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Biomedical subjects

J Woody

Publications and source records attributed to J Woody.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Primary structure of papain-solubilized human histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27.

The complete amino acid sequence of papain-solubilized HLA-B27, an antigen that presents a very strong association to the development of ankylosing spondylitis, has been determined. The overall sequence homology with the cross-reactive allelic products HLA-B7 and HLA-B40 (Bw60) is 93% and 92%, respectively. Half of the differences between HLA-B27 and -B7 are located in segments 63-83 and 113-116. Most of the known HLA class I antigens are different in these segments, and it is suggested that the corresponding residues may be involved in the alloantigenic determinants of HLA-B27. A free cysteine residue is present at position 67, and it is at least partially exposed to solvent. In addition, other differences are found in various areas of the two N-terminal domains. The comparison with available HLA class I sequences allows an evaluation of their contribution to the antigenic polymorphism of these molecules. The relevance of these data is discussed in connection with the mapping of functional sites of HLA class I antigens and with the association between HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Partial primary structure of the alpha and beta chains of human tumor T-cell receptors.

The T-cell receptor for antigen (Ti) was purified from the human tumor cell line HPB-ALL. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of an acid-cleaved peptide of the Ti alpha chain showed that it is highly homologous to a putative murine alpha chain recently described. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the Ti beta chain revealed that it shares 50 percent homology with the Ti beta chain amino acid sequences from two other human T-cell tumors. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a complementary DNA clone encoding the Ti beta chain from the HPB-MLT cell line showed that this chain represents a second human constant region gene segment and suggested that it arises from direct joining of the variable and joining gene segments without any intervening D region sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oral desensitization in Rh disease.

Four pregnancies managed with erythrocyte membrane oral therapy because of severe Rh disease are presented. Reduction in anti-(D) production was the goal of the study. A patient was classified as having severe Rh immunization if there was a history of fetal loss due to erythroblastosis fetalis prior to 26 weeks.

Administration, Oral↗

Characterization of the immunosuppressive state during Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Analysis of a murine model of schistosomiasis revealed that both the thymus (T)- and bursa (B)-derived compartments of the immune system are modified during acute infection. The functional capacity of T and B lymphocytes to respond to mitogenic stimuli and the humoral response to thymus-dependent (SRBC) and thymus-independent (DNP-Ficoll) antigens are severely depressed. In addition, it was found that suppressor cells capable of inhibiting the response of normal lymphocytes to SRBC arise during acute infection. Although the splenic frequency of T (theta) and B (Ig+) cells remained constant during chronic infection, quantitative changes were detected in each population. In the T cell pool there was a decrease in the percentage of Ly-1+ cells and a concomitant increase in Ly-1+, 2+, 3+, cells, whereas the B cell pool showed a progressive loss of complement receptor-bearing lymphocytes, which apparently was the result of inactivation of surface complement receptor by a serum factor specifically found in infected mice. Characterization of the serum factor strongly suggests it is an immune complex. Thus, it appears that both suppressor cells and immune complexes contribute to changes noted in the immune system during acute schistosomiasis. Additional studies carried out in mice after unisexual infection revealed that egg production is not a necessary prerequisite for several of the immunologic phenomena associated with acute schistosomiasis.

Animals↗

Selective production of human antigen specific helper factor from normal volunteers: implications for human Ir genes.

Based on previous systems for generating helper cells and factors from mouse spleen cell cultures, an in vitro system for the production and detection of human helper factors to the synthetic polypeptide antigens (T,G)-A--L and GAT10 was developed. The factors are made by human peripheral blood leucocytes and are antigen-specific, as judged both by functional criteria and specific binding and elution from antigen columns. Out of the first six volunteers studied two were high responders to (T,G)-A--L, but non-responders to GAT, two responders to GAT but not (T,G)-A--L. One subject made factors to both antigens and the sixth reacted to neither. The antigens chosen are known to be under MHC-linked immune response (Ir) gene control in all animal species tested, with some strains being responders while others are not. The selective responsiveness, different between individuals, thus suggests that the response to these antigens in man is under Ir gene control. Because of the small size of the sample initially studied and HLA typed, it was not surprising that there was no clear-cut association of response with any particular histocompatibility type at the HLA-A, B, C or D locus.

Adult↗

T-T interactions in the induction of suppressor and helper T cells: analysis of membrane phenotype of precursor and amplifier cells.

The Ly and Ia phenotypes of T lymphocytes involved in the in vitro generation of helper and suppressor cells were identified. The precursors of both cells are found in adult thymectomized spleen. Helper precursors are Ly-1+2-3-Ia-, while suppressor precursors are Ly-1-2+3+Ia-, although the suppressor effector is Ia+. In both cases a second 'amplifier' cell is required for differentiation of precursors to occur. This cell is found in anti-lymphocyte serum-treated spleen and has the phenotype Ly-1+2+3+Ia-.

Animals↗

Beneficial effect of treatment with a monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody on markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with active Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease has frequently been associated with coagulation abnormalities, causing intravascular deposition of fibrin and local infarction which can subsequently compromise the gut mucosa. Also, arterial and venous thromboembolic complications of larger vessels appear to be associated with Crohn's disease. Coagulation activation in patients with Crohn's disease could be a result of increased serum and tissue levels of cytokines, as reported. We prospectively studied parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis in 10 patients with active Crohn's disease, who were subsequently treated with a monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) antibody. Ten consecutive patients with active Crohn's disease (CDAI > 150), not responding to a daily dose of at least 20 mg prednisolone, received a single infusion of human/mouse chimeric anti-TNF antibody cA2. All evaluable patients attained complete clinical and endoscopic

Adult↗