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Biomedical subjects

M McMillan

Publications and source records attributed to M McMillan.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Interaction of alpha 1 with alpha 2 region in class I MHC proteins contributes determinants recognized by antibodies and cytotoxic T cells.

The structure-function relationship of individual coding regions of class I mouse major histocompatibility complex proteins was studied by a combination of recombinant DNA, gene transfer techniques, and serologic and functional characterization. To examine the role of alpha 1 and alpha 2 regions in antibody and CTL recognition, the third exon of H-2Dd, Kd, and Ld transplantation antigen genes was replaced by the homologous coding region of the Qa-2-coded class I gene, Q6. We have chosen to carry out the exon shuffling experiments between these two different types of class I genes, because they are structurally similar and did not evolve to carry out identical functions. Therefore, it is less likely that the hybrid proteins will fortuitously recreate alpha 1-alpha 2 controlled functionally important determinants. The replacement of H-2 alpha 2 coding region with its Q6 counterpart had different effects on the expression of the three genes. The mutant H-2Dd gene transfected into L cells was expressed at high levels and retained several of the serologic determinants found on parental H-2Dd and Q6 domains. The serologic epitopes on the mutant H-2Kd-transfected cells were detectable at very low levels, whereas the product of the mutant H-2Ld gene could not be identified at all. Analysis of cells transfected with mutant H-2Dd gene with alloreactive and minor antigen(s)-restricted cytotoxic T cells indicated that the hybrid proteins lost the ability to be recognized by T cells. Our data suggest that cytotoxic T cells recognize conformational determinants composed of amino acids from alpha 1 and alpha 2 regions. Alternatively, it could be proposed that T cell recognition sites located in a single alpha 1 or alpha 2 protein region are susceptible to distortion upon alpha 1-alpha 2 interactions. Such susceptibility to conformational changes of the amino-terminal domain of transplantation antigens could be of functional importance for H-2-restricted antigen presentation.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Distinct epitopes are recognized by cytolytic T lymphocyte clones on the same class I molecule: direct demonstration using DNA-transfected targets and long-term cytolytic T cell clones.

By producing long-term, stable, cytolytic T lymphocyte clones and utilizing targets expressing only a single gene product derived from the stimulator mouse strain, we have been able to directly demonstrate that T cells recognize distinct epitopes expressed on a single H-2 molecule. These multiple determinants are distinguishable by inhibition patterns with monoclonal antibodies (mAb). When two T cell clones, P-2.14 and P-2.17, are tested on an L cell transfected with the Dp gene (lambda 12a), the T cells kill the transfected targets as well as blasts derived from Dp mouse strains. mAb 7-16.10 inhibits recognition and killing of Dp targets by both P-2.14 and P-2.17. This mAb recognizes a private specificity H-2.m22. Interestingly mAb 11-20.3 which also recognizes the H-2.m22 specificity inhibits clone P-2.14 but not P-2.17. The mAb 7-16.10, however, competes with 11-20.3 for binding to the surface of L cells expressing the Dp gene. Thus the two T cells must recognize an overlapping specificity. Other mAb which bind to the H-2Dp molecule are unable to inhibit either of these two cytolytic T cell clones. Paradoxically, any of the mAb when tested individually are sufficient to inhibit the polyclonal response derived from in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture. Therefore, by using targets expressing only a single H-2 molecule derived by DNA-mediated gene transfer and cytolytic T cell clones we have been able to directly demonstrate the presence of multiple epitopes on a single molecule and define their inhibition with mAb directed to that same molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize determinants on the BALB/c-H-2Ld molecule controlled by alpha 1 and alpha 2 but not alpha 3 external domains.

We have shown that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) raised in H-2d mice use H-2Ld but not H-2Dd or H-2Kd antigens as restricting elements in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and vesicular stomatis virus (VSV) infections. To localize the regions of H-2Ld protein recognized by CTL, we constructed a recombinant H-2Ld/Dd gene encoding a hybrid antigen with alpha 1 and alpha 2 external domains of H-2Ld and alpha 3, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of H-2Dd. The recombinant gene was transfected into mouse cells and the hybrid molecules were characterized serologically, biochemically and functionally. In all assays, H-2Ld/Dd molecules were recognized by LCMV-and VSV-specific H-2Ld-restricted CTL in a manner similar to that of wild-type H-2Ld antigens. Analogous results were obtained with alloreactive CTL. Hybrid antigens containing the alpha 3 domain of H-2Ld fused to alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of a Qa-2,3 region-encoded antigen were not used as restricting elements by LCMV-specific CTL. These results suggest that H-2Ld-restricted CTL directed against LCMV and VSV recognize determinants controlled by the alpha 1 and/or alpha 2 domains of the H-2Ld molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Functional characterization of the H-2Dp gene product.

A lambda clone containing the Dp gene was used to transform L cells. The Dp product expressed was identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The Dp product expressed by the L cells was recognized by Dp-specific but not Kp-specific killer T cells. This killing was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies specific for Dp but not Kp or Kk antigens. Similarly, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) killer T cells from B10.P mice were able to kill LCMV-infected L12a cells, but not LCMV-infected Ltk+. Again only Dp monoclonal antibodies could inhibit this killing.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Gene transfer of H-2 class II genes: antigen presentation by mouse fibroblast and hamster B-cell lines.

We have transferred the mouse Ak alpha and Ak beta genes, which encode the class II I-Ak molecule, into mouse L-cell fibroblasts and hamster B cells. I-Ak molecules are expressed on the surface of both cell types. The L-cell and hamster B-cell I-Ak molecules appear normal by serological analyses and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the I-Ak molecules on L cells can act as targets for the allogenic T-cell killing of the transformed L cells. The I-Ak molecules in both mouse fibroblasts and hamster B cells can present certain antigens to T-cell helper hybridomas. Thus only class II molecules are required to convert the nonantigen-presenting cell. Accordingly, it will be possible to dissect the structure-function relationships existing between Ia molecules, foreign antigen, and T-cell receptor molecules by in vitro site-directed mutagenesis and gene transfer.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Expression of complete transplantation antigens by mammalian cells transformed with truncated class I genes.

Mouse L cells transformed with the cloned class I genes of the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse express transplantation antigens with serological determinants of the donor haplotype. However, transformation with the truncated subclones of a BALB/c H-2Ld gene containing the exons encoding the external domains also leads to the production of cells which express complete cell-surface molecules. Moreover, full-length products of the foreign haplotype, as judged by serological and biochemical criteria, are generated independently of the use of carrier DNA in transformation. However, the frequency of productive transformation is substantially less than that obtained with a complete gene. The most plausible explanation for these phenomena involves homologous recombination between host chromosomal and donor class I sequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Expression and function of transplantation antigens with altered or deleted cytoplasmic domains.

Two mutants of the class I gene encoding the H-2Ld transplantation antigen have been constructed. In one mutant the cytoplasmic domain of the class I molecule has been altered by deletion of 24 of the 31 C-terminal residues, and in the second the C-terminal 25 residues of the cytoplasmic domain have been replaced with a unique sequence of 19 amino acids. These mutant class I genes have been transferred into mouse L cells by DNA-mediated gene transfer. Both mutant genes are expressed at normal levels on the cell surface, and they have charge properties and sizes consistent with the introduced alterations. These mutant Ld molecules can serve as target antigens for allogeneic cytotoxic T cells and as restricting elements for virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. These results show that the 24 residues replaced or deleted from the carboxy terminus of the class I molecule are not required for its transport to or integration in the plasma membrane, nor for its function as a target antigen or a restricting element during T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Development of a filter paper blood spot radioimmunoassay for thyroid stimulating hormone suitable for a regional neonatal screening unit.

The radioimmunoassay described measures TSH in dried whole blood spots collected from neonates onto filter paper Guthrie cards. Microgranular cellulose is added to the precipitating reagent at the critical separation stage of the assay to overcome imprecision caused by the presence of the filter paper sample disc in the tube. The method was developed for a regional neonatal screening unit and has been found to be very reliable during ten months' routine use. It was required to be as precise, sensitive, accurate, rapid, simple, and inexpensive as possible and suitable for use with automatic diluting equipment in order to process large numbers of samples. Other methods were examined for their suitability and found not to fulfil one or more of the above criteria.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1983

Stability of four steroids in lyophilised human serum.

The stability of a preparation of lyophilised serum and its suitability for use as a reference material for routine assays of cortisol, oestradiol, and progesterone have been studied in four laboratories with a variety of assay systems. Cortisol and oestradiol were also measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The lyophilised serum was suitable for use in all routine and reference assay methods examined, with between-method variability no greater than that for frozen serum pools. The concentrations of cortisol, oestradiol, and progesterone were predicted by accelerated degradation studies to decline by 0.01% per annum if the preparations were to be stored at --20 degrees C. The testosterone content of the preparation, determined in one laboratory, provided no evidence for degradation. The preparation can be shipped for use at ambient temperature without deleterious effect.

Drug Stability↗
PubMed1982

Identification of the class I genes of the mouse major histocompatibility complex by DNA-mediated gene transfer.

DNA-mediated gene transfer was used to identify cloned class I genes from the major histocompatibility complex of the BALB/c mouse. Three genes encoding the transplantation antigens H-2 Kd, Dd and Ld were identified as well as genes encoding the Qa-2,3 and two TL differentiation antigens. As many as 10 putative novel class I genes were detected by the association of their gene products with beta 2-microglobulin. Alloantiserum prepared to one of the novel antigens was used to demonstrate the expression of the previously undetected antigen on spleen cells of various inbred, congeneic, and recombinant congeneic strains of mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Identification of a BALB/c H-2Ld gene by DNA-mediated gene transfer.

Gene transfer and immunoselection were used in the identification of a BALB/c genomic clone containing an H-2Ld gene (clone 27.5). Transformation of thymidine kinase-negative C3H mouse L cells with the cloned 27.5 DNA together with the herpes simplex virus tk gene produced transformants expressing Ld molecules detected by radioimmune assay with monoclonal hybridoma antibodies to Ld antigens. The foreign Ld gene products expressed by cloned mouse L cell transformants were shown to be virtually indistinguishable from BALB/c spleen Ld molecules by two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of H-2Ld immunoprecipitates. These results indicate that the genomic clone 27.5 contains a functional BALB/c H-2Ld gene and demonstrate the usefulness of this approach for identifying the gene products encoded by cloned genes which are members of a multigene family. Furthermore, the ability to place cell-surface recognition molecules on the surfaces of foreign cells provides a powerful opportunity for functional analyses of these molecules.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Structure of murine Ia antigens. Two dimensional electrophoretic analyses and high pressure liquid chromatography tryptic peptide maps of products of the I-A and I-E subregions and of an associated invariant polypeptide.

We demonstrate that an invariant polypeptide, first described by Jones et al. (21), co-immunoprecipitates with our Ia molecules, that its interaction with Ia polypeptides varies with haplotype, and that it is not a precursor of the Aalpha, Abeta, Ealpha, or Ebeta. polypeptides. We also show that the polypeptides that we have previously characterized are contaminated with very little, if any, invariant protein. Further, we have used our high-pressure liquid chromatography tryptic peptide map technique to formally map the genes encoding Aalpha, Abeta, and Ebeta to the I-A subregion using recombinant and F1 hybrid mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Tryptic peptide map analyses of mouse transplantation antigens.

Tryptic peptide map analyses of five K- and three D-gene products of various H-2 haplotypes are presented. These data support earlier sequence studies and demonstrate that the variations in allelic gene products of the K or D loci are scattered throughout much of the polypeptide chains. Furthermore, the K allelic gene products are no more closely related to one another than they are to the D allelic gene products. This apparent lack of K-ness and D-ness places interesting constraints on the genetic organization and evolutionary history of the genes encoding the transplantation antigens.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1980

Renal osteodystrophy: an underdiagnosed condition.

With the availability of 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol it is even more relevant to detect the earliest stages of renal osteodystrophy. Sixty-two patients, either on haemodialysis or recent recipients of a renal transplant and 10 controls underwent hand radiography by a standard technique and by a direct magnification technique employing a 0.1 mm focal spot. A comparison of intracortical striations, subperiosteal resorption and soft tissue calcification was made in the two groups and hand score calculated on the non-magnification radiographs. The results were assessed independently by two radiologists. In subperiosteal resorption, the non-magnification technique gave a 6% positive result compared to 47% with magnification (P less than 0.01). For intracortical striations, the non-magnification technique gave an 11% positive results, whereas magnification resulted in a 45% positive result (P less than 0.01). Soft tissue calcification was found in one patient only, and reduction in hand score was a rare occurrence. The use of a standard technique only, without magnification, for radiographing hands in patients with renal disease, will result in evidence of renal osteodystrophy being missed in a significant proportion of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Partial N-terminal amino acid sequences of guinea pig classic histocompatibility antigens.

Partial N-terminal amino acid sequences were determined by microsequencing for three of the guinea pig GPLA-B classic histocompatibility antigens, which are presumably allelic products. The sequences of GPLA-B.1 derived from the noncongenic inbred strain 2 and strain 13 animals showed no differences a their N-termini, suggesting that these molecules are chemically as well as serologically identical. Two residues, isoleucine and leucine, were found at position 5 of the sequence of GPLA-B.1, suggesting that GPLA-S, the product of the second classic histocompatibility locus, was being cosequenced. GPLA-B.2 and GPLA-B.3 antigens showed distinct sequence differences from GPLA-B.1 and from each other. The sequences of GPLA-B.3 derived from a random-bred guinea pig and from the inbred DHCBA strain showed no differences and showed a possible species specific residue. All sequences showed significant homology with histocompatibility antigens of other species, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗