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Biomedical subjects

R A Watts

Publications and source records attributed to R A Watts.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Analysis of factors affecting human hybridoma production.

Human hybridomas were produced by fusion of the GM 4672 cell line with lymphocytes from the peripheral blood, spleen, and bone marrow of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lymphocytes were also obtained from normal human fetal liver of 12 weeks' gestation. The influence of anatomical source, fusion ratio, pre-stimulation with pokeweed mitogen, HLA match, and disease activity at the time of fusion was studied. Supernatants were screened for immunoglobulin secretion and binding to DNA, cardiolipin, poly(ADP-ribose), and histones by enzyme-linked immunoassay. A total of 28 fusions from 14 donors and 6 fusions with fetal lymphocytes were performed. The spleen was found to be the most efficient source of lymphocytes, with a fusion ratio of 1:1 resulting in a maximum yield of 27 clones/10(7) lymphocytes fused. HLA matching was a factor influencing the outcome with HLA A2 matching being the most important. Pre-stimulation with pokeweed mitogen did not improve the fusion frequency, and fusions using lymphocytes from patients with active disease were only marginally more successful. Over 95% of clones secreted immunoglobulin; autoreactivity was found against DNA, histones, cardiolipin, and poly(ADP-ribose). All hybrids with autoreactivity secreted IgM.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

A human fetal monoclonal DNA-binding antibody shares idiotypes with fetal and adult murine monoclonal DNA-binding antibodies.

A human DNA-binding monoclonal antibody was produced by fusing the hepatocytes from a 12-week-old human fetus with the lymphoblastoid cell line GM 4672 using polyethylene glycol. This antibody, designated BEG 2, binds to single-stranded (ss) DNA but also binds to double-stranded (ds) DNA, poly(dT), polyI and poly(ADP-ribose), but not to RNA, cardiolipin or K-30. The binding of BEG 2 to these polynucleotides can be inhibited by incubation with polynucleotides in the fluid phase. A rabbit polyclonal anti-idiotype was raised, and using this reagent it was shown that the BEG 2 idiotype is present in normal human serum (7%), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera (8%) and rheumatoid arthritis sera (23%). The extent of idiotypic sharing between BEG 2 and murine monoclonal DNA-binding antibodies, in particular monoclonal antibody (mAb) 423 (derived from a 15-day-old fetal MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mouse) and mAb 402 (derived from an adult MRL/lpr mouse), was also investigated. Using a competition ELISA, it was shown that preincubation of BEG 2 with rabbit anti-423 and rabbit anti-402 inhibits the binding of BEG 2 to DNA, and the binding of 402 to DNA by anti-BEG 2 and anti-423. These data suggest that mAb BEG 2, 423 and 402 share common idiotypes, that autoreactivity is present in early fetal life, and that autoantibodies may be encoded for by germline genes, which have been conserved through evolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Analysis of autoantibody reactivity and common idiotype PR4 expression of myeloma proteins.

Sera from 75 patients with monoclonal gammopathies and with no clinical evidence of autoimmune disease have been screened for a wide range of autoreactivity including binding to DNA, cardiolipin, extractable nuclear antigen (ENA), rheumatoid factor activity and the presence of the common anti-DNA antibody idiotype PR4. The sera of 17/75 (23%) patients possessed autoreactivity: six were positive for anti-DNA activity, two had anticardiolipin activity and the PR4 ID was found in two sera (both of which possessed anti-DNA activity). Antibodies to ENA were found in one serum (anti-Ro) and anti-organ-specific antibodies in five. Using iso-electric focusing and immunoblotting we have shown that the PR4 ID and DNA binding activity are carried on the paraprotein and not on some other serum constituent. The IgG subclass distribution of 55 IgG paraproteins has also been investigated. The majority of IgG paraproteins belong to IgG1 subclass (55%), with the others, being IgG2 (4%), IgG3 (9%) and IgG4 (27%). In this study we have shown that sera from myeloma patients frequently possess autoreactivity, and that in many cases this can be attributed to the paraprotein.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1988

Relaxation therapies in the treatment of psoriasis and possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Psychologic factors play a role in many dermatologic disorders, giving rise to the possible use of psychotherapeutic modalities in treatment. Regarding psoriasis, emotional factors have a strong correlation with onset and flare-ups. The psychophysiologic mechanisms involved are not known; however, stress and its effect on the autonomic nervous system and the immune system may play a significant role in the onset and course of psoriasis. Relaxation and mere suggestion also affect the autonomic nervous system and the immune system and therefore may affect the course of the skin disorder. A few case studies have documented successful treatment of psoriasis with hypnosis and biofeedback. Further study of this process is needed, and the role of stress in dermatologic diseases must always be given consideration.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1987

Hypertension following renal trauma.

Renovascular hypertension is an unusual complication of renal trauma, occurring in approximately 5% of cases. It occurs predominantly in young males following road traffic accidents (RTA) or blunt abdominal trauma. The interval between injury and development of hypertension varies from two days to 14 years but presentation may be acute with hypertensive encephalopathy. Hypertension developing within a few months of injury may be treated conservatively. Conservative treatment more than one year after injury is associated with an increased risk of persistent hypertension. All cases of renal trauma should be followed with regular blood pressure (BP) recording for at least the first year after injury.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CAMPATH-1H in inflammatory arthritis.

CAMPATH-1H is a humanised mAb directed against lymphocytes. This mAb has been used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical improvement with reduction in the Ritchie index and joint score has lasted for up to 8 months in some patients. A profound and prolonged lymphopaenia is induced by the mAb, with CD4+ numbers remaining suppressed for up to one year.

Animals↗