Connective tissue activation. XVII. Radioimmunoassay of a human platelet derived connective tissue activating peptide (CTAP-III) and specificities of anti-CTAP-III sera

The platelet-derived connective tissue activating peptide (CTAP-III) has been shown to be an important factor stimulating the metabolism and proliferation of human connective tissue cell strains, including synovial tissue cells. The quantities of CTAP-III affecting the cellular changes and the amounts of various biologic fluids and tissues are small. The objectives of this study were to develop a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for CTAP-III and to ascertain the specificities of the anti-CTAP-III sera reagents. The antisera were shown not to cross-react with a number of polypeptide hormones. However, two other platelet proteins, beta-thromboglobulin and low affinity platelet factor-4, competed equally as well as CTAP-III for anti-CTAP-III antibodies in the RIA system. Thus, the three platelet proteins are similar or identical with respect to those portions of the molecules constituting the reactive antigenic determinants. The levels of material in normal human platelet-free plasma that inhibited anti-CTAP-III--125I-CTAP-III complex formation were determined to be 34 +/- 13 (S.D.) ng/ml.

Reisolation of immunoreactive radioiodinated antigens using glutaraldehyde-insolubilized antibody preparations

Radioiodination of antigens for use in radioimmunoassay can result in substantial losses of antigenic reactivity with the corresponding antibody and antisera preparations. We describe a method whereby antigens iodinated with the chloramine-T procedure are bound to and eluted from glutaraldehyde-insolubilized antibody. Unfractionated antisera, an ammonium sulfate precipitated fraction or the IgG fraction of antisera may be used as insolubilized immunoadsorbents. The method has been applied for the reisolation of a radioiodinated peptide, a low molecular weight protein and the fibronectin molecule. The total binding of 125I-antigens to antibody in radioimmunoassays can be increased from such low amounts before reisolation that the assay is not feasible, to 85% above background binding, after adsorption and elution from the insolubilized antibody preparations.

Purification and quantities of immunoglobulins of rheumatoid synovial tissues

Synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritic origin was incubateed with radio-labelled amino acids and the immunoglobulin fraction of the products isolated using either a diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose column or an affinity column of antihuman immunoglobulin coupled to Sepharose. The affinity column method provided a simple, one-step procedure for obtaining quantitative yields of substantially pure immunoglobulin. The elutions from the affinity columns utilized guanidine-HCl allowing the elutions to be performed quickly and under conditions which apparently did not denature the immunoglobulins except perhaps immunoglobulin M. Other solvent conditions for dissociating antibody-antigen complexes were shown to be not suitable and resulted in large volumes of eluates. The affinity columns could be reutilized many times without apparent loss of capacity to bind immunoglobulins.

Interaction of plasma fibronectin with selected cryoglobulins

Plasma fibronectin (PFN) is associated with cryoglobulins of the polyclonal type. Cryoglobulins from two patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia were analysed immunoelectrophoretically to determine a possible association between PFN and immunoglobulin complexes in the formation of cryoprecipitates. In cryoglobulins from each patient, distinctive alterations in electrophoretic migration patterns of both PFN and immunoglobulin were associated with the formation of a cryoprecipitate. The observations indicate that PFN binds to some serum component in the process of cryoglobulin formation. That component may be immunoglobulin.

Activity and diabetic vitreous hemorrhages

To ascertain the relationship between activity and vitreous hemorrhage, we questioned 72 consecutive diabetic patients presenting with 95 episodes of vitreous hemorrhage. The activity most commonly associated with symptoms of hemorrhage was sleep (36%) followed closely by sitting or lying (26%). Only one of six hemorrhages was associated with activity that could be considered more strenous than walking. Limiting the activity of diabetic patients does not seem an effective method of preventing vitreous hemorrhage.

Bruising in cattle fasted prior to transport for slaughter

Three trials, each with 100 bullocks previously grazing improved pasture, compared bruising in cattle fasted for 0, 24 and 48 hours prior to transport for slaughter. Overall the weight of bruised trim from unfasted bullocks (0.48 kg) was significantly less (P less than 0.01) than from bullocks fasted for 24 h (0.99 kg) or 48 h (1.03 kg). length of fast overall had no significant effect. This pattern was not consistent within trials.

Inhibition by polyanions of adherence by Kanagawa-positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus: a physicochemical effect

Rapid adherence of Kanagawa-positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus to human fetal intestinal cells has been demonstrated in monolayer cultures. In this study, polyanionic carbohydrates and glycoproteins of various biochemical compositions, structural configurations, and molecular weights were found to inhibit this adherence. Mono- and disaccharide components of inhibitory compounds did not themselves inhibit adherence. Levels of Ca++ in the test mixture were similar in both the presence and the absence of chondroitin sulfate, a potent inhibitor of adherence by V. parahaemolyticus. These results, which demonstrate a major effect of surface charge in this model of bacterial adherence, suggest that differences in surface charge may contribute to the varying degrees of adherence by different strains of V. parahaemolyticus. This striking effect of surface charge on adherence by V. parahaemolyticus underscores the importance of experimental conditions and of substances that affect the surface potential of the cell in the interpretation of findings in models of bacterial adherence.

Melanin containing neurofibroma: case report with evidence of Schwann cell origin of melanin

This case report describes a melanin-containing neurofibroma involving a spinal nerve root. Electron microscopy of the tumor shows that neoplastic Schwann cells are capable of melanogenesis. Although this capability is suggested in the literature, few reports provide ultrastructural confirmation. The likely identity between reported "cellular blue nevi of spinal nerve roots" and nerve sheath tumors is discussed. It is possible that pigmented nerve sheath tumors behave more aggressively than nonpigmented ones, although it is debatable.

Unilateral cryptophthalmia

Two patients had the variable clinical features of unilateral cryptophthalmia. A 5-month-old boy had isolated unilateral cryptophthalmia: a small boney orbit, deformed optic canal, and a small amorphous mass with no normal intraocular tissue representing the globe. No extraocular muscles or optic nerve were identified by B-scan ultrasound or by computed axial tomography x-ray techniques. The second patient, a 13-year-old girl, had unilateral cryptophthalmia, and numerous systemic abnormalities including a head circumference less than the third percentile, severe mental retardation, hypoplasia of the left side of the head, and a left facial cleft deformity. She also had contractures of hips, knees and ankles, and bilateral spasticity and jerky movements. The left boney orbit was contracted and deformed and contained a small amorphous tissue with no ocular detail, as revealed by B-scan and computed tomography scan.

Enlargement of a histologically documented choroidal nevus

An elevated pigmented mass of the choroid remained stable for 6 1/2 years and then was documented photographically to have increased in size. The tumor stained on fluorescein angiography, produced a visual field defect, and differentially took up radioactive phosphorus. The eye was enucleated and on histologic examination contained a nevus of the choroid. This case shows that enlargement of a choroidal nevus may occur during adulthood, and suggests that despite newer and more sophisticated diagnostic techniques, large nevi and small melanomas of the choroid may be clinically indistinguishable.

Development of DES-associated clear-cell carcinoma: the importance of regular screening

Because the rate of malignancies in young women exposed in utero to diethylstilbesterol (DES) is low, appropriate population screening methods have not been established. A case is presented that is believed to represent the first reported instance of a DES-exposed daughter who developed clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina after initially negative examinations. The patient was followed with Papanicolaou smears, pelvic examinations, and colposcopy every 6 months for 2 years prior to the discovery of malignancy. Initially negative, Papanicolaou smears successfully predicted the presence of an early adenocarcinoma. Palpation aided by colposcopy allowed directed biopsy of the small asymptomatic lesion. This case underscores the necessity for frequent vaginal cytologic smears and pelvic examinations at intervals no greater than 6 months. Colposcopy is indicated to direct biopsies when an abnormal cytologic smears is reported or when abnormal bleeding or discharge occurs. Biopsy of any palpable lesion is mandatory.