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Systematic discovery and evaluation of complement inhibitors.

Methods are presented for an orderly search of a chemical file for complement inhibitors. Compounds are initially examined for intrinsic activity against dilute human components in vitro, using hemolytic assays to detect inhibitors of fluid phase C1, of late components lysis of EAC142, and of CVF-induced passive lysis of AET-treated human erythrocytes. Active compounds are then examined for activity against undiluted serum in vitro. Compounds passing this test are examined for activity in vivo against serum complement and complement-dependent lesions, viz. Forssman vasculitis, the reverse passive Arthus phenomenon, and Forssman shock. Methods are given for quantitation of these lesions.

Animals↗

Platelet-associated complement C3 in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Platelet-associated C3 (PA-C3) was measured with a quantitative immunofluorescence assay. With this assay, PA-C3 levels were determined for 78 normal volunteers, 30 patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and 20 patients with nonimmune thrombocytopenias. Platelet-associated IgG (PA-IgG) levels were also measured with our standard quantitative immunofluorescence assay. All patients with nonimmune thrombocytopenias and ITP in remission had normal PA-C3 levels. Twenty-four patients with active ITP were classified into 3 groups: 9 (38%) with increased PA-IgG and normal PA-C3 levels, 10 (42%) with elevated PA-C3 and PA-IgG levels, and 5 (20%) with increased PA-C3 values only. A direct correlation was found between PA-C3 and PA-IgG levels. PA-IgG levels were higher in the group of patients with elevated PA-C3 levels than in those with normal values. Platelet survival studied showed reduced survival times of 1.5--2.5 days for the 5 patients with elevated PA-C3 levels only. Elevated PA-C3 levels returned to normal in 7 ITP patients whose platelet counts increased in response to corticosteroid therapy or to splenectomy. Therefore, PA-C3 and PA-IgG assays can be used to identify patients with ITP, to follow their response to therapy, and to classify them into immunologic subgroups similar to red cell classification by Coombs' testing in immune hemolytic anemia.

Adolescent↗

Insulin stimulates the acute release of adipsin from 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The release of adipsin, a serine proteinase with complement factor D activity, from 3T3-L1 adipocytes was measured by quantitative immunoblotting. This protein is secreted constitutively from 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and there is a 2-fold increase in the amount of adipsin released from cells treated with insulin for 1 to 10 min. Longer exposure to insulin had no further effect on the rate of adipsin release. Adipsin does not appear to be anchored by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol moiety, since adipsin which was been released with Triton X-114 from an intracellular membrane fraction partitions into the aqueous phase. Using a previously described procedure for the isolation of vesicles containing the insulin-responsive intracellular glucose transporters (GT vesicles), we show here that these GT vesicles contain an insulin-responsive pool of adipsin. Thus, insulin stimulates the secretion of a soluble protein, adipsin, as well as translocation to the plasma membrane of integral membrane proteins, including the glucose transporter, the transferrin receptors, and the insulin-like growth factor II receptor.

Adipose Tissue↗

Modification and quantitative analysis of the Münch model in the integrated system of water translocation in plants.

Aiming at making the Münch model more adequate to the biological reality we introduce certain modifications and complements. Considering the model within the framework of so-called integrated system of long-distance water transport in plants we present a quantitative analysis based on the Kedem-Katchalsky formalism. A new mathematical description of the reverse osmosis is also utilized. The work is a starting point for further quantitative studies and simulations of the phloem transport of water and assimilates in plants.

Kinetics↗

Genetic architecture of NaCl tolerance in Arabidopsis.

The little success of breeding approaches toward the improvement of salt tolerance in crop species is thought to be attributable to the quantitative nature of most, if not all the processes implicated. Hence, the identification of some of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that contribute to natural variation in salt tolerance should be instrumental in eventually manipulating the perception of salinity and the corresponding responses. A good choice to reach this goal is the plant model system Arabidopsis, whose complete genome sequence is now available. Aiming to analyze natural variability in salt tolerance, we have compared the ability of 102 wild-type races (named ecotypes or accessions) of Arabidopsis to germinate on 250 mM NaCl, finding a wide range of variation among them. Accessions displaying extremely different responses to NaCl were intercrossed, and the phenotypes found in their F(2) progenies suggested that natural variation in NaCl tolerance during germination was under polygenic controls. Genetic distances calculated on the basis of variations in repeat number at 22 microsatellites, were analyzed in a group of either extremely salt-tolerant or extremely salt-sensitive accessions. We found that most but not all accessions with similar responses to NaCl are phylogenetically related. NaCl tolerance was also studied in 100 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between the Columbia-4 and Landsberg erecta accessions. We detected 11 QTL harboring naturally occurring alleles that contribute to natural variation in NaCl tolerance in Arabidopsis, six at the germination and five at the vegetative growth stages, respectively. At least five of these QTL are likely to represent loci not yet described by their relationship with salt stress.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Immune complexes and complement catabolism in ankylosing spondylitis.

In serum samples from 37 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), immune complexes were quantitated by the 125I-Clq binding test; in paired plasma samples the C3 breakdown product C3d was measured by an immunochemical method. Compared to results in 30 blood donors, the Clq binding activity was significantly (greater than 2 SD), although discretely, increased in 5 of 8 patients with seropositive AS, but not in other AS patients. All C3d levels were within the normal range. In a parallel investigation, increased Clq binding activity and C3d levels were found in 87% and 90%, respectively, of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Enzootic pneumonia of pigs: complement-fixation tests for the detection of mycoplasma antibodies in the serum of immunized rabbits and infected swine.

The direct, the modified direct and the indirect complement-fixation tests were investigated as methods for the detection of antibodies for the enzootic pneumonia mycoplasma and for Mycoplasma hyorhinis in the serum of infected pigs and of immunized rabbits. Only the modified direct complement-fixation test in which the guinea-pig complement is supplemented with fresh, normal unheated calf serum was suitable for the detection of mycoplasma antibodies in sera of infected swine. Based on the close correlation between the production of typical lung lesions in experimentally infected pigs and the appearance of significant serum antibody titres, the modified direct complement-fixation test provides for the first time a sensitive, specific in vitro method for the detection of enzootic pneumonia in the live pig. This test also permitted the in vitro differentiation of the mycoplasma causing enzootic pneumonia from M. hyorhinis which causes polyserositis. Antibodies in the sera of rabbits were demonstrable by the ordinary direct complement-fixation test. However, in contast to the observation made with swine sera, only a slight quantitative antigenic difference between the enzootic pneumonia mycoplasma and M. hyorhinis was seen when the tests were performed with rabbit serum antibodiies.

Animals↗

[Quantitative Coombs' test in autoimmune hemolytic anemia].

The detection of iso- and autoantibodies to red cells and complement on the surface of erythrocytes has been studied in a continuous flow system using a single channel autoanalyzer. A macromolecule, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, is added to the washed cells in order to increase their aggregability. With this system it is possible to establish a direct relationship between the quantity of antibodies present on the surface of the cells and the red cells agglutinated by an antiglobulin serum. By this method it is possible to evaluate the degree of autoantibody coating of erythrocytes in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and to adjust therapy accordingly.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

Altered regulation of Fc gamma RII on aged follicular dendritic cells correlates with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif signaling in B cells and reduced germinal center formation.

Aging is associated with reduced trapping of Ag in the form of in immune complexes (ICs) by follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). We postulated that this defect was due to altered regulation of IC trapping receptors. The level of FDC-M1, complement receptors 1 and 2, FcgammaRII, and FDC-M2 on FDCs was immunohistochemically quantitated in draining lymph nodes of actively immunized mice for 10 days after Ag challenge. Initially, FDC FcgammaRII levels were similar but by day 3 a drastic reduction in FDC-FcgammaRII expression was apparent in old mice. FDC-M2 labeling, reflecting IC trapping, was also reduced and correlated with a dramatic reduction in germinal center (GC) B cells as indicated by reduced GC size and number. Nevertheless, labeling of FDC reticula with FDC-M1 and anti-complement receptors 1 and 2 was preserved, indicating that FDCs were present. FDCs in active GCs normally express high levels of FcRs that are thought to bind Fc portions of Abs in ICs and minimize their binding to FcRs on B cells. Thus, cross-linking of B cell receptor and FcR via IC is minimized, thereby reducing signaling via the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif. Old FDCs taken at day 3, when they lack FcgammaRII, were incapable of preventing immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif signaling in wild-type B cells but old FDCs stimulated B cells from FcgammaRIIB(-/-) mice to produce near normal levels of specific Ab. The present data support the concept that FcR are regulated abnormally on old FDCs. This abnormality correlates with a reduced IC retention and with a reduced capacity of FDCs to present ICs in a way that will activate GC B cells.

Aging↗

Heavy metals as indirect causative factors of capillaropathy.

By applying systemic analysis to a set of random variables, representing blood or urine concentrations of certain enzymes, lipids and metals, three direct causative factors of capillaropathy, in its early stage, i.e. leucine amino peptidase, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin and C(3)-complement, have been found. The interactions between the early stage of capillaropathy and these factors have been quantitatively described and a formula for prognosing the capillaropathy occurrence has been proposed. It has also been shown that the following heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Fe and Ca, through their direct or indirect interactions with C(3)-complement, exert an influence on the occurrence and intensity of capillaropathy. Since direct causative factors of a given pathology can serve as its markers, the completeness of the set of the capillaropathy markers, formed from the causative factors, and their contributions to this pathology have been evaluated. The results were obtained by examining a population of male residents chronically exposed to heavy metals (Pb, Cu) in the environment.

Journal Article↗

Lung injury produced by immune complexes of varying composition.

Immune complexes consisting of rabbit antibody to bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been made up at 1X, 3X, 6X, 8X, and 20X antigen equivalence. The complement fixing activity of these complexes is inversely proportional to the amount of antigen present in the complexes, and, as expected, solubility of the complexes progressively increases with increasing amounts of antigen. The ability of these complexes to induce acute pulmonary injury and inflammatory responses has been quantitatively assessed. Complexes preformed at antigen equivalence are the most damaging to lung, correlating with their complement fixing activity. When the antigen concentration in the complexes is increased 3 to 6 times beyond the point of equivalence, the phlogistic activity of the complexes drops off rapidly, as demonstrated by a sharp decline in the changes in vascular permeability, hemorrhage, and morphologic evidence of inflammation. These studies provide the first evidence that changing the physicochemical parameters of preformed immune complexes by simply altering the ratio of antigen to antibody can dramatically alter the phlogistic properties of immune complexes for pulmonary tissue.

Animals↗

Effects of rearing temperature on immune functions in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka).

To determine if the defences of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) raised in captivity are affected by the rearing temperature or their life-cycle stage, various indices of the humoral and cellular immune functions were measured in fish reared at either 8 or 12 degrees C for their entire life-cycle. Measures of humoral immunity included the commonly used haematological parameters, as well as measurements of complement, and lysozyme activity. Cellular assays quantified the ability of macrophages from the anterior kidney to phagocytise Staphylococcus aureus cells, or the activities of certain bactericidal systems of those cells. The T-dependent antibody response to a recombinant 57 kDa protein of Renibacterium salmoninarum was used to quantify the specific immune response. Fish were sampled during the spring and fall of their second, third and fourth years, corresponding to a period that began just before smolting and ended at sexual maturation. Fish reared at 8 degrees C tended to have a greater percentage of phagocytic kidney macrophages during the first 2 years of sampling than the fish reared at 12 degrees C. During the last half of the study the complement activity of the fish reared at 8 degrees C was greater than that of the 12 degrees C fish. Conversely, a greater proportion of the blood leucocytes were lymphocytes in fish reared at 12 degrees C compared to the fish reared at 8 degrees C. Fish reared at 12 degrees C also produced a greater antibody response than those reared at 8 degrees C. Results suggested that the immune apparatus of sockeye salmon reared at 8 degrees C relied more heavily on the non-specific immune response, while the specific immune response was used to a greater extent when the fish were reared at 12 degrees C. Although a seasonal effect was not detected in any of the indices measured, varying effects were observed in some measurements during sexual maturation of fish in both temperature groups. At that time there were dramatic decreases in complement activity and lymphocyte numbers. This study was unique in its scope because it was the first quantitative assessment of salmon immune functions for an entire life-cycle.

Animals↗

Interactions of chrysotile asbestos fibres with the complement system.

Type A chrysotile fibres (white asbestos) were tested in vitro for activation of the complement system. Fibres were incubated in normal human serum (NHS), factor B-depleted human serum, and normal and C4-deficient guinea-pig sera; the supernates were assayed for the remaining complement activity. Activation of the alternative pathway (AP) was shown in three ways. First, quantitative measurement of factor B; second, kinetic analysis of rabbit red blood cell lysis in whole alternative pathway (AP) and factor B lytic assays; third, qualitative measurement of C3 and factor B conversion by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. No C3 convertase activity could be demonstrated on the fibres but other possible mechanisms of AP activation are discussed. Magnesium itself is not responsible for this activation because acid-treated fibres retain this property. The early classical pathway is not involved as shown by normal whole complement activity of a factor B-depleted human serum and the absence of decrease of C4 functional activity. Knowing that complement proteins are present in pulmonary alveoli, mainly provided by cell synthesis, we suggest that complement activation in vivo may be relevant to the genesis of the chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the lung.

Animals↗

Studies on the polymorphism of C3, Tf and Bg in Down's syndrome and other diseases.

The distribution of phenotypes C3, Ff and Bg was investigated in sera of patients with Down's syndrome, oligophrenia, Wilson's disease and heart infarct. Quantitative determination of the concentration of C3 and C4 components of human complement was also carried out in these patients. The results are compared to healthy controls and are discussed with already reported data from other authors. Despite differences in the percentage distribution of various phenotypes in the patients' sera as compared to that of the controls, no statistically significant association could be established.

Complement C3↗

Combinatorial variation in coding and promoter sequences of genes at the Tri locus in Pisum sativum accounts for variation in trypsin inhibitor activity in seeds.

Cultivars of Pisum sativum that differ with respect to the quantitative expression of trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor proteins in seeds have been examined in terms of the structure of the corresponding genes. The patterns of divergence in the promoter and coding sequences are described, and the divergence among these exploited for the development of facile DNA-based assays to distinguish genotypes. Quantitative effects on gene expression may be attributed to the overall gene complement and to particular promoter/coding sequence combinations, as well as to the existence of distinct active-site variants that ultimately influence protein activity. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00438-002-0667-4.

Genetic Markers↗

Familial hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Two families are described in which seven members of a total of 19 were found to have hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to avian antigens. Diagnosis was made on the basis of characteristic roentgenologic changes together with respiratory function and immunologic studies. The latter included screening for precipitins, macrophage migration inhibition (MMI) to specific antigens in avian serum and droppings, quantitation of immunoglobulin and alpha1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels and assessment of the complement system. Specific precipitins to pigeon and/or budgerigar serum were found in the serum of only four of the seven patients. Six of these seven patients, however, had a positive MMI. Thus, the MMI test, at least in this group of patients appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of active disease. The finding of seven members of two families with disease led to a search for predisposing factors, either genetic or environmental. Evidence for a genetic predisposition came from tissue typing studies. In the first family, both paternal haplotypes were associated with disease; the maternal haplotype HLA3,7 was not inherited by any child with disease. In the second family, the disease developed in three of four members with the haplotype HL-A2,W15, who were significantly exposed to avian antigen. In the light of recent studies showing an association between immune response (Ir) genes, histocompatibility antigens and disease susceptibility, these findings were interpreted as possible evidence for a subtle genetically linked immune defect in hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Evidence for an environmental predisposition was less clear cut, but it is interesting that members of both families used a gamma isomer of hexachlorobenzene (Nickoff) to eradicate mite infestations in their birds which might have damaged the bronchial mucosa or acted as an immunologic adjuvant in a person with underlying susceptibility to disease. The presence of subclinical respiratory disease in two family members is reported, and the importance of performing a range of investigations of respiratory function in order to detect disease and monitor its progress is emphasized.

Adolescent↗

Inhalation challenge and skin testing in farmer's lung.

An immunologic basis for episodes of farmer's lung is shown by the response of susceptible individuals to inhalation challenge with extracts of Micropolyspora faeni, the main sensitizing agent in moldy hay dust. However, if the complement-fixing capacity of the farmer's serum for M. faeni antigen is used as a quantitative assessment of sensitivity, it does not predict whether an individual will respond to inhalation challenge. A positive immediate skin test to M. faeni antigens was observed in all cases with over 40 CH50 consuming units of antibody per milliliter of serum. A similar correlation was seen between complement consumption and precipitins.

Adult↗

Topographic map of the HLA-A2 CREG epitopes using human alloantibody probes.

The topographic architecture of the epitopes expressed on the HLA-A2 glycoprotein using murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) probes indicates at least two sterically distinct domains. Previously, we have demonstrated using human HLA alloantibodies (aAb) that multiple determinants are expressed on each HLA antigen: the highly polymorphic private epitopes and the public determinants that are shared within a family of crossreactive groups (CREG). Our objectives now focus on probing the antigenic structure of the HLA-A2-28-9-B17 CREG using highly specific aAb in conjunction with mAb that have previously been used for structural studies. Both mAb-mediated blockage of complement-dependent cytotoxic aAb and reciprocal antibody (Ab) binding inhibition assays with quantitation by fluorescence flow cytometry have been utilized. We have found that xenogeneic mAb directed against A2-69, A2-B17, and A2-28 crossblock aAb of the same serologic specificity, and vice versa, indicating that the epitopes they respectively recognize are at least in close steric proximity. However, additional HLA-A2, A28, and B17 aAb of private specificity and A2-28-9 aAb of public specificity, for which there are no known mAb counterparts, paint an additional complexity not previously known. We conclude that at least four different alloepitopes can be expressed by each serologically defined HLA antigen. Based on the primary sequence data, we have assigned the location and the amino acid substitutions which most likely account for these discrete epitopes. The unique private determinants are located on the alpha 1 domain together with the interlocus A2-B17 epitope while the public epitopes A2-69, A2-28-9 and A2-28 are located on the alpha 2 domain.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗