Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Perheentupa

Publications and source records attributed to J Perheentupa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

High-resolution physical and transcriptional mapping of the autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy locus on chromosome 21q22.3 by FISH.

Autoimmune-polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED, PGD type I) is an autosomal recessive disease enriched in the Finnish population. Previously, we have assigned APECED to a 2.6-cM interval on chromosome 21q22.3 by linkage analysis in 14 Finnish families. This subtelomeric region of 21q22.3 seems to have sequence features resulting in its under-representation in large insert genomic libraries, and only a few large insert clones have been available for positional cloning to date. Here, we report the refined localization of the APECED gene and a visual physical map of 800 kb covering the critical chromosomal region for the gene. In the construction of the physical map, the recently developed fiber FISH techniques were essential for the orientation of the cosmid PI, PAC, and BAC clones in relation to each other. We also localized two cDNAs within this genomic region by fiber FISH combined with the highly sensitive tyramide-based detection method. These data will facilitate the final cloning of the APECED gene and any other novel gene in this complex genomic region.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Autoantibodies against aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I.

Patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I (APS I) have autoantibodies against the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) of pancreatic beta-cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of anti-AADC antibodies in a large cohort of patients with APS I, and in patients with isolated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We found autoantibodies against AADC in 35 of 69 patients (51%) with APS I but in none of 138 patients with isolated IDDM or 91 healthy controls. Among the patients with APS I, anti-AADC antibodies were more often found in those with hepatitis (11/12, 92%), than in those without hepatitis (24/57, 42%) (P = 0.003). Similarly, of 15 patients with vitiligo, 12 (80%) had anti-AADC antibodies, compared with 23/54 (43%) without vitiligo (P = 0.021). Of the 9 APS I patients with IDDM, 5 had antibodies against both AADC and glutamate decarboxylase, 2 against AADC only, and 2 against glutamate decarboxylase only. Interestingly, AADC is present in relatively large amounts in the liver, where its function is unknown. Thus, an autoimmune reactivity against AADC may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis and vitiligo in APS I patients, whereas the role of AADC in the development of IDDM in these patients remains to be determined.

Adult↗

Glutamate decarboxylase-reactive peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with IDDM express gut-specific homing receptor alpha4beta7-integrin.

Migration of lymphocytes to the pancreas is a prerequisite for insulitis in IDDM. Mucosal vascular addressin (MAdCAM-1), involved in the recirculation of lymphocytes to the gut, has been found in the inflamed islets in NOD mice. In humans, triggers of the gut immune system (e.g., early exposure to cow's milk proteins in infancy, exposure to enteroviral infections) have been associated with IDDM. To study the possible link between the gut immune system and IDDM, we tested the expression of the alpha4beta7-integrin, a homing receptor for MAdCAM-1, on GAD65-reactive lymphocytes. Using immunomagnetic cell sorting, we depleted the lymphocytes with high expression of alpha4beta7-integrin in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population from IDDM patients and patients with autoimmune polyendocrine disease type 1 (APD-I). The depletion led to a marked decrease (mean 70%) in the cellular response against GAD65 in three of six IDDM patients and in one subject at high risk for IDDM. A decrease of 37% in the GAD response was observed after depletion in the case of one APD-I patient who also had IDDM. Cellular response to tetanus toxoid increased in the majority of patients as well as in three control subjects studied. We demonstrated that a remarkable population of islet cell antigen-reactive lymphocytes express the gut-specific homing receptor, which emphasizes the role of gut immunity in IDDM. The manipulation of the gut immune system is therefore proposed as a tool for modulation of the autoimmunity against pancreatic beta-cells in IDDM.

Adolescent↗

Assignment of the mulibrey nanism gene to 17q by linkage and linkage-disequilibrium analysis.

Mulibrey nanism (MUL) is an autosomal recessive disorder with unknown basic metabolic defect. It is characterized by growth failure of prenatal onset, characteristic dysmorphic features, constrictive pericardium, hepatomegaly as a consequence of constrictive pericardium, yellowish dots in the ocular fundi, and J-shaped sella turcica. Hypoplasia of various endocrine glands, causing hormone deficiencies, is common. Here we report the assignment of the MUL gene, by linkage analysis in Finnish families, to a 7-cM region flanked by D17S1799 and D17S948 on chromosome 17q. Multipoint linkage analysis gave a maximum LOD score of 5.01 at loci D17S1606-D17S1853 and at D17S1604. The estimate of the critical MUL region was further narrowed to within approximately 250 kb of marker D17S1853 by linkage disequilibrium analysis. Positional candidate genes that belong to the growth hormone and homeobox B gene clusters were excluded. These data confirm the autosomal recessive inheritance of MUL and allow highly focused attempts to clone the gene.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Apoprotein E phenotype determines serum cholesterol in infants during both high-cholesterol breast feeding and low-cholesterol formula feeding.

Our objective was to establish the role of the apoprotein (apo) E phenotype in determining serum cholesterol levels in infants fed exclusively on high-fat, high-cholesterol human milk and in those fed a low-cholesterol, high-unsaturated fat formula. The total and lipoprotein cholesterol, apoB, and triglyceride concentrations in serum were quantified and related to the apoE phenotype in 151 infants at birth and at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Forty-four had the E3/4 or 4/4 phenotype (E4 group), 94 had the E3/3 phenotype (E3 group), and 13 had the E2/3 or 2/4 phenotype (E2 group). In cord blood, cholesterol concentrations tended to be higher in the E4 than in the E2 group. With exclusive breast-feeding, the concentrations rose significantly faster and higher in the E4 group than in the E3 group or, especially, the E2 group. The values (mmol/L, mean +/- SEM) were 1.6 +/- 0.15, 1.5 +/- 0.05, 1.4 +/- 0.1 (P = n.s.) at birth; 4.2 +/- 0.1, 3.8 +/- 0.08, 3.4 +/- 0.2 (P < 0.001) at 2 months; 4.4 +/- 0.15, 3.9 +/- 0.1, 3.4 +/- 0.15 (P < 0.001) at 4 months; 4.3 +/- 0.17, 4.0 +/- 0.13, 3.7 +/- 0.26 (P < 0.001) at 6 months; 4.8 +/- 0.28, 4.4 +/- 0.11, 3.8 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.001) at 9 months; and 4.7 +/- 0.11, 4.4 +/- 0.08, 4.1 +/- 0.19 (P < 0.001) at 12 months, for the E4, E3, and E2 groups, respectively. Increases in LDL cholesterol and LDL apoB behaved similarly. The total triglyceride, and total HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol concentrations did not depend on the apoE phenotype. Among infants fed high-fat, high-cholesterol human milk, the total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations and the LDL apoB concentration of those with the apoE phenotype 4/4 or 3/4 rose faster and to higher levels than in other infants. Among formula-fed infants, receiving a low-cholesterol, high-unsaturated fat diet, the differences between the apoE groups were smaller.

Aging↗

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy--candidiasis--ectodermal dystrophy (APECED).

APECED, an autosomal recessive disease manifests itself as a widely variable combination of three groups of components: 1) autoimmune destruction of tissues, predominantly endocrine glands, 2) chronic superficial candidiasis, and 3) ectodermal dystrophy. Clinical and basic information obtained from Finnish series of 72 patients is reviewed.

Addison Disease↗

Risk of low vitamin B6 status in infants breast-fed exclusively beyond six months.

Our aim was to ascertain the adequacy of human milk as the sole source of vitamin B6 and the associations between maternal and infant status during extended exclusive breast-feeding. Vitamin B6 status was followed in lactating mothers and their exclusively breast-fed infants by determinations of erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration and the erythrocyte aspartate transaminase stimulation test at 2 months (n = 118), 4 months (n = 118), 6 months (n = 112), 7.5 months (n = 70), 9 months (n = 36), 10 months (n = 14), 11 months (n = 11), and 12 months (n = 7) postpartum. Of the mothers, 54% had used vitamin B6 supplement during pregnancy, and all received a pyridoxine hydrochloride supplement of 1 mg/day throughout lactation. The infants had a higher vitamin B6 status than their mothers. During the first 4 months, infant vitamin B6 status was generally adequate independently of the actual vitamin status of the nursing mother. Most of the infants with low status at 2 months were those born to mothers who were not supplemented during pregnancy. By 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding, 30% of cases of low vitamin B6 status in nursing mothers were reflected in their infants. Thereafter, the risk of low vitamin B6 status in exclusively breast-fed infants increased even if the mother's status was adequate. Our findings suggest that gestationally accumulated stores are important for the maintenance of adequate vitamin B6 status of infants during the early months and that for some infants, human milk alone, without supplementary foods, may be insufficient to meet vitamin B6 needs after 6 months of age.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin for cryptorchidism: clinical and histological effects.

The efficacy of hCG treatment was studied in 182 cryptorchid patients. The efficacy of the treatment correlated with the initial position of the testis. None of the abdominal testes reached a normal position, whereas 90% of high scrotal testes descended during the treatment. Fifty-four boys who were treated unsuccessfully with hCG and 29 untreated boys were biopsied. The biopsies were performed on 32 scrotal and 87 maldescended testes to examine the state of the organ and the effects of hCG treatment. In biopsies, the volume densities of seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue and blood vessels were counted, and the sections screened for interstitial bleeding. Significant differences between scrotal and maldescended testes were found in all of the volume densities measured. Interstitial bleeding occurred rarely in scrotal testes, whereas in maldescended testes it was frequently apparent. hCG treatment induced a significant increase in the volume density of both interstitial tissue and blood vessels. Even though the hCG treatment induced measurable, possibly harmful, changes both in scrotal and maldescended testes, our data do not prove that hCG treatment causes permanent damage to the testis.

Adolescent↗

Detection of candidal antigens in autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I (APS I) is associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. To characterize the antibody responses in this subgroup of Candida albicans infections, we screened a candidal cDNA expression library with patient sera and found four cDNA clones encoding the immunopositive proteins enolase, heat shock protein 90, pyruvate kinase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. The reactivity to these antigens was studied further by immunoprecipitation assays with in vitro-transcribed and -translated proteins. Analysis of sera from 44 APS I patients showed that the highest antibody reactivity was found with enolase (80% of patients reactive), but significant serological responses were also found with heat shock protein 90 (67%), pyruvate kinase (62.5%), and alcohol dehydrogenase (64%). Overall, 95.5% of patients had detectable antibodies to at least one of these proteins. The cDNAs of enolase and heat shock protein 90 were also expressed in Escherichia coli and studied by immunoblotting. Again, 84% of sera reacted with enolase, whereas 44% of sera reacted with heat shock protein 90. A good correlation between the two methods was found for both enolase (r = 0.86; n = 58; P < 0.001) and heat shock protein 90 (r = 0.71; n = 56; P < 0.001). Our results indicate that the four abundant candidal proteins are the major antigens and can be used as accurate markers of candidiasis in APS I patients. The immunoprecipitation assay described here is particularly useful for the rapid analysis of a large number of samples.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase and insulin-dependent diabetes in patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I.

To evaluate the association of autoimmunity to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and IDDM-associated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types, we studied a unique group of 47 patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, a recessive disease not associated with HLA. GAD65 antibodies (GAD65-Ab), GAD67-Ab, islet cell antibodies, and HLA-DQA1, -DQB1, and -DRB1 were analyzed in relation to IDDM or a decreased insulin secretory capacity. GAD65-Ab were found in six of the eight diabetic patients 0.9-8.0 yr before the onset of IDDM and in 16 (41%) nondiabetic patients during a follow-up of 2.4-19.5 yr. Eleven (28%) nondiabetic patients had GAD67-Ab and islet cell antibodies. Fasting C peptide (mean +/- SD, 0.5 +/- 0.24 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.49 nmol/L; P = 0.003) and first phase insulin response (75.6 +/- 37.9 vs. 166.4 +/- 112.7 mU/L; P = 0.019) were lower in patients with than in those without GAD65-Ab. No HLA genotype predominated in the IDDM patients or GAD65-Ab-positive nondiabetic patients, but the IDDM high risk genotypes were decreased in frequency among the patients with GAD65-Ab. In conclusion, nondiabetic autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 patients frequently have GAD65-Ab together with a decreased insulin secretory capacity, suggesting subclinical islet cell inflammation not invariably progressing to diabetes. This is not associated with HLA haplotypes conferring susceptibility to or protection from IDDM.

Adolescent↗

Genetic homogeneity of autoimmune polyglandular disease type I.

Autoimmune polyglandular disease type I (APECED) is an autosomal recessive autoimmune disease (MIM 240300) characterized by hypoparathyroidism, primary adrenocortical failure, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. The disease is highly prevalent in two isolated populations, the Finnish population and the Iranian Jewish one. Sporadic cases have been identified in many other countries, including almost all European countries. The APECED locus has previously been assigned to chromosome 21q22.3 by linkage analyses in 14 Finnish families. Locus heterogeneity is a highly relevant question in this disease affecting multiple tissues and with great phenotypic diversity. To solve this matter, we performed linkage and haplotype analyses on APECED families rising from different populations. Six microsatellite markers on the critical chromosomal region of 2.6 cM on 21q22.3 were analyzed. Pairwise linkage analyses revealed significant LOD scores for all these markers, maximum LOD score being 10.23. The obtained haplotype data and the geographic distribution of the great-grandparents of the Finnish APECED patients suggest the presence of one major, relatively old mutation responsible for approximately 90% of the Finnish cases. Similar evidence for one founder mutation was also found in analyses of Iranian Jewish APECED haplotypes. These haplotypes, however, differed totally from the Finnish ones. The linkage analyses in 21 non-Finnish APECED families originating from several European countries provided independent evidence for linkage to the same chromosomal region on 21q22.3 and revealed no evidence for locus heterogeneity. The haplotype analyses of APECED chromosomes suggest that in different populations APECED is due to a spectrum of mutations in a still unknown gene on chromosome 21.

Alleles↗

Vitamin B-6 status during childhood: tracking from 2 months to 11 years of age.

To examine the development and tracking of long-term vitamin B-6 status from infancy to early adolescence, measurements of erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration (EPLP), the erythrocyte aspartate transaminase (EAST) stimulation test including measurements of basal activity (EASTo) and activation coefficient (alpha EAST), were made in a follow-up study of healthy children aged 2 (n = 139), 4 (n = 147), 6 (n = 157), 9 (n = 159) and 12 mo (n = 188) and 5 y (n = 148). The EAST stimulation test was repeated at 11 y (n = 153). Vitamin B-6 status, high during infancy, reached the adult level by 5 y of age. The 10th to 90th percentile ranges for EPLP values were 61-201 nmol/L at 4 mo, 49-101 nmol/L at 12 mo and 27-59 nmol/L at 5 y. The respective ranges for Easto were 16-24 microkat/L at 4 mo, 13-19 microkat/L at 12 mo, 9-14 microkat/L at 5 y and 25-39 microkat/L at 11 y of age. For alpha EAST values were 1.29-1.54 at 4 mo, 1.48-1.77 at 12 mo, 1.70-2.07 at 5 y and 2.00-2.57 at 11 y. Values for EPLP and the EAST stimulation test in the first year of life correlated with the values at 5 and 11 y. The individuals with values at the extreme ends of the distributions remained there from infancy to childhood up to 3.3 times more often than expected from random variation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

Low vitamin B6 status associated with slow growth in healthy breast-fed infants.

To evaluate the effect of vitamin B6 status on infant growth, we studied longitudinally anthropometry and the erythrocyte parameters that reflect long-term vitamin B6 status [erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration (EPLP), erythrocyte aspartate transaminase basal activity (EAST0), and its activation co-efficient (alpha EAST)] in 44 infants. The infants were exclusively breast-fed for 6 mo, given additional solids according a uniform schedule from 6-9 mo, and formula after 9 mo, if needed. In seven of these infants, a low vitamin B6 status (EPLP < 10th, and EAST0 > 10th or alpha EAST > 90th percentile for these values in reference infants) was observed between 4 and 6 mo of age. These seven infants showed slower length velocity (0.30 +/- 0.05 versus 0.40 +/- 0.02 mm/d, p < or = 0.02) and deeper fall in length-for-age (-0.69 +/- 0.20 versus -0.25 +/- 0.07 SD score, p < or = 0.03) from 6 to 9 mo of age than the similarly fed infants with higher vitamin B6 status. Preceding vitamin B6 status remained a significant explanatory factor for length velocity and change in length-for-age in addition to preceding and concomitant weight velocity, when sex, birth size, preceding length gain, and mid-parent height were taken into account. Change in weight-for-age alone explained 16% and 18% and, together with vitamin B6 status, 23 and 27% of the variation in length velocity and in change in length-for-age, respectively. Thus, in healthy breast-fed infants, according to our results, low vitamin B6 status is associated with reversibly reduced gain in length.

Anthropometry↗

Follow up of growth and steroids in premature adrenarche.

UNLABELLED: In a follow up study of 34 patients with premature adrenarche we examined serum adrenal androgen levels and growth. The majority (28/34) showed an upward bend in the growth curve which, at the mean age of 2.3 years, preceded other signs of adrenarche on average by 3.8 years. Pubertal growth spurt was missing or reduced in 50% of the patients (8/16), however, final height did not differ from that expected from parental heights. Adrenal androgens did not remain elevated at adolescence. The mean age at menarche for all the girls was 0.5 years younger than in the general population. CONCLUSION: Our findings imply that premature adrenarche may start earlier than previously recognized. Compared to ordinary growth these children seem to use a greater part of their potential for adult height already at that early age.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of adrenal autoantigens recognized by sera from patients with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) type I.

Steroidogenic enzymes P450scc, P450c17 and P450c21 have recently been shown to be the main autoantigens recognized by sera from patients with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS type I) with or without Addison's disease. We have studied the interrelationships of autoantigens revealed with APS type I sera in the adrenal and in placenta by immunodiffusion and immunoblotting, and correlated the findings to reactivities towards the above steroidogenic enzymes. We studied 50 patients with APS type I, 36 of whom also had Addison's disease, three patients with isolated (adult type) Addison's disease, seven healthy relatives of the patients with APS type I, 18 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 17 patients with autoimmune liver disease and 26 healthy controls. Immunodiffusion revealed two precipitating autoantigens in adrenal gland, and one of these was also found in placenta. In immunoblotting, five major adrenal antigens with molecular sizes of 55 kDa, 48 kDa, 43 kDa, 39 kDa and 19 kDa were seen. Reactivity to the 55 kDa, 39 kDa or 19 kDa represents the occurrence of antibodies to P450c17 or to its components as revealed by comparative studies with mouse antibodies to recombinant P450c17. These three bands in immunoblot as well as precipitating antibodies were observed exclusively in APS type I patients who had or developed Addison's disease. The 48 kDa antigen was found also in placenta and is probably P450scc, judged by the high correlation of P450scc antibodies with immunodiffusion and immunoblotting results using placental homogenate. There was no association between reactivity to the 43 kDa band and other immune parameters studied. The results thus indicate that P450scc and P450c17 enzymes are the precipitating adrenal autoantigens recognized by sera from APS type I patients. However, according to immunoblot results there could be some yet unidentified adrenal autoantigens to which APS type I patients could develop antibodies.

Addison Disease↗