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Biomedical subjects

N Strick

Publications and source records attributed to N Strick.

87 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Host specificity of a serum marker for hepatitis B: evidence that "e antigen" has the properties of an immunoglobulin.

A family of antigens, referred to collectively as e antigen (eAg), has been detected in sera of some individuals with liver disease who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Studies on eAg partially purified by affinity chromatography on insolubilized antibodies to eAg revealed the following: (i) eAg has the physicochemical and immunologic properties of an immunoglobulin, predominantly of the IgG4 subclass, and (ii) specific antigenic sites, designated as e determinants, differentiate eAg from other immunoglobulins. We suggest that these determinants represent idiotypic determinants on antibodies that are formed in response to hepatitis B virus infection and that block the host's immune surveillance mechanisms by which virus proliferation is stopped.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1976

Evidence against the postulated identity of e-antigen with DNA polymerase associated with the hepatitis B candidate virus.

Partially purified preparations of e-antigen, obtained from sera of hepatitis B antigen carriers, were chromatographed on columns of immobilized single- or double-stranded DNA or on pyran-Sepharose. e-Antigen did not adsorb to any of these columns under conditions appropriate for the retention of various nucleic acid polymerases. Therefore, e-antigen and the DNA polymerase associated with Dane particles can be regarded as distinct proteins.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1972

Heterogeneity of human platelets. V. Differences in glycolytic and related enzymes with possible relation to platelet age.

Human platelets were separated by desity-centrifugation into heavy and light populations. Heavy platelets have an average volume approximately twofold greater than light platelets, and have previously been shown to be young platelets. All 11 enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway plus the five related enzymes: phosphoglucomutase, glucose-6-P dehydrogenase, 6-P-gluconic dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerol-P dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase (TPNH) were examined in cell lysates from total, heavy, and light platelet populations. Apparent Km for individual enzymes were measured in a total platelet population. Empirical V(max) of the individual enzymes were measured in total, heavy, and light platelet populations. The three apparent rate-limiting enzymes for glycolysis were hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase. Heavy platelets contained approximately twofold greater enzyme activity (per gram wet weight) than light platelets for 7 of the 16 enzymes measured: hexokinase, phosphohexoisomerase, phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucomutase. Heavy platelets also contained 1.9-fold greater reduced glutathione (GSH), 1.7-fold greater DPNH, and 1.2-fold greater TPNH than light platelets. Heavy platelets contained 1.8-fold less lipid peroxidation products (malonyl aldehyde equivalents) than light platelets and were 2.4-fold more resistant to lipid peroxidation catalyzed by 0.1 mM FeCl(3). Sterile incubation of heavy platelets, in vitro for 17 hr, resulted in a significant loss of enzyme activity for the "elevated" seven enzymes when compared with the remainder. Reducing agents such as GSH (0.1 mM), ascorbic acid (0.1 mM), and dithiothreitol (0.01 mM), when added to the incubation mixture, significantly reduced the in vitro loss of activity. In vitro incubation was also associated with a significant loss of GSH and DPNH and a 1.8-fold increase in lipid peroxidation products.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Blocking of CD4 cell receptors for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by chemically modified bovine milk proteins: potential for AIDS prophylaxis.

The chemical transformation of synthetic combinatorial libraries to increase the diversity of compounds of medicinal interest was reported recently. Chemical modification of natural products represents a complementary approach to accomplish this aim. Modification of lysines by aromatic acid anhydrides, preferentially by 3-hydroxyphthalic and trimellitic anhydrides and trimellitic anhydride chloride, converted commonly available proteins (human and bovine serum albumin and casein) into potent inhibitors of (i) binding between the HIV-1 gp 120 envelope glycoprotein and the CD4 cell receptor, probably owing to their binding to CD4, and (ii) infection by HIV-1. Modified bovine milk proteins are also potent HIV-1 inhibitors and may have potential for anti-HIV-1 prophylaxis.

Anhydrides↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Structural requirements for and consequences of an antiviral porphyrin binding to the V3 loop of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp120.

Several porphyrin derivatives were reported to have anti-HIV-1 activity. Among them, meso-teta(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (MTCPP) and other carboxyphenyl derivatives were the most potent inhibitors (EC50 <0.7 mu M). MTCPP bound to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 and to full-length V3 loop peptides corresponding to several HIV-1 isolates but not to other peptides from gp120 + gp41. However, it remained possible that MTCPP bound to regions on gp120 which cannot be mimicked by peptides. Further characterization of the binding domain for MTCPP is important for understanding the antiviral activity of porphyrins and for the design of anti-HIV-1 drugs interfering with functions of the virus envelope. Results presented here show that: (i) deletion of the V3 loop from the gp120 sequence resulted in drastically diminished MTCPP binding, suggesting that the V3 loop is the dominant if not the only target site on gp120; (ii) this site was only partially mimicked by full-length V3 loop peptides; (iii) MTCPP binding to the gp120 V3 loop elicited allosteric effects resulting in decreased accessibility of the CD4 receptor binding site; (iv) the binding site for MTCPP lies within the central portion of the V3 loop (KSIHIGPGRAFY for the HIV-1 subtype B consensus sequence) and does not involve directly the GPG apex of the loop. These results may help in designing antiviral compounds with improved activity.

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitory activity of monoclonal antibody F35.25 on the interaction between hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) and preS1-specific ligands.

The capacity of a preS1-specific monoclonal antibody (McAb) F35.25 to block the attachment of preS1-specific ligands to human hepatoma HepG2 cells was studied. In order to define more precisely the fine epitope specificity of McAb F35.25, its reaction with synthetic peptides derived from the preS1 sequence (12-53) was investigated. McAb F35.25 was found to recognize better synthetic peptide preS(21-47) from the adw 2 and ayw sequences than the synthetic peptide preS(32-53) adw 2. The shortest sequence recognized by McAb F35.25 among the peptide sequence studied was preS(32-47). The corresponding amino acid sequence (for HBV subtype adw 2) is PAFGANSNNPDWDFNP. As expected, it was found that McAb F35.25 inhibited the attachment of HepG2 cells to HBsAg-cellulose, as well as to preS(21-47)-cellulose, corresponding to two HBV subtypes adw 2 and ayw. Finally, the inhibitory effect of different peptides on the interaction of McAb F35.25 with HBsAg particles containing the preS1 sequence was also studied. The peptide preS(12-47) appeared to be the most effective inhibitor. Therefore, the McAb F35.25 is specific for the sequence preS1(X to 47), where (12 less than or equal to X less than 32). These results indicate that McAb F35.25 is probably virus-neutralizing and represents a reagent of great value to study the interaction between HBV and hepatocytes independently of d/y subtype changes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Delineation of contiguous determinants essential for biological functions of the pre-S sequence of the hepatitis B virus envelope protein: its antigenicity, immunogenicity and cell-receptor recognition.

The preS region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein has the following properties: (1) exposure on the surface of the virus; (2) high immunogenicity; (3) involvement in the reaction of the virus with cell receptors and (4) elicitation of antibodies protective against infection. Attempts to mimic B- and T-cell epitopes on the native protein by synthetic peptides were highly successful. This success depended on identification of those regions within the preS sequences which are the most important for biological function of the virus and for immunity, and on the synthesis of long peptides (20-40 residues) containing both B- and T-cell epitopes. Results presented here highlight those subregions of the preS sequence which are the most essential for the antigenicity and immunogenicity of HBV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B virus contains pre-S gene-encoded domains.

One of the open reading frames on hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA comprises the coding region (designated the env gene) for the virus envelope proteins. Studies on messenger RNA transcription suggest that this gene has the potential to code for three related proteins: (1) a protein of 226 amino acids identified as a major protein constituent of the HBV envelope, termed S-protein; (2) a protein with 55 additional amino acids at the N-terminal coded for by a portion of the env gene upstream of the S-gene (pre-S); (3) a protein corresponding to the entire env gene (pre-S + S). Synthetic peptides from the N-terminals of proteins (2) and (3), and antisera to them have been used to study the occurrence and properties of pre-S sequences. The results presented here provide unambiguous evidence that all three env encoded proteins are present in HBV particles; synthetic peptides corresponding to the gene encoding pre-S are highly immunogenic and can be used in diagnostic tests for detection in human sera of antibodies preferentially recognizing HBV; such antibodies, specific for pre-S determinants, are elicited during hepatitis B infection and by immunization with HBV proteins (2) and (3); the hepatitis B vaccine licensed in the United States does not contain pre-S proteins; and the pre-S proteins of the HBV envelope contain domains specifically recognized by liver cells. These findings suggest that pre-S determinants are important in virus-neutralizing responses and should be present in HBV vaccines.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toleration of amino acid substitutions within hepatitis B virus envelope protein epitopes established by peptide replacement set analysis. II. Region S(122-136).

The envelope of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) consists of three related proteins, designated S-, M- and L-protein, all of which share a common 226-amino acid residue sequence, corresponding to the S-protein that is sufficient for eliciting protective immunity against HBV. HBV variants, resulting from point mutations leading to replacements of amino acids within the S(122-160) segment of S-protein, have been recently recognized. In order to assure the continued success of vaccination against HBV and the adequacy of diagnostic tests for HBV envelope antigens and antibodies, it is necessary to understand the impact of amino acid replacements on the immunological recognition of S-protein at both the B- and T-cell levels. Immunologically tolerated and forbidden amino acid replacements within the S(139-147) segment of S-protein have already been discerned. The impact of amino acid substitutions within the S(122-136) segment on the immunological recognition of S-protein is analyzed in this report. Such replacements do not appreciably affect the binding of rabbit and goat anti-S antibodies to replacement set peptides, while decreased murine antibody binding was observed with some peptides having substitutions at residues 122, 123 and 133. On the other hand, amino acid substitutions within the (126-136) region, except those distinguishing serological subtypes of HBV from each other, abrogated murine T-cell proliferative responses to the peptides, while substitutions at residues 122, 123 and 125 had a lesser effect. Some of the peptides with amino acid substitutions peculiar to the variants had diminished stimulatory activity for T-cells from individuals vaccinated against hepatitis B. Amino acid substitutions in both the S(139-147) and S(122-136) segments of S-protein may potentially result in variant viruses escaping immunological surveillance based on current hepatitis B vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toleration of amino acid substitutions within hepatitis B virus envelope protein epitopes established by peptide replacement set analysis. I. Region S(139-147).

B and T cell epitopes expressed on the surface of S-protein, a major constituent of the envelope of hepatitis B virus (HBV), are essential for eliciting protective immunity against HBV infection. A segment of the S-protein sequence encompassing residues S(139-147) is a portion of overlapping B and T cell epitopes. This sequence is conserved among distinct serological subtypes of HBV and has a 77.8% homology with an analogous sequence in S-proteins of nonhuman mammalian hepadnaviruses. Rare subtypes and variants of HBV having amino acid replacements within the S(139-147) sequence were discerned recently. The impact of amino acid replacements within this sequence on its immunological recognition at both the B and T cell levels was explored by peptide replacement set analysis. Results of the analysis permit discrimination between tolerated and forbidden amino acid replacements and provide a background for the development of reagents and immunogens specific for emerging HBV variants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗