Why HLA-B27: an analysis based on two animal models

The histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27 predisposes to at least three diseases: ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, and acute anterior uveitis. Despite its marked association with these diseases, the mechanism of the predisposition remains speculative. Two animal models, those of adjuvant arthritis and endotoxin-induced uveitis, are particularly relevant to an understanding of B27-related disease. An analysis of these two models is useful in considering hypotheses on the mechanism of the B27-related predisposition. The proposal that HLA-B27 itself or a gene closely linked to it confers an enhanced sensitivity to an inflammatory mediator such as a prostaglandin fits both with the animal models and observations on human disease. Studies to test this hypothesis are in progress.

The role of IgE in the immune response to neoplasia: a review

The role of IgE in the immune response to neoplasia has received little attention despite suggestive evidence for an IgE response to tumor specific antigens. A complex interrelationship is known to exist between basophils, eosinophils, histamine, complement, and T cells. The latter cells are known to play a central role in the immune response to neoplasia and, in addition, are now considered important in the production and regulation of IgE, the molecule that may supply an important link between pharmacological and cellular dynamics of a successful anti-tumor response. The evidence for an IgE role in the immune response to tumors, the relationship between atopy and cancer, and the possible mechanisms whereby IgE could enhance tumor rejection are discussed in this review.

The effect of anti-mu suppression of gammaM and gammaG on the production of gammaE

Newbonr mice were treated from the day of birth with either bovine gamma globulin or anti-mu chain sera. The latter was administered using a protocol known to produce suppression of gammaM, gammaG, and gammaA production. Subsequent immunization with ovalbumin (OA) in alum was attempted to see if suppression of gammaM, gammaG, and gammaA classes of antibody would also be accompanied by suppression of gammaE-producing capacity. gammaG and gammaM antibody to OA and mercaptoethanol-resistant (gammaG) antibody to OA were measured by passive hemagglutination; gammaG and gammaE anti-OA antibodies were measured by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Anti-mu suppression was achieved with significant reduction in gammaM and gammaG antibodies. gammaE antibodies were not affected, suggesting an ontogenetic development for gammaE-bearing lymphocytes independent of the previously described gammaM to gammaG to gammaA ontogenetic sequence.