Binding of activated properdin to untreated erythrocytes: a new function of activated properdin

Activated human properdin was found to be capable of binding to rabbit and sheep erythrocytes to form new intermediate cells of the alternative pathway of the complement system. The intermediate cells, termed EP, can react with B, D and C3 to form other intermediate cells, tentatively termed EPB(D)C3, which can be lysed by the subsequent action of six late-acting complement components, C3 to C9. The possibility of participation of C3, B, D or immunoglobulin in the formation of EP cells was neglected by the experiments in which the inhibition of the reactivities of P or EP by antisera to P, C3, B, D or immunoglobulins were investigated. The reduction in reactivities of P to E, or of EP to B, D and C3 was observed only when pretreated with antiserum to P. Furthermore, EP cells were agglutinated only by anti-P, not by antisera to C3 or IgG. The other possibility of participation of the classical complement components such as antibody, C1, C4 and C2 in the formation of EPB(D)C3 was excluded by the non-reactivities of EP with C4 and C2 and of EAC1 with B, D and C3. Thus, activated properdin is likely to function not only as modulator of preformed enzyme such as C3bBb but also as one of early-acting components of the alternative pathway.

Comparative studies on immunochemical properties of female-specific serum protein and egg yolk proteins in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

1. Female-specific serum protein (FS) and egg yolk proteins of mature female rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were studied comparatively with reference to their immunological and some physicochemical properties. 2. FS was considered to be composed of two egg proteins, E1 and E2, which were isolated from the egg yolk by gel filtration. 3. The molecular weights of FS, E1 and E2 were estimated by gel filtration to be approx 600,000, 300,000 and 35,000, respectively. 4. The analysis with sodium dodecyl sulphate electrophoresis indicated that E1 consisted of two subunits with molecular weights of 90,000 and 15,000, and E2 was estimated to be a dimer of a molecule of 15,000. 5. Male and immature female trout were injected with estradiol-17 beta, and the production of proteins with the same antigenicity with FS was demonstrated.

Experimental yolk-sac tumors produced by fetectomy without virus infection in rats

Pregnant WKA rats were laparotomized on the 12th day of gestation, and all fetuses were removed from the uteri, leaving the fetal membranes attached to placentas in situ, protruding into the peritoneal cavity. After 5 to 6 months, extrauterine tumors were observed in 80% of the operated rats, and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were detected in 80% of the tumor-bearing rats. The tumors in AFP-positive rats always contained yolk-sac tumor elements. In transplantable tumor lines established in the ascites form, numerous free-floating embryoid bodies were observed. The experiments demonstrate that yolk-sac tumors (endodermal sinus tumors) can be induced by simple fetectomy without infection by exogenous tumor virus.

Synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein and some other serum proteins in testicular tumors

Serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein were determined in 33 patients with testicular germ cell tumors and were normal in 11 patients with seminoma and in one patient with matured teratoma; high levels were observed in 19 of 21 patients with embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, or a mixed type of these germ cell tumors. Tissues from the testicular germ cell tumors were cultivated with 14C-labeled leucine. After incubation, the culture media were subjected to immunoelectrophoretic and autoradiographic analyses. The results were: (i) Radioactive alpha-fetoprotein, albumin, transferrin, and alpha1-globulin appeared in the culture media of embryonal carcinomas obtained from two infants. (ii) Radioactive albumin and alpha1-globulin appeared in the culture media of a mixed type tumor metastasized from testis to retroperitoneal region. (iii) No such radioactive proteins appeared in the culture media of primary seminomas.

A collaborative clinical study of carcinoembryonic antigen in Japan

A radioimmunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen with utilization of the so-called sandwich method was established and used for clinical investigation. A collaborative study was made through the cooperation of 34 institutions in Japan, and serum samples from about 400 normal adults, 500 patients with benign diseases, and 1500 cancer patients were assayed. About 90% of the normal adults showed carcinoembryonic antigen levels of under 2.5 ng/ml. The benign disease group showed somewhat higher levels than did the normal group, and the cancer group had levels significantly higher than those of the benign group. The levels were strikingly high in cases of advanced cancer with metastases. The specificity of carcinoembryonic antigen and its antiserum is discussed.

Studies on Epstein-Barr virus-related antigens. II. Biochemical properties of soluble antigen in Raji Burkitt lymphoma cells

Biochemical properties of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related soluble antigen in non-producer Raji Burkitt lymphoblastoid cells, assayed by the indirect single radial immunodiffusion (ISRD) test, were investigated. The soluble ISRD antigen retained activity even after exposure to a temperature of 80 degrees C. The antigen was precipitated in 40% saturated ammonium sulfate and ISRD activity was recovered from the precipitate when reconstituted into a solution. Isoelectric focusing and crossed immunoelectrophoretic analyses revealed that the esoelectric point of the ISRD antigen is pH 4.8 with an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of serum alpha-globulin. With Sephadex G-200 or Sepharose 6B gel filtration, ISRD activity was obtained as a single peak which corresponded to the activity absorbing anti-complement immunofluorescence. The molecular weight of the present EBV-related soluble antigen was estimated to be 220,000-2408000 daltons.

Influence of immunosuppressants on the establishment of Paragonimus miyazakii in albino rats

The present investigation has shown that combined treatment with dexamethasone and prednisolone of with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone enhances the susceptibility of albino rats to Paragonimus miyazakii, presumably by suppressing the host's immune responses. In the rats given these combined treatments, the size and egg production of worms were markedly increased. Use of dexamethasone or prednisolone alone had relatively little influence on the growth and maturity of P. miyazakii. In serological analysis and agar double diffusion, considerable differences were recognized between the gamma-globulin fractions and antigen-antibody systems (precipitin bands) of the treated groups and the untreated group. The mechanism of action of these immunosuppressants in this system remains obscure.

[Effects of signal-shock contingency probability on gastric lesions in rats as a function of shock region (author's transl]

Effects of signal-shock contingency probability on stress pathology were studied with 2 regions of electric shock and with (a) only sound signal presentations (NS), (b) unrelated presentations of the signal and tail shock (TS) or foot shock (FS) (NPS), (c) signal presentations all of which were paired with the TS or FS (100 PS), or (d) signal presentations, 50% of which were paired with a TS or FS (50 PS). Rats in NPS and 50 PS groups with TS showed more stress-induced pathology than animals in the 100 PS groups with TS. However, the 100 PS group with FS resulted in greater gastric lesions than NPS, 50 PS, or NS group. The interaction between shock region and signal-shock contingency probability plays an important role.

Alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in tissue culture of human testicular tumors and an examination of experimental yolk sac tumors in the rat

The slices of testicular tumors isolated from patients with high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were cultivated in vitro, and the synthesis of some serum proteins, including AFP, was demonstrated. The tumors were produced from yolk sac in rats by fetectomy. The tumors consisted of the various histological structures, such as of teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and very immature tumor. The tumors with yolk sac histology were able to produce AFP. The tumors induced in rats were transplantable, but the well-differentiated histology disappeared after transplantation. The capacity of AFP synthesis in transplanted tumors seemed to be maintained for generations in female rats but not in male rats.

Studies on Epstein-Barr virus-related antigens. I. Indirect single radial immunodiffusion as a useful method for detection and assay of soluble antigen

A useful method for the detection and assay of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related soluble antigen has been developed by the application of the indirect single radial immunodiffusion technique which is frequently used for quantitative measurements of immunoglobulins and other soluble proteins. When the extracts of EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA)-positive non-producer cells (Raji and NC-37) were applied to agar plates containing seropositive human serum, followed by overlay with anti-human IgG serum, ring-shaped precipitates with high specificity were clearly evident. The size of such precipitin rings was proportional to the amount of the antigen. This method is simple and applicable for a quantitative assay of a particular EBV-related soluble antigen and antibody and the sensitivity is equivalent to that seen with the complement fixation test.

Host-parasite relationships between Paragonimus ohirai and various crabs. I. Morphology of the metacercariae parasitic in Sesarma (Holometopus) dehaani and S. (H.) haematocheir

According to Miyazaki (1974), 25 species belonging to the genus Paragonimus have been found in the world. In Japan, five species of the lung flukes, viz., P. westermani, P. ohirai, P. iloktsuenensis, P. miyazakii and P. sadoensis have been known up to date. P. ohirai metacercariae are found in the liver, and in the body and leg muscles of the brackish water crabs, Sesarma (Holometopus) dehaani, S. (H.) haematocheir, S. (Sesarma) intermedium, Helice tridens tridens and Chasmagnathus convexus.

A simple method for isolation of human properdin by affinity chromatography

Human properdin was prepared from the zymosan eluate or euglobulin fraction of serum by immunoadsorbent column chromatography. An immunoadsorbent column containing antibody to human serum was employed to remove serum proteins other than properdin from zymosan eluates. Immunoadsorbent with antibody to properdin was used for direct isolation of properdin from the euglobulin fraction. Properdin isolated by these methods showed satisfactory purity with high activity. No immunochemical differences between the two types of preparation were found.

Alpha-fetoprotein and albumin produced by subclonal cell population of the ascites hepatoma AH-66 in vitro

Subclonal cell populations were prepared from a clonal line of the rat ascites hepatoma AH-66 in vitro, using the agar plate culture method. alpha-Fetoprotein and albumin concentrations in culture media of these subclones were determined by 125I-radioimmunoassay and single radial immunodiffusion method, respectively. Results demonstrated that the AH-66 clone was a complex of cells with varying producibility of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin. All the subclones showed varied and distinct production of alpha-fetoprotein, but not all the subclones produced detectable levels of albumin.

Immunological and chemical correlation between alpha-fetoproteins from human and several mammalian species

Alpha-Fetoproteins of several animals were purified and their molecular weights, amino acid compositions and peptide maps were compared, demonstrating the close similarities. These data indicated that the alpha-fetoproteins of mammalian species have closely related antigenical and chemical structures. Rabbits and horses were immunized with human alpha-fetoprotein, and it was observed that the animals produced antibodies reaction not only with human alpha-fetoprotein but with their homologous alpha-fetoproteins. The results were interpreted as the breakdown of the tolerance to their own alpha-fetoprotein.

Alpha-Fetoprotein and albumin synthesis during the cell cycle

The synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin in two clones of AH66 hepatoma was studied. (1) Amounts of AFP and albumin synthesized by the C-4 clone were 2.9 and 0.28 X 10(-7) mug per cell per hour, respectively. AFP and albumin amounts synthesized by the A-1 clone were 2.5 and 1.8 X 10(-7) mug per cell per hour, respectively. (2) The cell cycles of the C-4 and A-1 clones were as follows: C-4 clone: mean generation time 20.5 hours: G1, 10 hours; S, 7 hours; G2, 4 hours; and M, 30 minutes. A-1 clone: mean generation time 50.7 hours: G1, 36 hours; S, 10 hours; G2, 4 hours; and M, 30-60 minutes. (3) AFP was found to be synthesized from late G1 phase to the end of the S phase for 9 hours in C-4 and 25 hours in A-1. The albumin production was from late S phase to the beginning of the G2 phase for 4 hours in C-4 and 9 hours in A-1, which were approximately half or one-third of the time spent on AFP production. (4) The double staining with fluorescent-conjugated antibodies to AFP and albumin demonstrated that AFP and albumin are probably synthesized by different cells.

Sympus monopus accompanied by nephroblastoma--A case report

An autopsy case of sirenomelia accompanied by nephroblastoma has been reported. In this case, there were many complicating anomalies such as left renal agenesis, absence of external genital organs, imperforate anus, mass of redundant skin over sacral region, two umbilical vessels, absence of great omentum and patent ductus arteriosus. We considered this malformation as sympus monopus.

alpha-Fetoprotein detected in rat transplantable hepatomas by radioimmunoassay

Production of rat alpha-fetoprotein by transplantable ascites hepatoma was studied by radioimmunoassay method. alpha-Fetoprotein was detected in sera from rats bearing 22 out of 50 ascites hepatoma cell lines that were previously negative for the presence of alpha-fetoprotein by the Ouchterlony test. alpha-Fetoprotein was also detected with high prevalency in Morris hepatomas and sublines of Yoshida sarcoma by this assay system.