/D) we observed five different VH/VL combinations, comprising three types of H chains (V1-3B, VH26 and DP7) and four types of kappa chains (O12, L12, L2/hv328H5 and B3). Besides differences in VH and VL genes, as well as VH/VL combinations, the new TPO Fab used different D regions and JH and JK elements. Nevertheless, the new kappa Fab resembled previously isolated TPO Fab in terms of their affinity for TPO (Kd approximately 10(-9)M) and preferential recognition of conformationally intact autoantigen. In summary, our studies demonstrate that the diversity of the L chain library repertoire, while having little effect on immunological properties, has a major influence on the genes encoding antigen-specific Fab selected from a combinatorial library. For the successful isolation of rare but clinically important autoantibodies (such as to the TSH receptor) by the combinatorial library approach, library diversity is likely to be a major factor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thyroid peroxidase autoantibody fingerprints. II. A longitudinal study in postpartum thyroiditis.

It is not known whether epitopes recognized by autoantibodies in an individual remain constant or change over time, especially during perturbations of the humoral immune response. To address this question, we studied the epitopic profile ("fingerprint") of autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in the sera of 19 women during the postpartum period. Fingerprints were determined in competition studies using 4 recombinant F(ab). At delivery and at 3 time intervals over the subsequent 9-12 months, the pool of F(ab) inhibited autoantibody binding to TPO by 80-100%, consistent with the definition by these F(ab) of a TPO immunodominant region (A1, A2, B1, and B2 domains). Despite a wide spectrum among individuals, the TPO epitopic fingerprints for all 19 women were relatively unchanged throughout the postpartum period. Fingerprint constancy occurred regardless of fluctuations in serum TPO autoantibody levels. When assessed numerically as a ratio of inhibition by the A domain F(ab) to inhibition by the B domain F(ab), the A/B domain ratios in individual women ranged from 0.2 (predominantly B domain) to more than 3.0 (predominantly A domain). However, for each individual woman, the A/B epitopic ratio was conserved throughout the study interval. Our TPO autoantibody epitopic fingerprint data have potential implications for understanding the humoral autoimmune response in man. First, the present study indicates a remarkable lack of spreading of B cell epitopes during a state of perturbation of the immune system over a period of 1 yr. Second, and perhaps more important, despite marked variations in TPO epitopic profiles among different individuals, their constancy over time suggests that TPO autoantibody fingerprints may be inherited.

Autoantibodies↗

Thyroid peroxidase autoantibody fingerprints in hypothyroid and euthyroid individuals. I. Cross-sectional study in elderly women.

Human monoclonal immunoglobulin G-class autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO), expressed as recombinant F(ab), are powerful tools for analyzing the individual components of polyclonal serum TPO autoantibodies. Four TPO-specific F(ab) interact with epitopes in two closely related domains (A and B) in the immunodominant region on TPO. In the present study, these TPO F(ab) were used to compete for serum autoantibody binding to [125I]TPO to determine the "epitopic fingerprints" in two groups of carefully controlled individuals. All individuals (14 hypothyroid and 32 euthyroid) were elderly women (60-71 yr old) with similar genetic and environmental backgrounds as well as comparable levels of serum TPO autoantibodies. Using the pool of four F(ab), serum TPO autoantibody binding was inhibited to the same extent (approximately 90%) in hypothyroid and euthyroid individuals, demonstrating that the majority of TPO autoantibodies in both groups recognize the TPO immunodominant domain. When tested individually, the F(ab) produced a spectrum of inhibition patterns, ranging from sera preferentially inhibited by domain A F(ab) to sera preferential inhibited by domain B F(ab). The ratio of inhibition by domain A F(ab) to inhibition by domain B F(ab) was similar in hypothyroid (0.11-1.39) and euthyroid (0.21-1.79) women. In conclusion, no difference in TPO autoantibody epitopes was observed in this cross-sectional study of hypothyroid and euthyroid individuals. Longitudinal studies are required to address the question of whether TPO autoantibody epitopic fingerprints are stable over time.

Adult↗

Human monoclonal autoantibodies against the immunodominant region on thyroid peroxidase: lack of cross-reactivity with related peroxidases or thyroglobulin and inability to inhibit thyroid peroxidase enzymatic activity.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) autoantibodies are heterogeneous and have been classified in terms of whether they cross-react with myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoperoxidase (LPO), or thyroglobulin (Tg) as well as by whether they inhibit TPO enzymatic activity. Four human monoclonal TPO autoantibodies, generated using combinatorial immunoglobulin gene libraries and expressed as F(ab), have been used to investigate these properties of TPO autoantibodies. The binding of F(ab) WR1.7, TR1.8, TR1.9, and SP1.4 to 125I-labeled recombinant TPO was inhibited 50% by approximately 10(-10) mol/L unlabeled TPO, reflecting the high affinities of these F(ab) for TPO. In contrast, F(ab) binding to TPO was unaffected by human MPO (both native and reduced), bovine LPO, or human Tg at concentrations up to 10(-8) mol/L. Further, TPO enzymatic activity, measured by guiacol oxidation, was unaffected by preincubation with the four F(ab) individually or as a pool (each at 10(-8) mol/L). In conclusion, four human TPO monoclonal autoantibodies do not cross-react with related peroxidases or Tg, nor do they inhibit TPO enzymatic activity. These monoclonal immunoglobulin G class autoantibodies define the immunodominant region on TPO and represent about 85% of TPO autoantibodies in an individual patient's serum. Consequently, our data suggest that TPO autoantibodies that cross-react with MPO, LPO, or Tg, or inhibit TPO enzymatic activity are likely to bind outside the immunodominant region.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Immunoglobulin A in Graves' orbital tissue: deoxyribonucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction.

A role for IgA autoantibodies in Graves' ophthalmopathy is suggested by the presence of immunoglobulins of this class in Graves' orbital tissue, as detected by immunohistochemistry. We, therefore, investigated the possibility of using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify IgA immunoglobulin genes from plasma cells infiltrating Graves' eye tissue. Template cDNA was reverse-transcribed from orbital muscle (M) mRNA of one patient (#7) and from orbital connective tissue/fat (F) mRNA of two patients (#1 and #7), both undergoing surgery for exophthalmos because of severe infiltrative ophthalmopathy. Preliminary studies to establish the PCR procedure were performed for kappa light chain DNA amplification. With the very small amount of orbital tissue template available, the sensitive "hot start" modification of the PCR was necessary to amplify significant amounts of kappa light chain DNA. Using this procedure, IgA heavy chain DNA was amplified from both connective tissue/fat (F7) and muscle (M7) cDNA of patient #7. The DNA yield was less for IgA than for IgG using the same template. There was no significant IgA (or IgG) DNA product using the connective tissue/fat cDNA of patient #1. While not implying that IgA-infiltrating plasma cells are specific for Graves' orbital tissue, our studies nevertheless demonstrate the feasibility of amplifying the genes coding for IgA antibodies from Graves' orbital tissue plasma cells. Expression of these immunoglobulin genes in future studies will make it possible to determine the antigen specificity of the antibodies expressed by Graves' orbital tissue plasma cells.

Aged↗

Profile of lambda light chain variable region genes in Graves' orbital tissue.

Graves' ophthalmopathy, a human autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, is strongly associated with autoimmune hyperthyroidism. A major controversy is whether retro-ocular muscle or orbital fat/connective tissue is the target of the immune response. Previously, we observed preferential PCR amplification of lambda (relative to kappa) light chain DNA from cDNA of Graves' orbital tissue-infiltrating B cells/plasma cells. There is little information on V lambda gene usage in man and none in diseased tissue. To characterize the orbital lambda light chains, we constructed cDNA libraries using PCR-amplified DNA from three tissues and sequenced the variable region genes from randomly selected clones. Analysis of 27 clones from orbital fat/connective tissue libraries from two patients with acute inflammatory eye disease, and 15 clones from orbital muscle of one of these patients, revealed a diverse spectrum of lambda V region genes. The nucleotide sequences of these 42 clones were most homologous to 12 different germline genes: four family I (subfamilies I-a, -b and -c), three family II, two family III and one family VII germline genes. Each orbital tissue had a distinct profile of V lambda sequences. However, all clones used J lambda 2/3 and all three orbital tissues contained clones related to family II genes. Although some clones had V region sequences in near germline conformation, the majority differed from the closest germline gene in both framework and complementarity determining regions. Whether or not these differences result from multiple germline gene usage or somatic mutation of a smaller number of germline genes cannot be determined until information on the V lambda repertoire and its polymorphisms is complete. However, the V lambda gene diversity we observed in both orbital muscle and orbital fat/connective tissue suggests a role for lambda autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Adipose Tissue↗

Recombinant thyroid peroxidase-specific autoantibodies. II. Role of individual heavy and light chains in determining epitope recognition.

Most thyroid peroxidase (TPO) autoantibodies in man recognize closely associated epitopes in two domains (A and B) on TPO. These epitopes were defined by recombinant monoclonal human autoantibodies expressed as antigen-binding fragments [F(ab)]. Only five heavy (H) and light (L) chain gene combinations encoded 34 F(ab), all of which have high affinity (Kd, approximately 10(-10) M) for TPO. We, therefore, investigated the roles of H and L chain genes in TPO domain recognition in two ways. First, we created hybrid F(ab) by forced recombination of H and L chain genes from 4 F(ab) recognizing the A or B domains. These hybrid F(ab) proteins, expressed in bacteria, bound extremely poorly (or not at all) to TPO, even at concentrations more than 100-fold higher than those required for detection of TPO binding by the original F(ab). Nucleotide sequencing of the cDNA as well as gel electrophoresis of the expressed proteins confirmed that poor hybrid F(ab) binding to TPO was not the result of cloning artifacts. Therefore, contrary to prevailing views on combinatorial libraries, we found no tolerance for H and L chain cross-combinations in high affinity TPO binding. These observations strengthen the likelihood that the H and L chain combinations from combinatorial libraries reflect those of TPO autoantibodies in vivo. In a second approach to examine the roles of H and L chains in TPO binding, we focused on three original F(ab) with similar L chains (encoded by KL012-like germline genes) and similar H chains (encoded by V1-3B-like germline genes), but different diversity (D) regions. All F(ab) bound predominantly to TPO domain A, as observed previously for a F(ab) with a KL012 L chain and a different H chain. Conversely, a F(ab) with a V1-3B-like H chain but a different L chain (A') bound to TPO domain B. These data indicate that the L chain plays a major role in defining TPO epitope recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recombinant thyroid peroxidase-specific autoantibodies. I. How diverse is the pool of heavy and light chains in immunoglobulin gene libraries constructed from thyroid tissue-infiltrating plasma cells.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) autoantibodies are a distinguishing feature of autoimmune thyroid disease. We have previously constructed immunoglobulin G heavy (H) and light (L) chain cDNA libraries from intrathyroidal B-cells. TPO-selected autoantibodies expressed by combined H and L chain libraries (combinatorial libraries) recognized a limited number of epitopes on TPO and used only a few of the many H and L chain variable region genes present in the genome (germline genes). One possible explanation for this restriction is a lack of diversity in the parental H and L chain gene libraries used to construct the combinatorial library. To address this issue, we determined the nucleotide sequences of randomly selected H and kappa L chain variable region genes from a pair of H and L chain libraries. The 12 H chain gene sequences analyzed were highly diverse, and none resembled the genes of TPO-selected autoantibodies. The sequences of 14 randomly selected kappa L chain genes were less diverse; 12 of 14 were closely related to the same germline gene (KL012) used by TPO-specific autoantibodies. However, we observed previously that only about 1 in 500 of the L chains in this library can pair with an H chain and bind TPO. We now find that, with 1 exception, the randomly selected KL012-like genes in the L chain library differ significantly from the antigen-specific KL012-like genes, particularly in the antigen-binding regions. In summary, the present data indicate that 1) the restricted number of H chain genes used by TPO-specific autoantibodies cannot be ascribed to limited H chain gene diversity in the parent library; and 2) L chains from combinatorial libraries (even when related to the same germline gene) cannot simply be regarded as plastic, or promiscuous, partners for high affinity antigen binding by a particular H chain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of genes for antibodies generated by orbital tissue-infiltrating B-cells in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Graves' ophthalmopathy is a distressing autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. Analysis of the genes for antibodies secreted by orbital tissue-infiltrating plasma cells might provide insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. We, therefore, constructed an immunoglobulin heavy (H) chain and an immunoglobulin kappa light (L) chain cDNA library from the orbital tissue of a patient with active Graves' ophthalmopathy. Analysis of 15 H (IgG1) and 15 L (kappa) chains revealed a restricted spectrum of variable region genes. Fourteen of 15 variable kappa genes were about 94% homologous to the closest known germline gene, KL012. Thirteen of 15 H chain genes were 91% and 90% homologous to the closest germline genes, DP10 and hv1263, respectively. Remarkably, these germline genes also code for other autoantibodies to striated muscle (KL012) and thyroid peroxidase (KL012 and hv1263). These studies raise the possibility that particular germline genes may be associated with autoimmunity in humans. Further, the present study opens the way to identifying ocular autoantigens that may be the target of an humoral immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies recognizing two different epitopes on the TSH receptor: lack of relationship to patient age, sex, and ophthalmopathy.

The existence of two populations of stimulatory TSH receptor autoantibodies against different epitopes raises the possibility of a link between one type of autoantibody and the clinical manifestations of Graves' disease. To test this hypothesis, serum immunoglobulins from 48 patients with Graves' disease were assayed for TSH binding inhibition (TBI) activity with two different recombinant TSH receptor variants (TSH-LHR-6 and TSH-LHR-6-A1) expressed on Chinese hamster ovary cells. The activity of 27 of the 48 patients' immunoglobulin samples was significantly less (difference in TBI value of 9% or greater) with chimera 6-A1 than with chimera 6. No immunoglobulin sample had significantly greater TSH binding inhibitory activity with chimera 6-A1 than with chimera 6. Sensitivity to the 6-A1 epitope substitution did not correlate with patient age, sex, or the presence or absence of hyperthyroidism. Further, there was no segregation of individual patients with TSH receptor autoantibodies with 6-A1 epitope sensitivity in terms of the past or present occurrence of ophthalmopathy, including the severity (total eye score), clinical activity, duration, and type of therapy. These data indicate that recognition by autoantibodies of the 6-A1 epitope on the TSH receptor is not associated with the ophthalmopathy of Graves' disease. However, the possibility cannot be excluded that other functional (or even nonfunctional receptor autoantibodies that are not detectable by present assays) may still play a role in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Adult↗

Symptomatic hyponatremia associated with psychosis, medications, and smoking.

Over a 3-year period, 15 patients with severe hyponatremia were referred to our emergency room from a nearby psychiatric institution. This article reports on 36 episodes of symptomatic hyponatremia in those 15 patients. All but two of the patients were receiving antipsychotic medications; one patient was taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and one patient was taking an oral hypoglycemic agent. Thirteen patients were chronic schizophrenics, one had a bipolar depressive disorder with psychotic features, and one patient had no psychiatric disorder. Patients presented with seizures, change in mental status, and vegetative symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) associated with hyponatremia and water intoxication. Exacerbation of the patients' underlying illness, psychogenic polydipsia, compulsive smoking, alcoholic cirrhosis, drug abuse, and neuroleptic and other medications are thought to be the major causes of acute hyponatremia in these patients.

Adult↗

Safety of endoscopy in the immediate postoperative period following gastric anastomosis.

The safety of gastrointestinal endoscopy in the immediate postoperative period following partial gastrectomy was assessed in ten dogs. Endoscopy was performed preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, and 7 days postoperatively. The mean pressures required to perform an adequate endoscopy varied from 17 to 20 mm Hg. Following partial gastrectomy, the abdominal wall was closed with a zipper to facilitate inspection of the gastric anastomosis. No leakage of air or intra-abdominal abscesses were seen following endoscopy. The results of this study suggest that endoscopy can be safely performed in the immediate postgastrectomy period.

Animals↗