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Biomedical subjects

J E Butler

Publications and source records attributed to J E Butler.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Changes in the concentrations of serum IgG, IgA and IgM of sows throughout the reproductive cycle.

The concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA in sera collected from 3855 sows (3208 pregnant and 647 lactating) at a single time point were determined. This experimental design allowed changes in serum immunoglobulin over the reproductive cycle to be studied without bias from seasonal influence. The concentrations of the three immunoglobulins changed independently during the reproductive cycle. Serum levels of IgM and IgG began a progressive postpartal decline during the 14th-17th week of gestation. At the onset of lactation serum IgG levels progressively increased while IgM levels continued to decline, the latter reaching their lowest level during the third week of lactation. In contrast to IgM and IgG, serum IgA levels increased 35% during weeks 14-17 of gestation and continued to increase throughout lactation, reaching their highest serum levels in the third week of lactation; the serum IgA concentration at this time was twice that observed during the first 13 weeks of gestation. Results of these studies allowed the reproductive cycle to be classified into four phases on the basis of serum immunoglobulin concentrations: (1) weeks 1-4 of gestation; (2) weeks 5-13 of gestation; (3) weeks 14-17 of gestation and (4) lactation.

Animals↗

The influence of age and breed on the concentrations of serum IgG, IgA and IgM in sows throughout the reproductive cycle.

The influence of age and breed on the concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM in the sera of sows throughout the reproductive cycle was investigated in 4137 sows which had had 0-20 gestations and representing three breeds: Swedish Landrace, German Landrace and L-12 (= Swedish Landrace x Large White). Data revealed an increase in total immunoglobulins (Ig), IgM and IgG serum levels with increasing gestation number; the latter contributed greater than 80% to total Ig levels. IgG was significantly increased up to the fourth gestation, whereas IgM showed a significant increase only to the third gestation. IgA showed only minor differences. Age-dependent increases in serum IgM were ascribed to the increased probability of antigenic exposure during suckling, while failure to observe this change in serum IgA was ascribed to its role as a local Ig. Breed differences were observed to be significant for all three Ig's. It is concluded that establishment of group norms for serum Ig's should consider age and breed difference as well as stage of gestation or lactation.

Aging↗

Characterization of the soluble immune complex (EIC) of the amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (a-ELISA) and an evaluation of this assay for quantitation by reaction stoichiometry.

The molecular composition of the soluble enzyme immune complex (EIC) of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and anti-AP which comprises the detection system of the amplified ELISA (a-ELISA) was investigated. The EIC appeared relatively homogeneous in sucrose density gradients and sedimented as a protein of 600-650 K daltons. Based on size and the results of double-label experiments, the EIC was shown to be composed of two moles of anti-AP and three moles of AP. During reaction with substrate at pH 9.6, greater than 50% of the AP is released as free enzyme and the released enzyme has the same activity as enzyme found in the EIC. The maximum yield of EIC is produced by solubilization of the antibody-AP equivalence precipitate with a 9-fold excess of the amount of AP required for precipitation at equivalence. EICs show no significant loss of activity when stored for one year at 4 degrees C, -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C. The EIC is most stable during long term storage (five years) in 50% glycerol at -20 degrees. Over the linear region of titration curve for dimeric and monomeric M315, the ratio of AP or EIC to M315 fails to show a constant stoichiometry. Using 131I-EIC and 125I-M315, it was determined that the lack of a constant stoichiometry in the linear region was due to differences in the amount of enzyme bound. Hence, stoichiometric quantitation of the primary antibody is not possible using the current a-ELISA.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Cyclosporine immunomodulation in a rabbit model of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Rabbit models of chronic experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis and desensitization were used to evaluate the effects of systemic cyclosporine. When administered 12 to 18 h before each inhalational challenge with aerosolized antigen and the adjuvant muramyl dipeptide, cyclosporine suppressed the development of disease as well as the anamnestic antibody response, particularly in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. When administered at the time of sensitization only, cyclosporine suppressed the primary antibody response but not the anamnestic antibody response or the disease. Antigen- and mitogen-induced blastogenesis was inhibited by cyclosporine in vitro, but antigen-specific blastogenesis was not abrogated by cyclosporine previously administered in vivo. These results indicate that cyclosporine caused profound immunomodulation in this model, which can be at least partially explained by transient suppressive effects on T cells, particularly the helper/inducer and delayed hypersensitivity subset(s).

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗

Bovine-associated mucoprotein: de novo synthesis by nonmammary tissues.

Bovine tissues were cultured in vitro in the presence of carbon-14 amino acids and tritiated hexosamine to examine the de novo synthesis of the milk fat globule glycoprotein bovine-associated mucoprotein, by selected tissues. Among tissues examined, the relative synthesis of bovine-associated mucoprotein was highest in mammary tissue. The de novo synthesized bovine-associated mucoprotein in mammary and lacrimal gland cultures when examined for incorporation of carbon-14, had similar sedimentation profiles in sucrose density gradients and incorporated the same relative amount of carbohydrate. The bovine-associated mucoprotein synthesized by lung and spleen cultures sedimented in similar fashion to mammary gland bovine-associated mucoprotein when incorporation of carbon-14 was used as the marker, but it displayed greater heterogeneity when evaluated for tritium incorporation. Bovine-associated mucoprotein in the lung and spleen incorporated relatively less carbohydrate than that synthesized by mammary tissue. These findings support the concept of intertissue heterogeneity, which had been suggested by previous studies.

Adrenal Glands↗

Carrier requirement for development of acute experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis in the rabbit.

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated to protein carriers was used to explore carrier dependence in an established rabbit model of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HSP). Rabbits were immunized via toepads with either FITC-ovalbumin (OA) or FITC-human gamma-globulin (HGG) in complete Freund's adjuvant, and were aerosol challenged with homologous or heterologous conjugates 30 days later. Only those rabbits challenged with the homologous carrier developed acute HSP, despite the presence of comparable levels of anti-FITC antibodies in the sera of all groups. These findings indicate a strict carrier dependence in the pathogenesis of HSP in this model and provide further evidence that the mechanism of inflammation depends upon a cellular immune response.

Acute Disease↗

Detection and partial characterization of two bovine pregnancy-specific proteins.

Two pregnancy-specific proteins were detected by immunoelectrophoresis using antisera developed to homogenates of bovine extraembryonic membranes. Antisera also reacted to extracts of endometrium from pregnant cows and extraembryonic fluids. However, antisera did not react with a preparation presumed to be bovine placental lactogen, fetuin, extracts of various somatic tissues from pregnant cows or extracts of endometrium from nonpregnant cows. One of the proteins had an estimated molecular weight of 65,000-70,000, an isoelectric point of 4.6-4.8 and yielded a reaction of identity with bovine alpha 1-fetoprotein by immunodiffusion. The second protein yielded a reaction of identity with bovine alpha 1-fetoprotein by immunodiffusion. The second protein had no immunological cross-reactivity with the known proteins or organ extracts which were tested. The molecular weight and isoelectric point was 47,000-53,000 and 4.0-4.4, respectively. These data demonstrate the presence of at least 2 pregnancy-specific proteins in cattle.

Animals↗

The local and systemic IgA and IgG antibody responses of rabbits to a soluble inhaled antigen: measurement of responses in a model of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

We evaluated local and systemic humoral responses to inhalational challenges with ovalbumin (OA) by measuring IgA and IgG isotypic antibodies to OA in serum and bronchoalveolar wash fluids (BAW), and by quantitating cells containing IgA, IgG, and anti-OA in lung, lymph nodes, spleen, and gut. Rabbit models of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis and chronically-challenged "desensitized" animals were studied along with appropriate control animals. Systemic (via a toe pad) immunization or acute aerosol challenge with OA resulted in only trace amounts of IgG anti-OA antibodies in BAW and no apparent anti-OA-containing cells in the lung itself. Acute aerosol challenge of systemically immunized rabbits caused alveolitis, increased IgG anti-OA-containing cells in mediastinal and popliteal lymph nodes, and increased IgG anti-OA in BAW attributable to transudation from serum. Thrice-weekly inhalational challenge with aerosolized OA resulted in waning alveolitis, elevated concentrations of IgA and IgG anti-OA in BAW and serum, and increased concentrations of IgG and IgA anti-OA cells in the lung, but not in other tissues, including the gut. We conclude that these experiments have implicated IgG as well as IgA antibodies in local humoral responses to inhaled antigen, have not substantiated the notion of a common mucosal immune system involving lung and gut, have failed to demonstrate humoral tolerogenesis after inhalation of antigen, and have shown an effect of systemic priming on subsequent pulmonary immune responses in the models examined.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis produced in the rabbit by the adjuvant effect of inhaled muramyl dipeptide (MDP).

An established rabbit model of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis was used to evaluate adjuvant properties of synthetic muramyl dipeptide (MDP), the minimal adjuvant-active structure of mycobacteria. The authors studied MDP as a substitute for mycobacteria in immunization and as adjuvant during repeated inhalation of antigen (ovalbumin). They found that MDP could substitute successfully for mycobacteria in sensitizing animals for acute alveolitis following subsequent inhalation of a combination of ovalbumin and MDP aerosol for 4 to 14 weeks resulted in the development of chronic granulomatous pneumonitis, characterized by alveolar wall thickening, granulomas, and infiltrations with lymphocytes and macrophages. In addition, MDP boosted systemic and local IgG and IgA antigen-specific antibodies. Inhaled MDP, itself neither antigenic nor mitogenic, acted therefore as adjuvant for continued immunologic inflammatory effector mechanisms in the rabbit lung, which are ordinarily suppressed when antigen alone is inhaled. Possible mechanisms include stimulation of effector T cells and macrophages or the failure of suppressive mechanisms, with or without participation of immune complexes. This is the first successful model of chronic granulomatous alveolitis produced by inhalation of soluble materials. Further exploration of adjuvant mechanisms in this system should help clarify the pathogenesis of immunologic lung diseases in man.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Antigen-specific densensitization in a rabbit model of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Rabbits that had been prepared to develop acute alveolitis after aerosol challenge with simple protein antigens did not develop chronic alveolitis but rather gradually recovered despite continued challenge. Immunologic accompaniments of waning disease were compared in this model to those associated with intravenous injections of antigen causing "desensitization." We also studied the effects of aerosol challenge prior to systemic immunization, antigen specificity, and the duration of desensitization by aerosolized and intravenous antigen. We found that repeated aerosol or intravenous challenges produced antigen-specific desensitization in this model, and the effect lasted several weeks. Prior exposure to aerosolized antigen was not protective. Neither aerosol nor intravenous desensitization maneuvers abrogated antigen-specific lymphocyte blastogenesis, although an early transient fall did occur. Humoral responses were boosted. These findings suggest that chronic alveolitis is prevented in this model by specific desensitization, without the induction of true tolerance or of nonspecific anergy. Such immunoregulation may result from development of antigen-specific blockade or blocking factors (e.g., lymphokines), antigen-antibody complexes, or suppressor cells affecting specific effector cells. Evaluation of these mechanisms may have implications for diagnosis and prognosis in human hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Acute Disease↗

The differential localization of IgA, IgM and IgG in the gut of suckled neonatal piglets.

The localization of immunoglobulin IgG, IgM and IgA in tissue sections prepared from the ileum of neonatal and adult swine were compared. Eighty percent of the immunoglobulin-containing lymphoid cells in the lamina propria of conventional adult German Landrasse swine were IgA-positive with lower numbers of IgM cells and occasionally an IgG cell. Anti-mu and alpha-chain reagents also stained the cytoplasm of the crypt epithelial cells. By comparison to these adult control tissues, the ileum of unsuckled neonates contained no immunoglobulins although after the ingestion of colostrum, the entire cytoplasm of the villus epithelial cells stained intensely when tested for IgG with only faint staining for IgM and IgA. On the other hand, IgA and IgM were readily localized on what appears to be only the apical border of the crypt epithelial cells but in contrast to the adult, the cytoplasm of these cells was unlabelled. IgG was absent from the crypt region. We interprete these findings to indicate an important, selective role for the villus epithelium in the absorption into the neonatal circulation of colostral IgG and probably IgA and IgM, and a specialized role for the crypt epithelium in adsorbing colostral IgA and IgM; possibly by complexing with mucin-bound secretory component.

Aging↗

Amplification of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibody.

The amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (a-ELISA) has been successfully applied to the measurement of allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies. Data presented indicate a high positive correlation among measurements of IgE-specific antibodies to ragweed antigen E using the a-ELISA, RAST and radiometric assay of Zeiss. Similarly, a high correlation between allergen-specific IgG antibodies measured by the a-ELISA and Farr assay was also observed. Data presented indicate that the measurement of serum IgE antibodies in the linear region of the ELISA titration plot is unaffected by competition with IgG antibodies. The assay is sensitive, reliable, and without risk to laboratory personnel. It is capable of measuring both IgE and IgG antibodies in patients using the same assay system.

Allergens↗