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Biomedical subjects

R C Williams

Publications and source records attributed to R C Williams.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Studies of cell subpopulations mediating mitogen hyporesponsiveness in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is associated with a deficit in T-cell immunity characterized by skin test anergy and decreased lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). To investigate this mitogen hyporesponsiveness in HD, we separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients and determined their response to various suboptimal concentrations of PHA. As was expected, patients with HD demonstrated marked mitogen hyporesponsiveness relative to normal controls; however, if the cell suspensions were first passed through glass wool columns to remove adherent cells, the PHA responsiveness of the hyporesponsive HD cells was markedly increased. In contrast, the responsiveness of normal controls was decreased so that the responses of nonadherent normal and HD cells were statistically indistinguishable. Evidently, a glass wool-adherent suppressor cell had been removed from patients with HD, while a glass wool-adherent cell which enhanced mitogenic responses had been removed from normal controls during column passage. Previous to column depletion, patients with HD had decreased proportions of E-rosettes and increased proportions of cells with surface alpha-fetoprotein; however, the proportion of these cells was not changed after column passage. Significant changes with column depletion of glass wool-adherent cells in HD were recorded in the proportions of monocytes (13.2 vs 5.8%) and lymphocytes with C-3 receptors (12.6 vs. 7.8%). The only significant change in normal controls was a decrease in the proportion of monocytes (10 vs. 1.7%). To determine if glass-adherent cells would have a suppressor effect, HD-adherent cells were added in progressively increasing numbers to mononuclear cell suspensions depleted of glass wool-adherent cells. PHA responsiveness returned toward predepletion levels. In summary, patients with HD possess a glass wool-adherent suppressor cell which is responsible at least in part for in vitro mitogen hyporesponsiveness.

Hodgkin Disease↗
PubMed1978

Lymphocytes binding C-reactive protein during acute rheumatic fever.

Lymphocytes binding C-reactive protein (CRP) were studied in 31 patients with acute rheumatic fever and 30 controls who were children. Marked elevations in both proportions and absolute numbers of CRP-binding lymphocytes were recorded in rheumatic fever (P less than 0.001). No clear correlation was noted between plasma CRP as quantitated by radioimmunoassay and proportions or numbers of CRP-binding cells. Double-labeling experiments indicated that 60-80% of CRP-binding lymphocytes also showed Fc receptors reacting with fluorescein-conjugated IgG aggregates. Passage of lymphocytes over Ig--anti-IgG columns, removed cells bearing surface Ig but not CRP-binding lymphocytes. Studies of T-cell subpopulations indicated no overlap between Tmicron- and CRP-binding cells; however about half of Tgamma-cells showed concurrent CRP binding. "Active" T-cell rosetting cells did not bind CRP. A 12-15-h incubation of lymphocytes at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2-air showed persistence of CRP binding in substantial proportions of cells particularly in acute rheumatic fever. CRP-binding lymphocytes may represent a marker for immunologically committed cells in acute rheumatic fever.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Application of the solid phase C1q and Raji cell radioimmune assays for the detection of circulating immune complexes in glomerulonephritis.

The C1q solid phase and Raji cell radioimmune assays were used to determine the frequency of detectable circulating immune complexes in patients with glomerulonephritis. In this study, 46% of 56 patients with glomerulonephritis had evidence of circulating immune complexes. More important, circulating immune complexes were associated with some, but not other, types of glomerulonephritis. Thus, immune complexes were detected in lupus glomerulonephritis (9/9 patients), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (5/6 patients), and acute nephritis (5/6 patients), but not in IgA-IgG glomerulonephritis (0/7 patients), or membranous glomerulonephritis (0/8 patients). The Raji cell radioimmune assay and the C1q solid phase radioimmune assay showed concordance of 79% in the detection of circulating immune complexes. Serial determinations, in general, showed either persistence of a negative or positive result of conversion of positive to negative.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

A population of human cord blood mononuclear cells with surface alpha fetoprotein.

Suspensions of mononuclear cells from adult peripheral blood (PBL) and mononuclear cells from cord blood (CBL) were examined for the presence of surface alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) using a fluoresceinated F(ab')2 fragment of rabbit IgG anti-human AFP. The mean proportion of CBL with AFP was increased (10%) when compared with PBL (1%) although some CBL specimens did not demonstrate such an increase (range 0--15%). The presence of AFP on CBL could be either due to cytophilic AFP attached to a unique surface receptor or intrinsic AFP synthesis. The following observations could not distinguish between these two possibilities: (1) After treatment with trypsin, only minor reappearance of surface AFP could be observed in AFP-free medium in contrast to the larger numbers observed in medium containing AFP. Such selective reappearance depending on the media could be related to either cytophilic attachment of heterologous or homologous AFP or preferential stimulation of intrinsic AFP synthesis. (2) The reappearance of AFP positive CBL following trypsin treatment and incubation in media with or without AFP containing sera was inhibited by cyclohexamide. Such inhibition could be due to inhibition of synthesis of an AFP surface receptor or intrinsic AFP. (3) The shedding of surface AFP observed at 2--4 degrees C could be due to release of exogenous cytophilic AFP or the continued "turnover" of intrinsic AFP without concomitant AFP synthesis due to the cold temperature. Finally, the removal of AFP positive cells via selective depletion of B cells using bead columns coated with IgG-anti-IgG and the absence of depletion of AFP positive cells after successive gradient centrifugation of E-rosettes and cells with IgG-Fc receptors are consistent with the identity of AFP positive CBL as cells without IgG-Fc receptors or lymphocytes without conventional T-cell markers as defined by E-rosettes.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1978

Circulating immune complexes in disseminated gonorrheal infection.

Circulating immune complexes were detected by the Raji-cell radioassay or the C1q solid-phase assay in 13 of 17 patients with disseminated gonococcal infection. In contrast, only three of 20 patients with local gonococcal infection and four of 40 normal persons were positive. The immune complexes were found to be 19S or larger in size, and complement abnormalities suggestive of complement activation showed some correlation with the levels of immune complexes in disseminated gonorrheal infection. These results indicate that in addition to bacterial dissemination, circulating immune complexes may be involved in the pathogenesis of disseminated gonococcal syndrome.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Human lymphocyte subpopulations defined by double surface markers.

Subpopulations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied with single and double surface marker assays. The markers employed were as follows: (1) Fc receptor, using EA, mean 21.4%; (2) C3 receptor, using Zy-C3, mean 14.6%; (3) Slg, using a fluoresceinated F(ab')2 anti-F(ab')2 mean 8.9%; and (4) T lymphocytes forming E-rosette, mean 69.3%. The proportions of lymphocytes with any given surface marker which also have another surface marker were as follows: (1) EA + Slg/EA = 0.14, (2) EA + Zy-C3/EA = 0.22, (3) Slg + Zy-C3/Slg = 0.83, (4) Zy-C3 + E-rosette/E-rosette = 0.02, (5) EA + E-rosette/E-rosette = 0.06, (6) Slg + E-rosette/E-rosette = 0. The relative percentages of cells which were Slg+EA-, EA+Slg-, and EA+Zy-C3- were confirmed by EA rosette depletion via gradient centrifugation. On the basis of these observations, calculations were made of the theoretical numbers of lymphocytes with triple markers (EA+Slg+Zy-C3+ = 3.0%) and lymphocytes with only a single surface marker (EA+ only = 12.5%, Zy-C3+ only = 1.5%, Slg+ only = 1.5%). Finally a schematic representation of the multiple subpopulations of lymphocytes with various surface markers is presented.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1978

Partial reversal of the cellular immune defect in common variable immunodeficiency with indomethacin.

We administered indomethacin (25 mg q.i.d.) to two patients with common variable immunodeficiency and measured the effect on their depressed cellular immune responses. The in vitro response of both patients' lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin increased during indomethacin administration. Both patients were anergic to skin testing before treatment and responded to two of four skin tests during treatment with indomethacin. Thus indomethacin administration in vivo appears to enhance the cellular immune respone, paralleling its previously described effects in vitro.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Separation and characterization of microtubule proteins from calf brain.

Electrophoresis of microtubule preparations purified from calf brain by repeated cycles of assembly and disassembly shows that they contain many proteins in addition to alpha- and beta-tubulin. These additional proteins constitute about 17% of the total material present after five cycles of assembly and disassembly. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional (P.H. O'Farrell (1975), J. Biol. Chem. 250, 4007) electrophoretic techniques have been used to characterize them. They can be divided into two groups: one that contains proteins which remain in constant quantitative ratio to tubulin during the purification cycles, and one composed of proteins which are removed during purification, although inefficiently. Gel-filtration chromatography of cold-depolymerized microtubule preparations yields a polydisperse fraction of high molecular weight containing most of the non-tubulin proteins. This fraction contains flexible filaments about 100 A in diameter similar to those reported by R.A.B. Keats and R.H. Hall ((1975), Nature (London) 247, 418). It is suggested that these fibers are neurofilaments, and that they may be the major source of the group of inefficiently removed proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Prostaglandin-producing suppressor cells in Hodgkin's disease.

We examined the role of a prostaglandin-producing suppressor cell in the hyporesponsiveness to phytohemagglutinin seen in Hodgkin's disease. Addition of indomethacin to phytohemagglutinin cultures of lymphocytes from six patients with Hodgkin's disease resulted in an increase of 182 +/- 60 per cent in 3H-thymidine incorporation versus a 44 +/- 18% increase in 29 controls (mean +/- S.D., P less than 0.001). Without indomethacin the mean response of the lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease was 48% of that of control. With indomethacin it was 94% of the control value. Phytohemagglutinin cultures of Hodgkin-disease lymphocytes produced approximately fourfold more prostaglandin E2 after 48 hours than did normal lymphocytes (P less than 0.02). Removal of glass-adherent cells markedly decreased the enhancement seen with indomethacin; it reduced prostaglandin E2 production by more than 80% and eliminated the differences in response to phytohemagglutinin between Hodgkin-disease and normal lymphocytes. Thus, a glass-adherent, prostaglandin-producing suppressor cell is responsible for the hyporesponsiveness to phytohemagglutinin seen with Hodgkin-disease lymphocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Direct immunochemical detection of prostaglandin-E and cyclic nucleotides in human malignant tumors.

Immunofluorescent localization of prostaglandin-E (PGE), cyclic AMP (CAMP), and cyclic GMP (cGMP) was studied in tumor tissues from 40 patients with a variety of solid tumors. Representative normal tissues served as controls. Rabbit antisera specific for PGE or the cyclic nucleotides were used, and the reactions observed were correlated with the degree and type of lymphocytic reaction at the tumor margins. Strong PGE immunofluorescence was detected in tumor cells in 27 of 42 malignancies; by contrast nine of 13 normal tissues showed weak PGE reactions, cAMP was detected in 30 of the 42 malignancies; cGMP was noted in only seven of the 42 malignant tissues and in none of the normal tissues studied. The most common malignant tumor profile (17/42) was that of positive PGE and cAMP and negative cGMP staining. Tumors showing strong staining with anti-PGE or cAMP demonstrated a distinct trend towards heavier lymphocytic infiltration with a predominance of T cells at their margins, although this association did not reach statistical significance in the present material.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1977

Immunohistochemical localization of prostaglandin E in rheumatoid synovial tissues.

Synovial tissues removed at synovectomy from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) were examined for prostaglandin E (PGE) by immunohistochemical techniques using rabbit antisera specific for PGE. Marked increments of PGE were noted in RA synovia in comparison to OA, with staining concentrated in synovial lining cells, interstitial inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells of blood vessels. A correlation was noted between the degree of synovial lymphocytic infiltrate and the intensity of PGE staining. These studies provide initial cellular localization of PGE in such tissues.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1977

Casein-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis: a parallel between surface binding and chemotaxis.

This study was directed toward demonstrating an interaction between human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and the chemotactic factor,casein. Experiments conducted using fluorescein-labeled casein indicated that PMNs have a membrane receptor for this chemotactic factor. This receptor was specific for casein and was not found on lymphocytes. A direct parallel was shown between the binding of FITC--casein and the PMN chemotactic response to this protein. Binding to the receptor was optimal at 25 degrees C, unaffected by sodium azide, and partially reduced by iodoacetate. Enzymatic treatment of PMNs with pronase and trypsin resulted in a loss of both FITC--casein-mediated PMN fluorescence and chemotaxis. Our data indicate that human PMNs have a membrane receptor for casein and that interaction with this receptor results in a chemotactic response.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1977

Benign monoclonal gammaglobulinemia and glomerulonephritis.

Serum protein electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal gammopathy in three patients who presented with glomerulonephritis. Other features of myeloma were not found. Clinical manifestations of glomerulonephritis included marked proteinuria and significant hematuria. Rate of progression of renal failure was variable. Morphologically, glomerulonephritis was characterized by diffuse proliferative lesion with predominant mesangial involvement. Immunoglobulins and complement were found deposited in the mesangium. Immunoglobulins deposited in the glomeruli were found to consist exclusively of the circulating monoclonal IgG in one patient. Immunoglobulins eluted from the glomeruli of another patient consisted of immunoglobulin (IgM) which had electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the monoclonal spike in the serum. Selective deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the glomeruli indicated that an active process was involved in their glomerular localization and that the monoclonal immunoglobulins may have had a role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis in these patients.

Adult↗