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Biomedical subjects

M R Clark

Publications and source records attributed to M R Clark.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Sequences of complementary DNAs that encode the NA1 and NA2 forms of Fc receptor III on human neutrophils.

Two polymorphic forms of Fc receptor III (FcR III) are expressed on human neutrophils. These differ with respect to their apparent molecular masses after digestion with N-glycanase, and with respect to their reactivity with MAb Gran 11 and alloantisera which recognize determinants (NA1 and NA2) of the biallelic neutrophil antigen (NA) system. To determine the molecular basis for this polymorphism we isolated RNA from neutrophils of NA1NA1 and NA2NA2 homozygotes and synthesized corresponding cDNAs. cDNAs encoding FcR III were then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and sequenced. The cDNA that encodes FcR III on NA1NA1 neutrophils differed from the cDNA that encodes FcR III on NA2NA2 neutrophils at five nucleotides, predicting four amino acid substitutions. As a result, NA1 FcR III has only four potential N-linked glycosylation sites as compared with six in NA2 FcR III. The amino acid substitutions and differences in the number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites probably account for the different forms of neutrophil FcR III observed after digestion with N-glycanase and for the antigenic heterogeneity of this receptor.

Amidohydrolases↗

Red cell deformability and lipid composition in two forms of acanthocytosis: enrichment of acanthocytic populations by density gradient centrifugation.

Whole cell deformability and lipid determinations were performed on red cells from two patients who had acanthocytes in the peripheral blood (10% and 20% to 30%) and normal serum lipoprotein levels. One patient had typical chorea-acanthocytosis and the other had no clinical abnormalities associated with acanthocytosis. Red cells from the patient with chorea-acanthocytosis showed reduced deformability, as measured by a visco-diffractometric method (ektacytometry), which could be explained by the presence of increased numbers of dehydrated cells containing high concentrations of hemoglobin. The total cell population showed a modest increase in potassium efflux, which may be responsible for reduced cation content and dehydration in a subpopulation of cells. When the patients' red cells were separated into different density populations by centrifugation on density gradients, the cells of classic acanthocyte morphology were concentrated in the high-density layers. This was true for both patients, although the subject with acanthocytes and no clinical disorder had a normal red cell density distribution. Lipid analysis of both types of acanthocytes showed an increase in the relative proportion of sphingomyelin with respect to the glycerophospholipids. Total cholesterol and phospholipid levels were reduced in the chorea-acanthocytosis red cells, but the other acanthocytes did not differ significantly in total lipid content from normal control samples. Thus, the one common abnormal feature in these two forms of acanthocytosis is the increase in the proportion of red cell sphingomyelin. Because this is a very stable, immobile component of the membrane, we suggest that its relative enrichment could result from a defect in the transport and maintenance of glycerophospholipids. Further study of the dynamics of glycerophospholipid organization in acanthocytes may be useful in increasing our understanding of the genesis of abnormal, acanthocytic morphology.

Acanthocytes↗

Computation of the average shear-induced deformation of red blood cells as a function of osmolality.

A model was developed for computing the average deformation of red cells as a function of suspending medium osmolality. It assumes a population of red cells characterized by a single value for surface area and for isotonic volume, but having a Gaussian distribution in mean intracellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The ability of cells of a given hemoglobin concentration to deform is assumed to be limited by either the amount of redundant surface area available or the intracellular viscosity, determined by the intracellular hemoglobin concentration. The surface area limitation is calculated by finding the dimensions of a prolate ellipsoid having the volume and surface area of the red cell. The viscosity limitation is incorporated in two ways. First, the ratio of intracellular to extracellular viscosity must lie below a certain threshold to permit deformation, and second, its magnitude determines the extent of cell elongation. This model gave a reasonable fit to experimental data for a threshold viscosity ratio close to 1. Extension to cell populations for which either mean cell hemoglobin concentration or surface area had been modified also provided a close reproduction of the experimental curves.

Blood Viscosity↗

Remission induction in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with reshaped human monoclonal antibody CAMPATH-1H.

A genetically reshaped human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (CAMPATH-1H) was used to treat two patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Doses of 1-20 mg daily were given intravenously for up to 43 days. In both patients lymphoma cells were cleared from the blood and bone marrow and splenomegaly resolved. One patient had lymphadenopathy which also resolved. These effects were achieved without myelosuppression, and normal haemopoeisis was restored during the course of treatment, partially in one patient and completely in the other. No antiglobulin response was detected in either patient. CAMPATH-1H is a potent lympholytic antibody which might have an important use in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders and additionally as an immunosuppressive agent.

Aged↗

Universal bispecific antibody for targeting tumor cells for destruction by cytotoxic T cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that bispecific hybrid antibodies produced by cell-cell fusion or chemically conjugated heteroaggregates can direct cytotoxic T lymphocytes to kill target cells for which they have no intrinsic specificity, a phenomenon we call effector cell retargeting (ECR). These studies used bispecific reagents with one specificity directed to CD3 or Ti on the effector cell and the other directed to a target cell antigen. To avoid the need to create different hybrid hybridomas for each target antigen we have developed a universal means to elicit ECR through the use of an antiglobulin step. We have constructed a bispecific hybrid antibody with dual specificity for CD3 and a rat immunoglobulin light chain allotype. This bispecific antibody could mediate ECR to a range of target cells, each coated with distinct surface-binding rat monoclonal antibodies. A particular advantage of targeting to surface-bound monoclonal antibodies is that all other available effector systems may also attack the same antibody-coated target cell.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of prostaglandin synthase in the rat uterus and embryo during the peri-implantation period.

Prostaglandins (PGs) appear to have a role in the appearance of the increased uterine vascular permeability and subsequent decidualization observed at implantation in many species. However, the sites of production of these PGs have not been clearly established. To clarify the PG synthetic capacity of the blastocyst and the various types of cells in the uterus at implantation, we have studied the immunohistochemical localization of PG synthase in the rat blastocyst on Days 5 to 7 and uterus on Days 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of pregnancy. Labeling of PG synthase was negligible in the uterus on Day 1 of pregnancy. On Day 4, there was increased labeling in the luminal and glandular epithelium, in stromal cells adjacent to the luminal epithelium, and in blood vessels and some leukocytes. PG synthase was detected in the blastocysts on Days 5 to 7, but there was a gradual loss of label in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells during this period. Early differentiating stromal cells adjacent to the luminal epithelium in the implantation site on Day 5 showed bright labeling, whereas peripheral stromal cells were only slightly labeled. By Day 7, the differentiated cells of the primary decidual zone showed little or no label, but cells in the secondary decidual zone were brightly labeled. These results indicate that PG synthase is present in the rat blastocyst and in several kinds of uterine cells, and that its localization in uterine cells changed markedly during the implantation process.

Animals↗

The role of leukotrienes in the late hemodynamic manifestations of group B streptococcal sepsis in piglets.

In order to evaluate the role of leukotrienes in group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis we studied the effect of a leukotriene receptor antagonist, FPL 57231, on the late hemodynamic changes occurring secondary to an infusion of live GBS. Paralyzed, mechanically ventilated piglets received a continuous intravenous infusion of bacteria (5 x 10(7) org/kg/min) while systemic arterial (Psa) and pulmonary artery pressures (Ppa) were measured. To separate the effects of the lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid from those of the cyclooxygenase by-products, animals in control and treatment groups received indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase blocking agent, 15 min after the infusion of GBS was begun. In addition to GBS and indomethacin, treatment animals received a 30 min infusion of FPL 57231 starting 120 min after the bacterial infusion was begun. All study animals responded to bacteria within 15 min with marked elevation in pulmonary artery pressure (X +/- SD) (12 +/- 3 to 49 +/- 5 mmHg; p less than .01), and a decline in PaO2 (84 +/- 9 to 49 +/- 5 mmHg; p less than .01) and cardiac output (0.29 +/- 0.04 to 0.18 +/- .07 liter/min/kg; p less than .01). These changes were reversed by indomethacin. Subsequent values remained relatively stable until approximately 90 min when a gradual decrease in cardiac output (CO) and PaO2, and an increase in Ppa, and calculated systemic (SVR) and pulmonary (PVR) vascular resistances occurred. After the initial increase in TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, indomethacin treatment resulted in return of these values to baseline with no further increase throughout the study period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Calcium extrusion by high-density human red blood cells.

Normal human red blood cells were separated on arabinogalactan density gradients to provide cell populations comprising a very small percentage of the cells (0.4%-1.8%). These very high-density cells were compared to a low-density, mature reference cell population with respect to their ATP content and their capacity to extrude Ca that had been loaded into the cells using the ionophore A23187. Assay of ATP content of freshly drawn and separated cells suggested a decrease of approximately 40% in the ATP concentration of the most dense 0.5%-1% of the cells, but the second most dense percent or so of the cells showed no ATP deficit. When the cells were loaded with millimolar amounts of 45Ca, high and low-density cell populations extruded Ca at the same rate. It appears that even stringently selected cells comprising the highest-density portion of the total cell population have an intact Ca transport system that can rapidly export Ca from the cell when adequate metabolic support is available.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The incidence of painful crisis in homozygous sickle cell disease: correlation with red cell deformability.

To determine whether the vasoocclusive severity of homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease is influenced by cellular dehydration, we correlated the incidence of painful crisis with steady-state measurements of red cell hydration. Sixteen children with SS disease were followed for 3.3 to 8 years (mean, 6.8 years), and a single crisis rate was calculated for each patient. At the time of well visits, cellular hydration was assessed by measuring cell deformability, the percentage of red cells with a density greater than or equal to 1.1056 g/mL, and the percentage of irreversibly sickled cells (ISC). The incidence of painful crisis showed a strong positive correlation with Omax, a deformability measurement reflecting cellular hydration (r = .84, P less than .002), and with hemoglobin concentration (r = .59, P = .04). That is, higher crisis rates were observed in patients with less dehydrated, more deformable red cells and also in patients with higher hemoglobin concentrations. Furthermore, cell deformability and hemoglobin concentration were independent predictors of the incidence of painful crisis, which is consistent with separate effects of these two red cells parameters on vasoocclusive severity.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Production of fibronectin by peritoneal macrophages and concentration of fibronectin in peritoneal fluid from patients with or without endometriosis.

Fibronectin, a known growth factor for fibroblasts, is produced by alveolar macrophages from patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Because peritoneal macrophages have been implicated in the disease process of endometriosis, we measured the production of fibronectin by peritoneal macrophages in vitro and the concentration of fibronectin in peritoneal fluid samples. Twenty-nine patients had a normal pelvis, 22 had endometriosis, and 14 had tubal occlusion and/or adhesions. Human peritoneal macrophages demonstrated de novo synthesis of fibronectin. The peritoneal macrophage fibronectin was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum fibronectin. Peritoneal macrophages from patients with endometriosis produced approximately three times the amount of fibronectin as normal patients or patients with tubal occlusion and/or adhesions (P less than or equal to .01 and P less than or equal to .02, respectively). The mean peritoneal fluid concentration of fibronectin, however, was about 30% lower in patients with endometriosis than in normal patients (P less than or equal to .02). We suggest that increased peritoneal macrophage fibronectin production in patients with endometriosis may contribute to the adhesion formation and associated reactive fibrosis seen in this disease, and may also influence the implantation of endometrial cells and their subsequent growth in the pelvis.

Ascitic Fluid↗

The detection of heat-aggregated IgG (as a model for immune complexes) by reverse passive haemagglutination using a human monoclonal rheumatoid factor coupled to erythrocytes.

A human monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) produced in vitro by an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized cell line was purified by protein A-Sepharose adsorption and coupled by the chromic chloride method to human erythrocytes. The RF-coupled cells were incorporated in reverse passive haemagglutination (RPH) assays to detect immune complexes (IC) using heat-aggregated human IgG as a model system. The sensitivity of the RPH was comparable to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using sheep C1q for the detection of ICs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Comparison of the effector functions of human immunoglobulins using a matched set of chimeric antibodies.

Cell lines have been established that secrete a matched set of human chimeric IgM, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgE, and IgA2 antibodies that are directed against the hapten 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl. These chimeric antibodies secreted from mouse plasmacytoma cells behave exactly like their authentic human counterparts in SDS-PAGE analysis, binding to protein A and in a wide range of serological assays. The antibodies have been compared in their ability to bind human C1q as well as in their efficacy in mediating lysis of human erythrocytes in the presence of human complement. A major conclusion to emerge is that whereas IgG3 bound C1q better than did IgG1, the chimeric IgG1 was much more effective than all the other IgG subclasses in complement-dependent hemolysis. The IgG1 antibody was also the most effective in mediating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity using both human effector and human target cells. These results suggest that IgG1 might be the favoured IgG subclass for therapeutic applications.

Animals↗

Influence of the membrane undercoat on filipin perturbation of the red blood cell membrane.

Filipin, a polyene antibiotic, interacts with beta-hydroxy sterols such as cholesterol in most cell membranes, forming bumps and pits that are visible by electron microscopy of freeze-fracture replicas. The markedly reduced perturbability of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane, compared to other cells, has been attributed to the constraining influence of the red cell membrane skeleton, the undercoat composed of spectrin, actin, and protein 4.1. To test the influence of the membrane skeleton on filipin-induced perturbation of the RBC membrane, we studied the interaction of filipin with red cells that were inherently devoid of spectrin and RBC in which spectrin had been crosslinked or denatured. These spectrin-deficient, crosslinked, and denatured cells have a fivefold increase in the number of filipin-induced perturbations as compared to control cells, despite equivalent membrane cholesterol content. These findings confirm that the spectrin-based membrane skeleton strongly influences the organization of the membrane so as to limit perturbation by filipin:cholesterol interaction and that for membranes in which the cholesterol content is known, filipin is a useful probe for testing the avidity of spectrin-based cytoskeletal attachment.

Animals↗

Human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation of immunoreactive prostaglandin synthase in the rat ovary.

Follicular prostaglandins (PG) increase markedly in the hours after the preovulatory gonadotropin rise in the rat. The present investigation was performed to determine if the increased prostaglandins result from elevation of the amount of the principal enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, i.e. PG synthase. PG synthase was purified from sheep seminal vesicles and rat ovaries for the preparation of monoclonal antibodies. A monoclonal antibody was utilized in a competitive, microtiter plate-based enzyme immunoassay to quantitate PG synthase protein. Follicular development was stimulated in 26-day-old rats by injection of 20 IU of PMSG, and 51 h later 20 IU of hCG was injected. Ovaries were removed from rats before and 8 h after the hCG injection for quantitation of PG synthase by enzyme immunoassay. PG synthase immunologic activity was increased three-fold by hCG stimulation. These findings support the hypothesis that the preovulatory gonadotropin rise causes increased PG synthase protein in the rat ovary.

Animals↗

Cell-surface markers on haemopoietic precursors. Reagents for the isolation and analysis of progenitor cell subpopulations.

Within the last decade, major advances have been made in the analysis of cell-surface marker expression on haemopoietic progenitor cells as a result of the development of multiparameter cell sorting and monoclonal antibody techniques. Although some controversy exists with regard to the actual identification of the stem cell, markers specific for CFU-s and for particular subsets of progenitor cells have not yet been identified. An analysis of cell-surface markers on haemopoietic progenitor cells is complicated by at least three factors. First, it appears that, in mice, the clonal assays do not adequately identify the haemopoietic stem cell. Complete repopulation of all haemopoietic cell compartments in vivo over an extended period of time appears to be the only reliable method for identifying such a cell. Secondly cell-surface marker distribution on haemopoietic progenitors from normal tissues may be indicative of the cycling status of cells. Thus, expression of markers on progenitors from bone marrow or foetal liver which have been perturbed by drugs or viruses may merely reflect a change in their cycling status following drug or viral insult. Thirdly, substantial loss of cells occurs during the purification of particular cell types. For most cell separation procedures, only a minor proportion of the progenitor cells of interest are recovered and these may not be representative of the progenitor population as a whole. During differentiation to mature cells, antigenic determinants present on early progenitor cells may either be progressively lost or amplified. This differential expression of cell-surface molecules has provided a useful tool for the substantial enrichment of haemopoietic subsets, particularly CFU-E and CFU-s. To date, however, most early haemopoietic progenitor cells detected by in vitro CFC assays (day 8 CFC) cannot be completely segregated from one another. The ability to distinguish between such progenitors during the early stages of lineage commitment would provide a more detailed understanding of the relationship between lymphoid precursors, myeloid precursors and stem cells, and would lead to significant advances in developmental biology. Separation of cells at different stages of differentiation within a given lineage would provide an opportunity for studying regulatory mechanisms involved in gene expression in normal cell populations.

Animals↗