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Cytochrome P-455-nm complex formation in the metabolism of phenylalkylamines. VI. Structure--activity relationships in metabolic intermediary complex formation with a series of alpha-substituted 2-phenylethylamines and corresponding N-hydroxylamines.

The formation of cytochrome P-450 metabolic intermediary (MI) complexes from a homologous series of alpha-substituted 2-phenylethylamines and corresponding N-hydroxylamines was investigated during NADPH-dependent metabolism in liver microsomes from phenobarbital-pretreated rats. The alpha-alkyl substituent consisted of branched and unbranched alkyl chains ranging from 0-4 carbons and the benzyl group. All the compounds but 2-phenylethylamine generated the complex and double-reciprocal plots of the highest observed rate of complex formation vs. substrate concentration gave linear relations over a defined substrate range. The Vmax(obs) values for complex formation by the amines increased markedly with increasing size of the alkyl group and a good correlation was obtained between log Vmax(obs) and the logarithm of the octanol/buffer partition coefficient of the substrates. With the N-hydroxy compounds, complex formation was a much less selective phenomenon and without exception the rates were quite high with Vmax(obs) values as much as 100 times greater than those of the amines. The disappearance of substrate amines was independent of structure and at an initial substrate concentration of 100 microM about a 50% decrease was noted during a 20-min period in all cases. The results substantiate the previous notion that N-oxidation is a prerequisite for MI-complex formation from primary amines. The results also suggest that C- and N-oxidation have different rate-limiting steps and the microsomal enzymes catalyzing the N-oxidation seem to be deeply submerged in the lipid matrix, as amines with a low distribution are inactive or poor substrates for generating the cytochrome P-450 ligand. Also, it is evident that the MI complex formation does not impair the overall metabolism of the amines.

Animals↗

Antigen-specific deletion of cloned T cells using peptide-toxin conjugate complexed with purified class II major histocompatibility complex antigen.

In a previous report, we showed that cloned T cells incubated with soluble, cognate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II-peptide complex internalized the peptide moiety of the complex. Here, we report antigen-specific deletion of cloned T cells by treatment with soluble, cognate MHC II-(peptide-toxin) complexes. Toxin (doxorubicin or mycophenolic acid) was attached to synthetic AcMBP(1-14)Ala4 peptide, an analog of the natural acetylated NH2-terminal segment, AcMBP(1-14), of rat myelin basic protein (MBP). IAk-restricted, AcMBP(1-14)-Specific AJ1.2 and 4R3.9 cloned murine T cells were killed by IAk-(AcMBP(1-14)Ala4-toxin). No killing resulted from incubating AJ1.2 and 4R3.9 cells with irrelevant MHC II-(peptide-toxin) or treating IEk-restricted, pigeon cytochrome c-specific A.E7 cloned murine T cells with IAk-(AcMBP(1-14)Ala4-toxin). T cell receptor-mediated T cell uptake of the peptide-toxin moiety of relevant complex was blocked by anti-T cell receptor-alpha/beta antibody and by excess toxin-free complex. LD50 determinations revealed that cognate MHC II-(peptide-toxin) killed T cells much more effectively than did peptide-toxin conjugate alone. Finally, T cell uptake of peptide-toxin and intracellular release of toxin occurred after incubation with relevant MHC II-(peptide-toxin) containing radiolabeled toxin. These findings, which provide the first evidence that cloned T cells can be deleted with soluble, cognate MHC II-(peptide-toxin) complexes, may have significant clinical relevance for antigen-specific therapy of autoimmune or other T cell-mediated diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neutrophil cathepsin G modulates the platelet surface expression of the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex by proteolysis of the von Willebrand factor binding site on GPIb alpha and by a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution of the remainder of the complex.

The effects of neutrophil cathepsin G on the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex of washed platelets were examined. Cathepsin G resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in the platelet surface GPIb-IX complex, as determined by flow cytometry, binding of exogenous von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the presence of ristocetin, and ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination. Cathepsin G resulted in proteolysis of the vWF binding site on GPIb alpha (defined by monoclonal antibody [MoAb] 6D1), as determined by increased supernatant glycocalicin fragment (a proteolytic product of GPIb alpha); decreased total platelet content of GPIb; and lack of effect of either cytochalasin B (an inhibitor of actin polymerization), prostaglandin I2 (an inhibitor of platelet activation), or prior fixation of the platelets. However, cathepsin G resulted in minimal decreases in the binding to fixed platelets of MoAbs TM60 (directed against the thrombin binding site on GPIb alpha) and WM23 (directed against the macroglycopeptide portion of GPIb alpha). In contrast to its proteolytic effect on GPIb alpha, the cathepsin G-induced decrease in platelet surface GPIX and the remnant of the GPIb-IX complex (defined by MoAbs FMC25 and AK1) was via a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution, as determined by lack of change in the total platelet content of GPIX and the GPIb-IX complex; complete inhibition by cytochalasin B, prostaglandin I2, and prior fixation of platelets. Experiments with Serratia protease-treated and Bernard-Soulier platelets showed that neither platelet surface GPIb nor cathepsin G-induced proteolysis of GPIb were required for the cathepsin G-induced redistribution of the remnant of the GPIb-IX complex or the cathepsin G-induced increase in platelet surface P-selectin. In summary, neutrophil cathepsin G modulates the platelet surface expression of the GPIb-IX complex both by proteolysis of the vWF binding site on GPIb alpha and by a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution of the remainder of the complex. Prior studies show that, although thrombospondin 1, antiserine proteases, and plasma are all inhibitors of cathepsin G, the effects of cathepsin G on platelets, including an increase in surface GPIIb-IIIa, occur during close contact between neutrophils and platelets in a protective microenvironment (eg, thrombosis and local inflammation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Actins↗

Hemoglobin-spectrin complexes: interference with spectrin tetramer assembly as a mechanism for compartmentalization of band 1 and band 2 complexes.

The irreducible complexation of hemoglobin with spectrin is a natural phenomenon of red blood cell aging, positively correlating with increasing cell density and decreasing cell deformability. The current study begins to address the role of these complexes in the disruption of membrane skeletal physiology and structure. The effect of bound hemoglobin on spectrin dimer self-association was investigated in vitro. The extent of conversion of isolated spectrin dimers to tetramers was evaluated as a function of peroxide-induced globin complexation before the conversion incubations. The incremental accumulation of tetramer was observed to decrease with increasing peroxide concentration used in the globin complexation step. The role of oxidized heme in this process was made apparent by the inability of carboxyhemoglobin to inhibit tetramer accumulation. A Western blot analysis of naturally formed globin-spectrin conjugates demonstrated irreducible complexes of globin with both bands 1 and 2. The complexes are tentatively designated "h1" and "h2". This analysis also demonstrated that h1 is completely extractable from cell ghosts, whereas h2 is only 50% extractable. These findings are incorporated into a hypothesis linking globin-spectrin complexation and the consequent inhibition of spectrin dimer self-association to the clustered band 3 senescence antigen (Low et al, Science 227:531, 1985).

Carboxyhemoglobin↗

Crystal structures of the binary Ca2+ and pdTp complexes and the ternary complex of the Asp21-->Glu mutant of staphylococcal nuclease. Implications for catalysis and ligand binding.

The crystal structure of the Asp21-->Glu mutant (D21E) of staphylococcal nuclease (SNase) has been determined in three different complex forms. The structure of the D21E ternary complex in which D21E is bound to both Ca2+ and the transition-state analogue, thymidine 3',5'-diphosphate (pdTp), was determined to 1.95-A resolution. The structures of both binary complexes, D21E bound either to Ca2+ or pdTp, were determined to 2.15- and 2.05-A resolution, respectively. In the ternary structure, we find a 1.5-A movement of the Ca2+ in the active site, evidence of bidentate coordination of Ca2+ by Glu21 and inner-sphere coordination of the Ca2+ by Glu43. Comparison of the D21E binary structures with the ternary model shows large movements of active site side chains expected to play a direct role in catalysis. Glu43 moves in the binary nucleotide complex, whereas Arg35 is oriented differently in the binary metal complex. From these changes, we seek to explain the basis for the 1500-fold decrease in Vmax of D21E relative to wild-type SNase (WT). Furthermore, we describe direct structural evidence which explains the cooperativity of Ca2+ and pdTp binding in the ternary complex relative to that of the binary complexes.

Binding Sites↗

hsp70-protein complexes. Complex stability and conformation of bound substrate protein.

The presence of bound substrate protein increases the thermostability of hsp70 molecular chaperones (heat shock proteins of molecular mass 70 kDa). Complexes between hsp70 and unfolded substrate proteins were isolated by size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. The isolated complexes were observed to dissociate at a significant rate even in the absence of ATP. The presence of ADP caused a substantial increase in the stability of the complex. Both ADP and inorganic phosphate were found to inhibit the ATP-induced dissociation of complex. ADP was also observed to increase both the rate of complex formation and its stability as a function of temperature, suggesting an important regulatory role for nucleotides during heat shock. Circular dichroism and fluorescence studies of the complex between DnaK and a thermally unstable mutant of staphylococcal nuclease indicate that the bound substrate protein is significantly unfolded. A model for hsp70 cycle of complex formation and dissociation, which accounts for the regulatory role of nucleotides, is proposed.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Inclusion complexes of nifedipine and other 1.4-dihydropyridine derivatives with cyclodextrins. IV. The UV study on photochemical stability of the inclusion complexes of nisoldipine, nimodipine, nitrendipine and nicardipine with beta-cyclodextrin in the solution.

The results of measurements of photochemical stability of the inclusion complexes formed by nimodipine (NM), nisoldipine (NS), nitrendipine (NR) and nicardipine (NC) with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) are reported. The inclusion complexes were obtained in solution. The formation of inclusion complexes in the liquid phase was estimated from a phase solubility diagram. The analysis of solubility curves in the phase diagram permitted calculation of stability constants of the inclusion complexes formed. Photochemical stability of 1.4-dihydropyridine derivatives obeyed the 1 order kinetic equation. The photodegradation of NM, NR and NC was found to be a single stage reaction. The photodegradation of NS occurred in two stages. In the inclusion complexes the photosensitivity of all studied DHP derivatives decreases. The complexation with beta-CD improved their photostability by 5-10 times. The greatest decrease in the photodegradation rate was observed for the most photosensitive compound NS whose photostability increased 100 times when in inclusion complex with beta-CD.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Electron-transfer complexes of Ascaris suum muscle mitochondria. II. Succinate-coenzyme Q reductase (complex II) associated with substrate-reducible cytochrome b-558.

A succinate-coenzyme Q reductase (complex II) was isolated in highly purified form from Ascaris muscle mitochondria by detergent solubilization, ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column. The enzyme preparation catalyzes electron transfer from succinate to coenzyme Q1 with a specific activity of 1.2 mumol coenzyme Q1 reduced per min per mg protein at 25 degrees C. The isolated complex II is essentially free of NADH-ferricyanide reductase, reduced CoQ2-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome c oxidase and consists of four major polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 66 000, 27 000, 12 000 and 11 000 and two minor ones with Mr of 36 000 and 16 000. The complex II contained cytochrome b-558, a major constituent cytochrome of Ascaris mitochondria, at a concentration of 3.6 nmol per mg protein, but neither other cytochromes nor quinone. The cytochrome b-558 in the complex II was reduced with succinate. In the presence of Ascaris NADH-cytochrome c reductase (complex I-III) (Takamiya, S., Furushima, R. and Oya, H. (1984) Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 13, 121-134), the cytochrome b-558 in complex II was also reduced with NADH and reoxidized with fumarate. These results suggest the cytochrome b-558 to function as an electron carrier between NADH dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase in the Ascaris NADH-fumarate reductase system.

Animals↗

Proteolytic activity against the light-harvesting complex and the D1/D2 core proteins of Photosystem II in close association to the light-harvesting complex II trimer.

Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) prepared from isolated thylakoids of either broken or intact chloroplasts by three independent methods, exhibits proteolytic activity against LHCII. This activity is readily detectable upon incubation of these preparations at 37 degrees C (without addition of any chemicals or prior pre-treatment), and can be monitored either by the LHCII immunostain reduction on Western blots or by the Coomassie blue stain reduction in substrate-containing "activity gels". Upon SDS-sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation of SDS-solubilized thylakoids, a method which succeeds in the separation of the pigment-protein complexes in their trimeric and monomeric forms, the protease activity copurifies with the LHCII trimer, its monomer exhibiting no activity. This LHCII trimer, apart from being "self-digested", also degrades the Photosystem II (PSII) core proteins (D1, D2) when added to an isolated PSII core protein preparation containing the D1/D2 heterodimer. Under our experimental conditions, 50% of LHCII or the D1, D2 proteins are degraded by the LHCII-protease complex within 30 min at 37 degrees C and specific degradation products are observed. The protease is light-inducible during chloroplast biogenesis, stable in low concentrations of SDS, activated by Mg(2+), and inhibited by Zn(2+), Cd(2+), EDTA and p-hydroxy-mercury benzoate (pOHMB), suggesting that it may belong to the cysteine family of proteases. Upon electrophoresis of the LHCII trimer on substrate-containing "activity gels" or normal Laemmli gels, the protease is released from the complex and runs in the upper part of the gel, above the LHCII trimer. A polypeptide of 140 kDa that exhibits proteolytic activity against LHCII, D1 and D2 has been identified as the protease. We believe that this membrane-bound protease is closely associated to the LHCII complex in vivo, as an LHCII-protease complex, its function being the regulation of the PSII unit assembly and/or adaptation.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Structural characterization of a complex of photosystem I and light-harvesting complex II of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Chloroplasts are central to the provision of energy for green plants. Their photosynthetic membrane consists of two major complexes converting sunlight: photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). The energy flow toward both photosystems is regulated by light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), which after phosphorylation can move from PSII to PSI in the so-called state 1 to state 2 transition and can move back to PSII after dephosphorylation. To investigate the changes of PSI and PSII during state transitions, we studied the structures and frequencies of all major membrane complexes from Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts at conditions favoring either state 1 or state 2. We solubilized thylakoid membranes with digitonin and analyzed the complete set of complexes immediately after solubilization by electron microscopy and image analysis. Classification indicated the presence of a PSI-LHCII supercomplex consisting of one PSI-LHCI complex and one LHCII trimer, which was more abundant in state 2 conditions. The presence of LHCII was confirmed by excitation spectra of the PSI emission of membranes in state 1 or state 2. The PSI-LHCII complex could be averaged with a resolution of 16 A, showing that LHCII has a specific binding site at the PSI-A, -H, -L, and -K subunits.

Arabidopsis↗

The reaction center-LH1 antenna complex of Rhodobacter sphaeroides contains one PufX molecule which is involved in dimerization of this complex.

The PufX membrane protein is essential for photosynthetic growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides wild-type cells. PufX is associated with the reaction center-light harvesting 1 (RC-LH1) core complex and plays a key role in lateral ubiquinone/ubiquinol transfer. We have determined the PufX/RC stoichiometry by quantitative Western blot analysis and RC photobleaching. Independent of copy number effects and growth conditions, one PufX molecule per RC was observed in native membranes as well as in detergent-solubilized RC-LH1 complexes which had been purified over sucrose gradients. Surprisingly, two gradient bands with significantly different sedimentation coefficients were found to have a similar subunit composition, as judged by absorption spectroscopy and protein gel electrophoresis. Gel filtration chromatography and electron microscopy revealed that these membrane complexes represent a monomeric and a dimeric form of the RC-LH1 complex. Since PufX is strictly required for the isolation of dimeric core complexes, we suggest that PufX has a central structural role in forming dimeric RC-LH1 complexes, thus allowing efficient ubiquinone/ubiquinol exchange through the LH1 ring surrounding the RC.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Near-IR absorption and fluorescence spectra and AFM observation of the light-harvesting 1 complex on a mica substrate refolded from the subunit light-harvesting 1 complexes of photosynthetic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum.

The subunit light-harvesting 1 (LH 1) complexes isolated from photosynthetic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum using n-octyl-beta-glucoside were reassociated and adsorbed on a mica substrate using spin-coat methods with the aim of using this LH complex in a nanodevice. The near-IR absorption and fluorescence spectra of the LH 1 complexes indicated that the LH 1 complex on the mica was stable, and efficient energy transfer from a carotenoid to a bacteriochlorophyll a was observed. Atomic force microscopy of the reassociated LH 1 complexes, under air, showed the expected ringlike structure. The outer and inner diameters of the ringlike structure of the LH 1 complex were approximately 30 and 8 nm, respectively, and the ringlike structure protruded by 0.2-0.6 nm.

Aluminum Silicates↗

Some C. elegans class B synthetic multivulva proteins encode a conserved LIN-35 Rb-containing complex distinct from a NuRD-like complex.

The Caenorhabditis elegans synthetic multivulva (synMuv) genes act redundantly to antagonize the specification of vulval cell fates, which are promoted by an RTK/Ras pathway. At least 26 synMuv genes have been genetically identified, several of which encode proteins with homologs that act in chromatin remodeling or transcriptional repression. Here we report the molecular characterization of two synMuv genes, lin-37 and lin-54. We show that lin-37 and lin-54 encode proteins in a complex with at least seven synMuv proteins, including LIN-35, the only C. elegans homolog of the mammalian tumor suppressor Rb. Biochemical analyses of mutants suggest that LIN-9, LIN-53, and LIN-54 are required for the stable formation of this complex. This complex is distinct from a second complex of synMuv proteins with a composition similar to that of the mammalian Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase complex. The class B synMuv complex we identified is evolutionarily conserved and likely functions in transcriptional repression and developmental regulation.

Animals↗

Three-dimensional structure of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Synechococcus elongatus photosystem II complexes allows for comparison of their oxygen-evolving complex organization.

Electron microscopy and single-particle analyses have been carried out on negatively stained photosystem II (PSII) complexes isolated from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. The analyses have yielded three-dimensional structures at 30-A resolution. Biochemical analysis of the C. reinhardtii particle suggested it to be very similar to the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII).PSII supercomplex of spinach, a conclusion borne out by its three-dimensional structure. Not only was the C. reinhardtii LHCII.PSII supercomplex dimeric and of comparable size and shape to that of spinach, but the structural features for the extrinsic OEC subunits bound to the lumenal surface were also similar thus allowing identification of the PsbO, PsbP, and PsbQ OEC proteins. The particle isolated from S. elongatus was also dimeric and retained its OEC proteins, PsbO, PsbU, and PsbV (cytochrome c(550)), which were again visualized as protrusions on the lumenal surface of the complex. The overall size and shape of the cyanobacterial particle was similar to that of a PSII dimeric core complex isolated from spinach for which higher resolution structural data are known from electron crystallography. By building the higher resolution structural model into the projection maps it has been possible to relate the positioning of the OEC proteins of C. reinhardtii and S. elongatus with the underlying transmembrane helices of other major intrinsic subunits of the core complex, D1, D2, CP47, and CP43 proteins. It is concluded that the PsbO protein is located over the CP47 and D2 side of the reaction center core complex, whereas the PsbP/PsbQ and PsbV/PsbU are positioned over the lumenal surface of the N-terminal region of the D1 protein. However, the mass attributed to PsbV/PsbU seems to bridge across to the PsbO, whereas the PsbP/PsbQ proteins protrude out more from the lumenal surface. Nevertheless, within the resolution and quality of the data, the relative positions of the center of masses for OEC proteins of C. reinhardtii and S. elongatus are similar and consistent with those determined previously for the OEC proteins of spinach.

Animals↗

Complement activation is associated with the presence of specific human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-anti-HIV immune complexes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex or lymphoadenopathy syndrome.

The complement system was examined in a group of eight patients (six with lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS); two with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC], who were found to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, for the presence of specific HIV-anti-HIV complexes. A significant impairment of the classical and/or alternative pathway was found associated with the presence of cleavage fragments of C3 and/or B and a significant reduction in the complement factors studied. Ultracentrifugation fractions of serum samples obtained from one of the patients were assessed for the detection of specific HIV-anti-HIV (GP41-anti-GP41) complexes and were incubated with normal human serum to determine their complement activation capacity. A clear complement activation was found with the fraction in which a clear peak of HIV-anti-HIV (GP41-anti-GP41) immune complexes was present. The results demonstrate that specific immune complexes and complement activation are sometimes concomitantly present in patients with AIDS-related disease and that specific immune complexes may be one of the causal factors of the pathogenesis of complement activation in these patients. Possible consequences for the severe immune regulation with relevance to the dramatic failure in treating the virus effectively are discussed.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Dual regulation of the anaphase promoting complex in human cells by cyclin A-Cdk2 and cyclin A-Cdk1 complexes.

In mammalian somatic cells, the Anaphase Promoting Complex (APC) is inactivated during S phase by active cyclin A-Cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) 2 complexes promoting accumulation of mitotic regulators, such as cyclin B and Polo like kinase 1 (Plk1). However, mitotic entry does not appear to be perturbed in some human cancer cells or in normal mouse cells following Cdk2 RNA interference (i) or deletion of the Cdk2 gene. These results suggest functional complementation of APC regulation by a compensatory kinase. Using Plk1 protein level as readout of APC activity, we show that APC is inactivated during S phase in human cells by both cyclin A-Cdk2 and cyclin A-Cdk1 complexes. Expression of a dominant negative mutant of Cdk2 or Cdk2 RNAi in early S phase destabilizes Plk1 as it begins to accumulate. However, this effect wanes in late S phase, where destabilization of Plk1 also requires Cdk1 RNAi. Although Cdk2 is the dominant partner of cyclin A in these settings, cyclin A also binds Cdk1. Both complexes bind the APC targeting factor Cdh1, but Cdk1 complexes are inactive in early S phase, accounting for the stronger regulation of APC function by Cdk2. These results provide further evidence that cyclin A-Cdk2 and -Cdk1 complexes display overlapping and partially redundant roles in preparing cells for mitosis, through regulation of the APC.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

Isolation and reconstitution of the iron-sulfur protein in ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase complex. Phospholipids are essential for the integration of the iron-sulfur protein in the complex.

An iron-sulfur protein has been purified from beef heart ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (Complex III) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain by phenyl-Sepharose column chromatography and Sephacryl S-200 gel chromatography. Depletion of most of the endogenous phospholipids in the complex was a prerequisite to the dissociation of the protein from the complex in the former chromatography. The iron-sulfur protein was nearly homogeneous as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and contained 76 ng atoms of nonheme iron and 66 nmol of acid-labile sulfide/mg of protein. When this preparation was incubated with an iron-sulfur protein-depleted complex in the presence of soybean phospholipids, the enzymic activity was restored up to 90% of that of the parent Complex III, whereas the recovery of the activity was marginal in the absence of the phospholipids. Thus it is clear that the iron-sulfur protein is integrated into the complex with the aid of phospholipids.

Animals↗

Cerebrospinal fluid immune complexes in patients exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi: detection of Borrelia-specific and -nonspecific complexes.

We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 32 patients with neurological symptoms and evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection (29 were seropositive as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 2 were cell-mediated immune positive, and 1 had been seropositive as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 9 months previously). CSF immune complexes were found in 22 (69%) of 32 patients; in 18, there was sufficient sample to isolate immune complexes. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, isolated immune complexes from 10 of these 18 patients contained antibody specific for B. burgdorferi antigens. The isotypes were IgG (n = 8), IgM (n = 3), and IgA (n = 2). By immunoblot, these antibodies were directed against B. burgdorferi 41-kDa antigen and occasionally against the 33- and 17-kDa antigens. Anti-B. burgdorferi IgM was present in patients with acute neurological symptoms, was predominantly complexed rather than free, and decreased with clinical recovery in the one serial study. Three patients were nonreactive for free CSF antibodies, but had complexed antibodies to the organism. The preliminary finding of specific B. burgdorferi components in immune complexes in CSF suggests an active process triggered by the organism, even in the absence of other CSF abnormalities.

Adolescent↗