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W Gebhart

Publications and source records attributed to W Gebhart.

114 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A shared antigenic determinant between natural killer cells and nervous tissue.

Considerable evidence for shared antigenic determinants between nervous elements and lymphocytes has accumulated. It has also been suggested that this cross-recognition may be involved in the pathogenesis of human neurological diseases such as myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis. We report here evidence that a marker for natural killer (NK) cells, anti-Leu-7 (HNK-1), specifically binds to components of human and rodent central nervous tissue as well as peripheral nervous tissue, especially to myelin sheaths. In contrast, another NK-cell marker (VEP13) did not react with nervous tissue. Since NK-cell function is impaired in a population of multiple sclerosis patients, the observed cross-reactivity indicates that autosensitization against myelin may simultaneously cause a defect of NK-cell function. Furthermore, the shared antigenic determinant may help to identify a hitherto undefined nervous tissue antigen and simultaneously increase the knowledge about the nature of NK-cell antigens.

Animals↗
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Heritable metabolic storage diseases.

During the last decade, examinations of skin biopsies have gained increasing importance in the search for a better understanding and facilitated diagnosis of metabolic storage diseases. In addition to biochemical and tissue culture techniques, light- and electron-microscopic investigations have been recommended in a number of such disorders (1-6). There are, however, a large number of different and inhomogeneous conditions to be identified in this group. At present, approximately 300 diseases can be identified as inborn errors of metabolism by the determination of a biochemically well-established underlying defect. Moreover, a yet undetermined number of pathological conditions is accompanied by the deposition of more or less defined storage materials in cutaneous tissue elements. It appears, therefore, premature to propose a systematic dermatopathology of metabolic storage diseases, and the following contribution should be understood as an attempt to indicate possibilities and chances by quoting some representative examples.

Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover) (author's transl)].

In this report, we wish to demonstrate histological and ultrastructural characteristics of transient acantholytic dermatosis, first described in 1970 by Grover. Papules on the upper part of the body and on the arms and thighs are noted in our two patients. They are small in size (2-4 mm) and encircled by an erythematous border; pruritus and vesicles with serous content are often present. The vesicles are follicular and tend to group. Biological and immunological studies are normal. Histological examination shows acantholysis and intraepidermal vesicles above which is hyperkeratosis with parakeratosis. In the dermis, inflammatory infiltrates are noted. Ultrastructural study reveals rarefaction of desmosomes and widening of intercellular spaces. Fragments of tonofibrils are also noted. Karyolysis is sometimes present. The dermis contains A. Civatte's bodies. It is likely that this recently identified disease is less unfrequent than it appears to be.

Acantholysis↗